Feb 14, 2025
Ever wonder what it really takes to go from struggling photographer to booking consistent clients and finally going full-time? In this special episode, I sit down with Elena, a past Book It student who went from being severely burned by previous photography education to bringing in over $25K in just five months as a Chicago-based elopement photographer. Her journey from skepticism to success showcases how the right education and implementation can transform not just your business, but your entire mindset. Listen to the episode below, or keep reading for a summary of what’s covered.
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After being burned by false promises in photography education before, Elena was understandably hesitant to invest in another program. She had actually shut down her previous photography business and returned to corporate work. But something about Book It caught her attention, and after careful consideration and even getting her dad’s blessing after watching our consultation call, she decided to take the leap of faith.
What makes Elena’s story particularly compelling is how quickly she saw results. Within just one month of joining Book It, she had booked three elopements and one wedding at her highest packages – more success than she’d seen in her entire previous two years of business. Her clients weren’t blinking at her pricing, and she was finally feeling confident in her approach.
Elena’s approach to going full-time wasn’t about booking 30 weddings right away. Instead, she focused on Chicago city hall elopements, mixing these with associate shooting opportunities to create a diverse and sustainable income stream. She emphasizes how working as an associate photographer not only provided additional income but also valuable experience and networking opportunities.
One of the most impressive aspects of Elena’s transformation was her pricing journey. She raised her prices three to four times during the program, moving from three-digit to four-digit pricing for elopements. Within the last 5 months of 2024, she had brought in over $25,000 in revenue – allowing her to invest in new equipment, handle business expenses comfortably, and finally achieve her dream of going full-time.
Perhaps one of the most relatable aspects of Elena’s story is her battle with the fear of success. As she explains, “When you’ve had such a dream and such a goal for so long, you’re so used to never reaching it that when you think of the idea of when I reach it, it’s almost like you’re so used to that toxicity, the not reaching your goal that it becomes like a blanket of comfort.” Learning to embrace success and believe in her ability to achieve it was a crucial part of her journey.
If Elena’s story resonated with you and you’re ready to take that leap of faith in your own business, reach out to Elena on Instagram or learn more about Book It Mentorship Program. Remember, investing in your business will always be a leap of faith, but you’ll never get anywhere if you don’t take that first step.
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