Nathan “Nate” Elson of nathanelson.com has been a full-time Canadian photographer for 8 years. He labels himself as a commercial portrait photographer and his photography is turning heads, grabbing attention and getting him booked everyday. In this interview, Nate shares some of his strategies on building a successful commercial portrait photography business.
In what I thought was a dog eat dog world of commercial photography, Nate reveals, it's anything but and he owes a lot of his success to other established photographers doing similar things and vying for the same clients.
Helping other photographers is just ‘what goes around, comes around' – Nathan Elson
Check Nate's “about page” and you'll see a portrait of a bad ass, moody tough guy. That's Nate. Watch one of his video blogs (vlogs) though, and you'll see a thoughtful, approachable, talented and friendly dude.
I wasn't aware Nate was a Fuji X photographer until after I asked him onto the show for an interview. It was his photography that grabbed me. Is it really possible to build a commercial portrait photography business based on shooting the way you like to shoot? It seems so in Nate's case!
Plus, it looked like he's getting somewhere with the whole business thing.
Here’s some of what we cover:
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 episode where you can hear lots more content from where we dive deeper into some of the earlier topics plus some new ones that I pushed hard for that include:
If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interview with Nathan Elson, get access to an amazing back catalogue of interviews and ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.
I don't have any fear of saying no to something that doesn't fit what I do – Nathan Elson
Plus, access to a members only Facebook group where you'll connect with other members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take what you hear in each episode and put it into action. You will not find cooler, more motivated and caring photographers online.
What is your big takeaway?
Following this interview, I’d love to know what your biggest takeaway is – what is the one thing that you’d like to implement or learnt from what was shared? Let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below.
This is a job that rewards the hustle. It's a fun job. The hustle never really feels like work either – Nathan Elson
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Nathan or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them below.
Competition Time with Bittersweet Design Boutique
I saw an Instagram post by Rose and Thomas over at Bittersweet Design Boutique where there were offering one lucky follower, a chance to win a $100 gift voucher to use in their store. To win, followers needed to leave a comment saying what they would use the $100 for.
I commented and mentioned as the winner, I'd give the voucher to one lucky listener of the podcast.
I didn't win… but…
Thomas was in touch and has put up another $100 voucher for me to giveaway. To go in the draw, leave a comment below. Let me know what you'd purchase with your $100 voucher from the store at: http://designbybittersweet.com/shop/
That's not all! If you're not the winner (to be announced in next weeks show), Thomas and Rose have made a special promo code available to all PhotoBizX listeners for a cool 30% off everything!
Use the code “spring30” until the April 30th.
The PhotoBizX Website Design Makeover
I recently shared the process I went through with the full design makeover of the PhotoBizX website. Alex Vita of Foreground web was the master behind the changes and I just learnt documented the complete process – from start to finish – and has blogged about it.
In his post, you can see the changes and more importantly, the reasoning behind the changes he was suggesting. This is a good chance to get inside the head of a website expert and see if you can apply his philosophy on modern design to your site.
At the very least, see if you can pick the changes, if they work, make sense or will improve user experience.
You can find the post here: http://www.foregroundweb.com/blog/photobizx-design-makeover/
I have a fun job. I like to make the job fun – Nathan Elson
Special Idealist Offer for PBX'ers!
Becky and Jesse from last weeks episode have really come to the party for listeners and are offering their course on creating Instagram and Facebook ads for Wedding Professionals that work and how to grow your Instagram following organically which is normally $997… for $297!
In addition to the massive saving, you'll get TWO one-on-one calls with Becky or Jesse.
The course goes into a LOT more detail about what Jesse and Becky shared in the interview from lead magnet creation to your specific ad settings, your branding message, your ad copy… everything!
Included with the course is a no questions asked money back guarantee for 60 days!
Here's the link to learn more about the course: photobizx.com/idealust
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 means 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 and your name.
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
People feel they need to show everything they've been doing to try to prove that they're busy – Nathan Elson
Equipment
Fujifilm X-Pro2 Body Professional Mirrorless Camera (Black)
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED Fixed Zoom Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras
Thank you!
Thank you again for listening to the show and thanks to Nathan for coming on and sharing so much about his business, the way he's grown it and some of his strategies.
No risk, no reward – Nathan Elson
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
LOVED this interview! Thank you Andrew for always bringing such great information! Checked out Bittersweet Designs and there is some awesome stuff available!! I would definitely use the $100 voucher toward the purchase of all of the Senior Portrait templates from the marketing set and magazined, down to the thank you cards and gift cards!! Great products!
Thanks Sherri – so good to read you enjoyed the interview – I found myself scribbling ideas while talking to Nate for this one!
And you’re in the draw. 🙂
So fun to hear from another Albertan! I absolutely love your work. Calgary is such a beautiful and corporate city, I love your awareness of your demographic. Your website is stunning!
Looking forward to visiting Calgary and Canada someday myself – looking at Nate’s images, it looks like a fantastic city and full of beautiful people 😉
Loved the interview, really enjoyed Nathan’s view on commercial photography, and it gave me some ideas that I can implement in my own wedding business. A big thing he taught me from this episode, is the importance of marketing, I’m now following his Instagram to get new inspiration and follow his awesome work! Matched well by the lovely offer by Bittersweet Design, I would use the $100 to create an amazing info package using a wedding magazine outlay from Bittersweet Designs. This would be for my prospective wedding clients, used as a lead generation tool, to get them to get in touch with me! It’s all about getting to know the client, and having that conversation, and if I can use the magazine to help them plan their big day, and also generate some new leads, then it’s a win-win!
So good to read your comments Matthew – love seeing takeaways!
Your in the draw for the Bittersweet Designs set too.
Thanks Andrew for another great interview; I would love the Bittersweet voucher to build those little things of my small business. Like facebook timeline or even a marketing pack. I have only just started building my business so any little tools would be a big help.
thanks again
Love that you enjoyed the episode Patrick.
And you’re definitely in the draw and running for the Bittersweet prize.
Great to have you listening!
Thanks for another great interview Andrew. I loved that Nathan said work hard was the best thing he did for his business and is so sure about what he does. Maybe it comes with Maturity in your business but it seems like the common theme amongst the really amazing phitographers. The do what they love and they do it the way they love to.
I checked out the designbybittersweet shop and found exactly what id invest in if i won the voucher..this kit is awesome.
http://designbybittersweet.com/shop/branding/marketing-set-for-wedding-portrait-photographers/
I listen right to the end of this one and i agree i dont know why you are hesistant to share your expertise after so many years on biz you’d be one of the first people od listen too. You’ve got a long term family business. You change with the time and you do it fulltime without subsidising your income with education. If i was looking for business advice i would choose you over some of the flavour of the day superstars as their rise has often come from a viral something as opposed to consistent hard work
Hey Te
Thanks for that – love that you enjoyed the interview with Nate and totally agree with your observation on his work ethic. So much so, I referenced your comments in todays episode with Ross Simmonds – they struck a chord with me.
And thank you for your especially nice comments about me and my business. That means a lot. 🙂
Hey Andrew, great interview as usual.
I loved your little piece at the end. Honest, straight forward and I’m sure everyone feels and thinks the same things as you mentioned. I know I do 🙂
Cheers Heath – really appreciate your comments.
Look forward to catching up one of these days.
I love his approach to how he planned and grabbed life by the ***** and went for it!
For the entry I probably would grab this with a couple of the extras missing (like christmas stuff.)
http://designbybittersweet.com/shop/branding/new-yorker-marketing-set/
Or maybe the will help rebrand my boudoir company! It needs to be done bad.
Me too Ryan! Nathan’s approach was inspirational.
You’re in the draw!