490: Katrina Ferguson – The raw truth about running a photography business with a family

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area.

Katrina Ferguson of www.katrinaferguson.com.au and www.photogeek.com.au is a Melbourne-based at-home newborn photographer who you probably know if you're active in any of the many photography business Facebook Groups.

Not because she has a following of millions.

Not because she's a world-renowned photographer.

Not because she is constantly pushing courses, products and training.

Nope.

You probably know her for the same reason I do. She's always super helpful.

She's quick to offer suggestions, share links, point someone in the right direction and be helpful… and friendly.

In addition to being so helpful, she runs her ‘at home' newborn photography business and has been shooting professionally for almost 15 years. Plus, she's a mother of three.

In this interview, Katrina shares the real-life struggles, thoughts and insecurities of running a photography business while managing a busy household.

Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:

• The importance of showing up and matching social media profiles with your true self
• Dealing with the state of clients' homes when doing newborn shoots
• Katrina's ideal clients and how she connects with them
• Katrina photography style
• Katrina's online and low-stress sales process
• How to gain client trust to give you the freedom to shoot in your style
• How much time Katrina spends time in her photography business while maintaining work-life balance
• Katrina's annual revenue
• Katrina's version of success
• A formula for the perfect work-life balance
• Time-saving tips for running a photography business
• The benefits of automation
• Katrina's process for utilising Imagen AI
• Katrina's album design process
• How to effectively use Pictime as a portrait photographer
• How to weed out clients who are not the right fit for your business
• Pricing and packages
• How clients find Katrina's business
• Using Studio Ninja to check your business statistics
• Steps to take when dealing with image theft
• Katrina's new photographer's newsletter — PhotoGeek

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 interview – the full-length and more revealing version where you hear the absolute best tips and advice from every guest.

If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, get access to an amazing back catalogue of interviews and ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.

Plus, special member-only interviews.

I just want to be able to show up as I am and I really want other people, particularly women and mothers to show up as they are – Katrina Ferguson

You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group, where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. There are also FB live video tutorials, role-play interviews and special live interviews happening in the group. You will not find more friendly, more motivated, caring and sharing photographers online.

Seriously, that's not all.

In addition to everything above, you'll get access and instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, make you accountable and build friendships with other pro photographers with similar motives to you – to build a more successful photography business.

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything away from what Katrina 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 your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business due to what you heard in today's episode.

A good photographer can make basically any space look good or at least better. – Katrina Ferguson

If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Katrina 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 or Google reviews, and it's always a buzz to receive these… for several 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 and Google are the biggest search engine when it comes to podcasts, and it's your reviews and ratings that help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean 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 or https://photobizx.com/google, 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 keywords or keyword phrase and where you'd like me to link to.

Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy, and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has impacted you and your photography business.​

Here are the latest reviews…

★★★★★ The best podcast to keep your photography business moving forwards

Via Apple Podcasts by Tammy from Australia on November 8, 2022.

Each and every episode is full of useful information and inspirational guests which keeps me motivated in my business. 

The back catalogue is extremely valuable and I have learnt and implemented so much since becoming a premium member which has helped my business grow and thrive. 

The premium membership is definitely worth it as it’s almost like having a business coach with useful tips and strategies to implement each week. 

There is also a lot of support in the Facebook community.

Thanks Andrew for all that you do putting these great podcasts together each week!

★★★★★ The best photography podcast

Via Apple Podcasts by Clara Allansson who is a Dog photographer in Hampshire, West Sussex and Surrey, in the UK on November 8, 2022.

I’ve been listening to the podcast and been a premium member for just over a month now and all I can say is why didn’t I find it sooner? 

It’s easily the best photography business podcast out there. 

So much amazing knowledge being shared and I really enjoy listening to and learn a lot from the episodes that aren’t related to my genre. 

Thanks Andrew for all your amazing work!

★★★★★ Best Photography Podcast

Via Apple Podcasts by Dalby Newborn Photographer Felicity Broadbent from Australia on November 10, 2022.

I have listened to MANY different photography business podcasts over the year, however, PhotoBizX is by far the best Podcast I've come across for photography business advice. 

There is tonnes of valuable content packed into each and every Podcast and Andrew is a fantastic interviewer and seems to anticipate what questions we, the listeners would want to ask the guests. 

I have got so much out of the free Podcast over the years that I recently became a premium member, and I am blown away by the sheer volume of quality content that I receive as a paying member. 

Definitely worth the investment. Would highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

★★★★★ Fantastic Interviews

Via Google Reviews by South & West Wales Wedding Photographer, David Barrett on November 10, 2022.

I have been listening to the Photobizx podcast for the last few months and I have been overwhelmed by the amount of knowledge I have gained while driving my car!

I have paid hundreds of pounds to attend courses on the business of photography. This podcast will give you all of that knowledge and more with the fantastic interviews and extra content on the premium section of the website.

Andrew does a fantastic job of interviewing his guests and asks all of the questions you want him to ask. The additional content available to premium members is well worth the small monthly fee!

I would definitely recommend this podcast if you are serious about your photography business and would like to learn from some of the best in the business!

Thanks Andrew, and keep it up!

★★★★★ The most helpful photography podcast out there

Via Google Reviews by Cheshire & Lancashire Wedding Photographer, Stuart Morris on November 10, 2022.

Probably the most helpful photography podcast out there. There are so many useful hints and tips from the guests across all genres of photography and much more.

From SEO to TikTok to Pinterest there'll be something you'll find useful to your business.

Andrew has the knack for asking the questions that you'd want to ask.

Thanks for all of your help Andrew!

★★★★★ Highly relevant and practical advice for photographers

Via Google Reviews by Adelaide family photographer Tanya Simmonds on November 11, 2022.

When it comes to customer service, Andrew definitely practices what he preaches as he gives personalised support to ensure that you are getting the most out of your membership.

The interviews are highly relevant and offer practical advice, while Andrew’s easygoing interview style always brings the best out of his guests.

I have learnt so much from the podcasts and have been inspired and encouraged to pursue my photography dreams!

I cannot thank Andrew enough for this wonderful service to his fellow photographers!

Update from Katie Kolenberg on her recent Book Project

If you completed the recent Profitable Book Project Training with Katie Kolenberg, you would have heard her talking about the promo she was in the midst of running   for her studio.

Katie came back to me on the weekend with the following numbers and details on her ‘Canberra Kids' book project…

Hey Andrew, 

How are you doing?

I'm popping in with an update on my Canberra Kids book project, which had just started when I did the Book Project course with you. 

I have some fun stats for you below. Open as to how you'd like to share this. I think it will be of value to those who did the course and those who might want to do the course. 

Canberra Kids Details:

– First time running this

– Upfront fee $75 to cover the book + an additional $25 for extra kids from the same family (new strategy)

– Studio only, styled shoots, family and other complimentary as part of their experience

– 2 volumes of the book, which meant 2 separate cover comps

– 55 shoots in total, including the test models (who also went in the books)

– We donated 5% of all sales to charity

– Marketing strategy was paid ads on FB + email marketing and socials. 

Final numbers:

Total number of leads: 184

Total number of booked sessions: 52

Overall conversion rate: 28%

Total advertising spend: $3,032

Total sales: $105,895

Average sale: $2,036.44

Ad spend per booking: $58.31

No sales: 4 (7.8%)

Previous clients: 11 (21%)

Additional leads via cover comps: 56 (17 of which are booked so far, many more to go)

If you'd like to learn more about this training, details are here: https://photobizx.com/bookprojects

NOTE: If you are a Premium Member, check for the course details in the Premium Resource area for your special pricing.

Are you struggling with your email newsletter? If so, don't miss this!

It's no secret I'm a massive fan of Liz Wilcox's email membership and became a convert after interviewing her for episode 434 of the podcast.

I immediately signed up for her ridiculously cheap membership ($9 per month) and receive an email template every week that I use to send emails to my subscribers — you may be receiving these too?

If you struggle with what to write each week for your email newsletter, you gotta check out what Liz is offering, it's so good!

And the cool thing is, she's offering a special right now, as she moves everyone over to a new platform. You can still get the email membership for $9 a month OR, you can pay for the year in advance, get the email membership PLUS ALL the digital products Liz has (or will create) AT NO ADDITIONAL COST.

All the details are here: https://photobizx.com/emm