PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast - 614: Charles Moll – Winning Out-of-Town Wedding Photography Clients with Smart SEO

614: Charles Moll – Winning Out-of-Town Wedding Photography Clients with Smart SEO

04/28/25 • 48 min

PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast

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

Charles Moll of www.charlesmoll.com is a full-time wedding photographer based in Bozeman, Montana, with 7 years of experience.

Before wedding photography, he honed his marketing, videography, and photography skills worldwide while working for non-profits.

Since pursuing photography full-time, the Wedding Photo Journalists Association has recognised him as one of the top 150 photographers in the world.

Around 80% of his business is weddings, with the other 20% being volume and family photography. His website and online presence are very wedding-centric.

Most of his clients come from Google, referrals, networking groups, and The Knot and Wedding Wire.

In the past 3 years, he's had to start from scratch twice after relocating.

In this interview, Charles shares how he wins out-of-town wedding photography clients with smart SEO, not big advertising.

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

Seven years strong — Charles Moll has been running a full-time photography business for seven years now, earning his place among the top 150 wedding photographers worldwide. It's been a steady, intentional build, not an overnight story.
Non-profit beginnings, business brain — Starting out in the non-profit sector gave Charles more than a good heart — it sharpened his marketing, video, and storytelling skills, which he’s carried straight into building a thriving photography business.
Weddings by design — He didn’t fall into weddings by accident. Charles chose this path, wanting to combine meaningful storytelling with a business that could support him long-term.
When COVID hit, he rebuilt — Like a lot of photographers, Charles took a hit when weddings disappeared. But instead of sitting back, he used the time to rework his pricing, double down on education, and come back stronger and more focused.
From safe job to full-time leap — Leaving full-time work wasn’t a reckless jump. Charles mapped out milestones, kept a close eye on finances, and made the move carefully — managing both his mindset and money along the way.
Rebuilding after every move — Relocating to a new city meant starting over — twice. But with strong SEO and consistent marketing, Charles kept enquiries coming and momentum steady.
Tapping into a booming market — Based now in Bozeman, Montana, Charles is positioned perfectly in a growing luxury wedding hotspot — working across the state with clients who value quality and experience.
Winning the Google game — Out-of-town couples don’t care who’s “known” locally — they care who shows up online. Charles made sure he’s the one they find, and it’s paying off.
A brand that speaks for itself — The “Charles Moll” brand feels clean, professional, and premium. Couples feel that before they even enquire — it’s all been built intentionally.
Quality over quantity — Rather than chasing 40 weddings a year, Charles works with 15–20 couples — the right fit — delivering a high-touch experience that clients remember and rave about.
Pricing with a strategy — Raising prices was never about charging more for the sake of it. Charles restructured his offers to align with what his ideal clients actually want — and it’s working.
Full-day coverage, full trust — Unlimited wedding day coverage removes pressure from couples and builds trust early — plus, it leads to bigger bookings naturally.
Listings that make sense — Paid listings on platforms like The Knot and WeddingWire aren’t just throwing money away — they’re smart investments that continue to deliver genuine enquiries.
A smooth path to booking — Quick video calls, clear next steps, no confusion. The faster and easier the process feels, the quicker couples commit.
Leading, not selling — Charles positions himself as a guide, not a salesperson. That trust-first approach consistently leads to bookings without the hard sell.
The small touches add up — He covers credit card fees for his couples — a simple gesture that leaves a big impression and builds loyalty.
More than just great photos — Sure, the photos are beautiful, but it's the experience Charles creates that gets people talking — and referring.
Albums that feel like heirlooms — Albums aren’t just products to upsell — they’re par...

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

Charles Moll of www.charlesmoll.com is a full-time wedding photographer based in Bozeman, Montana, with 7 years of experience.

Before wedding photography, he honed his marketing, videography, and photography skills worldwide while working for non-profits.

Since pursuing photography full-time, the Wedding Photo Journalists Association has recognised him as one of the top 150 photographers in the world.

Around 80% of his business is weddings, with the other 20% being volume and family photography. His website and online presence are very wedding-centric.

Most of his clients come from Google, referrals, networking groups, and The Knot and Wedding Wire.

In the past 3 years, he's had to start from scratch twice after relocating.

In this interview, Charles shares how he wins out-of-town wedding photography clients with smart SEO, not big advertising.

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

Seven years strong — Charles Moll has been running a full-time photography business for seven years now, earning his place among the top 150 wedding photographers worldwide. It's been a steady, intentional build, not an overnight story.
Non-profit beginnings, business brain — Starting out in the non-profit sector gave Charles more than a good heart — it sharpened his marketing, video, and storytelling skills, which he’s carried straight into building a thriving photography business.
Weddings by design — He didn’t fall into weddings by accident. Charles chose this path, wanting to combine meaningful storytelling with a business that could support him long-term.
When COVID hit, he rebuilt — Like a lot of photographers, Charles took a hit when weddings disappeared. But instead of sitting back, he used the time to rework his pricing, double down on education, and come back stronger and more focused.
From safe job to full-time leap — Leaving full-time work wasn’t a reckless jump. Charles mapped out milestones, kept a close eye on finances, and made the move carefully — managing both his mindset and money along the way.
Rebuilding after every move — Relocating to a new city meant starting over — twice. But with strong SEO and consistent marketing, Charles kept enquiries coming and momentum steady.
Tapping into a booming market — Based now in Bozeman, Montana, Charles is positioned perfectly in a growing luxury wedding hotspot — working across the state with clients who value quality and experience.
Winning the Google game — Out-of-town couples don’t care who’s “known” locally — they care who shows up online. Charles made sure he’s the one they find, and it’s paying off.
A brand that speaks for itself — The “Charles Moll” brand feels clean, professional, and premium. Couples feel that before they even enquire — it’s all been built intentionally.
Quality over quantity — Rather than chasing 40 weddings a year, Charles works with 15–20 couples — the right fit — delivering a high-touch experience that clients remember and rave about.
Pricing with a strategy — Raising prices was never about charging more for the sake of it. Charles restructured his offers to align with what his ideal clients actually want — and it’s working.
Full-day coverage, full trust — Unlimited wedding day coverage removes pressure from couples and builds trust early — plus, it leads to bigger bookings naturally.
Listings that make sense — Paid listings on platforms like The Knot and WeddingWire aren’t just throwing money away — they’re smart investments that continue to deliver genuine enquiries.
A smooth path to booking — Quick video calls, clear next steps, no confusion. The faster and easier the process feels, the quicker couples commit.
Leading, not selling — Charles positions himself as a guide, not a salesperson. That trust-first approach consistently leads to bookings without the hard sell.
The small touches add up — He covers credit card fees for his couples — a simple gesture that leaves a big impression and builds loyalty.
More than just great photos — Sure, the photos are beautiful, but it's the experience Charles creates that gets people talking — and referring.
Albums that feel like heirlooms — Albums aren’t just products to upsell — they’re par...

Previous Episode

613: Walid Azami – Calling Out the Fakes in the Photography Industry

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

Walid Aami of www.walidazami.com first appeared on the podcast a few years ago in episode 493, where we dived deep into pricing for all photographers, and working in the world of celebrities and commercial clients in Los Angeles.

His photography journey started with an opportunity to work alongside Madonna, and from that moment, he knew this was his path.

Since then, he’s photographed some of the biggest names in the world—Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Usher, Bernie Sanders, and Justin Timberlake, to name a few. His commercial work includes collaborations with major brands like Volkswagen, Target, and HP.

Beyond his impressive portfolio, he is passionate about helping photographers understand their worth and build profitable businesses.

We recently chatted over email about his STEP pricing course when I commented on his new direction and possible interview topics for PhotoBizX.

He replied, “I'd love to have a harder conversation with listeners about their community, how they learn, who they choose to learn from, the real gurus and the fake ones, support within your inner circle, and how you talk to yourself.”

This sounded perfect to me! The result is this interview, where Walid shares his thoughts and warnings about photography business coaches by calling out the fakes in the photography industry.

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

Fuelled by frustration — Walid mentors for free because he's sick of seeing good people misled by bad advice.
No more pretenders — He calls out the “educators” with zero client work selling strategies they’ve never used.
Do your homework — Photographers research lenses more than coaches. Flip that.
Proof over promises — Look for consistent work, actual growth, and bookings—not just bold claims.
AI ≠ experience — Be wary of cookie-cutter courses built by bots and marketers, not working photographers.
Current or irrelevant — If they haven’t been booked recently, they shouldn’t be coaching.
Walk it, then talk it — Only take pricing or strategy advice from someone still in the game.
Pick with purpose — Choose mentors doing what you want to do. Not just anyone with a mic and a funnel.
Depth over dabbling — Real authority comes from staying in your lane and going deep—not chasing trends.
Gut check always wins — Testimonials are nice. But trust your instinct. It’s usually right.
Build your own crew — A trusted circle beats any course or program.
Edit your circle — Keep people who lift you. Let go of those who don’t.
Tough love counts — The right mentor will push you. Not just pat you on the back.
Support with substance — That’s what Visual Business Academy is: free, focused, and full of creatives who actually care.
Talk nicer to yourself — How you treat yourself sets the tone for your whole business.
Celebrate what counts — Walid’s “quick tens” remind us to anchor each day in gratitude and small wins.
Still in the trenches — Walid’s not just teaching—he’s still shooting, directing, and creating at the top level.
From refugee to front cover — No agent. No shortcuts. Just grit, talent, and making history with Vanity Fair Italia.
Chaos over polish — Behind the scenes at that shoot? A mess. But the result? Magic.
Confidence is contagious — Walid lives it, teaches it, and passes it on.

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.

The gut check will always, always win. The gut check is your direct direct line to you, and whatever higher source you believe in. – Walid Azami

You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group, where you can connect with othe...

Next Episode

615: Blair deLaubenfels – Booking Luxury Photography Clients Starts with the Right Images—and Words

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

Blair deLaubenfels of www.worldsbestweddingphotos.com and www.artlifeandbusiness.com was first interviewed for Episode 378 of the podcast, where she detailed the best ways to curate your portfolio to better market and promote yourself and your business.

She believes curation is the one big thing that can bring you bookings, recognition, and profitability with your photography.

Blair is the former co-owner of Junebug Weddings. The founder and editor-in-chief of World's Best Wedding Photos.

She’s written over 2,000 bios, created content for hundreds of websites, and is a regular speaker at top industry events.

In a recent email exchange, she wrote:

Since we last recorded in 2020, the wedding photography industry has been through many changes. There are new technologies and trends, and new challenges in terms of marketing.

I would love to talk with you about what has emerged in the last five years and how your listeners can boost their businesses now.

I was keen to hear more, expecting you'd feel the same, so I'm rapt to bring this interview to you.

In this interview, Blair shares how to book luxury photography clients and why it starts with the right images—and words.

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

Why your portfolio is your biggest marketing asset—and how to curate it with purpose
The massive industry shifts since 2020 that most photographers are still ignoring
How the elopement market has exploded—and why it’s a perfect fit for many creatives
The real key to attracting luxury clients (hint: it’s not just your images)
How to use your portfolio to speak directly to your dream clients
Why your words matter just as much as your photos when it comes to booking
The science behind first impressions—and how to win someone’s attention in seconds
How to define and connect with your ideal client more effectively
Why chasing trends can water down your work—and what to do instead
The power of consistent branding across your website, socials, and messaging
Why local referrals are still gold, especially for long-term sustainability
What AI can do for you—and what it never will
A smarter way to experiment with trends without losing your identity
How diversifying your work can stabilise your income all year round
When to invest in prestige marketing—and when it’s just ego spend

What’s on Offer for Premium Members

Plus, special member-only interviews.

There's been a real explosion of elopement photography around the world that became huge during COVID and remains huge. – Blair deLaubenfels

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.

Build your business around who you authentically are, because if you don't, you're going to end up getting burned out, and you're not going to like your own work. – Blair deLaubenfels

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 Blair 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...