Booking your first paying client can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to stop giving your work away for free, how to build confidence in your value, and the practical steps you can take to land that first paying client without panic.
✨ Resources:
📸 Learn more at: https://savvyshutterbug.com
👥 Join the Savvy Shutterbug Community on Skool: https://www.skool.com/savvy-shutterbug-circle-5636
Do you find yourself rambling when clients ask questions, or keeping things so vague they don’t understand what they booked? Both hurt your business. In this episode, I’ll show you how to educate clients with clarity, set boundaries without apology, and stop over-explaining while still sounding approachable.
✨ Free Resource → Grab my Client Communication Starter Pack here: https://sendfox.com/lp/mp45qq
👥 Join the Savvy Shutterbug Community → https://www.skool.com/savvy-shutterbug-circle-5636
Pricing mini sessions can feel like guesswork. Charge too little and you burn out, charge too much and clients hesitate. In this episode, I’ll break down how to set mini session pricing that’s profitable and realistic, plus how to explain your rates without over-explaining or apologizing.
✨ Free Resource → Grab my Mini Session Swipe Pack here: https://sendfox.com/lp/3q4d2v
👥 Join the Savvy Shutterbug Community →https://www.skool.com/savvy-shutterbug-circle-5636
Do you dread sales conversations with your clients? You’re not alone. Most photographers either over-explain, apologize, or avoid talking about money altogether. In this episode, I’m sharing the sales mindset shift that changed everything for me — how I stopped seeing selling as pressure and started seeing it as service.
✨ Free Resource → Grab my Client Communication Starter Pack here: https://sendfox.com/lp/mp45qq
👥 Join the Savvy Shutterbug Community →https://www.skool.com/savvy-shutterbug-circle-5636
Mini sessions are a favorite tool for photographers — but they don’t always sell out. If you’ve ever launched minis only to hear crickets, this episode is for you. I’m sharing how to design mini sessions clients actually want, how to market them with clarity, and how to answer client questions with confidence.
✨ Free Resource → Grab my Mini Session Swipe Pack here: https://sendfox.com/lp/3q4d2v
👥 Join the Savvy Shutterbug Community → https://www.skool.com/savvy-shutterbug-circle-5636
Does your stomach drop every time a client asks, “So how much do you charge?” You’re not alone. Pricing is one of the hardest parts of running a photography business. In this episode, I’ll show you how to stop guessing your prices, talk about them with confidence, and let go of the panic when money comes up.
✨ Free Resource → Grab my Pricing PDF Script here: https://sendfox.com/lp/m4j8gn
👥 Join the Savvy Shutterbug Community → https://www.skool.com/savvy-shutterbug-circle-5636
If your client workflow lives in your head—or across a dozen sticky notes—you’re leaving time, money, and peace of mind on the table. This episode is your blueprint for building a workflow that actually works.
Inside you’ll learn:
The biggest mistakes photographers make when building workflows
My 3-part client system (inquiry, prep, delivery)
Why consistency builds client trust—and saves your sanity
Tools that make workflow setup easy, even if you hate tech
How to create a system that grows with your business
🎁 Get the Client Communication Starter Pack (Free Download):
Grab the free download here!
📚 Paired blog post:Client Communication Templates That Save Time and Avoid Confusion→ Read here
🎓 Want the full system?The Beginner Client Workflow Mini Course is open and ready inside the Savvy Shutterbug Hub.
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Prepping clients shouldn’t take hours or leave you buried in emails. This episode breaks down how I get clients photo-ready—without stress on either side. If you’re tired of repeating yourself or worrying about no-shows and last-minute questions, you need this.
What we’ll cover:
The 3-email system I use for every session
How I use prep guides and automation (without sounding robotic)
Why your prep system sets the tone for the entire shoot
The emotional side of client prep most educators skip
🎁 Download the Session Prep Email Swipe File (Free!):
Download your guide here
📚 Paired blog post:How to Prep Clients for Summer Sessions→ Read here
🧭 Want to upgrade your entire client experience?
The Client Workflow Mini Course inside the Hub walks you through it step-by-step.
When I was just starting out, my days were a mess of editing marathons and forgotten emails. In this episode, I’m walking you through the daily workflow I wish I had back then—one that balances creativity, client work, and rest. No hustle culture. Just structure that works.
Here’s what’s inside:
Why most beginner photographers burn out
What didn’t work (and the mistakes I made)
My full daily routine now—editing, inbox, client prep, and more
How to build a workflow based on your energy, not just trends
🎁 Download the Daily Photographer Workflow Template:
Grab it here!
📚 Paired blog post:My Daily Workflow for Juggling Editing, Marketing & Clients→ Read here
🎓 Want to streamline your client experience from start to finish?
Enroll in the Client Workflow Mini Course at the Hub.
If your to-do list is never-ending and your calendar is chaos, this episode is for you. I’m sharing the exact systems I use to manage time as a full-time photographer, educator, and business owner—without burning out. We’ll cover how to stop putting out fires and start running your creative business with purpose.
What you’ll learn:
Why traditional time management tips don’t work for creatives
The systems I use to balance editing, marketing, and clients
How batching, boundaries, and brain space actually save you
One change that gave me 5+ hours back per week
🎁 Grab the Weekly Photographer Task Map (Freebie):
Grab it here!
Why Batching Is a Beginner Photographer’s Secret Weapon→ Read here
🚀 Want the whole system in one place?
Check out the Beginner Client Workflow Mini Course inside the Savvy Shutterbug Hub.
Over-editing is one of the fastest ways to lose the soul of your photo. In this episode, we talk about knowing when enough is enough. Learn how to recognize the tipping point, trust your instincts, and develop the kind of restraint that creates timeless, client-trusted images.
Discover more photography insights at SavvyShutterbug.com. For visual examples and extended content, watch the full video version on YouTube.
Wish you could edit faster without sacrificing the quality of your work? This episode is packed with actionable strategies to streamline your editing workflow—from smart batch editing to organizing your presets to cutting decision fatigue. Whether you’re editing a client gallery or your own passion project, this episode will help you get your time back.
Looking for more editing tips? Head over to SavvyShutterbug.com for free tools and my mini-course on intentional editing. The companion video is also available now on YouTube.
Opening Lightroom for the first time can feel like stepping into a control room with no manual. In this episode, I’m sharing what I wish someone had told me when I started. From must-know tools to how to avoid overwhelm, this is your beginner-friendly guide to getting confident in Lightroom—without wasting hours lost in sliders.
Learn more at SavvyShutterbug.com and catch the full video walkthrough of this topic on my YouTube channel!
We’ve all had clients who challenge our patience or boundaries.
In this episode, I’m giving you real-world scripts, mindset shifts, and boundary-setting tools to handle difficult client interactions with grace and confidence—no drama required.
📚 Explore Courses + Templates → https://savvyshutterbug.com
📩 Join the Savvy Shutterbug Newsletter → https://gilianes-newsletter.beehiiv.com/
Tap follow if this gave you some peace of mind—and send it to a fellow photographer who’s navigating the same things.
Ever go blank in the middle of a session, unsure how to pose your client?
This episode is your pep talk and plan all in one. I’ll share what helped me go from frozen to confident—and the simple ways you can practice posing (without feeling awkward or overwhelmed).
📚 Posing Resources + Courses → https://savvyshutterbug.com
📩 Join the Savvy Shutterbug Newsletter → https://gilianes-newsletter.beehiiv.com/
Follow the podcast if you’re ready to feel more confident behind the camera—and share this with a photographer who needs it.
A strong welcome guide can prevent 90% of client miscommunication before it ever starts.
In today’s episode, I’m walking you through exactly what to include in your guide, how to make it match your brand, and how to use it to set expectations and elevate the client experience.
📚 Explore Courses + Templates → https://savvyshutterbug.com
📩 Join the Savvy Shutterbug Newsletter → https://gilianes-newsletter.beehiiv.com/
Don’t forget to follow the show and leave a review—it helps more photographers find us!
Ever wonder what a smooth, professional client workflow actually looks like?
In this episode, I’m walking you through every step of the photography client journey—from first contact to final gallery delivery. You’ll learn how to build trust, set clear expectations, and keep things running like clockwork (even if you're new).
📚 Explore Courses + Resources → https://savvyshutterbug.com
📩 Join the Savvy Shutterbug Newsletter → https://gilianes-newsletter.beehiiv.com/
If this helped you visualize your own client process, follow the show and send it to a friend who’s just getting started
If you've ever thought editing style was just about presets or filters, this episode is going to shift your mindset completely. We’re breaking down what editing style really is, why it's not something you can download, and how to start building a signature look that reflects your vision as a photographer. This is about intention, consistency, and clarity—not trends.
Explore more photography education and free resources at SavvyShutterbug.com. And don’t forget to check out the video version of this episode on YouTube.
What actually makes someone book you? We walk through the full client decision process—from discovering your work to signing a contract—so you can confidently guide people every step of the way.
👉 Learn more and explore courses at savvyshutterbug.com
👉 Join the newsletter for tips and freebies at savvyshutterbug.com/newsletter
When someone finally inquires, what you say next matters. This episode walks you through confident, clear client communication so you can turn interest into paid sessions—without sounding pushy or unsure.
👉 Learn more and explore courses at savvyshutterbug.com
👉 Join the newsletter for tips and freebies at savvyshutterbug.com/newsletter
