Jonathan David was a university researcher and teacher with a passion for photography. Now he is a wedding photographer with a large following, a strong social media presence and is solidly booked throughout the year in what is a saturated market. In this interview Jono shares how to transition from employee to photographer successfully.
You'll hear the transition for Jono was definitely strategic yet natural at the same time. Instead of focussing solely on the business side of his business and understanding that being a friend to his prospective clients and the wedding vendors his move from employment to wedding photographer has been (what appears to be) seamless, simple and organic.
Here’s some more 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:
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.
Before film, I was a little bit more erratic in my photo taking
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Jono or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them below.
If you’d like an easy way to show Jono your thanks, and support for the show at the same time, click the link to create a tweet and automatically show you’re listening: https://photobizx.com/tweet
iTunes Reviews for PhotoBizX… and Shout-Outs
The name says it all. This is the ultimate Photography Business Podcast
By Firehorse27 from Australia on January 23, 2015
Thanks Andrew for creating such valuable content each week. I’ve been in the biz for 25 years + and I’m still learning so much each week.
I’m not alone!
By Owen Mathias of Owen Mathias Photography from the UK on January 22, 2015
This podcast is fantastic. It’s the first time I have become slightly obsessed with a podcast. I believe this is because it really resonates with so many of the thoughts and worries that a professional starting out has.
It’s good to know that the guys at the top, or rising to the top, all had the same insecurities and got over them through hard work. Every episode of this podcast has really helped me in some way and taught me that you have to be brave to be great.
Thanks Andrew!
Fantastic Podcast with great content
By Jamie Booth – J Booth Photography in the UK on January 10, 2015
I don’t often write reviews, but this podcast is definitely worthy.
Photography Podcasts worth a listen
A big thanks to Premium Member Ken Lyons who recently mentioned Photo Biz Xposed as one of the top 7 Photography Podcasts worth a listen in his recent blog post for Digital Photography School.
You can read his post and see which other shows made his list here: 7 Photography Podcasts That Are Worth a Listen
Ken Lyons is a photographer and world traveller living in rural South Australia. He has a relaxed approach and loves to teach others about photography.
Are you a NEW listener?
Ive been trialing a new marketing idea for the podcast with hand written letters to wedding and portrait photographers in Seattle, Phoenix, Sacramento, Tacoma, Salt Lake and Denver areas. I'd love if you are the recipients of one of my letters to let me know you're now listening to the show.
Simply shoot me an email at andrew@photobizx.com to say hi, I'd love to hear from you.
AIPP Workshop… The Sauce
I'll be leading a couple of discussion forums at the upcoming 2 day AIPP workshop in the Blue Mountains on March 23rd and I'd love to say hi if you're there.
Way Up North – Scandinavian Wedding Photography Summit
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Jonathan Canlas' Film Is Not Dead Workshop
A Beautiful Anarchy by David DuChemin of Craft and Vision
Follow Andrew on Instagram – http://instagram.com/andrew_hellmich
Thank you!
Thank you again for listening to the show and thanks Jono for being an awesome guest!
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
Great podcast as per usual Andrew. Love the idea of the album upgrade as a maximum option – kind of an all or nothing decision. I think this would nicely split things between those clients who only will ever want the base album size vs those who love your work and would always be keen to upgrade…..and gets things away from that (sometimes ugly) upsell process.
Thanks Darryn.
The approach that Jono uses is different to anyone else I know which was great in itself. I’d love to hear how it yes for you if you give it a try. I’m still using the upsell approach myself but am very particular about how it works with my clients from the start. Nothing worse than that “sometimes ugly” feeling.
I think I might give it a go – I have a similar approach offering more of a discount as they add more sides = better value = easier decision. I also like how he does it all online – keeps it simple and saves time 🙂
Ok, now you have to report back!
If you have any follow up questions, I’m sure Jon would be happy to answer them.
Would love to hear how it goes for you Darryn! 🙂 Definitely happy to help.
Hello Andrew,
Just wanted to say thank you for having valuable information for photographers who is in business. Even for those who are in the business for a long time.
I have learn a lot from the podcast and will look into subscribing to the premium in the near future.
Take care and looking forward to hear more.
Regards,
Hart
Hi Hart – thanks for adding your comments and it’s my pleasure.
It’s so good to know that photographers new to the industry aren’t the only listeners finding some valuable info from the interviews.
Great to have you listening and it’d be terrific to have you involved as a Premium Member.
Let me know if there’s a specific topic or interview you’d like to hear in full and I’ll get it over to you.
Speak soon
Andrew
Another great podcast and absolutely fantastic to see Jono interviewed. We have shared many an hour chatting about all things business & life related. He has some great information to share and is a top guy to boot.
Thanks Jack!
I can imagine after interviewing Jono that you would indeed have some great conversations and I’m with you 100% on the “top guy” comment. I’m looking forward to sharing a coffee or beer sometime with Jono myself – might see you then too.
Thanks heaps Jack! I’ve learnt a tonne from you over our awesome chats – for which I am super grateful.
I think a beer sometime soon with Mr Hellmich himself would be a fabulous idea 🙂
Super Podcast,
I loved Jono’s comment about big expensive, please do not touch albums where your photos are a “hostage to the album”. I’m going to have to borrow that line. As a photographer who is the worst Salesperson in the world, i do like the idea of keeping things really simple just like Jono talked about.
I also like the idea of networking with vendors and suppliers, something i have started to do a lot more of recently.
Great stuff guys.
Paul
Thanks Paul! I knew right after recording this interview that there was a ton of great info from Jono.
Let me know how you go if you change up your sales process and try what you heard from Jono, I’d be interested to hear how it works for you.
I too am a hopeless salesperson but have the amazing Tenneille to help with that in my studio. Having her has made a big difference to sales.
I just recorded an interview with a photographer that booked 90 weddings via vendor referrals! It’ll be out in a few weeks and totally reinforces what Jono is doing.
Speak soon
Andrew
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Hey thank you for this podcast Andrew and Jono. My biggest takeaway was upgrading to the maximum album. What a great idea. I love how Jono explained the benefits of saving time and effort going through all the sides etc. This is a great way to pitch it. I am now considering implementing this with my albums.
Jono you are fortunate to have your girlfriend being a part of your business. She sounds like she makes an important contribution and I am sure this is one of the reasons why you can manage so well doing so many weddings. I tried to get my wife interested but so far no joy 😉
Thanks again, this was a great interview and I wish the two of you great success.
Hey there Paul,
Awesome to hear that you’ve taken away some things from the interview! I’d love to hear how you go with the maximum album upgrade – it definitely does save a whole heap of time, while also giving your couples the biggest and best album possible. Plus, because I generally sell this upfront, it saves the time it takes to do any post-wedding sessions and sales.
I know I’m super lucky to have her too haha! She definitely works just as hard as I do behind the scenes and is very much the secret to my success. Don’t give up on getting your wife interested haha! There are so many pros that you could pitch to her to get her involved 🙂
Thanks so much for your super kind well wishes. All the best!
Hey Paul – I think the album upgrade idea is a popular one from Jono with a few listeners I know of saying they will be giving it a try. Definitely some big plusses with this approach.
Don’t give up on your wife… in a working with you sense 🙂
Life is truly awesome being able to share your business with your partner/wife/loved one… It definitely works for Linda and I.
Thanks for the well wishes too, right back at you Paul!