LEVEL UP: A Wedding Photography + Videography Podcast - podcast cover

LEVEL UP: A Wedding Photography + Videography Podcast

Taylor Petrinovich & Kelley Gilster | The Level Up Co.www.thelevelupco.com

Ready to take your wedding photography or filmmaking business from mainstream to luxury? We are on a mission to equip YOU with the information and resources you need to scale your business into the premiere and luxury markets, where you can successfully 2-3x your prices.

Every Tuesday we invite you to tune in on conversations with Kelley and Taylor, luxury wedding cinematographers and business coaches, as we teach you what we have learned over 22+ years of combined experience in the wedding industry.

Learn the ins and outs of the luxury market, how to align your brand within it, and become fully prepared to take your business from mainstream to luxury.

In a nutshell: this is the wedding filmmaking + photography podcast for creatives striving for MORE in their businesses.

The wedding industry can be a challenging place to build a career, and we are here to help.
https://thelevelupco.com/

Episodes

The Key to Building Relationships That Actually Lead to Referrals

f you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right- posting, sharing, creating, but still not seeing the kind of referrals you want? This episode is for you. We’re pulling back the curtain on the real reason referrals happen inside the wedding industry (hint: it’s not just about having pretty work). We talk about the relationships that actually move the needle, the kinds of connection strategies that get overlooked, and the difference between staying visible and staying valuable. The truth? Y...

Jun 24, 202532 minEp. 218

Simple Shifts You Can Make in How You Shoot to Appeal to a More Luxury Clientele

There comes a point in your creative business where doing “more” isn’t the answer—working longer hours, booking more weddings, saying yes to every opportunity. If you’re feeling stretched thin or creatively uninspired, it might be time to shift your strategy. In this episode, we’re breaking down the simple (but powerful) shifts you can make behind the camera that instantly elevate your work and speak to a more luxury clientele. We're talking real-time choices, intentional artistry, and how to sh...

Jun 19, 202541 minEp. 217

Why Imperfection Can Make You a Better Wedding Creative

If you’ve ever second-guessed your work, held back from trying something new, or felt the pressure to deliver perfection in every frame, this episode is for you. We’re diving into the art of embracing imperfection in your wedding films and how leaning into raw, honest moments (yes, even the ones with tricky lighting or imperfect angles) can actually elevate your work and serve your clients better. We talk about using black and white footage as a storytelling tool, releasing the pressure to make ...

Jun 10, 202530 minEp. 216

What We’ve Learned From Being Ghosted

Have you ever wondered why some creatives seem to book effortlessly while others are left staring at an inbox full of ghosts? In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most frustrating parts of running a wedding business, getting ghosted. We’re diving into what’s really going on when a client doesn’t respond, what it might be saying about your brand, and how small shifts in your inquiry process can create big wins in your booking rate 💌 Because here’s the truth: it’s not alw...

Jun 05, 202536 minEp. 215

Upselling Without the Ick

Let’s talk about making more money without booking more weddings. In this episode, we’re breaking down how upsells can completely shift your income potential without adding more work to your calendar. And no, we’re not talking about sleazy, awkward, salesy tactics that make you feel gross. We’re talking about value-driven offers that feel like a service, not a pitch. This is about knowing your worth, trusting your expertise, and offering solutions that truly serve your clients and yes, getting p...

May 31, 202534 minEp. 214

Building a Sustainable Business in a Season of Change w/ Anna Lord

Sometimes the biggest seasons of growth come from the hardest chapters of life. In this episode, we sat down with the incredibly honest and grounded Anna Lord to talk about what it really looks like to evolve your business while navigating personal change—moving cities, processing grief, shifting priorities, starting a family… and doing it all without losing momentum. We talked about letting go of the timeline you thought you had to follow. About redefining what success looks like (and feels lik...

May 20, 202556 minEp. 213

Average is Taken

There’s a reason your business feels like it’s hitting a ceiling—and spoiler alert: it’s not your talent. It’s that you’re still playing by rules that don’t serve the next level you’re aiming for. In this episode, we’re digging into the uncomfortable (but necessary) truth: average is already taken. If you’re still trying to blend in or wait for the perfect moment to make your move, you’re going to stay exactly where you are. We talk about what it really takes to stand out in the wedding industry...

May 13, 202525 minEp. 212

What This $1 Billion Business Owner Taught Me

Doors to The Luxury Mastermind are officially OPEN 🥂Learn more + enroll here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind There’s a reason we can’t stop talking about Taylor Swift—and no, it’s not just the music. It’s the evolution. The reinvention. The unapologetic confidence. In this episode, we’re breaking down what creatives like us can learn from someone who’s mastered the art of owning her narrative, leading with clarity, and growing on her own terms. Because let’s be honest—your business...

May 10, 202532 minEp. 211

Luxury Isn’t Luck: What High-End Creatives Are Doing Differently

Doors to The Luxury Mastermind are officially OPEN 🥂Learn more + enroll here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind It’s not just the portfolio. It’s not just the price tag. And it’s definitely not just the gear. If you’ve been wondering what actually sets luxury photographers and filmmakers apart from everyone else—this episode is your invitation to pull back the curtain and find out. In this conversation, we’re breaking down the mindset shifts and business moves that position you for hi...

Apr 29, 202534 minEp. 210

Working More Isn't the Flex You Think It Is

Doors to The Luxury Mastermind are officially OPEN 🥂Learn more + enroll here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind You didn’t start this business to feel overworked, underpaid, and creatively drained. But somehow, between booking too many weddings and saying yes to everything, you’ve found yourself stuck in the cycle. If you’ve ever thought, “I love what I do… but I can’t keep doing it like this,” this episode is for you. We're talking about what it really looks like to create a business...

Apr 24, 202533 minEp. 209

Building Your Brand Beyond Your Local Market

Doors to The Luxury Mastermind are officially OPEN 🥂Learn more + enroll here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind 🚀 In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Taylor Petrinovich and Kelley Gilster sit down with Skylar Ball to share the exact strategies that helped him break through pricing plateaus and start booking luxury weddings. If you've ever felt stuck at the $5,000 mark or struggled to make the leap to five-figure bookings, this episode is for you. Skylar opens up about his journe...

Apr 15, 202534 minEp. 208

From flower shop owner to world-renowned designer w/ Birch Event Design

Doors to The Luxury Mastermind are officially OPEN 🥂Learn more + enroll here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind Breaking into the luxury wedding market isn’t just about booking high-profile clients or creating jaw-dropping visuals—it’s about building genuine connections, showing up with integrity, and making a lasting impression that keeps your name at the top. Save your seat inside our free workshop Break into the Luxury Market: https://thelevelupco.com/workshop In this episode, we’r...

Apr 13, 202547 min

How to Quickly Stand Out and Succeed in the Wedding Industry

Doors to The Luxury Mastermind are officially OPEN 🥂Learn more + enroll here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind In this episode, we’re diving into the rapid rise of Will Whiteley—a wedding videographer who went from zero to a fully booked $6K+ brand in just 13 months. Yep, THIRTEEN. From saying “yes” to every opportunity, to refining his client experience, to showing up in a suit and bowtie at every single wedding (even the barn ones), Will is proof that growth doesn’t have to take fo...

Apr 04, 202537 minEp. 206

The Key to Raising Your Prices Without Sacrificing Demand

Doors to The Luxury Mastermind are officially OPEN 🥂Learn more + enroll here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind Breaking into the luxury wedding market isn’t just about raising your prices—it’s about building a brand that attracts high-end clients effortlessly. In this episode, we sit down with Britt of Caleb and Britt Photography, who took a leap of faith, restructured her business, and doubled her prices while working less. We’re diving deep into the mindset shifts, marketing tweaks...

Mar 25, 202539 minEp. 205

The Secret to Building a Luxury Wedding Brand—No Matter Where You Live

Doors to The Luxury Mastermind are officially OPEN 🥂Learn more + enroll here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind Breaking into the luxury wedding market isn’t just about talent—it’s about strategy. In this episode, we sit down with Tommy Kirkpatrick, a wedding filmmaker who skyrocketed his business in just a few months by shifting his mindset, refining his brand, and positioning himself for high-end bookings. We’re diving deep into what it takes to break past pricing plateaus, attract ...

Mar 18, 202541 minEp. 204

The Unexpected Key to Booking High-end Clients

Doors to The Luxury Mastermind are officially OPEN 🥂Learn more + enroll here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind f you’ve ever wondered why some photographers and filmmakers seem to land all the premium bookings (even when their work isn’t better than yours), this episode is for you. Spoiler alert: It’s not just about having mind-blowing work — it’s about brand alignment. In this episode, we’re diving into: 🔥 Why your work might already be good enough to charge luxury prices 🔥 The #1...

Mar 11, 202525 minEp. 203

What Wedding Planners Wish You Knew

If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to break into the luxury wedding market, this episode is for you. This week’s guest, luxury wedding planner Lindsay Landman, is sharing exactly what top planners look for in photographers and filmmakers and the common mistakes that could be holding you back. Sign up for The Luxury Wedding Playbook: https://thelevelupco.com/playbook Spoiler: It’s not just about talent—it’s about alignment, strategy, and knowing how to communicate your value. Inside this episode, w...

Mar 04, 202544 minEp. 202

From Burnout to Breakthrough: How to Scale Your Business & Reclaim Your Freedom

Struggling to scale your creative business while staying inspired? In this episode, we’re diving into the exact strategies that will help you free up time, maximize revenue, and build a business that fuels your creativity instead of draining it. We’re breaking down the mindset shifts that separate struggling creatives from thriving entrepreneurs, how outsourcing the right tasks can unlock explosive growth, and why waiting until you “feel ready” is the biggest mistake you can make. 🔥 Your fears ...

Feb 25, 202557 minEp. 201

When a Business Feels Like a Hobby: How to Shift Into Success Mode

Are you a wedding photographer, videographer, or planner looking to increase your income and build a more sustainable business in 2025? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, hosts Taylor Petrinovich and Kelley Gilster share what do to when your business feels more like a hobby and how to shift it into success mode! What You'll Learn: ✔️The benefits of setting a dedicated time to work instead of just working when you can. ✔️ The importance of getting all your legal ducks in a row. ✔️ The secre...

Feb 18, 202539 minEp. 200

How to identify when you’ve outgrown your market

Are you a wedding photographer, videographer, or planner looking to increase your income and build a more sustainable business in 2025? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, hosts Taylor Petrinovich and Kelley Gilster share exactly how to identify when you've outgrown your current market and how to have the confidence to scale to that next level. What You'll Learn: ✔️ How uncomfortable growth can be but why choosing not to grow can hurt you in the long run. ✔️ What the different tiers of the ...

Feb 14, 202532 minEp. 199

Ideas vs. Execution: How to Take Your Wedding Business to the Next Level

Are you full of creative ideas but struggle to execute and grow your wedding business? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, hosts Taylor Petrinovich and Kelley Gilster sit down with Austin Trenholm to discuss the key differences between successful entrepreneurs and those stuck in the idea phase. 🎯 What You’ll Learn: ✔️ How to move from mainstream to luxury weddings and attract high-end clients. ✔️ Why execution is harder than ideation—and how to overcome perfectionism. ✔️ The importance of ...

Feb 04, 20251 hr 4 minEp. 198

Maximizing In-Person Networking for Wedding Professionals

Are you a wedding photographer, videographer, or planner looking to break into the luxury market and build lasting industry relationships? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, hosts Taylor Petrinovich and Kelly Gilster talk with Samantha, a top-tier wedding planner and networking expert, to discuss how in-person networking events can transform your business. In This Episode: ✔️ Why networking beyond the wedding day is crucial for business growth. ✔️ How to connect with wedding planners witho...

Jan 30, 202540 minEp. 197

3 Ways to Make More Money as a Wedding Professional in 2025

Are you a wedding photographer, videographer, or planner looking to increase your income and build a more sustainable business in 2025? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, hosts Taylor Petrinovich and Kelley Gilster share three proven strategies to help wedding creatives make more money without burning out. What You'll Learn: ✔️ How to raise your prices the right way and attract high-paying clients. ✔️ Why booking more weddings isn’t always the best strategy—and how to do it sustainably. ✔️...

Jan 28, 202536 minEp. 196

How We Increased Our Revenue by $833K as Wedding Creatives

Are you a wedding photographer, filmmaker, or creative looking to increase your income without booking more weddings? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, hosts Taylor Petrinovich and Kelley Gilster break down exactly how they added $833,000 in revenue through corporate work, education, and digital products—and how you can do the same. What You'll Learn: ✔️ Why relying only on wedding bookings can cap your financial growth. ✔️ The three proven revenue streams that helped Taylor & Kelley ...

Jan 22, 202539 minEp. 195

The Secret Strategy That Skyrocketed Us to the Luxury Wedding Market

Want to book higher-paying weddings and break into the luxury market? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, hosts Taylor Petrinovich and Kelley Gilster reveal the exact strategy that helped them scale their wedding businesses to $15K+ bookings—and how you can do it too. What You'll Learn: ✔️ The #1 mistake keeping wedding pros stuck in low-budget bookings. ✔️ Why revenue diversification is the secret to booking luxury weddings. ✔️ Why financial freedom = more creative control over your bookin...

Jan 14, 202541 minEp. 194

6 Signs You’re Ready to Diversify Your Wedding Business in 2025

Are you a wedding photographer, videographer, planner, or creative looking to stabilize your income and escape the feast-or-famine cycle? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, hosts Taylor Petrinovich and Kelley Gilster reveal the six biggest signs that it’s time to diversify your revenue beyond weddings—and how to do it successfully. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ How to tell if you’re ready to diversify your business in 2025. ✔️ Why corporate work, digital products, and education can...

Jan 09, 202527 minEp. 193

How to Navigate Uncertainty in the Wedding Industry & Secure Your Income in 2025

The wedding industry is shifting—are you prepared? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, hosts Taylor Petrinovich & Kelley Gilster dive into the uncertainty of the wedding market and how creative entrepreneurs can protect their income by diversifying revenue streams. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why wedding bookings are becoming more unpredictable in 2025 ✅ How economic trends, inflation, and market saturation impact wedding businesses ✅ The biggest mistakes creatives make when tr...

Jan 07, 202537 minEp. 192

Our Goals for the Future: The Final Sip & Tell Episode of 2024

As 2024 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the past year and setting big goals for 2025! In this final Sip & Tell episode, hosts Taylor Petrinovich & Kelley Gilster dive into their personal, business, and financial goals, share insights on scaling a wedding business, and discuss long-term strategies for financial freedom. In This Episode, We Cover: ✅ 2024 reflections – lessons learned & business takeaways. ✅ Goal-setting strategies for wedding creatives: personal, business, and fi...

Dec 31, 202453 min

2024 Recap: Reflecting on a Busy & Fulfilling Year

As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to pause, reflect, and celebrate everything we’ve accomplished before jumping into 2025. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, hosts Taylor Petrinovich & Kelley Gilster dive into wedding industry lessons, business growth, personal wins, and strategies that shaped the year. In This Episode, We Cover: ✅ The importance of reflection before goal setting – celebrating progress before planning ahead. ✅ Taylor’s and Kelley's wedding season recaps. ✅ When &...

Dec 27, 202442 minEp. 190

How Avoiding ‘Shiny Object Syndrome’ Can 10x Your Wedding Business w/ Erich McVey

Are you constantly chasing trends in your photography business? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Taylor Petrinovich and Kelley Gilster sit down with renowned luxury wedding photographer Erich McVey to discuss how staying focused, outsourcing wisely, and avoiding “shiny object syndrome” can lead to massive business growth. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Erich’s journey from college photographer to luxury wedding artist. ✅ How he scaled his business to 15 high-end weddings per year w...

Dec 17, 202441 min
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