Take Your Shot Podcast

In this episode of the Take Your Shot podcast, we’re joined by website copywriter and marketing consultant Andrea Shah to unpack the real role your words play in your business. From navigating today’s “trust recession” to helping your ideal clients actually understand and connect with your work, Andrea breaks down how strategic copy bridges the gap between beautiful visuals and booked clients. If...

Are you building a business that actually reflects who you are—or just one that “looks good” from the outside? In this episode of the Take Your Shot podcast, I’m joined by Emily Woodall Gbadamosi, founder of Woodall Creative Co., photographer, and systems strategist for creative entrepreneurs. We’re diving into what it really looks like to run a values-driven business—and why this goes far beyond...

Wedding season is here, and in this episode of the “Take Your Shot” podcast, Halle shares an honest behind-the-scenes look at how she manages a sustainable wedding photography business without sacrificing her mental health, personal life, or client experience. From calendar management and batching engagement sessions to outsourcing culling and using AI editing tools like Aftershoot, this episode d...

Turn Your Email List Into Revenue with Kieryn Wang If email marketing has felt overwhelming or easy to put off, this episode will simplify it for you. Halle sits down with email marketing expert Kieryn Wang, founder of ALLMOST, to break down how to turn your email list into a consistent and reliable source of revenue. Instead of relying on social media algorithms, email gives you direct access to...

If you’re a wedding photographer or creative business owner trying to stand out in a crowded market, your brand matters more than ever but not in the way you might think. In this episode of the Take Your Shot podcast, I’m joined by branding expert Jen Dalton, founder of Brand Mirror, to break down what branding actually looks like in today’s market and how to create messaging that connects with yo...

If you’ve been feeling like inquiries are harder to convert, clients are slower to respond, or ghosting is more common, you’re not alone. The market is shifting, and a big part of that comes down to changing client expectations—especially with Gen Z. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Gail Fraser, systems expert and founder of Work Simple. She helps creative business owners build backend systems an...

Rachel Traxler is back on the podcast and this time we are diving deep into lead generation — what is actually working right now, what has shifted in the industry, and why waiting around for inquiries to come to you is no longer a strategy. Rachel shares why she still believes Google and SEO are her biggest lead generators, how in-person networking continues to open doors she never expected, and w...

In this episode, we sit down with Melissa Litchfield, founder of Litchfield Media Co. She is a seasoned ads strategist with nearly seven years of experience helping entrepreneurs and online coaches grow their businesses through paid advertising. Melissa breaks down one of the most misunderstood tools in the online business world — Meta ads — and why they're more important than ever in today's unpr...

In this 100th episode (ahh that still doesn't even feel real!) we reflect on the journey behind the Take Your Shot Podcast as it reaches 100 episodes. From leaving a corporate career to building a photography business and eventually launching this platform, she shares the story of how it all started, the lessons learned along the way, and the values that continue to shape the community today. This...

If you’ve ever said, “I’m just not a numbers person,” this episode is for you. I’m joined by Danielle Hayden, founder of Kickstart Accounting, and we’re talking about the financial mindset shift every creative business owner needs to make. In this episode, you'll learn: – The biggest money mistakes creatives are making – Why revenue growth doesn’t always mean profit – The truth about “spending to...

What happens if you step away from your business for six weeks? In this episode, I share how I worked just 3–5 hours per week, stopped posting on Instagram, and still brought in over $10,000 in payments last month AND I booked a $13,000 wedding. Being able to do this was the result of years of investing in SEO and building strong backend systems that keep our photography business running, even whe...

In this episode, I express the reality of things here in Minnesota and how we are getting through one day at a time. I then express just as business owners how we can lead and what people in our community are doing to step up and meet the moment and community and the needs. If you want to help support here in Minnesota, here is an awesome resource: Stand with Minnesota More from Take your shot col...

There's no perfect way on how to navigate difficult and heavy times. Right now, we live in a city that is once again at the center of national headlines and we are experiencing a lot of heaviness, grief, pain, and so many other things. There are no words, there is no perfect response, and in this episode I just wanted to have an honest reflection. No script, no perfectly planned episode, just spea...

In this episode of the Take Your Shot podcast, I’m walking you through how to start the year intentionally—without falling into the trap of trying to do everything at once. If you tend to come into January with big ideas, high motivation, and a long list of things you want to change, this conversation is for you. We’re talking about why this season should be viewed as a marathon, not a sprint, and...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Minneapolis DJ and event host Benny Nord for a conversation that every wedding pro needs to hear. Benny has become one of the most trusted DJs in our market — couples literally plan their wedding dates around his availability — and it has far less to do with music and far more to do with how he makes people feel. We’re diving into the soft skills that truly transf...

December can feel loud, overwhelming, and full of pressure—holiday chaos, Black Friday sales, and the lingering burnout from wedding season. In this episode, we talk about why this month is not the time to overhaul your business or make big decisions, especially when you're operating from exhaustion instead of clarity. If you’re feeling tired, behind, or pulled in too many directions, this episode...

If you’ve ever wondered when to hire a VA, what to hand off first, or how to stop “delegating” only to redo the work later, this episode will help you build an outsourcing plan that truly supports your business. I’m joined by Ellie Leonard, Founder and CEO of Virtual Bliss Assisting, to talk about sustainable systems, clear communication, and trust-based partnerships that protect your energy and i...

Episode 91: Time Management That Fits Your Brain with Lauren Glynn What if your time management wasn’t a rigid system to force yourself into—but a flexible framework that works with your energy, your season, and your actual life? In this episode, I’m joined by time management and productivity coach Lauren Glynn to talk about building sustainable structure as a creative, testing your “ideal week” i...

Have you ever looked at someone else's business and wondered how they “made it” so quickly? In this episode of the Take Your Shot Podcast, I’m pulling back the curtain on what “overnight success” really looks like—and why it’s almost always anything but overnight. I’m sharing real stories (including one from a YouTuber who worked for 10 years before seeing traction) and my own journey building a b...

Ever finish a consultation call and wonder if you really connected with the couple? In this episode, I’m sharing three intentional things I do in every single inquiry call that consistently lead to more bookings—without feeling salesy or scripted. If you want to book more weddings, serve your couples better from the very first conversation, and create an experience that makes you the obvious choic...

If you’ve ever looked at another entrepreneur and thought, “How is she doing it all?” — this one’s for you. This week, I’m joined by systems and automation expert Taylor Hedden of Chanel & Lee. She’s a Dubsado specialist, a mom of two, a photographer, a podcast host, and the owner of a thriving consulting business. And somehow? She’s not drowning in her inbox. In this episode, Taylor walks us...

If there’s something you want — a dream, a vision, or a next step in your business — but you keep hitting a wall, this episode is for you. Because sometimes the thing standing in your way isn’t strategy… it’s fear. In this episode of the Take Your Shot Podcast, I’m walking you through three of the most common fears I see over and over again — in my own life, in my students, and in other creatives...

Curious about landing paid travel partnerships or diving into the world of user-generated content (UGC)? In this episode, I sit down with Mallory Green to talk about how she’s built a thriving content creation business centered around UGC and brand partnerships—especially in the travel and lifestyle space. Mallory shares how she got started, the mindset shifts she had to make, and her top advice f...

In this episode of the Take Your Shot podcast, I’m sharing the full story behind the $8,000 wedding I turned down. Not because it wasn’t good money. Not because I didn’t need the booking. But because it wasn’t aligned—and saying yes would’ve compromised the client’s experience, my values, and the kind of business I want to run. We talk about how to trust your gut, how to navigate uncomfortable cli...

Are you still relying only on natural light and hoping for the best at every shoot? This week on the Take Your Shot podcast, I’m joined by Eden Strader —wedding photographer turned educator and artificial lighting queen. Eden breaks down why every photographer needs to learn how to use flash and how mastering artificial light can literally change everything for your business and creative confidenc...