The Artisan CEO

This episode is a conversation with with my friend Ashley Braswell, FB ads expert and founder of The Paid Ad Academy, and we’re talking all about running paid ads for service-based businesses (something I’ve been dismissive of for a long time!). Spoiler alert, she totally changed my perspective on spending money on Facebook ads when it comes to high-ticket offers like brand sessions. Resources men...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about what it looks like to adapt your style or approach to fit the creative needs of a project- I recently had the opportunity to participate in recording sessions for a new single our church worship team just released, and along the way I learned a LOT about the importance of teamwork, flexibility, and humility, especially when listening back on the work we put...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about the S-word- Selling. It’s a topic that makes a lot of artists want to hide or take a shower, but what if I told you that your prospects actually WANT you to sell to them? We’ll be covering the main hurdles photographers face when it comes to selling and how to finally get over them so you can serve your clients and get paid well for it. Resources mentioned:...

On this episode we’re celebrating the podcast’s first birthday with a look at lessons learned from my first year of podcasting, and where we’re planning to take the podcast in year 2! Resources mentioned: Brands That Book Podcast The Goal Digger Podcast Unsinkable Marketing Jon Acuff Yeti Mic Shure Mic Isolation Shield abbygrace.co/podcast

On this episode, we’ll be talking about how to receive criticism, whether that’s constructive criticism or… less than constructive. We’ll be covering how to process feedback that makes you feel sick, glean what you can, and keep it from completely consuming you for days on end. Resources mentioned: Season 3, Episode 2 : Go home, Imposter Syndrome- You’re Drunk abbygrace.co/podcast

On this episode, we’ll be talking about the concept of masterminds- we’ll be covering what they are, why I joined one, and what to look for in a mastermind you’re considering signing up for. Resources mentioned: Deep Work by Cal Newport* Season 1, Episode 9: The most valuable 30 minutes of every week Unsinkable Marketing podcast abbygrace.co/podcast *Please note that these are affiliate links and...

On this episode, we’re talking about reading the signs of when it’s time to update your brand photographs- this episode is for anyone who runs a creative small business, whether you’re a photographer, copywriter, calligrapher, butcher, baker, or candlestick maker. We’ll be covering the telltale signs that you need an appointment with your brand photographer, so you can keep your brand assets fresh...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about running a business with and working alongside your spouse! I’m so grateful my husband Matt is joining me for this episode- we’ll be covering how we made the decision to work together, how it started, how it’s going, and lessons learned along the way. Buckle up- this is a good one. Resources mentioned: Success Beyond The Lens our Virtual Assistant company Sea...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about onboarding new brand clients- how to welcome them into your pipeline and set you both up for success, resulting in a noticeable improvement in their experience AND the final product. And the best news is that you can almost completely automate the process!!  Resources mentioned: Honeybook (get 50% off your first year with this link!)* Commercial or Stoc...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about how to have great conversations at conferences and in-person industry events. We’ll be covering the do’s and don’ts of conversation-starting questions, and I’ve got a list of ten great starters to help you have more in depth, impactful conversations, even if it’s the first time you’re meeting someone.

On this episode, I’ll be sharing our story of infertility- the pain and sorrow, but also the hope and joy that we found as a result. I’ll be covering our journey from beginning to try for a family, through the medical treatments we pursued, through where we are today. So, welcome to a very non-traditional episode of the podcast- I hope it encourages you.  Thanks for listening- it’s been a joy...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about the worst investments I’ve made in my dozen+ years of business! We’ll be covering my biggest regrets when it comes to AGP dollars I’ve spent, and the one investment that may have been a waste of money during my wedding photography days, but that I’d probably still choose to spend on now that I’m a brand photographer. Resources mentioned: Influence by Robert...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about the best investments I’ve made in my business over the last 13 years…. We’ll be covering where I’ve spent the most money, how it’s paid off, and which investments I’ll be prioritizing this year. Resources mentioned: Tonic Site Shop * Podcast Launch Bestie by Angie Jordan Powerplayers Club by Adrienne Richardson (Home Team ADvantage DIY was a course open duri...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about travel hacks for brand photographers! We’ll be covering both the best and worst practices I’ve found for traveling long distances for client work, and I’ll be answering the question “how do I make sure I arrive with all my gear in tow and intact?” Resources mentioned: Showit * Season 2 Episode 3 : Want to Book More Travel Shoots? Here's Your Roadmap Canvas b...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about what running 19.3 miles through the Walt Disney World parks taught me about running a business. I’ll be sharing how I finally learned to stop looking over my shoulder, and why I’m actually proud of finishing slower for this year’s race than I did the year before.” Resources mentioned: Brand Photography Academy abbygrace.co/podcast

On this episode, we’ll be talking about imposter syndrome, that insidious little voice that, if left unchecked, can do untold damage to your business. We’ll be covering how to recognize imposter syndrome at work, the unexpected perks of that voice, and how to stop the “oh my gosh, I’m a complete fraud” spiral when you’re in the midst of a crisis. Resources mentioned: Wired Article: Why the Human B...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about the automations that every brand photographer needs built into their business to create a better client experience and stop wasting precious time and energy. We’ll be covering the top 5 automations we use in our business, and the software you can use to implement the same time-saving processes in your own business. Resources mentioned: Season 2, Episode 2 :...

On this episode, I’m sharing my review of the Marketer’s Heart 2023 conference that I just attended! We’ll be covering who the conference was for, what I thought of the whole thing, my main takeaways from some of the speakers, and what kind of conference you might want to consider attending this year. Resources mentioned: WPPI Marketer's Heart Conference Funnel Gorgeous FG Funnels * Wendy Conklin...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about how we’ve approached childcare as small business owners who work from home! I’m detailing how our childcare situation has evolved from being childless to having one, then two, and how we’ve gradually incorporated more outside help as our kids get older. Resources mentioned: Felix's adoption story Teddy's adoption story Brand Photography Academy abbygrac...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about lighting! More specifically, I’m addressing artificial lighting. We’ll be covering the basic equipment EVERY photographer needs to have in their gear bag, and the foundational knowledge that every professional photographer needs to possess in order to serve your clients, no matter what kind of weather mother nature decides to serve up on the day of a shoot!...

Today I’ve got a very special bonus episode that I can’t wait for you to hear! On this episode I’m speaking with community leader & author Natalie Franke, who also happened to be my very first brand client ever! Natalie’s new website is HOT off the presses with a complete overhaul of her visual brand- we’re talking a fresh logo, color palette, typography, and spankin new brand photos by yours...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about the biggest mental hurdle I’ve encountered as a business owner- the scarcity vs. abundance mindset. I’m not normally one to talk about something as wooly as mindsets, I’m a fact-loving fiend, but there’s research to back-up WHY a mindset of abundance leads to higher levels of satisfaction and happiness. I likely would have quit my business years ago out of s...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about how to STOP working during vacation! I’m recording this episode in December and a lot of us are currently looking forward to an end of the year hiatus. But I would argue that it doesn’t really count as vacation if you keep sneaking peeks at your laptop and work apps. So on this episode, we’ll be covering how to prepare your inbox and your clients for time aw...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about email lists. They seem to be spoken about as an absolute necessity for small business owners, so today, we’ll be exploring whether or not that’s true, talking through the purpose of a list, so you can decide whether or not it’s time to start collecting email addresses from your audience members. Resources mentioned: Brand Photography Academy Abby Grace Shop...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about burnout- how you got there, why you and I both know you can’t stay there, and how to get out of it. We’ll be walking through several steps you can take to galvanize your work and your soul back to a place of inspiration and creativity, and how to avoid getting there in the first place in the future. Resources mentioned: "Job burnout: How to spot it and take...