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Stacey Brown Randall at www.staceybrownrandall.com is the undisputed expert in generating referrals for a photography business.

You probably already know, one of the best feelings in business is when a new client gets in touch and says,

“My friend told me I had to book you.”

That’s gold.

You didn’t have to run an ad, discount your work, or chase anyone — they just showed up, already trusting you.

The issue is... even photographers doing incredible work don’t always get those kinds of referrals as often as they should.

It’s not because the photos aren’t good enough… It’s because the experience they're giving their clients isn’t designed to be referable.

Stacey has made it her mission to fix that.

She’s recently published a new book... The Referable Client Experience — A Proven Method to Generate Referrals Without Asking, and she’s built an entire system to help small business owners generate referrals.

In this interview, Stacey shares exactly what makes a photography client talk about you, return to you, and refer you — and why most photographers unknowingly miss the moments that matter most. Follow what Stacey shares to create a referral system every photography business needs.



Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:



The mindset shift that helps photographers see referrals not as “luck” but as an evergreen, relationship-driven system — one that works in any market, even as AI changes how clients find us
Why most photographers struggle with consistent referrals despite rave reviews — and how a truly referable client experience bridges the gap between happy clients and clients who actually talk about you
How Stacey identifies “referral hot zones” in the client journey — and why spotting these moments can dramatically increase word-of-mouth without awkward asks or incentives
The power of small, thoughtful touch points — like handwritten notes and personal gestures — and why they make clients feel valued in a way that automation simply can’t
Why the new → active → alumni client-experience structure matters — and how managing client feelings at each stage builds loyalty, repeat work, and long-term trust
How subtle “referral seeds” outperform direct requests — and how to weave these naturally into conversations without sounding salesy or desperate
The smart way to respond when a client says they’ll refer you — and how to use that moment later to reinforce trust and strengthen your referral pipeline
How tracking referral patterns helps you identify your true referral sources — so you can double down on the relationships that reliably grow your photography business
Why personalised communication still beats automated messages — even with the best CRM — when it comes to creating a client experience worth talking about
How playing the long game with client relationships leads to a photography business built on repeat clients and reliable, consistent referrals







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Bruce Vincentiis of www.bdv.photography brought something refreshingly different to this interview — and it’s one I was excited to dig into.

Bruce is a long-time listener of the podcast, which had me scratching my head at first… because he’s a luxury hotel photographer based in Southeast Asia, not a wedding, portrait, headshot or branding photographer like most listeners.

He started out shooting landscapes, drifted into urban exploration, and eventually found his way into a high-end niche photographing some of the world’s most recognised hotel brands, including Marriott, Accor, and Hyatt.

What makes his story even better is how he learned the craft — entirely self-taught through YouTube, picking up techniques in internet cafés across Asia and honing everything through trial and error.

Take one look at his portfolio and you’ll spot it instantly: jaw-dropping interiors, a beautiful balance of ambient and artificial light, and the kind of imagery you’re used to seeing in luxury travel campaigns, glossy brochures, and high-end resort advertising.

Alongside still photography, Bruce now offers aerial drone work and video — with food photography next on his list as his brand continues to evolve.

In this interview, Bruce shares how he has gone from YouTube photography tutorials to a luxury hotel photography business. This is a great story with many business lessons for any photographer to implement.



Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:



The bold move that took Bruce from self-taught traveller to in-demand luxury hotel photographer — and why relentless experimentation still wins over formal training in niche markets.
How offering smart, low-pressure “portfolio builder” shoots opened doors to high-end hotels and helped Bruce land credibility with brands like Marriott, Accor, and Hyatt faster than you’d expect.
The relationship-first networking strategy Bruce uses to stay top-of-mind with hotel decision-makers — and why it keeps repeat clients coming in across Southeast Asia.
Why mastering the dance between ambient light and flash is the foundation of magazine-worthy hotel interiors that clients gladly invest heavily in.
The behind-the-scenes staging process Bruce uses with housekeeping teams to make every room look pristine — saving hours in post-production and dramatically improving client satisfaction.
How a consistent Capture One + Photoshop workflow protects your style, speeds up delivery, and positions you as a true professional in the commercial space.
The simple, project-based proposal structure that works across branded hotels, architects, and independent properties — without encouraging price shopping or undercutting your value.
Why adding drone imagery and video has become a competitive advantage for Bruce — and how diversifying your deliverables can set you apart in a crowded hotel photography market.
The weather-proof mindset Bruce brings to every assignment — including how he still walks away with hero images when conditions are far from ideal.
How clear communication, expectation-setting, and a calm workflow turn demanding hotel clients into long-term partners who trust you with their brand identity.
The long-game strategy behind growing a hotel photography business: refine your portfolio, nurture key relationships, invest in the right gear, and commit to continual improvement.
Bruce’s biggest success driver: staying curious, experimenting constantly,

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Nik Buttigieg of www.nikbuttigieg.com is someone I feel like we’ve all been on the journey with as he’s built an incredibly successful portrait photography business.

He’s been a listener — and an active PhotoBizX member — since 2018. I first brought him on in 2021 for the Coaching Diaries series. Back then he was living in a remote part of Western Australia, shooting out of a caravan parked in his front yard, and only just starting to find his momentum.

Then in 2022, he packed up his family, his life, and his business and moved to Albury — a large rural town on the NSW/VIC border. He hit the ground running and immediately put everything he’d learned into practice. We covered that whole transition in episode 531.

That was two years ago… and since then, something has shifted. You can see it in the way he shows up in the members’ Facebook group, how he talks about marketing and client experience, how he approaches sales, lead generation, and running a proper studio business. It’s like watching all the pieces finally lock together — the hard work, the lessons, the discomfort, the experimentation — suddenly operating in full flow.

I was genuinely excited to sit down with him again — not just because he feels like an old mate, but because I wanted to understand what sparked this shift… and the conversation did not disappoint.

In this interview, Nik shares his low-pressure marketing strategy for filling his studio with ideal clients.



Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:



The simple shift that took Nik from shooting in a caravan to running a high-performing studio — and why your environment has more to do with confidence and growth than most photographers realise.
How building a small, reliable team frees you up to focus on marketing and sales — the work that actually moves your revenue needle.
The studio setup approach that creates consistency, speed, and predictable client satisfaction (no weather stress, no location roulette).
Why diversifying your lead generation — expos, fundraising, giveaways, partnerships, and seasonal promos — protects you from slow months and keeps bookings rolling in.
The generous giveaway and client-offer structure that turns cold leads into high-value clients without discounting your brand or hurting your averages.
Why treating every client as a premium buyer quietly lifts your sales averages, reduces pressure, and leads to better overall experiences.
How Nik handles Google reviews — the five-stars and the one-stars — to build trust, transparency, and resilience in a small-town market.
The mindset shift behind hitting $600k revenue: do fewer shoots, sell more intentionally, and let systems do the heavy lifting.
Why learning, coaching, and community support accelerate growth far faster than trying to figure it all out alone.
The long-game strategy behind scaling a portrait studio — more capacity, more efficiency, and more time back so the business becomes an asset, not an anchor.








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