← Book More Photography Clients Podcast | Photography Business, Photography Leads, Marketing
Book More Photography Clients Podcast | Photography Business, Photography Leads, Marketing
How This Family Photographer Booked Out Her Summer Calendar in Less Than 8 Weeks with Padma Aravind
00:22:58
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- [00:00]
A
I loved how structured it was like it was client and then it went on to pricing and then it went on to local content and then email marketing and websites and then our final week. But I loved how it progressed and took you step by step on how exactly to build your business from the foundation to the walls.
- [00:23]
B
Welcome to the Book More Clients Photography podcast. You can stop spending hours on Google and YouTube because you just found your one resource for growing a profitable and sustainable photography business. Hi, I'm Brooke Jefferson. I'm a believer wife, mama to two and Oklahoma family photographer. I left the classroom in 2018 to pursue my photography career full time. Now I'm here to help you do the same. In this podcast we're covering the most asked about topics including pricing, marketing, client experience in all things systems and workflows. You won't find any fluff or BS here, just tried and true strategy. Are you ready? Grab your kids some snacks and charge those camera batteries. It's time to jump in. Adma, thank you so much for taking time out of your day and being willing to come on the podcast. I'm excited for the listeners to get to know you and your business and your experience and in the fully booked method. So go ahead, kick us off, tell us who you are and a little bit about your photography business.
- [01:33]
A
Thank you for having me, Brooke. I mean this was one of my honestly a bucket listing for me to be. I've heard I've been a podcast listener for many, many years now and I think almost, yeah, almost three, four years now. Like since you started. I would say so. And it's been even the just the podcast has been so inform like when I'm driving and I'm listening, it's great because something you said would just flick and I'll come work on it and that would make an impact. So I knew back then how much I wanted to work with you and I'm glad I made that decision. Okay, so about me My name is Padma and I have a business called Padma Urban Photography. Photography and I have been together for many, many years. I got the hobby from my dad because I saw him taking pictures of us when we were kids. So I think it was I was eight when I first fell in love with the camera and then over the years I kept coming in going back to it, but then I did my master's in photojournalism in the UK and from there on to transition onto a family photography business was a big leap for me and there was a period where I wasn't able to Work when I was in the us but then once we moved to Canada, I got the opportunity to start my business. And I'm very glad for it because it's my finally a dream come true to have my own business that, yeah, it's a dream that I've been seeing for many, many years.
- [03:17]
B
What an amazing story. I'm learning more about you too. I mean, I feel like I know you, but then we get on interviews like this and we start asking deeper questions. So you got your photography passion from your dad, which I think is so special for me. I don't remember my family hardly taking any photos. And so for you, for that to be like such a prime memory for you, and then that's what really played into your photography journey all the way back when you were eight. That is just. That is so cool. And I knew you were in Canada, but I didn't know that there was a before Canada story. So that's really incredible that, you know, not only have you been able to, I'm going to, I'm going to say travel the world, but you know what I'm saying, be able to bounce to different places. And then you were able to really launch your business in Canada, which is so special. I love all of my Canadians because you guys, you guys hold such a special place in my heart because you guys go all in. I mean, every single person that I've worked with that is not in the us, they, no offense to us Americans or anything, but you guys, you take everything so seriously, you double down on it and it really does show. So I know you talked about photography being something that's really been with you your whole life, but I know there's been different phases, right? There's been learning phases and hobby phases. When did you actually start taking your business super serious? And where have you seen shifts in your business? Looking back when you finally decided to niche?
- [04:50]
A
I know once I got married and moved to the US because I was on a dependent visa, I couldn't work. And at that point it was just an obby. I just wanted to take pictures. Prior to that, I always wanted to work in a magazine or for another company. There were companies in the UK that I interned with. So I always wanted to take that further, the photojournalism aspect of it. But then of course, marriage and then later on kids changed my perspective. And I think after I had my older one, my first, she changed my outlook towards family photography and maternity and newborns. To be honest, like, just taking pictures of her would bring me so much Joy, like, we would just take our moments and go places. So that is where I started thinking about providing this for other families. Like, I wanted to give them this joy of capturing these moments where they are in there to look at, to see later and remember, oh, my gosh, you remember this day. This is what happened. And that was one thing where I was taking pictures of her. And then slowly I moved on to doing self portraits of us so that I wanted to be in the picture. So then I realized, oh, moms are not ever in the pictures. They're the ones taking the pictures. So that was my why and my reason to start. And then once we moved to Canada, of course, we moved right during COVID So that kind of put a little bit dented by plan, but it was still okay because once we were out of it, I was. I knew when I was ready to register my business and start. Of course, I did not anticipate everything that starting a business would bring in. It is not just about taking pictures. So at that point, I realized that I lacked in management and understanding how to run a business. So I tried learning as much as I could from YouTube and other things. But I think it's very important to have a teacher in your life who can explain these things, who has been through this and can explain it better. And I think coaching is what did that for me. So at this point in my life, from four years ago to now, I see a more structured business, a better functioning one. At least I have an understanding of what needs to be there and all the gaps that I was missing.
- [07:40]
B
That's huge. That's so good, you know, that I'm a huge cheerleader on everybody having a roadmap, knowing where you're going, not just winging things, which it's okay to do that a little bit, but I'm really big on. The very first thing that I ever do, whether I'm coaching or someone's in my program, is I ask you guys, what are your goals? And we dive into it. So I would love for you to just share, just like, just briefly, what are some goals that you have for your business? Really thinking about, okay, my big goal for the next six months and then maybe a big goal I have, like, you know, looking five years and beyond. What would be some of those goals for you?
- [08:21]
A
My goal, immediate goal, would be to contribute to my family. I mean, my husband, touch what he does well in his area of work, and he's taken really good care of us all these years. And I just want to health a little bit for our family. So I want to contribute, maybe take them on a vacation or you know, just spoil them a little bit from my end. And I think that is what I wanted my business to do for me to be able to provide for my family. My 5 year goal honestly is to have a team. I want to have a team. I would have a team of photographers or, or even a team that is managing my other stuff. I want to be able to provide employment for others. But having a team grooming other photographers, local like new like kids who are coming out of college who are interested in this grooming their passion, that will be my five year plan.
- [09:22]
B
Your vision is crystal clear and I love your heart behind it. I could so see that for you. Definitely, definitely going to happen. So the question I want to ask you after you say these things are thinking about your business prior to working with me and going through the program versus now. We're wrapping up the program in real time that we are, you know, doing this podcast interview. Do you feel like you are closer to that goal being a reality? Have you been able to contribute anything to your family in the last, I would say year, I would maybe even six months. What does that look like for you?
- [09:59]
A
So definitely not in the last year. But I would talk about just this last month like since we started the blueprint method to now. We're on week eight now, but like I would say seven weeks ago to now at this point I already have my June calendar filled up. My July is, I just have one spare date, August, I'm traveling so everything that was supposed to be August is, is filled up in July. I have things looking up in September for after when I'm back. So that has never happened to me so far. So.
- [10:36]
B
Oh my goodness. Interrupting this episode for just a minute to tell you about the Fully Booked method. Imagine if you were booking consistent quality clients year round, not just during the busy fall season. Imagine if you were making enough money to pay your bills, cover groceries and save for that family vacation. Imagine if you are being referred by clients and raved about in your community. And imagine if you wake up each day thinking, I can't believe that this is my job. It's time to go from stressed out to booked out. And I want to invite you to save your spot on the wait list for the next round of the Fully Booked method. This is my 8 week group coaching program that helps photographers clarify their brand with, optimize their marketing and double their bookings in 90 days. So if you're ready to book More clients and find out more information. Head to Brooke Jefferson.com, fully booked, and get your name on the waitlist. I'll see you in the next round. Oh, my goodness. So I know you listeners, you're listening to this audio. You can't see my face. But my job really hit the ground because I didn't know any of this. I haven't had them fill out their final form. So I give a final form at the very end of the program, and I just ask. It's probably like 20 questions long. It's. It's pretty in depth, but it's helping me see, what did they get out of the program, what needs to improve, blah, blah, blah. So she hasn't even had a chance to put all this in there, but, wow, that is amazing. I am so proud of you.
- [12:20]
A
Thank you. Thank you. A big part of it goes to you. I think. I remember when we first spoke about the program, you mentioned that, you know, you have to give your time, you have to set aside time every week to finish these things. And I think that is what I see. That's the big difference I see from the blueprint that I did with you before and the blueprint method. That's the big difference. I think this one, I was so driven. I knew there was a deadline. I knew I had to meet it. I knew. I honestly, also, part of me didn't want to let you down, so. So I was like, no, I have to step on it. And I think that was a big drive for me also. I think for me, my brain works best when I know it's a short amount of time that I see. There's a start, there's an end. And I know at the end of it, only if I go through the process, at the end of it am I going to see a difference. And I am so glad I see a big difference. I mean, just the idea of seeing my calendar right now makes me happy. Like that, seeing that calendar and, you know, actually having to tell people that, oh, you know, this is the only available. And then. Or, you know, we can do it in September if that works for you, because I have dates then. And I mean, I've never had to tell that to clients before, so that is so amazing. I've always been, okay, you tell me when you're free. But for the first time, it's been like, these are my dates. And, you know, we take it from there. So. And. And, yeah, yeah.
- [14:02]
B
Oh, I'm so. I am so proud of you. And here is one thing. As the Creator of this program, I guess the leader of it, right, the teacher that you talked about. I knew I was very scared to let go of the blueprint because I had poured my heart and soul into that. What I realized was missing was a lot of that accountability that you talked about. There weren't deadlines. It was kind of a come as you are and just when you have time, dip into the program. And I knew that that was not going to cut it. I know that people need me to hold their hand and tell them for the next seven days, here's what we're talking about. You're going to watch these videos, you're going to complete this homework, and then you're going to meet me on the coaching call. And I think those of you that have been consistent from day one, yes, we've had busy weeks, yes, we've turned in forms late. But for the most part, you stayed with it the entire program. And to me now, hearing what you're getting out of it, having these consistent bookings, seeing calendars fill up that you've never seen before, that is a direct result. That is because you followed exactly what I said and you weren't too worried about, oh, I think I've heard her maybe say this once before. It was like, no, we're going to go the next level. And I tried really hard in this program to bring everything fully up to date and give you all new things you've never heard, even for those of you that have worked with me before. And it's just crazy how a lot of people, even you, you were at least with me for at least a year in the blueprint program. Okay. And then you come into an eight week program and you've seen results and had wins you never saw from the previous program. So I think that's just a testament to the format and how it was done. So with that said, I would love to hear, like, what were some of your favorite parts of the program or what really impressed you or what do you think made the most amount of difference for you?
- [15:57]
A
Me, the most amount of difference was that every week we had one section to focus on and then there was nothing else to distract us from there. So the idea of releasing one module every week and staying focused on it and not, you know, like looking forward to like, oh, because I don't want to do social media, I will just skip to email marketing or forget that, I want to just do website. You know, you're skipping steps in the process. That's what I realized. And the very first Module that we had where we had to find our ideal clients. I love that one so much because I did not realize I have done an ideal client profile before, but I never realized how to utilize it further down. And now I understand why that was the very first module coming to websites. I understand why that was the first module and why website was the very last one. And so I think that was the thing in blueprint. Like, I would do, like, oh, I feel like watching something else today. And I'm like, nope. So I loved how structured it was. Like, it was client, and then it went on to pricing, and then it went on to local content and then email marketing and websites and then our final week. But I loved how it progressed and took you step by step on how exactly to build your business from the foundation to the walls.
- [17:25]
B
So that's so good. Your explanation is way better than I probably could have ever explained it. And I love the fact that you said, I loved that it was dripped. And listen, I'm someone who's like, oh, that's so annoying. Like, I just want the whole thing. But then that's what we do. We skip it. We try to go as fast as we can. And that is why people are not seeing results, because they try to go so fast through it. How would you like just one or two sentences? Photographers are like, okay, obviously Padma works with Brooke in some program. How would you explain what is the program and who is it for? Do you feel like, in your opinion?
- [18:07]
A
So I would say the program is for anybody. Like, if you are in your business, first year of business, then great, this is where you get in, because this sets you up for wins in your very first year. Even if you're in a couple of years down and you're feeling scrambled, overwhelmed, and not organized in your business, I would say that's for you, because it will again take you from the very first foundation as to finding out your why in the business to actually taking it to the world and saying, here's my business. I will work with you. Come work with me. So, yes.
- [18:45]
B
Okay. I love that. That's so good. And I mean, it really does. I was very strategic the way that I organized it. We can't start at websites and then work our way backwards like you said. And so one of the other things that I noticed from the blueprint or from just any coaching that I've ever done in the past, what I felt like was missing or what you guys wanted the most was marketing. Do you feel like this helped in the marketing aspect for Your business?
- [19:14]
A
Yes, especially the social media and the local collaboration part. Those were things. Some of the things that you talked about in the program were things that I had never thought about. And I think, I mean, there were a few sprinkles in the blueprint. All the Brooklyn program, sure. But I think I loved how the depth and I made sure to say to myself that, yes, she said that in the blueprint, but that's fine. This is a new course that I'm doing, so I hear everything in this and not, you know, connect or anything with that because this is brand new. So I love all the content in the social media and the local marketing and it opened up new ideas that I never thought of and actually gave me the confidence to reach out to people that I was always very hesitant to do. I always felt like, no, I cannot. But hearing your, your personal stories and anecdotes about how you did it really helped.
- [20:16]
B
Oh, good. Oh, that makes me so, so happy. A lot of you had wins and like, in my mind when I made it, I thought, okay, these are going to be the top two weeks. And it's funny because they weren't. It was two other weeks that I never would have thought would have impacted you guys so much. It's just incredible. Like, it makes me so, so excited. So we're going to go ahead and round this out. What would you say to a photographer that's listening that has big goals for their business? Again, they might feel scrambled like you said, or they might say, man, I just really need that roadmap. I need to know what I'm supposed to be working on in my business. What would you say to them about joining this next round of the Fully Booked Method?
- [20:57]
A
It's an investment, but it's an investment that'll give you quick returns if you follow through your eight weeks and week by week and just go with it along with it and complete all the modules on time at the end of eight weeks. Personally, the change I have seen, not in, just in my business, the change I've seen in myself, the confidence that it has given me and there is a new drive and motivation that I have, I would say it's an investment that's completely worth it, that's going to give you great returns.
- [21:36]
B
Ah, so good. Thank you so much. Okay, where can people check out you and your photography? Maybe even send you a DM just to say thank you so much. Your interview was the one that pushed me over the edge and I signed up for the Fully Booked method. Where can they find you.
- [21:54]
A
I have my Instagram Padmaravan Photography. I think pretty much I'm the only one with that name. I love it so I find it's easy. It's funny when local people try to search all they have to do is type my first three alphabets and it just shows up and I'm like oh wow, I love it. Instagram is doing something right for me.
- [22:16]
B
Yes. And it's helpful, huh? It's helpful for that brand recognition.
- [22:21]
A
It is. So Instagram, Facebook, send me an email. But yeah, yeah. Anyhow, I love to chat with people and if anybody needs help and insights on how to go through this program, I am more than happy to help. Yes.
- [22:36]
B
Thank you so much. I will link up your Instagram and Facebook page so people can click on that in the show notes. But thank you so much for taking time out of your day and sharing your experience with the fully booked method.
- [22:48]
A
Thank you for having me, Brooke. It's been a pleasure.