Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area.
Richard Grenfell of www.thrivephotography.com.au hired photography business coach, Steve Saporito, to help him build a profitable business as he transitions from his successful and long-running pawnbroking business.
In this interview, Richard shares why he chose Steve as his coach, the onboarding process, the costs involved and what he's busily been working on since starting with Steve – mainly the location scouting and fit-out of his new portrait photography studio in the centre of town.
He also shares where he's at with the coaching, his goals for the business including what I thought (and you'll hear) a very optimistic turnover goal of $250,000!
Here's some more of what we cover in the interview:
As a result of having conversations to learn what's important to your clients, I end up photographing differently and they start to see those things in the photographs regardless. – Richard Grenfell
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.
Plus special member-only interviews.
I've always been a great believer of education. If you don't know, just ask and find out. – Richard Grenfell
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.
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 Richard 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 have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Richard 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:
★★★★★ Your podcasts have actually changed my life
In Apple Podcasts by Windsor, Ascot & Sunningdale's pet photographer, Chris Miller from the UK on January 20th, 2021.
Being in my late 50s, I am in the process of preparing for a change of pace and exit the corporate IT Sales environment and focus with my wife on our Pet Photography business. We started MIL Pet Photography in the UK in 2019, and have been absorbing as much content and training as possible. I had already started training with a number of your guests. I heard you on one of their podcasts in early 2020, and then started your free subscription podcasts initially. I found that I could go for a morning jog and listen to the podcast, and I truly started getting very fit as a direct result of going further back in the series – and of course, jogging more often each week.
I decided six months ago that it was time to pay for a full subscription as I was missing so much additional content. Not only am I jogging for longer, but I have also learned so much that my wife and I are starting to put into our business. We expect to focus exclusively on dog photography next year, so much more prepared and excited than we ever thought possible. ….and you and your podcasts changing my life, yup, I am now 40 pounds or 18 kilos lighter!!!
Starting with the free subscription is absolutely fine, but I strongly encourage everyone to sign up for the full subscription as what you get back is huge, and you truly feel part of an amazing worldwide community.
Thank you Andrew, many thanks to your excellent guests, and I hope that in a couple of years I can potentially be a guest on your show inspiring others to change their career or at least have a new business idea for their “retirement” years.
Use coupon code “photobizx50” for $50 off the ticket price. Premium Members, get an additional 15% rebate from me.
The Pet Photographers Virtual Conference
Whether you've been shooting for decades or starting out, it's time to level up with the 2021 Pet Photographers' Virtual Conference.
Over 15 expert speakers (including me!), 3 full days of live, virtual events, packed with unique strategies, tips and techniques for growing your pet photography business, this is the event you do NOT want to miss.
Tickets are available now.
The conference runs from the 4th – 6th February, with a week of replays for those who can’t catch it live. Grab your seat and save $50 using my coupon code photobizx50. Premium PBX Members, get an additional 15% rebate from me.
PhotoBizX Daily Vlog Challenge – Earlybird pricing is now available – STARTS Monday, Feb 1st 2021.
The number one reason to use video in your photography business – to make a personal connection with your prospective client, faster than ever before.
You can do this with video on your website, in your email replies, advertising and retargeting.
In-person is best but next, there is no faster way to make a connection than you talking to your clients via video.
If you generally book most of the clients you meet with face to face, imagine building that bond earlier in your process and before other local photographers. It'll mean more bookings for you. Fantastic right? As long as you can be yourself and make the same kind of connection you do in person. And you can!
Want to learn how to get comfortable being yourself on camera?
This Challenge will get you there.
The improvement and transformation in members videos has been extraordinary as we add something new to focus on throughout each module – from lighting, framing, eye contact, intro and outros – all with daily prompts.
Everyone involved is getting daily feedback, and it's easy to see the fun we're all having as we progress.
The next Challenge is starting soon! Click the link and add your details to get involved: http://dailyvlogchallenge.com
The way it works
- Watch the daily video (with topic/Challenge included) uploaded into a separate post each day – excluding weekends.
- Record your video reply and upload into the comments for that unit.
- Once your video is uploaded, leave comments or constructive feedback (if requested) on at least 2 videos from other participants.
- Wait for feedback on your recording and implement suggestions into your next Challenge.
That's it, as simple as that. 
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Thrive Photography on Facebook
Thrive Photography on Instagram
Episode 41: Steve Saporito – The Doctor of Portrait Photography Success… Is In Session
Episode 072: Steve Saporito – How to Generate Terrific Sales for Portrait Photographers
Episode 075: Steve Saporito and Matt Ebenezer Photography Business Q&A Session
Episode 348: Steve Saporito – How to excite and delight your portrait clients to better sales
Thank you!
Thanks again for listening and thanks to Richard for coming on to share his thoughts and experiences after hiring Steve Saporito as a business coach. And for going into the struggles, successes and work that goes into building a sustainable photography business today.
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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