252 - In this final installment of our travel hacking series, we're diving into the art of redeeming points.  Now that you've accumulated a collection of points and miles, it's time to learn how to use them to unlock unforgettable travel experiences. From booking long-haul flights in business class to scoring luxury hotel stays for free, this episode is packed with tips and strategies to help you maximize the value of your hard-earned points. Here's what you'll learn in this episode: Maximizing Your Miles: Learn how to make the most out of your accumulated points for travel, ensuring y ..read more

251 - Welcome back to the Freedom Focus Photography podcast! In this second episode of our three-part series on travel hacking, we're diving into the exciting world of earning points. If you love to travel and dream of doing so for free or at a significantly reduced cost, this episode is a must-listen. I'll be sharing my tried-and-true methods for maximizing points through credit card strategies, ensuring you get the most out of your everyday spending. Here's what you'll learn in this episode: Optimizing Earning: We’re breaking down the various ways to earn points and bonuses so you can maxim ..read more

250 - Welcome to the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast!  In this special episode, we're kicking off a three-part series dedicated to one of the most exciting and requested topics: travel hacking.  If you've ever dreamed of traveling for free or at a fraction of the cost, you're in the right place. Today, we'll explore how to leverage credit card points to maximize your travel rewards, whether you’re aiming for luxurious trips or frequent getaways on a budget.  Tune in to discover the strategies that can make your travel dreams a reality, and how we have an advantage since we ..read more

250 - Welcome to the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast!  In this special episode, we're kicking off a three-part series dedicated to one of the most exciting and requested topics: travel hacking.  If you've ever dreamed of traveling for free or at a fraction of the cost, you're in the right place. Today, we'll explore how to leverage credit card points to maximize your travel rewards, whether you’re aiming for luxurious trips or frequent getaways on a budget.  Tune in to discover the strategies that can make your travel dreams a reality, and how we have an advantage since we ..read more

249 - In this episode of the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast, we’re jumping into our imaginary DeLorean and time traveling to share the ultimate 3-step success formula we wish we had known from the start!  Join Heather and me as we reveal how making decisions, taking action, and trusting yourself can transform your photography business.  We also share personal stories and insights on overcoming obstacles, learning from the past, and embracing the future with confidence. What To Listen For: Trust Yourself: Emphasize the importance of trusting yourself and your decisions, and ho ..read more

247 - In today's episode of the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast, we're diving into the art of raising your prices in your portrait photography business without losing your clients.  Whether you're just starting out with a low-cost all-inclusive model or you're already seeing high sales and aiming to break into an even more luxurious market, we’ve got you covered.  Join us to explore the journey through different business levels, the importance of transitioning to product sales, and how to introduce signature products to elevate your offerings.  What to listen for: The 4 Le ..read more

246 - In today’s Freedom Focus Photography Podcast, join Nicole Begley as she chats with financial expert Mel Abraham to break down the ins and outs of financial planning for creatives.  In this episode, Mel demystifies the process of building your own "money machine"—a system designed to cultivate financial independence and long-term security.  This conversation dives into why it's crucial for photographers and other creatives to start the habit of saving early, even if the amounts are small at first. Mel provides practical advice on how to manage money effectively, plan for the f ..read more

245 - Welcome back to the latest episode of the Freedom Focus Photography podcast!  Ever had one of those moments where you think, “Is this actually happening?”. I had one of those moments early in my photography business that I’ll never forget.  Picture this: I'm standing in the bank, clutching my first check for $105 and change, ready to open my shiny new business account.  The minimum to open was $100, and I was ready to bootstrap my little business to profitability. That was until the bank employee went to deposit my check, showed his colleague the check and laughed. ? Now ..read more

244 - Welcome back to the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast! I'm your host, Nicole Begley, and today we have a very special guest, Daniel Usenko, the creative force behind Pixellu, developers of my favorite album design software, Smart Albums. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting to explore the possibility of adding albums to your services, this episode is packed with insights that will inspire you to not only streamline your workflow, but also potentially utilize albums in your marketing. Daniel will share how Smart Albums can transform the tedious task of album creation into a swif ..read more

243 - Welcome to this exciting episode of the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast!  Today, we're diving into a unique and impactful marketing strategy with our guest, Michaela Trujillo from BMAC Pet Photography in San Diego, CA.  She’s masterfully combined art, community engagement, and philanthropy through her innovative Gallery Wall Contest - creating a powerful trifecta of collaboration. In our conversation, Michaela shares her journey from conceptualizing the idea to executing a successful gallery wall in a local pet store. She explains how this approach has significantly benefit ..read more