At 14+ years of motherhood, I finally think I know what the hell I am doing.
Most mornings, I wake up to drink my morning latte and work a few hours before Chloe and I start our homeschool ritual.
Hi, I'm Colie - it's a nickname for Nicole!
A DISNEY-OBSESSED PHOTOGRAPHER LIVING THE GOOD LIFE IN COLORADO WITH MY husband James and 14-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER CHLOÉ.
OH, AND I'M NOT KIDDING ABOUT BEING OBSESSED WITH DISNEYLAND, DURING THE PANDEMIC WE VISITED EVERY SINGLE MONTH... FROM COLORADO 😍
Photographers & Creative Entrepreneurs
I’m here to guide you to a place in business where you do what you you love without sacrificing a paycheck to do it.
I started Colie James Photography in 2012, offering in-home family + newborn photography sessions. Within one year I offered my first online lifestyle family photography workshop.
I know that sounds bat-shit crazy, but I was a professor for over a decade before I gave birth to my daughter. The teaching was way more natural to me than the actual photography. To date I have mentored hundreds of photographers wanting to learn how to build their own lifestyle + documentary family photography businesses.
But how did I get here… as THE go-to systems guru for photographers?
On my birthday in 2020, I was a guest on the This Can’t Be That Hard podcast, spreading my love for all things CRMs. This was the spark that led to the creation of my Dubsado implementation course for photographers + later my Dubsado VIP Day setup services. Thanks Annemie 😍
If you are nodding your head, I've created a podcast just for you. Subscribe and tune in to the Business-First Creatives podcast where I discuss all things business and have some pretty amazing guests sharing their insights as well.
make the rules and set boundaries that work for YOU
take time off without guilt or overwhelm
avoid being stuck behind a computer answering emails for hours a day
serve clients you love
A business where you
That being said, I truly believe systems and automation can go a long way in helping you build a sustainable + profitable business that brings you joy.
The biggest lesson I've learned is there is no one-size-fits-all recipe for running a successful business.
my business values
Check out the podcast
trusted by and featured in
Events I've Spoken at
Done In A Day Virtual Conference (March 2022)
Selling VIP Days to Your Existing Audience
Pivot Week Virtual Conference (2022)
Automating the Experience
Slay Your Podcast Summit
Video Podcasting Panel
The Family Narrative Virtual Conference (2021)
The Ultimate Client Experience
The Photo Cookout
Outsourcing is Not a Dirty Word (2019)
Infusing Video into Your Photography Business (2020)
How to Sprinkle a Little Automation Throughout Your Client Experience (2021)
Photonative (2023)
Stop Wasting Your Time with These Automations
Birth Becomes You Online Symposium
Optimizing Your Website (2023)
Organizing Your Birth Business (2022)
Milky Way Family Photography Retreat
The Modern Family Home Video (2023)
In-Home Session Magic (2022)
Milky Way Online Business Retreat (2022)
Creating a Stellar Client Experience with Your CRM
Root To Rise Mastermind
Systems and Boundaries for the New Year (2023)
Serving Your Clients (2022)
Lara Agnew, Photographer
Colie, you are an absolute pleasure to work with. Hiring you was one of THE best decisions I made. Having you to answer questions or help my brain reorient to a new way of doing things was invaluable. It can be hard to re-train the brain on a new system. With your help, I was able to get over some barriers quicker than if I had done this on my own."
"Not only did you help move along a project I've been kicking down the road for the last three years but working with you ensured that I did my part of the process in a timely fashion.
Alison Amick, photographer
I was still in 17hats for my sister company because I just didn't have the time to bring my sister company over to Dubsado as well. Insert fairy godmother Colie with her magic wand to set everything up while I had time to work on family photos and onboard more clients.
WIN WIN.
"I'll be the first to admit that I am a full-on hot mess express, probably the least organized person on the planet. I would NOT be able to run a successful photography business without Dubsado as my CRM. And the fact that it's pretty is just the cherry on top.
Kendra Greenberg, photographer
"What you offer is more that just Dubsado setup. It's like a business workflow refresh in general.
With your attention to detail, thoughtful solutions to problems, and deep-dive approach, you thought of things I didn't know I needed.
Colie, you're the best!"
meg messina, Photographer
Colie did an extensive amount of setup work and was available after not only to show me how to navigate the new system but also to answer each question that came up as I began to use it. I’ve run my photography business for 12 years and working with Colie was one of the best experiences I’ve had."
"I know the year is only halfway over, but I can safely say that having Colie set up my Dubsado was the best business decision of the year.
Alice thigpen, Photographer
Before she set up my system, Colie made sure she understood all the relevant aspects of my business so that she could customize my system. She went the extra mile to make sure my CRM was on brand. After the system was in place, Colie promptly answered all of my questions in ways that were easy to understand and implement."
"My bookings have increased significantly since using Dubsado, but more important, I no longer dread using a tool that is supposed to make my business run smoothly!
Krystal Franke, Family Filmmaker + Photographer
Colie was INCREDIBLE to work with. She saved me so much time & headache while setting up the backend of my Dubsado account. She created personalized proposals, emails & workflows that have been life-changing for my business. Now You will LOVE working with Colie. She's worth every penny and MORE."
"I can spend more time doing what I'm passionate about and spending time with my family which is most important of all.
kind words
Just want to uplevel your client experience with my templates for Dubsado, Airtable, and Honeybook? Come steal and customize a template for your business!
DIY Systems Shop
Easy to implement program for creatives to help you get your shit together and finally eliminate the administrative stress of booking clients, in less than 10 days in either Dubsado or Honeybook 😉
CRM Blueprint Course for Creatives
For the creative entrepreneur who wants to reclaim time in their business and create an amazing client experience using Dubsado or Honeybook, like yesterday.
Systems Setups for
(Honeybook, Pic-Time + Dubsado)
How I can help your creative business thrive?
This podcast takes a no-BS approach to put the business first, ensuring your creative business is profitable rather than an expensive side-hustle.
