Motherhood Anthology: Photography Education for a Business You Love

This week, guest host Ali Payne is joined by photographer, educator, and pricing coach (and return guest expert!) Kristin Sweeting to talk about something most photographers struggle with: pricing. But this isn’t your typical “just charge more” advice. Kristin breaks down the emotional, psychological, and systemic patterns that keep creatives undercharging, overworking, and feeling stuck. We discu...

This week, guest host Ali Payne is joined by Oklahoma City photographer and TMA success story, Lacee Smith. Through candid conversation, Lacee reveals the mindset shifts, educational investments, and clear boundaries that helped her double her income and reclaim her time. ✨ Themes Covered ➡️ The importance of strategic, long-term investment in photography education ➡️ Building a business that hon...

Overwhelmed by marketing your business? Returning guest and TMA mentor Annemie Tonken is back on the podcast today, offering a refreshingly grounded, human-first approach. Originally a live session inside the membership, Annemie shares a powerful framework, the Marketing Windmill, to help creatives finally get consistent, strategic, and aligned in their marketing efforts without burning out. If yo...

In this episode, Suzy Brown joins the podcast to talk about how managing your energy as a photographer directly impacts your bottom line. We're diving deep into why so many of us feel burned out even when we love what we do, and how doing the inner work actually makes you a better business owner and photographer. Energy management isn't just self-care - it's a business strategy Learn to separate y...

When the path you’re on doesn’t align with the life you want, how brave are you willing to be to change it? In this episode, Jacqueline Benet shares what it looked like to walk away from a PhD and a stable 9-to-5 job to pursue full-time photography... and why she doesn’t regret a thing. Her story is a powerful reminder that creative work can be both deeply fulfilling and financially sustainable, e...

 If the 1st half of 2025 was a little slower for you, you aren’t alone.  MANY photographers are experiencing economic shifts this year. But today's guest? She's having a great year and she's here to spill the beans about HOW. In today's episode, Annemarie Hamant shares how she’s up 44% by leaning into high-touch client relationships, SEO-driven lead generation, and pricing models that actually fit...

What does it really take to pivot your business, raise your prices dramatically, and build a deeply loyal client base along the way? Guest host Shannon Griffin sits down with Jodi Anne—portrait photographer, educator, and creator of The Posing Method—to unpack the psychology behind profitable photography. Jodi shares how she transitioned out of high-paying weddings into a thriving studio business,...

In this conversation with guest Annemie Tonken, we unpack the shifts happening in the photography industry and what it really means to stay relevant as a creative business owner. We explore everything from the evolution of marketing, like why relationship-building is outpacing pain-point messaging, to how AI is transforming the way we strategize. Annemie shares tangible advice on pivoting offers,...

This week, Kim is joined by guest co-host, Abby Dorminey, and special guest Stephanie Fassler, to discuss photographing families who may need extra accommodations and care. Not all families fit inside a box... in fact, most families don't! But in particular, families with kids who have special needs and medical differences can feel underrepresented in family photography spaces. So in today's episo...

Between unexpected world events like the global pandemic as well as natural ebbs and flows of the changing seasons, consistent income can be a consistent obstacle for those of us running photography businesses. Today's guest, Corry Frazier, is a photographer and coach helping other photographers with brand photography. Brand photography can be a great addition to a motherhood photography business....

Many of us are accidental photography business owners... but what would be different if we ran our businesses like CEOs? This week's guest, Ashley Freehan, is a brand photographer and business coach for mom photographers. Today, she's sharing some of her best tips for getting organized, balancing your work and life priorities, managing different organizational personalities with your significant o...

We spend so much time talking about how to make more money, do more, and hustle. In today's episode, Kim is joined by Alex Smith to talk about slowing down and romanticizing your life. Connect with Alex: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/lovedaphnemae⁠ ⁠https://lovedaphnemae.com/links/ Connect with TMA: Website | Membership | Courses: ⁠⁠www.themotherhoodanthology.com⁠⁠ Free Community: ⁠⁠https://www.faceb...

In this week's episode, our guest is Anna Claire Collier, founder of Born & Raised Studio, a traveling children's heirloom portrait studio. We leave no stone unturned as we discuss exactly what a session looks like, all the way from session times to pricing and products. This episode is packed with helpful information for any of you who might be interested or slightly intrigued by the beautiful ar...

FLASHBACK: Over two episodes, Kim sat down with Shanna Skidmore to talk about defining enough. This week we're replaying part one, where Kim and Shanna talk about pricing, calculating your "enough number," burnout and taking rests, and understanding what it is we actually want when we set goals. Look back to episode 33 for the second half of this conversation! Connect with Shanna: https://shannask...

After taking a pause for four babies in five years, Caroline Eidson made the brave choice to relaunch her photography business, and she’s doing it with clarity, confidence, and direction. In this episode, Kim sits down with Caroline to talk about what it’s really like to start fresh, what helped her rebuild with purpose, and why the right support makes all the difference. We talk about: What it me...

In this episode, Kim debuts a new segment called “Surprise Dial,” where she checks in with Valerie Vaughan, a TMA mentor and mother of three, including a newborn. Valerie shares insights on balancing business and motherhood, emphasizing the importance of outsourcing and giving herself grace during this season. We're also teasing upcoming resources for TMA members, including email templates and a f...

In this episode, Katie Lamb returns to dive deep into the elements that create a true light and airy photography style. With 17 years of experience as a light and airy photographer, Katie breaks down the key components of this popular aesthetic and dispels common misconceptions. Episode Highlights: The three key elements that define light and airy photography: soft neutral tones, clean creamy skin...

In this episode, copywriting queen Ashlyn Carter joins Kim for a masterclass in marketing your photography business to high-value clients. From crafting magnetic website copy to confidently communicating your pricing, Ashlyn dives into the language that elevates your brand from "pretty pictures" to powerful positioning. If you want to attract luxury clients without selling your soul—or your soul-c...

Sara Bywaters-Baldwin, TMA Group Expert and the owner of Willow Canvas, is taking over the TMA podcast this week to discuss how small business owners can create meaningful connections with clients by being genuine, attentive, and creative. Sara shares personal stories and insights about building relationships that go beyond transactional business interactions, emphasizing the importance of listeni...

In this episode, I sit down with Adrianne Shelton, one of our incredible TMA mentors, to dive deep into the world of styled shoots. As a photographer balancing a full-time job and her creative passion, Adrianne shares her unique approach to creating meaningful, intentional photography that tells a story. We explore how styled shoots can transform your portfolio, inspire your creativity, and help y...

What if living creatively wasn't about forcing inspiration, but about finding your own natural rhythm? In this Part 2 of our conversation, international photographer Riley Hitchner shares how she's intentionally carved her own path, from starting her photography journey at 16 to now balancing motherhood and a thriving business. Join us as Riley dives deeper into her unique approach to resetting, f...

What if living creatively wasn't about forcing inspiration, but about finding your own natural rhythm? This week's conversation with international photographer Riley Hitchner explores exactly that. From starting her photography journey at 16 to now balancing motherhood and a thriving business, Riley shares how she's intentionally carved her own path at every turn. In this Part 1 of this conversati...

Brielle Pepper from Jacob & Brielle Photography is back on the podcast this week to share an update. If you remember, Brielle was a guest over a year ago sharing about making a BIG pivot with the help of the resources in the TMA Community. Now, she's here to update us about how it's gone since she made some big decisions, raised her prices, and what you can expect in your own business when making...

This week, our Community Manager Ali and group expert, Shannon Griffin, went live in our Facebook group and the conversation was so good we just had to share it here on the podcast, too. Shannon is sharing her pivot from wedding photography to family and boudoir, her unique positioning when she tells people what she does that sets her apart, her pricing and marketing strategy for booking high-valu...

This week, I am chatting with the talented Kate Grabowski of Kate Marie Portraiture. Kate and I dive into the importance of setting boundaries, taking breaks, and staying inspired as creative entrepreneurs. We discuss Kate's incredible photography style and her client process, from initial inquiries to session planning and delivery. We also explore the sources that fuel our creativity, from nature...