Angie Whitten of Harmony Photography in Puyallup, Washington, focuses on multiple genres of portrait photography while also working as an accountability coach with The Portrait System. Over the last four years she has attained business suucees, raising her sales average nearly tenfold through cultivating relationships. In addition to business networking in her local community, Whitten also credits this big income shift to friendships she developed at The Portrait Masters Conference, where she met hundreds of successful photographers, including many who were newer to the business than her, in smaller towns, and charging more money. It gave her the push she needed to step beyond her comfort zone and ask for more.

Recently, Whitten joined Nikki Closser on The Portrait System Podcast to talk about her super power of relationship building. Immediately after starting her business, Whitten joined a local business networking group, learning over time that the best way to get clients was not to offer her services to everyone there, but rather to simply make friends with them. Whitten also took over leading the group, which helped her stay top of mind for everyone. Whenever anyone needed a photographer, they, or course, thought of her.

In addition, to being a fastidious networker, Whitten also makes relationship building a major part of her workflow. She has no less than 17 touch points of communication from the time someone first contacts her as a potential client to when they do their final reveal. Whitten says this ensures they feel fully taken care of, and knowing exactly what to expect from her means they have a relaxed, tension-free photo session.

You can learn more about Angie Whitten’s relationship-building style in her podcast episode, and hear her tips for overcoming obstacles in the Q&A below.

What is your average sale currently?   

$3800 

 
How did you push past fear when building your business?   

Once I just stopped resisting and listened and implemented that I was being taught, everything opened up for me. I fought it for too long and decided to just try what Sue Bryce was teaching. And I’ll be darned… She was right! 

Making a connection with your subject is one of the most important parts of a great portrait. How do you make lasting connections with your clients?   

I actually listen and don’t worry about what I want to shoot. I really dial in to how they are telling me they want to be seen. When you remove the ego from it, you create trust.  

For someone starting out on their photography journey what advice would you have for them?   

Do the self-value work right away. It is just as important (if not more) than posing, etc. This is the hurdle many of us put on hold, and it’s the biggest piece of the puzzle.  

How has The Portrait System changed your life for the better?   

The skills, the camaraderie, the self-value, the time it has opened up for me to be wildly successful while still choosing when I get to hang with my family — It’s all priceless! I don’t want to think about where I would’ve been if I hadn’t happened upon Sue 💙 The whole Portrait System team and network is second to none in every way.