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 Myth of Overnight Success: Building a Luxury Photography Business

Is overnight success a myth? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, luxury wedding photographer Amanda Crean shares her 17-year journey of building a high-end brand, rebranding with intention, and navigating the evolving wedding industry. From moving internationally to restart her career to booking celebrity-level weddings, Amanda explains why true success is built over time—through smart risks, strategic branding, and relationship-building. If you're a wedding photographer or filmmaker lookin...

May 21, 202453 minEp. 158

Going the Extra Mile: How to Build a Luxury Wedding Business

Want to elevate your wedding filmmaking business and book luxury clients? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Deanna Harrison of Harrison Films shares how she and her husband scaled their business to premium clients by focusing on client experience, strategic branding, and strong vendor relationships. From raising prices and refining their brand to going the extra mile for planners and photographers, Deanna explains how wedding filmmakers can set themselves apart and increase demand for the...

May 16, 202446 minEp. 157

How to Show Your Value & Level Up Your Wedding Business: Answering Your Questions Pt. 2

Want to scale your wedding business and attract higher-paying clients? In this Q&A episode of The Level Up Podcast, Taylor and Kelley answer listener-submitted questions about how to elevate your brand, communicate your value, and position yourself for success in the wedding industry. From brand consistency to client perception and networking with planners, they break down the most important strategies for photographers and videographers looking to scale their business and charge luxury pric...

May 09, 202419 minEp. 156

How to Balance Your Wedding Business & Upsell to Luxury Clients: Answering Your Questions Pt. 1

How much time should you spend on your business? And can you upsell to luxury clients without feeling salesy? In this Q&A episode of The Level Up Podcast, Taylor and Kelley answer listener-submitted questions about time management, workload balance, and how to structure upsells for high-end clients. They dive into how luxury clients expect premium service and why the right approach to pricing, branding, and communication can make a huge difference in sales and referrals. If you're a wedding ...

Apr 30, 202421 minEp. 155

Building a High-Level Wedding Photography Team

Thinking about growing a team but worried about maintaining quality and brand integrity? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Abby Jiu, a luxury wedding photographer, shares how she scaled her business from a solo operation to a highly successful associate team while maintaining her brand’s exclusivity and high-end reputation. Abby explains how to hire the right team members, create sustainable pricing strategies, and build strong planner relationships that lead to consistent luxury bookings...

Apr 23, 202439 min

The Art of Risk-Taking: How Storybox Cinema Built a Luxury Filmmaking Brand

Are you playing it too safe in your wedding business? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Chris Jespersen of Storybox Cinema shares how taking creative, business, and personal risks transformed his wedding filmmaking career. From charging $1,000 for his first wedding to filming celebrity-level luxury events, Chris explains why stepping outside your comfort zone is the key to success in the wedding industry. If you're a wedding photographer or filmmaker looking to differentiate yourself, boo...

Apr 22, 202452 minEp. 153

Pushing Boundaries: Building a Luxury Wedding Empire

Can you build a luxury wedding business in a non-traditional market? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Kate Turner of Kate & Company shares how she scaled her business by redefining luxury planning, educating clients, and building strong vendor relationships. From breaking into a luxury market that didn’t previously exist to pricing for profitability and investing in high-end branding, Kate reveals how wedding professionals can push creative boundaries, attract premium clients, and cr...

Apr 09, 202452 minEp. 152

Creating a Luxury Wedding Market in a Non-Luxury Location

Think you can’t charge luxury prices because of where you live? Think again! In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Mike Cassimatis, a St. Louis-based luxury wedding photographer, shares how he created a high-end wedding market in a location that wasn’t traditionally considered luxury. Mike reveals how strategic networking, branding, and vendor collaboration allowed him to go from $1,500 weddings to charging $18K+ per event—all without moving to a major luxury hub like LA or NYC. If you’re a w...

Apr 02, 202442 minEp. 151

Curating a Luxury Social Media Presence w/ Peyton Frank

Is your social media presence truly attracting high-end clients? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Peyton Frank, an award-winning luxury wedding cinematographer, shares how she curates a high-end brand presence that speaks directly to premium clients. From strategically blending personal and professional content to protecting client privacy and elevating brand perception, Peyton reveals how social media can be a powerful business tool when used intentionally. If you’re a wedding photograp...

Mar 29, 202440 minEp. 150

Burn the Boat: How Fully Committing Can Transform Your Wedding Business

Are you holding yourself back in business by keeping a safety net? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Taylor and Kelly discuss the concept of "Burning the Boat"—eliminating your fallback plan so you can fully commit to scaling your wedding business. From raising prices and going full-time to investing in education and mentorship, they break down how fully committing to success can lead to rapid business transformation. If you’re a wedding photographer or filmmaker looking to scale your bus...

Mar 19, 202426 minEp. 149

Prioritizing Progress Over Perfection: How to Scale Your Wedding Business Faster

Are you waiting for the "perfect moment" to grow your wedding business? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Taylor and Kelley discuss why prioritizing progress over perfection is the key to scaling your business faster. From real-life success stories of Mastermind alumni to tangible strategies for growth, they share how taking action before you feel ready leads to long-term success. If you're a wedding photographer or videographer looking to break into the luxury market, raise your prices, ...

Mar 15, 202449 minEp. 148

How to Find the Luxury in Every Event & Attract High-End Client

How do you elevate your brand and attract high-end clients—even if you’re starting from scratch? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Giselle of Giselle Films shares how she transitioned from second shooting to building her own wedding filmmaking business, overcoming burnout, and breaking into the luxury market. From booking budget-friendly weddings to doubling her prices, Giselle reveals the mindset shifts, pricing strategies, and social media tactics that helped her attract the right clien...

Mar 12, 202438 minEp. 147

Why Being Selfish in Your Wedding Business is a Good Thing

Is saying “no” actually the key to growing your wedding business? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Taylor and Kelley break down why being selfish in your business isn’t just a good thing—it’s necessary for long-term success. From turning down the wrong clients to curating your social media presence with intention, they reveal why setting boundaries, prioritizing your goals, and focusing on the right opportunities can accelerate your path to luxury bookings. If you're a wedding photograph...

Mar 07, 202438 minEp. 146

Blocking Out the Noise: How to Scale to Luxury Weddings

Feeling overwhelmed by conflicting business advice? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Miranda from Rosemary Films shares how she blocked out the noise, focused on strategic education, and scaled her wedding filmmaking business to luxury clients. From raising her prices from $3K to $10K weddings in just two years to rebranding her business for high-end bookings, Miranda reveals how mindset shifts, pricing confidence, and smart marketing helped her attract premium clients. If you're a weddi...

Mar 05, 202438 minEp. 145

This Is The Best Investment for Your Wedding Business

What’s the best investment you can make in your wedding business? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Matthew from Cinematt Films shares how strategic investments in branding, education, and mentorship helped him transition into the luxury wedding market. From rebranding to attract high-end clients to networking with top vendors and charging premium prices, Matthew reveals why taking action and investing in growth is the key to long-term success. If you're a wedding photographer or videogra...

Feb 27, 202438 minEp. 144

The Truth About Booking Luxury Weddings: Pricing, Mindset & Market Positioning

What does it really take to book luxury weddings? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Taylor and Kelly break down the truth about booking high-end clients, including the pricing thresholds, mindset shifts, and strategic branding changes required to move from mainstream to luxury. They discuss why booking a single $10K wedding doesn’t mean you’re a luxury vendor—and what you actually need to do to position your business for high-end clients and premium pricing. If you're a wedding photograph...

Feb 25, 202439 minEp. 143

New Life Seasons Called for Big Business Changes

How do major life transitions impact your business? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Summer Jones of Summer Films shares how becoming a mother forced her to rethink her wedding filmmaking business—leading to strategic rebranding, price increases, and a transition into the luxury market. From taking a planner’s advice to overhaul her website to leveraging networking and mentorship to scale quickly, Summer’s story is proof that business evolution is essential for long-term success. If you'...

Feb 18, 202439 minEp. 142

Growing From $2,500 to $10K Weddings in 9 Months

Want to 4x your wedding prices in less than a year? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Drew Coleman of Drew Coleman Films shares how he completely transformed his business in just nine months—going from $2,500 weddings to booking $10K+ weddings through strategic rebranding, networking, and mindset shifts. Drew reveals how a planner’s branding feedback changed everything, why he invested in networking and relationships, and how he confidently raised his prices while still attracting high-en...

Feb 06, 202444 minEp. 141

Is Going Viral Hurting Your Wedding Business? Here’s What to Focus On Instead

Think going viral will bring in more wedding clients? Think again. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Taylor and Kelley debunk the myth that viral content equals more bookings and explain why focusing on curated, strategic social media is the key to long-term success. They share real stories from wedding professionals who had viral videos with millions of views but zero bookings, and discuss how luxury clients actually find and book their vendors. If you're a wedding photographer or videog...

Jan 30, 202422 minEp. 140

How to Continue Growing Even During Slow Seasons

Feeling stuck during the slow season? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Taylor and Kelley break down how wedding photographers and filmmakers can continue growing—even when business is slow. From updating your portfolio and organizing your inbox to refining your wardrobe for luxury bookings, they share three powerful ways to prepare for your next busy season while embracing much-needed rest. If you're a wedding photographer or videographer looking to maximize your off-season, book better ...

Jan 23, 202428 min

Staying True to Yourself While Serving the Luxury Market

Can you stay true to your style and still break into the luxury market? Absolutely. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Kim Alvarado of Kim Alvarado Films shares how she evolved her wedding filmmaking business while staying authentic to her creative style. From raising her prices and booking luxury clients to refining her brand and networking with planners, Kim explains how she transitioned from budget to premium bookings without losing what makes her work unique. If you're a wedding photog...

Jan 16, 202449 minEp. 138

The 7 Mistakes You’re Making When a Potential Client Inquires

Are you losing potential bookings without realizing it? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Taylor and Kelley break down the seven most common mistakes wedding photographers and filmmakers make when handling inquiries—and how to fix them to increase bookings. From responding too slowly to confusing pricing structures, they share real strategies to improve your booking process, make it seamless for clients, and increase your luxury wedding bookings. If you're a wedding photographer or videog...

Jan 09, 202434 minEp. 137

The New Year Reset: How to Set Your Business Up for Success in 2024

Want to make 2024 your best year yet? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Taylor and Kelley walk you through the ultimate business reset for the new year—helping wedding photographers and videographers analyze what worked in 2023, set strategic goals, and realign their businesses for growth. They discuss the “bubble strategy” for focusing on what truly matters, how to let go of business habits that aren’t working, and what wedding industry trends to expect in 2024. If you're a wedding photo...

Jan 02, 202435 minEp. 136

Why Focus is the Key to Success

Trying to do too much in your business? It could be holding you back. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Megan Edgman of Salt Rock Studios shares how she went from filming concerts to booking luxury weddings—and how focusing on one niche transformed her business. From second shooting at high-end weddings to raising her prices and finding the right planners, Megan reveals the key lessons that helped her grow from $1,200 weddings to an $8,500+ price point in just three years. If you're a wed...

Dec 27, 202336 minEp. 135

Q&A: Raising Prices, Crediting Vendors, Same-Day Edits & More!

Got burning questions about your wedding business? We've got answers! In this special live Q&A episode, Taylor and Kelley answer top questions from wedding photographers and videographers, covering everything from raising prices in a slow season to hiring second shooters, writing better Instagram captions, and whether you should offer same-day edits. They also debunk common myths about video resolution, social media crediting, and portfolio curation—giving you practical insights to refine yo...

Dec 12, 20231 hr 4 minEp. 134

Why Your Content Should Shift as You Rise in the Wedding Industry

Still sharing every wedding you shoot? It might be hurting your brand. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Taylor and Kelley break down why your content strategy needs to evolve as you move into the luxury market. From curating your portfolio and refining your social media strategy to capturing details that planners and high-end clients love, this episode will help you position your business for premium bookings. If you're a wedding photographer or videographer looking to refine your brand,...

Dec 05, 202328 minEp. 133

Why You Need to Show Up More on Instagram

Want to book more weddings through Instagram? You need to start showing up. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Dryden & Emily of Wild & Roam share how they built a thriving destination wedding business using Instagram and TikTok. From consistently posting behind-the-scenes content to strategically leveraging portfolio-building shoots, they reveal how social media helped them land high-end bookings worldwide. If you're a wedding photographer or videographer looking to use Instagram ...

Nov 28, 202340 minEp. 133

The Language of Luxury Events

Want to attract luxury clients and get more high-end referrals? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Erica Buchelman of 1011 Makeup & Hair shares how she built a successful luxury beauty brand through relationships, pricing strategy, and business integrity. From working with top-tier planners to knowing when to raise prices and position herself for high-end bookings, Erica reveals how any wedding vendor—whether a photographer, filmmaker, or planner—can apply these same principles to scal...

Nov 22, 202353 minEp. 132

The Etiquette of Filming Behind-the-Scenes at a Wedding

Are behind-the-scenes videographers helping or hurting wedding productions? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Taylor and Kelly break down the rise of BTS videography and the etiquette behind filming behind the scenes at weddings. From avoiding conflicts with the hired cinematographer to ensuring proper vendor crediting and content usage, they reveal the do’s and don’ts of this emerging industry trend. If you're a wedding photographer, videographer, or BTS content creator looking to naviga...

Nov 14, 202338 minEp. 131

How to Recognize a Luxury Event

How can you tell if a wedding is truly luxury? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Sarah Wahab of Mulberry & Moss shares how she built a thriving luxury floral business and reveals how filmmakers and photographers can recognize and capture high-end events. From understanding vendor selection and event details to leveraging luxury weddings to scale your business, Sarah provides insider insights to help you refine your strategy and attract premium clients. If you're a wedding photographer...

Nov 12, 202343 minEp. 130
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