Get Booked: A Photography Marketing Podcast

byAlison Bell, Melissa Arlena

ArtsVisualBusinessMarketing

Stop posting and praying. Start booking. Get Booked is the podcast for photographers who want real marketing, SEO, and business strategies—not another guru telling you to "just be consistent." Your hosts? Alison Bell and Melissa Arlena—two photographers and military spouses with 27+ combined years in the industry. Melissa is an SEO educator who runs Picture Perfect Rankings, teaching photographers how to get found on Google. Alison is a business mentor who's successfully moved her photography business across the country (multiple times) and knows how to book clients fast in any market. Each week, they break down what's actually working: SEO...

Episodes(40 episodes)

Replay: Do You Need a Photography Business Coach?

We're sharing why hiring a photography business coach is one of the best investments for your business—and exactly how to find the right fit for your specific needs. On this episode: Finding a coach: podcasts, recommendations, and being open to unexpected opportunities How to vet a coach before hiring Different coaching models: one-on-one, group coaching, and masterminds Looking for More Guidance? If you're overwhelmed about where to start with your website strategy and content, Melissa has created 35 Blog Post Topics to help you build out your foundation. If you're considering co...

Published: Dec 29, 2025Duration: 27m 0s

BONUS: A Chat with Sabrina Gebhardt

This episode is a re-share of an interview we did with Sabrina on her podcast, Shoot It Straight. Sabrina is a fellow photographer and business educator. We talk a lot about navigation transitions in photography and in business. Its that "messy middle." Enjoy this bonus episode and as always, let us know what you think on the Gram. Links: Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify Download 39 FREE Ways to Get More Clients Get Melissa's Free Blog Post Topics Find Alison on IG

Published: Dec 22, 2025Duration: 50m 28s

Season 4 - Episode 79

79: Mini Mentoring with Kristina Graff in Washington

We're looking for photographers to be featured on future Mini Mentoring episodes! Click this link to throw your name in the hat! Mini Mentoring is a series where Alison & Melissa get the low down on a real life business owner in need of more business. Whether that's because they've relocated, or pivoted niches we're walking through their business can giving them our recommendations to keep it moving. Kristina Graff moved from New Mexico to Washington state two years ago - talk about a change of scenery! She's gone from fully booked in NM to struggling...

Published: Dec 15, 2025Duration: 29m 0s

BONUS: Alison's Interview on Conversations with a Hostess to Build Community

This is not a normal business episode. It may seem like left field for our norm, but in that waiting period of re-establishing yourself, your business, or niche, you need to live your life. Amy's podcast, Conversations With a Hostess, is all about building community wherever you are through hosting. We discuss everything from Alison's personal background on holiday hosting to super easy, no-planning parties with the neighbors. On this episode we chat: How to include your kids in party prep Small party ideas to meet your neighbors How moving challenges our holiday events...

Published: Dec 10, 2025Duration: 58m 51s

Season 4 - Episode 78

78: Photography Marketing Systems with Dolly Delong

We're diving deep with Dolly DeLong, a family photographer and systems guru who learned how to scale her business while juggling motherhood and entrepreneurship. Dolly shares the exact frameworks and strategies that helped her build a thriving photography business without sacrificing her sanity—and she's breaking down how photography business systems can transform how you manage clients, marketing, and everything in between. On this episode: How to build backend systems, SOPs, and workflows that actually work for family photographers The PIGGFEL framework for strategic marketing and client launches Why your contact fo...

Published: Dec 8, 2025Duration: 32m 8s

Season 4 - Episode 77

77: SEO For Photographers: Get Found & Booked

We're breaking down SEO for photographers in plain English to show you why it matters so much for your business—because the people finding you through search spend the most money and book the easiest. On this episode: How to choose the right keywords your ideal clients are actually searching for Optimizing your homepage to clearly answer who you are, what you do, and where you serve Setting up Google Search Console and image SEO to drive consistent traffic Episodes from the show: 65: The Truth About AI 49: Our Fa...

Published: Dec 1, 2025Duration: 14m 29s

Replay: Best Photography Business Books on Audible

We're sharing our favorite business books to read during your holiday travels—the ones that actually changed how we run our photography businesses. Whether you're relocating, restructuring, or ready to scale, these books tackle pricing, marketing, niching, and making money as a photographer. On this episode: Website tools and platforms that make updates easy without hiring a designer Five must-read business books every photographer entrepreneur should read How to pick just one actionable idea from each book to implement immediately Top 5 Business Books for Photographers StoryBrand by Donald Miller Your brand isn't about you—it's abou...

Published: Nov 24, 2025Duration: 28m 26s

Season 4 - Episode 76

76: Email Marketing for Photographers: Getting Out Of The Spam Folder

We're diving into the technical side of email marketing today because what's the point of crafting the perfect marketing email if it never actually reaches your clients? Let's talk about sender reputation, engagement strategies, and how to make sure your mini session announcements don't end up in digital purgatory. On this episode: Setting up email authentication and building sender reputation Warming up your email list with engaged subscribers Creating a consistent email schedule year-round Tired of being invisible on Google? Learn the 5 SEO mistakes keeping photographers from...

Published: Nov 17, 2025Duration: 13m 20s

Season 4 - Episode 75

75: Quarter 4 Confessions: The Goals We Forgot We Set

We're back with another quarterly check-in where we're sharing what's working, what we've let go, and how we're pivoting our businesses as we head into the new year. Spoiler: sometimes the best business move is knowing what not to do anymore. On this episode: Hiring support and building systems Letting go of offers that no longer serve you Shifting focus from revenue goals to profit Jessica Tutton Podcast - Ready Set Launch on Apple Wedding Workflows - Use code ALISONBELL to get your first whole week FREE. Tired of...

Published: Nov 10, 2025Duration: 27m 28s

Season 4 - Episode 74

74: Mini Mentoring with Mollie S Moving from Texas to Florida

We're looking for photographers to be featured on future Mini Mentoring episodes! Click this link to throw your name in the hat! Mini Mentoring is a series where Alison & Melissa get the low down on a real life business owner in need of more business. Whether that's because they've relocated, or pivoted niches we're walking through their business can giving them our recommendations to keep it moving. Mollie Salazar is a wedding and family photographer moving from Texas to Florida and she's got tons of lead time! The stressor is that...

Published: Nov 3, 2025Duration: 24m 52s

Season 4 - Episode 73

73: Why I Finally Hired a Coach (And You Should too!)

We're getting real about why knowledge isn't enough and how accountability changes everything. Alison shares her personal experience hiring a nutritional coach—and the powerful parallels it revealed about what we actually need to move our businesses forward. On this episode: Why you already know enough (but still aren't getting results) The real value of coaching: accountability and application Calculating the cost of not investing in yourself Ready to stop spinning your wheels and start implementing? Melissa has resources to help you create content that attracts your ideal clients—check out her blog post topic guid...

Published: Oct 27, 2025Duration: 12m 28s

Season 4 - Episode 72

72: Blogging for SEO: How to Blog Photography Sessions That Actually Book Clients

We're diving into the art of blogging your photography sessions the right way—because throwing up a photo dump with three sentences and your main keyword isn't cutting it anymore. Today we're showing you how to turn every session blog post into a client-attracting, SEO-boosting, authority-building powerhouse. On this episode: Creating helpful, FAQ-style blog content that Google (and your ideal clients) actually love Strategic ways to use blog posts throughout your client workflow and marketing Selling yourself with clear calls-to-action in every post Tired of being invisible on Google? Learn the 5 SEO mistakes keeping photographers fr...

Published: Oct 20, 2025Duration: 23m 32s

Season 4 - Episode 71

71: 10 Ways To Get New Photography Clients

We know you've done all the heavy lifting with your SEO after your move, but waiting 6-12 months for Google to catch up feels like watching paint dry. In this episode, we're sharing 10 creative ways to get in front of your ideal clients right now—no waiting required. On this episode: Strategic networking and community involvement Creating content and collaborating with complementary businesses Getting creative while you wait for SEO to kick in Tired of being invisible on Google? Learn the 5 SEO mistakes keeping photographers from getting fo...

Published: Oct 13, 2025Duration: 20m 40s

Season 4 - Episode 70

70: Tantrums, Meltdowns and Keeping Your Cool

We're talking about every photographer's nightmare scenario—when sweet little angels turn into tiny tornadoes right in the middle of your session. In this episode, we're diving into proactive strategies to protect your business from disaster sessions that could lead to refund requests and unhappy clients. Key Takeaways: Contract language that protects you When and how to end a shoot early Client communication that saves the day Ready to level up your client management skills? Melissa has put together essential blog post topics that every photography business owner needs to...

Published: Oct 6, 2025Duration: 20m 3s

Season 4 - Episode 69

69: Mini Mentoring with Melanie near Tulsa, OK

Mini Mentoring is a series where we get the low down on a real life business owner in need of more something. Whether that's because they've relocated, or pivoted niches we're walking through their business can giving them our recommendations to keep it moving. We're talking to Melanie of Melanie Foster Photography who as switched this year to IPS model. We're discussing her: Follow-up SOP gaps Email list nurturing Tulsa mom groups We're looking for another photographer willing to jump on the podcast for another episode Mini Mentoring! Complete this form to apply. <...

Published: Sep 29, 2025Duration: 27m 54s

Season 4 - Episode 68

68: Hotels & Hustle - Get Away to Get It Done with a Workcation

We're spilling the tea on our secret weapon for actually getting sh*t done! You know those massive projects collecting dust while you're playing taxi driver and snack distributor? Time to ditch the chaos and get strategic about your productivity game. Key Takeaways: Escape artist mode activated Hotel lobby > home office Baby steps, big wins Tired of being invisible on Google? Learn the 5 SEO mistakes keeping photographers from getting found (and how to fix them) in Melissa's free masterclass: https://pictureperfectrankings.com/mistakes Thinking about a pivot...

Published: Sep 22, 2025Duration: 14m 33s

Season 4 - Episode 67

67: Q3 Check In: The Good, The Bad, & The Chaotic

We're back after our summer break! Today I'm sharing our quarterly review process and the wins, challenges, and lessons learned from Q2 while juggling business and kids. Key Takeaways: Do quarterly reviews Finding the right associate takes time Plan ahead for time off Melissa's SEO services and Blogging Club help photographers build sustainable online traffic for long-term growth. Book your free 15 minute discovery call with Alison for personalized business mentoring. Links: Braden Drake's Contract Club Leave a review in Apple or on...

Published: Sep 15, 2025Duration: 33m 24s

Season 4 - Episode 66

66: Stop Marketing Your Photography Business Like a Hot Mess

_*]:min-w-0"> Ever scramble to throw together a mini session at the last minute and then hate your life while trying to market it? Yeah, we've all been there. And honestly? It's exhausting, stressful, and completely avoidable. _*]:min-w-0"> Marketing your photography business doesn't have to feel like a constant fire drill. In this episode, Melissa and Alison are pulling back the curtain on the ONE thing that will transform your entire approach to marketing your photography business: an actual annual marketing calendar. _*]:min-w-0"> We know, we know - you've heard you need to be "marketing all...

Published: Sep 8, 2025Duration: 23m 11s

Summer Bonus : From Writer's Block to Marketing Machine

Have you been wondering how AI and ChatGPT fit into your blogging strategy? Or maybe you're still stuck on the "should I even be blogging" question altogether? I had the pleasure of chatting with Kim Box on the Motherhood Anthology podcast about all things blogging – from overcoming writer's block to using AI as your brainstorming partner (not your ghostwriter). We covered everything from the evolution of blogging for photographers to practical strategies for turning one blog post into a week's worth of marketing content. Here's the thing about blogging that's changed dramatically since the early da...

Published: Sep 1, 2025Duration: 46m 45s

Season 3 - Episode 69

Summer Replay : Marketing Mondays: How to Stop Working IN Your Business

If you're tired of feeling like you're always working IN your business instead of ON your business, this episode is for you. We're breaking down the concept of Marketing Mondays – dedicating at least one day a week to focus on marketing tasks that actually move the needle. The truth is, we've all been there: busy season hits in the fall, we get caught up in client work, and suddenly we stop marketing. Then January rolls around and our calendars are empty because we weren't nurturing our pipeline. Sound familiar? Today we're sharing our real marketing sy...

Published: Aug 25, 2025Duration: 19m 46s