Episodes

I am a huge fan of my guest for this week, Andrew Hellmich. A photographer with 25 years of success and the host of a top-rated photography business podcast, he has done so much to support photographers and photographic educators (like me) with his 612 episodes of Photo Biz Xposed (PhotoBizX), which features industry experts sharing powerful insights on marketing, pricing, advertising, and business growth. In this episode of The Profitable Photographer, We have a rich conversation about how bui...

Hey there, friends! It’s just me, Luci, flying solo on this episode of The Profitable Photographer. In my 40+ years as a portrait and wedding photographer, I’ve learned just how important it is to prepare both myself and my clients before a session—and to have a clear plan in place once we start shooting. Sure, there’s always room for spontaneity and creative surprises, but I always carry a mental blueprint to guide the flow of each session. In other words, I’ve developed a specific, intention...

Get ready to be inspired! This episode features Lauren DelVecchio, a lighting wizard and award-winning photographer. Based in Maine, Lauren is a PPA Master Craftsman, and Master of Wedding Photography. She’s a five-time Maine Wedding Photographer of the Year, a two-time Team USA rep in the World Photographic Cup, and even placed 6th in the world for one of her fine art portraits—no big deal… okay, actually, huge deal! As a MagMod Elite Ambassador, Lauren knows how to light up any scene—literal...

Running a profitable photography business is tough, but my guest in this episode proves that it can also be wildly profitable—if you take full responsibility for how you run it. Meet Allison Tyler Jones, CPP, Master Craftsman, educator, photographer, author of four books, and host of the REWork Podcast. I have to say that how she shares her vast knowledge and the foundations of a successful business, in a clear and super fun way, makes this a “must listen more than once” way. According to All...

Ever felt the urge to create just for yourself? This week, I’m chatting with Anjana Olson, an award-winning photographer, educator, and lighting guru, about her self-portrait journey and how it’s transformed her art AND her business. Master photographer, Anj (Anjana) Olson is the portrait photographer of Anj Portrait Studio, serving Des Moines, Iowa and surrounding areas. After obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree and a Nutritional Science degree from Iowa State University, she chose to fol...

We made it to Episode 300! I am beyond grateful for every listener who has joined me on this journey. With 70 solo episodes, 220 guest interviews, and listeners from over 100 countries, this podcast has grown into an incredible community of passionate photographers. Thank you for your support, engagement, and commitment to growing your photography businesses with me! In this milestone episode, I reflect on my 42 year journey—from my background in wedding and family photography to coaching and p...

I’m thrilled to welcome back Jeffrey Shaw—one of my most popular guests! This is his third time on the show, and for good reason. I first heard him speak at PPA’s Imaging USA, and he completely blew me away. Now, five years later, he is just releasing “Sell To The Rich”, and he shares so many great insights from this book. He also has 2 other amazing books in case you want more Jeffrey. From humble beginnings, Jeffrey became one of the top portrait photographers in the U.S., with work featured ...

Okay, photographers—real talk. What happens to your business if life throws you a curveball? Whether it’s an unexpected emergency or the day you finally decide to retire to a beach with endless piña coladas, your business needs a plan. I know this isn’t something many of us think about or even want to talk about, right? This week, I’m chatting with Mike Price, who knows a lot about this. After helping a fellow photographer navigate the process of closing his business after a stroke, Mike made i...

Hey, photography friends! Ever thought about how much your photo lab impacts your business? This week, I chat with Dirk Witt from Mid South Color Lab, and he’s breaking down why not all labs are created equal—and why choosing the right one is a game-changer for your success. But not only how to select the right companies but why making them a partner, having them on your team, is a key to success. Dirk isn’t just a lab expert—he’s been in your shoes! With years as a wedding, family, and senior ...

Hey, friends! I’m still buzzing from PPA’s Imaging Expo—so many incredible people, ideas, and gratitude for my 40 years in this amazing community! Meeting past guests in person was a blast. Now, onto today’s episode! This is Part 2 of my deep dive into In-Person Sales (IPS) using a projector. If you haven’t yet, check out Part 1, where I covered why IPS is a game-changer. You can also watch this on YouTube for the full experience! What You’ll Learn: • What you need for a successful IPS sessio...

I had the most amazing time at PPA’s Imaging Expo and if you are one of my new listeners I met in Dallas…HELLO!! We have the most incredible industry. We are so fun, dedicated, creative, smart and love to hang out together. I feel soooo blessed ho have had 40 years in this community. This episode features Debbie McFarland, a photographer with 27 years of experience who’s found her passion in empowering tweens through photography. Tweens, ages 9-12, are at a critical stage of growth and transfo...

I thought I would go back to the basics. It has been a while since I shared my step by step “In Person Sales System” so today, and in two weeks, I go deep into the Why and How of showing our work and helping people select art and albums they will treasure from their sessions. Question 1-Are you ready to transform your photography business and take your sales to the next level? and 2-Do you ever wonder how some photographers consistently generate thousands of dollars in portrait orders, selling...

I’m kicking off the year with a bang with wonderful guests, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have Heather Lahtinen as my new BFF on The Profitable Photographer today! Heather is an award-winning wedding and portrait photographer from Pittsburgh, PA, with over 20 years of experience as a photographer and entrepreneur. She’s built not one but two six-figure businesses and is a true expert in marketing, pricing, and business strategy. But what makes Heather truly special—and the focus of our con...

I’m beyond excited to have Shawn Black on The Profitable Photographer. Shawn is a powerhouse in the world of boudoir photography. He is based in Boston, Massachusetts, and is an international award-winning photographer, educator, and president of AIBP (Association of International Boudoir Photographers) His mantra? #BeBoldBeSexyBeYou—with an emphasis on being unapologetically yourself. In this episode, we dive into: • Shawn’s “why” for creating empowering boudoir experiences. • How his color...

Meet Dan McClanahan, a photographer based in Ames, Iowa, who’s making waves in the world of photography. With honors like representing Team USA and being a Top 10 finalist in the World Photographic Cup, Dan knows his stuff. AND he’s a featured speaker at SYNC and Imaging USA too! Oh and…he is a super nice guy In this episode, we dive into: • How Dan uses light to tell stories and connect with his clients. • His career shift from a bustling studio to a solo business that fits his life and fam...

Hello and Happy New Year! This has been one of the MOST popular episodes so I thought it would be a great one to start out 2025. Here we go….Magic is real. Thoughts have power. In this repeat episode I am going FULL Woo Woo and talk about the power we have to become a magnet for success, attracting what we want in life, both big and small. The secret powers we have to manifest things like great photography clients, relationships, abundance, even a pair of the perfect sunglasses. (Listen for the...

This special episode of The Profitable Photographer is a little gift just for you! It’s a sneak peek of my guest appearance on Andrew Helmich’s PhotobizX podcast. I was honored to join nine other amazing coaches to share some top tips for thriving in 2025. And because I didn’t want you to miss a second of my part, I’m sharing it here—with an extra bonus tip just for my listeners! I’m keeping it short and sweet because I know this season is packed with celebrations. So, grab your favorite drink,...

On this episode of The Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas, I chat with Scott Wyden Kivowitz, a talented photographer, educator, and storyteller who has mastered the art of surprise proposal photography. As the Community Manager and podcast host at Imagen (an AI editing program), Scott balances his roles as a father of two, husband, photographer, and host of the “Workflows Photography Podcast”. Scott’s journey into proposal photography began during the pandemic and has since become a passio...

Where in the world would you love to photograph clients and get paid really well for your photography including all your expenses? Paris? Costa Rica? New Zealand? I loved my conversation with Denise Watrous who has built a wonderful business that includes traveling to amazing locations. She reveals so much about how you can do the same. She is an award wining, Certified Professional Photographer from Waukesha, Wisconsin, Denise is a master of destination portraits, blending her passion for tra...

Hey there, fabulous podcast listeners. Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Maria Arellano, a Fine Art Photographer based in Houston, Texas, who’s been creating magic since 2015. Maria has this incredible gift for helping women see themselves as the stunning, powerful goddesses they are—no matter their size, shape, or story. In this episode, we’ll chat about: • Why boudoir photography makes Maria’s heart sing (spoiler: it’s all about confidence and celebration!) • How she creates a safe, e...

Hey, it's Luci Dumas, and today’s solo episode is a little different because I am sort of “journaling” about my experiences around the topic and looking for my own answers as I explore a topic that’s been on my mind lately: motivation. Specifically, how we can find it, sustain it, and even question whether we always need it. Is it okay to just be sometimes? To live a simpler life without constantly striving for the next big thing? It's a big question, and one that I’ve been pondering deeply. As...

In this episode of The Profitable Photographer, I’m thrilled to catch up with Kelly Warkentin, a lifestyle family photographer in Vancouver, Canada, mom of three, and one of my proudest coaching success stories. Kelly has not only built a thriving photography business but also created a work-life balance that lets her focus on her family and her clients. When we started working together, Kelly was selling digital files for hundreds of dollars. Through my training program (and her hard work impl...

I’m so excited to welcome Linda Carroll to the podcast! Linda is a Certified Professional Photographer, Photographic Craftsman, and Portrait Artist who has been capturing beautiful moments and inspiring others for decades. Her studio in Kennesaw, Georgia, specializes in family and portrait photography, and her approach to “Capturing Life” has made her a beloved figure in the photography community. Episode Summary: In this conversation, Linda and I explore how she’s kept her passion alive over ...

In this episode, I share how to unlock your potential as a photographer by embracing an abundance mindset! If you’ve ever thought, "My clients won’t pay that" or "This just won’t work here," this one's for you. Join me as we explore practical ways to challenge and overcome limiting beliefs and create the business you truly want. Some of my one-way conversation (from me to you) includes: Common beliefs that may hold photographers back from charging what they’re worth How to identify and conne...