This Can't Be That Hard – Détails, épisodes et analyse

We’ve talked a lot about AI on the show this year, but this week’s conversation might be my favorite take yet... because instead of talking about how to save time or write faster, we’re talking about how AI can actually make your work more creative and more personal.

I’m joined by Austin-based photographer Jessica Martin, who’s using AI in ways that honestly surprised me. She’s building tools that help her connect more deeply with her clients; from personalized prompts that make her seniors feel seen to playful ideas that keep family sessions fun and interactive.

Jessica shares how she uses ChatGPT to brainstorm and customize ideas, how she turns those digital concepts into real-world client experiences, and why she sees AI as a creative partner rather than a replacement.

If you’ve been curious about AI but aren’t sure how to make it feel authentic or human, this episode will show you what’s possible when technology supports your imagination instead of competing with it.

LINKS:

• Home of Jessica’s photography work, senior prompts, and her upcoming custom GPT project.
• Follow Jessica on Instagram

Resources:

• New to the podcast? Go to thiscantbethathard.com/welcome to get access to 3 of Annemie's best free resources.
• Join our community! We'd love to welcome you into our supportive, business-focused private Facebook group. Go to facebook.com/groups/thiscantbethathard to request access.
• Long-time listener? Leave a review!

Gratitude is everywhere this time of year… but let’s be real: when you’re overwhelmed or frustrated or stuck in your business, gratitude can feel like just one more thing on your to do list.

This week I’m sharing the simple shift I made to turn gratitude into something that actually fuels motivation - no journaling required. It’s one small addition to my weekly workflow that’s helped me see progress, stay grounded, and end the year feeling proud instead of frazzled.

If you’ve been in a season where it’s hard to see the wins, this one’s a quick reset that’ll help you spot the progress hiding in plain sight.

LINKS:

• Ready to track your data and your wins? Check out the Photographer's Business Dashboard 

Resources:

• New to the podcast? Go to thiscantbethathard.com/welcome to get access to 3 of Annemie's best free resources.
• Join our community! We'd love to welcome you into our supportive, business-focused private Facebook group. Go to facebook.com/groups/thiscantbethathard to request access.
• Long-time listener? Leave a review!

There are two kinds of marketing strategies most photographers think about: the kind that happens online, and the kind that - well - doesn’t happen at all. But there’s a third option, and it might just be the fastest, most effective way to build trust, get referrals, and create buzz around your business (without spending a dime on ads or fighting the algorithm).

I’m talking about in-person events - IRL. Real people. Same room.

Hold up now! Before you introverts scroll on by, hear me out... These don’t have to be fancy conferences or big productions. Today’s guest, Michelle Franzetti, is a boudoir photographer and self-described introvert who’s built a thriving word-of-mouth marketing engine through small, creative, low-pressure gatherings that consistently fill her calendar. 

With her background in Parks & Rec (yes, just like the show), she knows how powerful “the gathering effect” can be, and she’s here to share her playbook for making it work in your business.

What you’ll learn:

🎉 Why casual gatherings can be your best marketing strategy

 👯‍♀️ How events create trust and connection (even if you’re an introvert)

 💡 Creative, low-cost event ideas that attract the right clients

 🤝 Ways to partner with other businesses for win-win events

 📅 Why putting a date on the calendar is the hardest (and most important) step

Michelle is sharing everything you need to add this new tool to your marketing toolbox… one that gets you off the algorithm treadmill and into real connections that actually last.

LINKS:

• Follow Michelle on Instagram 
•  Join her Facebook community  
• Grab Michelle's free guide with 30 in-person event ideas 

Resources:

• New to the podcast? Go to thiscantbethathard.com/welcome to get access to 3 of Annemie's best free resources.
• Join our community! We'd love to welcome you into our supportive, business-focused private Facebook group. Go to facebook.com/groups/thiscantbethathard to request access.
• Long-time listener? Leave a review!

Raise your hand if you've ever had a client ask to see their photos during a session... who hasn't!? Conventional wisdom tells us to encourage them to wait for the final, edited images before sharing, right? Well, today's guest is turning that advice on its head. 

Liz Hansen runs a highly successful (read: 7-figure) boudoir photography business... and credits her success with sharing her photos immediately after her sessions!  Today she's talking us through the business model that's working so well for her and sharing some really powerful business advice that applies no matter what your model is!

• https://milliondollar.studio/ Check out Liz's website and resources if you are looking to change to same-day sales.

Resources:

• New to the podcast? Go to thiscantbethathard.com/welcome to get access to 3 of Annemie's best free resources.
• Join our community! We'd love to welcome you into our supportive, business-focused private Facebook group. Go to facebook.com/groups/thiscantbethathard to request access.
• Long-time listener? Leave a review!

Standing out in the highly competitive world of photography can feel difficult or even impossible at times. Great photos feels like it SHOULD be enough, but it almost never is... so how can we market our businesses in a way that encourages people to book us on something OTHER than price?

The key is making your business impossible to compare to your competition. Today I want to talk about how you can figure out the special sauce only YOU can offer so that you can start focusing your marketing and finding those bluebird clients.

• https://paleontologista.com/ - The Punk Rock Paleontologist
• https://www.cheyennegil.com/ - Cheyenne Gil's Boudoir Photography
• https://www.theilenphoto.com/ - Matt and Tara Theilen Lake Tahoe Photography

Resources:

• New to the podcast? Go to thiscantbethathard.com/welcome to get access to 3 of Annemie's best free resources.
• Join our community! We'd love to welcome you into our supportive, business-focused private Facebook group. Go to facebook.com/groups/thiscantbethathard to request access.
• Long-time listener? Leave a review!

Today we are zooming way out to look at the big picture journey of running a creative business. My guest is Brian Hood, host of the Six Figure Creative podcast, and he is breaking down the six levels of freelancing -what it takes to move from one level to the next, and what pitfalls to avoid along the way. 

Whether you're just starting out in photography or a seasoned pro, today's episode is going to give you some clarity about where you currently are in your business and what goals or steps you might want to set for yourself in the upcoming year. 

LINKS:

• All the resources Brian mentioned in this episode can be found here

Resources:

• New to the podcast? Go to thiscantbethathard.com/welcome to get access to 3 of Annemie's best free resources.
• Join our community! We'd love to welcome you into our supportive, business-focused private Facebook group. Go to facebook.com/groups/thiscantbethathard to request access.
• Long-time listener? Leave a review!

Today we're talking about what you do when you have more business than you can handle.

Champagne problem? Maybe... but even if you're not there just yet, I want you to listen in... because this is a very real issue that EVERY photographer can benefit from!

Jill C. Smith is on the show talking about how she built an associate program in her family photography business. She has 3 associates in her very busy photography business, and has cracked the code on exactly how to find and train your team, then use it to grow your business. Today she’s taking us behind the scenes on her process (and how - if you're still in the growing phase - you can flip this strategy around to build your confidence and your portfolio)!

LINKS:

• Get Jill's Guide to Hiring Associate Photographers

Resources:

• New to the podcast? Go to thiscantbethathard.com/welcome to get access to 3 of Annemie's best free resources.
• Join our community! We'd love to welcome you into our supportive, business-focused private Facebook group. Go to facebook.com/groups/thiscantbethathard to request access.
• Long-time listener? Leave a review!

Working in a creative field comes with so many perks, but staying creative in the midst of the go-go-go busy season can be tough. 

Between the frenetic pace of the holiday season and the pressures of the end of the year, this is often a time when our creative well can start to run dry... at least MINE does. Never fear! I've got a system (of course I do!) for pulling yourself out of your photo rut. 

Tune in to hear how I keep my photos fresh all year long.

Resources:

• New to the podcast? Go to thiscantbethathard.com/welcome to get access to 3 of Annemie's best free resources.
• Join our community! We'd love to welcome you into our supportive, business-focused private Facebook group. Go to facebook.com/groups/thiscantbethathard to request access.
• Long-time listener? Leave a review!

If you aren't familiar with LifeTouch, they are the ENORMOUS business responsible for most of the school portraits in the U.S. If you're based in America, chances are good that you've sat in front of a LifeTouch photographer at some point in your life... but the experience of buying photos from Lifetouch as a professional photographer and a mom has really put some things into perspective.

As some of you know, this is my son Oliver's senior year, and he recently went to get his yearbook photo done by a LifeTouch photographer, and today, I want to walk you through that experience.

You might not be surprised at what I discovered, but what I hope you take away from today is a sense of extreme confidence in the services we provide to our clients and the prices we charge for those services. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts and your own experiences with school portraits in the Facebook group. Click the link below to join the convo.

LINKS:

Resources:

• New to the podcast? Go to thiscantbethathard.com/welcome to get access to 3 of Annemie's best free resources.
• Join our community! We'd love to welcome you into our supportive, business-focused private Facebook group. Go to facebook.com/groups/thiscantbethathard to request access.
• Long-time listener? Leave a review!

On the list of ways we are constantly trying to improve our businesses, one thing that might get overlooked is building inclusivity and accessibility in our customer experience. 

15% of the population identifies as neurodiverse and that number is growing every day. Today, Rose McAvoy is joining me on the podcast to share simple ways photographers can be more accommodating and accessible for our neurodiverse clients. (Side note: most of these benefit our neurotypical clients as well!)

A big thank you to Rose for bringing this topic to the podcast and for this important conversation - I know you all will have so many great takeaways from it. 

LINKS:

• Follow Rose on Instagram
• Check out her website
• Download Rose's Inclusive Guide for Helping Kids Get Ready for Photos (it's so cute!)

Resources:

• New to the podcast? Go to thiscantbethathard.com/welcome to get access to 3 of Annemie's best free resources.
• Join our community! We'd love to welcome you into our supportive, business-focused private Facebook group. Go to facebook.com/groups/thiscantbethathard to request access.
• Long-time listener? Leave a review!