Feb 14, 2025

From Skeptical to Over 25k in Bookings in 5 Months: Elena’s Book It Experience

Student Case Studies

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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From Skepticism to Success: Elena’s Journey

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.

Building a Sustainable Photography Business

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.

Overcoming the Fear of Success

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.

Key Takeaways:

Success doesn’t always mean booking 30 weddings – find what works for your market and lifestyle
Diversifying income through associate work can provide stability while building your business
Don’t be afraid to raise your prices multiple times as you grow
Having a community and mentor who sees you as a person, not just a number, can make all the difference
The fear of success can be just as paralyzing as the fear of failure

What’s Covered in the Episode:

Elena’s journey from skepticism to success in Book It
How she booked multiple clients at her highest packages within one month
The importance of community and mentorship in business growth
Strategies for diversifying photography income
Overcoming mindset blocks and embracing success
Real numbers and results from implementing Book It strategies

Resources Mentioned:

Book It Mentorship Program
Elena’s Instagram: @elena.ececreative.co

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.

years of being a photography mentor

150+

happy students mentored + coached

25k+

revenue months consistently

51217+

times i've cried when mentorship is over

the photography business coach who still shoots weddings...

shocking i know!!!!

My photography business wasn't always the plan. If you know anything about how tough nursing school is, you don't just put yourself through that hard work for 2+ years to then quit. But that's exactly what happened for me. I loved pediatric trauma nursing in a lot of ways but it also left me feeling so empty.

Maybe you can resonate with that - loving your career but it also leaving you empty. I knew something had to change so I began pursuing this passion for photography without any real plan.

Within 3 months, I was able to pursue my photography career fully and I haven't looked back once. In my first full time year, I made over 100K. In my second year and beyond, I've brought in multi six figures. Let me be clear in saying that I don't tell you this to brag. In fact, I hate money talk (shivers).

I do tell you this because if I believe anything to be true, it's that you can find this same success too. Since 2022, I have packaged up all of my tried and true knowledge into education, mentorship, podcast episodes, resources, freebies, and so much more because I care about you and your business. I want to help you quit that career that's leaving you empty and grow your business with bookings from premium clients.

OR if you're finding yourself losing the love for your photography business (I've been there when I booked 30+ weddings), I want to help you scale so that never happens again.

There's something here for you, so stick around and come say hey on Instagram (@itsclairehunt) while you're at it.