648: Raphaëlle Granger – Building a $200K Wedding Photography Business with Fewer Weddings

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Raphaëlle Granger of www.raphaellegranger.com has a background in photojournalism and fashion.

Based in Canada, she spends her time shooting weddings both there and Europe.

She originally trained with the goal of becoming a war photographer — chasing adrenaline and intensity — before discovering a very different kind of intensity in documenting love stories. Now based in Montréal and named one of Rangefinder’s 30 Rising Stars of 2024, Raphaëlle’s work blends cinematic artistry with raw, honest storytelling.

She believes that slowing down — creatively and strategically — is what allows meaningful work to emerge, and that the most enduring photographs are often made when the photographer stops trying to control the moment.

In this interview, Raphaëlle shares how she built a near $200,000 wedding photography business by doing fewer weddings, charging more, getting radically clear on her values, and building genuine relationships — even when that meant uncomfortable conversations, saying no to “good” clients, and taking a long-term view in an industry obsessed with shortcuts.

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

• How Raphaëlle’s early grounding in photojournalism and fashion shaped her creative instincts — and why translating that into weddings required building a business that supported real life, not just beautiful work.
• Why undercharging didn’t make Raphaëlle more bookable — and how raising prices became a positioning decision rather than a financial one.
• The nuance behind increasing prices without burning bridges — and why alignment, timing, and intent matter more than the number itself.
• Why Raphaëlle’s most successful rebrand had nothing to do with logos or aesthetics, and everything to do with values, perception, and consistency.
• How genuine, human relationships with planners and vendors replaced cold outreach — and why trust compounds faster than visibility.
• The internal shift that comes with saying no to the wrong clients — and how thoughtful referrals can strengthen both brand clarity and industry reputation.
• What working internationally really involves beyond the Instagram fantasy — including cultural differences, legal complexity, and the importance of local trust.
• Why Raphaëlle uses Instagram ads for positioning rather than bookings — and how visibility can serve influence even when it doesn’t convert directly.
• How sensory and emotional details in the client experience — pacing, tone, presence, even scent — reinforce brand memorability at the high end.
• Why partnering with an agency wasn’t about scaling faster, but about protecting creative energy while maintaining meaningful client relationships.
• Why “looking successful” can still lead to burnout — and how misalignment often shows up as exhaustion before it shows up as failure.

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I realised I was doing work that looked perfect on Instagram, but it wasn’t aligned with how I actually wanted to photograph people. – Raphaëlle Granger

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Once I defined how I wanted my clients to feel, every decision became easier — branding, pricing, even who I said no to. – Raphaëlle Granger

In addition to everything above, you'll get access to instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, make you accountable, and help you build friendships with other pro photographers with motives similar to yours—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 from what Raphaëlle 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, leave your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business based on what you heard in today's episode.

I lost weddings because I was too cheap. The planners told me my pricing didn’t match the level of work. – Raphaëlle Granger

If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Raphaëlle, or a way to thank her for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.

Pricing isn’t just about income — it’s a signal. If it’s wrong, people assume something is wrong with your service. – Raphaëlle Granger

iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs

I check for any new iTunes or Google reviews each week, 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 are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome! Secondly, iTunes and Google are the most significant podcast search engines, and your reviews and ratings help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and, ultimately, a better show.

I loved the outdoors and the adventure, but I didn’t love directing couples for five or six hours. That disconnect matters more than people think. – Raphaëlle Granger

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. You can leave some honest feedback and a rating, which will help me and the show. 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. Email me your keywords or phrases and where you'd like me to link them.

At some point, like maybe six years in, I felt like I couldn't go much further. It was already like the plateau, and I couldn't see myself work 30 more years like that. So I had to, I had to take a leap of faith and just start all over like new, on my own. – Raphaëlle Granger

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:

★★★★★  Absolutely the best photography business podcast!

Via Google Reviews by Houston and Sugar Land's family and newborn photographer, Danielle West, in the USA on December 19th, 2025.

Absolutely the best photography business podcast I have listened to!

I am in the process of launching my own photography business, and the tips and tricks that Andrew has shared on his podcast have been absolutely invaluable.

The best part is that Andrew makes sure to ask the relevant questions that photographers have, not just the fluff that most other photography podcasts seem to focus on. He gets into the nitty-gritty of numbers, finances, specific marketing, and so much more.

10/10 recommend for any photographers who are looking to start or expand their business!

Thanks so much, Andrew!

★★★★★ Thanks for making it easier than going it alone!

Via email by Sunbury pet and equine photographer, Abi Wiseman in the UK on December 22nd, 2025.

Hi Andrew

I hope you are well and are heading into a restful Christmas with your lovely family.

I just wanted to finish this year with a heartfelt ‘thank you' where it is most due. This time last year, I said on your podcast that I was planning to give up teaching at the end of this year to go full-time with my pet photography business. It was the first time I had said it, and saying it on a podcast listened to by many people (including a lot of my friends) made it real and held me accountable.

A week ago, I walked through the school gates for (hopefully) the last time as a teacher. I have taken a year off and will decide towards the end of next year if my business brings me the joy I am hoping for, as well as the financial security I need.

I also listened to Kim Hamblin on your podcast and realised she was the coach for me. She is the right mix of encouraging, nurturing and ball-breaking!

For the first time ever, I have 17 clients booked in for the coming year already, and I am hopeful (and a little terrified!) for what is to come.

So thank you Andrew. Thank you for being a good bloke, a great podcast interviewer and for helping me achieve my goals WAY more easily than going it alone!

Merry Christmas, and here's to a fabulous 2026.

Abi

Raphaëlle Granger Website

Raphaëlle Granger Education

Raphaëlle Granger on Instagram

Raphaëlle Granger on Facebook

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