Luxe & Legacy Podcast

An image doesn't have to be bad to bring down the value of everything around it. This week we're talking curation, which is very different from culling, and how to do it in your client galleries, on your website, and on Instagram. In This Episode We Cover Culling vs. curation, and why "technically fine" isn't enough Marie's story of turning a less-than-ideal session into share-worthy work Why fewe...

Marie's out this week spending time with family, so Amber's flying solo. If your fall calendar has more open spots than you'd like, here's exactly what she'd do to book five more clients in the next 30 days. No discounting, no desperate energy, just smart short-term moves that work. In This Episode We Cover Reconnecting with past clients who loved their photos (plus the exact text Amber sends) Sta...

In This Episode We Cover Our actual session fees and what they do (and don't) include, plus Marie's luxury membership that bundles a client's whole first year Why we both went a la carte, and how one $9,500 sale can equal 43 shoot-and-burn sessions How we price albums, wall art, and digital files, with our real per-image and markup numbers The threshold trick: pricing digitals so clients are rewar...

In this episode: Ever get on a call with someone and just know they're confident in what they offer? That's energy, and this week we're getting into how it shows up in your business whether you realize it or not. Clients can feel when you're desperate for a booking or uncomfortable with your prices, and they can feel when you're grounded and genuinely there to serve them. We're talking scarcity ve...

Newborn Sessions Behind the Scenes with Danielle Hobbs This week we're joined by Danielle Hobbs, a DC and Northern Virginia newborn photographer known for her natural, timeless, baby-led posing. It looks effortless, but there's serious intention behind every frame. Danielle walks us through her whole newborn workflow, from inquiry to posing to knowing when to call it. In This Episode We Cover Why...

In This Episode We Cover Why workshops and retreats are so good for us as creatives, especially when we spend most of our day-to-day working alone in our own little void The connection and community piece, and how being around other photographers reminds you that you're not the only one wrestling with the same wins and struggles Marie's recap of the Kindred Path workshop, from the two horse sessio...

In This Episode We Cover Why the opposite of inspiration is burnout, and how undercharging and over-shooting quietly drain your creativity Making margin: why you need both the time and the mental space for ideas to grow (same reason boredom is so good for kids!) The two ways inspiration hits. Sometimes you've got the vision first and go hunting for the pieces, and sometimes one piece like a locati...

We bring it up basically every other episode, so it's finally getting its own deep dive: artwork. Albums, wall art, the tangible pieces that turn a digital-only business into a profitable one. If you've ever wondered how photographers are actually making real money on artwork sales — or you've been too nervous to try — this is your episode. We break it into three parts: 1. Introducing artwork into...

In This Episode We Cover: Why January isn't actually the "correct" time to raise your prices, and what happens when you raise them during a natural slow season instead Why summer sits in the perfect spot right before your busy fall season, so a price increase doesn't hit you nearly as hard The "missed the boat" client effect: why families who skipped spring photos due to the economy are about to c...

Episode Summary This one is close to our hearts. We sat down with D'Arcy Benincosa, world renowned photographer, educator, mentor, and host of the Play It Brave podcast, for a conversation that goes way beyond business strategy. D'Arcy has spent years teaching creatives how to build businesses rooted in intuition, mindset, and nervous system regulation, and in this episode she helps us process som...

In This Episode We Cover Why "balance" in summer doesn't mean every week looks the same, and why that's actually okay Amber's seasonal burst method: condensing sessions around blooms like lavender and dahlias, taking intentional time off in between, and building family trips into the schedule without the guilt Why Marie's husband being home all summer (as a teacher) actually makes running a busine...

Not booking as much as you want? The answer might be hiding in plain sight... your portfolio. In this episode, Marie and Amber break down the different photography styles that attract luxury clients, what makes a feed look expensive vs. budget, and why luxury isn't one single aesthetic. Spoiler: it comes down to intentionality, restraint, and artistry. What We Cover The Big Myth About Luxury Photo...

In this episode, we're joined by Laura Esmond, a portrait photographer based in Denver, Colorado with 26 years of experience who also teaches photographers how to sell and display their work through her mastermind, Get Rooted. Laura has a fascinating perspective on the psychology behind sales, and this conversation is packed with insight that's going to shift the way you think about IPS, pricing,...

Thinking about making the leap to full-time photography? This episode is for you. Marie and Amber get real about what it actually takes, and spoiler: the hardest milestones aren't the practical ones. They break down the key milestones you need to hit before going full-time, including the mindset shifts that don't get talked about enough. In this episode: Why committing before you feel ready is the...

Motherhood, boundaries, and building a business that actually supports your life... this one hits close to home. Marie and Amber are recording just days before Mother's Day 2026, and they're getting real about hustle culture, the pressure to be constantly available, and how they've intentionally structured their businesses around their families, not the other way around. If you've ever felt the Su...

In this episode of the Luxe & Legacy Podcast, we’re breaking down exactly how we guide clients through the luxury photography experience using Zoom consultation calls, planning appointments, and ordering appointments… without ever feeling pushy or salesy. We’re sharing the step-by-step process we use to build trust with clients from the very first inquiry all the way through artwork sales and...

Is the Market Slowing Down? Here’s What I’m Doing About It In this solo episode, Marie shares an honest look at what’s happening in today’s photography market and why things might feel slower, even if you’re still booking. Between decision fatigue, rising costs, and everything going on in the world, clients are taking longer to book and being more selective. The good news? You’re not doing anythin...

Getting Published: Is it Worth It and Our Tips on Getting Your Work Featured In today’s episode, Marie is diving into a question that comes up all the time in the photography world: is getting published actually worth it anymore? And if it is… how do you actually get your work accepted? This conversation is honest, practical, and grounded in real experience. If you’ve ever wondered whether you sho...

Episode Title: How to Create a Luxury Look in ANY Condition ✨ Episode Overview What really makes an image feel luxurious? It’s not the perfect light. It’s not the dream location. And it’s definitely not just having beautiful clients. In this episode, we’re breaking down what actually creates a luxury experience and elevated imagery—from intentional client prep to how you pivot when things don’t g...

Q&A: Real-Time Answers to Your Biggest Photography Business Questions In this episode, we’re switching things up and diving into a Q&A! Amber and I asked you on Instagram what your most pressing questions are in your photography business right now, and you delivered. Today, we’re answering as many as we can with honest, real-time insight into what’s actually working in our businesses right...

The Secrets of Facebook Ads with Brooklyn Grotte If Facebook and Instagram ads have ever felt overwhelming, confusing, or just… not worth it, this episode is going to completely shift how you see them. Today, we’re joined by Brooklyn Grotte, a business strategist and ads expert who helps entrepreneurs scale their revenue through strategic, data-driven advertising. What makes Brooklyn’s perspective...

Episode Title: Building Community and Posing Families Naturally with Adrianne Shelton of Beatific Visions Photography Show Notes: In this episode of the Luxe & Legacy Podcast, we are joined by Adrianne Shelton of Beatific Visions Photography for a conversation about community, connection, and the art of creating natural family images. Adrianne shares the heart behind founding The Kindred Path,...

Choosing the Right Education for the Stage of Business You're In Education is one of the most powerful ways photographers grow their artistry and businesses, but with so many courses, workshops, retreats, masterminds, and coaching programs available today, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start. In this episode, Marie and Amber share how they’ve both invested in education throughout their...

How to Find Incredible Photo Locations (Without Feeling “Lucky”) If you’ve ever looked at another photographer’s work and thought, How are they finding these locations?! this episode is for you. Today, Marie and Amber break down what actually makes a location work for your style (not just what looks “pretty”), plus the practical ways they discover new spots year after year. From light and negative...

What We Would Do If We Started Our Business Today If we were starting our photography businesses in 2026, we wouldn’t chase more sessions or try to grow as quickly as possible. We would focus on building a strong artistic foundation, a clear brand identity, and profitable pricing from the very beginning. In this episode, we share the exact order we would follow to build a luxury photography busine...