Are you a commercial photographer in the UK looking to take your business to the next level? You’re likely focused on your portfolio, marketing, and networking—and those are all crucial. But what if we told you there’s a single, powerful skill that can dramatically improve your client relationships, boost your likeability, and ultimately lead to more business?

In this episode, we chat with Colin D Smith, a true expert on the art of listening. While most of us think we’re good listeners, the reality is that very few people have truly mastered this skill. Colin explains why deep listening is so important, not just for personal connections, but specifically for professional success.

Colin breaks down how a few simple changes can make a huge difference:

• Build Trust & Likability: By asking open-ended questions like, “How do you feel about that?” or “What more do you want to say about that?”, you encourage clients to open up. This helps you build genuine trust and makes you more likable, which is essential for securing future work.

• Improve Client Relationships: When you're a better listener, your clients will also listen more closely to you. This creates a powerful, two-way street that ensures your clients feel heard and understood, making them feel confident they’ve chosen the right person for the job.

• Get More from Networking: Networking isn’t about pitching yourself; it’s about connecting. The better you listen, the faster you can build rapport and stand out in a crowded room.

Colin shares practical techniques to help you sharpen your skills:

• Be Present: Clear away distractions and go into conversations with a calm, settled mind. Don’t just hear what someone is saying; truly listen by observing their body language and letting them finish their thoughts.

• The Power of the Pause: After someone finishes speaking, wait a full three seconds before you respond. This simple pause prevents interruptions and gives you time to fully absorb what was said.

• Listen for the Little Things: Pay attention to phrases like, “I’ve never told this to someone before.” This shows they are trusting you with something personal and gives you a powerful opportunity to deepen the connection.

Don't let your communication skills hold you back. Deep listening can be learned, and it might just be the most valuable investment you make in your photography business.

Want to learn more? You can connect with Colin at:

• Website: dexteritysolutions.co.uk

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colindsmith1

• Email: colin.smith@dexteritysolutions.co.uk

  
  

This week, Marcus and Sam discuss the hotly debated topic of “Do you need a photography degree/qualification to be a commercial photographer” and what’s the alternative?

This is the first ever episode of Shoot to the Top and we are sharing it with you as Marcus and Sam are taking a little summer break.

Marcus, no surprise, being an ex senior Lecturer in photography comes down in favour! But for reasons that may not be obvious. Sam asks probing questions and has an alarming stat of the Day.

This show is just perfect if you are trying to decide whether to spend your hard earned cash on going to university.

Kirsten Luts is a commercial portrait photographer on theoutskirts of London. He is also the host of the Camera Shake podcast. Kirsten uses podcasting and video (on YouTube) as a large part of his marketing.
The first thing to think about before starting a podcast or YouTube channel, you’ve go to think about why you are doing it. It could be getting more clients, or it could be a passion project. For Kirsten, it was to give him something creative to do during the COVID lockdowns when all his photography work had stopped. He says he learned a lot from some of the best photographers of our time.
Kirsten says that initially, he spent a lot of time and money on the podcast. It didn’t bring in money. But it has brought him a lot of opportunities, for example, speaking at photography shows. So the podcast has brought opportunities rather than directly making money. And those opportunities often lead to making money and to doing interesting things. Consistency is important when making a podcast of videos. There is a whole show about consistency here .

Working with someone else is also very helpful. This canmotivate you and help you to be consistent. Kirsten started their podcast on YouTube as well as on Spotify and Apple. He says that his podcast was terrible at the start, but they learnt and got better, and it’s important, in any project, to make that start, and not wait for perfection. Kirtsen is amazed by the guests that he managed to get on the show. Before he started, he made a list of guests he would love to have, and he’s managed to have all of those guests on the show.
Marcus asks Kirtsen for tips if you are going to start a podcast or YouTube channel. Kirsten says the first thing is to think about your audience and the topic. The topic has to be interesting and engaging for your target audience.
We move on to video, and Kirtsen says that if you are not offering clients video as part of your work a using it as part of your marketing, you will end up behind other photographers that are offering this. He thinks video is much more of a threat to a still photographer than AI is. It’s not a big jump to go from stills to video. Much of the technique is similar, such as lighting and exposure.
Speaking of video, Shoot to the Top is now on YouTube, and you can watch it here.