Motherhood, Burnout & Building a Photography Business You Love with Nikki Closser

Motherhood, Burnout & Building a Photography Business You Love with Nikki Closser

What happens when you realize the career you've worked so hard to build no longer fits the life you want? In this episode of The PhotograpHER Podcast, I sit down with photographer, educator, and podcast host Nikki Closser [https://nikkiclosser.com] to talk about the realities of leaving a stable career, building a photography business from scratch, raising a family, overcoming burnout, and creating a business that supports the life you actually want. Nikki shares her journey from school social worker to full-time photographer and educator, including the mindset shifts, pricing lessons, confidence struggles, and business decisions that helped her build a thriving photography business. If you've ever questioned your pricing, battled imposter syndrome, worried about charging what you're worth, or wondered whether investing in yourself is really worth it, this conversation is for you. In This Episode We Discuss: ✔️ Why Nikki left her career in social work to pursue photography ✔️ The signs of burnout and knowing when it's time for a change ✔️ Building a photography business while working another job ✔️ The power of mentorship and investing in education ✔️ How a CreativeLive course changed the trajectory of her career ✔️ The incredible story of meeting Sue Bryce ✔️ Pricing mistakes photographers make early in business ✔️ How to confidently raise your prices ✔️ Understanding your cost of doing business ✔️ Why charging more can create a better client experience ✔️ Dealing with objections and pricing pushback ✔️ Overcoming imposter syndrome as a photographer ✔️ Networking strategies that helped grow her business ✔️ Personal branding photography and standing out in a crowded market ✔️ Balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship, and life outside of work ✔️ The importance of community, accountability, and support as a business owner Whether you're a photographer looking to raise your prices, grow your confidence, or build a business that feels aligned with your life, Nikki shares practical advice and honest insights from more than a decade in the industry. Connect with Nikki 🌐 Website: Nikki Closser Photography & Education [https://nikkiclosser.com/freebies] 🎙️ Podcast: The Portrait System Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-portrait-system-podcast/id1496288925] 📸 Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nikkiclosser/?hl=en] Connect with Jaime 🌐 Website: Jaime Bugbee Photography & Education [https://jaimebugbeephotography.com/photography-mentorship] 📸 Instagram: @photomarketingcoach [https://www.instagram.com/photomarketingcoach/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Helping photographers build websites that attract dream clients, rank on Google, and generate inquiries without relying on social media. Leave a review! Thank you!

Google Business Profiles, Reviews & AI Search: The Future of Local SEO with Claudia Tomina

Is SEO dead? With AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, and constant algorithm changes, many photographers and small business owners are wondering if the strategies they've spent years building still matter. In this episode of The PhotograpHER Podcast, I sit down with Claudia Tomina, founder of Reputation Arm and a Google Business Profile expert, to discuss what is actually happening with SEO, AI search, online reviews, and local business visibility. Claudia shares practical advice for photographers, service-based business owners, and entrepreneurs who want to stay visible online without getting overwhelmed by every new marketing trend. In this episode, we discuss: ✔️ Is SEO really dead or just evolving? ✔️ How AI search is changing local marketing ✔️ Why Google reviews matter more than ever ✔️ How AI uses review content to recommend businesses ✔️ The biggest Google Business Profile mistakes business owners make ✔️ What to do if your Google reviews disappear ✔️ How to handle fake or negative reviews professionally ✔️ Why citations and business listings still matter ✔️ The role of backlinks in modern SEO ✔️ How Reddit, social media mentions, and online conversations impact AI search ✔️ Tips for photographers who serve multiple locations ✔️ How to future-proof your business for AI-powered search Whether you're a photographer trying to rank higher on Google or a business owner navigating the rapid changes happening with AI search, this episode will help you understand what matters, what doesn't, and where to focus your energy moving forward. Connect with Claudia 🌐 Website: Reputation Arm [https://reputationarm.com] 💼 LinkedIn: Claudia Tomina on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudia-tomina/] 📚 Subscribe to Claudia's blog and newsletter [https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7316093471138738180/] for updates on Google Business Profiles, reviews, local SEO, and AI search. Connect with Jaime 🌐 Website: Jaime Bugbee Photography & Education [https://jaimebugbeephotography.com/photography-mentorship] 📸 Instagram: @photomarketingcoach [https://www.instagram.com/photomarketingcoach/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 🎙️ Listen to more episodes of The PhotograpHER Podcast and learn how to build a photography business that gets found on Google, attracts dream clients, and generates inquiries without relying on social media.

Photographing Kids Without Stress: Building Confidence in Family Photography with Alyx Jones

What do you do when the kids aren't cooperating during a family photo session? In this episode of The PhotograpHER Podcast, I sit down with San Francisco family and newborn photographer [https://alyxjonesphotography.com] Alyx Jones [https://alyxjonesphotography.com] to talk about one of the biggest challenges photographers face: working confidently with children during family sessions. Alyx shares how her background in early childhood education has shaped her approach to family photography, helping photographers create authentic, connected images without relying on forced smiles, bribes, or perfect behavior. We discuss: ✔️ How to photograph children naturally ✔️ What to do when kids aren't cooperating ✔️ Building confidence during family sessions ✔️ How child development impacts photography ✔️ Preparing parents before the session ✔️ Working with shy, energetic, and neurodivergent children ✔️ Creating a calm session experience for families ✔️ Why connection matters more than perfection ✔️ Using family photography model calls to gain experience ✔️ The mindset shift photographers need when working with kids Whether you're a family photographer looking to improve your client experience or a photographer considering adding family sessions to your business, this conversation is packed with practical strategies you can use at your very next session. Alyx also shares details about her new education program designed to help photographers confidently work with children, understand child behavior, and create frame-worthy family portraits that clients will treasure for years to come. If you've ever wondered how photographers consistently capture genuine smiles, connection, and emotion during family sessions, this episode is for you. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:a12f1650-b507-4cdb-a3ec-531c2b3f27d7-15" data-turn-id-container= "request-WEB:a12f1650-b507-4cdb-a3ec-531c2b3f27d7-15" data-testid= "conversation-turn-4" data-turn="assistant"> Connect with Alyx 📸 Website: Family Photography Education [https://alyxjonesphotography.com/early-access] 📱 Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alyx.jones.photography/?hl=en] Alyx is a San Francisco family and newborn photographer who helps families create joyful, connected, and authentic images while making the experience feel relaxed and fun. Connect with Jaime 📸 Website: Jaime Bugbee Photography & Education [https://jaimebugbeephotography.com/photography-mentorship] 📱 Instagram: @photomarketingcoach [https://www.instagram.com/photomarketingcoach/] 🎙️ Leave a review! Thank you! Enjoyed this episode? Take a screenshot, share it to Instagram Stories, and tag both of us so we can see you're listening! 📱 Alyx: @alyx.jones.photography 📱 Jaime: @photomarketingcoach

SEO for Photographers: How Better Messaging Turns Website Visitors into Paying Clients with Krista Marie

In this episode of The PhotograpHER Podcast, Jamie Bugbee, a branding photographer [https://jaimebugbeephotography.com/brand-photography] and educator, sits down with brand strategist and website designer Krista Marie, a NYC brand photog [https://heykristamarie.com/] and website designer, to discuss how photographers can attract more of the right clients through stronger messaging, authentic branding, and strategic SEO. If you've ever wondered why your website gets traffic but isn't generating inquiries, this conversation breaks down the psychology behind client decisions, the importance of clear messaging, and how to create a website that builds trust and converts visitors into bookings. Krista shares practical insights on authentic marketing, standing out in a crowded photography industry, improving website conversions, and using SEO as a long-term growth strategy rather than a quick fix. In this episode, you'll learn: • How authentic messaging helps photographers attract ideal clients • Why some photographers rank on Google but still struggle to book clients • The connection between SEO, website design, and conversions • What visitors need to see in the first few seconds on your website • How to build confidence and trust through your brand voice • Practical strategies for growing a photography business without relying solely on social media Connect with Krista Marie Website [https://heykristamarie.com/about] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/heykristamarie/] Podcast [https://heykristamarie.com/podcast/] Learn More from Jaime The Booked PhotograpHER + Business Coaching [http://jaimebugbeephotography.com/photography-mentorship] If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another photographer who wants to improve their website, messaging, and SEO strategy.

The Secret to Consistent Photography Marketing (Without Burning Out) with Annemie Tonken

In this episode of The PhotograpHER Podcast, I sit down with photographer, educator, podcast host, and creator of the Simple Sales System, Annemie Tonken. If you've ever wondered how to raise your prices, create a sustainable photography business, automate your sales process, or consistently market your photography business without burning out, this conversation is for you. Annemie shares how a major life transition led her to completely rethink the way she sold photography, resulting in a system that helped her break six figures while working fewer hours. We discuss the Simple Sales System, online sales, pricing psychology, client education, automation, AI, content creation, and what photographers need to focus on during uncertain economic times. We also dive into Annemie's Consistency Club, how photographers can use AI as a tool rather than a replacement for their voice, and why building strong business systems matters more than ever. Whether you're a family photographer, newborn photographer, portrait photographer, or creative entrepreneur, you'll walk away with practical strategies you can implement immediately. In this episode, you'll learn: • How Annemie transitioned from nursing to a thriving photography business • Why photographers struggle with pricing and raising rates • The Simple Sales System and how it eliminates traditional in-person sales • How automation can improve the client experience • Why education and communication increase bookings and sales • How to use AI responsibly in your marketing • The biggest mistake photographers make when times feel uncertain • Why consistency matters more than perfection • How to create content without spending hours every week • What gives Annemie hope for the future of photography If you're ready to build a photography business that supports your life instead of consuming it, this episode is packed with insight. Connect with Annemie Tonken: Website: https://thiscanbethathard.com [https://www.thiscantbethathard.com] Podcast: This Can't Be That Hard Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-cant-be-that-hard/id1498142155] Instagram: @thiscantbethathard [https://www.instagram.com/thiscantbethathard/] --> Free 5-Day Content Challenge [https://www.thiscantbethathard.com/5dcc] Connect with Jaime: Website: https://jaimebugbee.com [https://jaimebugbee.com/] Instagram: @photomarketingcoach [https://www.instagram.com/photomarketingcoach/] If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with another photographer who needs to hear it.