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LEVEL UP: A Wedding Photography + Videography Podcast
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LEVEL UP: A Wedding Photography + Videography Podcast

Author: Taylor Petrinovich & Kelley Gilster | The Level Up Co.

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Ready to take your wedding photography or filmmaking business from mainstream to luxury? We are on a mission to equip YOU with the information and resources you need to scale your business into the premiere and luxury markets, where you can successfully 2-3x your prices.

Every Tuesday we invite you to tune in on conversations with Kelley and Taylor, luxury wedding cinematographers and business coaches, as we teach you what we have learned over 22+ years of combined experience in the wedding industry.

Learn the ins and outs of the luxury market, how to align your brand within it, and become fully prepared to take your business from mainstream to luxury.

In a nutshell: this is the wedding filmmaking + photography podcast for creatives striving for MORE in their businesses.

The wedding industry can be a challenging place to build a career, and we are here to help.
https://thelevelupco.com/

228 Episodes
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Every year you have the choice to either stay where you are or step into the next level of your business. Too often, we hold back out of fear, fear of raising prices, fear of not being “ready,” or fear that the luxury market is only for someone else. The truth is, those fears are what keep you stuck. In this episode, we sit down with Jaila, a wedding filmmaker who decided to stop letting fear call the shots. She shares how rebranding, shifting her mindset, and stepping into the Luxury Master...
Building a wedding business isn’t a straight line. There are seasons of excitement, seasons of burnout, and moments where you wonder if starting over means you’ve failed. The truth is, every step, even the hard ones, can set you up for growth if you choose to keep going. In this episode, we sit down with Mark Keysor to talk about what it really looks like to rebuild from the ground up. From undercharging and losing confidence to rebranding, raising prices, and finally booking clients with ea...
Lies We Told Ourselves

Lies We Told Ourselves

2025-09-1628:02

For years, we told ourselves lies about our businesses. Lies that kept us playing small, holding us back, and making us think success looked one certain way. We thought we had to shoot destination weddings to “arrive.” We thought buying the newest gear would finally level us up. We thought charging higher prices would mean more difficult clients. None of that was true. The truth is, you don’t need to chase every shiny object to succeed. You don’t need to go viral on Instagram or say yes to ev...
You can have all the talent in the world, but if your business strategy doesn’t match the level of clients you want to attract, you’ll stay stuck exactly where you are. The luxury market plays by a different set of rules, and once you learn to recognize them and align your brand, pricing, and portfolio accordingly, everything changes. In this episode we’re pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to grow a profitable, sustainable business in today’s wedding industry. We’re talking ab...
Discipline turns average into unstoppable. Distraction turns talent into wasted potential. Too many photographers and filmmakers are chasing every shiny object, trying to be everything to everyone, and spreading themselves too thin. The truth is, you don’t need to do it all. You need focus. When you stop diluting your energy and start showing up with clarity, consistency, and discipline, everything changes. The creatives who win aren’t always the most talented, they’re the ones who stay comm...
So many of us are playing it safe in our businesses. We set small goals we know we can hit because the thought of failing feels terrifying. But the truth is, that fear is keeping you stuck and holding you back from everything you’re capable of. The moment you give yourself permission to dream bigger, go after something greater, and get obsessed with reaching your full potential, everything changes. In this episode, we’re talking about what it really means to become obsessed with your busines...
You're invited to class next week! Register for Referrals on Repeat through the link below. https://thelevelupco.com/referrals-on-repeat Most wedding photographers and filmmakers are told to do it all: post constantly on Instagram, invest in expensive ads, keep up with SEO, and pray the inquiries roll in. But here’s the truth: the most powerful (and profitable) marketing strategy in the wedding industry has been sitting right under your nose the entire time. NEXT WEEK, UNLOCK THE #1 MARKET...
In this episode, we’re diving into what it really looks like to step into a new era of your business. Not just a new logo or fresh colors, but a true refresh that reflects who you are now, not who you were when you started. Because the reality is, you’ve grown. Your work is stronger, your vision is clearer, and it might be time for your brand to catch up. We talk about the signs it’s time for a change, the mindset shifts that come with letting go of what used to work, and how an intentional ...
Marketing doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, all it takes is one intentional sprint to boost your visibility, reignite momentum, and get in front of the people you actually want to work with. In this episode, we’re breaking down what a marketing sprint really is, how to use it when things feel slow or stagnant, and the specific mindset that makes this strategy work without burning out or spiraling into algorithm anxiety. If you’ve ever felt like you're posting just to post or crossin...
We all have that one moment that shifts everything. The opportunity that changes how we see ourselves, our business, and what’s really possible. In this episode, we’re talking about the wedding that changed everything for us—how we got in the room, what led to that booking, and what it unlocked on the other side. If you’ve been feeling like you’re just one connection, one planner, or one portfolio piece away from stepping into a new level, this episode is going to speak straight to you. Beca...
What if the only thing standing between you and the next level of your business is the fear of getting it wrong? In this episode, Kelley's reflecting on 15 years of creative work and what she wishes she had known earlier. She's talking about the shifts that actually moved the needle, the old habits she's ready to leave behind, and the creative pivots that helped us build a wedding business that felt aligned, elevated, and sustainable. If you’ve ever looked back at your older work and cringe...
This episode is a rebroadcast from the archives, and honestly, it might be just what you need to hear right now. If you ever feel like wedding mornings are chaotic, your energy is off, or you walk in feeling rushed instead of grounded, this one is for you. We are talking about pre-wedding habits, routines, and mindset shifts that help you show up as the calm, confident, and elevated version of yourself that your clients and planners will remember. Because let’s be real, your reputation is s...
This week, we’re bringing back one of our most-loved episodes and for good reason. If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to scale from shooting budget weddings to booking luxury destination clients, this one’s for you. In this replay, we dive into the exact mindset shifts, pricing pivots, and relationship-building strategies that helped this creative go from starting her business at 19 to filming multi-day events for high-end planners. It’s honest. It’s inspiring. And it’s proof ...
If you’ve ever felt like you’re behind or like everyone else is doing more than you this summer, this one’s for you. In this candid conversation, we’re giving you a peek behind the scenes of what life and business actually look like right now, because real success isn’t always hustle and picture-perfect productivity. Sometimes it looks like slowing down, shifting gears, and giving yourself permission to grow in other areas of your life too. From home projects and summer travel to the mindset...
If you’ve ever felt like you’re on an island trying to build your business alone, this episode is your sign to stop white-knuckling it. We’re diving into the real reasons why community and connection are essential if you want to grow, sustain momentum, and actually enjoy the process along the way. Inside, we break down why building relationships is one of the most overlooked strategies in the wedding industry—and how the right circle can open doors that talent alone can’t. You’ll walk away w...
f you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right- posting, sharing, creating, but still not seeing the kind of referrals you want? This episode is for you. We’re pulling back the curtain on the real reason referrals happen inside the wedding industry (hint: it’s not just about having pretty work). We talk about the relationships that actually move the needle, the kinds of connection strategies that get overlooked, and the difference between staying visible and staying valuable. The trut...
There comes a point in your creative business where doing “more” isn’t the answer—working longer hours, booking more weddings, saying yes to every opportunity. If you’re feeling stretched thin or creatively uninspired, it might be time to shift your strategy. In this episode, we’re breaking down the simple (but powerful) shifts you can make behind the camera that instantly elevate your work and speak to a more luxury clientele. We're talking real-time choices, intentional artistry, and how t...
If you’ve ever second-guessed your work, held back from trying something new, or felt the pressure to deliver perfection in every frame, this episode is for you. We’re diving into the art of embracing imperfection in your wedding films and how leaning into raw, honest moments (yes, even the ones with tricky lighting or imperfect angles) can actually elevate your work and serve your clients better. We talk about using black and white footage as a storytelling tool, releasing the pressure to m...
Have you ever wondered why some creatives seem to book effortlessly while others are left staring at an inbox full of ghosts? In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most frustrating parts of running a wedding business, getting ghosted. We’re diving into what’s really going on when a client doesn’t respond, what it might be saying about your brand, and how small shifts in your inquiry process can create big wins in your booking rate 💌 Because here’s the truth: it’s not...
Let’s talk about making more money without booking more weddings. In this episode, we’re breaking down how upsells can completely shift your income potential without adding more work to your calendar. And no, we’re not talking about sleazy, awkward, salesy tactics that make you feel gross. We’re talking about value-driven offers that feel like a service, not a pitch. This is about knowing your worth, trusting your expertise, and offering solutions that truly serve your clients and yes, getti...
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