Take It Personally

Hosted by Maddie Peschong

Business Marketing

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219

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Take It Personally, hosted by professional brand photographer Maddie Peschong, shares advice to help you grow your personal brand to stand out from the noise and thrive, even in the most saturated markets. Episodes feature business and marketing advice, branding expertise, and real stories and inspiration from creative professionals all over the world.

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60 recent

June 11, 202616 min

The Brand Photography Client You’re Probably Avoiding

If you've ever had a potential client tell you, “I don't even know what we would shoot,” because they sit at a computer all day, this episode is for you. It's also for the photographers who secretly aren't sure what they'd do with a lawyer, accountant, banker, or coach on their calendar.The truth is, these are some of the most overlooked brand photography clients out there, and they often need brand photography more than anyone! In this episode, I'm sharing why photographers are sleeping on these businesses, how to stop relying on laptops and headshots, and what it really takes to create strategic brand sessions for clients whose work lives mostly inside their brain.We're talking:• Why “boring” businesses are actually incredible brand photography clients• The huge mistake photographers make when marketing their services• Moving beyond headshots, laptops, and office photos• How to uncover visual storytelling ideas through discovery calls• Translating abstract concepts like growth, communication, and leadership into imagery• Becoming a strategic partner instead of “just” a photographerLinks & Resources💻 Join my free Sessions That Sell masterclass on June 25th at noon Central: maddiepeschong.com/masterclass💬 Questions or episode ideas? DM me on Instagram!📝 Blog: More tips and tools to grow your personal brand photography businessLet's Connect:Website: maddiepeschong.comInstagram: @maddiepeschongIf you loved this episode, leave a review! It helps other photographers find the show and keeps us creating content you actually want to hear.🎙️✨

June 4, 202619 min

The Questions That Make Clients Choose You

What if I told you that the reason a client chooses you over another photographer has nothing to do with your portfolio, and everything to do with the questions you ask?In this episode, we're diving into one of the most underrated tools in your brand photography business: the discovery call. Most photographers treat it like a quick formality before booking, but I see it as one of the most powerful sales and positioning tools you have.The inquiry process isn't separate from the client experience—it is the client experience!When done well, a discovery call builds trust, uncovers what your client actually needs, and makes it a whole lot easier for them to say yes.We're talking:• Why the discovery call is part of the client experience• Questions that shift you from photographer to strategic partner• Helping clients clarify goals before they invest• Identifying marketing gaps and creating stronger ROI• Red flags to watch for before a client books• How asking better questions can increase your booking rateLinks & Resources💻 Join my free Sessions That Sell masterclass on June 25th at noon Central: maddiepeschong.com/masterclass💬 Questions or episode ideas? DM me on Instagram!📝 Blog: More tips and tools to grow your personal brand photography businessLet's Connect:Website: maddiepeschong.comInstagram: @maddiepeschongIf you loved this episode, leave a review! It helps other photographers find the show and keeps us creating content you actually want to hear.🎙️✨

May 28, 202620 min

The Best Marketing You're Overlooking

Everybody wants to talk about how to get more clients. Hi, same. But what if your biggest growth lever actually isn’t your marketing? What if the thing you’re overlooking is what happens after someone books you?In this episode, I’m talking about why your client experience might actually be your best marketing strategy — and why the clients currently in front of your lens are probably the reason your next clients will book you. Because yes, your branding and marketing matter. But if your process isn’t creating raving fans, referrals, reviews, and return clients… you’re pouring into a leaky bucket.We’re diving into how to create a brand photography experience people genuinely cannot stop talking about — from inquiry to delivery — and how small, strategic shifts can completely change the way clients see you (and sell you to everyone they know).We’re talking:Why referrals + return clients are still your best leadsStrategic discovery call questions that instantly position you as the expertTurning “non-visual” businesses into purposeful brand imageryCreating an on-set experience clients rave about later at happy hourWhy client comfort matters just as much as the photosUnderpromising, overdelivering, and building repeat business naturallyLinks & Resources💻 Join my free Sessions That Sell masterclass on June 25th at noon Central: maddiepeschong.com/masterclass💬 Questions or episode ideas? DM me on Instagram!📝 Blog: More tips and tools to grow your personal brand photography businessLet's Connect:Website: maddiepeschong.comInstagram: @maddiepeschongIf you loved this episode, leave a review! It helps other photographers find the show and keeps us creating content you actually want to hear.🎙️✨

May 21, 202615 min

You’re Not Losing to AI. You’re Losing to Boring Marketing

AI is getting better. Like…a lot better. If you’ve been side-eyeing AI headshots lately wondering what this means for photographers, you’re definitely not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing why I don’t actually think photographers are losing to AI - I think they’re losing to boring marketing.Here’s the thing: if all you’re selling is a gallery of images, yes, that’s going to become easier to replace. But brand photography was never just about the photos. It’s about the confidence shift, the visibility, the experience, the strategy, and the way your clients feel when they finally see themselves as the expert they already are.We’re talking:Why “book a headshot session” marketing isn’t working anymoreThe difference between selling deliverables vs. transformationWhat AI can replicate - and what it absolutely cannotWhy client experience matters more than everHow to create marketing that feels like you’re “inside your client’s head”Why case studies and behind-the-scenes content are more powerful than photo dumpsLinks & Resources💫 Join the waitlist for my upcoming summer offer focused on building strategic brand sessions and stronger client transformation💻 Get coached in Rebrand, my 12 month program for photographers ready to book more brand photography clients (and get access to Rebecca - a customGPT to help with content!)📝 Blog: More tips and tools to grow your personal brand photography business🔄 Learn about the Vicious Visibility Cycle (Apple podcast; blog)💬 Questions or episode ideas? DM me on Instagram!Let's Connect:Website: maddiepeschong.comInstagram: @maddiepeschongIf you loved this episode, leave a review! It helps other photographers find the show and keeps us creating content you actually want to hear.🎙️✨

May 14, 202618 min

Ghosted by Clients: Fix Your Process Now

Getting ghosted by potential clients? I’m here to tell you what you likely don’t want to hear: it’s (probably) not your pricing. 👀In this episode, I’m breaking down why photographers immediately blame their rates when inquiries go cold, and why the real issue is usually hiding somewhere in your process instead. From slow inquiry responses to confusing proposals to discovery calls with zero direction, we walk through the exact spots where clients are quietly dropping off (and how to fix them).If you’ve ever spiraled after a client disappeared, convinced yourself your prices are “too expensive,” or felt personally victimized by a no-response email…this one’s for you. Getting ghosted is frustrating, but it’s also fixable.We’re talking:• Why pricing usually isn’t the real problem• “Speed equals sales” and what that actually means• The biggest mistakes photographers make in inquiry emails• Why vibes are not a closing strategy 😅• How to lead discovery calls like an expert• The problem with “Cheesecake Factory menu” pricing guidesLinks & Resources✨Join Behind the Shot - my self-paced course for brand photographers who want to confidently plan, shoot, and deliver brand sessions that get results—for their clients and for their business. Learn more here!📸 Session Guide: plug-and-play system to plan scroll-stopping sessions that actually get your client results (customizable Canva doc!)📝 Blog: Discover more branding tips and marketing tools to grow your brand photography business💬 Episode ideas?! Connect with me on Instagram!Let’s Connect:Website: maddiepeschong.comInstagram: @maddiepeschongIf you loved this episode, leave a review! It helps other photographers find the show and keeps us creating content you actually want to hear. 🎙️✨

May 7, 202614 min

Why Custom Packages Are Killing Your Conversion (Pricing Like an Expert)

Picture this: You just got an inquiry from a brand photography client you are so excited to work with. You spend 45 minutes building a custom proposal...tweaking image counts, session length, adding options, and you hit send feeling good. And then? Silence. Or worse, they come back asking what they can remove to make it cheaper.Here’s the thing: it’s not your pricing. It’s how you’re pricing.In this episode, I’m breaking down why custom packages are quietly killing your conversions and what to do instead. If you’ve been defaulting to “build-your-own” proposals because you want to serve your clients well, this is your sign to stop overcomplicating it. Your clients don’t need more options. They need a clear, confident expert to guide them!We’re talking:Why “custom everything” creates confusion (not flexibility)How too many options leads to ghosting and price shoppingThe real reason clients push back on pricingWhy features don’t sell (and what actually does)What an expert-level package structure actually looks likeHow to position your offer so clients trust you without questioning every detailLinks & Resources✨Join Behind the Shot - my self-paced course for brand photographers who want to confidently plan, shoot, and deliver brand sessions that get results—for their clients and for their business. Learn more here!📸 Session Guide: plug-and-play system to plan scroll-stopping sessions that actually get your client results (customizable Canva doc!)📝 Blog: Discover more branding tips and marketing tools to grow your brand photography business💬 Episode ideas?! Connect with me on Instagram!Let’s Connect:Website: maddiepeschong.comInstagram: @maddiepeschongIf you loved this episode, leave a review! It helps other photographers find the show and keeps us creating content you actually want to hear. 🎙️✨

April 30, 202618 min

Mini Sessions Not Selling? Listen to This.

You’ve decided you’re offering mini sessions. You picked the date, the location, the pricing...you’re ready! You hit publish, fully expecting your Stripe account to light up - and then *crickets*.If your mini sessions aren’t selling the way you thought they would, this episode is your reality check (in the best way). Because most of the time? Nothing has actually gone wrong.We’re getting into what’s really happening when your launch feels quiet, and why your nervous system might be the thing pulling you out too early. I’m also walking you through the actual timeline and strategy behind a successful mini session launch so you can stop guessing and start selling with intention.We’re talking:Why “crickets” doesn’t mean failureThe nervous system spiral (and how to coach yourself through it)A realistic mini session launch timeline (60, 30, 14 days out)Building demand vs. expecting it to existHow more may be better than less when it comes to sellingSelling every day without feeling “annoying”Links & Resources✨ Join Rebrand: My 12 month transformative brand program for photographers who want to attract and book more brand photography clients. Learn more here!📸 Session Guide: plug-and-play system to plan scroll-stopping sessions that actually get your client results (customizable Canva doc!)📝 Blog: Discover more branding tips and marketing tools to grow your brand photography business💬 Episode ideas?! Connect with me on Instagram!Let’s Connect:Website: maddiepeschong.comInstagram: @maddiepeschongIf you loved this episode, leave a review! It helps other photographers find the show and keeps us creating content you actually want to hear. 🎙️✨

April 23, 202624 min

How I'm Using AI for Content Creation–Ethically (I Think?)

I love the traveling, conference attending, and speaking part of my job, but I’m a homebody at heart. As I jump back into real-time content creation this week, it had me thinking about something that kept coming up everywhere I went: AI.And honestly? I have a lot of thoughts.This episode is a very real look at how I’m using AI in my business right now and how I truly feel about it. On one hand, it’s an incredible tool. On the other, I’ve got ethical concerns, environmental questions, and a strong resistance to losing the human side of what we do. So instead of pretending I have the “right” answer, I’m walking you through what I’m actually doing - especially when it comes to content, and how I’m trying to use AI without losing my voice (or my mind).We’re talking:The pressure to “keep up” with AI (and the guilt that comes with it)Ethical + environmental concerns no one’s really answeringAI tools I actually use in my photography businessWhy original thought has to come first (always)My exact workflow for turning one podcast into emails + social contentThe difference between using AI well vs. sounding like a robotLinks & Resources✨ Join Rebrand: My 12 month transformative brand program for photographers who want to attract and book more brand photography clients. Learn more here!AI tools mentioned: Evoto, Imagen, Descript, Fathom📸 Session Guide: plug-and-play system to plan scroll-stopping sessions that actually get your client results (customizable Canva doc!)📝 Blog: Discover more branding tips and marketing tools to grow your brand photography business💬 Episode ideas?! Connect with me on Instagram!Let’s Connect:Website: maddiepeschong.comInstagram: @maddiepeschongIf you loved this episode, leave a review! It helps other photographers find the show and keeps us creating content you actually want to hear. 🎙️✨

April 9, 202613 min

The #1 Thing I Invest In In My Business

I’m in the middle of a very full stretch of travel, conferences, and speaking. And it got me thinking about something I’ve done from day one in my business - the one thing I will always spend money on.In this episode, I’m breaking down why continuing education and coaching has been the biggest investment I’ve made (outside of people) and why I truly believe it’s a non-negotiable if you want to grow. If you’re a brand photographer who feels like you’re spinning your wheels, second-guessing your next move, or just not showing up the way you want to, this is the conversation we need to have.We’re talking:Why education + coaching has never been optional for meThe difference between consuming everything vs. getting what you needWhy paid containers create a different level of commitmentThe real reason you feel stuck (hint: it’s your thoughts)What “thought work” actually looks like in businessBorrowing confidence from your future, million-dollar selfLinks & Resources✨ Join Rebrand: My 12 month transformative brand program for photographers who want to attract and book more brand photography clients. Learn more here!📸 Session Guide: plug-and-play system to plan scroll-stopping sessions that actually get your client results (customizable Canva doc!)📝 Blog: Discover more branding tips and marketing tools to grow your brand photography business💬 Episode ideas?! Connect with me on Instagram!Let’s Connect:Website: maddiepeschong.comInstagram: @maddiepeschongIf you loved this episode, leave a review! It helps other photographers find the show and keeps us creating content you actually want to hear. 🎙️✨

April 2, 202612 min

The Type of Content You Need to Try This Week

You are making All. The. Content. You’ve got your Marketing Monday, you’re creating in Canva, you’re scrolling for the perfect reel… and you’re exhausted.If that’s you (or has been you) - it doesn’t have to be this hard.Yes, content creation takes time. It should. It’s how you make money. But there is a way to make it simpler and still wildly effective. In this episode, I’m breaking down what I call “lazy girl content” - the kind of content that feels almost too easy, but consistently performs the best.This is the follow-up to last week’s conversation about reach content, and we’re getting super practical here. If you want engagement, visibility, and momentum (without burning out or spending hours designing posts), this is the type of content you need to try this week.We’re talking:What “lazy girl content” actually is (and why it works)The two formats to focus on: reels + carousels5–10 second B-roll reels with strong, scroll-stopping hooksMessaging that makes your ideal client think, “wait… that’s me”Casual carousels that feel like you (not over-designed)Why simpler, more human content often performs betterLinks & Resources✨ Join Rebrand: My 12 month transformative brand program for photographers who want to attract and book more brand photography clients. Learn more here!📸 Session Guide: plug-and-play system to plan scroll-stopping sessions that actually get your client results (customizable Canva doc!)📝 Blog: Discover more branding tips and marketing tools to grow your brand photography business💬 Episode ideas?! Connect with me on Instagram!Let’s Connect:Website: maddiepeschong.comInstagram: @maddiepeschongIf you loved this episode, leave a review! It helps other photographers find the show and keeps us creating content you actually want to hear. 🎙️✨