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© Giliane E. Mansfeldt
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Savvy Shutterbug is your go-to show for real talk and practical tips on building your photography skills and business. Hosted by seasoned photographer Giliane Mansfeldt, each episode dives into the art, craft, and hustle of photography — from mastering your camera to booking your dream clients. Whether you’re a passionate beginner or a budding pro, Savvy Shutterbug gives you honest insights, creative inspiration, and the tools you need to grow with confidence.
48 Episodes
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Year-end planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. In this episode, I walk you through a softer, more realistic way to review your year and set yourself up for 2026 — without perfection, without pressure, and without the chaos of trying to overhaul everything at once.We’re talking about emotional clarity, small sustainable changes, slow growth, creative rest, and how momentum actually works for photographers. If you’re craving direction without burnout, this is your invitation to approach the new year differently.Links:• Courses + Digital Resources: https://savvyshutterbug.com• Join the Skool Community: https://savvyshutterbug.com/skool
If I had to restart my photography journey today, these are the things I’d do differently — and honestly, they’re the things I wish someone had told me years ago. This episode is personal, practical, and full of the lessons that would have saved me so much time, stress, and confusion.We’re talking about where beginners waste energy, how to build confidence without burning out, and why slowing down is actually the fastest way to improve. It’s real talk for every photographer who wants to grow with more clarity and less pressure.Links:• Courses + Digital Resources: https://savvyshutterbug.com• Join the Skool Community: https://savvyshutterbug.com/skool
This episode is all about the heart of client loyalty — clarity, calm, and the emotional safety your clients feel long before you lift your camera. I’m breaking down what actually makes clients return year after year, and why the experience you create matters even more than the photos themselves.We’re talking about the small moments that build trust, the communication shifts that ease client anxiety, and the parts of your workflow that shape your reputation without you realizing it.Whether you're new to photography or ready to refine your client process for 2026, this episode will help you build a more grounded, relationship-centered business.Links:• Courses + Digital Resources: https://savvyshutterbug.com• Join the Skool Community: https://savvyshutterbug.com/skool
Ready to run your first Black Friday sale as a photographer? Let’s make it easy. Learn how to simplify your offer, plan your posts, and keep your sanity — while still making genuine, ethical sales.Inside this episode:How to prep your sale in advanceWhat to offer and what to skipSimple content ideas that build connectionTurning your first sale into long-term growth📲 Learn more: savvyshutterbug.com/blog | savvyshutterbug.com/clientpreppro | savvyshutterbug.com/courses | skool.com/savvyshutterbug
Hate the idea of marketing? Let’s change that. Learn how to sell your products and services in a way that feels genuine, not forced. This episode walks through storytelling, connection, and honest selling that builds trust — not pressure.📖 Resources & Links → Blog: savvyshutterbug.com/blog → Client Prep Pro App: savvyshutterbug.com/clientpreppro → Courses + Tools: https://learn.savvyshutterbug.com/ → Join the Skool Community: skool.com/savvyshutterbug
Creating your first digital product doesn’t have to be complicated. I walk you through how to design, export, and sell using just Canva and Gumroad — the same tools I used to start my own product journey.📖 Resources & Links → Blog: savvyshutterbug.com/blog → Client Prep Pro App: savvyshutterbug.com/clientpreppro → Courses + Tools: https://learn.savvyshutterbug.com/ → Join the Skool Community: skool.com/savvyshutterbug
What if your photography business could make money even when you weren’t shooting? In this episode, I share the real reasons photographers should create digital products — and how it can bring stability, freedom, and creative balance to your business.📖 Resources & Links→ Blog: savvyshutterbug.com/blog→ Client Prep Pro App: savvyshutterbug.com/clientpreppro→ Courses + Tools: https://learn.savvyshutterbug.com/→ Join the Skool Community: skool.com/savvyshutterbug
Ever go blank in the middle of a session, unsure how to pose your client?This episode is your pep talk and plan all in one. I’ll share what helped me go from frozen to confident—and the simple ways you can practice posing (without feeling awkward or overwhelmed).📚 Posing Resources + Courses → https://savvyshutterbug.com📩 Join the Savvy Shutterbug Newsletter → https://gilianes-newsletter.beehiiv.com/Follow the podcast if you’re ready to feel more confident behind the camera—and share this with a photographer who needs it.
A strong welcome guide can prevent 90% of client miscommunication before it ever starts.In today’s episode, I’m walking you through exactly what to include in your guide, how to make it match your brand, and how to use it to set expectations and elevate the client experience.📚 Explore Courses + Templates → https://savvyshutterbug.com📩 Join the Savvy Shutterbug Newsletter → https://gilianes-newsletter.beehiiv.com/Don’t forget to follow the show and leave a review—it helps more photographers find us!
Booking your first paying client can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to stop giving your work away for free, how to build confidence in your value, and the practical steps you can take to land that first paying client without panic.✨ Resources:📸 Learn more at: https://savvyshutterbug.com👥 Join the Savvy Shutterbug Community on Skool: https://www.skool.com/savvy-shutterbug-circle-5636
Do you find yourself rambling when clients ask questions, or keeping things so vague they don’t understand what they booked? Both hurt your business. In this episode, I’ll show you how to educate clients with clarity, set boundaries without apology, and stop over-explaining while still sounding approachable.✨ Free Resource → Grab my Client Communication Starter Pack here: https://sendfox.com/lp/mp45qq👥 Join the Savvy Shutterbug Community → https://www.skool.com/savvy-shutterbug-circle-5636
Pricing mini sessions can feel like guesswork. Charge too little and you burn out, charge too much and clients hesitate. In this episode, I’ll break down how to set mini session pricing that’s profitable and realistic, plus how to explain your rates without over-explaining or apologizing.✨ Free Resource → Grab my Mini Session Swipe Pack here: https://sendfox.com/lp/3q4d2v👥 Join the Savvy Shutterbug Community →https://www.skool.com/savvy-shutterbug-circle-5636
Do you dread sales conversations with your clients? You’re not alone. Most photographers either over-explain, apologize, or avoid talking about money altogether. In this episode, I’m sharing the sales mindset shift that changed everything for me — how I stopped seeing selling as pressure and started seeing it as service.✨ Free Resource → Grab my Client Communication Starter Pack here: https://sendfox.com/lp/mp45qq👥 Join the Savvy Shutterbug Community →https://www.skool.com/savvy-shutterbug-circle-5636
Mini sessions are a favorite tool for photographers — but they don’t always sell out. If you’ve ever launched minis only to hear crickets, this episode is for you. I’m sharing how to design mini sessions clients actually want, how to market them with clarity, and how to answer client questions with confidence.✨ Free Resource → Grab my Mini Session Swipe Pack here: https://sendfox.com/lp/3q4d2v👥 Join the Savvy Shutterbug Community → https://www.skool.com/savvy-shutterbug-circle-5636
Does your stomach drop every time a client asks, “So how much do you charge?” You’re not alone. Pricing is one of the hardest parts of running a photography business. In this episode, I’ll show you how to stop guessing your prices, talk about them with confidence, and let go of the panic when money comes up.✨ Free Resource → Grab my Pricing PDF Script here: https://sendfox.com/lp/m4j8gn👥 Join the Savvy Shutterbug Community → https://www.skool.com/savvy-shutterbug-circle-5636
If your client workflow lives in your head—or across a dozen sticky notes—you’re leaving time, money, and peace of mind on the table. This episode is your blueprint for building a workflow that actually works.Inside you’ll learn:The biggest mistakes photographers make when building workflowsMy 3-part client system (inquiry, prep, delivery)Why consistency builds client trust—and saves your sanityTools that make workflow setup easy, even if you hate techHow to create a system that grows with your business🎁 Get the Client Communication Starter Pack (Free Download):Grab the free download here!📚 Paired blog post:Client Communication Templates That Save Time and Avoid Confusion→ Read here🎓 Want the full system?The Beginner Client Workflow Mini Course is open and ready inside the Savvy Shutterbug Hub.Tags:
Prepping clients shouldn’t take hours or leave you buried in emails. This episode breaks down how I get clients photo-ready—without stress on either side. If you’re tired of repeating yourself or worrying about no-shows and last-minute questions, you need this.What we’ll cover:The 3-email system I use for every sessionHow I use prep guides and automation (without sounding robotic)Why your prep system sets the tone for the entire shootThe emotional side of client prep most educators skip🎁 Download the Session Prep Email Swipe File (Free!):Download your guide here📚 Paired blog post:How to Prep Clients for Summer Sessions→ Read here🧭 Want to upgrade your entire client experience?The Client Workflow Mini Course inside the Hub walks you through it step-by-step.
When I was just starting out, my days were a mess of editing marathons and forgotten emails. In this episode, I’m walking you through the daily workflow I wish I had back then—one that balances creativity, client work, and rest. No hustle culture. Just structure that works.Here’s what’s inside:Why most beginner photographers burn outWhat didn’t work (and the mistakes I made)My full daily routine now—editing, inbox, client prep, and moreHow to build a workflow based on your energy, not just trends🎁 Download the Daily Photographer Workflow Template:Grab it here! 📚 Paired blog post:My Daily Workflow for Juggling Editing, Marketing & Clients→ Read here🎓 Want to streamline your client experience from start to finish?Enroll in the Client Workflow Mini Course at the Hub.
If your to-do list is never-ending and your calendar is chaos, this episode is for you. I’m sharing the exact systems I use to manage time as a full-time photographer, educator, and business owner—without burning out. We’ll cover how to stop putting out fires and start running your creative business with purpose.What you’ll learn:Why traditional time management tips don’t work for creativesThe systems I use to balance editing, marketing, and clientsHow batching, boundaries, and brain space actually save youOne change that gave me 5+ hours back per week🎁 Grab the Weekly Photographer Task Map (Freebie):Grab it here!Why Batching Is a Beginner Photographer’s Secret Weapon→ Read here🚀 Want the whole system in one place?Check out the Beginner Client Workflow Mini Course inside the Savvy Shutterbug Hub.
Over-editing is one of the fastest ways to lose the soul of your photo. In this episode, we talk about knowing when enough is enough. Learn how to recognize the tipping point, trust your instincts, and develop the kind of restraint that creates timeless, client-trusted images.Discover more photography insights at SavvyShutterbug.com. For visual examples and extended content, watch the full video version on YouTube.
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