Shows
The Pet Photographers' JournalWork Less, Earn More: Building a Business That Fits You with Jessica WasikIn this episode of The Pet Photographers’ Journal, I sit down with Jessica Wasik, the award-winning photographer behind Bark & Gold Photography in Pittsburgh.Jessica shares how she built a thriving pet photography business that averages 80–90 sessions a year with sales around $3,500 per client, all while staying true to her love of products, print, and creating boutique experiences.We dive into:Why she’s never been a shoot-and-burn photographer and how she set herself up for profit from the startHer streamlined inquiry and email-driven process that eliminates the need for phone consultsHow she educates clients on art...
2025-09-2352 min
The Pet Photographers' JournalWork Less, Earn More: Building a Business That Fits You with Jessica WasikIn this episode of The Pet Photographers’ Journal, I sit down with Jessica Wasik, the award-winning photographer behind Bark & Gold Photography in Pittsburgh.Jessica shares how she built a thriving pet photography business that averages 80–90 sessions a year with sales around $3,500 per client, all while staying true to her love of products, print, and creating boutique experiences.We dive into:Why she’s never been a shoot-and-burn photographer and how she set herself up for profit from the startHer streamlined inquiry and email-driven process that eliminates the need for phone consultsHow she educates clients on art...
2025-09-2253 minThe Pet Photographers' JournalWork Less, Earn More: Building a Business That Fits You with Jessica WasikIn this episode of The Pet Photographers’ Journal, I sit down with Jessica Wasik, the award-winning photographer behind Bark & Gold Photography in Pittsburgh.Jessica shares how she built a thriving pet photography business that averages 80–90 sessions a year with sales around $3,500 per client, all while staying true to her love of products, print, and creating boutique experiences.We dive into:Why she’s never been a shoot-and-burn photographer and how she set herself up for profit from the startHer streamlined inquiry and email-driven process that eliminates the need for phone consultsHow she educates clients on art...
2025-09-2253 min
Freedom Focus PhotographyThe 8K Sale BreakdownEver wonder what separates a $500 sale from an $8,000 sale? In this episode, Heather sits down with three Elevate photographers, Marcie Fry, Katie Carmickle, and Jessica Wasik, who each closed an $8K sale in the same week. You’ll hear their journeys, the marketing that worked, and what ACTUALLY made this sale possible. Spoiler alert, it wasn’t a specific pricing strategy.What to Listen ForHow three different photographers each closed $8K+ sales in one weekThe early struggles—charging $25, $100, or $150—and how they grew from thereWhat allowed them to move from “I can’t charge that”...
2025-09-091h 01
Shine and Thrive Photography Podcast165: How To Work Just 2 HOURS a Day + Run a 6-Figure Photography Biz with Jessica WasikImagine being able to work as little as 2 to 4 hours a day and still run a thriving six figure photography business (← yep, read that again) 🤯This has been my reality and the reality of many of my Outsourcing Made Easy students for a while now… I remember feeling like nobody could do things as well as I could in my business… Like it was a badge of honor to do everything myself… Like my clients would think less of me if they saw I had support… Like I couldn’t afford it, where would I even start, what...
2024-09-1752 min
Flourish Academy PodcastPodcast Ep 327 - How is the Economy Impacting Photographers?In this episode of the Flourish Academy podcast, Heather Lahtinen delves into a compelling conversation with two standout photographers from the Elevate program. Heather interviews Jess Rodriguez and Jessica Wasik, who share their incredible journeys from early struggles to achieving significant financial milestones. Discover how these photographers navigated economic challenges, leveraged community involvement, and implemented smart strategies to boost their businesses. Tune in to learn their secrets, get inspired by their success stories, and gain actionable insights to transform your own photography business. Show Notes: Overcoming Challenges: Jess R. discusses her early s...
2024-09-031h 02
Kritcirkeln#48 Fyra operor & en bögfajtKritcirkeln ger sig ut på vägarna för en sommaroperaturné till fyra olika sommarscener som alla ligger i olika län och vackert vid varsitt vatten. Dessutom har Cecilia gjort en avstickare till teaterbiennalen i Venedig och sett svenske Markus Öhrns barnförbjudna föreställning "Phobia" där han ihop med den polske konstnären Karol Radziszewski och dennes brutala så kallade "Fag Fighters" tar itu med Polens homofobi med hjälp av konst, queerquiz och basebollträn.
Operorna som avhandlas är i sin tur ett slags kvinnoparad genom historien och myterna: det är ”Orfeus och Eurydike” av Gluck på Vattnäs Konse...
2024-07-3056 min
Focal Points with Dorie HowellEpisode 104: Building an Audience with Calendar Contests with guest Jessica WasikIn today's episode of Focal Points, we are joined by Jessica Wasik of Bark and Gold Photography, a pet photographer who excels in charitable marketing initiatives and calendar contests. Jessica shares how these strategies have significantly boosted her business and sales, and how it can work for you too. Jessica gives us the behind-the-scenes of how she runs her annual calendar contest, how she partners with local charities, and how these initiatives help her connect with the community while also growing her sales. Whether you're a pet photographer or not, don’t miss these insights on unique ways to el...
2024-05-2226 min
Pet Business Growth with Tori Mistick of Wear Wag Repeat👭🏻 How Charitable Marketing Raised $300,000 for Animal RescueDid you ever think that you could raise $10,000 or even $20,000 for a local animal rescue? My guest on this episode, Jessica Wasik of Bark and Gold Photography, has helped dozens of photographers create calendar contests that raise money for pets in need while also marketing their businesses. Topics Discussed: 1. Tori and Jessica discuss creating charitable pet calendar contests for animal rescue fundraising. 2. Jessica shares her successful methods of running pet photography fundraisers. 3. The importance of setting big fundraising goals and knowing your numbers is emphasized. 4. Tori encourages p...
2024-03-1334 minPet Business Growth with Tori Mistick of Wear Wag RepeatMeta Outage and What’s Happening in MarchIn this solo epsiode, I share what's happening this month in our Q1 MONEY theme, what steps you need to take after the Meta outage this week and I share a personal update. Topics Discussed: What's new in my life - lots of quilting and learning Italian! March Guest Expert Interview with Jessica Wasik of Bark & Gold Photographs drops March 13th Wear Wag Repeat Society March guest expert is Orazie Cook of Praline's Backyard Foundation. She will teach us about maximizing the impact we make with non-profits and rescues (even with limited resources) Return of the Course Creator M...
2024-03-0629 min
Freedom Focus PhotographyWinning Thoughts223 - In this episode of the Hair of the Dog podcast, Nicole and Heather discuss the power of thoughts and how they can shape our lives and businesses. They share their most influential thoughts from 2023 and the thoughts they plan to carry into 2024. By changing our thoughts, we can change our outcomes.Nicole and Heather introduce a model that shows how thoughts lead to feelings, actions, and results. They give examples of how certain thoughts can limit us, while changing our thoughts can lead to success and personal growth.
2024-01-0243 min
The Companions CollectiveThe Art of Joy and PainWelcome to One Last Network and The Art of Joy and Pain.
One Last Network has a mission to provide you with the support and services you may need as your pets enter their twilight years and ultimately leave our physical world.
We are all pet photographers, and we are one of the services we encourage you to find so that you create beautiful, everlasting memories of the love you have for your best fur friend.
Many of us, too, have become educated in what grief means and how we can best support y...
2023-08-1259 min
Freedom Focus PhotographyThe Gap and Gain with Heather Lahtinen197 - Heather Lahtinen is not fearless.I know, right? It's hard to believe. However, earlier this month, while we converged in Charlotte, North Carolina, with five pet photographers wanting to up their game at Progress Lab, I learned one of Heather's greatest fears. Snakes. Heather, Jessica Wasik and another photographer were driving to our next location when … Holy sh*t. There's a snake on the car. On the windshield. Staring Heather down like he wanted to come through that glass and eat her. ...
2023-06-2057 minThe Companions CollectiveThe Art of Honoring IzzieIzzie was a French bulldog whom Victoria lifted up into the next realm in February 2021 after a protracted battle with pulmonary hypertension.
Izzie was the perfect mix of sweet and sass and resolved Victoria's fear of big dogs. They found love at first smooch.
When Izzie was diagnosed, Victoria and her husband did everything they could. They spared no expense to ensure Izzie fought her terrible diagnoses and that she was comfortable and happy.
After Izzie left Victoria's physical world, Victoria was left with the feeling she had to do something, anything.
2023-04-0833 min
Whiskey and the WeirdS4E6: The Horror-Horn by E.F. BensonBar Talk (our recommendations):Jessica is reading The Closet by James Tynion IV, Gavin Fullerton, Chris O'Halloran, and Tom Napolitano; drinking New Boot Goofin' by Meier's Creek.Damien is reading Rabid: A Cultural History of the World's Most Diabolical Virus by Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy; drinking High West Campfire.Ryan is watching A Wounded Fawn (2022; dir. Travis Stevens); drinking Laphroaig Select 10 yr old.If you liked this week’s story, read The Ancestor by Danielle Trussoni.Up next: May Day Eve by Algernon Blackwood.Special thank you to Dr Bl...
2023-03-2600 min
The Companions CollectiveThe Art of Holding On with Kayla Seifert"Just always get the pictures, don't hesitate on them."
That's a quote from today's episode, The Art of Holding On, No. 24 of our podcast about this continuous, crazy journey called grief.
Kayla Seifert is a past client with Jessica Wasik at Bark & Gold Photography in Pittsburgh.
Kayla had a beautiful tri-colored beagle named Stanley whom she adopted from Forever Home Beagle Rescue eight years ago when Stanley was about two years old. He was 10 when diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure, prompting Kayla to schedule a Rainbow Session for him.
She had...
2023-03-0431 minThe Companions CollectiveThe Art of Creating Memories of our PetsYour host, Angela Schneider, brings together another roundtable of our member photographers.
While the podcast is designed to connect you with resources to support you as your pet ages and you face those last walks together, our website supports a directory to help you find a professional pet photographer in your area.
We had our first roundtable for Episode 7: The Art of End of Life Pet Photography, when several of us gathered to chat about why memorial sessions are such an important part of our businesses.
Today, we're discussing how we create memories...
2023-01-2845 min
Freedom Focus Photography10 Timeless Photography Business Lessons175 - Are you tired of setting goals that never happen? Are you ready to create a clear plan?Boy oh boy, you gotta listen to this episode.It's just me this week, all by myself. But don’t you worry, I have a ton of goodies for you.Whether you're just starting out or have been in the pet photography industry for a while, this episode can help you take your business to the next level.Today, I have 10 timeless lessons th...
2023-01-1730 minThe Companions CollectiveThe Art of Sending ComfortPenny Layne, or Aunt Penny as she's also known, is the force behind Pittsburgh Pet Prayer Blankets. She also runs her own grief companion program and does a wonderful job helping those who have lost a beloved furkid manage their grief.
Penny also owns Aunt Penny's Professional Dog Training and is committed to providing the most effective, convenient force-free solutions for clients’ dog training needs, expectant families' dog challenges, shelter/rescue staff and volunteer safety education classes, children’s dog bite prevention programs as well as first responders challenges with dogs they encounter on the job.
Sh...
2022-12-2422 minThe Companions CollectiveEpisode 8: The Art of Loving an Old ManJessica Wasik is the top dog at Bark & Gold Pet Photography in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Jes is unabashedly in love with her 13-year-old boy, Hunter, a Siberian retriever and Bark & Gold Photography’s Frisbee-catching, bed-hogging Head of Shed. Hunter, her heart dog, is the reason why her home is a little hairier, her bed a little tighter, and her heart a lot fuller. He is the inspiration behind Bark & Gold Photography.
When Hunter turned 10 a few years, Jes had a moment. She was hit by the fact Hunter had turned from a bright, bouncy puppy to a g...
2022-11-1217 min
Freedom Focus PhotographyTaming Your Workflow with Jessica Wasik098 - The more pet photography clients you have, the more likely it is that something—or someone—will slip through the cracks. Once Pittsburgh-based photographer Jessica Wasik reached the point of potential client-management chaos, she realized it was time to upgrade her workflow and client tracking system.Fast-forward to today and Jessica's a full-on Dubsado evangelist, sharing with fellow photogs the sanity-saving magic of this robust client-management tool. This week we talk about workflow in general and Dubsado specifically, including why and how you might make the leap. What To Listen For: Why Je...
2021-08-3132 min
Freedom Focus PhotographyCalendar Contests with Jessica Wasik020 - It's hard to believe we've already torn off half the pages from our 2020 calendars. Torn them off, fed 'em through the shredder and invited them to never come back. Or maybe that's just me. Anyway. This week's episode features Pittsburgh pet photographer Jessica Wasik, who's mastered the art of running successful calendar contests. She shares her favorite tips on how to find a charity partner, promote and profit from a pet photography calendar project of your own. It’s a great way to build awareness of your brand while benefiting a local non-profit. Done wel...
2020-06-3034 min