Episode 15

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Published on:

23rd Sep 2025

Work Less, Earn More: Building a Business That Fits You with Jessica Wasik

In this episode of The Pet Photographers’ Journal, I sit down with Jessica Wasik, the award-winning photographer behind Bark & Gold Photography in Pittsburgh.

Jessica shares how she built a thriving pet photography business that averages 80–90 sessions a year with sales around $3,500 per client, all while staying true to her love of products, print, and creating boutique experiences.

We dive into:

  • Why she’s never been a shoot-and-burn photographer and how she set herself up for profit from the start
  • Her streamlined inquiry and email-driven process that eliminates the need for phone consults
  • How she educates clients on artwork (without them defaulting to a single small print)
  • Transitioning from calendar contests to book projects and what she’s learned from both
  • The role of outsourcing and automation in freeing up time and sustaining her 90-session workload
  • Her marketing mix: SEO, email marketing, contests, and events and which ones are worth the effort
  • The importance of pricing with confidence and structuring offers around tangible artwork

Jessica also talks about her love for email marketing, the power of pre-purchased product credit, and why systems and processes have been key to her success.

This episode is full of actionable insights for pet photographers who want to run a streamlined, profitable, and client-focused business.

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If you love this podcast, you’ll love the conversations happening inside the Pet Photographers’ Collective on Skool — it’s a free community for pet photographers who want to build a profitable, sustainable business with less overwhelm.

Inside, Ina shares:

✨ Practical marketing tips

✨ Business lessons and mindset shifts

✨ Free resources to help you grow

Connect with other photographers who get it and start creating a business that truly supports your life, not consumes it.

Join here → https://www.skool.com/pet-photographers-collective-3125/about?ref=9c7b56d2963f48a791297a43a29109e1

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About the Podcast

The Pet Photographers' Journal
Building Confidence and Consistency in Your Pet Photography Business.
Welcome to The Pet Photographers' Journal, a practical and unfiltered podcast for talented pet photographers ready to build a business with more purpose, passion, and profitability.

I’m Ina J, a pet photographer who turned my side hustle into my full-time career. In this podcast, I share exactly what I’ve learned and actually applied in my own business. We talk about pricing, mindset, marketing, client experience, and sales, without feeling pushy.

Some lessons I picked up from others but I always tweak things to work for me and I’ll tell you how you can too. I overshare sometimes but in the best way possible because I believe in learning from real-life experiences not just theory.

Whether you’re just starting or scaling to five-figure sales this show is your behind-the-scenes guide to pet photography business success.

About your host

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Ina Jalil