049: Letting Go of the “Shoulds”

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 https://sandracoanstudios.com/2024/04/16/ai-and-your-photography-business-how-it-hurts-how-it-helps-and-how-to-use-it-wisely/ 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 ⁠⁠⁠https://sandracoanstudios.com/free-training

Welcome to Unpopular Opinions! I'm Sandra Coan, an award-winning photographer, and in this episode, I talk with my friend, Rebecca Hunnicutt. Rebecca Hunnicutt is a photography educator who teaches photographers at all levels how to turn ordinary locations into extraordinary images with confidence and ease, AND how to further elevate those images with post processing. She's also a lifestyle family and children's photographer based in Portland Oregon capturing joy filled images of families and today's contemporary kids at local preschools. Join us as Rebecca walks us through her process and we touch on the importance of moving your body, identifying patterns in your work, and finding your signature style. LINKS Sandra Coan Certification Program: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sandracoanstudios.com/certification⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the Waitlist for Certification: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sandracoanstudios.com/waitlist⁠⁠⁠ Rebecca Hunnicutt Webinar: Three common composition mistakes and why to avoid them Course Link:  Composition & Color | Turn Ordinary Locations Into Extraordinary Images Website: https://www.hunnicuttphotography.com Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rebecca.hunnicutt.education https://www.instagram.com/rebecca.hunnicutt.photography

There is so much I love about the photography industry.  I love art.  I love what this career has given me.  I love the life I’ve been able to build because of what I do.  And I’ve met some truly creative, wonderful people because of this job. But like all industries, the photography space has a dark side as well.  It can be very competitive.  And competition can sometimes bring out the worst in people. So, on today’s episode, I want to talk about how to stay above it all, and run an ethical photography business that is inline with you and your values. SHOWNOTES https://sandracoanstudios.com/2024/03/19/how-to-run-an-ethical-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 ⁠⁠https://sandracoanstudios.com/free-training

What does it mean to create “authentic” photos as a newborn and family photographer? I can not tell you how many photography groups and forums I have been in where people have talked about authenticity, and specifically how the reason that they don’t work in a studio, or use artificial light is because they want to take “real” photos or authentic images. So, what does authenticity even mean?  And is it possible to get real, authentic photos as a studio photographer? SHOWNOTES https://sandracoanstudios.com/2024/03/12/what-does-it-mean-to-take-authentic-portraits/ 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 ⁠https://sandracoanstudios.com/free-training

Hi friends! On this episode of the podcast, we are talking about imposter syndrome. As a self-taught photographer, I struggled for years with imposter syndrome. Now it it my mission to eliminate imposter syndrome in my communite by building confidence using the Do, Be, Have approach. SHOWNOTES https://sandracoanstudios.com/2024/03/05/how-i-overcame-imposter-syndrome/ 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 https://sandracoanstudios.com/free-training

Welcome to Unpopular Opinions! I'm Sandra Coan, an award-winning photographer, and in this episode, I talk with my friend, photographer and mindfulness educator, Kenna Klosterman. The conversation touches on the challenges of managing expectations and self-judgment and the value of mindfulness practices. LINKS Sandra Coan Certification Program: ⁠⁠⁠https://sandracoanstudios.com/certification⁠⁠⁠ Join the Waitlist for Certification: ⁠⁠⁠https://sandracoanstudios.com/waitlist⁠⁠ Kenna Klosterman: Kenna Klosterman is a travel & portrait photographer, tour leader, educator and international emcee. For over a decade she hosted 1000+ CreativeLive workshops, classes and podcast episodes across the subjects of photography, filmmaking, graphic design, art and entrepreneurship. Practicing a life of presence on Whidbey Island in the Pacific Northwest, Kenna leads mindfulness retreats and teaches meditation. She loves nothing more than to hold space for people to have creative and transformational experiences around the globe. @kennaklosterman http://www.kennakphoto.com

Whenever I ask photographers what their number one struggle is, the answer is always the same!  Marketing. And I get it!  No one is born knowing how to market themselves.  It’s definitely a learned skill and it can feel intimidating.  In fact, a lot of people feel so overwhelmed when it comes to marketing that they just choose not to do it, relying on their photos alone to find them clients. And that, my friends, is a really bad idea.  So on today’s episode, I’m going to share 5 tips for marketing your photography business! SHOWNOTES https://sandracoanstudios.com/2024/02/20/five-tips-for-marketing-your-photography-business/ LINKS Sandra Coan Certification Program: ⁠⁠https://sandracoanstudios.com/certification⁠⁠ Join the Waitlist for Certification: ⁠⁠https://sandracoanstudios.com/waitlist⁠

I’ve seen a lot of talk lately on social media and in Facebook groups about the state of the photography industry and whether or not it’s dying. People are worried about the economy, people are noticing things changing and they are freaked out.  So, on today’s episode, I’m chiming in and sharing my thoughts about the health of the photography industry based on my 25 years of experience.  SHOWNOTES https://sandracoanstudios.com/2024/02/13/is-the-photography-industry-dying/ LINKS Sandra Coan Certification Program: ⁠https://sandracoanstudios.com/certification⁠ Join the Waitlist for Certification: ⁠https://sandracoanstudios.com/waitlist

Okay all of you business moms out there, this episode is for you. I started my business in 1999, six years before I had my twins. But I remember being worried about how I was going to manage my business and continue to grow once they were born.I know I'm not alone.  So on today’s episode, I’m going to share what I’ve learned now that my twins are 18 about balancing motherhood and my career!  SHOWNOTES ⁠https://sandracoanstudios.com/2024/01/23/how-to-find-photography-clients/⁠ LINKS Apply Now! ⁠⁠https://sandracoanstudios.com/apply-now⁠⁠ New Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sandracoanstudios.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sandra Coan Certification Program: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sandracoanstudios.com/certification⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the Waitlist for Certification: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sandracoanstudios.com/waitlist