Unpopular Opinions with Sandra Coan | A Photography & Business Podcast

Here's my morning routine. I wake up, drink some coffee, journal and then walk two to three miles. Sometimes I listen to books or music, but lately I’ve been listening to Anderson Cooper’s new podcast, "All There Is". If you are processing a loss in your own life, I highly recommend it. I bring it up because one of his guests was talking about a film she was making of her father and his journey wi...

Photographers, do you experience slow seasons in your business? When slow seasons hit, do you panic and stress? If you've ever wondered what you SHOULD be working on during the slow season, this episode will give you some insight. One of my Six-Figure Studio students mentioned she had a very slow period this summer, and we discussed what you can do during times like that in your business. In this...

During one of my Six-Figure Studio coaching calls, we had an in-depth conversation about all the things that make being in business for yourself so hard. I swear, 97% of the problems photographers face in their businesses boils down to mindset! We are so good at beating ourselves up, picking apart our work, creating pricing structures to compete with others and none of that actually serves us...

The next question in our New Year's series is "How?". This is the final piece of the goal-setting puzzle that comes after you know the what, why, who and when. How are you going to turn your goals for your photography business into a reality? What is your strategy? What is your plan? In this episode, I share my marketing method called "Three Cs of Business", which are clarity, communication a...

The next question in our New Year's series is "When?". Now that we know what it is you want, why you want it, and who you need to be and how you need to show up to make it happen, you need to know when you're going to start turning your dreams into your reality. Business, and marketing in particular, is a marathon—not a sprint. The work you put in now will start paying off three months from now.&n...

The next question in our New Year's series is "Who?". We discuss the mindset shift that is necessary for every single photographer who wants to build their dream business and reach their goals this year.  Success is not something you just wake up having one day. Success is a series of choices. It’s what happens over time when we decide to continually show up and work at moving ourse...

The New Year is the perfect time to sit down, get clear on what you want and then start strategizing on how you are going to turn your dreams into reality. This is something I do for myself every year, and I really think that it is one of the big reasons that my photography business continues to grow, year after year—for the past 24 years. When setting my New Year intentions, there are a series of...

In the spirit of the new year, we're focusing on business growth strategies all month long to help you get started on the right foot. In order to create a solid marketing plan or a growth strategy, you need to know what you want. You need a goal, and the new year is the perfect time to talk about setting goals—especially for your business. The truth is, real business growth comes when you figure o...

Welcome BACK to the Beyond Natural Light Photography podcast—I've missed you! It has been a minute since I’ve shared an episode with you, so I wanted to tell you a bit about why I disappeared, what I’ve been doing, why I’m back and what I have planned moving forward. Going forward, I have big plans for this podcast! I LOVE helping other photographers grow and reach their full potential. So, t...

When I listen to my gut, I never regret it. Intuition is a powerful thing and should be respected. But sometimes, when facing a big decision, it's hard to tell the difference between intuition and fear. First of all, when I'm talking about fear, I'm not talking about the healthy "don't walk down that dark alley alone at night" kind of fear. That kind of fear is aligned with your intuition and need...

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between group coaching programs and masterminds? I've been in the entrepreneurial world for a while, and these are terms that have been popping up in that space for years. Lately I've seen more and more photographers offering masterminds and group coaching programs, and so I thought it would be helpful for you to know what those things are and how they...

We are always receiving questions about newborn safety and whether or not it's safe to use strobes and flash when photographing them. In this episode, I share five of my best tips for working with and photographing newborns with strobes and flash. Share this episode with a friend who could benefit from these tips as well! SHOWNOTES https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/podcast/five-tips-for-photogra...

Welcome to the final episode of the lighting series! On the first day, we talked about what relying exclusively on natural light is actually costing you. Then on day two, we talked about how a lot of us put ourselves through that stress because we have some fears and misconceptions about what working with strobes and flash means. Yesterday I talked about how fear is really the thing that holds peo...

Welcome to day 3 of the lighting series! On day 1, we talked about what the actual cost of working exclusively with natural light is. Then on day 2, we talked about a lot of the fears and misconceptions photographers have about working with strobes and flash. I ended yesterday's lesson talking about how most photographers already know the hardest part of learning to work with strobes and flash. In...

Welcome to Day 2 of the Lighting Series! We started the conversation off by talking about what dealing with low light or bad light is actually costing you and your business. That cost goes beyond just impacting your photos. Yes, bad or low light will have an impact on the images you create. But it also causes stress, hurts your brand and ultimately hurts your business. As you may or may not k...

If you want to be a great photographer and make money, you must know and understand how to use light. As part of the lighting series on the podcast, I'll address some of the concerns and questions that come up most often around lighting. I want to put some of the myths that I hear about light to rest, and hopefully this inspires and empowers you to think about artificial light in a new way. In thi...

A common question I get asked all the time is, "Is flash photography safe for newborns?". Although I am not a doctor, this is something I have done a lot of research on. The short answer is yes, it is! In this episode, I break down my answer.  SHOWNOTES https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/podcast/is-flash-photography-safe-for-newborns LINKS  Watch the free lighting training: https://sand...

I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Standing out in today’s saturated photography market is possible, and it’s easier to do than you probably think. Have a listen to learn the ONE thing you absolutely need to make it possible! SHOWNOTES https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/podcast/secret-standing-out-saturated-photography-market LINKS And if you'd like to learn more about how to apply to my...

When it comes to running a successful photography business, it's your marketing skills, NOT your photography skills, that will determine your success. We've all seen it—someone who is not the world's best photographer totally killing it in their business. In this episode, I share what those people are doing that enables them to be so successful! SHOWNOTES https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/podcas...

I frequently hear from talented photographers who love their craft and really want to turn it into a business but are worried about balancing a business and a family. It is 100% possible to run and build a profitable business while being a mom. I was a full-time, stay-at-home mom to my twins when they were little and still am—even now that they are teenagers. I did all the "mom" things that I want...

Many photographers in the Beyond Natural Light Facebook group mentioned that they were struggling with confidence, so in this episode, I share some tips to help you boost your confidence as a photographer! We talk about how confidence is a muscle that needs to be strengthened and some actual ways you can do that. SHOWNOTES https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/podcast/how-to-boost-your-confidence LI...

On today's episode, I share three things you need to know to build a successful photography business! Let's make 2022 your best year yet! SHOWNOTES https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/podcast/how-to-build-a-photography-business LINKS Sign up for my FREE training: 3 Marketing Mistakes Every Photographer Needs to Avoid in 2022: https://sandracoan.lpages.co/free-masterclass-three-marketing-mista...

In today's episode, I sat down with three photographers who have been through my Six-Figure Studio group coaching program and had an honest conversation about what they learned, what they gained and what it feels like to have a successful business in the saturated photography industry. Enrollment for the Six-Figure Studio is now open!  Get in now before we raise the rate! SHOWNOTES https://ww...

Welcome to DAY 5 of the Marketing Makeover New Year Party!  All week long I'm sharing the audio from the Marketing Makeover I'm hosting inside the Beyond Natural Light Facebook group!  Together we're working on building the foundations of a marketing plan that you can use all year long!   SHOWNOTES https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/podcast/day-five-2022-marketing-makeover LIN...

Welcome to DAY 4 of the Marketing Makeover New Year Party! All week long I'm sharing the audio from the Marketing Makeover I'm hosting inside the Beyond Natural Light Facebook group!  Together we're working on building the foundations of a marketing plan that you can use all year long!  SHOWNOTES https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/podcast/day-four-2022-marketing-makeover LINKS If you'd...