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

Mike Zawadzki of www.mikezawadzki.com is based in New Jersey, USA and is big on being a photographer for all couples, gay or straight… black, white or brown. His website is one of the best I've seen when it comes to connecting with potential clients!

It's rare to land on a photographer's website and feel like the copy is so good; the photographer has said everything so well that you feel like, yes, this is the photographer for me.

Today's guest has this website! And the copy feels like it'd honestly speak to anyone looking to book a wedding photographer today.

Dive a little deeper, and yes, the photography is fantastic, then you realise there's a team of photographers behind the work.

Go deeper again, and you'll see that the name on the shingle, the man behind the business, is doing everything he can to promote the work of his team of shooters over himself.

Is this a conscious business decision, or is he simply trying to make his shooters feel special?

I'm going to hazard a guess; it's both, and I plan to find out in this episode.

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

  • Creating content for your photography website
  • Hiring a copywriter that understands lead conversion
  • How Mike started his wedding photography business
  • How to scale your wedding business successfully
  • The impact of COVID19 on Mike's business
  • Mike's take on refunds during the pandemic
  • Mike's annual revenue
  • Mike's business goals
  • Is it limiting to use your name in your business branding
  • Can a website become a great lead generator on it's own
  • How clients initially find Mike's business
  • Mike's lead generation processes
  • Mike's reason for using The Knot
  • The inquiry process and how it's the secret of Mike's success
  • Why you need to stop sending PDF portfolios to potential clients
  • Using scheduling software in your photography business
  • How to successfully convert leads from inquiry to booking
  • Mike's sales psychology
  • Mike's response to the money questions clients ask
  • What Mike would do if moving to another country to start his photography business
  • Mike's advice for new wedding photographers

Mike Zawadzki 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 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.

My goal is within the next seven years is to turn this into a million dollar company. – Mike Zawadzki

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.

Mike Zawadzki Photography Podcast

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything away from what Mike 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 today's episode.

Referrals are one of the most powerful tools in a photography business. – Mike Zawadzki

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

Make this year your best yet!

Don't know where to start or want help creating your photography business plan for 2022, I've got you covered!

In a couple of weeks, photography business coach Jeff Brown is presenting a live training session for PhotoBizX members and listeners.

If anyone knows how to plan, it's Jeff and his ex-military ways.

Jeff recently released a book (available via Amazon)… The Ambitious Photographer's Journal — perfect to help plan your business year.

His journal is what prompted me to ask him to deliver some training on preparing for your best year in business yet.


Photography Business Goal Setting for 2022

The live training is happening via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88132322000

Here's a link to your local time which is 6am AEDT on January 20th.

Sorry Aussie photographers, I know it's early for us!


What's the Cost?

There is no charge to attend the training — I'm trying something new for this one… pay what you think is fair.

That's right, turn up to the live training and pay what you feel it was worth afterwards. No pressure and totally up to you.

The main thing for me is you have a plan and everything you need to make 2022 your best year in business!

Hope to see you on the live call.

You can find Jeff's book here.

Mike Zawadzki Photography Podcast

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 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 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 made a difference to you and your photography business.​

Here are the latest reviews…

★★★★★ Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value

Via Google Reviews by Kent pet photographer, Adam Gray in the UK on January 7th, 2022.

PhotobizX is the Google of Photography. With Andrew's weekly content for two years, I've been able to turn my hobby into a full-time job and he even offers advice on marketing or business when we need it.

Andrew has provided me with weekly content for the last two years, and his podcasts have gotten me from being a part-time photographer to having my own business full time. I'm so thankful that he's always ready on Facebook messenger or whatever platform we're communicating through if you need advice about marketing your photography service or anything else related!

And even though Andrew can't answer every question right away himself; he'll point out other experts who might be able help your situation–Photography isn’t a google search after all 🙂

★★★★★ Amazing resource for photographers!

Via Google Reviews by documentary family photographer, Erik Stouffer in the USA on January 9th 2022.

I can't speak on his photography studio, but Andrew has made such an amazing resource for photographers in his Podcast.

I love hearing him talk about business, and was just referred back to listening to his podcast by a fellow coach of DFPs (Documentary Family Photographers).

I have heard his podcasts for a long time and will probably pay for the premium part of the podcast in order to gain access to the community as well!

Mike Zawadzki Photography Podcast

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

Mike Zawadzki Website

Mike Zawadzki on Instagram

Mike Zawadzki on Facebook

Mike Zawadzki on Pinterest

Mike Zawadzki Photography Podcast

Thank you!

Thanks again for listening and thanks to Mike for coming on to share his thoughts, ideas and experience on creating a super successful wedding photography business by focussing on lead generation and delivering an amazing experience for his clients.

I want the least amount of barrier between me and a lead. – Mike Zawadzki

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