573: Chris Gillett – How to build and run a successful long term headshot photography business

PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area

Chris Gillett of www.liketherazor.com was first featured on the podcast for episode 158 in 2016, when he'd just gone full-time with his headshot photography business.

Before going full-time, he was a successful Lawyer, and at the time of recording, he sounded happy to have left that career behind.

At the time, he had three packages, starting at $300.

Check out his website today, and you will see the following…

• 3000+ happy clients
• 10 years experience
• 0% bullshit
• 100% client satisfaction

Not to mention the high-end, beautifully lit and varied headshots.

Interestingly, his pricing is lower today… and, you get more time allocated for your headshot photography sessions.

I asked this talented photographer and long-term business operator back onto the podcast… to hear an honest update on how things have played out over the last 10 years in business. The ups and downs, the wins and losses and most of all, the lessons he's learned to help you stick at it and grow your business successfully and, ideally, by avoiding a few mistakes along the way.

Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:

• Fulfilment Over Regret: Chris leaves law for a rewarding photography career
• Find Your True Calling by discovering how photography became more fulfilling than law for Chris
• Invest in Growth by learning from a decade of ups and downs
• Navigate Industry Changes by adapting to AI impacts in headshot photography
• Achieve a Six-Figure Income by thriving in headshot photography despite AI threats
• Be Prepared for Change, with Chris ready to pivot if AI takes over
• Authenticity Over Automation shows the limits of AI in capturing genuine family portraits
• Remember that Human Touch Matters, with real connections being vital in fitness photography
• Simplifying Pricing with Chris' approach to clear, straightforward pricing
• Easy Booking through simplified pricing for ease and clarity
• Increased Demand by raising prices to match high demand and success
• Raise Prices with Confidence through Chris' busy schedule leading to higher pricing
• Continuous Improvement with yearly enhancement of photography skills and sales techniques
• High Standards by delivering top-notch images for repeat clients
• Boosting Sales with effective headshot pricing strategies
• Strategic Offers through limited-time deals increasing headshot purchases
• Embrace Client Feedback with open communication for successful shoots
• Client Collaboration by working together for better outcomes
• Harness the Word-of-Mouth Power through Chris' marketing success via client recommendations
• Instagram Wins by leveraging personal and professional content for business growth
• Authentic Engagement through connecting with clients via a genuine social media presence
• Enjoy Fun and Relaxed Shoots by creating a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere for clients
• Offer Unique Services to stand out by tailoring services to client needs
• Optimise Online Presence with a contemporary website, enhancing Chris' professional image
• High Praise through consistent quality, earning a stellar reputation
• Thoughtful Gestures with acts of kindness like discounts and free headshots
• Mentorship's Role in growth through learning from industry experts like Peter Hurley
• Embrace Critique through self-acceptance and critical thinking as keys to growth

What’s on Offer for Premium Members

If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, a fantastic back catalogue of interviews, and have ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.

Plus, special member-only interviews.

I think anybody who's in this business full-time will know this already, but like, you've got to be open to the negative criticism, because that's where you learn the stuff. – Chris Gillett

You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group, where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. The group also has FB live video tutorials, role-play, and special live interviews. You will not find more friendly, motivated, caring and sharing photographers online.

Seriously, that's not all.

Wealthy people are used to hiring and relying on experts, and they want you to be in charge. – Chris Gillett

In addition to everything above, you'll get access to instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, make you accountable, and build friendships with other pro photographers with motives similar to yours – to build a more successful photography business.

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything from what Chris shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, leave your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business based on what you heard in today's episode.

I can be picky and and so I found that the more specific I am about who I am, what I do, who I do it for, why I do it, it's kind of unintuitive, because you think, well, if I cast a bigger net, I'll get more stuff. And it's kind of the opposite. I guess the net has a lot of holes in it, because you want to like a spear and go, ‘nope, that one.' ‘I don't want that one.' ‘I don't want that one.' It gets me better clients. It gets me clients, and I've just done a better job of that as I've grown over the last 10 years. – Chris Gillett

If you have any questions I missed or a specific question you’d like to ask Chris, or if you want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.

iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs

I check for any new iTunes or Google reviews each week, and it's always a buzz to receive these… for several reasons.

Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome!

Secondly, iTunes and Google are the most significant podcast search engines, and your reviews and ratings help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and, ultimately, a better show.

I want to be an individual that sticks out from everybody else. I want to enjoy it and have fun. And then the other part of it is, I know there's a lot of ways to get people to perform in front of the camera, but one of the things I like to do is just to kind of create a fun atmosphere. – Chris Gillett

If you have left a review in the past, thank you! If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes or https://photobizx.com/google. You can leave some honest feedback and a rating, which will help both me and the show. I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name.

Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast. Email me your keywords or phrases and where you'd like me to link them.

There are so few things that are heirlooms and photographs are that. – Ashley Kaplan

Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy, and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has impacted you and your photography business.​

Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:

Chris Gillett Website

PBX158 Episode: Chris Gillett – From Lawyer to Full Time Headshot Photographer

Chris Gillett on Instagram

Chris Gillett on Facebook

Episode 463: Jon Meadows – LinkedIn mining for more fantastic photography clients

Episode 362: Tony Taafe – Build a profitable headshot photography business by allowing clients to spend more

Episode 145: Peter Hurley – How To Survive and Thrive as a Headshot Photographer

Episode 268: Alex Vita – Everything you need for a successful photography website

Thank you!

Thanks again for listening and to Chris for coming back on and sharing his candid thoughts, ideas and experience on creating a long term and successful headshot photography business by continually learning, upskilling and adapting with the times.

You know you're getting good at something when you start to get really critical of yourself and you don't mind. – Chris Gillett

That’s it for me this week; I hope everything is going well for you in life and business!

Thanks, and speak soon
Andrew

The post 573: Chris Gillett – How to build and run a successful long term headshot photography business appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.