The word “luxury” is everywhere in the wedding industry right now. And while high-end weddings can be beautiful, the idea that you have to be a luxury photographer to be successful? Total myth.

In this episode, we’re breaking down the truth behind what it really means to be a successful wedding photographer — even if you’re not charging $10k per wedding. We’ll talk about the difference between luxury and premium markets, the rise of the “standard market” photographer who’s still making six figures, and why your pricing should be based on your life, not Instagram trends.

We’ll also explore what actually makes a brand thrive — strong identity, clear communication, and a client experience that people can’t stop talking about. Whether you’re feeling pressure to “level up” or just wondering if you’re doing enough, this episode will leave you feeling grounded, empowered, and proud of exactly where you are.

Ever wonder what it really takes to get your photography featured in a major wedding magazine? In this episode, I sit down with Alexis Sanabria, Publisher of Washington Wedding Day, to pull back the curtain on all things publication, press, and editorial strategy.

Alexis shares exactly what makes a submission stand out, what photographers often get wrong, and how you can start creating work that gets noticed by editors and publishers alike. We talk upcoming wedding trends, editorial do’s and don’ts, the role of print advertising in today’s market, and how photographers can build lasting visibility by showing up with intention.

Whether you’ve never been published or you’re ready to take your media presence to the next level, this episode is packed with insight and practical tips you can apply today.

🎯 Topics We Cover:

• What publications look for in submissions
• How to submit your work to get it seen
• Trends Alexis sees shaping 2025 weddings
• Print ads: worth it or not?
• How to increase your visibility beyond Instagram

📣 Ready to get your work featured? This conversation will give you the roadmap.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Alexis Sanabria Instagram

Alexis Sanabria Website

Washington Wedding Day

Oregon Wedding Day

California Wedding Day

Contracts might not be the most glamorous part of your photography business—but they are one of the most important. In this episode, I’m sharing 4 real-life scenarios where I had to refer back to my contract (and was so grateful it was solid), plus a few contract clauses that too many photographers overlook.

We’ll talk about the importance of understanding what your contract actually means when you have to enforce it, what happens to money already paid, and why clauses like artistic style, defamation, and guest interference are more important than ever. I’ll also walk through the top 5 things every photography contract should include, and how to make sure yours is working for you—not just sitting in a folder.

If you’ve ever questioned whether your contract is clear enough, strong enough, or even up-to-date with today’s wedding world, this episode is a must-listen.

📌 Mentioned in this episode:

Legal contract templates from The Legal Paige — photographer-specific, lawyer-approved, and ready to plug into your business.

Shop Contracts with the Legal Paige HERE : 40% OFF from May 19 - May 22, 2025!

The Legal Paige Webiste

If you’ve ever wondered why your beautiful website isn’t bringing in clients — this episode is for you. SEO expert and photographer Dani Purington joins me to unpack the real strategy behind building a site that not only looks good, but ranks on page 1 of Google. We’re diving into the foundations of SEO, what most photographers get wrong, the power of targeted landing pages, and why blogging still matters (yes, really). Plus, Dani shares how a hacked Instagram account forced her to pivot — and how SEO saved her business.

We also talk about Dani’s new course: The 7 Day Photo Website Launcher — designed to help photographers launch or relaunch an optimized, high-converting website in just one week.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What SEO really is and how it works
• Common SEO mistakes to avoid
• How to turn your homepage into a keyword powerhouse
• The difference between blog posts and landing pages
• Tools to research keywords and track rankings
• How to keep momentum going month after month

If you found this episode helpful, screenshot it, tag us on Instagram, and let us know what you’re implementing first!

Mentioned in the show:

🔗 PNW Wedding Photography Workshop Here

🔗 Learn more about Dani’s course: photowebsitelauncher.com

🔗 Follow Dani Here:@danipurington

The Power of Pricing: How to Confidently Set Your Rates & Take Control of Your Finances

So many photographers struggle with setting their prices, feeling confident in what they charge, and truly understanding the financial side of running a business. But here’s the truth—pricing is power. When you fully understand your numbers, you’re not just making more money—you’re building a sustainable business that supports your life and dreams.

I am so excited to have Tami Gillespie on the podcast today! Tami is a photographer and business strategist who is obsessed with helping photographers gain confidence in their pricing and financial decisions. She’s here to share her top tips for pricing with confidence, common early mistakes photographers make when it comes to money, and how shifting your mindset around finances can be completely empowering.

FOLLOW ALONG:

Tami Gillespie: @TAMWEDDINGCO

The Creative Balance: Financial Resources for Photographers

The Creative Balance: @creative__balance

4 Marketing Mistakes You're Making (Fix Them in 15 Minutes)! These are quick an simple things you can fix (or update!) in 15 minutes to help your overall marketing strategy for your business!

In this powerful episode of the In Focus Podcast, I sit down with the incredible Mollie Adams—photographer, educator, and marketing strategist—who shares exactly how she generated over $500,000 in leads using nothing but organic Instagram strategies.

We dive into her journey of scaling her business, the systems that support sustainable growth, and the energetic connection she builds with clients that makes her brand stand out in a saturated market. Mollie doesn’t gatekeep—she’s walking us through what actually works, how to stay consistent without burning out, and how to use Instagram to create real, profitable relationships.

If you’re a photographer or creative entrepreneur wanting to book more clients, elevate your brand, and finally start seeing real results from Instagram, this is the episode you don’t want to miss.

🎧 Tune in to learn:

• How Mollie uses Instagram to connect, not just convert
• The backend systems she swears by to scale sustainably
• Why energetics and aligned messaging matter in marketing
• Her biggest tips for building trust and confidence on sales calls

Mentioned in the Episode

• Instagram Field Guide , $50 OFF with CODE: 'GINA50'
• Wedding Photography Workshop, May 26-29

In today's episode, we hear from Bridgette Wuest on how she taps into the psychology & power of energetics & connection to absolutely crush it in her client calls.

• Building her Photography Business
• Bringing Her Husband FULL TIME into Her Business
• The Power of Energy & Connection in Booking Clients
• Mastering the Client Booking Call

Mentioned in this Episode

• The Wedding Photography Workshop May 26-29
• A workshop for Wedding Photographers looking to elevate their portfolio and business in 3 days. APPLY NOW for early bird pricing!

• Bridgette's TRANSFORMATION Coaching Program
• Opening again in APRIL, coaching for wedding photographers

• HONEYBOOK
• The CRM I trust most and recommend for handling all client communication, files and inquiries to schedule these calls! 30% off using THIS LINK!