Photography Breakthrough: Year-End Encouragement and Free Workshop

Hey there, it's Matthew, and welcome to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast. This episode is a little different. It's just you and me today, and I want to speak straight to your heart. Because as this year comes to a close, I know you're probably feeling a lot. Hope, pressure, maybe some fear, maybe even some doubt.

So before we go any further, I want to say this. . I see you. You've shown up, you've worked hard, you've tried, even when it felt like no one noticed, kept going, and that alone is worth honoring. Today is December 29th. Just days away from a brand new year, and as we close out 2025, I want you to take this moment for yourself, not for your clients, not for your family, not for social media, just you.

Because if you are like many photographers, I know you've been carrying a lot this year.

Maybe you've been trying to figure out how to get more work.
Maybe you are tired of wondering if you'll ever be able to raise your prices and have clients who truly value what you do.
Maybe you're questioning whether this dream of being a photographer is even still possible for you.

I want to tell you something today
and I want you to hear this fully. . You are not the problem.
You don't need to work harder. You don't need to hustle more.
You don't need to become someone. You are not. You need a better system. You need better support.
You need to know how to create a photography business that lets you breathe and thrive.

That's why I created this podcast this year.

And that's why I'm inviting you to something special in January. But before I get into that, let me share something personal. At the beginning of 2025, I asked myself, what legacy do I want to leave? Not just through my photos, but through the impact I can make in the lives of other photographers for photographers like you.

Because even with all the career highlights I've had, I remember very well how hard it can be.

It was a year ago. This time when I was struggling

One year ago. I had nights when I could not sleep. Leap.

I know that struggle. The worry . The doubt that creeps in. It doesn't matter how talented you are, these struggles are real. Not the highlight reel, the real story, not what you see on Instagram, but real life.

This year I shared my struggles and how to break through those struggles.
I shared that because you may be struggling.
And I know you have talent. It's not your talent that's holding you back.

You see when you learn how to make your clients feel powerful, beautiful, and truly seen, you stop chasing bookings and start attracting them. And not just once, but again and again. Don't you want that?

This year I watched photographers take what I taught and completely shift their lives. They stopped waiting. They stopped wondering. They raised their prices, booked more clients, and finally felt in control again, and now it's your turn.
My dream for you is to have a business that supports your life, not one that drains it.

I want you to feel proud when you talk about your work. I want you to fall in love with photography again and have the freedom to do it your way. So let me ask you something. Are you ready to create consistent, meaningful work in 2026? , Are you ready to attract clients who pay well and love the experience you give them?

Are you ready to stop feeling like you are behind and start building real momentum?. If you said yes to any of that, then join me for my free three day workshop starting this January.
This workshop is designed specifically for photographers like you who are amazing at what they do, but want more consistency, confidence, more clients, and charging more.

In January, I'm gonna give you an opportunity to attract the right clients without chasing.

I'm going to give you the opportunity to raise your prices without the fear. I know the moment you think about raising your prices, that fear takes over. We're going to get over that.
And help you build a photography brand that connects emotionally, you're going to discover and experience that leads to repeat business, not just in 2026, but every year after this.

You see my friend, everything I teach, I live every single day.
It's the same approach that led a new client to fly me to Kenya this month to photograph seven women on Safari. Yes, it really works. I want to help you make it work for you. All you have to do is take that first step.

Now is the time for you to sign up. Go and sign up for the January workshop right now. The link is in the show notes and on my Instagram.

This workshop. It's completely free. I'm going to be honest with you. At the end of this workshop, you'll have the opportunity to work with me, but even if you don't want to go that far, there's something for you to help you get past your struggles.

Again, this three day workshop is completely free,

And the link, once again, it's in the show notes and the link is on my Instagram. My Instagram is under my name. Matthew Jordan Smith. This could be your turning point, the one you've been waiting for. Let 2026 be the year you stop struggling and start thriving. Let it be the year you step fully into your purpose with your camera, your vision, and your voice.

You deserve that. You are ready for that. I want to thank you for spending this year with me. And thank you for choosing to believe in yourself. Just a little more each and every day.

I can't wait to see what you create in 2026. Until next time, have a peaceful new year. I'll see you in January. Stay inspired, stay courageous and keep going. You don't have to do this by yourself.

Until then, bye for now and Happy New Year.