106 - Balancing your time and optimizing your editing workload

106 - Balancing your time and optimizing your editing workload

Wedding season is here, and in this episode of the “Take Your Shot” podcast, Halle shares an honest behind-the-scenes look at how she manages a sustainable wedding photography business without sacrificing her mental health, personal life, or client experience. From calendar management and batching engagement sessions to outsourcing culling and using AI editing tools like Aftershoot, this episode dives into the systems and workflow changes that have helped her stay ahead during one of her busiest seasons yet. If you’re a wedding photographer feeling overwhelmed by editing queues, double-header weekends, or trying to balance work and life during peak season, this episode will help you rethink how you structure your business for long-term sustainability. IN THIS EPISODE: * How to plan your wedding season with a bird’s-eye view * Why protecting your calendar matters more than booking every inquiry * Using scheduling tools and automations to simplify your workflow * Why editing becomes the biggest bottleneck for most photographers * Outsourcing wedding photo editing vs. doing everything yourself * Editing time-saving strategies using Aftershoot, Imagen, and Wilderness * My wedding photography workflow from backup to final edits * Why outsourcing culling helped me regain creative energy * How sustainable systems create a better client experience Whether you’re a wedding photographer, creative entrepreneur, or service provider heading into a busy season, this episode will encourage you to take a step back, evaluate your workload, and build systems that actually support the life you want. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: * Get 30% off your first year of Dubsado with the code TAKEYOURSHOT - dubsado.com/?c=takeyourshot [dubsado.com/?c=takeyourshot ] * Get 1000 free edits with Aftershoot - https://account.aftershoot.com/referral-signup?referrer=2SOC7GASK&utm_source=referral-page-app&utm_medium=copy-cta [https://account.aftershoot.com/referral-signup?referrer=2SOC7GASK&utm_source=referral-page-app&utm_medium=copy-cta] * Try Wilderniss Editing - https://www.wildernis.co/ (use the code HalleR) * Get $100 off your first video editing project with wanderlust videos using the code TAKEYOURSHOT100 - https://www.wanderlust-videos.com/ [https://dp.wanderlust-videos.com/sign_up?invitation_link=1637&tkn=Luke] CONNECT WITH HALLE + TAKE YOUR SHOT COLLECTIVE * Take Your Shot Collective Community [https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community] * Free Resources + Discounts [https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources] * Coaching with Halle [https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching] Mentioned in this episode: Wanderlust Videos - Get your time back and start working with a high-end, dedicated post-production team! use the code: TAKEYOURSHOT100 for $100 off your first edit - https://dp.wanderlust-videos.com/sign_up?invitation_link=1637&tkn=Luke

105 - Turn Your Email List Into Revenue with Kieryn Wang

TURN YOUR EMAIL LIST INTO REVENUE WITH KIERYN WANG If email marketing has felt overwhelming or easy to put off, this episode will simplify it for you. Halle sits down with email marketing expert Kieryn Wang, founder of ALLMOST, to break down how to turn your email list into a consistent and reliable source of revenue. Instead of relying on social media algorithms, email gives you direct access to people who have chosen to hear from you, making it one of the most powerful tools for building trust and converting leads into clients. In this conversation, Kieryn shares a more approachable way to think about email marketing. It does not need to be complex, perfectly designed, or time consuming to be effective. From growing your list with intentional lead magnets to building a welcome sequence that actually nurtures your audience, this episode focuses on what works and how to start without overthinking it. If you have been waiting for the right time to begin, this is it. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE * Why email marketing gives you more control than social media * Common misconceptions about email marketing and why they hold people back * How to start or grow your email list by consistently talking about it * How to build trust by focusing your emails on the reader, not just your business * How often to send emails and how to choose a schedule you can stay consistent with * Simple ways to encourage engagement and build community through your emails CONNECT WITH KIERYN AND VIEW HER RESOURCES: To connect with Kieryn Wang and learn more about her work, visit https://www.itsallmost.com [https://www.itsallmost.com] or follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/itsallmost [https://www.instagram.com/itsallmost]. Kieryn has also created a resource specifically for Take Your Shot listeners. Her Inbox to Revenue Toolkit includes an email analytics tracker and a content calendar to help you stay consistent and strategic. You can access it here https://www.itsallmost.com/takeyourshotpodcast [https://www.itsallmost.com/takeyourshotpodcast] and use the code TYSP. If you are ready to build a business that is not dependent on social media and want to create a stronger connection with your audience, email marketing is one of the most effective places to start. MORE BUSINESS RESOURCES FROM TAKE YOUR SHOT COLLECTIVE: For more support and resources, you can join the Take Your Shot community at https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community [https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community], explore tools at https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources [https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources], or learn more about coaching at https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching [https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching]. Mentioned in this episode: Wanderlust Videos - Get your time back and start working with a high-end, dedicated post-production team! use the code: TAKEYOURSHOT100 for $100 off your first edit - https://dp.wanderlust-videos.com/sign_up?invitation_link=1637&tkn=Luke

104 - The Real Reason Your Brand Isn’t Connecting with Clients With Jennifer Dalton

If you’re a wedding photographer or creative business owner trying to stand out in a crowded market, your brand matters more than ever but not in the way you might think. In this episode of the Take Your Shot podcast, I’m joined by branding expert Jen Dalton, founder of Brand Mirror, to break down what branding actually looks like in today’s market and how to create messaging that connects with your ideal clients and leads to more bookings. We dive into why so many photographers struggle with their messaging, how to clearly communicate your value, and how to build a brand that reflects who you are while still resonating with the people you want to work with. Whether you’re refining your website, updating your portfolio, or preparing your business for the next year, this episode will help you create a stronger, more aligned brand that converts. What You’ll Learn in This Episode * The three levels of messaging that help you stand out and attract better clients * How to identify your ideal client and create messaging that resonates * The biggest branding mistakes photographers make and how to avoid them * How to use client testimonials and reviews to strengthen your brand credibility * Why deep work and intentional thinking are essential for long-term business growth * How to create a business that aligns with your lifestyle and long-term goals About Jen Dalton Jen Dalton is a branding strategist and the founder of Brand Mirror, where she helps entrepreneurs, CEOs, and business owners clarify their message and build brands that reflect who they are and help them stand out. With over 13 years of experience, Jen specializes in personal branding, messaging strategy, and helping clients create a clear and compelling value proposition. Connect with Jen * Website: https://brandmirror.com [https://brandmirror.com] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jendalton/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jendalton/] Jen offers one-on-one strategy sessions, brand consulting, and long-term support to help you build a brand that aligns with your purpose and attracts the right opportunities. Take Your Shot Resources * Wanderlust Videos - Get your time back and start working with a high-end, dedicated post-production team! use the code: TAKEYOURSHOT100 for $100 off your first edit https://dp.wanderlust-videos.com/sign_up?invitation_link=1637&tkn=Luke [https://dp.wanderlust-videos.com/sign_up?invitation_link=1637&tkn=Luke] * Free community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community [https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community] * Business resources: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources [https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources] * Coaching: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching [https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching] * Instagram: https://instagram.com/takeyourshotcollective If you’re looking to improve your branding, attract better clients, and create a business that feels aligned and sustainable, this episode is a must-listen. Mentioned in this episode: Wanderlust Videos - Get your time back and start working with a high-end, dedicated post-production team! use the code: TAKEYOURSHOT100 for $100 off your first edit - https://dp.wanderlust-videos.com/sign_up?invitation_link=1637&tkn=Luke

103 - Why Gen Z is ghosting you and how workflows can fix that - with Gail Frazier

If you’ve been feeling like inquiries are harder to convert, clients are slower to respond, or ghosting is more common, you’re not alone. The market is shifting, and a big part of that comes down to changing client expectations—especially with Gen Z. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Gail Fraser, systems expert and founder of Work Simple. She helps creative business owners build backend systems and automation that support their business in a way that still feels personal and aligned. This conversation breaks down what’s actually changing, what matters most right now, and how to simplify your business so you can focus on what truly moves the needle. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: * Why Gen Z expects faster communication and automation * How price transparency impacts your ability to book the right clients * The difference between automation and AI (and why that matters) * What to automate first to save time and mental energy * The biggest mistake people make when investing in tools like CRMs * When to invest in systems versus hiring a virtual assistant * How to use client offboarding to generate more referrals and reviews The small tasks in your business are adding up more than you think. When you automate and systemize the repeatable parts of your workflow, you create more space to focus on the relationships and high-impact work that actually grows your business. Action Steps You Can Take Today: * Write out your full client workflow in simple bullet points * Identify tasks you repeat for every client * Turn one of those into a reusable template * Start asking how you can make each step simpler or more efficient Connect with Gail from worksimple IO Website: https://worksimple.io [https://worksimple.io] Instagram: https://instagram.com/worksimple.io [https://instagram.com/worksimple.io] Free resource (ClickUp template + newsletter): https://worksimple.io/newsletter [https://worksimple.io/newsletter] Speaking: https://worksimple.io/speaking [https://worksimple.io/speaking] Gail offers systems sprints, operations audits, and full custom builds to help you simplify and scale your business with better workflows. Take Your Shot Resources Free community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community [https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community] Free resources: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources [https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources] Coaching: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching [https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching] Instagram: https://instagram.com/takeyourshotcollective If this episode resonated with you, share it with a business owner who you think could also benefit from this! BONUS - share it on your Instagram story and tag @takeyourshotcollective

102 -How to Generate More Leads for Your Photography Business with Rachel Traxler

Rachel Traxler is back on the podcast and this time we are diving deep into lead generation — what is actually working right now, what has shifted in the industry, and why waiting around for inquiries to come to you is no longer a strategy. Rachel shares why she still believes Google and SEO are her biggest lead generators, how in-person networking continues to open doors she never expected, and why getting in front of other people's audiences through collaborations and guest blogging is one of the most underutilized tools photographers have available to them. We also get into the nitty gritty of building social media funnels using ManyChat, why your call to action might not be converting the way you want, and how to think about guiding potential clients down the funnel rather than sending them backwards. Rachel breaks down how she has updated her own contact form and pricing guide process to better serve different types of buyers, and why being transparent and direct with your potential clients is not salesy — it is just good service. LINKS & RESOURCES Take Your Shot: 1. Business Resources: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources [https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources] 2. Coaching: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching [https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching] Rachel Traxler: 1. Website: racheltraxler.com 2. Instagram: instagram.com/racheltraxler 3. Shop (Digital Products + Done for You Funnels): https://racheltraxler.com/shop [https://racheltraxler.com/shop]