Episode 18 - Are You Teachable... or Do You Just Want To Keep Hoping

Photography Breakthrough: Teachable to Get Booked

Welcome back to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast, the place where struggling portrait photographers transform into confident business owners consistently getting booked by clients who value their work and happily pay their rates.

I'm your host, Matthew Jordan Smith, and today's episode, episode number 18, is going to cut through the noise.

And get right to the heart of something. I know a lot of you are feeling. Or do you just want to keep doing what you've always done? Hoping something changes. As many of you know. I wrapped up a free three day workshop at the end of November. If you were there, thank you. If you showed up, you listened, you took notes, you are already ahead of the curve.

We talked about the real reason most photographers aren't getting booked. We talked about what's really happening when a potential client says, I love your work. We talked about how good that feels for us as photographers. You know that feeling. The first moment somebody. Inquires about your work, and they say, I love your pictures. We all know what that feels like in that moment. Somebody sees us, recognizes our work, and then wants to find out how much we charge, then you reply with your rate and then they ghost you. The moment you send your pricing, they disappear. You don't hear from them.

We unpacked how giving your price without the right structure behind it is like handing someone an expensive menu before they've even sat down in your restaurant. No context, no emotional connection, no value built. And I showed you how the problem isn't your price. It's the lack of a system around how you present your offer and guide your clients through an experience.

But here's what I noticed. Not everyone who heard that message took it seriously enough to act on it. But some of you did. Those who really wanna change the next 12 months of your life, your business, and I am excited to get to work with all of you! Some of you saw the door open to the Photography Breakthrough System, my live training that walks you step by step through building a business that actually gets clients, but some hesitated. Maybe you said I need to think about it, or maybe next time, or I kind of already know this stuff.

And if that was you, I want to say this with love, but also with clarity, knowing and doing are not the same thing. Thinking about change is not the same as becoming teachable.

Now, being teachable doesn't mean you are a beginner. Let me make that clear. It doesn't mean you are not talented. It means you are ready to stop doing the same things over and over and expecting different results. You've probably heard that quote by Albert Einstein. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

But let's get back to that question. Are you actually teachable? Because when you are, it truly means you're ready to stop doing the same things over and over and expecting those different results. It means you're willing to look at your current process. Honestly, that's not easy. I get it. During the workshop. I asked you to write down how much you've made in the last 12 months and look at that honestly, what got you here won't get you there.

This next one is a big one. Let go of pride, let go of fear, and let go of ego so you can actually grow. Until you do those things, nothing's going to change. I think that's very important. So I wanna repeat it so you actually really hear this. Look at your current process, honestly, except what got you here. Won't get you to your future. Let go of the pride, the fear, the ego, so you can actually grow.

You see if you keep posting your work and hoping someone books replying with your price and crossing your fingers, waiting for the right time to invest in yourself. Then deep down you are relying on hope instead of strategy, and hope is a terrible business model. I know taking a step forward can be scary. Investing in yourself can be scary. But let's talk about why structure sets you free.

Let me tell you, this structure does not limit your creativity. It protects it.

Having a system doesn't make you robotic. It makes you consistent.

When you have a client journey that builds value, before you talk price, when you know what to say and when to say it. When you know how to guide a client to see themselves in your work and trust your process, you stop getting ghosted. You stop doubting your worth, you stop shrinking your price just to get someone to say yes, and that is what I'm teaching inside the Photography Breakthrough System. Not a bunch of theory, not another surface level course.

A framework that helps you get booked more consistently and feel proud of what you charge.

Speaking of which, are you happy with what you're charging? Let's be honest. He is the real question. Do you want to grow or do you want to be right? About why it's not working. Do you want results or do you want to keep repeating what feels comfortable? Are you teachable? Or are you just hoping clients will magically start valuing your work someday? I say all this with deep love because I see your potential. But I also see the trap you might be in, and it's this, thinking your current effort should already be working. Instead of realizing it's time to upgrade the way you run your business.

Here's the good news.

If something inside you is stirring right now. If your chest feels tight, if your mind is racing with, maybe I do need to shift something, then you are teachable. And today for those people who hear this but hesitated.

I am going to give another chance to change your future, But this is only for the next 48 hours.

Think of this as a gift to yourself. A gift to your future self.

Today, we will open the door to photography breakthrough system, but just for a little while, this is your chance to stop winging it and start building a business that actually works, not one that's built on hope.

One that's built on clarity, connection, and confidence. This invitation. It is for those who listen to the podcast. If you know you need to take action, today is your day. The link to sign up and change your life is in the show notes. I will also put the link on my Instagram.

Go to my Instagram. Right now I'm under Matthew Jordan Smith.

When you click the link in my bio. There, you'll find a special link that's just for you. I'm not telling anybody else. This is just for people who will listen to this podcast, who know you need to take action, but you've been afraid, scared to move forward. I get it. I know what that feels like. But this offer is just for you. The special link will say two words. I'm ready. That's it. I'm ready. Click the I'm Ready link. And come and join us.

I look forward to seeing you.

Thank you for being here for episode 18 of the Photography Breakthrough Podcast. If this hits home today, I'd love to hear from you. DM me if you have questions on Instagram. As I said earlier, I'm under Matthew Jordan Smith.

Tell me what you're ready to do differently now. If you are on the fence, do me a favor. On Instagram, send me a message and let me know. Matthew, I'm on the fence because... I'd love to hear from you.

But if you're ready to become truly teachable and build the system you business has been missing, check out photography breakthrough system while enrollment is still open. Remember, click the link that says. I'm ready. This is your time.

Until next time. Remember, confidence is built, clients are guided, and the breakthrough comes when you're finally willing to do things differently.

Thank you for your time today. Thank you for being here. Thank you for showing up because that alone lets me know you care about your future.

Now let's do something about it. I look forward to seeing you very soon.

Until next time. Bye for now.

I'M READY