Podcast
Worth Every Penny Joycast
Hosted by Sarah Petty · EN
How do I build my dream portrait photography business without sacrificing my family and freedom? How do I find photography clients who want more than digital files? What should I charge for my photos? What's the best way to market for photography clients? Am I ready for a studio?
Welcome to the Worth Every Penny Joycast where photographer and New York Times Best-Selling author, Sarah Petty, will answer these questions and more.
With 3 kids under 3, Sarah decided she wanted to make money with photography. But it wasn't as easy as it looked. After a few years and lots of tears, she built her little portrait photography business into one of America's most profitable and this joycast will show you how. It's designed for photographers who want more from their portrait hotography business, more profits, more clients and more free time…and don't want to sacrifice their family along the way.
Each week you'll learn pricing tips, marketing ideas, selling tips and get insights into what's working now. Along with a huge helping of motivation to build your own photography business where your clients say you're worth every penny.
You can find Sarah Petty at:
www.photographybusinessinstitute.com
www.instagram.com/sarah.petty
www.facebook.com/photographybusinessinstitute
34episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
#317: 6 Business Skills 99% of Photographers Don't Have (But Should)
1w ago00:14:34Tap to summarizeMost photographers think talent is the thing that builds a profitable business. But what if the photographers winning awards are also the ones quietly burning out, overworking, and barely making money? This episode is the wake-up call so many portrait photographers need. Sarah Petty breaks down the six business skills photographers often avoid, even though they're the exact skills that create freedom, profit, and a family-first life. From cash flow and outsourcing to planning, branding, and building genuine client relationships, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what actually moves a business forward. • Why "busy" doesn't always mean profitable, and the numbers every photographer needs to understand • The mindset shift that helps photographers stop drowning in busywork and start buying back their time • How genuine human connection leads to better clients, stronger referrals, and more meaningful work If you've been feeling stretched thin, reacting instead of leading, or wondering why your business still feels harder than it should, this episode will feel like a deep exhale. Press play, you might realize the missing piece isn't your photography at all. RESOURCES: Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos: https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756
Transcribe →#316: It's Boring, But It Will Make Even Beginner Photographers More Money
2w ago00:09:54Tap to summarizeWhat if the thing you've been overlooking is actually the thing that could change everything? In a world obsessed with fast bookings and digital files, it's easy to believe you need more clients, more hustle, and more content to succeed. But the photographers building sustainable, profitable businesses are often doing something much quieter, and far more meaningful. In this week's Joycast, Sarah Petty breaks down the "boring" business model that helped her go from overwhelmed mom of three to one of America's most profitable photographers. This episode is a powerful reminder that success doesn't come from chasing trends. It comes from serving people deeply and creating artwork that actually matters in their lives. Here's a peek at what you'll walk away with: • Why selling wall portraits creates more freedom, profit, and connection than chasing high-volume sessions • The mindset shift that helps beginner photographers confidently charge more, even without a perfect portfolio • How simple systems, not talent alone, are what truly create thrilled clients and repeat referrals If you've been feeling exhausted trying to "keep up" with the photography industry, this episode might feel like permission to build your business differently. Slower. Simpler. More intentionally. Press play and rediscover what people are really investing in when they hire you. RESOURCES: Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos: https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756
Transcribe →#315: $400 vs $4,000 Portrait Photographer: What's the difference?
3w ago00:24:27Tap to summarizeMost photographers aren't struggling because they lack talent. They're struggling because they built a business that demands everything from them and gives very little back. If you've ever felt exhausted chasing sessions, undercharging to stay booked, or wondering if this industry can actually support your life, this episode will hit home. In this week's Joycast, Sarah Petty breaks down the real difference between a $400 portrait photographer and a $4,000 portrait photographer. Spoiler alert, it has nothing to do with your camera or your market. It's about the client experience, the relationships you build, and the business model you choose. Sarah shares the mindset shifts and practical changes that help photographers stop competing on price and start creating profitable, sustainable businesses. Here's a sneak peek: ● Why sales actually begin in the very first client conversation ● The surprising reason clients invest more when they're more involved ● How intentional planning creates bigger orders with less overwhelm If you're tired of hustling for small orders and craving a business that gives you more freedom, more confidence, and deeper client connections, this episode will show you what's possible. RESOURCES: Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos: https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756
Transcribe →#315: $400 vs $4,000 Portrait Photographer: What's the difference?
4w ago00:24:22Tap to summarizeYou're working nonstop, booking sessions, delivering galleries… and still feeling stuck. Like no matter how hard you push, the income just won't follow. What if the problem isn't you, but the model you've been taught to follow? In this episode, Sarah Petty pulls back the curtain on the exact 4-step process she used to build a six-figure portrait business, without burning out or missing life at home. It's a shift in thinking, pricing, and how you serve. • Why low-priced digital sessions quietly cap your growth • The mindset shift from selling photos to creating experiences • How fewer clients can actually mean more income and freedom If you've been hustling harder with little return, this might be the reframe you've been needing. Press play, your next level could be simpler than you think. RESOURCES: Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos: https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756
Transcribe →#313: 7 Photography Business Lies That Keep You Broke
Apr 2900:19:40Tap to summarizeYou're working nonstop, tweaking, learning, upgrading… and still not seeing the money reflect the effort. It's frustrating, confusing, and honestly a little defeating. What if the real problem isn't your talent, but the beliefs quietly running your business? In this episode, Sarah Petty pulls back the curtain on seven industry "truths" that are actually keeping photographers stuck. From her own journey out of overwhelm to building a wildly profitable business, she shares what actually creates momentum, and why this matters more than ever right now. • The hidden "busy work" that feels productive but keeps you broke • Why selling from your own wallet is silently capping your income • The mindset shift that turns doubt into forward motion If something feels off in your business but you can't name it, this is the clarity you've been craving. Press play, you might finally see what's been holding you back. RESOURCES: Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos: https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756
Transcribe →#312: From Shoot-and-Burn to $44,000 in a New City
Apr 2200:33:57Tap to summarizeYou know that quiet frustration, when your talent is real but your income doesn't reflect it. When you're working hard, giving everything away, and still wondering why it's not clicking. This episode speaks right to that moment. Audrey shares what it looked like to start over in a brand new city, no clients, no safety net, and stuck in a cycle that wasn't working. Her turning point wasn't more hustle, it was a shift in how she saw her value and her business. • The mindset shift that turned $350 clients into $1,000+ orders • Why "doing what everyone else does" keeps you stuck and underpaid • What finally made her feel confident charging what she's worth If you've been grinding and hoping something will change, this might be the moment it finally does. Press play and listen for the shift you've been avoiding. RESOURCES: Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos: https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756
Transcribe →#311: How to Talk Like A Premium Photographer (And Charge More)
Apr 1500:32:42Tap to summarizeYou can feel it in the room. The hesitation. The silence. And somehow, you make it mean something about you. But what if it's not your pricing, or your talent at all? In this episode, Sarah Petty breaks down the four client personalities that shape how people buy, and how learning to meet them where they are can completely change your sales experience • Why "one-size-fits-all" communication quietly costs you thousands • How to spot decision styles before the ordering appointment • What to say to make saying yes feel easy, natural, and right If selling has ever felt heavy or confusing, this will shift everything. Press play, and start serving your clients in a way that finally works for both of you. RESOURCES: Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos: https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756
Transcribe →#310: 8 Pricing Mistakes That Keep Photographers Broke
Apr 800:16:27Tap to summarizeYou're working nonstop, booking sessions, delivering galleries… and still wondering why it feels so hard to make real money. If pricing has ever left you second-guessing everything, this episode will hit close to home. Sarah Petty pulls back the curtain on the 8 pricing mistakes that quietly drain photographers' income and confidence. From guessing your prices to overgiving and undercharging, she shares the hard-earned lessons that changed everything. • The hidden ways "being affordable" keeps you stuck and exhausted • Why more options and digital files are costing you more than you think • How to finally price with clarity, confidence, and a real system If you've been blaming yourself or your talent, this will shift everything. You're not broken, your pricing is. Press play and start rebuilding a business that actually supports your life. RESOURCES: Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos: https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756
Transcribe →#309: Habits of Top 1% Women in Portrait Photography
Apr 100:22:49Tap to summarizeYou don't need more hustle. You need habits that actually hold your life together. If you've ever felt like success means choosing between your family and your business, this will hit deep. In this episode, Sarah pulls back the curtain on the daily habits she's seen in women quietly building six and seven figure photography businesses, without losing themselves in the process. • The simple planning shift that turns chaos into clarity • Why your energy, not your time, is your real currency • How letting go of "doing it all" unlocks real growth If you're tired of spinning your wheels and ready for steady, grounded progress, press play. This might be the reset you've been needing. RESOURCES: Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos: https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756
Transcribe →#308: 27 Years of Photography Business Advice for Women in 17 Minutes
Mar 2500:18:04Tap to summarizeWhat if the very things you worry might hold you back as a mom are actually your biggest business superpowers? After 27 years in the photography industry, Sarah shares the hard-earned wisdom that proves women, especially mothers, are uniquely positioned to build thriving portrait businesses. From opening her studio just weeks before 9/11 to becoming one of the most profitable photographers in the U.S., Sarah reflects on the lessons that shaped her journey. In this episode, she distills nearly three decades of experience into practical advice for women photographers who want both a profitable business and a family-first life. • Why the multitasking and systems you use at home can become your greatest business advantage • How resilience, connection, and calm energy create unforgettable client experiences • The mindset shift that helps women stop "figuring it out alone" and start building real momentum If you've ever wondered whether you can build a photography business without sacrificing your family life, this episode is for you. Press play and hear the advice Sarah wishes every woman photographer knew from the beginning. RESOURCES: Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos: https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756
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