Freedom Focus Photography
Welcome to the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast, the essential audio hub for portrait photographers eager to launch and elevate their businesses to achieve their ideal version of success.
Hosted by Nicole Begley, a former zoological animal trainer turned accomplished family and then pet/equine photographer, this podcast is your go-to resource for transforming your photographic passion into a thriving business.
Since making the leap into photography in 2010 and quickly scaling her business to six figures, Nicole has dedicated herself to guiding photographers like you to transform their businesses from low-profit, high-stress operations into a profitable, sustainable businesses by teaching how to confidently price your services, sell products, and attract higher-paying clients.
Join Nicole and a vibrant community of like-minded photographers on the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast. Together, we'll explore the paths to a profitable photography business that supports the life you've always envisioned.
Episodes
321 episodes
Bait and Switch
314 - Ever felt a twinge of guilt when offering products after a model call or charity session? You’re not alone. In this week’s episode, Heather and I dive into one sneaky thought that’s quietly killing your photography sales, the fear of pull...
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Episode 314
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28:10
Why You're Hiding From Your Clients
313 - Let’s be honest, marketing your business can feel terrifying. 🙈The thought of putting yourself out there? Instant heart palpitations. But what if visibility didn’t have to feel like self-promotion? In this week’s episode, ...
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34:54
Find Your Purpose (and Your Price)
312 - Do you ever feel like the odd one out because you’re not chasing six-figure revenue? You’re not alone, and you’re not doing it wrong. This week, we dive into how to uncover your true motivation, avoid resentment, and create a ...
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Episode 312
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25:19
When $250K Isn’t Enough
311 - What would make someone walk away from a $250K legal career to photograph dogs? For Kelly McNamara, it wasn’t a midlife crisis, it was clarity. In this episode, Heather sits down with Kelly to uncover the unexpected tools (inc...
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Episode 311
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50:32
Black-Tie Lessons for Your Business
310 - Ever tried buying a black-tie dress online and decided “hard pass” once you saw the return policy? Yep, same. In today’s episode, we turn that frustration into a masterclass on your photography client experience. Where’s the f...
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Episode 310
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34:41
$70 Pancakes with Heather
309 - What do limited releases, “cooked” plush waffles, and personalized packaging have to do with your photography business? Everything. Heather and I break down how experience design turns ordinary products into premium purchases—...
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Episode 309
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38:24
Turning Shelter Shoots Into Income with Adam Goldberg
Today I’m chatting with my friend Adam Goldberg of AGoldPhoto, a studio pet photographer, shelter-dog hype man, and the brain behind “Second Shot.” He started in shelters back in 2013, built a thriving studio, and is now circling back to his ro...
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Episode 308
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44:03
The 8K Sale Breakdown
Ever wonder what separates a $500 sale from an $8,000 sale? In this episode, Heather sits down with three Elevate photographers, Marcie Fry, Katie Carmickle, and Jessica Wasik, who each closed an $8K sale in the same week. You’ll hear their jou...
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Episode 307
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1:01:33
Why Bookings Feel Hard with Heather Lahtinen
306 - If you’ve ever wondered why inquiries go silent or potential clients disappear, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing: the real reason isn’t your pricing, your competition, or even the economy. In this week’s episode, Heather...
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Episode 306
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1:40:45
Stop Playing it Safe!
305 - You might think you’re avoiding certain business moves because they’re “not the right time” or “too complicated.” But what if the real reason is that you’re avoiding a feeling? In this conversation, Heather shares her...
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Episode 305
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25:36
Self-Concept = Sales Confidence
304 - The fastest way to change your photography business? Change the way you see yourself. In this episode, Heather and I break down the self-concept shifts that help you introduce yourself confidently, market without second-guessing, and inve...
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Episode 304
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36:24
Why “Proven” Doesn’t Always Work
303 - When you're stuck between following your gut or trusting a “proven” system, what do you do? In this episode, Nicole and Heather unravel the real question behind the question—and it’s not what you think. We’re talking friction,...
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Episode 303
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42:15
When Life Happens with Heather Lahtinen
302 - This episode dives into the sneaky little phrase we all use—“life happens”—and why it may be holding you back more than helping you cope. Heather shares a coaching conversation that will change how you handle disruptions, delays, and the ...
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Episode 302
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17:39
The Real Reason You Struggle With Sales
301 - Ever felt weird about “selling” your photography services—especially to people you know? You’re not alone. In this episode, we dive into the hidden mindset blocks that stop you from confidently sharing your business. And spoiler alert: it...
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Episode 301
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26:13
Why Our Photography Inquiry Process is Broken
300- Your photography inquiry process that’s been being taught for years is broken. In this episode, Nicole and Heather unpack a bold new approach to make your services easier to book and your client experience smoother from the very first clic...
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Episode 300
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39:20
299 - Why There's No "Right Way"
Building on the ideas from Episode 298, Nicole and Heather are here to bust the myth of the “perfect way” to run your photography business. What if your business felt light, easy, and exciting again? Let’s dismantle the myth of the ...
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Episode 299
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39:14
The “Right Way” with Heather Lahtinen
298 - Raise your hand if you've ever thought: "There must be a right way to run this business—and I just haven't found it yet." This episode unpacks the very human urge to follow a blueprint...and why YOUR success might actually be waiting insi...
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Episode 298
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22:37
When Your Partner Doubts Your Business with Heather Lahtinen
297 - What do you do when someone close to you—like a spouse, a friend, or a parent—doubt your photography business? In this powerful coaching session, we dive into what it means to seek approval, how to set emotional boundaries, and why your s...
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Episode 297
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17:40
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Hello Business Spiral with Heather Lahtinen
296 - What do you do when you're doing all the “right” things… and it still feels like nothing’s working? This week’s episode is a raw and honest look inside a coaching call with one of our Elevate members—and how we used a mindset model (power...
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Episode 296
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22:56
Contracts, Copyright & Clients with Rachel Brenke
295 - Let’s face it—legal protections are rarely top-of-mind when we’re just starting out. But trust me, ignoring them could cost you thousands. In this episode, I sit down with photographer-turned-attorney Rachel Brenke to unpack t...
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Episode 295
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49:36
What You Say Matters with Heather Lahtinen
294 - The way you talk about your business—especially to yourself—can shape your results more than you think. In this episode, Heather and I expose two phrases that seem harmless but are actually stalling growth, crushing confidence...
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Episode 294
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33:07
Breaking the 10K Ceiling with Michelle Crandall
293 - Michelle Crandall hit a $10,000 month in her pet photography business—but instead of popping champagne, her brain flipped out. If you’ve ever downplayed your wins or feared that success makes you “unrelatable,” this is the epi...
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Episode 293
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31:34
Ditch the Timeline with Heather Lahtinen
292 - Feeling like you "should be further along by now?" You're not alone—and you're not behind. Join me and Heather as we dismantle the myth of the perfect timeline and explore what it really means to build a business you ...
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Episode 292
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38:16
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