In this inspiring episode of the Flourish Academy Podcast, host Heather Lahtinen sits down with pet photographer Kelly McNamara to talk about her incredible journey from a 20+ year legal career to building a thriving photography business that aligns with her passion. Kelly shares how shifting her mindset, embracing coaching, and using the Model transformed not just her business — but her marriage, her health, and her self-concept. This is a conversation about courage, clarity, and building a life and business that truly lights you up.

• The mindset shift from “hobbyist” to professional photographer

• Letting go of financial pressure and redefining success

• How the Model helped Kelly through challenging sales calls and self-doubt

• Applying mindset work beyond business — to marriage and health

• Building a business based on passion, purpose, and joy

• Why community and coaching can be life-changing

How to Support the Podcast:

• Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review.
• If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people.

Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com

Connect:

Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

In this episode of the Flourish Academy Podcast, Heather sits down with three talented photographers—Katie Carmichael, Jess Wasik, and Marcy Frye—who each recently closed $8,000+ sales. From humble beginnings charging $25 for sessions to confidently running thriving businesses, these women share their journeys of growth, mindset shifts, and client experiences that led to high-value sales.

You’ll hear how they market, price, and most importantly, think about their work—and how these lessons can apply directly to your business. Success leaves clues, and today, you’ll get the inside look at exactly how these photographers made it happen.

Show Notes

• The evolution from $25 shoots to $8K+ client sales
• What really goes into an $8,000 sale (products, wall art, albums, and more)
• How mindset shifts are more important than “perfect pricing” or “better photos”
• The role of education, accountability, and community in business growth

How to Support the Podcast:

• Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review.
• If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people.

Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com

Connect:

Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

In this episode of the Flourish Academy Podcast, Heather chats with photographer and SEO educator Connor Walberg about how photographers can use search engine optimization (SEO) to get found online. They break down why SEO isn’t just a technical skill—it’s also a mindset game. If you’ve ever wondered how to attract clients who are already looking for your services, this conversation is for you.

• Why SEO is more about mindset than just strategy

• The difference between direct seekers (actively searching) and indirect discoverers (stumbling across your work)

• Why consistency and the “compound effect” are key to long-term SEO success

• Common myths photographers believe about SEO and how to overcome them

• How to shift your thinking so that you actually take action on SEO

Links:

• Learn more from Connor: connorwalberg.com

• Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com

How to Support the Podcast:

• Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review.
• If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people.

Connect:

Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

What do pumpkins have to do with running a photography business? More than you might think. In this episode, Heather shares how her journey of accidentally becoming both a pumpkin farmer and an entrepreneur reveals a powerful framework for growth: the scientific method. You’ll discover how to experiment, evaluate, and keep moving forward especially when setbacks (or deer!) threaten to derail your progress. Whether you’re trying to grow pumpkins or book more clients, this episode will help you reframe failure as fuel for resilience.

Show Notes

• Heather’s 6-step framework for growth based on the scientific method
• The parallels between planting pumpkins and building a photography business
• Why setbacks aren’t happening to you but for you
• How to manage emotions when plans don’t go as expected
• The truth about entitlement: why effort doesn’t guarantee outcomes
• How failure builds resilience, confidence, and grit
• Why experimentation is the fastest path to clarity in business

Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com 

How to Support the Podcast:

• Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review.
• If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people.

Connect:

Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

In this episode of the Flourish Academy Podcast, Heather Lahtinen dives into the frustration and disappointment we feel when we don’t reach our business goals. She shares insights from working with photographers on strategy calls and one-on-one coaching, exploring how focusing solely on revenue can overshadow other meaningful achievements. Learn how to recognize non-revenue victories (NRVs), celebrate wins along the way, and create a mindset that supports long-term success both in business and life. Show Notes:

• The emotional impact of not hitting revenue goals and why it can leave us feeling defeated.

• How focusing only on one number (like revenue) can make us overlook meaningful progress.

• Practical advice: track non-revenue victories (NRVs) to stay motivated and build momentum.

• How coaching and mindset tools can help process challenges faster and maintain calm, grounded energy.

Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com 

How to Support the Podcast:

• Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review.
• If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people.

Connect:

Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

In this episode of the Flourish Academy Podcast, Heather Lahtinen joins Nicole Begley to share a powerful breakthrough she recently experienced while working with a new business coach. Together, they uncover how hidden limiting beliefs particularly around safety, risk, and self-concept can silently hold us back from reaching our next level of success. Whether you’re a photographer, entrepreneur, or creative, you’ll walk away with a new perspective on how to challenge your mindset, embrace risk, and step into the identity of the business owner you’re becoming.

Show Notes:

• Heather’s breakthrough coaching session and how it shifted her business perspective
• Why your willingness to feel uncomfortable emotions is tied to your success
• The surprising link between safety, risk, and growth as an entrepreneur
• How to reframe feelings of incompetence, embarrassment, and failure
• Practical steps to expand your capacity for risk without losing yourself

How to Support the Podcast:

• Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review.
• If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people.

Free 4-Week Challenge for Photographers: https://flourishacademy.mykajabi.com/4-clients-in-4-weeks-challenge

Connect:

Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

Nicole Begley: https://hairofthedogacademy.com/

In this episode of the Flourish Academy podcast, Heather Lahtinen explores how your self-concept shapes the way you invest in your photography business. Are you approaching education, gear, and coaching as a consumer focused on spending and satisfaction or as an investor focused on extracting value and creating returns? Heather breaks down the difference, shares powerful examples from Elevate coaching, and explains why building the identity of a confident photographer and entrepreneur is essential for growth. If you’ve ever doubted your ability to “get your money’s worth” from programs or tools, this episode will help you flip your perspective and start creating real results.

FREE 4-WEEK CHALLENGE FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS: https://flourishacademy.mykajabi.com/4-clients-in-4-weeks-challenge

Show Notes:

• Why your self-concept as a photographer and business owner directly impacts your confidence and results.

• The difference between a consumer mindset (buying, spending, seeking satisfaction) and an investor mindset. 

• Why watching every single lesson isn’t required for success and how one nugget can change everything.

• How to shift your thinking from “I need more proof” to “I trust myself to figure it out.”

• The crucial role of coaching, mentorship, and community in helping you see beliefs you can’t see on your own.

How to Support the Podcast:

• Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review.
• If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people.

Connect:

Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

In this episode of the Flourish Academy Podcast, Heather Lahtinen shares practical and mindset strategies for preparing your photography business for the slow season. Using her concept of “thinking of your future self,” Heather explains how to take proactive steps now so you can avoid panic and frustration when inquiries drop. She also invites you to join the free Four Clients in Four Weeks Challenge, where you’ll learn simple, proven actions to book clients without ads, complicated marketing, or discounting your work.

Show Notes:

• Why the slow season doesn’t have to be stressful for photographers

• How to book clients even when inquiries are low

• The power of thinking like your future self in business and life

• Practical tips for smoothing out cash flow year-round

• Small, intentional habits that make life easier for “future you”

• Why the Four Clients in Four Weeks Challenge is timed perfectly for fall

• How to prepare now for a thriving first quarter next year

How to Support the Podcast:

• Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review.
• If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people.

Connect:

Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

In this episode of the Flourish Academy Podcast, Heather Lahtinen sits down with her dear friend Nicole Begley to unpack a surprising epiphany about what we really expect when we pay for online courses or coaching programs. Spoiler alert: we're not just looking for information, we're trying to buy a friction-free path to success. Heather shares a powerful mindset shift that will change how you approach education, business growth, and pricing strategies forever. Plus, hear the behind-the-scenes story of how a surprise visit from her Progress Lab partners turned into a life-giving weekend of laughter, coaching, and breakthroughs. Show Notes:

•  Why in-person workshops are so transformational
•  The myth of the frictionless program
•  The real reason some courses disappoint us
•  How Heather plans to reframe her Elevate marketing
•  Using friction to refine yourself instead of fearing it
•  Why your actions (not outcomes) are the real measure of success

How to Support the Podcast: 

• Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review.
• If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people.

Connect: 

Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

Nicole Begley: https://hairofthedogacademy.com/

What’s the one way to get photography clients? In this episode, Heather Lahtinen shares her refreshingly simple philosophy on how to consistently book clients—without the overwhelm. You’ll learn the core marketing strategy she teaches in Elevate, how your thoughts fuel your results, and why you don’t need to wait for inquiries to land in your inbox—you can go out and create clients.

Plus, Heather announces her new challenge: Four Clients in Four Weeks, starting August 19th. It's time to stop waiting and start winning—with confidence, clarity, and simplicity. ! 👉 https://flourishacademy.mykajabi.com/4-clients-in-4-weeks-challenge

Show Notes:

• Why marketing doesn't need to feel salesy, spammy, or overwhelming
• How your thinking—not your to-do list—is the real source of overwhelm
• What an “offer” actually means (hint: it’s not always a sale!)
• How to create clients instead of waiting.
• Why this challenge is exactly what you need before slow season hits

How to Support the Podcast:

• Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review.
• If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people.

Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com

Connect:

Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram