Iwona Podlasinska started her career as an architect, but once she became a mother, she discovered her newest inspiration: her children. That prompted her to pivot into the world of photography, and she’s been honing her creative craft ever since! In today’s episode, Iwona and I chat about her incredible career as she’s focused on fine art children’s portraiture and educating other photographers. We dive into how she’s developed her own eye-catching style, how she thinks about composition,...

Nicole didn’t start her career as a photographer. She just had a love for animals and knew she wanted to work with them forever! When she finally did pick up a camera, it took her a few years before she niched down to just pet portraits, but since then, she’s created a thriving, profitable business doing just that! In this episode, I chat with guest Nicole Begley on what got her into photography, why niching down was a scary, but necessary, choice for her business, and the mindset changes...

As creatives, the legal side of running a business can be really intimidating for us. What protection do we need? Can we just use a contract from the internet? What do we do when someone steals our photographs?! Well, in today’s episode, I’m chatting with Kiffanie Stahle to answer all your burning legal questions and hopefully ease some of your fears around the legal process! Kiffanie is so gracious and takes her time explaining exactly what we need to know about contracts, copyrights,...

As photographers, we’d love to spend all of our time just photographing and working with our clients. Unfortunately, in 2024, it takes a little more than that to attract new clients to your business, but cultivating a successful marketing mindset doesn’t always feel intuitive to creatives. So in today’s episode, I’m talking to Carolina Guzik, expert photographer, host of the TOG Republic podcast and marketing genius, to discuss the way she successfully markets her own business. We cover so...

Everywhere you look on the internet, you can find pricing guides, information, and others talking about the revenue their businesses generate. And that’s all fine and good, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter when it comes to your individual business. What really matters is whether or not you’re pricing for profit in your business. But “what about industry rates?” you may ask. Well, in today’s episode, my guest Jamie Devlin is here to remind us why we need to keep our eyes on...

If you’re alive in 2024, I’m sure you’re familiar with the concept of overwhelm. It’s so common, little space robots on Mars are even feeling it (not a joke, this literally happened!) In fact, these feelings of overwhelm can be so powerful, that they paralyze us from getting anything done at all! But with distractions, options, and ideas everywhere these days, how do we manage and cope with being overwhelmed? Well, in today’s episode, Lisa is going to lay out a tried and true system for...

Does it ever feel like you’re working around the clock but still can’t seem to get anything done? There’s a common misconception that the more we work, the more productive and successful we’re going to be. But that’s simply not true! In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Brittnie Renee, a professional family photographer and educator who helps her students leverage systems and intentional time blocking to streamline their businesses and optimize productivity in 15 hours per week or less! We...

Does your photography business ever feel like it’s just too “heavy” to maintain? Is your messaging lacking a clear strategy that sets you apart from the competition? Are you struggling to attract your ideal clients on a consistent basis? In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Sean Brown, a professional senior photographer and educator who has mastered the systems, strategy, and authenticity required to launch a successful photography business.  We cover so many important points from taking a...

When you’re a photographer, you learn that no session is quite the same as the last! That’s especially true when working with children and, in particular, children who are neurodivergent. So what can you do during those sessions to ensure your studio is a safe and inclusive environment for everyone? This guest has the answer! In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Stacey Feasel, a professional family photographer and parent of a neurodivergent child herself. You’ll hear how her own experience...

As photographers, many of us are guilty of spending thousands of dollars on equipment, gowns, and props that, at the surface, seem to offer endless variety. But are these things really what drive creativity? Could there be a better investment of your time and resources than the latest trend? In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Esther Kay, a professional maternity photographer and educator who believes that lifetime learning is the best investment you can make in your business. You’ll hear...

Preschool aged children are such a fun group to photograph! Just ask Trina Julius, a professional preschool photographer of 10 years who has photographed thousands of 4 to 5-year-olds over the course of her career. In today’s episode, Trina shares how she discovered her passion for preschool photography and what she loves most about working with this endearing age group where every day is as unique as her subjects. From strategies for working with different personalities to overcoming...

As photographers, it’s easy to stifle our own creativity with self-imposed limitations – whether that’s working solely within one particular style or losing sight of how important it is to experiment and embrace new opportunities. But here’s the thing, you don’t have to confine yourself to any one particular box. In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Natasha Simpson, a professional newborn photographer known for her fun, colorful work and her skill when it comes to incorporating elements such...

Do you wish that you could outsource some of your photography work? Hiring associates is a great way to say “yes” to more clients while still working less and focusing solely on your zone of genius! In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Jill Smith, a professional family photographer who has been able to scale her business by building and training a small team of associates. We cover everything from having a community over competition mindset, to streamlining workflow, to how Jill’s own journey...

Are you a photographer with multiple passions? Balancing different areas of interest can feel like a challenge, especially when there’s only so much time in the day! In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Shannon McTighe, pediatric emergency room nurse and self-taught photographer. Shannon shares how a love of art ignited her photography career and gave her a much-needed creative outlet where she could work with kids in a more positive setting.  We cover how Shannon’s use of Lightroom presets...

Does it ever feel like you’re running a zoo?? Maybe that’s because balancing photography and motherhood is a whole art in itself! Just take it from Tiffany Crenshaw, professional lifestyle photographer, mom of 3, and an embracer of chaos who knows the value of showcasing a person’s most authentic self. In today’s episode, we’re interviewing Tiffany on her experience starting Animal House Photography and the importance of making every client feel seen. We cover everything from an emphasis on...

Today’s guest is perhaps the most sought after maternity, newborn, and baby photographer in the Midwest… And for good reason! Kellie Golden has mastered not only photography but also the business systems and special touches that keep her clients coming back time and again. It’s no wonder she has photographed over a thousand babies during her career! In today’s episode, Kellie and I discuss how she has built her reputation and what it takes to be successful as a full-time maternity...

A photography career isn’t always linear, and sometimes, there’s a lot of “figuring it out as you go.” This was the case for Josie Tan, a former resident of LA who traded models and magazines for a new life in Oregon as a newborn and maternity photographer.  In today’s episode, Josie and I discuss those early years, the factors that prompted her career shift, and how she built her photography business into what it is today. You can expect to learn tips and tricks around marketing and IPS,...

When you’re first starting out as a photographer, it can be tough! You don’t know what you don’t know. Wouldn’t it be incredible to pick the brains of some incredible, established photographers to give you advice as you start out of your photography career?  Well friends, you are in the right place, because we rounded up the best business advice for photographers from 16 of our newborn retreat teachers! That’s right, SIXTEEN amazing women are sharing what they wish they knew, how they think...

A few years ago, I started my own process of reflection at the end of each year, looking at my successes… and maybe some of the things that didn’t go so well too. We all have those moments where a client interaction went badly, or we made another embarrassing business mistake that haunts us a little bit. Part of my process of reflection is taking a look at those moments, learning what I need from them, and then letting them go or, as I like to call it, “giving up the ghost” of the things that...

Do you struggle to feel present or embrace photography in your personal life? Just because something comes naturally to us as professionals doesn’t necessarily mean that the same is true at home. (Especially if you’re a mother of young children!) Sometimes taking photographs feels more like a chore or a nuisance than the beautiful and therapeutic art form that it’s meant to be. In today’s episode, I’m discussing this exact topic with professional photographer and author, Joy Prouty. Joy is an...

Photographers are busy people, and we sometimes let things slide that we shouldn’t. Namely, I’m talking about our photography websites. If I’m honest, I haven’t updated mine as much as I should and I bet you haven’t either. Websites are usually our primary marketing tools to find clients, so we can’t neglect them any longer. Here’s your reminder to dust off your website, start posting on your blog, and focusing on SEO. If you do it, I’ll do it, too! In today’s episode, I’m interviewing KP and...

If you’re a photographer, you’re probably an education junkie, just like me. We sign up for courses, we watch tutorials, we follow other creators on Instagram. But the problem is we consume all this information and we don’t do anything with it. Even worse, we allow it to create doubt in our minds about our skills and talents. It’s something we need to stop (and I’m telling this to myself, too!). In today’s solo episode, I’m sharing what active creation means, the reasons why we should...

When it comes to business, we all find ourselves in sticky situations sometimes. It’s just a part of running such human focused businesses. But what’s the best way to handle some of these tough client experiences? Well, in today’s episode, Kayleigh Ashworth, renowned newborn and maternity photographer, shares some of her trickiest client situations and how she handled them with grace and flexibility, while not compromising her own business. She also lays out the way she thinks about pricing...

Are you an aspiring maternity photographer? Curious to learn everything that’s involved in this unique and multi-faceted photography niche? Then you’ve come to the right place! Maternity photography is so special in that it requires all the skills of a photographer plus even more care and attention to make your clients feel at ease and look their best. In today’s episode, I’m discussing this exact topic with professional maternity photographer, Karli Braaten of Studio Evergreen. Karli knows...