BTI #224: Grow Your Network to Grow Your Net Worth with Karen Stanley
Release Date: 04/21/2021
Stop Answer "What Do You Charge?" Like an Amateur
Beyond the Image Podcast
“What are your rates?” It sounds simple, but most photographers fumble this moment and cost themselves money in the process. In this episode, we break down why answering too quickly puts you at a disadvantage and how to take control of the conversation instead. You’ll learn the key questions to ask before giving a number, how to position yourself as a professional instead of a commodity, and why pricing without context is just guessing. If you want to stop underpricing and start leading your client conversations, this episode is for you. Visit: Instagram: Substack:
info_outline
Should You Put Your Rates on Your Website?
Beyond the Image Podcast
Should your pricing be public… or is that quietly limiting your business? In this episode, I break down the real impact of listing your rates online. Not just from a convenience standpoint, but from a positioning and revenue perspective. Because while publishing pricing can filter inquiries, it can also create a ceiling on what you earn, reduce your ability to upsell, and shift how clients perceive your value before you ever have a conversation. We dig into when “starting at” pricing can work, where it falls short, and how most creatives unintentionally turn themselves into commodities...
info_outline
Who Pays Who? Models or Photographers?
Beyond the Image Podcast
This episode is a direct response to the conversations, debates, and hot takes sparked by two recent reels that hit a nerve. The question seems simple on the surface: who should pay who, the model or the photographer? But once you peel it back, it exposes a much bigger issue around value, expectations, and how people position themselves in the industry. In this episode, I break down the different scenarios where a model should be paid, where a photographer should be paid, and where neither should be reaching for their wallet. Because the truth is, this is not about rigid rules, it is about...
info_outline
Ego vs. Critique: What’s Really Hurting the Photography Industry
Beyond the Image Podcast
In this episode, we’re breaking down a problem that’s quietly holding the photography industry back—ego. After watching a photographer get flooded with hateful comments on their work, it became clear that much of what gets labeled as “critique” isn’t actually constructive feedback at all. It’s insecurity, comparison, and ego showing up as opinion. We dive into: The difference between real critique and ego-driven criticism Why “it’s public, expect feedback” misses the point The truth behind “I’m just being honest” How toxic feedback impacts creativity, collaboration,...
info_outline
The Truth About Underbidding in Creative Work (And Why It Hurts Everyone)
Beyond the Image Podcast
When a client takes one creative’s bid and shops it around to get someone else to undercut it, they’re not evaluating based on value, vision, or fit, they’re turning it into a race to the bottom. That devalues the work across the board. And on the flip side, a photographer who’s willing to drop their rate just because they saw someone else’s numbers isn’t really pricing based on what the project is worth, they’re just reacting to pressure. That’s not sustainable, and it hurts the industry long term. Healthy competition is presenting your best work, your best concept, and your...
info_outline
Stop Wasting Money: What Doesn’t Grow Your Photography Business
Beyond the Image Podcast
Most photographers don’t have a revenue problem… they have a focus problem. In this episode, I’m breaking down the biggest money traps in the photography industry. The things we’re told will grow our business… but don’t. From expensive websites and paid ads to studio spaces, rebrands, presets, and productivity tools, I’m sharing what I personally invested in that didn’t move the needle and why. More importantly, I’m unpacking what actually does drive growth so you can stop wasting time, stop wasting money, and start building real momentum. Because looking like a professional...
info_outline
Stop Worrying About Copycats: The Truth About “Stolen Ideas” in Photography
Beyond the Image Podcast
What should you do when another photographer copies your work? Nothing. In this episode, I break down why the fear of “stolen ideas” is one of the biggest things holding creatives back. After a recent post sparked debate, I dive into the difference between inspiration and theft, what copyright actually protects, and why most photographers are focused on the wrong problem. We’re talking about: Why ideas aren’t the asset, execution is The truth about “first usage rights” and copyright How a scarcity mindset slows your growth Why competition is actually a good thing And how...
info_outline
Are Photographers Actually Ruining the Industry?
Beyond the Image Podcast
Are photographers actually ruining the photography industry by charging too little? It is a complaint that has echoed through the photography community for decades. Photographers often blame other photographers for lowering prices, devaluing photography, and training clients to expect cheap or free work. But what if that belief is based on a misunderstanding of how markets actually work? In this episode of the Beyond the Image Podcast, photographer and creative entrepreneur James Patrick breaks down a recent debate with another photographer who argued that clients simply do not value...
info_outline
How I Became a CreativeLive Instructor — And What It Really Took
Beyond the Image Podcast
In this episode of Beyond the Image, commercial photographer James Patrick shares the story behind being invited to teach as a CreativeLive instructor photographer — and what it really takes to earn opportunities at that level. CreativeLive has featured some of the most respected photography instructors and creative entrepreneurs in the industry. Being selected as a CreativeLive photography instructor is not about virality or follower count. It is about depth of expertise, consistent production quality, and long-term credibility. In this episode, James breaks down: How major creative...
info_outline
Can A Bad Logo Ruin your Company?
Beyond the Image Podcast
Imagine if every single person thought the name of your company was something different. Not just a slight mispronounciation, but a fundamentally different word altogether. They would not know what to call your business, they would not know how to find it, how to search for it online and thus, they would be unable to ever actually hire and work with you. This is the situation a small business found themselves in. A low investment into a brand logo that was designed esthetically but not legibly led the company to waste tens of thousands of dollars on wasted marketing materials, product...
info_outlineSomething I bring up a lot on this show is the importance of having a strong foundation that you are building your business upon. In past episodes, I shared about my own journey in how I chose to focus on my physical health, my mental wellbeing, and to foster successful relationships. When I chose to do these three things, my business actually took off. In today’s episode, we are talking about why we need to cultivate the best relationships; not only with others, but also with ourselves. And how these relationships can improve our business.
WHO IS KAREN STANLEY?
Karen Stanley is the best-selling author of Becoming Mrs. Stanley, an agency owner, and an entrepreneur based in Arizona. At the beginning of her journey, she struggled with self-worth and self-confidence until she decided to start applying her knowledge of relationships in business to her personal life. Karen believes relationships truly are the key to being successful.
“You can’t be successful on an island by yourself, you need people.”
But she also believes that the best way to have strong and healthy relationships with others, is to have a strong and healthy relationship with yourself. Her book came out of her personal experiences of attracting confident and strong relationships in her life, including her husband of 6 years.
WHY DO WE STRUGGLE WITH SELF-WORTH?
Karen learned that we develop our core beliefs during childhood. There are events that happen to us before the age of 7 that lead us to create a story around the event, which then leads us to create a core belief. EX: Abused as a child -> “I’m not worthy.”
“We have to identify the beliefs and then get clear on what the facts are.”
The believes that we have that aren’t true, are limiting us. It’s important to build new and empowering beliefs.
BEING DILIGENT ABOUT YOUR INPUT
Karen is a big believer of being very particular of the things we put into our brains. The things we watch, look at, listen to. Everything we look at and listen to matters. It’s also important to be diligent about who we follow and look up to. If someone or something is making you feel less than your best, get rid of it! We want to follow people who inspire us and who have been successful, because this inspires us to do the same. We don’t want to follow people who are faking it or haven’t actually achieved success. It’s okay to take that person off your feed!
HOW TO INCREASE SELF-CONFIDENCE
When Karen realized the missing piece in her life, she made time for things that in turn, increased her self-confidence and changed her life.
- Karen made time to work on her mindset.
- Karen made time for fitness.
- Karen made time for reading.
“It’s an inside job. You’re the only one who can give yourself self-confidence.”
In turn, Karen said she started to feel great, and this is truly when her business started to grow. She pinned down what was missing and decided what was important. Taking time for herself was a missing piece that led to many other things falling into place. The secret sauce is the internal work. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s an intentional work that pays off.
FOCUS ON THE WINS
Highly driven individuals are goal oriented and always making sure they get things done. Oftentimes, we may forget to take a step back and acknowledge all the things we did accomplish. One of Karen’s best strategies for herself is to focus on her wins in the morning.
EX: Did I have a great conversation with ___? Did I have a great meeting with that client?”
When you start to see the list of wins, we see what we have a new appreciation for the progress you’ve made.
“There’s actually more dopamine released when you make progress towards the goal, than when we actually achieve it.”
Karen has found that really taking time to quiet your mind and be grateful for the things you do have now, brings a joy and fulfillment that is so important to our lives. Entrepreneurs often look towards the future and the goals we want to accomplish, which is great and keeps us going, but being thankful for the right now, magnifies all the great things that come.
Another simple task that Karen emphasizes is actually writing things down. Karen writes down a positive quote and her goals daily in the morning. She talks about how writing helps to slow down our brain and sets us up for success.
THE SCIENCE OF HABITS
Have you heard, “It takes 21 days to create a habit?” Karen shares how that’s not true. It’s a minimum of 66 days all the way up to a year. Knowing this, you can commit to doing something you know will make you successful for 90 days. (ex: a great morning routine, working out.)
If you can create habits you don’t have to think about, it saves time and energy and leads to your success. The energy you no longer spend on being intentional about creating the habit, can be used to build your business or build relationships.
THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A WHY
Living every day towards purpose and intention is what helps us reach our goals. When we know exactly why we are doing something, it makes it easier to do. For Karen, she works out because she wants to be active with her grandkids. Find your why and it will lead you to choosing to do the things that make you successful. This then leads to building that self-confidence and to knowing that you are doing what’s best for your business and your clients.
“When you start to believe in the work you’re doing, it makes it a lot easier to put it in front of other people.”
MORE FROM KAREN STANLEY
Tune into the episode to hear more detailed strategies from Karen and personal stories that will help you feel connected to her. Karen shares about the things that have given her great success and how she helps her clients.
Follow Karen on her website mrskarenstanley.com and on Instagram @officialmrskarenstanley . Karen drops a blog weekly so make sure to follow along!
CONNECT WITH HOST JAMES PATRICK
https://www.jamespatrick.com/coaching - To apply for 1-on-1 business coaching
https://www.instagram.com/jpatrickphoto - Follow in IG
Text James at (480) 605-3254
This episode is brought to you by www.FITposiumPLUS.com where you get monthly live coaching and education modules to support you in your business development goals!