Podcast
Freedom Focus Photography
Hosted by Nicole Begley · EN
Welcome to the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast, the essential audio hub for portrait photographers eager to launch and elevate their businesses to achieve their ideal version of success.
Hosted by Nicole Begley, a former zoological animal trainer turned accomplished family and then pet/equine photographer, this podcast is your go-to resource for transforming your photographic passion into a thriving business.
Since making the leap into photography in 2010 and quickly scaling her business to six figures, Nicole has dedicated herself to guiding photographers like you to transform their businesses from low-profit, high-stress operations into a profitable, sustainable businesses by teaching how to confidently price your services, sell products, and attract higher-paying clients.
Join Nicole and a vibrant community of like-minded photographers on the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast. Together, we'll explore the paths to a profitable photography business that supports the life you've always envisioned.
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
AI, Ethics, and Your Photography Business
6d ago00:41:35Tap to summarize338 - AI is everywhere — in your email, your editing software, your search results. Nicole Begley and Heather Lahtinen sit down to have the honest conversation the photography industry has been avoiding. What does AI actually mean for your business, your ethics, and your future?What to Listen For:Why AI is the new plastic (seriously)The tractor farmers didn't want and what happened nextThe three biggest AI objections photographers haveWhere Nicole draws her personal ethical line with AIWhy "I won't use it" doesn't mean it goes awayWhat AI can do beyond writing your captionsHow to make AI actually sound like youThe one business task most photographers skip that AI can fixNicole and Heather aren't here to tell you what to do with AI — they're here to make sure you're making an informed choice. Listen in, then decide what your own AI policy looks like. And if you're ready to learn how to use AI to help you work more efficiently, join Nicole during our 4-week sprint from May 20 - June 10 inside Freedom Focus Formula. Join us here: — use code MASTERAI to save $50/month or $500 off the pay in full. JOIN THE PARTY:Connect with us on InstagramExplore valuable pet photography resources hereDiscover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.
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337 - ADHD vs. Productivity Gurus
2w ago00:39:21Tap to summarizeI got my ADHD diagnosis less than a year ago, and honestly? It explained everything. The 19 days I missed senior year. The graveyard of abandoned planners. The Wednesday night I built a full credit card tracking spreadsheet at 11pm for absolutely no reason. In this episode, Heather and I dig into why standard productivity advice doesn't work for spicy brains — and the hacks that actually do.WHAT TO LISTEN FOR Why perimenopause sent Nicole straight to a psychiatrist's officeThe "past self" scheduling method Heather swears by (and why Nicole's brain revolted)How to stop making your productivity failures mean something about your characterThe emotional support clipboard system that finally stuckWhy the dopamine train is both your superpower and your chaos agentWhat 4 Chrome windows with 15 tabs each actually tells you about your brainThe "Open Loops" page that keeps half-finished projects from disappearing foreverWhy neurodivergent people are overrepresented in entrepreneurship (it makes total sense)How to find a system that works with your brain instead of against itWhat to do if you suspect you have ADHD and want an actual diagnosisWhether you have a diagnosed neuro spicy brain or you just suspect the traditional advice was never written for you, this conversation with Heather will help you stop fighting your own operating system and start working with it.JOIN THE PARTY:Connect with us on InstagramExplore valuable pet photography resources hereDiscover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.
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The Thoughts Behind the $6,300 Model Calls
3w ago00:12:44Tap to summarize336 - Last week, we shared Shelbi Lee's step-by-step model call strategy that generated $6,300 in one month. This week we're going deeper — into the thoughts she was thinking that made the whole thing work. Because the right system without the right mindset will get you nowhere.What to Listen For The single most important thought Shelbi had before she startedWhy confidence in your process creates clarity in your decisionsHow one question she asked herself unlocked the whole systemThe thought beneath "I have questions that do the heavy lifting for me"Why being blunt about pricing is actually a belief statementWhat she was really saying when she called her form invaluableThe mindset behind deleting unqualified leads without looking backWhy "people who want me are excited and going to spend" is the most powerful thought in this episodeHow certainty in your language signals certainty to your clientsWhy strategy plus belief is the combination that actually produces resultsThe strategy was last week. The belief is this week. You need both. Tune in and start paying attention to the thoughts running underneath your own process.Join us inside of Elevate: https://flourishacademy.mykajabi.com/elevateExplore Shelbi’s Website: https://shelbinicoleimagery.com/JOIN THE PARTY:Connect with us on InstagramExplore valuable pet photography resources hereDiscover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.
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$6,300 From Three Model Calls
4w ago00:17:47Tap to summarize335 - This episode is going to turn everything you thought you knew about model calls on its head. If your model calls are attracting people who only want the free stuff, this episode is for you. Heather is chatting with Shelbi, one of our Elevate students, and breaking down the exact application and vetting process she used to land three sales totaling $6,300 in one month, from FREE sessions.What to Listen ForWhy most model calls attract the wrong clientsThe hidden landing page that does the screening for youExactly what to include in your model call applicationThe one question that weeds out unserious applicantsHow to use a phone call to prime clients to spendWhy being blunt about pricing actually helps youWhen to delete a lead from your CRM immediatelyHow Shelbi structured her pricing to make cheap sales nearly impossibleThe mindset shift that turned $0 months into $6,300Why clarity and certainty are your most powerful sales toolsShelbi's results didn't come from luck — they came from a decision to do things differently and a system that backed it up. Give this one a listen and then ask yourself which part of her process you can implement first.Join us inside of Elevate: https://flourishacademy.mykajabi.com/elevateExplore Shelbi’s Website: https://shelbinicoleimagery.com/JOIN THE PARTY:Connect with us on InstagramExplore valuable pet photography resources hereDiscover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.
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The Luxury Reset Nobody Talks About with Haley Flanagan
Apr 1401:05:39Tap to summarize334 - Running a luxury pet photography business should feel good — not exhausting. In this episode, Nicole sits down with Haley Flanagan of Sweet Camelia Photography to talk about what happens when a high-touch, premium business model starts costing more than it's giving back, and how a few strategic pivots can make the whole thing feel sustainable again.What to Listen For Why a high session fee can actually hurt bookingsHow to cut client hours without cutting your pricesThe case for putting pricing on your websiteWhy packages make saying yes so much easierHow to outsource leash removal without losing your styleThe great drop-ship debate Building collections that feel like a steal at every levelHow to relaunch quietly without a big announcementWhat to do when your voice shakes on pricing callsHaley came into this conversation unsure if her business was even worth saving. She left with a plan, a pricing structure, and something she hadn't felt in a while — excitement. If any part of her story sounds familiar, this one's worth a listen.JOIN THE PARTY:Connect with us on InstagramExplore valuable pet photography resources hereDiscover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.
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The Thing I Ignored for Two Years
Apr 700:38:41Tap to summarize333 - For six years straight, this podcast released a new episode every single week without fail. Until it didn't. And honestly? That missed week tells you everything about what's been happening behind the scenes. Here's a question I want you to sit with: if your photography business doubled tomorrow, would it break? Mine would have. So I fixed it. Here's the full story of what I rebuilt, why I waited so long, and what it made possible.What to Listen ForWhy I missed a podcast episode for the first time in six yearsThe moment I knew my business needed a full rebuildWhy growing too fast can actually break your businessHow Frankenstein systems quietly kill your momentumThe four phases of a photography business and where you fitWhy I couldn't market my own programs with full confidenceWhat it means to re-decide in your business (and when to do it)The subconscious reason photographers resist visibility and marketingHow cleaning up your backend unlocks your belief in your own offerWhat becomes possible when your systems finally match your visionIf you've been ignoring something in your business because the project feels too big, this episode is your sign to stop waiting. The rebuild is always worth it. Go check out the new home base at NicoleBegleyEDU.com.Check out our new digital home!www.nicolebegleyedu.comLearn how we can work together here: https://www.nicolebegleyedu.com/work-with-meJOIN THE PARTY:Connect with us on InstagramExplore valuable pet photography resources hereDiscover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.
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Overwhelmed? Start Here
Mar 2400:40:23Tap to summarize332 - If you’ve ever sat down to work and thought, “I have no idea where to start,” this one is for you. Nicole and Heather unpack how to prioritize tasks in your photography business without getting lost in overwhelm, busywork, or decision fatigue.What to Listen ForThe two buckets every business task fits intoWhy overwhelm is really a decision problemHow to choose your top three prioritiesWhat to do when everything feels urgentWhy busy work feels safe but stalls growthThe fastest way to refocus your weekHow to stop hiding in endless educationThe self trust shift that changes everythingWhy marketing is part of your identityThis conversation is a powerful reminder that overwhelm does not mean you are failing. It usually means you need clarity. Press play, borrow this simple decision-making framework, and get back to moving forward.Connect with NicoleWebsiteInstagramConnect with HeatherWebsiteInstagramJOIN THE PARTY:Connect with us on InstagramExplore valuable pet photography resources hereDiscover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.
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When Fear Comes Knocking
Mar 1700:43:12Tap to summarize331 - What do you do when your brain starts spiraling and fear comes knocking? In this conversation, Heather and I break down how we each handle anxious thoughts, why worst-case scenarios are not always the enemy, and how to build trust in yourself when life feels uncertain.What to Listen ForThe surprising benefit of worst-case thinkingWhy fear feels bigger than it isWhat Nicole does differently than mostHow Heather handled a six-figure scareThe fastest way to regain controlWhy your brain keeps loopingWhat actually creates confidenceHow to think when things go wrongThe simple phrase that calms your mindWhy fear might be a good thingIf your brain has been spinning lately, this conversation will help you take a breath and find your footing again. Tune in to hear how we process fear, move through uncertainty, and stay focused on what’s actually useful.JOIN THE PARTY:Connect with us on InstagramExplore valuable pet photography resources hereDiscover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.
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You Must Stop Doing This
Mar 1000:12:38Tap to summarize330 - If you feel like your photography business is only successful when the money is rolling in, this episode is for you. Heather explains why tying your emotions to revenue is dangerous and how to start recognizing the wins that actually move your business forward.What to Listen ForWhy revenue is a dangerous success metricThe hidden trap of conditional emotionsWhat non-revenue victories really meanWhy comparison destroys motivation fastThe oak tree lesson about growthHow goals create dissatisfaction gapsThe difference between skill and success comparisonA powerful question to stop complainingWhy stillness improves decision makinHow to measure real progress in businessIf you’ve been judging your business only by clients and revenue, it’s time for a reset. Heather shares a healthier way to track progress so you can stay motivated while building long-term success. Tune in and start recognizing the wins that actually move the ball forward.Important LinksWhy Your Revenue Goals Are Sabotaging Your BusinessIs Money The Only Way To Measure SuccessLearn More About ElevateConnect with HeatherWebsiteInstagramJOIN THE PARTY:Connect with us on InstagramExplore valuable pet photography resources hereDiscover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.
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When Networking Fails with Michelle Crandall
Mar 300:29:16Tap to summarize329 - Are networking groups actually worth it for photographers? In this episode, we break down a full year inside a weekly networking group — the time, the money, and the real results. If you’ve ever wondered whether those early morning meetings are growing your business or just filling your calendar, this one’s for you.What to Listen ForWhy the networking group experiment startedThe real revenue generated in one yearThe true time commitment breakdownWhat opportunity cost actually meansWhy referrals favor certain industriesThe hidden math behind referral statisticsVisibility versus strategic alignmentWhy photographers blame themselvesWhat was gained beyond revenueHow to evaluate marketing experimentsThis episode is a reminder that activity and progress are not the same thing. If you want to build a profitable photography business, you have to look at the numbers. Listen in and decide where your energy is best spent.Join us in Elevate! Connect with MichelleWebsite InstagramConnect with HeatherWebsiteInstagramJOIN THE PARTY:Connect with us on InstagramExplore valuable pet photography resources hereDiscover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.
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