Starting a new photography business is not easy when all you have done is focus on mastering the craft of photography. However, the journey becomes smoother with the guidance of experienced coaches and mentors. In this blog post, I’ll share how their invaluable insights and unwavering support have propelled my photography business and given me the confidence to coach and mentor other photographers starting their own small businesses. Today, I want to share my list of my top 4 business mentors.
Jasmine Star – I’ve been following Jasmine Star since she was a wedding photographer back in the day and was lucky enough to attend a Sydney workshop of hers many years ago. What I love about Jasmine is that she always gave free advice with enthusiasm and gusto. There were always her coffee and conversations where I’d learn so much about running a business and using social media. Jasmine and her team have moved out of the photography space and into a very successful tech company. She teaches on all topics around business. If you can keep up with her fast-talking, she might just be a woman worth your time.
https://jasminestar.com/podcast/ Find her podcast here.
Denise Duffield Thomas– Money, Money, Money, this Aussie multi-millionaire businesswoman is so down to earth and easy to be inspired by. Denise coaches entrepreneurs around money mindset, and her books have changed my life in business. I wish I had read Get Rich, Lucky Bitch! in the first year of my business instead of the fifth year, but regardless, it has still been a game-changer. Her podcast is great as well. I highly recommend you check out her many coaching videos on money mindset and take the quiz to find out your Money Archetype. It’s super insightful for understanding the way you use and think about money, and it can help you begin to understand your clients as well.
Check out her books here and her Money Architype Quiz here
Suz Chadwick-I started working with Suz Chadwick, a Melbourne-based coach, in the second year of my photography business, and I can confidently say it was the best investment I made at that time. Although Suz is not a photography coach, she works perfectly with all kinds of service-based businesses in Australia and abroad. Bold Business Academy, Suz’s flagship business fundamentals program, helps businesses set up their foundations properly. This program guides business owners through the essentials of building a business, along with live coaching calls. Suz also hosts my favorite business podcast—in fact, I love it so much that I have listened to every episode! Trust me, even as a photographer, you will learn so much from Suz’s podcast.
Find the Brand Builders Lab podcast here
These coaches have helped me achieve:
- Set up my business processes
- Learn about being an entrepreneur
- Understand money blocks and limiting beliefs I didn’t know I had
- Show me what is possible in running a business
- Reach financial goals
- Imagine more for myself and my business
- Learn how to sell and create opportunities
Now if you are looking for an industry-specific coach to help you improve your business and marketing I am here to help. With guidance and support and an enthusiasm for marketing, I can show you easy ways to fast-track your marketing processes. From your website, to your email marketing we can have some fun improving your business outcomes. You can find out more about my Mentoring offerings here and get to know me through my podcast here
Take a look at some testimonials from photographers who have worked with me.
“Grace is not just an exceptional photographer but also an incredible mentor & coach. Her expertise provided invaluable insight that has genuinely transformed my website. Through an online website audit, Grace gave me clear direction on everything from word choices and visual changes to intricate details like the website’s featured image, gallery, calls to action, and bio placement.
Her strategic alterations have made my online presence more impactful and effective. I highly recommend Grace to photographers who want to elevate their website and attract their desired clients.” – Sarah Aktag
“Grace was able to give me a holistic roadmap for my creative business which has helped me simplify and elevate my brand. Her experience as an artist in business is invaluable to somebody like me, who is wanting to grow and stand out. Grace is a fantastic mentor (and branding expert!) to have, especially as a creative.” – Julia Okart
“While Grace was particularly helpful with the logistical side of things in the early days – how much to quote, different lighting techniques, laying out my website, and so much more – my focus has shifted to finding my purpose in photography. Grace’s experience with shooting personal projects and entering awards allowed us to explore my own desire to make meaningful work outside of my business. I leave our conversations feeling invigorated, and open to creative inspiration.“– Olivia
