How Aamal Filled Her Paris Portrait Retreat in 22 Hours

Aamal Abed booked her Paris portrait retreat within 22 hours—but the work started long before she announced the trip. She joins Nikki Closser to share how a community built around celebrating women grew into portrait sessions, referrals and client retreats.

After 15 years in corporate IT, Aamal made the move into photography and built Diamonds Portraits in Calgary. She explains how she created an empowering studio experience, found early clients through Facebook campaigns and developed a VIP group that welcomes women even before they book a session.

The conversation covers consultation calls, session fees and print collections, client celebrations, and the practical choices behind retreats in Mexico and Paris. Aamal also talks candidly about slow seasons, public speaking, coaching and taking action while you are still afraid.

In this conversation:

• Moving from corporate IT into a portrait business that replaced her previous salary
• Attracting clients through Facebook campaigns, referrals and a welcoming VIP community
• Building trust during consultations and explaining the investment clearly
• Creating portrait retreats, including a Paris trip that initially filled within 22 hours
• Diversifying through speaking and coaching while navigating seasonal slowdowns
• Taking the next step before you feel completely ready

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Chapters

00:00 Aamal’s portrait business and episode preview03:02 Leaving corporate IT for portrait photography11:08 Building a home studio and raising prices16:10 Finding portrait clients with Facebook campaigns18:43 Growing referrals through a VIP community24:12 Consultation calls, session fees and collections28:04 Replacing an IT salary and creating client retreats33:17 Filling a Paris portrait retreat in 22 hours37:05 Slow seasons, public speaking and coaching44:59 Nikki’s story behind The Light That Shines49:34 Taking action before you feel ready53:11 Favorite gear, life outside work and final advice