I was torn when thinking about introducing todays guest, Andria Lindquist. I was going to say, she was born in Sweden but lives and works from Seattle in the USA and her photography is fantastic but that intro just seemed too boring and a bad fit. You see, Andria has found the secret to success and teaches it to women. She says, find your passion, find your voice, watch your photography business soar.
Humanizing yourself and sharing personal experiences is a good thing – Andria Lindquist
I just finished watching a promo video from one of her “Oh shit!” workshops and find myself wishing I was a chick – it looked like more fun than any workshop I've ever been too! Andria says she's not obsessed with photography, it is a part of who she is. She also says a full callendar of shoots isn't important… but days she gets to create art and have a really fucking good time doing it are.
She's one of a kind, she's found her passion and her voice and I'm rapt to have her on the show.
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 Andria Lindquist, get access to an amazing back catalogue of interviews and ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.
You never know what sharing will do and who it will touch – Andria Lindquist
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.
People appreciate individuality and dealing with a real human – Andria Lindquist
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Andia or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them below.
Special Promo Code for Pencil & Lens
Anna Sawin from last week's episode kindly offered all listeners a special 10% off your purchase at Pencil and Lens until February 26th 2016.
Use the code pencillens10 for 10% off at the checkout.
Check out some very cool solutions here: http://www.pencilandlens.com
It is important to keep your voice current with who you really are – Andria Lindquist
Website Q&A with Alex Vita of Foreground Web
I mentioned a few episodes ago about a service being offered by Alex Vita at www.foregroundweb.com where you can ask any question you like and he'll answer it, usually within 24 hours… well I put him to the test regarding fonts for my website.
You can see my question and how incredibly helpful reply below:
Question: If I own a WordPress site and want to use a different font to what is built into the theme, what is the easiest way to do this and are there any considerations I need to make?
Answer: Hi Andrew,
Thanks for the excellent question, I'll be sure to use this in next month's Q&A.
First of all, many modern WordPress themes come with their own font controls (in their “Theme Options” section), usually referencing the great Google Fonts library. If your font doesn't have such options I'll look for a theme version update (if available) or even assess the quality of the theme. If you find any other limitations with it too, you could consider switching to a more modern theme (though that could require extensive work).
Back to fonts: the simplest way to add custom fonts to your WordPress site is through this plugin https://wordpress.org/plugins/easy-google-fonts/
It's easy to use and quite powerful (look at the impressive ratings & reviews the plugin has). Another good plugin for this would be https://wordpress.org/plugins/google-typography/, and they both use Google Fonts as a source (which should be all you need really). Typekit users have their own plugin here: https://wordpress.org/plugins/typekit-fonts-for-wordpress/
If you're particularly picky about your fonts, you could also upload and use custom fonts using a plugin like this https://wordpress.org/plugins/use-any-font/ or take the manual approach if you have some HTML/CSS knowledge (instructions here https://premium.wpmudev.org/blog/custom-fonts-css/).
Not critical, but once you use new fonts, you could disable the theme's old fonts for performance reasons. But that's not always directly possible within the theme options (and might require advanced development skills instead).
– Alex
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.
Great podcast!
In iTunes by Linda Baca of Linda Baca Photography in the USA on January 2, 2016
I so appreciate your podcast.
I am never ever disappointed.
Thank you for genuinely caring for your listeners. Continued success!
Linda Baca
I'm not just about my images. I want people to work with me because it is me doing it – Andria Lindquist
This podcast is better than a Thneed!
In iTunes by Monny B from Australia on December 22, 2015
Whether you are new to photography, an old hat at it or somewhere inbetween, Andrew's podcast is what every photographer needs!
The Thneed of Portrait and Wedding Photography podcasts.
Its not just that he chats to a wide variety of photographers from all over the world, and that the content is so rich and diverse but also that, he himself, is not a bore to listen to! My mind is quite the wandering type and, honestly, if someone just hasn't got it in their voice and how they deliver, then I'm thinking about dinner after 5 minutes.
I have learned so much from his guests and as I am building my business, it is great to hear tips and advice on both the business side of things as well as the photography side. I have even been able to channel into what excites me again from listening to a few of his guests and then viewing their websites/social media sites.
Do yourself a favour and subscribe today. You won't regret it and you will wonder what you did without it!
NOTE: Ok, so I had to “Google” Thneed to see what Monny was referring to, I had no idea! Here's what I found 🙂
A Thneed's a Fine-Something-That-All-People-Need!
It's a shirt. It's a sock. It's a glove. It's a hat.
But it has OTHER uses. Yes, far beyond that.
You can use it for carpets. For pillows! For sheets!
Or curtains! Or covers for bicycle seats!” – from The Lorax by Dr. Seuss.
A Must Listen For Photography Business Owners
In iTunes by Lee of Hanna Arts Photography from USA on December 18, 2015
Great topics on the business and marketing of operating a photography business.
Andrew asks questions that dig deep into the brains of his guests to get to what truly works for them.
Facebook Ads Continue to Produce!
Premium members are well aware of the success other members are having with Facebook Ads for booking portraits, weddings and engagement shoots because of all the sharing happening inside the FB Group where you'll find discussions and examples of ad copy, landing pages, images being used and results.
One of the biggest concerns is the quality of client coming via the ads and how “qualified” they are in regards to spending on photography when coming via and ad for free photography.
The ads continue to produce bookings and sales for me but I'm yet to see results like John from Eternity Photos has seen.
Here's a follow up email from John when I asked about mentioning his sale on the show:
Happy New Year mate. First day back and sifting through the emails:)) Flashes of surfing, snorkelling and hanging out with mates drinking beer keep coming but I will keep going with the work haha.
Yes you are very welcome to mention me/us Eternity Photography and our $4200 sale following Bernie’s FB AD Challenge. It was the highest one and it is on Lay-by but very welcome none the less.
Thank you,
John
If you'd like to know more about the FB Ad Challenge, head back to episode 136 and 138 where Bernie guides you through the ad process step by step and you'll see a video on exactly how to create your ad in the FB Ads Manager.
You will need a Premium Membership to access those episodes now (which you can trial for $1 at https://photobizx.com/try) and while you have the trial, ask for access to the FB Group for Members and see exactly how other members are doing.
Results from a recent FB Ad Promotion for my business – Impact Images – which produced over 100 enquiries.
Q&A Session with Kristen Kalp
Coming up in February 2016, Kristen Kalp will be back on the podcast to answer your questions in regards to sales – in person, online, digital files, albums, wall art, wedding or portrait. If you have a sales question for Kristen, email me, [email protected] – be as specific as you like with links or real world examples.
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Way Up North Podcast interview for Andria'a back story
Your story does matter. Your story will impact someone – Andria Lindquist
Equipment
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Full Frame DSLR Camera (Body Only)
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 22.3 MP Full Frame CMOS
Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L Tilt Shift Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras – Fixed
Thank you!
Thank you again for listening to the show and thanks to Andria for coming on and sharing so much.
We are in control of our future – Andria Lindquist
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
Andria is my new personal life hero. She even inspired me – yes, me! – to write.
Andria, thank you! I found that interview incredibly inspiring and will listen to it over again when I need a boost in creativity.
Wow, there must be some goodness here if you’ve been inspired to write and not outsource Amanda 😉
I’m sure Andria will love seeing your comments when she returns from the 2nd half of her wedding celebrations which I believe are taking place in Mexico.
Just went to the website and after a couple of minutes of looking I still don’t know where she is working. I see that often, is there a reason for not putting your location on a web site? Still listening :).
Hey Jerry – I don’t want to answer on Andria’s behalf but I do know she’s off having the 2nd half of her wedding and isn’t around.
I totally hear you in regards to the location thing and it’s something I always look for – that and a phone number usually.
My “hunch” is because Andria travels for a lot of her shoots, she’s happy to not be seen as servicing one area OR it could simply be an oversight?
What an inspirational interview!
Thanks to Andria for sharing so much, I was scribbling down notes like a madman! I especially loved the advice about blogging from the heart, without thinking about SEO. It’s much more exciting to think of writing about things that you believe in, rather than just describing the same old shoot every time. Maybe I’ll FINALLY get blogging now… 😉
And, I love the bullet point idea, making a list of your traits and making them visible in your brand. I’ll be doing that ASAP.
Cheers Andria, and Andrew!