{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Portrait System Podcast","title":"How Aamal Filled Her Paris Portrait Retreat in 22 Hours","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3438,"description":"Aamal Abed booked her Paris portrait retreat within 22 hours—but the work started long before she announced the trip. She joins Nikki Closser to share how a community built around celebrating women grew into portrait sessions, referrals and client retreats.\nAfter 15 years in corporate IT, Aamal made the move into photography and built Diamonds Portraits in Calgary. She explains how she created an empowering studio experience, found early clients through Facebook campaigns and developed a VIP group that welcomes women even before they book a session.\nThe conversation covers consultation calls, session fees and print collections, client celebrations, and the practical choices behind retreats in Mexico and Paris. Aamal also talks candidly about slow seasons, public speaking, coaching and taking action while you are still afraid.\nIn this conversation:\nMoving from corporate IT into a portrait business that replaced her previous salary\nAttracting clients through Facebook campaigns, referrals and a welcoming VIP community\nBuilding trust during consultations and explaining the investment clearly\nCreating portrait retreats, including a Paris trip that initially filled within 22 hours\nDiversifying through speaking and coaching while navigating seasonal slowdowns\nTaking the next step before you feel completely ready\nBuild your photography business with The Portrait System. \nChapters\n00:00 Aamal’s portrait business and episode preview\n03:02 Leaving corporate IT for portrait photography\n11:08 Building a home studio and raising prices\n16:10 Finding portrait clients with Facebook campaigns\n18:43 Growing referrals through a VIP community\n24:12 Consultation calls, session fees and collections\n28:04 Replacing an IT salary and creating client retreats\n33:17 Filling a Paris portrait retreat in 22 hours\n37:05 Slow seasons, public speaking and coaching\n44:59 Nikki’s story behind The Light That Shines\n49:34 Taking action before you feel ready\n53:11 Favorite gear, life outside work and...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/H9QcfJKaAEAsYKeAYiewBc7x64qo7bRJUxVt54HIIek/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS81MjM4/ZTA4OTE1MDk2ZmE5/YjBjMDI0Njc2OTI3/OThhZS5qcGVn.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}