IPS Isn’t a Pricing Model - And Other Things You’ve Been Told Wrong

Let’s rethink how you actually sell your work.

There’s a lot of noise in the photography world when it comes to In-Person Sales (IPS). Depending on who you follow or what Facebook group you’re in, you’ve probably heard everything from “It’s the only way to be profitable” to “IPS means no digitals, only prints” to “It’s outdated and high-pressure.”

Here’s the truth:
IPS is a process, not a pricing structure.
It’s not about what you sell - it’s about where and how you sell it. And done well, it’s the difference between confused clients and confident ones… between ghosted galleries and meaningful, profitable orders.

In this episode of The Work Between, we’re breaking down the myths, the realities, and how to build a sales process that actually works for you and your clients.

Stop Copying. Start Building Something Real

Why originality matters more than ever in a saturated industry

In a sea of photographers, it can be tempting to look sideways—at someone else’s grid, pricing page, or branding—and think, “If it’s working for them, I’ll just do that.” But here’s the truth: if your business is built on borrowed pieces, it won’t hold. And worse? It’s robbing you of the confidence, clarity, and sustainability you actually need to succeed.

In this episode of The Work Between, we’re not here to call you out—we’re here to call you up. Because you can build something real, profitable, and deeply aligned. But not by skipping the work.

Let’s talk about what copying really costs you—and what to do instead.

Your Website Isn’t Enough - Why You Need a Google Business Profile

The Most Overlooked (But High-Converting) Tool in Your Marketing Strategy

Photographers love to talk about SEO - hashtags, blogging, keywords, domain authority - but most are missing the one tool that does more than your Instagram and your website combined:
Your Google Business Profile.

When someone Googles “Dallas newborn photographer” or “family photos near me,” your Google Business Profile (GBP) is what shows up first in the map pack - not your website.

And if you haven’t set yours up (or updated it recently), you’re losing potential clients. Every single day.

Let’s fix that.

You’re Not Too Expensive - You’re Just Out of Their Budget

Why “That’s Too Much” Isn’t a Reason to Lower Your Prices

Welcome to The Work Between—where we talk about what it really takes to build a profitable photography business, without burning out, selling out, or living on your phone. This is where clarity, systems, and honest strategy come together so your business finally fits your life.

How to Shoot Less and Deliver Better Galleries

Stop Overshooting, Save Hours, and Still Wow Your Clients
The Work Between – Episode 18

Every time you press your shutter, you’re not just creating an image—you’re creating work. Files to download, back up, cull, edit, export, and deliver. If you’re ending sessions with 700 images and delivering 150, it’s no wonder you’re overwhelmed.

In Episode 18 of The Work Between, we’re walking through how to shoot less intentionally—and deliver galleries that feel full, emotional, and elevated without drowning in extra work.

Market Saturation Isn’t the Problem—Here’s What Is

How to Thrive in a Crowded Photography Market by Focusing on What Actually Matters
The Work Between – Episode 17

It’s the fear we hear all the time:

“There are just too many photographers in my area. No one’s going to pay my prices.”

Sound familiar?

If you've ever felt stuck because your market feels oversaturated, you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: market saturation isn’t the problem—it’s just a story that keeps you from showing up with clarity and confidence.

In Episode 17 of The Work Between, we’re breaking down the mindset shift, pricing approach, and marketing clarity you actually need to grow in a crowded field.

Use Strategic Mini Sessions to Grow Revenue, Reach, and Full-Session Clients
The Work Between – Episode 16

Mini sessions get a bad rap. And honestly? We get it. When they’re underpriced, overscheduled, and misaligned with your brand—they feel chaotic and exhausting. But done right, they’re not just quick cash… they’re a serious growth strategy.

In Episode 16 of The Work Between, we’re breaking down how to use mini sessions intentionally—to grow your income, nurture full-session clients, and turn a few weekends into $20K, $30K, even $40K months.

Yes, really.

What to Avoid So Your Fall Season Doesn’t Leave You Burned Out or Underpaid
The Work Between – Episode 15

Fall is often the busiest—and most profitable—season for portrait photographers. But being busy doesn’t automatically mean booked with intention. And it definitely doesn’t guarantee you're being paid well for your time, energy, and creativity.

In Episode 15 of The Work Between, we’re breaking down the five most common fall mistakes we see photographers make—ones that lead to burnout, brand confusion, and missed revenue. The good news? You can still course-correct this season.

Fall is the busiest season for photographers—and the most overwhelming. Between inquiries, editing marathons, and marketing pressure, it’s easy to feel like you're sprinting into October with no plan and no time.

In Episode 14 of The Work Between, we’re kicking off our Fall Push series—a 3-part strategy sprint to help you fill your calendar, protect your energy, and make this season your most profitable and peaceful one yet.

This week: your entire fall marketing plan, mapped out in one afternoon. Let’s go.

You’ve been photographing your friends. You’re getting compliments. People are asking, “Do you charge yet?”
And now you’re wondering… Am I actually ready to start a photography business?

In Episode 13 of The Work Between, we’re breaking down the real checklist—both legal and emotional—that tells you you’re ready to go from hobbyist to paid photographer. No fluff, no hype—just a grounded conversation to help you step into business with confidence and clarity.

You don’t need hundreds of new leads to build a thriving photography business. You need the right clients—on the right path.

In Episode 12 of The Work Between, we’re sharing how to turn one dream client into consistent revenue, long-term loyalty, and a calendar that fills itself—without constant hustling for new inquiries. It starts with a simple but powerful strategy: a photography membership model built around your client’s real needs.

If posting on Instagram feels like a part-time job you didn’t sign up for, you’re not alone. Between choosing an image, writing a caption, optimizing hashtags, and hoping someone actually sees it—it’s no wonder most photographers dread showing up online.

But what if social media didn’t have to feel so exhausting?
In Episode 11 of The Work Between, we’re sharing a simple content strategy that will save you hours every month: Wildcard Captions.

Wildcard captions are reusable, versatile, and written in your voice—so you can pair them with almost any image and still build trust, connection, and bookings.

Your editing is dialed in. Your sessions go smoothly. You’re proud of your portfolio.
So why are inquiries so inconsistent—or worse, nonexistent?

In Episode 10 of The Work Between, we’re talking about one of the most overlooked reasons photographers struggle to book dream clients: brand dissonance.

It’s the subtle disconnect between what you say and what potential clients feel when they interact with your brand—and it’s often the quiet reason people leave your site without reaching out.

If hearing “search engine optimization” makes you want to bury your head under a throw blanket, you’re not alone. SEO feels confusing, techy, and—let’s be honest—easy to ignore when client work takes center stage.

But here's the truth: a strategic, SEO-friendly website can quietly book clients for you while you sleep. In Episode 9 of The Work Between, we're stripping away the jargon and giving you real, actionable SEO tips you can actually use—without needing a tech degree or a spare 12 hours.

Great indoor natural light photography doesn’t require a huge studio, expensive gear, or a Pinterest-perfect home. It just takes understanding your light, adjusting your angles, and letting go of a few common myths.

In Episode 8 of The Work Between, we’re giving you five actionable indoor lighting tips that will instantly improve your portraits—whether you’re shooting in a client’s home, a natural light studio, or even your own living room.

If you've ever asked, “Why doesn’t my natural light look like that?”—this is your episode.

Raising your prices as a photographer can feel terrifying. You second-guess yourself. You wonder if clients will disappear. You worry your work “isn’t worth that much.”
But here’s the truth: waiting until you feel confident is often what keeps photographers stuck, overworked, and underpaid.

In Episode 7 of The Work Between, we’re walking you through how to raise your photography prices - strategically and sustainably - so you can build a profitable business that actually supports your life.

Your feed is full of educators promising overnight success, “secret” presets, and six-figure shortcuts. But not every course—or coach—is built to serve you, your clients, or your bottom line. In Episode 6 of The Work Between we outline the seven qualities that separate game-changing education from expensive distraction, so you can invest with confidence and skip the shiny-object regret.

You’re booked out, in demand, and maybe even getting referrals left and right—but your bank account still feels tight. If that sounds familiar, Episode 5 of The Work Between is for you.