Jill gum Photo University
business builder
LEARN TO RUN A PROFITABLE PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS
JILL GUM EDUCATION
call it whatever you want--
WHEN STARTING A PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS, WHAT YOU NEED IS SIMPLE:
a blueprint, roadmap, guidebook, system, template, process, or how-to--
What you need is
a step-by-step guide to transform your beloved photography hobby into a profitable and purposeful business and to give you the confidence to finally declare:
“I’m a Photographer!"
Around 50% of small businesses fail within the first five years.*
*gasp*
We’ve all heard the scary stats before about small businesses, but I always try to look on the bright side.
WHAT IF YOU COULD FINALLY
After running a 6-figure part-time photography business for the last 9 years, I’m proof that it IS possible to build a business that is profitable and sustainable from the very beginning.
Diving into the world of small business can be daunting when considering things like contracts, taxes, pricing, client communication, and all the things!
But with the right moves and a guided approach, you can overcome the overwhelm of starting a new business.
And you can even prove that frightening 50% statistic WRONG by not only surviving your first year, but by THRIVING with a profitable photography business set up for long-term success from day one!
That's where I can help!
“Walking through the steps to make your business legal and official, as well as the marketing, storytelling, and pricing decisions...gave me the confidence and the inspiration to truly call myself ‘a photographer.’"
"IT’S THE PERFECT WAY TO TAKE A REAL STEP TOWARD BECOMING A BUSINESS OWNER.”
-Molly, Molly Cruitt Photography
A 6-module blueprint designed to transform your photography side-hustle into a profitable and sustainable business. From starting your business legally to pricing to finding your dream clients to BTS workflow and beyond: this course sets your photography business up for success...without all the guesswork.
Jill Gum Photo University
BUsiness Builder
INTRODUCING THE
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PLUS, you'll also get exclusive lifetime access to:
Multiple video lessons focusing on specific must-know topics to help you set your business up for success from the very beginning.
Each module also includes a PDF providing actionable to-dos for you to complete as you set up your business. You don’t need to figure out what comes next or worry that things will be forgotten--everything you need to do is in the homework!
Even though this round Business Builder online doesn’t include live Q+A calls, you will have exclusive access to all previously recorded coaching calls from the first live round of Business Builder. You can observe the founding students asking Jill their must-know questions and discussing issues in their own businesses as they worked through the content.
THE COURSE INCLUDES...
I want in!
The Jill Gum Education Facebook! This group gives you regular access to me and my other students for your questions about your business (and all other things photography) as you are going through the content and beyond! I am SUPER active in the group and respond to every post needed--and you will not find a kinder and more supportive community!
3
VIDEO
PDF HOMEWORK
ACCESS TO THE BB COACHING CALL VAULT
“It’s no longer ‘just a hobby,’ but something I can see myself transitioning to full-time at some point. It was the confidence booster I desperately needed and came at the perfect time...You can tell education is in Jill’s blood and she teaches in a way that makes everything feel so possible!”
"IT TRANSFORMED THE WAY I THINK ABOUT MY PHOTOGRAPHY SIDE-HUSTLE.”
-Lara, Lara Bell
Photography
gives your business the legs to stand on and covers the not-so-shiny parts of running a photography business, including: DBAs, banking, sales tax, income tax, insurance, contracts, and more!
Module 1: The Heart Behind your Business+ Business Set-Up
Business builder
blueprint
is the 2021 guide to social media marketing (*cough* from someone who built a successful business post-algorithm change *cough*) and encourages you to create a business that you can sustainably promote in a personal way.
Module 2: Social Media Marketing + Personal Branding
gives you the push and the permission to abandon the days of charging $50 per photo session and actually PRICE FOR PROFIT. I promise though--it’s not just fluff and Oprah-worthy-inspiration. This module helps you tackle the numbers and gives you a sound strategy to continue increasing prices as your business grows.
Module 3: Pricing for What You are Worth
gives you an inside look into the organization and workflows of a 6-figure photography business and covers topics such as email organization and project management tools! You'll also walk away with my mad-libs-style email templates to send to clients before and after their sessions. No need to reinvent the wheel when it’s already rolling!
Module 5: Pre-Session Workflow and Organization
is all about finding clients and cultivating those relationships! This module covers everything you need to know to start creating those raving fans! Because raving fans turn into referrals, and word-of-mouth marketing will completely change the trajectory of your business. This module even provides you with an editable pre-session PDF you can send to your clients to help them prepare for their photo session with you--just switch out the photos and your business details, and you’re ready to go!
Module 4: Building Client Connections
shows you the step-by-step process for an organized post-session workflow! From photographing the session, culling, editing, uploading, and delivering the gallery--I cover it ALL.
BONUS: A full video of me photographing the session I process in this model will be added to the course platform by February!
Module 6: Post-Session Workflow
click here to enroll
What's Your Investment?
CURIOUS HOW MUCH IT WILL COST YOU TO START YOUR BUSINESS PROFITABLY AND CONFIDENTLY?
The total value? $698
-Access to the online classroom with 6 modules teaching my method to transform your hobby into a profitable business
-Instructional Videos and homework with action items for each topic
-Exclusive online facebook group for Jill Gum Business Builder students with access to help from Jill and other students in the group
-Access to all past live Q+A sessions
for only $130 today!
*payment plan available for 4 payments of just $130*
Your investment: $449
YOU ALSO GET:
-A contract template
-An editable Session Prep Guide template for Canva
-Portrait Session Email Templates
-Behind-the-Scenes look at a full family mini-session with Jill
And the very best part?? ALL of this can be done on your OWN time, at your home, whenever you want! Students have lifetime access, so you can do this 100% at your own pace!
“I’m so grateful for the ways that this course helped me build confidence, create stability, and increase in skills as a business owner! I feel so much more ready to follow my dreams because I know my business is stable and set up for success. I’m so grateful to Jill...for helping me launch my business with confidence!”
“I FEEL SO MUCH MORE READY TO FOLLOW MY DREAMS!”
- Morgan, Turning Leaf
Photography
I’m Jill, a professional photographer, educator, and mama to 3 with a passion teaching others how to shoot like a 6-figure photographers and how to build successful businesses on their own terms!
YOU MIGHT BE WONDERING…
WHO AM I?
This is my sweet family and that far-too-tall-for-my-liking boy in front? He was MY reason to learn to use my camera in a more meaningful way and find a way to bring in an income while staying home with him.
9 years ago he came into this world and completely changed our lives. And something that was once a slight interest became a necessity for me...I had to figure out how to capture it all...exactly as it felt...and transform it into something that would give me financial and personal flexibility!
I spent a year-long maternity leave teaching myself (with the help of trusty Google) how to use my camera and how to build a photography business. I figured it out...but it took SO MUCH LONGER THAN IT NEEDED TO!
There was no road map for me, no path to make it easier, no one to guide me through the questions and challenges and things I needed to know. And while there were great photography business educators out there at the time, there weren’t any who were in the throes of starting their business post-social-media-algorithm-change like I had to (and like those starting businesses today!).
Because I taught for 8 years before staying home with these 3 babies, teaching is a huge part of me.
Which is why I want to be YOUR road map, guide, and teacher. I know how to make the complex both simple and fun. And I know how to teach you to create a business that gives your life the freedom and flexibility mine has given to us!
MY HEART BEHIND THE business builder?
-Photographed over 115 weddings.
-Taught hundreds of moms and photographers how to use their phones and cameras, edit their photos, and run successful businesses.
-Created an intensive, 24-module online photography program to teach moms how to take better photos of their children with their “fancy cameras”
-Photographed 250+ families and their babies, milestones, and big moments.
-Had photography published in over 20 wedding and media blogs, including the Huffington Post
-Been a Speaker and Educator for the Belle Lumiere Bundle, the Rising Tide Society, the Julie Paisley Summit, and the Central Illinois Professional Photographers.
-Built a 6-figure photography business while working part-time and staying home with my kids part-time!
I have also...
Q: What if I WANT to start a business, and know how to use my camera, but haven't photographed anyone other than my kids yet?
A:You are in the right place! As long as you comfortably know how to use your camera and shoot well (I highly recommend in manual), this program will cover the very next steps!! I will teach students how to find clients, what to do once you have found them, and everything else until their photos have been delivered!
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
NEXT QUESTION
Q: Do I have access to the content forever, and can I join anytime?
A: Yes, you get lifetime access to the course! You can join anytime, but it is cheaper now than it will every be during the initial launch-- so this is the time to grab your spot!
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
NEXT QUESTION
Q: What if I WANT to start a business, but am not super confident in my camera skills?
A: I have a PERFECT solution for you that dozens of other photo enthusiasts have seen great success with! It is called the Jill Gum Photo U and it is my membership to teach you how to use your camera in a beautiful and meaningful way, all the way from the first time it’s in your hands until you can comfortably take great photos and make great setting choices in any situation! Click HERE for all the details! It is the perfect lead in to the Business Builder course after you complete the Photo U lessons!
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
NEXT QUESTION
Q: I already have a business started, have a social media page or website, and have been photographing clients for a while but want to grow fast. Is this for me?
A: In the Business Builder, we’ll be covering these initial steps thoroughly. If you feel like you have a firm grasp on all of the content described above, I recommend you email me to get on the waiting list for my Business Boost program coming in the next year, or sign up for a 1-on-1 coaching session with me. Both options look at your individual business needs to help you grow to the next level! If you wouldn't call yourself a "growing photography business yet" (you aren't regularly bringing in clients, aren't confident how to find them, don’t know what to price, or just feel generally lost on what your next steps are) then this Business Builder program is for you!
