Is Your Elopement Photography Business Not Exactly Thriving?
Maybe you haven’t become the success story that you see other photographers around you becoming…
IT’S ABOUT TIME TO SHAKE THINGS UP.
So you’ve decided to become an elopement photographer.
This was no small decision. You bought quality gear, did a branding overhaul on your website & socials, and started scouting amazing locations for your future couples to exchange their vows. You made all the right investments and carefully planned...
Or so you thought — because your business isn’t exactly poppin’ off.
You went from feeling pumped and confident about this new business you started, to suddenly feeling lost and confused.
If any of this has been resonating with you so far — I’m so glad that you’re here.
Have you ever felt like…
Your prices are keeping your dream couples from booking with you, so lowering them should fix the problem?
You made “investments” that you gave you no return, too much or too little information, and didn’t give you the personalized tools that YOU need to achieve YOUR individual goals?
The market is too saturated with other elopement photographers that are shooting in the same destinations that you want to be?
Copying other photographers’ branding and shooting style will give you the same positive results that it did for them?
The personal and styled shoots in your portfolio that you worked so hard on and invested in, didn’t drive the inquiries and bookings that you expected?
You’re about to throw your phone across the room shouting, “Screw the algorithm!” and give up on social media altogether?
You’re on the verge of greatness, but something is missing in your business and you can’t figure out what it is??
Trust me. I get it. I’ve been exactly where you are — wondering what it is that I was doing wrong.
But even being based in Las Vegas — the wedding capital of the world, I’ve managed to break through the “saturated” elopement market AND inspire my couples to not do the cheesy, “Vegas” elopement that everyone else does when they come to Vegas. In fact, couples looking for a photographer in Las Vegas could throw a rock and hit like eight photographers that charge only 500 bucks!
My pricing starts at over $3,600 for a 4-hour elopement.
So let me reassure you…
The “saturated” market + your prices are NOT the problem
So why don’t you have a thriving business with a booked out calendar, and a salary that you an actually live on?
We’ll dive into that a little later, but for now I want you to try something.
Close your eyes and picture this…
You’ve raised your prices to double what they are now
You work with your dream couples, shooting in dream destinations
You stand out in the market with your own established brand and a recognizable style that’s unique to you
You’re no longer on the verge of greatness. You’ve achieved your version of greatness.
You consistently get 5-star reviews from your couples saying things like, “Our photographer was best decision we ever made!”
You get to work as often or as little as you want, while still living comfortably
Imagine what it would feel like to become your own success story.
Introducing…
TRUE NORTH THRIVE ✨
An 8-week group coaching program for elopement photographers that want to build a thriving business!
By the end of TNT, you’ll have the tools and strategies you need to drive inquiries into your inbox, a community of fellow photographers + a coach to hold you accountable while helping you achieve your goals, and a confidence boost that will catapult you into the success that you’ve always wanted.
Because the truth is, you didn’t take the leap into owning your own business just to endlessly hustle and grind.
Amirite?
I’ve shared a lot so far, and you might be wondering why I’m the guide for you through this thing called “running a successful elopement photography business.”
Hey, I’m Gabriela! The owner of Hotzel Photography, an elopement photography business that has consistently grown for the past 4 years and has become the business I’ve always dreamed of. I’m also host of The Light Between Connection — content events/workshops for elopement photographers + videographers, which I’ve hosted successfully for the past three years in a row.
But here’s the thing. While I have built a successful elopement photography business, it hasn’t always been that way. I actually worked in the public school system full-time for 4 years. My last year there, I made the decision that I wanted to start a photography business.
Years later, after making good and bad investments, building my portfolio, traveling and shooting all kinds of elopements, and hiring a business coach…
I finally learned what it takes to run a thriving elopement photography business that earns a living AND fills me with so much joy. Now I’m sharing everything that I can with you during our time together because I want you to feel the same way about your business that I feel about mine. And I want you to discover whatever success looks like for you, your business, and your life.
Here are some kind words from fellow photographers that have had real results after working with me…
“Both times I have had the chance to work with the incredibly talented and beautiful Gabriela Hotzel, I found myself not wanting to post [the images I shot during our session] right away. I have done a ton of soul-searching to figure out why that might be, and what I’ve discovered is that my heart feels that posting the pics means I must accept that the session is officially over. It feels like, if I don’t post, if I don’t share the minute the gallery is complete, I get to savor the time I had with Gabriela and our models for just a little bit more.
Truth be told, if I could have a mentoring session with Gabriela every month, I would be ecstatic… Having the chance to be in my favorite place on earth, while learning from Gabriela — someone I admire so much — was again nothing short of life-changing…
This morning, in one big remarkably cleansing breath, my heart reminded me that this post does not mean it is over. I can look forward to working with Gabriela again in the place that makes me happiest. I have established new and cherished friendships with those I have met through these unbelievable experiences…”
Tracy (Clover Photos)
Patrice’s experience working with me…
“Everything about Gabriela's True North Thrive mentorship is amazing! I've had my photography business for 7 years now and I really needed an educational boost for my business. Taking this 8 week program really helped me feel motivated that I can keep thriving to build my business I really want! I feel so inspired now that I have the right tools to grow my photography business!
I loved all the weekly breakdowns from how to correctly price my services, to marketing and social media. And I also really enjoyed learning about SEO and blogging and the overall layout of my website too. I've had some awesome WINS, which is so rewarding to see in our weeks together! I highly recommend this program! Gabriela is such a sweetheart and I admire her so much! She definitely guided me with all the support to make the all positive changes for myself and my business. Thank you Gabriela!!”
Patrice (Trice McNeal Photography)
Becky’s experience working with me…
“This program has helped me tremendously! It was so enjoyable, and I learned so much! Even being in this business, for how many years, you can easily forget things.
Not only did I learn new things. I also got a refresher. I also enjoy the fact that, even after the program I can still go back and watch videos to refresh my memory.”
Becky (Barefoot Photography)
Testimonials like those are why I created True North Thrive. It genuinely gives me energy teaching others and helping them to succeed. I’ve been mentoring photographers either one-on-one or in group settings for three years now, and this program was designed with fellow elopement photographers like you in mind.
Here’s how the program works…
True North Thrive is an 8-week group coaching program that is personalized to you and the business that YOU want to create.
You will be guided with proven methods and strategies to help you grow and succeed, but your growth and success will be personal to you and shaped by your own vision and values.
Here’s what you’re gonna get:
8x two-hour Zoom coaching calls — I’ll teach the lesson topic live and answer any questions that you have.
Lifetime access to the student dashboard so you can review lessons as long as you need.
Bonus videos, PDF’s, and more.
Access to a Slack chat group for accountability, community support, and direct access to me in between coaching calls.
*waitlist subscribers also get a FREE WEBSITE AUDIT BONUS at the end of the program*
Here is how the 8-week program breaks down each week…
Week 1 — B.Y.O.B.
Build Your Own Brand — The foundation to any successful elopement photography business is mindset and individualism because we’re building up the business of YOUR dreams, and you get to decide what that looks like for YOU. Your business isn't going to look like mine, and it isn't going to look like Maddie Mae's or Anni Graham's. We'll dive into YOUR "why" and start you on the track to success.
The effort you put into this week will guide every decision you make from this point forward; your choices should align with your values and brand, while giving you energy. If it doesn’t, let's get rid of it. No bad vibes or negative energy here!
Week 2 — STAND OUT
You've likely heard from folks that this industry is too "saturated." But the truth is, it isn't. To stand out against the crowd, you need not only good marketing skills, (like a solid website, a solid IG feed, and solid strategies for couples to find you) but you also need to deliver as a photographer too. That may sound obvious, but I've seen what feels like a million different marketing courses and hardly anything about leveling up your actual skills in photography.
We'll get back to the basics behind the art of photography like shooting creatively, finding inspiration, storytelling, and upping your editing game. These basics can be what helps you to stand out from everyone else in a "saturated" market.
Week 3 — MONEY & SUCCESS
Money management and pricing yourself right can be the difference between a business that's making you money and a business that's taking your money. I believe in the motto of "work to live, not live to work." How would it feel to finally hit your stride and achieve your personal and financial goals in business? Lemme guess... AH-MAZING right?!
When you couple both - money and success - you can hand-craft the business of your dreams, while living in a sustainable and comfortable way. Not retainer-to-retainer.
Week 4 — SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
The algorithm got you wanting to rip your hair out?? It doesn't have to. In this week we'll talk about how using social media platforms including Instagram & Pinterest the right way, can help your dream couples find you!
And it's so much more than going viral or getting featured with random Instagram accounts. While that might be a nice confidence boost, it's not how your dream couples are going to connect with you. Social media should be a marketing tool instead of a marketing headache, and it can be a great way to showcase your portfolio.
Week 5 — MARKETING CON’T
The word "marketing" doesn't have to make you cringe. You don't have to come off salesy, preachy, or gimmicky. In fact, you shouldn't. You'll learn how just being yourself will help the right couples to find you, without having to reduce yourself to following trends and dancing in front of a camera for a video.
Instead of a social media focus, we're going to dive into other marketing tools like Google/SEO and blogging so that your business isn't solely dependent on the unpredictability of social media algorithms! In fact, these are some of my personal favorite marketing tools!
Week 6 — PERSONAL & STYLED SHOOTS
Attending or setting up your own shoots can be a game changer to attracting your dream couples in your dream destinations. There is a science behind breaking into specific markets like: adventure elopements, specific destinations, etc. It’s so much more intentional than putting "willing to travel" everywhere and hoping that the perfect couple will just magically reach out to you and want to elope in one of your bucket list locations.
We'll cover how to create personal shoots with a purpose and which styled shoots you should invest in. I'll also walk you through the exact process that I have used to land dream clients in dreamy destinations.
Week 7 — CLIENT EXPERIENCE
We are elopement photographers. It's not a photoshoot. It's the day two people commit their lives to each other. Our role in that is to provide our couples with a medium to make those memories live on far beyond their own lives. It's a big deal.
I’m going to show you how to blow your couples’ expectations out of the water and craft an experience that is truly unique to them. This starts way before their wedding day and even after you send over the final gallery. You'll be able to walk your couples through planning an all-day elopement experience from start to finish and how to get five-star reviews every, single time!
Week 8 — HEAD “TRUE NORTH”
We're going to look back on what you've learned up to this point and use that to plan for the future with confidence. I'll help you set goals that are realistic and attainable so that you don’t bite off too much and get discouraged.
You’ll discover which areas you excel at and which you.. well.. don’t, and we'll use that information to make a realistic and actionable plan going forward. I'll help you goal-set in a way that makes you feel pumped and ready to find your "True North" in business and THRIVE!
By the end of True North Thrive, you’ll have:
The confidence to charge double what you’re currently charging for your services
Effective marketing techniques to help your dream couples find you and book them in dream destinations
A mind-blowing client experience that makes your couples write you an amazing review, give you a gift, leave you a huge tip, and want to share your photos all over social media
A weight lifted off of your shoulders because you’ll know what’s going wrong in your business and have an actionable plan going forward
The support of a close-knit community of fellow photographers cheering you on to success
You’ll be no longer be riding the struggle bus — you’ll be thriving
I GET THAT IT’S HARD TO INVEST IN YOUR BUSINESS WHEN YOUR CALENDAR ISN’T BOOKED UP… YET
And it’s especially hard when you’ve invested in education or coaching in the past that was underwhelming and disappointing. But let me ask you something:
If you continue on the course that you’re currently on…
If your business stays stagnant…
If you never figure out what you’re doing “wrong”…
If you keep charging what you’re charging…
Will you really be able to afford to not invest in your business right now?
Only 10 applicants are accepted at a time — so don’t sit on this.
**The first day of the program begins February 5th!!**
Here’s a little known fact…
Your Business Will Never Become What You Define As Successful As Long As You Keep Trying To Run It The Same Way That Everyone Else Does.
So let’s shake things up.
I’m going to help you rediscover your passion for your business.
You’re going to walk away with the tools you need to grow.
And you’re going to feel like a freakin’ rockstar by the end of it.
So what do you say…
Are you ready to start thriving in your business?
Investment details below:
*waitlist subscribers get $200 off any payment plan on enrollment*
FAQ’s
Do you teach us any photography skills?
Yes, BUT not the basics like camera settings and functions. We’ll be focused more on composition, creativity, and finding inspiration. So in this course you will need an advanced understanding of your camera gear to build off of.
When does the next round of TNT begin? And what day/time will we be meeting?
We will start on Monday, February 5th at 12pm PST! The remaining live coaching calls will be on Thursday’s at 1pm PST.
Is this for people who want to shoot regular weddings and not elopements?
Yes! The information that we’ll be covering in this course can be applied to various photography fields, but we will be primarily focused on elopements since it’s my specialty. Who knows? Maybe you’ll want to branch into elopements too by the end of this thing.
What happens if I miss one of the live group coaching calls?
Each group Zoom call is recorded and uploaded into your student dashboard for you to watch at your convenience!
How does it work with time zone differences?
All calls will be scheduled for Pacific Standard Time. You will want to be sure to attend according to what your own time zone is in-line with PST.
Is this right for me if I’ve never booked a single elopement?
Absolutely! The skills and strategies that will be discussed will help you to book your first elopement!
Follow Along On The ‘Gram!