Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area.
Dave Stewart of www.studio2photography.co.uk is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and left his well paying, full-time job to pursue wedding photography. In this interview, Dave shares how he's approached the transition in a way that is enabling him to stay true to the way he wants to be shooting.
In the interview, Dave shares how he's utilising Facebook Ads and a marketing strategy on autopilot to attract engaged couples consistently. From here, Dave takes every couple for an engagement shoot on their first meeting to show them, photography doesn't have to be about posing and direction. This process is now inbuilt into his sales process in a way that couples don't feel like they are being sold to while bonding with Dave.
These shoots all happen in the same location and are done in twenty minutes! And the couples see the photos on the day, right after the shoot.
In addition to the engagement and wedding photography talk, I asked Dave about shooting the Edinburgh fireworks display each year (which sounded so high pressure to me) and how to start out with drinking real Scotch and learning to appreciate this famous drink.
Here’s some more of what we cover in the interview:
What’s on Offer for Premium Members
If you’re a premium member, you should have received an email with links to your version of this interview – the full length and more revealing version where you hear the absolute best tips and advice from every guest.
If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, get access to an amazing back catalogue of interviews and ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.
I've always wanted to be my own boss, always wanted to run a business. And I've got this creative streak I can't get rid of so, I kind of thought why not try photography. – Dave Stewart
Plus special member-only interviews.
You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. There are also FB live video tutorials, role-play interviews and special live interviews happening in the group.
You will not find more friendly, more motivated, caring and sharing photographers online.
Joining a Mastermind Group (encouraged by Andrew) has been incredibly valuable and fun, I look forward to connecting with my group members every week. Jina Zheng, Premium Member and Melbourne Children photographer.
And that's not all… you get a set of steak knives… I'm kidding!
Seriously though, that's not all. In addition to everything above, you'll get access to and instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, make you accountable and build friendships with other pro photographers with similar motives to you – to build a more successful photography business.
What is your big takeaway?
Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything away from what Dave shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below, let me know what your takeaways were, what you plan to implement in your business as a result of what you heard in today's episode.
When I started doing this engagement shoots I realized that actually I really like this process where, I met people and I get to know a bit about them. – Dave Stewart
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Dave or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.
iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs
Each week I check for any new iTunes reviews and it's always a buzz to receive these… for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they really are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome!
Secondly, iTunes is the biggest search engine when it comes to podcasts and it's your reviews and ratings that help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and ultimately a better show.
If you have left a review in the past, thank you!
If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes and you can leave some honest feedback and a rating which will help both me and the show and I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name.
Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast and email me your keywords or keyword phrase and where you'd like me to link to.
Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has made a difference to you and your photography business.
Here are the latest reviews for the Photography Business Xposed podcast:
A Photographers Business Encyclopedic Resource
In iTunes by Northern Beaches wedding photographer, Dean Richter from Australia on January 22, 2019
Wow, what a wealth of business advice! Every episode is packed full of useful nuggets of information.
I am only new to PhotoBizX but already I have so many ideas that I want to implement in my business.
NOTE: A bit of advice to new listeners, take notes while you listen otherwise you will find yourself replaying each podcast over and over to remember all the great action items, and there are just too many podcasts to be able to do that with.
The premium members Facebook group is also a wonderful community and it seems like everyone pitches in to help. I love how supportive it is.
Andrew, I hope you never get tired of putting this together because I won't ever get tired of listening to it. You are doing an absolutely stellar job!
A must-listen!
In iTunes by Oklahoma City portrait photographer, Christian Sangree of Prints Charming Photography from the USA on January 29, 2019
If you aspire to make a living in the photography craft, this podcast will quickly become a favorite and an invaluable resource.
After listening for about a year to the free content, I pulled the trigger on a premium membership, and I can’t imagine going back to life before PBX. =)
Andrew does an amazing job with interesting guests and interviewing skills. He asks the hard questions and does us all an amazing service.
I appreciate all the hard work that goes into it! I’m most impressed at how dependable and reliable this great content is, with new helpful education every week.
Cheers, Andrew! Keep up the great work!
A PhotoBizX Review by Anthony Guana
If you're looking for an unbiased view of the PhotoBizX podcast and membership, long time listener, Premium Member, San Antonio wedding photographer, Anthony Guana has put together an in-depth look at what it's all about here: https://anthonygauna.com/photobiz-xposed-photography-podcast-review/
Anthony is a wedding photographer, husband, stepdad, and host of the Photogivity podcast. He's into photography, productivity, minimalism, and Apple products. He's passionate about finding ways to save time to do more of what he loves.
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Studio Two Photography Website
Studio Two Photography on Facebook
Studio Two Photography on Instagram
Studio Two Photography on Twitter
Zotabox – website chat fuctionality
Thank you!
Thanks again for listening and big thanks to Dave for sharing his thoughts on starting a photography business and finding your own way to connect with couples while shooting in the style that attracted you to photography in the first place. Making the move from an established, well paying day job to photography is never an easy transition and getting a glimpse at how Dave made (is making) the transition was, I hope, inspiring.
Try to make them feel as relaxed about being in front of the camera as possible and usually after about five minutes, they don't forget you're there but they become at ease with the fact they are being photographed. – Dave Stewart
If you have any suggestions, comments or questions about this episode, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post, and if you liked the episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post!
That’s it for me this week, hope everything is going well for you in life and business!
Thanks and speak soon
Andrew
Leave A Comment