The Pet Photographers' Journal

What actually makes a pet photography business sustainable long term? In this episode, Ina sits down with Tatum from The Social Dog Company for a raw, honest conversation about what it really takes to build a profitable pet business without burning out or relying on paid ads. Tatum shares her journey from running dog-friendly events and rescue fundraisers to rebuilding her business from absolute r...

Welcome to Season Two:A New Season, A Clearer Focus: How I’m Approaching 2026 Season Two of The Pet Photographers’ Journal is officially here. In this solo episode, Ina kicks off 2026 with a grounded, honest reset for pet photographers who want more clarity, more momentum, and a business that actually supports their life. Ina shares what she’s seeing across the industry, what the data is telling u...

It is officially the Season Finale! Whether you are wrapping presents, driving to visit family, or taking a well-deserved break, join me, Ina for this short, special solo episode to wrap up 2025. In this episode, I pull back the curtain on my first full year of coaching. From the surprise success of launching The Pet Photographers Journal after the closure of The Pet Photographers Club , to the ve...

This episode is a deep, honest look at what it really takes to run a photography business with multiple moving parts. I’m joined by equine and pet photographer Louise Sedgman, who has spent more than a decade refining a business that holds two very different models at once. High-volume seasonal Santa sessions, and slow, boutique fine-art equine portraiture. We talk through how her Santa sessions e...

This episode is your gentle reset before we step into a brand new year. If you’ve been feeling the pressure of feast-or-famine bookings, uncertainty around pricing, or the constant juggle between loving the art and dreading the business side… you’re not alone. So many pet photographers have lived the same roller coaster, and this conversation will help you step off it. In this episode I walk you t...

Today’s guest is Jodie Humphries , a pet-obsessed SEO specialist and freelance copywriter who helps pet businesses connect with the dog parents searching for them. She blends her background in SEO with her lived experience as a devoted dog mum to Wally, bringing a unique understanding of what pet owners actually want to read, search for, and buy. In this episode, we walk through her Simple SEO Met...

What separates the photographers who stay consistently booked from those who struggle month to month? In this episode, Ina sits down with Andrew Hellmich , host of the legendary PhotobizX Podcast and one of the most respected voices in the photography business world. After more than 600 interviews , Andrew has seen the patterns, the pitfalls, and the powerful habits that set successful photographe...

What does it really take to run a profitable, sustainable photography business, one that still feels creative and fun? In this episode, Ina chats with Annemie Tonkin , photographer, educator, and founder of This Can’t Be That Hard , about the business strategies that actually work and why success isn’t just about talent, but about understanding how to think like a business owner. They dive into wh...

If your website feels like a digital business card instead of a lead-converting machine… this episode will help you change that. I’m joined by the brilliant Mikaela , founder of Pet Marketing Unleashed and the host of the Pet Marketing Unleashed Podcast. She designs high-converting pet business websites (yes… including pet photographers) and teaches SEO in a way that finally makes sense. We chat a...

It’s Not Your Pricing. It’s Your Capacity with Heather Lahtinen Are you holding yourself back without even realising it? Today on The Pet Photographers’ Journal, I’m joined by the incredible Heather Lahtinen from the Flourish Academy. Heather has helped thousands of photographers shift their thinking, expand their capacity, and finally step into the business growth they’ve been chasing. We dive in...

If you’ve ever struggled to show why your pet photography business matters (beyond “cute photos”), this episode will change how you think about storytelling and marketing forever. In this heartfelt and insightful conversation, I’m joined by Beth Lambert , founder of Fuzzy Face Media , a niche video production and education brand helping pet professionals attract the right clients and team members...

Today on The Pet Photographers’ Journal , I’m joined by Dave Pidgeon, the creative mind behind The Dog’s Pyjamas, one of Australia’s go-to commercial pet photographers for brands like Dog by Dr. Lisa. Dave’s story is a masterclass in following your curiosity, adapting with the market, and building a niche that truly fits your personality. After two decades in photography and retouching, Dave left...

In today’s episode of The Pet Photographers’ Journal , I’m joined by Mark Rossetto , a double Master Photographer and one of Australia’s leading photography business coaches. Mark has spent almost 20 years in the industry, photographing over 500 families a year before becoming a full-time coach and founding the Professional Photography Business Network (PPBN) — a thriving global community for phot...

Branding isn’t just about having a pretty logo or the right colours. It’s about creating a consistent experience that builds trust and attracts the right clients. In this episode of The Pet Photographer’s Journal , Ina sits down with Kate Hendry , founder of Finbo Studio , a UK-based creative studio serving pet businesses. Kate doesn’t just talk theory, she helps pet brands put branding into actio...

In this episode of The Pet Photographers’ Journal , I sit down with Jessica Wasik, the award-winning photographer behind Bark & Gold Photography in Pittsburgh. Jessica shares how she built a thriving pet photography business that averages 80–90 sessions a year with sales around $3,500 per client, all while staying true to her love of products, print, and creating boutique experiences. We dive...

If you’ve ever finished a consultation call with a potential client only to hear “I’ll think about it” instead of “When can we book?” , then this episode is for you. In this solo episode of The Pet Photographers’ Journal, I’m breaking down the 5-step consultation call framework that helps you stop losing clients on the call and start booking more sessions with confidence. You’ll learn how to: Buil...

Finding Confidence, Consistency, and Clients with Bree Ruby Photography What happens when you love photographing pets but struggle with pricing, consistency, and building confidence in your offers? In this live coaching call, I chat with Bree Colenso of Bree Ruby Photography , a Melbourne-based pet photographer with a background as a vet nurse who specialises in heartfelt end-of-life sessions. Bre...

What does it really take to step out of being the bottleneck in your photography business and start building a team? In this episode of The Pet Photographers’ Journal , I sit down with Caitlin J. McColl , pet photographer, business coach, founder of Tails of the World , and host of the Focused on Time Podcast . Caitlin has grown her studio, Ragamuffin Pet Photography , into a thriving business sup...

What happens when your business plan is built around selling $25 digitals… and then a global pandemic cancels every single dog sports event on your calendar? For Michigan-based pet photographer Michelle Crandall of Pets in Focus , that reality became the turning point of her career. In this honest and inspiring conversation, Michelle shares how she: Pivoted from dog sports photography to pet portr...

In this solo episode of The Pet Photographers’ Journal, I’m unpacking a recent negative comment from a troll on one of my Instagram reels about marketing for pet photographers. Instead of letting it get under my skin, I took it as an opportunity to have a real conversation about what marketing actually is, why it matters for your photography business, and why the people who “don’t get it” aren’t t...

Today I’m joined by Nicole Begley, former zoological animal trainer turned pet photographer, educator, and the founder of Hair of the Dog Academy and Freedom Focus Formula. Nicole runs multiple businesses, helps pet photographers master both craft and business, and still finds time to run a non-profit supporting wildlife conservation. In this episode, we dig into: Why many photographers lose clien...

Feeling stuck competing with $150 sessions? In this episode, Ina redefines what luxury really means in pet photography, and it's not what you think. Discover how to position your business as a premium experience without needing a commercial studio or gold foil packaging, and learn the mindset shifts that helped Ina's clients invest $2,000-$6,000 regularly (with one $11,000 sale!) all from her home...

In this episode, I’m joined by J. Nichole Smith, brand architect, creative strategist, and founder of Joy First World . We explore what branding really means beyond logos and colours, how to stand out in a saturated pet photography market, and why emotional connection is the key to building a business that lasts. We talk about: Why “pet photographer” isn’t a niche anymore How to build desire inste...

In this episode of The Pet Photographers’ Journal , I chat with Gabi Kline Leon — an award-winning pet photographer known for creating bold, emotional images and consistently achieving $7K–$10K+ sales (including a recent $50K client!). Gabi shares how mindset, clear client communication, and purposeful pricing helped her build a sustainable, high-end business. We unpack her client journey, pricing...

In this episode of the Pet Photographers Journal, host Ina J Photography delves into the critical topic of pricing and mindset in the pet photography business. She shares her personal journey from undercharging as a side hustle to recognising the importance of valuing her work. The conversation highlights the hidden costs of undercharging, including burnout and attracting the wrong clients, and pr...