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Tom Trevatt of www.tomtrevatt.com and I have been exchanging emails since 2021, when he completed the little questionnaire on the PhotoBizX website to receive some personalised interview suggestions.

At the time, he was into headshot photography, working part-time as a photographer, and looking to attract more clients.

In 2022, he told me, “Business was going well. I’ve had quite a profitable few months and am considering moving into a much bigger studio – it’ll be a big move and quite expensive, but I think it will be worth it in the long term.”

Two years later, in 2024, I heard another update from Tom…

I have now had two decent studios in central London and have grown the business to six figures. However, right now I am in the process of building out a small home studio to replace the separate studio, as I want to keep more of the revenue I make rather than let my studio landlord have it!

I have also decided to drop below the VAT threshold of £90k for this next year or two in order to grow the business's reputation without such a massive tax liability.

For me, this business was never about trying to make as much money as possible but about giving me the kind of life I want to lead—for the time being, that's perfectly possible under 90k.

Finally, in 2025, I had this update from Tom, “At the end of last year, I secured a contract to photograph 530 lawyers at a global law firm, and it has had a life and business-changing impact. The contract itself is worth over £200k and will likely include ongoing updates to pick up the new hires every month, so over the next few years, the value of this one customer may exceed half a million!”

So, within the first two months of the year, I’ve smashed past that VAT threshold of 90k and am careening towards a turnover this year of £300k or more, which is wild to me.

In this interview, Tom shares how a $200k contract changed everything in his headshot photography business.

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

• From part-time to full-time: How Tom turned a side hustle into a six-figure studio
• Are UK headshot photographers falling behind? A frank look at the market
• From uni halls to studio walls — how a lockdown pivot became a thriving business
• Running a business and staying creative? Tom’s figured out how to do both
• Why blending in with your headshots is costing you — and what to do instead
• Actors want standout headshots — but are you keeping up with what they expect?
• Want to rank on page one of Google? Tom used a podcast to get there
• Fast shoots = forgettable photos. Why slowing down has been Tom’s game changer
• Still undercharging? Tom shares how he priced for profit (and stuck with it)
• Burnout’s real — here’s why Tom caps his sessions and brought in a studio manager
• Corporate clients want the best and a deal — how to deliver without losing out
• Google, Instagram, word-of-mouth — what’s actually working to bring in clients
• Why mentoring isn’t just good for the industry — it’s good for business too

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At the end of last year, I secured a contract to photograph 530 lawyers at a global law firm, and it has had a life and business changing impact. The contract itself is worth over 200,000 pounds and will likely include ongoing updates to pick up new hires every month. So over the next few years, the value of this one customer may exceed half a million pounds. So within the first two months of the year, I've smashed past the VAT threshold of 90k and I'm careening towards a turnover this year of over 300,000 pounds, which is wild to me. – Tom Trevatt

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. The group also has FB live video tutorials, role-play, and special live interviews. You will not find more friendly, motivated, caring and sharing photographers online.

Seriously, that's not all.

The about me or about us page of a website can be and should be thought of as a marketing opportunity. – Tom Trevatt

In addition to everything above, you'll get access to 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 motives similar to yours – to build a more successful photography business.

Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything from what Tom 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, leave your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business based on what you heard in today's episode.

For me, this business was never about trying to make as much money as possible, but about giving me the kind of life I want to lead for the time being that's perfectly possible under 90k. – Tom Trevatt

If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Tom, or a way to thank you for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.