The Critical Gap: Why do some high-quality images fail to get results for clients? Strategy expert Uta from Carrot and Karma joins us to explain why Commercial Photography is only as effective as the planning behind it.
• The Clarity Trap: Discover why a lack of Brand Strategy makes it impossible for a photographer to represent a business accurately, regardless of their technical skill.
• Target Audience Alignment: Learn how to identify if your client actually knows who they are talking to before you ever press the shutter.
• The Impact Checklist: A guide for the Brand Photography professional to ensure the messaging and "feeling" of the brand are locked in before the shoot begins.
We received the sad news this week that photographer Martin Parr passed away. Our show this week is a mix of personal stories, reflections and discussion about the life and work of Martin Parr. Hear what Martin thought about Marcus's photography during his degree and about the fantastic legacy and foundation he leaves behind. Marcus shares with us a glimpse into Martin's commercial photography.
STOP GUESSING: Your website holds the key to your Commercial Photography Marketing success, but only if you know what the numbers mean. This essential show breaks down the noise of Website Analytics for Photographers into three actionable points.
The Vital Few: Discover the exact 3–5 Commercial Photography statistics that genuinely measure your site's performance and income potential.
The Dangerous Distractions: Learn which "vanity metrics" you should immediately ignore, as they waste your time and sabotage your business focus.
The Diagnosis Checklist: Find out the critical signs in your data that signal an urgent, revenue-killing problem you need to fix this week.
The Challenge: Every Commercial Photography session starts with a client saying, "I hate having my photograph taken." The Solution: Expert listener Colin Smith reveals the Commercial Photography Skills that help you immediately build trust, relax your subject, and capture authentic emotion.
• The 10-Minute Mindset: Discover the specific psychological framework you must adopt upon arrival to master Photographer Rapport Building even before you pick up the camera.
• The Golden Prompt: Learn the single, magic sentence you can use while shooting that shifts the client’s focus and unlocks genuine expression for the perfect photo.
• The Inner Practice: Find out the counterintuitive 10-minute listening exercise you can practice at home to instantly improve your essential Commercial Photography Skills.
Is your Commercial photography income seasonal? Wedding photographer Nick Church reveals the reality—and huge potential—of offering Photography education. Learn how this strategic service can be the ultimate tool for Photography business growth.
• The Passive Income Lie: Find out why the promise of automated recurring income is false, and what level of sustained marketing work is actually required to make your course profitable.
• The Conversion Secret: Discover the specific type of marketing content that attracts genuine buyers, and why high-spend generic ads fail to generate high-quality leads for your Commercial photography business.
• The Overlap Advantage: Learn the simple branding trick that turns your existing Commercial photography clients and network into your warmest, most valuable source of education leads.
Are you leaving money on the table? Marcus breaks down event photography, a high value, high pressure genre that perfectly complements your commercial photography marketing. Learn how to capture the atmosphere and emotion that brands need for their future campaigns.
• The Preparation Blueprint: Discover the essential questions you must ask your client before the day begins to guarantee you capture the client's full vision.
• The Gear Guarantee: Discover the essential equipment setup you must adopt to guarantee reliability and professional results in unpredictable, low light venues.
• The Relationship Advantage: Learn the powerful, simple strategy borrowed from wedding experts that helps you turn venues and speakers into your best source of repeat bookings.
Is your SEO still working?
This episode with web expert Alex Vita asks the provocative question: Is traditional SEO dead in the age of AI?
Discover why tracking website traffic is no longer enough and what strategic shift you must make to secure premium clients in the "Zero Click Marketing" world.
The Zero Click Strategy: Discover why chasing simple SEO traffic is a waste of time and what single metric you should be tracking instead to prove your online efforts are working.
The New Rules of Google: Learn the most crucial concept for modern SEO and Google Search, and how to build a powerful online reputation that satisfies both AI and your potential clients.
Positioning for Premium Fees: Find out how to stop being a generalist and use a simple positioning tactic on your website that allows you to immediately justify charging higher fees.
Discover the true numbers behind the industry's gender split and see exactly why brand photography is attracting so many women photographers right now—and why it’s not just a coincidence.
Uncover the 'magic ingredient' of successful brand photography that allows you to charge more, secure repeat business, and turn simple images into powerful brand stories for your clients.
Identify a huge commercial advantage that many photographers are currently missing, which represents a clear path to high-value, consistent bookings if you understand how to approach it.
This week, we're diving into a topic not often discussed in the photography world: why brand photography is so heavily dominated by women photographers, both behind the lens and as clients. We go beyond the gear and business strategy to look at the psychology and personal connections that truly drive success in this niche.
Marcus and Sam discuss the surprising statistics showing the gender ratio and break down what makes women excel in this area—it's less about technical skill and more about empathy, storytelling, and emotional intelligence.
But here's the kicker: The show uncovers a huge commercial opportunity. We discuss an untapped segment of the market and what you need to know about their distinct visual approach. If you’re a brand photographer looking to increase your income, stand out from the crowd, and secure more repeat clients, tune in to find out where the real money is and how to get it.
Marcus is back this week with a fantastic guest: Colin Jones, CEO of The Society of Photographers (The Societies).
In this powerful episode, Marcus and Colin dive deep into the state of the professional photography industry, focusing heavily on the commercial and B2B sectors. Colin shares critical insights on how a 5,000-member international organisation supports photographers and what it truly takes to succeed in today's demanding market.
What You Will Learn. We’re covering the three key takeaways you need to navigate the evolving industry:
If you're looking to accelerate your journey in Brand Photography or Growing a photography business, this episode is an absolute must-listen. Sam and Marcus dive straight into the practical, down-to-earth steps for finalising the purchase of a photography business, focusing on the client lists and assets that form the real value. Stop wondering how to get ahead and start implementing the strategies that will give you significantbenefits and set you apart in Marketing for photographers.
What You'll Take Away From This Episode
Want to know the secrets to a smooth and profitable acquisition without getting bogged down in solicitor fees? Listen in todiscover:
Tired of the slow crawl to grow your photography business?In this episode, we're talking about a serious shortcut: buying an existing outfit. Sam shares his personal experience and lays out a practical guide on how to acquire a local photographer's assets to instantly boost your client list and portfolio, including a deeper dive into lucrative commercial photography and brand photography markets.
What You'll Take Away
Ready to stop waiting for growth and start making it happen?This episode is packed with invaluable, practical advice for any UK photographer looking to get ahead.
Brand photography isn't just a job; it's a goldmine for creativity and a sure-fire way to deliver massive value to your clients. Aimed squarely at UK photographers, this episode cuts through the waffle to show you how a fresh approach to branding shoots can keep you creatively sharp and significantly move the needle for your business.
Stop leaving money and opportunities on the table. Here's a taste of what you'll gain from listening:
You'll discover the simple yet powerful shift in focus that instantly transforms your images from simple snaps into authentic, powerful visual narratives for your clients' brands.
How do you stay razor-sharp creatively when working on multiple, varied projects? We reveal why shooting brand photography forces you to borrow from different photographic genres, and how this fusion keeps your skills fresh and your portfolio unique.
Learn the crucial difference between 'spontaneity' and poor planning, so you can walk onto a set fully prepared while remaining completely open to unexpected, brilliant ideas—a skill that impresses clients and leads to your best work.
Tired of throwing time and money at marketing and gettingnowhere? This week, Sam delivers five and a half practical, low cost marketing strategies for photographers that any UK photographer can implement right now to bring in higher paying commercial photography clients and grow theirbusiness.
This episode is packed with useful content, but we've pulledout the three essential takeaways that will most quickly boost your commercial photography business. Stop relying on luck; start implementing a clear plan that converts prospects into paying customers.
Listen to discover:
Three Things You’ll Learn in This Episode
Grab a cuppa and listen now—your next big client is waiting.
This week, we're joined by personal branding experts Kaz Grant and headshot photographer Toby Lee. Toby has built an excellent personal brand which has helped him to stand out from the crowd and attract new customers. They discuss how all photographers can use their personal brand to grow their business. We explore why your reputation is more important than ever and how you can leverage it to get more work. Tune in to discover why a strong personal brand is the key to standing out in a crowded market.
What You’ll Learn From This Episode:
Discover the secrets to building a personal brand. You'll learn what a personal brand actually is and how it can help you get ahead in your photography business.
Find out how to attract new customers. We reveal how to make your social media and video content work for you by turning a passive audience into active clients. We also discuss other key marketing channels.
Learn how to make personal branding an enjoyable process. We give you practical tips for creating a personal branding strategy that feels authentic and fun, so you can do it consistently and see the benefits.
Tired of feeling like you need to remortgage your house to buy quality photography equipment? Think again. In this episode, we reveal five game-changing items you can get for under £20 to significantly improve your skills and efficiency in commercial photography. From must-have gear to mind-altering concepts, we give you the tools and ideas to elevate your work without breaking the bank.
What you'll learn
1. Low-cost gear that transforms your shots: Discover two affordable and essential pieces of photography equipment that will drastically improve how you manage light and capture stunning images, whether you're working with natural light or studio flash.
2. How to see your work with fresh eyes: Learn about two influential books that will change the way you think about your commercial photography and help you develop a deeper understanding of your craft, turning you into a more intentional and creative photographer.
3. The one small investment that could save your shoot: Find out about a simple solution that allows you to see your shots in a whole new way, helping you make real-time adjustments and impress clients with a professional workflow.
Struggling to protect your work and get more clients? In this episode, we chat with award winning travel photographer Nico Trinkhouse who shares his experiences turning a negative situation into a positive business venture.
Three Things You'll Learn
• How his personal journey with copyright led to a new business and a proven way for photographers to get paid when their images are used illegally.
• Why his unconventional approach to blogging has become his most effective marketing tool for finding and winning high value clients.
• How he discovered a business model that is far more profitable than the
On this week's episode, the hosts dive into the world of email marketing and how it can be a powerful tool for photographers to generate leads and grow their business. The conversation goes beyond simple newsletters, revealing how smart strategies can automate your marketing efforts and significantly boost your bottom line.
Three Things You'll Learn This Episode:
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What to do with your mailing list
Want to get more photography clients through the door? This week, we're talking about how to turn Google Maps and Google Business into powerful tools for getting more leads and growing your business growth. Learn how to improve your local marketing and get found by the right people, all without spending a penny.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why the name you've chosen for your photography business could be holding you back and what you can do about it to get more leads.
The one thing you must do to get to the top of Google Maps and why reviews are absolutely vital for your marketing.
How to craft your Google Business profile to get more clients, and why you should be posting on it regularly.
Are you a commercial photographer in the UK looking to take your business to the next level? You’re likely focused on your portfolio, marketing, and networking—and those are all crucial. But what if we told you there’s a single, powerful skill that can dramatically improve your client relationships, boost your likeability, and ultimately lead to more business?
In this episode, we chat with Colin D Smith, a true expert on the art of listening. While most of us think we’re good listeners, the reality is that very few people have truly mastered this skill. Colin explains why deep listening is so important, not just for personal connections, but specifically for professional success.
Colin breaks down how a few simple changes can make a huge difference:
Build Trust & Likability: By asking open-ended questions like, “How do you feel about that?” or “What more do you want to say about that?”, you encourage clients to open up. This helps you build genuine trust and makes you more likable, which is essential for securing future work.
Improve Client Relationships: When you're a better listener, your clients will also listen more closely to you. This creates a powerful, two-way street that ensures your clients feel heard and understood, making them feel confident they’ve chosen the right person for the job.
Get More from Networking: Networking isn’t about pitching yourself; it’s about connecting. The better you listen, the faster you can build rapport and stand out in a crowded room.
Colin shares practical techniques to help you sharpen your skills:
Be Present: Clear away distractions and go into conversations with a calm, settled mind. Don’t just hear what someone is saying; truly listen by observing their body language and letting them finish their thoughts.
The Power of the Pause: After someone finishes speaking, wait a full three seconds before you respond. This simple pause prevents interruptions and gives you time to fully absorb what was said.
Listen for the Little Things: Pay attention to phrases like, “I’ve never told this to someone before.” This shows they are trusting you with something personal and gives you a powerful opportunity to deepen the connection.
Don't let your communication skills hold you back. Deep listening can be learned, and it might just be the most valuable investment you make in your photography business.
Want to learn more? You can connect with Colin at:
Website: dexteritysolutions.co.uk
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colindsmith1
Email: colin.smith@dexteritysolutions.co.uk
This week, Marcus and Sam discuss the hotly debated topic of “Do you need a photography degree/qualification to be a commercial photographer” and what’s the alternative?
This is the first ever episode of Shoot to the Top and we are sharing it with you as Marcus and Sam are taking a little summer break.
Marcus, no surprise, being an ex senior Lecturer in photography comes down in favour! But for reasons that may not be obvious. Sam asks probing questions and has an alarming stat of the Day.
This show is just perfect if you are trying to decide whether to spend your hard earned cash on going to university.