The Artisan CEO

On this Top 5 episode, I’ll be sharing the five best business books I’ve read, why I'd recommend them for you, and the impact they’ve had on my own business. You’ll also get a peek at what’s next on my reading list, in case you care to tag along for the journey! My Top 5 Books: Deep Work by Cal Newport* Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey* Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull* ...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about the single most profitable chunk of time we spend on the business every week- and no, it isn’t spent pitching.  We’ll be covering exactly how we spend the half hour block and how you can implement the exact same process to make a dent on those big dreams that’ve been sitting on the back burner for months… maybe even years. Season 2 Episode 2 : CEOs Don’...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about how to send and receive fewer emails, which is music to the ears of anyone with an inbox that gives them anxiety.  We’ll be covering the two tools I use that not only slash the number of emails we receive, but also serve our clients better than we possibly could have done when trying to run everything out of the inbox. Resources mentioned: Traction by G...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about how to get booked for travel shoots.  We’ll be covering marketing to other geographical locations and how to jumpstart your roster of travel clients, and I’ll be answering the question “how do I get clients to commit to flying me out, on top of my session fee?” Resources mentioned: Season 1 Episode 9 : Being So Good They Can't Ignore You Season 1 Episod...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about outsourcing, and why it’s time to fire yourself from some of those tasks that are currently taking up valuable real estate on your to-do list.  We’ll be covering the 5 signs that it’s time to hire out, and I’ll be answering the question “what is the actual cost in hard dollars to insist on doing everything yourself?” Resources mentioned: Recency Bias Wi...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about why you need consistent office hours, even if you’re a photography business of one and you work from home 90% of the time.  We’ll be covering both the professional AND the personal necessity of predictable work hours, and I’ll be answering the question “how do I get my clients to respect my schedule?” Resources mentioned: Rest by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang *...

What a ride it’s been over the last couple of months! This officially marks the end of season 1 of The Artisan CEO, and I’m not even close to being done! Let's round things out with a flourish- I'm sharing four lessons I’ve learned from working on this first season of the podcast. I’ll be working on the next set of episodes over this two week break, so if there’s a specific topic you’re hoping I’l...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about why you need to diversify your marketing channels beyond Social Media. Remember when the Meta platforms experienced a massive outage in November 2021? Millions were left disconnected from their followers, friends, and family. It highlighted the risks of relying solely on one platform for communication and marketing. We'll be going through Julie Chenell's fou...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about a topic that often sends shivers down the spine of many creatives: numbers. Numbers aren’t your enemy, even when you’re an artist and feel like your work is on the opposite end of the spectrum from the math side of things. The less afraid you are of facing the numbers, the better you’ll be able to predict your income, know when to course correct (and HOW to...

On this episode, we’ll delve into the world of streamlining your business operations through the power of Standard Operating Procedures. I'll be sharing some personal anecdotes and practical insights to help you implement SOPs in your own entrepreneurial journey. Resources mentioned: Deep Work  by Cal Newport* Brand Photography Academy Honeybook  (get 50% off your first year with this li...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about what it takes to become "so good they can't ignore you." I’ve invested a LOT in photography & business education over the years-cumulatively, we’re talking tens of thousands of dollars. Why? Because courses and coaching, even books, they’re all ethical forms of shortcuts! This has lead me to refuse to accept “good enough” as good enough, and to become a...

On this episode, I chat with Dennah Renee, good friend of mine and on-set assistant for my travel shoots. She’s been a business owner for over 3 years and is in the process of transitioning into brand photography full time joining Brand Photography Academy in March of 2021. Before that, she had experimented with doing some headshots, but she didn’t know how to get the results she knew were po...

On this episode, we’ll explore the question: "If I had to start my business from scratch, how would I do it?" This question becomes especially relevant in a world where digital assets, like social media followings, can vanish overnight. I share personal insights and experiences from a dozen years in the business, emphasizing the importance of a strong foundation over fleeting success. Resources me...

On this episode, we're diving into a pivotal moment in my career journey – the transition from wedding to brand photography. I'm sharing my accidental foray into brand photography, sparked by a friend's need for cohesive website images. Initially a side offer, it eventually turned into my full-time profession through the strategic use of beta clients to build my portfolio and establish expertise....

On this episode, we’ll be delving deep into the world of branding. It's a term that's buzzing everywhere nowadays, with more brand strategists, designers, and photographers emerging than ever before. But why this sudden surge? Well, let's explore the factors behind this acceleration together. Resources mentioned: Branding Foundations Brand Photography Academy abbygrace.co/podcast

On this episode, we’ll be talking about the reason behind why I left the wedding industry. I candidly reflect on the pivotal moments, challenges, and triumphs encountered along the way, offering insights into the transformative process of aligning my career with my values and aspirations. Resources mentioned: Brand Photography Academy abbygrace.co/podcast

On this episode, we'll be talking about the struggles of maintaining control in your entrepreneurial journey and how to step back into the driver's seat of your business. I'll discuss the importance of setting boundaries, pacing yourself, and outsourcing tasks to avoid burnout. I'll share practical tips and strategies for regaining control and staying true to your vision as an entrepreneur. Resour...

On this episode, we’ll be jumping into the tricky world of pricing in the creative industry. As an artist, society isn’t going to be the one to tell you you should charge more in order to turn a profit- it’s going to come down to you knowing what it costs to run your business, what you need to bring in in order to meet your financial needs, what kind of long-term savings goals you have like colleg...

On this episode, we’ll be talking about the delicate balance between artistry and entrepreneurship. I share my personal insights and experiences, exploring how I've learned to harmonize my passion for creativity with the strategic mindset required to run a successful business. Resources mentioned: Brand Photography Academy abbygrace.co/podcast

You started your business because you love photography… but when it comes to the marketing, strategy, and admin side of things? It’s slowly killing the joy you once found in your craft. You worry that too much structure will throttle your ability to think creatively…but as it turns out, strategy isn’t suffocating- it’s freeing! And “profit” isn’t a dirty, four-letter word- it’s an essential ingred...