Podcast Summary: The Portrait System Podcast

Episode: How To Build A 6 Figure Business in 1 1/2 Years with Elle Yeon
Host: Nikki Closser (Sue Bryce Education)
Guest: Elle Yeon – Personal Branding Photographer
Release Date: November 3, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth conversation between host Nikki Closser and portrait photographer Elle Yeon, who built a thriving six-figure photography business in just 18 months. Elle shares her journey from a novice photographer to a sought-after personal branding expert with sessions starting at $3,000. The discussion focuses on mindset, actionable marketing strategies, effective networking, client experience, pricing, and transitioning from free work to a luxury, referral-driven brand.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Elle’s Unconventional Start in Photography

• Elle began as an “iPhone photographer,” taking casual photos of friends and food.
• Originally deterred from pursuing photography professionally due to stability concerns, she worked as a graphic designer, mainly for real estate agents.
• Motherhood motivated Elle to seek more adult interaction and a creative outlet, leading her back to photography around the age of 40. She invested in a Canon R5 and dove in, despite never having used manual settings.
  • “I just jumped in with both feet.” (05:03 – Elle)

2. Early Portfolio Building & Market Entry

• Elle built her initial portfolio with free shoots for friends, family, and former real estate colleagues.
• Her early branding sessions were collaborative, learning experiences for both her and her clients.
  • “We kind of learned together... it's just like hanging out with a friend, but you have a camera.” (06:30 – Elle)
• She emphasizes the importance of practical experience before charging industry rates.
• In her first business year, Elle made $27,000, later projecting a six-figure year.

3. Target Market & Client Experience

• Elle focuses on women, especially business owners who’ve tried branding photo shoots before but want deeper, strategic imagery.
• She offers a highly consultative, “high-touch” process, including:
  • Discovery calls
  • Pre-session styling and business strategy consults
  • Post-session consultations to help clients leverage images for their brand
• “I try to offer a full production... really get to know your business.” (08:32 – Elle)

4. Conveying Value to Clients

• Elle differentiates her service from standard photo sessions by emphasizing the personalized, strategic approach during discovery calls and on her web presence.
  • “They understand that I truly care about helping them as a business and as a human, as a woman.” (09:03 – Elle)

5. Marketing & Networking: From “Crickets” to Consistency

• Elle credits “in person networking” and active participation in women entrepreneur groups as vital to her business growth, particularly for building trust and referrals.
  • “Especially me, I need to be out there, like, meeting people, like, networking.” (10:45 – Elle)
  • Host Nikki echoes its importance: “You hire who you know, like and trust.” (21:34 – Nikki)
• Elle actively markets her “40 Over 40” campaign, drawing women over 40 for empowering portrait sessions, many of whom are business owners who convert to branding clients.

6. Mindset Shifts & Continual Learning

• Elle discusses how maturity and a willingness to connect with people overcame her introversion.
  • “The older I get, the more comfortable I am in who I am and what I do.” (12:45 – Elle)
• Early education via the Portrait System membership and coaching (with Cat Ford-Coates) was crucial.
  • “I need to learn from other people and I will definitely fast track a lot of things if I don't have to learn it the hard way myself.” (16:06 – Elle)
  • Nikki emphasizes: "There is so much support out there to help you... Once you have that education at your fingertips... taking action... is crucial." (15:59 – Nikki)

7. Finding Networking Groups & Creating Community

• Elle suggests following local businesswomen, asking for introductions, and being open. She co-founded the Nova Photog Social Club for photographers to connect.
• Specific groups she’s joined include “Made for Mothers,” a community for mom entrepreneurs.
  • “Once you get to know a few, introduced into other groups as well... I just had a very open heart about it.” (18:37, 19:08 – Elle)

8. Translating Special Campaigns into High-Ticket Clients

• “40 Over 40” participants often become branding clients since many are business owners.
• “It’s very close together because women over 40... also need branding as they own businesses.” (24:05 – Elle)
• Marketing is mainly on Instagram and Instagram Stories, focusing on authentic sharing over follower count.
  • “I just hit 1,400 [followers] recently... It’s the quality of your list.” (26:42, 27:04 – Elle & Nikki)

9. Packages, Pricing & Luxury Branding

• Entry “40 Over 40” package: $600 (includes consult, hair and makeup, shoot, interview, and magazine feature).
• Personal branding:
  • “Branding Refresh” – $3,500 (20 images)
  • “Signature Branding” – $5,000 (40 images, B-roll video, split location, strategic consult)
• Transition: If a “40 Over 40” participant wants branding, the campaign is a $200 add-on to the branding package.
  • “They usually go for the $5,000 signature collection because that also includes B roll.” (29:47 – Elle)
• Elle has confidently handled price increases as her business and value proposition have grown.
  • “The mindset that I have now is like, yeah, my business has grown this much, and what I offer has grown exponentially.” (31:44 – Elle)

10. Client Process & Fulfillment

• Discovery call and in-depth pre-session consults are standard.
• Photo shoots include multiple outfits and both studio and on-location options, with a focus on mirroring client energy.
  • “We're not here to recreate Pinterest, but we're here to show who you are and your personality.” (34:07 – Elle)
• After the shoot, clients typically receive an unretouched gallery for image selection, as Elle finds clients’ preferences vary.
• Payments are automated via Honeybook; clients often pay in full or in up to three installments.
• Most clients choose photos quickly out of excitement; occasionally, a gentle follow-up is needed.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Mindset & Growth

• Elle (16:07): “I need to learn from other people and I will definitely fast track a lot of things if I don't have to learn it the hard way myself.”
• Nikki (12:56): “You don’t have to be this extreme extrovert to be successful at these meetings. A lot of it starts with just being curious and asking questions and not making it all about you.”
• Nikki (43:24): “If someone...they say no, it might just mean not yet.”

On Building Community

• Elle (19:08): “I even helped to start a Nova Photog social club where just photographers in the area can just meet up for coffee, for dinners.”
• Nikki (21:34): “You hire who you know, like and trust. If someone in the group refers you and says, ‘I had my photos done with Elle, it was amazing’…it’s all about the relationship-building.”

On Client Experience

• Elle (08:32): “I try to offer like a full production...We'll talk about poses, we'll talk about hair and makeup, we'll talk about the props, the adjectives that they want people to think when they look at their branding.”
• Elle (33:53): “I'm not the photographer that will like, yell and be like, do this, do that. But I just kind of see who they are and I kind of respond to it, if that makes sense.”

On Pricing & Value

• Elle (31:44): “A younger me would have felt bad...but now I'm like, yeah, my business has grown this much, and what I offer has grown exponentially.”
• Nikki (27:04): “It's not about the big numbers that you have. It's the quality of your list. It's the quality of your followers.”

On Balancing Business & Family

• Elle (45:51): “Now I'm trying to keep the editing away from them. And when I'm with them, they're not watching me on my laptop or my phone and just engage with them more.”

Segment Timestamps

• Elle’s Backstory & Diving In: 02:59 – 05:35
• Portfolio Building & First Clients: 05:58 – 07:26
• Business Growth: $27k to $100k+: 07:26 – 08:09
• Defining Target Market & Service Experience: 08:10 – 10:18
• Discovery Calls & Conveying Value: 09:38 – 10:18
• In-person Networking & Referrals: 10:40 – 13:00
• Overcoming Introversion & Mindset Shifts: 12:11 – 12:50
• Education & Taking Action: 14:49 – 16:28
• Finding Local Groups & Community: 18:37 – 20:16
• Marketing the 40 Over 40 Campaign: 20:31 – 25:33
• Instagram & Audience Quality: 26:42 – 27:12
• Packages, Price Points & Service Transition: 27:35 – 31:06
• Raising Prices Confidently: 31:13 – 31:44
• Client Process: Consults & Photo Shoots: 33:03 – 35:38
• Image Delivery & Payment Structures: 35:50 – 39:13
• Booking Cadence & Outlook: 41:40 – 43:41
• Studio Setup & Growth: 43:43 – 44:32
• Lightning Round (Essentials, Balance, Gear, Advice): 44:53 – 48:45
• Where to Find Elle: 48:45 – 48:55

Final Takeaways

• Action is Crucial: Education is powerful, but deliberate action makes transformation possible.
• Networking Drives Growth: In-person connections, even for introverts, are necessary in personal branding genres.
• Niche Campaigns Create Momentum: The 40 Over 40 campaign attracts both portrait and branding clients, driving referrals and expanding reach.
• High-Touch, Consultative Service Sells: Detailed consultations and strategic client support command luxury rates.
• Pricing Reflects Value: As experience and offerings grow, confidently raise rates to reflect the service quality.
• Work-Life Boundaries Matter: Protecting family time as the business grows is intentional and essential.

Connect with Elle Yeon

• Instagram: @elleyeonphoto
• Website: elleyeonphotography.com

For photographers and business owners, this episode delivers a practical playbook for building a sustainable, premium personal branding business through strategic connections, consultative selling, and a premium client experience.