Description

Live at Imaging 2025

10 years ago, Rhea picked up a camera with nothing but passion and a dream. Fast forward to 2025, and she's built a thriving wedding and portrait photography business that not only supports her lifestyle but allows her to coach and empower other photographers to do the same. But Rhea's journey wasn’t built on luck — it was built on intention, strategy, and a relentless commitment to mastering both her craft and her business.

In today’s episode, recorded live at the CloudSpot booth during Imaging USA 2025 with Raymond Hatfield of the Beginner Photography Podcast, Rhea shares exactly what she would do if she had to start her photography business from scratch today. From pricing strategies and finding your niche to building confidence as a creative entrepreneur, Rhea breaks down the mindset shifts and business moves that have allowed her to scale from hustling for her first clients to becoming a full-time photographer and business coach. If you're ready to take your photography business from “just getting by” to thriving, this episode is your roadmap.

What You Will Learn:

• (2:28) How Rhea transitioned from shooting everything to finding her niche in wedding photography
• (3:45) Why working with newly engaged couples sparked her passion for weddings
• (4:37) How she used Instagram and collaborations to book her first clients
• (6:02) What Rhea would do differently if she started her business today
• (7:11) The importance of knowing your cost of doing business for proper pricing
• (8:40) The biggest piece of business advice Rhea would give to new photographers
• (9:17) Why legitimizing your business from the start is key to long-term success

Standout Quotes:

• "Once you master your style, the next thing you have to do is master the business." (3:13)
• "I love love. And I love working with people in that exciting chapter of their life." (4:04)
• "I was just working with what I had right at my fingertips and being hungry for it." (5:29)
• "If I started over, I’d focus heavily on SEO and narrowing my niche from day one." (6:09)
• "Stop running your business by the seat of your pants. Build something that can support your growth from the start." (9:17)

Stay Connected 

 Learn more about me here: https://rheawhitney.com/

Follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/RheaWhitney/

Connect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RheaWhitneyPhotography