Why You Need a Photography Business Coach (And How to Find the Right One)

I see so many incredibly talented photographers struggling alone with their businesses, convinced they should be able to figure everything out themselves. Meanwhile, the most successful photographers I know? They all have one thing in common – they’ve invested in a photography business coach.

Donald Miller, the genius behind StoryBrand, just said something that stopped me in my tracks: “If a business owner had to choose between getting a master’s in business from a prestigious university or hiring a coach, I’d tell them to hire a coach.”

That’s exactly what Alison and I discussed on this week’s Keep It Moving podcast episode, and honestly? It’s something I’m passionate about because I’ve seen the transformation that happens when photographers get the right guidance.

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But before we dive in—Hi! I’m Melissa, and I’m an SEO expert here to help portrait photographers finally get found by their dream clients on Google—without the technical overwhelm. Whether you need done-for-you SEO services, step-by-step coaching through my proven system, or monthly blogging strategies (like my Blogging Club membership!), I’ve got the tools to transform your invisible website into a client-attracting machine. Ready to stop being the best-kept secret in your market?

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If you haven’t already, I’d encourage you to listen to the full podcast episode where Alison & I break down all these strategies in detail. But if you’re ready to get straight to the actionable stuff, this blog post lays it all out for you step-by-step. Either way, you’re going to walk away with concrete strategies you can implement right away.

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The Real Reason Most Photography Businesses Struggle

After 17+ years in photography and helping hundreds of photographers transform their businesses, I’ve noticed a pattern. The photographers who stay stuck aren’t lacking talent – they’re lacking perspective. When you’re deep in the weeds of your own business, it’s impossible to see the forest for the trees.

As solopreneurs, we get so emotionally invested in every decision that we lose objectivity. That’s where a business coach becomes invaluable – they provide the clarity and accountability that keeps you moving forward instead of spinning in circles.

How to Find the Right Photography Business Coach

Start with Your Specific Problem

Don’t just search for a “general business coach.” I personally prefer coaches who specialize in a specific area. For example:

• If you’re struggling with SEO, work with an SEO expert (like my group coaching program)
• If you’re moving your photography business, find someone like Alison who specializes in business relocations
• If you need help with pricing, find a coach who focuses on that specific challenge

Effective Ways to Find Quality Coaches

Listen to Podcasts First This is huge, y’all. Podcasts give you a chance to really get to know a potential coach before you invest. I’ve found amazing coaches this way – you can hear their teaching style, their personality, and whether their approach resonates with you.

Ask in Photography Communities Hit up those Facebook groups and ask for specific recommendations. But here’s the thing – ask for coaches who’ve helped with your exact challenge, not just “good business coaches.”

Stay Open to Unexpected Opportunities Sometimes the perfect coach finds you. I had a coach reach out around the holidays talking about ADHD and business management. If I’d unsubscribed from her emails years ago (and yes, I’m terrible at unsubscribing), I would have missed an incredible two-week coaching experience that pushed me forward significantly.

Ready to finally get the guidance your photography business needs? This is exactly why I created my SEO Group Coaching program – to give photographers the specific, step-by-step guidance they need to transform their online visibility and attract dream clients consistently.

What to Look for in a Photography Business Coach

They Don’t Need to Be Decades Ahead of You

Here’s something that might surprise you: your coach doesn’t need to be running a million-dollar photography empire. They just need to be ahead of you in the specific area where you need help.

As Amy Porterfield says, “You only have to be 10% ahead to be a qualified leader.” Sometimes I actually prefer working with someone who’s only a few steps ahead because they still remember exactly what it’s like to be where I am.

Look for Proven Systems and Processes

When I invested in coaching last summer, the system my coach provided was worth every penny. She had a back-end office system that worked so seamlessly, I’m now trying to switch other areas of my business to similar processes.

You’re not just paying for someone’s time – you’re paying for their tested, proven systems that help you avoid the mistakes they’ve already made.

Trust and Comfort Are Non-Negotiable

I’ve been working with a coach I found through Donald Miller’s certified coach directory for almost 2 years now. Even though I’d never worked with her before, I trusted her because Donald Miller had trained and vetted her. That trust factor is crucial – you need to feel comfortable being vulnerable about your business challenges.

Different Types of Photography Business Coaching

One-on-One Coaching: The Most Intensive Option

This is where you get completely personalized attention. Your coach gets “elbow deep” in your business, as Allison puts it. It’s typically more expensive because you’re getting dedicated face time, but the results can be incredible.

I recently switched from group coaching to one-on-one with my business coach because I needed someone looking directly at my specific challenges and holding me accountable to my goals.

Group Coaching: Learning with Peers

This is my preferred method for teaching SEO to photographers. Here’s why group coaching works so well:

• It’s not another course you do alone and wonder if you did it right
• You learn from other photographers’ questions and challenges
• It’s more affordable than one-on-one
• You still get individual attention for your specific needs

In my group coaching program, I provide both group Q&A sessions and individual reviews of each photographer’s webpages and keywords. It’s the best of both worlds.

Mastermind-Style Coaching

These are smaller, more intimate groups (usually maxed at 10 people) where you get significant access to the coach plus peer support. They tend to be more expensive but offer more personalized attention than larger group programs.

The Real Benefits of Working with a Photography Business Coach

Accountability That Actually Works

Y’all, I’m paying my coach to hold me accountable, and I want her to do it. When she gives me a deadline, things get done. That quiz I’d been working on since January? It got finished when she said I had to present it to the mastermind group.

There’s something powerful about putting your money where your mouth is and having someone whose job it is to keep you moving forward.

Fresh Perspective on Your Business

As photographers, we get so close to our work that we can’t see obvious solutions. A coach provides that outside perspective that cuts through the emotion and confusion.

Just like when Allison and I coach each other through Marco Polo – when someone else is in crisis, the solution seems obvious. When it’s your own business, you’re too emotionally invested to think clearly.

Avoiding Costly Mistakes

Think about all the mistakes you won’t make because your coach has already been there. All the time you’ll save because they can tell you exactly what works and what doesn’t.

When you’re investing in coaching, you’re buying years of experience and proven processes that help you skip the expensive trial-and-error phase.

Why Most Photographers Resist Hiring a Coach (And Why You Shouldn’t)

The biggest objection I hear is cost. But here’s what I’ve learned: the cost of not getting help is usually much higher than the investment in coaching.

How much money are you losing by staying stuck? How much time are you wasting trying to figure things out alone? How much stress could you eliminate with the right guidance?

When I think about my SEO coaching, photographers typically see results that pay for the program within months. The same is true for business coaching – the right guidance pays for itself quickly.

Want to see what targeted coaching can do for your photography business? My Done-for-You SEO services take all the guesswork out of getting found on Google, so you can focus on what you do best – creating stunning photography.

Taking Action: Your Next Steps

If you’re reading this thinking, “I really do need help with my photography business,” here’s what to do:

1. Identify your biggest challenge – Is it SEO? Moving your business? Pricing? Client attraction?
2. Research coaches who specialize in that area – Listen to their podcasts, read their content, get to know their approach
3. Start with their free content – See if their teaching style resonates with you
4. Invest in the relationship – Whether it’s group coaching, one-on-one, or a mastermind, commit to the process

Remember, successful photographers don’t figure everything out alone. They get the guidance they need to move forward faster and avoid expensive mistakes.

Your photography business deserves the same level of professional support that you give your clients. Stop struggling alone and start getting the expert guidance that will transform your business.

Ready to stop spinning your wheels and start seeing real progress in your photography business? Whether you need help with SEO, business strategy, or navigating a move, there’s a coach out there who can help you get unstuck and moving forward again.

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