Episodes

I am so excited to share this conversation with the fabulous Renee Bowen on The Profitable Photographer! You may know her for her beautiful senior portraits, but these days she’s also coaching photographers and creatives on how to not only grow their businesses but also rewire their mindset for real, lasting success. What I love about Renee is that she blends her background in psychology and neuroscience with tools like NLP, life coaching, and even a sprinkle of woo. She has such an organized, ...

I am so excited to introduce you to Kate DeCoste and her thoughts about the importance of storytelling as photographers. In business since 2009, she calls herself a “confidence curator and small-town sparkplug” based in Wahoo, Nebraska. What I love is that she helps people show up authentically on camera, and her sessions feel more like a celebration than a checklist. Her background is really fascinating—before photography, she was a ‘theater girl” and was a stage manager in New York City and ...

This episode is a “BUFFET” of ideas and quotes about the power of attraction, the importance of visualizing, and why positivity is one of our most important tools for success in business. I can’t possibly cover everything about any one of these tools in 25 minutes, so I decided to share a handful of teachers and quotes that have helped me in my life and career. As a professional photographer for over 40 years, and along the way, I’ve discovered something amazing: these tools don’t just make bu...

Okay, let’s face it. Creatives have special challenges when it comes to being organized and keeping track of our stuff. The reasons can vary. There might be issues with all the things we use that “norm-ies” don’t need, like a list of things needed as a photographer, including cords, lenses, batteries, cameras, chargers, props, and so on. Or the reason can be that we have many different projects going at the same time. Or that…like me…we are more interested in the next creative activity and do...

Welcome to a super informative episode of The Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas! This week, I’m joined by longtime friends, industry icons, and master photographers Bert and Cindy Behnke — and oh, what a fun and insightful conversation we had! Bert and Cindy ran a 68-year-old, three-generation portrait business in the Chicago suburbs until they passed the torch in 2024. Specializing in fine portraiture and corporate work (with a big love for photographing families and women!), they’ve im...

This week I get to hang out with Jeff Rojas—a mellow, super talented commercial photographer and former Adobe rep who’s been in the photography game for 14 years. His story started with something really personal…photographing a classic car with his grandfather…and it grew into a career that’s full of lessons for all of us. Jeff and I cover a lot of ground in this episode, including the business of photography, the future of creative entrepreneurship, and how to thrive in commercial photography ...

This week on The Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas, it’s just me, spilling some of my favorite secrets for running a thriving photography business. Think of it as coffee with a friend who’s been at this for decades—and is ready to save you a few headaches. Here’s a taste of what I share: • Why three bank accounts might just be your new best friends • The rookie mistake most wedding photographers make (and how to avoid it) • How to get clients without living on social media • My favor...

It was fun to chat with another California photographer, Jeff Galinovsky, all about the business side of photography. He has been at it since 1988 (yep, with a Minolta Maxxum 7000!) and now runs a thriving business in high-volume sports, senior and family portraits, corporate branding, and events. He’s a CPP, Master of Photography, President of the Professional Photographers of Sacramento Valley, and an instructor with McKay Photography Academy. His recent trip with McKay was to Mongolia, and y...

This week on The Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas, I’m so excited to bring you a conversation that’s both fun and super practical—especially if you’ve been curious (or intimidated!) about using video to grow your photography business. My guest is Shayna Lloyd—photographer, videographer, storyteller, and an all-around inspiring human. Shayna shared how she accidentally built a business by simply sharing videos before she even had a business to promote. Her story is the perfect example of ...

This week on The Profitable Photographer, I’m joined by the talented and super-fun Jenny Gegg—classically trained photographer, Certified Professional Photographer, Craftsman, and wedding specialist with over 26 years of experience. Jenny LOVES photographing weddings (her words: “It’s literally the best day of their life, and I get to witness it!”), and she’s built her business around creating an amazing experience for couples. Because as she says, people may forget the exact shots you took, bu...

Are you tired of the old myth that being an artist means being broke? In this solo episode, I take on the “starving artist” mindset that holds so many talented photographers back—and gives you fresh ways to flip the script. Whether you’re struggling to charge what you’re worth, feel crushed by rejection, or stuck believing you need to be “perfect” to make money, this episode is for you. Questions to Ask Yourself from This Episode: What if you could see your photography as a product—not a ref...

I am so excited to share my conversation with the dynamic duo—Gregory and Lesa Daniel—about the beauty and strategy behind commissioned mixed-media portraits, working as a couple, and building a business with heart, intention, and excellence. Gregory and Lesa are internationally celebrated for their artistry and business success. Gregory is one of the most awarded photographers in the U.S., holding the titles of Master of Photography and ASP Fellow, and was one of the youngest inductees into th...

Did you ever think about what it might take to have a highly successful, multi-million-dollar portrait studio? My amazing guest this week, Andrew Hiorth, has done just that—and in this episode, he shares his team-building strategies, plus the joys and challenges of creating a highly profitable boudoir photography business. I was surprised to learn that not only is it easier than I thought, but that building a business where others are doing most of the work can actually give the owner time to ...

Ooohhh…this is a good one! On this episode of The Profitable Photographer, I had a real and honest conversation with the wise and lovely, Cate Scaglione—fine art photographer and branding expert—about how to create a boudoir/personal portrait session, designed to help our clients not only have great photographs but potentially have a life changing experience. In this discussion, I share my own insecurities and how a few photography sessions boosted my confidence and created visual reminders of ...

I saw a post on Facebook where a photographer was panicking about a lack of business, stating that he had to compete with people doing $50 sessions. My first response to the post was that there is a lot of room at the top. Then I decided to do this podcast episode as my response to him and everyone thinking this is the reality in the industry. It comes from a book based on a powerful idea that can completely change the way you run your business: the Blue Ocean Strategy. The concept comes from...

This week, I had a powerful and heart-centered discussion with Johl Dunn, a talented Australian photographer turned mindset and business coach. We had such a great conversation a few years ago that I knew I would love another chance to connect. Johl spent over 20 years running successful wedding and portrait studios, earning titles like Creative Asia Wedding Photographer of the Year along the way. Now, he helps photographers build profitable businesses by combining strategy with mindset, self-a...

This week on The Profitable Photographer, I had a fun and inspiring conversation with Angela Lawson, an international award-winning pet photographer with 28 years of experience. For the past 15 years, she’s focused exclusively on animals of all shapes and sizes—from dogs and cats to reptiles and pocket pets. She has also earned her Accredited Professional of Animal Imagery from the International Society of Animal Photographers and has taken the PPA judges' training Angela shares how understand...

Okay…solo time. This episode might seem short but if you take the challenge and write out the answers to my suggestions, it might just change everything for you. You could find that your photography business hits new levels of success and fulfillment? In this solo episode of The Profitable Photographer, I’m walking you through a step-by-step process to get crystal clear on your dreams and goals. And discover some issues standing in your way of having it all just the way you want your life and b...

This week’s episode is a soulful one, friends. I’m joined by the amazing Jessica McKnight — an award-winning luxury photographer in St Petersburg, FLA, for over 25 years, mindfulness coach, and founder of Brilliance Key. She has a big heart for helping others to create their success using the power of their thoughts as well as a photographer with a ton of business wisdom. Jessica and I have a beautiful conversation about how mindset and mindfulness aren’t just buzzwords — they’re powerful tool...

This week on the show, I’m chatting with Jeff — a PPA Master Photographer, Craftsman, educator, and author of 2, soon to be 3, books including “The Professional Photography Playbook: Mastering Portrait Photography, Branding and Business Success.” Jeff is has been one of the most successful portrait photographers in the US for 40 years and counting. His classic style and tried and true business structure has kept his photography studio earning high 6 figures and even 7, while giving him time to g...

What if your creativity isn’t something you have to chase… but something you can invite in, every single day? This week, I’m joined by the wonderfully unique and inspiring Elizabeth Toller — a Certified Professional Photographer, fine artist, intuitive life coach, Reiki healer, tarot reader, and speaker on creativity as a lifestyle. She calls herself your “quirky guide to a more creative life,” and trust me, this conversation is exactly the kind of spark your creative heart has been waiting for...

Well, it is the fourth episode after three incredible interviews with brilliant and fun photographers. So it is time to go solo and dive into one of my absolute favorite topics… COLOR! Color isn’t just pretty—it’s powerful. It tells stories, creates mood, attracts clients, and makes your photography truly stand out. In this episode, I share some basic color science you probably learned in first grade. I touch on the emotional impact color gives us, and also how to use color intentionally in yo...

Get ready for a lovely and super practical episode! This week, I’m hanging out with the amazing Brenda Pottinger—photographer, educator, and marketing genius. She also has a heart for giving back and before we chat about her easy marketing strategies, she shares her love for helping others using the power of photography. Who is Brenda? Well, with degrees in Art-Graphic Design and Mass Communications from Emory & Henry College, she jumped into the world of weddings and portraits in Cincinnati. ...

Oh friends, you're going to love this episode! I have been a fan of Karen McCall and her art, and met her in person at PPA’s Imaging Expo this year. I am thrilled that she agreed to be my guest today because a true artist and Photoshop wizard. Karen’s been rocking the photography world for 35+ years and has all the accolades—Team USA, Diamond Photographer of the Year, ASP State Elite Award for 7 years running—but what really impressed me is her down-to-earth heart for creativity and teaching. ...