The Photo Diaries Podcast

Hosted by Grace Costa

Business Arts Education

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Episodes

Latest episode

Sep 2026

Language

EN-AU

About the show

Welcome to The Photo Diaries Podcast. I’m your host Grace Costa, a commercial photographer of over 2 decades, photography busines and marketing mentor. This podcast opens up a secret diary about the world of the photography industry. We’ll bring you inspiring interviews with industry professionals in the world of business & creativity, as well as stories, and tips to help propel you through your photography journey- whether you're just starting out, or a seasoned pro. Thanks for joining me now, let’s open the latest diary! Find out about The Photographers Only Membership -www.gracecosta.com/membership

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 15, 202616 min

How to be the best Event Photographer

Episode summary: Event photography is one of the most reliable income streams a photographer in business can build, and one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, Grace Costa draws on 25 years behind the camera to share exactly how she runs corporate events, from the first inquiry to the final gallery. That experience includes weddings, a decade as a Department of Defence photographer covering VIP ceremonies, and years of corporate work for major Australian organisations. You'll hear how Grace quotes events so she wins against three competing vendors, why she arrives early (and it's not to set up her gear), the two lenses and flash setup she relies on, and the specific way she photographs speakers, award presentations and networking groups so her images stand out. She also shares how Google has been sending her event leads for years, and how you can set up your website to do the same. Support the show Find Grace at www.gracecosta.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ONLY NEWSLETTER https://www.gracecosta.com/subscribe/ DOWNLOAD THE FREEBIES https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/

September 30, 202658 min

Authentic Portraiture with Photographer & Director Hugh Stewart

About This Episode Grace sits down with Hugh Stewart, a photographer and director with a 35+-year career spanning London, New York, Sydney & Melbourne. Hugh has worked for major magazines + brands (Vogue, Vanity Fair, Dior), advertising agencies, and film companies including a long-running creative relationship with Baz Luhrmann on films like Elvis, Moulin Rouge, Gatsby, The Get Down and Chanel commercials and worked with Peter Jackson on Lord of the Rings . He opened an accessible portrait studio in Woollahra, Sydney, flipping the traditional high-pressure studio model on its head. In this conversation, he shares what he's learned about authenticity, connection, and surviving decades in a changing industry. The book Hugh mentions The Maverick Soul Links Grace Costa on Instagram: @gracecostaphotographer Photographers Only Business Membership HERE Hugh Stewart on Instagram: @hugh_stewart_ This is membership is only for photographers who are done mucking around and sick of waiting for results. If you're ready to back yourself, build your business, and stop waiting for clients to find you, I’d love you to join me HERE. Support the show Find Grace at www.gracecosta.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ONLY NEWSLETTER https://www.gracecosta.com/subscribe/ DOWNLOAD THE FREEBIES https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/

September 19, 202617 min

Is Your Studio Giving Off Bitch Face Vibes?

In this episode: What "bitch face vibes" means for your website and why it could be the reason clients ghost you The homepage essentials: stating who you serve, who you are, and how you serve them all above the fold Why missing your first name on your website and Instagram bio is turning people away before they even reach out How to use AI (ChatGPT, Claude) to craft a succinct messaging statement that attracts your ideal client The importance of clear call-to-action buttons, readable font sizes, and enough copy to make visitors feel safe investing in you Why even photographers using website templates (Squarespace, WordPress, Wix) still struggle to convert and what to do about it Resources mentioned: Website Checklist — download your free first step HERE Website Audit Sessions — book a one-on-one audit with Grace HERE Photographers Only Mentorship Community — monthly masterclasses, co-working sessions, and virtual coffee catch-ups. Doors are open now! Connect with Grace: Share this episode with a photographer friend using the share function Leave a review so more photographers can find the podcast Subscribe to be notified when each new episode drops Support the show Find Grace at www.gracecosta.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ONLY NEWSLETTER https://www.gracecosta.com/subscribe/ DOWNLOAD THE FREEBIES https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/

September 15, 20268 min

Ask Grace: What to Do When Clients Request Work Outside Your Skillset

In this debut Ask Grace segment, Grace Costa answers a listener question from a recent Pricing Blueprint workshop: What do you do when a client asks for something outside your skillset? Grace breaks down three ways to handle this situation: Learn it fast — Practice at home before the job (not recommended unless you're confident you can deliver). Hire a subcontractor — Bring in another photographer or videographer, pay them a portion of your quote, and keep the job under your production. Guide the client to their own solution — Say no politely, recommend other professionals, and let the client find their own answer. Support the show Find Grace at www.gracecosta.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ONLY NEWSLETTER https://www.gracecosta.com/subscribe/ DOWNLOAD THE FREEBIES https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/

August 31, 202621 min

How I'm using AI in my Photography Business

Support the show Find Grace at www.gracecosta.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ONLY NEWSLETTER https://www.gracecosta.com/subscribe/ DOWNLOAD THE FREEBIES https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/

August 19, 202612 min

How are You Asking for the Sale?

Episode Summary: In this episode of the Photo Diaries Podcast, Grace Costa breaks down a common problem for photographers in business: not asking for the sale. From websites with no clear call-to-action buttons to social media posts that leave potential clients guessing, Grace explains why assuming people know you're open for business is costing you bookings and what to do about it. Mentioned in This Episode: Pricing Blueprint Live Class — A live class for photographers on building pricing you can stand behind and communicating it with confidence. Happening August 31st, 2026. $27. HERE Photographers Only Mentorship — Grace's community for photographers looking to build a booked-out business. HERE Action Items for Listeners: Audit your website homepage is there a clear CTA button telling visitors what to do next? Review your last 5 social media posts did you include a call to action in the caption? Check your Instagram Stories are you telling people you're open for bookings? Look at your blog posts are there booking and pricing links in the copy? Test your enquiry-to-booking flow how many clicks does it take for a client to give you money? Support the show Find Grace at www.gracecosta.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ONLY NEWSLETTER https://www.gracecosta.com/subscribe/ DOWNLOAD THE FREEBIES https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/

August 15, 202619 min

Headshot Day: How to Build a Streamlined Headshot Day for Your Photography Business

Find out about the Photographers Only Mentorship Community HERE Episode Summary Grace walks through exactly how to create and run a headshot day a streamlined, profitable format that helped her grow her photography business early on. Whether you're a commercial, branding, wedding, or portrait photographer, this episode breaks down everything you need to set one up from scratch. Key Takeaways: Keep it simple for your first one solo, strip it back, white background Always send a booking reminder (day before, or week before + day before) Use the proof gallery as your upsell opportunity Build a dedicated sales page with all details, pricing, and inclusions Promote relentlessly across multiple formats (reels, video, slides, carousels) Support the show Find Grace at www.gracecosta.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ONLY NEWSLETTER https://www.gracecosta.com/subscribe/ DOWNLOAD THE FREEBIES https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/

August 9, 202623 min

Websites Are Not Dead: Why Your Site Still Needs to Work Harder Than Your Socials

Resources mentioned: Website checklist HERE Google Listing Guide HERE The Photographers Only Membership HERE In this episode Grace Costa makes the case that websites are far from dead and in fact should be doing the heavy lifting for your photography business instead of relying on social media alone. Drawing from recent website reviews she conducted for Photographers Only members, Grace breaks down exactly what's missing from most photographer websites and how to fix it. This is membership is only for photographers who are done mucking around and sick of waiting for results. If you're ready to back yourself, build your business, and stop waiting for clients to find you, I’d love you to join me HERE. Support the show Find Grace at www.gracecosta.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ONLY NEWSLETTER https://www.gracecosta.com/subscribe/ DOWNLOAD THE FREEBIES https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/

August 1, 202616 min

One Simple Way to Get Unstuck on Every Photo Shoot

Ever freeze up mid-shoot, scrambling for your next pose idea while your client waits? In this episode of the Photo Diaries Podcast, Grace Koster shares the simple system she's used for over two decades to stop feeling rushed and stuck on set. You'll learn: Why simply drawing out compositions (even roughly) helps cement ideas in your memory so you don't need to reference notes on the day How to communicate with clients to buy yourself time and slow down without looking unprofessional Why taking a leadership role on set builds client trust and confidence A real portfolio review example showing how small compositional tweaks (like repositioning someone hidden at the back of a group) can transform a family portrait Why communication not just technical skill is the number one driver of five-star reviews, referrals, and repeat clients This episode is brought to you by the Photographers Only Membership a monthly business membership for commercial photographers. Support the show Find Grace at www.gracecosta.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ONLY NEWSLETTER https://www.gracecosta.com/subscribe/ DOWNLOAD THE FREEBIES https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/

July 29, 202629 min

Networking 101 - The exact method I use

In This Episode: Why networking doesn't have to mean stiff suits and business cards — there are so many modern formats (speed dating style, meet-and-mingle, lunches, breakfasts) How Grace approaches walking into a room where she doesn't know anyone The 7-step follow-up process Grace uses after collecting business cards How to craft a LinkedIn DM or email that feels genuine and personal — not salesy The Instagram trick for connecting without directly handing out your card Why showing up consistently at events — even when you don't land a client — builds long-term brand recognition Grace's story of a $75 networking breakfast that converted 3 women into paying branding photography clients (worth thousands of dollars) Why networking is a long game, not a quick fix — and why that's okay Tips for introverts: bring a business buddy, make a beeline for the host, and just do the reps Resources & Links: 🎓 Photographers Only Membership – Monthly group coaching, masterclasses, co-working sessions, and access to Grace's resources portal. Enrolments are open now! https://www.gracecosta.com/business-membership-for-photographers/ 📩 DM Grace on Instagram @gracecostaphotographer for a free Loom video tour of the membership This is membership is only for photographers who are done mucking around and sick of waiting for results. If you're ready to back yourself, build your business, and stop waiting for clients to find you, I’d love you to join me HERE. Support the show Find Grace at www.gracecosta.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ONLY NEWSLETTER https://www.gracecosta.com/subscribe/ DOWNLOAD THE FREEBIES https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/