LESSON SERIES

Portrait Council:
Tailored Coaching for Portrait Photographers



Be Recession Proof!

#From Bankrupt Bartender to $500K | #Proven Systems | #Personal Accountability

When I started my business in 2012 I was the Queen of the struggle-bus: bartending in four different spots, running another business, and shooting anyone and everyone who would let me photograph them.
The key to success isn't in being "discovered", on Instagram; the keys to success are in the systems and strategies you implement to get people in the door and paying you sustainably. I can show you.
Stop spinning your wheels. Get the support you need with The Portrait Council.
  • Are you the Photographer spinning their wheels?
  • Are you the Photographer who believes Portrait is a CALLING and not just a job but a purpose you have here on this earth?
  • Are you the Photographer who has made strides but you know deep in your bones that your business can be so much more?
  • Are you the Photographer who is ready to shake things up in their businesses to build a business they are proud to own?
THE PORTRAIT COUNCIL could be your solution

Tired of hoping, praying, & wishing something will change?

I can help

Scoop a call with me 1:1
No charge, no obligation.
I'd love to learn more about your business; where you are AND where you're going.
If I think I can help I may invite you to the program and if I don't you'll walk away with clarity, next steps, and resources.
  • Get Systems in Place to serve YOUR clients
  • Create a Marketing plan that fills YOUR calendar
  • Generate REVENUE in YOUR business

Say it with me: "I am here on purpose"

You aren't here by accident. If I had to guess you're wondering if this opportunity is something you would both WANT to take advantage of and if it's even the right time? You KNOW that you can make it work if you just had the insight and guidance, and then you would FLY.
Portrait Council has been designed for you in such a way that you can:
  • integrate sustainable strategies in your systems (pricing, time management, etc.), and your marketing
  • be.a part of a small group of others for our virtual mastermind meetings once a month on a similar path to develop relationships that will continue to support you long after you leave the proverbial nest
  • bi-monthly one-on-one support with Mentor Cat Ford-Coates for tailored guidance and accountability to create and maintain your momentum as you grow in your business

Look, I wish I could say that it was all about you but in reality, it's about me too. My purpose is unfolding as well and it is my job to teach you and other Photographers how to get to sustainability so that your purpose can unfold and so that I can go to the next level. That's how it works! 

"Rising tides lift all ships"

And I've resisted it too. I've been developing digital courses and working only in selective group settings and I have not made my one-on-one coaching available publicly in almost a year now, but it's time.
I am putting these pieces in place so that my mentees can have the best of all the worlds: digital courses to dig in and DO the work on their schedules, bi-monthly meetings with an intimate cohort of other Photographers masterminding over challenges (& celebrating their wins too!), and private weekly coaching with me for the tailored guidance you are after. It all comes together beautifully.

Your success IS my success and for me to get TO my next level...

Your next level with me looks like:

Groundwork

  • Set your intentions & close the gap on your mindset leaks
  • Assess and revamp your pricing
  • Cover your client journey with a finely toothed comb
  • Access to Cat's digital courses: Foundation to Freedom and SHINE during the duration of your enrollment in Portrait Council

Integration

  • Map & Create your marketing strategies
  • Create your full client journey into a well oiled system so you can serve at yourr highest capacity

Personal Support

  • Participate in our online forum, share thoughts and ideas, increase connection, get help with your studies.
  • Meet with an intimate group of other Council members once per month to mastermind current challenges and celebrate wins!
  • Meet with Cat Ford-Coates 1:1 twice per month to address your personal needs
  • Voxer and email support directly with Cat

Tired of hoping, praying, & wishing something will change?

I can help

Scoop a call with me 1:1
No charge, no obligation.
I'd love to learn more about your business; where you are AND where you're going.

Mentorship with Cat Ford-Coates

#is unexpected | #is awesome | #is masterful | #saved my sanity and my business| #is the best

"Implementing everything I'm learning and just had my highest sale to date! $9011.80! It works! It's really WORKING!"
Angie Whitten
Harmony Photography, Washington
"As someone leaving the corporate space to be full-time in my business, this course was jam packed with all the things I needed to ramp up and put in place. Procedures, standards, mindset - everything’s there to get your business where it needs to be to THRIVE. I can’t recommend it enough!"

JENNIFER HORST
JENNIFER HORST PHOTOGRAPHY
NORTH CAROLINA
"As I'm in my foundational stages, this was a way to avoid the stumbling so I can fast track my business too get where I need without spending years to get there."
Lisa Lacy Lisa Lacy Portraits, Washington

Let's get real. I'm going to simply lay it out:
I cannot do the work for you. YOU have to show up. YOU have to be accountable. YOU have to DO the work. This isn't the opportunity for you to apply for enrollment to invest in your business and growth as the CEO of your business and expect success to magically appear.
It doesn't work that way.
YOU are responsible for you.

Here's what I CAN do for you though:


  • I can support you
  • I can guide you
  • I can give you the information and the tools needed to build your portrait studio sustainably and profitably
  • I can help you to see things from different perspectives
  • I can check you on your mindset gaps
  • I can give you homework through Foundation to Freedom and SHINE and In The Studio mentoring library for additional support while you're with me in Portrait Council
  • Streamlined systems to support the success of their client experience

Legal advises that I can't promise or guarantee specific results to I decided to share with you what most of my mentees experience within the first few months of working with me instead.

Within the first few months of working with me clients can typically expect:
  • Streamlined systems to support the success of their client experience
  • Increased pricing 
  • Efficientized time management to accomplish their goals AND have time for their personal lives and relationships
  • Marketing strategies they can rinse and repeat moving forward in their businesses



Cat Ford-Coates

CEO, Portrait Photographer, Portrait Mentor

A professional Photographer for more than ten years, and has reached the highest level of accreditation with The Portrait Masters as a Fellow Master Photographer, an official Mentor for The Portrait System, co-host of The 12 Month Start Up, and am a “black belt” in the teachings and education of Sue Bryce, and my highest value is Freedom; Freedom in money AND in time. I've created this focus so that you can treat your business like a business to make more money, execute, and delegate like the boss you know you're meant to BE.

Tired of hoping, praying, & wishing something will change?

I can help

Scoop a call with me 1:1
No charge, no obligation.
I'd love to learn more about your business; where you are AND where you're going.

Portrait Council: a Mastermind 

  • Email: Support@thestudiotakeover.online
    with any questions you have or book a consult with me 1:1 to see if we'd be a good fit
  • Click through the Enroll button and process payment
  • Block off time on your calendar for scheduled meetings AND homework
  • The next business day following payment, get access to: "In The Studio" mentoring program, Cat's Voxer access, and her scheduling link
Write your awesome label here.
It's Bonus Time!

1st Access to Enrollment for:

  • In person events and workshops 
  • VIP Days with Cat Ford-Coates
  • Access to "in The Studio" during your enrollment in The Portrait Council

Let's chat about the elephant in the room...

How much is it?

PAY IN FULL (one year) \ $25,000
or
6 monthly payments \ $4500
12 monthly payments \ $2500


Seats Limited

Jan - Jun 2024 | Tailored Coaching | Revenue in YOUR Business

  • Bi-monthly 1:1 meetings with Cat as your Mentor \ $30000 
  • Monthly Group Coaching Meetings \ $10000
  • Voxer & Email Support \ $6000
  • Access to Freedom & SHINE intensive courses during enrollment \ $7000
    Access to "In The Studio" mentoring program during enrollment \ $6000
    Private Community \ $6000
    Total Value \ $65,000
SUPPORT@THESTUDIOTAKEOVER.ONLINE
Write your awesome label here.

Frequently asked questions

Is this for me if I also shoot outdoors and not in a studio?

Absolutely! Portrait is portrait, regardless of genre!

Is this for me if I don't shoot a portrait genre (families, branding, headshots, boudoir, etc.) but focus on events and weddings?

No, this program would not apply. If you shoot portrait AND events it can be streamlined together but without the portrait element, it wouldn't be a good fit.

How do I schedule 1:1 sessions with Cat?

As a private coaching client you would have access to my mentoring calendar and can schedule your bi-monthly calls as needed in addition to having daily access to me on Voxer.

When are the group mastermind calls?

Group mastermind calls are held monthly on the first Monday of the month at 4:30pm eastern standard time 

Can this work for me if I live in a small town?

YES!

Does The Studio Takeover Guarantee specific results?

As much as I would love to say "OMG we're all gonna be rich guaranteed", I can't. Your results are based on variables that are out of my control such as YOU DOING the work, circumstances, global crises (pandemic?). What I can do is promise to guide, support, and hold you accountable to do what you say you will.

What is your refund policy?

This program is non-refundable for any reason so please ask about everything you need to know before you sign up. You're welcome to email Support@thestudiotakeover.online with your questions.

When does the next cohort for Portrait Council begin?

Enrollment is currently open
 DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT WARRANT SPECIFIC RESULTS OR INCREASED INCOME. TESTIMONIALS ARE FROM REAL STUDENTS BUT THEIR RESULTS ARE NOT GUARANTEED FOR YOU  

Be In the Portrait Council Mastermind

Ready to have deeper conversations? Conversations directed at expansion, complex strategies, and growth?
Join The Portrait Council.
Be IN the room with portrait photographers playing at different levels; in business, and treating their businesses LIKE a business, and in their LIVES. 
Portrait Photographers desiring more than just needing direction in start-up, but who need perspective, accountability, and guidance as they expand in their journeys as leaders in their communities.
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Testimonials

I've gotta say: this program. Week one - so much digging in and sooooo much clarity. It's only week one! If you're looking for an accountability partner message me! 

Lisa Advent
Lisa Advent Photography, South Carolina

"It was time to focus on the business and there was nobody better to learn from."


Suz McFadden
Suz McFadden Photo,
California

"This experience changed me. Things are about to get really, really good over here in NY."

Andrea Costrino
Andrea Costrino & Co.,
New York

If you're on the fence...

So often portrait photographers come into this industry because it has a low barrier to entry; it's unregulated, seemingly low tech investment and within a year or two people realize that running a successful portrait business is a whole lot more complicated than they initially thought. For me, the first two years of entrepreneurship in the photo industry was on a borrowed first generation Canon Rebel. I get it.
Whether you're brandy dandy new to this industry or you're looking for YOUR next level after even a decade or more I'd encourage you to look in your heart for a minute; take a beat (no pun intended) to really consider WHY you're here, because it isn't by accident and this is a true investment.
If you are here because somehow portrait is allowing you to live into your CALLING, your purpose to make the world a better place and you aren't interested in DIY-ing the hell out of it ANY longer and are ready to take in new perspectives, integrate proven strategies, and create opportunities to grow your business then I do hope you apply. 
That being said, I ONLY want you IN this program if it's right for you. There is no "proving" energy here. There is no "maybe" so do ask yourself/God/Universe/Angels whomever you speak to: "Is this right for me?" because it is a commitment. It's a commitment to yourself today and the version of you that you are becoming. 

Your Mentor
The Portrait Council is for Portrait Photographers FINALLY ready to condense time and space so they can serve their clients at their best.

Cat Ford-Coates

Mentor