Welcome to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast, the place where burnt out
photographers come back to life. Where fear gets replaced with confidence and
where your gift finally starts working for you, not against you.
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Podcast Episode 2 - The Secret Reason Some Photographers Get Booked Without Hustling
lundi 11 août 2025 • Durée 06:55
Welcome to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast.
Where you don't just learn how to get more clients. You learn how to create photo experiences that change lives, including your own. I'm photographer Matthew Jordan Smith, and today I want to talk about something that used to keep me up at night. Why do some photographers get booked effortlessly?
While many are doing everything they can and just barely scraping by, if that question hits home, if you've ever looked at someone's feed and thought, what am I doing wrong? You're going to want to stay with me today
because today I'm sharing the secret reason some photographers stay fully booked even when they're not posting, constantly running ads or fighting for attention, and it's probably not for the reasons that you think.
Let's start with the truth. Yes. Some photographers really don't hustle the way others do. They're not glued to their phones. They're not constantly chasing leads, but what they are doing is this. They're creating something so emotionally impactful that people talk about it even when they're not around their work.
The sessions make people feel something and that feeling spreads. Maybe they say, I felt seen, I felt beautiful for the first time in years. Or maybe they're saying, oh, she captured the version of me I forgot existed.
When you create that kind of experience. Your clients become your marketing team, not out of obligation, out of gratitude,
Let's be honest, most photographers are taught to think like this, do a great job, deliver pretty pictures. Hope they come back.
But that's not how most working photographers do it. They're not delivering transactions, they're delivering transformations. And here's the part, no one talks about. Transformation doesn't start with your lens. It starts with how you see your client before they ever enter your space, before you ever lift your camera.
When your client walks into your session and you are already holding them in a space of care, presence and belief in their beauty, they eel that. They let their guard down, they stop performing. They put down those guards that keep them from being who they truly are. They let you see them,
And when they see the final images and it reflects back something powerful and true. They may even begin to cry. I'm not kidding. They share. They come back, they tell all their friends. That's the secret.
Now, once again, I'm not just making this up out of nowhere after 38 years of working. As a photographer photographing some of the most famous people on the planet. I've seen how people act when they feel seen. You may think that, oh, the biggest celebrities are used to taking pictures, and yes, that may be true, but how they act in front of the lens is more cautious than the average person because that image in many cases is all that people see.
And with that on the line, there's a lot of pressure. So to get through to the emotional part of your clients where you actually see them, not the celebrity, not the icon, not the sports legend. When you see them, you get to pull out the true essence of that person. That's the secret.
Now, this isn't about being better or more talented, it's about being more intentional. You can start today by asking, what do I want my clients to feel about themselves by the end of this shoot? Try that on your next photo shoot. Before you go in, before you put your lens to your eye, ask yourself, what do you want your client to feel about themself by the end of the photo shoot, confidence, softness, sexy, powerful, radiance, how would you like them to feel and which can you do?
As a photographer to make them feel that way during the shoot. Then design the questions that you want to ask them as you're shooting. It's your shoot. It's your energy around helping them feel that way.
That's how you build a magnetic business, not by just shooting louder, but by connecting deeper.
So if you've ever wondered why am I working so hard and still not getting booked, it's not because you are not enough, it's because no one taught you to create a photo experience that people feel deep in their soul. But that's why. This podcast exists.
Next week I'll be sharing the simple shift that made my clients start crying in the best way when they saw their images and how that changed my business forever.
Until then, I want to leave you with this. You don't need more hustle, you need more heart, and I promise you already have that in you. Thanks for listening.
Always dream big. Bye for now.
Before you go, I’ve got a free resource for you , my “10 High-Converting Messaging Lines” guide. It’s designed to help you attract more of your ideal clients and turn conversations into paid sessions.
Podcast Episode 1 - Why You're Not Getting Consistent Clients (And What No One Tells You)
lundi 4 août 2025 • Durée 07:36
Let me ask you a question. Why do you think you are not getting consistent clients?
Welcome to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast.
The place where burnt out photographers come back to life. Where fear gets replaced with confidence and where your gift finally starts working for you, not against you.
I am your host, Matthew Jordan Smith.
If you've ever sat on your couch wondering, am I meant to be a photographer? Or maybe even thinking, what am I doing wrong? Should I give up and get a real job? Or maybe this just isn't meant for me. You are not alone.
And you are exactly who this podcast is for. Today's episode is called Why You're Not Getting Consistent Clients and What No One Tells You.
There's a Lie that gets Repeated in this industry. The lie is. If you were just more visible, more polished, more active online, you'd be booked all the time. So we blame ourselves. We think it must be me. Maybe I'm, maybe I'm just not cut out for this. I'm not meant to be a photographer, but here's what no one tells you and what I need you to hear.
You are not failing because you're not talented. You're not failing because you are lazy. You're not failing because you're charging too much. You're struggling because no one taught you how to create a photo experience that transforms people, and that's.
What keeps the photography business alive, plain and simple. I'm not just saying this out the blue. I've been making a living as a photographer for over 30 years and trust me, I've been through the ups and downs of this industry, and now I see so many young photographers and old as well. Struggling, just trying to figure this whole industry out.
So what do people really pay for? People don't actually book shoots because they want some nice pictures. Yeah, of course people do want to have great pictures of themselves, but deep inside, that's not the real reason. They book you because they're hoping quietly, secretly. To see themselves differently. I should say that again.
So it really resonates. People book you because they're trying to see themselves, the part they don't see the part they want others to see. They want to feel beautiful again. They want to feel powerful. They want to feel something. That's your job as a photographer to make people feel something. And most photographers were taught how to pose, how to edit, what lens to use, what light to use.
Pre - Show Episode - Welcome to The Empowered Photographer Podcast
lundi 28 juillet 2025 • Durée 05:53
Hello, hello and welcome. I'm so deeply glad you are here.
This is the Photography Breakthrough Podcast.
And this short pre-show episode is here to tell you what this space is all about, who it's for, and why it might just change everything for your photography business. Whether it's your hobby or your business, or you are in between somewhere. This podcast is going to make a big difference for you and your photography. Let me start with a question. Have you ever sat down alone after a long day and asked yourself, why isn't this working? You love photography. You are good at it, and you know it, but the clients, they aren't consistent. The bookings are unpredictable.
And the pricing game, you feel like you're on the losing side. The fear of burnout or giving up is always right there just under the surface. If that's you, this podcast was made just for you.
Every week, we'll dive into powerful focused episodes made just to help you, to get consistent soul aligned clients. Build a business around real transformation, not hustle. Create photo experiences that make your clients feel seen, beautiful, and unforgettable. Because the truth is, you don't need to shout louder on Instagram.
You need to create something so emotionally powerful that your clients become your biggest fans, not just because of your photos, but because of how you make them feel.
So who is this podcast for? If you are a photographer and you photograph people in any way, portraits, branding, headshots, families, boudoir, you name it. If you work with people and you want to be more than just a picture taker, if you want your work to mean something, to change lives. This podcast is for you.
If you want to grow your hobby into a business. And finally, feel steady and satisfied, if you want to quit that JOB and do what you love as a living, this podcast is your home. We'll leave each episode with clarity, confidence, and concrete ideas you can use right away.
A brand new episode will drop every single week. These are short, 10, 15 minute episodes, so I won't take up a lot of your time, but I promise you every second of your time with me will be spent wisely and geared toward helping you achieve your dreams and your goals. I'm here for you. Because I've been there, I know how hard it can be, and I've seen so many photographers just frustrated trying to figure it all out.
Podcast Episode 3 - From “ Just a Shoot ” to a Life - Changing Experience: The Power of Transformation
lundi 18 août 2025 • Durée 07:42
Welcome to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast.
If you're just finding us, welcome, welcome. This is where we turn photography into a deeper calling, a steady business, and an unforgettable experience for both you. And for your clients.
I'm photographer Matthew Jordan Smith, and today we're diving into one of the most important shifts you can make in your photography business. How to move from offering just a photo shoot to creating a life changing experience. If you've ever felt like your work was just getting lost in the noise, if clients treat you like a service instead of like an artist, if bookings feel transactional instead of transformational, this episode is just for you.
Here's the truth. We live in a world overflowing with pretty pictures. There are more pictures today than at any point in the history of photography. Anyone can take a decent photo now.
Phones have portrait mode. Filters are everywhere. AI can retouch better than most people. So if we're only selling pictures, we're competing with everything and everyone. But here's what you can't automate, filter, or copy. The way you make people feel in your presence, the way you make them see themselves.
We're talking about an emotional shift that happens when someone steps in front of your lens and walks away forever changed.
Let me just paint a picture. Your client walks into your space. They're nervous. They're thinking about their flaws. They're hoping they don't look awkward.
They're quietly bracing for judgment, but instead they're met with warmth, curiosity, calm. You ask real questions. You show that you care. You create safety. You help them breathe.
All this happens before you ever raise your camera. When you finally lift your camera to your eye, you're not just looking for flattering angles, you're looking for their truth. You are photographing their energy, not just their face. Later when they see their images, something clicks,
no, let's back up. Before they ever see their images, they feel something during the shoot. It's hard to put it into words, but if you master this, you can feel it. And so can everybody in the room. When they finally see their pictures, they say things like, I've never seen myself like that. That's how I want to feel every day.
Podcast Episode 4 - How to Make Your Clients Feel Seen (and Why It Makes You More Bookings)
lundi 25 août 2025 • Durée 08:03
Welcome to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast.
The place where you stop chasing clients and start creating experiences that transform lives and build loyalty and consistent clients. A consistent business. I'm photographer Matthew Jordan Smith, and today we're going deep into something that would change your work and your bookings forever.
How to make your clients feel truly seen
and why that. More than marketing, lighting, or posing is the key to steady soul aligned clients.
You probably already know this. Pretty pictures. They aren't enough anymore. Here's the thing. We live in a world overflowing with nice pictures, but people aren't starving for another pretty picture. They're starving to feel something, to feel beautiful, to feel seen, to feel powerful, to feel like they matter.
Most people walk through life feeling unseen, even by themselves. So when someone steps in front of your lens and feels truly witnessed, not judged, not rushed, not reduced, but seen, that moment becomes unforgettable. That moment is what gets remembered, referred and shared. So how do you make people feel seen?
Making your clients feel seen starts before you ever touch your camera.
It starts with your presence, your energy, and your questions. So here's three questions for you to ask every single client before you photograph them. Number one.
What would you like to feel when you see your images? Most people never think about this, but when you ask, it gets them connected to their inner world, not just their outer appearance. You'll hear answers like, I want to feel strong. I want to remember. Who I am. I want to see myself the way my partner sees me Now, you're not just photographing them,
you're photographing a feeling.
Question number two, what part of yourself are you learning to love? Now, this may seem like an odd question, but recently after a photo shoot, the whole crew went to dinner and I photographed a gentleman and a lot of men don't share things like this, but after the shoot, the person who I photographed told me that he, for the first time went through.
Podcast Episode 5 - Confidence Through Your Lens: A New Way to Sell Photography
lundi 1 septembre 2025 • Durée 06:16
Welcome to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast.
The place where your photography becomes more than just a service. It becomes a movement, a message,
and a source of consistent clients and consistent income. I'm photographer Matthew Jordan Smith, and today's episode is all about confidence.
How you see it. How you create it and how it becomes the new way to sell photography without hustling, chasing, or begging for bookings.
Let's be real. Most photographers are taught. To sell by focusing on features, high res images, quick turnaround, expert retouching, 10 edited files.
But guess what? Your dream clients aren't moved by pixels and packages. They're moved by emotion.
And the deepest emotional reason. People book photographers, they want to feel confident again.
They want to see themselves through eyes of love, strength, beauty, and power,
and that's exactly what your lens can offer.
Let's. Shift the frame a little bit.
What if your work isn't about deliverables, but about transformation?
You see confidence through the lens means creating a session where your client feels safe, celebrated, and powerful. Seeing your client in their highest light
Before they can even see it themselves, crafting an experience that says you are worthy of being seen like this.
You see when your client walks away. From a session saying, I had no idea I could look and feel like that. That's confidence. And confidence is magnetic.
So what's the new way to sell your work? You don't need to convince people to book you.
You need to connect with what they want to feel.
So start talking about what your work does, not just what it includes. Your website, your captions, your conversations. They should speak to the emotion of confidence. Say things like, for example,
Podcast Episode 6 - Are You a Photographer or a Mirror? How to Reflect the Best in People
dimanche 7 septembre 2025 • Durée 09:04
Welcome to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast.
I'm your host, Matthew Jordan Smith. This is the place where we turn your lens into a source of confidence, healing, steady clients, and steady income.
I'm so glad you are here. Today's episode may be one of the most personal ones yet. It's called, are You a Photographer or a Mirror? How to Reflect the Best in People.
I want to invite you to sit with this, not just as a photographer, but as an artist, a human being, someone who holds the power to transform how people see themselves.
Let's begin today. The truth you already know, but maybe you haven't put it into words. \ Most people don't actually like having their photos taken. They come in already bracing for the worst, already holding shame, already carrying stories like I hate how I look in pictures.
I know you've heard that. I've heard it so many times. Or maybe they're saying, please don't make me smile too big. I hate my teeth. Or I'm not photogenic. I've never been. If you are a photographer, you've heard all of these things, and I'm sure more than once.
Now what they're really saying beneath all of this
is this. I've never seen a version of myself I could love. They don't need another photo. They need a mirror.
Now, what does that mean? Being someone's mirror doesn't mean flattery. It doesn't mean perfection or performance. It means being deeply present. It means seeing through the self-criticism that so many people have. And looking into the truth that's still there, looking for their strength, their softness, their radiance, really looking into their soul.
When someone steps in front of your camera, you're not just capturing their image, you're holding space for them to see themselves differently. That's really what they want. To say, look, this is who you are, even if no one told you, even if you forgot.
This is what makes people cry when they see their images. This is also what makes them come back.
And this my friend, is what makes them refer you with words. Like
Podcast Episode 8 - Stop Trying to Be for Everyone, Here’s How to Find the Clients Who Love You
dimanche 21 septembre 2025 • Durée 07:00
If you are trying to please everyone, you are actually pleasing no one. Welcome to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast. I.
where we turn fear and burnout into confidence. And consistent clients I'm Matthew Jordan Smith, photographer
and your inspirational host. And today we're talking about something that might just unlock that next level of your photography. Letting go of trying to please everyone. I,
if your marketing feels scattered, your bookings feel unpredictable. And you're constantly adjusting your prices or your style to fit what you think people want. This episode is for you. If you are a photographer is a good chance. You've heard the term niche down.
But this is more than just about your genre of photography. The deeper issue is. Photographers often try to be liked by everyone because they're afraid of not being booked at all. So they'll take everything that comes to them. If someone says, oh, can you photograph my car? Sure. Can you photograph my children?
Sure. Can you do babies? Absolutely. Can you do weddings? I'll do it. Can you do flowers? You get the idea. Any and every job that comes your way, you're going to take it because you are afraid of not being booked at all. Sadly, this is common,
but listen closely. When you water yourself down to appeal to everyone, you blend in, you become a commodity.
All that leads to is undercharging, unclear messaging clients who don't respect boundaries and burnout.
If your brand is for everyone, it speaks to no one. You have to niche down.
So how do you find the clients that love you?
Well, let's first talk about your past clients, who gave you that right energy, who raved about their experience. I want you to stop for a second and just think about that. Think about all your past clients.
Who raved about their experience working with you? What did they value most about your photography? These are important questions that you need to ask yourself
️Podcast Episode 7 - You Don ’t Need a New Camera, You Need This!
dimanche 14 septembre 2025 • Durée 08:23
Do you have friends who love talking about camera gear? I know I do, and I'm sure you do too. You're gonna love this episode.
Welcome to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast.
Where we go way beyond gear talk. And get to the root of what makes your photography business not only work but thrive. I'm photographer Matthew Jordan Smith, and today's episode is especially for those who love to talk about gear,
we've all heard it. Maybe I just need a new camera or a new lens. Or maybe if I upgrade my gear, then I'll get more clients. Or once I get that new lens business will finally pick up.
I've heard it all, and I must admit at one point I was guilty of the same thing, wanting the latest, greatest, the newest shiny object. Does any of that sound familiar? If you are a portrait photographer, wedding photographer, headshot photographer, personal branding, photographer, boudoir, you name it, if you photograph people and you're looking for real ways to grow your photography business, stand out in the crowd, attract more paying clients.
This episode is made just for you.
I know this from experience, gear obsession can be a real distraction and a real problem. Let's start today with some really hard truths. Buying new gear is easier than fixing your client experience. Cameras, lenses, lights, they're fun. They're amazing. They're tangible. They feel like progress. And don't get me wrong, great tools do matter.
But they are not why your clients book you. In fact, some of the most successful, consistently booked photographers I know don't even own the latest gear. They own something else. They know how to make people feel something. They create an experience that builds trust, confidence, and yeah, there's word of mouth.
That my friend is what you really need. You don't need the latest, greatest camera gear, lighting gear, tools. You need the ability to make someone say, that was the first time I actually felt comfortable in front of somebody's lens.
You see when they say that you didn't just take a headshot, you help somebody show up differently. That is what people pay for.
Special Announcement
mardi 11 novembre 2025 • Durée 06:05
Photography Breakthrough Workshop Announcement
I know what you're thinking, Matthew. This is not the normal podcast day, and you're right. Today is a break from the norm because there's something very special I want to share with you. As you know, I began this podcast with the hopes of helping photographers who were struggling. I know that's a lot of photographers. I hear it more and more every day.
Struggling to raise your prices, struggling to get clients, struggling to get consistent clients. Hold on, there's hope. And that's the reason for today's podcast. I want to invite you to a special free, three-day live workshop. I'm gonna hold this online. This entire three days of workshops will be just to help you figure out this whole problem of struggling in photography, how to get more clients, how to get more consistent clients, how to make more money and do that consistently, and do it in a way where your clients become your biggest marketing tool.
So they start raving about your service and they start referring you.
Now, this will be three days of live training. The first day will be Tuesday, November 18th, the second day, Thursday, November 20th, and the third day, Tuesday, November 25th. November 18th, November 20th, November 25th, a Tuesday, Thursday, and Tuesday. These are three days of free training to help you figure this whole thing out.
I know it's hard out there. I know many photographers are thinking about giving up, but you don't have to. This workshop is to help you figure it all out. The only thing you need to do is register and show up. That's it. If you're struggling, that's an easy thing to do. There's no more excuses. There's a way out of your struggle. So next year, this time, you’ll be singing a brand new song, one of joy, not of misery.
This workshop is called the Photography Breakthrough Workshop, and I made it just for you.
The link to sign up is in the show notes or go to Instagram and you'll see it there in my bio. Either way, register right now. These are three important days. You do not want to miss this. This can change your entire life. The training is live.
I know you're suffering. I know you're frustrated. I know you're trying to figure it out all by yourself, like so many of us have done over the years trying to figure this whole business out by ourselves. I know it's not getting easier. And I also know you can't do this by yourself. So come and join me. Let me share everything I know to change your whole life.
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Now, yes, that stuff does have its place. It is important. I'm not saying it's not. But it's not the end all, be all that we are taught.
What people aren't talking about is how to create that emotional shift that our clients crave. That's the missing piece. That's the real reason why some photographers stay booked without begging. Without burnout, without endless content creation and without lowering their prices.
So let me offer you this shift today. You are not just a photographer. You are a witness, a mirror, a guide. And if you learn to guide, well, you'll be booked all the time. If your mirror is clean, where you reflect back, you'll be booked all the time.
You get to show people the version of themselves they've forgotten, or even in some cases that they've never seen. That moment when your client sees themselves for the first time, there is nothing like it. You can feel it and they can too. Maybe they say, wow, is that really me? That's not about lighting my friend.
That's transformation.
And that is how your business will thrive. Because when people feel something, they remember you, they talk about you, they come back. It's called consistent clients.
Now if this stirs something in you, and I hope it does, if your heart is saying, yes, this is what I've been missing, then stay with me. This is the first podcast of many. My name is Matthew Jordan Smith. You can find me on Instagram under the name Matthew Jordan Smith. I'm here for you to dispel all the heartache and drama that you may be going through.
I this podcast is your new place to learn how to turn your photography into life changing experiences. For your clients, for you, for your family, for your future.
I'll be here every week for you. All you've gotta do is tune in. I guarantee you everything I share is gonna help turn your life around. Turn your business around.
Do me a favor, hit subscribe and then follow me on Instagram.
Thank you for listening. Always dream big. Bye for now.
Before you go, I’ve got a free resource for you , my “10 High-Converting Messaging Lines” guide. It’s designed to help you attract more of your ideal clients and turn conversations into paid sessions.
You can listen while you walk, while you edit your pictures while you're in the gym, or just in between doing shots.
Now to celebrate the launch of this podcast, I've got something special for you.
And to add a little more soul to this podcast, my new book about the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. Called Aretha Cool is officially out. And to celebrate, I'm putting it on sale all this first week on Amazon. Aretha cool is about legacy, identity, beauty, and the quiet power of choosing to see yourself and others with reverence.
Aretha cool is the last 13 years of Aretha Franklin's life. It's me, honoring my friend in pictures, and yes, a few stories along the way as well.
The book includes the last official photo shoot of Aretha Franklin.
The book has been out a little over a year now, but there are less than a hundred copies left. So if you want to grab yours, do so now. It is on sale this first week until they're all gone.
Again. You can find the book on Amazon right now under Aretha cool. Or check out the link in the show notes.
Once again, the name of the book, Aretha Cool. Available on Amazon.
Now back to the podcast. So welcome. You belong here. Your work matters more than you know. I'm gonna help you make it stronger.
You're not going to have to figure this all out alone anymore.
Together, let's change the way photography feels for you and for the people you photograph. I'm so glad you're here. Let's begin.
Until next week bye for now. Always dream big.
Before you go, I’ve got a free resource for you , my “10 High-Converting Messaging Lines” guide. It’s designed to help you attract more of your ideal clients and turn conversations into paid sessions.
You didn't just take my picture, you gave me something special. That's not just a shoot that my friend is transformation.
Now, when you create transformation, not just deliverables, your business changes, you change clients. Remember you. They talk about you, they refer you, not because they need photos, but because they want their sister, their friend, their mother, to feel what they felt. Your pricing, that becomes less of a question.
Your calendar feels more steadily. Your work feels meaningful again.
And here's the most important part, the most beautiful part. You don't need to sell anything because the experience becomes the product.
Maybe you're asking, okay, Matthew. How do I start this? You don't need to change everything overnight.
Just start here before your next shoot. Ask yourself, how do I want this person to feel about themselves before they leave? This is not about you, it's about your clients. Then build everything around that feeling. Your prep, your energy, your words, your pace, your editing. Transformation doesn't come from what you do, it comes from how you do it.
So. If you've been feeling like just another photographer, if you're craving more connection, more meaning, more steady bookings, the path forward isn't louder. Marketing, it's deeper experiences. This is what we're building here together.
When you do that, clients feel special. And yes, during the photo shoot they may shed a tear, not because they're sad, but because they're filled with joy and that joy just overflows through their tears. I've had these experiences over and over again in my shoots. And I want you to experience that too because it is magical.
This is a deeper experience and this is what we're building here together.
You see, you were never meant to just take pictures. You were meant to change lives, starting with your own. Thank you for listening. You're not alone.
This is the Photography Breakthrough Podcast.
. If this episode resonated with you and you want more people to discover this kind of support, here's how you can help.
Please take a moment and rate and review the podcast. Leave a five star review if you found it valuable. It truly makes a difference in helping other photographers find this work and feel less alone. Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss a new episode. We drop a fresh one every single week. Full of clarity, strategy, and encouragement, and come connect with me on Instagram.
You'll find behind the scenes thoughts, live, encouragement, and many more tools to help you thrive. Find me at Matthew Jordan Smith on Instagram. I'd love to hear from you. Until next time, always dream big. Bye for now.
Before you go, I’ve got a free resource for you , my “10 High-Converting Messaging Lines” guide. It’s designed to help you attract more of your ideal clients and turn conversations into paid sessions.
A, a change. He changed his hairstyle. He, he bought glasses and he felt like in the pictures he was finally being himself. Now, if you don't know, I live in Japan and during the photo shoot, the gentleman who I photographed, wore a new version of a kimono. It was a kimono that is half kimono and half Western suit, but beautiful.
I photographed him in a way where he felt like a modern day samurai. He told me he felt like his ancestors were with him. It was incredible. So now. Let me ask that second question again. What part of yourself are you learning to love?
Maybe it's the part of you that you've never seen.
Maybe it's the part of you that's hidden deep in your heart.
When you ask these kinds of questions, it helps them feel safe in being real. It shifts the shoot from performance to intimacy, and it gives you powerful insight into how to guide them gently, not just physically, but emotionally. Through the experience of your photo shoot.
Question number three, when was the last time you felt truly seen by someone? Now, yes, this question goes deep. It opens stories, it tells you where the wounds are. And where the breakthroughs can happen. If they say, I don't know, that's your chance to be that person for them today, to truly see them and let them shine.
When you do this, when you help someone feel safe, feel beautiful, feel handsome. Feel seen. They don't just remember their photos, they remember you. They talk about the experience. They refer you not because of your price, but because of how you made them feel about themselves. They come back 'cause they felt something they want to feel again.
This is how steady clients happen, how steady bookings happen. This is how your work becomes word of mouth magnetic.
This is how your confidence grows Impostor syndrome vanished because you know you're creating real impact.
So if you want to make your work, stand out. If you want your clients to stay, refer and feel something real. Start here. Ask better questions, create deeper presence and make them feel truly seen.
If this episode spoke to you, truly spoke to your heart, and you're ready to make your photography transformational, take the next step
when you follow me on Instagram.
I'm under Matthew Jordan Smith.
Come join my email list There. You'll find more support and ways to connect it deeper.
And if you loved today's episode, please leave a five star review. It helps other photographers find this work. Subscribe so you don't miss next week's episode. And again, follow me on Instagram. I'm under Matthew Jordan Smith. I share tips behind the scenes moments and connection daily. You're not just a photographer. You're someone who helps people see themselves, and that my friend is extremely powerful.
I'll see you next week. Bye for now. Oh, and don't forget, always dream big.
Before you go, I’ve got a free resource for you , my “10 High-Converting Messaging Lines” guide. It’s designed to help you attract more of your ideal clients and turn conversations into paid sessions.
. My sessions are designed to help you see yourself in a new way
Or. These aren't just portraits, they're mirrors of your power,
or better yet,
this is for the version of you that's ready to feel unstoppable.
You see, because when someone believes that your photos will help them feel more confident, the sale becomes easy. They're not buying pictures.
They're buying how they want to feel about themselves.
So how do you start shifting the message?
. Here's your action steps. Look at your website, your bio, and the last few posts you've made on social media. Are they describing files and packages or feelings and experiences?
Do this today. Add one confidence focused sentence to your next post, for example. Most of my clients tell me they've never felt more comfortable than during our shoot
or create a testimonial script that asks clients, how do you feel before the shoot? How do you feel after what changed for you? Start asking these questions. Their answers become powerful selling tools because they show others what's possible Through your work,
I hope you're starting to see your camera isn't just capturing images, it's capturing who someone is becoming. When you offer confidence through your lens, you're no longer competing on price. You are offering value no one else can replicate. This is the new way to sell photography from transformation, not transaction from soul, not scarcity.
Now if this episode made a connection with you, here's how you can support the podcast. Leave a five star review if this is helping you grow. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. And follow me on Instagram at Matthew Jordan Smith.
I'd love to connect and hear how you're shifting your photography into this new way of doing business.
The funny thing about confidence, it's contagious and your lens, it can be the spark.
Thank you for giving me your time. I love spending it with you. I hope you've enjoyed this. If you have, again, please come back next week. There's so much more to share. Until next week, always dream big. Bye for now.
Before you go, I’ve got a free resource for you , my “10 High-Converting Messaging Lines” guide. It’s designed to help you attract more of your ideal clients and turn conversations into paid sessions.
She didn't just take my photograph. She reminded me who I am. Um,
Now? How do you reflect the best in people?
Here's how to get started
before you shoot. Before you even lift your camera, ask yourself what's beautiful about this person that they may not know?
Hold that thought like it's your camera. Let it shape your tone, your direction, your presence during your photo shoot,
and keep that thought in your mind.
What's beautiful about this person that they may not know that they don't see about themselves? Then speak what you see. Don't just say, oh, you look great. Say the way your eyes soften when you talk about your daughter. I see you love her.
Or there's a strength in your posture right now.
Hold that that's real. You see, when your words reflect truth, the truth that you see that they may not see themselves, your lens doesn't have to do all the work. The person begins to shift right in front of you.
And you shift too, you start photographing their energy and not just their face.
Try this out on your next shoot. Ask real questions while you're doing the photo shoot.
Something like, tell me about something you are proud of, or
what's one part of you that you're learning to love
or something like this? What's something you wish people saw in you? You'll be surprised by the answers. As a matter of fact, their face will change with the answer. Their body will soften,
and in that moment when you take that picture. It is not just a picture. You're capturing their truth and yours too.
If you've never done this before, yes, it may feel uncomfortable. But here's the business part of all this. When someone feels seen, they remember it. They return, they tell their friends, not just she takes great pictures, but she showed me a version of myself I didn't know was there.
You shift in people's mind. You're not just a a service provider. You become a chapter in their healing,
a witness to their becoming.
Have you ever read that book by Viola Davis Finding me?
This is how you help people find themselves.
This is how you become booked with without begging.
This is how your name spreads in rooms. You are not even in. This is how your work becomes alive.
Now, I know this is not for everybody, but maybe it's for you. If you've ever felt like you were meant for something deeper with your photography than this is for you. If you're tired of chasing trends or being just another option, this is for you.
If you know your photo sessions have the power to shift people,
but you weren't sure how to access that fully, this is made just for you. This is your path. You are not just a photographer. You are the mirror, the reflection,
and you're someone who reflects the best in people, not through flattery, but through truth.
And when you do that consistently, intentionally, and with love. People feel it. Your business is going to grow in a way that feels right.
I know I've given you a lot today,
but this is the question I'll leave with you today.
What version of your client are you reflecting? Are you reflecting their fears or their fire, their insecurities or their essence? Let your next photo session be your mirror. When that shows them how radiant they really are.
Now if this episode moved you, helped you reframe the way you think about photography, or gave you a new sense of purpose, do me a favor, leave a five star review. It helps more photographers find this kind of support. Subscribe, so you never miss a new episode and come connect with me on Instagram at Matthew Jordan Smith.
I had love to hear how you felt about this episode.
I want to leave you with this today. When you become a mirror, a true kind, powerful mirror, you don't just build a business, you change lives. And really, that's what you were always meant for. And to be truthful, that's what we're all meant for.
Until next week. Bye for now. Always dream big.
Before you go, I’ve got a free resource for you , my “10 High-Converting Messaging Lines” guide. It’s designed to help you attract more of your ideal clients and turn conversations into paid sessions.
next. Define what you actually stand for as a photographer. What's your deeper why? What kind of transformation are you offering? That's right. I didn't say pictures. Transformation. Maybe it's helping women feel beautiful after a breakup or capturing real laughter in chaotic family life.
As a photographer, you need to create clarity. Let people know who it's for and who it's not for. It's okay to say no. Let's go through a few examples. This is for the woman who never felt photogenic before. Think about how powerful that is. For the woman who has never felt photogenic.
Yes. I want that to simmer for a second.
This is not. For someone who's just looking for those cookie cutter school portraits, let your personality show
talk, like you would to your dream client in real life. Your quirks, your voice, your approach. That's what builds emotional resonance.
So what happens when you do this? You attract clients who are pre-sold on you, no convincing needed.
Word of mouth improves because people now know how to describe you and what you do as a photographer,
you can raise your prices with less resistance because people want what you have. It's not cookie cutter.
And your work gets stronger because you are in your creative zone more often, doing what you love, doing what you do best. , You go from just another photographer to someone. Clients connect with who they trust and who they remember.
This is how you make a transformation in the minds of your clients. And your new potential clients. Now, if you're ready to stop feeling like you have to twist yourself into a different shape for every inquiry,
this is your permission to let that go. The more you are you, the more magnetic your business becomes. The more chance you go from having a hobby to having a real business, stop trying to please everyone. Be deeply for someone, the right someone. That's how you get clients to love you
and who talk about you to everyone else.
If this episode hit home, give it a five star review.
It helps photographers like you find this podcast.
And I'd love to hear from you. So do me a favor,
jump on over to Instagram. You'll find me under my name, Matthew. That's with two T's, Matthew Jordan Smith.
Follow me there and let me know what you thought about this episode. I'd love to hear from you and love to connect.
When you do follow. I'll share a lot more helpful content
behind the scenes content, and more tips to help you have a stronger presence as a photographer. I want to thank you for your time. Thank you for being here. Please share the love, tell a friend.
We are all on this journey together. All right, until next week, always dream big. Bye for now.
Before you go, I’ve got a free resource for you , my “10 High-Converting Messaging Lines” guide. It’s designed to help you attract more of your ideal clients and turn conversations into paid sessions.
So why are most photographers staying stuck these days? So many talented photographers invest heavily in gear master lighting setups, master posing, build slick websites, , but struggle to get clients. Why? Because they've never been taught how to connect emotionally with the people in front of their lens. You know how to shoot, you know how to edit, but do you know how to create an experience that clients can't stop talking about?
That's the missing link between skill and income.
So what do you really need? Let me give it to you straight.
What you need more than another piece of equipment is emotional intelligence, client presence, confidence that transfers to your subject. And the ability to see someone fully and help them feel seen, that's the kind of experience that keeps your calendar full.
And yes, this applies to men and women, but this isn't about being emotional. It's about being intentional. It's about understanding that
your photographs are only as powerful as the experience you give people when you create them.
So how do you create those kind of experiences that people talk about? Let's talk real business. Now. When you create a shoot that makes your clients feel confident, seen and respected, you don't have to fight for bookings anymore. Why? Because people talk about it. They remember how you made them feel.
They refer you to their network. And they come back.
Your work starts to carry a reputation that marketing can't touch. That's how you grow, not by shouting louder, but building deeper. Deeper connections.
Maybe you're wondering how you can start today, how you start building this kind of experience. Here's your action plan. Stop hiding behind gear. Your gear is fine. You are enough right now.
Instead, focus on your clients. Ask your next client before the shoot. What do you want to feel when you look at these images?
However they answer. Let your shoot be built around that feeling. Pay attention to how they carry themselves when they walk in the door. Are they nervous? Are they feeling rushed, insecure? Your calm presence sets the tone. Speak to what you see, reflect back strength, pride, confidence.
Try saying you look like someone who knows who they are
when you do this. Your work becomes magnetic.
So he is the real message for today. You don't need new camera gear.
You need to become the kind of photographer people remember.
That's what grows your business. That's what sets you apart.
That's what makes you valuable in a sea of shooters. And the best part, you can start right now. No upgrades required.
Yes, I know. So many photographers have gear lust. We all love those bright, shiny objects. I'm guilty of it too. But if this episode gave you a new perspective, do me a favor. Leave a five star review. It helps more photographers discover this podcast, subscribe so you never miss a new weekly episode.
And follow me on Instagram. You'll find me under Matthew Jordan Smith. I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway from today's episode.
Remember this, your camera is just a tool. Your lights are just a tool, but you, you are the real magic.
I want you to build the kind of business. That last one, powerful experience at a time. Alright? Until next week, always dream big bye for now.
Before you go, I’ve got a free resource for you , my “10 High-Converting Messaging Lines” guide. It’s designed to help you attract more of your ideal clients and turn conversations into paid sessions.
Imagine no more struggle. Imagine no more frustration with photography. Imagine not having to wonder where your next client's gonna come from. It’s all in the training. All three days are created to help you figure this whole thing out, and I look forward to seeing you again.
The link is in the show notes, but it's also on my Instagram. Just go to my Instagram bio and you'll see it right there at the top, Free Workshop. Sign up right now so you don't miss a thing. This is super important.
We're gonna go over the core problem, which you probably already know, but I wanna break it down so you really understand why it's happening. So you stop taking it personally and you learn how to get to the other side.
All right. I'll leave you for now, but before you go, check out the show notes, sign up, or just go to my Instagram under Matthew Jordan Smith. Go to my bio and register there. The link is in my Instagram bio waiting for you to sign up.
As we approach the holiday season, you can go into it with a new mindset, a clear path forward. End the year on the right note and start the year with an amazing way to go forward.
All right everyone, that's it for today. I look forward to seeing you in the live workshop. I made this specifically for you. Until then, bye for now.
