Episode 147 - The Messy Middle: When to Outsource vs. What to Own in Your Photography Business
Starting over in a new market can feel overwhelming, especially when you're moving to one of the most competitive photography cities in the country. But what if that challenge is exactly what you need to step into the next level of your business?
In this episode, Ali Payne talks with Kayla Victor of Kayla Mari Photography about navigating this major transition by investing in business coaching, deciding what to outsource versus what to own, and building a brand identity that truly serves her goals.
We talk about:
How understanding your brand at its core helps you attract the right clients and build confidence in your business
Deciding what to outsource and what to keep
The difference between destination market strategy and local market strategy, and why SEO became a priority in a new city
Why business coaching was the right investment during a major transition, and how to know when it's time to seek outside support
The one sentence that shifted Kayla's mindset from panic to confidence when she was freaking out about the move
Growth often requires getting uncomfortable and seeking outside support. Whether you're navigating a big transition or simply trying to figure out where to focus your energy next, this episode offers clarity and encouragement to keep moving forward.
Connect with Kayla:
https://www.kaylamariphotography.com
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Episode 146 - Selling More Artwork with Marie Elizabeth
What if offering artwork actually saved you time instead of taking it? Marie Elizabeth transformed her photography business from $99 sessions into a sustainable full-time career by working just 4-6 days a month with average sales of $3,000-$4,000. In this episode, she walks through the five critical pitfalls that keep photographers from profitable artwork sales and exactly how to avoid them.
Topics Covered
The Time Myth and Why Artwork Creates Freedom Discover why offering artwork with ordering appointments actually frees up your schedule, allowing you to work with fewer clients at higher price points while creating real margin in your life.
Not Integrating Artwork Into Every Touch Point Learn why artwork can't be an afterthought and how to weave it naturally into your website, discovery calls, planning appointments, and ordering sessions so clients expect it from the start.
Overwhelming Clients With Too Many Options Find out why Marie only offers three artwork options and how simplicity converts while lengthy product menus push clients toward digital files.
Not Sharing About Artwork Enough Understand the marketing strategy behind consistent artwork visibility, including sharing about products regularly on Instagram and featuring them throughout your website.
Leaving Clients to Make Decisions Alone See why busy luxury clients need guided ordering appointments to actually follow through on purchasing artwork instead of defaulting to digital files.
Not Believing in Your Offerings Explore the mindset work that helped Marie go from $99 sessions to confidently presenting $4,000 albums, including practical strategies like affirmations and focusing on value over price.
Marie's Marketing Strategy Learn the specific tactics Marie implemented—SEO, blogging, and consistent Instagram presence—that transformed her booking rate and attracted ideal clients ready to invest in artwork.
Referenced in This Episode
HoneyBook - Client management platform
Indie Print Co - Premium album supplier
Marie's Photography Resources - Courses and templates
Luxe & Legacy Podcast - Co-hosted by Marie Elizabeth and Amber Courtney
Guest Bio: Marie Elizabeth
Marie Elizabeth is a motherhood photographer, educator, and co-host of the Luxe & Legacy Podcast. After transitioning from teaching, she built a thriving photography business working 4-6 sessions per month with average sales of $3,000-$4,000, primarily in artwork. She specializes in helping photographers create luxury businesses rooted in artistry, exceptional client experience, and profitable workflows.
Connect with Marie:
Instagram: @marie.elizabeth.photo
Website & Courses: marie-elizabethphotography.com
Podcast: Luxe & Legacy (with Amber Courtney of Light Livin Photography)
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Join TMA!
Enrollment link - https://themotherhoodanthology.com/photography-mentoring/
Connect with TMA:
Website | Membership | Courses: www.themotherhoodanthology.com
Free Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themotherhoodanthology
Our Instagram: instagram.com/themotherhoodanthology
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Site: https://kimbox.com
IG https://www.instagram.com/kimbox
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Episode 145 - From $500 All-Inclusive to $4K: How Do I Build on This Success?: Hot Seat with Shannon Griffin
Brittany Barb went from charging $500 for shoot-and-burn sessions to making her first $4,000 sale by adding in-person viewing parties. Shannon Griffin offers advice on keeping this success going by talking about products earlier in the process and showing confidence when presenting options.
Key Topics Covered:
Creating memorable client experiences that naturally lead to higher sales
Setting product expectations before the shoot, not after
Positioning yourself as the expert who solves problems for busy clients
Removing technical barriers that hold you back from offering premium products
Building genuine connections instead of "selling" to make clients feel comfortable investing
Connect with Shannon:
https://www.shannongriffin.com,
Connect with Brittany:
https://www.brittanybarb.photography
Join the e-mail list:
https://membership.themotherhoodanthology.com/membership-waitlist
Join TMA!
Enrollment link - https://themotherhoodanthology.com/photography-mentoring/
Connect with TMA:
Website | Membership | Courses: www.themotherhoodanthology.com
Free Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themotherhoodanthology
Our Instagram: instagram.com/themotherhoodanthology
Connect with Kim:
Site: https://kimbox.com
IG https://www.instagram.com/kimbox
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Episode 144 - The Messy Middle: When Business Momentum Takes You the Wrong Direction
Family and newborn photographer Abby Park shares her journey of redirecting her successful photography business away from profitable weekend and evening shoots to prioritize family time. She discusses the challenge of recognizing when business momentum is taking you in a direction that no longer serves your values, and how she communicated these boundary changes to existing clients while maintaining her business relationships.
In this episode, we discuss:
Understanding when success is pulling you away from your core values and family priorities
The evolution from client-led scheduling to photographer-driven boundaries, and the confidence required to make this shift
How to frame business changes as benefits rather than limitations
Balancing the demands of a growing photography business with the realities of parenting four children ages 4-9
Moving beyond traditional metrics of busy schedules and high booking rates to define success as being present across all spheres of life
and so much more!
Connect with Abby:
https://abbyparkphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/abbyparkphotography/
Join the e-mail list:
https://membership.themotherhoodanthology.com/membership-waitlist
Join TMA!
Enrollment link - https://themotherhoodanthology.com/photography-mentoring/
Connect with TMA:
Website | Membership | Courses: www.themotherhoodanthology.com
Free Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themotherhoodanthology
Our Instagram: instagram.com/themotherhoodanthology
Connect with Kim:
Site: https://kimbox.com
IG https://www.instagram.com/kimbox
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Episode 143 - The Elizabeth Messina Process (Part 2)
In part two, Elizabeth Messina dives deep into the behind-the-camera experience of her photography sessions and shares her thoughtful approach to post-shoot curation. She reveals how she creates an atmosphere where clients feel like guests first, subjects second, and explains her "immersive photography" philosophy where the entire experience becomes part of the session.
Key Takeaways:
Show up even when you don't feel like it
Create atmosphere and connection before performance
Curation is where the art lives
Give tangible gifts to clients
And more!
Elizabeth Messina's sanctuary for creatives:
https://theartedept.com
Connect with Kim:
Site: https://kimbox.com
IG https://www.instagram.com/kimbox
About Motherhood Anthology: Photography Education for a Business You Love
Welcome to The Motherhood Anthology podcast: photography education to create a business you love. This podcast will serve as an invaluable resource to guide you in the world of motherhood photography and owning your own successful photography business. Tune in weekly to hear from us and some of our most admired friends and colleagues as we share some of our greatest tools, how-tos, successes, failures, and everything in between.
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