Podcast Summary

Book More Photography Clients Podcast x The Unscripted Podcast

Episode: The Real Reason You’re Not Booking Clients
Date: December 4, 2025
Host: Anna (Unscripted Podcast)
Guest: Brooke Jefferson (Family Photographer & Photography Educator)

Episode Overview

In this engaging interview, Anna welcomes Brooke Jefferson to share the pivotal reasons photographers aren’t booking as many clients as they wish—and what to do about it. Drawing from her journey as a self-taught photographer-turned-coach, Brooke reveals the mindset shifts and strategic actions that transformed her hobby into a sustainable business. The conversation spans personal branding, the often-overlooked power of in-person networking, simplifying pricing, and proven follow-up strategies. Listeners get practical, actionable advice to move from "waiting for clients to find you" to actively booking with confidence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Brooke’s Journey into Photography

• Started with a Valentine’s Day shoot for her daughter using her mother-in-law's camera (02:33).
• Realized her passion wasn't for the technical side but for capturing genuine moments (04:58).
• Transitioned from balancing teaching and photography to going full-time after significant “mom guilt” and a need for work-life balance (07:07).
• Emphasizes that relationships are her guiding metric for work-life balance (09:02).

Quote:
"I just felt like it was kind of like God kind of waking me up in that moment, saying, this is not sustainable...you have to figure out your priorities and learn how to put your family first or you're going to burn your business to the ground." — Brooke (07:27)

From Photographer to Educator & Podcaster

• Launched the Book More Photography Clients Podcast in 2019 to become the mentor she wished she’d had (10:27).
• 2020 was a turning point: after her first coaching client saw success, she embraced her role as an educator and business coach (13:47).

Quote:
"I started the podcast with no intention of ever making a single dollar from it. It was simply just to be that mentor that I wish I had." — Brooke (11:46)

Mindset as the Foundation of Success

• Brooke stresses not comparing yourself to others and avoiding “the comparison trap” (16:36).
• Photography is a saturated industry, but mindset determines your ability to stand out.
• Address negative thoughts instead of suppressing them; practice building resilience and confidence regularly (20:02).

Quote:
"Our minds are very powerful...it's so important to listen to the fears and the negative thoughts that come up, and then knock those down, push them out, and then look at the truth and reframe our mindsets." — Brooke (18:39)

Six Strategies for Increasing Photography Leads (21:27)

1. Building a Personal Brand
2. Becoming Known for Something (Niche/Specialty)
3. Bold, Unique Messaging
4. In-Person Networking & Collaboration
5. Exceptional Client Experience
6. Actually Asking for the Booking

Deep Dive: In-Person Networking & Collaboration

Why it matters:
Post-pandemic, many photographers became overly reliant on online marketing. Yet photography is an in-person service—building a local presence is critical (23:22).

How to do it:

• Attend community events (example: local chili cook-off) for authentic exposure (27:32).
• Collaborate with local businesses whose clients overlap with your target clients—boutiques, doulas, venues, etc. (30:00).
• Build genuine relationships—don’t cold pitch; shop and participate first, then pitch collaboration after rapport is built (32:04).
• Be prepared for slow results; some relationships take a year to bear fruit (34:34).

Quote:
"We work with clients in person. We don't have an online business. We have online marketing, but we are not an online business." — Brooke (24:00)

Deep Dive: Asking for the Booking (35:29)

• Many photographers skirt around explicitly inviting clients to book.
• Practical tip: When opening seasonal calendars, personally reach out to previous clients and invite them to book again.
• Don’t hesitate to ask satisfied clients for referrals.
• Frame outreach as a genuine service, not just a sales pitch (39:15).

Quote:
"The worst that she's going to do, the very worst thing is not reply or say, no, thank you and that's it. And I'm just gonna rock and roll and move on to the next person." — Brooke (39:58)

Converting Inquiries Into Bookings (41:03)

Common Mistakes Photographers Make:

1. Overly Confusing Pricing/Packages:
   • Offer max 3 options. Use visual pricing guides, limit jargon, and keep it simple (42:00).
2. Slow Response Times:
   • Aim to get back to inquiries within 24 hours. Utilize automated responses (43:38).
3. Complicated Booking Processes:
   • Use online booking calendars where clients can self-select dates and sign contracts upfront (44:17).
4. Failure to Follow-Up:
   • Fortune is in the follow-up. Check in at 24 hours, again after a week if no response, then offer join-in opportunities (48:18).

Quote:
"If photographers aren't doing this, you're definitely way behind the times. And there's so many platforms out there, especially the unscripted app, that can help you with this." — Brooke (47:37)

Tone and Timing in Follow-Ups

• Keep follow-ups casual and open-ended, e.g.: “Hey, just wanted to check in if you had any questions about the pricing guide.”
• If after several attempts there’s no response, simply invite them to join your list or community—never burn bridges (50:39).

Handling Ghosting & Rejection

• Water off a duck’s back: Don’t take silence or rejection personally. View it as part of business and trust that the right clients will come (53:09).
• Confidence grows over time; trust in your service and value (54:04).

Advice to Photographers Facing a Slump

• If your current strategy hasn’t worked in 90 days, it’s time to change it up—try something new and put yourself out there (55:50).
• Don’t let fear or comfort keep you stuck. One new relationship can transform your business.

Quote:
"If nothing changes, nothing changes. So don't stay so stuck in your comfort zone...try something different that really just completely changes your business." — Brooke (56:16)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Brooke on defining her niche:
  “Looking over the past 11 years that I've been doing this, my heart has always resonated with families.” (04:04)
• On finding balance:
  “I just felt like it was kind of like God kind of waking me up in that moment, saying, this is not sustainable...you have to figure out your priorities and learn how to put your family first or you're going to burn your business to the ground.” (07:27)
• On mentorship:
  “I started the podcast with no intention of ever making a single dollar from it. It was simply just to be that mentor that I wish I had.” (11:46)
• On mindset:
  “Our minds are very powerful...it's so important to listen to the fears and the negative thoughts that come up, and then knock those down, push them out, and then look at the truth and reframe our mindsets.” (18:39)
• On local networking:
  “We have online marketing, but we are not an online business.” (24:00)
• On directly asking for bookings:
  “Let people know. This is my booking calendar...I just see a lot of us, we're almost too afraid to ask.” (36:11)
• On following up:
  “There's a saying, the fortune is in the follow up. And it's so true.” (48:18)
• On change:
  “If nothing changes, nothing changes. So don't stay so stuck in your comfort zone...try something different that really just completely changes your business.” (56:16)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:33 — Brooke’s beginnings in photography
• 07:07 — Work-life balance struggles and turning point
• 10:27 — Transition to podcasting and education
• 13:47 — The pivotal moment with her first coaching client
• 16:36 — Mindset advice for beginners
• 21:27 — Six strategies to increase photography leads
• 23:22 — The power of in-person networking
• 30:00 — Collaborating with local businesses for leads
• 35:29 — The importance of directly asking for the booking
• 41:03 — Converting inquiries into bookings: simplify, respond, automate
• 48:18 — Follow-up strategies & best practices
• 53:09 — How to handle ghosting and develop resilience
• 55:50 — Advice for beginners & changing what’s not working

Where to Find Brooke

• Podcast: Book More Photography Clients Podcast
• Instagram: @brookejanaephoto

Tone & Style

This conversation blends practical, no-nonsense business strategy with warmth, encouragement, and the honesty of two women who've seen the messy behind-the-scenes. Brooke speaks with clarity and candor—peppering the discussion with actionable advice, real talk about struggles, and a contagious belief in every photographer’s ability to succeed by getting out of their comfort zone.

For any photographer stuck waiting for clients to show up, this episode will help you swap hope for a strategy and empower you to step confidently into lead generation, client conversion, and business growth.