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
314 episodes
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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1:02:24
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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1:41:36
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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26:27
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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37:15
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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43:06
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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18:30
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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27:04
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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40:12
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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40:05
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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23:29
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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18:32
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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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23:47
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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50:27
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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33:58
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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32:26
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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39:08
AI-Powered SEO with Connor Walberg
291 - Feeling lost in the ever-changing world of SEO? Or wondering if using AI for your website is going to get you smacked down by Google? You’re not alone—and this week’s episode with SEO pro Connor Walberg is packed with answers....
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Episode 291
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41:01
Elevate Your Artwork (and Sales)
290 - Let’s talk luxury, artistry, and one-of-a-kind craftsmanship. In this episode, I chat with Amy and Tavis Guild about their journey into creating Guild Canvas, why offering high-end art matters, and how photographers can shift ...
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Episode 290
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51:19
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Your Business, But Happier
289 - What if the secret to building a successful photography business wasn’t more hustle—but more joy?In this uplifting and radically honest episode, I'm joined by J. Nichole Smith, branding guru and joy-first evangelist, to explore wha...
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Episode 289
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47:55
The Sale-Killing Mistake You’re Probably Making
288 - What if I told you that your assumptions about what a client can spend have nothing to do with reality—and everything to do with your mindset? Ever looked at a client’s house, car, or outfit and thought, “They’ll neve...
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Episode 288
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34:17
$15 files? Don't panic.
287 - What do you do when someone in your market is offering free sessions and $15 files? You listen to this episode, that’s what. Deep breath, my friend. In this episode, we’re revisiting a powerful conversation about how to thriv...
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Episode 287
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24:09
The Truth About Part Time
286 - If you’ve ever said, “I’m just doing this on the side,” and used that to justify your low prices… this episode is your wake-up call. We’re pulling back the curtain on the actual math of part-time profitability, common mindset traps that k...
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17:13
Sales Without Sleaze
285 - If the word “sales” makes you feel a little… icky, you’re not alone. Many photographers dread the sales process, fearing they’ll come off as pushy or make their clients uncomfortable. But here’s the thing—sales should be about service...
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30:32