Worth Every Penny Joycast

Hosted by Sarah Petty

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Episodes

319

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

How do I build my dream portrait photography business without sacrificing my family and freedom? How do I find photography clients who want more than digital files? What should I charge for my photos? What's the best way to market for photography clients? Am I ready for a studio? Welcome to the Worth Every Penny Joycast where photographer and New York Times Best-Selling author, Sarah Petty, will answer these questions and more. With 3 kids under 3, Sarah decided she wanted to make money with photography. But it wasn't as easy as it looked. After a few years and lots of tears, she built her little portrait photography business into one of America's most profitable and this joycast will show you how. It's designed for photographers who want more from their portrait hotography business, more profits, more clients and more free time…and don't want to sacrifice their family along the way. Each week you'll learn pricing tips, marketing ideas, selling tips and get insights into what's working now. Along with a huge helping of motivation to build your own photography business where your clients say you're worth every penny. You can find Sarah Petty at: www.photographybusinessinstitute.com www.instagram.com/sarah.petty www.facebook.com/photographybusinessinstitute

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60 recent

June 16, 2026Episode 3208 min

#320: 5 Things I Stopped Doing As A Photographer That Changed Everything

If you've been treating photography like a side hustle because you're not sure you're "good enough" yet, this episode is for you. The biggest thing standing between you and real income might not be your talent. It might be the stories you keep telling yourself. In this solo episode, Sarah shares the five mindset shifts that completely changed her photography business. From letting go of comparison to trusting yourself before you feel ready, this conversation is a reminder that growth starts long before perfect confidence arrives. • Why your clients care more about the experience you create than technical perfection • How comparison keeps photographers stuck in someone else's version of success • The powerful difference between making hobby decisions and business decisions If you've been waiting for permission, more experience, or the "right time" to take your business seriously, consider this your sign. Press play and dis RESOURCES: Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos: https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

June 9, 2026Episode 31910 min

#319: Stop Discounting and Start Manufacturing Demand

Ever feel like your calendar is packed in the fall, then painfully quiet by January? That feast-or-famine cycle can leave even talented photographers questioning what comes next. In this episode, Sarah Petty unpacks why discounts, mini sessions, and desperate "now booking" posts often make slow seasons worse. Instead, she shares how profitable photographers create demand year-round by building strategic partnerships and meaningful campaigns that clients actually want to be part of. You'll hear: • Why discounting trains clients to wait and quietly devalues your work • How partnerships with local businesses and charities can create consistent bookings • The secret to building urgency without relying on sales or mini sessions If you're tired of wondering where your next client is coming from, this conversation offers a smarter, more sustainable path forward. Press play and start building a business that feels steady in every season. RESOURCES: Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos: https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

June 2, 2026Episode 31811 min

#318: The Correct Way to Market a Photography Business on Social Media

If you're posting every day, announcing availability, and still hearing crickets, this episode might explain why. The truth is, most photographers treat social media like a billboard when what their clients really want is a relationship. If you're tired of chasing likes that never turn into bookings, this conversation will change how you show up online. In this episode, Sarah Petty breaks down why "now booking" posts often push premium clients away and shares the mindset shift that helps photographers attract the right people without feeling salesy. You'll learn how to use social media as a connection tool, stay top of mind during life's milestone moments, and create content that builds trust instead of desperation. • Why premium buyers respond to relationships, not repeated sales posts • Sarah's simple HYPE framework for creating content that connects and converts • How listening to your audience can lead to bookings faster than chasing engagement metrics If social media feels exhausting, confusing, or like a never-ending hamster wheel, you're not alone. This episode offers a refreshing reminder that the goal isn't to go viral. It's to build genuine relationships that lead to meaningful, profitable work. Press play and discover a smarter way to show up online. RESOURCES: Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos: https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

May 26, 2026Episode 31714 min

#317: 6 Business Skills 99% of Photographers Don't Have (But Should)

Most photographers think talent is the thing that builds a profitable business. But what if the photographers winning awards are also the ones quietly burning out, overworking, and barely making money? This episode is the wake-up call so many portrait photographers need. Sarah Petty breaks down the six business skills photographers often avoid, even though they're the exact skills that create freedom, profit, and a family-first life. From cash flow and outsourcing to planning, branding, and building genuine client relationships, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what actually moves a business forward. • Why "busy" doesn't always mean profitable, and the numbers every photographer needs to understand • The mindset shift that helps photographers stop drowning in busywork and start buying back their time • How genuine human connection leads to better clients, stronger referrals, and more meaningful work If you've been feeling stretched thin, reacting instead of leading, or wondering why your business still feels harder than it should, this episode will feel like a deep exhale. Press play, you might realize the missing piece isn't your photography at all. RESOURCES: Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos: https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

May 20, 2026Episode 3169 min

#316: It's Boring, But It Will Make Even Beginner Photographers More Money

What if the thing you've been overlooking is actually the thing that could change everything? In a world obsessed with fast bookings and digital files, it's easy to believe you need more clients, more hustle, and more content to succeed. But the photographers building sustainable, profitable businesses are often doing something much quieter, and far more meaningful. In this week's Joycast, Sarah Petty breaks down the "boring" business model that helped her go from overwhelmed mom of three to one of America's most profitable photographers. This episode is a powerful reminder that success doesn't come from chasing trends. It comes from serving people deeply and creating artwork that actually matters in their lives. Here's a peek at what you'll walk away with: • Why selling wall portraits creates more freedom, profit, and connection than chasing high-volume sessions • The mindset shift that helps beginner photographers confidently charge more, even without a perfect portfolio • How simple systems, not talent alone, are what truly create thrilled clients and repeat referrals If you've been feeling exhausted trying to "keep up" with the photography industry, this episode might feel like permission to build your business differently. Slower. Simpler. More intentionally. Press play and rediscover what people are really investing in when they hire you. RESOURCES: Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos: https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

May 14, 2026Episode 31524 min

#315: $400 vs $4,000 Portrait Photographer: What's the difference?

Most photographers aren't struggling because they lack talent. They're struggling because they built a business that demands everything from them and gives very little back. If you've ever felt exhausted chasing sessions, undercharging to stay booked, or wondering if this industry can actually support your life, this episode will hit home. In this week's Joycast, Sarah Petty breaks down the real difference between a $400 portrait photographer and a $4,000 portrait photographer. Spoiler alert, it has nothing to do with your camera or your market. It's about the client experience, the relationships you build, and the business model you choose. Sarah shares the mindset shifts and practical changes that help photographers stop competing on price and start creating profitable, sustainable businesses. Here's a sneak peek: ● Why sales actually begin in the very first client conversation ● The surprising reason clients invest more when they're more involved ● How intentional planning creates bigger orders with less overwhelm If you're tired of hustling for small orders and craving a business that gives you more freedom, more confidence, and deeper client connections, this episode will show you what's possible. RESOURCES: Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos: https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

May 6, 2026Episode 31424 min

#315: $400 vs $4,000 Portrait Photographer: What's the difference?

You're working nonstop, booking sessions, delivering galleries… and still feeling stuck. Like no matter how hard you push, the income just won't follow. What if the problem isn't you, but the model you've been taught to follow? In this episode, Sarah Petty pulls back the curtain on the exact 4-step process she used to build a six-figure portrait business, without burning out or missing life at home. It's a shift in thinking, pricing, and how you serve. • Why low-priced digital sessions quietly cap your growth • The mindset shift from selling photos to creating experiences • How fewer clients can actually mean more income and freedom If you've been hustling harder with little return, this might be the reframe you've been needing. Press play, your next level could be simpler than you think. RESOURCES: Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos: https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

April 29, 2026Episode 31319 min

#313: 7 Photography Business Lies That Keep You Broke

You're working nonstop, tweaking, learning, upgrading… and still not seeing the money reflect the effort. It's frustrating, confusing, and honestly a little defeating. What if the real problem isn't your talent, but the beliefs quietly running your business? In this episode, Sarah Petty pulls back the curtain on seven industry "truths" that are actually keeping photographers stuck. From her own journey out of overwhelm to building a wildly profitable business, she shares what actually creates momentum, and why this matters more than ever right now. • The hidden "busy work" that feels productive but keeps you broke • Why selling from your own wallet is silently capping your income • The mindset shift that turns doubt into forward motion If something feels off in your business but you can't name it, this is the clarity you've been craving. Press play, you might finally see what's been holding you back. RESOURCES: Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos: https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

April 22, 2026Episode 31233 min

#312: From Shoot-and-Burn to $44,000 in a New City

You know that quiet frustration, when your talent is real but your income doesn't reflect it. When you're working hard, giving everything away, and still wondering why it's not clicking. This episode speaks right to that moment. Audrey shares what it looked like to start over in a brand new city, no clients, no safety net, and stuck in a cycle that wasn't working. Her turning point wasn't more hustle, it was a shift in how she saw her value and her business. • The mindset shift that turned $350 clients into $1,000+ orders • Why "doing what everyone else does" keeps you stuck and underpaid • What finally made her feel confident charging what she's worth If you've been grinding and hoping something will change, this might be the moment it finally does. Press play and listen for the shift you've been avoiding. RESOURCES: Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos: https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

April 15, 2026Episode 31132 min

#311: How to Talk Like A Premium Photographer (And Charge More)

You can feel it in the room. The hesitation. The silence. And somehow, you make it mean something about you. But what if it's not your pricing, or your talent at all? In this episode, Sarah Petty breaks down the four client personalities that shape how people buy, and how learning to meet them where they are can completely change your sales experience • Why "one-size-fits-all" communication quietly costs you thousands • How to spot decision styles before the ordering appointment • What to say to make saying yes feel easy, natural, and right If selling has ever felt heavy or confusing, this will shift everything. Press play, and start serving your clients in a way that finally works for both of you. RESOURCES: Photography Business Tools to Get Started 37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are. https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals YOUTUBE: Check out my latest how to videos: https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756