About:

• In this episode, Glenn spoke with Abby Springmann of Abby Grace Photography.
• On top of managing her photography business, Abby has been busy taking care of her newborn son!
• Glenn has been inspired by the story of how Abby’s prayers were answered after experiencing a setback during the adoption process. 
• Abby’s photography business, Abby Grace Photography, has allowed her to foster her creative passions and help support her family. Abby is a brand photographer for “high-performing, creative small business owners.” 
• Abby says she loves capturing the images that become eye-catching facets of a brand’s website, from its sales pages to its funnel opt-in page. 
• Although Abby says this work is her “sweet spot,” she actually began in another niche. Her business was born after college when she realized she could make a living combining two of her favorite things: photography and weddings. 
• Abby realized that her blooming success came from “approaching brand photography like a marketer, not like a photographer who wanted to come in and take a bunch of cute photographs… the approach itself had not been done before; nobody was doing it like I was.”
• Soon, other photographers flocked to Abby in hopes she could teach them how to emulate her success. That’s when Abby created a course—Brand Photography Academy—that sold “like hotcakes.” 
• Those interested in working with Abby can visit abbygracephotography.com and get on a call to make sure her services are a good fit. Abby emphasizes that she wants her clients to be successful; she’ll help you consider whether your business is in a good place to invest in a full brand session. If not, Abby is willing to refer businesses to other qualified professionals in the industry.

Big Entrepreneur 3: 

1. Stop Running Your To-Do List Out of Your Inbox.
   1. Abby recommends that other entrepreneurs “stop running your to-do list out of your inbox.” She does not keep emails on her phone— “There’s no such thing as a brand photography emergency,” she says. Abby would rather her clients contact her via phone, because, after all, no one gets paid to sort through emails. She knows it’s “such an easy trap to fall into,” but in the end, it’s nothing more than a time consumer that can distract you from more pressing responsibilities. Seeing that number of unread emails can even pull you out of the present moment and into your phone when you’re not working. 
   2. For those interested in making changes to improve productivity like this, Abby recommends reading Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport. (Glenn thinks his email app would be tough to part with, but given Abby’s points, he’s willing to try!) 

 

1. Consider Downloading the Freedom App.
   1. Abby considers the “Freedom” app her #1 tool. It’s an app blocker that keeps Abby away from “any sites that I would go to out of boredom” and stops her from “spending time mindlessly scrolling.” You can set the duration of time you need to be distraction free. Abby sets her block from 5 PM to 7 AM each day, as well as the whole weekend. 
   2. Abby used to delete social media apps from her phone after work and on the weekend, but she found herself using her browser to access these sites anyway. Now, the Freedom app keeps her away from social media in any form during her chosen blocks. Abby says the app has helped her not only remain productive, but it’s an important tool in keeping her present during time with her family. Glenn thinks practicing mindfulness like this is an essential example for children learning the importance of family time.

 

1. Read Deep Work by Cal Newport.
   1. Abby considers Deep Work by Cal Newport to be her favorite book. She’s “sent a copy of that book to more people than [she] could ever count.” Abby says this book isn’t just about getting more done, but learning to get the right stuff done. Newport teaches readers how to get in a mindset that makes work feel less laborious. He demonstrates how to intentionally enter a flow state rather than relying on random bursts of energy and focus. 
   2. Abby says this book has changed everything about how she and her husband approach work. Before this, Abby says they hadn’t “been acting like business owners… We’ve been acting like artists who happen to run a business.” Although it can be a dense read, Abby says the lessons she’s used to transform her work life are well worth it. 

 

Lessons from the Past:

To reach the level of success she’s achieved today, Abby’s put in countless hours of hard work and navigated her way through mistakes. She remembers how, in the past, her ego was tied to the successes of her business. “I really wanted people to make a big deal out of me,” she says. “If you work in the service industry, that’s not really how service works.” Abby wanted to build a “personal brand” similar to a celebrity status with clients and fellow professionals recognizing her name. 

Today, Abby looks back at these goals with embarrassment. She was once humbled when she released the date for two upcoming workshops and received almost no responses. “This isn’t working because I think people can smell that there’s a part of me that’s not here for them, that it’s here for me,” she reflects. Today, Abby views her business as a means to “love and serve my clients really well… and to glorify God in the process.” She approaches work by asking herself the question “What can I do for you?” instead of “How can you serve me?” This is the real way to grow a service-based business. 

If Abby could go back in time to speak to her 22-year-old self, she would say the words “good for her, not for you.” Abby wishes she knew that, when other people succeed, they’re on their own path. Her success does not have to look the same as anyone else’s, and what someone else needs may not be what Abby needs. “You have other goals,” she says. “You don’t need to check off her list of accomplishments in addition to the list of things you actually want to do.” 

Don’t Stop Here!

If someone told Abby they want to do what she does, she would tell them to learn as much about marketing as possible. She recommends following Julie Stoian, especially to learn about funnels. Abby also advises to learn all that you can about branding— “those two will drive the train.” She wants everyone pursuing brand photography to know you can’t follow the same formula as you would in wedding photography for the best results. 

The best way to get to know Abby as a person and a business owner is by following her instagram, “abbygracephoto”, or her TikTok under the same name. Of course, you can also see her professional work at abbygracephotography.com.