We've all seen the Instagram posts – photographers proudly announcing their six-figure businesses. But here's what no one's talking about: a six-figure business doesn't equal a six-figure salary. Not even close.

In this eye-opening episode, Tiffany breaks down the reality of what photographers actually take home versus what their businesses generate. You'll discover why understanding this gap is crucial for building a sustainable business that truly supports the life you want.

The Revenue vs. Take-Home Reality

1. Why photography businesses have some of the biggest gaps between revenue and take-home pay
2. Real example: The wedding photographer bringing in $150K but only paying herself $35K
3. Understanding what "take-home pay" actually means for your personal finances

Finding Your Personal Take-Home Sweet Spot

1. A practical exercise to calculate what you actually need to live
2. Breaking down essential expenses vs. desired lifestyle costs
3. How to connect your business goals to your personal financial needs

The Profit First Approach for Photographers

1. Why the traditional formula (Revenue - Expenses = Profit) is broken
2. Setting up multiple bank accounts to automate your finances
3. Specific percentage allocations for photographers

Comparing Business Models Through the Take-Home Lens

1. High-volume vs. premium pricing: Which actually pays you more?
2. Calculating your REAL hourly rate (prepare to be shocked)
3. Why fewer clients often means more money in your pocket

7 Practical Steps to Increase Your Take-Home Pay

1. Strategic pricing based on time investment
2. Streamlining services for maximum profitability
3. When and how to outsource effectively
4. Developing passive income streams
5. Plus 3 more actionable strategies

"I've been in business for three years and just realized I've been paying myself less than my second shooter. I feel embarrassed and don't know where to start fixing this. Help!"

Tiffany addresses this surprisingly common situation with compassion and provides a three-tier framework for determining personal financial needs and implementing immediate changes.

Based on working with hundreds of photographers, here's what Tiffany typically sees:

1. Solo photographers ($100K-$150K revenue): $30K-$60K take-home