Todd Muskopf of Muskopf Seniors and The Classic Beauty Project shares exactly how a personal project photographing retro glamour styled shoots in the 1940's and 50's genre is leading to a whole new side of his photography business in it's own right. In the interview, Todd reveals every step he's taken and how you can apply the same strategy and take a photography project to viable photography business.
Todd was trained as a fine art painter and has shown and sold paintings through galleries for over 20 years. He taught Art in school for 13 years before discovering photography as a business and went full time in 2009 with a focus on high school senior portraits.
In 2014 he kicked off The Classic Beauty Project which is exactly what we explore in this interview.
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 Todd Muskopf, get access to an amazing back catalogue of interviews and ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.
The one thing that I think is a real limiting factor is fear itself. A lot of women are worried that they won't be able to pull it off – Todd Muskopf
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.
I had an inkling that there was a market there that is untapped – Todd Muskopf
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Todd 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 and your name like Wilson has below.
Invaluable Resource
In iTunes by Wilson Lau Photography from Canada on March 10, 2016
Photo Biz Xposed is an invaluable resource to wedding and portrait photographers of all levels.
Andrew interviews photographers from different walks of life, and varying locations which means there's something for everyone. I personally like to listen to the podcast while I’m editing photos. Some of the best information I’ve gotten from the podcast is when I did my own research into the topics that were discussed to find resources, such as courses that other photographers are offering.
If you subscribe to be a premium member you get to join a private Facebook group with the rest of the premium members and it’s just a wonderful community that's full of support.
Andrew is also one of the nicest guys, with a big heart and it's evident from listening to him talk that he is dedicated to your success.
Highly recommend this podcast!
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
The Classic Beauty Project on Facebook
To Mary – with Love (1936 film)
The Professional Photography Forum
Equipment
Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II USM Lens for Canon DSLR Cameras – Fixed
Logitech G13 Programmable Gameboard with LCD Display
Thank you!
Thank you again for listening to the show and thanks to Todd for coming on and sharing so much about your business and the Classic Beauty Project.
Limit what you give to the clients until they give you what you need – Todd Muskopf
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
I just listened to this one on the way home from the airport. I really enjoyed how Todd turned something he really wanted to do into something that returned money. Even if the average sale was only $300 it was more than what he would have got waiting for his seniors to finish school and its doing something he has complete creative control over. I love it!
Yep, I feel exactly the same Te. Better to be making $300 average per shoot than nothing at all!
I expect this average will rise as Todd develops his systems and builds his reputation with this fantastic project.
I just listened to this one on the drive home, and it’s a doozie! Great to see how you turned your project into success, and how you had to shuffle between free / paid / free to get what you were looking for. Also quite impressive that you have 300 dresses! Anyway, glad to see you’re doing well with your venture. Inspiration for us all!
Christian, I often say that I have a bit of a shopping problem! 🙂 I get a lot of strange looks from the other women shoppers in the dress sections. 🙂
Haha, the dress collection had me impressed too!
Agreed Chris – some inspiration and takeaways for every listener from Todd and his approach.
Thanks for adding your comments – always a pleasure to read your thoughts following an interview.
Thanks Teowai and Christian,
I’m glad you found a bit of insight listening to what I’ve been up to.
Yes, I have a bit of a problem when it comes to buying dresses. My wife wonders when I’ll ever stop! I often get lots of crazy looks from the other shoppers in the dress department.
Hi Todd
I really enjoyed hearing about how you have grown your business and how you have separated the seniors sessions from The Classic Beauty Project….I love your work.
Your pricing model is interesting too, and something that I’m evolving in my business.
All the best for the future.
Hi Russell,
Thanks for your kind words. I look at The Classic Beauty Project as almost a public service that I get paid a little to do–enough to keep the project going. It must be similar to how Andrew views this podcast. I’m sure he doesn’t make lots of money off the Premium memberships, but it’s enough to justify the effort to keep it moving forward.