If you hear the words “Headshot Photographer” only one name leaps to mind… that’s right… Peter Hurley. And he’s with us today! Peter shares how to survive and thrive as a headshot photographer in a tough market with more opportunities than ever.

Peter began his photography career as an athlete training for the Olympic sailing squad when he was selected to do some fashion modelling. He moved behind the lens a little while later and went into business.

He now has studios in Los Angeles and New York, is world renown as the head shot photographer, teacher, author and the guy with an uncanny ability to make people instantly comfortable.

Here’s some of what we cover:

  • How Peter became a headshot photographer and why you should too
  • How to overcome the challenge of finding models to help building your portfolio
  • Why you have the freedom of choice to shoot whoever you want
  • How Peter started booking clients and what you can do to get started today
  • What Peter initially did to get paid with his photography
  • Should you be specialising in one genre of photography?
  • Why headshot photography is a more viable business today than ever before
  • Who makes up Peter's clientele today
  • Everybody needs a headshot – you can tap into that demand
  • Profile pictures get more likes than any other posts you can do the entire month
  • How you can build a business around other peoples digital identity
  • What it's the importance of personal branding to a headshot photographer
  • What you need to do when starting your headshot photography business
  • Why you shouldn't have two websites and how they will dilute your brand
  • What you need to know about the “American Idol syndrome”
  • How much should you charge for headshots?
  • Why you should never copy another photographer's pricing pages
  • The Headshot Crew – what is it and how does it work?

Peter Hurley Photography Podcast

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:

  • How to get booked for headshots in your local area
  • What you need to have in your headshot portfolio
  • Why your client's expression matters more than ever with a white background
  • How to market your headshot photography business
  • Should you shoot for free when building your portfolio?
  • Can you make more money with up-selling headshot photography?
  • How to sustain your headshot photography business
  • Discover what the market will bear then decide how you are going to play
  • The key to successful and profitable pricing is to really feel what you're worth
  • How to find the right price point for your business
  • The best business move Peter ever made to continually book repeat clients
  • Why shooting for returning clients feels awesome
  • The number of shots Peter takes and delivers
  • Why tethering and headshot photography go hand in hand
  • Why you should never use the back of your camera to show photos to your client
  • Why it's important to edit together with your clients
  • Why your clients should approve their photos before they leave
  • How Peter sends client photos
  • The best thing Peter has done for his business
  • Starting over in a new location to build a headshot photography business fast
  • How to handle unhappy clients

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 Peter Hurley, get access to an amazing back catalogue of interviews and ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.

A photographer with talent can go anywhere in the world and make money – Peter Hurley

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 a cooler, more motivated and caring photographers online.

Peter Hurley Photography Podcast

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.

If you picked up a camera and you want to go pro, you milk that thing for all it's worth. You take whatever you get – Peter Hurley

If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Peter or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them below.

30 Days of Gorgeous – The Guide

In the last episode, I interviewed Amanda Schulz and we talked about her hugely successful promotion – 30 Days of Gorgeous. What I didn't know at the time of releasing the interview is Amanda has a step by step eBook on how to implement her strategy step by step.

If you can see the potential Amanda’s 30 Days of Gorgeous will have for your business, you are going to love the PDF Guide.

This Guide is available at Amanda’s Easy store for under $12 – and you should definitely buy this if you're a free listener! Premium Members received their copy free last week – thanks to Amanda.

One bad shot in your portfolio will kill you – Peter Hurley

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. I've done just that below…

Peter Hurley Photography Podcast

A Must Listen!

In iTunes by Simon Hawkins of Simon Hawkins Photography in the UK on November 26, 2015

I have been listening to Andrew’s podcast for a long while now and still can’t wait for every episode to be released, there are some amazing take-aways for every listener whether you have been in the business for 20 years or 20 minutes.

Andrew is a great host and manages to find interesting guests form all over the world which add’s a little something extra.

Keep up the great work Andrew!

Probably the best photography business asset available

In iTunes by RedRanz from USA on November 26, 2015

Andrew and his guests bring a wealth of knowledge pertaining to running a successful photography business. The amount of knowledge and different opinions are staggering, but it's ultimately up to you to decide which elements to implement or tweak to work for you.

I do wish I could afford the monthly premiums but with my currency tanking at the moment I'll have to check in from time to time.

Thanks Andrew, and all the best

A must for all photographers

In iTunes by Britt Spring of Britt Spring Photography in Australia on November 24, 2015

I look forward to every podcast that arrives in my inbox. Listening to Andrews interviews have absolutely inspired me and pushed me to make important changes to my business that i have been putting off.

If you are looking for real information from all types of professionals tune in to Andrew now.

Special Thanks Goes to…

I have to add a special thanks to Patric Pop and Anita Watkins who are both students of Peter's and members of the Headshot Crew. Both I might add are a pair of the most motivated, get stuff done, photographers I have the pleasure of knowing.

Anita and Patric were unaware of my earlier contact with Peter Hurley and our scheduled interview. They were also operating alone and unaware of the other when each contacted Peter to suggest he come onto PhotoBizX for an interview with beautiful, enthusiastic emails and full of praise for the show.

Peter had a great laugh at our combined three pronged approach to get him onto the show  – so thank you again guys!

Peter Hurley Photography Podcast

New Facebook Group for Premium Members

The new Facebook Group for Premium members has kicked off and is going amazingly well. The camaraderie, help, support, questions and answers have been overwhelmingly good.

I think the successor of the group has a lot to do with everyone's common interest to build a better photography business and the fact everyone is at a different level means the range of topics and help really has been exceptional.

Members will have noticed more and more interview guests have been joining and participating in the discussions which just adds another level of value completely.

Having the Group as part of the Premium Membership has just added a whole new level of value – I love that!

When you sign up to become a Premium members, send me a friend request via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/andyhellmich so I can find and add you to the Members Group.

Peter Hurley Photography Podcast

Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:

Peter Hurley Website

Peter Hurley Workshops

Peter Hurley on Facebook

Peter Hurley on Instagram

Peter Hurley Portrait Rates

The Headshot Crew

Bruce Weber

Brad Pitt

Billy Magnussen

Adepero Oduye

The Headshot: The Secrets to Creating Amazing Headshot Portraits

Photo Proof Pro

Hold Your Sub to look slimmer in photographs!

PsyPhotology

Equipment

Canon EOS 5DS Digital SLR

Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Fixed Lens

Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II USM Lens

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens

Peter Hurley Photography Podcast

Thank you!

Thank you again for listening to the show and thanks to Peter for sharing so much in this episode.

If you've got an ounce of talent and a lot of drive, you're going somewhere. If you've got a ton of talent and zero drive you're not going anywhere – Peter Hurley

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