498: Allison Redmon – How to thrive as an expat photographer in a foreign country

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area.

Allison Redmon of www.allisonredmonphotography.com first appeared on the podcast for episode 264, where she shared how to use photography classes to book portrait clients.

That's when listeners were introduced to her incredible talent as a photographer and filmmaker and her entrepreneurial flair and drive to see her business survive in the unique market of Saudi Arabia and work predominately with US expats.

Squarespace voted her website as the best custom website for 2021… and it truly is a work of art. Do yourself a favour and take a look, but be prepared to feel deflated about your site before you head there.

I love her most recent post in the PhotoBizX Members Group where she asks…

I live in Saudi Arabia, and the sand storms and wind (which whips the sand during my sessions) destroy the zippers on my backpacks – can anyone recommend something less prone to the elements?

How cool to be able even to ask that question and say that you shoot family portraits in the Saudi Arabian desert!

In this interview, Allison shares how to survive, raise a family and live in a foreign country and build a thriving photography business as an expat photographer and cinematographer.

Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:

• Adjusting to weather conditions when photographing in Saudi Arabia
• A snapshot of Allison's photography business
• How to successfully manage a photography business when including both stills and films
• The challenges of providing cinematography for domestic clients
• Allison's pricing and why she has two price-lists
• How to target two different cultures/markets
• The reason Allison only prefers shooting stills in Saudi and saving video for other clients
• How to attract Saudi clients
• Allison's workflow for her dune photography sessions
• Allison's business workflow with ex-pats and Saudi clients and how they differ
• Work restrictions in Saudi
• How to dress appropriately in Saudi as an expat
• Social media is more popular in Saudi than websites
• Why Allison does not want to increase her pricing
• Pricing and packages
• Are newsletters effective for marketing your photography business and generating bookings
• Hiring an attire specialist to bridge the culture gap
• Allison's annual revenue
• Allison's thoughts on the Saudi culture
• What it's like to live in Saudi as an expat
• The advantages of working in Saudi as a female photographer

What’s on Offer for Premium Members

If you’re a premium member, you should have received an email with links to your version of this interview – the full-length and more revealing version where you hear the absolute best tips and advice from every guest.

If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, get access to a fantastic back catalogue of interviews, and ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.

Plus, special member-only interviews.

I don't want to be so high in what I'm charging that I'm eliminating people's ability to afford a sand dune session. – Allison Redmon

You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group, where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. There are also FB live video tutorials, role-play interviews and special live interviews in the group. You will not find more friendly, motivated, caring and sharing photographers online.

Seriously, that's not all.

In addition to everything above, you'll get access and instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, make you accountable and build friendships with other pro photographers with similar motives to you – to build a more successful photography business.

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything away from what Allison shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business due to what you heard in today's episode.

If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Allison or if you want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.

iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs

Each week I check for any new iTunes or Google reviews, and it's always a buzz to receive these… for several reasons.

Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they really are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome!

Secondly, iTunes and Google are the biggest search engine when it comes to podcasts, and it's your reviews and ratings that help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and, ultimately, a better show.

If you have left a review in the past, thank you! If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes or https://photobizx.com/google, and you can leave some honest feedback and a rating which will help both me and the show, and I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name.

Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast and email me your keywords or keyword phrase and where you'd like me to link to.

Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy, and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has impacted you and your photography business.​

Here is the latest review…

★★★★★ The Most Important Photography Podcast Out There

Via Apple Podcasts by Destination Wedding & Elopement Storyteller, based in South Florida and available literally anywhere, Joshua Kane in the USA on January 12, 2023.

I honestly believe that no one has done more, or is doing more for aspiring and current photographers than Andrew.

This podcast is a vital source of highly valuable and actionable information for anyone looking to either launch a career in photography, or reach new levels of success in their existing business.

The conversational style of interview is such an easy listen, plus Andrew has a remarkable skill for asking precisely the right questions of his guests in order to tease out the real methods, stories and takeaways that offer the most impact for the listener.

Get a premium subscription, join the Facebook group, throw this podcast on while you edit, and you’ll never feel alone in the industry again.
You’ll be energized, motivated and full of optimism just by hearing the possibilities and paths that others have walked before you.

And make sure you have a notepad handy, so you can TAKE ACTION when the lightning bolts hit (and they hit often)!

– Josh (Joshua Kane Photography)

Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:

Allison Redmon Photography

Allison Redmon on Instagram

Allison Redmon on Facebook

Episode 264: Allison Redmon – How to use photography classes to book portrait clients

A Family Film by Allison Redmon Photography on Vimeo

Episode 053: Fer Juaristi – Success and Happiness as a Wedding Photographer

Thank you!

Thanks again for listening, and thanks to Allison for sharing her thoughts, ideas and advice on how to run a successful and profitable photography business as an expat in a foreign country. And how she can juggle both stills and video work for different clients in different counties!

I know how much work it took to get to here and as a small business owner, it's not a joke. It never stops but I am so proud that I am where I am and it's because of a lot of hard work and help and I'm just so proud of it. – Allison Redmon

If you have any suggestions, comments or questions about this episode, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post, and if you liked the episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post!

That’s it for me this week, hope everything is going well for you in life and business!

Thanks, and speak soon
Andrew

The post 498: Allison Redmon – How to thrive as an expat photographer in a foreign country appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.