My goal with this podcast is to challenge industry myths, question the so-called ‘rules,’ and talk about what really works when it comes to building a photography business- based on my almost 30 years of experience.
And today’s unpopular opinion is this: natural light isn’t always better.
Grab my equipment list and get 10% off on you Westcott Lighting Gear
Get 50% Lighting on Location: Off Camera Flash for In-Home Photographers
It's important to remember that we all start as beginners!
This week we're talking about the comparison trap, how to grow your business, and what I wish I could have told myself when I was first starting out.
Ready to elevate your photography business? Follow this link to book a call with Sandra to learn more:
Hi friends! This week on the the podcast, we're going to talk about how to attract clients who are happy to pay what you're worth.
I call it the "Tripod Framework" ' - three simple pillars that transform your photography business.
This is the exact system I used to go from borrowing gear to building a six-figure photography business.
Ready to elevate your photography business? Follow this link to book a call with Sandra to learn more: https://calendly.com/sandracoaneducation/sandra-coan-certification?month=2025-10
Hey friends, it’s Sandra, and today I want to talk about something that’s been showing up a lot in my world lately — and maybe in yours too. It’s something that I think deserves an honest conversation. So buckle up, because we’re diving into a topic that’s part rant, part reflection, and totally from the heart.
SHOWNOTES:
https://sandracoanstudios.com/why-are-so-many-female-photographers-bullied-on-the-internet/
I've spent the last year writing my new book, The Complete Guide to Family Photography, and on today's episode I'm sharing a little about the writing process as well as what's inside the new book!
Publication date is Dec. 9th, 2025, but you can pre-order now! Just follow the links below!
So you want to learn about off-camera flash but you're not sure which is the best class for you? This week on the podcast I'll break down exactly which class is best for you when it comes to learning how to create beautiful light with strobes and flash.
SHOWNOTES
https://sandracoanstudios.com/off-camera-flash-for-beginners-which-is-the-best-class-for-you/
BLOG POST:
https://sandracoanstudios.com/off-camera-flash-for-beginners-which-is-the-best-class-for-you/
LIGHTING ON LOCATION
https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/lighting-on-location
THE MISSING LINK
https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/strobes-and-flash-for-newborn-photography
SANDRA COAN CERTIFICATION
Now that Thanksgiving is over, we are ready for the holiday season. For photographers this can be a really busy time of year. One of the requests I get a lot this time of year is taking pictures of families in their homes in front of their Christmas trees!
These can be really beautiful, festive photos BUT lighting them is difficult. Keep listening to learn exactly how to master this tricky lighting situation!
SHOWNOTES
https://sandracoanstudios.com/how-to-balance-flash-and-christmas-tree-lights/
BLOG POST:
https://sandracoanstudios.com/two-steps-to-taking-perfectly-lit-photos-with-your-christmas-tree/
LIGHTING ON LOCATION
This week on the podcast we are focusing on the power of group coaching! A big component of what we do in Sandra Coan Certification is group coaching. We have two group coaching calls each and every month, and these are unscripted, unplanned conversations.
I think these calls are amazing, but I know a lot of people haven't had the experience of being on one of these call before or maybe you're a little unsure of what it means. So today on the podcast, I am sharing the recording from a recent group coaching call inside of Sandra Coan Certification.
SHOWNOTES
https://sandracoanstudios.com/can-group-coaching-help-your-photography-business/
LINKS
Sandra Coan Certification Program: https://sandracoanstudios.com/certification
Apply Now: https://sandracoanstudios.com/apply-now
Hi friends, welcome back to the podcast! Today we are talking about booking clients as a photographer. If you are not finding clients OR you aren't getting the kind of clients you my want, you have a marketing problem! But the kind of marketing problem you have might surprise you!
SHOWNOTES
https://sandracoanstudios.com/how-to-find-more-photography-clients/
LINKS
Free Training: How To Book More Photography Clients Without Spending All Your Time Marketing!
Sandra Coan Certification Program: https://sandracoanstudios.com/certification
Apply Now: https://sandracoanstudios.com/apply-now
Today we are talking mini sessions. Mini sessions are a hot topic - people either love them or hate them! I personally love mini session and I want to teach you how to run really profitable mini sessions this year. Keep listening to learn more!
SHOWNOTES
https://sandracoanstudios.com/how-to-market-and-sell-your-mini-sessions/
LINKS
Sandra Coan Certification Program: https://sandracoanstudios.com/certification
Hi friends! On this episode, I brought members of Certification together to chat about our photography retreat this past July. We discuss key takeaways and discuss why in person retreats are so beneficial.
Reminder: applications for Sandra Coan Certification are open!
Read the shownotes here: https://sandracoanstudios.com/are-photography-retreats-worth-it/
Follow this link to apply: https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/scc-application
And be sure to reach on Instagram! I'd love to chat!
I'm back from my summer sabbatical and have some great episodes planned for you this fall!
On this episode I'm sharing about the exciting things that happened over the summer, and giving a sneak peek into the episodes I have planned for the rest of the year.
Also, applications for Sandra Coan Certification are open!
Follow this link to apply: https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/scc-application
And be sure to reach on Instagram! I'd love to chat! https://www.instagram.com/sandracoan/
I started my photography business in 1999, and I had my twins in 2006. So I had been in business for a while before becoming a mom and I remember feeling super worried about how I was going to run a business while also being a good mom once they were born.
I was afraid the business would take too much time and would pull me away from my kids. I was worried that my kids would pull me away from the work I need to do in my business. And I worked really hard to design the perfect work/ life balance.
Well, those twins turned 18 last month, and they graduated from high school a few days ago, and what I’ve learned over the past 18 years is that perfect work/life balance is a myth! And so on today’s podcast, thats what I’m going to talk about!
SHOWNOTES
https://sandracoanstudios.com/2024/06/18/the-myth-of-work-life-balance/
LINKS
How to Book More Photography Clients Without Spending All Your Time Marketing
Sandra Coan Certification Program: https://sandracoanstudios.com/certification
This week on the podcast, I chatted with photographer and SEO expert, Liz Putnam. Liz is a Sandra Coan Certified photographer and is teaching a workshop at our upcoming Certification Retreat.
Stay tuned to hear her tips for photographer getting started with SEO!
SHOWNOTES
LIZ PUTNAM
SEO 3 Day Challenge: https://lizputnam.com/sandra/
Website: lizputnam.com
Instagram: @liz_putnam_
LINKS
Sandra Coan Certification Program: https://sandracoanstudios.com/certification
Apply Now: https://sandracoanstudios.com/apply-now
Last week I hosted an “Open House” Zoom call for people who had questions about Sandra Coan Certification, and several of our current members joined the callNow, it’s one thing for me to slide into your inbox and tell you how great Sandra Coan Certification is. It’s another thing entirely to hear what the people who are in the program have to say! Here are some of the take-aways the call!
SHOWNOTES
https://sandracoanstudios.com/2024/05/21/is-sandra-coan-certification-worth-it/
LINKS
Sandra Coan Certification Program: https://sandracoanstudios.com/certification
Join the Waitlist for Certification:
https://sandra-coan-photography.ck.page/9ab555c6ae
From Doubt to Dollars: How To Overcome Imposter Syndrome While Building A Dream Photography Business
We’re opening applications for Sandra Coan Certification is just two weeks! And so on today’s episode, I’d love to talk discuss the elephant in the room in regards to that program which is, do you need a certification to be a professional photographer? And are there any benefits to having one? Is it actually necessary? So if you are considering joining the Sandra Coan Certification program, or any other certification program, this episode is for you!
SHOWNOTES
LINKS
Sandra Coan Certification Program: https://sandracoanstudios.com/certification
Join the Waitlist for Certification:
https://sandra-coan-photography.ck.page/9ab555c6ae
From Doubt to Dollars: How To Overcome Imposter Syndrome While Building A Dream Photography Business
https://sandracoanstudios.com/free-training
One of the benefits about being in the Sandra Coan Certification program is the opportunity to have one-on-one meetings with me as you work through the program.
I know a lot of people have questions about what the one-on-one calls are like, so you can listen to one!
Sit down with me and Laura Watts Walsh to talk about Certification!
SHOWNOTES
https://sandracoanstudios.com/2024/04/30/sandra-coan-certification-review/
LAURA WATTS WALSH
https://www.instagram.com/laurawattswalshphoto/
https://www.laurawattswalsh.com/
LINKS
Sandra Coan Certification Program: https://sandracoanstudios.com/certification
Join the Waitlist for Certification:
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I work with over 150 clients a year, and I don’t do any active marketing for my studio. So, on today’s podcast, I’m going to tell you exactly how I’m able to get away with that… and I’m going to walk you through the exact method I set up for myself YEARS ago, that makes it possible for me to have a successful photography business WITHOUT doing the marketing busy work!
LINKS
Sandra Coan Certification Program: https://sandracoanstudios.com/certification
Join the Waitlist for Certification:
https://sandra-coan-photography.ck.page/9ab555c6ae
From Doubt to Dollars: How To Overcome Imposter Syndrome While Building A Dream Photography Business
https://sandracoanstudios.com/free-training
One of the big changes to hit the photography industry recently is AI. Recently, I shared a post in one of my FB groups about how I’ve been using it in my business, and got a comment about how it’s going to be the end of the photography industry and we should all beware. So, on today’s episode, I’m going to share my thoughts on AI: how it hurts us, how it helps us, and how to use it wisely in your photography business
SHOWNOTES
LINKS
Imagen AI
https://imagen-ai.com/?ref=sandracoan
Sandra Coan Certification Program: https://sandracoanstudios.com/certification
Join the Waitlist for Certification: https://sandracoanstudios.com/waitlist
The secret to your success is NOT your technical skill. It is NOT your marketing know-how either.
It’s your confidence.
Confidence is the key to making your dreams come true. It is the bridge between wanting and having.
And on today’s episode, I’m going to share what I’ve learned over the course of my 25 year career about how to get it.
SHOWNOTES
https://sandracoanstudios.com/2024/04/02/the-secret-to-success-in-your-photography-business/
LINKS
Sandra Coan Certification Program: https://sandracoanstudios.com/certification
Join the Waitlist for Certification: https://sandracoanstudios.com/waitlist
From Doubt to Dollars: How To Overcome Imposter Syndrome While Building A Dream Photography Business