On The Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas, I’m joined by the wonderful Kimberly Olker for a conversation about pivoting, community, creativity, and building a photography business that can evolve with you over time.

Kimberly has been a professional photographer for more than 20 years, specializing in Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, and portraiture. She’s also a Master Photographer, Photographic Craftsman, educator, and recent winner of the top landscape image award at Imaging USA’s International Photographic Competition.

We talk about:

• What photographers need to know about photographing Bar and Bat Mitzvahs

• Why community and referrals are everything in this niche

• How Kimberly pivoted during the pandemic to continue serving families

• Transitioning into fine art and landscape photography later in your career

• Financial wisdom for photographers planning long-term success

• Why creativity and adaptability matter so much as entrepreneurs

Kimberly also shares beautiful insights about mentorship, service, and creating a business that supports both your life and your joy.

One of my favorite takeaways from this episode:

“Look for something beautiful… and even better, create it.”

If you’ve ever wondered about photographing Bar Mitzvahs, transitioning into a new genre, or creating a business that gives you more freedom over time, this episode is full of wisdom and heart.

You can find Kimberly at Olker Photography and learn more about her teaching, mentoring, and photography work there.

And as always, I’d love for you to subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform, leave a review, and connect with me at Luci Dumas Coaching.

Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas:

• Website
• Email: luci@lucidumas.com
• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube

New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.

In this solo episode, I’m talking about something so many photographers and creatives struggle with: learning to separate our work from our worth.

It’s easy to believe that if clients love our images, we are lovable… and if they don’t book, buy, or question our pricing, somehow we’re not enough.

The truth is: your value is inherent.

It is not determined by sales, praise, bookings, or outside validation.

In this episode, I share personal stories—from selling bouquets made from my neighbors’ flowers as a kid (oops!) to my journey as a recovering perfectionist—and how those experiences shaped my need for approval.

We cover:

• Why photographers confuse their product with their identity

• The 4 kinds of potential clients—and why “no” isn’t personal

• How fear of criticism holds us back

• How to learn from mistakes without spiraling

• Why growth matters more than perfection

This episode is a reminder that you are worthy and valuable—whether someone books you or not.

As always, I’m cheering you on.

Connect with me at LuciDumasCoaching.com or book a free 20-minute chat if this speaks to your heart.

Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas:

• Website
• Email: luci@lucidumas.com
• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube

New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.

I was really excited for this conversation with Jamar Jones—and it did not disappoint. He’s the real deal when it comes to branding, mindset, and building a business that actually grows.

He was a featured speaker at PPA’s Imaging Expo this year and got rave reviews. Author of the book Change Your Circle, Change Your Life AND host of The Foureva Podcast.

In this rich conversation, Jamar shares how he went from music to photography and videography, and then into business advisory. This journey included opening for TI, Snoop Dogg, and Keyshia Cole as a hip-hop artist. Then created a thriving photography business. and a company called Foureva Media, where he is a branding/business advisor for clients such as Marcus Lemonis and Red Bull.

We talk a lot about something I know so many of us struggle with—how to grow when we feel stuck. His answer? Change your circle. Not by abandoning people, but by expanding into spaces where you’re challenged, supported, and inspired. By networking is ways that work with people who can support you and that you support in return.

We also get into the balance of Mindset and Action (he says it’s 50/50), how to introduce yourself in a way that makes people lean in, and why soft skills might matter even more than your technical skills.

A few things we cover:

• A better way to network (and actually connect)

• Why mindset + action both matter

• Building referral relationships that last

And I love this question he shared for networking: “What exciting things are you working on right now?”

So much better than “What do you do?”

If you’ve ever felt stuck or like you’re doing all the things but not getting where you want to go, this episode will give you a fresh perspective.

You can find Jamar at Forever Media and check out his book Change Your Circle, Change Your Life.

He has a gift for you too…a Wiki Audit https://forms.gle/u38m7S6RXmkWCAdX8

And as always, I would love for you to subscribe, comment, and check out my lucidumascoaching.com website

Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas:

• Website
• Email: luci@lucidumas.com
• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube

New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.