293 - Michelle Crandall hit a $10,000 month in her pet photography business—but instead of popping champagne, her brain flipped out. If you’ve ever downplayed your wins or feared that success makes you “unrelatable,” this is the episode you need. Heather Lahtinen is chatting with Michelle to unpack the emotional roadblocks around money mindset for photographers—and how to finally overcome them. Once and for all.What to Listen For:Why hitting a $10K month can still feel like a failureThe sneaky way your brain robs you of celebrating successThe “relatability trap” photographers fall into—and how to escape itHow money stories from childhood shape your business todayWhy success can feel like a core value conflictThe hidden cost of staying small and humbleWhat it really means to inspire othersWhy it's not your job to manage other people’s emotionsHow to reframe your money mindset to fuel growthTwo confidence-building challenges to help you OWN your successThis episode is a deep dive into the emotional side of business growth and money mindset for photographers. Michelle's story reminds us that hitting financial goals is just one part of success—you also have to let yourself feel successful. If you’re ready to shift your mindset, celebrate your wins, and stop hiding your light, this one’s for you.🎧 Listen to the episode now and don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow photographer who needs to hear this! Want to go deeper? Join us inside Elevate at www.freedomfocusformula.com/elevate - save the $200 enrollment fee with the code: PODCAST.Ready for more support? Join Heather’s next FREE coaching call at www.getcoachedbyheather.comMaster your pet photography craft at www.hairofthedogacademy.com/academyCreate a profitable portrait photography business at www.freedomfocusformula.comBreak into the world of commercial (B2B) pet photography at www.hairofthedogacademy.com/commercialAre you enjoying the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast? Please leave a rating or a review!JOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.
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Ditch the Timeline with Heather Lahtinen
292 - Feeling like you "should be further along by now?" You're not alone—and you're not behind. Join me and Heather as we dismantle the myth of the perfect timeline and explore what it really means to build a business you love, at your own pace.What to Listen For:Why there's no such thing as “behind” in businessThe invisible “timeline” trap and how it messes with your mindsetWhat it really takes to go from $500 sessions to $5K clientsHow belief (not panic) speeds up resultsThe difference between inspired action and reactive desperationWhy your past self would high-five you right nowThe single best question to ask when you're stuckHow to tap into your future self for clarity and momentumWhat to do when you’re spiraling in scarcity modeYour journey is unfolding exactly as it should—and you're learning what you need to learn, exactly when you need to learn it. If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like you “should be further by now,” hit play and let this be your reset button. 🎧👉 Listen now, subscribe, and check out our Elevate program if you're ready to get unstuck and grow with support.🔗Resources from this episodeThe Gap and Gain with Heather LahtinenGet coached by Heather: www.getcoachedbyheather.comFreedom Focus Formula: www.freedomfocusformula.comElevate Program: www.freedomfocusformula.com/elevateHair of the Dog Academy: www.hairofthedogacademy.comAre you enjoying the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast? Please leave a rating or a review!JOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.
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38:36
AI-Powered SEO with Connor Walberg
291 - Feeling lost in the ever-changing world of SEO? Or wondering if using AI for your website is going to get you smacked down by Google? You’re not alone—and this week’s episode with SEO pro Connor Walberg is packed with answers. We’re talking about how to use AI ethically and effectively to boost your rankings, create better content, and stop stressing over your blog strategy.What to Listen For:What E-E-A-T is and why Google cares about itHow to use AI tools like ChatGPT without sounding like a robotWhat “topical authority” means and how to build itWhy blog content still matters (and how to make it easier with AI)How to brainstorm blog topics that actually attract clientsWhat to ask ChatGPT before creating any contentHow photographers can use AI to stand out in local SEOThe surprising way AI can help with backlinks and outreachConnor’s favorite prompts for optimizing website pagesIf you’ve been staring at a blank Google Doc, dreading your next blog post or confused about how AI fits into your SEO strategy—this episode is your permission slip to make it easier. Connor breaks it down with practical advice, smart prompts, and a healthy dose of reality. Tune in and give your SEO a serious upgrade.👉 And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review if this episode was helpful!Resources from this episode: ✨Connect with Connor- https://www.connorwalberg.com (Reference this podcast episode to get a free website audit!)✨Master the craft of pet photography at the Hair of the Dog Academy – hairofthedogacademy.com✨Stop competing on price, sell without feeling pushy, and reach consistent $2,000+ sales – freedomfocusformula.com✨Crack the code to booking more clients inside Elevate – freedomfocusformula.com/elevate✨Discover the world of commercial pet photography- hairofthedogacademy.com/commercialAre you enjoying the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast? Please leave a rating or a review!JOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.
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Elevate Your Artwork (and Sales)
290 - Let’s talk luxury, artistry, and one-of-a-kind craftsmanship. In this episode, I chat with Amy and Tavis Guild about their journey into creating Guild Canvas, why offering high-end art matters, and how photographers can shift their mindset—and their pricing—by focusing on prestige. Warning: You might just throw out all your old samples after this episode.What to listen for:Why Guild Canvas isn’t “just” a canvas—and what truly sets it apart.Why offering only one product can actually boost your sales (and confidence).How Amy and Tavis went from overwhelmed product menus to simplified, luxury-focused selling.The psychology behind prestige pricing—and how to tap into it.Why what you show and say determines what you sell.Marketing tips for attracting clients who value heirloom artwork.The myth of the “part-time photographer” and why profitability still matters.How charitable marketing and community engagement can attract your dream clients.Real-world sales insights—including how one studio removed all other products and never looked back.Tavis’s unique “Prove It” senior model (and why it works).Whether you're ready to go all in or just want to test the waters with a price anchor, Guild Canvas is the kind of product that can truly shift your business. Simpler. More elevated. And more profitable. Go check them out and let them know I sent you!Connect with Guild CanvasGuild Canvas Club Facebook GroupGuild Canvas on InstagramGuild Canvas WebsiteMore ResourcesMaster the craft of pet photography at the Hair of the Dog Academy – hairofthedogacademy.comStop competing on price, sell without feeling pushy, and reach consistent $2,000+ sales – freedomfocusformula.comCrack the code to booking more clients inside Elevate – freedomfocusformula.com/elevateDiscover the world of commercial pet photography- hairofthedogacademy.com/commercialAre you enjoying the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast? Please leave a rating or a review!JOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.
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50:48
Your Business, But Happier
289 - What if the secret to building a successful photography business wasn’t more hustle—but more joy?In this uplifting and radically honest episode, I'm joined by J. Nichole Smith, branding guru and joy-first evangelist, to explore what happens when you choose joy over fear—in both your life and your business.If you've ever worried about raising your prices, selling to clients, or marketing during uncertain times—this conversation is for you. Nic and I get real about burnout, fear-based selling, joy-fueled branding, and what it actually takes to build a business that not only pays the bills... but feels really good to run.What to Listen For:What “Joy First” actually means—and why it matters in businessThe difference between discomfort and danger (and why one leads to growth)The truth about fear-based marketing (and why it’s everywhere)How to tell when you’re making decisions from fear instead of alignmentA reframe for all the “I can’t charge that much” stories in your headThe myth of the starving artist—and how to walk away from itA dead-simple framework for building a brand that feels rightHow psychological consistency in your visuals builds trust and salesA surprisingly effective way to spark joy daily (and it’s not just gratitude)Choosing joy isn't just feel-good fluff—it's a practical, powerful strategy to build a business you love. Whether you're burned out or just stuck in fear-based thinking, this episode will help you reconnect with what lights you up. 🎧 Hit play, and don’t forget to subscribe and share the joy!Resources from this episodeFuture-Proof Your Pet Photography Business: Register here- hairofthedogacademy.com/futureproofMaster the craft of pet photography at the Hair of the Dog Academy – hairofthedogacademy.comStop competing on price, sell without feeling pushy, and reach consistent $2,000+ sales – freedomfocusformula.comCrack the code to booking more clients inside Elevate – freedomfocusformula.com/elevateDiscover the world of commercial pet photography- hairofthedogacademy.com/commercialJ.Nichole Smith's Website - joyfirstworld.comConnect with Nic on IG - @jnicholesmithAre you enjoying the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast? Please leave a rating or a review!JOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.
Welcome to the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast, the essential audio hub for portrait photographers eager to launch and elevate their businesses to achieve their ideal version of success. Hosted by Nicole Begley, a former zoological animal trainer turned accomplished family and then pet/equine photographer, this podcast is your go-to resource for transforming your photographic passion into a thriving business.Since making the leap into photography in 2010 and quickly scaling her business to six figures, Nicole has dedicated herself to guiding photographers like you to transform their businesses from low-profit, high-stress operations into a profitable, sustainable businesses by teaching how to confidently price your services, sell products, and attract higher-paying clients. Join Nicole and a vibrant community of like-minded photographers on the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast. Together, we'll explore the paths to a profitable photography business that supports the life you've always envisioned.
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