Shows
Shoot to the TopFind out about Commercial Photography in Mozambique with Jay GarridoJay Garrido is a Mozambican photographer. He studied film inCape Town. However, the film industry in Mozambique is not very developed, so he turned to photography. He started with weddings but transitioned to magazine work and now wants to return to his creative roots. While in Cape Town, there was a diverse mix of people from various cultures. Marcus asks about photography in Africa. Jay talks about photographer Mario Macilau. He grew up in a poor neighbourhood. By chance, he got his hands on a camera that was donated to him because his photos were so good. H...2025-07-2229 min
Shoot to the TopLearn from the Master of Headshots Nick GreganNick Gregan has been doing photography for thirty years and is a headshot photographer. Nick thinks working in a niche works well and helps build your business. For twenty years, Nick specialised in actors starting in their careers, so he worked in a niche within a niche. He says that with the camera technology, lots of people are entering the headshot market without necessarily having the relevant skills. Nick says headshots are something everyone can do, in terms of it’s a picture of the head and shoulders. But the subtle differences between taking headshots for different people wi...2025-07-1528 min
Shoot to the TopExpert Corporate Photographer Stephanie Belton shares her business and photography experience and expertise with us.Stefanie has been a professional photographers for twenty years in the St.Albans area. Her focus is now 100% on commercial photography. Stefanie says it’s important to think about what motivates people to get photos. What are the triggers that make people want a photograph? This could be an event for a family, it could be being asked for a headshot as a business leader. Stefanie says it’s very important to make it very easy for people to work with you. For example if someone wants a corporate headshot she already has a blog ready that answ...2025-07-0826 min
Shoot to the TopBlogging: Why it is so essential to your marketing as a photographer.Why blog?It's amazing for SEOIt gives you things to talk about on socialIt gives you content for your newsletterIt’s good for authority marketingIt increases engagement on your websiteSam explains that if you only write your blog and don’t promote it, no one will ever find it. He says your blog needs to be about a theme. It needs to be about a topic and help to show that you are an expert in your field. For example, Samsuggests that a wedding photographer could review wedding venues. A blog without a theme or purp...2025-07-0120 min
Shoot to the TopCould the Photographers United Pro Community help you as a commercial photographer?Phillip Noth Coombes started Photographers United as aFacebook group. Graham Diprose is also a part of this. He was a commercial photographer in the 70s to 90s. And then taught at the London College of Communication.He also wrote books about the River Thames, and one about Henry Taunt. You can find all Graham's books hereThe group is now called Photographers United Pro. The group started in 2018 from an idea Phil had on a dog walk. He thought photographers were all working alone at home, and he wanted photographers to be able to communicate. So he built...2025-06-2429 minShoot to the TopStyling yourself as part of your brand.Marcus is going to talk about your personal brand. He wantsto talk about the aesthetics of this. First, what is a personal brand. So, it’s a combination of who you are, what you do, what you are known for a who is your target audience. Marcus is going to focus on how we look. Marcus thinks women are much better at this than men. Marcus thinks that when people book a photographer, they have certain expectations. He thinks people expect photographers to be cool and a little arty. This expectation makes a difference to our brand.2025-06-1721 minShoot to the TopWhat are AIs weaknesses with our guest who has studied them Alec Watson He works as a top beauty photographer, particularly for hair brands in the US. He is also the fastest 100-metre runner of his age. Marcus points out we have a show about getting into hair photography.Alec also does some cinematography work and went to film school. He also went to Harvard to study digital media. He says he now uses AI a lot in his work. He uses it to create mock-ups of how shoots might work, in shoot planning. He also uses it for backgrounds. He says this was a key part of his...2025-06-1020 min
Shoot to the TopBrand Photography, make it about purpose, not poses with Heike DelmoreThis week, Marcus is talking to Heike Delmore, while Sam is on a break, so not part of the show. Heike is a branding photographer. She started in marketing both in Germany and Canada. About 13 years ago, she married her photography and marketing skills together and made her brand photography business. She says many customers don’t know what brand photography is. Many of them come for a headshot, but they don’t want this. They want brand photos but don’t always know how to verbalise this. Heike learned in her marketing while in Germany how market...2025-06-0329 minShoot to the TopMarcus gets interviewed about his journey as a photographerMarcus started as a bass guitar session musician. He did this freelance for about ten years during the 90s. So, in his early 30s, he had a change of direction. He got hold of a camera and thought this was what he wanted to do next. He realised that as a session musician, he was always playing other people’s ideas, while with photography, he could be much morecreative. Marcus then went to university to study photography. While studying, he worked as a session musician and photographer. He moved after university to be an assistant in the fashion an...2025-05-2716 min
Shoot to the TopPhotography Educator Fabrizia Costa shares her storyFabrizia started with family photography, but moved into brand photography. She says brand and pet photography are the two rising genres. She started as a brand photographerwas emerging. She used to work as a fashion and beauty editor. She started photographing young people and managed to get a headshot of an author (family friend) of hers to be published on the book cover. In her 50s, she made a move to be a photographer. At the time, she was living in a tiny village in the Austrian mountains, so she realised it couldn’t be in fashion. So she...2025-05-1323 minShoot to the TopSam becomes the guest as Marcus asks him about his past.In this show, Marcus interviews Sam.Marcus asks Sam to start at the beginning, and Sam splits this in two and starts sharing his photography story. Sam’s Dad was a professional photographer who shared his interest in photography with Sam. He had cameras from a young age and an SLR from a young age. Sam says that after university, he was travelling. One thing he did was photograph white water rafting trips in Nepal. He sold images to the rafting clients of their trip. Sam also talks about his kayaking trips to the UK, the Alps, and Ne...2025-05-0618 min
Shoot to the TopRos Jones explains how the only person blocking your success is you.Ros Jones helps people grow their business while avoidingburnout. Ros started in corporate in London, working in change and systems management. With her last job, she was feeling very discontented, getting bored and felt she couldn’t go anywhere. She was thinking of moving into training. But then she got a call to buy into a business coaching franchise, which she did. Ros introduces a formula from the book "7 habits of highly effective people" by Steven Covey Be * Do = Have. She says there are two ways to look at this. Who...2025-04-2527 min
Shoot to the TopWhat is it like working in Thailand as a brand photographer with Charlotte GrahamCharlotte set up Shot by Char in 2019 and is a brand Photographer. Charlotte studied fine art photography at the University of Manchester. After university, she started working for photographic studios, selling portrait vouchers on the streets. From there, she also managed to secure work as a photographer in the studios. While working in a studio, she also started to build her own business. Eventually, she earned enough money to pay off her debt and started to travel. And while travelling she taught English and worked as a photographer. Gradually, the photography went well enough that she could drop the...2025-04-0425 min
Shoot to the TopA chat about niching, helping other photographers and much more with Dan BarkerThe first Shoot to the Top Webinar is on the 2nd of April and it’s all about getting higher value clients for your business. To find out more and book click here.Dan started as an engineer and then moved over to running a photography business. Dan got a studio early in his career. When he started, there was a group of local businesseswith a shared space where he started with a desk. Then, as others left, he took over more of the space to make it his studio. Sam likes a few things on hi...2025-03-2725 min
Shoot to the TopKeeping fit and looking after your body as a photographerThis week, Sam and Marcus discussed keeping fit as a photographer. Many types of photography take a physical toll on the body, such as events where you can be moving quickly and carrying a lot of kit. The job also involves a lot of desk work, which can be bad for the body again, but in a different way.There are three areas covered in the showExercise and keeping fitProtecting yourself while on the jobBest practice working at the deskMarcus and Sam agree that with exercise and keeping fit...2025-03-0718 min
Shoot to the TopWhy Street Photography is essential for photographers of all genresTo get the Shoot to the Top Podcast in your inbox every week to ensure you don't miss an episode,click here Join theShoot to the Top Facebook group to meet fellow photographers, guests and Sam and MarcusMarcus says street photography is about capturing incidentshappening around you. He also says there is so much to learn from street photography that all photographers should be doing it. He says the need to work at the moment as you see things is perfect training for other types of photography.EquipmentA street photographer needs to b...2025-02-1318 min
Shoot to the TopHear about AI, food photography and keeping your clients for fifteen years with Abi and Giles from Giles Christopher Photography
Abi and Giles have a background in film and TV. Abi as a producer. They met while working on Jonathan Creek. Abi says she does the organising side doing the paperwork, keeping the clients happy and getting the next client while Giles does the creative stuff.
Giles started doing stills photography as an assistant in the movie industry. He then moved into being a movie cameraman. Eventually, they both got tired of the long hours in the movie industry and set up their own business. They ran the company alongside their film careers for a...2025-02-0627 min
Shoot to the TopImprove your sales technique with Martyn SlowmanMartyn is a sales trainer; he is a non-pushy sales trainer. Everything he helps with is non-pushy selling. It’s all about helping, the opposite of the cheesy 1980s pushy salesman. Marcus asks what social selling means. This is around social media. If your customer is on a platform it makes sense to be on that platform and interact with them there. Martyn says his target market is LinkedIn so he is on there at least once a day. He says social media allows us to share what we do without being “shouty”. Marytn was either making a video a day...2025-01-3027 min
Shoot to the TopCreating a sales funnel for a photography businessSam explains that a marketing funnel is not complicated.
It’s simply a way to move someone from being unknown to us to a lead and then a customer.
Instead of talking about this in theory, Sam will create a
sales funnel. On that basis, Sam and Marcus will create a marketing funnel for a brand shoot.
What happens first? Let's say our target market is solicitors. I need to “get them into my funnel”. Sam says his go to place to find solicitors would be LinkedIn. A good start would be connecting with solicitors on Linked...2025-01-2417 min
Shoot to the TopModern Photography apprenticeships with Anthony MilnerAnthony is going to be talking about photography apprentices. He has been a photographer for many years but was recently approached to create a photography apprenticeship. He says he has a learner who, four months in, is taking amazing photographs.
Anthony explains what the apprenticeship looks like from the point of view of a photographer and apprentice.
For the photographer, you have a full-time member of staff.
The staff have training once per month online. They also get skills coach learning and that involves the photographer and the apprentice.
2025-01-0229 min
Shoot to the TopChristmas comes to Photographers everywhereThis is the Christmas show. Sam is going to share three things you need to do in the new year while Marcus is going to make some predictions for the next year.
Sam says the first thing to do is look at your marketing numbers for the year. Find out where your customers come from. Then look at the time (and this part will be an estimate) spent on different marketing activities. Then compare them. How much income has each marketing activity generated compared to the time you spent on it? Then evaluate. What...2024-12-1918 min
Shoot to the TopMark Kensett shares forty years of photography industry experience with usMark Kensett is a photographer and has worked in it for 40
years since he was 17. Mark started in a commercial studio when he was 17—then co-founded a studio for a while. He finally sold his share in that and then moved on to work for himself.
Mark says his early work was all done on large-format film
cameras. Sam asks if he can tell us about some of the clients he has worked with or shoots he has done over the years.
Mark started as a food photographer and told us about a shoot he did with a f...2024-12-1324 min
Shoot to the TopHow Virtual Tours Can Be a Part of Your Photography Business with Andy FletcherAndy has worked with cameras for many years. Initially, he was in the CCTV industry. This role was about sales and account management. He worked long hours, and got well paid, but eventually got disillusioned with it and decided to be a commercial photography. He started out within a Google Maps niche. At the time google was recruiting photographers to do 360 virtual tours of the inside of businesses.
This was very popular for several years. He also sold standard images to businesses while doing the virtual tour. He also used to upload images to stock photography. He doesn’t...2024-12-0528 min
Shoot to the TopCreating a small home photography studioMarcus has been working in the studio since her started as a
photographer. His hair and fashion work was both in home studios and in larger professional studios. But what he learnt from this experience is that a large studio isn’t really needed. Sam asks if it is worth a photographer hiring a studio to experience what it’s like to use a big studio. Marcus says it’s hard as they are so expensive. But he says you can do a lot at home.
Marcus’s home studio is 4m x 5m and is a spare room. He...2024-11-2820 min
Shoot to the TopUsing LinkedIn to it's full potential as a photographer with Jeff BrownSam and Gillian Devine are running a workshop for Photographers to get more leads and customers from the website and email marketing. Join the event here
Jeff Brown is known for many things but especially encouraging photographers to use LinkedIn. Jeff Has a new version of his LinkedIn book “The Photographers missing link”. The first version of the book was written in January 2022, and the size of the book has doubled since then. Jeff says that many of his opportunities come from LinkedIn as well as customers.
Jeff says 41% of millionaires are on LinkedIn. The 26-34 age...2024-11-2131 min
Shoot to the TopFalling in love with wildlife photography and African Safaris with David HarrisonSam is running a “Capture Clients Workshop” with Gillian
Devine. Gillian and Sam will be focussing on email marketing and website design and how you can use these to get more clients and grow your business. There will be lots of practical advice that you will be able to take away at the end
of the day. To book on click here.
David Harrison was a Commercial Photographer and is now moving towards making his passion, wildlife photography, part of his business. David had an Uncle in South Africa when he was young. When he was 21...2024-11-1429 min
Shoot to the TopMaking the writing on your photography website work and get you more leads.There is an event for photographers about using website and email strategies for business success. This is run by Sam and Gillian Devine on the 27th November 2024.
You can get more details and book a free place by clicking here.
Sam and Marcus say that some photographers websites have no writing at all, which is terrible for SEO and getting business. Some things to think about before writing your website are:
Make sure you know your target audience – See this show for details.
What your call to actions are –see this show...2024-11-0722 min
Shoot to the TopLearn how to become more creative and more productive with Christian Ray FloresChristian does many things. He runs a performance
coaching program, does digital media and has a program in Mozambique.
Christian was a refugee at the age of 4 and moved from Chile to Germany to Russia to Africa and back to Russia. He has seen a lot of civil unrest on the way including a military coup in Chile, a civil war in Mozambique the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 1993 he started a music career in Russia and he became a pop star in Russia for about ten years.
Christian says he moved from a communist household to...2024-10-3128 min
Shoot to the TopFind great insights into running a photography business from photographer and podcaster Andrew HellmichAndrew is a Sydney, Australia based photographer. He started an interview based podcast 12 years ago and now podcasting is what he spends most of his time doing, his wife runs the photography guests. In that time he has spoken to over 600 guests. He finds that the listeners get the most from listening to the average photographer working hard in their business. But he has spoken to some very famous photographers including Ben Chrisman, Gable Clintop, Gable Peterson, Sue Bryce.
Andrew says he used to be part of the AIPP going to conferences and learning a lot. He was...2024-10-2527 min
Shoot to the TopHow do increase your revenue by using video in your photography business with guests Nathan Pidd and Mike RobertsonNathan Pidd and Mike Robertson are VIP Creative. Together they run a video and photography business in Hull. Nathan had been doing photography as long as he can remember.
He met Mike through a mutual friend and Mike helped on Nathan’s first wedding. In the business they have now, Nathan heads the photography side and Mike heads
the video side. After three years of running the business alongside full time jobs, they decided to run the business full time.
Nathan explains his training was through a fine art degree that then moved into lens media and rea...2024-10-1728 min
Shoot to the TopUsing Models in your WorkThis show is about working with models but is also working
with all sorts of different people on a shoot.
How do you find a fashion model for a test?
A test is a situation where everyone is working together for
free to build images for their portfolio. It is a very typical way of starting the fashion world. Marcus says the first thing is what a fashion model looks like. Look at fashion magazines to get an idea for this. Marcus says that fashion models should look striking / unusual. Marcus says now there is a...2024-10-1020 min
Shoot to the TopMaking more money from your business with Accountant Bel TurpinBel is part of Turpin Accounting Services a business setup by her Mum.
Bel she she fell into accounting. She started in retail management, but when her Mum’s business expanded she needed help. Bel started doing data entry on her days off, and then applied for a role when it became available. So she started on admin, then moved onto bookkeeping, then accounting and did all the training in those areas on the way. Now she works with clients on business development.
Marcus says he doesn’t have an accountant and asks why he
should use...2024-09-2626 min
Shoot to the TopWhich Business Apps will help your business? This episode is sponsored by Website for photographers. Website 4 photographers help photographers get more leads from their websites. You can get in touch here
info@website4photographers.co.uk
01482 765871
This week Sam talks about apps you can use in your business.
Accounting apps
This is a vital part of all of our businesses. This can be
done on excel, but this doesn’t give you much business information. The app also makes your life easy in many ways. Once the template is set up sending invoices
is quick and easy. The app also gives you key business inform...2024-09-1923 min
Shoot to the TopUsing a stylist for your Photoshoot with Suzanne SuthersSuzanne has been working fo the last 16 years as a personal
stylist. Once people find what clothes suit them and work for them, shopping and dressing becomes so much easier.
Suzanne was nurse for a while, but decided it wasn’t for her. She then studied fashion and worked for various high street brands. From there she had her own shop. After she closed that business she trained as a stylist and has been working as a stylist ever since. Suzanne’s shop was a ladies accessory
shop with a café. Marcus points out that twenty years ago h...2024-09-1226 min
Shoot to the TopWhat can photographers learn from musicians with Pete CocoPete is a New York headshot and portrait Photographer and musician.
Peter started photography and music at the same time as a teenager. As a musician Pete is a Jazz musician. And he spent lots of time learning the music of the Jazz masters. He spent time working out bass lines of great jazz music. As you do this over time you start to absorb their work into your style and then develop your own style. And Pete then took this approach to photography. First he started working with New York headshot and portrait Photographer and musicians2024-09-0531 min
Shoot to the TopWhy is film photography still important today?Marcus used film for fifteen years. He thinks using film will develop your technique. He says it is magical seeing your own photo being developed on a dark room. Film slows you down and makes you think. Also black and white film will make you appreciate black and white photography and help you with your digital black and white images.
If you want to buy a film camera they have got more expensive than they used to be as they are becoming popular with collectors. A film camera may be around £250. Marcus says films start at...2024-08-2920 min
Shoot to the TopGetting more clients with Christine SaundersThis week the guest is Christine Saunders. Christine is an art buyer, producer and business coach for professional photographers. She helps photographers curate their websites to show their best works and ultimately get more work.
Sam asks what is Christine helping these photographers with and why are they coming to her? Christine says she helps photographers help them see themselves more as CEO of a business. Think about all of the departments the CEO of coca cola might have. Generally photographers are great at the creativity and often get help with the accounting side, but there...2024-08-2227 min
Shoot to the TopSarah J Naylor helps us live our best lifeSarah J Naylor is a lifestyle success coach and mentor. She helps people at crossroads in their life. Often a midlife point where you suddenly start asking questions about where you
are and what you are doing. She works to help people understand what fires them up, how they want their life to looks and helps them work towards that. It is also about how you see your life and having the gratitude for what you have
already.
Marcus asks Sarah to define mid-life. Sarah says it’s around 40 to 60, but age is just a number. Sam says...2024-08-1525 min
Shoot to the TopUsing Google Ads in your Photography Business This episode is sponsored by Website for photographers. Website 4 photographers help photographers get more leads from their websites. You can get in touch here
info@website4photographers.co.uk
01482 765871
Why would we use Google Ads?
You get instant results. As soon as you press go you get visitors to your website. But it means you have keep paying to keep those visitors coming. It can also be complex to setup.When should you use adsSam says the first thing you need to do is do some research before running ads.
1. You need to know your conversi...2024-08-0819 min
Shoot to the TopMeet Meg McMillan, Branding Photographer and EducatorMeg is from San Deago, our first guest from the US.
Meg is a brand photographer, and has worked with over 300 entrepreneurs. She always wanted to work in an area she had passion in. Twenty seven jobs later she started to work it out. While teaching English in Taiwan she bought a camera
and started a travel blog. On her return to the US she decided she really loved photography and so started a business. She started doing all types of photography.
Then one day someone asked her to do some branding photographs and this converted her...2024-08-0128 min
Shoot to the TopJamie Stewart, networking legend.Jamie runs Circle networks and he used to be a reluctant networker. Back in 2013 he had to go networking to find customers for his social media business. At the time most businesses were not on social media, so he had to go and find them. But he fell in love with networking and it took him on a long journey. Jamie says the business was providing social media for businesses that weren’t using it at all. It was mainly Twitter.
When Jamie started business he wanted to be able to do the school run. On that basis he...2024-07-2532 min
Shoot to the TopCropping Images for Social Media, Websites and moreMarcus says the show was triggered by a client he had recently who wanted images cropped in a very specific way.
Back in the days of film Marcus says it was a lot simpler and to some photographers it was a badge of honour not to crop their images. There were of course a great deal of different film sized and ratios back then including:
35mm – which were a 2x3 ratio
6cmx6cm so a 1x1 ratio
6x7 ratio was also possible for magazine covers.
Large format 5x4 was also available ...2024-07-1818 min
Shoot to the TopMeet Jo Dufty, Mindset CoachJo wants to help people who don’t want an average vision. She asks them if the level of effort they are putting in reflects in their bank balance, but for most people that is not the
case. Jo finds that most people don’t know how to sell or land business. Once she helps them with that they can afford her and move everything else forward. One of the things Jo shows people is that it doesn’t matter what you do, it’s how you present yourself that is important. And once they do that the work follows...2024-07-1125 min
Shoot to the TopYour Photography PortfolioThis week Marcus talks about building a portfolio as a photographer. He breaks this down into three areas, photographs, pace and presentation.
Marcus starts by taking about Robert Frank and his book 'The Americans', that was published in 1960. He took photos and made what he called about a visual poem out of them. Marcus encourages you to look at the book and focus on
the fact that it is a series of images.
Sam asks why a photographer wants a portfolio. Marcus says there are two reasons. One is to get more work. The other is...2024-06-2018 min
Shoot to the TopJeff Brown, Photography mentorJeff Brown is a photographer and Photographer mentor. He
works with photographers in twenty five different countries, he is an ambassador for Olympus cameras ,he is President of the BIPP and he has written four best selling photography business books. His fifth book is being written
at the moment. He aims to help photographers get past the procrastination and get on with their business.
Jeff first came across the BIPP while he was in the
military. The BIPP is the oldest professional association and was formed in 1901. At the time Jeff was training in the R...2024-06-1329 min
Shoot to the TopWho is my ideal client?This episode is sponsored by Website for photographers. Website 4 photographers help photographers get more leads from their websites. You can get in touch here
info@website4photographers.co.uk
01482 765871
Sam talks about who is your ideal client or customer. First Sam explains why you want to an ideal customers. If you think “anyone” is your client, your messages is bland and doesn’t land with people and so “nobody” listens. While
if you have a specific audience in mind when you are writing your content it is much more engaging and interesting for that audience. S...2024-06-0617 min
Shoot to the TopTalking to Brand Photographer Emma Bunn Emma runs Natural Aspect. She creates images for her clients so they can market their brand with ease and confidence. And Sam said that is reflected in her social media where she is promoting herself with confidence.
The name of the business has changed many times over the years. During her last rebrand she was in the mountains in Wales. She as looking for a name that reflected her style, capturing the natural look and the logo reflected the mountains.
Sam asked about TikTok and Emma said she was dragged onto it by a marketing coach. Emma says h...2024-05-3027 min
Shoot to the TopUsing Repetition in your Photography PracticeMarcus talks about repetition in this show. Repetition was a
core part of the five Rs show which you can listen to here.
Marcus has recently been to a Martin Parr talk. What Marcus found is that Martin has done huge amounts of fashion photography, which he wasn’t very aware of. Marcus explains that this is partly because he does what Marcus talked about in another recent episode alternative genres.
To recap the previous episode the 5 rules of creativity in photography are
Research
Rules
Repetition
Reflection
Rest
Marcus in this sho...2024-05-2317 min
Shoot to the TopGuest Interview with Zoe HiljemarkZoe Hiljemark is a PR and marketing consultant who works
just with photographers. She has spent twenty years in PR, ten of those working with photographers. She leverages PR
content and SEO to promote photographers.Back when Zoe became a mother she wanted baby photographs. So she got a photoshoot with Karen Wiltshire. Zoe got on well with Karen and the ideas went from there. Zoe realised Karen’s work was amazing but could reach many more people. So Zoe started working with Karen and then moved on to working with other photographers. The business grew from there and...2024-05-0927 min
Shoot to the TopGuest Interview with Denise Brady - Food PhotographerDenise Brady has been a food photographer for two and a half years. She is based on the East coast of the UK in Suffolk. Before this she was doing weddings and family photography, but Covid meant Denise had to pivot her
business and moved to food photography. Denise’s photography journey began on her wedding day. When she got the images back from her wedding day she didn’t like them, and said she could have done better herself, which her husband laughed at. Denise had done photography in her youth but stopped. The next Christmas her husband boug...2024-04-2527 min
Shoot to the TopAlternative GenresEvery episode has an extra bonus tip that we give only to newsletter subscribers. For the show about fashion Marcus’s tip as if you want to shoot fashion, don’t shoot fashion. And now Marcus has a whole show on this principal.
When Marcus was working in fashion lecturing, students would come up with great fashion work. But he would say remember editors commissioning this work see pictures
all the time. So if you want to get noticed, do something different. Sam says this reminds him of the interview with Joe Giacomet. He spent ages...2024-04-1818 min
Shoot to the TopGuest Interview with Sonya DoveThis week Marcus and Sam speak to Sonya Dove who is Wella’s Global Creative Director and Marcus’s big sister. Sonya has been with Wella for 40 years and hairdressing for 45 years. On a day to day basis Sonya travels around the US and Canada educating and mentoring hairdressers. She also does classes and photoshoots. Hairdressing has given her the opportunity to travel the world. She still travels at least two to three times per month.
Sonya says photoshoots can be for hairdressers, or for consumers. She used to work in a salon, but now with...2024-04-1129 min
Shoot to the TopGuest Interview with Paul CooperPaul Cooper has been a professional photographer for over 30 years. He is currently a commercial photographer. But, in the last 30 years he has shot most types of photography. His photography business Baily-Cooper Photography is run
with his wife. They also have a photography education business called Master your Photography. Master your photography caters for everyone from someone who wants
to buy a photographer and doesn’t know what to buy, to professional mentoring.
Before Paul was a professional photographer, he was an amateur photographer. His parents got him a camera when he was 18. Him and his wife married, an...2024-03-2826 min
Shoot to the TopGuest Interview with Fiona Scott PR ExpertThis episode is an interview with Fiona Scott a PR
specialist.
To start Sam and Fiona discuss the difference between PR and marketing. Fiona says public relations encompasses every type of marketing as public relations is about any time your business contacts the public. Fiona says that means if
someone says they can help you with all of your PR be very wary, that is a very wide field.
Fiona’s specialism is in press communications. Fiona suggests that when you are starting business, get some advice about marketing and PR. You probably can’t afford PR or m...2024-03-1626 min
Shoot to the TopGuest Interview with LinkedIn expert Maureen KaneMaureen helps elevate peoples Linkedin profile. She helps them create more opportunities and visibility. That creates more leads and more business.
Maureen tells her story. She started off in the world of sales and marketing. She went from telemarking to field sales. To then running sales teams working with tech startups. As a Sales and marketing director LinkedIn was always her go to platform. She has always known that it is such a great tool.
About 12 years ago Maureen had a son and wanted to work for herself. She started being a general marketing consultant. Before lockdown...2024-02-2926 min
Shoot to the TopSoftware for PhotographersMarcus has been using three pieces of software for a long
time in his career. Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Capture one. But initially Marcus goes back to the history of retouching, which started only a couple of years after photography was invited. So “photoshopping” has been around from well before photoshop. Adobe photoshop was early photography software that started in the 1990s. Marcus remembers using this for the first time while he was at university. But back in those days it was slow to use due to the speed of the computers. Marcus even had to do a photoshop exam...2024-02-2217 min
Shoot to the TopGuest interview with Joe GiacometJoe Giacomet mostly works in advertising. It’s an area that has allowed him to do what he wants. And has given the spare cash to be able to focus on personal projects from time to time. Marcus describes Joe’s style as photography on steroids. He says Joe is known for vibrant, quirky, comedic ideas. Joe has studies graphic
design and worked with a lot of influential people and those have come together to get him where he is. His shots have a lot of humour in, but he says clients can sometimes reign this in. Joe says
when...2024-02-1532 min
Shoot to the TopHow important is it to be consistent in your marketing?Sam and Marcus discuss consistency in your marketing. Sam says the basic idea is decide what you want to in your marketing, and do it consistently and well. If you look at businesses that are doing well through their marketing, they are being very consistent. That doesn’t mean that all businesses that consistently market, do well.
This episode is sponsored by Website for photographers. Website 4 photographers help photographers get more leads from their websites. You can get in touch here
info@website4photographers.co.uk
01482 765871
...2024-02-0820 min
Shoot to the TopGuest Interview with Toby Lee, Headshot PhotographerToby Lee
Toby is a headshot photographer in the UK. His business is called Headshot Toby. He has been a Headshot photographer for 7 years. He started out working with actors and those in the entertainment industry. He is now in Lincolnshire working more with businesses.
Toby started out as an actor and went to one of the top acting schools in the country. During his final year at acting school, it was essential to get a professional head shot. His headshot was done by Robin Savage. Toby felt he really enjoyed the
process. He happened to...2024-02-0325 minShoot to the TopGetting into Fashion PhotographyMarcus has a wide experience in fashion having worked in it for many years, and then being a fashion photography lectures.
It’s a team sportFashion photography involves a team of people, not just the photographer. This might include hair and make up, stylist, model and assistant. Marcus says as a fashion photography there is no need to know anything about clothes. This is the job of the stylist.
Stylist As a fashion photographer you need to build
relationships with a good stylist. We have a podcast episode where we interview men...2024-01-2618 min
Shoot to the TopGuest Interview with Martin HobbyMartin is a general practice photographer based in Holmes
Chapel in Cheshire in the UK. Martin has been shooting photos for 30 years. He started doing weddings with his Dad back in the 90s in the South East of England. They started shooting a friends wedding and it went from there.
Martin’s Dad then got the idea of dog photographs. They would go along to dog training classes, take photographs of the dogs and then sell them the next week for five pounds each.
Martin moved from the South East to Cheshire and so had to move hi...2024-01-1828 min
Shoot to the TopBusiness PlaniningThis episode is sponsored by Website for photographers. Website 4 photographers help photographers get more leads from their websites. You can get in touch here
info@website4photographers.co.uk
01482 765871
The show starts talking about why would you have a business plan?
The most basic answer is it helps you achieve your goals in life and in business. This is linked to where you and your business want to be in one year or in five years. Then the key is working out how you are going to get there. S...2024-01-1117 min
Shoot to the TopIn conversation with the Royal Photographic SocietyThe Royal Photography Society
This week Marcus is doing the show solo, without Sam, and talking to Dr Michael Pritchard from the Royal Photography Society(RPS). Michael’s story
Photography has been something Michael has been involved in since he was 11 years old. He started working as a Saturday boy in a professional studio in the late 70s. The studio did a wide range of different work from weddings, studio and commercial work. He also got to work in the black and white darkroom. This really sparked Michael’s passion for photography. They allowed him to do h...2024-01-0430 min
Shoot to the TopChristmas fireside chat with Marcus and SamSam and Marcus have a cozy fireside Christmas chat about the podcast over the last year.
Marcus refers back to our very first show Degree or disagree. Marcus loves this for the content of the show and for the pun. This is always a debate that stirs up a lot of emotion.
Sam refers back to the show on networking. As networking is such an important part of your marketing for photographers. Marcus thinks thinks networking in person will be a great place to focus for 2024. He is going to try to do more face t...2023-12-2113 min
Shoot to the TopGuest Interview with Gillian DevineGillian Devine is a photographer of 18 years. Gillian started with weddings and babies, but is now a brand photographer, business coach and marketing mentor to other photographers.
Gillian says she is where she is today as married the wrong man. She started in corporate marketing and then married a man called Phil Devine. His dad Vincent Devine was a professional photographer with 40 years experience. Gillian started
to go to weddings with him. Vincent eventually mentored Gillian and helped her become a photographer. She then took over the family business. Sadly Vincent has passed away and Gillian is now...2023-12-1527 min
Shoot to the TopShould I work for free?Marcus’s answer is… it depends!
The pros of working for free
If you are starting out as a photographer Marcus thinks there
are some advantages to working for free.
One is getting experience. Marcus thinks that if you are working for free it allows you to try the client photographer relationship but without the client handing over any money.
Portfolio building is another reason to work for free. When you are starting out you need portfolio photographs for your website, social and to show people.
Experimentation. Marcus thinks this is anot...2023-12-0715 min
Shoot to the TopGuest Interview with Sarah J Naylor, Lifestyle Success Coach and MentorShe helps people who have got to a point in mid life when they start ask who they are and what are they doing. Her job is about finding what really fires people up and she helps them identify that and helps them make the change towards doing what they want. “Life is an illusion of your own creation” How do you see your own life?
Marcus asks what she means by mid life. Sarah says it’s the forty to sixty age bracket officially, but it’s also about mind set and where we are. And Sam commente...2023-11-3026 min
Shoot to the TopHow to decide what to charge, pricing for photographers.This episode is sponsored by Website for photographers. Website 4 photographers help photographers get more leads from their websites. You can get in touch here
info@website4photographers.co.uk
01482 765871
There are several different models for how to decide on a price for your services. We talk about some of the main ones in the show.
1. Charge per hour.
With this approach you decide what you want to be paid per hour. Then work out how much time the whole process takes and work out a price...2023-11-2318 min
Shoot to the TopHow is the customer experience for your customers? Marcus talks through his customers' experienceMarcus’s customer journey
Marcus likes to respond initial enquiries quickly, ideally within an hour. He then moves on to trying to setup a Zoom call. As photography is visual, having a visual call is really
important. That call is all about listening not selling. Zoom also means ideas can be shared visually.
After this Marcus will send out a quote, which is done automatically using his CRM. So Marcus doesn’t really talk much about pricing in that initial call, that comes in with the quote goes out.
I...2023-11-0918 min
Shoot to the TopGuest interview with Colin D Smith, the listening expertIn this show we talk to Colin D Smith who is an expert in listening. A skill we have talked about many times in the show.
Listening makes people feel needed and valued. It is something that can be learnt either through coaching in group settings or
121. Even though most people think they are good
listeners in reality very few people have the skills to do it well. And this is reflected in society with a rise in loneliness and sadly suicide rates.
Colin goes on to say the importance of us...2023-10-2026 min
Shoot to the TopCreativity and restCreativity and Rest
Marcus takes us back to episode 12 and reminds us about the 5 Rs of creativity
Rules
Research
Reflection
Repetition
Rest
Today Marcus is going to talk more about the subject of rest.
Marcus has been looking at the latest research into creativity. According to the research your brain works in two different modes
1. “Default Mode Network”
When you are not really thinking about anything. When you do something by habit. Like having a shower in the morning, or driving your car and you arrived...2023-10-1216 min
Shoot to the TopBattle of the Website platformsThis episode is sponsored by Website for photographers. Website 4 photographers help photographers get more leads from their websites. You can get in touch here
info@website4photographers.co.uk
01482 765871
In this episode Marcus and Sam discuss the different platforms available for building a website. Sam grouped into three different broad groups.
1. The self build platforms – Wix, SquareSpace, Shopify and others
2. Content management system platforms. This is dominated by WordPress, but
there are other platforms here like Joomla
3. Custom coding. This means someone builds a site for you
using c...2023-10-0619 minShoot to the TopDeveloping your style as a photographerIn this show Marcus tells us about style, what it is and how it can be used in your business. Marcus says having a style means that if someone looks at your work they can tell it’s your due to the style. Marcus gives these photographers as examples of photographers with a very unique style.
Martin Schoeller
Madame Yevonde
What makes a style?
It could be a technique, it could be using black and white, using flash or your viewpoint, Another example is Edward Burtynsky who is a landscape photographer and uses ari...2023-09-2815 min
Shoot to the TopGuest Interview with Fabienne Miler - Property StylistFabienne is a property stylist who works with Airbnb owners.
She loves to create an original, playful property. She helps their AirBnb stand out online. She loves to go crazy with paint and then build on the “fluff” from there.
Fabienne has to think not just about the look of the property, but she also has to ensure it works. Once a visitor arrives it’s vital the property works for them. Fabienne is finding that AirBnb has got so competitive in the last year that property owners need to stand out much more than they needed to before...2023-09-2124 min
Shoot to the TopCall to ActionsThis episode is sponsored by Website for photographers. Website 4 photographers help photographers get more leads from their websites. You can get in touch here
info@website4photographers.co.uk
01482 765871
This week Sam and Marcus discuss the “Call to Action". A key concept in
marketing in general that is used a lot in websites.
What is a “call to action”?
In marketing it is the action you want someone to take. In the case of
a website it is what you want the visitor to do before they leave the...2023-09-1416 min
Shoot to the TopBlack and White PhotographyThis week Marcus and Sam discuss the use of black and white photography.
Marcus did a poll on LinkedIn and found that (from the sample of people who responded) people preferred colour for a head shot, but like black and white photography in their homes.
William Eggleston a famous photographer did an exhibition in
the Museum of modern art, New York in the mid 1970s and he used colour. At the time the critics said his use of colour was “vulgar”.
Marcus thinks that using actual film, black and white film, and developing it yourself will expa...2023-09-0717 min
Shoot to the TopPlanning your WebsiteWebsite planning
This week Sam and Marcus discuss website planning. An effective website needs planning carefully and Sam shares his knowledge and experience in this area.Goals and Call to actionsIt’s vital that a website has a goal. What is it that you want the visitors
to your website to do? Do you want them to call you, buy a product or something different. Once you’ve decided this is essential to get this “Call to action” across in a tempting way. That call to action also needs to be repeated again and again across y...2023-08-3118 min
Shoot to the TopMaking the move from an amateur to a professional photographerThis week Marcus and Sam talk about making that big jump to going pro. What are the key things to think about?2023-08-2418 min
Shoot to the TopMeet Marcus and SamSam and Marcus are in the same room together and took this rare opportunity to quiz each other about their past! This episode is a little like being present as they chat about their past in the pub, pint in hand.
Sam started design websites n the 90’s working with HTML and hand coding in Notepad. And even though he had various jobs he was always designing websites in the background. As a keen white water
kayaker he did a lot of traveling, visiting exotic places for his sport.
Designing websites with...2023-08-1016 min
Shoot to the TopGuest Interview with Photographer Donna GreenStraight talking and bags of experience makes this episode from Donna unmissable. She leaves nothing to chance with her work and marketing with detailed research, preparation and planned execution.
Donna adds pounds to the people she photographs - pounds as in money that is! Her niche is in branding photography and her practice is based in Edinburgh.
In this show we discuss the ins and outs of branding photography and in particular how she gets her clients to interact with their own customers. And no surprise this starts with research a...2023-08-0322 min
Shoot to the TopGuest Interview with Photographer Gemma GriffithsThis week Sam and Marcus talk to Gemma Griffiths.
Gemma is a branding and family photographer based in South Wales. She has 16 years experience in the industry. She offers bespoke personal branding shoots, headshot shoots and family photoshoots in lots of fabulous locations around South Wales. Gemma also offers photography training for beginners and professional photographers too. You can
book a one to one training session or join one of her group workshops
We take Gemma back to the start of her career when she started, as a travel photographer. She then switched i...2023-07-2023 min
Shoot to the TopLenses, a guide for commercial photographersIn this episode we discuss lenses. Types brands and uses. And Marcus takes us through the lenses he uses on an average photo shoot.2023-07-1318 min
Shoot to the TopGuest Interview with Olga GeidaneEpisode 15 Olga Gidane
Olga Geidane is a highly engaging and sought-after expert speaker on mindset transformation and change.
She shared her infectious energy and wisdom on self-leadership across five continents at conferences and personal development events of all kinds, both online and in-person.
She helps individuals to perform at their peak through her 5-step transformative mindset coaching as well as her courses and Olga is very passionate about helping couples to rebuild their relationships through her Stay Forever Together Relationship retreats.
A bac...2023-07-0629 min
Shoot to the TopSEO for photographers, or how to get found on GoogleGetting found on Google is important for most businesses. For many types of photography businesses, it can make the difference between a successful and failed business. For photographers moving up the Google ranking can be easier than for other businesses. You tend to be only competing on a local level with other photographers. There are no big regional and national players to complete with. As Sam says you only have to be better than the people around you.
We go through a few important things to think about for SEO.
What wo...2023-06-2921 min
Shoot to the TopGuest Interview with Christine MichaelisThis week we talk to Christine about what it's like being in front of the lens and how she uses her photographs.
Christine, Marketing and Creative Start-Up Coach, founder of the Creative Start-Up Academy, author of multiple books, public speaker, podcaster and workshop facilitator. She has worked in marketing and advertising for more than 12 years before she decided to start her own business supporting start-ups. With her hands-on approach, she has helped hundreds of individuals validate their business idea and create a successful start-up as well as working with small businesses supporting them getting...2023-06-2224 min
Shoot to the TopSocial Media - How social media can be used to help your photography business.Marcus guides us through the world of social media. It’s critical for photographers to have some sort of presence on one or more social media platform.
We talk about which platform is best for you and we discuss in depth which ones are best for commercial photographers -Linkedin, Twitter and Google My Business. These are primarily focuses on business to business.
As long term posters on Linkedin both of us are keen advocates of the platform, there are no restrictions on the type and size of media you post - unli...2023-06-0116 min
Shoot to the TopEmail Marketing part two, what to do with your mailing listThis episode is sponsored by Website for photographers. Website 4 photographers help photographers get more leads from their websites. You can get in touch here
info@website4photographers.co.uk
01482 765871
Marcus and Sam talk about what to do with a mailing list, once you have some people on it. 2023-05-2517 min
Shoot to the TopEmail Marketing part one, how to grow your mailing listThis week we are talking about Email Marketing, specifically how to grow your mailing list. Next week we will look at what to do with your mailing list. Sam thinks Email marketing is a no-brainer and explains why. There is no doubt about it you need a mailing list, it’s as simple as that!
Some of the many advantages that a mailing list will give you are numerous. It gives you direct contact with all your subscribers. Your followers want to hear from you, they already have expressed an interest as so are won't thi...2023-05-1816 min
Shoot to the TopFlash, Bang Wallop, professional lighting as a photographerThis week Marcus takes us through the benefits of using flash (strobe to Americans) for your photoshoots.
Marcus is passionate about this subject and explains why it's an essential part of every photographer's toolkit. Plus we get an insight into a memorable Fosters advert from 'back in the day'.
Marcus explains how flash helps you create a visual narrative. you can get more information about that here. https://www.wearecognitive.com/blog/what-are-the-key-components-of-visual-storytelling
Marcus also explains that clients' availability can be limited so sometimes you need to turn day into...2023-05-1115 min
Shoot to the TopFlash, Bang Wallop, professional lighting as a photographer - trailerNext week Marcus will take s us through the benefits of using flash (strobe to Americans) for your photoshoots.
Marcus is passionate about this subject and explains why it's an essential part of every photographer's toolkit. Plus we get an insight into a memorable Fosters advert from 'back in the day'.
Marcus explains how flash helps you create a visual narrative. you can get more information about that here. https://www.wearecognitive.com/blog/what-are-the-key-components-of-visual-storytelling
Marcus also explains that clients' availability can be limited so sometimes you need to turn...2023-05-0601 min
Shoot to the TopOffering Subscription Services to your clientsNext week Sam will guide us through the journey of setting up a subscription service. He'll talk about the why, the how, and the marketing. Marcus and Sam will explain how it has worked for them in their business and how it can work for you.
Subscriptions are a great way of getting regular income.That means every month you know you have a certain amount that will land in your bank account, without fail, before you've lifted a finger. They ensure that you are constantly in your client’s mind, which is great fo...2023-05-0414 min
Shoot to the TopOffering Subscriptions Services to your clients - trailerNext week Sam will guide us through the journey of setting up a subscription service. He'll talk about the why, the how, and the marketing. Marcus and Sam will explain how it has worked for them in their business and how it can work for you.
Subscriptions are a great way of getting regular income. That means every month you know you have a certain amount that will land in your bank account, without fail, before you've lifted a finger. They ensure that you are constantly in your client’s mind, which is great fo...2023-05-0401 min
Shoot to the TopWorking the Room, networking as a photographerIn this episode Sam is digging into “working the room” and how to successfully build your business network.
Some of the things we discuss in this weeks show
• Why go to a business network meeting.
• Don’t be “salesy”.
• Building a network in a new town - both Sam and Marcus talk from personal experience.
• It’s not just about letting people know about you!
• Know, like and trust.
• Applying the 80/20 rule.
• Listening is a skill.
• How to use touchpoints to make sure you are remembered...2023-04-2714 min
Shoot to the TopWorking the Room, networking as a photographer - TrailerNetworking
Next week Sam is going to be digging into “working the room” and how to successfully build your business network.
Some of the things we will discuss in next weeks show are
• Why go to a business network meeting.
• Don’t be “salesy”.
• Building a network in a new town - both Sam and Marcus talk from personal experience.
• It’s not just about letting people know about you!
• Know, like and trust.
• Applying the 80/20 rule.
• Listening is a skill.
• How to us...2023-04-2100 min
Shoot to the TopGeneralise or Specialise? Niching as a photographerMarcus and Sam are taking a look at the advantages and disadvantages of niching. How it looks to the client and how it helps in your own marketing.
We discuss the fear factor of possibly losing out on clients outside your niche, and how social media has opened up the market to a global one. However, being a generalist does have its advantages, especially when starting out - it is a great way of broadening your skills. Learn product photography, location photography and studio photography.
Sam and Marcus go on to...2023-04-2014 min
Shoot to the TopGeneralise or Specialise? Niching as a photographer - Trailer Next week Marcus and Sam will take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of niching down. How it looks to the client and how it helps in your own marketing.
We will discuss the fear factor of possibly losing out on clients outside your niche, and how social media has opened up the market to a global one. However, being a generalist does have its advantages, especially when starting out - it is a great way of broadening your skills. Learn product photography, on location and in the studio photography.
S...2023-04-1301 min
Shoot to the TopArtificial Intellegence, a photographers friend or foe?AI- Friend or Foe
On this weeks podcast Sam Hollis and Marcus Ahmad talk about AI. How long has it really been with us? How has it been utilised by photographers in the past and how much are you really using it already? Almost certainly since the onset of digital photography. Then we move onto the AI of today, ChatGPT and other tools. Are they a friend or foe and how could we make the best use of them to our advantage as photographers?
What surprises Marcus is the speed at wh...2023-04-1311 min
Shoot to the TopAI Threat or Treat - TrailerNext weeks show will be all about AI. If there was a water cooler topic that photographers are discussing at the moment it has to be is AI a threat or a treat! Marcus looks at the latest versions and updates and how a commercial photographer might use them.
We go off world for the news story and another rather surprising stat from Sam.2023-04-0601 min
Shoot to the TopA photography Degree, Agree or disagreeThis week Sam and Marcus discuss the hotly debated topic of “Do you need a photography degree/qualification to be a commercial photographer” And what’s the alternative?
Marcus, no surprise, being an ex Senior Lecturer in photography comes down in favour! But for reasons that may not be obvious. Sam asks probing questions and has an alarming Stat of the Day.
This show is just perfect if you are trying to decide whether to spend your hard earned cash on going to university.
You ca...2023-03-3013 min
Shoot to the TopShoot to the Top - a new podcast for Commercial photographersShoot to the top is a new Podcast for commercial photographers.
With Sam Hollis, Web Designer and Marketer
and Marcus Ahmad, Professional Photographer with over 20 years of experience in the industry.
The first episode goes live on Thursday the 30th of March 20232023-03-2301 min