The Empowered Photographer Podcast with Elena S Blair

Available Episodes

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Fake It Till You Make It — The Real Secret to Becoming a Successful Photographer
In this refreshingly honest solo episode, I’m sharing one of the most powerful truths behind my success as a photographer and it’s probably not what you expect. You might even laugh when you hear it, but it works. We're talking about the mindset shift that helped me grow from a brand-new photographer making $2K a year to running a thriving, multi-six-figure photography business with a fully booked calendar and a rock-solid reputation.Spoiler alert: it all started with acting like I’d already made it.Inside this episode, I’ll give you three practical steps to stop waiting for permission and start embodying the successful photographer you’re meant to be. If you’re stuck in that “someday” mindset, this one’s for you.KEY TAKEAWAYS: Success doesn’t happen by accident. If you're waiting for the “perfect time” or for someone to tell you you’re ready, you're holding yourself back. Mindset is everything. Adopting the identity of a successful photographer before you feel like one will change how you show up and people will notice. Take bold action before you're ready. Even if your income is tiny or your confidence is shaky, show up like a pro. Consistency wins. The most successful photographers don’t wait for the right moment — they act, daily. Your homework: Start acting, speaking, marketing, and shooting like you’ve already made it. Don’t wait. Decide. Do the work.FINAL THOUGHTS:You don’t need anyone’s permission to succeed. The only person who can decide you’re ready… is you.So, what would you do today if you already were the most sought-after photographer in your area?That’s your next move.LINKS & RESOURCES:🎓 Ready to fully embody the successful photographer within you?The Elena S Blair Mastermind is now open for applications!Next cohort starts July 29, 2025 — and there are only 5 spots left.Apply here We’ll chat face-to-face on Zoom. No pressure, just connection.Download my photography business roadmap🎧 Love this episode? Hit subscribe so you don’t miss the next one. Leave a 5-star review to help more photographers find Empowered.
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6:38
Finding the Right Photography Pricing Model for You
In this powerful episode, I’m breaking down one of the most emotionally charged and commonly misunderstood topics in the photography industry: pricing models. There’s a myth floating around that there’s only one right way to price your services—and it’s just not true. Whether you're all-inclusive, sales-based, or somewhere in between, profitability has less to do with how you price and more to do with what works for you, your time, and your ideal client. I'm walking you through the mindset shifts, real math, and client-focused strategies that help you stop guessing and start owning your pricing with confidence. Key Takeaways: There’s no one-size-fits-all pricing model—profitability is about knowing your numbers. Selling digital files is not “less than.” They’re a high-value product that clients want and need. Time is your most valuable currency if your pricing model doesn't honor it, it's not sustainable. Your pricing structure must align with the lifestyle, needs, and expectations of your ideal client. Before copying someone else’s model, understand your actual cost per session and profit margin. Final Thoughts:It’s time to ditch the pressure to price like someone else. Your pricing should reflect your strengths, your lifestyle, your client base, and your actual time investment. You don’t need a trendy model—you need a sustainable one. Remember: confident pricing leads to a thriving business. Links & Resources:📄 Download the FREE Pricing Worksheet to calculate your real profit per session🎧 Listen to more episodes 💬 DM me on Instagram @elenasblair_photography to tell me what pricing model is working for you
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7:17
Should You Make Your Pricing Public?
This week, I’m tackling one of the most hotly debated topics in the photography industry: Should you make your pricing public on your website? It’s a conversation that’s been going strong for over a decade—and I’m here to tell you exactly where I stand. Spoiler alert: I believe your pricing should absolutely be visible. In this short and powerful episode, I’ll share the hard truths, the mindset shifts, and the strategy behind public pricing—and why it can actually elevate your brand.Key Takeaways:1. Hiding Your Pricing Doesn’t Make You High-End Your prices being a mystery doesn’t make your brand more premium. If you’re not booking, it’s likely a value issue—not a money issue.2. Public Pricing Respects Everyone’s Time Clients want clarity, not confusion or a sales pitch. If someone can’t or won’t pay your rates, they’ll self-select out—and that’s a good thing. Transparency builds trust and filters in dream clients.3. Strong Brands Don’t Rely on Price Secrecy Focus on building a consistent, meaningful body of work and an incredible experience. If your business feels luxury and professional, your pricing becomes a non-issue. Simplicity is a mark of expertise. Don’t make it complicated.Final Thoughts:You don’t need to hide your prices to book more clients. If anything, it may be hurting your inquiries and wasting your time. Trust in your value, simplify your client process, and let your website do some of the work for you. Yes, your pricing should be public. Period.Resources & Links:👉 Download my FREE Pricing Guide – Learn how to price for profit and stop second-guessing your rates.👉 Follow me on Instagram for more mindset + business tips👉 Join my Photography Education Facebook Group
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3:22
Why Balance Is a Myth (Especially in Summer) and What to Do Instead
Summer is here and if you're a photographer and a parent, you already know the rhythm of life just got turned upside down. In this episode, Elena gets real about the myth of balance, especially during summer break, and what to focus on instead. You’ll walk away with five powerful mindset and workflow shifts that will help you stay grounded, keep your business moving forward, and fully enjoy your family time without burning out or feeling like you’re failing at everything.This is your summer survival guide for running a business while juggling camps, curfews, and quality time with your kids. Because guess what? Balance isn’t the goal presence and harmony are.🔑 Key Takeaways: Balance is a myth let go of the pressure to do everything perfectly all at once. Shorten your to-do list: Focus on one meaningful task per day. Work in short, intentional bursts: Even 90 focused minutes can be powerful. Protect your presence: Be all-in where you are—whether that’s with your business or your family. Revisit your summer goals: Choose realistic, smaller goals that feel achievable. Let it be both: You can love your kids and still want space to create and work. That duality deserves to be honored.💬 Final Thoughts:You’re not doing it wrong just because summer feels messy. Let go of chasing balance and give yourself permission to be present instead. When you honor where you are and what you need, both your family and your business will thrive.🔗 Links & Resources: Join my Photography Education Facebook Community Join Elena’s 3 Day Marketing Challenge Listen to More Empowered Photographer Episodes
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5:15
The Moment That Changed My Newborn Photography Forever
In this heartfelt episode, I’m taking you back to the exact moment that transformed everything about how I approached newborn photography. If you’ve ever felt misaligned or unsure about the posed newborn style, this episode is for you. I’m sharing my personal journey of going from traditional posed sessions to discovering what truly felt aligned—and how that shift exploded my business and redefined my purpose as a photographer. If you’re curious about lifestyle newborn photography or baby-led posing, this might be the sign you’ve been waiting for.Key Takeaways:1. Misalignment Is a Clue, Not a Failure I was running a successful business in posed newborn photography but felt emotionally and creatively drained. The work didn’t feel like me, and I constantly questioned whether I belonged in the newborn niche.2. A Personal Moment Sparked My Clarity When photographing my own baby, I realized just how unnatural posed setups felt to me. That experience revealed that I was working against my instincts as a mother and creative.3. Rebranding to Alignment Changed Everything I made the bold decision to completely rebrand into lifestyle newborn photography. I created a baby-led posing system rooted in safety, connection, and natural moments. That’s when my business took off—and I’ve now taught this method all over the world.Final Thoughts:If posed newborn photography doesn’t feel aligned for you, you’re not alone—and it doesn’t mean you’re not meant to be a newborn photographer. There is another way. Lifestyle newborn photography allows you to lead with connection, authenticity, and trust in your instincts. It’s time to explore a version of this work that lights you up instead of draining you.Resources & Links:👉 Download my free Newborn Posing Guide – Five safe and simple baby-led poses, step-by-step.👉 Check out my Lifestyle Newborn Portfolio – See what this style looks like in real sessions.👉 Follow me on Instagram for more tips + inspiration👉 Join my Facebook group for photographers
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4:29