#284: Stop Selling Digital Files. Do This Instead…

You don’t need more followers or fancier gear—you need clients who value what you do. If you're tired of posting and praying, Sarah’s sharing the 13 marketing moves that actually bring in premium clients. These strategies built her $3M business—and they’re working for 32,000+ photographers today. In this solo episode, Sarah breaks down the exact approaches that took her from overwhelmed mom to one of America’s most profitable photographers. These aren’t fluff tips. They’re tried-and-true strategies you can start using now, no matter your experience level. ● How to turn silent auctions into high-ROI lead machines ● The “dog whistle” marketing piece that makes right-fit clients say, “I need you!” ● Why friends and family may be your most untapped marketing goldmine If your business feels stuck—or you're ready to level up with more joy and fewer discounts—this episode is your roadmap. Take notes, take action, and start attracting clients who say yes with their hearts and wallets. RESOURCES:  Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin   INSTAGRAM – DM me “Conversation Starters” for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty   FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook    BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough   FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals    YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos:  https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute   LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

What if everything you thought was holding you back—language barriers, hearing loss, no studio space—was actually setting the stage for your breakthrough? In this episode, meet Olga Filatova, a Las Vegas photographer who went from terrified to talk to clients to making $2,995 with her very first boutique order. • How Olga overcame the fear of selling, even with hearing loss • The moment that changed her belief in her value—for good • The exact mindset shift that took her from discounts to $9K in four clients If you’ve ever questioned whether this could work for you, let Olga’s story be your answer. Her courage will remind you what’s possible. RESOURCES:  Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin   INSTAGRAM – DM me “Conversation Starters” for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty   FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook    BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough   FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals    YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos:  https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute   LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

Still selling digital files? It’s costing you more than just income—it’s costing your clients the heirlooms they deserve. In this episode, Sarah reveals why the digital-only model is broken, how it sets you up to lose against AI, and what to do instead if you want a business that’s profitable, sustainable, and deeply fulfilling. • Why the digital-only model leads to burnout and low profit • The mindset and strategy shift that leads to multi-thousand-dollar orders • How to stop feeling like a “charity” and start running a real business This isn’t just about pricing—it’s about purpose. Let this episode give you the permission (and the plan) to change everything. RESOURCES:  Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin   INSTAGRAM – DM me “Conversation Starters” for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty   FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook    BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough   FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals    YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos:  https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute   LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

What if one event could change everything about how you sell? That’s exactly what happened to Jean Lachat. After sitting front row at Sarah’s summer camp and making a few small (but mighty) shifts, she walked away and booked $15,300 in a single day. Hear exactly what changed—and how you can apply it to your next session. • How Jean’s mindset around presentation and pricing completely shifted • The “less is more” strategy that made it easy for clients to say yes • Why intentionality—not pressure—is the key to bigger, happier sales If you’ve ever doubted your value or second-guessed your sales process, this is your must-listen. RESOURCES:  Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin   INSTAGRAM – DM me “Conversation Starters” for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty   FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook    BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough   FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals    YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos:  https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute   LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

Tired of handing off digitals for $250 and never hearing from clients again? So was Audrey Tarris. In this episode, she shares how she rebuilt her business—transforming her townhome into a boutique studio and making $10K in two months, including a $3,700 order. This is what happens when you stop winging it and follow a plan that works. • Why ditching packages led to real profits and real relationships • How she paid off a business loan with just 10 client orders • The mindset shift that helped her stop selling from her wallet If you’ve been stuck in the hustle, Audrey’s story is proof—you can change your life faster than you think. RESOURCES:  Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin   INSTAGRAM – DM me “Conversation Starters” for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty   FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook    BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough   FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals    YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos:  https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute   LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

Thinking about going full-time with your photography? Before you leap, listen to this. In this episode, I’m sharing the 7 lessons I wish someone had told me before I traded my 9–5 for the camera. From pricing mistakes to burnout traps, these insights could save you years—and skyrocket your income and joy. You don’t need more hustle. You need more clarity. • Why “busy” doesn’t mean profitable (and what to do instead) • The truth about gear, pricing, and building consistent income • How to ditch digital files and start selling artwork that actually serves your clients This is the pep talk—and business plan—you’ve been needing. RESOURCES:  Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin   INSTAGRAM – DM me “Conversation Starters” for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty   FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook    BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough   FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals    YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos:  https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute   LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

Thinking about going full-time with your photography? Before you leap, listen to this. In this episode, I’m sharing the 7 lessons I wish someone had told me before I traded my 9–5 for the camera. From pricing mistakes to burnout traps, these insights could save you years—and skyrocket your income and joy. You don’t need more hustle. You need more clarity. • Why “busy” doesn’t mean profitable (and what to do instead) • The truth about gear, pricing, and building consistent income • How to ditch digital files and start selling artwork that actually serves your clients This is the pep talk—and business plan—you’ve been needing. RESOURCES:  Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin   INSTAGRAM – DM me “Conversation Starters” for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty   FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook    BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough   FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals    YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos:  https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute   LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

What if getting fired was the best thing that ever happened to you? In this raw, inspiring episode, Sarah Gardner—a single mom from a tiny town in Maine—shares how she went from broke and burned out to booking a $14K portrait order… just months after picking up a camera for the first time. If she can do it, so can you. • The bold mindset shift that helped her bet on herself • Why not knowing “how” can actually be your superpower • How she landed her first high-end client through a simple, real conversation This story is your reminder that it’s never too late to begin again—with heart, grit, and a little guidance. RESOURCES:  Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin   INSTAGRAM – DM me “Conversation Starters” for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty   FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook    BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough   FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals    YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos:  https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute   LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

What if just three simple words could double your portrait orders—without feeling pushy? In this episode, I’m teaching you the “by the way” technique, a powerful tool that turns happy clients into bigger sales and glowing referrals. No pressure, no gimmicks—just genuine service that transforms your bottom line. Used right, this one phrase can change everything. • Why “by the way” works so well—and when to say it • Real examples that added $2K+ to portrait orders • How better service leads to bigger sales (and more joy) Try this once, and you’ll never sell the same way again. RESOURCES:  Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin   INSTAGRAM – DM me “Conversation Starters” for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty   FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook    BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough   FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals    YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos:  https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute   LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

Why are some photographers booking $10K+ portrait sessions while others struggle to get inquiries? It’s not luck, ads, or better gear. It’s strategy. In this episode, I’m sharing my 17 Clients Framework—the exact method I use to help photographers spot real-life opportunities that lead to emotional, high-value bookings. Stop waiting. Start seeing. • How to recognize 17 life moments that clients will pay big for • The conversation formula that leads to effortless bookings • Why solving emotional needs matters more than fancy marketing The clients are already in your life. This framework will help you see them—and serve them—differently. RESOURCES:  Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin   INSTAGRAM – DM me “Conversation Starters” for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty   FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook    BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough   FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals    YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos:  https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute   LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756