Starting Fast Will Only Set You Back in Your Photography Business

In this episode, I’m sharing a personal life update, giving photography and branding advice, and answering your most-asked questions in a candid AMA-style Q&A. From marketing tips to finding your style and packing for photo trips, I'm diving in!Links:My branding course: https://www.lightscamerabrand.com/SEO Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2gSAW8GOG5XXpjdWcdyRLE?si=BC8ERE0BSaOizOYoX_o5XAHow to find inspo episode *didn't realize I had already done this lol*: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0eDTZB0IlebDQIU82Sf3EC?si=H7AkLdE0R5SUbzOeQ8HeAQTimestamps:1:16 Life update4:37 What’s a piece of photography advice you used to give but no longer stand by?16:05 What’s something people get wrong about personal branding?20:07 What’s one thing you wish all photographers knew about marketing?23:09 Upcoming trips28:51 What’s something you miss about NYC now that you’re in Seattle?37:37 Where do you like to shop for your clothes?47:06 How do you find your personal style in photography?50:55 What was Antarctica like?54:17 How do you pack your gear when you travel?What's Next:Follow me on Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Facebook group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Business Basics: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics⁠⁠

Feeling creatively stuck or overwhelmed by too much scrolling? In this episode, we’re stepping away from the algorithm and exploring how to find inspiration for photography offline.I’m sharing why Pinterest can’t be your starting point and how volunteering might be the most powerful way to reconnect with your spark.You’ll also hear a Q&A on creative jealousy, finding your voice, and how to tell the difference between trends and true alignment. Whether you’re new to photography or rediscovering your style, this conversation will help you create from a place that’s original—by design.Business Basics Course: ⁠⁠https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics⁠⁠Lights, Camera, Brand Photography Branding Course: ⁠⁠https://www.lightscamerabrand.com/⁠⁠Unplug from your phone episode: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/2EIe18ddba23Q3QUFbPVmo?si=CDShZlXoR-GmqY9DesTe3QTimestamps:0:00 Business Basics0:41 Intro11:50 Where NOT to look27:52 Shopping for inspiration38:25 Volunteer 44:22 Q&A: Have you ever felt jealous of someone else's creativity? 53:09 Inspo vs trends58:53 What’s something you wish someone told you when you were figuring out your style?1:00:03 OutroWhat's Next:Follow me on Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Facebook group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Business Basics: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics⁠⁠

In this Build and Bloom photography podcast episode, join me (@JessicaWhitaker) and Eden Strader (@EdenStrader) as she teaches us how to alternatively market our photography businesses.Follow Eden: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/edenstrader/⁠⁠⁠⁠Eden's website for freebies: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://edenstrader.com/⁠⁠⁠Eden’s podcast “That’s My Personal Business”WHAT’S NEXT:Join The B+B Facebook group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/QwQa8g5R⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Jessica on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/jessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the Podcast Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/buildandbloom/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast has been made possible by:Business Basics:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/photography-business-basics-course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Have you ever wanted to get into concert photography? Today on the Build and Bloom Photography Podcast I have Madison Truscan on and she is sharing the exact steps for breaking into the industry. Madison has photographed artists in concert like Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan. Madison is also going to share how to work for an online magazine, publication, newspaper or zine and how volunteering for a publication can add an extra layer of professionalism that increases your chance of attending a show.Madison Truscan is a multi-faceted Dallas-based creative, with a focus on concert photography, music journalism, and podcast hosting. She is wholeheartedly passionate about all forms of photography and being authentic on the Internet.Instagram: @madisonfromdallasWebsite: www.madisontruscanphotography.comSome of the questions I ask are:How did you get into concert photography? How do you recommend someone break into the industryWhat have been some of the most memorable career moments for you?How do you handle being a woman in a male dominated spacePeople she mentioned: @digitalsmegMagazines mentioned: Good Guys Press and The Encore @thisistheencoreOther Build and Bloom podcast episode on concert photography:Tour Photography Process with Nesrin DananTimestamps:0:00 Intro4:05 How did you get into concert photography?10:40 First experience with concert photography13:37 First concert she photographed16:41 In between steps from first concert to snowball effect17:03 How to contact artists to photograph their concert19:21 How to break into the industry25:33 How to get in contact with local artists 27:55 Most memorable career moments28:07 Photographing Taylor Swift’s eras tour33:06 What is working for a magazine? 40:35 Being a woman in concert photography42:35 Safety tips for girls 44:56 Big-picture goals47:25 How do you get paid for tours?50:39 Getting sign to an agency 51:21 OutroWhat's Next:Follow me on Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Facebook group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What if you could book dream clients without having to post on Instagram every day? In this episode, I’m breaking down how blogging can help you book more photography clients consistently—and the best part? Once a blog post is done, it’s DONE. This is a long-term marketing strategy that works for you while you sleep.Instagram is great for visibility, but your blog is where the real magic happens. It’s where clients find you through Google, get to know your work, and book you directly—without the extra hoops. Plus, your website is the strongest reflection of your brand (and if you’re struggling with that, check out LightsCameraBrand.com).Here’s what I cover:What SEO actually is and how it helps clients find you Why blogging individual sessions beats having one gallery pageReal examples of how my posts from 6 years ago still bring in inquiries todayThe tools I use to make blogging easyHow to make blog posts SEO-friendly without being techy or spending hours on themIf you’re ready to stop stressing about social media and start thinking long-term, this episode is for you.Download the free blog tool guide: https://jessicawhitaker.myflodesk.com/blog Business Basics Course: ⁠⁠https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics⁠⁠Lights, Camera, Brand Photography Branding Course: ⁠⁠https://www.lightscamerabrand.com/⁠Narrative Blog Tool: https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/photography-blog-tool 10% off Squarespace: https://squarespace.com/jessicawhitaker Email list episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5DIZ8DJ7065fsrr8zxvNLT?si=4TcDTziyRROEGosC37okZQ SEO episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0SwLmqwyiGwRfdJ2EwggE4?si=ZOJ9GjzzSqyrwQCGC6yw0Q What's Next:Follow me on Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Facebook group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Thinking about raising your prices but not sure if you're really ready? In this episode, I’m walking you through three key things you need in place before you raise your rates—so you can do it confidently, without second-guessing your worth or undercharging for your time and talent.We’ll cover:How to actually know your worth (hint: it’s more than a gut feeling)Why simplifying your packages can increase your valueThe small tweaks that turn your client experience into something unforgettableIf scaling your photography business is on your mind, this episode is your roadmap to doing it with confidence and clarity. And if you want the full list of all six things to consider before raising your prices, grab the freebie linked below!👉 Download the full guide: https://jessicawhitaker.myflodesk.com/brandpricingBusiness Basics Course: ⁠https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics⁠Lights, Camera, Brand Photography Branding Course: ⁠https://www.lightscamerabrand.com/⁠Other tools mentioned:Cost of doing business/budget spreadsheet: https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/photography-budget-spreadsheetFree posing tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/jessicawhitakerWhat's Next:Follow me on Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Facebook group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Before you invest in that high-ticket mastermind or coaching program promising $10K clients right out the gate—listen to this episode.We’re pulling back the curtain on the hype and talking about what actually builds a sustainable photography business. Because while marketing might land you one big win, it’s your skills, systems, and humility that determine whether you can keep going.In this episode, I break down:Why slow, intentional growth sets you up for long-term successThe value of second shooting, assisting, and real-world experienceHow to spot educators who are great at marketing—but missing the depth in technical or posing skillsThe danger of comparison culture and rushing into high-price points too soonAnd the powerful shift that happens when you quiet your ego and commit to masteryIf you’ve ever felt behind because you’re not charging luxury prices yet—or pressured to “level up” before you’re ready—this conversation will ground you. Success doesn’t come from skipping steps. It comes from doing the work that no one sees.Business Basics Course: https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasicsLights, Camera, Brand Photography Branding Course: https://www.lightscamerabrand.com/Associate Photography episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0FwtJK3SIBgfyIFvYXs6nx?si=FggOxtQaTVKn9Yejb84L9gUnplug from your phone episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2EIe18ddba23Q3QUFbPVmo?si=CDShZlXoR-GmqY9DesTe3QWhat's Next:Follow me on Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Facebook group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠Business Basics: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics⁠⁠

I'm back from Vegas and here is what I learned from WPPI.Lights, Camera Brand: ⁠https://www.lightscamerabrand.com/⁠Honeybook: ⁠⁠https://share.honeybook.com/Jessicaw⁠⁠Aftershoot: ⁠⁠https://aftershoot.com/jessica-whitaker/⁠⁠⁠What's Next:Follow me on Insta: ⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠Join the Facebook group: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠Business Basics: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics⁠⁠

Hi from WPPI in Las Vegas! In 2025, I set a goal to attend more networking events, and I’ve already learned so much just by observing how people show up in these spaces. At the start of February, I attended a Women in Business conference here in Seattle and picked up some game-changing networking tips. With WPPI around the corner, I want to share my best strategies to help you make a lasting impression—whether you're heading to WPPI or any other conference this year!Lights, Camera Brand: https://www.lightscamerabrand.com/Honeybook: ⁠https://share.honeybook.com/Jessicaw⁠Aftershoot: ⁠https://aftershoot.com/jessica-whitaker/⁠⁠What's Next:Follow me on Insta: ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker⁠⁠Join the Facebook group: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker⁠⁠Business Basics: ⁠⁠https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics⁠⁠

Trade-for-print (TFP) shoots can be an excellent way to build your portfolio, collaborate with models, and refine your creative style. However, without a structured approach, TFP shoots can quickly become frustrating, unorganized, and a waste of time. Many photographers experience flaky models, last-minute cancellations, or misunderstandings about how many images will be delivered.The key to a successful TFP shoot is treating it just as professionally as a paid session—with clear expectations, organized communication, and structured boundaries.In this photography podcast episode, I will share the exact step-by-step system I use to run TFP shoots efficiently and professionally, so you can get high-quality results without dealing with unreliable people.This episode will cover:Why I never post model calls on Instagram (and where I find reliable models instead)How to set clear expectations upfront to avoid misunderstandingsHow over-communicating prevents cancellations and gets models to take the shoot seriouslyHow to structure a TFP workflow from model booking to final image deliveryHow to avoid last-minute cancellations and no-showsThe boundaries I set to prevent burnout and protect my timeBy following these steps, you will eliminate stress, work with dependable models, and create stunning images without frustration.Honeybook: https://share.honeybook.com/Jessicawhttps://aftershoot.com/jessica-whitaker/⁠What's Next:Follow me on Insta: ⁠https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker⁠Join the Facebook group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker⁠Business Basics: ⁠https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics⁠