LEVEL UP: A Wedding Photography + Videography Podcast
Ready to take your wedding photography or filmmaking business from mainstream to luxury? We are on a mission to equip YOU with the information and resources you need to scale your business into the premiere and luxury markets, where you can successfully 2-3x your prices.
Every Tuesday we invite you to tune in on conversations with Kelley and Taylor, luxury wedding cinematographers and business coaches, as we teach you what we have learned over 22+ years of combined experience in the wedding industry.
Learn the ins and outs of the luxury market, how to align your brand within it, and become fully prepared to take your business from mainstream to luxury.
In a nutshell: this is the wedding filmmaking + photography podcast for creatives striving for MORE in their businesses.
The wedding industry can be a challenging place to build a career, and we are here to help.
https://thelevelupco.com/
Episodes
281 episodes
284: In 18 months I went from barely booking to thriving. Here’s what I changed.
What happens when a business that has been successful for YEARS suddenly… slows down?A year ago, Kelley was staring at an almost empty wedding calendar. After 15+ years in business and hundreds of weddings, 618 Studios had lost momentum...
283: Why Starting Over and Who You Surround Yourself With Changes Everything
We are keeping the party going with these reruns and today's is such a good one. We loved hearing Tayler's story in October 2025 and it has been so fun to watch her growth since then!Every photographer and filmmaker hits that moment whe...
282: Building Your Brand Beyond Your Local Market
We have another rerun for you today and this one is a good one!! In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Taylor Petrinovich and Kelley Gilster sit down with Skylar Ball to share the exact strategies that helped him break through pricing platea...
281: How to 3X Your Wedding Prices in Just 12 Months
Today we are running it back with a very special TLM Alumni Myla Li!! This episode was recorded in August of 2024 so make sure you go take a peek at her work to see how much she has grown since then!What if you could scale your wedding ...
280: From $10 to $10k Wedding Bookings
What if the thing standing between you and your next level isn’t your talent... but believing you’re actually capable of getting there?This week on The Level Up Podcast, we’re sitting down with wedding filmmaker Taylor Nichols, who film...
The end of an era :(
After 3.5 years and over 400 students, this chapter is coming to a close.
279: How She Booked Her First $10K+ Wedding
What if the thing standing between you and your next level isn’t your talent, but the way you’re positioning it?In this episode, we’re sitting down with Southern California wedding photographer Alysha Miller to talk about her 10-year jo...
278: Why Gen Z Couples Want Wedding Albums Again
Wedding albums are making a comeback… but maybe not in the way you think 👀In this episode, Kelley sits down with Antonia from Dekora Albums to talk about the shift happening with Gen Z couples and why, despite growing up in an incredibl...
277: How to Handle Difficult Clients w/ Eric Kelley
Disappointment is part of running a wedding photography or filmmaking business. No matter how experienced you are, there will be moments where a client is frustrated, expectations get crossed, or something doesn't go according to plan.T...
276: You Don’t Need to be an Influencer to Make Money with Affiliate Marketing
What if growing your wedding business didn't mean booking more weddings?So many photographers and filmmakers believe the only way to make more money is to raise their prices or fill their calendar. But there are other ways to build a mo...
275: Your Work Isn't the Problem. Your Business Is.
What if the biggest thing holding your business back isn't your talent... it's your perspective?In this episode, Kelley sits down with wedding photographer Bailey Pianalto to talk about the moments that completely changed the trajectory...
274: Where Is All Your Money Going?
Let's be honest... most wedding photographers and filmmakers didn't start their business because they love bookkeeping, spreadsheets, or talking about profit margins.We started because we love creating.But if you want a business...
273: Everyone Is Using TikTok Wrong w/ Micah Cook
It sounds like you're working hard to build a business that attracts higher-end weddings, raises your prices, and gives you more freedom... but what if the biggest opportunity isn't another portfolio update or Instagram trend?In this ep...
272: How Do You Actually Balance Business and Life?
There are some conversations that are just too good to keep behind closed doors.In this special episode, recorded live at Hybrid Conference, we're answering real questions from wedding photographers and filmmakers who are navigating the ...
271: Build a Business That Supports Your Life w/ Shauna and Jordan
Success in business is rarely about one big breakthrough.More often, it's the result of hundreds of small decisions, years of consistency, and a willingness to keep growing long after you've figured out the basics.In this episod...
270: Am I the A**hole???
What happens when a wedding photographer walks off the job? Or when a photographer shows up to a wedding dressed completely inappropriately? Or when a client demands their gallery while their photographer is grieving the loss of a parent?
269: The Art of Building Legacy Clients w/ Steve Moore
Most wedding professionals spend years trying to figure out how to stand out.They tweak their websites.They refine their portfolios.They spend hours creating content.But often the thing that creates the deepest connectio...
268: We Asked Wedding Pros Their Biggest Questions. Here's What Came Up.
What does it actually take to move from the middle market to the luxury market?In this special live Q&A episode recorded at Hybrid Conference, we sit down with wedding photographers and filmmakers from across the country to answer s...
267: AI Is Changing the Wedding Industry
What if the thing holding your business back isn’t your talent… but your workflow? 👀In this episode, we’re sitting down with wedding photographer turned tech founder James Broadbent, the creator of Narrative, to talk about AI, business ...
266: An Honest Conversation About Shooting Celebrity Weddings w Samm Blake
In this episode, we’re sitting down with internationally recognized wedding photographer Samm Blake to talk about what it really takes to build a long-term, creatively fulfilling career in the luxury wedding industry. From shooting her first we...
265: The Wedding Industry Is Evolving… Are You?
Today on The Level Up Podcast, we’re answering your questions straight from Hybrid Co. and diving into everything from networking at luxury events, building real connections in the wedding industry, handling pricing pushback, creating an elevat...
264: Your Team is Your Biggest Asset
Your business can only grow as far as your team can carry it.In this episode, we’re diving into what it actually looks like to build a high-level team that supports your growth, elevates your client experience, and allows you to show up...
263: How One Yes Turned into 30k
We’re recording live from Hybrid in Charleston, and this conversation turned into a real, honest look at what it actually takes to grow in today’s wedding industry. From the power of getting in the room and building real relationships, to the b...
262: Closed Mouths Don't Get Fed
In this episode, we’re unpacking one of the simplest but most overlooked shifts you can make in your business. Start saying what you actually want. The bookings you’re after. The markets you want to step into. The rooms you want to be in. Becau...