Episode 47 - Trust-Building in the AI Era Photography Breakthrough

Episode 47 - Trust-Building in the AI Era Photography Breakthrough

Trust-Building in the AI Era Photography Breakthrough Speaker: Welcome, welcome. Speaker 2: Today we're going to talk about AI Speaker: Yes, AI. Can now make beautiful images in about 12 seconds, which is really rude when you think about it. Some of us spend years learning light, composition, posing, editing, And how to pretend we are calm when Lightroom crashes But here's the good news. Speaker: AI can make pictures. It cannot make people trust you Speaker: AI cannot look at a nervous client and say "You're not awkward. Speaker: AI cannot calm a groom Speaker: who has suddenly forgotten how to stand like a human being AI cannot make a toddler laugh Speaker: after they've entered a room in raccoon mode Speaker: AI can't tell a business owner Speaker: You do not need to become a better person, a different person for your brand photos You just need to let people see the real you That part, that's your work Speaker: And that is why today more than ever, trust matters Speaker: I think a lot of people with cameras, photographers, think clients are only asking, "Are your pictures good?" But they're not Speaker: They're also quietly asking, "Will I feel weird with this person? Will they help me pose? Will I know what to wear?" Will this be worth the money? Will my partner cooperate? Speaker: Will my children behave like children or like tiny unpaid interns on strike? Speaker: Trust answers those questions before the client ever books Speaker: So yes, look at your photography, your website Your social media, your bio, your pricing guides. Are all of them building trust? Speaker: Or are they just saying, "I capture memories," and hoping people spiritually understand your entire business model Try this one instead you see, my job is to guide you through the entire photography experience so you feel relaxed, confident, and taken care of from the first email until you have the pictures in your hands Speaker: Or better yet, on your wall That sentence . It lowers fear. It creates confidence. It helps clients feel safe choosing you Speaker: In the age of AI, your biggest advantage is not just your camera skill, it's your ability to create trust with real people in real moments Speaker: So what's your action steps for this week? Speaker: Pick one place where your clients might feel a little uncertain and add things that make them feel reassured Change your language. Speak to their fears Speaker: Go through your pricing guide your social media captions, anywhere Speaker: and change the language Speaker: You don't need to panic about AI Speaker: You need to become easier to trust. Until next week, bye for now

Episode 46 - The Gift Beyond the Camera

The Gift Beyond the Camera Speaker: Welcome back to the Photography Breakthrough podcast. Today, I want to give you some relief Because if you're a photographer watching AI get better and better, you might be quietly asking yourself, "What happens to me if beautiful images become easier to create?" Silently, I think a lot of us are thinking that same thing, wondering, " What's gonna happen to me?" Speaker: And here's the truth Speaker: Your camera skill matters. Your editing skill matters. Your eye matters. But your skill is not your whole gift Speaker: Your deeper gift Speaker: is how people feel around you How seen they feel. How safe they feel how clearly you help them understand the value of being photographed at this moment in their life, their business, with their family, in their relationships Speaker: and their legacy Yes, AI can generate an image, but it cannot know what a mother feels when her child is about to leave home. It cannot understand the courage it takes for a business owner to finally show up in front of the camera. It can't feel the quiet tenderness between two people on a wedding day. Speaker: This, my friend, is where you come in. Speaker: So the question is no longer, "Am I technically good enough?" The better question is, "Do I trust myself enough to lead my clients into an experience they cannot get from a machine?" Speaker: Because that's what AI is. Speaker: This week, do yourself a favor. Look at your website, your Instagram bio, your pricing guide, your inquiry emails. Are you only talking about photos? Or are you helping people understand the transformation that you can give Instead of saying, "I take beautiful portraits," or Speaker: I love creating beautiful moments. Try saying, " Speaker: I help people feel confident Speaker: Or, "I help people feel relaxed and deeply seen." That is a different level of language. That, my friends, is trust Speaker: And in the age of AI, the photographers who win will not be the ones who hide behind technical skill Speaker: They will be the ones who know how to communicate Speaker: human value Speaker: So what's your next step? Start with this. Rewrite one sentence in your photography marketing so it speaks to the feeling, not just to the photos Speaker: Oh, and before you go, do me a favor. Leave a five-star review and share this podcast with a photographer who needs to hear this today Speaker: In closing, remember this: Your gift is much bigger You are not being replaced You're being invited to rise. Until next time, bye for now

Episode 45 - Building Emotional Connection with Clients through Questions

Building Emotional Connection with Clients through Questions Speaker: For those of you who study with me, you learn this right away. How to build an emotional connection Speaker: The other day, a client came in town and-- let me back up because she never hired me before, so she wasn't a client. But we met a few months ago at a dinner party. We exchanged cards, and then she came back to town because her father unexpectedly passed away While she was in town, she sent me a message saying, "Matthew, I'm just here for a few days." Speaker: She explained the situation, and she said, "I don't know when I'll be back, but I'd like for you to create my portrait." Are you free today or tomorrow? Speaker: Now this message came Speaker: In the middle of the day Speaker: I was free that day. I could have done the shoot, but I responded, " Let's shoot tomorrow because I want to give you the best experience Speaker: And that takes time Speaker: I want to create the most impactful image of your life Speaker: One that you remember forever Speaker: Then of course, she also asked my price Speaker: And I responded And the way that I teach all my students how to respond to that question. We all get it, but how do you respond to that question? Speaker: I responded in the way I teach all my students how to respond Speaker: If you've come to any of my workshops, you've heard me talk about building an emotional connection Speaker: And all my students, they learn that right away Speaker: But I wanna share just one thing that happened with this client when I did what I teach. I wanna share with you how she responded Speaker: I asked this question: If the younger version of you could see you now, what do you think she would admire most? Speaker: What would you want her to know about the woman she eventually became? Speaker: This is just one of the things I teach my clients to do Speaker: But right now Whether you're a man or a woman, I want you to think about that question. If the younger version of you could see you now what you think they would admire most? Think about that Speaker: The younger you Speaker: It's a very deep question Speaker: And yes, it catches people by surprise. Maybe right now you're thinking about your younger self and how you would answer that question Speaker: If the younger version of you could see you now, how you've lived your life, what you've been through, what you've overcome, what do you think the younger version of you would most admire about you? Speaker: This is a question that you should think about Speaker: Even as I ask this question, it's making me think about my younger self Speaker: And I hope it's helping you to do the same Speaker: So here's is what my potential client, 'cause she hadn't hired me yet, this is what my potential client responded to this question. " Just reading this question made me burst into tears. I could feel the child inside me crying deeply." Speaker: If the younger version of me could see me now, I think she would be amazed that I survived Speaker: Back then, when I was a child, I felt trapped. I felt hopeless And I felt alone. Speaker: As a child, I was always trembling because I believed people would hurt me I didn't think that happiness or freedom were even possible for me Speaker: What I would want the younger version of me to know is this: You are not stuck forever One day you will discover your own freedom, your own voice, and your own strength And one day you will finally become yourself. To little me, smile and be happy. You deserve it Speaker: Then she wrote this: "I can't stop crying because of those final words. The grown-up version of me is crying so deeply right now." Speaker: Now this is just one of the things that I teach my students to do Speaker: So what do you think happened after my potential client, 'cause remember she hadn't hired me yet, what do you think my potential client did after answering this question? Now, this is just one in a series of questions that I ask But what do you think happened? Did she ghost me when I gave my price? Speaker: Absolutely not. She booked me right away. We shot the next day. We had an incredible experience. We were both almost in tears during the shoot. And now I have a client for life. The way she walked through the door, the way she walked out the door Let me know that Before I could get home, I had a message from her about the shoot, about the questions that I asked. Speaker: And she said, "I've never had an experience like that before in my life. I don't know what you did, but thank you." Speaker: I hope you really hear this message Speaker: Right now, at this moment, we're not taking on new students, but you can get on the wait list So when the doors open again, you can learn how to turn things around in a way that you'll never get ghosted again. Wouldn't you like that? Every photographer would It's not about your talent. It's not about your work Speaker: Maybe you're just not answering questions the right way in a way that builds trust before they ever hear your price Speaker: to get on my waitlist Just go to the show notes. That's the only place where you'll find the link. It's in the show notes to be on the waiting list. So the next time we open the doors, you can be one of the first to be a part Speaker: of the client breakthrough This is powerful stuff Speaker: Maybe you're wondering what kind of questions that we ask. What kind of questions do I teach my students how to ask? I can guarantee you this, it's not what you're thinking Speaker: Because what you're thinking is probably what everybody else is doing, and everybody is getting the same results. Many people are getting ghosted or people are price shopping Speaker: That's not the way to have a successful career. Whether you're doing commercial work or personal work It doesn't matter Speaker: We are all flesh and blood Speaker: We all have emotions. We all had a childhood. We all live life Speaker: If you wanna have a better life doing what you love as a photographer, do me a favor, go to the show notes and get on the waiting list All right. I hope this message resonated with you Speaker: And I look forward to seeing you very soon. But first, jump on the waiting list so you're ready to jump right in the next time we open the doors. Until then, bye for now. 👉 JOIN THE WAITLIST [https://www.photographybreakthroughsystem.com/photography-breakthrough-system-waitlist]

Episode 44 - Day Three: Client Conversion Challenge Finale

Day Three: Client Conversion Challenge Finale Speaker: Wow. Now that was a fantastic week. Were you there? Last week we did part one and part two of the Client Conversion Challenge, and I've got to say, number one, thank you to everyone who showed up. If you missed it, you actually missed a lot. Speaker: Last week in the podcast, I talked about trust because here's the truth, it's not about your work. A lot of us are trying to be better photographers, and I get it because back in the day, you had to be a better photographer to get work. But that was before AI came on the scene. Before there were millions of photographers. Today, there's just too many things going on, and a client is not going to book you unless they trust you. So last week, in day one and day two of the Client Conversion Challenge, it was all about trust and teaching you how to have clients really trust you. Speaker: But the final day, that happens tomorrow. Speaker: It is the most important day of all. Speaker: If you missed day one and two. You still have a chance to come and check out day three, which is the most important day. Speaker: This is live. You've got to show up. Speaker: But here's what happens when you do show up. Clients learn to show up as well. They stop ghosting you. They learn to trust you before they ever meet you. Maybe you're wondering, how does that happen? Come to day three and find out for yourself. Speaker: All you have to do is click the link that's in the show notes, or if you're on Instagram, go to my page under Matthew Jordan Smith, and there at the top is the link for you to sign up. Once you sign up, you get all the announcements with the link to the live Zoom meeting. Speaker: Now, I still have a lot to do. So today it's very short. Speaker: But the message. Speaker: This will last the rest of your photography career. Speaker: And you'll have a long career once you learn. Speaker: How to build trust. Speaker: I look forward to seeing you there live. At the end of the live, we're taking live Q&A, so you can ask your questions to me directly. Come and join me. I look forward to seeing you for day three of the Client Conversion Challenge. I'll see you soon. Bye for now.

Special Episode - How Do They Know Who You Are

How do they know who you are? Speaker 2: Let me ask you a question. How does someone know you're a photographer? I want you to think about that for a second. Speaker 2: How do they really know you're a photographer? Is it just because you say so? Speaker 2: Today is gonna be a different type of podcast. Speaker 2: And for those who can hear me, Speaker 2: I truly hope this resonates because this episode is not for you to hear with your ears. It's for you to hear with your heart. Speaker 2: A lot has been happening in our world. A lot. Speaker 2: But it didn't just begin this year. It started a long time ago Speaker 2: When someone planted a seed. Speaker 2: The seed was fake news. Speaker 2: Back then, there was no such thing. Speaker 2: The opposite is true today. Speaker 2: Today, many people are staying quiet because of fear. Speaker 2: But as a person of color, I cannot stay quiet. Speaker 2: Seeing everything that I have been seeing, hearing everything that I've been hearing. You've heard it. You're seeing it too. Speaker 2: Some are taking it seriously, Speaker 2: Some are saying, "Oh, just wait till the end of the year." Speaker 2: The truth is, no one knows the future. Speaker 2: I told you this was gonna be a very different type of podcast. Speaker 2: Let me turn back to that first question. Speaker 2: How does someone know you're a photographer? Speaker 2: Do they know that just because you say you're a photographer? Speaker 2: We are living in a world where people are saying a lot of things. Speaker 2: Taking on all types of labels, and people are believing them just because they say it. Speaker 2: Someone very wise once said, Speaker 2: "You know a tree by its fruit." Speaker 2: Let's say you're walking by a bunch of trees. Speaker 2: All these trees are packed with fruit. The fruit's red. You recognize it. You know what it is. Speaker 2: But somebody mislabeled all the trees and said, "Oh, these are lemon trees." You can see with your eyes they're apples. You can tell. Speaker 2: By just looking at them. You recognize the apple. You grab the apple, you take a bite, it's sweet. Speaker 2: You recognize that taste. Speaker 2: But the person who labeled the trees comes and tells you, "No, that's a lemon tree." Speaker 2: But you saw it with your own eyes. You took a bite to taste it for yourself. Speaker 2: You can hear what it sounds like as you take the bite. Speaker 2: There is nothing that tells you that what you've just tasted, what you've just seen, what you've just heard is anything but an apple. Speaker 2: But then a thousand people stand behind the person who said, "That's a lemon tree," and they all say, "Oh, no, that's a lemon tree." Speaker 2: Don't be fooled by the crowd. Speaker 2: Just because the majority says, "That's a lemon tree," doesn't make it so. Speaker 2: Like the wise one once said, "You will know a tree by its fruit, by what it produces." Speaker 2: So if someone says, "I'm a photographer," but they've never touched a camera, is that a photographer? Speaker 2: Today, many people are saying they are Christian. Speaker 2: But have no idea what that means. Speaker 2: To be honest, you don't have to know. All you have to do is look at the fruit, what they produce. That will tell you everything. Speaker 2: Yes. I told you this was gonna be a very different type of podcast today. Speaker 2: We are living in very dangerous times. I, for one, I've seen enough. I know you have, too. This, of all the times in our lifetime, is not the time to stay quiet. Speaker 2: Or to be confused because somebody says they're one thing, Speaker 2: But the fruit that they are producing is showing something entirely different. Speaker 2: It's not about what anybody says, it's about what they do and the fruit that they produce. Speaker 2: There's a very wise book that talks about a time when people will be able to hear but not able to hear. See with their eyes but not be able to see what's happening right in front of them. Speaker 2: I actually never thought that I would see that in my lifetime, but now we are. Speaker 2: Don't be fooled. Speaker 2: By people who tell you that they are one thing and they show you the opposite. Speaker 2: I don't know what's coming. None of us do. Speaker 2: But I don't want you to be fearful. Speaker 2: Don't want thoughts and prayers. Speaker 2: Unless you really believe in prayer and know the power of it. Speaker 2: So we are seeing a lot that's happening all over the world. Speaker 2: If you feel anything, Speaker 2: And if you are the person who believes in prayer, I know there are a lot who don't. For those of you who do, I want you to do something that's more powerful than anything that we know. Join me in prayer. Don't pray with your mouth. Speaker 2: Pray from your heart. It's a very different thing. Speaker 2: I, for one, I know the power of prayer. Speaker 2: Not lip service for people. That doesn't count. It doesn't matter. It doesn't do anything. Speaker 2: Pray earnestly from your heart. Speaker 2: As a matter of fact, anything that's bothering you, Speaker 2: Your career, your personal life, your life in general, the lives of people around you, your country, the world, anything that's affecting you right now, that's bugging you, I want you to pray about that right now. Speaker 2: Not in front of anybody else. Go into your secret place and talk to the Creator about exactly what you're feeling. That's the only way you'll be heard. Speaker 2: I had a person ask me the other day, "Matthew, well, how do you pray?" And this is what I said. Speaker 2: You talk to the Creator the same way you're talking to me. Speaker 2: From your heart, not from your mouth. Speaker 2: Pray from your heart. Speaker 2: You see, we are always trying to figure things out on our own. Speaker 2: But there are a lot of things that are beyond our understanding, Speaker 2: Beyond our control. Speaker 2: So don't be afraid. Pray. But really pray. Speaker 2: Not going through the motions, 'cause that, that does nothing. Speaker 2: Talk to the Creator the way you talk to your best friend. Speaker 2: And let's watch what happens. I told you this is going to be a very different type of podcast. Speaker 2: I hope you heard it. Speaker 2: Bye for now.