Profitable Photographer Podcast - podcast cover

Profitable Photographer Podcast

Luci Dumas
Do you LOVE photography but feel totally overwhelmed trying to turn it into a real, money-making business? You're not alone — most photographers aren’t natural-born business pros. The creative part? Easy. But the business part...that’s where it gets tough. That is exactly why I created The Profitable Photographer. Every week, I bring you fun and heart centered conversations with top photographers and industry experts who share their best ACTIONABLE marketing and photography sales strategies, “inner game” shift tools that clear our roadblocks to success, and all the business wisdom they've learned along the way. Plus, I hop on the mic solo to share the ups, downs, and lessons from my own 40 years behind the camera (and behind the business). Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your already-successful photography business, (and have lot more fun) you’ll find honest talk, practical tips, and loads of inspiration to help you thrive — not just survive — as a professional photographer. So let’s dive in, get inspired, and build the photography career of your dreams!
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Episodes

256: Luci Dumas - Thoughts on Doing Your Best

“Always Do Your Best! Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are tired as opposed to well-rested. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.” Hello, howdy, and thanks for tuning in. Soooo...this is a solo episode with random thoughts about many things, including some about always doing our best. The quote is from “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz…one of my favorite personal growth/ busin...

May 08, 202410 minEp. 256

255: Hayley Fisk - Product and Beauty Photography

Hey there, lovely listeners! Today, we're joined by the wonderful Hayley Fisk, a passionate product and beauty photographer who's all about celebrating diversity and authentic beauty standards. With her background as a business mindset coach and over a decade of experience in the industry, Hayley's here to share some golden nuggets of wisdom with us. In this episode, Hayley dives into the world of commercial photography, sharing her perspective and experience. There are so many interesting detai...

May 01, 202431 minEp. 255

254: Ron Nichols - In Person Sales/ Pro Select Tips for Photographers (replay)

So nice I am sharing it twice! Some great things deserve to be enjoyed more than once. This episode from 2 years ago with ProSelect Guru Ron Nichols is one of those. He has mastered the art of sales and has some great advice to help others do the same. Ron Nichols has excelled at In-person sales long before the term IPS was coined. Since graduating from college with an art degree, Ron has owned a studio where he perfected studio sales from both the psychological and technical aspects. He has wor...

Apr 24, 202441 minEp. 254

253: Bruce Hirsch - Book 142 Session in 5 Days

Welcome to The Profitable Photographer Podcast! This week, I am delighted to share a conversation with Master Craftsman Bruce Hirsch, an amazing photographer and smart businessman as well. With a career spanning over 42 years, Bruce's passion lies in capturing the essence of families, though he's also had the honor of photographing Presidents, politicians, and sports celebrities.. He shares how he booked an astounding 142 appointments in just 5 days doing what he call “Club Portraits”.! Discover...

Apr 17, 202427 minEp. 253

252: Luci Dumas - Tips For Getting Natural Expressions from Kids

Welcome to Luci Dumas's podcast “The Profitable Photographer”. This is a solo episode helping you “say no to CHEESE smiles”. I dive deep into the art of getting authentic expression from your subjects, whether they're children or adults. Say goodbye to forced grins and cheesy poses. I share tons of practical tips and tricks. After 40 years as a children’s portrait specialist, I have tons of ways I put children at ease and get those all-important reactions that are the key to true portrait art. I...

Apr 10, 202415 minEp. 252

251: Betsy Bird - Time Management for Super Busy Photographers

Welcome to this week's episode, where we're joined by the delightful Betsy Bird from “Ride the Sky Equine Photography”! Betsy, a Certified Professional Photographer with PPA, brings her radiant energy and wealth of experience to the table, offering insights into mastering time management for busy photographers. Horses have always been at the core of Betsy's journey, stemming from her upbringing on a horse-boarding farm in Georgia. From riding to judging and to capturing their essence through her...

Apr 03, 202431 minEp. 251

250: Luci Dumas: Celebrating 250 Episodes

Welcome, lovely listeners, to a special episode of LUCI! Can you believe it? We've reached a whopping 250 episodes! It's time to kick back, relax, and celebrate the journey we've been on together. Why Do I Keep Doing This?: Let's dive into the heart of the matter. Why do I keep pouring my heart and soul into this podcast? Sure, it's a labor of love, but there's more to it than that. From making new friends to spreading joy across 97 countries (and counting!), the reasons are as diverse as the gu...

Mar 27, 202412 minEp. 250

249: Missy Thomas - Remembrance Photography to Bless and Comfort Others

Welcome to The Profitable Photographer! Today, we're honored to have Missy Thomas, the Executive Director of “Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS)” joining us. This is an organization that trains photographers and sends them to photograph babies and their families that have or will pass away shortly. Since 2015, Missy has dedicated herself to various roles within NILMDTS, driven by compassion and dedication, culminating in her current role as Interim Executive Director. Missy's personal connecti...

Mar 20, 202421 minEp. 249

248: Jerry Ghionis - Photographer's Guide to Mastering Light, Creativity, and Inspiration

“What is the truth?…Just by changing the perspective, angle, choice, and compression…the way you crop, you will tell a different truth.” MAJOR INTERVIEW ALERT! Today we have THE ICONIC, world-renowned, one of the best in the biz, Jerry Ghionis! Widely regarded as one of the top five wedding photographers in the world, Jerry Ghionis’ theatrical and iconic images have redefined modern wedding photography. He is a proud Nikon ambassador and was the first Australian named in Top Ten Wedding Photogra...

Mar 13, 202456 minEp. 248

247: Chris Fritchie - Chasing The Magic: Photo Art and the Santa Experience

Today, we're absolutely delighted to welcome Chris Fritchie, a true master in the world of photography! With over 16 years of experience, Chris is not just a photographer; he's an artist, a photographic craftsman, and a certified professional. His incredible work has graced the pages of over 150 magazines, and he's the proud owner of Magic Makers Studio, a beloved gem in North Texas. Specializing in the enchanting Magic Santa experience, Chris and his phenomenal team create moments that are noth...

Mar 06, 202428 minEp. 247

246: Luci Dumas Goes Solo - Tap Into the Power of Specializing

Can you believe I've been part of this amazing community of talented and passionate photographers for over 41 incredible years?! I started off with just a little bit of cash in my pocket and a whole lot of big dreams. I dabbled in everything under the sun to gain experience and figure out what truly made my heart sing. After all those adventures behind the camera, I discovered my ultimate passions: weddings and children. Weddings quickly became my first niche. Not only was it a speedy way to get...

Feb 28, 202415 minEp. 246

245: Bob Coates - Photographing the Glorious Milky Way and Marketing Ideas

Welcome to another insightful episode of The Profitable Photographer Podcast! In today's episode, I am joined by master craftsman photographer, Bob Coates. Bob shares invaluable insights on leveraging our photographic creativity to enhance profitability in our businesses. Bob has been a professional photographer since March 1995, crossing through various photography genres from commercial to wedding photography, and ultimately diving into the realm of creating photographic art. He is so lucky to...

Feb 21, 202430 minEp. 245

244: Carl Caylor - Understanding Light, Composition, and Emotion to Develop Artistic Power as a Photographer

Join me in this episode of The Profitable Photographer as I chat with master craftsman Carl Caylor, a seasoned portrait photographer with over 30 years of experience. Carl's insights are a guide through the intricacies of photography and reminding us of the importance of artistic vision and continuous learning. In our conversation, Carl emphasizes the significance of emotional storytelling, mastery of light and composition, and the intersection of art and mathematics in photography. He encourage...

Feb 14, 202459 minEp. 244

243: Luci Dumas - Tame your Fears and Unfold More Joy in your Business

I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” ― Frank Herbert, Dune Okay, gang…this episode is on the topic of Fear and how we can not let it hold us back from our greatness. As a solo episode, I dive into the topic and take a look at why w...

Feb 07, 20241 hr 1 minEp. 243

242: Will Weeks - Build Your Portfolio with Photography Passion Project

In this episode of The Profitable Photographer Podcast, your lively host Luci Dumas sits down with the dynamic Cinematographer and Photographer, Will Weeks. Luci and Will dive into the art of building a photography business fueled by passion. From capturing magical shots for businesses to capturing special wedding moments, Will, based in Memphis, Tennessee, shares how he turned his passion into a thriving business. Creativity is the heartbeat of any artist, and Luci and Will discuss the importan...

Jan 31, 202439 minEp. 242

241: Luci Dumas - Planning and Posing Strategies for Portrait Photographers

I’m thrilled to have you join me for another episode of The Profitable Photographer Podcast. In my journey through countless portrait sessions of kids and families, I’ve not only captured memories but also discovered invaluable insights that can help you master family portrait sessions. Photographers often encounter unique challenges when it comes to family photo sessions, challenges that can stem from a variety of factors, both technical and interpersonal. In today’s episode, my goal is to help...

Jan 24, 202428 minEp. 241

240: Karinda Kinsler - Equine Photographer and Money Mindset Coach

Join us for a delightful conversation on The Profitable Photographer with your hostess Luci and the incredible Karinda Kinsler, a highly successful horse/equine photographer and mindset shifter extraordinaire! Dive into the world of equine photography with the spirited Karinda Kinsler, who not only captures the beauty of horses but also helps others transform their mindset about money and success. And she has a brand new, brilliant book called The Unicorn, all about the transformation. She avera...

Jan 17, 202453 minEp. 240

239: Bethany Ellen - Jumpstart Your Creativity

What an absolute joy this week’s episode of The Profitable Photographer Podcast was to record! I had the pleasure of sitting down to chat with celebrated and award-winning maternity photographer, Bethany Ellen. If you haven’t yet met her, she is a force to be reckoned with and serves as an inspiration to us all. Believe it or not, Bethany didn’t attend her first photography conference, or even meet a full-time photographer until 5 years into her photography business. It was then that she decided...

Jan 10, 202456 minEp. 239

238: Amy Fraughton - Using "Google My Business" And Being Seen In Multiple Ways

What is better than listening to one of the top episodes of The Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas? Listening to it again. It has been 2 years since this was released and it is so full of info and inspiration I decided to share it again. Join us for an inspiring episode with Amy Fraughton, a photography veteran who turned her initial stumbles into a powerhouse business. Discover her lessons on charging your worth and building a high-end brand. Amy launched "Photo Business Tools" to help fel...

Jan 03, 202449 minEp. 238

237: Suzanne Luttig - Real Estate Photography can be FUN and Profitable

In today's episode of The Profitable Photographer Podcast is all about Real Estate Photography…and how to create and sell add-ons that create massive profits. Our extraordinary guest, Suzanne Luttig, has a connection to our podcast runs deep. The realization that she considers me one of her best friends because of the show moved me to joy. It's a testament to the power of authenticity and the genuine connections formed through the stories shared on this platform. Suzanne, a Certified Professiona...

Dec 27, 202359 minEp. 237

236: Luci Dumas - The Profitable Photographer's Playbook: Strategic Planning for Wedding Day Success

Wedding days can be overwhelming, chaotic, and all over the place for both the couples and the photographer. But the good news is that we can help them be a more organized and fun day for everyone. Today is another solo episode of The Profitable Photographer Podcast, focused on one of my favorite topics, “Strategic Planning for Wedding Day Success”. What exactly does that mean? It means that today we get to dive into my years of experience as a wedding photographer…covering over 500 weddings. I ...

Dec 20, 202330 minEp. 236

235: Jane Goodrich - Building a Photography Business, Not Just a Job

Today’s guest on The Profitable Photographer podcast is the incredible Jane Goodrich, a seasoned expert in newborn and family photography, mentor, the biggest cheerleader you’ll find for pricing yourself for profit, and the founder of the CRM Picsello. Even though she specializes in photographing newborns and families now, Jane got her start in the world of advertising, and only moved into photography when she realized that she should be doing something with her life that she loves. Now, she’s a...

Dec 13, 20231 hrEp. 235

234: Luci in the Hot Seat: A Candid Conversation with Ingvild Kolnes on In Person Photography Sales

Boy, oh boy, have I got a treat for you this week on The Profitable Photographer Podcast! This week the roles are getting reversed, and I am being put in the hot seat by fellow podcaster, and previous Profitable Photographer guest, Ingvild Kolnes. Norwegian Photographer, Ingvild is a long-time photographer turned educator and mentor for other photographers. She even has her own podcast that you can check out, The Sustainable Photography Podcast. Ingvild and I thought it might be fun to do a litt...

Dec 06, 202359 minEp. 234

233: Olesha Haskett - Focusing on Boudoir Photography of Black Women

In today's episode, we're honored to have Olesha Haskett, a trailblazing diversity boudoir educator, international boudoir photographer, and founder of Coterie Noire, an educational boudoir community that celebrates and captures the essence of black women. Olesha is also the brains behind CCP, the Coterie Credential program, certifying boudoir photographers to capture the beauty of black women without bias. For Olesha, boudoir photography is her happy place. It provides a unique platform for her...

Nov 29, 202359 minEp. 233

232: Jason Marino = Photographer's Journey with ADHD plus Transitioning from Weddings to Portraits

This is a replay of one of the most popular episodes of The Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas. I received many comments about how helpful my conversation with Jason Marino was it was after it aired. Soooo...thought it deserved a repost....Luci “If anyone is like me and has dealt with ADHD for a long time and just can’t seem to figure it out. I really encourage people to get the help you need and watch your life change.” On this episode of The Profitable Photographer Podcast, I have guest J...

Nov 22, 20231 hr 2 minEp. 232

231: Tanya Goodall Smith - Framing Your Identity: The Power of Photography Branding

This week I am so happy to welcome back second-time guest, Tanya Goodall Smith. It’s been a few years since Tanya was on the podcast, and I very much enjoyed sitting down to talk with her about all things Branding, and how defining your brand can lead to better decision-making and attracting the right clients. Believe it or not, Tanya left her 15-year corporate design career when she recognized there was a lack of high-quality branding options for creatives. She founded WorkStory Creative to fil...

Nov 15, 20231 hr 1 minEp. 231

230: Luci Dumas - Money Talk for Photographers

In this episode of The Profitable Photographer, I am sharing some thoughts and strategies around money. Not the inner game or blocks or prosperity issues but some of the nuts and bolts about being in business. You can listen on all the podcast platforms as well as my other 229 episodes or kick back and watch on the "You Tubes". www.lucidumascoaching.com is a great place to check out what I am up to and offer. Some of my tips include Cash and income you might need to get started How to set up 3 a...

Nov 08, 202322 minEp. 230

229: Jai Long - The Art of Selling Art and Photography

It’s safe to say that today’s guest is just as passionate about sales as I am. And, he is no stranger to the photography industry. Jai Long is an award-winning wedding photographer, creative business coach, host of the “Make Your Break” Podcast, serial entrepreneur, and the leader of a heart-filled, worldwide community of photographers. He even has his own course, Six Figure Business Map, where he helps photographers set and achieve “unrealistic” goals and overcome self-limiting beliefs. That wa...

Nov 01, 20231 hr 2 minEp. 229

228: Luci Shares the Secrets to Getting Hot Leads from Business Partners

Welcome to The Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas. Today’s solo episode is about how to network like a Rock Star. How to build relationships that lead to support of both of your businesses. The core principle is to build relationships, leading with generosity and offering support first. Getting to know the person and the business. Find ways to refer them, promote them, learn what makes them wonderful and connect. Many people jump too fast…”too much too soon”. Asking for someone to support y...

Oct 25, 202323 minEp. 228

227: Colby McLemore - Food Photography for Fun and Profit

Welcome back to another delicious episode of The Profitable Photographer Podcast. Today’s guest has been on the show before. He is a true visual storyteller, the owner of Colby's Photos and Video, located near Knoxville in the Smoky Mountains, and has become a very dear friend. Please welcome back, Colby McLemore! With a full-time commitment to photography and videography for companies and individuals, Colby has earned a reputation for his caring, fun, and easy-going demeanor, all while maintain...

Oct 18, 20231 hr 2 minEp. 227
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