Advertise on podcast: With Laura Esmond

In this episode, we're talking about something every portrait photographer will face at some point: hard seasons. Maybe you're struggling to book clients. Maybe you had a session that didn't go as planned. Maybe you're feeling discouraged, questioning yourself, or wondering if you still have what it takes. I've been there more times than I can count. This episode was inspired by a friend who's preparing to run the Leadville 100, one of the toughest endurance races in the world. As I thought about the mental preparation required to finish a race like that, I couldn't help but see the parallels to running a business. Because the truth is, building a photography business isn't just about learning marketing or sales. It's about learning how to keep going when things get hard. Today I'm sharing the four mental tools that have helped me navigate difficult seasons over the last 26 years. These are the tools that have helped me push through setbacks, quiet the negative self-talk, and stay in the game. If you've been feeling discouraged lately, I hope this episode reminds you that you're not behind, you're not incapable, and you're certainly not alone. In this episode, we'll talk about: Why you should expect hard seasons instead of fearing themHow your response to setbacks shapes your futureWhy taking one small step is more powerful than chasing the entire planA better way to use visualization other than a vision boardA simple way to organize your thoughts when you feel overwhelmedWhy adversity isn't working against you. If this episode encouraged you, I'd love for you to share it with another photographer who might need to hear it today. Until next time, keep building the business and the life you've been called to create. Connect with Laura:https://www.lauraesmond.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lauraesmondeducation/

You know those sessions where everything just flows? The light cooperates, the kids cooperate, you and your clients are completely in sync, and you drive home thinking that was magic — I could never repeat that. Morgan Williams doesn't accept that. She says the magic is repeatable. But only if you understand what actually created it, and that answer goes deeper than your prompts, your presets, or your Pinterest board. It comes down to knowing your purpose as a photographer, the thing you specifically were created to make, and building every piece of your business from that place. Morgan is a family photographer and educator in Raleigh, North Carolina, and the founder of Flourish, a five-month mastermind and retreat that helps photographers uncover their creative purpose and build a business around it. In this conversation, we get into why so many of us are tending to all the little pieces of our businesses, the fonts, the editing, the client emails, the marketing, without a thread holding them together, and what changes when you find that thread. In this episode, we talk about: The difference between your style, your voice, and your purpose — and why purpose has to come firstWhy your work gets easier to price (and easier to sell) when it's something clients can't get anywhere elseThe magic sessions: why they happen, why we let them stay a mystery, and how to make the feeling repeatableThe reflective work of studying your own sessions to find what you're actually meant to createMorgan's favorite client questionnaire question — the one that turns a family's ordinary daily rhythms into artHow purpose becomes your filter for trends, so you stop getting tossed around by every industry shiftThe industry-wide lie that your work has to look a certain way to be "luxury" or to work with in-person salesWhy income level doesn't determine what a client will invest in photography — and who Morgan's clients actually areTime management for photographer moms: brain dumps, hour-by-hour assignments, and why Morgan finally gave herself permission to add five hours of childcare a weekWorking on your business versus working in it — and protecting the deep-focus time where momentum actually happensFlourish enrollment for the current cohort has closed, but the next cohort opens for enrollment in October 2026 and begins in January 2027. Join the waitlist here: https://morganwilliamsphoto.com/flourish-waitlist Connect with Morgan Williams: https://morganwilliamsphoto.com/education/

A few months ago, portrait photographer Laura Gattis called me and said the words so many of us have felt but rarely say out loud: I am really struggling. She had just come home early from an industry retreat, and over the next two weeks, a string of small moments stacked up until she found herself at an awards ceremony with tears streaming down her face, asking herself what she'd done with her life. Here's the thing. Laura has run a thriving portrait business in Tampa for over 13 years. Her clients adore her, her black and white childhood portraits are unmistakable, and she built all of it while being fully present for her kids. By every real measure, she has succeeded. But comparison doesn't care about real measures, and in this episode, Laura gets honest about imposter syndrome, the feeling of being left behind in the photography industry, and what finally lifted the weight. In this episode, we talk about: The retreat, the group text, and the awards ceremony — the story of how comparison quietly became a depression Laura didn't see comingWhy "what have I done with my life?" had nothing to do with what she'd actually builtRedefining success when yours doesn't come with a stage or an awardChoosing family first in your photography business — and why Laura says it's a choice, not a sacrificeHow Laura handles social media as a photographer who never built her business thereHer surprising strategy when she feels insecure about another photographer (it involves becoming their friend)Protecting your Instagram algorithm and your peaceWhy vulnerability and real community are the antidote to working on an island Connect with Laura Gattis: www.lauragattisphotography.com, | Instagram @lauragattisphotography

As business owners, it's easy to believe that success means doing everything ourselves. Editing the images. Answering every email. Keeping the house clean. Being present with our kids. Growing the business. Holding it all together. But what if that belief is exactly what's keeping us exhausted? In this honest conversation, photographer Shannon Griffin and I talk about the surprising freedom that comes from letting go. From outsourcing editing and household tasks to releasing the guilt about not wanting to play with Barbies, we explore what it looks like to build a business around who you actually are, not who you think you're supposed to be. Shannon shares her journey as a low-volume, high-end photographer, mother, editor, and entrepreneur, and why embracing support and a secondary source of income has allowed her to create a business and life she truly loves. Together, we discuss: Why doing everything yourself isn't a badge of honorThe emotional challenge of letting go of controlHow outsourcing can create more space for creativity and familyThe reality of balancing motherhood and entrepreneurshipWhy your business should reflect your personality, values, and season of lifeThe difference between being busy and being intentionalHow understanding your "why" can guide every business decisionThe guilt many women feel around work, motherhood, and wanting moreBuilding a low-volume business that prioritizes relationships and artistryLearning to trust others with parts of your businessWhether you're struggling to delegate, feeling stretched thin, or simply wondering how to create more breathing room in your life, this conversation will remind you that you don't have to carry it all. Sometimes the greatest growth comes from letting something go. Connect with Shannon Griffin:https://www.shannongriffin.com/ Connect with Laura:https://www.lauraesmond.com/ If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs the reminder that she was never meant to do it all alone.

Why Photographers Discount — and What It's Really About If you are a portrait photographer who has ever built a discount into your pricing hoping it would make clients more likely to say yes, this episode is for you. We talk about why the impulse to discount makes complete sense on the surface, what is actually driving it underneath, and why a simple package structure will always outperform a complicated incentive every single time — whether you are shooting family photography, newborns, or motherhood sessions. In this episode: Why discounting your digitals, bundling add-on products, and building in savings rarely moves the family photography clients you are hoping to reachWhat is actually happening in a client's brain during the ordering meeting and why she does not need a discount to say yesThe real reason portrait photographers reach for incentives when building their pricing guideWhy simplicity is not a shortcut for family photographers, it is the strategyLinks: The Art of Selling — lauraesmond.com/ips

If it feels harder than ever to stand out as a portrait photographer right now, you’re not imagining it. In this conversation, Laura sits down with photographer and educator Katie Lamb to unpack one of the biggest challenges in today’s industry: everything looks the same. From identical editing styles to repeated locations and trends pulled from Instagram and Pinterest, photographers are unintentionally blending in and when that happens, clients default to one thing: price shopping. But standing out isn’t about being more talented. It’s about being more intentional. In this episode, Laura and Katie break down what actually differentiates a photography business today (hint: it’s not your presets), how to create an experience clients can’t compare, and why adding something like video + a guided sales process can completely transform your profit per session. What You’ll Learn  Why photographers are blending together more than ever  The real reason clients price shop (and how to stop it)  Why your photography style alone isn’t enough anymore  The two key ways to stand out: experience + product How video creates an emotional, undeniable “I have to have this” moment  What happens when you guide clients instead of just delivering a gallery  Why in-person sales (IPS) isn’t about pressure—it’s about service  How to create a full-circle client experience that leads to higher sales and stronger referrals The Create & Sell Bundle: www.katielamb.com/bundle Katie’s Creating Session Videos CourseLaura’s The Art of Selling CourseA one hour live Q&A with both of usTogether, these approaches help photographers:  Create something unique your clients will love And confidently guide clients to go beyond digitals 🔥 Why This Matters Your clients aren’t just buying photos. They’re navigating:  Busy schedules  Emotional expectations  The pressure of “getting it right” for their family If the experience ends with a digital gallery they never print, the value fades. But when you:  Create something tangible  Guide them through decisions  Help them see the meaning behind the images You don’t just sell more, you create lasting impact. About Katie Lamb Katie Lamb is a photographer and educator who has been in the industry since 2008. With a background in fine art photography, she’s known for simplifying complex things and helping photographers create meaningful, standout work—especially through session films.Find her education at: www.katielamb.comInstagram: @katiebethlamb

There’s a version of working on your business that feels productive… but doesn’t actually move anything forward. In this episode, we’re pulling apart one of the biggest traps photographers fall into, especially in a slow season. Posting more. Tweaking captions. Trying to “stay consistent.” And still feeling like nothing is really changing. This is not a visibility problem. It is a differentiation problem. We’re talking about why being seen more does not lead to being chosen, what clients are actually deciding between when they hire a photographer, and the one question that will shift how you approach your marketing moving forward. Because the goal is not to compete. The goal is to be chosen. In This Episode  Why “working on your business” can feel productive but still keep you stuck  The hidden problem with posting more content  What happens when your marketing looks like everyone else’s  The difference between being visible and being chosen  Why beautiful photos, good service, and fast communication are not enough  The trap of relying on style or trends to stand out  The question that changes how you approach your marketing entirely  Connect Come find me on Instagram at @lauraesmondeducation for more conversations like this and a behind-the-scenes look at how this work actually gets implemented.

In this episode, I’m joined by family photographer and educator Suzzane Brown for a conversation that feels a little different, in the best way. We didn’t come in with a strict plan, but what unfolded was an honest, layered discussion about what it looks like to be a photographer right now, in an industry that’s changing quickly, in a world that feels louder than ever, and in a season where so many of us are questioning how we want to show up. Suzzane is known for creating deeply connected, high-touch client experiences, especially with families in the luxury market, and she brings such a thoughtful, intuitive perspective to both her work and her business. Together, we explore everything from building trust with our clients to navigating the growing conversation around sharing children’s images online, to the pressure of social media and what it might look like to step outside of it. But underneath all of that, this episode is really about something deeper: coming back to yourself. Your voice. Your values. Your way of creating and connecting. We talk about what happens when your work starts to feel disconnected, how to rediscover what actually lights you up, and why the future of this industry may look a lot more human, relational, and experience-driven than we’ve been taught. If you’ve been feeling a little burnt out, a little unsure, or like you’re craving something more aligned in your business, this conversation will meet you right where you are. In this episode, we cover: Why over-planning sessions can actually block connection, and what to do insteadWhat high-end clients really want, and why trust matters more than everThe evolving conversation around sharing children’s images onlineSocial media fatigue and alternative ways to grow your businessThe opportunity to rebrand family photography around connection and experienceHow to rediscover your voice when your work starts to feel staleWhy burnout often has more to do with overwhelm than creativityThe power of in-person connection and community-based marketingHow repetition and discomfort lead to real growthThe mindset shifts that separate photographers who feel stuck from those who move forwardThis one feels like sitting down with a friend and talking through the big questions, the ones that don’t always have clear answers, but are so worth exploring.

Stop Acting Like a Content Creator Somewhere along the way, the portrait photography industry traded permanence for convenience. We stopped making things and started delivering files. We told ourselves it was progress. This episode is my pushback on that. If you have been handing over galleries and hoping clients do something with them, this episode is going to reframe what your job actually is and why the photographer who understands that is running an entirely different business than the one who doesn't.  We talk about the world your client grew up in, why she has no frame of reference for what you're capable of giving her, and what it actually looks like to cross the finish line instead of stopping at mile 25. This is not a tips episode. It is a line in the sand. In this episode: Why delivering a gallery is not finishing the job and what finishing the job actually looks likeThe identity shift that changes everything downstream: from the photographer who hopes to the photographer who leadsWhy your client isn't nostalgic for printed photographs, she's never had them, and what that means for how you show upWhy we are memory keepers, not content creators, and why that distinction matters more right now than it ever hasGet Rooted enrollment closes this week for our April start. This is the program where the philosophy in this episode becomes a practice: the pricing, the client process, the ordering meeting, all of it. lauraesmond.com/getrooted Follow Laura Instagram: @reeseandcoportraits Website: lauraesmond.com Loved This Episode? Leave a review! This helps expand our reach and continue doing this work. And come say hi to Laura on Instagram at @reeseandcoportraits — she actually reads her DMs. Sources Referenced in This Episode: Professional Photographers of America Consumer Technology Information Official Google blog UCLA Health Chatbooks Psychology Today

Why Your Email List Is Failing You (And How to Fix It) with Laura Esmond  About This Episode If you have an email list that feels like it is just sitting there — people opted in, you send something occasionally, and then nothing really happens — this episode is going to reframe the whole thing for you. Laura Esmond is a portrait photographer with 26 years of experience and the founder of Get Rooted group coaching. In this follow-up to her guest episode on The Motherhood Anthology podcast, Laura gets into something she dropped into the TMA Facebook group that sparked a lot of questions: how she built her email list to over 4,000 people with open rates above 50%, click rates above 30%, and consistent bookings directly from email — and why almost none of it came from a lead magnet or a paid ad. The answer is community marketing. Not the kind that lives on Instagram. The kind that happens in actual rooms with actual people — dance studios, country clubs, women's networking events, real estate partnerships, library storytimes. Laura walks through five specific community approaches her studio used, why she never charged for the events themselves, and what the difference really is between a warm lead and a soft one. She also shares the one thing she always does before sending a single email to a potential partner — and why brownies have been part of her marketing strategy for years. This is a longer conversation but every part of it is practical. Grab a notebook. What You'll Hear in This Episode Why the size of your email list is not the point — and what actually determines whether it convertsThe difference between a warm lead and a soft lead, and why it changes everything about your open rates and bookingsHow Laura's studio used country club events to collect engaged emails from exactly the right familiesWhy dance studios are one of the most underutilized marketing partnerships in portrait photographyWhat a Headshot Happy Hour is and how it puts you in a room full of women who will refer you for yearsHow a real estate agent partnership became one of Laura's most reliable long-term referral sourcesWhat Laura did with her studio space every week that kept a steady stream of new mothers walking through her doorWhy she never charged for community events — and exactly what she was charging for insteadThe brownies-before-email rule and why humans don't get ignored the way emails doHow to take one concrete first step this week without overhauling your entire marketing strategy Key Topics Covered Warm Leads vs. Cold Leads Not all email subscribers are the same. Someone who opted in for a freebie is a starting point — you still have to earn their attention. Someone who met you in person, watched you work, and handed you their email in a real conversation is already yours. Laura breaks down why that distinction is the entire reason her email list performs the way it does. The Five Community Approaches Country club events — photographing member gatherings to collect engaged emails from young familiesDance studio pop-ups — hosted as client appreciation for the studio, not as a revenue event for LauraHeadshot Happy Hours — quick professional headshots at women's networking events as a community value-addReal estate agent partnership — showing up, supporting, and building a long-term referral relationshipStudio events — monthly Storytime with the local library and weekly lactation classes for new mothersThe Brownies Rule Before you ever send an email to a potential partner, stop in. Bring something for the staff. Ask to speak with the owner or the person in charge of client happiness. The pitch is simple: let me help you show your clients how much you appreciate them. Emails get ignored. Humans don't. Links & Resources Get Rooted Group Coaching For portrait photographers ready to build a client process that earns — ordering meetings, product pricing, and the full system: lauraesmond.com/getrooted Mentioned in This Episode 10 Tips To Be Seen — lauraesmond.com/beseen Follow Laura Instagram: @reeseandcoportraits Website: lauraesmond.com Loved This Episode? Leave a review! Share it with a photographer friend who has an email list that isn't doing what it should — this one will reframe the whole conversation for them. And come say hi to Laura on Instagram at @reeseandcoportraits — she actually reads her DMs. Keywords: email list for photographers, community marketing, portrait photography business, in-person marketing, photography studio marketing, warm leads, motherhood photographer, email open rates, Get Rooted, Laura Esmond, The Motherhood Anthology

A lot of pricing advice in the photography industry tells you to either give all the digitals away at a ridiculous price or withhold digital files to pressure clients into investing in artwork they may not be ready for. What if there’s a different way to honor a client's wish for the digitals while not sacrificing your ability to get your photos on their walls.  In this episode I explain exactly why I structure my prices the way I do, share the pricing philosophy behind everything I teach in Get Rooted, and tell the client story that made me certain I was right. Includes a practical framework for how to actually set prices at whatever stage of business you are in right now. In this episode:   ·  Why Laura does not hold digital files hostage -- and what she does instead   ·  The difference between leading a client and pressuring one   ·  The client story that proved the long-game approach works   ·  Why CODB is useful but not the whole story   ·  How to balance draw-in pricing with room to grow Links:   ·  Get Rooted -- lauraesmond.com/getrooted

There was a moment in this conversation where Casia said something that made me pause. She admitted that bookings slowed down at the end of 2024 and into 2025. And instead of pretending everything was fine or quietly panicking behind the scenes, she said the thing a lot of photographers are feeling but not always saying out loud. Things feel different right now. If you’ve been wondering whether it’s the economy, the industry, your pricing, or something you’re doing wrong… this episode is going to feel like a breath of fresh air. Because instead of spiraling into discounting or chasing more Instagram posts, we talk about what actually works during slower seasons: getting back into your community, building real relationships, and playing the long game in your business. Casia shares how she’s leaning into what she calls her “season of yes” and showing up to events, supporting other small businesses, and creating touchpoints that lead to future opportunities. And we also dig into some of the big mindset traps photographers fall into when things get quiet… especially the temptation to lower your prices. If business has felt a little wobbly lately, this conversation is here to remind you of something important: Ups and downs are normal.But how you respond to them can change everything. In This Episode Why photographers are feeling a shift in bookings right nowThe danger of assuming slower inquiries mean your pricing is wrongWhat a “season of yes” looks like in a photography businessSimple ways to start networking in your community (even if you hate networking)How one small connection can turn into multiple opportunitiesWhy lowering your prices during slow seasons can hurt you long-termA smarter way to adjust your offers without discounting your workThe real reason ghosting happens with inquiries and what to do about itHow following up can immediately set you apart in a saturated marketWhy photographers should stop hiding behind their computers and start building real relationships againIf this conversation resonated, Get Rooted is where we go all in on this work. Inside the program, you build: Clear, confident pricingA simple but powerful sales structureA hands-on client experience that leads to artworkMarketing that attracts right-fit, investing clientsThe identity of a photographer who leadsSpots are limited. Once they’re filled, enrollment closes for several months. We get started in April. If you want your business solid before we head into the busiest season of the year, what are you waiting for?? 👉 Apply here Connect with Casia: https://fletcherandco.photohttps://www.instagram.com/fletcherandco/Connect with Laura: Apply now for Get Rooted: lauraesmond.com/getrootedInstagram: @reeseandcoportraitsWebsite: lauraesmond.com

In this first part of my conversation with Casia Fletcher, we go deep. You may have heard Casia’s story on The Motherhood Anthology podcast, where she shared about a $45,000 client win inside her motherhood membership: check out that episode here! But our conversation is a little different. It’s an honest conversation about the shifts we have seen the past two years and what you can do when bookings slow down. Casia and I talk honestly about navigating slower seasons without spiraling and why the photographers who thrive long-term are the ones who build depth with their clients. This episode turned into a two-part conversation because we couldn’t stop unpacking the real strategy behind sustainable success. In Part One, we dive into: Why diversification can stabilize your business (without diluting your brand)The long-game mindset that creates lifetime clientsWhat shifted in 2024–2025 for many portrait photographersThe power of in-person sales — consultations, ordering appointments, and real connectionWhy IPS isn’t just about revenue… it’s about leadershipCreating multiple touchpoints that increase trust and average saleWhy full-service photographers are positioned differently in slower marketsWe also break down what it actually looks like to guide a client from inquiry to artwork, and why that clarity changes everything. If this conversation resonated, Get Rooted is where we go all in on this work. Inside the program, you build: Clear, confident pricingA simple but powerful sales structureA hands-on client experience that leads to artworkMarketing that attracts right-fit, investing clientsThe identity of a photographer who leadsSpots are limited. Once they’re filled, enrollment closes for several months. We get started in April. If you want your business solid before we head into the busiest season of the year, what are you waiting for?? 👉 Apply here Connect with Casia: https://fletcherandco.photohttps://www.instagram.com/fletcherandco/Connect with Laura: Apply now for Get Rooted: lauraesmond.com/getrootedInstagram: @reeseandcoportraitsWebsite: lauraesmond.com

Feeling the slow season hit a little harder this year? Wondering if there's more you could be doing to create consistent income, even when bookings slow down? In this episode, I’m joined by the incredibly wise and wildly practical Joy Michelle, educator, business coach, and host of the Called to Both podcast. Joy walks us through how she’s built multiple income streams as a working photographer and a mom of three, and how affiliate marketing became a surprisingly powerful piece of the puzzle. We’re not just talking about side hustles. We're talking about sustainable income that fits your life and your brand. Whether you're just getting curious about affiliate links or want to understand how this works without needing a massive audience or becoming an “influencer,” Joy breaks it all down with so much clarity. Here’s what we cover: Why photographers should be thinking about income streams beyond client bookingsWhat affiliate marketing actually looks like for a photographer (hint: it's not just Amazon links)How Joy made $600 in affiliate income… while in laborThe mindset shift that changed how she approached content and monetizationThe first steps you can take to start earning affiliate income, even with a small audienceConnect with Joy: Affiliate Marketing Jumpstart -- free resource!Instagram: @joymichelleWebsite: joymichelle.coCoaching: joymichelle.co/coachingAffiliate Boss: joymichelle.co/affiliate-bossPitch Power: joymichelle.co/pitchpowerHobby-to-Pro Toolkit: joymichelle.co/hobby-to-pro-toolkitConnect with Laura: Private Mentoring: lauraesmond.com/mentorInstagram: @reeseandcoportraitsWebsite: lauraesmond.com

I’m sharing three honest lessons I learned from scaling my portrait photography business, and then intentionally scaling it back. If you're a family photographer, brand photographer, or creative entrepreneur who’s ever been tempted to "go big" with a studio, team, and all the trappings of growth, this is a must-listen. We’re getting real about what happens when your business looks successful on the outside but starts to feel misaligned on the inside. I’ll walk you through what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d do differently now. Whether you're in your first five years of photography business or considering opening a studio, this episode will help you build a photography business that’s profitable, sustainable, and truly aligned with your life. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why scaling your photography business doesn’t automatically lead to time freedomWhat it really looks like to run a brick-and-mortar photography studio with a teamHow overhead, burnout, and decision fatigue can creep in quietlyThe difference between ego-driven growth and value-driven decisionsHow to protect your creativity and peace as a portrait photographerConnect with Laura: Private Mentoring: lauraesmond.com/mentorInstagram: @reeseandcoportraitsWebsite: lauraesmond.com