In 2008 Cole gave up his career in corporate finance and randomly decided to try photography as a way to make some money on the side.
Doesn't sound real good does it!
5 months after buying his first camera he photographed his first wedding…
Looking back, Cole readily admits he was a “weekend warrior.”
7 years and over 130 weddings later, he owns and operates a thriving photography business, and teaches photography to over 60,000 photographers each month through Cole’s Classroom.
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 Jonathan, get access to an amazing back catalogue of interviews and ALL future interviews delivered automatically.
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.
The harsh truth is that there's a lot of seasoned photographers that don't want to help new photographers – Cole Joseph
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Cole or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them below.
If you’d like an easy way to show Cole your thanks and support for the show at the same time, click the link to create a tweet and automatically show you’re listening: https://photobizx.com/tweet
Smokin' Deal on Cole's Crisp & Clean Presets
So….as a % I guess that is 34% off….pretty good if you ask me!
Here's the link, no need for any promo or discount codes, it's already been added.
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 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 your website URL.
$1 Trial for the PhotoBizX PremiumMembership
If you're a regular listener to the free podcast, you definitely know you're missing out on a ton of good content that could be the difference in you speeding up your success in this business or working things out yourself… slowly.
If you've wondered what you get for $20 per month with the membership, will it be good value for you?
The best way to use social media is let people into your personal life to know who you are, why you love what you do and can relate to you – Cole Joseph
Now you can trial the Premium Membership for a measly $1 for the first month! Here's the link to go check it out and stop missing info that will impact your photography, your business, your life: https://photobizx.com/try
Any questions or hassles, email me or leave a comment below – hope to see you in the membership area shortly.
40% Off for 10 Days Only
Make sure you capitalise on the amazing offer from Jonathan in last weeks episode and get 40% off either or both his business guides.
Find: Biz Guide – discounted link to shopping cart
Find: Ohana Means Family Guide – discounted link to shopping cart
The special price on both guides will only be available till Thursday 25th June 2015 and is available to all listeners!
From DSLR to Mirrorless Camera – what was I thinking!?
If you're looking at making the move from DSLR to a mirrorless system and you haven't made the jump yet, my post will probably help. It should answer any questions you may have, particularly if you're considering a move to the Fuji XT1 cameras.
I cover the bad and the good things I've learnt and discovered since changing and working full-time with the new cameras. It's by no means a rosy, sugar coated appraisal of Fuji… far from it.
You can find the article in the NEW blog area of the PhotoBizX site or here.
If you want the short version, I just had a message from a fellow photographer and friend, Dean Dampney, also a Fuji convert who summed up his thoughts and mine perfectly:
They're smaller and lighter and don't work quite as well but I love them more than any gear I've owned – Dean Dampney
Book More Portraits Than You Ever Thought Possible
After first talking about the ebook for portrait photographers almost a year ago, it's finally done and you should have a copy (or how to download a version of it) in your email by now. It's free and I'm hoping will help you generate a stack of portrait sessions if you follow the instructions.
The email I'm referring to went to all Premium Members and anyone on my email list. If you haven't received a copy and would like one, head to http://bookmoreportraits.com/, add your details and you'll have it in minutes.
Shotkit The Book
I like to think I’m not a gear freak but there is something very cool about this new book from Mark Condon – the founder and curator of the website, Shotkit.com.
The eclectic collection of shooters is fantastic and although I don’t normally drool over camera equipment, I found myself zooming in, clicking, swiping, checking details and reading why one photographer chose one product over another. The book and bonuses are the perfect addition to the Shotkit website and like everything Mark does, it’s been perfectly executed.
The book is priced at $15 – you can see and learn more about it at Shotkit – The Book
Go Your Own Way
Regular listeners know I'm a super fan of Kristen Kalp and her life changing book, Go Your Own Way. Following the interview with Kristen, I've “preached” about the book and what it can do for your business but always advocated printing the book to get the most out of it rather than trying to complete the questions and worksheets digitally.
Printing the book, although a bit of a hassle and cost was definitely worth the trouble.
Well… now you don't have to! Kristen has made the book available in printed form through Amazon and you can order it here: Go Your Own Way: free yourself from business as usual
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Find: Biz Guide – discounted link to shopping cart
Find: Ohana Means Family Guide – discounted link to shopping cart
Go Your Own Way: free yourself from business as usual
Equipment
Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
Thank you!
Thank you again for listening to the show and thanks to Cole for being a fantastic and thought provoking guest!
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
Omg i think Cole has been looking at my blog…..im the one who hasnt posted anything for months. Mainly because ive been totally snowed and blogging got pushed to the bottom of the list.(excuses excuses i know)
Definitely gonna check out that craigslist site before I head to California for a month. Who knows i might pick up a wedding while im over there!
I loved the point about treating your clients special because at the end of the day its hard to make our photography special if we favour a clean style. Better to have raving fans of our service who are brides than raving fans of our style who are photographers; )..be nice to have both though ay!
Definitely plan on getting the lightroom presets. i totally love using lightroom to edit. Photoshop used to kill me on weddings. I went to buy them today then realised no wallet so it will have to wait til i get home 🙁 FYI if you visit the sales page the extra special offer for photobizx peeps applies when you go through to the cart.
Thanks for the new person to stalk, admire and learn from Andrew. Coles was fantastic to listen to and i love that he has built this amazing biz while working his other job.
You’re definitely not the only photographer to have a floundering blog T! A lot of us felt guilty when Cole was making those comments 🙂
Good idea re the Craigslist site before your “holiday” – don’t forget to check the site Jason Lanier mentioned too.
Thanks for the heads up about the sales page – I’ll let Cole know. And you have to leave a comment once you’ve used the presets, I’d love to hear some feedback about them.
And my pleasure, always good to have someone new to stalk 😉
Thanks so much for listening to the interview! So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Cole
I went and downloaded the free version of Cole’s presets after being so impressed with his calm business savvy in this interview. I am not usually one who enjoys using others’ presets, but I have to say, Cole’s are awesome!
I really enjoyed how Cole is no-nonsense, calm and matter of fact. I, too, have been struggling with my blog, however I have the summer off now and have a plan. I am going to write 52 posts (or outsource a couple) over the next two weeks – I’ve already titled and started them in evernote. I am going to schedule them to roll out once per week for one year. Then, I will also have additional posts through the year (photoshoots, BTS, funny things) so that my blog is never without a new-ish post.
Thanks Andrew and Cole!
So good to read about your experience with Cole’s presets Amanda.
Love your plans to outsource and schedule your blog posts too!
I’d really like to know how you go with the process, finding your writer and how it all pans out if you get the chance.
I reckon it could make a terrific interview topic too (hint hint :))
I related to Cole’ practical view on social media, I’ve got a few followers on G+ but they are not my ideal target market for photo work as they are mostly not in Sydney or NSW. But I must say I do enjoy making connections and sharing some of my fav photos and events there.
Facebook would be my best local social media platform for photography promotion but that’s where I’ve spend the least amount of time and effort.
So one take away is to reevaluate what I want to get out of the various social media platforms I’m on.
The other would be the recommendation to not just email established wedding photographers for second shooter opportunities but to also call or catch up. I’ve emailed 3 myself and the emails have been well received I’d say from their responses, but that’s as far as I’ve taken it.
I’ll send them another note to stay in touch so great reminder for me Cole.
I was pumped for the day after listening to this podcast yesterday morning
cheers guys
Hey Orlando – great to read your comments. I think with social media it depends if you’re there “strategically” for business or purely for fun. If it’s for fun and you’re enjoying G+, I say go for it!
And yes, agreed, if FB is where you’re prospective clients are and you want to target them, you will need to either spend time and/or money there to see results.
Love reading you were pumped after the interview… I’d say that makes it a successful show 🙂