Adam GoldbergEvery podcast appearance, updated as new ones drop

Have you ever scrolled past a shelter dog and thought "that photo doesn't do them justice"? Adam Goldberg had the same thought, and he did something about it. Adam is the founder of AGold Photos and the creator of Second Shot, a mission-driven adoption photography programme placing professional photographers inside shelters to give animals a real chance at being seen. What started as weekend volunteering has grown into a network spanning five shelters across the US, with a goal of reaching 50 in the next three years. In this episode, Adam shares the full story of how Second Shot came to life, how the model actually works, and what he's looking for in photographers who want to get involved. What We Cover How Adam's photography career started inside a shelter and why he never really left The transition from shoot-and-burn events to IPS studio and what he learned the hard way Why he walked away from private clients to focus solely on shelter photography What a Second Shot session looks like from start to finish, including how he photographs up to 50 animals a week The three-person system he uses to keep sessions efficient and stress-free for the animals How brand sponsorships fund the whole programme so shelters get the work for free What he looks for in associate photographers and what the pilot programme involves The tools and workflow that make the volume manageable (including AI editing) Where Second Shot is headed and how you can apply to be part of it About Adam Goldberg Adam Goldberg is a professional pet photographer and the founder of AGold Photos, based in Tampa, Florida. He is also the creator of Second Shot, a programme that partners with animal shelters and brands to fund and produce professional photo sessions for adoptable animals. Adam has been photographing shelter animals for 10 years and has raised over $250,000 for animal charities through his work. Links and Resources Mentioned Apply to be a Second Shot associate photographer: secondshotpet.com Adam on Instagram: @agoldphoto Adam's email: adam@secondshotpet.com Evoto AI editing software: Use Discount Code ADAM15 for 15% off on annual subscription plans and 20% off on 200 credits pay-as-you-go. Sign up using this link https://link.evoto.ai/goldberg 💬 Join the Pet Photographers' Collective If you want to sign up for the workshop, join the Pet Photographers' Collective, it's a free community for pet photographers who want to build a profitable, sustainable business with less overwhelm. Inside, Ina shares: ✨ Practical marketing tips ✨ Business lessons and mindset shifts ✨ Free resources to help you grow Connect with other photographers who get it and start creating a business that truly supports your life, not consumes it. Join here → https://www.skool.com/pet-photographers-collective-3125/about?ref=9c7b56d2963f48a791297a43a29109e1 ✨ Want to Be Coached Live? Interested in being featured on a future coaching episode? Apply here: https://forms.gle/oocMwawVB3de6aM29 📲 Connect with Ina Instagram: <a href="https://instagram.com/inaj.thepetphot

339 - What if you could get paid to help homeless animals find their forever homes? Adam Goldberg is back with a major update on Second Shot Adoption Photos — and this time, he's bringing a free course and an open invitation to join the program as a photographer in your market. What to Listen For: How Adam went from one shelter to five in months Why he closed his private client studio for good The free course exclusively for Freedom Focus listeners What sponsors are actually paying for in this model What types of local businesses make ideal sponsors The mindset shift behind going all-in on a new business model How to get into the program even before a sponsor is secured Second Shot is growing, and there are real spots open for photographers who are ready to do meaningful work and get paid for it. Head to secondshotpet.com , grab the free course with code HODA before August 31st, and apply to be a Second Shot photographer in your city. Important Resources Second Shot Adoption Photos website: https://agoldphoto.com/ Adoptable Animal Course (free through August 31, 2025 with code HODA): https://agoldphoto.com/education/live-online-course-adoptable-animal-studio-photography/ Listen to Adam's first episode: Episode 308 at https://www.freedomfocusformula.com/blog/turning-shelter-shoots-into-income-with-adam-goldberg CONNECT + LEARN MORE: Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial

How do restaurant brands scale without losing the experience that made them memorable in the first place? Adam Goldberg joins James Tice to share how Rock & Brews has grown across freestanding locations, casinos, airports, and concessions while protecting food quality, culture, and guest experience. He breaks down why training the trainers matters, why food and people are never negotiable, and how clear standards allow teams to deliver the same experience even as locations and formats change. Goldberg also walks through how Rock & Brews approaches growth today, using flexible design, remodels, and music-driven environments to create spaces that feel unique without losing the core of the brand. The goal is not uniformity for its own sake, but consistency where it counts and freedom where it adds to the experience. What You’ll Learn: - Why training the trainers protects consistency - Why food quality and people come first - How experience drives repeat visits - How flexible design supports growth without becoming generic Adam Goldberg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-goldberg-473b6012/ Rock & Brews: Smarter Scheduling Tech

Today I’m chatting with my friend Adam Goldberg of AGoldPhoto, a studio pet photographer, shelter-dog hype man, and the brain behind “Second Shot.” He started in shelters back in 2013, built a thriving studio, and is now circling back to his roots with a model that funds adoption photos through brand sponsors. It’s smart, generous, and wildly scalable. If you love the idea of photographing rescue pets but struggle to find the time with your adulting responsibilities and bills, this one’s for you. What to Listen For: The surprising reason Adam first picked up a camera at the shelter (hint: it wasn’t about the dogs). How pit bulls changed the course of his career—and what he discovered that the news never shows. Why he refunded $100,000 in bookings overnight…and what he built from the ashes. The single question that sparked the idea for Second Shot. How a casual social media post turned into brand sponsorships that now fund adoption photos. The behind-the-scenes of what sponsors actually want, and why some don’t care about analytics at all. What makes this model irresistible to shelters (and why Adam warns photographers not to ask for money too soon). The unexpected pushback he faced from other photographers and how he handled it. Why Adam believes photographers shouldn’t have to choose between paying their bills and saving lives. Where he sees Second Shot going next and how you might be able to join in. Adam’s “Second Shot” model proves you can serve shelters, create real adoption momentum, and still get paid for your craft. If this lights you up, go follow Adam, say hello, and tell him Nicole sent you. Then hit play and take notes—you’ll walk away with partnership ideas you can action this month. CTA: Subscribe, share this episode with a rescue-loving friend, and leave a review so more photographers can find it. Additional information: Adam’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/agoldphoto Adam’s website: https://agoldphoto.com Facebook group: Studio Pet Photography Help More Resources: Freedom Focus Photography Podcast: https://hairofthedogacademy.com/podcast (or your preferred podcast hub) Hair of the Dog Academy: https://hairofthedogacademy.com Free Guide – Top 10 Dog Poses: https://hairofthedogacademy.com/poses Freedom Focus Formula: https://nicolebegley.com/freedom-focus-formula CONNECT + LEARN MORE: Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial

On this episode, I was joined by Adam Goldberg and Darren Rovell. Rovell, a now 2 time podcast guest and Goldberg joining us for his pod debut. We talked about Adam's entrepreneurial success and his new business "Pop Up Bagels" which I am an investor in. We talked about what to look for in investing and how to spot the big ones & much more.