 |
Flourish Academy PodcastAuthor: Heather Lahtinen
Our purpose at the Flourish Academy is to leave people better than we found them. We hope to inspire and motivate you to reframe your thinking in a way that serves you. Our hope is that you will reply with, "wow, I never thought of it that way." Language: en Genres: Education, Self-Improvement Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
Podcast Ep 430 - What a $200K Photographer Would Do If She Had to Start Over
Episode 430
Monday, 7 September, 2026
What if building a $100K photography business could actually be fun and easy? In this episode, Heather sits down with Jessica Wasik, owner of Bark and Gold Photography, founding member of Elevate, and now a head coach inside the program. Jess has built a photography business generating around $200,000 per year, but there was no magic formula behind it. Instead, her success came from experimenting, meeting people, staying visible, investing in education, and refusing to make every obstacle mean something had gone wrong. Heather and Jess unpack the clues behind her success and why you don't need more clients, more stress, or more hours to build a profitable photography business. You can check Jessica's incredible work here: https://barkandgoldphotography.com/ This episode is also a powerful example of what makes Elevate different. Jess didn't simply learn from Heather; she became part of the community, grew her own business, and now helps other photographers do the same as a head coach. Being surrounded by photographers who are actively creating the results you want gives you something incredibly valuable: evidence that it's possible. Key Takeaways: Success leaves clues. Instead of searching for one magic formula, study how successful photographers think, act, experiment, and respond when things don't work. Experimentation is a powerful marketing strategy. Jess is constantly testing new ideas rather than waiting for someone to tell her exactly what will work. Not every experiment needs to succeed. If something doesn't work, you can simply let it fade away and try something else. Meet people instead of waiting to be discovered. Jess recognizes that if people don't know she exists, they can't book her. Being an introvert doesn't mean you can't market yourself. You don't need to become an outgoing, extroverted salesperson. You can simply connect with people in a way that feels authentic to you. Stop worrying about things your clients aren't worried about. Photographers can spend enormous amounts of energy analyzing things that their clients don't even notice or care about. Learn to turn down the volume on your thoughts. Jess's "overthinkatorium" is a great reminder that you don't have to listen to every thought your brain produces. Look outside your industry for inspiration. Other businesses can provide fresh ideas when everyone in your own industry seems to be doing the same thing. Education can have a tremendous return. Investing in learning can give you skills, ideas, confidence, and strategies that continue paying off long after the initial investment. Don't chase every shiny object. Take what is useful from education and leave what doesn't fit your business or personality. You don't need more clients to reach six figures. You may simply need fewer, more aligned clients who are willing to invest more. You don't have to work yourself into the ground. Profitability and quality of life can coexist. Put yourself in proximity to people creating the results you want. Seeing other photographers succeed can provide evidence that your own goals are possible. Make business fun instead of miserable. There will always be challenges, but you don't have to build a business you hate running. What if six figures doesn't require more clients, more hours, or more stress? What if the photographers already doing it could show you exactly what you're missing? Jess's story proves that success can be built through experiments, education, visibility, and a willingness to keep going. Press play and discover the clues behind a $200K photography business, and what you can start doing differently today. How to Support the Podcast: Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review. If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people. Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com Connect: Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram
