Grab our High-Converting Proposal Template and learn what to include (and what to leave out) to turn more of your proposals into higher-paying clients: https://webdesigneracademy.com/template
Have you ever had to wait on a client’s photos to finish your web design projects? Like, you've done everything else... the strategy, the copy, the layout... and then you're just stuck, waiting for your client’s photo shoot, waiting for the photographer to get the photos processes, for the client to choose them, and then when you finally do get them - you don’t even have the sizes or orientations you need to make your designs work? Or the vibe is just all wrong?
But what if you could just create the photos yourself - AI portraits, brand photo shoots, the whole thing - and turn it into a profitable add-on service that makes your projects move faster AND gives your clients better images than they'd ever get from a traditional photo shoot?
In this episode, I talk with Diane Whiddon, founder of AI Designer’s Academy, about how web designers can add AI portrait and brand photo shoot services to their offerings.
We dig into how to price these services, the ethics of AI imagery, why clients ask for more wrinkles (not fewer), and what Diane calls "visual claims" - using AI images strategically so your clients' websites build trust and convert before a word is read.
What You'll Learn:
How to add AI headshots ($600/package) and brand photo shoots ($3,300) to your web design services
Why 90% of clients say yes to headshots when you ask at the end of a discovery call
The ethical framework Diane teaches inside AI Designers Academy (what you can and can't do)
Who is actually buying AI imagery - including clients who can't be served any other way
How "visual claims" let designers use imagery to build trust and handle visitor objections strategically
Why AI is not going to kill web design - and what IS changing for designers who stay ahead
Resources Mentioned:
AI Designers Academy: aidesignersacademy.com
Swayrise Creative (Diane's agency): swayriscreative.com
Web Designer Academy Programs: webdesigneracademy.com/programs
Related Episodes:
Episode 197: Building Visual Trust in an Artificial World with Pippa Tanko
Episode 198: How To Make More With Less Web Design Clients
Episode 191: How To Choose the Right Web Design Business Model
About Diane Whiddon:
Diane Whiddon is the founder of AI Designer’s Academy, where she teaches designers how to use AI with the eye and judgment of a creative director. She is also the owner of Swayrise Creative, her boutique Squarespace web design agency. aidesignersacademy.com | LinkedIn: Diane Whiddon
About Shannon Mattern:
Shannon Mattern is a Pricing Strategist, creator of The Package Matrix™ Method, and the founder of the Web Designer Academy where she helps experienced women web designers book higher-paying web design projects, charge more with confidence, run projects without overworking and burnout and break through to their next level of income and freedom.
For Web Designers: https://webdesigneracademy.com
For Service Providers, Consultants & Agencies: https://shannonmattern.com
Instagram: @profitablewebdesigner | @shannonlmattern
