Unpopular Opinions with Sandra Coan | A Photography & Business Podcast

I started my business in 1999, which means this is my 27th year doing this  as my career.  I’ve been in my studio for 20 years. I run an education company that has served thousands of photographers around the world.  I’ve written two books, spoken at countless industry events and conferences, so by all accounts I’ve had a pretty successful career as a photographer.   And yet, at least once a month...

This is Unpopular Opinions, and today's unpopular opinion is this: your website and your blog are more important than ever. And AI is the new word of mouth marketing. Read the shownotes: https://sandracoanstudios.com/marketing-has-come-full-circle-and-heres-why-thats-good-news/ Sign up for my brand new class, Searchlight

Lately I've been talking about the new changes AI has brought to how clients find our businesses. Today I'm going to share a story about how client-centered marketing booked me a client while I slept. We'll discuss the data behind it and what you can do to build an online presence that answers real questions in a way that Google and AI can find and recommend. Join the Waitlist for my n...

A few weeks ago I sent a survey to my email list asking them to identify their biggest business struggle. 71% identified marketing as their biggest hurdle in their business. And honestly, that doesn’t really surprise me.  I’ve been mentoring and coaching other photographers for over a decade and photographers often tell me that marketing is there biggest struggle…  But, what does that even mean? T...

Twenty years ago, I signed a lease terrified, alone, with twin newborn twins at home and no guarantee any of it would work. I had no idea what I was doing. Just rent to pay, and a gut feeling I couldn't shake. What I know now is that the studio didn't just give me a place to work. It gave me a style, a community, a career I couldn't have predicted.  It pushed me to learn things I never...

The holidays are coming up and that means holiday photos! But how do you capture that fabulous holiday ambience when the light is terrible? We're going to talk about the challenges of lighting holiday photos and my tips and tricks (yes, we're talking about off-camera flash) for conquering them! The holidays are full of real emotional, beautiful moments and they deserve to be photographed w...

Unpopular opinion: I think "charge your worth" is terrible advice. Do you think you have a pricing problem? Let's talk about it! Here is that pricing worksheet I talked about: https://sandra-coan-photography.kit.com/99cf778aef You do not have to figure this out on your own! Check out my free webinar for more information: Sandracoanstudioslearn.sandracoanstudios.com/wm-freeworkshop

My goal with this podcast is to challenge industry myths, question the so-called ‘rules,’ and talk about what really works when it comes to building a photography business- based on my almost 30 years of experience. And today’s unpopular opinion is this: natural light isn’t always better. Grab my equipment list and get 10% off on you Westcott Lighting Gear Get 50% Lighting on Location: Off Camera...

It's important to remember that we all start as beginners! This week we're talking about the comparison trap, how to grow your business, and what I wish I could have told myself when I was first starting out. Ready to elevate your photography business? ⁠ Follow this link to book a call with Sandra to learn more:

Hi friends! This week on the the podcast, we're going to talk about how to attract clients who are happy to pay what you're worth. I call it the "Tripod Framework" ' - three simple pillars that transform your photography business. This is the exact system I used to go from borrowing gear to building a six-figure photography business. Ready to elevate your photography business...

Hey friends, it’s Sandra, and today I want to talk about something that’s been showing up a lot in my world lately — and maybe in yours too. It’s something that I think deserves an honest conversation. So buckle up, because we’re diving into a topic that’s part rant, part reflection, and totally from the heart. SHOWNOTES: https://sandracoanstudios.com/why-are-so-many-female-photographers-bullied-o...

I've spent the last year writing my new book, The Complete Guide to Family Photography, and on today's episode I'm sharing a little about the writing process as well as what's inside the new book! Publication date is Dec. 9th, 2025, but you can pre-order now! Just follow the links below! Amazon Barnes & Noble RockyNook

So you want to learn about off-camera flash but you're not sure which is the best class for you? This week on the podcast I'll break down exactly which class is best for you when it comes to learning how to create beautiful light with strobes and flash. SHOWNOTES https://sandracoanstudios.com/off-camera-flash-for-beginners-which-is-the-best-class-for-you/ BLOG POST: https://sandracoanstudios.com/o...

Now that Thanksgiving is over, we are ready for the holiday season. For photographers this can be a really busy time of year. One of the requests I get a lot this time of year is taking pictures of families in their homes in front of their Christmas trees! These can be really beautiful, festive photos BUT lighting them is difficult. Keep listening to learn exactly how to master this tricky lightin...

This week on the podcast we are focusing on the power of group coaching! A big component of what we do in Sandra Coan Certification is group coaching. We have two group coaching calls each and every month, and these are unscripted, unplanned conversations. I think these calls are amazing, but I know a lot of people haven't had the experience of being on one of these call before or maybe you're a l...

Hi friends, welcome back to the podcast! Today we are talking about booking clients as a photographer. If you are not finding clients OR you aren't getting the kind of clients you my want, you have a marketing problem! But the kind of marketing problem you have might surprise you! SHOWNOTES https://sandracoanstudios.com/how-to-find-more-photography-clients/ LINKS Free Training: How To Book More Ph...

Today we are talking mini sessions. Mini sessions are a hot topic - people either love them or hate them! I personally love mini session and I want to teach you how to run really profitable mini sessions this year. Keep listening to learn more! SHOWNOTES https://sandracoanstudios.com/how-to-market-and-sell-your-mini-sessions/ LINKS The Mini Method Sandra Coan Certification Program:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http...

Hi friends! On this episode, I brought members of Certification together to chat about our photography retreat this past July. We discuss key takeaways and discuss why in person retreats are so beneficial. Reminder: applications for Sandra Coan Certification are open! Read the shownotes here: https://sandracoanstudios.com/are-photography-retreats-worth-it/ Follow this link to apply: https://www.sa...

I'm back from my summer sabbatical and have some great episodes planned for you this fall! On this episode I'm sharing about the exciting things that happened over the summer, and giving a sneak peek into the episodes I have planned for the rest of the year. Also, applications for Sandra Coan Certification are open! Follow this link to apply: https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/scc-application And...

I started my photography business in 1999, and I had my twins in 2006.  So I had been in business for a while before becoming a mom and I remember feeling super worried about how I was going to run a business while also being a good mom once they were born. I was afraid the business would take too much time and would pull me away from my kids. I was worried that my kids would pull me away from the...

This week on the podcast, I chatted with photographer and SEO expert, Liz Putnam. Liz is a Sandra Coan Certified photographer and is teaching a workshop at our upcoming Certification Retreat. Stay tuned to hear her tips for photographer getting started with SEO! SHOWNOTES https://sandracoanstudios.com/2024/06/11/what-every-photographer-needs-to-know-about-seo-with-liz-putnam/ LIZ PUTNAM SEO 3 Day...

Last week I hosted an “Open House” Zoom call for people who had questions about Sandra Coan Certification, and several of our current members joined the callNow, it’s one thing for me to slide into your inbox and tell you how great Sandra Coan Certification is. It’s another thing entirely to hear what the people who are in the program have to say! Here are some of the take-aways the call! SHOWNOTE...

We’re opening applications for Sandra Coan Certification is just two weeks!  And so on today’s episode, I’d love to talk discuss the elephant in the room in regards to that program which is, do you need a certification to be a professional photographer?  And are there any benefits to having one?  Is it actually necessary?  So if you are considering joining the Sandra Coan Certification program, or...

One of the benefits about being in the Sandra Coan Certification program is the opportunity to have one-on-one meetings with me as you work through the program. I know a lot of people have questions about what the one-on-one calls are like, so you can listen to one! Sit down with me and Laura Watts Walsh to talk about Certification! SHOWNOTES https://sandracoanstudios.com/2024/04/30/sandra-coan-ce...

I’m going to let you in on a little secret.  I work with over 150 clients a year, and I don’t do any active marketing for my studio.  So, on today’s podcast, I’m going to tell you exactly how I’m able to get away with that… and I’m going to walk you through the exact method I set up for myself YEARS ago, that makes it possible for me to have a successful photography business WITHOUT doing the mark...