Profitable Photographer Podcast

Okay photographers — if you love people, love creating, and would also really like to make good money doing it, this one’s for you. This is a new interview with the amazing Chip Dizard. We had such a great conversation a few years ago that I reposted it, and everyone loved it so much I knew I had to have him back. Chip is a photographer and entrepreneur who’s amazing at helping creatives build and...

Do you want to sell your travel or scenic photography? You are not alone. So many have this desire, and so few are actually successful and profitable in selling their personal work. My guest is an incredible PPA Master Photographer, an ASP Fellow, and a highly profitable photographer, both with his studio work and his gorgeous, award-winning travel and nature photography. And he shares lots of tip...

Is it time for you to give back? Is your heart calling you to use your talents to help others? My guest, Amina Mohamed, is here to talk about her non-profit called “Cameras for Girls” and her efforts to bring the art of photography and photojournalism to young women across Africa who likely would not otherwise have had the opportunity to explore it.  In 2018, she started an initiative with a missi...

Hey friend. Thought I would do something different since this is dropping on Christmas Eve day. I’m sharing a few of my own holiday memories, just to share more about me personally. In thinking of stories to tell you, I realized how many memories are in my mental vault because there are photographs that anchored them to my experiences and emotions around them. Some things I do remember clearly… an...

Today on The Profitable Photographer, I’m hanging out with Jason Guy, and super successful boudoir photographer based in Sonoma, California. He has spent the last ten years photographing women in a way that’s honest, empowering, and beautifully lit. He says his job is showing clients what they look like from their best angles—but what I loved is hearing how his clients ended up changing him. From...

I have always wanted to sit down with someone that knows all about Facebook/ Meta ads…how to do them, the cost, and the benefits. And my guest today knows all about this. I spent time talking (actually grilling) Brennan Haelig, the founder of Jumpstart ROI—an agency managing millions in ad spend and known for helping creatives (especially photographers) grow with simple, practical marketing. He ev...

After you listen to this amazing conversation with Lori and me sharing all about psychology-based sales strategies... then run, don't walk, and sign up for her "Vision Forward Summit" going on now through Dec 14th, which features 25+ top educators teaching the business of photography.  www.visionforwardsummit.com/ Each day, two photographers share their wisdom about running a successful photograph...

Hi friends, it’s Luci. After more than 200 conversations with photographers and educators, I’ve collected a treasure chest of “aha” moments—some that made me laugh, some that surprised me, and some that completely changed how I look at this crazy, wonderful business. In this episode, I’m sharing ten of the best lessons. Here’s a little sneak peek: Relationships really are the secret sauce. The pho...

This week, my conversation is about two topics…how to get fabulous portrait and weddings, and how to be more inclusive of people with different backgrounds, orientations, and such. The amazing Chip Dizárd is my guess and is a photographer, educator, tech-enthusiast, and someone who builds business with purpose, passion, and people at the center. Chip shares how a Christmas gift — an Atari 2600 — s...

My guest this week, Rob Brown, is super smart and nice and knows how to get things done(and be very profitable) by being efficient and organized. He is such a great example of what can happen when passion meets process.  What started as a hobby has grown into a thriving six-figure business photographing schools, sports teams, and communities across Mississippi. Since 2020, Rob has built a studio t...

This week, I had the pleasure of talking with Shawna Pearce, a fine art photographer who creates charming heirloom portraits that weave together storytelling, history, and emotion. She also love love loves teaching other creatives how to master the art of editing and storytelling so they, too, can create their own legacy images. Shawna started her career about 15 years ago photographing newborns a...

This week, we’re heading to Texas! My guest is Cris Duncan, the new head of the legendary Texas School of Professional Photography—one of the biggest and most loved PPA affiliate schools in the country. Cris and his wife, Deanna, run CJ Duncan Photography in Lubbock, creating beautiful portrait and commercial work. He’s also a PPA Juror, CPP Instructor, founder of Find Your Focus Photographic Educ...

This solo episode is especially meaningful for me because it’s about one of my favorite and most important topics—how to start and grow a photography business that lasts. After more than 40 years as a full-time portrait and wedding photographer, and business coaching, I’ve experienced just about everything this career can bring—the excitement, the challenges, the creative joy, and the ups and down...

Oh my gosh, I learned so much in this episode, and I absolutely loved this conversation all about pets and the pet photography business. My guest, Lisa Francescon, is such an amazing teacher and a wonderful photographer with a huge heart for animals. Based in the Illinois/Iowa Quad Cities, Lisa has been photographing families and children since 2004, and in 2016 she found her true passion — pet po...

I am so excited to share this conversation with the fabulous Renee Bowen on The Profitable Photographer! You may know her for her beautiful senior portraits, but these days she’s also coaching photographers and creatives on how to not only grow their businesses but also rewire their mindset for real, lasting success. What I love about Renee is that she blends her background in psychology and neuro...

I am so excited to introduce you to Kate DeCoste and her thoughts about the importance of storytelling as photographers. In business since 2009, she calls herself a “confidence curator and small-town sparkplug” based in Wahoo, Nebraska. What I love is that she helps people show up authentically on camera, and her sessions feel more like a celebration than a checklist. Her background is really fasc...

This episode is a “BUFFET” of ideas and quotes about the power of attraction, the importance of visualizing, and why positivity is one of our most important tools for success in business. I can’t possibly cover everything about any one of these tools in 25 minutes, so I decided to share a handful of teachers and quotes that have helped me in my life and career. As a professional photographer for o...

Okay, let’s face it. Creatives have special challenges when it comes to being organized and keeping track of our stuff. The reasons can vary. There might be issues with all the things we use that “norm-ies” don’t need, like a list of things needed as a photographer, including cords, lenses, batteries, cameras, chargers, props, and so on. Or the reason can be that we have many different projects go...

Welcome to a super informative episode of The Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas! This week, I’m joined by longtime friends, industry icons, and master photographers Bert and Cindy Behnke — and oh, what a fun and insightful conversation we had! Bert and Cindy ran a 68-year-old, three-generation portrait business in the Chicago suburbs until they passed the torch in 2024. Specializing in fine...

This week I get to hang out with Jeff Rojas—a mellow, super talented commercial photographer and former Adobe rep who’s been in the photography game for 14 years. His story started with something really personal…photographing a classic car with his grandfather…and it grew into a career that’s full of lessons for all of us. Jeff and I cover a lot of ground in this episode, including the business of...

This week on The Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas, it’s just me, spilling some of my favorite secrets for running a thriving photography business. Think of it as coffee with a friend who’s been at this for decades—and is ready to save you a few headaches. Here’s a taste of what I share:       •     Why three bank accounts might just be your new best friends       •     The rookie mistake mo...

It was fun to chat with another California photographer, Jeff Galinovsky, all about the business side of photography. He has been at it since 1988 (yep, with a Minolta Maxxum 7000!) and now runs a thriving business in high-volume sports, senior and family portraits, corporate branding, and events. He’s a CPP, Master of Photography, President of the Professional Photographers of Sacramento Valley,...

This week on The Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas, I’m so excited to bring you a conversation that’s both fun and super practical—especially if you’ve been curious (or intimidated!) about using video to grow your photography business. My guest is Shayna Lloyd—photographer, videographer, storyteller, and an all-around inspiring human. Shayna shared how she accidentally built a business by si...

This week on The Profitable Photographer, I’m joined by the talented and super-fun Jenny Gegg—classically trained photographer, Certified Professional Photographer, Craftsman, and wedding specialist with over 26 years of experience. Jenny LOVES photographing weddings (her words: “It’s literally the best day of their life, and I get to witness it!”), and she’s built her business around creating an...

Are you tired of the old myth that being an artist means being broke? In this solo episode, I take on the “starving artist” mindset that holds so many talented photographers back—and gives you fresh ways to flip the script. Whether you’re struggling to charge what you’re worth, feel crushed by rejection, or stuck believing you need to be “perfect” to make money, this episode is for you.   Question...