How do I run a successful small business? How can I keep the balance between my 9 to 5 and side hustle? What are the essentials creative entrepreneurs needs to know? What are the best ways to market myself? How can I build credibility and attract my ideal client? If you’re asking these small business questions, you come to the right place.
Welcome to The Self-Starter Podcast, an attorney-led business, entrepreneurship, and marketing podcast with Nichole Lauren. This is a safe space for female entrepreneurs to feel empowered that YOU are the girl for the job.
New episode every Monday!
In this episode of the Self Starter Podcast, I chat with Halle from Take Your Shot, delving into her inspiring journey as a wedding photographer and business coach. Halle's experiences offer valuable insights on how to book destination weddings and tips for aspiring photographers can break into this niche.
Links Mentioned:
Watch this episode over on YOUTUBE!
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Find Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download the FREE resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Creatives, find tools and resources for you HERE.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Try THRIVECART, my favorite cart platform (and one lifetime price!)
Connect with Halle:
Welcome back to the Self Starter Podcast! I'm Nichole Lauren, and I'm thrilled to share today’s episode with you. This episode is short but packed with encouragement as I share the top three things I learned at the Graceful Gathering conference held in April.
Links Mentioned:
Check out my videos on YOUTUBE!
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Find Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download the FREE resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Creatives, find tools and resources for you HERE.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Try THRIVECART, my favorite cart platform (and one lifetime price!)
Welcome back to the Self Starter Podcast! I'm Nichole Lauren, and whether it's your first time here or you're a returning listener, I'm thrilled to have you with me today. In this episode, we're diving deep into the recent launch of my brand new coaching mastermind program for photography business owners. Let's get into the mastermind launch recap!
Links Mentioned:
Check out my videos on YOUTUBE!
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Find Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download the FREE resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Creatives, find tools and resources for you HERE.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Try THRIVECART, my favorite cart platform (and one lifetime price!)
In this episode of the Self Starter Podcast, I sit down with Jane Goodrich, an experienced newborn and family photographer, as well as the founder of Picsello. Jane shares valuable insights on how to price yourself, the importance of mindset, and practical tips for photographers looking to thrive in their industry!
Links Mentioned:
Watch this episode over on YOUTUBE!
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Find Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download the FREE resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Creatives, find tools and resources for you HERE.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Try THRIVECART, my favorite cart platform (and one lifetime price!)
Connect with Jane:
Instagram: @Jane.GoodrichWebsite: JaneGoodrich.com
Today, I'm joined by the amazing Nata, whom I met at the Creative Educator Conference. Nada is a multi-business owner and a wedding photographer based in Florida. She's here to share her journey of building a thriving team and offer valuable tips for anyone looking to expand their business.
Links Mentioned:
Watch this episode over on YOUTUBE!
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Find Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download the FREE resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Creatives, find tools and resources for you HERE.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Try THRIVECART, my favorite cart platform (and one lifetime price!)
Connect with Nata:
Join us as we dive into the world of quarterly planning with Manali Sontakke, an editor for wedding photographers and an experienced business coach. Discover why quarterly planning is crucial for business success and gain practical insights on how to implement it effectively. Manali shares her journey into quarterly planning and offers valuable tips to help entrepreneurs align their strategies with long-term objectives.
Links Mentioned:
Watch this episode over on YOUTUBE!
Find Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download the FREE resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Creatives, find tools and resources for you HERE.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Try THRIVECART, my favorite cart platform (and one lifetime price!)
Connect with Manali:
I'm so excited to share that my new mastermind program for photography business owners is LIVE! You can join this three-month program now at the link below.
In this episode, I'm responding to the common objections I get from students hesitant to hire a business coach. You will receive amazing business support and strategy from a professional who has been there and back. I'm committed to serving you well. But you have to take the first step and apply!
Join the Nichole Lauren Mastermind.
Download my favorite business budget sheet!
Start time tracking on Toggl.
Links Mentioned:
Follow along over on YOUTUBE!
Find Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Listen to the episode mentioned: 019: How I Plan My Week on a Digital Calendar
Download the FREE resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Try THRIVECART, my favorite cart platform (and one lifetime price!)
I'm so excited to share that my new mastermind program for photography business owners is LIVE! You can join this three-month program now at the link below.
In this episode, I'm giving you a taste of the exercises I do with my 1-1 coaching clients. All this and more is just a taste of the amazing business support and strategy you'll receive in the mastermind.
Join the Nichole Lauren Mastermind.
Download my favorite business budget sheet!
Start time tracking on Toggl.
Links Mentioned:
Follow along over on YOUTUBE!
Find Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Listen to the episode mentioned: 019: How I Plan My Week on a Digital Calendar
Download the FREE resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Try THRIVECART, my favorite cart platform (and one lifetime price!)
One of the most common questions I get is whether or not consistent blogging is worth it. And my answer is always a 100% YES! So many underestimate the power of blogging. But the truth is, it's the #1 way I boost my website's SEO.
This week, we discuss why blogging is so important as a business owner (especially for location-specific, service-based business owners), and I give you 5 easy blog posts to write this week. You have no excuse not to start now! ;)
Links Mentioned:
Follow along over on YOUTUBE!
Find Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Listen to the other episode on blogging: 060: Blogging is Not Dead!
Download the FREE resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Try THRIVECART, my favorite cart platform (and one lifetime price!)
Starting a Youtube channel last year was one of the BEST decisions I've made in my business and certainly the best decision recently for visibility! What was holding me back from creating a channel for so long was the fact that I didn't see myself as an influencer.
But what a lot of people don't know is that using Youtube for business is a super strategic move. The truth is, you don't have to share your entire life or vlog. Youtube is a great way to build credibility with your audience with free and valuable education. It's also a search engine, meaning it's an incredible way to reach so many new cold leads!
In this episode, I talk about who Youtube is ideal for, how and why to use it in business, and the simply steps to get started with equipment and software. The whole process is a lot easier than you might think!
Links Mentioned:
Follow along over on YOUTUBE!
Find Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Listen to the other episodes mentioned: 063: How to Start a Podcast in 2024 and 064: Passive Income with a Small Audience
Download the FREE resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Try THRIVECART, my favorite cart platform (and one lifetime price!)
Long time, no see. Life has been BUSY over here but so happy!! Today, I'm sharing a few life and business updates including my ALL NEW mastermind program. Details here: nicholelaurenphotography.com/mastermind
Plus, I'm sharing my experience at the Creative Educator Conference and some takeaways that will reignite your passion and vision in your business. I'm so glad you're here!!
Please leave me a 5-star rating and review on Apple podcasts to show your support of this show!
Links Mentioned:
Watch the full conference vlog over on YOUTUBE!
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download the FREE resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
2023 brought so many amazing, hard, and growing experiences into my life. Join my yearly recap where we review the lessons that stick out the most to me this year. I encourage you to create a list of your own and do some reflecting as well!
Try my sales cart platform, Thrivecart for one low lifetime price. (It's seriously AMAZING!!)
Links Mentioned:
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Find my channel now on YOUTUBE!
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download the FREE resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
I'm sharing how I made over $1k in passive income alone, working less than 12 hours over the course of 2.5 weeks! I think it's so important to share the small beginnings and the power of long-form content even with a small following. We always hear about the creators with 100k followers or 1 million subscribers. But I was able to achieve the same amount of money with 84 subscribers and less than 400 views on a single video that would have taken me getting 350-500k views with youtube adsense! And you can 100% do this in your business too.
Get my FREE content marketing guide: https://nicholelauren.myflodesk.com/pvkpw3xish
Try my sales cart platform, Thrivecart for one low lifetime price. (It's seriously AMAZING!!)
Links Mentioned:
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Find my channel now on YOUTUBE!
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Listen to the episode mentioned 062: Taking Time Off in Your Business
Download the FREE resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Ready to start a podcast in 2024? I highly recommend it. Not only can your podcast bring in some passive income and reach new ideal clients for your business, but it can also be a great way to service your existing follower base with amazing free content. You might think it's a saturated market, but really most podcasts out there are abandoned. So, give it a shot, and let me know how it goes!! I'm here to cheer you on.
My Podcast Gear:
Blue Yeti Microphone (currently on sale!)
Blue Snowball (cheaper microphone)
Foam Pop Filter
Pop Filter Shield
Boom Arm Microphone Stand
Beats Headphones
Links Mentioned:
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Find my channel now on YOUTUBE!
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Listen to the episode mentioned 060: Blogging is Not Dead!
Try my sales cart platform, Thrivecart for one low lifetime price. (It's seriously AMAZING!!)
Download the FREE resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Whether it's vacation, the holidays, or an unexpected life event, building a business with freedom in mind is crucial. The true measure of success (I believe) is not measured in the dollar signs or the follower counts. But truly, success = freedom. Freedom of time being the most important! Today I'm sharing 5 tips and personal examples on how to feel more free in time away from your business this year.
Want to track your time like I do? Give Toggl a try.
Links Mentioned:
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Find my channel now on YOUTUBE!
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Find ALL my podcasting gear on this Amazon List!
Listen to the episode mentioned 021: How I Plan for Vacation in My Business
Try my sales cart platform, Thrivecart for one low lifetime price. (It's seriously AMAZING!!)
Download the FREE resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the comments, messages, gifts, and support over the sudden loss of my best friend. 🤍🐾 I have found so much comfort in your empathy and compassion. And so many of you have shared similar experiences with me that helped you identify with my heartbreak. It's incredible how these precious dogs forever change our hearts. 👼🏻 You'll forever be my #1, Oslo.
INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/_nicholelauren
YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@nicholelauren
WEBSITE: https://nicholelaurenphotography.com/education
I keep a note on my phone with the title "Reminders ✨." And on there, I have a running list of words to live by. They are either something someone has told me that really stuck. A profound statement I heard on a podcast or show. Or something I've come to realize as a result of just living.
This week, I'm opening up that exact note on my phone and sharing those nuggets of wisdom with you. It's the best advice I've ever received. I hope you enjoy!
Links Mentioned:
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Find my channel now on YOUTUBE!
Watch my latest vlogs: Speaking at a Conference and 10-Hour Wedding Day
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Find ALL my podcasting gear on this Amazon List!
Listen to the episodes mentioned | 049: Complete Guide to Second Shooting and 050: Hiring Associate Photographers
Try my website platform, Showit, and get a free month! (It's seriously AMAZING!!)
Download the new resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
There are so many mixed reviews on blogging. Is it worth the hassle? I'm here to tell you that blogging is not dead, my friends! In fact, it's the #1 way I've been able to boost my website's SEO and consistently get found on Google by tons of qualified leads. Let's unpack the mystery of blogging, why it's important, and how I ensure my blogs are SEO friendly. Let's go!
Links Mentioned:
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Find my channel now on YOUTUBE!
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Try my website platform, Showit, and get a free month! (It's seriously AMAZING!!)
Listen to episode 046: How to Use Chat GPT in Your Business.
Download the new resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Wondering how to pay yourself in your business? When you own your own business, finances can be confusing and frustrating. This week on the pod, I'm peeling back the curtain and letting you in on an inside look into how I budget in my business using Profit Sheet. I also cover how to pay myself and how much to save if you're planning to go full time!
Links Mentioned:
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Find my channel now on YOUTUBE!
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download my business budgeting tool, Profit Sheet.
Episodes mentioned: 12 | How to Form an LLC in SC, 15 | Starting a Business, 34 | Team Meetings.
Try Betterment, my retirement savings company!
Download the new resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Turn every client into your ideal client! How? It all starts with educating them! In today's episode, we discuss how to educate your clients well to set them up for success, make your job easier, and gain their trust.
Links Mentioned:
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Find my channel now on YOUTUBE!
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download my FREE Bride & Groom Questionnaire.
Episodes mentioned: 24 | How to Master Your Inquiry and Booking Process, 26 | Wedding Timelines and Shot Lists , and 40 | My Exact Booking Workflow.
Download the new resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Outsourcing can feel scary! After all, our businesses are so personal, and we take full responsibility for them. However, you need to protect your time for things only you can do. And leave the rest to someone who can do it faster, for cheaper, or just for the pure sake of alleviating stress off your plate. Listen to this episode for all the tips on where to start with outsourcing, Plus, head over to the shownotes (linked below!) for a list of ideas on specific tasks you might want to outsource right now!
Ready to get help in your business, learn more about the consulting services I offer for creatives HERE.
Links Mentioned:
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Find my new channel on YOUTUBE!
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download the new resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Inner Circle on FACEBOOK.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)Try Canva Pro for free!Get 50% off Flodesk (my email marketing software).One free month of Showit (my website platform).
The secret to scaling and growing your business is to stop trading your time for money. In this episode, we discuss different revenue streams for categories, ideas of what to offer, and how to make sure your offers fit together well. Start with products and systems you've already built well in your business, and brainstorm ways to sell them to make others' lives easier!
Links Mentioned:
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Find my new channel on YOUTUBE!
Listen to the episodes on Passive Income: Episode 50 & Episode 51
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download the new resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Inner Circle on FACEBOOK.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)Try Canva Pro for free!Get 50% off Flodesk (my email marketing software).One free month of Showit (my website platform).
Unveiling the ever-elusive strategy to getting more reviews in your business today! It's really not rocket science, but it did take some trial and error for me to figure out in my journey. I'm making it easier on you and sharing 3 ways to get more reviews today!
Speaking of reviews, I'd love for you to leave me one here for this podcast! 😉 It helps us so much to be seen by other listeners.
Links Mentioned:
Find my new channel on YOUTUBE!
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download the new resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Inner Circle on FACEBOOK.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)Try Canva Pro for free!Get 50% off Flodesk (my email marketing software).One free month of Showit (my website platform).
Business ownership isn't all flowers and rainbows. Sometimes disappointment, unmet expectations, and even negative feedback can make things unpleasant. Let's unpack that together today and remind ourselves of how far we have come. You have so much to be proud of yourself for! :)
Links Mentioned:
Find my new channel on YOUTUBE!
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download the new resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Inner Circle on FACEBOOK.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Try Canva Pro for free! Get 50% off Flodesk (my email marketing software). One free month of Showit (my website platform).
I'm sharing a heart-to-heart conversation with you today, including a life update, some changes to the podcast, and my own experience with getting out of your own head, releasing control, and learning something new! I hope you enjoy, and thank you for being here. 💕
Links Mentioned:
Find my new channel on YOUTUBE!
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download the new resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Inner Circle on FACEBOOK.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Try Canva Pro for free! Get 50% off Flodesk (my email marketing software). One free month of Showit (my website platform).
Ready to explore an additional revenue stream and scale your business? We're tackling the nitty gritty details of setting up shop with the step-by-step process from creating your offer to officially opening your shop!
Links Mentioned:
Find this podcast now on YOUTUBE!
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download the new resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Inner Circle on FACEBOOK.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)Try Canva Pro for free!Get 50% off Flodesk (my email marketing software).One free month of Showit (my website platform).
Thinking about offering products in an educational shop? This episode is your guide to scaling your business, knowing how and what to offer in your shop, and more. This is a two-part episode, so make sure to come back next week for all the details on the actual process of setting up shop.
Links Mentioned:
Find this podcast now on YOUTUBE!
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download the new resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Inner Circle on FACEBOOK.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Try Canva Pro for free! Get 50% off Flodesk (my email marketing software). One free month of Showit (my website platform).
Are you expanding your wedding photography business? Hiring associate shooters is a great way to scale your business, take on less yourself, or just serve even more couples. Listen in this week for all the tips on what an associate photographer is, how to hire one, and things to consider if you're looking to associate for someone else.
Links Mentioned:
Find this podcast now on YOUTUBE!
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download the new resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Inner Circle on FACEBOOK.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Try Canva Pro for free! Get 50% off Flodesk (my email marketing software). One free month of Showit (my website platform).
Ready to break into wedding photography? Second shooting is a great place to start building your portfolio and making connections with other photographers and vendors!
Links Mentioned:
Find this podcast now on YOUTUBE!
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download the new resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Inner Circle on FACEBOOK.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Try Canva Pro for free! Get 50% off Flodesk (my email marketing software). One free month of Showit (my website platform).
Join me in this episode as we uncover five strategic lead magnet ideas for wedding photographers. Learn how to attract and engage your ideal clients effectively while building a strong email list. Elevate your marketing game and take your photography business to the next level with these actionable strategies! Plus, snag brand new lead magnet templates... (linked below!)
Links Mentioned:
Find this podcast now on YOUTUBE!
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download the new resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Get my all-new Photographer Lead Magnet Templates.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Inner Circle on FACEBOOK.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Try Canva Pro for free! Get 50% off Flodesk (my email marketing software). One free month of Showit (my website platform).
Learn essential tips on crafting the perfect packages and pricing for your photography business. Discover how to display pricing on your website for optimal success. Tune in to elevate your wedding photography game and attract your dream clients!
Links Mentioned:
Find this podcast now on YOUTUBE!
Head to the SHOWNOTES.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download the new resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Snag my Photographer Email Templates.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Inner Circle on FACEBOOK.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Try Canva Pro for free! Get 50% off Flodesk (my email marketing software). One free month of Showit (my website platform).
Wondering how to use ChatGPT in your photography business? In this video, I give you five in-depth prompt ideas to use right now to help with content creation, course outlines, email templates, and more!
Links Mentioned:
Find this podcast now on YOUTUBE!
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download the new resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Inner Circle on FACEBOOK.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Try Canva Pro for free! Get 50% off Flodesk (my email marketing software). One free month of Showit (my website platform).
It's been one year since I went full-time into my business of eight years. What a year, and I am so grateful! In this episode I'm sharing tips on how to go full-time in your business. I'm also reflecting on what I learned and accomplished this year.
Plus, I'm sharing an all NEW resource with you!! It's my new 30 page e-book, The Full Time Photographer's Playbook! (keep scrolling)
If you're here because you are hoping to quit your 9-5 and finally make the leap to full-time business ownership, I'm cheering you on! Here are my best words of encouragement that helped me when I made the jump:
Links Mentioned:
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Download the new resource, The Full-Time Photographer's Playbook!
Listen to Episode 09: I Quit My 9-5 & Here's The Full Story.
Listen to Episode 28: How I Matched My Attorney Salary in Less than Four Months.
Take me to Episode 37: You Can Change Your Mind and Be Misunderstood.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Join my signature course, Wedding Walkthrough.
Shop my attorney-drafted contract templates at Legally Creative.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Thinking of starting a business but struggling to understand how ton do it the right and legal way? As a licensed attorney who helps creatives legally, I'm walking you through the 3 areas you need to consider when first beginning a business. We'll walk step-by-step through entity formation, documentation filing, and contract basics. Plus, I'm sharing an all NEW resource with you!!
Shop the ALL NEW contract template shop- Legally Creative™️!!
I've launched a brand new, attorney-drafted contract template shop for you. Shop HERE!!
**Please note: this episode is intended for educational purposes and does not constitute an attorney-client relationship with Nichole.
Links Mentioned:
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Lots of people have been expressing that booking and inquiries lately have been sounding like crickets. I'm here to help! Let's tackle four new approaches to finding your next client and attracting leads in ways you might not have thought of before!
In This Episode:
Download the freebie I market to Brides HERE.
Try Flodesk and get 50% off your first year!!
Other Links Mentioned:
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Ready to elevate your client experience to turn your customers into raving fans? Listen to this week's episode for lots of ideas on increasing your client satisfaction in multiple areas in your business. Then, be sure to let me know what you're planning to implement in your business!
In This Episode:
Listen to the episode mentioned- 040: My Exact Booking Workflow.
Get $25 off your Packlane (custom mailer boxes) order HERE.
Read Marketing Made Simple by Donald Miller.
Download the KJ Bridal Guide Nichole uses in her client gift boxes.
More Bride gift ideas HERE.
Other Links Mentioned:
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
I'm sharing my exact booking workflow with you today! Listen in for exact steps on how I move leads to clients through a seamless process in my wedding photography business. There's lots to learn! And since implementing these steps, I've seen significant success in my booking success rate.
In This Episode:
Read Marketing Made Simple by Donald Miller.
Use Nichole's calendar scheduling tool- Calendly.
Get the business profit spreadsheet Nichole uses- Profit Sheet by EM Shop.
Try out Loom- a great video recording software!
Download Nichole's exact Bride & Groom Questionnaire for FREE.
Other Links Mentioned:
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Find Nichole on LiketoKnowit (for personal favorites!)
Listen up if you're in need of a pep talk to start your week! Sharing a few things on my heart lately.
xo, Nichole
Get the Altar'd State sign mentioned in this episode HERE.
Links Mentioned:
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Are you a beginning photographer ready to get your DSLR camera off auto mode? Or maybe you're a mom looking to take better photos of your kids. Whatever situation, learning manual mode basics in an invaluable skill. Today's episode is a bite-sized lesson that will get you off auto mode on your camera!
Wedding Walkthrough Course SALE!
Today is the last day for the Wedding Walkthrough course Spring SALE! This is a one-of-a-kind course for wedding photographers wanting to gain experience and boost their confidence. You get to be my virtual second shooter on a really wedding shoot! Use code "SPRING23" for 23% off through today only. View the course details and enroll HERE.
Links Mentioned:
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Join the Wedding Walkthrough course. It's on sale through today- 23% off using code "SPRING23."
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
My story is far from conventional. I have never met anyone who is both a wedding photographer AND attorney, like me! But I hope my story can show you that you have FULL permission to reinvent yourself, change your mind, and also go back to something you thought you never would OR leave it completely.
Each part of your story is GOOD. And all your chapters don’t have to make sense to everyone to be VALID.
Say it with me: ✨Being understood is NOT the goal!✨
Doing what God put you here on this earth to do, IS. And that includes going against the grain, re-routing completely, or even staying exactly where you are. 💕
Links Mentioned:
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Listen to Episode #1: My Business Story.
Listen to Episode #9: How I Quit My 9-5 Job.
Listen to Episode #28: How I Matched My Attorney Salary.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
I recently had a birthday, and I dubbed the week leading up to it as "birthday week." The idea wasn't anything crazy or expensive! I just sought to create little moments throughout my days where I focused on the good and fun aspects of my life and treating myself along the way. That got my thinking about the idea of romanticizing your life! I have lots of thoughts for you today.
Romanticizing your life is a form of mindfulness. It's about taking time to slow down and bring awareness to the moment. It's about living the life of your dreams right now. Let's face it, our lives have a hugh impact on how we perceive our lives. What if we directed our typically negative energy to believing the best about our lives?!
Ask yourself, "What's the best that could happen?"
Main character energy is investing in and advocating for yourself and doing things that make you happy. It's about taking life and yourself a little less seriously
Listen to the episode to hear me talk through these transformative concepts. Plus, I shared ideas on how to romanticize your life this week!
Links Mentioned:Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Listen to Episode #31: 2023 Intentions for the New Year.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
It's time for another Business Book Club Book Review. This time we are unpacking How Are You, Really by Jenna Kutcher. This was not your average business book. But with the holidays and life around November, I was looking for a more lifestyle read. This one certainly fit the bill!
⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, I'd be so appreciative in you left this podcast a 5-star rating and review. ⭐️
Links Mentioned:Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Listen to Episode #31: 2023 Intentions for the New Year.
Read How Are You, Really by Jenna Kutcher.
Join Business Book Club.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
I am the only full-time person in my business, and yet, I think my weekly team meetings are crucial! Thinking about implementing this in your business? I dive into the three main areas I track and plan in my business each week: weekly tasks, benchmarks, and finances. Plus, I take you step-by-step though the documents I use to track my growth and progress.
⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, I'd be so appreciative in you left this podcast a 5-star rating and review. ⭐️
Questions about this episode or thinking about starting weekly meetings youself? Email me! hello@nicholelaurenphotography.com
Links Mentioned:Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Listen to Episode #19: How I Plan my Week on a Digital Calendar.
Get Profit Sheet (from EM Shop) that I use in my business!
Join my VIP list + get free digital planners for creatives!
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
We love books around here! So much so, that I began a Business Book Club in September. Each month, we read a different business-related book and then discuss casually over Zoom. It's a fun, free, and encouraging group. We'd love for you to join!
JOIN BOOK CLUB
Book Review: LaunchGrab my all NEW resource-- my Launch Plan Spreadsheet HERE.
Since we're reading so many amazing books, I wanted to share them with you in the form of a review too! So each book will get its own podcast episode. I'll share the top things I learned to help inspire you in your business.
This week is Launch by Jeff Walker. Such a great read! I would highly recommend it to you. But you can also listen to my highlights of the book on the podcast today. Enjoy!
Links Mentioned:Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Join Business Book Club with Nichole.
Read Launch.
View Nichole's Business Book List.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
We love books around here! So much so, that I began a Business Book Club in September. Each month, we read a different business-related book and then discuss casually over Zoom. It's a fun, free, and encouraging group. We'd love for you to join!
JOIN BOOK CLUB
Book Review: Marketing Made SimpleSince we're reading so many amazing books, I wanted to share them with you in the form of a review too! So each book will get its own podcast episode. I'll share the top things I learned to help inspire you in your business.
This week is Marketing Made Simple by Donald Miller. Such a great read! I would highly recommend it to you. But you can also listen to my highlights of the book on the podcast today. Enjoy!
Links Mentioned:Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Join Business Book Club with Nichole.
Read Marketing Made Simple.
View Nichole's Business Book List.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
As 2023 begins, it's been important for me to take some time to reflect, not only on my goals but how I want to feel. I want to prioritize romanticizing my life and FUN! This year. The start of this year is also different in that it's the first time I'm starting a New Year working for myself full-time. We talk about some of the anxiety and emotions around that in this episode.
The main things I really want to focus on and cultivate in 2023:
Links Mentioned:Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Listen to the episode about How I Plan for Vacation in My Business.
Join Business Book Club with Nichole.
Romanticize your life with Nichole's IPAD or PIANO.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Another year is coming to a close, and like everyone else in the world, I'll say, "Where has the time gone?" The days are long, but the years are short. I am so thankful for all that 2022 was and how many lessons I learned. Join me as we reflect back and share some insight into how this year changed me for the better.
22 Lessons I Learned in 2022
Listen to this week's episode of the Self-Starter Podcast to hear all 22 lessons. But the overall themes for this year were very similar. Here are the basics of what I learned. Maybe you need to hear this too!
Thank you for following along on this journey. It means the world to me that you support this podcast! I cannot wait for you to see what we have in store for the New Year. Wishing you a happy and healthy end to the year and start to 2023 very soon!
Loved this episode? I would so appreciate it if you left a 5-star rating and review on Apple podcasts. It helps the podcast so much to be discovered by other amazing listeners just like YOU.
Links Mentioned:Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Listen to Episode Episode 021: How I Plan for Vacation in My Business.
Listen to Episode 023: It's Not That Deep.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Join the Wedding Walkthrough Course.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
This week, I'm sharing my top gift ideas (or wish list ideas) for Entrepreneurs just in time for Christmas! Tune in to hear all the recommendations, and don't forget to use the links below to shop. Merry Christmas, everyone!
You can also shop all these items and MORE on my Amazon storefront, with lists like, "Gifts for Him," "Outfit Inspiration," and even more ideas for your home, my photography gear, and furry friend essentials.
Links Mentioned:Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
I matched my attorney salary in less than four months. Yep, you read that right. In less than four months since quitting my full-time job (as an attorney), I've now matched that same attorney salary as a wedding photographer. How, you ask?
We're chatting about the topic no one likes to talk about… MONEY! 💰 We all tiptoe around it, and most of us have a lot of formative beliefs about money that affect how we interact with it.
I experienced financial anxiety when I went full-time in June. Would I make enough money to support my family? Would I have to start working Doordash? Even though I wasn't financially where I wanted to be, I knew I needed a change, and that still meant quitting.
So I set some aggressive goals for myself. I pulled out pen and paper and wrote it down!
"I will make as much money working for myself as I did being a full-time attorney by the end of the year." - Me in June
And then I got 👏🏻 to 👏🏻 work 👏🏻. In less than four months time, I'd doubled the income I had on the books for 2022 when I quit back in June. In fact, I matched my attorney salary! This milestone deserved its own ✨moment✨.
But not only that, I want to prove to you that YOU can also achieve the financial (and other) goals of your dreams. I'm walking you through how in today's podcast episode.
Listen to the episode now!
Links Mentioned:Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Listen to Episode 009: I QUIT MY 9-5 JOB.
Grab the Profit Sheet I use to track my income.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
I recently asked for your feedback with this fun QUIZ. I really enjoyed your responses and read some of them on today's episode. This topic was inspired by what you told me. I hear how you are scared about different aspects of photographing the wedding day. I want to come alongside you to cheer you on and teach you the ways to succeed. Lets start with boosting your wedding day confidence for photographers! Plus, scroll down for a special announcement!! :)
Announcing the Wedding Walkthrough course! This is an all new course that launches officially tomorrow and will only be available (for now) through Small Business Saturday. For reference, that's November 22-26, 2022. It's a chance for you to be my virtual second shooter and gain experience shooting a wedding without ever leaving you couch! Sound like a plan.
Learn more about the course HERE.
Make sure you're ready to place your order this week. This course is only open for a limited time. (Seriously, the next time it opens won't be for several months, and the investment will be higher at that time.) Plus, you'll get an exclusive bonus from me for joining this week-- it's a 60-minute one on one coaching call with me!
I can't wait!! See you inside the course.
Links Mentioned: Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Join the Wedding Walkthrough: Mini Course on sale NOW (through November 26).
Sign up for my FREE 3-Day Challenge: Scared to Prepared Wedding Photographer.
Wedding Photographers, take this QUIZ and provide insight.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Being prepared means knowing what to do and when to do it. In Day #3 of the Scared to Prepared Wedding Photographer challenge, I'm breaking down exactly how to plan the wedding day timeline and shot list. Want to watch the original video of this lesson and snag the accompanying PDF template? Join the free CHALLENGE for all the goods. See you inside!
You are the expert! Your couple chose you as their photographer for a reason. Own it! No matter how you may feel with imposter syndrome or doubt creeping in, lean into this truth. You are here to guide your couple on their journey through an amazing, stress-free wedding day. You truly hold so much responsibility in your hands as the keeper of their memories. Don't forget to grab my free timeline template and shot list by joining the CHALLENGE!
Links Mentioned: Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Sign up for my FREE 3-Day Challenge: Scared to Prepared Wedding Photographer.
Wedding Photographers, take this QUIZ and provide insight.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Pricing is often a vague, sometimes scary. But getting it right can truly feel like a weight lifted off your shoulders. In Day #2 of the Scared to Prepared Wedding Photographer challenge, we dive deep into this topic as I share my exact pricing formula with you. It's time to start pricing for profitability and ease in your business! Want to watch the original video of this lesson and snag the accompanying PDF workbook? Join the CHALLENGE. See you inside!
The goal is to get to a place where you are not resenting your clients and respecting yourself to set boundaries for what your time is worth. This helps protect against burnout, attract the right clients, and be financially stable as a business.
Links Mentioned: Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Sign up for my FREE 3-Day Challenge: Scared to Prepared Wedding Photographer.
Wedding Photographers, take this QUIZ and provide insight.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Join my free 3-day challenge, Scared to Prepared Wedding Photographer HERE. There you will find the video version of this audio lesson as well as a free, value-packed download! This episode is Day #1 of the challenge where we discuss how to master your inquiry and booking process to maximize success and book more. Stay tuned for all the days of the challenge in this 3-part series!
Free email inquiry response template for YOU.
Want to snag my exact email inquiry response template? It's the companion PDF for this lesson. Sign up for the CHALLENGE this audio training is a part of, and it will be delivered straight to your inbox! Plus, you'll be able to access the exclusive video version of this lesson. See you in the challenge!
Listen to the episode all about how to master your inquiry and booking process!
Links Mentioned: Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Sign up for my FREE 3-Day Challenge: Scared to Prepared Wedding Photographer.
Wedding Photographers, take this QUIZ and provide insight.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
I watched the Elvis movie recently, and loved it. But it actually taught me about life and my business too. We're also studying the book of Ecclesiastes in church. And strangely enough, it's been teaching me the same things. Mainly that it's not that deep. Let me explain...
“What's your definition of success?”
This question hit me like a ton of bricks at the end of the movie. Elvis is one of the most (if not THE most) famous people who ever lived. But his life ended tragically, chasing after things that didn't really matter. He died alone and very unhappy even though, on the outside, he seemed to be doing really great.
In the same way, the book of Ecclesiastes points out the fleeting nature of life. “A chasing after the wind” describes it perfectly. All we really have is the here and now. And what we are striving for daily is not always what truly matters. It's not that deep.
Listen in to today's podcast episode for a short and sweet little heart to heart.
Links Mentioned: Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Seriously, I can get behind the camera all day long and make my clients feel super comfortable in their own skin. But getting in front of the camera myself is a whole other story. You feel me? To be honest, the only way I'll ever get fresh branding photos for my business is making it a priority. Tune in for tips to plan your branding photo session!
You need branding photos ASAP! I believe in frequent branding photos so much that I make sure to get updated photos once per year if not more than that. Why???
There are endless reasons why you need a branding photo session for your business ASAP. Want to learn more about hiring me to take your branding photos? Get on my calendar for a free phone consult HERE.
Come along with my planning process of getting ready for my own branding session on the podcast today. We discuss tips for making the most of your session, discovering your “personality points,” and how to determine the intentional goal of your session.
Links Mentioned: Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Get on my calendar for a free branding photo consult HERE.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
As solopreneurs, taking time away can be daunting on multiple levels. For one thing, it's likely just you in your business, which means the success of your business rises and falls on your efforts alone. Secondly, it can feel easy to be pulled into the lie that rest is not productive or you simply can't take the time to be away because of guilt. Or maybe you, like me, LOVE your business and actually really enjoy working in it. (Which is AMAZING, by the way. It's something not everyone can claim.)
Can I let you in on a little secret? Since quitting my job in June of this year, I've taken 3 full weeks (and several random days) off in my business. Crazy, right?! Actually, you can do it too. This week's episode is all about pulling back the curtain and showing you how I prepare for intentional time away from my business and how I actually make money while I'm away!
Links Mentioned: Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Visit the blog for my Rosemary Beach Travel Guide!
Maine Travel Guide coming soon!
Listen to the Digital Calendar Planning episode.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
I forgot to cancel my free trial of ClassPass (😬). But it worked out really well! Since I paid, I felt obligated to actually attend some classes. What resulted was one week of trying a different gym everyday to try to use up my credits. I ended up loving it! It did WONDERS for my productivity and energy. But that week was also very educational. I learned so much about marketing and branding in that one week of attending a different gym each day! Listen in to this longer episode as we deep dive into my findings and apply it to our businesses.
Links Mentioned: Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Try ClassPass with a 14-day FREE Trial!
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Free Resources and Tools HERE.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Attend the HUGE workshop- The Styled Event: Wedding Walkthrough. I hope to see you there!
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Several weeks back, I had been feeling unproductive, on the path to burnout, and tired. The boundaries between life and work were becoming blurred. And even though I'm a night owl and love working on my business in the evenings and sleeping in late, I knew something had to change. You know the cycle. Staying up late, sleeping in or staying in bed on my phone, and repeat. I didn't quit my 9-5 job a couple months ago to spend less time with my family. Since then, my business has been transformed with two minor tweaks! 1) Working out consistently! (more on this next week), and 2) Scheduling EVERYTHING on my digital calendar. Curious? Tune in this week to hear my exact process and how it's revolutionized my energy and productivity!
I got this idea and made it my own after listening to this episode of Elizabeth McCravy's podcast!
Links Mentioned:
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Try Toggl! (Nichole's time tracker)
Try Calendly! (Nichole's calendar scheduler)
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Attend the HUGE workshop- The Styled Event: Wedding Walkthrough. I hope to see you there!
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Last week, we talked about the importance of attending styled shoots. This week, I'm going to teach you how to host your own styled shoot. Maybe you're not near me and unable to attend The Styled Event. This one is for you! After hosting styled shoots for over seven years, there are plenty of things I've learned that have worked well and have been things to avoid. We are walking through the 10 steps to host a successful shoot. Questions after listening to this episode? Email me! hello@nicholelaurenphotography.com
Links Mentioned:
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Try Canva Pro! (Nichole uses this to create her mood boards.)
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Attend the HUGE workshop- The Styled Event: Wedding Walkthrough. I hope to see you there!
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
When I first started my wedding photography business, I had no portfolio to show prospective clients. Because of that, I had a hard time building credibility with my prospective brides and struggled to book. That's why I turned to styled shoots early on in my business! Styled Shoots are typically mock weddings with a focus on luxury or unique details for the purpose of building your photography portfolio or getting published. Now that I've built my photography business, I want to help you build yours. I think a big way you can do that is by attending a styled shoot. Listen in for three top reasons why! You can also join in and attend one of the shoots I host in person. More information on upcoming shoots at The Styled Event.
Links Mentioned:
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Attend the HUGE workshop- The Styled Event: Wedding Walkthrough. I hope to see you there!
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
NEWSFLASH: not everyone likes you! Shocker, right? But I think so often in our businesses, we can try to play the game of being the most popular or likable to either feed our egos or win over tons of customers. But, truth is, we want to speak directly to our single ideal client. We want to get so targeted with our messaging to them that we are actually turning away those that aren't a good fit. Why? Because attracting clients who truly fit in your business is a service to your clients before they even become one. To serve your people the best, you have to first attract the ones you can serve the best.
Links Mentioned:
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Attend the HUGE workshop- The Styled Event: Wedding Walkthrough. I hope to see you there!
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
How do I start a business? What are the most important first steps to take? How can I avoid the common business mistakes? Am I ready to be an entrepreneur? This week, we are covering the top 10 steps to take when starting a business. I'm walking through the essentials. And the good news is these are easy tasks you can complete this week! Have questions about any of these topics? Contact me! And enjoy the episode.
Are you a wedding photographer? Grab my free 10+ page E-guide to Jumpstart your Photography Business.
DISCLAIMER: While this educational blog post and advertised e-guide was created by a licensed South Carolina attorney, the information in both are purely educational. The information in this blog post and guide is not legal advice nor does it create an attorney-client relationship.*
Links Mentioned:
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Attend the HUGE workshop- The Styled Event: Wedding Walkthrough. I hope to see you there!
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Sarah is back on the podcast, and we are each sharing 3 important business tips that changed our lives. This was such a good episode, even if it was late at midnight after an IHOP run. Classic. Interested in learning more about Sarah? Head to her website HERE! Enjoy the episode, and don't forget to leave a rating and review. ✨
Links Mentioned:
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Attend the HUGE workshop- The Styled Event: Wedding Walkthrough. I hope to see you there!
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
When we think back on our lives, what do we want to have accomplished? Will we wish that we spent more time working or more time spending with the ones we love? When we really consider what's important in life, you quickly realize that your business doesn't matter. Yep, I said it! The bottom line and profitability really aren't the most important thing in the grand scheme of things. What truly matters is the bigger picture. It's the people in this life you get to serve and the impact your life has on others. That is what will last. Hear more about this and how to align your focus on the lasting things with a service mindset in this week's episode.
Links Mentioned:
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Attend the HUGE workshop- The Styled Event: Wedding Walkthrough. I hope to see you there!
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Wanting to start an LLC but don't know how? Wondering how to start your business on the right foot, legally? Creating an LLC is a great place to start. LLC's offer many benefits that we discuss in this week's episode. Don't forget to grab my new 10+ page complete E-guide: How to Form an LLC in South Carolina, complete with all the links and documentation you need!
DISCLAIMER: While this educational blog post and advertised e-guide was created by a licensed South Carolina attorney, the information in both are purely educational. The information in this blog post and guide is not legal advice nor does it create an attorney-client relationship.*
Links Mentioned:
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Grab the LLC Formation E-Guide.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Attend the HUGE workshop- The Styled Event: Wedding Walkthrough. I hope to see you there!
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Lacking motivation in your business? Do you feel scattered, burnt out, or like you are taking on too much? As a business owner, it's so important to set boundaries! The easiest place to do this is with your calendar. Use this simple calendar hack in your business! This week, I'm sharing my top tips for scheduling that will help you protect your motivation in your business. Don't forget to grab my brand new FREEBIE: Weekly Schedule Planner for Creatives (Canva template) just for you!
Links Mentioned:
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Grab the Weekly Schedule Planner for Creatives (Canva Template).
Use my calendar scheduling system, CALENDLY.
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Attend the HUGE workshop- The Styled Event: Wedding Walkthrough. I hope to see you there!
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Sarah and I go way back to the days I was living in her city, attending law school. We connected over our mutual love for concerts, and I encouraged her to pursue love for photography professionally. Now she runs a successful wedding photography business, and we are still BFFs. This week's episode is a casual peek at our businesses. We take a look at how much our businesses have changed amidst a global pandemic and the challenges we all face as small business owners. It's like entrepreneur girl talk, and it was so fun to record! Enjoy.
Links Mentioned:
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Follow Nichole on INSTAGRAM.
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Attend the HUGE workshop- The Styled Event: Wedding Walkthrough. I hope to see you there!
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
How can I quit my 9-5 job? What does it take to go full-time in my creative business? You already know I went through law school and became a full-time real estate attorney. But I've always had a tug and internal pull toward my business since I started it 7 years ago. The only problem was I let doubts and self-limiting beliefs hinder my ability to pursue what I loved full-time. Listen in for the full story on why I quit my 9-5 and how you can also crush your own self-limiting beliefs. I'm cheering you on!
Follow along---
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Visit the podcast WEBSITE!
Follow along on INSTAGRAM.
Educational resources at The Nichole Lauren SHOP (with freebies!).
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
I just launch the HUGE Styled Event: Wedding Walkthrough to be held on September 21. I hope to see you there!
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Nichole's Favorites---
PhotoMechanic: Cull through images at lightning speeds with this app Nichole loves.
Lightroom: Nichole edits 99% of her work in this Adobe app. She subscribes to the monthly photography plan which also includes Photoshop.
Pic Time: This is Nichole's image gallery delivery system. Use code "YRWR66" for one month free!
Google Workspace: Nichole uses several apps within Google like Docs, Sheets, Gmail, Drive, and more! I's essential to her business.
Calendly: Nichole uses this app to convert inquiries to booking clients. This calendar signup system makes booking consultations very easy and works seamlessly with Google Calendar.
Square: This is the management system Nichole uses to send invoices and sign contracts online.
Trello: This is an amazing system to keep track of workflows. Nichole just released a companion product for Trello. (See below.)
NEW PRODUCT: Grab Nichole's brand new Trello Wedding Workflow TODAY! This is the exact workflow she uses to keep her wedding clients on track in her wedding photography business.
More of Nichole's faves! (discounts + links below)
Website Templates from EM Shop
Packlane $25 off!
As small business owners, we are probably either the only or one of the few people in our business. All that lack of human interaction can leave us feeling alone and sometimes wondering whether we are on the right track. It's so important for us to keep a positive mindset at the forefront of everything we do. If we don't believe in what we have to offer, who will? Join me today as we practice business affirmations to start our days with positivity and attract success in our businesses!
Follow along---
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Visit the podcast WEBSITE!
Follow along on INSTAGRAM.
Educational resources at The Nichole Lauren SHOP (with freebies!).
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Nichole's Favorites---
PhotoMechanic: Cull through images at lightning speeds with this app Nichole loves.
Lightroom: Nichole edits 99% of her work in this Adobe app. She subscribes to the monthly photography plan which also includes Photoshop.
Pic Time: This is Nichole's image gallery delivery system. Use code "YRWR66" for one month free!
Google Workspace: Nichole uses several apps within Google like Docs, Sheets, Gmail, Drive, and more! I's essential to her business.
Calendly: Nichole uses this app to convert inquiries to booking clients. This calendar signup system makes booking consultations very easy and works seamlessly with Google Calendar.
Square: This is the management system Nichole uses to send invoices and sign contracts online.
Trello: This is an amazing system to keep track of workflows. Nichole just released a companion product for Trello. (See below.)
NEW PRODUCT: Grab Nichole's brand new Trello Wedding Workflow TODAY! This is the exact workflow she uses to keep her wedding clients on track in her wedding photography business.
More of Nichole's faves! (discounts + links below)
Website Templates from EM Shop
Packlane $25 off!
How can I be the best version of myself? When will I FINALLY be happy with the current me? We might not explicitly think these questions, but our brain fog and generally negative stream of consciousness can really mess with us. We look around for benchmarks to let us know how we are doing. Oftentimes, we feel discontent because we are always striving to be "better" yet never actually achieving that in a meaningful way. This week, we unpack how your ideal self is NOT actually the most impactful version of you. And how embracing your current self, flaws and all, is actually better for your life and business.
Follow along---
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Visit the podcast WEBSITE!
Follow along on INSTAGRAM.
Educational resources at The Nichole Lauren SHOP (with freebies!).
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Nichole's Favorites---
PhotoMechanic: Cull through images at lightning speeds with this app Nichole loves.
Lightroom: Nichole edits 99% of her work in this Adobe app. She subscribes to the monthly photography plan which also includes Photoshop.
Pic Time: This is Nichole's image gallery delivery system. Use code "YRWR66" for one month free!
Google Workspace: Nichole uses several apps within Google like Docs, Sheets, Gmail, Drive, and more! I's essential to her business.
Calendly: Nichole uses this app to convert inquiries to booking clients. This calendar signup system makes booking consultations very easy and works seamlessly with Google Calendar.
Square: This is the management system Nichole uses to send invoices and sign contracts online.
Trello: This is an amazing system to keep track of workflows. Nichole just released a companion product for Trello. (See below.)
NEW PRODUCT: Grab Nichole's brand new Trello Wedding Workflow TODAY! This is the exact workflow she uses to keep her wedding clients on track in her wedding photography business.
More of Nichole's faves! (discounts + links below)
Website Templates from EM Shop
Packlane $25 off!
We welcomed a little bundle of joy into our family- his name is Copper, and he is a cavapoo puppy! This week, I'm sharing about how we found him, taking a "paw"-ternity leave, and working from home with a new puppy. Plus, I share all the best "non-work" puppy tips that have SAVED us. Listen in and leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
Follow along---
Take me to the SHOW NOTES (on the blog).
Visit the podcast WEBSITE!
Follow along on INSTAGRAM.
Educational resources at The Nichole Lauren SHOP (with freebies!).
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Nichole's Favorites---
PhotoMechanic: Cull through images at lightning speeds with this app Nichole loves.
Lightroom: Nichole edits 99% of her work in this Adobe app. She subscribes to the monthly photography plan which also includes Photoshop.
Pic Time: This is Nichole's image gallery delivery system. Use code "YRWR66" for one month free!
Google Workspace: Nichole uses several apps within Google like Docs, Sheets, Gmail, Drive, and more! I's essential to her business.
Calendly: Nichole uses this app to convert inquiries to booking clients. This calendar signup system makes booking consultations very easy and works seamlessly with Google Calendar.
Square: This is the management system Nichole uses to send invoices and sign contracts online.
Trello: This is an amazing system to keep track of workflows. Nichole just released a companion product for Trello. (See below.)
NEW PRODUCT: Grab Nichole's brand new Trello Wedding Workflow TODAY! This is the exact workflow she uses to keep her wedding clients on track in her wedding photography business.
More of Nichole's faves! (discounts + links below)
Website Templates from EM Shop
Packlane $25 off!
When we are distracted by the next new thing, it can lead to a lack of commitment, or even worse, discontentment! It's important to listen to yourself. Ask the part of you that gets easily distracted, WHY it feels that way. Shiny Object Syndrome is often fueled by something deeper like an unmet desire or burnout. Grab Nichole's brand new Trello Wedding Workflow TODAY! This is the exact workflow she uses to keep her wedding clients on track in her wedding photography business. It's $10 off this week! Visit our podcast WEBSITE! Follow along on INSTAGRAM. Educational resources at The Nichole Lauren SHOP (with freebies!). Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event. Shop Nichole's AMAZON Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!). Nichole loves her podcast website templates from EM SHOP. Nichole loves photo galleries with PICTIME. (Use code "YRWR66" for one month free!) Nichole loves PACKLANE for sending client gift boxes (click for $25 off)!
Running a successful small business all starts with getting help where you need it. While outsourcing is essential, implementing amazing systems and apps can be life-changing and a great first step. This week, Nichole breaks down the top 7 systems and applications that help her wedding photography business run as efficiently as possible and allow her to serve her clients well. Listen in and leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
PhotoMechanic: Cull through images at lightning speeds with this app Nichole loves.
Lightroom: Nichole edits 99% of her work in this Adobe app. She subscribes to the monthly photography plan which also includes Photoshop.
Pic Time: This is Nichole's image gallery delivery system. Use code "YRWR66" for one month free!
Google Workspace: Nichole uses several apps within Google like Docs, Sheets, Gmail, Drive, and more! I's essential to her business.
Calendly: Nichole uses this app to convert inquiries to booking clients. This calendar signup system makes booking consultations very easy and works seamlessly with Google Calendar.
Square: This is the management system Nichole uses to send invoices and sign contracts online.
Trello: This is an amazing system to keep track of workflows. Nichole just released a companion product for Trello. (See below.)
NEW PRODUCT: Launching today is our brand new product in the Nichole Lauren Education Shop. Grab Nichole's brand new Trello Wedding Workflow TODAY! This is the exact workflow she uses to keep her wedding clients on track in her wedding photography business. It's $10 off today only!
Show Notes COMING SOON (on the blog).
Visit our podcast WEBSITE!
Follow along on INSTAGRAM.
Educational resources at The Nichole Lauren SHOP (with freebies!).
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
More of Nichole's faves! (discounts + links below)
Website Templates from EM Shop
Packlane $25 off!
In a world full of comparison traps, it's so easy to doubt ourselves. The world glaringly brings us every reminder that we are not good enough or not doing enough to achieve success by everyone else's standards. But can I let you in on a little secret. Pssst...no, lean in a liiitle closer. YOU are the girl for the job. No questions asked! Listen to this episode for my case in point why you are exactly where you need to be, doing what only YOU can do.
Show Notes COMING SOON (on the blog).
Visit our podcast WEBSITE!
Follow along on INSTAGRAM.
Educational resources at The Nichole Lauren SHOP (with freebies!).
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Nichole's faves! (discounts + links below)
Burnout is so common, especially as creative entrepreneurs. If we can avoid getting burnt out in our business, we can lead more profitable, happier, and more productive lives. Listen to this episode for the most common ways our lives can quickly lead to us feeling burnt out. Plus, stick around for tips to combat the most common burnout culprits.
Show Notes COMING SOON (on the blog).
Visit our podcast WEBSITE!
Follow along on INSTAGRAM.
Educational resources at The Nichole Lauren SHOP (with freebies!).
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Nichole's faves! (discounts + links below)
As a law school student, my peers didn't understand me. I was running a full-time wedding photography business while studying to become an attorney. Listen to this week's episode for my full business story and all the small decisions that got me here. Hopefully it's a good reminder that your story does not have to make sense to everyone. It just has to be right for YOU!
Show Notes COMING SOON (on the blog).
Visit our podcast WEBSITE!
Follow along on INSTAGRAM.
Educational resources at The Nichole Lauren SHOP (with freebies!).
Shoot with Nichole at The Styled Event.
Shop Nichole's Amazon Favorites (including gear, biz books, and more!).
Nichole's faves! (discounts + links below)
How do I run a successful small business? How can I keep the balance between my 9 to 5 and side hustle? What are the essentials creative entrepreneurs needs to know? What are the best ways to market myself? How can I build credibility and attract my ideal client? If you’re asking these small business questions, you come to the right place.
Welcome to The Self-Starter Podcast, an attorney-led business, entrepreneurship, and marketing podcast hosted by Nichole Lauren. This is a safe space specifically for female entrepreneurs to feel empowered that YOU are the girl for the job.