The Portrait System Podcast

How To Connect With Your Clients & Get A $5k Sales Average with Lindsay Hite (Re-Release)

Original air date: September 18, 2025
Host: Nikki Closser
Guest: Lindsay Hite, Show Your Spark Photography (Boston)

Episode Overview

This inspiring episode spotlights Lindsay Hite, founder of Show Your Spark Photography in Boston, who has built a thriving empowerment (boudoir) photography business with a $5,000 average sale. Host Nikki Closser dives into Lindsay’s unique journey from art-school student to successful studio owner, exploring how Lindsay connects deeply with clients, outsources what isn’t her “zone of genius,” and crafts a stellar full-service experience for every client. Photographers eager to elevate their own businesses will appreciate Lindsay's insights on client connection, team-building, pricing, and premium service offerings.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Lindsay’s Unconventional Entry into Photography

• Lifelong Passion: Lindsay discovered photography in high school thanks to a dedicated teacher and a black and white darkroom. Unlike many, she didn’t switch from another career but went from art school straight into photography.

  • “I always knew what I wanted to do and just had some really great opportunities along the way.” – Lindsay, [03:04]

• Early Career in the 2008 Recession:

  • Lindsay worked at a photo lab, assisted established photographers, and “got scrappy” as the industry shifted from film to digital.
  • “I have no mortgage, I have no debt...maybe I should just go even deeper into this. And I did.” – Lindsay, [05:07]

• Wedding Photography Foundation:

  • Weddings were Lindsay’s “entry point” and mainstay for over a decade, teaching her service and business basics. She transitioned out of weddings starting in 2018, and the pandemic prolonged her move to empowerment photography until 2022.

Building the Show Your Spark Studio Experience

• From Auto Body Shop to Dream Studio:

  • Lindsay transformed an old repair shop into a stylish, all-in-one studio with diverse sets, hair/makeup, a client lounge, and an in-studio viewing theater.
  • “It was an auto body shop… it had wild like red linoleum floor, purple walls… so I refinished the floors. We changed the garage bay into the mini movie theater.” – Lindsay, [14:13]

• Team Structure and Outsourcing:

  • Lindsay emphasizes working in her “zone of genius” and building a strong support team including a production manager, a copy editor/client concierge, and an in-studio hair/makeup & album designer. She also outsources bookkeeping, marketing, and other critical business tasks.
  • “We call it our zone of genius… I love having a team of experts that I can ask, ‘what should I do about this or that?’” – Lindsay, [16:17]

• When to Hire a Team:

  • “I knew I was ready when I just didn’t have time to do it all.” – Lindsay, [17:22]
  • Many team members started as happy clients, naturally becoming part of her business’s fabric.

Empowerment Over Boudoir: Depth in Client Connection

• Not Just Boudoir:

  • While Lindsay uses the boudoir genre for SEO, she views her work as “empowerment photography,” tailored for every client regardless of comfort level or style.

• The Client Consultation:

  • Lindsay’s pre-shoot consultation digs deep—beyond “how do you want to be photographed?”—to unearth client motivations, insecurities, and personal victories.
  • “Why is now the perfect time for you to think about being photographed?...When was the last time you felt confident?...What will it mean for you in 10 years to look at a photograph where you feel confident in your body right now?” – Lindsay, [22:08]

• Impact on the Images:

  • “It does really inform the photographs...they show up as their best selves and I’m able to pull out what they want me to bring out...as opposed to me making assumptions.” – Lindsay, [24:50]

The Premium Full-Service Client Journey

• Seamless, Luxury Experience:

  • Clients receive guides, optional pre-session calls, style/wardrobe help, hair & makeup, and a choice of creative “bonus sets” (angel wings, goddess tub, fine art nudes, etc.).
  • “Our bonus scenes are like my chance to be a music video director and just, like, play.” – Lindsay, [30:30]

• Session Flow:

  • Lindsay keeps sessions focused and energy-positive, mapping out the shoot order for both client comfort and creative efficiency.
  • “For me, having a set list and an order...has helped me tremendously stay on task and not have a session turn into three hours… I want to make it a good amount of time for them to enjoy it.” – Lindsay, [33:15]

• Same-Day Ordering Session:

  • After the shoot, Lindsay’s team prepares a slideshow for an in-studio, same-day ordering session, guided by client preferences and pre-set collections.
  • Clients listen to a custom meditation after the shoot to keep the empowerment energy high as they await image viewing.
  • “We are super clear with the expectation that they choose [photos and products] that day.” – Lindsay, [40:57]

• Sales & Packages:

  • Collections start at $2,900; average sale is ~$5,000. Packages are built around client desires (albums, wall art, fun products) and unique sets.
  • “Our average sale is around $5,000 in products.” – Lindsay, [28:41]

Marketing & Referrals

• SEO, Google Ads, & Events:

  • Using “boudoir” for search, Lindsay invests in Google Ads and creative event marketing to reach new clients—beyond referrals.
  • “The landscape is shifting a lot… running ad campaigns on Google has been really helpful for us… hosting events through Eventbrite…” – Lindsay, [45:09]

• Community & Referrals:

  • Alumni parties, empowerment gatherings, and thoughtful follow-up create a loyal client base who refer friends and family.
  • “We’re actually having a party tomorrow for our alumni… we decided to throw a party and celebrate it all.” – Lindsay, [42:42]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I just really want to know how to serve them. And people just honestly want to be listened to.”
  – Lindsay, [23:58]

• "[Hiring] is a match…do your research, but also trust your gut."
  – Lindsay, [18:51]

• “Don't let yourself get psyched out by what you don't know… Just, like, stay focused on what you're meant to do and don't get too worried about all the stuff you don't know, because you'll figure it out as you go.”
  – Lindsay, [49:51]

• “Luxury experience starts with feeling like you're cared for… but I knew it had to go into being a trauma-informed photographer who can hold space for people.”
  – Lindsay, [39:26]

• “Some people, like my client on Friday, she was like, ‘I'm tired and I am also beautiful. I'm also sexy. But I'm really tired right now and I want to show that I can be beautiful and sexy like I just rolled out of bed.’ I'm like, great, let's do that.”
  – Lindsay, [25:35]

Key Timestamps for Essential Segments

• Introduction to Lindsay Hite & business model – [01:24–02:35]
• Lindsay’s art school and early photography journey – [02:54–05:23]
• Transition from weddings to empowerment photography – [09:39–11:29]
• Building the Show Your Spark studio & team – [12:46–16:57]
• How to outsource and when to hire – [16:57–19:20]
• Defining her genre—boudoir, SEO, and empowerment – [20:00–21:42]
• Guiding clients through deep consultations – [22:08–25:57]
• Client experience: on-boarding, sets, and session structure – [26:55–33:15]
• Managing sessions for maximum client comfort – [33:15–34:52]
• Same-day ordering session and sales process – [34:55–40:57]
• Marketing, referrals, and community-building – [42:16–46:50]
• Rapid-fire ending: Lindsay’s essentials & advice – [47:30–51:27]

Takeaways for Listeners

• Genuine client connection is key—Ask meaningful questions and listen deeply to tailor the experience.
• Teamwork and Outsourcing—Focusing on your strengths and hiring skilled, value-aligned support can boost efficiency and client satisfaction.
• Full-Service = Higher Sales—A well-thought-out, pampering studio journey can justify premium pricing and generate higher averages.
• Adapt & Innovate in Marketing—Diversify your outreach with events, SEO, and creative campaigns to reach beyond word-of-mouth.
• Empathy & Empowerment Over Perfection—Meet clients where they are and celebrate their unique journeys.

For more on Lindsay Hite:
Website: showyourspark.com
Instagram: @showyourspark

"Thank you so much for being here." – Lindsay Hite, [01:24]