Worth Every Penny Joycast

You're doing the boutique model—or so you think. But what if the system you've built is quietly holding you back from the business (and life) you really want? This episode will hit home for the photographers juggling it all and still wondering why things aren't clicking. In this heart-opening conversation, Sarah talks with Kim Phelan, a mom of four and in-home daycare owner who thought she had boutique figured out—until she realized she didn't. After joining Boutique Breakthrough, she revamped her entire process and made $5,559 from just three portrait sessions. Her story is one of reclaiming worth, community, and the right kind of support. ● Why doing boutique "by the book" might still be costing you money and peace of mind ● The power of purpose-driven selling (and how Kim made it feel joyful, not salesy) ● How real community changes everything when you're trying to do it all alone If you're feeling stretched thin, second-guessing your strategy, or wondering if change is really possible—this is the episode your heart's been waiting for. 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

Think you need a studio to charge premium prices? Think again. If you've been eyeing a lease but feeling the financial pressure, this episode might just change everything. Sarah Petty breaks down the powerful (and profitable) truth behind the no-studio model. From her own $50K backyard session to students earning six figures as "stay-at-home photographers," Sarah reveals how ditching the overhead can elevate your business—and your life. ● The hidden costs and stress that come with studio ownership ● How serving clients in their homes creates deeper impact (and bigger orders) ● A step-by-step walkthrough of Sarah's no-studio sales process If you've been craving freedom, profit, and proof that less really can be more—this one's for you. 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

Ever wonder why some photographers effortlessly book $3,000 clients while others hustle for $300? Spoiler: it's not talent. It's marketing—and today, I'm sharing the single strategy that skyrocketed my studio and made competitors irrelevant. It's wildly effective, and you can start using it right now. In this episode, I'm walking you through my "dog whistle" marketing trick—a simple, printed piece that speaks so powerfully to your dream client, they can't look away. I'm sharing the full story behind how I stumbled onto this game-changing idea, why it works better than any ad spend, and how you can copy it without spending a fortune. ● How one emotional print piece turned strangers into raving, high-spending clients ● The psychology of why "fewer, better" always wins in a crowded market ● Real-life ways to use this when bookings dry up or you just need a spark If you've been craving a fresh way to stand out without discounting your work or burning out, this episode is your green light. 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 you could turn a creative side gig into $16K photographing dogs—even if you've never charged for a portrait session before? In this episode, Felix Bird shares how he went from composing music and shooting event videos to earning real income as a boutique photographer. With no formal portrait business, Felix joined Boutique Breakthrough and followed each step with courage, skepticism, and eventually—results. ● The moment he stopped doubting the pricing model and believed he could actually do this ● How photographing kids (and dogs!) became more than just a favor for friends ● What changed when his wife, a fellow creative, saw how real and sustainable this path was If you're juggling other creative work and wondering if this can really work for you too—Felix's story is the proof and the push you've been waiting for. 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

You're doing everything right—working hard, upgrading your gear, chasing exposure—and yet, the bank account doesn't reflect your effort. Sound familiar? This episode is your wake-up call. It's time to ditch the myths that keep talented photographers stuck in survival mode and finally step into profit with purpose. This week, Sarah Petty shares the $3,000 lesson that changed her business forever—and the six lies that might be costing you your dream. With raw honesty and practical wisdom, she unpacks how even the most award-winning photographers struggle when they don't have the right systems in place. ● Why talent alone won't pay the bills—and what actually does ● How "helping" your clients might be hurting your bottom line ● The mindset shift that turns exposure into strategic growth If you've ever wondered, "Why isn't this working?"—this episode was made for you. Let it be the turning point where you stop chasing and start choosing. Press play and let's rebuild your business from truth. 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