From $400 sessions → $2,500 sessions after a cross country move: Lindy’s story 🎉

Want to connect with Lindy on social media? Follow her @lindyrebophoto

Summary

In this conversation, Lindy Rebro shares her journey as a full-service portrait photographer in Southeast Georgia. She discusses the challenges of restarting her business after a move, the impact of ADHD on her focus, and the importance of offering tangible products to clients. Lindy highlights her financial growth and the support she received from her community, emphasizing the value of perseverance and personal connection in her work.

Takeaways

• Lindy Rebro is a full-service portrait photographer in Southeast Georgia.
• She restarted her photography business after moving cross-country.
• Lindy emphasizes the importance of differentiating herself in a saturated market.
• She faced challenges with ADHD, impacting her focus and business decisions.
• The shift to offering tangible products has significantly improved her client experience.
• Lindy's financial growth includes reaching a 10K month and aiming for six figures.
• Community support and guidance were crucial in her business journey.
• She believes in the value of education and continuous learning.
• Lindy's drive and competitive nature motivate her to push for success.
• She encourages others to embrace their struggles and keep moving forward.

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Transcript

Christa (00:00.739)
All right, welcome everybody. I'm here with a very, very special photographer, Lindy Rebro of Lindy Rebro Photo. And she is a full service portrait photographer in the Golden Isles of Southeast Georgia. And she has a lot of amazing things to share with us. Lindy, thank you so much for taking the time to chat.

Lindy Rebro (00:17.889)
You

Well, thank you for having me, Krista. I'm super excited to be here and just happy to be an alum of UNCAPT and just be here with you. I'm so excited.

Christa (00:29.399)
Yes, yes, I cannot wait. So, y'all, the reason I wanted Lindy to come on is she's kept me posted on her wins. They've been incredible, but there's a few unique things about Lindy. And I say unique, I think often we think we're the only people who, you know, struggle with ADHD and staying focused and get frustrated when we're making shifts. And Lindy has worked through all of that. And I've asked her to come and share just a bit about her photo journey, less about when she started and picked up her camera and more.

Lindy Rebro (00:46.094)
So.

Christa (00:57.049)
Kind of that pivotal moment, Lindy, that you saw something was changing. You had a big move. Walk us through your story a bit around that.

Lindy Rebro (01:05.142)
Yes, so I was, I'm married, have kids, all the things, and we were in the middle of a cross-country move. I'd been doing photography a bit where I lived, and that been fine, whatnot. And then when we moved to Georgia, I'm in Southeast Georgia in the Golden Isles, I was like, okay, I'm gonna start again. So I did, and you know, it's basically you, there's a ton of photography.

So it's behind the market is hot for it. It's a vacation destination. I love it. but that being said you can't basically walk the beach and throw a seashell without hitting another photographer So I really wanted to something it's true. It's so true. so I just kind of wanted something to differentiate myself and I've always been interested in full service. I Definitely saw the need as a mom and somebody who's moved cross-country several times

Christa (01:45.656)
It is true, yeah.

Lindy Rebro (02:00.17)
Restarting my business just felt like you know this makes sense, and I'm not even actually sure how I found You I think you know we're kind of on this East Coast. We're pretty near You know I'm in Georgia. I think you're up in South Carolina And so it was just nearby and I think that felt like a good fit when I saw what you were putting out there And I was like gosh Okay, like this might be the shift that I need and there really isn't too many other full-service photographers here in the area and

You know, when you go on vacation, you look good, you feel good, you're relaxed. People are coming here to visit and doing vacation. They're doing vacation and I just really wanted to give people more than just like a digital package where they're like, see you later. So giving people like tangible heirlooms made sense for this area for me. So I love it all and I just kind of, I had to convince my husband for a minute. We talked it out, got on the call with you and you were like, okay, sure, like talk to your

And I was like, yeah, I really want to do this. he's like, know, it's a lot of money, but I support you if that's what you want to do. Totally. It is scary because I mean, I had some education, but you know, it's like there's a million courses out there. Let's be real for $299, like $299. This is going to get you the most amazing result. And you're like, okay. And how many have we all bought? I bought so many. That's ADHD and me, I've bought too many. My goal this year was to buy less of those.

Christa (03:04.333)
Yeah, it's scary.

Christa (03:21.356)
Exactly.

Lindy Rebro (03:27.662)
So I've done less, so yeah, so that's kind of where I was at. And I was like, I'm going to take this leap. And so I just, I mean, I've always been like restarting my business essentially, but doing that with your guidance and the group, just having everybody behind you kind of being able to talk through some of those issues as I was going through the program and like starting, I was like, whoa, there's a lot more here.

And that part was a little bit daunting to me, I'm gonna be honest, because I mean, when you have ADHD, you see all of it, and you're like, my goodness, there's so much. And sometimes breaking down those steps to get you where you need to be, that can be a little bit challenging. So like, when I realized how much this is gonna be, I panicked, I was overwhelmed, and I was like trying to implement everything.

while shooting and moving into a new house. And it was just like so much where I basically, I told you this earlier, but I was a little bit mad at you and I was like, let me out of this thing. You I mean, you said you couldn't feel that, but like inside I was like, so mad at you, Krista. I just don't know if I can do this. But you had the phase and you had...

Christa (04:29.935)
Lindy, don't hold back. You were a little mad at me.

Lindy Rebro (04:47.17)
You know, just the boundaries to say like, you could do this. Like it's fine. And I threw myself a little pity party and cried, you know, and I was on, I mean, I try to make every single call with you and I was on that call, even though I looked like a bag of hot garbage, you know, I really, had to turn my camera off because I mean, if you go back, you could probably see it, Krista. I was not in a good way. I turned off my camera, you know, just not there for it. So had to just really do some soul searching there.

But once I did, mean, the results honestly were almost instant. I don't want to say that because like instant, too good to be true, but doing the work, putting it in, like I can't even imagine where I'd be if I was still doing it the same way that I was. Like I can't even imagine. So yeah, there's just a lot of photographers doing that, but I think that the possibility is endless for people who are like.

Christa (05:22.873)
You did the work.

Lindy Rebro (05:43.747)
who are me, know, that want a little bit of that guidance, want that support, love the group aspect and the community that comes from joining something like your group. It's just been, it was a blast and I don't regret it for a second. I love it. I wish I would have done it sooner. Where were you when I first started, Krista?

Christa (05:59.448)
Yeah.

I know I was still, I was probably doing shoot and burn too and I have the same regrets of like, wow, no, I remember that Lindy, I shifted into this and I, it was, I had the same moments where I would, and I don't think we talk about that enough of like how hard it is to shift your business when you are established. Cause how many years had you been a photographer leading up to that?

Lindy Rebro (06:04.11)
Totally.

Lindy Rebro (06:19.982)
It was like on and off. So it's one of those people that, you know, I've always loved photography as a child, just loved it. And even when I got out into the workforce, I have a degree in education. I thought I was going to be an educator or study agriculture. I was like obsessed with ag, agcom, agricultural communications. Love that. I know I'm I'm, literally from a, if you can picture Eastern Washington, picture Washington state and picture a wheat field.

Christa (06:38.799)
What?

Christa (06:44.291)
Yeah. Yes.

Lindy Rebro (06:48.334)
That's where I lived. Like that's where I grew up. Like picture a little blonde girl running around a wheat field. That was me. So like that's where I'm from. So agriculture is like huge. Wheat, barley, lentils. It's huge. So that's kind of what I wanted to pursue. But okay, where was your question going? I totally lost it. shoot and burn and all that. Yeah.

Christa (06:50.338)
amazing.

Christa (06:54.989)
love that.

Christa (06:59.716)
Yeah.

Christa (07:07.435)
No, you're good. think I wanted to hear, so you built up, Lindy, in Washington and you'd been, yes, and you were telling me like your average was like 400, 450. It's not like you were over there doing $100, $200 shoots. Like you had built something. What was kind of that turning point for you specifically that you were like...

Lindy Rebro (07:14.592)
Yes, started.

Lindy Rebro (07:24.027)
yeah.

Yes.

Christa (07:31.117)
You know, some photographers out there think 400 450 is the pinnacle you can kind of get to what was it for you that you were like, I'm like ready for more Krista, like, give me more.

Lindy Rebro (07:41.391)
Definitely. So I think it's a little bit of who I am too. I always am in like kind of a push with myself. I really want to just keep going. I kind of have a drive and my family, like we're all entrepreneurs too. My parents have small businesses and it's just kind of who we are. And I just see that value too of working for yourself too. So that's kind of why I did photography. I mean, I've always loved photography and like a

Christa (07:46.649)
Hmm.

Lindy Rebro (08:10.286)
of went around about way on that story but COVID years really like brought me back to my childhood. I started doing stuff I wanted to do and I was homeschooling my kids, you know, I in lockdown so I studying photography, did like the photography certificate. I got a professional certification and I don't know, I believe in education so I definitely went that route and did that. It was like a six-month program through I don't know.

Christa (08:28.803)
Yes, I love that.

Lindy Rebro (08:35.116)
of university online and it had like instructors and all of that. So was very like focused and whatnot. And baked bread, you know, worked out, did all the COVID things and then just started taking like clients after I got my business license and started doing that. But yeah, I mean, I started shooting essentially for like free and all of that just to gain a little bit more practice and whatnot. But yeah, I did the full service or not the full service, the digital only, just, you know, getting it out there.

So and I just felt like it was incomplete and I felt like what what I was giving people was great like that was great and learning and like allowing those clients But it just it just didn't feel authentic to me. So like having something in your home That's really what I wanted for people. So I would like go over To my friend's home that I had taken pictures of and this is real I went over to a client that I had shot in just the digital only she had gotten them printed

Christa (09:17.199)
interesting.

Lindy Rebro (09:33.091)
great, but it was like at CVS or Walmart or something and there was literally like a ribbon color banding down the side of it and I was like, where'd you get these done? And I was like, I think I could do better than that. Like I truly think that I could do better than that. you know, just again, like finding your program gave me the information of like, where can I go to do these things? And just the guidance really, because it felt really overwhelming because it is a lot. It's more than just.

Christa (09:57.625)
Yeah. Yeah.

Lindy Rebro (10:01.674)
looking for a lab and being like, okay, you know, but you're talking about album design, you're talking about like how to build your packages, all these different things. And that's really important too, especially when you've just never done it before. So, yeah.

Christa (10:03.64)
Exactly.

Christa (10:13.069)
Yeah. Could you share, maybe there's a listener, Lindy, who also kind of struggles with ADHD and they know they need to make changes. And it seems like whenever they start, they get off track. What were some things that you use in your business to help keep yourself on track when we get that, I call it like shiny object syndrome as entrepreneurs and business owners, where we sometimes like see something else and then we, we can't ever kind of stay focused and on it. and I know you mentioned that.

Lindy Rebro (10:32.664)
Mm.

Christa (10:41.315)
that might have been a little bit harder at times for you to kind of stay with it and go onward and forward. But now you've crushed it. You've had at least one 10K month. Like what helped you stay on track that could help others.

Lindy Rebro (10:53.358)
Definitely the first thing that I probably had was a CRM. I jumped into that, believe like that is super helpful having that. I use HoneyBook and it is helpful and no program is perfect. You got to find the one that works for you, but not overwhelming yourself with those day-to-day tasks and just being able to have a little bit of a flow. Like you have automations that can be set up. That's super helpful.

Just having a system that you continue to use, that's definitely something that helps keep me on track and keeps the needle moving forward. So that is what I love.

Christa (11:32.397)
comes to learning and growing with education to keep you on track, right? Like the times you thought about like, maybe this isn't for me. I think I want to quit. What helped you and we all we all throw pity parties in our business. You're not you are not the only one who has sat there crying about their business. I have done that multiple times. You're not alone. And so for our listeners, like, if you're listening, and you're like, I feel that like, you're not alone, but Lindy, like, what are things that you did personally to help yourself rise to that next level?

Lindy Rebro (11:35.128)
Hmm.

Lindy Rebro (11:45.134)
Yeah, totally.

Lindy Rebro (12:00.025)
These are such good questions, Krista. I know, I could tell.

Christa (12:02.039)
diving in deep, Lindy. Maybe it comes to what what helped you kind of stay focused and on track? Was it something you told yourself? Did you remind yourself of your goals? Did you tell yourself I'm just going to give it X amount of time to keep going? I'd love to hear what worked for you.

Lindy Rebro (12:18.328)
There was one specific thing. mean, just, I think it's like a personal thing. Just having that drive internally, I really do feel like a driven person in general. Again, competitive with my own self. really, I just, I wanna be the best that I can be. And obviously, know, different times that's been harder than others. Like when I was...

Christa (12:23.15)
Yeah.

Christa (12:32.653)
I love that.

Lindy Rebro (12:41.592)
photographing in Washington state when I was homeschooling, had a little bit amount of time and now I'm in Georgia and my kids are now in school and I can focus full time. So it's given me the chance to like allow to have the space and the room to grow a little bit and just keep pushing. And it's just something more like maybe internally mental that it's guiding me through, know, there's a lot there. Yeah.

Christa (13:00.835)
Amazing. Yeah.

I love that. And, but I think that's so beautiful that like, kind of sounds like Lindy, some of the things that could easily keep you off track, you were able to harness and help it make you be better of like, I want to grow into the next level. You knew you have what it takes. If you're watching the visual, you could see some of her work behind her. If not, we'll link her Instagram handle and the show notes because her work is incredible. So,

Lindy Rebro (13:19.937)
Yeah.

Lindy Rebro (13:23.992)
So thank you.

Christa (13:29.101)
I wanted just to ask you about like that growth that you had. You and I were talking a little bit and I was like, Lindi, I should have matched record. But, and I've written down some of the numbers too, but I would love to hear if you wouldn't mind sharing like what that shift to adding in products to your clients and guiding them through it did for your income growth.

Lindy Rebro (13:36.12)
gosh, yeah.

Lindy Rebro (13:41.582)
Sure.

Lindy Rebro (13:48.705)
Mm-hmm. So before Uncapped, I basically, I knew that I needed to run my numbers, but I didn't. So like when you add up all the things you're doing, you know, that little beautiful CRM and the Adobe and you know, all the things, your gear, your time, all the things, you add it all up and you think, my gosh. And you know, your program really guides you through that. And it's like very encouraging on that. You add it up and you think,

Christa (14:07.143)
yeah.

Lindy Rebro (14:17.518)
Oh my gosh, this great, you know, $300 or $400. Woohoo! It's so much money. And then you think, oh my goodness, all of that that went into that, my time, energy, the editing, the emailing back and forth, you're not making much. Like there's not much left over to pay the bills. And that really is my goal too. It's like, I wanted to be able to pay our mortgage. Like that is a huge thing for me. I want to be able to help my husband, our family continue to thrive and to grow.

So that's really big for me. Yeah, those are just the main pillars, I would say, for me. And then, yeah, that's where we're at. True.

Christa (14:54.831)
That's amazing. I think so many photographers think it can't be something that supports your family. And it's like, no, it definitely can be not with charging $300, but you've been able to have, you know, these one to three K sessions pretty regularly. I think you said before kind of amidst the move and stuff, the overall income you were around like 17 K. And then where do you feel like you're? Yeah. Okay.

Lindy Rebro (15:06.133)
Yeah, I can't.

Lindy Rebro (15:14.99)
Mmm.

Yes, so that was like when we moved here and I restarted and so that was about a bit about seven months of being in a new place. I was about 17k so if you would add on maybe like four months more in that average, I mean maybe we're at like 2500 maybe you know for the full year if I had to guess so that's kind of a different picture there but

When I implemented your program, I mean, I was getting up closer to 50K a year. My goals are to at least hit six figures. That's my goal. I'm trucking along and that's what I'm working towards. And who knows, beyond. I would love to do more. I just gotta narrow down my ideas because I have too many ideas. My highest month this year though has been just a little shy of 15K.

Christa (15:57.625)
Yes?

Christa (16:03.791)
Yep.

Lindy Rebro (16:11.406)
But last year when I had started your program, and it wasn't a full year of doing it your way, my highest month was over 10K. So my average, I had to look it up this year, is about 2,500 per session. So I don't need a million clients, I just need the right clients. And I love working with the clients that I do, it's like a connection, it's a soul connection or something, but...

They're excited about having something in their home. They want to have prints. They actually don't want to look through their phone and just be like, well, you know, great. It would be like the equivalent of, I don't know, going over to your grandmother's house and looking at her albums or the wall art that's, you know, she's got a huge gallery wall or whatever, or viewing the slides. Just like, that's what we used to do. Now, if you went over to grandma's house, she'd be like, here's your, here's the phone. Look at my trip to Italy.

That is crazy. We do not need to live in that digital world. Like we can live in a world where you can see your images up in your home and enjoy them. And I think that that is what photography has been because like digital or whatever reason, we kind of made that crazy jump to like digital only and people only value the digital. And that's not true. People do not only value digital. digital is the backup. Like let's be real, digital is the backup.

getting them printed, having an amazing album from your time together from the past year, that's worth it. And you're gonna look at those images, like you're gonna love those images someday. Your kids aren't gonna be little. Your kids might be what remains, right? Like you might've passed away and your kids are gonna be like, my gosh, like mom, like here she was, she was 30 and look how beautiful she was. Like that might be all that we have left in the end is the actual prints and things. So that.

Christa (18:00.078)
Right.

Yeah, that's like Lindy, that was so beautiful. Like everyone in Southeast Georgia, you need to book Lindy. But guys, Lindy's incredible. She has one thing I wanted to point out that I feel like you didn't touch on enough. You did the work. You showed up for yourself every day, even when it was hard, even when you were mad at me and thinking curse words in your head. But.

Lindy Rebro (18:04.236)
That's why I love it. I do. I think it's impressive. thanks. Thanks. I love it.

Lindy Rebro (18:15.88)
Mm-hmm. Okay.

Lindy Rebro (18:24.462)
It was like this long and then I was like, let's go. So definitely.

Christa (18:27.395)
Sure, but you got it out. was reading something interesting, Lindy, recently that was like, let yourself like feel out that emotion of like, this sucks, this is hard, I built this business and now I'm changing it and this is hard. Like let yourself feel all those things and then like onward. And that's something I just have always respected so much about you that even when you thought about quitting and it was hard and you get told no more, right? And like, that's hard too. You stuck with it and you kept that why in mind. I love everything you just said about.

Lindy Rebro (18:33.848)
Totally.

Lindy Rebro (18:41.379)
Yes.

Lindy Rebro (18:46.178)
Fuck.

Lindy Rebro (18:50.776)
Yeah.

Christa (18:56.323)
the value of products and it's true that you so deeply feel that yourself and want your clients to have that and can stand out even in a crazy saturated market. So for the listener who's like, this was so inspiring. I need to follow Lindy. I need to reach out. I need to connect. Where is the best place for them to connect with you?

Lindy Rebro (19:13.838)
I would say you can visit my website. It's lindyrebro.com. That's R-E-B-R-O. Last name is an interesting one. And then you can follow me on Instagram. I'm lindyrebrophoto. That's me. So find me there. I still struggle with Instagram, like showing myself there, but it's a daily work in progress, for sure. So thank you, Krista. Thanks. I love it.

Christa (19:35.385)
It is, you're killing it. I love that. We'll link everything in the show notes. You guys go give her a follow, shoot her a DM. If her story was inspiring to you, she's a wonderful person. I know we'd love to connect with you. Thank you so much, Lindy.

Lindy Rebro (19:44.959)
No, You're welcome.