601: Jane Thomson – Secrets to Organic Growth. A different approach to photography business success

PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area

Jane Thompson of www.janethomsonphotography.com is a Canadian-based dog and portrait photographer who came from the commercial television world before discovering and studying photography.

Take one look at her photography, and you'll be drawn in by her classic and dramatic style, shot against simple canvas backdrops without the distraction of props. Her work truly is fantastic!

It was long-time premium member and pet photographer Jo Lyons who made me aware of Jane in her email where she said:

I had a coaching call this morning with Canadian photographer Jane Thomson. I’ve admired her work on Instagram and recently learned she was available for coaching.

Jane recently completed an incredible calendar project for a children’s hospital, which is nothing like I’ve ever seen.

I asked Jane for this interview, and she warned me by saying…

I have a small and simple portrait business…nothing luxurious. I work out of my home, strictly on my own (no assistants or staff).

I do pretty well and have pretty much no overhead other than all my subscriptions.

That was enough for me, and I'm rapt to say Jane agreed to record.

In this interview, Jane shares her secrets to organic growth, a different approach to photography business success, with takeaways for every photographer.

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

• Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Stay authentic and avoid comparisons to grow personally and professionally.
• Niche & Online Presence: Specialise and leverage a strong online platform for growth.
• Late-Career Reinvention: At 58, Jane turned a hobby into a thriving photography business.
• Organic Growth: Started with friends’ dogs and grew through word-of-mouth and online engagement.
• Passion-Focused Work: Success driven by love for creativity, especially editing.
• Lighting & Composition: Dramatic, painterly lighting inspired by TV and self-taught techniques.
• Consistency & Style: A clear style builds client trust and attracts bookings.
• Adaptability & Learning: Continuous growth through online resources and skill refinement.
• Marketing That Works: Organic Instagram growth, Google visibility, and referrals—no paid ads needed.
• “Calendar Project” Impact: Emotional rewards, awards, and bookings, but limited hospital exposure.
• Work-Life Balance: Sets boundaries (mornings only, no weekends) while fostering client connection.

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.

I was looking for something between my projects…I thought, I have no hobbies. I just keep going out for lunch with friends. You know, I need to do something more productive, learn something. So I thought I'm going to get a camera. – Jane Thomson

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.

I will never shoot without being tethered. It's the most productive, and it's the most productive thing I do. – Jane Thomson

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 Jane 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.

Nobody sees your style. They don't know what they're going to get. When they come in to have a shoot with you, they do not know what they're going to get. Whereas each client that comes in with me, they know, because. If you look at my feed, it has a style… – Jane Thomson

If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Jane or want to say 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.

I love being busy, not not just busy. I like to wake up in the morning and have a plan. – Jane Thomson

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 both 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.

I love getting that painterly, beautiful, soulful portrait of a dog looking right down the barrel of the lens over its shoulder at you. It's just fantastic. You know? It's very human. – Jane Thomson

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:

Jane Thomson Website

Jane Thomson Photography on Instagram

Jane Thomson Photography on Facebook

Portraits of Dogs on Instagram

Thank you!

Thank you so much for tuning in! A huge thanks to Jane for sharing her journey and insights into running a successful dog and portrait photography business. From mastering dramatic lighting to building trust with clients and growing organically, Jane’s approach proves that passion and simplicity can lead to incredible success. If you’re looking for ways to refine your style, connect deeply with clients, and grow your business on your terms… you'd do well to emulate Jane and her approach. I’d love to hear your thoughts—let me know your biggest takeaway!

I think it's because it's a style, and they can see, they can imagine their dog or their them and their dog in that style, and it works for them. And so it consistently brings people in. – Jane Thomson

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 601: Jane Thomson – Secrets to Organic Growth. A different approach to photography business success appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.