A lot of photographers have websites, but not all of them have a website that converts their browsers into buyers.

In fact, you might even be reading this blog post because you’ve noticed your website isn’t doing its dang job, and you’re just not sure where you went wrong or how to fix it.

Luckily for you, this is one of my all-time favorite topics. So, today we’re going to audit your site and make sure you’ve got the right sections goin’ on so you can close your laptop at the end of the day knowing your website can pick up the slack as your sales secret weapon.

We’ve got 3 parts of your website to cover, and as we do make sure to keep a running checklist of changes you need to make along the way of after you’re done!

Tip 1: Your Website Needs A Clear & Compelling Headline

As a photography biz coach, one of the things I help my clients with is developing their taglines for their photography business, which we then translate to their website.

Because, here’s the thing — you have about ten seconds from the time your potential client lands on your website to capture their attention before they peace out.

This means that the very first line on your website needs to capture their attention and be crystal clear AKA easy for them to understand.

So, it’s a pretty big deal.

How to Create Your Tagline

While there are lots of ways to create a tagline, one of my favorites is by revealing the transformation they’ll experience by working with you.

Here’s a formula you can use:

Helping [ who you help ] achieve [ what they want most ] without the [ whatever they’re trying to avoid].

For example:

I help busy photographers turn their website into a sales-converting secret weapon so they can book more clients without working 24/7.

Your turn! Comment below and let me know what you come up with.

Now that we’ve got a tagline nailed down, we want to make sure we optimize our website’s prime real estate and pop it “above the fold”.

This term comes from the newspaper industry and describes the text that you see when a newspaper is folded in half (face up). All the important headlines and attention-grabbing stories are still visible so you snag the newspaper and keep reading.

Here’s an example of a brilliant tagline and above the fold placement:

Takeaways:

1) Create your clear and compelling tagline.

2) Place it above the fold.

*Chef’s kiss*

Tip 2: Optimize Your Call-to-Action Buttons

One of the most common mistakes people make when they create their website is that they forget their call-to-action buttons.

Ya know, the buttons you click to “book/buy” a product or service.

How can you expect your reader to engage with you if you hide the dang button, am I right?!

So, here are all the places where your call-to-action buttons should live on your website’s homepage. Jot ‘em down.

1. Under your tagline and above the fold.
2. In the top right-hand corner of your website
3. Under every major section of your website

All those yellow buttons on her site are her CTA’s, and they’re strategically placed so her reader can easily take action when they’re ready to buy.

Takeaway: Make sure your CTA buttons are in 3 major places:
– top right-hand corner of your website
– under your tagline and above the fold
– under every major section

Tip 3: Type like you talk

I know this tip sounds simple, but you’d be surprised, my friend.

I’ve lost count of the blog posts and even captions I’ve read where I find myself looking up words that were probably used so the author sounded smarter (guilty).

So, when I say, “write like you talk”, I literally mean: write the way you’d speak to a friend, contractions and all.

Trade “cannot” for “can’t” and “do not” for “don’t”, is what I’m trying to say. Don’t catch your reader off guard by trying to sound like something you’re not.

This will also help them get a taste for your personality, too. Be the same person on your website as on the discovery call they’ll talk to you on.

Takeaway: Talk to your readers like they’re a friend, contractions and all.

If you’re really struggling in your business, book a free clarity call with me, (no strings attached,) for me to help you pinpoint your biggest roadblocks. 

Then, if you decide it’s a fit and you NEED us to work together stat, we can totally proceed with a mentorship and get this education party started! 🥂

I wholeheartedly believe that if you’re here and reading this page, it’s not by accident, girl. I’ve been praying for this years mentoring clients, and for God to truly equip me with the knowledge and resources, tailored just for you, to project you into your next season and help you to be more confident – because THIS is your year.

It’s time. No more excuses. Let’s do this, and rise up to who God has called us to be in both our lives and businesses. 🙌🏼

Looking for more helpful photography tips? Feel free to binge on these blog posts, or pin ’em on Pinterest for later! 👇🏼

If you’re short on time, follow me on Pinterest – and you’ll get these kinda tips delivered straight to your feed! You know… when you’re scrollin’ through Pinterest with coffee in hand, ready to take on the day… or, procrastinate.

Whatevs. Pinterest biz sesh, anybody!? 😎🥂

We’re more than halfway through this unpredictable year, and if you’re anything like me then you could use a lil’ pep talk right about now. Because, as photographers and aspiring photographers (all levels are welcome here), one of our greatest hurdles is our mindset.

In order to get better at what we do, we have to get behind our cameras and prove to ourselves we know what we’re doing. And, with the way this year has been set up (LOL), that’s been a little more difficult than usual.

Maybe you started your photography business at the beginning of 2020, all bright-eyed and excited to hone your craft but weren’t able to book any shoots because ‘Rona went on a world tour.

Or maybe you decided to pick up that camera that’s been sitting on your nightstand because #pandemichobbies, but you’re tired of taking pictures of your dog, husband, or roommate (and they’re tired of it, too).

I get it, but just because this year didn’t go as expected and you didn’t book as many shoots as you planned, doesn’t mean you have to wait to call yourself a photographer. So, from my photographer’s heart to yours, here comes a little pep talk on how to call yourself a photographer before you’re ready in the form of *you guessed it* action steps.

Let’s start with an unpopular opinion

Some people talk on and on about how every single day another person gets a DSLR camera and then calls themself a photographer. And yes, I understand where they’re coming from. Yes, it is hard for those of us who have eaten, slept, and breathed photography and growing our business as a livelihood for near (or over) a decade – pouring thousands and thousands of dollars into it.⠀
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BUT.⠀
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Here’s the thing: we all started somewhere. We all got a camera and didn’t know how to shoot in manual with it. We all struggled with charging in the beginning and didn’t know how to set our prices.
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If there’s anything we’ve spent too much time doing this year, it’s scrolling Insta. We’re all subject to fall into a comparison trap now and then.

But remember, the very ones that may be criticizing you for starting your business now, or trying to discourage you from it – were once right where you are.  And because they chose to pursue it, and call themselves a photographer – they have a business now. We ALL started somewhere.

Now, add faith and obedience

Listen, girl, if God has been calling you to start your photography business, you’re being disobedient by staying scared and playing it small. Yes, even in a pandemic.⠀
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David approached Goliath before he was ready. Over and over again in the Bible, people did things scared, before they were ready, and when the timing didn’t make a bit of sense. But it was by DOING that they encountered the blessings of the Father.
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God is with you, He has every tool and resource to allow you to succeed at this. He has all the finances you’ll need. He has all the clients to send your way. But first, you have to do the work and begin building… and that all starts with stepping into the calling. You’ve gotta have faith – paired with action. ⠀
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So GO and DO friends. I’m here for you, and I’ll stand behind your biz – even if no one else will.

Last but not least, educate yourself

If you’ve escaped the comparison trap and decided to cling to faith and do this thing but still struggle with your confidence, you might just need to invest in your education. Knowledge is power, friend. An investment in your education is an investment in yourself.

Before you start, ask yourself these questions:

What area of my photography biz am I struggling to feel confident about?
Is it the actual “business” part of it?
Is it getting behind the lens and taking pics?
Is it editing?
Posing?
How to market myself and book clients?

I’m by no means trying to overwhelm you, but actually getting to the root of what you’re really afraid of is incredibly helpful because from there you can google, learn, and grow!

Shameless plug: this blog that you’re reading right now is actually FULL of helpful resources that were created to help you become a photographer and run a dang good and successful business at that. Best part? It’s all FREE education.

So, pour yourself some coffee and binge away, friend. That’s what they’re here for.

If you’re really struggling in your business, book a free clarity call with me, (no strings attached,) for me to help you pinpoint your biggest roadblocks. 

Then, if you decide it’s a fit and you NEED us to work together stat, we can totally proceed with mentorship and get this education party started! 🥂

I wholeheartedly believe that if you’re here and reading this page, it’s not by accident, girl. I’ve been praying for this years mentoring clients, and for God to truly equip me with the knowledge and resources, tailored just for you, to project you into your next season and help you to be more confident – because THIS is your year.

It’s time. No more excuses. Let’s do this, and rise up to who God has called us to be in both our lives and businesses. 🙌🏼

Looking for more helpful photography tips? Feel free to binge on these blog posts, or pin ’em on Pinterest for later! 👇🏼

If you’re short on time, follow me on Pinterest – and you’ll get these kinda tips delivered straight to your feed! You know… when you’re scrollin’ through Pinterest with coffee in hand, ready to take on the day… or, procrastinate.

Whatevs. Pinterest biz sesh, anybody!? 😎🥂

I remember when I was pretty new to my photography business, I would get SO nervous before my shoots. That nervousness would manifest itself later as imposter syndrome – even during a shoot. Not cool.

On the way to my shoots, I would wonder things like…

“Am I going to say something dumb!? Can I really deliver images they’ll love? Am I actually going to take photos I’m proud of this time? Will they all be in focus and useable!?” All of these thoughts clouded my mind before my shoots, and all I wanted was to be more confident.

The thoughts were so paralyzing, that I could barely focus on what I was doing at the moment. I wasn’t able to be truly present; out of fear that I wouldn’t be good enough, that my images wouldn’t be good enough, and there’s probably another gal out there better suited for the job.

Chances are, you may be feeling this way too. And if you are, then stick with me, because we’re gonna rewire your mind, beat imposter syndrome, and get you confident to show up and do WERK. 😎👇🏼

1. Take a deep breath, and pray before you meet your clients.

Seriously, it sounds so simple, but this really and truly helps you show up and be present – and it invites God into that space, to be strong when you’re weak to combat imposter syndrome. I usually pray something along these lines:

“Lord, help me to use my gift for a greater good today. Please remind me that I’m the girl you appointed for this job. Help me to shine your light into my client’s lives, and leave them better than I found them. Equip me with the tools to capture the exact moments that You want to be captured today. Help me to see them and capture them for who they really are – not what Instagram tells me I should make them look like. Be strong in me when I am weak, and comfort me when I’m feeling nervous. Help me to be strong, bold, and confident – because You are alive inside of me. You say that Greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world – and I need you to allow me to fully experience that today, and for your power to be made perfect, and manifest in me. Thank you Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

2. Remember that you’re the expert here.

… and that’s exactly why they hired you so step into your expert position.

They don’t know WHY you’re placing them beside that bush. They don’t know WHY you’re asking them to do that prompt or to face that direction. And that’s okay! They don’t have to. YOU are the professional, even if you don’t feel like it yet. You’re the one in charge of making sure this sessions goes how it needs to. 

All you need to do is break the ice at the beginning of the session by saying something like, “Okay, so I may ask you to do a few crazy things, and I just need you to trust me, because those are the things that make for incredible images. K? K.” I’m dead serious. This is what I do every time, and it works every time!

Sometimes, I’ll even add a crazy prompt in and make them do it, only to say, “I literally just wanted to see if you’d do that – I don’t actually need it.” 😂 (That always gives me some super genuine and funny reactions – be sure to get those!!)

3. Combat those sneaky lies with truth.

… because going full-on imposter syndrome mode in the middle of the shoot is never a good time.

I know how it is. You forget your shot list. Your mind blanks. Your heart is beating faster than ever and you’re beginning to lose your cool. You have 45 minutes left in the session and you need some pull-a-rabbit-out-of-a-hat magic to happen so you can get these shots.

First things first, we’ve got to get your mind under control because this is the enemy’s opportunity to sneak in and plant so much doubt you’ll fake an emergency and leave the shoot. In moments like this when you’re vulnerable, I need you to memorize a piece of scripture or a mantra. Either one works to reset your brain, download truth about who you are and whose you are, and get your mind to avoid going down a negative and panic-stricken black hole.

My go-to verse is Romans 15:13 and it reads:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)

It reminds me to put my eyes and trust back on Him because when I do that, then I’m filled with joy and peace. I don’t know about you, but those two things are exactly what I need in a moment of panic 😂  It’s a simple one-liner and I urge you to steal it and memorize it if you don’t have a verse for yourself yet.

Trust Him to give you the creativity back. Trust Him to lead the process of your shoot.

4. Invest in your education.

It’s both our dedication and our education, that truly make us bold in our craft.

Guys, I cannot stress how important this is. And no, I’m not just saying this because I mentor other photographers! If you could see how much I’ve spent to date on business mentoring, you’d stroke out. 😂 I kid you not. And I still do it!

It’s so important to be, and stay, teachable. If there is someone that’s where you want to be in your business, REACH OUT. Chances are they offer mentoring, and they would probably be honored to teach you. A lot of times we look at money as a resource we want to hoard and don’t want to spend, and feel like we need to hold onto. But you know what’s more valuable than money?

TIME AND YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.

And you can save literally YEARS of it, just by trading a little money for education. (Which saves you not only time, but money in the long run, because education helps you to be more confident – therefore you get to start charging more for your work, and at a much faster rate.) Anytime I start to doubt myself or feel imposter syndrome kicking in, I pause and say to myself  “GIRL YOU HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY TRAINED FOR THIS. YOUR KNOWLEDGE IS ENDLESS.” 

Literally, you can’t not win here. I struggled to even mention this, because personally, I don’t like to sell – but dude… if I would’ve known this earlier, (that I could pay money to project myself years ahead into my calling,) you betcha I’d have done it the moment I decided I wanted to be a photographer. Just sayin’. 🤷🏻‍♀️

If you feel imposter syndrome coming on, don’t let it manifest – educate yourself instead.

… How can you expect clients to invest in you, if you’re not willing to invest in yourself? 🤔

If you’re really struggling in your business, book a free clarity call with me, (no strings attached,) for me to help you pinpoint your biggest roadblocks. 

Then, if you decide it’s a fit and you NEED us to work together stat, we can totally proceed with a mentorship and get this education party started! 🥂

I wholeheartedly believe that if you’re here and reading this page, it’s not by accident, girl. I’ve been praying for this years mentoring clients, and for God to truly equip me with the knowledge and resources, tailored just for you, to project you into your next season and help you to be more confident – because THIS is your year.

It’s time. No more excuses. Let’s do this, and rise up to who God has called us to be in both our lives and businesses. 🙌🏼

Looking for more helpful photography tips? Feel free to binge on these blog posts, or pin ’em on Pinterest for later! 👇🏼

If you’re short on time, follow me on Pinterest – and you’ll get these kinda tips delivered straight to your feed! You know… when you’re scrollin’ through Pinterest with coffee in hand, ready to take on the day… or, procrastinate.

Whatevs. Pinterest biz sesh, anybody!? 😎🥂