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You are listening to take it personally, a podcast for photographers about the personal side of business and the art of standing out. Here. I'll help you build a business and a brand that is uniquely you if you want to attract dream clients and stop looking at the competition to decide your next move. If you are ready to show up as a confident branding authority to help you serve your clients and consider your goals and priorities too. If you want to make your mark in a new, underserved niche of photography, then this is the place for you. I'm your host, Maddie Ashong, South Dakota brand photographer and educator. I'm a straight shooting Instagram obsessed. Diehard Swifty who has built a multi-six figure business on the back of brand photography all while raising a family, and I know you can do the same. Let's get ready to take it personally.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:01:08

Katie, welcome to Take it personally.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:01:11

Thanks for having me back, Maddie.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:01:13

Yes. I'm thrilled to chat with you today about booking your highest paid session, just to kind of tease what we're chatting about today. But go ahead and first tell everyone who you are and what you do. I.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:01:26

My name is Katie Lio. I am a Dallas based brand photographer. I've been to. Been a professional photographer for 15 years. Started with weddings, then went to senior portraits, and then it was like, what am I doing with my life? Had my first baby. I was like, am I done with photography? I am not. And that was kind of the moment that, personal brand photography kind of entered the chat. And it was the perfect combination of, um, the things I liked about weddings, which was the details, the things I liked about senior portraits, which was like the one-on-one, like little bit of empowerment type stuff. And then the last piece was the networking piece that you get to talk to other, um, business owners. And as a new mom, I was desperate to talk to other grownups again. so when my son was finally old enough to go to preschool, that was kind of like when everything start, got the ball rolling, and here we are. He's about to be in second grade, so here we are.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:02:26

I love it. Okay. Yes. So what challenges were you facing before you decided to come into rebrand? Because you were one. We, we, we tend to kind of have two tracks of people who come into rebrand. We have the track of people who are just pivoting into brand photography. They're portfolio building. They're very talented photographers. They've been doing the photography thing. Um. But they're new to brand photography. And then we have another track of people like you who have been doing brand photography. You and I had actually been connected on Instagram for a while. You were a brand photographer, but you still decided to come into rebrand. What was happening in your business that made you make that decision?

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:03:05

So at the time of coming into or deciding, I had seen you launch Reran maybe two times before I'd on your email list. And, you know, listen, if you're a lurker on someone's list, you might be buying one day. I can attest to that.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:03:20

Yeah, same honestly.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:03:23

um, I was like, is this for me? Because, like you said, like I, I've been. A brand photographer for a while, I like kind of know, you know, what's going on. I know how to run a business and all that. But for me and my business, where I was at and what intrigued me was getting to a higher average session, getting to that next level type session that wasn't, you know, just, you know, calculated based on time or that wasn't like. You know, just an extra, an extra fancy portrait session or something like that. Like it actually delivered on the value that we promised. And um, I think in part of your marketing at the time, you were talking about one of the larger bookings that you got the, like project with the corporate company or. A project with that company that hired you for $30,000 or whatever it was. Um, and so that, that made me pay attention. And I was

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:04:23

You were like, I would also like that. Thank you so much.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:04:27

yes. Thank you so much. I'll take two.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:04:30

Yes, same honestly.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:04:32

Yeah, yeah. And so I was like, okay, so she's not just. Teaching about the thing that she once did. 'cause I think especially in the photography industry, you get a lot of educators who used to do the thing, but they're not currently doing the

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:04:49

Yeah, for sure. Mm-hmm.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:04:50

one of the trust building things that I found with you is that you're still currently a photographer. You're not like a retired photographer who's then teaching stuff that worked for you once upon a time. You're teaching the stuff that's

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:05:02

Right.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:05:02

what's currently working and. Evolving with, you know, as things change and as things, um, as marketing shifts and AI becomes more prevalent and stuff like that.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:05:15

So wanting to not just obviously get started with brand photography, but kind of kick it up a notch. Do you remember, 'cause I remember, um, like some of the first conversations that we had before you came into the program and you were charging a price and you were like, I wanna, I want my average booking to be hired. Do you remember? I should, I should have looked it up, but do you remember what you were charging when you came in and like what the goal was?

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:05:39

Yes. So I was very comfortably charging between like 1200 and 1500 for an average session.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:05:49

Mm-hmm.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:05:50

what I wanted to take it to, I wanted to take my entry level or like my average booking more to like 2,500

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:05:57

Yeah.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:05:58

um. one of the things that I was running into, and I think it was like on the episode that I listened to today of the podcast was about like, you know, basing your pricing solely on time and how that backs you into a corner and, 'cause that's what I was doing. Um, I had, I have a package that was like 2,500, but I found myself on discovery calls because the. The potential client would ask, well, do I need that much time? And I would talk myself out of it because I wanted to book over, you know, knowing, you know, leaning into my own expertise and knowing what I actually need. so after joining rebrand, uh, we worked on my packages. The differentiators is no longer time. And like literally, I wanna say like four weeks after that, I booked my. Package ever. Joe was

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:06:56

Okay. Yes. You. Hmm. Interesting. Okay, so let's talk about that a little bit. What specific things did you work on or have you worked on in your business since joining rebrand? What did that process look like? Like what was all of that stuff that we did? I.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:07:11

Um, so we looked at what, uh, you know, what was in like the signature session, building that out, and then, um, you know, creating the like more higher level session. And for me, I. Like to keep things super simple and it makes it, like when I'm on a discovery call, it makes it super easy to be like, here's A and b basically. because, uh, the, the signature session, which is like what everybody needs in most cases, if they've never worked with me before, um, is the photo component and then the differentiator for the other package is that I add on video.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:07:48

Mm-hmm.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:07:49

and so video is such a value add that it, you know. Pretty much if they're like looking for video, it sells itself because they're like,

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:07:57

Yeah.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:07:58

It commands a higher price. 'cause

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:08:00

Yep.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:08:01

takes

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:08:02

Yeah, it's a thing for sure.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:08:04

Uhhuh. Yeah.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:08:05

cool. So Differentiator was a big one.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:08:08

Yes. So positioning it as like, here's the signature session and then here's signature session plus, or here's like photo and video. So one package became o photo only, and the other package was photo plus video. And it made it really easy to understand the differences versus how I had it before, which like, here's 90 minutes, here's three hours and here's, you know. hours potentially. I've never booked a six hour session. And when I think about it, I'm like, do I really want that? But it's there to anchor a price. By restructuring and just like making it super simple of like, do you want photo or do you want both? The conversation shifts.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:08:50

We've talked a lot, you and I about how, like what you said, how you used to go get on discovery calls and almost kind of like downsell people as opposed to being able to really speak, like almost kind of talk up to them and speak to like, you know. If you're at this point of business or it, you know, this package that is my larger package and it is my more expensive package, but could be a really good fit for you. How do you feel like discovery calls go now versus, you know, a few months ago, a year ago, having those differentiators that are not just time in your packages and just really being able to stand behind the services that you're offering. Like how do you feel about discovery calls now versus then?

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:09:34

Like now, like, because it's so simple and it's like photo and or photo plus video. Like it's just easier to say like, and then you practice saying the numbers out loud a little bit before.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:09:48

You look in the mirror, you,

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:09:49

yeah.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:09:50

totally.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:09:50

And like I just had a call. Tuesday and you know, I was explaining the same thing and I was like, well, for photo only it's 2,500 for photo plus video, it's 3,500. And it kind of like rolls off the tongue and it's not so scary anymore because also like they see, like, it's not just, they're not just getting time and pictures. It is what you usually get. Like for a portrait session, but like when I'm talking to them like, oh, tell me more about your business. Like where are you taking your business? What are you launching? Like what projects are you working on? Like where are you using these photos? And like if you're marketing like. Just in that conversation, I can, um, they can hear my expertise and they're like, oh, okay. Like this is not just, uh, a photography session. This is marketing, uh, strategy. And then like, how am I using these so that you can promote and market your offers and make more money? And ultimately that's what we're helping our clients do.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:10:53

Absolutely. I think that we have so many people who come into rebrand. Who are kind of overlooking, understandably, the importance of that discovery call in. You're positioning honestly, because the discovery call is such a great opportunity to be able to have that FaceTime or voice time with your client and really set yourself apart as an expert by simply asking the right questions. Like you don't have to do anything super impressive, but to them asking those really thoughtful questions and making sure that you're coming at the session with so much strategy, it like makes them look at you differently from day one.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:11:31

Oh, for sure. And like I just had, um, a call with a client, like a planning call with a client yesterday, and at the end of the call she's like, we're, we're just gonna follow your lead. Like we gonna, uh, you know, uh, lean on your expertise. And I'm like, okay. So this is one of the things that I've also noticed with the clients with who are booking at the higher packages or who are in like. stages or later stages of their business. Like this is not, you know, they're not in startup, um, or they are in startup, but this is not their first business, is that they are looking for an expert, not just a photographer. Because Sure, any photographer can take pretty photos. But like you say, like, you know, brand photography is pretty with a purpose. 'cause the whole intent is to actually use the photos to market your business. And not everybody does that

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:12:26

Yep. Exactly. So many people talk about wanting those inside of rebrand, we call them, and other people refer to this too, as like champagne clients, right? Like those clients who are, they're easy to work with and they refer your business and they're okay with paying higher price tags. Like that's what we want as photographers. But in order to attract those people, we, you do have to do business differently, right? You need to approach it from strategy. You need to make sure that you're offering something more than just. Photography can't just slap a high price tag on something and be like, no problem. It sells itself. Like there's more that has to happen behind the scenes, and that's exactly what you're doing. So can you share any numbers or concrete examples of how this has impacted your business? Like what that, what that session was? You've actually been booking some like crazy kick ass sessions lately. So just like talk about that.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:13:13

So, well, I think this probably will help somebody out there to just kind of like put things into perspective. So I started April, 2025, really strong. I had sessions. I was busy. And then after I finished those sessions I was like. Huh? What am I doing next? I did not have anything on the books and uh, you know, part of me was ready to spiral and then I was like, okay, let's, you know, go back. Let's follow up. Let's do the things. Let's continue to market. We don't need to panic yet. And then happened was, um, I actually ended up having, by the last day of April, I booked the. booked four sessions, um, and so far in 2025, it's my highest revenue month.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:14:03

My gosh, that's so killer.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:14:05

Yes. A recent session that I had, this client asked her friend who lives in another state for a brand photography referral, she said, how do I find someone who does what you do where I live? So this other photographer in another state went to an online community that I am also a part of asked there. So one of my mentors, she tagged me. Then I guess that photographer looked up at my website and then referred me based on what she saw this client. And then I had the call with the client and I suppose she had seen my pricing and I, you know, and it wasn't a big deal. She's like, oh yeah, I'm looking for video too. And so what is that gonna be? And I was like, you know, it's gonna be 3,500 for your team and, and. She booked and it wasn't a question of like, you know, I think that when you move into a higher price package, it's suddenly, and especially if maybe you're not in a place to. Pay that yourself. You kind of

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:15:09

Yeah,

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:15:10

into like, why would anybody pay this?

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:15:12

totally. Mm-hmm.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:15:15

Um, but like when you find these clients and they see the value, and I think people talk about that a lot, and you don't really understand it until you see it yourself. But when I was explaining it to this client on the phone. And she had told me how she had tried to do a little bit of research herself, as far as like other photographers. She's like, oh yeah, I saw this other photographer. But she just, like, I didn't see the value there because it was kind of like you mentioned, slapping a high price without, you know, the, the, the everything else to back it up. It, she was like,

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:15:51

Yeah.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:15:52

understand why a session. She's like, it's. Like an hour and a half and it's $2,500. She's like, they can charge whatever they want. I just don't see the value there. She's like, but based on what you told me that you're offering, that totally makes sense. I was like, okay, thank you. Can I record that?

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:16:13

I think this is really interesting and one of the things that you said that I kind of wanna go back to is like, you kind of, you mentioned something about, um, when you find these, like really high value clients, but I wanna point out that the high, that when you have like a really high value client like this. More often than not, they're actually finding you. You're not having to find them. You're not having to pitch them,

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:16:35

Mm-hmm.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:16:36

they're finding you because of the networking that you have done, right, like the, the Facebook groups that you're in, the communities that you're in, they're finding you because of your website and that you've got good SEO and that you've got the information that you need on your website. They're finding you because of your socials, because of referrals. Like all of these things are working together. And helping you sell before you even ever get on a call with them. Then you get on the call with them, you're able to ask the right questions and it's like, oh my gosh, this is a no-brainer to hire this person. But all of those things have to be working in sync You have to have that like lock solid positioning.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:17:14

For sure. A good number of the clients that I've just booked. Two of them came from referrals from like my web designer, strategic partner, and they're just ready. They're like locked in. They're just like, tell me what to do. And I'm like, okay, dream. Hello.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:17:29

One of the things that you're doing to kind of encourage that, which I think is great, is you've been like setting up coffee meetings with these people, haven't, you know? Yeah. So talk a little bit about that. 'cause I think that that is such an underrated thing that people are not doing.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:17:41

Yeah. So, you know, like people can book you if they don't know you exist. That's, that's for everybody. Um, and so one of the things that I wanted to do, and one of the things that I noticed was like, okay, who are the other. You know, businesses out there who are benefiting from my services. And so, um, when I did my own rebrand last year, um, my brand and web designer. We started working together a lot and you know, she was telling me like, oh, I'm always looking for, like, she refers me a lot, but like also she's like, I like to refer you because you do more than just take photos. You actually walk the client through all the things and I'm like, okay, there has to. To be more people like you. You can't be the only one in this area. And so I started doing my research on like, who are the other, you know, local brand designers, web designers who, you know, may have clients who can benefit from this so that they can have the photos for the websites that they're designing that are actually gonna work. And it's not just gonna be like, oh, I guess we're gonna have a default to stock. so, you know, I did some reach outs and. My email saying, Hey, like, you know, I'm a brand photographer. I'm always looking for, you know, brand and web designers who, you know, do what you do because I know that you, uh, you know, benefit from having good photos from your clients for the websites that you design more or less in, in a more coherent way of saying that. And, um, hey, would you be interested in either, you know, getting together for a coffee or we can do it over Zoom and have like a coffee chat, a virtual coffee chat, and just like I. pitch, like nothing like that. Just like get to know each other. Um, like what kind of clients do you like to work with, where are you located, kind of thing. And um, like, how can I help? you know, I don't know where any of this is like. long it's gonna take for it to have an ROI, but at least now that person knows who I am. Whereas before they didn't. And, uh, one of the responses I got from, um, one of the people I met up with or, you know, met virtually, she's like. Oh my gosh. Like, I'm so glad that you reached out to me because I've been looking for someone like you, or I've been looking for, you know, a photographer who gets it and, um, and so, yeah, like if anything I've, you know, made a new friend or made a new contact and it's just expanding my network. So if somebody's thinking about it, like they can think of me.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:20:20

I love that. I saw a quote the other day that I had, I think I had heard it before, but forgotten about it, but I saw a quote the other day that said, the more contacts you have, the more contracts you have. And I was like, God, that's so true. Like.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:20:33

good.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:20:34

And I, and I think that what you're saying is so important to go into it without an agenda. Like I genuinely like, I know that the more people I know and the more people that I'm connected to, the better my business will be. I know that for a fact. I have seen it happen and when I'm getting coffee, I just wanna connect with somebody else who is in a similar boat to me and who has a similar business to me. Like it is purely connection based. And some really great things and really great projects and high paying projects have come out of it. And I think where people kind of get it wrong is either not doing that at all, just kind of forgetting about that piece of networking or going into it with this agenda of like, please refer everything to me. And it's like, no, I don't like, there's gonna be people who are a fit and who are not a fit, but I want you to know who I am.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:21:23

Right, right. I wanna know you as like a person and

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:21:27

Right.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:21:27

just check the vibe because like,

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:21:29

Yeah.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:21:30

it's not there, like no harm, no foul. This is a one time deal.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:21:35

Totally. Yes, I totally agree. Um, okay, so we talked about the concrete stuff, the numbers beyond the measurable results, how has working together changed your approach to business, your confidence level, those things?

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:21:48

since coming into rebrand, I think like there's a bunch of things, but, um, one of the things that I don't think I expected but was like a pleasant surprise was just like the community that you have, um. Like within Slack, within like the rebranded group and just how everybody is super supportive. Cheers. You on, gives you feedback is like the community exists. Like, 'cause sometimes in other programs there's a community, but it's crickets. And like

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:22:22

Yeah, for sure.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:22:23

it's like very active and you know, and I, and I also believe that like, you get what? You get what you put in. So like you have to participate or put in your 2 cents. And, um, one of the nice things I think about just like the overall kind of like feeling and vibe of the rebrand community is that everybody's very, like, and, um, kind and non-judgmental. And everybody's kind of in their own journey, but they're like, oh, like when, when I can see. Evidence of the thing that I'm working towards, like all the better. Like let me get some insight from, not just from Maddie, but also from people who are farther ahead than me or who have experienced doing this thing. So there's that part I think. Um. One of the things that I've also learned in this time was like, okay, like I think the messaging for like who I'm targeting is evolving. And so, um, like my messaging is going more towards like the entrepreneur who's in a, like a growth mode, who's like entering their next era, as you would say.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:23:34

Yes, I would.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:23:37

And, uh, like be like, who's the next thing that they are becoming? Like who, who is the person they are stepping into? And I, I just like posted some content about that. And like, I got like lots of good engagement from it. Like a complete stranger like DM me and was like, Hey, I wanna book something. And I was like, oh,

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:24:00

Amazing.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:24:01

Yeah, I'll take it. Um, and so, yeah, and it is like, just like taking that, like taking the shift of like, okay, like I've, I started here, but what got me here isn't gonna get me over there. And so like the messaging also has a shift and that's, that's okay because. there's more than enough room for everyone, and there are businesses at every kind of stage. And I'm like, okay, this is the new target and we are going after them. We are going to speak to them directly. Um, and I think that the response has been really. Good with that too.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:24:40

Yeah.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:24:41

And then just kind of like leaning into, speaking on like building, having a personal brand, building a personal brand, leaning into it and letting that be your differentiator, versus your business alone. I'm like, listen, realtors are a dime a dozen and, um. They're like, they're the easiest ones to target on that. But like, you can't just say, I sell houses. Cool. Like, so Doess my cousin over there and my best friend down the street. So like, but what's gonna make you different? And um, yeah. And so like leaning into a personal brand allows you to make a pivot later in life or make a pivot when you're like, ah, I'm done with this, but it's still you. And so just kind of like leaning into that thought leadership, which. I didn't expect from rebrand, but it came from that. Um, like, just like the work I've done and like the, the lots of, you know, uh, iterations on like messaging and who am I speaking to and like what do I being known for and all that.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:25:41

I love it. You really have you. I've always enjoyed your content. Like I said, I followed you for a long time, but you really have had a transformation in, you can tell you're speaking to a different client now and. With wanting to book higher paid sessions, but also wanting to have those champagne clients who trust you and who are like, you know what, run with it. Like you can do whatever. Um, you and I have also talked about putting together a, uh, like kind of higher package that potentially includes like a stylist and other team members, and like that type of package is going to appeal to that person who is maybe a little bit further along. Or at least sees the value of photography. So that's exactly who you should be speaking to, and you can tell in your messaging that that's like just getting honed more and more. I love it. What would you say to someone who's considering rebrand but isn't sure if it's right?

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:26:34

if you're considering a rebrand and you are like me, and you've been doing brand photography, either you've been dabbling or you know, you've slowly been making the pivot. Or you've been doing it for a couple of years and you kind of know what's going on, but you just kind of feel stuck or like you're like, I, I know that I wanna be taking my business in like that direction, but I'm not really sure how to get there. Like, it's time to invest in yourself. 'cause when you want, when you want other people to invest in you, you need to invest in yourself. Like put. your money where your mouth is. And um, and part of that is investing in a coach, investing in a program, investing in, in yourself, in your own personal development, um, so that you, your mindset is ready to take on those, like higher paying clients. So you, your mindset is right to. Be like, yes, I will take my highest paid session ever. Um, thank you. How would you like to pay? I would encourage you to message Maddie, or if you wanna message me, you can do that as well. I'm happy to share my experience. In fact, somebody from the last cohort did just that at the last launch and she was like, Hey, how has your experience been? And I was like, and listen, if there's one thing you need to know about me is I am. honest. I will not, I will not BS you. I will not sugarcoat it. I will be completely honest and I can say with full certainty that investing in rebrand has been one of the best things for my business. Like I re-upped as an alumni and it just like. It's, it's what I needed in my season of business right now. Having someone who's a coach in my, you know, back pocket who I can ask questions to, having a community of other people who are doing the exact same thing as I am doing and who, you know, wanna take it to the proverbial next level. And, um. And just helps to be able to bounce ideas off of somebody else who isn't in your immediate market. 'cause I know sometimes like when you're, if you don't have like a bestie who is in your area, but like you know somebody else who does what you do, but they're in the same area and you're like, are we friends? I don't know. So being able to ask someone who's in a different market, like it's completely like no judgment. If you are ready to kind of like take your business and book your highest session ever, 'cause like. I was skeptical. I was like, huh. But I don't know how this would, you know, happen or whatever. But like literally, quite literally four weeks after I joined, I booked my highest session ever and I was like, I took the discovery call at Ikea Of all

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:29:23

Oh my God, I forgot about that. You did.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:29:26

I did.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:29:28

Listen, coaching is so transformational, and I do, I think that, um, I, I've spoken to a lot of photographers in similar shoes to where you were at and they have maybe taken courses in the past, and so I think they look at rebrand with kind of a side eye because they're like, well, but I've done the course thing and I don't need someone to tell me how to do brand photography. Like, been there, done that. And I always tell them like. I totally understand that, and yes, rebrand does have a curriculum, but it's so much more about coaching and meeting you where you're at and being able to, um, like you said, kind of bounce ideas around or talk about your specific business. And I certainly did not know how transformational that would be to my business until I did it, until I had a coach. And now I'm like, gosh, I don't know if there's ever going to be a time in my business when I don't have a business coach, because it's just so helpful.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:30:27

Yes, having you as a coach has been the best thing to get me from like point B to point C. 'cause just having like your perspective and have you thought about it this way? Or maybe, what about this? And then just like thinking like. Bigger and outside of what I thought like possible of like, oh yeah, well maybe let's, let's try this. I really appreciate that you are accessible. You're not like a, Hey, we're here for the coaching call, and then you, you, you're a ghost and you're like, is she here? Like,

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:31:05

Where'd she go?

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:31:06

where'd she go? You are actively in the community. You're actively, like in your dms and you're actively engaging and cheering us on like elsewhere and stuff. So I really appreciate that.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:31:18

Well, I love having you in the program and I can't wait to have you back on the podcast when you've booked a $5,500 session. We'll come back and talk about that too.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:31:26

right, well, challenge accepted.

maddie--she-her-_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:31:30

Katie, thank you so much for being here today.

catie_1_05-08-2025_152157: 00:31:32

Thanks for having me.

undefined: 00:31:37

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