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...

As I reflect back on the past 14 years in the world of photography and business, I'm honestly filled with so much gratitude for the lessons, the memories, the relationships, and the beautiful art that I've had the opportunity to create. It’s been a journey filled with ups and downs, but I’ve learned so much along the way. I want to pass on some of my wisdom to you, dear friends, in the hopes that these lessons will bolster you in business and in life.  In today’s episode, I’m flying solo and...

Digital photos are great in terms of portability and immediacy. But tangible photos that you can hold in your hand have so much more meaning. Think about the difference between a forgotten USB stick languishing in a drawer somewhere and a photo album filled with photos that you can touch. It’s a whole different vibe, isn’t it? In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Ambreia Turner, an award winning maternity and motherhood portrait photographer in the Washington, D.C. area. Ambreia shares why...

As creatives, we spend too much time focusing on “should”. We tell ourselves, “This is the way my photos should look, and this is the way my business should run,” etc. But what if we moved past what should be and just focused on what is? Finding your true, authentic voice as a photographer takes time, but it’s worth it to find out what your passions are and what you love doing most. And that free expression of creativity will come through so beautifully in your photos. In today’s episode,...

Capturing photos and photo editing is second nature to us as photographers. Creating family films and doing video editing, however, can feel very overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be! Just like anything else in life, start small, learn the basics, and give it a try. I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the results. In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Dorte Kjaerulff, a family photographer and filmmaker. Dorte shares how you can get started with video without getting overwhelmed, why...

Being a photographer, or any other kind of creative business owner, can be stressful. Deadlines, budgets, clients, imposter syndrome - all of these things can cause us to become dysregulated and mentally frazzled. But finding the calm in the chaos of entrepreneurial life is possible, my friends. You deserve a calm, successful business without the overwhelm.  In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Renee Bowen, a photographer and coach who specializes in NLP (Neuro-linguistic programming). Renee...

Contracts can seem scary. The language might feel complex or overwhelming. But you truly do need them for your photography business. You have to protect yourself and your business and having contracts in place help you do just that. This is your nudge to get legal, my friends.  In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Paige Griffith, founder of The Legal Paige, a virtual legal educational platform for small businesses. Paige and I discuss contracts, model releases, trademark infringement, privacy...

Picture this scene: You’re shooting a children’s photo session and the kids are crying, their parents are frazzled, and no one is having a good time, especially not you. Maybe you’ve experienced this yourself, or you’ve at least heard horror stories about this happening. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are strategies you can use to make it a more playful and fun photo session. Happy kiddos equal happy photos, after all.  In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Melissa Miller, a...

It can be hard to realize that none of us are perfect. We get tired, we make mistakes, or we take on too many projects. But what we need to remember is that done is better than perfect. Spending 10 hours editing one photo serves no one. And honestly, our clients don’t expect perfection from us, they just want photos that capture their soul. That’s something we can definitely deliver! In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Megan Boggs, founder of Hello Storyteller and a lifestyle and documentary...

Humans in general have a lot of limiting beliefs, but as photographers, so many doubts come into play. We’re unsure about our art, we doubt our value, we undercharge and overwork ourselves. It’s not healthy and it needs to change. In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Bobbi Barbarich, a documentary wedding and family photographer. She shares how to find your voice as a photographer, what to do when you feel stuck, and how to uncover what’s holding you back in your photography.  What’s in this...

Money is a topic that so many creatives try to ignore. We want to focus on the art, we tell ourselves. But not knowing what your expenses are, not having a budget, and not being able to pay yourself are all big problems when it comes to owning a business. Your time is worth money.  In today’s episode, I’m interviewing the ladies from The Motherhood Anthology (TMA): Jenny Cruger, Allison Craig, and Kim Fox. They share why TMA came to be, why you should create a brand that aligns with you and...

Creative people aren’t good at numbers. At least, that’s what we tell ourselves, and often it can lead to big financial problems in our businesses. Unfortunately, you can’t put your head in the sand and ignore your spending and expect to have a successful business.  In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Daniel Moyer, a photographer, podcaster, and photography business educator, who shares the money mindset pitfalls that many of us experience, how to shift into a healthy money mindset, and how...

I don’t know if there are three letters more intimidating to photographers than SEO, but it’s something we all need to educate ourselves about. Photography businesses often rely on Google searches, among other things, to bring in clients, so don’t bury your head in the sand when it comes to SEO. In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Melissa Arlena, an SEO educator and coach for photographers, who shares what SEO actually is, why it’s important for photographers, and tips for optimizing your...

Pricing your business is about the numbers, sure, but it’s also about your emotions. Self-worth, imposter syndrome, uncertainty - all of those things can play a part when deciding on your pricing structure for your photography business. But what if there was a simple way to align your pricing? In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Fiona Margo, an adventurous motherhood and newborn photographer in the Seattle area, who shares how she uses resentment to measure her pricing packages (yes, you...

Every single one of us has faced limiting beliefs at some point in our lives. We’ve let other people dictate our worth and our success and it’s not healthy or sustaining. Instead, we have to remember the value we bring to the table and believe in ourselves.  In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Mollie Sommer, a certified Core Energy Coach who teaches manifestation, empowerment, and self-love. Mollie shares how to live from the heart, manifest the life you want, and let go of limiting beliefs....

If you’ve ever been intimidated by ad strategies for your business, you’re not alone. Click through, conversion rate, ad copy, lead generation, boosted ads - it’s enough to make your head spin if you aren’t sure what you’re doing or what it all means. It really doesn’t have to be so scary, though. In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Ashleigh Taylor, an award winning portrait photographer and photography educator and speaker. Ashleigh shares what she’s learned about using ads to grow her...

As photographers, I bet many of us have experienced flat, uninteresting photos when we haven’t felt a connection with our clients, especially when we started out. That emotional connection is the magic sauce that makes your photos shine.   In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Denise Birdsong, an award-winning wedding portrait and boudoir photographer from the San Francisco Bay Area, who is a pioneer of emotive photography. Denise shares her advice for how to infuse your photos with real...

Senior portrait photography might seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Just like any other genre of photography, you’ve got to make your clients feel comfortable in order to make your photos shine.  In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Leslie Kerrigan, a senior portrait photographer from South Carolina. Leslie shares advice on how to start working with teens, how to bring out her clients’ personality during a shoot, and innovative ways to market teen photography and get your name out...

Having relaxed, comfortable clients is important for any photo session. It’s even more important when it comes to intimate connection photography. We want to alleviate any fears and stiffness our clients feel, and instead capture the genuine emotion and love. In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Sarah Havens, an intimate connection photographer from southwest Germany. Sarah shares what it was like moving her business overseas, how to relax her clients before their intimate photo sessions, and...

As photographers and business owners, the struggle to stay motivated and push our creativity is real. It can feel like everything has already been done before - poses, props, locations, etc. But what if we could examine that struggle from a new lens?  In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Karina Beck, a storytelling photographer from the Seattle area. Karina shares her advice for military spouses and others who’ve had to move around and restart their businesses, what intentional storytelling...

Have you ever wanted to improve your photography business and learn from other experienced photographers? There’s a lot of information out there to sift through and it can be overwhelming, I get it. But what if we could compile our best, most effective tips in one place? Intrigued? Get ready for the Business Tip Road Trip! Today’s episode is a bit different from what you would normally hear on the Art and Soul Show, but I know it’s one that will be so valuable. It’s a collaborative episode...

As creatives, we can sometimes let fear overwhelm our art, especially when we worry about what everyone else is (or isn’t!) doing. Like, should we try a new technology? Will we be left behind if we don’t use it? What if we don’t utilize it as well as someone else? But, if you put aside your fear, and allow yourself the freedom to create and play, you’ll see amazing results in your work.   In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Twyla Jones, a photographer, educator, and founder of Emotional...

Taking photos of other people comes with the job of being a photographer. But what happens when you turn the camera on yourself? If you find yourself feeling a bit silly, that’s OK. Embrace it. Self-portraits don’t have to be perfect. If you’ve been too scared to try self-portraiture, this is your permission slip to get started.  In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Alex Eischeid, a creative portrait photographer, mentor, and instructor. Alex shares advice on how to get started with...

Whether it’s a client wardrobe, a location, or a pose, style is so important to foster that emotional connection in your photos that your clients want. Finding your style can lead to the comparison trap, though, so remember to set good boundaries around where you find your inspiration and which social media accounts you follow.  In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Missie Lafrenz, a family and maternity photographer from Iowa. Missie shares how her 30-acre farm has changed her clientele, how...