Passion With Purpose - Photography Podcast, Creative Business, Social Media Marketing
Nathan Chanski - Photography Educator, Photography Business Coach, Photographer
If you're an aspiring wedding photographer or established creative business entrepreneur and you’re looking for value-packed photography education, wisdom, and real talk about how to run your biz, this is the place for you! I’m a wedding photographer/business coach who went from quitting my 9-5 to pursue full-time photography, started out making less than a thousand per wedding to booking six figs/year, and learning SO much along the way that I'm bursting at the seams to share with you. See you right here twice week (M & W) and hit that subscribe/follow button so you never miss a thing!
- 34 minutes 20 secondsShe almost quit. Then she doubled her income. (Student Story with Olivia Tarkowski)
"I’m giving myself one more year… and if by the start of 2026 this is still literally going nowhere… maybe this isn’t what I’m supposed to be doing."
That's what Olivia Tarkowski (today's guest) said to her husband in January of 2025.
Good grief did her story take a turn!
Today, I'm joined by Business Blueprint student named Olivia, a wedding photographer who went from struggling to book consistently (she floated the idea of quitting at one point!) — to closing her books, doubling her income, and hitting 70–80% booking rates in just a few months.
...oh and then she hit $100k in 2025.
We talk candidly about leaving corporate, walking through uncertainty, rebuilding her brand, and what changed when she finally surrendered control of her business to God.
Her story is a real life story of faith, persistence, and breakthrough.
If you’re in a slow season, questioning your calling, or wondering if this business can actually work — this episode is for you.
⭐️Nathan’s Signature Coaching Program:THE BUSINESS BLUEPRINT⭐️
Questions about the Business Blueprint? Email [email protected] to chat with Nathan directly.
📄Get my FREE Inquiry Email Response Template HERE.📄
✍️CLICK HERE TO RATE & REVIEW THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS!✍️ (Click the link, scroll down to where it says “Ratings & Reviews” and click the small link that says “Write a Review”)
Follow Nathan on Instagram: @nathanchanski
Follow Olivia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliviatarkowskiphoto/
Her website: https://oliviatarkowskiphoto.com/
18 February 2026, 8:00 am - 35 minutes 43 secondsHow this Photo/Video duo went from burnout to $200K. (Business Blueprint Student Interview)
Today I’m sitting down with Josh and Lily of McKinley Made Photo & Film(Wedding Photographer and Videographer team), Business Blueprint students who went from being overworked, underpriced, and stretched thin — to breaking $200K in a year as a photo + video duo.
We talk honestly about what actually changed: raising prices, refining their client experience, rebuilding confidence, investing before it felt comfortable, and trusting God through the uncertainty of entrepreneurship.
No theory. No hype. Just a behind-the-scenes look at what growth really looked like for them.
If you want proof that change is possible — this episode delivers.
What We Cover:
- Why booking more weddings wasn’t the answer — and what was
- How they raised prices (and didn’t lose momentum)
- Booking their highest package ever right after relaunching
- The mindset shift that unlocked better clients
- Going from survival mode to structure + clarity
- Building a photo + video duo business without burning out
- Investing in your business when it feels risky
- How faith played a role in navigating uncertainty
- What they’d tell their past selves before making the leap
⭐️Nathan’s Signature Coaching Program:THE BUSINESS BLUEPRINT⭐️
Questions about the Business Blueprint? Email [email protected] to chat with Nathan directly.
📄Get my FREE Inquiry Email Response Template HERE.📄
✍️CLICK HERE TO RATE & REVIEW THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS!✍️ (Click the link, scroll down to where it says “Ratings & Reviews” and click the small link that says “Write a Review”)
Follow Nathan on Instagram: @nathanchanski
Follow McKinley Made on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themckinleymade/
Their website: https://www.themckinleymade.com/
11 February 2026, 8:00 am - 47 minutes 41 secondsFriends & family discounts, haters, parenthood, sharing your faith online, & more. (Q&A episode)
You asked, and I answered on this Q&A episode.
In this rapid-fire Q&A, I’m tackling the real questions photographers are thinking but rarely say out loud: family discounts, industry haters, how to get in with planners, personal branding beyond Instagram, and how to create boundaries when you’re booking months out. We also go into some juicy stuff: politics + pressure, sharing faith in business, and a nuanced take on tithing vs. generosity as a Christian entrepreneur.
If you want an industry real talk (without the fluff), this one’s for you.
⭐️Nathan’s Signature Coaching Program:THE BUSINESS BLUEPRINT⭐️
Questions about the Business Blueprint? Email [email protected] to chat with Nathan directly.
📄Get my FREE Inquiry Email Response Template HERE.📄
✍️CLICK HERE TO RATE & REVIEW THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS!✍️ (Click the link, scroll down to where it says “Ratings & Reviews” and click the small link that says “Write a Review”)
Follow Nathan on Instagram: @nathanchanski
4 February 2026, 8:00 am - 33 minutesWant "Higher End Clients?" Here's how...
The phrases "I want higher end clients" or "how do I get better clients?" or "more luxury clients" are all common phrases these days in the photography industry. Let's unpack those phrases, what they do (or do not do) for your business, and how you can actually achieve the ideal clients in your inbox.
⭐️Nathan’s Signature Coaching Program:THE BUSINESS BLUEPRINT⭐️
Questions about the Business Blueprint? Email [email protected] to chat with Nathan directly.
📄Get my FREE Inquiry Email Response Template HERE.📄
✍️CLICK HERE TO RATE & REVIEW THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS!✍️ (Click the link, scroll down to where it says “Ratings & Reviews” and click the small link that says “Write a Review”)
Follow Nathan on Instagram: @nathanchanski
28 January 2026, 8:00 am - 15 minutes 54 secondsWhen you think you aren’t enough… you aren’t! God is.
10 Minute Monday, short and sweet episode about how to process thoughts of inadequacy and incapability in our walk with Jesus Christ as our ultimate strength.
⭐️Nathan’s Signature Coaching Program:THE BUSINESS BLUEPRINT⭐️
Questions about the Business Blueprint? Email [email protected] to chat with Nathan directly.
📄Get my FREE Inquiry Email Response Template HERE.📄
✍️CLICK HERE TO RATE & REVIEW THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS!✍️ (Click the link, scroll down to where it says “Ratings & Reviews” and click the small link that says “Write a Review”)
Follow Nathan on Instagram: @nathanchanski
26 January 2026, 8:00 am - 33 minutes 21 secondsWhen clients keep choosing the cheap photographer over you...
The most discouraging feeling (or one of them) is when photography clients come at you saying things like "Sorry, you're just a bit out of our budget, and we decided to go with another photographer for our wedding instead. But we wish you the best in your business, anyway!" Feels like a gut punch, doesn't it? Let's break down how to manage something like this, and what to do or think when this happens (and keeps happening).
⭐️Nathan’s Signature Coaching Program:THE BUSINESS BLUEPRINT⭐️
Questions about the Business Blueprint? Email [email protected] to chat with Nathan directly.
📄Get my FREE Inquiry Email Response Template HERE.📄
✍️CLICK HERE TO RATE & REVIEW THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS!✍️ (Click the link, scroll down to where it says “Ratings & Reviews” and click the small link that says “Write a Review”)
Follow Nathan on Instagram: @nathanchanski
21 January 2026, 8:00 am - 51 minutes 58 secondsIf you have less bookings than you'd like...this is for you. (Student Spotlight with Spencer and Gabby of The Schau Photography)
Today I am sitting down with Spencer and Gabby from my Business Blueprint coaching program - who have been active and wildly achieving members, I must say. They are absolutely crushing the business game, and have gone from feeling stuck and stagnant in their business to making five figures in a month and six figures in a year. They talk about their no-BS tactics and mindsets that took them from stagnant to thriving. Press play to find out what they say!
⭐️Nathan’s Signature Coaching Program:THE BUSINESS BLUEPRINT⭐️
Questions about the Business Blueprint? Email [email protected] to chat with Nathan directly.
📄Get my FREE Inquiry Email Response Template HERE.📄
✍️CLICK HERE TO RATE & REVIEW THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS!✍️ (Click the link, scroll down to where it says “Ratings & Reviews” and click the small link that says “Write a Review”)
Follow Nathan on Instagram: @nathanchanski
Spencer and Gaby's website: https://theschau.com/
Spencer and Gaby's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theschauphotography/
14 January 2026, 5:00 am - 17 minutes 17 secondsDo this to become your goal-self by the end of the year.
If there was an actual "hack to life", I think this might be it? This is a simple, but wildly powerful mindset I use in my life almost every single day. Once you understand and use it, you make yourself a walking magnet for your goals.
⭐️Nathan’s Signature Coaching Program:THE BUSINESS BLUEPRINT⭐️
Questions about the Business Blueprint? Email [email protected] to chat with Nathan directly.
📄Get my FREE Inquiry Email Response Template HERE.📄
✍️CLICK HERE TO RATE & REVIEW THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS!✍️ (Click the link, scroll down to where it says “Ratings & Reviews” and click the small link that says “Write a Review”)
Follow Nathan on Instagram: @nathanchanski
7 January 2026, 8:00 am - 53 minutes 47 seconds5 big lessons I had to learn in 2025.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! This is my annual episode where I dish the vulnerable, personal, real-talk lessons I learned and earned from the year past. 2025 taught me a lot. Here's 5 of the main things it taught me that I believe would be helpful for you listening. I share where I got things wrong, where I got them right, and how God uses it all for His glory.
⭐️Nathan’s Signature Coaching Program:THE BUSINESS BLUEPRINT⭐️
Questions about the Business Blueprint? Email [email protected] to chat with Nathan directly.
📄Get my FREE Inquiry Email Response Template HERE.📄
✍️CLICK HERE TO RATE & REVIEW THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS!✍️ (Click the link, scroll down to where it says “Ratings & Reviews” and click the small link that says “Write a Review”)
Follow Nathan on Instagram: @nathanchanski
31 December 2025, 8:00 am - 16 minutes"Everyone is an artist until rent is due."
I heard this quote recently ("everyone is an artist until rent is due") and it got me thinking... Is this true? Are we all just purebred artists at our core? Do we default to creating beautiful art when we are NOT in need, and NOT stressed, and NOT short on time? And if so, how do we unlock those things? What does this say about us as a species? Press play to hear my answers to these questions. ;)
⭐️Nathan’s Signature Coaching Program:THE BUSINESS BLUEPRINT⭐️
Questions about the Business Blueprint? Email [email protected] to chat with Nathan directly.
📄Get my FREE Inquiry Email Response Template HERE.📄
✍️CLICK HERE TO RATE & REVIEW THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS!✍️ (Click the link, scroll down to where it says “Ratings & Reviews” and click the small link that says “Write a Review”)
Follow Nathan on Instagram: @nathanchanski
17 December 2025, 8:00 am - 1 hour 13 minutesHow design AND words should work together on your website. (with Chayse & Avery of Quick Site Design)
Imagine not just having your photography website designed professionally, but also copywritten professionally? Today we're talking with the team that does both, not just one. Avery and Chayse of Quick Site Design.
⭐️Nathan’s Signature Coaching Program:THE BUSINESS BLUEPRINT⭐️
Questions about the Business Blueprint? Email [email protected] to chat with Nathan directly.
📄Get my FREE Inquiry Email Response Template HERE.📄
✍️CLICK HERE TO RATE & REVIEW THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS!✍️ (Click the link, scroll down to where it says “Ratings & Reviews” and click the small link that says “Write a Review”)
Follow Nathan on Instagram: @nathanchanski
Hire QuickSiteDesign (Avery and Chayse): https://quicksitedesign.co/
Follow QuickSiteDesign (Avery and Chayse) on Instagram: @quicksitedesign
10 December 2025, 8:00 am - More Episodes? Get the App