đˇ Kind, encouraging, and inclusive photography community by @jessicawhitaker
đď¸ Podcast & join the FB group
âĽď¸ Monthly networking group for women
Sometimes the hardest tips to hear are the ones that save your business.
My advice is here to help you protect your clients, your reputation, and your peace!
If youâre looking for a safe space to ask about tricky client situations or just want to connect with photographers who get it, join my free photography community, Build and Bloom, on Facebook Groups.
Itâs supportive, inclusive, and zero ego. Just photographers helping photographers. Itâs the OG photography community!
Search âBuild and Bloomâ on Facebook Groups âĽď¸đš @buildandbloom #buildandbloom
Here are 8 go-to responses to awkward photography questions to keep in your back pocket.
1ď¸âŁ âCan I text you instead? Itâs easier for me.â â âEmail is where Iâm most responsive since I can reply promptly at my desk. Texts can get buried on my personal phone, so letâs stick to email to keep things organized. Do you have any questions youâd like to go over on a call we can schedule?â
2ď¸âŁ âSorry I didnât get back to you sooner. Can you still fit me in next week?â â âNo problem. Next week is booked, but Iâm currently scheduling [X time frame] out. Would you like to reserve the date and time?â
3ď¸âŁ âCan we add a few extra people to the photoshoot?ââ âAbsolutely! Iâll just need to update the booking and send over a revised rate since it changes the number of deliverables in the scope of work.â
4ď¸âŁ âHow much would you charge just to snap a few shots?â â âI have a minimum so I can deliver quality work.â
5ď¸âŁ âIs there a discount if you donât edit the photos?â â âEditing is part of my quality standard for every client.â
6ď¸âŁ âCan you make me look like [insert request here]?â â âIâll capture your best angles while weâre shooting so the edits are just the final polish, not something we have to rely on.â
#buildandbloom #photographypodcast #photographypodcasts #photographyeducation #photographyeducator #femalephotographers
You know *those* photography questions you get when youâre out photographing? đ
The ones that arenât meant to be rude but are a little awkward? đ
Here are 8 polite responses to keep in your back pocket. đ¸ Donât just roll your eyes, you never know who might become a client! âĽď¸đš
1ď¸âŁ âCan you bring your camera to [event]?â â âIâm happy to bring my camera if youâd like to book me. Otherwise, Iâll enjoy the day with you as planned.â
2ď¸âŁ Guest at the wedding: âHere, stand like this. I know a better pose.ââ â âThanks! Iâve got the posing handled. Go enjoy the event.â
3ď¸âŁ âCan you just send a few tonight?â â âI follow my client queue, but I can move yours up for a rush fee.â
4ď¸âŁ âYou can Photoshop this in/out, right?â â âI keep Photoshop minimal. Anything youâd like me to adjust now while weâre shooting?â
5ď¸âŁ âYou must work for free sometimes, right?â â âAt this stage in my business, I focus on paid projects.â
6ď¸âŁ âIt must be easy money. All you do is click a button.â â âA lot happens before and after I click the shutter.â
âĽď¸đš Whatâs the most awk comment youâve had said to you?
#buildandbloom #photographypodcast #photographypodcasts #photographyeducation #photographyeducator #femalephotographers
⨠Seattle Women in Photography â June Meetup! đ¸â¨đď¸ Sunday, June 29â¨Theme: Mid-Year Goal Alignment đĽ
Weâre nearly six months into the year â can you believe it? Iâm hosting a free @buildandbloom meetup where weâll take time to reflect on how the year is going and realign with where we want to be by 2025. Itâs a chance to reset, refocus, and get intentional â all in a relaxed, supportive space.
Iâll be guiding a conversation around whatâs working, what needs adjusting, and how I (and this amazing community!) can support you in reaching your goals. âĽď¸đš
This is the perfect meetup for a casual hang and a chance to make friends with other women photographers in the area.
đ Greater Seattleâ¨đ Free to attend â RSVP requiredâ¨đ DM me to save your spot!
Youâre invited exactly as you are and I canât wait to connect with you!
Calling all Women in Photography in Washington! đ¸ âĽď¸
Did you know I host a FREE @buildandbloom networking event every month for women in photography? Connect with like-minded, kind-hearted female photographersâyouâll walk away with new friends! Every attendee is on the same page: weâre all here to make meaningful connections in the area!
Hereâs whatâs on the schedule for the next 3 months! And remember, everything is FREE because I believe photography should be accessible to all. âĽď¸ đš
đ  Sunday, June 29th
â Â Goal Reflection & Collaboration Session
Weâre at the 6-month mark of the year, and this month, weâll reflect on our goals. Together, weâll explore how we can collaborate to help each other achieve our 2025 goals.
đ Sunday, July 27th
â Posing Workshop
Join me for a hands-on workshop where Iâll teach you the key details often overlooked when posing women. With techniques from my 15 years of experience, youâll learn how to create flattering and natural poses that will set you apart. Mastering these skills could be the reason clients choose you over other photographers!
đ Sunday, August 17th
â Pricing Feedback Workshop
Come with your pricing questions ready! You can get feedback on your offerings from myself and the group.
@buildandbloom photography podcast episode is all about blogging your galleries. I know blogging is boring but once itâs done, itâs done. Itâs a way you can book dream clients without having to post to socials every day. đšâĽď¸đˇ Listen & learn wherever you get your podcasts. #buildandbloom
#photographypodcast #photographypodcasts #photographyeducation #photographyeducator
New @buildandbloom  podcast episode up with @madisonfromdallas !
Have you ever wanted to get into concert photography? @madisonfromdallas is sharing the exact steps for breaking into the industry.
Sheâs has photographed artists in concert like Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan.
@madisonfromdallas is also going to share how to work for an online magazine, publication, newspaper or zine and how volunteering for a publication can add an extra layer of professionalism that increases your chance of attending a show.
Listen & learn to the #buildandbloom podcast on your favorite platform!
New @buildandbloom podcast episode up!
Thinking about raising your photography prices but not sure if youâre really ready?
Letâs make sure youâre not just throwing out a higher number and hoping for the best. In this weekâs episode, Iâm breaking down 3 things you need to have in place before raising your ratesâso you can do it with confidence, clarity, and zero guilt. đ
đ Weâre talking:Â
âď¸ How to actually know your worth (with real data to back it up)
âď¸ Creating packages that reflect your true value
âď¸ How to elevate your client experience with simple, strategic changes
Plus, thereâs a freebie with the full list of 6 things to check off before making that price jump.Â
Ready to raise those rates the right way?
Listen & learn to the #buildandbloom podcast on your favorite platform!
New @buildandbloom  photography podcast up! đď¸
Everyone wants the transformation, but few want the timeline.
Weâve been sold the idea that success should be fast, flashy, and happen the moment we âinvest in ourselves.â But hereâs the truth: no course, coach, or mastermind can replace the gritty, behind-the-scenes work it takes to build a real business.
⨠Consistency > hype
⨠Repetition > rush
⨠Long game > shortcuts
In this episode of the #buildandbloom podcast, Iâm getting honest about why starting fast might be the very thing holding you backâand what to focus on instead.
You donât need to keep spinning your wheels trying to catch up to someone elseâs highlight reel. You need patience, clarity, and a commitment to your own growth.
đ§ Full episode: âStarting Fast Will Only Set You Backâ is live now wherever you get your podcasts.
New @buildandbloom photography podcast up! đď¸
đŤ There is no secret formula. Thereâs no shortcut to success.
No coach, course, or mastermind is going to take you from $0 to thriving overnight. That kind of growth comes from experience, consistency, and doing the work most people want to skip. Everyone wants the resultsâfew want the repetition. But thatâs where the magic happens.
So, how do you stay focused and avoid getting distracted by programs promising quick fixes?
In this weekâs episode of the #buildandbloom podcast, Iâm sharing why real success isnât fastâitâs built slowly, intentionally, and with a lot of behind-the-scenes effort no one claps for.
You donât need a shortcut. You need patience, practice, and the courage to play the long game.
If youâre willing to spend two solid years developing your skills, success will come. Trust me when I say: slow growth is the real glow-up. â¨
đ§ Full episode: âStarting Fast Will Only Set You Backâ is live now wherever you get your podcasts.
BIG news!! âĽď¸ My podcast, @buildandbloom , has been ranked #8 out of 100 photography podcasts! đ¤Ż
This is especially exciting because this ranking is completely organicâI didnât submit for it, and I definitely didnât pay for placement. Itâs all thanks to YOUâeveryone who listens, shares, and supports this podcast. That kind of recognition means the world to me! đâĽď¸
When I started the @buildandbloom podcast, my goal was to create an encouraging, no-gatekeeping space where photographers could learn and grow. To see it ranked in the top 10 (and in the single digits!) among the best photography podcasts is surreal!
A massive thank you to every single listenerâyou made this happen! đ If you havenât tuned in yet, nowâs the perfect time to jump in! #buildandbloom