Welcome André Smith, a photographer transitioning from sports photography to beauty and branding photography. They discuss the importance of empowerment in photography, the emotional reactions clients have during their photo reveals, and the significance of self-portraits in building confidence. André shares his journey, the challenges of being seen as a sports photographer, and his desire to help others see their beauty through portraiture. The conversation emphasizes the value of legacy and the impact of branding on personal and professional identity. In this engaging conversation, Cat Ford-Coates and André Smith explore the profound impact of photography on self-care, legacy, and empowerment. They discuss the importance of capturing moments, particularly through senior portraits, and how these images can build confidence in youth. André shares his personal story of why legacy matters to him, emphasizing the emotional weight behind each photograph. The discussion also touches on exciting new projects like the 40 Over 40 initiative, the significance of community in photography, and the critical need for photographers to value their worth through proper pricing strategies.
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ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES
Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career.
She didn't.
She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience.
She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have.
She disagrees. Loudly.
Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it.
The question was never whether you're ready.
You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.
