The Portrait System Podcast: How Tia Haygood Achieved a $2k Sales Average with Virtual Networking (Re-Release)
Hosted by Sue Bryce Education
Release Date: June 20, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging re-release episode of The Portrait System Podcast, host Nikki Klosser sits down with Tia Haygood, a successful photographer based in Tokyo, who expertly balances her business between Japan and North Carolina. Tia shares her journey of building a thriving portrait photography business, achieving a consistent $2,000 sales average through innovative virtual networking strategies.

Tia's Journey into Photography

Tia Haygood’s path to becoming a professional photographer is both inspiring and unconventional. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Tia moved to Tokyo after graduating college, fueled by a long-standing passion for Japan sparked by literary works such as Memoirs of a Geisha. However, she didn't begin her career in photography immediately.

[02:24] Tia Haygood: "I was a student. I graduated college and I rocketed into the Japan space."

Within her first four years in Tokyo, Tia transitioned from hobbyist to professional, thanks in large part to a mentor who recognized her potential and guided her into the business world. This mentorship not only honed her photographic skills but also laid the foundation for her business acumen.

[06:36] Tia Haygood: "He was a five-time startup entrepreneur and he taught me how to build a business here in Tokyo."

Building the Business

Eight years into her career, Tia reflects on how her business has evolved dramatically. Initially balancing part-time work with growing her photography venture, she strategically focused on building her brand in key genres: headshots, lifestyle photography, and event photography. By targeting English-speaking expatriates and long-term residents in Tokyo, Tia carved out a niche that resonated with her target market.

[09:03] Tia Haygood: "I focused on headshots, lifestyle, and event photography to build my skill sets."

Her decision to self-sponsor her visa allowed her to commit full-time to her photography business, further accelerating her growth and establishing a strong presence in both Tokyo and North Carolina.

Post Processing and Efficiency

A significant challenge Tia faced was managing extensive post-processing, which was beginning to delay her workflow and dampen her motivation. To overcome this, she embraced various tools and AI technologies to streamline her editing process.

[16:22] Tia Haygood: "Aftershoot has been amazing with culling and batch post-processing. It’s really cut down the time significantly."

She utilizes Aftershoot for efficient image culling and Evoto for cleaning up images post-reveal, allowing her to finalize her edits swiftly and maintain a high level of quality without burning out.

[17:45] Tia Haygood: "Everything was great in consultations and shoots, but post-processing was where delays started."

Marketing Strategies: Virtual Networking

Tia’s success is deeply rooted in her effective use of virtual networking. Understanding the risk-averse nature of the Japanese market, she leveraged word-of-mouth and built strong relationships within the community to gain trust and secure repeat clients.

[23:57] Tia Haygood: "The first five years of my business were entirely word of mouth. Japan is a very risk-averse nation."

During the pandemic, she capitalized on virtual communities, such as the Make March Matter Facebook group, to connect with other entrepreneurs, share resources, and support each other's businesses. This online collaboration led to significant growth, with Tia experiencing her highest sales to date.

[35:26] Tia Haygood: "Through that group, I grew my business. I think I had more sales that year than any other year prior."

Additionally, Tia formed strategic partnerships with coaches and community leaders, integrating her portrait sessions into their programs to reach a broader audience and demonstrate the value of Western-style portraits.

[31:32] Tia Haygood: "Partnerships with coaches allowed me to communicate and educate Japanese clients on Western-style portraits."

Pricing and Business Growth

Tia strategically structured her pricing to reflect the value she provides while ensuring consistent sales averages. Initially offering competitive rates, she gradually increased her prices as demand surged, a move that underscored her value and helped manage her workload effectively.

[46:29] Tia Haygood: "I raised my prices from $29 per image to $59, and then to $100 per image."

By aligning her pricing with the quality and uniqueness of her services, Tia not only maintained a stable income but also positioned herself as a premium photographer in a competitive market.

Working Across Two Locations: Tokyo and North Carolina

Balancing her business between Tokyo and North Carolina, Tia highlights the importance of virtual networking and maintaining strong client relationships regardless of location. Her ability to market herself virtually allowed her to tap into clients back home while managing her operations in Japan seamlessly.

[34:03] Tia Haygood: "I recreated the sense of community from my virtual networking in Charlotte to build relationships and market my services effectively."

Through meticulous planning and leveraging online tools, Tia successfully manages to satisfy clients in both regions, ensuring her business remains robust and versatile.

Challenges in the Japanese Market

Tia discusses the unique challenges photographers face in Japan, particularly the cultural emphasis on risk aversion and customer honorifics, which make it difficult to command prices reflective of their true worth. However, she emphasizes that building trust and delivering exceptional service can gradually shift perceptions and encourage clients to invest in higher-value photography services.

[27:23] Tia Haygood: "It's hard for photographers to convince their audience to pay what they're worth because the customer is God here."

Despite these challenges, Tia's dedication to quality and community-building has enabled her to break through these barriers and establish a loyal client base willing to invest in her services.

Key Tools and Recommendations

Tia pays particular attention to maintaining her equipment in Tokyo’s humid climate. She highly recommends investing in a dry box to regulate humidity, ensuring her gear remains in optimal condition.

[55:27] Tia Haygood: "A dry box is essential here. It keeps the humidity down to a nice 30%, protecting all my camera gear and batteries."

Additionally, she leverages AI tools like Infinite Tools for efficient color grading and retouching, which enhances her creative workflow and maintains high-quality outputs without excessive time investment.

[20:00] Tia Haygood: "Infinite Tools helps me brainstorm and quickly produce impactful looks for my images."

Personal Insights

Beyond her professional life, Tia finds balance through various hobbies that help her unwind and maintain mental clarity. Her love for drawing spirographs and participating in moving meditation activities like tea ceremonies in Japan reflect her creative and active approach to relaxation.

[52:07] Tia Haygood: "I enjoy spirographs and moving meditation activities to slow down my brain."

These personal practices not only provide her with mental respite but also inspire her creative process, contributing to the vibrancy and authenticity of her photography work.

Advice for New Photographers

Tia offers invaluable advice to those starting out in photography: Identify your niche early. Focusing on specific genres allows photographers to build expertise and a strong portfolio, facilitating faster growth and recognition in their chosen fields.

[56:43] Tia Haygood: "Find out what genres you really want to do within six months so you can focus and niche quickly."

She emphasizes the importance of dedication to chosen specialties, warning against spreading efforts too thinly across multiple genres, which can hinder growth and establish a lack of clear brand identity.

Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Tia credits Sue Bryce Education and The Portrait System community for providing the tools and inspiration necessary to scale her business effectively. Her story is a testament to the power of mentorship, strategic networking, and embracing technology to overcome geographical and cultural barriers in the photography industry.

For those interested in following Tia’s work or seeking inspiration, she can be found online at:

• Website: toptia.com
• Instagram & Facebook: Toptia Photos

Key Takeaways

• Mentorship Matters: Having a knowledgeable mentor can significantly accelerate business growth and personal development.
• Embrace Technology: Utilizing AI and efficient post-processing tools can streamline workflows and prevent burnout.
• Strategic Networking: Building authentic relationships and providing value within communities leads to consistent referrals and loyal clients.
• Pricing with Confidence: Properly valuing services and adjusting prices as demand grows is crucial for maintaining a sustainable business.
• Niche Focus: Early identification and specialization in specific photography genres can lead to faster recognition and success.

This episode of The Portrait System Podcast serves as an enlightening guide for photographers aiming to build a successful business through strategic networking, efficient workflows, and a clear focus on their niche. Tia Haygood's experiences offer practical insights and actionable steps to inspire and guide aspiring photographers on their path to success.