In this episode of the Flourish Academy Podcast, Heather Lahtinen talks with Susie Inverso, a pet photographer and Elevate member, about the life-changing concept: "If you're willing to be embarrassed, you can do anything." Susie shares how a daring solo mountain adventure helped her overcome fear, build confidence, and apply powerful mindset shifts to her business and life.

Key Takeaways:

• Confidence grows when you act despite fear, not before.

• The worst outcome is often just a feeling — like embarrassment — and you can handle it.

• Mindset work is the missing link between strategy and success.

• Discomfort and failure are stepping stones to growth.

• Coaching and community help you sustain belief when doubt creeps in.

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 Lahtinen and guest Nicole Begley dive into one of the biggest mindset challenges photographers face — visibility. But not the "post more on social media" kind. This conversation explores what it truly means to be seen — as a business owner, creator, and human being.

They unpack why so many photographers avoid showing up online, the fears that keep them hidden, and how to reframe visibility as an act of service rather than self-promotion.

If you've ever said, "I don't know how to be visible," this episode will help you realize it's not a strategy problem — it's a thinking problem. And once you shift your thoughts, everything changes.

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

Feeling stuck in a spiral of overthinking or overwhelm? In this episode, Heather Lahtinen breaks down why it's not your to-do list that's overwhelming you—it's your thoughts. Learn how self-trust, not control, is the antidote to overthinking and why shifting your mindset can help you finally move forward with clarity and confidence.

Heather also shares insights from the recent 4 Clients in 4 Weeks Challenge and introduces the upcoming Visibility Workshop inside Elevate—a space designed to help photographers step into their next level of growth with courage and simplicity.

👉 Listen in to discover how to trade overwhelm for self-trust and overthinking for intentional action.

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, host Heather Lahtinen and guest Nicole Begley dive into the power of selling an experience rather than just a product. Using the viral success of the Jellycat Diner in New York as a real-world case study, they unpack how scarcity, storytelling, and elevated presentation can transform something ordinary into something highly desirable and premium-priced.

Heather and Nicole connect these lessons directly to the photography industry—showing photographers how they can use experience-driven marketing to raise prices, attract premium clients, and build a loyal community.

Whether you've ever hesitated to charge more or simply want to build a luxury brand, this conversation will shift the way you think about value. Show Notes:

• Why focusing on experience matters more than the product itself

• Nicole's story of trying to book the Jellycat Diner

• How Jellycat created scarcity and desire around stuffed animals

• The psychology of "perceived value" and pricing

• Overcoming mindset blocks about being "overpaid"

• How to translate luxury selling into your own business

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

Nicole Begley: https://hairofthedogacademy.com/

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/