Keeping It Candid - Wedding Photography Unfiltered

Burnout doesn’t always come crashing in overnight—it often sneaks in through the cracks of our workflows. In this season finale, I’m sharing five small, strategic tweaks you can make in your wedding photography business that will save you energy, mental load, and time. If you’ve been nodding along all season but wondering where to actually start, this episode is your permission slip to start small...

Photographer and business coach Christi Johnson joins me for an honest conversation about what happens when “success” is built on hustle. We talk 10K months that still felt awful, stress-induced hypomania, missed boundaries, and how she rebuilt her business with rest, slower growth, and non-negotiables that actually protect her health. If you’ve ever wondered whether scaling is worth the cost—or h...

Burnout doesn’t just show up in the middle of busy season — it often sneaks in way earlier, right from the first inquiry. In this episode of Keeping It Candid: The Burnout Season, I’m sharing the three core systems every wedding photographer needs to keep burnout from running the show: a capacity-first inquiry workflow, an offboarding process that actually ends the job, and a template library that...

I’m getting personal about why I decided to retire from wedding photography after 12+ years—even though the business looked (and often felt) like a dream. I share how my capacity kept shrinking as I pushed through “booked and busy,” what wedding hangovers + chronic illness did to my body, and the 2023 destination wedding that finally made me ask, “Is this still worth it?” If you’re questioning you...

Burnout season is here, and I know I’m not the only one feeling it. In this episode, I’m sharing why I took a long break from the podcast, why October always seems to push photographers to the edge, and how burnout shows up long before you hit the wall. I’ll take you behind the scenes of my own experience—what it feels like when capacity keeps shrinking, why “booked & busy” is actually a red f...

January is the perfect time to refresh wedding photography systems—before engagement season fills your inbox and busy season takes over. In this episode of Keeping It Candid , I’m sharing why now is the best moment to reset, where to focus first, and how to update your workflows without drowning in overwhelm. We’ll cover client management, communication, project management, and finances, plus the...

As 2024 wraps up, I’m pulling back the curtain on my photography business to share what worked, what didn’t, and what’s next. From seamless workflows and pivoting to city hall weddings to email mishaps and lessons learned, it’s all here. I’ll also share my goals for 2025, how I’m streamlining workflows, and why building flexibility into my business is key to thriving with a chronic illness. Ready...

Are you ready to set yourself up for success in 2025? This week we’re talking all about maximizing your workflows for the new year. I’ll walk you through auditing your 2024 processes, setting realistic goals, and finding ways to automate and simplify your business while keeping it flexible for life’s unexpected surprises (chronic illness friends, I see you!). From improving client communication to...

A great client experience can make or break your bookings—and your sanity. In this week's episode of Keeping It Candid , I’m sharing how to take your clients from inquiry to “heck yes” with a seamless, stress-free process. We’ll talk about avoiding red flags, simplifying communication, and using tools like HoneyBook to make booking a breeze for you and your clients. If you’re ready to elevate your...

Season 3 is HERE, friends, and we’re kicking things off with a topic that’s all too real: editing while dealing with year-end burnout. If you’re deep in your editing cave, dodging client emails asking “When will my photos be ready?”, and running purely on caffeine and vibes right now, you’re not alone. This episode is here to help you make it through the chaos. We’re diving into realistic tips to...

It's not goodbye, it's see you soon! Season two has come to an end. Listen to today's episode to learn more about ways we can work together, and what I have in the works over the next couple of months. Thanks so much for being here for another amazing season! Full Show Notes - Coming Soon HoneyBook Housekeeping: https://simplysandrayvonne.ca/housekeeping VIP Days: https://simplysandrayvonne.ca/vip...

Today I'm spilling the tea on the three worst pieces of advice I've ever received as a photography business owner! Full Show Notes - Coming Soon Template Shop: https://simplysandrayvonne.ca/shop

Systems aren’t just about making things easier for you behind the scenes. When you utilize them to their fullest, they’ll help you deliver an amazing client experience in your photography business, too! Diana Wei Fang from The Finer Points joins me for an interview today and shares some real life examples of businesses that are doing just that, and how you can implement the same strategies, too. F...

We're at a tipping point in wedding season where a few key changes are what could be what sets you on a path away from burnout at the end of this year's wedding season. Discover actionable strategies to set boundaries, prioritize self-care, protect your well-being while managing a busy photography schedule, and more on today's episode! Show Notes: Coming Soon Chronically Ill, Disabled & Neurod...

Flipping the script to talk FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY today! I'm sharing how I balance candid and posed photos during a session, as well as my three favorite prompts for capturing genuine reactions and natural emotions in family photos in this short and sweet episode! Show Notes: https://simplysandrayvonne.ca/family-photography-prompts/ Chronically Ill, Disabled & Neurodivergent Photographers Communi...

Dolly DeLong, a photographer and systems educator for creatives, joins me on the podcast this week to chat about the importance of launch strategies for photographers! She shares tips on how to plan and strategize for launches, create intentional content, and automate processes to support you along the way. Show Notes: https://simplysandrayvonne.ca/dolly-delong-launch-planning-for-photographers/ L...

Have you ever wondered how I tackle the ups, downs, and all the in between that happen on a wedding day? This week on the podcast I’m sharing a step-by-step look at how I manage two very different weddings, each with its own set of logistics and demands. I also dive into what I've learned about healthy diets and proper carb intake when you’re working a high-energy job like this. My mind was seriou...

Brand Photographer Angie McPherson joins me on the podcast today to talk about the importance of brand photos for photographers and wedding pros. More specifically, how brand photos help businesses stand out in an oversaturated market, and how they can help you attract the right clients and bring in more revenue. Plus, some tips for hiring a brand photographer so you can get the most out of your n...

Maintaining consistency in a photography business is so important, but it's not just about posting on social media every day. So today on the podcast, let's talk about WHY it matters so much! To put it simply - consistency in client experience, brand materials, response times, tone of voice, and photo delivery is crucial for building trust and ensuring long-term success. Show Notes: https://simply...

Let's talk about the struggle we all know too well: keeping up with social media. Imagine focusing on the platforms that truly work for you and using strategic tools to lighten the load instead. Today on Keeping It Candid, I'm talking to Kara Duncan from The Kara Report, who shares insights on how to create a sustainable marketing strategy, the long-term magic of blogging, and the wonders of AI in...

If you're a photographer looking to streamline and boost your print sales, using the right tools can be a game-changer. Today on Keeping It Candid, I'm diving into the benefits of using innovative gallery platforms - specifically Pic-Time. The right gallery service will not only simplify your operations but also offer features designed to maximize your earnings and elevate your client experience....

Today I'm joined by Yasamin Salavatian, a storytelling strategist and positioning coach, to chat about the importance of showcasing your unique personality in your photography business, and how you can incorporate more of who they are personally into your brand and messaging to set yourself apart. Show Notes: https://simplysandrayvonne.ca/uniqueness-yasamin-salavatian Template Shop: https://simply...

In this episode, I'm sharing one of my favourite systems that you can easily build on the go - a locations gallery. I dive into what it is, how I organize it, the important details I include, and so much more. Your clients are going to love just as much as you do! Show Notes: https://simplysandrayvonne.ca/photography-locations-gallery Template Shop: https://simplysandrayvonne.ca/shop Get A Free Mo...

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TW: Depression, Anxiety, & Mental HealthIf you or someone you know is in need of support, call *988 in the US and Canada to reach the Mental Health Crisis Hotline 24/7.**** Today on the podcast I'm sharing my personal experience with depression and anxiety as a business owner, and what that has looked like for me over the last couple of months. From the beginning stages to what I did until I c...