Advertise on podcast: The Business of Personal Brand Photography

Have you ever felt like you’re doing all the marketing and somehow still wondering whether any of it is actually working? Paula has. When she started her portrait business from scratch, every promotion felt urgent. Father’s Day. Christmas. A new landing page. Another brochure. Another marketing idea she’d seen somebody else doing. She wasn’t short of ideas. She was drowning in them. In this episode, Paula shares the simple advice her designer gave her during that frantic first year and why it took years for her to really understand what it meant. If your marketing currently feels like a never-ending game of “what should I do next?”, The Power of Doing Less, More Consistently might be exactly the conversation you need. LINKS : Learn about Shoot Caddy HERE Learn more about learning inside of Academy HERE Wanna get a one-on-one FREE strategy call with me? Book HERE

She came in for personal branding photos. Technically, that made her a personal brand client. Except she was also a woman, a mum, a business owner - and she was turning 50. And that mattered to her. So alongside the photographs she needed for her business, we created something entirely different. There was champagne, confetti, balloons and a stack of images that would never make it to LinkedIn. In this episode I explore the difference between being clear about your niche and becoming so rigid that you stop seeing the PERSON! Because your clients’ lives don’t stop after their photoshoot - and perhaps your relationship with them doesn’t have to either. LINKS : Learn about Shoot Caddy HERE Learn more about learning inside of Academy HERE Wanna get a one-on-one FREE strategy call with me? Book HERE

She’d written the email. The database was there. The offer was there. She’d spent ages making the email look and read beautifully. There was just one tiny problem. She hadn’t sent it. This conversation happened during one of Paula’s community calls after a photographer admitted she felt as though nobody could see her business. And what initially sounded like a visibility problem turned into something quite different. Because sometimes the thing stopping our marketing isn’t a lack of ideas, another strategy or even procrastination. Sometimes pressing the GO button just feels uncomfortable... right? In this episode, Paula talks about what happens when marketing leaves the safety of our drafts and people finally get the chance to respond - or not respond. There’s also a spectacularly wrong marketing link, a mini-session client who didn’t say yes the first time, and Paula’s own admission that she’s sent plenty of things into the world that weren’t perfect. You’ll hear Paula explore why: Creating more marketing might not be the thing your business needs.Silence from potential clients can be very easy to misread.The stuff sitting unfinished in your folders might deserve another look.AI can make content easier to create, while leaving one very human part of marketing firmly in our hands.Maybe you don’t need another idea this week. Maybe you need to look at what’s already sitting there. LINKS : Learn about Shoot Caddy HERE Learn more about learning inside of Academy HERE Wanna get a one-on-one FREE strategy call with me? Book HERE

We spend a LOT of time thinking about the photographs we deliver. And obviously, they matter. But the photograph isn’t the only product. There’s also the experience of being photographed by you. The way you give direction. The reassurance… The little things you do that simply make somebody feel looked after. None of those things might seem particularly extraordinary on their own. But stuck together, they become the experience of working with YOU. And if you’ve been doing them for years, there’s a good chance you don’t even notice them anymore. This episode is about recognising the value in what you’re already doing In this Episode, I cover: Why we overlook the things we’re really good at.How the little things shape your client experience.Why those things are part of your brand.Cause you might already be doing far more than you realise, and the simple act of paying a little attention on the right areas could mean the world of difference to your bookings, and bottom line. LINKS : Sign up for our workshop Booked by Christmas HERE Learn about Shoot Caddy HERE Learn more about learning inside of AcademyHERE Wanna get a one-on-one FREE strategy call with me? Book HERE

When I was 18, I worked with three women in Ireland who spent months preparing for a one-week summer holiday. I thought they were completely ridiculous. Years later, I realised they understood something I’d been getting wrong in business. The anticipation was part of the experience. In this episode, I’m sharing what I accidentally taught me about marketing, and why we don’t need to wait until something is finished before we start talking about it. In this Episode, I cover: Why anticipation matters in marketing.Giving your ideas enough runway.Why last-minute marketing can feel salesy.Rethinking what it means to be “ready”.Taking some of the pressure off selling. LINKS : Sign up for our workshop Booked by Christmas HERE Learn about Shoot Caddy HERE Learn more about learning inside of Academy HERE Wanna get a one-on-one FREE strategy call with me? Book HERE

Have you been a little quiet in your business lately, and now coming back feels harder than it should? I’ve been there. In fact, that’s pretty much where I’ve been for the last little while. Behind the scenes, Alison and I made the decision to take a step back, so we could move forward. In this episode, I’m sharing what that quiet season taught me about business, visibility and the pressure we put on ourselves to constantly “show up”. Because nobody else is keeping score of how often you post, email or make a reel. And if you’ve been quiet, you don’t need some enormous comeback strategy. You just need to come back. In this Episode, I cover : Why taking a step back can actually move your business forward.The difference between being quiet and not showing up.Why nobody else is keeping score.Simplifying when business gets too complicated.How to start building momentum again. LINKS : Sign up for our workshop Booked by Christmas HERE Learn about Shoot Caddy HERE Learn more about learning inside of Academy HERE Wanna get a one-on-one FREE strategy call with me? Book HERE

Is the idea of jumping back into your business after a break feeling heavier than it used to? Are you tired of making the same decisions over and over, or feeling like you’re always reacting instead of leading? I’ve been there, and I know it’s not about being unmotivated - it’s about wanting more from your business. In this episode, I talk about the shift from winging it to building a business with structure and clarity. I’ll share how branding (yes, your own!) can help you attract better clients, have easier conversations, and stop reinventing the wheel every season. If you’re ready to move from hustle to harmony, and from being hired for a job to being chosen for your brand, tune in! Main topics covered: - Why “winging it” stops working - The difference between jobs and brand relationships - How structure supports creativity - Steps to get clarity and momentum LINKS : Learn more about learning inside of Academy HERE Wanna get a one-on-one FREE strategy call with moi? Book HERE

Why So Much Good Work Never Gets Seen? Why We Always Think We’re Not Ready Yet? Ever find yourself waiting for the “right” moment to put your work out there? Maybe you’re tweaking your website for the hundredth time, or perfecting your offer until it’s just so. I get it—I've been there too! But here’s the honest truth: there’s no magic moment when you’ll suddenly feel ready. In this episode, I share stories from my portrait studio days and the countless women who wished they’d stepped in front of the camera sooner. Are you holding back, waiting for confidence or clarity to arrive? What if the version of you right now is already enough? Let’s talk about why marketing isn’t about perfection, but about presence and connection. I’ll gently challenge you to stop hiding your beautiful work and start letting your audience in—even if it feels a bit scary. Remember, you’re allowed to evolve publicly and make mistakes along the way. The world needs to see what you do, just as it is. Main topics covered: - The myth of “readiness” in business - Why waiting for perfection keeps you invisible - The difference between urgent and non-urgent photography - How to build confidence by showing up - Embracing imperfection and evolving in public LINKS : If you're ready to turn this reflection into a clear, practical plan, join my live - Your 2026 Photography Business Plan Workshop. Save your seat HERE Learn more about learning inside of Academy HERE Wanna get a one-on-one FREE strategy call with moi? Book HERE

Join Free Workshop 13/14 January HERE 2026. Less Chaos. More Direction. The end of the year can leave us wired, reactive, and carrying more ideas than clarity. And then the holidays happen. Space. Breathing room. A chance to step back and remember what actually matters. In this episode, I invite you into a quieter way of starting the year - one that’s less about pushing forward and more about choosing your direction with intention. This isn’t a conversation about doing more. It’s about deciding who you want to serve, what kind of energy you want flowing through your work, and how focus can create freedom rather than limitation. If you’ve ever felt pulled between genres, overwhelmed by marketing noise, or tired of feeling like you’re always reacting instead of leading - this episode will feel familiar. I also am sharing the same planning framework I use with her students - designed to help photographers simplify, refocus, and create a year that feels sustainable on paper and in real life. If you’re craving a calmer start to 2026, this episode is for you.

Ever feel like you’re blending into a sea of sameness, scrolling through Instagram and wondering what makes you stand out as a photographer? Are you struggling to pinpoint your unique magic, or maybe you’re not sure how to communicate it to your clients? In this episode, I dive into the idea that your personal brand is a lot like your love language—deeply personal, authentic, and the real reason clients come back for more. I share my own journey of discovering my “special sauce” and how I weave it into every client experience, from the way I connect on shoots to the little thoughtful touches that make people feel seen and cared for. If you’re tired of trying to look like everyone else and ready to embrace what makes you, YOU, this episode is for you.

Ever felt like you’re drowning in work, missing out on family moments, and wondering if you’ll ever get your business-life balance right? Or maybe you’re stuck in that guilt spiral—should you be editing, or should you be playing with your kids? I’ve been there, and in this episode, we dig deep into the real struggles photographers face, especially when you are also juggling the needs of family. My guest, Johl Dunn shares how shifting mindset—not just business tactics—transformed his life, and how setting boundaries (and sticking to them!) can actually make clients respect you more. We talk about the courage it takes to raise your prices, the power of community, and why you need to stop waiting for confidence and just take that first step. If you’re feeling isolated, overwhelmed, or unsure about your worth, this episode is for you. Main topics covered: - Mindset shifts for photographers - Managing guilt and work-life balance - Setting boundaries with clients - Pricing and self-worth - The importance of community and mentorship Join us for a FREE live workshop with Johl Dunn and Paula Brennan to learn simple mindset shifts and marketing strategies that help photographers cut through the chaos and get more bookings with less burnout. Wednesday 8th October, 6:00 AM AEST, on Zoom. Limited Time Replay available. Find out more and sign up at: https://www.paulabrennaneducation.com/free

Are you feeling stuck, like your business has lost momentum, or maybe you're questioning if you're the problem? I see you, and you're definitely not alone. So many photographers are feeling the pinch right now, especially in the luxury family and boudoir markets. In this episode, I get real about what's happening in our industry and why it's not your fault.  The world has changed, and so have our clients' priorities.  I'll share some honest, actionable ideas to help you shift with the market—without losing your passion or your sanity. We'll talk about offering digital-only packages, blending family and business sessions, and how a little diversification can open up new streams of income. Plus, I'll remind you that it's okay to ask for help and that your business isn't stuck forever—it's just evolving. Main topics covered: - Current challenges in portrait photography - Emotional impact of market changes - Creative sales strategies for tough times - Combining personal and business branding - Embracing change and seeking support

Ever felt like the photography industry is changing faster than you can keep up? Or maybe you’re wondering if personal brand photography is really a sustainable path, especially when everyone’s talking about AI, economic downturns, and “the death of photography”? I get it—these are the questions that keep us up at night, especially when you’re trying to build a business that feels both creative and secure. In this episode, I chat with the wonderful Sarah Morgan, a portrait and brand photographer from San Diego who’s seen it all—from shooting weddings on film in the 80s to navigating the digital revolution and now thriving in the world of personal branding. We dig into the real challenges of shifting genres, pricing your work with confidence, and how to create an experience that clients rave about (even when things go sideways on shoot day). Sarah shares her honest journey, including the moments she was sweating bricks and the lessons she’s learned about rolling with the punches and building trust with clients. If you’ve ever wondered how to weather industry storms, find your niche, or just want to hear how another photographer has made personal branding work for her lifestyle (hello, no more schlepping gear to the beach at sunset!), this episode is for you. We also talk about the power of automation, why ongoing learning matters, and how to create a collaborative, creative process that lights you up. Main topics covered: - Navigating industry changes and economic downturns - Transitioning from weddings/families to personal brand photography - Building client trust and handling shoot-day curveballs - Pricing strategies and confidence - The impact of automation and ongoing education

Feeling a little behind? Like you’ve been working hard behind the scenes… but not showing up as much as you “should”? Same. And you’re not alone. This episode is a soft, honest reminder that your value isn’t measured by how visible you are. If you’ve been building quietly, holding everything together, or just doing your best with what you’ve got — this one’s for you. Learn More in PBE Academy - CLICK HERE

Have you ever lowered your prices in an attempt to stay competitive?  While this may seem like the right move, it can actually be detrimental to your business. Too often, photographers undercharge due to fear or self-doubt, but this can damage your professional reputation. In this episode, I dive into: Why charging too little can make your business seem unprofessionalHow underpricing impacts your brand imageThe common pitfalls of low pricing and how to avoid themHow to confidently price your work to reflect its true value Pricing is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a photographer, yet it's also the most challenging.  So if you've ever felt like you're not charging enough for your photography, or if you're worried about pricing yourself out of the market, this episode is for you.  LINKS :  Learn more about learning inside of Academy HERE  Wanna get a one-on-one FREE strategy call with moi? Book HERE