Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area.
Ashleigh Raddatz of Studio La Muse is a California girl living in Germany specialising in day in the life style documentary photography. In this interview, Ashleigh goes into detail about shooting profitably in this style of session with whatever time constraints you choose to impose… from one hour to twenty four hours.
In her photography business she aims to capture different stages of life for women. From birth, partnership, motherhood, family and the beauty of everyday chaos. Her work has been featured in Huffington Post, Kidspot Australia, To Save a Life and other publications.
A good documentary photographer can get a story in 20 minutes, if that’s all we have – Ashleigh Raddatz
Since moving to Germany, she has built multiple income streams but photography is always the focus. Her latest passion is a site dedicated to building awareness around documentary family photography at http://www.documentaryfamilyphotographers.com/
Ash has offered a 20% Off Promo code for PhotoBizX listeners.
Use the code: PBX20
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 more of the interview where we dive deeper into some of the earlier topics plus some new ones that I pushed for.
Every shoot is different, and that’s what I love about documentary photography. It gives us the opportunity to be really creative with things and see things differently, and show people different things. But in order to remain creative, I need my business to run like a machine – Ashleigh Raddatz
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 Ashleigh, 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 can 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 taking anything away from what Ashleigh shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below, let me know what your takeaways were, what you plan to implement in your business as a result of what you heard in todays episode.
I’m really trying to drive home the point that not all documentary has to be day in the life – Ashleigh Raddatz
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Ashleigh or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area 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.
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 words or keyword phrase and where you'd like me to link to.
Here are the most recent reviews for PhotoBizX:
Simply the best!
In iTunes by destination wedding photographer Nick Rose from the UK on April 3, 2017
Experienced and new photographers will all get something out of this podcast and I can't recommend it enough. Andrew's relaxed style really gets the best out of his guests and he pushes to get the most from everyone on the show.
This is a highly entertaining and educational listen and the premium membership option is well worth the small cost.
Feeling Inspired
In iTunes by wedding and portrait photographer, Simona Graszl from Netherlands on April 10, 2017
Thanks Andrew for the wonderful podcasts. I didn't just learn so much from other photographers but also I feel really inspired to take some steps to make my business better.
Here are the most recent reviews for The Photography Xperiment Podcast:
Great podcast and host
In iTunes by Santa Barbara Wedding Videographer, Robert Michael from the USA on March 30, 2017
Andrew does a great job as host asking informative questions, keeping the interview questions on target and most importantly providing valuable content in a fun and energetic manner.
Slightly different from the PhotoBizX podcast that he also hosts, this one focuses more on the guest's stories while still delivering top information to creatives.
Floods of tears
In iTunes by wedding and performing arts photographer, Christopher Hayles from Australia on April 19, 2017
This a such great podcast. I have now completed listening to all these episodes and eagerly await the next instalments. Andrew is an amazing host who connects with his guests in a knowledgable and very insightful way.
I just finished listening to episode 16 with Neale James from the UK and find myself in floods of tears hearing him speak about his photo films. Such a powerful reminder and affirmation of what we all do as wedding photographers.
Thank you Andrew.
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].
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.
The last episode featured Pro Cycling Photographer, Kristof Ramon from Belgium who covers some of the worlds biggest and most prestigious races including the Tour de France, the Giro d Italia, the Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix.
Kristof was born and raised in Belgium and attended film school at the age of 19. It was here that he discovered photography. He eventually followed his passion for cycling and photography and started photographing the sport.
It's difficult to define Kristof as a sports photographer. His photography captures so much more than the action.
He says the riders are always his main focus… and that comes through when you see his portfolio which features close ups portraits of racers caked in sweat, mud, dust, snow and grime.
The thing is you evolve. When you begin something and you learn a trick or a technique and you try it out, you always tend to overdo it. But in later photography, it’s like those little tricks you try to implement them more subtly and that’s when it becomes interesting because I needed those to go really overboard to be able later on to make that trick more subtle and maybe not noticeable or not as noticeable as the trickery it is, and that’s technique – Kristof Ramon
The interview is available here: TPX19: Kristof Ramon – Breaking through as a pro cycling photographer
Are you taking action like Eleanor is?
Each week I go on about making sure you implement what you hear from the show otherwise it's purely entertainment and not really helping you in your photography business. Last week, I received this super encouraging email from Sydney portrait photographer, Eleanor from Honeydew Photography.
She says…
Hi Andrew, Thanks for your email. I have been enjoying your podcasts and have implemented a few things.
I have done some Facebook Ads, its still a work in progress.
I have taken on Bernie Griffiths as a coach.
I did email the SEO guys that I listened to, 2 different podcasts, unfortunately they never got back to me.
I’ve starting a new website, almost finished.
I’ve introduced packages and they are working a treat.
I’ve downloaded 2 books from Minna Burgess' recommendations
I’m interested in trying this Michael Teo’s ideas that he got from Amanda Schultz (that she got from Sue Bryce) but not interested in doing the reveal wall.
I’ve starting outsourcing most of my photoshop work, what a relief.
I wrote a blog about my backyard chickens inspired from Ana Pumer's workbook and changed my about me page.
Starting writing more content in my webpages
Gosh and the list goes on…
Thanks for asking
Cheers
Eleanor
Andrew here again…. WOW! What are you doing in your business?
Facebook Ad Promo Course is almost ready
I get more emails and spend more time helping listeners with their Facebook Ad Promo after the three interviews with Bernie Griffith than any other topic. For good reason… they work!
These ads are responsible for more leads, bookings and sales than any other kind of marketing or advertising right now.
Because the topic has become more in depth as premium members try, modify and share their results, tweaking as they go… the strategy has become so much more involved.
Now, instead of only applying to portrait photographers, there are systems that will see you booking weddings, newborns, couples, families and any other kind of session using the strategy.
Because of all the interest and the different options available, I've created a course form the collective content on the topic. It's almost ready for release and if you'd like to get an idea of what's covered, click here: http://fbadpromo.com
Here's what Daz Mack, photographer extraordinaire, from the UK just emailed me to say about the FB Ad Promo Course:
Andrew!
I just wanted to drop you a message about the Facebook Ad Challenge!
What the actual fuck!? My mind has been blown! The reach was over twenty thousand, nearly a hundred people applying for the shoot, three wedding enquires, and nearly a hundred page likes!
I can't wait to do the shoots, I've got people wanting pictures in tattoo studios because they are tattooists, people on dirt bike tracks, couples in the sea at sunset, and powder paint fights on the beach! Amazing!
Honestly man, can't thank you guys enough for putting this together!
Thanks!
Daz Mack
Once the course goes live, there will be a substantial discount for listeners. Get on the list by letting me know your details (click the link above to add them) and I'll be sure to let you know what's happening. In the lead up, I'll be sharing aspects of the course that will improve your ads out of sight, even without the course! Again, get on the list to get that free training.
Thanks for the VM Dan
If you haven't noticed, there is a voicemail button on this page and it's there for you. Click the button and record a message, question, share and idea, suggestion or just say hello like Dan Waters did in today's episode.
If Dan Waters is a familiar name, it could be because he was interviewed for episode 195 where he shared all kinds of great ideas on running a successful photography business… especially his downloadable ebook for prospective clients.
You ca also learn a lot more from Dan at his site: Get Pro Photo Club which is jam packed with resources and helpful tips for creating a great business.
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Documentary Family Photographers Website
Documentary Family Photographers: Support and Resources Facebook Group
Episode 087: Sue Bryce – How to Make Real Money From Your Photography Business Right Now
TPX19: Kristof Ramon – Breaking through as a pro cycling photographer
Thank you!
Thanks again for listening and thanks to Ashleigh for coming on and sharing so much about her business and exactly what it takes to build something as successful as she has.
Try to connect with your community. So get in to mommy groups if you’re shooting families or young kids. Get in with other photography groups. Just get out there and do the work. You have to do the work if you want to be successful – Ashleigh Raddatz
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
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