In this episode of The Portrait System Podcast, host Nikki Closser speaks with Nigerian photographer Jokotade Shonowo about how changing her portrait photography sales strategy resulted in her building a more profitable photo business. 

Shonowo is a wedding, events, and portrait photographer based in Lagos, Nigeria, who started her photography business in 2009. In 2015, Shonowo’s entrepreneur sister asked her to share a studio space in a more upscale part of town. The increased rent motivated Jokotade to implement business practices she learned from photographer and educator Sue Bryce. These changes involved charging a session fee and offering several different product packages, including folio boxes and albums along with digital images. 

“A portrait session should be enjoyed,” says Shonowo. “It’s like a therapeutic session for the person being photographed. It’s more than the picture. It makes them a different type of way. It makes them feel more powerful.”

Case in point: In Nigeria, people love to celebrate, show off, and dress up in beautiful, glamorous clothes. Shonowo’s business revolves around shoots that highlight that beauty and glamour, and also features birthdays and other family and business celebrations. She then infuses all of this into her marketing. She’s been so serious about her success that she now employs a team of photographers, retouchers, and assistants to serve her many clients. She also has a dedicated person working on sales sessions so she can continue doing what she loves—photography. You can learn more about her portrait photography sales strategy and business at Poshclick Portraiture and Beyond the Shutter. 

The Portrait System Podcast helps portrait photographers navigate the world of photography, business, money, and much more. Hosted by Nikki Closser, the pod is powered by The Portrait System, a comprehensive, online educational platform that teaches all aspects of running a successful portrait photography studio.