News + Features


The Portrait System Podcast Celebrates 2 Million Downloads 

June 15, 2023

By Abbey Pleviak

© The Portrait System

Portrait System Podcast host Nikki Closser had some heartfelt words for her listening audience in her 2 million downloads celebration episode. She said, "To everyone out there listening, we cannot thank you enough. I wouldn't be able to do this if you didn't listen. So we just are so, so, so grateful to have you as our audience."

Portrait photographers starting a new business or looking to make their business more profitable have been counting on The Portrait System Podcast for candid stories and advice from others who have been there before. Host Nikki Closser proudly states that the show’s purpose is to help photographers find financial freedom doing what they love, and she notes that their listeners have used the advice from the podcast to “[grow] their businesses, quit their day jobs and [design] a life of their dreams.” This month, that listening total has reached the milestone of 2 million downloads of 250 episodes and counting. 

© The Portrait System

Each month, Closser welcomes guests from a variety of backgrounds. They come from big cities, small towns, islands, and developing countries. Some work part-time. Some are full-time. But all of them come onto the show with the desire to share what they’ve learned in order to help other photographers also attain their dreams of entrepreneurship. 

The Portrait System Podcast was started in 2020 as a free, public offering of The Portrait System by Sue Bryce. The Portrait System is membership-based educational platform, offering hundreds of videos teaching everything about the craft and business of portrait photography. The brand also has an online Portrait Masters Store open to everyone without membership. And, it’s annual Portrait Masters Conference invites photographers to gather in person for live teachings, deals on photo gear, and an opportunity to build their portfolio in fully-styled and staffed shooting bays.

To celebrate this 2 million download milestone, Closser welcomed boudoir photographer Kara Marie Trombetta onto the show. Trombetta runs two portrait photography businesses – one in Italy and another in Texas. Trombetta and Closser answered questions about the portrait business from members of The Portrait System’s online community.  

[Read: How Kara Marie Built Two Thriving Portrait Businesses]

As usual, the show was full of tips for photographers, exploring topics ranging from the perennial, like how to prepare for leaves of absence, to the timely, like should photographers feel threatened by AI?

Regarding the former, Closser implored photographers to prepare for planned events, like maternity leave, and unplanned events, like a family emergency, by having a rainy day fund. For the latter, Trombetta blithely shared the words of a meme making the rounds, saying “in order for AI to take our jobs, a client has to be able to articulate exactly what they want, so I’m pretty sure we’re safe.” Closser added that photographers will always face competition – even from humans – but she says, “It doesn’t matter. You can find your people. You only need a certain amount of clients per month, and you can find them.“

© The Portrait System

So, how can photographers get their names out there and stay top of mind for those who might forget about their photo businesses? Closser and Trombetta both agree that it’s crucial to keep your social media and website up to date with images of you shooting. On one hand, if someone is curious if you’re still in the business, if they go to your social media and don’t see that you are working, they are likely to think you have stopped. On the other hand, you don’t need to worry about every person remembering you if you have consistent business coming in. Above all, making sure you are delivering top-level service will get you the best kind of business – the business that comes from referrals by your past clients.  

Trombetta says the best customer service doesn’t “have to be dripping in diamonds. The best customer service is listening to your clients really, really well and really serving their needs — anticipating their needs and delivering on them.” 

[Read: Jumpstart Your Portrait Business Growth]

Closser and Trombetta both agree that customer service is the bedrock to a successful business. Even if you are still developing your craft and figuring out what kind of images you most love to shoot, as long as you can make your client feel seen, appreciated, and taken care of, you have a great chance of succeeding as a portrait photographer.

To browse past podcast episodes, search “The Portrait System” wherever you stream audio content.

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