This Can't Be That Hard

We’ve talked a lot about AI on the show this year, but this week’s conversation might be my favorite take yet... because instead of talking about how to save time or write faster, we’re talking about how AI can actually make your work more creative and more personal. I’m joined by Austin-based photographer Jessica Martin, who’s using AI in ways that honestly surprised me. She’s building tools that...

Gratitude is everywhere this time of year… but let’s be real: when you’re overwhelmed or frustrated or stuck in your business, gratitude can feel like just one more thing on your to do list. This week I’m sharing the simple shift I made to turn gratitude into something that actually fuels motivation - no journaling required. It’s one small addition to my weekly workflow that’s helped me see progre...

Well, friends, it's time for one of my favorite episodes of the year - Photographer’s Horror Stories! And I have to say: this year’s lineup does not disappoint! We’re talking session location disasters, misbehaving clients, equipment failures and wardrobe malfunctions that’ll make you cringe and laugh at the same time. These stories are the perfect reminder that no one's business is as p...

Leaving a stable government job to photograph dogs might sound like a leap… but for Australian photographer Ina Jalil, it was a well thought-out, strategic next step. With a background in finance and a deep love for animals, she built a thriving, multi–six-figure pet photography business that’s equal parts heart and data.  Ina and I talk about what that journey really looked like - the mindset shi...

Google is changing how people find photographers online, and your Google Business Profile is now more important than ever. Now that AI Overviews are showing up above traditional search results, it's super-important to create a well-optimized profile that will put you ahead of competitors (even the ones who've been around longer). This week, I’m joined by photographer and marketing strate...

What's worse than being up to your eyeballs in your own pre-holiday stress? Dealing with a client who's up to THEIR eyeballs in that same stress... and taking it out on you.  Busy season is prime time for client complaints... even if their frustration isn’t actually about you. But whatever the reason, when a frustrated client shows up in your inbox, you have to set your own stress aside...

Brand photography is having a moment... and for good reason! It’s fun, it’s in demand, and for many of us, it’s a natural, lucrative add-on to the work we’re already doing. But brand sessions aren’t just portraits with a laptop. Today I’m joined by photographer and educator Emily Kim, whose systems-first approach makes brand work feel clear, creative, and effective. We get into what truly separate...

When you’re buried in work during busy season, it’s easy to fall into survival mode: shoot, edit, deliver, repeat. And while that might get you through the week, it’s not what sets you up for long-term success. In this episode, I’m sharing simple, sustainable ways to keep your client experience strong and your marketing consistent, even when you’re racing at full speed. From small personal touches...

For a lot of photographers, the idea of public speaking is a… ✋ hard pass. Maybe you’re not interested in getting on a big stage (maybe you’re not interested in teaching at all!) but in this episode, you'll hear why showing up and speaking - whether that’s at a local PTA meeting, a community fundraiser, or on your Instagram stories - can be one of the most powerful ways to build trust, autho...

Some years, we roll into busy season with a calendar full of sessions… and other years, not so much. It can feel a little scary to stare at a mostly empty fall calendar, especially after all the work you’ve put into filling that calendar. If you’re in that spot right now, take a deep breath: a slow season doesn’t  mean you're failing. What it means is one of two things: either you have a visi...

There are two kinds of marketing strategies most photographers think about: the kind that happens online, and the kind that - well - doesn’t happen at all. But there’s a third option, and it might just be the fastest, most effective way to build trust, get referrals, and create buzz around your business (without spending a dime on ads or fighting the algorithm). I’m talking about in-person events...

Search algorithms are changing fast, but for once, the shift is in our favor. With Google rolling out AI summaries and clients turning to Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest for answers to their questions, the playing field is leveling in a way that creates huge opportunities for photographers. If you’ve ever wished the SEO game felt more fair - or that you didn’t have to post on social media quite s...

In a world where we can market our businesses from behind a screen, it’s easy to believe that in-person networking is optional. But the truth is, nothing replaces the connections you make face-to-face. Meeting someone in real life makes you stand out in a way no post or DM ever could. People remember your energy, your personality, and the genuine conversation you shared. And those moments can turn...

Have you ever looked up from your inbox and wondered how the whole day slipped away? When you're a one-woman show, it’s easy to get buried in admin work, replying to leads, and coordinating schedules instead of doing the more meaningful work that lights you up. In this episode, I’m joined by Melissa Rich, a former wedding photographer turned systems and workflow consultant, to talk about auto...

When it comes to running a profitable, sustainable business, it’s not just about booking more sessions… it’s about building more value into the ones you already have. In this episode, I’m sharing four creative, (semi) low-lift ways to do exactly that, layering thoughtful, high-impact offers into your existing workflow. These aren’t gimmicky upsells or pushy pitches. They’re smart, strategic soluti...

When AI first came on the scene, I was skeptical, and my early interactions confirmed my suspicions: when it came to content, AI's attempts were generic and easy to spot. But AI has evolved, and so have my opinions. I’ve come to believe that when used well, AI doesn’t take over your voice... it helps you amplify it. It doesn’t steal your creativity... it gives you time to actually use it. In...

What happens when someone who's spent 15 years hiring photographers for brands like Netflix, Masterclass, and AARP writes a book about how the photo industry really works? You get The Photo Hustle , a straight-talking, wildly helpful roadmap to booking clients, getting paid, and actually making a viable career out of commercial photography. In this episode, I’m chatting with author, photo edi...

Pricing might just be the hardest piece of the business puzzle, and not because most of us don't love math. Sure, you need to know your numbers, but there's so much psychology involved in pricing, too: it's one of the most powerful ways you communicate your value, your brand, and your confidence. In this episode, I’m walking you through the five key building blocks of a strategic pr...

What if your next senior session didn’t just capture once-in-a-lifetime memories… but created them as well? In this episode, I’m joined by Kellie Llewellyn, a North Dakota-based photographer who has carved out a unique (and wildly appealing) niche in her business: destination senior sessions. Kellie has traveled with seniors, their best friends, and even their families to locations like Joshua Tre...

When you're deep in the thick of running a business, it’s easy to feel like you should be further along. But just because you haven’t “made it” yet (whatever that means) doesn’t mean you’re not making real, meaningful progress. In this episode, I’m sharing three often-overlooked signs that you’re doing better than it may feel like you're doing. We’ll talk about how to recognize sustainab...

Ever wonder what makes some photographers get tons of referrals and repeat business while others struggle to generate that kind of buzz? Hint: it's probably not the quality of their images. In this episode, I’m talking with wedding and commercial photographer Miles Witt Boyer about what it looks like to be the most valuable person in the room, and why that matters more than ever in today&apos...

We all know that small, consistent actions pay off over time… but when it comes to marketing our photography businesses, too many of us are still chasing quick wins and big bursts of effort that - let’s be honest - often lead to burnout and disappointment. When things slow down, it’s easy to fall into the trap of panic marketing… throwing out a flurry of posts, sending a couple of emails after mon...

Just because something works doesn’t mean you have to keep doing it. Today, I’m joined once again by my brilliant friend Sabrina Gebhardt for a conversation that’s all about letting go... of offers, expectations, even identities that no longer serve you.  Sabrina shares three major decisions she made in 2024 to release things that were still generating revenue (and still “made sense” on paper), bu...

There’s this idea floating around that unless you’re all-in on your photography business—fully booked, full-time, aiming for six figures and beyond—what you're doing doesn't really count.  But over the years, I’ve worked with countless photographers who are intentionally building part-time businesses, whether that's because they’re just getting started, running a household, or worki...

You don’t have to dance, lip sync, or post every day to make Instagram work for your photography business, but you do need a strategy. This week, I’m joined by food photographer, educator, and author Kimberly Espinel who literally wrote the book on Instagram strategy. We're diving into what’s actually working on Instagram in 2025, whether you’re trying to attract more clients, stay top-of-min...