Discovery calls don’t have to feel like a sales pitch or performance. In this episode, we’re breaking down exactly how we approach photography discovery calls so you can lead confident, grounded conversations that build trust, filter out misaligned clients, and help you book the projects you actually want.
We’re sharing how we prepare, structure the call, guide the conversation, handle pricing questions, and watch for red and green flags. You’ll learn how to shift your mindset from “I need to impress them” to “We’re exploring whether we’re a good fit.” This episode will help you communicate your value clearly, ask the right questions, set expectations, and walk into every call feeling prepared instead of anxious.
Whether you're brand new to client calls or ready to refine your process, this episode will help you turn every discovery call into a professional, empowering experience for both you and your clients.
RESOURCES WE MENTION:
Focus & Flourish is the go-to podcast for food photographers and creative business owners who want to build thriving, sustainable and profitable careers doing what they love.
Hosted by Marta and Linda, two professional food photographers and educators, each episode dives deep into the real behind-the-scenes of running a creative business. From marketing and client pitching to pricing, confidence, workflow and mindset.
You’ll hear honest conversations, inspiring guest interviews, and practical strategies designed to help you:
Whether you’re just starting your photography journey or ready to scale your creative business, Focus & Flourish is here to help you do it with clarity, strategy and heart.
Hit play, get inspired, and start flourishing. One focused step at a time.
Follow us on Instagram 📸
If you'd like to support our podcast, you can contribute by buying us a coffee through this link. Your support means a lot! ♥️
If your laptop is constantly full, your RAW files are scattered everywhere and Lightroom feels like chaos waiting to implode - this episode is your new best friend. Today we’re breaking down our full workflow and file-handling systems as professional food photographers, so you can finally get organised and stop second-guessing yours.
And the best part? We each work totally differently and we dissect these different workflows in this episode.
One of us uses a fully automated system built around a Synology NAS, with seamless backups and zero manual steps. The other relies on portable SSDs, a structured folder system, and a manual (but super reliable) backup process. We walk through both workflows in detail, including how we handle working files when shooting on location, how we protect client files before we’re back at our main workstation and what we recommend for photographers at different experience levels.
From tethering, importing to Lightroom, through different approaches for how to work with Lightroom catalogs and image culling to long-term archiving, you’ll learn exactly how to build a workflow that works for you. Whether you want automation or simplicity.
Focus & Flourish is a podcast hosted by Marta and Linda, two professional food photographers and educators, each episode dives deep into the real behind-the-scenes of running a creative business. From marketing and client pitching to pricing, confidence, workflow and mindset.
You’ll hear honest conversations, inspiring guest interviews, and practical strategies designed to help you:
Whether you’re just starting your photography journey or ready to scale your creative business, Focus & Flourish is here to help you do it with clarity, strategy and heart.
Hit play, get inspired, and start flourishing. One focused step at a time.
Follow us on Instagram 📸
If you'd like to support our podcast, you can contribute by buying us a coffee through this link. Your support means a lot! ♥️
What does it really take to thrive as a creative in today’s photography and content world? In this inspiring interview, we sit down with Sharon Grossman, industry veteran, agent-turned-producer and founder of Piccallo, a creative production company based in London.
Sharon shares her decades of experience representing and producing for top photographers and filmmakers, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what agencies are truly looking for when they hire or represent talent. We talk about why specialising matters more than ever, how to position yourself for long-term growth and how to navigate the evolving landscape of video, tech and AI as a modern creative.
If you’ve ever wondered how to stand out, build the right relationships, or shift your creative business in a more strategic direction this conversation is packed with wisdom, insights and actionable tips.
Where you'll find Sharon:
A special offer:
Sharon is offering an exclusive opportunity for photographers who want to rent a photography studio kitchen space in London through Piccallo. To learn more or book your session, reach out to Sharon directly via Instagram or email.
Focus & Flourish is the go-to podcast for food photographers and creative business owners who want to build thriving, sustainable and profitable careers doing what they love.
Hosted by Marta and Linda, two professional food photographers and educators, each episode dives deep into the real behind-the-scenes of running a creative business. From marketing and client pitching to pricing, confidence, workflow and mindset.
You’ll hear honest conversations, inspiring guest interviews, and practical strategies designed to help you:
Whether you’re just starting your photography journey or ready to scale your creative business, Focus & Flourish is here to help you do it with clarity, strategy and heart.
Hit play, get inspired, and start flourishing. One focused step at a time.
Follow us on Instagram 📸
If you'd like to support our podcast, you can contribute by buying us a coffee through this link. Your support means a lot! ♥️
Visual storytelling isn’t just about beautiful images. It’s about creating connection, emotion, and meaning through your work. In this episode of Focus & Flourish, we’re diving deep into what visual storytelling really means for photographers and creatives and how to turn it into a signature part of your business.
We’ll walk you through how we plan our shoots, develop concepts, and create visuals that align with both client goals and our creative vision. You’ll learn how to balance structure with imagination, showcase your expertise even when your portfolio is small and use creative or spec photoshoots as powerful portfolio builders.
Plus, we’ll share insights from our Visual Storytelling Ebook. A resource designed to help photographers craft stories that stand out and sell. Whether you’re building your brand or refining your process, this episode will help you transform your photography into strategy-led storytelling that attracts your ideal clients.
RESOURCES WE MENTION:
Focus & Flourish is the go-to podcast for food photographers and creative business owners who want to build thriving, sustainable and profitable careers doing what they love.
Hosted by Marta and Linda, two professional food photographers and educators, each episode dives deep into the real behind-the-scenes of running a creative business. From marketing and client pitching to pricing, confidence, workflow and mindset.
You’ll hear honest conversations, inspiring guest interviews, and practical strategies designed to help you:
Whether you’re just starting your photography journey or ready to scale your creative business, Focus & Flourish is here to help you do it with clarity, strategy and heart.
Hit play, get inspired, and start flourishing. One focused step at a time.
Follow us on Instagram 📸
If you'd like to support our podcast, you can contribute by buying us a coffee through this link. Your support means a lot! ♥️
Ever wondered what a polished, professional client process looks like from start to finish? In this behind-the-scenes episode of Focus & Flourish, we’re walking you through our entire photography client workflow from first pitch to final delivery.
We share how our pitching strategies have evolved since our earlier 2024 episode, the mindset shifts that have changed how we connect with clients and why a strong proposal and feedback process can completely transform your client experience. You’ll learn how we approach revisions, delivery, and follow-ups and how we use client feedback to spark new opportunities and rebookings.
Whether you’re building your first client workflow or refining your current one, this episode will help you create a premium, confidence-driven process that turns inquiries into long-term relationships.
RESOURCES WE MENTION:
Focus & Flourish is the podcast for food photographers and creative entrepreneurs who want to build thriving, profitable and purpose-driven businesses. Hosted by professional photographers Marta Grabowska and Linda Hermans, each episode dives deep into the real-world challenges and strategies behind running a successful creative business. From marketing and client pitching to pricing, mindset and workflow.
Whether you’re a freelance photographer, content creator or creative business owner, you’ll find practical insights to help you:
With honest conversations, inspiring guest interviews and proven business tips, Focus & Flourish, Photography Business Talk helps you turn your creative passion into a sustainable career. Tune in weekly to gain clarity, confidence and actionable strategies to help your photography business flourish.
Follow us on Instagram 📸
If you'd like to support our podcast, you can contribute by buying us a coffee through this link. Your support means a lot! ♥️
What does it really take to build a thriving photography business without a huge Instagram following? In this inspiring episode of Focus & Flourish, we sit down with Melbourne-based food, lifestyle and interior photographer Sally Hulse, whose work has been featured in major magazines and alongside iconic chefs like Gordon Ramsay.
Sally opens up about her journey from discovering photography to building a business grounded in professionalism, creative identity, and strategy all without relying on massive social media followings.
We talk about the power of community, SEO, confidence and staying true to your values while growing at your own pace. Whether you’re an emerging photographer or a seasoned creative, this conversation is packed with mindset shifts, marketing tips and real talk about what sustainable success actually looks like.
Where you'll find Sally:
RESOURCES WE MENTION:
Focus & Flourish is the go-to podcast for food photographers and creative business owners who want to build thriving, sustainable and profitable careers doing what they love.
Hosted by Marta and Linda, two professional food photographers and educators, each episode dives deep into the real behind-the-scenes of running a creative business. From marketing and client pitching to pricing, confidence, workflow and mindset.
You’ll hear honest conversations, inspiring guest interviews, and practical strategies designed to help you:
Whether you’re just starting your photography journey or ready to scale your creative business, Focus & Flourish is here to help you do it with clarity, strategy and heart.
Hit play, get inspired, and start flourishing. One focused step at a time.
Follow us on Instagram 📸
If you'd like to support our podcast, you can contribute by buying us a coffee through this link. Your support means a lot! ♥️
Social media can feel like a full-time job. But when used strategically, it can also be one of the most powerful tools for building your photography or creative business. In this episode of Focus & Flourish, we’re breaking down exactly what’s worked for us (and what hasn’t) when it comes to Instagram, LinkedIn, and beyond.
From creating a strong personal brand identity to connecting your content with real pitching opportunities, we share practical tips on how to use social media with intention. And without burning yourself out.
Whether you’re just starting to market your creative work or ready to refine your strategy, this conversation will help you show up online in a way that actually attracts clients.
Focus & Flourish is a podcast for food photographers who are looking to start, grow and scale their creative business.
Follow us on Instagram 📸
If you'd like to support our podcast, you can contribute by buying us a coffee through this link. Your support means a lot! ♥️
AI is changing the way we create, work, and run our businesses. And as photographers, that can feel both exciting and overwhelming.
In this episode of Focus & Flourish, we’re diving deep into how AI is already showing up in our photography businesses, from editing and pitching to content creation and idea generation.
But we’re not stopping there. We’re asking the bigger questions too: Will AI take over creative work? What’s the impact on the environment and society? And how can we, as photographers and creatives, build businesses that use AI thoughtfully while still giving back?
If you’ve ever wondered how to embrace AI without losing your artistry, or how to future-proof your creative business in an ethical, inspiring way, this episode is for you.
Focus & Flourish is a podcast for food photographers who are looking to start, grow and scale their creative business.
Follow us on Instagram 📸
If you'd like to support our podcast, you can contribute by buying us a coffee through this link. Your support means a lot! ♥️
We’re closing out Season 2 by sharing the biggest mistakes we’ve made in our food photography businesses (so you don’t have to).
From underpricing and overdelivering to ignoring our network and struggling with work-life balance, we’re laying it all out candidly and honestly. These are the things we wish we’d known earlier, and the hard-earned lessons that shaped how we work today.
Expect real talk about money, boundaries, productivity, and long-term growth. All that with plenty of takeaways you can apply to your own journey.
It’s the kind of episode we wish we had when we were starting out. See you there!
RESOURCES WE MENTION:
THANK YOU to Tether Tools for sponsoring this season of the podcast 🧡
Use our code FOCUS10 for 10% off your next purchase in the Tether Tools store: https://tethertools.com/?ref=167.
Focus & Flourish is a podcast for food photographers who are looking to start, grow and scale their creative business.
Follow us on Instagram 📸
If you'd like to support our podcast, you can contribute by buying us a coffee through this link. Your support means a lot! ♥️
We’re pulling back the curtain on how we market our businesses to generate leads - no fluff, no gatekeeping.
In this episode, we’re sharing the marketing strategies that have genuinely worked to bring leads into our food photography businesses. From, Instagram through past projects, alternative social media platforms to targeted pitching a.k.a. reaching out to brands with specific project ideas in mind.
We also talk about how optimizing our websites and using location-based SEO helps clients find us organically.
Whether you're just starting out or trying to build more consistent leads, we’re giving you a real-world look at what’s working right now, and how you can make it work for you too.
THANK YOU to Tether Tools for sponsoring this season of the podcast 🧡
Use our code FOCUS10 for 10% off your next purchase in the Tether Tools store: https://tethertools.com/?ref=167.
Focus & Flourish is a podcast for food photographers who are looking to start, grow and scale their creative business.
Follow us on Instagram 📸
If you'd like to support our podcast, you can contribute by buying us a coffee through this link. Your support means a lot! ♥️
We’re firm believers that great photography is more about skill than kit.
Creativity, storytelling, and understanding light will always matter more than having the latest gear. But since many of you have asked, we’re pulling back the curtain on what we use to get the job done.
In this episode, we share the cameras, lenses, and tools we rely on in our food photography work and why we chose them.
We’re also chatting about our experience with Tether Tools (our Season 2 sponsor!) and how tethering has helped improve our workflow on set.
LINDA’S GEAR
BODY + LENSES:
TRIPOD:
LIGHTS:
SOFTBOX:
MARTA’S GEAR
BODY + LENSES:
TRIPOD:
Manfrotto MT055 XPRO 3 with ball head MHXPRO-BHQ2
LIGHTS:
SOFTBOX:
THANK YOU to Tether Tools for sponsoring this season of the podcast 🧡
Use our code FOCUS10 for 10% off your next purchase in the Tether Tools store: https://tethertools.com/?ref=167.
Focus & Flourish is a podcast for food photographers who are looking to start, grow and scale their creative business.
Follow us on Instagram 📸
If you'd like to support our podcast, you can contribute by buying us a coffee through this link. Your support means a lot! ♥️
Ever felt like walking away from it all? You’re not alone.
In this special crossover episode with Rosslyn and Mikyla from the Food Photography Corner Podcast, we’re getting real about the moments we almost gave up on our food photography journeys - and how we turned things around.
We talk about the early struggles, the biggest challenges (hello, money stress, burnout, and self-doubt), and the powerful turning points that helped us keep going. From mindset shifts to business wins, practical strategies, and the support systems that lifted us up - this is a raw and honest look at the reality behind the glossy images.
If you're in need of a reminder that you're not alone - and that growth is still possible - this one’s for you.
RESOURCES WE MENTION:
Focus & Flourish is a podcast for food photographers who are looking to start, grow and scale their creative business.
Follow us on Instagram 📸
If you'd like to support our podcast, you can contribute by buying us a coffee through this link. Your support means a lot! ♥️
One of the trickiest parts of running a creative business? Explaining your pricing in a way that feels confident, professional, and empathetic.
In this episode, we talk about how to educate clients on everything that goes into a photography project - from the planning, creative direction, and logistics, to your workflow, timelines, and what your fee actually includes. We also explore ways to communicate your value through branding tools.
And when objections come up? We talk about how to handle them with clarity and grace - whether it’s explaining your fee structure or responding when a client says, “That’s too expensive for us.”
THANK YOU to Tether Tools for sponsoring this season of the podcast 🧡
Use our code FOCUS10 for 10% off your next purchase in the Tether Tools store: https://tethertools.com/?ref=167.
RESOURCES WE MENTION:
Focus & Flourish is a podcast for food photographers who are looking to start, grow and scale their creative business.
Follow us on Instagram 📸
If you'd like to support our podcast, you can contribute by buying us a coffee through this link. Your support means a lot! ♥️
Many photographers struggle to communicate the true value of their work and as a result, their services are often seen as just another expense.
In this episode, we explore how to shift that perspective.
We discuss why F&B brands need strong visual content, the real pain points creatives help solve, and how impactful imagery can directly benefit a client’s business. From improving brand presence to driving sales, we break down the tangible value of what we do and how to confidently price your services to reflect it.
THANK YOU to Tether Tools for sponsoring this season of the podcast 🧡
Use our code FOCUS10 for 10% off your next purchase in the Tether Tools store: https://tethertools.com/?ref=167.
RESOURCES WE MENTION:
The ChatGPT Prompt:
Create a buyer persona for a marketing director [Job Role] with [10 Years Experience] who works at a company in a in the [food and beverage industry] in Europe [Location] doing £50million [Average Annual Revenue] who is interested in purchasing [food photography services]. Include the following information:
Name: fictional nameResponsibilities: Top 5 roles or dutiesGoals: top 5 goals or motivationsChallenges: top 5 needs or challengesDaily Life: a short backstory including relevant emotions
Marta's socials:
https://foodsbymarta.com/
Linda's socials:
https://lindahermansphotography.com/
Focus & Flourish is a podcast for food photographers who are looking to start, grow and scale their creative business.
If you'd like to support our podcast, you can contribute by buying us a coffee through this link. Your support means a lot! ♥️
We’re diving into how to get clients on board with larger, longer-term contracts, and how to upsell your services strategically using practical tools.
From identifying the right opportunities to structuring offers that feel like a no-brainer, we’re sharing the real tactics that have helped us land our highest-profit jobs to date.
If you're ready to boost your revenue and build stronger, longer-lasting client relationships, this episode is for you.
THANK YOU to Tether Tools for sponsoring this season of the podcast 🧡
Use our code FOCUS10 for 10% off your next purchase in the Tether Tools store: https://tethertools.com/?ref=167.
RESOURCES WE MENTION:
Marta's socials:
https://foodsbymarta.com/
Linda's socials:
https://lindahermansphotography.com/
Focus & Flourish is a podcast for food photographers who are looking to start, grow and scale their creative business.
If you'd like to support our podcast, you can contribute by buying us a coffee through this link. Your support means a lot! ♥️
Today, we sit down with the incredibly talented Yessica Duque, a commercial food photographer known for her bold visuals, meticulous styling, and empowering presence in the industry.
Yessica shares her journey into photography, the moments and mentors that shaped her path, and how she built a thriving business rooted in creativity. We dive into her shooting process, the importance of tethering (shoutout to Tether Tools!), and the tools that help make her worlflow efficient and professional.
Whether you're just starting out or scaling your food photography business, this conversation is full of insight, wisdom, and heart.
Yessica's Portfolio, Instagram and Podcast.
THANK YOU to Tether Tools for sponsoring this season of the podcast 🧡
Use our code FOCUS10 for 10% off your next purchase in the Tether Tools store: https://tethertools.com/?ref=167.
Focus & Flourish is a podcast for food photographers who are looking to start, grow and scale their creative business.
If you'd like to support our podcast, you can contribute by buying us a coffee through this link. Your support means a lot! ♥️
In this episode, we uncover the ins and outs of restaurant photography - from how to break into the industry to pricing, workflows, contracts, gear, and more.
We share real challenges we’ve faced, tips on pitching to the right clients, and what really happens behind the scenes during a restaurant shoot.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your process, this episode is packed with practical advice and insights.
THANK YOU to Tether Tools for sponsoring this season of the podcast 🧡
Use our code FOCUS10 for 10% off your next purchase in the Tether Tools store: https://tethertools.com/?ref=167.
Inside this episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(00:30) - Welcome to the episode
(01:02) - Ways to get into restaurant photography
(06:56) - How to find the right restaurants to pitch to
(09:04) - Workflow for restaurant shoots
(14:52) - Typical timelines for restaurant projects
(18:16) - Gear we bring to a restaurant shoot
(20:10) - Contracts and licensing in restaurant photography
(23:34) - How to price restaurant work
(31:52) - The 20-60-20 rule in restaurant photography
(33:50) - Challenges we've faced and overcome
(41:21) - Bringing assistants to restaurant shoots
(45:43) - Until next time!
RESOURCES WE MENTION:
Marta's socials:
https://foodsbymarta.com/
Linda's socials:
https://lindahermansphotography.com/
Focus & Flourish is a podcast for food photographers who are looking to start, grow and scale their creative business.
If you'd like to support our podcast, you can contribute by buying us a coffee through this link. Your support means a lot! ♥️
In this open and honest conversation, Marta shares her path into food photography - from early childhood inspirations to leaving her corporate career and stepping into full-time photography, just one month before the 2020 pandemic changed the world.
She opens up about her international journey from Poland to the UK and back, and how those experiences have shaped both her perspective and her business.
Tune in for a heartfelt episode filled with personal insights, lessons learned, and the power of embracing change.
THANK YOU to Tether Tools for sponsoring this season of the podcast 🧡
Use our code FOCUS10 for 10% off your next purchase in the Tether Tools store: https://tethertools.com/?ref=167.
Marta's socials:
https://foodsbymarta.com/
Focus & Flourish is a podcast for food photographers who are looking to start, grow and scale their creative business.
If you'd like to support our podcast, you can contribute by buying us a coffee through this link. Your support means a lot! ♥️
In this candid and inspiring kickoff to Season 2, Linda shares her journey into the world of food photography - from what first sparked her interest to the people and resources that helped shape her business.
She reflects on how her work and mindset have evolved, what’s changed since the early days, and the lessons she's learned along the way.
A must-listen for anyone at any stage of their creative business journey.
THANK YOU to Tether Tools for sponsoring this season of the podcast 🧡
Use our code FOCUS10 for 10% off your next purchase in the Tether Tools store: https://tethertools.com/?ref=167.
Resources we mention in this episode:
Focus & Flourish is a podcast for food photographers who are looking to start, grow and scale their creative business.
If you'd like to support our podcast, you can contribute by buying us a coffee through this link. Your support means a lot! ♥️
Join us on the latest episode of Focus & Flourish as we explore the art of blending diverse interests and genres in photography.
Many in our industry feel constrained by the notion of mastering a singular niche, like food photography, and struggle to integrate other passions into their work.
In this candid discussion, we share our personal experiences and strategies for incorporating varied interests seamlessly into both personal projects and client work. Discover how embracing versatility can enhance creativity and open doors to new opportunities. Whether you're drawn to landscapes, portraiture, or still life, learn how to navigate the intersection of multiple genres to enrich your photographic journey.
Tune in to uncover insights and inspiration for embracing the richness of diverse photographic pursuits!
Resources we mention in this episode:
Focus & Flourish is a podcast for food photographers who are looking to start, grow and scale their creative business.
If you'd like to support our podcast, you can contribute by buying us a coffee, you can contribute by buying us a coffee through this link. Your support means a lot! ♥️
Marta's socials:
https://foodsbymarta.com/
Linda's socials: