Unpopular Opinions with Sandra Coan | A Photography & Business Podcast

The rumors are true: we are closing the doors to The Six-Figure Studio July 1st. This was a very difficult decision to make, but it's my hope that it makes space for more things at Sandra Coan Education—the biggest one being the Sandra Coan Certification Program. In this episode, I shared more about why we're closing the doors. I also share a snippet from a Six-Figure Studio coaching call...

Have you ever wanted to get started photographing newborns with strobes and flash? Using artificial light in your photography business doesn't have to be complicated, harsh or "flashy". You can seamlessly create soft, beautiful light with minimal gear! In fact, the lighting method I created requires just ONE light. In my opinion, soft light is beautiful in newborn photography. Tune i...

I started my photography business in 1999, sort of by accident. Photography had always been something I loved, but I never thought it could be a job—let alone a career. It was just something I played around with on the weekend. Now, 20+ years into my career, I can confidently say I know what it takes to build a long-term career in the photography industry. In this episode, I share about the change...

During a coaching call with my level two mentoring program, Amplified, we had a conversation about some of the harder parts of running a business that don't get talked about enough. Like those moments in your business when you kind of question everything. When you ask yourself, what am I even doing? I could go out and get a job and not deal with all the hardships of being an entrepreneur and r...

Why does fear often come up during the creative process? This is something I notice the photographers in my group coaching program experience, and I myself am experiencing it as I prepare to launch my new Certification Program. Fear is a very natural and normal part of creativity. In my coaching program, we talk about clarity. That is the foundation for your brand, and it also gives you great dire...

In this episode, I’m sharing more about the Sandra Coan Certification Program that my team and I are working hard to launch in May. Applications will be opened to folks on the waitlist first, and spots may fill up before opening to the general public. If this sounds like something you want to be a part of, sign up for the waitlist at the link below as soon as you can! The Sandra Coan Certification...

Have you ever felt like elevator pitches are difficult? Crafting an elevator pitch for your photography business doesn't have to be hard. In this episode, I shared a voice memo I recorded on a recent morning walk. I teach the elevator pitch formula I created to make your elevator pitch concise, clear and effective. Tune in to learn my formula and apply it to your own photography business! SHOW...

Recently, I found a box of photos I had printed from the beginning of my career. As I was looking at the pictures, I was surprised by how beautiful they were. At the time I took those photos, I was so full of self doubt and I remember thinking my work wasn't good enough. Looking at them the other day made me feel proud and got me thinking about how things might be different if I had known at t...

Recently, I posted a reel about why I don't pose babies in my photography business. It was a touchy subject, as some photographers didn't like that. In this episode, I talk more about why I don't pose babies. I've been a newborn photographer for over 24 years, and I choose not to pose them because of safety concerns. Now, I know one can be trained to pose babies safely; however, my...

Over the past month, I've had several people ask if I'd be willing to travel for a newborn and/or family session. Each year, I get photography inquiries from all around the world! While I love to travel, it's not always feasible for me to do so. I hate having to say "no" to people who are looking for beautiful maternity, newborn and family photography. For years, I've dre...

The one piece of advice would I give to photographers just starting out is don’t be afraid to ask for help. I started my photography business as a side hustle and was completely self taught. I felt guilty charging money for my work and always worried that someone would call me out as a fraud. In this episode, I share a vulnerable story about the one time I was actually accused of copying another p...

Cayton Heath of Cayton Heath Photography has been a photographer for over 10 years and specializes in newborn, maternity and family photography. She has always struggled with the business side of what she does and found coaching to be encouraging and insightful. Cayton is a member of The Six-Figure Studio and also took my courses, The Missing Link and Simply Posed. In this conversation, we cover h...

I can’t even believe it, but this is the 100th episode of the Beyond Natural Light Photography Podcast! I started this podcast in June 2020 as a way to connect with my community and keep myself busy while my studio was closed, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. It’s been a really fun and interesting journey, so thank you for being here. For our 100th episode, we’re highlighting some of our most...

In this episode, I sat down with Ariel Cannon of Ariel Cannon Photo, a maternity, newborn, and family photographer based in Los Angeles, CA. She is best known for her natural newborn photography. Ariel has taken my lighting course, The Missing Link, as well as joined my group coaching program, The Six-Figure Studio, and my level 2 mentoring program, Amplified. I’m excited to share about her succes...

Let's talk about confidence—why it’s important, how to get it and how to harness its power. I’ve been in business for over 20 years, and one thing I’ve learned in that time is that 90% of success in business boils down to confidence.  Confidence is the bridge between wanting and having, fear and excitement and self sabotage and self promotion. Confidence is what will take you from underchargi...

In this episode, I interviewed Brian Hohmann of Swipe Right Foto! Brian has taken all of my courses, and I was so excited to highlight his photography success. We talked about the value of investing in yourself as a photographer, the importance of knowing your strengths and knowing what to outsource and Brian's advice for new photographers. Brian is a Boston-based portrait photographer with a full...

In this episode, I sat down with Katharina Esteves to talk about mindset blocks and the obstacles many of us photographers face as we grow our business. After tuning in to this episode, you'll walk away with tangible advice for overcoming self doubt and imposter syndrome as a photographer!  Katharina Esteves, owner of Katharina Esteves Photography, is a documentary family and branding photogr...

In this episode, I sat down with The Missing Link and Six-Figure Studio graduate, Sonja Damjanoski of Sonja Damjan Photography to highlight another student success story! We chatted all about her business, what she learned in the programs and her advice for fellow photographers. Not only is she a photographer, but Sonja is also a full-time pharmacist and mom of twin boys. She passionately pur...

Are you a niche photographer that wonders if you're "too niched down" to find clients? This episode is for you! I sat down with Dave Pidgeon, owner of Creative Sports Photography, who provides athlete and team portrait experiences unlike any other in the south central Pennsylvania region. He’s a self-taught photographer and business owner with an affinity for environmental portraiture who loves th...

Are you one of the many business owners that compares yourself to others on loop? Well you are not alone, friend! In this episode, I share a portion of one of our Six-Figure Studio group coaching calls. We discuss the power of putting on blinders in the face of comparison in order to grow and succeed in business. We chat all about how finding clarity and really focusing on your unique point-of-vie...

In this episode, I interviewed commercial and advertising photographer and industry educator, Alexis Cuarezma. Alexis focuses on photographing athletes and has had his work on the cover of Sports Illustrated six times! Alexis shared a bit of his story and why self expression is deeply significant to him. We covered topics like artificial lighting and how it gives you so much more freedom as a phot...

In this episode, I'm so excited to highlight a student success story! I invited Samantha Hardcastle, graduate of my signature lighting program The Missing Link, to chat about all of her business wins and what she's learned along the way. Samantha is a Colorado based photographer, mother of 5 and lover of diet coke. She’s been in business for 2 years and really enjoys getting to know clients and cr...

In this episode, I sat down at the mic with Chris Orwig. Chris is a Sony Artisan Imagery (an ambassador for the brand), photographer, best-selling author, industry educator, and someone I'm honored to call my friend. Chris and I share the same love of portraiture and in this conversation discussed how being self aware as a photographer is so important. We also chatted all about his journey and how...

In this episode, the mic is turned on me! When I relaunched the podcast, my good friend and old studio manager, Gabby de Janasz, asked if she could come on the show and interview me. Gabby knows me very well both personally and professionally, so this conversation is full of stories you maybe have never heard before, as well as tangible tips and advice for budding photographers. We talked about th...

Have you ever struggled with brand clarity and finding your signature style as a photographer? In this episode, I share a snippet from one of the Six-Figure Studio group coaching calls. We discuss the importance of brand clarity, what it means to have brand clarity and how to find it as a photographer! Clarity doesn't mean that you only need to photograph one thing. Clarity means knowing your pass...