Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area.
Nate Grahek of Sticky Albums and Sticky Apps is todays guest and the focus of the interview is on a new business business opportunity for photographers that piqued my interest the minute I heard about it. I saw a chance to build a recurring income by servicing small businesses in my local area with skills I already have.
I'm currently using Sticky Albums in my business and clients love it. The idea behind Sticky Albums is to help photographers easily create custom branded mobile apps for each of their clients and grow their word-of-mouth referrals. It works perfectly!
Nate's latest venture is StickyApps which are designed to help photographers strengthen their photography business by servicing local small businesses and earn a recurring income by providing them photography and website solutions.
Doing a portrait shoot for a client gets you paid today, whereas taking a small business out for coffee or lunch is an investment in your retirement – Nate Grahek
BTW, Nate took his first company from 0 to 1.5K customers in 3 months… The guy knows what he's doing when it comes to building a business.
Here’s some of what we cover in this 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 episode where you can hear lots more content and we dive deeper into some of the earlier topics plus some new ones that I pushed for and 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 Nate, get access to an amazing back catalogue of interviews and ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.
Plus, access to a members only Secret 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 more friendly, more motivated and caring photographers online.
What is your big takeaway?
Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're up for the challenge and willing to invest a little time and effort into yourself, your writing and your business. If so, let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below and feel free to share links to your blog posts – I'd love to check them out.
A good website leaves the visitor wanting more – Nate Grahek
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Nate about the challenge or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them 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 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 of your website and your name.
PLUS: if you let me know the key word or keyword phrase you'd like me to use to link to your page, post or site, let me know via email after leaving a review and I'll do what I can to make that work.
For example, If I were linking to my wedding photography page on my photography website ” Impact Images” and want to target the keyword phrase “Central Coast wedding photographer” and left an iTunes review, I'd add something like this:
Thanks for the iTunes review by Central Coast wedding photographer, Andrew Hellmich on June 27, 2016
This week, a big thanks goes out to:
Excellent resource for Photographers
In iTunes by Norfolk family photographer Neil Fulcher on July 1, 2016
I only discovered Andrew's podcast a couple of weeks back and it is simply the best photography podcast out there.
Andrew's laid back style gets the very best nuggets of information form his guests. He is sincere, refreshingly honest and shares so much information.
I wish I'd discovered this sooner but I'm working through the previous episodes at a rate of knots. The summaries, “takeaways” (key points) and links on the accompanying website make the learning process so much easier.
Keep up the great work Andrew!
Love this Podcast
In iTunes by Alaska Glacier Elopement Photographer and Family Lifestyle Photographer Christal Houghtelling on June 30, 2016
I love listening to Andrew. One of the things that I enjoy about his podcast is that sometimes he doesn't just accept what the interviewies are saying. He will sometimes question what they are saying, which causes them to dive deeper into what they are thinking or why they do something a specific way.
I really enjoy the fact that these podcasts seem to dive deeper into the professionals thought processes, and marketing.
I will turn on his podcast on my phone while I do house work. Last night I was listening to his podcast while folding laundry! Last month I was listening to him while painting my chicken coop!
I pick up at least one good tidbit every podcast, and I'm not a beginner photographer. It's just a fun, refreshing podcast to listen to.
Informative, consistent and to the point!
In iTunes by Atlanta wedding photographer Gary Lun on June 29, 2016
This is the podcast to listen to if you are serious about your photography business.
The insight from Andrew along with the knowledge of countless world class photographers are what’s keeping you ahead in the photography world.
Out of the obvious greatness described in previous reviews, I want to note that Andrew truly did a fabulous job asking the right question to the interviewer that’s in your mind. This is something that stands out from all other photography podcast and is something not all interviewers can do.
Sometimes I wonder if Andrew knows what I am thinking right now!
Inspiring and Informative
In iTunes by Bret from Indianapolis on July 15, 2016
I've been listening to this podcast for about a month now and I'm really loving it. I find it very inspiring because I get to here all the success stories of other photographers who have faced and overcome the same challenges I'm currently dealing with.
Every time I listen to a new episode I keep a notebook and pen near me to write down all the great information that each speaker gives out. I have no idea what the dollar value of all this great information would be, but I know it's worth much more than what I pay to be a premium member.
Thank you Andrew for all the hard work that you put into this podcast to help photographers all over the world become better Artists and business people.
iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs for The Photography Xperiment Podcast
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 key word/s and where you'd like me to link to.
The following listeners have done just that:
Andrew and this podcast is amazing
In iTunes by RedRanz from USA on June 25, 2016
Andrew is that rare breed of interviewer, blending just enough of himself into the podcast to keep his subject focussed and entertaining. It's amazing what he's managed to accomplish and I don't think he gives himself enough credit for his skill.
Top Shelf
In iTunes by Syracuse, NY wedding photographer, Chris Szulwach on June 24, 2016
Again Andrew Hellmich has come to the table with a top shelf photography podcast that is both unique & informative!
The podcast is the perfect companion to the PhotoBiz X podcast though bringing the balance of inspiration to what is an unbelievable photography business offering.
SO HELPFUL
In iTunes by MAFIA_GO_HARD from USA on June 24, 2016
I've been listening to this podcast for a little over a month now and I have made DRASTIC changes to how I run my business to gain exposure. Already I'm seeing a positive impact with my interaction with users.
The interviews are extremely detailed in giving practical situations to help better your business from other successful photogs from around the world. It's really great. I'll be listening for years to come I guarantee.
Thanks for being such a valuable resource!!!
The why, not the how, of photography
In iTunes by Newcastle wedding photographer and Northumberland wedding photographer Barry Foreshaw on June 22, 2016
I am a paid subscriber to Andrew Hellmich's first podcast – PhotoBizXposed – so when Andrew released this podcast I was all over it like Oprah on a baked ham.
PhotoBizXposed is a no nonsense, fact filled podcast that is concerned with the business of photography. This podcast is fluffier, in that it doesn't talk about gear, or how to get bookings, but is more about the why than the how.
Andrew has gathered together a selection of photographic personalities who are happy to share their ethos and what makes them tick. No-one will agree with everything the guests have to say, but there is good value in every podcast and will help all photographers to find their own unique voice.
The NEW Photography Xperiment Podcast is live and available
Following the success and support shown by listeners after the experimental format of the recent interviews, the new Photo Xperiment Podcast has been launched and is available on this site and in iTunes now.
Interviews are underway and I'll be looking for new guests, not restricted to wedding and portrait photographers. If you have someone you think would be a good fit, let me know in the comment area below or email me, [email protected].
I am a paid subscriber to Andrew Hellmich's first podcast – PhotoBizXposed – so when Andrew released this podcast I was all over it like Oprah on a baked ham – Barry Foreshaw
The idea behind these interviews is to get into the headspace of the photographer and find what makes them tick, what drives them, their thought process, philosophy on shooting and how they achieve what they do with their photography. So yeah, a little technique type content too.
These interviews will not focus on the business of photography – that'll be preserved solely for the weekly and unchanging format of the PhotoBizX podcast.
To hear these interviews in your podcast app, you will need to subscribe to the podcast – these interviews will not be delivered automatically if you're subscribed to PhotoBizX. Open your favourite podcast app and search “Photography Xperiment Podcast” or enter the feed URL, https://photobizx.com/feed/xperiment/ into the search field of your podcast app.
25+ Best Photography Business Tools & Resources for Photographers
Everybody loves a list and I don't know a photographer who isn't into tools and resources to run a more effective business.
Anthony Gauna is a Texas based wedding photographer and premium member who has put together a comprehensive list of business tools and resources he uses in his photography business.
I'm always surprised when I see lists like this to realise just how much we photographers do and use to run our businesses day to day. I also love when I discover something new like “Alfred” or “Dropzone” – both which I'd never heard of before.
You can find the list here: http://anthonygaunaphoto.com/25-best-photography-business-tools-resources/
While there, check out Anthony's about page for an interesting prelude into full time photography.
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Sal Cincotta's introduction to the business model discussed in this episode
Anthony Gauna's list of Photography Business Resources
Good professional images are the foundation of any successful marketing campaign – Nate Grahek
Here are a couple sample StickyApps:
http://wedding-venue-demo.mystickyapp.com
http://interior-design-template.moblwebapp.com (with email opt-in form)
Thank you!
Thanks again for listening to the show and thanks to Nate for sharing what he did. Also, a big thanks to Fiji wedding photographer Anais Chaine for adding some French flare the recent episodes while I've been holidaying in France.
Have the courage to invest in the future of your business – Nate Grahek
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
Andrew, another good one that has me thinking. I do think you should enjoy your holiday more. You mentioned going out and shooting with a X-Pro2 in Paris – are you using it AF or MF, OVF or EVF? I recently played with one for a few hours and it has me intrigued as a MF camera.
Thanks Rollin!
It’s all good, I had plenty of enjoyment on holiday but i do appreciate your comment. 🙂
With the XPro2, I mainly use AF but the camera is set to MF and I use the back button focus which I much prefer to the shutter release focus button.
I’ve only really used the EVF on the XP2 but did play around with the OVF on the X100s when I had it. I think this os more out of habit and because I haven’t practiced with the OVF at all on the XP2.
I have tried a bit of manual focusing using the focus peaking but I don’t find it as good as the Sony focus peaking – it’s just not as obvious when something is in focus. In saying that, I mainly shoot in B&W with the Sony which makes it easier to see the peaking.
What most guys using focus peaking do is shoot in RAW and set their camera to B&W to see the red peaking easily. Obviously these files can be converted back to colour in post. As a JPG shooter, this isn’t an option for me. If I shoot in B&W, thats how the images are staying.
Shooting in colour, makes the breaking difficult to see in the viewfinder.
For more detail on shooting with the XPro2, have a look at this article by Kevin Mullins: http://f16.click/gear/fujifilm-x-pro2-review.html
You’ll find a stack more good articles on the site too.
Thank you Nate for sharing : it was very interesting. I may discuss your position about outsourcing as I believe that it is not necessary but to do (pretty much) everything from A to Z can be part of our brand.
Thank you Andrew for your kind words… made me blush! It was a pleasure to help. Glad that you enjoyed your time in France.
I think you’re correct Anais – no photographer must outsource and everything can be done by the photographer but it depends on how you want to structure your business. If yore able to charge enough to cover the time spent on editing and retouching, I say do it all if you want to. If however you reach a ceiling and the only way to grow your business is to shoot more which leaves you without enough time to process, outsourcing becomes a good option for business growth.
I believe with the quality of-outsourcing options available today, you should be able to maintain the look and feel you’ve established with your branding.
Loved having your voice and French accent on the podcast! Thanks again!
What a great podcast. Thanks to Nate for sharing this business ideas. I will definitely think about how to implement StickyAlbums or StickyApps into my photography business plus I will try to get some customers for a wordpress one page website 🙂
Thanks Dominik – love that you enjoyed the interview and picked up some new ideas for your business.
Andrew – ironically I find the focus peaking on my Sony’s with wide angle lenses not very usable as it shows too much is “in focus.” Why I asked about your experience. I’ll have to play with it a bit more and try in B&W mode. With longer lenses it works just fine.
I only have a 35mm and 50mm lens for my Sony Rollin, but yeah for sure, I can see the peaking would be much better with longer lenses.
With the 35mm, I find I have to zoom in with the preview to fine tune focus if it’s critical or I’m shooting wide open. It slows things down but that’s not always a bad thing. Focussing in B&W is MUCH easier than in colour – definitely give that a try.