Most photographers don’t fail because of their photography, they fail because of pricing and marketing. In this episode of The Portrait System Podcast, Nikki sits down with Vanessa Joy (working photographer + educator, in business since 2008) to talk about what it really takes to keep a photography business profitable and sustainable.

In this conversation, Vanessa breaks down:

• Why “I need more leads” is usually the wrong problem
• How to market with a wide net (and why there’s no magic bullet)
• The biggest fix when you’re “posting everywhere” but still not getting inquiries
• How to audit your first impression (website + social + messaging)
• Sales + branding: why “branding” is really voice + communication
• Pricing without emotion: how to use math + data to set prices that actually support your life
• Outcome-based selling: stop selling “hours + number of images” and sell the transformation
• Raising prices without panic: keeping some clients, losing others, and finding the next pond
• Systems that prevent burnout: CRM workflows, email templates, SOPs, automations
• Hiring associate photographers: how to sell “the studio/team” (not just you)

If you’re serious about building a photography business that lasts, this episode will save you years of trial and error.

Find Vanessa:

VanessaJoy.com (photo work + corporate work + education)

If this helped, subscribe, share it with a photographer friend, and drop a comment: What’s harder for you right now — pricing or marketing?

If you’re building a photography business, want to grow your portrait photography income, or are curious about how to make money from photography online, this conversation is packed with actionable advice.

👉 For more videos like this, visit: https://theportraitsystem.com/

ABOUT THE PORTRAIT SYSTEM:

• The step-by-step system to turn your portrait photography into a profitable business.
• Build a solid foundation for the portrait business you want
• Attract the right clients over and over again
• Confidently create the work you’re proud of
• Streamline, scale, and grow with purpose

Join an international community of thousands of photographers learning to build and succeed in their portrait businesses.

With hundreds of specially designed courses to help you create and grow a profitable contemporary portrait business.

Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, The Portrait System gives you the tools to build a portrait business that supports your life.

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Taxes don’t have to be the thing you avoid until April. In this episode of The Portrait System, Nikki sits down with Heather Leicy (tax prep educator + bookkeeper + working photographer) to break down photographer tax deductions, year-round tax prep, and the biggest “can I write this off?” mistakes.

You’ll learn:

• What to do monthly so you’re not scrambling at tax time
• A simple system for setting aside 20–30% for taxes
• Common photographer deductions: education, software, gear, website costs, client gifts
• The truth about meals/coffee write-offs (when it counts, when it doesn’t)
• Home office deduction basics and “dedicated space” rules
• Why mileage tracking is one of the most missed deductions (and the app Heather recommends)
• A simple breakdown of LLC vs S-corp taxation and why it’s a math decision
• Why sales tax rules vary so much by state (digital vs physical vs services)

Important: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or accounting advice. Tax laws vary by location and change over time. Always consult a qualified CPA/tax professional about your specific situation.

Find Heather

• Instagram: @heather.marie.Leicy
• Community: Conquer Community – theconquercommunity.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a photographer friend who needs a tax reset.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What does it really take to photograph celebrities and musicians and build a photography career that actually lasts?

In this episode of The Portrait System Podcast, Nikki Closser sits down with Jim Wright, a renowned photographer who has worked with iconic musicians, A-list celebrities, and major publications. Jim pulls back the curtain on the real business of celebrity and music photography - beyond the glamour.

You’ll learn:

• How Jim broke into celebrity and music photography without a traditional plan
• The truth about licensing, usage, and work-for-hire contracts
• When (and when not) to shoot for exposure
• Why relationships matter more than portfolios
• How personal work, family portraits, and commercial projects can coexist
• What photographers misunderstand about pricing and sustainability

Whether you’re an aspiring photographer or an established pro, this conversation is packed with honest insights about longevity, creative integrity, and building a career on your terms.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Get a FREE Posing eBook from The Portrait System here: https://the-portrait-system.lpages.co/podcast-pose-funnel/

Today, on The Portrait System Podcast, our guest is portrait & lifestyle photographer Damien Carter. Listen in as host Nikki Closser interviews Damien about how he built his business for success in less than a year after being laid off from his full-time job. Damien tells us all about how he keeps his prices high and clients coming back. If you're looking for inspiration this week, then this episode is for you!

PODCAST LISTENER SPECIAL!! If you want to get started with the Portrait System, get a special discount using code “POD7” to get one month access for just $7 here https://theportraitsystem.com/pricing/

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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Get a FREE Posing eBook from The Portrait System here: https://the-portrait-system.lpages.co/podcast-pose-funnel/

On today's special re-release of The Portrait System Podcast, our guest is portrait photographer Ivan Weiss. Listen in as host Nikki Closser interviews Ivan about his process, his business and how he infuses creativity and uniqueness into his headshot sessions. If you're looking for inspiration this week, then this episode is for you!

PODCAST LISTENER SPECIAL!! If you want to get started with the Portrait System, get a special discount using code “POD7” to get one month access for just $7 here https://theportraitsystem.com/pricing/

IG https://www.instagram.com/theportraitsystem/

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/theportraitsystem

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Get a FREE Posing eBook from The Portrait System here: https://the-portrait-system.lpages.co/podcast-pose-funnel/

Today, we have a very special re-release of the Portrait System Podcast! In this episode, host Nikki Closser interviews photographer/author/activist and body image expert Teri Hofford, who tells us about how she managed to expand her brand with body positivity. Listen in as Teri shares the ups and downs of her journey, how her own relation to body image has changed through the years, and how she now spreads body positivity to people around the world. If you're looking for an uplifting and inspiring conversation, then this podcast episode is for you!

PODCAST LISTENER SPECIAL!! If you want to get started with the Portrait System, get a special discount using code “POD7” to get one month access for just $7 here https://theportraitsystem.com/pricing/

IG https://www.instagram.com/theportraitsystem/

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/theportraitsystem

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Get a FREE Posing eBook from The Portrait System here: https://the-portrait-system.lpages.co/podcast-pose-funnel/

To end the year off on a strong note, we are re-releasing a very special episode of The Portrait System Podcast! Host, photographer and educator Nikki Closser interviews Stephanie Ewens who tells us all about her amazing inspiring story. Stephanie went from being a shoot and burn photographer with a $300 sales average to a full time working photographer with a $3500 average. Don’t miss out on this episode and don’t forget to subscribe for more inspirational stories!

PODCAST LISTENER SPECIAL!! If you want to get started with the Portrait System, get a special discount using code “POD7” to get one month access for just $7 here https://theportraitsystem.com/pricing/

IG https://www.instagram.com/theportraitsystem/

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/theportraitsystem

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Get a FREE Posing eBook from The Portrait System here: https://the-portrait-system.lpages.co/podcast-pose-funnel/

Today on this special re-release of The Portrait System Podcast, Vancouver-based boudoir and empowerment Michele Mateus is our guest. Listen in as Michele tells us all about her business journey and how she has achieved a $3k+ sales average. Don't miss out on this exceptional episode!

PODCAST LISTENER SPECIAL!! If you want to get started with the Portrait System, get a special discount using code “POD7” to get one month access for just $7 here https://theportraitsystem.com/pricing/

IG https://www.instagram.com/theportraitsystem/

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/theportraitsystem

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Get a FREE Posing eBook from The Portrait System here: https://the-portrait-system.lpages.co/podcast-pose-funnel/

Today on the Portrait System Podcast, host, photographer and educator Nikki Closser interviews personal branding photographer Elle Yeon. Starting from zero and within a year and half, Elle built a 6 figure photography business and went from charging $0 to now $3000 a session. Listen in as Elle walks us through how she did it, how she prices her services, markets and more. Don't miss out on this incredibly educational interview!

PODCAST LISTENER SPECIAL!! If you want to get started with the Portrait System, get a special discount using code “POD7” to get one month access for just $7 here https://theportraitsystem.com/pricing/

IG https://www.instagram.com/theportraitsystem/

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/theportraitsystem

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Get a FREE Posing eBook from The Portrait System here: https://the-portrait-system.lpages.co/podcast-pose-funnel/

Today on this special re-release of Portrait System Podcast, host, photographer and educator Nikki Closser interviews Dallas-based maternity photographer Danielle Jenkins. Danielle tells us all about her business journey and how she markets and prices herself to achieve an over $4000 sales average.

PODCAST LISTENER SPECIAL!! If you want to get started with the Portrait System, get a special discount using code “POD7” to get one month access for just $7 here https://theportraitsystem.com/pricing/

IG https://www.instagram.com/theportraitsystem/

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/theportraitsystem

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Get a FREE Posing eBook from The Portrait System here: https://the-portrait-system.lpages.co/podcast-pose-funnel/

Today's guest on this special re-release of Portrait System Podcast is Yagazie Eguare who runs a studio with a team of photographers in Lagos, Nigeria. Yagazie has a $2500 sales average, and this episode, she goes in depth about her journey and her business. If you want to learn about her unique story and get educated about the business of photography, then this podcast is for you!

PODCAST LISTENER SPECIAL!! If you want to get started with the Portrait System, get a special discount using code “POD7” to get one month access for just $7 here https://theportraitsystem.com/pricing/

IG https://www.instagram.com/theportraitsystem/

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/theportraitsystem

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.