THE f-STOPS HERE: Recent Episodes
The Portrait Paradigm
This is your one Stop for all your Portrait business Success. Join Five legends in the world of Portrait Photography for a series of podcasts to share the principles upon which they have each built long-lasting, successful businesses. Each week will concentrate on a different topic, including branding and marketing, photographic style, client experience, and so much more. Join Michael Taylor and Sony Artisan Monica Sigmon, Tim and Bev Walden, and Rod Evans as they share the their insight and vast knowledge of the industry to provide portrait photographers with the keys they need to succeed.
Why are we still talking about this? What difference does it make? Join us and find out!
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
Join us as we discuss where the magic really happens amongst all the tools available to us today!
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
Part 2 of our talk with Jalyn Webb! Incredible insights and ideas here!
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
Join us as we host very special guest (and Tim and Bev's niece) the extraordinary Jalyn Webb!
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
Monica, Michael, Tim and Bev interview each other!
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
Today we're chatting about valuing what we do, and pricing ourselves accordingly. If we don’t respect our art, how can we expect our clients to?
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
Join us as we share tips and tricks for creating a successful 2023 Marketing Plan!
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
We're sharing some great ideas that we'll be employing to get some revenue in for First Quarter!
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
Back from Imaging USA and ready to get our studios in order as we get ready for an amazing new year!
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
We're sharing our favorite gear, software, and more from 2022! Jim us for some great information!
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
Joins us as we discuss our goals for 2023 and what we're most excited about!
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
Oh so many nuggets about props along with ideas on how this team uses them. You will learn how to improvise reflectors as well as the difference between props you see and those you don’t. From gray walls to special moveable stands for small backgrounds to V-flats, you will learn so much from this episode.
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
What lights should you buy? What about cameras, lenses, stands? Hear what each of
these studios use in their businesses, understand what you need and more importantly,
what you don’t need to accomplish your goals. With experience comes wisdom in
knowing what equipment is important to have, though as most photographers know, it is
enticing to buy every light, lens and camera when you are just starting out. This episode
will open your eyes on what is really important.
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
We are all little pieces of those we have seen or studied with. In this podcast, the team
shares who has influenced them in their careers and who still plays a pivotal part in
what they do and who they are today. Some names are widely known and some are
simply friends in the industry, but all five on this team have been changed in some way
by others and are grateful.
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
Listen to this week’s podcast to hear a few more myths that photographers have about
the photography industry in general, from marketing your business to the skills that are
required to being a jack of all trades vs specializing. This discussion will certainly benefit
those just getting started as well as the seasoned professional
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
Many times, clients may come to us with mistaken ideas…we call them Myths in this episode. The gang talks about the myths they have encountered from clients who wear the wrong clothing (because they look good in it) to getting a tan before the portrait to asking for nearly impossible things they think can be magically fixed in Photoshop.
How we handle these myths is part of being a professional.
Ultimately, our message is to celebrate people and the beauty they already have within, understanding that it is our job to see that beauty and bring it out through our skillsets.
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
In this episode, the Portrait Paradigm team chats about triggers to get people through
the door that won’t destroy your brand. Listen as each studio shares what they do to
create momentum during dry times and the triggers they use to entice clients so that
both their studios and their clients win.
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
In this episode, the crew talks about how ProSelect has massively changed their
businesses and sales numbers by using the Room View feature.
By using this software, you gain the ability to show people's work in context in their
home. When you're in a sales room where you're doing to selection appointment, you
always want to put emphasis on the heart. There's an old saying, the heart buys, the
mind justifies.
Here are some comments that sum it up.
“We sell emotion, but we still have to deal with context. And that was always a difficult
thing. ProSelect solves it beautifully!”
“Let's find the wall and let's place the portrait and figure it out.”
“It's a very objective third party.”
“It's so easy, and it just takes away that salesy feeling.”
“With ProSelect, there is no gray area on sizing. There's the wall, there's the sofa or
there's the mantel. And this is the appropriate size portrait.”
For any photography studio, using the tools ProSelect provides is a win-win.
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
Wall sizes, small sizes, albums, finishes? UGH! Too many details and options can hurt your sales and cause decision fatigue. Hear what these experienced photographers found to be the answer-SIMPLIFY! Listen as they explain how they all started out in the beginning offering everything under the sun, but realized, as time went on, that this was the road to confusion…and not great sales. As Michael says of his experience when purchasing a new Ford (after he tried to figure out the many, many options), “It was so confusing. I gave up.” Great lesson here!
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
We seem to make poor decisions during times that we are desperate. Whether a brand new portrait business or one that has been going for awhile, there are seasons where we need more clients coming through our doors. But be careful how you handle these times or you may pay a price you don’t want to if you draw the wrong clients who are only looking for a discount. Hear the Portrait Paradigm team describe how they made mistakes, but learned from them and turned their businesses around.
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
In this final segment of the team discussing the Design Session, they cover what they ask of their clients to do to make the upcoming portrait session a success. Topics include creating a relationship with the client to let them know they are important along with conversations about preparing for their portrait by going over the many details that need to be in place and so much more.
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
In this episode, the team continues discussing the importance of the Design Session and what their goals are when they sit down, face to face with their clients.They share how to interact, what to say and how to overcome potential issues so the actual session runs more smoothly. It is all about communication that sets out the rules of the road (in a nice way) so there are no misunderstandings later.
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
One of the most important sessions before the “session” is what we call the
Design Session or Design Chat; and we all set aside the time to meet with
our clients IN PERSON for this time of discovery and friendship building.
In Part 1, Tim sets the stage for the conversation as he discusses what he
talks about with the client and his goals. Then Bev talks about how they
successfully work with children due to the time spent talking to the parents
and setting the expectations for the upcoming portrait.
Throw in the concepts of vulnerability and trust that Monica discusses and
how Rod sets his stage a bit differently as he strives to start with the
concept in mind, but then looks for the quick moments that happen in the
blink of an eye.
Each studio, in a broad sense, follows the same path, but then, they each
have their own unique way of conducting the Design Session.
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
Is pricing something we should initiate? Is it something that we wait for a
client or prospective client to ask about? Is it something that we should
have on our website? Should we have a printed price list...and should we
hand it out? These are all questions we hear from other photographers as
we teach and share how we handle pricing in our own studios.
And each of us has a unique approach that fits our businesses.
In this episode, we all share our viewpoints on pricing...not the price of this
or that, but the APPROACH. Pricing is about investment, it's about
experience, it's about all the things you're doing for the client. It’s about
relationships, not just transactions.
If you’ve ever wondered about how other photographers handle pricing and
have loads of questions, then this episode is for you!
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
Consistency
“Trust is built with consistency.” Lincoln Chafee
Consistency in how you run your business is an often overlooked topic, yet it is critical for long term success in any business. When you are consistent, people know what they are going to get and that is a foundation for having a long lasting and successful business with return clients. Learn from these three studios about the processes they have implemented to attain consistency, from the first inquiry to the final delivery.
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
Investment Worthy
Paper itself doesn't have value. The mount board doesn't have value. It's what we do with all the processes to get to that final image that has value and that value reflects us…who we are as artists. To offer and be able to sell portraits that are investment worthy has many different aspects, from your skill to client experience to their perception of you and so much more. This episode delves into the many factors that all add up to being INVESTMENT WORTHY!
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
Defining your Brand
How do you to define your brand and make it authentic to you? When people look at your work, who do they see? As an artist, your work will draw clients to you when they see that you are different and authentic…not copying the photographer down the street. Find out how these studios rose above the noise of so many photographers surrounding them to attract the perfect client and why they advise you to run from what the masses are doing and go in the opposite direction. Create GAPS between yourself and the masses and you will find yourself rising to the top.
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
Finding your Style
A lot of people search for a long time to figure out what it is that they want to do? Who are they? What makes their hearts sing? This is especially hard if you're a pro and you're needing to pay the bills, but you are pulled in too many different directions for money just to make ends meet. It’s a common story among photographers who are starting their own businesses. In this podcast, learn how these 3 studios were able to leverage themselves out of the mess they were in and into a place that not only helped them financially, but the passion returned of getting up and doing what they loved every day.
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free resources at our website
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
Technical Excellence
What role does technical excellence play in your style? In your confidence as a professional? In your ability to create and sell “investment worthy” art and be proud of what you are producing? Technical excellence lays the foundation for your future as a creative and successful photographer. Learn from these 5 portrait artists as they discuss their thoughts and much more in this episode.
Hosted by Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm Team . We are here to be your complete portrait photography solution.
Free Resources available at our website.
https://www.theportraitparadigm.com/
Follow us in Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_paradigm/
In this introductory podcast we will discuss the purpose and the why of THE f-STOPS HERE PODCAST. Learn a bit about how each of these 5 nationally recognized photographers, built a high end speciality business. With your hosts, Monica Sigmon, Michael Taylor, Bev and Tim Walden along with Rod Evans make up the Portrait Paradigm.