Boudoir - From Passion to Pro

Welcome to this episode of Boudoir- From Passion to Pro. This week Michael chats with Alabama Boudoir Photographer Whitney Gernert. Despite her initial fears of the phone and in-person sales sessions, Whitney has managed to quadruple her average earnings per client. Whitney shares what her photography career was like 5 months ago and how developing her sales and marketing systems has working with less clients for more money ever since. Michael and Whitney also discuss: - The trials and tribulations of finding the right hair and makeup partner - Breakdown of time spent with each boudoir model - Offering your clients payment plans - Thoughts on editing out acne, bruises, and stretchmarks - Michael talks about the photography jobs that led him to Boudoir Follow Whitney on Instagram https://www.whitneygernertphotography.com/ Hosted by Michael Sasser, Sasser Stills Boudoir Rate and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Rate and Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe to Michael on YouTube Sasser Stills Boudoir Michael’s Online Courses Facebook Boudoir Community: boudoircourses.com/community

Welcome to this episode of Boudoir- From Passion to Pro. This week Michael chats with photographer Cody Allen of Auburn, Alabama. Cody and his wife recently made the decision to transition their photography business from wedding-based shoots to mainly boudoir sessions, and their results have been phenomenal. Cody talks more about the experience as a straight male boudoir photographer, growing his business and working hard to be able to put his day job behind him Michael and Cody also discuss: - Dealing with judgmental people who may not understand what you do - Transitioning from wedding photography to boudoir - Balancing his wife, kids, day job and a growing boudoir business - Going from free boudoir sessions to charging his first clients - Growing his offerings from a $200 per shoot to grossing $8k a month - Michael breaks down Cody’s website; the good and the bad. Follow Cody on Instagram https://lovelegacystudios.com/ Hosted by Michael Sasser, Sasser Stills Boudoir Rate and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Rate and Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe to Michael on YouTube Sasser Stills Boudoir Michael’s Online Courses Facebook Boudoir Community: boudoircourses.com/community

Welcome to this episode of Boudoir- From Passion to Pro. This week Michael chats with Missouri based boudoir photographer Demi Schock. Demi is a member of our Boudoir Education Facebook Group and recently posted about how well her business was doing and the growth she was experiencing in her business, despite working in a small town. Despite experiencing great loss in a house fire last year, Demi has rebuilt her studio while building her new and repeat client. Michael and Demi also discuss: - How to handle price increases - Leveraging exclusivity - Unique gifts for your boudoir clients - A Halloween Boudoir angle that helped grow her business - Implementing payment plans for your clients Follow Demi on Instagram https://schockingimages.mypixieset.com/about/ Hosted by Michael Sasser, Sasser Stills Boudoir Rate and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Rate and Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe to Michael on YouTube Sasser Stills Boudoir Michael’s Online Courses Facebook Boudoir Community: boudoircourses.com/community

Welcome to this episode of Boudoir- From Passion to Pro. This week Michael chats with photographer Alex Blair. Alex made the decision to change her photography focus from weddings to boudoir sessions, and then working to make those sessions a true experience. Having recently relocated to the Dallas area, Alex had to build her business without any previous network, and her series of marketing decisions have proven to be successful. Alex grossed nearly 140k in her first full year shooting boudoir. Michael and Alex also discuss: - Networking with photographers who don’t shoot boudoir - Utilizing Instagram Reels to give a behind the scenes look to potential clients - The importance of the right structure and guidance when starting - The power of repetition and researching the competition Follow Alex on Instagram https://boudoir.alexblairphotography.com/ Hosted by Michael Sasser, Sasser Stills Boudoir Rate and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Rate and Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe to Michael on YouTube Sasser Stills Boudoir Michael’s Online Courses Facebook Boudoir Community: boudoircourses.com/community

She was working as a secure job as guidance counselor but took a chance on herself to build a business earning over 200k a year. Welcome to this episode of Boudoir- From Passion to Pro. This week Michael chats with New Jersey based boudoir photographer Katie Bellini. Katie talks more about the mindset of going from a traditional job to the uncertainty of a creative career, finding your first boudoir models and clients, and how same day editing dramatically increased her sales. Michael and Katie also discuss: - Makeup artists networking leading to clients - Investing in a strong website and CRM - Michael shares his step by step same day sales process - Mock booking phone call with Michelle - How to handle customers who think your sessions are too expensive Follow Katie on Instagram http://kbboudoir.com/ Hosted by Michael Sasser, Sasser Stills Boudoir Rate and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Rate and Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe to Michael on YouTube Sasser Stills Boudoir Michael’s Online Courses Facebook Boudoir Community: boudoircourses.com/community

She quit her recruiting job just a year ago, went on the road and through trial and error built a system to book in any city she goes to. She charged $350 for her first boudoir shoot and is now earning full time money. This week Michael chats with budding boudoir photographer Chelsea Beamer. We talk about the importance of the networking in photography, best ways to target potential clients on Instagram, and how she books clients in every new city she visits. Michael and Chelsea also discuss: - Charging what you are worth and the important of price testing - Challenges experienced as a new boudoir photographer - Best tips for photographers who want to book work - How much of a deposit do you require at time of booking? - Do I need to book hair and makeup for a boudoir shoot? Follow Chelsea on Instagram Hosted by Michael Sasser, Sasser Stills Boudoir Rate and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Rate and Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe to Michael on YouTube Sasser Stills Boudoir Michael’s Online Courses Facebook Boudoir Community: boudoircourses.com/community

After getting laid off from his retail banking job during the pandemic, Firas and his wife decided to invest the time and effort in launching their own full-time Boudoir business out of their home. Welcome to this episode of Boudoir- From Passion to Pro. This week, Michael chats with Firas Jannan of Boudoir by FJ. Firas talks more about the initial challenges of being a male boudoir photographer, struggling with imposter syndrome after landing big sales, and how a pivotal one-on-one mentoring session led to a massive website overhaul and a steady flow of quality leads. Michael and Firas also discuss: - A look at his sales process and how same day reveals have elevated sales sessions - How his wife is an integral part of the business - Hiring a 3rd party marketing company vs. Google Ads - Working out of his home as a new parent - The Script for handling a phone call with a skeptical client https://www.boudoirbyfj.com/ Follow Firas on Instagram Hosted by Michael Sasser, Sasser Stills Boudoir Rate and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Rate and Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe to Michael on YouTube Sasser Stills Boudoir Michael’s Online Courses Facebook Boudoir Community: boudoircourses.com/community

Boudoir - From Passion to Pro, hosted by Michael Sasser, feature the stories of photographers and strategies they implemented to build successful boudoir businesses. Please be sure to subscribe to the show to learn more boudoir photography tips and business growth strategies. New episodes premier Monday March 7th Hosted by Michael Sasser, Sasser Stills Boudoir Rate and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Rate and Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Google Podcasts Subscribe to Michael on YouTube Sasser Stills Boudoir Michael’s Online Courses Facebook Boudoir Community: boudoircourses.com/community