Luxe & Legacy Podcast

How to Be a Luxury Photographer in Any Style


Listen Later

Not booking as much as you want? The answer might be hiding in plain sight... your portfolio. In this episode, Marie and Amber break down the different photography styles that attract luxury clients, what makes a feed look expensive vs. budget, and why luxury isn't one single aesthetic. Spoiler: it comes down to intentionality, restraint, and artistry.

What We Cover

The Big Myth About Luxury Photography Luxury isn't just light and airy fields and flowing neutral dresses. There are so many paths to a high-end brand, and the one that works best for you is the one that genuinely lights you up.

Photography Styles That Can Command Luxury Prices

  • Ethereal and Romantic: Soft light, natural skin tones, feminine elegance, quiet emotion. Beautiful when done well, but easy to go wrong with overexposure, too much haze, or overly trendy styling.
  • Documentary and Storytelling: In-home, layered compositions, real moments. This one requires just as much skill as any other style. Direction, posing, and intentional light still matter, even when it looks effortless.
  • Bold and Colorful: Strong point of view, rich tones, graphic energy. It attracts a specific clientele who will absolutely pay luxury prices for it.
  • Editorial: Fashion-inspired, clean lines, powerful posing. Think strong angles, intentional body shapes, quiet confidence.
  • Scandinavian Minimalism: Controlled color palettes, black and white, nothing unnecessary in the frame. Restrained, intentional, and deeply elegant.
  • What Makes Work Look Budget (No Matter the Style)

    • Overexposed or inconsistent editing
    • Styling that doesn't hang together (outfits, hair, makeup, location)
    • Showing "cheese at the camera" shots
    • Randomness... a feed that feels pulled in different directions
    • Skipping out on hair and makeup (or including sessions where clients clearly did)
    • What Luxury Work Always Has in Common

      • Intentionality: nothing feels random or client-dictated
      • Restraint: no chasing every trend, no clutter
      • Curation: cohesive, emotionally resonant, visually balanced
      • Artistry: the feeling underneath the aesthetic
      • The Big Takeaway

        Luxury photography is not one specific style. It's the level of intention and passion behind the work. What makes an image feel expensive is the emotion, consistency, curation, and artistry underneath it all. Create work that feels unmistakably you, and then get really masterful at that.

        Connect With Us

        Marie Elizabeth Photography marie-elizabethphotography.com | @marie.elizabeth.photo

        Light Livin Photography lightlivinphotography.com | @light_livin_photography

        ...more
        View all episodesView all episodes
        Download on the App Store

        Luxe & Legacy PodcastBy Marie Elizabeth and Amber Courtney

        • 5
        • 5
        • 5
        • 5
        • 5

        5

        11 ratings


        More shows like Luxe & Legacy Podcast

        View all
        Earn Your Happy by Lori Harder | YAP Media

        Earn Your Happy

        2,779 Listeners

        The Goal Digger Podcast | Top Business and Marketing Podcast for Creatives, Entrepreneurs, and Women in Business by Jenna Kutcher

        The Goal Digger Podcast | Top Business and Marketing Podcast for Creatives, Entrepreneurs, and Women in Business

        12,084 Listeners

        Play It Brave Podcast by D'Arcy Benincosa

        Play It Brave Podcast

        186 Listeners

        This Can't Be That Hard by Annemie Tonken

        This Can't Be That Hard

        123 Listeners

        The Art & Soul Show - Photography Podcast for Newborn and Family Photographers by Lisa DiGeso, The Milky Way

        The Art & Soul Show - Photography Podcast for Newborn and Family Photographers

        76 Listeners

        Motherhood Anthology: Photography Education for a Business You Love by Kim Box from the Motherhood Anthology

        Motherhood Anthology: Photography Education for a Business You Love

        53 Listeners

        Good Content with Shannon McKinstrie by Shannon McKinstrie

        Good Content with Shannon McKinstrie

        151 Listeners

        Business-First Creatives: Client Experience & Systems for Service Providers by Colie James

        Business-First Creatives: Client Experience & Systems for Service Providers

        44 Listeners

        Family Photographer Marketing Podcast by Fiona Margo

        Family Photographer Marketing Podcast

        18 Listeners

        Shoot It Straight by Sabrina Gebhardt

        Shoot It Straight

        48 Listeners

        Photo Fuel | The Vision, Art, and Business of Family Photography by Leah O’Connell

        Photo Fuel | The Vision, Art, and Business of Family Photography

        18 Listeners

        Get Booked: A Photography Marketing Podcast by Alison Bell, Melissa Arlena

        Get Booked: A Photography Marketing Podcast

        20 Listeners

        Posers with Jodi Hendricks by Jodi Hendricks

        Posers with Jodi Hendricks

        15 Listeners

        With Laura Esmond by Laura Esmond

        With Laura Esmond

        9 Listeners

        Love and Hustle by Brittany and Zach

        Love and Hustle

        6 Listeners