Freedom Focus Photography – Details, episodes & analysis

316 - What if the secret to unstoppable confidence wasn’t about never failing but being willing to feel embarrassed along the way? In this week’s conversation, Heather and Susie unpack what it really takes to believe in yourself, even when the road gets rocky. Literally.

What to Listen For

• The powerful mindset shift that helped Susie finally believe in herself
• Why confidence comes after action, not before it
• How a muddy 4x4 adventure turned into the ultimate business metaphor
• The question Heather asks every struggling photographer
• Why being willing to feel embarrassed can make you unstoppable
• How “I didn’t really try” thinking secretly sabotages your progress
• The difference between disappointment and failure (and why it matters)
• The real reason your confidence plateaus and how to fix it

Confidence isn’t a one-and-done achievement. It’s a practice. And sometimes, the biggest leaps forward come from the moments that feel the most uncomfortable. If you’ve been waiting to “feel ready” before raising your prices, booking higher-end clients, or finally going full-time—this episode is your permission slip to do it anyway.

Listen now, take messy action, and see what happens when you stop letting fear drive.

Coach week starts TODAY!  Join us here: https://www.freedomfocusformula.com/coachweek

More Resources

• Nicole’s Instagram: @nicolebegleyofficial
• Heather’s Flourish Academy - https://flourishacademy.mykajabi.com/
• Master the craft of pet photography at the Hair of the Dog Academy – www.hairofthedogacademy.com
• Freedom Focus Formula – www.freedomfocusformula.com
• Elevate – www.freedomfocusformula.com/elevate
• Commercial Pet Photography Academy – www.hairofthedogacademy.com/commercial

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial 

315 - You did it all right, the call flowed, you connected, you nailed the pricing talk, and then… nothing. In this episode, Heather and I unpack what to do when a client ghosts you even after your best effort, how to stay curious instead of crushed, and why “doing it right” doesn’t guarantee a yes (and why that’s actually a good thing).

What to Listen For:

• Heather’s 3 phases of the client journey and why phase 3 is the “Wait… what?!” moment
• The truth about doing everything “right” and why that doesn’t always equal booked
• Two mental tracks after a “no”: frustration spiral vs. curiosity and growth
• How to set action goals you control, not outcome goals you can’t
• Smart follow-up strategies and why more than one is essential
• Why ghosting isn’t always rejection
• Turning marketing into something that’s actually fun 
• How to build resilience and self-trust through every “no”
• What to do when fear of failure stalls your next inquiry call

Doing everything “right” doesn’t promise a yes but it can teach you exactly what you need to grow. In this episode, learn how to shift from frustration to curiosity, follow up with confidence, and build resilience that leads to more bookings. 

Want hands-on coaching? Join us for Coach Week, Nov 11–13 at 2pm ET. It's totally free, with replays included.  Sign up here - https://www.freedomfocusformula.com/coachweek

Additional Links: 

• Ep. 284 - Stop Inquiry Ghosting - https://www.freedomfocusformula.com/blog/stop-inquiry-ghosting
• Nicole’s Instagram: @nicolebegleyofficial
• Heather’s Flourish Academy - https://flourishacademy.mykajabi.com/
• Master the craft of pet photography at the Hair of the Dog Academy – www.hairofthedogacademy.com
• Freedom Focus Formula – www.freedomfocusformula.com
• Elevate – www.freedomfocusformula.com/elevate
• Commercial Pet Photography Academy – www.hairofthedogacademy.com/commercial

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial 

306 - If you’ve ever wondered why inquiries go silent or potential clients disappear, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing: the real reason isn’t your pricing, your competition, or even the economy. 

In this week’s episode, Heather breaks down the surprising truth behind why clients aren’t booking—and how you can turn it around starting today.

What to Listen For:

• The simple reason clients don’t book (and why it’s not your pricing).
• How to take action daily and build unstoppable momentum.
• The difference between hoping for clients vs. actively creating them.
• What Heather means by “failure gold” and why failing more often can accelerate your growth.
• How to build belief before you have results (and why this is a game-changer).
• The mindset shift that turns rejection into confidence.
• Why your first $1,000–$10,000 sale can feel exciting AND easy.
• A challenge you can do today to start proving to yourself that clients are out there waiting for you.

Booking clients isn’t about fancy contests or a secret strategy—it’s about uncovering the real reason behind the “no’s” and shifting into action that works. Heather’s insights will surprise you, but once you see it, you can’t unsee it.

👉 Don’t miss the rest of the 4 Clients in 4 Weeks Challenge—replays are available now, and you can still join us live for the final two calls.

Additional Resources

• Master the craft of pet photography at the Hair of the Dog Academy – www.hairofthedogacademy.com
• Stop competing on price, sell without feeling pushy, and reach consistent $2,000+ sales in the Freedom Focus Formula – www.freedomfocusformula.com
• Crack the code to booking more clients inside Elevate – www.freedomfocusformula.com/elevate
• Discover the world of commercial pet photography in the Commercial Pet Photography Academy – www.hairofthedogacademy.com/commercial
• Join the 4 Clients in 4 Weeks Challenge – www.hairofthedogacademy.com/4c4w

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial 

219 - You spoke up and we listened. 

You all loved The Coaching Journals with Heather Lahtinen, Christi Baker and Monica Adalsteinsson that we're bringing them back. 
Ish. 

Christi and Monica are off soaring like eagles after six months of intensive coaching with Heather and the Elevate program. Today, we're introducing a spinoff series, called The Offline Photographer, and it's inspired by the challenges of the same name that Heather is currently holding in Elevate. 

These challenges are designed to make you a networking, marketing boss, getting you out into your community to talk all things pet photography. 

Heather is picking a photographer in the challenges each month to interview and share their journey. This month, we're hearing from Laura Wombwell of Hamilton, Ontario, who's making a name for herself with quirky fantasy composites and dramatic portraits.

What to listen for 

4:24 The genius behind Laura's fundraising event 

9:56 The delicate balance between charity work and business 

21:19 How to overcome the fear of rejection 

26:49 Why we need to retrain our brains and share our passion 

35:23 Heather drops a new challenge on Laura 

Guys, I am super excited to see where Heather takes this new series with her Elevate photographers. I'm confident she is going to get even more members of our community flying! 

What's your takeaway from Laura's coaching? Comment on the 'Gram. 

Connect with Heather

• Flourish Academy
• Flourish Academy on FB
• Flourish Academy on IG

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial 

218 - I completely get it if you see the word "soup" and here "NO SOUP FOR YOU" in your head.

It means you might be old enough to remember Seinfeld on NBC every Thursday night. Or maybe you've seen that episode on Prime video.

Heather and I are talking about soup on this week's episode of the Hair of the Dog podcast. No, not chicken soup for the soul.

Split pea soup.

More specifically, the split pea soup Heather's daughter made the annual soup cook-off fundraiser at their church.

It was awful. 

And Heather had to find the right way to tell Ella.

Together, we turn it into a mindset shift for you in learning how to take feedback on your photos …

 and equally as important, to whom you should be listening for feedback that will help you grow your craft.

What to listen for

4:38 The ethical dilemma of saying something

11:19 How to serve a "critique" sandwich

16:59 Whose feedback is most valuable to you

26:47 My friend hates my skirt and that's OK

28:39 How to evaluate that feedback and move forward

Feedback and personal growth are so important as a pet photographer and as an entrepreneur but your value as a pet photographer -- heck, as a human -- is not calculated by the opinions of people who don't matter.

See? Your mom was right!

Now do me a favor and give me some feedback on this episode. Comment on the 'Gram.

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial 

217 - I’m going to take a stab in the dark at something. I’m guessing you’re pretty stoked when you hit a big revenue goal in your pet photography business. 

Who wouldn’t be, right? Cha’ching! 

BUT ...  

What are you making that number mean? ESPECIALLY if you miss a revenue target — or if you were to have your revenue dip?!? 😱 

If you’re human, you might feel like you failed or that your business is broken or you’re going to end up losing it all and living in a van down by the river.  

* Shout out to Chris Farley for the motivational speaker! 

Today on the podcast, we’re talking about goals — but not any goals. We’re talking about NRVs, or non-revenue victories — and how they’re critical for your success. 

What to listen for 

1:55 How revenue-related goals can lead to unrealistic expectations 

9:17 Why security and stability come from within, not from sales 

20:19 How Heather and I define success and security 

28:56 The non-revenue victories you might look for 

29:57 The connection between NRVs and The Gap and The Gain 

You guys! We can challenge the traditional notion of success and work toward a more fulfilling approach that includes celebrating our personal experiences and the relationships we build in our businesses. 

For me, it's all about freedom and flexibility in my schedule … the freedom to head to the barn and ride my horses, the flexibility to leave my office and take my kids on a trip to South America. 

What does success actually look like to you? What are your NRVs? Comment on the 'Gram. 

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial 

216 - Let me be quite clear: There are no cats at a Fast CAT event. Not a single feline to be found, I swear! 

Nope, Fast CAT — fast coercing ability test — is all about dogs. Dogs of every size, dogs of every color, dogs of every breed and dogs of every origin.

In fact, FastCAT, which is essentially the 100-metre dash for dogs, might be the most inclusive events on the planet.

So how much fun would it be to travel around the United States photographing Fast CAT competitions?

We get to find out in this week's Hair of the Dog podcast when I sit down with Brian Batista of Brian Batista Photography. Based out of Birmingham, Alabama, Brian left behind a 24-year career in information technology to chase dogs with his camera. 

What to listen for

3:56 Why Brian learned to create a safe space for rescue dogs

9:15 When he got addicted to dog sports and photography

15:05 How to get started in dog sports photography

19:24 The challenges of managing event photography

34:43 If you don't like road trips, this may not be the gig for you

There's so much more than Fast CAT when it comes to dog sports photography. You can get into dock diving, lure coursing, flyball or agility … and all of it brings the biggest grin to Brian's face.

Are you interested in this niche of pet photography? Tell me on the 'Gram.

Where to find Brian

• Brian Batista Photography
• Facebook
• Instagram

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial 

215 - So many of us are heading into the "offseason" right now, which means it's time to spiff up our websites and plan for 2024.

OK, OK … take a little break after you fulfill all your client orders but then it's time to get down to brass tacks. One of the things you might want to put on your to-do list is working on your SEO.

Search.

Engine.

Optimization.

It isn't as hard you might think. The No. 1 thing you need to focus on is putting your personality, your unique experience and your style on display for your website visitors.
 

For real, you guys! That is what will attract people to your website and keep them there. 

KP and Jessie of Inkpot Creative join me this week on the Hair of the Dog podcast and they stress how your experience and style set you apart from other photographers in your area.

They also run down specific tactics with SEO, like keywords, listicle blog posts (what the heck are they?), image resolution and size, video, and all the things.

What to listen for

6:42 Why you should focus on local SEO

16:16 How to blog your way to SEO success

24:10 How to optimize the images on your website

26:57 Why AI content is OK but you need to personalize it

29:36 How to use call-to-action buttons effectively

37:49 The right way to use video on your website

SEO and websites are an ever-evolving method of reaching our potential clients. I love the way KP and Jessie simplify it all for us.

Do you feel like your website is holding you back? Comment on the 'Gram and let me know.

Connect with Inkpot Creative

• Official Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial 

214 - I screwed up. 

You guys, I'm human and I'm not (too) embarrassed to admit that I made a mistake. And I'm baring it all in this week's episode of The Hair of the Dog podcast.

Here's the gist:

I made some pretty serious assumptions about a client I booked last Christmas. I sold him a gift certificate as a gift for his  girlfriend. 

I assumed -- because he is an acquaintance, not a cold sale -- that I didn't have to go through my entire process with him, that I knew what his giftee's budget was and that she would go above and beyond in sales what the gift certificate was worth.

Nuts.

I was staring down a potential $,5000 sale for wall art and an album … and it went over like a fart in church.

Self-doubt hit me hard, and our good friend Heather Lahtinen of Flourish Academy walks me through my thought process and out of my negative space.

What to listen for

• How I dropped the ball on communicating my process
• When self-doubt and worry started to creep in
• The initial thought that snowballed into anxiety
• How to handle a difficult money situation with a client
• The difference between a $500 photographer and a $10K photographer

I share these moments to help you think through not only your communication processes with your client but also the way our thoughts and emotions can lead us to get stuck in unnecessary worry and anxiety.

What's keeping you stuck? Hit reply or comment on the 'Gram and let me know.

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial 

213 - Do you know what some of my favorite moments are?

When my clients cry.

I realize that makes me sound cold-hearted — but they’re crying because they’re so happy!

Inevitably, they point at photos that roll across my slideshow, happy tears well up in their eyes and they gasp, "OHMIGOSH, THAT IS SO BENNY."

That is always the moment I know when I've done my job.

Because, my friend, I am not just selling photos that spit out of my Canon R5. I am selling emotions, connections and memories.

And so are you.

I'm flying solo this week on the Hair of the Dog podcast and I am dropping some serious truth bombs about how we create value in our pet photography businesses.

What to listen for 
3:43 Why it's OK to price yourself low when you're starting out
8:28 The five levels of marketing sophistication
10:41 What your unique selling proposition can do for you
18:35 How to identify your ideal client
22:59 Craft your messaging to attract your ideal client

You can position yourself in your market by understanding and appealing to the unique characteristics and values of your ideal client! Listen to this episode and learn how to really resonate with your audience.

Do you think you're appealing to your ideal client? Comment on the 'Gram and let me know if this episode has changed you and your business. 

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial