Profitable Photographer Podcast

This conversation with Zoe Martin touched my heart in such a deep way. Zoe is the founder of Moments by Zoe Martin, where she creates luxury legacy storytelling experiences that preserve not just faces, but voices, stories, and emotional inheritance for generations to come. After losing her sister to breast cancer, Zoe was inspired to turn her grief into something meaningful—helping families captu...

Some people come into your lives and change everything. Today's episode is a conversation with one of the most inspiring and magnetic people I have been lucky enough to know. She was my coach, mentor, friend, guest, and client. She passed away last week, and I hope that revisiting this conversation will inspire you as much as she inspired everyone who knew her. About this interview... I think it’s...

Sooooo….I have often called The Baby Whisperer OR Every Kids’ Aunt Luci. I happen to be and an award-winning Master Craftsman photographer, but my favorite award (or reward) is capturing the delight a child brings in a photograph and sharing with my clients After 10 years photographing weddings, I pivoted to my first love, children. For the next 20 plus years I photographed newborns, toddlers, chi...

What a fun conversation I had with my friend Rachel Sorbet! Rachel specializes in branding and executive portraits for businesswomen, and she shared so many gems about creating a successful photography business that feels authentic and rewarding. I have watched her go from “imposter syndrome” to a super-successful Boss Babe (aka a very successful photographer) in just 8 years. We chatted about the...

My conversation with family photographer and business coach Jill C. Smith is a deep dive into pricing, marketing, client experience, and building a photography business that fits your life. If you know me at all, you know how I am always on my soapbox about selling printed wall art and albums. So you might be surprised by our conversation about why Jill is a huge fan of selling digital files only....

This episode is such an encouraging conversation about photography, money, and building a life that actually feels good. I sat down with photographer and business coach Mycah Bain to talk about financial freedom, mindset shifts, creating wealth without guilt, and why getting support in your business can completely change your life. Mycah shares how she grew her photography business into a multi-si...

Have you ever donated a photo session to a charity event… and wondered if it was actually worth it? If you want to know how to get booked solid without competing in the online world, you will want to listen and take notes. Today, I’m sharing how I used charity auctions and giveaways to attract ideal clients who invest well and helped my photography business thrive—without discounting my value or f...

In this episode of The Profitable Photographer, I had such a delightful conversation with Karen Wood about the art and business of newborn photography….and the business of photography for any specialty. Karen Wood is an award-winning newborn photographer, educator, and speaker based in Dallas. She has photographed everything from sports and weddings to family portraits, but her passion today is ne...

I had such a great conversation with Marcin Rafalowicz in this episode of The Profitable Photographer. He’s incredibly smart, thoughtful, and inspiring, and we talked about so much more than photography. We dove into mindset shifts, perfectionism, confidence, AI, automation, networking, and what it really takes to build a profitable business without trying to do everything alone. One of my favorit...

On The Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas, I’m joined by the wonderful Kimberly Olker for a conversation about pivoting, community, creativity, and building a photography business that can evolve with you over time. Kimberly has been a professional photographer for more than 20 years, specializing in Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, and portraiture. She’s also a Master Photographer, Photograph...

In this solo episode, I’m talking about something so many photographers and creatives struggle with: learning to separate our work from our worth. It’s easy to believe that if clients love our images, we are lovable… and if they don’t book, buy, or question our pricing, somehow we’re not enough. The truth is: your value is inherent. It is not determined by sales, praise, bookings, or outside valid...

I was really excited for this conversation with Jamar Jones—and it did not disappoint. He’s the real deal when it comes to branding, mindset, and building a business that actually grows. He was a featured speaker at PPA’s Imaging Expo this year and got rave reviews. Author of the book Change Your Circle, Change Your Life AND host of The Foureva Podcast. In this rich conversation, Jamar shares how...

I was so jazzed to have a conversation with Ashley Lowder, a boutique newborn and maternity photographer and educator in Huntsville, Alabama. It was fantastic! She shares how she built a highly profitable business by focusing on exceptional client experience, not just taking pictures. Ashley walks us through her concierge-style approach—from the first phone call to visiting clients in their homes,...

Chris Wooley, M.Photog., Cr., CPP, F-PPW—also known as The Photo Professor—is one of those people who makes you think differently in the best way. He’s a photographer, educator, and President-Elect of the American Society of Photographers, and he’s built his career around helping photographers make smarter, more intentional decisions. And honestly… that’s what this whole conversation is about. We...

In this solo episode, I explore the heart of photography—light. Inspired by the idea that “lighting is the love language of photography,” I delved into my passion and knowledge of light and lighting…and shared how light has the power to transform ordinary moments into something emotional, artistic, and truly unforgettable. This isn’t just about technique—it’s about learning to see light, shape it,...

I LOVED this episode of The Profitable Photographer with Suzanne Luttig, and I have to say—this conversation completely shifted the way I think about real estate photography. It was so popular in 2023, I decided to give it a “reboot.” What I love most about Suzanne’s journey is how intentional she was from the very beginning. When she decided to become a photographer, she didn’t just “wing it.” Sh...

This episode felt like such a full-circle moment for me. I’m talking with my former photography mentee, Cortnie Davis, who has grown from an 18-year-old wedding photographer into a thoughtful consultant helping creative entrepreneurs build calmer, more sustainable businesses. Cortnie began her career behind the camera and later added floristry to her creative life. Today she works at the intersect...

You will love this wonderful conversation with my Canadian friend Cristina Sacco — a photographer who has built a thriving career for more than 20 years by staying curious, saying yes to opportunities, and bringing heart into everything she photographs. Cristina is the founder of Boy Girl Photography, where she photographs newborns and families, and Stetati Media, where she works with corporate an...

I had the absolute joy of talking with my friend, Valerie Tabor Smith — one of the most published children’s photographers in the world and a pro at art licensing. Valerie’s career is fascinating. She began in wedding photography, discovered her love for babies and children, and eventually built an international licensing business with her images appearing on greeting cards, calendars, and product...

I can hardly believe this is episode 350. What a gift this podcast has been — listened to in over 110 countries — and I’m so grateful you’re here. In this solo episode, I’m diving into one of my favorite topics: posing people in a way that captures not just how they look… but who they are. Because for me, portrait photography has never been about perfection. It’s about revealing that inner light....

Okay, I need to strongly suggest going to my guest’s website thewaysofthedog.com to see her amazing photography.  Jen Hillenga is creating some of the most beautiful, soulful pet photography in New York City, and I’m completely obsessed with her work. And she shares how she has created both wonderful images and a highly profitable business. Jen is a world-renowned portrait photographer, designer,...

You are going to LOVE “The Queen of Sassy”, Marisa Balletti-Lavoie — A PPA Master Photographer, branding coach, and evangelist for finding your own voice and style. We have a really fun and honest conversation about confidence, and how to show up as your unique self in business. Marisa shares her journey from retail and retouching to photography and coaching, and how she learned to stop playing sm...

This episode is all about Color…the science, emotional responses, and even how to use it in our art and in branding. I had the most interesting chat with J. Nichole Smith — or Nic — about why color affects how people feel about your work, why it matters more than you think, and how leaning into joy and self-expression can make your brand stronger. Nic knows her stuff. As a marketing insider, color...

I’m so excited to share an episode with you I wish I could have listened to her during my 12 year wedding business. I sat down with the incredibly talented Alicia Parks to talk about something we don’t discuss nearly enough in photography: how to stay calm, energized, and grounded on high-pressure wedding days. Alicia made the leap from corporate America into photography, and she’s built an amazin...

This is such an important question I get all the time….When do I tell people my pricing — and how much should I say? If you’ve ever felt awkward, pressured, or unsure when someone asks, “How much do you charge?”, you’re not alone. So I decided to share a lot of my thoughts and strategies with you in this solo episode. I talk about why leading with price too soon can cost you wonderful clients, how...