Mentoring

with Michelle Peedee

I know the advice—“Figure it out on your own, you’ll get there”—but let’s be real: what about all the hard work, setbacks, and wrong turns along the way? No one talks about that.

The good news? You don’t have to do it alone. I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

Looking back, I wish I’d invested in my business sooner. I didn’t pay for mentorships or workshops, and I learned everything the hard way. I wasted so much time, money, and energy figuring out what cameras, lenses, and editing tools worked best for me. If I’d just found a mentor I admired and invested in their guidance early on, it would’ve saved me a ton of stress and frustration.

Fast forward to today: I’ve built a six-figure business in under two years. I’ve moved twice, rebuilt my clientele, and hit six figures within a year of each move. I created a successful business from scratch, and the approach I use works. Follow the right steps, and you can’t fail.

I’m here to share my secrets, shortcuts, and everything you need to reach your goals faster—whether it’s growing your business, mastering social media, booking more clients, or perfecting your editing.

You will get there. And if you’ve lost your spark, I’ll help you reignite it. Let’s make it happen!

PACKAGE 01 – “YOUR BUSINESS”

1 HOUR – $200

This mentorship is designed to help you elevate your photography business. It’s a 1:1 online video chat, just you and me! We can cover a wide range of topics, including:

Social media strategy & posting
Attracting your ideal clients
Setting up styled sessions and model calls
Advertising and marketing your business
Styling your sessions & starting a client closet
Camera settings (Sony only)
SEO for your website
Pricing & package creation
Legitimizing your business
Shooting techniques, lighting, posing, and prompts
Session flow and much more

The sky’s the limit—we’ll tackle whatever you need to grow your business. Please note, editing is not included in this mentorship.

PACKAGE 02 – “EDITING MENTORSHIP”
$450

This Editing Mentorship is perfect for photographers who are struggling to achieve a consistent editing style or streamline their editing workflow. Everyone has different strengths and challenges when it comes to editing, and my goal is to help you improve, elevate your skills, and take your editing to the next level!

What’s Included:

Personalized Questionnaire: You’ll receive a questionnaire to help me understand your editing strengths, areas for improvement, and what you hope to achieve from the mentorship. This will also include a few additional questions to help me tailor the experience to you.
RAW Image Submission: You’ll send me 5-10 recent RAW images that showcase different lighting and compositions.
In-Depth Editing Sessions: I’ll select 3 of the best RAW images you provide and record myself editing each one from start to finish. You’ll receive detailed video walkthroughs for each image, showing every editing step and explaining my process as I go. You can watch these videos as many times as you need—forever!
Portfolio Review: I’ll review two of your recent galleries and provide you with an honest, constructive critique of your work.
Post-Mentorship Q&A: After the mentorship, you’ll have the chance to send me any additional questions you have through a Q&A document. This is for anything you feel was unclear in the editing videos or that you want further clarification on.

What You’ll Receive:

4 Videos Total:
- Video 1: Portfolio review—I’ll go through your galleries and provide detailed feedback and tips.
- Videos 2, 3 & 4: Step-by-step editing tutorials, where I’ll walk you through the editing process for each selected RAW image. You’ll get in-depth guidance on every adjustment I make, with me explaining my decisions as I go.

The Photographer Finder Listing: As an added bonus, all my mentees will be featured on the Photographer Finder section of the saltysailorpresets.com website! This is a great opportunity to get discovered. Anyone searching for a photographer in your area will be directed straight to your profile. It’s a simple way to increase your visibility and connect with potential clients looking for your photography services!

Why This Format Works:

There’s no need for face-to-face meetings, which means you don’t have to take time out of your busy schedule. Plus, there’s no time limit—these video lessons are yours to watch and rewatch at your convenience.

I moved away from zoom face to face editing mentorships for a reason: while they can be helpful, you’ll often leave with only a fraction of the information, trying to remember everything while jotting down notes. In contrast, this video-based format allows you to absorb and revisit all the details at your own pace, ensuring you retain the knowledge. You won’t need to worry about time constraints or missing out on important information—everything is laid out for you, step by step, and you can keep going back to it whenever you need!

SEO & Website

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of improving a website’s visibility on search engines like Google to attract more organic traffic. For photographers, effective SEO means higher rankings in search results, leading to more inquiries and bookings. My SEO services are tailored specifically for photographers, focusing on keyword optimization, website structure, image SEO, and local search strategies to ensure your portfolio gets found by potential clients. Whether you’re looking to rank higher for senior photography, wedding photography, or local photography services, I can help optimize your site so you stand out in a competitive market.

Pixieset & Showit Platform Packages:

I’ve been with Pixieset since the early days of their website hosting, so I know the platform inside and out. While I still love and support Pixieset, I’ve also spent a lot of time learning the ins and outs of SEO on platforms like Showit. That expanded knowledge has allowed me to help photographers optimize their websites—no matter the platform.

Whether you’re on Pixieset or Showit, I can help you improve your search engine rankings, attract more of your dream clients, and turn your website into a powerful marketing tool. With the right SEO strategy, your site will start working for you!

What You’ll Receive:

Keyword Research – Identify the best search terms to reach your ideal clients.
On-Page Optimization – Optimize titles, headings, and image alt tags for better search visibility.
Content Creation – Develop engaging, keyword-rich content to boost rankings.
Internal Linking – Improve site navigation and SEO value.
Local SEO – Increase visibility in local searches to attract nearby clients.
National SEO – Improve rankings for vacationers and clients from across the country.
Site Structure – Organize your pages for a seamless user experience.
Meta Descriptions – Write compelling, search-friendly descriptions for higher click-through rates.
Image Optimization – Ensure your photos are indexed properly with alt text.
Blog Setup & Maintenance – I will handle weekly blog posting to boost your rankings and keep your website fresh! Simply provide photos from your session and a small synopsis, and I’ll take care of the rest.

Pricing:

$400 per month – No contract, cancel anytime.
$1,800 for 6 months – Pay upfront and save $600.

SEO results take time—changes and higher rankings are gradual. On average, it takes about 6 months to start seeing increased inquiries and improved search rankings.

Let’s get your website ranking higher and attracting more clients!

"I had the opportunity to learn from what I feel has been the best mentor! My style has always leaned towards bold and contrasty. When I saw Michelle's work, it immediately stood out to me. I had admired her photography for a long time and knew I wanted to learn from her, particularly how to edit using Salty Sailor Presets. Despite having over two decades of professional shooting experience and having tried other programs, Michelle's mentorship was truly exceptional. Her teaching style is excellent, and she was open and honest in critiquing my work. She guided me through all the intricacies of using the Salty Sailor Presets, making the learning process enjoyable. You might ask, "After over two decades in the field, did you still need a mentor?" Absolutely! Our craft is always evolving, and our style constantly evolves. Michelle understood exactly where I was in my photography career and tailored her mentorship specifically for me. Michelle stays on top of the latest trends and techniques, ensuring that her mentoring is always current with industry standards. She patiently answered all my questions and went beyond editing assistance, offering invaluable guidance on the business side. She critiqued my website, supported my social media efforts, advised on pricing for sessions and prints, assisted with rebranding, recommended gear that matched my camera preferences, and provided strategic marketing advice. Even now, we stay in touch, and Michelle continues to challenge me and keep me accountable for my goals. Beyond being my mentor, she has become a trusted friend. If you're serious about your art and seek an enriching experience, I wholeheartedly recommend Michelle as your mentor."

“I have been pursuing photography as a hobby for five years, and I recently decided to take Michelle’s “Your Business” mentorship. I am so glad I did! She has provided invaluable insights into how to successfully run my business, gain ideal clients, and increase my income. I feel much more confident now. I highly recommend Michelle’s mentorship to anyone looking to grow their photography business and take it to the next level!”