582: Arica Lipp – From Paint to Profit: Building a Thriving Photography Business

PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area

Arica Lipp of www.aricalipp.com caught my attention when a video of her behind-the-scenes shoot of a young dancer was circulating on social media.

The photo looked, literally, like a painting, but when you see the video, you realise there was paint involved—it was on the young girl in the photo. You can see the photo in the show notes below to appreciate how amazing this photographer/artist is.

The comments that followed that video and image in the PBX Member's Group went like this…

• Wow! People are just so bloody clever!!!!! This is amazing
• Amazing!
• I'm astounded!
• I was literally just watching the BTS when you reposted. This is just magic!
• So so gooooooood!!!!!!!! Love the creativity!

I dug a little deeper to find a super-talented US-based photographer who has won a ton of awards… over 100! Who photographs headshots, portraits, seniors and dance photography clients.

Take one look at her website and portfolio, and you'll see a photographer who truly knows her craft. I was guessing and hoping there was a fantastic business behind this incredible photographer, I was not disappointed.

In this interview, learn how to combine your passions to build a thriving photography business.

Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:

• Embrace Business & Marketing: Arica highlights the importance of integrating business and marketing into your photography practice, emphasising them as key drivers of success.
• Background & Transition: Arica’s journey from fine art to photography, driven by personal need, shows how combining passion with a clear business focus can lead to success.
• Viral Success: A single viral photo gave Arica’s business a major boost, proving the power of emotionally impactful, shareable content that resonates with clients.
• Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Staying true to yourself and avoiding comparisons with others is key to personal and business growth, as Arica shares from her own experience.
• Niche Down & Build Online Presence: Finding a niche, such as headshots, and building a strong online presence are critical steps in growing a successful photography business.
• Client Relationships & Upselling: Building genuine relationships with clients, educating them on the value of professional photos, and mastering the art of upselling are essential to boosting revenue.
• Specialised Photography: Focusing on niche markets like dance photography and headshots allowed Arica to meet specific client needs and strengthen her business.
• Networking & Marketing: Effective networking involves attending events, building relationships, and giving back to the community, such as through charity donations, to build goodwill.
• Business Growth & Delegation: Arica’s plans for business growth include outsourcing tasks, hiring staff, and learning how to delegate effectively to support expansion.
• Vision for the Future: Arica’s vision includes expanding her services while maintaining high-quality work, offering valuable insights into scaling a photography business.

The purpose of niching in the beginning is to become memorable in the minds of a consumer, in the minds of your community, in your market. When you have a specific style, and it's consistent, you're more quickly remembered in the minds of people and viewers. – Arica Lipp

What’s on Offer for Premium Members

If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, a fantastic back catalogue of interviews, and have ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.

Plus, special member-only interviews.

I had to get over the fear of how I look in front of the camera. Because I can't ask my clients to do something I'm not willing to do myself. It's just not right. We all know that. So I put myself out there. – Arica Lipp

You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group, where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. The group also has FB live video tutorials, role-play, and special live interviews. You will not find more friendly, motivated, caring and sharing photographers online.

Seriously, that's not all.

In addition to everything above, you'll get access to instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, make you accountable, and build friendships with other pro photographers with motives similar to yours – to build a more successful photography business.

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything from what Arica shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, leave your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business based on what you heard in today's episode.

I'm going to value my work and even though it feels gut wrenchingly difficult, I'm just going to do it. And it gets easier. And then the more work you put in, the more you value that time and effort. – Arica Lipp

If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Arica, or a way to thank you for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.

iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs

I check for any new iTunes or Google reviews each week, and it's always a buzz to receive these… for several reasons.

Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome!

Secondly, iTunes and Google are the most significant podcast search engines, and your reviews and ratings help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and, ultimately, a better show.

My clients will come by just to say ‘hi' a lot. And I'm okay with that. And that's what I honestly feel is the secret of the success. When you treat people like they should be treated, they will come to you. AI is not going to take care of them the way I'm going to take care of them and it comes down to that. – Arica Lipp

If you have left a review in the past, thank you! If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes or https://photobizx.com/google. You can leave some honest feedback and a rating, which will help both me and the show. I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name.

Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast. Email me your keywords or phrases and where you'd like me to link them.

Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy, and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has impacted you and your photography business.​

Here is the latest review…

★★★★★ Ticks All The Boxes!

Via Google by Adelaide pet photographer Sarina Veliz, in Australia on September 3rd, 2024.

Andrew is an amazing educator. I came across him a few years ago when I did a short course on video creation – I didn’t even know he was a photography expert! But boy I am glad I discovered him.

He is also a fantastic podcast host, his interview style is fun and easy to listen to – I struggle sometimes finding podcasts that are both engaging, educational and have some light entertainment – his ticks all those boxes!

The thing that really stood out for me is that there is no problem too small for Andrew to jump right in, have a chat and figure things out.

Also I randomly replied to one of his newsletters one day and of course he responded straight back! Just an all-around great guy!

Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:

Arica Lipp Website

Arica Lipp on Facebook

Arica Lipp on Instagram

Episode 012: Jerry Ghionis – Cooking Up Wedding Photography Success, Don’t Get Caught in the Fire

Episode 145: Peter Hurley – How To Survive and Thrive as a Headshot Photographer

Episode 087: Sue Bryce – How to Make Real Money From Your Photography Business Right Now

Episode 448: Megan DiPiero – Go high end with your photography business or get ready to fail

Thank you!

Thanks again for listening and for Arica's sharing her journey from starving artist to thriving photography business owner by combining her love of dance, painting, photography and business.

We as photographers had that power to create these wonderful things that will keep giving to people that we created it for. And I wouldn't miss that. And I wouldn't feel like me if I stopped serving people to that extent. And it fulfills me. It fulfills me as an artist, fulfills me as a human, being able to connect with other humans. Headshots and branding only takes me so far artistically. There is a limit to the artistry. – Arica Lipp

That’s it for me this week; I hope everything is going well for you in life and business!

Thanks, and speak soon
Andrew

The post 582: Arica Lipp – From Paint to Profit: Building a Thriving Photography Business appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.