#285: Terrified to Talk to Clients: How Olga Made $2,995 With Her First Boutique Client
If you’ve ever felt like the odds were stacked against you, today’s story will inspire the heck out of you.
Meet Olga Filatova, a Las Vegas photographer who spent 13 years hustling through mini sessions, offering discounts, and barely scraping by. She’s a wife, a mama to a 4-year-old boy, and she runs her sessions out of her garage—no fancy studio here.
Oh, and she’s also hearing impaired.
Yet despite every challenge, Olga landed her first Julie at $2,995… then another, and another, and another.
Four Julies later, she’s walking in confidence, charging what she’s worth, and proving that success has nothing to do with perfect circumstances—and everything to do with belief and support.
From Hustling Minis to High-Value Clients
For years, Olga was grinding:
- Mini sessions, low prices, endless editing
- Discounts just to get clients in the door
- Working harder but never earning enough to pay rent
When the actor’s strike hit, her headshot work dried up completely. With no clients and bills piling up, she knew she couldn’t keep living in burnout mode.
That’s when she found the Boutique Photography Program.
She’d already tried another coaching course—but it left her more confused than confident. What she needed was a proven system that actually worked.
The Turning Point
Olga joined the Boutique Program scared but determined. She was hearing impaired, English wasn’t her first language, and she had already spent money on something that didn’t deliver.
But she believed.
She trusted Sarah’s system, leaned on the coaching support, and decided to go all in—even when she didn’t feel ready.
Within months, she had her first boutique sale:
“My client cried when she saw her images. She was emotional, and I knew I’d done something meaningful.”
That sale? $2,995.
And then three more just like it—nearly $9,000 in total from four clients.
Confidence Changed Everything
Before, Olga saw herself as “just a photographer.”
Now, she knows she’s an artist and business owner.
She learned how to:
- Present her work beautifully and intentionally
- Guide clients through a one-on-one experience
- Show products that create emotion and connection
“I realized I wasn’t failing—I was learning. Every session taught me something new.”
Overcoming Fear: Hearing Loss & Communication
One of Olga’s biggest fears was talking to clients. Being hearing impaired made phone calls intimidating. But with practice, coaching, and community support, she found her rhythm.
Now she:
- Uses scripts to stay confident in conversations
- Offers Zoom calls when needed for clarity
- Isn’t afraid to say, “Can you repeat that?” with grace
“I learned that being deaf isn’t what holds me back. It’s not believing in myself that does.”
From Discounts to Dignity
Olga doesn’t do discounts anymore—ever.
She finally believes in the value of her art.
Her husband’s words say it all:
“Oh no, I don’t have to work at all—Mom is crushing it!”
Through this program, Olga found her confidence, her worth, and her freedom.
Now she knows exactly how to price, present, and sell her work—without apology.
Real Transformation, Real Results
- From $75 mini sessions to $2,995 boutique sales
- From “I’m not good enough” to “I deserve to be paid well”
- From fear to full belief in her value and purpose
And the best part? Her clients now have stunning artwork displayed in their homes—art that tells a story and lasts generations.
Recap: What Olga’s Story Teaches Us
- Believe in your worth even when it feels impossible
- Follow the system that works—don’t reinvent the wheel
- Lean into support and community
- Replace fear with faith and action
RESOURCES
- Go from Hidden to Hidden to Hired this Season: Get the Formula
- Photography Business Tools to Get Started
- Join Our Facebook Group: We Are Portrait Photographers
- Learn About Boutique Breakthrough
- Subscribe & Review the Podcast
