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:

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• Email: luci@lucidumas.com
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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:

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• Email: luci@lucidumas.com
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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
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• 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 so jazzed to have a conversation with Ashley Lowder, a boutique newborn and maternity photographer and educator in Huntsville, Alabama. It was fantastic! She shares how she built a highly profitable business by focusing on exceptional client experience, not just taking pictures.

Ashley walks us through her concierge-style approach—from the first phone call to visiting clients in their homes, helping with wardrobe, and even installing artwork on their walls. It’s all about creating something meaningful and stress-free for her clients.

We also talk about newborn photography—lighting, wrapping, and the importance of safety—as well as staying calm and confident during sessions.

In this episode, we cover:

• Creating a high-touch, boutique photography experience

• Why in-home consultations build connection and sales

• Simple lighting tips for newborns

• Wrapping basics and newborn safety

• Separating your work from your worth

One of my favorite reminders: just because a session feels challenging doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong.

You can connect with Ashley here:

AshleyLowderPhotography.com

Instagram: @alphuntsville/

I hope you know that I’m always cheering you on as you build a photography business that is both profitable and meaningful!

Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas:

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• Email: luci@lucidumas.com
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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.

Chris Wooley, M.Photog., Cr., CPP, F-PPW—also known as The Photo Professor—is one of those people who makes you think differently in the best way. He’s a photographer, educator, and President-Elect of the American Society of Photographers, and he’s built his career around helping photographers make smarter, more intentional decisions.

And honestly… that’s what this whole conversation is about.

We talked about how every part of our work—lighting, lens choice, pricing, sales—is really just a series of decisions. And when we make better ones (with purpose instead of guessing), everything improves: our photos, our client experience, and yes… our income.

I especially loved how Chris simplifies the sales process. Instead of reinventing the wheel every time, he encourages creating a system that builds trust and guides clients naturally. No pressure, no awkwardness—just clarity and confidence. We also dive into pricing in a way that actually makes sense (what do you need, and how do you align that with your clients?).

And if you’ve ever struggled with selling wall art—this part alone is worth the listen. The way we present our work matters more than we think.

In This Episode:

• Why better decisions (not more effort) are the key to better photos and a stronger business

• How to simplify your sales process so it feels natural, not pushy

• A smarter approach to pricing that supports both you and your clients

• Why presentation—especially with wall art—can completely change your sales

This one is such a good reminder: you don’t need to do more… you just need to decide better.

And he has a $50 discount on his amazing new sales In Person Sales program IPS Viewer Lite at www.cwooley.com/profitable Use the code Profit50

Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas:

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• Email: luci@lucidumas.com
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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 explore the heart of photography—light. Inspired by the idea that “lighting is the love language of photography,” I delved into my passion and knowledge of light and lighting…and shared how light has the power to transform ordinary moments into something emotional, artistic, and truly unforgettable. This isn’t just about technique—it’s about learning to see light, shape it, and use it with intention.

Luci also breaks down how light and shadow work together to create depth, dimension, and mystery—because without shadow, everything feels flat. When you begin to understand both, your images become more expressive, more meaningful, and more impactful.

She also connects this to business: when your work feels more emotional and intentional, clients stop comparing prices—and start choosing you for your vision.

In This Episode:

• Why light and shadow are essential for creating depth, mood, and storytelling
• How mastering light elevates your work creatively—and helps you become more profitable
• The power of light direction (front, side, back) and how it shapes every portrait
• Easy, practical exercises to train your eye—using windows, your hand, or simple tools at home

This episode is both inspiring and practical—a reminder to slow down, observe, and play with light. Because when you truly understand it, your photography becomes something people don’t just see… they feel.

By the way, there is a free ebook available on my website www.lucidumascoaching.com

and a video of this podcast episode on WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/@PROFITABLEPHOTOGRAPHER

Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas:

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• Email: luci@lucidumas.com
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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 LOVED this episode of The Profitable Photographer with Suzanne Luttig, and I have to say—this conversation completely shifted the way I think about real estate photography.

It was so popular in 2023, I decided to give it a “reboot.”

What I love most about Suzanne’s journey is how intentional she was from the very beginning. When she decided to become a photographer, she didn’t just “wing it.” She went all in—education, mentorship, learning both the craft and the business side. It’s such a powerful reminder that growth doesn’t happen by accident… it happens when we commit to learning, practicing, and showing up again and again.

We also talk about why real estate photography can be an incredible niche—especially for photographers who are a little further along in life and looking for something sustainable, creative, and profitable. Suzanne shares how this path opened doors for her in a way that felt aligned and energizing.

And honestly? She made it sound like so much more fun than most of us imagine. From chasing beautiful light to composing interiors with intention, there’s a level of artistry here that might surprise you.

She would love for you to friend her on Facebook, look up her website, and ask her more questions about Real Estate Photography at timelessnebraska.com or https://www.facebook.com/TimelessNebraskaMedia/

Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas:

• Website
• Email: luci@lucidumas.com
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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.

This episode felt like such a full-circle moment for me. I’m talking with my former photography mentee, Cortnie Davis, who has grown from an 18-year-old wedding photographer into a thoughtful consultant helping creative entrepreneurs build calmer, more sustainable businesses.

Cortnie began her career behind the camera and later added floristry to her creative life. Today she works at the intersection of creativity, systems, and sales, helping wedding professionals and other service-based creatives turn all that invisible behind-the-scenes work into intentional systems that actually support their businesses.

With a background in hospitality and years of client-facing experience, Cortnie believes strong processes should feel human and supportive — not rigid or overwhelming. She’s equal parts people-obsessed and spreadsheet-loving, and her work focuses on helping creatives build workflows that allow their artistry to thrive.

In our conversation, we also reminisce about her early photography days and the moment at a conference when a little encouragement helped her keep going. Hearing how that stayed with her all these years truly touched my heart.

We also talk about the powerful mindset shift from scarcity to service, and why documenting your workflows and using tools like HoneyBook and ShootProof can make running a photography business so much easier.

In this episode

• The moment of encouragement that helped Cortnie stay in photography

• Why a service mindset can calm anxiety and make selling feel natural

• How documenting your workflows can completely change your business

• The importance of personal touches in client communication

• Systems and tools that free creatives to focus on what they love

A thoughtful, honest conversation about creativity, burnout, service, and building a photography business that feels calmer, clearer, and more profitable — without losing the human touch.

To connect with Cortnie hello@cortniedee.com

cortniedee.com

Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas:

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• Email: luci@lucidumas.com
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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.