Join us on the Beyond Natural Life Photography Podcast as we delve into the challenges within the photography education industry. This week I will discuss the pitfalls of the siloed approach to photography education from the perspective of a teacher and a seasoned photographer with 25 years of experience. Discover why mastering just one aspect of photography may not be enough, and learn how I want to revolutionize photography education with my comprehensive Certification Program. We'll chat ...
Sep 19, 2023•25 min
This week on the podcast, we're talking imposter syndrome! I'm sharing a conversation that I had on a Six-Figure Studio coaching call this week all about imposter syndrome and how to deal with it and move beyond it. This is the #1 problem I see for photographers, and I really do feel like I've figured out the solution. If you struggle with imposter syndrome, self-doubt, or lack of confidence, this episode is for you. SHOWNOTES https://sandra-coan-education.squarespace.com/podca...
Aug 29, 2023•23 min•Ep. 119
Trigger Warning: Pregnancy Loss Hello friends, this week on the Beyond Natural Light Photography Podcast, I want to have a difficult conversation about pregnancy loss. In my 25 years in business as a maternity, newborn, and family photographer, I have learned you are going to have clients who have experienced or will experience pregnancy loss or infant loss at some point. If you are comfortable, please join me in this important conversation about how we as photographers, and as an industry, can ...
Aug 15, 2023•20 min•Ep. 118
Join me on this episode of 'Beyond Natural Light' where I share my personal journey as a creative with ADHD and dyslexia, facing challenges like imposter syndrome and overwhelm. I discuss the power of the Do, BE, Have model, tailored for creative and ADHD brains, and how coaching and mentoring play a crucial role in empowering creatives to take meaningful steps toward success. Stay tuned for exciting news about the reopening of the Sandra Coan Certification program! SHOWNOTES https://san...
Aug 01, 2023•15 min•Ep. 117
Join me in the Beyond Natural Light Podcast as I share my journey from being a full-time teacher to becoming a successful full-time photographer. This week we'll explore the challenges and personal factors that came with this transition, and discover how to calculate financial goals and attract clients to support your photography business. Learn the significance of mastering light, posing, processing, and honing marketing and communication skills to develop your own signature style. Don'...
Jul 25, 2023•15 min
Hello and welcome to the podcast! I’m your host, Sandra Coan, and I’m so thrilled you are here today because I want to talk to you about something that is SUPER important, that EVERY photographer needs to know how to do: posing! Discover the importance of posing in photography as I share my insights and practical tips for working with people of all ages! We'll talk about how mastering posing can enhance your confidence, create consistency in your portfolio, and builds trust with your clients...
Jul 18, 2023•17 min•Ep. 115
This week's podcast episode explores the challenges of learning new skills. We delve into the frustrations of being a beginner and emphasize the importance of accepting imperfections and embracing the gradual learning process. Join us as we uncover how to be comfortable with not being good at the start. SHOWNOTES https://sandra-coan-education.squarespace.com/podcast/what-if-youre-not-good-at-the-thing-youre-trying-to-learn LINKS Certification Program waitlist: https://www.sandracoaneducation...
Jul 12, 2023•10 min•Ep. 114
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a part of a photography mastermind? This episode pulls back the curtain and includes interviews with members of my level two mentoring program, Amplified. You'll hear about why they joined, the importance of community, what they learned from fellow members and their biggest takeaways from being in a photography mastermind. What sets Amplified apart from my group coaching program is that we follow more of a mastermind model. We don't foll...
Jun 27, 2023•43 min
The rumors are true: we are closing the doors to The Six-Figure Studio July 1st. This was a very difficult decision to make, but it's my hope that it makes space for more things at Sandra Coan Education—the biggest one being the Sandra Coan Certification Program. In this episode, I shared more about why we're closing the doors. I also share a snippet from a Six-Figure Studio coaching call where we talked about vulnerability and authenticity in marketing and how to share difficult emotion...
Jun 20, 2023•46 min
Have you ever wanted to get started photographing newborns with strobes and flash? Using artificial light in your photography business doesn't have to be complicated, harsh or "flashy". You can seamlessly create soft, beautiful light with minimal gear! In fact, the lighting method I created requires just ONE light. In my opinion, soft light is beautiful in newborn photography. Tune in for my 5 best tips for photographing newborns with strobes and flash! SHOWNOTES https://www.sandra...
May 09, 2023•12 min
I started my photography business in 1999, sort of by accident. Photography had always been something I loved, but I never thought it could be a job—let alone a career. It was just something I played around with on the weekend. Now, 20+ years into my career, I can confidently say I know what it takes to build a long-term career in the photography industry. In this episode, I share about the changes I've witnessed in the industry, from style to marketing and more, and how I've been able t...
May 02, 2023•9 min
During a coaching call with my level two mentoring program, Amplified, we had a conversation about some of the harder parts of running a business that don't get talked about enough. Like those moments in your business when you kind of question everything. When you ask yourself, what am I even doing? I could go out and get a job and not deal with all the hardships of being an entrepreneur and running my own business. This conversation was really helpful for the group, so I'm talking about...
Apr 25, 2023•9 min
Why does fear often come up during the creative process? This is something I notice the photographers in my group coaching program experience, and I myself am experiencing it as I prepare to launch my new Certification Program. Fear is a very natural and normal part of creativity. In my coaching program, we talk about clarity. That is the foundation for your brand, and it also gives you great direction in your marketing. And a lot of the time when my students are working through this piece of th...
Apr 18, 2023•15 min
In this episode, I’m sharing more about the Sandra Coan Certification Program that my team and I are working hard to launch in May. Applications will be opened to folks on the waitlist first, and spots may fill up before opening to the general public. If this sounds like something you want to be a part of, sign up for the waitlist at the link below as soon as you can! The Sandra Coan Certification Program will teach you everything I know about lighting, posing, directing and how to build a solid...
Apr 11, 2023•13 min
Have you ever felt like elevator pitches are difficult? Crafting an elevator pitch for your photography business doesn't have to be hard. In this episode, I shared a voice memo I recorded on a recent morning walk. I teach the elevator pitch formula I created to make your elevator pitch concise, clear and effective. Tune in to learn my formula and apply it to your own photography business! SHOWNOTES https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/podcast/the-elevator-pitch-formula-for-photographers LINKS...
Apr 06, 2023•5 min
Recently, I found a box of photos I had printed from the beginning of my career. As I was looking at the pictures, I was surprised by how beautiful they were. At the time I took those photos, I was so full of self doubt and I remember thinking my work wasn't good enough. Looking at them the other day made me feel proud and got me thinking about how things might be different if I had known at the time how good my work actually was. In this solo episode, I shared about insecurity led to under ...
Apr 04, 2023•14 min
Recently, I posted a reel about why I don't pose babies in my photography business. It was a touchy subject, as some photographers didn't like that. In this episode, I talk more about why I don't pose babies. I've been a newborn photographer for over 24 years, and I choose not to pose them because of safety concerns. Now, I know one can be trained to pose babies safely; however, my personal belief has always been that if you have to be trained how not to injure a baby for a photo...
Mar 30, 2023•9 min
Over the past month, I've had several people ask if I'd be willing to travel for a newborn and/or family session. Each year, I get photography inquiries from all around the world! While I love to travel, it's not always feasible for me to do so. I hate having to say "no" to people who are looking for beautiful maternity, newborn and family photography. For years, I've dreamed of creating a directory of qualified photographers from around the world, whose work I know and...
Mar 28, 2023•8 min
The one piece of advice would I give to photographers just starting out is don’t be afraid to ask for help. I started my photography business as a side hustle and was completely self taught. I felt guilty charging money for my work and always worried that someone would call me out as a fraud. In this episode, I share a vulnerable story about the one time I was actually accused of copying another photographer. I was new to my business, and it felt like all my fears and imposter syndrome challenge...
Mar 23, 2023•16 min
Cayton Heath of Cayton Heath Photography has been a photographer for over 10 years and specializes in newborn, maternity and family photography. She has always struggled with the business side of what she does and found coaching to be encouraging and insightful. Cayton is a member of The Six-Figure Studio and also took my courses, The Missing Link and Simply Posed. In this conversation, we cover how she moved and started her business over three times, her successes and the advice she has for fel...
Mar 21, 2023•27 min
I can’t even believe it, but this is the 100th episode of the Beyond Natural Light Photography Podcast! I started this podcast in June 2020 as a way to connect with my community and keep myself busy while my studio was closed, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. It’s been a really fun and interesting journey, so thank you for being here. For our 100th episode, we’re highlighting some of our most popular podcast episodes! You'll find snippets of our biggest solo and guest interviews. Enjoy, fri...
Mar 16, 2023•24 min
In this episode, I sat down with Ariel Cannon of Ariel Cannon Photo, a maternity, newborn, and family photographer based in Los Angeles, CA. She is best known for her natural newborn photography. Ariel has taken my lighting course, The Missing Link, as well as joined my group coaching program, The Six-Figure Studio, and my level 2 mentoring program, Amplified. I’m excited to share about her successes and the advice she has for fellow photographers! Tune in to this episode to hear our full conver...
Mar 14, 2023•34 min
Let's talk about confidence—why it’s important, how to get it and how to harness its power. I’ve been in business for over 20 years, and one thing I’ve learned in that time is that 90% of success in business boils down to confidence. Confidence is the bridge between wanting and having, fear and excitement and self sabotage and self promotion. Confidence is what will take you from undercharging to profitability and from feeling stuck to having a clear path and direction. It is so important!...
Mar 09, 2023•23 min
In this episode, I interviewed Brian Hohmann of Swipe Right Foto! Brian has taken all of my courses, and I was so excited to highlight his photography success. We talked about the value of investing in yourself as a photographer, the importance of knowing your strengths and knowing what to outsource and Brian's advice for new photographers. Brian is a Boston-based portrait photographer with a full studio located in a Mill Building in Lowell, Massachusetts. He shoots mostly weddings, family, and ...
Mar 07, 2023•43 min
In this episode, I sat down with Katharina Esteves to talk about mindset blocks and the obstacles many of us photographers face as we grow our business. After tuning in to this episode, you'll walk away with tangible advice for overcoming self doubt and imposter syndrome as a photographer! Katharina Esteves, owner of Katharina Esteves Photography, is a documentary family and branding photographer. She is originally Brazilian, but has been living in the beautiful Seattle area for the last 1...
Mar 02, 2023•31 min
In this episode, I sat down with The Missing Link and Six-Figure Studio graduate, Sonja Damjanoski of Sonja Damjan Photography to highlight another student success story! We chatted all about her business, what she learned in the programs and her advice for fellow photographers. Not only is she a photographer, but Sonja is also a full-time pharmacist and mom of twin boys. She passionately pursued photography since 2007 but took a short break when her children were born in 2016. She always k...
Feb 28, 2023•30 min
Are you a niche photographer that wonders if you're "too niched down" to find clients? This episode is for you! I sat down with Dave Pidgeon, owner of Creative Sports Photography, who provides athlete and team portrait experiences unlike any other in the south central Pennsylvania region. He’s a self-taught photographer and business owner with an affinity for environmental portraiture who loves the challenge of using off-camera strobes to create athlete images. Dave and I connected right at the ...
Feb 23, 2023•46 min
Are you one of the many business owners that compares yourself to others on loop? Well you are not alone, friend! In this episode, I share a portion of one of our Six-Figure Studio group coaching calls. We discuss the power of putting on blinders in the face of comparison in order to grow and succeed in business. We chat all about how finding clarity and really focusing on your unique point-of-view helps you ditch comparison as a photographer. Tune in to listen to the full conversation! SHOWNOTE...
Feb 21, 2023•11 min
In this episode, I interviewed commercial and advertising photographer and industry educator, Alexis Cuarezma. Alexis focuses on photographing athletes and has had his work on the cover of Sports Illustrated six times! Alexis shared a bit of his story and why self expression is deeply significant to him. We covered topics like artificial lighting and how it gives you so much more freedom as a photographer, consistency, creativity and why interpersonal skills are important as a photographer. Tune...
Feb 16, 2023•1 hr 10 min
In this episode, I'm so excited to highlight a student success story! I invited Samantha Hardcastle, graduate of my signature lighting program The Missing Link, to chat about all of her business wins and what she's learned along the way. Samantha is a Colorado based photographer, mother of 5 and lover of diet coke. She’s been in business for 2 years and really enjoys getting to know clients and creating artwork of their loved ones they can cherish. Tune in to our conversation together to feel en...
Feb 14, 2023•23 min
