Feeling overwhelmed by scattered systems, lost inquiries, and clients who ghost before booking? You're not alone. In this episode, systems strategist Colie James breaks down exactly how to build a client experience that runs on autopilot while still feeling personal and professional.

Colie is a Dubsado Certified Specialist, HoneyBook Educator, and the host of Business-First Creatives podcast. After spending 12 years as a family photographer, she discovered her passion for helping creative service providers streamline their businesses through automated systems and workflows.

In this comprehensive conversation, we cover the entire journey of building client experience systems that actually work. From deciding when to invest in your first CRM to creating automated workflows that still feel personal, Colie breaks down the exact strategies she's used to help hundreds of photographers book more clients while working less.

We dive into the nitty-gritty: which CRM to choose and why, the three microsystems you need to build first, how to create a booking process that converts in minutes instead of days, and the secret to writing client emails that build trust instead of confusion. Colie also shares her 3 P's framework for client communication and explains the "confidence loop" and why keeping clients informed at every step is the key to preventing ghosting and increasing bookings.

If you've ever felt like you're drowning in admin work, losing track of where clients are in your process, or watching potential bookings slip away because your systems are too complicated, this episode will give you a clear action plan to fix it.

Whether you're just starting out or you've been photographing for years with messy backend systems, you'll walk away knowing exactly what to implement first and how to build a client experience that books itself.

When to Invest in a CRM

1. The moment you can afford $40/month and have worked with about 5 clients, you should start
2. Why building systems early prevents overwhelm as your business grows
3. The hidden cost of scattered information across multiple platforms

Choosing the Right CRM

1. Colie's top two recommendations: Dubsado and HoneyBook for photographers
2. How to decide between platforms based on your business needs
3. Why starting with something is better than waiting for the "perfect" choice

The 5-Minute Booking Process

1. Why making it easy for clients to book quickly dramatically increases conversion rates
2. The three essential components: service selection, contract signing, and payment
3. Real results: clients reporting their fastest bookings ever after implementing this system

The Three Essential Microsystems

1. Instant inquiry response: What to include and why it matters
2. Booking proposal: How to present your offer in a way that builds confidence
3. Confirmation email: Setting expectations and creating...

If you feel like you know what you should be doing in your business...but your calendar is still empty, this episode is for you.

In this solo episode, I speaks directly to one of the most common and frustrating patterns I see after coaching pet photographers.

You’re not lacking information. You’re stuck between knowing and doing.

Between consuming content and seeing results.

Between trying “all the things” and still feeling like nothing sticks.

I share real conversations from inside my community, reflections from my own journey building my business while working full time, and the uncomfortable truth about the hidden cost of staying stuck.

This isn’t about finding a magic strategy.

It’s about building a system you can actually follow.

If you’ve been stuck consuming content, second guessing yourself, or hoping something will finally click, this episode is your wake up call.

You don’t need more information.

You need a plan you’ll actually implement.

WHAT'S INSIDE THE WORKSHOP:

Workshop 1 (29 Jan): The Foundation

We'll identify your ideal client, craft messaging that attracts them,

Workshop 2 (5 Feb): The Marketing Pillars

Strategic Campaign Planning, pillars and identify which suits your business best

Workshop 3 (12 Feb): The System

Learn to map out your next 90 days of marketing priorities

Plus you get:

• Ideal Client Clarity Toolkit with custom ChatGPT bot

• Brand Compass Custom GPT for writing in your voice

• 12-Month Marketing Calendar Template

• 3 Weeks Voxer Access (6 weeks if you join before 9am tomorrow)

• Pre-Workshop Prep Kit

• Private community access

• 30-day money-back guarantee

INVESTMENT:

$529 USD or $790 AUD

Payment plans available: 3 payments of $210 USD or 3 payments of $314 AUD

SIGN UP NOW

If 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:

1. Practical marketing tips
2. Business lessons and mindset shifts
3. Free resources to help you grow

Connect 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

Interested in being featured on a future coaching episode? ⁠Apply here⁠

Instagram: @inaj.thepetphotoceo

Email: ina@inajphotography.com

What do you do when you've been in business for 13 years, you can take beautiful photos, but you just can't seem to get the clients? Do you give up, or do you get help?

In this honest and vulnerable episode, Sydney-based dog and equine photographer Allira Fontana shares her journey from event photography burnout to building a sustainable private session business. Allira opens up about the moment she nearly threw in the towel, the game-changing decision to invest in business coaching with Mark Rossetto, and why the old "do free sessions for a few months" approach simply doesn't work anymore.

If you've ever felt stuck in your business, struggled with marketing, or questioned whether you should keep going, this episode is for you.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

1. How to know when it's time to invest in business coaching (and how to find the right coach for you)
2. Why marketing was the missing piece in Allira's business puzzle
3. The importance of finding accountability partners in your photography journey
4. How to navigate burnout without giving up on your dream
5. Why it's okay to pivot, pause, or change direction in your business
6. The real timeline for building a profitable pet photography business (spoiler: it's not 3 months)

About Allira Fontana:

Allira Fontana is a Sydney-based dog and equine photographer with almost 13 years of experience in the industry. After starting with event photography and experiencing significant burnout, Allira pivoted to private sessions and invested in business coaching that transformed her approach to marketing and client acquisition. She's passionate about supporting other photographers on their journey and is an accountability partner to Ina.

Instagram: @allirafontanaphotography

Website: https://www.allirafontana.com/

Allira's Social Media Pet Photographers Facebook Group

WHAT'S INSIDE THE WORKSHOP:

Workshop 1 (29 Jan): The Foundation

We'll identify your ideal client, craft messaging that attracts them,

Workshop 2 (5 Feb): The Marketing Pillars

Strategic Campaign Planning, pillars and identify which suits your business best

Workshop 3 (12 Feb): The System

Learn to map out your next 90 days of marketing priorities

Plus you get:

• Ideal Client Clarity Toolkit with custom ChatGPT bot

• Brand Compass Custom GPT for writing in your voice

• 12-Month Marketing Calendar Template

• 3 Weeks Voxer Access (6 weeks if you join before 9am tomorrow)

• Pre-Workshop Prep Kit

• Private community access

• 30-day money-back guarantee

INVESTMENT:

$529 USD or $790 AUD

Payment plans available: 3 payments of $210 USD or 3 payments of $314 AUD

SIGN UP NOW