Creative Moms Focus

In our final episode of the season, I'm diving into one of the hardest but most powerful lessons I've learned in business — the importance of saying no. As creative moms and business owners, it can feel uncomfortable to turn down work, but learning to say no to the wrong projects opens the door to say yes to the right ones. In this episode of Creative Moms Focus, I'm sharing the red flags I've lea...

Today I, Tara, feel the need to share something that's been on my heart - how motherhood changes everything, including how we show up in our businesses. I've been through the fog of the newborn days, running my business in tiny ten minute pockets of newborn naps, and now I'm in the season of school drop-offs, after-school chaos, and finding focus in those precious quiet hours in between. Both seas...

In today's episode of Creative Moms Focus, Tara, Samantha, and I are diving into a topic that might surprise you: why sometimes your business best friends can be even more valuable than a paid business coach. Don't get us wrong—we love our coaches! They bring structure, proven frameworks, accountability, and step-by-step processes that can help us scale strategically. But there's something incredi...

It's Samantha here with you today, and we just celebrated my youngest's fourth birthday. This one hit me harder than I expected—four feels so big. It feels like those baby years are officially behind us. As I was scrolling through old photos (as one does), it really struck me how much parenthood has shaped not only who I am but also the kind of business I've built. So that's what I want to dive in...

As creative business moms, we spend so much of our time being "on" -  showing up behind the  camera with clients, juggling family life, and striving to give our best in every area. But all that energy output can leave us drained if we don't have an outlet to just be ourselves. In this episode of the Creative Moms Focus Podcast, we're diving into the power of authentic friendship for creative moms....

As a photographer, quarter four can feel like a blur - balancing client sessions and product deliveries while trying to create Christmas magic at home. Today Jessica is sharing practical ways to protect your sanity this holiday season through boundaries, planning, and prioritizing what matters most. From setting clear client deadlines and establishing boundaries on your Q4 bookings to batching con...

Ever wonder how to make your client experience smoother and create more meaningful work? Samantha and Tara are pulling back the curtain on one of their secret weapons as photographers: client questionnaires. It might sound simple, but these forms are pure magic when it comes to building trust, personalizing sessions, and truly connecting with clients. From wardrobe planning and location scouting t...

Every photographer has been there—the toddler meltdown, the sibling squabble, the endless wiggles that seem to derail the perfect family photo session. But the truth is, those chaotic moments don't have to ruin a shoot. We're sharing five tried-and-true prompts that help turn unpredictable energy into authentic, joy-filled images. From playful prompts that spark laughter to techniques that foster...

Behind every beautiful photo is a story—and for photographers, some of the most meaningful stories come from clients who return year after year. Today, Tara and Samantha dive into the heart of what makes photography so meaningful: the lasting relationships with returning clients. From engagements to weddings, maternity sessions to newborn portraits, and everything beyond, photography allows you to...

AI is everywhere right now—from social media to photography software—and as creative business owners, we can't ignore it. But where's the line between using AI as a helpful tool and letting it take over? In this week's episode, Tara and Jessica are pulling back the curtain on how they actually use AI in their photography businesses—and where they choose not to. Here's what you'll hear in today's c...

Are you curious about what it really means to live a "clean lifestyle"? In this episode co-hosts Jessica and Tara open up about their personal journeys toward creating healthier homes for their families. What started as two very different experiences — a family-wide Celiac disease diagnosis for Tara, and a cancer diagnosis in Jessica's family — eventually led both women to explore the power of sma...

This week on Creative Moms Focus, Samantha and Jessica dive into a conversation every entrepreneurial mom needs to hear—how to prepare for maternity leave while running your own business. At the time of recording, Jessica was preparing for her third maternity leave (spoiler alert: baby boy is here!) and shares the lessons she's learned as a solo business owner balancing clients, systems, and famil...

Feeling burned out and struggling to find your creative spark again? You're not alone. In this episode of Creative Moms Focus, Samantha and Jessica open up about the realities of burnout as photographers — and the intentional resets that helped them reconnect with their creativity. They share personal stories, from taking a painting class at a local arts center to stepping out of their comfort zon...

Summer break is almost here—and if you're a working mom, you know that means it's time to get intentional. In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on how we're planning to balance business and family over the next few months. We're sharing: What vacations we've booked (and what we're most looking forward to) The childcare strategies that are keeping us sane How we're setting expectations w...

Want to offer an elevated, full-service experience that clients rave about? In this episode, we dive into one of the most powerful ways to elevate your client experience as a photographer: offering a curated wardrobe for your clients. This full-service touch not only enhances your brand but creates a stress-free, luxurious experience for your clients—so they can focus on what matters most: capturi...

In this episode of Creative Moms Focus, we dive into a question every photographer faces: studio or in-home shoot? Whether you're capturing newborns, families, or lifestyle portraits, the choice of location can make all the difference—for both the client experience and the final images. We break down the pros and cons of shooting in a controlled studio environment versus the intimate, personalized...

In this episode, we're diving into one of the most crucial topics for any photographer: how to price your photography services. Whether you're just entering the portrait photography industry or looking to refine your pricing strategy, this conversation is packed with practical advice and encouragement.  Pricing your work too low can actually hurt your confidence, undermine your value, and make lon...

Feeling the pressure to pivot your photography business in today's economy? You're not alone. In this episode of Creative Moms Focus, we're diving into a conversation every photographer needs right now: how to adjust your services to stay competitive without lowering your value or compromising your quality. We'll walk through practical strategies to help you adapt your offerings while maintaining...

In this episode of Creative Moms Focus, we're diving into a game-changing part of your client experience—professional hair and makeup services. Whether you're including it in your session fee or offering it as an optional add-on, we explore how this thoughtful touch can elevate your brand and make your clients feel pampered, confident, and camera-ready. We chat through: 💄 When and how to offer pr...

Welcome back to Creative Moms Focus – your go-to podcast for balancing motherhood, creativity, and purpose! In this Season 2 premiere, co-hosts Tara and Jessica are back with fresh energy, real talk, and big dreams for what's ahead. In this episode, we're sharing exciting personal life updates, what we've been up to behind the scenes, and everything you can expect in Season 2 of the podcast—from n...

Join us for the final episode of Creative Moms Focus Season 1, featuring a heartfelt solo conversation with Tara. Tara opens up about the personal and professional challenges she faced as her family navigated a cross-country move. She gets vulnerable about the obstacles and growth opportunities that came with starting over in both life and business. In this episode, Tara offers encouragement for c...

Have you ever considered switching from an all inclusive offer to an a la carte one? Well this week's guest, Brielle of husband and wife team, Jacob and Brielle Photography, explains how she did just that. Brielle shares her experience going from an all inclusive photographer with a lower rate and high volume of shoots to her current model of offering a more catered, a la carte experience to her c...

In this episode, we have the pleasure of hearing Part 2 of our interview with manifestation coach Lena Khais. If you haven't yet, make sure to listen to Part 1 to learn about Lena's background and the practice of manifestation.    Lena shares the role the ego plays in the process of growth and the role of mindset shift. She teaches that the mind is a powerful force in being successful and shares t...

In this episode, we have the pleasure of talking with manifestation coach Lena Khais. Lena shares how her background in clinical psychology in the corporate world led her to study the field of manifesting. She has since become a coach and developed a four step process to realizing your dreams and creating a life you love through manifestation. Lena walks through those four strategies to utilize ma...

In this episode of Creative Moms Focus , hosts Samantha and Tara dive into a crucial topic for photographers—how to avoid overwhelming your clients with too many photos and instead deliver beautifully curated galleries that leave a lasting impression. Tara walks us through her refined process of culling images, including why she starts her culling at the end of a session, how she eliminates duplic...