The Pet Photographers' Journal

What actually makes a pet photography business sustainable long term?In this episode, Ina sits down with Tatum from The Social Dog Company for a raw, honest conversation about what it really takes to build a profitable pet business without burning out or relying on paid ads.Tatum shares her journey from running dog-friendly events and rescue fundraisers to rebuilding her business from absolute rock bottom and growing a multi six-figure marketing company serving pet businesses around the world. This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a real look at resilience, business models, and the unglamorous work that actually moves the needle.Together, they unpack why so many talented photographers struggle to book clients, why “just posting on Instagram” isn’t a strategy, and how simplifying your offer and messaging can completely change how people respond to your business.This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed by marketing, or frustrated that your work isn’t translating into consistent bookings.💡 In this episode, we talk about:Why incredible photography alone doesn’t build a successful businessThe biggest mistake pet photographers make with marketingWhy organic marketing foundations matter before running adsHow to stop confusing potential clients with too many offersWhat “hustle” actually means in the early stages of businessWhy going viral doesn’t always help your businessHow to attract the right clients instead of more followersThe difference between awareness, consideration, and conversionWhy email marketing still outperforms social media for salesHow to think like a business owner, not just a creative🛠️ Practical takeaways you can apply straight away:Simplify your offers and sell one core service clearlyUse stories to sell through pain point, solution, and outcomeStop waiting until everything feels perfect before putting yourself out thereFocus on consistent action instead of chasing quick winsBuild marketing systems that support your life, not consume it🔗 Connect with TatumInstagram: @thesocialdogcompanyWebsite: https://www.thesocialdogcompany.comTatum also offers free social media audit and regularly runs practical social media challenges for pet business owners who want better visibility and clearer messaging.💬

Welcome to Season Two:A New Season, A Clearer Focus: How I’m Approaching 2026Season Two of The Pet Photographers’ Journal is officially here.In this solo episode, Ina kicks off 2026 with a grounded, honest reset for pet photographers who want more clarity, more momentum, and a business that actually supports their life.Ina shares what she’s seeing across the industry, what the data is telling us, and where photographers should focus their energy this year. This isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what works.If 2025 felt noisy, overwhelming, or unpredictable, this episode will help you cut through the chaos and start the year with intention.🧭 Inside this episode, we cover:The state of the photography industry heading into 2026Why the technical side of photography is easier than everWhy the business side feels harder and noisierWhat industry reports are revealing about revenue, client behaviour, and sustainabilityHow to actually win in 2026Why connection and client experience matter more than gear or trendsWhat photographers doing In-Person Sales (IPS) are earning compared to digital-only studiosWhy print is far from dead and how it continues to drive long-term revenueTwo simple January action steps to build momentumThe Friction-Free Client Audit How to secret shop your own website and remove the small points of friction that quietly kill bookings.The Warm Circle Wake-Up Why your next bookings are likely already in your world and how three short voice notes can restart engagement without selling.How to choose the right level of support for where you’re atThe difference between needing a roadmap, a reset, or an engineWhen to plan, when to refine, and when to take actionWhy predictable bookings come from systems, not algorithmsWord of the Year AI Prompt💬 Join the Pet Photographers’ CollectiveIf you want to sign up for the workshop, join the Pet Photographers' collective — it’s a free community for pet photographers who want to build a profitable, sustainable business with less overwhelm.Inside, Ina shares:✨ Practical marketing tips✨ Business lessons and mindset shifts✨ Free resources to help you growConnect with other photographers who get it and start creating a business that truly supports your life, not consumes it.Join here →

It is officially the Season Finale! Whether you are wrapping presents, driving to visit family, or taking a well-deserved break, join me, Ina for this short, special solo episode to wrap up 2025.In this episode, I pull back the curtain on my first full year of coaching. From the surprise success of launching The Pet Photographers Journal after the closure of The Pet Photographers Club, to the very real battles with imposter syndrome, this is an unfiltered look at what it takes to grow.Plus, we celebrate YOU. I break down the incredible Spotify Wrapped stats that made this show an "Instant Hit," reveals the most-played episode of the year, and I share exactly what is coming up in January 2026 (including something you won't want to miss).A Personal Note from Ina: "Thank you to the 6 superfans who had this show as their #1 podcast this year, and to everyone who has listened, shared, and reviewed. I’m taking a short break to be with family in Bali, but I’ll see you in January for an incredible 2026!"Review & Subscribe: Don't miss the 2026 season launch! Subscribe and leave a review to help other pet photographers find the show.💬 Join the Pet Photographers’ CollectiveIf you want to sign up for the workshop, join the Pet Photographers' collective — it’s a free community for pet photographers who want to build a profitable, sustainable business with less overwhelm.Inside, Ina shares:✨ Practical marketing tips✨ Business lessons and mindset shifts✨ Free resources to help you growConnect with other photographers who get it and start creating a business that truly supports your life, not consumes it.Join here → https://www.skool.com/pet-photographers-collective-3125/about?ref=9c7b56d2963f48a791297a43a29109e1✨ Want to Be Coached Live?Interested in being featured on a future coaching episode? ⁠Apply here⁠📲 Connect with InaInstagram: @inaj.thepetphotoceoEmail: [email protected] & Coaching for Pet Photographers: Learn More

This episode is a deep, honest look at what it really takes to run a photography business with multiple moving parts.I’m joined by equine and pet photographer Louise Sedgman, who has spent more than a decade refining a business that holds two very different models at once. High-volume seasonal Santa sessions, and slow, boutique fine-art equine portraiture.We talk through how her Santa sessions evolved over 11 years, from unstructured walk-ins and four-hour queues to a mostly smooth, booked system photographing over a thousand families each season. Louise shares the practical decisions she made around pricing, bookings, team support, client education, and workflow to make that volume manageable.But this conversation goes further than Santa sessions. We also dive into her equine work, in-person sales process, pricing expectations, lead generation through trade shows, and why boundaries became non-negotiable after experiencing burnout.This episode is for photographers navigating growth, complexity, and energy management. If you’re trying to balance income, creativity, and sustainability without pretending it’s easy, Louise’s story will resonate.Key TakeawaysA single business can hold both high-volume and boutique workSystems and education matter more as volume increasesPricing clarity filters the right clients before the sessionBurnout leads to better boundaries, not failureSustainable growth comes from refining, not constantly adding✨ Want to Be Coached Live?Interested in being featured on a future coaching episode? ⁠Apply here⁠📲 Connect with InaInstagram: @inaj.thepetphotoceoEmail: [email protected] & Coaching for Pet Photographers: Learn More💬 Join the Pet Photographers’ CollectiveIf you love this podcast, you’ll love the conversations happening inside the Pet Photographers’ Collective on Skool — it’s a free community for pet photographers who want to build a profitable, sustainable business with less overwhelm.Inside, Ina shares:✨ Practical marketing tips✨ Business lessons and mindset shifts✨ Free resources to help you growConnect with other photographers who get it and start creating a business that truly supports your life, not consumes it.Join here → https://www.skool.com/pet-photographers-collective-3125/about?ref=9c7b56d2963f48a791297a43a29109e1

This episode is your gentle reset before we step into a brand new year. If you’ve been feeling the pressure of feast-or-famine bookings, uncertainty around pricing, or the constant juggle between loving the art and dreading the business side… you’re not alone. So many pet photographers have lived the same roller coaster, and this conversation will help you step off it.In this episode I walk you through the real work of reviewing your year without judgement, finding the lessons inside both the wins and the flops, and using that clarity to plan a more profitable, joyful 2026. You’ll hear about the marketing habits that keep photographers stuck, the mindset patterns that drain confidence, and the small shifts that create a completely different business year.If you want 2026 to feel more consistent, calm, and profitable, this episode will help you take those first steps with clarity and confidence.💬 Join the Pet Photographers’ CollectiveIf you want to sign up for the workshop, join the Pet Photographers' collective — it’s a free community for pet photographers who want to build a profitable, sustainable business with less overwhelm.Inside, Ina shares:✨ Practical marketing tips✨ Business lessons and mindset shifts✨ Free resources to help you growConnect with other photographers who get it and start creating a business that truly supports your life, not consumes it.Join here → https://www.skool.com/pet-photographers-collective-3125/about?ref=9c7b56d2963f48a791297a43a29109e1 ✨ Want to Be Coached Live?Interested in being featured on a future coaching episode? ⁠Apply here⁠📲 Connect with InaInstagram: @inaj.thepetphotoceoEmail: [email protected] & Coaching for Pet Photographers: Learn More