588: Leigh Woolford – From Burnout to Booming: Building a Profitable Kindy Photography Business

PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast

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

Leigh Woolford runs an Australian childcare centre photography business, also known as a kindy, kindergarten, preschool or high-volume photography business, which is based in Melbourne, Australia.

We were exchanging emails about potential interview guests for the podcast when I learned that he will be presenting at a conference next year on the evolution of his own business—from burnout to building a profitable company.

That led to some back and forth before I asked him for today's interview.

In that email exchange, I mentioned that while visiting his website, it wasn't very clear which areas he was servicing with his kindy photography business.

I loved his reply! He said, “The service area is blank intentionally; we are going to be Australia-wide someday!”

In this interview, Leigh shares the ups and downs of creating and running a profitable high-volume photography business, which included almost giving up and, years later, almost going broke.

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

• From Motorsports to Kindy Photography—Leigh shares his transition from motorsports to kindergarten photography, discussing the business plan, securing a loan, and taking the leap to start his business.
• Building the Business and the Early Model—Learn how Leigh established his high-volume photography business, specialising in kindergartens and preschools.
• Scaling Up Through Automation—Discover how Leigh leveraged automation to streamline operations, reduce manual work, and fuel the business's growth.
• Tackling Early Challenges and Lessons Learned—the early struggles, including manual processes and tough decisions that laid the foundation for future success.
• Automation for Efficiency and Streamlined Workflow—Leigh highlights the transition to Netlife software and explains how automation became essential for scaling and improving business efficiency.
• Growing the Team and Letting Go of Control—As the business grew, so did the team. Leigh discusses hiring and training challenges and why learning to delegate was vital to expanding.
• Behind the Scenes and Current Team Structure—A closer look at the roles within Leigh’s team, hiring challenges, and how proper training and structure are vital to the business’s success.
• Revenue Strategies and Scaling the Business—Leigh shares strategies for increasing revenue per customer, such as sibling photos and clever package names, while focusing on scaling over aggressive growth.
• Balancing Expansion with Stability: Leigh discusses the importance of focusing on scalability rather than rapid growth and the support from the photography community along the way.
• Connecting with Clients and Engagement Strategies—Leigh highlights the move to text messaging (which didn't work) for better communication and the childcare centre registration system.
• Innovative Product Ideas to Reduce Costs and Boost Sales—From new product ideas like booklets to lower postage costs to creative ways to increase sales.
• Long-Term Vision for Growth and Work-Life Balance—Leigh shares his long-term ambitions for national expansion and his focus on achieving work-life balance, with potential plans to explore sports photography on the side.
• Learning from the Community and Continuous Improvement—Emphasising the value of industry community support, Leigh talks about the importance of learning from others and continually improving the business.
• Future Goals of Building a Self-Sustaining Business—Looking ahead, Leigh shares how he's looking to turn the business into a self-sustaining enterprise, giving him the freedom to pursue personal interests while ensuring the company still thrives.

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'm trying to make myself less important in the business and not be the business, and ideally have other people run it for me. – Leigh Woolford

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.

It’s incredibly difficult to take that leap. But if you’ve put the work in, and you know the bookings will come, you can make money in the business. – Leigh Woolford

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 Leigh 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.

We changed the name of that pack to the ‘I want it all’ pack, and sales jumped by 15%. – Leigh Woolford

If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Leigh or want to say 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.

It took me 10 years to come to the point, I need to get other people involved in the business, and I need to let go of some of that responsibility. – Leigh Woolford

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.

If parents are seeing great photos of their children, they want to have them. It's that fear of missing out. – Leigh Woolford

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.​

LAST CHANCE — Don’t Miss This Game-Changing Training for Photographers!

The Photography Exhibition Masterclass will show you how to fill your calendar with high-value clients by leveraging the power of exhibitions to showcase your work and grow your business.

This course, led by Katie, who has successfully run these exhibitions year after year, provides step-by-step guidance on creating an engaging exhibition that drives bookings, boosts sales, and builds lasting relationships with clients.

In this training, you’ll discover proven marketing strategies, how to design a luxury experience, and practical techniques for turning attendees into loyal clients.

If you’re a photographer looking to elevate your business and attract new clients through a profitable, results-driven exhibition, this course is for you.

All the details are here –>> https://learn.photobizx.com/exhibition-marketing-for-photographers-registration

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How to book clients and fill your calendar through a well-crafted photography exhibition.
• Marketing strategies to promote your exhibition and attract your high-value clients.
• Tips for creating stunning, gallery-worthy portraits that capture attention.
• How to generate long-term client relationships and repeat business.
• Using social media and email marketing to get people through your doors.
• Designing an unforgettable exhibition experience that boosts your brand.
• Pricing strategies to maximise profits from your exhibition.

When: The live training is on this week — October 2024 @ 8:00 am AEDT.
After Katie delivers the live training, you can access the full recording, stand-alone course, and any downloadables.

Where: Zoom (Link provided upon registration)

Why: To book out your calendar with clients who are eager to invest in your work and share their excitement with everyone they know.

Cost: $97 (Price doubles after the live training)

Early bird bonus: $100 off any existing PBX course (valid through 2024).

If you’re ready to transform your photography business with a full calendar of clients who value your work, this exhibition strategy could be your perfect marketing campaign.

All the details are here: https://learn.photobizx.com/exhibition-marketing-for-photographers-registration

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

Leigh Woolford Website

Leigh Woolford on Instagram

Netlife Photosuite

Team Photo Composite

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber

Episode 479: Hark Nijjar – The incredible business possibilities for high volume sports photography

Thank you!

Thanks for tuning in, and a big thanks to Leigh for sharing his journey in building a successful kindy photography business. His insights into scaling through automation, overcoming challenges, and staying focused on growth provide great lessons for any photographer looking to grow their business.

We started looking at scale, as opposed to growth, to work with the centers that we already had, instead of focusing that time on growing the business. – Leigh Woolford

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 588: Leigh Woolford – From Burnout to Booming: Building a Profitable Kindy Photography Business appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.