I realized that success isn’t about doing everything; it’s about doing the right things that align with who you are.
Corey Boyles
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Corey Boyles’s story shows us how a curiosity for life can bloom into remarkable success. From his beginnings as a massage therapist to his ventures in real estate investing, Corey’s path eventually led him to establish not one, but two flourishing photography businesses. His ingenuity and adaptability have proven that you can create success in unexpected ways.
What makes Corey’s work stand out isn’t just his technical expertise across real estate, headshot, and commercial photography. It’s the way he taps into the human connection with every shot, bringing a rare authenticity to his images. Whether he’s capturing a professional portrait or crafting visuals that sell the dream of a home, Corey blends precision with a personal touch that has given him a strong name in photography.
But Corey’s story isn’t just about photography. It’s about growth, both personal and professional. Through challenges and life-changing pivots, Corey has embraced innovation, sought inspiration from life coaching, and built businesses where strategy meets creativity. His ability to turn lessons into leaps forward will motivate anyone chasing big dreams.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll take away from my conversation with Corey:
- He shares the fascinating story of his career evolution, showing how a love for learning and persistence can open doors you didn’t know existed.
- Corey explains how human connection shapes his work, offering insights into building trust and capturing authenticity, especially in headshot photography.
- You’ll hear his take on balancing creativity and business strategy, including how he built systems to enable both growth and personal fulfillment.
If you’re interested in running a thriving photography business, finding inspiration in your craft, or simply learning how to take charge of your own narrative, this episode is for you. Corey’s mix of ambition, relatability, and grounded wisdom is sure to leave you both inspired and ready to take the next step in your own creative path. Enjoy the episode!
Q: Have you always been interested in photography, or is it just another thing you picked up along the way?
Corey: You know, that’s a good question. I think I’ve been interested in so many things since being a kid. I remember being maybe 10 or 12 years old and I was in an antique store, and there was this old book about photography. I didn’t understand it, but I loved the pictures of the cameras themselves. Later, my brother and I would take the family video camera, make our own movies, and edit them. I didn’t know I’d ever become a professional photographer—it just kind of happened as one thing led to another.
Q: Can you share with me maybe some lesson or piece of advice that you received from any of your coaching sessions that significantly helped you along your path and gave you that boost to keep going?
Corey: One of the biggest things my coach told me was, ‘Corey, you have a belief that things have to be hard in order for them to be worthy.’ I realized I had this belief from childhood that if I was enjoying the work, something must be wrong. That mindset was holding me back. Once I started clearing my head of fears and expectations, I became better at what I do, especially in the studio. It’s been a journey of learning to let go of those limiting beliefs.
Q: What do you do to help you establish that human connection with someone that you’re shooting a headshot with, over and above the technical aspects of photography
Corey: It starts at the beginning when they find you. Whether they’re looking at my website or reading about me, I make sure the process builds trust. When they come in, I slow things down—ask how their day is, offer water, and just connect. I also make it clear that this is a collaborative process. I tell them, ‘This is like sculpting marble; we’ll carve our way into it together.’ That approach helps them relax and allows me to capture their authentic selves.
Key Links and Mentions From the Episode
People Mentioned
- Gary Hughes – A successful wedding photographer turned headshot specialist, whose insights at ShutterFest inspired Corey to explore headshot photography as a lucrative and fulfilling niche.
- Jon Meadows – A headshot photography coach and founder of “Making Bank with Photography,” who helped Corey refine his skills and build a successful headshot business.
- Mike Kitko – One of Corey’s life coaches, who helped him identify and overcome limiting beliefs, such as the idea that success must come through struggle.
Tools & Gear
- 17hats – A client management system Corey uses to streamline inquiries, bookings, and communication, ensuring a seamless experience for his clients.
- Drones – A key tool in Corey’s real estate photography, allowing him to capture unique aerial perspectives of properties.
Projects & Opportunities
- Corey Boyles Photography – Corey’s first photography business, encompassing real estate, headshot, and commercial photography, which laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial success.
- The Headshot Company – Corey’s specialized headshot brand, designed to focus on professional portraits and corporate photography, with plans for scalability and expansion.
- ShutterFest – A photography conference in St. Louis where Corey gained valuable insights and inspiration to grow his headshot business.
Places and Locations
- St. Louis, Missouri – Corey’s home base and the location of his photography businesses, as well as the annual ShutterFest conference.
- Nashville, Tennessee – One of the cities Corey travels to for on-site headshot sessions, showcasing his growing reach and reputation.
- Sedona, Arizona – A location where Corey was hired to photograph a high-end Airbnb, marking a milestone in his career as a sought-after photographer.
Key Themes Discussed
- The Journey to Photography – Corey’s unconventional path from massage therapy to real estate investing and eventually to building two successful photography businesses.
- Overcoming Limiting Beliefs – How Corey’s life coaching experiences helped him reframe his mindset and embrace the idea that success doesn’t have to come through struggle.
- Human Connection in Photography – Corey’s emphasis on building trust and rapport with clients, especially in headshot sessions, to capture authentic and impactful images.
- Balancing Creativity and Business – Corey’s approach to managing the technical and empathetic aspects of photography while scaling his businesses strategically.
- The Role of Systems and Delegation – How outsourcing editing and hiring additional photographers allowed Corey to focus on business development and personal growth.
