Get Your Shoot Together Photography Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Somebody has to send the email, follow up, and keep the marketing moving. This week, Kira Derryberry and Mary Fisk-Taylor talk about putting their AI assistants to work on the tasks that are easy to put off when you’re running a photography business. Mary shares how she’s using ChatGPT to help with outreach to potential portrait clients and business partners, organize follow-ups,...

Send us Fan Mail Kira finally has an AI assistant that does more than hand her another checklist, and Mary wants details. In this episode, Kira Derryberry and Mary Fisk-Taylor talk about getting some of the “wow” back into creative work. Kira shares how her ChatGPT assistant, Dottie, helped organize a weather-related headshot reschedule, draft client emails, and work through scheduling. We also di...

Send us Fan Mail Halloween Costumes to Marketing Reset: Storytelling, Funnels, and Video Anxiety Kira Derryberry and Mary Fisk-Taylor chat about Halloween plans and costumes, including a piñata partner costume idea and Kira being “Elphaba” for trick-or-treating without painting her face green. Mary shares excitement and nerves about attending the Story creative conference in Nashville alone, focus...

Send us Fan Mail We made it to 200 episodes! Kira Derryberry and Mary Fisk-Taylor are talking about the kind of customer service that goes far beyond delivering beautiful photographs. Mary shares the story behind a $46,000 portrait sale and why listening, compassion, and taking care of the details made all the difference. We discuss supporting clients through emotional moments, becoming their port...

Send us Fan Mail ChatGPT found nearly $10,000 in overlooked business expenses, and that discovery launches a much bigger conversation about how AI is changing the way photographers run their businesses. In Episode 199, Kira Derryberry and Mary Fisk-Taylor discuss how they are actually using ChatGPT, Work, Codex, and new financial tools. They break down what these tools can access, how services lik...

In this episode, Kira and Mary break down the now-viral Vanity Fair photo scandal featuring Trump’s cabinet - and it is photography tea at its finest. They dig into the deliberate choices behind the lighting, composition, angles, and lack of retouching by photographer Christopher Anderson, and how all of it contributes to a not-so-subtle visual narrative. This isn’t just a pop culture moment - it’...

In this reflective and relatable episode, Kira and Mary dive into the emotional rollercoaster of year-end chaos, family dynamics, and business burnout. Mary introduces the “Thousand Minute Rule,” a mindset trick that reframes daily stress by imagining your 1,000 minutes as dollars. Don’t let a $5 problem wreck your whole $1,000 day! The duo also explores how celebrity beefs (hello, 50 Cent!) can m...

Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just meh about your business lately? You're not alone. In this episode of Get Your Shoot Together , Kira and Mary get candid about creative burnout, the emotional toll of ongoing change, and what it really feels like to be in a “failure to launch” phase—even when you're busy and successful. They unpack the mindset shifts needed for AI-era marketing, what th...

This week, Kira and Mary dive into the wild world of $15 mini sessions, client expectations gone rogue, and how to deal when someone tries to bully you into handing over your RAWs. They discuss navigating awkward client calls, the dangers of uncalibrated drugstore prints, and why educating every decision-maker matters. The duo also chat about AI’s rise in the photography world from creepy real-loo...

Feeling overwhelmed by digital marketing, AI, and all the shiny new tools out there? You’re not alone. In this episode, Kira and Mary dive deep into how photographers can balance learning new tech (hello, ChatGPT and digital ads!) while still running a profitable studio. From grand opening gigs that fund handbag splurges to hiring a marketing assistant and rethinking your Instagram strategy, they’...

We're back! In this honest and energizing episode, Kira and Mary open up about the challenges of 2025—from business slowdowns and burnout to rediscovering creative joy. They unpack the emotional toll of a tough year, how it’s impacted their artistry, and why it’s okay not to feel okay. But don’t worry—this episode isn’t all doom and gloom! The duo shares how they're reigniting their spar...

In this episode of Get Your Shoot Together , Kira and Mary dive into all the ways control (or the lack of it) shows up in business and life. From unexpected storms and magazine assignments to picky clients and personal milestones like Kira’s brand-new nose piercing, they cover it all. They talk about setting boundaries, knowing when to say yes (or no) to new opportunities, and how to navigate crea...

In this episode of Get Your Shoot Together , Kira and Mary dive into the trials and triumphs of marketing to the ultra-wealthy — spoiler alert: they don’t get their own mail! Mary shares a humbling (and hilarious) lesson learned about targeting high-end clients and how sometimes you succeed... and sometimes you learn. Kira reflects on revisiting old ideas with fresh strategies, and the duo talk ab...

This week, we're diving deep into the business of getting paid—because creating great work is only half the battle. From unpaid invoices to awkward follow-ups, Kira and Mary share real (and super frustrating) stories about chasing down payments and the systems they've put in place to avoid it in the future. Whether you're dealing with slow-paying clients or setting up workflows that...

Spring has sprung, and it’s time for a refresh! In this episode, Kira and Mary talk about the importance of giving your studio—and your business—a little seasonal boost. From decluttering and updating your studio space to refreshing your pricing, marketing materials, and product offerings, they share easy (and mostly free!) ways to breathe new life into your business. Plus, they discuss creative w...

We're back! Kira and Mary are shaking off the rust and diving into the power of community—why it matters more than ever and how to build it in both business and life. From Kira’s unexpected (and hilarious) late-night impromptu photo shoot with international artists to brainstorming how small business owners can create real, lasting client connections, this episode is packed with creative idea...

This week, Kira and Mary dive into the world of AI tools and how photographers can use them to level up their businesses. From creating custom family poses with ChatGPT to leveraging Google Earth Studio for perfect location planning, they share practical tips to streamline your workflow. Whether it’s automating SEO, building client rapport, or solving last-minute challenges during shoots, AI is th...

Join Kira and Mary as they dive into the branding powerhouse that is Taylor Swift! In this episode, Kira shares the unforgettable experience of taking her daughter to a Taylor Swift concert and how Swift’s branding brilliance transforms every show into a fan-inclusive spectacle. Mary, a branding enthusiast, breaks down what makes Swift's branding strategy so unique—and how her ability to conn...

In this week’s episode, Kira and Mary dive into the ins and outs of effective email marketing! From building your email list and segmenting it properly to crafting compelling campaigns, they share tips for boosting open rates and turning emails into business opportunities. They also explore the magic of AI in helping with email personalization, segmenting audiences, and creating better subject lin...

In this episode of Get Your Shoot Together , Kira and Mary explore innovative ways to bring new life to old family photos and snapshots. Kira shares her experience launching a colorful, modern take on photo restorations using RetouchUp’s digital painting services. From experimenting with playful, bold colors to collaborating with clients on unique wall art, they discuss the benefits of offering ne...

In this episode of "Get Your Shoot Together," Kira and Mary dive into how you can boost your photography business with a unique holiday offering—photo restorations! They share how RetouchUp makes it easy to transform old snapshots into beautiful heirlooms, perfect for gifting. Learn how to market this service to your clients and maximize profits while outsourcing the heavy lifting. Plus,...

Get ready for a deep dive into effective networking and business collaboration strategies. We explore the importance of building meaningful relationships, organizing exclusive neighborhood events, and collecting vital contact information for targeted marketing. Hear about our experiences partnering with local businesses and the potential for community members to become portrait representatives. Wr...

In this episode of "Get Your Shoot Together," Kira Derryberry and Mary Fisk-Taylor geek out on all things digital marketing and productivity for photographers. They chat about using Chat GPT to give your WordPress blog a makeover, dive into SEO tricks, and share why backlinks are your new best friend for getting noticed online. Plus, they spill the tea on cool AI tools like SEMrush and h...

Ready to shake up your photography business? In this episode of Get Your Shoot Together , Kira and Mary explore creative ways to stand out from the crowd. From playful marketing promises (think “If we don’t knock your socks off, the socks are on us!”) to the power of video content and even the idea of launching a podcast, they’re brainstorming all the fun ways to engage clients. Plus, Mary is gear...

In this episode of "Get Your Shoot Together," Kira and Mary dive into the challenges and triumphs of running a photography business in today's market. They discuss the shifting landscape of digital marketing, sharing insights on why direct mail might be making a comeback. The duo explores innovative ways to engage potential clients through LinkedIn and the power of creating exclusiv...