This Can't Be That Hard

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This Can't Be That Hard

Annemie Tonken

340 episodes

2 days ago

Well, friends, it's time for one of my favorite episodes of the year - Photographer’s Horror Stories! And I have to say: this year’s lineup does not disappoint! We’re talking session location disasters, misbehaving clients, equipment failures and wardrobe malfunctions that’ll make you cringe and laugh at the same time. These stories are the perfect reminder that no one's business is as perfect as it may look on the outside... and that we've all had days that make us want to crawl under a rock...

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Entrepreneurship

All content for This Can't Be That Hard is the property of Annemie Tonken and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Well, friends, it's time for one of my favorite episodes of the year - Photographer’s Horror Stories! And I have to say: this year’s lineup does not disappoint! We’re talking session location disasters, misbehaving clients, equipment failures and wardrobe malfunctions that’ll make you cringe and laugh at the same time. These stories are the perfect reminder that no one's business is as perfect as it may look on the outside... and that we've all had days that make us want to crawl under a rock...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship

Episodes (20/340)

This Can't Be That Hard

340 - Photographer's Horror Stories

Well, friends, it's time for one of my favorite episodes of the year - Photographer’s Horror Stories! And I have to say: this year’s lineup does not disappoint! We’re talking session location disasters, misbehaving clients, equipment failures and wardrobe malfunctions that’ll make you cringe and laugh at the same time. These stories are the perfect reminder that no one's business is as perfect as it may look on the outside... and that we've all had days that make us want to crawl under a rock...

1 week ago

36 minutes

This Can't Be That Hard

339 - From Finance to Full-Time Pet Photographer with Ina Jalil

Leaving a stable government job to photograph dogs might sound like a leap… but for Australian photographer Ina Jalil, it was a well thought-out, strategic next step. With a background in finance and a deep love for animals, she built a thriving, multi–six-figure pet photography business that’s equal parts heart and data. Ina and I talk about what that journey really looked like - the mindset shifts that helped her move from employee to entrepreneur, the pricing experiments that gave he...

2 weeks ago

44 minutes

This Can't Be That Hard

338 - Get Found First on Google with Lydia Fine

Google is changing how people find photographers online, and your Google Business Profile is now more important than ever. Now that AI Overviews are showing up above traditional search results, it's super-important to create a well-optimized profile that will put you ahead of competitors (even the ones who've been around longer). This week, I’m joined by photographer and marketing strategist Lydia Fine to break down the simple profile updates that can make the biggest difference. We talk abou...

3 weeks ago

39 minutes

This Can't Be That Hard

337 - Handling Difficult Clients with Confidence

What's worse than being up to your eyeballs in your own pre-holiday stress? Dealing with a client who's up to THEIR eyeballs in that same stress... and taking it out on you. Busy season is prime time for client complaints... even if their frustration isn’t actually about you. But whatever the reason, when a frustrated client shows up in your inbox, you have to set your own stress aside and handle the situation like a pro. In this week’s episode, I’m talking about how to navigate sticky ...

4 weeks ago

15 minutes

This Can't Be That Hard

336 - Running Successful Brand Sessions with Emily Kim

Brand photography is having a moment... and for good reason! It’s fun, it’s in demand, and for many of us, it’s a natural, lucrative add-on to the work we’re already doing. But brand sessions aren’t just portraits with a laptop. Today I’m joined by photographer and educator Emily Kim, whose systems-first approach makes brand work feel clear, creative, and effective. We get into what truly separates a brand session from a portrait session, why the end use of the images should drive every decis...

1 month ago

41 minutes

This Can't Be That Hard

335 - Turning Busy Season Clients into Next Year’s Revenue

When you’re buried in work during busy season, it’s easy to fall into survival mode: shoot, edit, deliver, repeat. And while that might get you through the week, it’s not what sets you up for long-term success. In this episode, I’m sharing simple, sustainable ways to keep your client experience strong and your marketing consistent, even when you’re racing at full speed. From small personal touches that make clients feel cared for, to rebooking incentives and referral strategies, these are shi...

1 month ago

12 minutes

This Can't Be That Hard

334 - Amplify your Voice; Amplify your Business with Laylee Emadi

For a lot of photographers, the idea of public speaking is a… ✋ hard pass. Maybe you’re not interested in getting on a big stage (maybe you’re not interested in teaching at all!) but in this episode, you'll hear why showing up and speaking - whether that’s at a local PTA meeting, a community fundraiser, or on your Instagram stories - can be one of the most powerful ways to build trust, authority, and connection with your ideal clients. In this conversation, I’m joined by Laylee Emadi - speake...

1 month ago

32 minutes

This Can't Be That Hard

333 - What to Do When Your Busy Season Isn’t Busy

Some years, we roll into busy season with a calendar full of sessions… and other years, not so much. It can feel a little scary to stare at a mostly empty fall calendar, especially after all the work you’ve put into filling that calendar. If you’re in that spot right now, take a deep breath: a slow season doesn’t mean you're failing. What it means is one of two things: either you have a visibility issue (not enough people know you’re available) or a conversion issue (people are inquirin...

1 month ago

20 minutes

This Can't Be That Hard

332 - The Gathering Effect with Michelle Franzetti

There are two kinds of marketing strategies most photographers think about: the kind that happens online, and the kind that - well - doesn’t happen at all. But there’s a third option, and it might just be the fastest, most effective way to build trust, get referrals, and create buzz around your business (without spending a dime on ads or fighting the algorithm). I’m talking about in-person events - IRL. Real people. Same room. Hold up now! Before you introverts scroll on by, hear me out... Th...

2 months ago

43 minutes

This Can't Be That Hard

331 - The Future of Marketing with Dayna Schaaf

Search algorithms are changing fast, but for once, the shift is in our favor. With Google rolling out AI summaries and clients turning to Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest for answers to their questions, the playing field is leveling in a way that creates huge opportunities for photographers. If you’ve ever wished the SEO game felt more fair - or that you didn’t have to post on social media quite so much - your wishes are coming true... but you have to understand the new rules in order to play...

2 months ago

31 minutes

This Can't Be That Hard

330 - Networking like a Pro with Angelica Pompy

In a world where we can market our businesses from behind a screen, it’s easy to believe that in-person networking is optional. But the truth is, nothing replaces the connections you make face-to-face. Meeting someone in real life makes you stand out in a way no post or DM ever could. People remember your energy, your personality, and the genuine conversation you shared. And those moments can turn into opportunities you’d never find online. In this episode, photographer, business coach, and a...

2 months ago

34 minutes

This Can't Be That Hard

329 - 4 Time-Saving Automations for Photographers with Melissa Rich

Have you ever looked up from your inbox and wondered how the whole day slipped away? When you're a one-woman show, it’s easy to get buried in admin work, replying to leads, and coordinating schedules instead of doing the more meaningful work that lights you up. In this episode, I’m joined by Melissa Rich, a former wedding photographer turned systems and workflow consultant, to talk about automation strategies that save hours each week without making your business feel robotic. Melissa shares ...

2 months ago

35 minutes

This Can't Be That Hard

328 - 4 Creative Ways to Increase your Value (and your Sales Average)

When it comes to running a profitable, sustainable business, it’s not just about booking more sessions… it’s about building more value into the ones you already have. In this episode, I’m sharing four creative, (semi) low-lift ways to do exactly that, layering thoughtful, high-impact offers into your existing workflow. These aren’t gimmicky upsells or pushy pitches. They’re smart, strategic solutions that solve real problems for your clients... sometimes before they even know they have them. ...

3 months ago

24 minutes

This Can't Be That Hard

327 - Taking a Human-First Approach to AI with Kinsey Soderberg

When AI first came on the scene, I was skeptical, and my early interactions confirmed my suspicions: when it came to content, AI's attempts were generic and easy to spot. But AI has evolved, and so have my opinions. I’ve come to believe that when used well, AI doesn’t take over your voice... it helps you amplify it. It doesn’t steal your creativity... it gives you time to actually use it. In this episode, I’m talking with Kinsey Soderberg of Authentic AI about how creatives (even skeptical on...

3 months ago

36 minutes

This Can't Be That Hard

326 - Breaking Into Brand Photography with Karen Williams

What happens when someone who's spent 15 years hiring photographers for brands like Netflix, Masterclass, and AARP writes a book about how the photo industry really works? You get The Photo Hustle, a straight-talking, wildly helpful roadmap to booking clients, getting paid, and actually making a viable career out of commercial photography. In this episode, I’m chatting with author, photo editor, and creative director Karen Williams about what she’s learned on the inside of the brand and edito...

3 months ago

36 minutes

This Can't Be That Hard

325 - Pricing is More than a Number: It's a Strategy

Pricing might just be the hardest piece of the business puzzle, and not because most of us don't love math. Sure, you need to know your numbers, but there's so much psychology involved in pricing, too: it's one of the most powerful ways you communicate your value, your brand, and your confidence. In this episode, I’m walking you through the five key building blocks of a strategic pricing system - the pieces that take your rates from guesswork to a rock-solid reflection of what you really offe...

3 months ago

16 minutes

This Can't Be That Hard

324 - How to Offer Destination Photography Sessions with Kellie Llewellyn

What if your next senior session didn’t just capture once-in-a-lifetime memories… but created them as well? In this episode, I’m joined by Kellie Llewellyn, a North Dakota-based photographer who has carved out a unique (and wildly appealing) niche in her business: destination senior sessions. Kellie has traveled with seniors, their best friends, and even their families to locations like Joshua Tree, the Oregon coast, and beyond, turning traditional photo sessions into unforgettable experience...

4 months ago

35 minutes

This Can't Be That Hard

323 - Three Signs You’re Doing Better Than You Think

When you're deep in the thick of running a business, it’s easy to feel like you should be further along. But just because you haven’t “made it” yet (whatever that means) doesn’t mean you’re not making real, meaningful progress. In this episode, I’m sharing three often-overlooked signs that you’re doing better than it may feel like you're doing. We’ll talk about how to recognize sustainable growth, why rest isn’t a setback, and how efficiency quietly signals your evolution as a business owner....

4 months ago

14 minutes

This Can't Be That Hard

322 - How to Become the Most Valuable Person in the Room with Miles Witt Boyer

Ever wonder what makes some photographers get tons of referrals and repeat business while others struggle to generate that kind of buzz? Hint: it's probably not the quality of their images. In this episode, I’m talking with wedding and commercial photographer Miles Witt Boyer about what it looks like to be the most valuable person in the room, and why that matters more than ever in today's competitive landscape. This is a conversation about client experience, pricing, creative fulfillme...

4 months ago

41 minutes

This Can't Be That Hard

321 - Marketing Isn't a Lottery Ticket

We all know that small, consistent actions pay off over time… but when it comes to marketing our photography businesses, too many of us are still chasing quick wins and big bursts of effort that - let’s be honest - often lead to burnout and disappointment. When things slow down, it’s easy to fall into the trap of panic marketing… throwing out a flurry of posts, sending a couple of emails after months of silence, maybe even dreaming up a last-minute sale to get the calendar moving again. But t...

4 months ago

9 minutes