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Johl Dunn of www.jdportraitart.com.au started his photography business from the living room of a shared house back in 2002 when he was 22 and working full time as a brickies labourer. He was only able to work on growing his business at nights and weekends.
From there, Johl's studio, J.D Portrait Art has evolved into one of Melbourne’s Premier boutique portrait studios.
With his wife and two staff working in the business, things are going great in what is often described as a VERY tough market and climate for portrait photographers.
It's not about selling the most, it's about selling what is right. – Johl Dunn
After exchanging a few emails, I learned that Johl is only spending around 20hrs a week in the portrait side of his business. His staff take care of the rest.
Their average sale is just over $2800 this year!
Johl says he has worked hard to implement strategies and procedures over the last few years to free himself up to focus on other parts of his business but still maintain and improve the studio's client experience and the business turnover.
In fact, he is working 50% fewer hours in the photography business and still growing its revenue.
In this interview, Johl shares how to create a money-making portrait photography business, no matter your location. It's all about generating leads, pre-shoot (informative and helpful) consultations and getting out of your own way to make great sales.
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.
The more you teach, the more you learn as well from other people. – John Dunn
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.
Seriously, 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 Johl 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.
If you quote someone on a messenger or email, they are just going on logic, there's no emotion. It's just pure numbers and logic, and if someone's cheaper you're not going to win. – Johl Dunn
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Johl 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 messages:
The photo above was sent to me in an email exchange with Wellington headshots photographer, Tim Morrison who added the following:
Take care and thanks again for all that you do to keep us all inspired and enthusiastic about the business of photography. Oh, I’ve attached a picture of the dangers of being a PhotoBizExposed listener ?
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
JD Mindset Coaching free training for photographers
Evergreen Facebook Ad Funnels for photographers course
BombBomb – Julie's referral code: https://mbsy.co/lbJW8 will get you and Julie a $50 Amazon gift card
Thank you!
Thanks again for listening and thanks to Johl for coming on and sharing his thoughts and ideas on building a successful portrait photography business by focussing on Third Party Marketing, pre-shoot consultations, fantastic client experience and making it easy for you to sell and for your clients to spend.
Don't get too caught up in the photography because the clients are more interested in the experience than the end result. – Johl Dunn
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
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