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:

  • Making the transition from employes to self employed photographer
  • Following the path expected by your parents or pursuing your own dreams
  • What sacrifices are required when shifting careers
  • Utilising outsourcing services as a way to manage time
  • Learning and discovering a style of photography
  • How building connections with your clients opens doors for added opportunities with other photography services
  • What you can do to keep growing your business organically
  • Learn what Jono is doing to achieve a 70% rate in album add-ons and how you can do the same
  • What style of album Jono sells to his clients and how he sells them
  • Why you should use film to slow down and improve your digital wedding photography
  • The importance of slowing down and watching what's happening around you to capture the best shots
  • Discovering the most important thing you should be photographing
  • The importance of getting involved and finding a good support network like the AIPP to help you succeed in your business

Jonathan David 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 you can work with vendor for maximum exposure and more bookings
  • Why learning from other photographers could be the best thing you ever do for your business
  • What Jono did to bring clients through the door
  • The importance of finding the balance in valuing your work and the the rate you charge your vendors/suppliers for it
  • Selling yourself as a friend rather than a business person
  • Facebook and Instagram are key social media apps that are crucial for photographers
  • Why a re-brand was the best thing Jono has done for his business
  • Learn the process involved in re-branding your business and how much it costs
  • The importance of networking with photographers, vendors, venues, etc

Jonathan David 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.

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

Jonathan David Photography Podcast

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.

Love your interview style and energy. Great stuff!!

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.

I have been listening for a few months now and every week Andrew delivers fresh entertaining content with great guests who provide new and relevant advice.
If you are an aspiring photographic business person, it is a must listen and I’d be surprised if you didn’t find something that you can apply to your own business almost immediately – I think it is so valuable that I am now off to sign up for premium content.

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.

Jonathan David Photography Podcast

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.

The photographers presenting include:
David Oliver: Portraits
Dan O’Day: Weddings
Nadine Saacks: Travel
Natalie Howe: Babies and children
Over two days you will learn from and be inspired by your selected photographer as they take you through their entire business and creative workflow including: how they generate and convert leads, an on-location live shoot, a walkthrough of their post processing techniques, and production and delivery of final products.

Way Up North – Scandinavian Wedding Photography Summit

Jacob and Cole of Nordica Photography who I interviewed in episode 55 of the podcast are putting together the first Scandinavian wedding photography summit with speakers including:
Fer Juaristi
Samm Blake
Ed Peers
James Moes
Nessa Kessinger
plus more
For more information on the summit and the presenters, head to http://wayupnorth.co

Jonathan David Photography Podcast

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

Jonathan David's Website

Jonathan David on Facebook

Jonathan David on Instagram

Jonathan David on Pinterest

Jonathan David on Google Plus

Vision Art

Queensberry

SmartAlbums

Gabe McClintock Podcast

RAW Digital & Film Lab

Richard Photo Lab

Jonathan Canlas' Film Is Not Dead Workshop

Kirk Mastin Podcast

The Find Lab

Daniel Griffiths Podcast

A Beautiful Anarchy by David DuChemin of Craft and Vision

The AIPP workshop… The Sauce

Follow Andrew on Instagram – http://instagram.com/andrew_hellmich

Jonathan David Photography Podcast

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