Podcast Summary: The Heart & Hustle Podcast Episode 402 Title: How to Create a Thriving Birth Photography Business with Samantha Tolleson Release Date: October 8, 2024 Hosts: Evie McLeod & Lindsay Roman Guest: Samantha Tolleson
Introduction to Samantha Tolleson and Her Journey
[00:13] Lindsay Roman introduces Samantha Tolleson, highlighting her role as a birth photographer, videographer, and podcaster based in North Texas. Samantha's passion lies in empowering women by capturing the profound moments of childbirth through her lens. She attended her first birth as a friend in 2013 and transitioned to photographing births in 2020. Samantha emphasizes her love for the birth community and her commitment to supporting and connecting with others within it.
Behind the Scenes of a Birth Photography Business
[00:48] The conversation delves into the operational aspects of Samantha's business. Evie and Lindsay pose logistical questions covering:
- Lighting Techniques: How Samantha manages various lighting scenarios in hospitals and home births.
- On-Call Responsibilities: The challenges of being available 24/7, handling overlapping due dates, and managing multiple bookings.
- Booking Strategy: Samantha prefers to take three clients per month to minimize the risk of overlapping births.
- Vacation Planning: Discussing how photographers can take time off despite the unpredictable nature of birth dates.
- Financial Viability: Debunking the myth that only wedding photography is profitable, Samantha shares her pricing structure and business sustainability.
Samantha's Path to Specializing in Birth Photography
[06:49] Lindsay Roman asks Samantha about her decision to niche down into birth photography. Samantha explains that she initially dabbled in various photography niches, including weddings, newborns, and events while working another job. Her shift to birth photography became feasible when she could commit full-time in 2020, leading to a deeply fulfilling career that aligns with her passion.
Handling the Unpredictability of Births
[14:22] The discussion shifts to the unpredictable nature of childbirth and how Samantha navigates it:
- Due Date Management: Samantha takes due dates with a flexible approach, understanding that actual birth dates often vary significantly.
- Backup Systems: Residing in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Samantha has a network of 10-15 backup photographers she can rely on in case of overlapping births.
- Client Communication: She maintains open lines of communication with clients, ensuring they understand the unpredictability and are comfortable with the arrangements.
Notable Quote:
"The possibility of two moms who are due on the same day having their baby on the same day is super rare." – Samantha Tolleson [16:55]
Building Trust and Connection with Clients
[22:13] Samantha emphasizes the importance of establishing trust with expecting mothers. She outlines her process to make clients feel comfortable:
- Pre-Booking Calls: Initial conversations to understand client expectations and ensure compatibility.
- In-Depth Questionnaires: Sent around 34 weeks to gather detailed information about preferences, emergency protocols, and specific moments clients wish to capture.
- In-Person Meetings: Especially for home births, Samantha visits clients' homes to familiarize herself with the environment and meet family members.
- Social Media Engagement: Building relationships through platforms like Instagram, where clients follow her and engage with her content before the birth.
Notable Quote:
"I always jump on a call with them before they book as long as they want to. Again, this is all like what they want." – Samantha Tolleson [23:10]
Technical Aspects of Birth Photography
[36:40] The hosts inquire about the technical challenges, such as lighting in hospitals:
- Use of Flash: Samantha uses flash photography during nighttime or dimly lit births but is flexible based on the mood and client preferences.
- ISO Adjustments: In situations where flash isn’t preferred, Samantha adjusts the ISO to manage low-light conditions, accepting some graininess for authentic moments.
- Adaptability: She emphasizes storytelling over technical perfection, capturing the emotional essence of each birth.
Notable Quote:
"It really just depends on the vibe. It depends on the moment, it depends on the mood." – Samantha Tolleson [39:45]
Navigating Hospital Policies and C-Sections
[44:49] Handling hospital policies is another critical aspect:
- Policy Navigation: Samantha approaches hospital policies with professionalism, often requesting written copies of any restrictions and collaborating with medical staff to ensure compliance.
- C-Sections: She has experience photographing C-sections, understanding the protocols and obtaining necessary clearances from doctors and anesthesiologists.
Notable Quote:
"If I get any pushback on not being in the room or not being able to do photography, my first question is, can you show me the policy?” – Samantha Tolleson [46:00]
Advice for Aspiring Birth Photographers
[51:05] Samantha offers valuable advice for those interested in entering birth photography:
- Educate Yourself on Birth: Understanding the physiology and emotional aspects of childbirth is paramount. She recommends taking doula certification or birth prep courses.
- Build a Portfolio Through Practice: Start by photographing friends’ births to gain experience without the pressure of commercial clients.
- Leverage Community Resources: Engage with Facebook groups and online communities to learn and connect with potential clients.
- Stay Persistent: Building a reputation and finding the ideal clients takes time and dedication.
Notable Quote:
"Your ideal client makes everything else worth it. You just have to keep pushing through until you meet them, until you find them, or until they find you." – Samantha Tolleson [54:41]
Favorite Resources and Business Lessons
[54:15] When asked about her favorite book, Samantha shares "10 Words to Live By" by Jen Wilkin, praising its modern, practical take on the Ten Commandments.
Regarding business lessons, Samantha underscores the significance of:
- Ideal Client Focus: Focusing on clients who genuinely appreciate and value her work makes the business rewarding.
- Building Relationships: Long-term connections with clients lead to continuous support and referrals, enhancing business sustainability.
Notable Quote:
"It's really hard in the beginning. When you're like, because we all know, like, you get those messages from people that are not your ideal client...” – Samantha Tolleson [55:27]
Final Thoughts and Contact Information
As the episode concludes, Samantha encourages listeners to connect with her through various platforms:
- Instagram, Facebook, Threads, TikTok: @SamanthaTollisonBirth
- Website: samanthatollison.com
- Podcast: Birth in Focus
She expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share her passion and insights, emphasizing the fulfillment she finds in her work.
[57:10] Evie McLeod and Lindsay Roman thank Samantha for her participation, highlighting her expertise and the valuable information shared during the episode.
Key Takeaways
- Niche Specialization: Focusing on birth photography can be as profitable and fulfilling as wedding photography when approached with passion and professionalism.
- Flexibility and Preparation: Being on call requires a flexible mindset and robust backup systems to handle the unpredictability of births.
- Building Trust: Establishing strong relationships with clients through communication and personal connection is essential in the intimate setting of childbirth.
- Technical Adaptability: Mastery of lighting techniques, including the judicious use of flash in low-light environments, is crucial for capturing authentic moments.
- Continuous Learning: Ongoing education in both photography and birth processes enriches the quality of work and client satisfaction.
- Ideal Client Focus: Prioritizing ideal clients ensures long-term business sustainability and personal fulfillment.
Notable Quotes:
- "The possibility of two moms who are due on the same day having their baby on the same day is super rare." – Samantha Tolleson [16:55]
- "I always jump on a call with them before they book as long as they want to. Again, this is all like what they want." – Samantha Tolleson [23:10]
- "It really just depends on the vibe. It depends on the moment, it depends on the mood." – Samantha Tolleson [39:45]
- "If I get any pushback on not being in the room or not being able to do photography, my first question is, can you show me the policy?" – Samantha Tolleson [46:00]
- "Your ideal client makes everything else worth it. You just have to keep pushing through until you meet them, until you find them, or until they find you." – Samantha Tolleson [54:41]
This episode offers an in-depth exploration of establishing and managing a successful birth photography business. Samantha Tolleson's experiences and strategies provide valuable insights for creative entrepreneurs looking to enter this emotionally profound niche.