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Kim Hamblin of www.kimmarie.co was first interviewed on episode 420 of the podcast, where she shared the full story behind selling her incredibly successful portrait studio in Auckland, New Zealand — a studio bringing in over $500,000 in revenue.

In that chat, we covered how she built the business, why she decided to sell, and what came next.

One of the big takeaways? Expos were the engine behind most of her bookings, not Facebook ads. That led to her popular PhotoBizX training: How to book unlimited portrait clients at expos and massively reduce your reliance on FB ads — still current and available on the PhotoBizX website.

We also discovered that Kim was feeling drawn to business coaching and planned to make that her next chapter.

Fast forward to now… and that’s exactly what she’s been doing.

In this episode, Kim shares how to build sales confidence and the business metrics that matter in any photography business.

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

• Why selling her studio was the start of something bigger — and what Kim’s mission looks like now
• The emotional side of stepping away from a thriving business (and what she wishes more photographers knew)
• The most important question to ask before you hire a coach
• Why waiting till burnout hits is the worst time to get support
• How Kim built a six-figure studio and a life she actually enjoyed
• Are you chasing six figures… but ignoring the numbers that matter most?
• Why simplicity is your best growth strategy — especially when it comes to systems
• The SOPs that took Kim from chaos to clarity in her business
• The sales game-changer most photographers miss: education before the shoot
• How role plays and debriefs helped Kim’s team build confidence and convert more clients
• Objections? Here’s how to handle them without slashing your prices
• Why empathy beats pushiness every time when it comes to sales
• How to offer flexible pricing without lowering your value
• The truth about evergreen giveaways — and why they often flop
• What actually works: How Kim tested and tweaked giveaways to generate real leads
• Why layering your marketing beats relying on one strategy
• Volume vs quality: Which business model makes sense for you?
• What your booking gaps and no-sales are really trying to tell you
• Why coaching isn’t a luxury — it’s your shortcut to smarter growth
• How tracking the right numbers helped Kim grow her business — and now her clients’ too

What’s on Offer for Premium Members

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, a fantastic back catalogue of interviews, and have ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.

Plus, special member-only interviews.

Anyone can run a Facebook ad, everyone can do a giveaway, and go to an expiring get a ton of leads…but it's what happens in the back end that's actually going to make the difference. – Kim Hamblin

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.

When you're focused on your client and not your fear of the client or fear of selling, you're going to get way better results.- Kim Hamblin

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.

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything from what Kim 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.

If you can understand what goes into the your profit versus what goes into generating your leads… track your metrics every point of the way, and you're probably not doing as bad as you think you are. If you think you're struggling, you probably just have to increase a couple of those metrics or dive into some of them, and you might get very different results at the other end. – Kim Hamblin

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

iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs

I check for any new iTunes or Google reviews each week, 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 are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome!

Secondly, iTunes and Google are the most significant podcast search engines, and your reviews and ratings help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and, ultimately, a better show.

When you've got great marketing at the front end, you've got great lead gen, and you're fully booked, one or two no-sales are not going to hurt. – Kim Hamblin

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. You can leave some honest feedback and a rating, which will help me and the show. 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. Email me your keywords or phrases and where you'd like me to link them.

Anything you do more than once… There has to be a system behind it. There has to be a step by step system. And the simpler you can make it, the more effective it's going to be. – Kim Hamblin

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.​

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

Kim Marie Website

Kim Marie on Facebook

Kim Marie on Instagram

How to book unlimited portrait clients at expos and massively reduce your reliance on FB ads

Revenue Roadmap Call with Kim Marie

Episode 420: Kim Hamblin – How to build a photography business to sell

I don't believe there's one business model that is right. I think it depends very much on what the individual wants. – Kim Hamblin

Thank you!

Big thanks to Kim for coming back on the show and sharing so generously. It’s inspiring to hear from someone who’s built real success — then walked away to help others do the same, with more clarity, confidence, and control. Whether you’re hitting roadblocks with pricing, feeling stretched by your sales process, or wondering what it really takes to grow a profitable photography business, this one’s packed with takeaways. Can’t wait to hear what stands out for you!

We're stacking the value to bring them up, not trying to discount so they have more for less. – Kim Hamblin

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

Thanks, and speak soon
Andrew

The post 625: Kim Hamblin – Photography Sales Confidence and the Business Metrics That Matter appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.