What do you do when you've been in business for 13 years, you can take beautiful photos, but you just can't seem to get the clients? Do you give up, or do you get help?

In this honest and vulnerable episode, Sydney-based dog and equine photographer Allira Fontana shares her journey from event photography burnout to building a sustainable private session business. Allira opens up about the moment she nearly threw in the towel, the game-changing decision to invest in business coaching with Mark Rossetto, and why the old "do free sessions for a few months" approach simply doesn't work anymore.

If you've ever felt stuck in your business, struggled with marketing, or questioned whether you should keep going, this episode is for you.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

1. How to know when it's time to invest in business coaching (and how to find the right coach for you)
2. Why marketing was the missing piece in Allira's business puzzle
3. The importance of finding accountability partners in your photography journey
4. How to navigate burnout without giving up on your dream
5. Why it's okay to pivot, pause, or change direction in your business
6. The real timeline for building a profitable pet photography business (spoiler: it's not 3 months)

About Allira Fontana:

Allira Fontana is a Sydney-based dog and equine photographer with almost 13 years of experience in the industry. After starting with event photography and experiencing significant burnout, Allira pivoted to private sessions and invested in business coaching that transformed her approach to marketing and client acquisition. She's passionate about supporting other photographers on their journey and is an accountability partner to Ina.

Instagram: @allirafontanaphotography

Website: https://www.allirafontana.com/

Allira's Social Media Pet Photographers Facebook Group

If you want to sign up for the workshop, join the Pet Photographers' collective, it’s a free community for pet photographers who want to build a profitable, sustainable business with less overwhelm.

Inside, Ina shares:

1. Practical marketing tips
2. Business lessons and mindset shifts
3. Free resources to help you grow

Connect with other photographers who get it and start creating a business that truly supports your life, not consumes it.

Join here → https://www.skool.com/pet-photographers-collective-3125/about?ref=9c7b56d2963f48a791297a43a29109e1

Interested in being featured on a future...

What actually makes a pet photography business sustainable long term?

In this episode, Ina sits down with Tatum from The Social Dog Company for a raw, honest conversation about what it really takes to build a profitable pet business without burning out or relying on paid ads.

Tatum shares her journey from running dog-friendly events and rescue fundraisers to rebuilding her business from absolute rock bottom and growing a multi six-figure marketing company serving pet businesses around the world. This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a real look at resilience, business models, and the unglamorous work that actually moves the needle.

Together, they unpack why so many talented photographers struggle to book clients, why “just posting on Instagram” isn’t a strategy, and how simplifying your offer and messaging can completely change how people respond to your business.

This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed by marketing, or frustrated that your work isn’t translating into consistent bookings.

1. Why incredible photography alone doesn’t build a successful business
2. The biggest mistake pet photographers make with marketing
3. Why organic marketing foundations matter before running ads
4. How to stop confusing potential clients with too many offers
5. What “hustle” actually means in the early stages of business
6. Why going viral doesn’t always help your business
7. How to attract the right clients instead of more followers
8. The difference between awareness, consideration, and conversion
9. Why email marketing still outperforms social media for sales
10. How to think like a business owner, not just a creative

1. Simplify your offers and sell one core service clearly
2. Use stories to sell through pain point, solution, and outcome
3. Stop waiting until everything feels perfect before putting yourself out there
4. Focus on consistent action instead of chasing quick wins
5. Build marketing systems that support your life, not consume it

Instagram: @thesocialdogcompany

Website: https://www.thesocialdogcompany.com

Tatum also offers free social media audit and regularly runs practical social media challenges for pet business owners who want better visibility and clearer messaging.

Season Two of The Pet Photographers’ Journal is officially here.

In this solo episode, Ina kicks off 2026 with a grounded, honest reset for pet photographers who want more clarity, more momentum, and a business that actually supports their life.

Ina shares what she’s seeing across the industry, what the data is telling us, and where photographers should focus their energy this year. This isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what works.

If 2025 felt noisy, overwhelming, or unpredictable, this episode will help you cut through the chaos and start the year with intention.

The state of the photography industry heading into 2026

1. Why the technical side of photography is easier than ever
2. Why the business side feels harder and noisier
3. What industry reports are revealing about revenue, client behaviour, and sustainability

How to actually win in 2026

1. Why connection and client experience matter more than gear or trends
2. What photographers doing In-Person Sales (IPS) are earning compared to digital-only studios
3. Why print is far from dead and how it continues to drive long-term revenue

Two simple January action steps to build momentum

1. The Friction-Free Client Audit
2. How to secret shop your own website and remove the small points of friction that quietly kill bookings.
3. The Warm Circle Wake-Up
4. Why your next bookings are likely already in your world and how three short voice notes can restart engagement without selling.

How to choose the right level of support for where you’re at

1. The difference between needing a roadmap, a reset, or an engine
2. When to plan, when to refine, and when to take action
3. Why predictable bookings come from systems, not algorithms

If you want to sign up for the workshop, join the Pet Photographers' collective — it’s a free community for pet photographers who want to build a profitable, sustainable business with less overwhelm.

Inside, Ina shares:

✨ Practical marketing tips

✨ Business lessons and mindset shifts

✨ Free resources to help you grow

Connect with other photographers who get it and start creating a business that truly supports your life, not consumes it.

Join here →