Episode Title: Licensed Counselor, Working Photographer: Real ADHD Tools

Guest: Andrea Pittman, Andrea Michelle Photography & Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Arizona + Washington

We Discuss:

• How Andrea built a dual career as a wedding/lifestyle photographer and an ADHD-specialized therapist across two states

• Why photography’s variety and flexibility can be a great fit for ADHD brains

• The real sticking point for many solopreneurs with ADHD: business operations, bookkeeping, and “invisible” admin work

• Reframing procrastination as time perception and adrenaline seeking, not failure

• Practical tools: body doubling, pairing tasks, coffee-shop focus sessions, and using motivation windows instead of rigid schedules

• Scheduling rest on purpose and designing home systems that protect executive function on work days

• Client fit, momentum, and “ADHD inertia” in marketing and minis

• Weddings, overstimulation, and planning with neurodivergence in mind

• The “Solve-It Grid” from Your Brain’s Not Broken to pair high-stress tasks with low-stim, calming activities

TLDR:

• Build your business around when your brain actually works best. Motivation windows beat nine-to-five rules.

• Procrastination isn’t a moral failing. For many ADHDers it’s an adrenaline strategy that still gets the job done.

• Pair the hard stuff with something calming or enjoyable. Think taxes + podcast, or bookkeeping + body double.

• Stimulate focus on low-dopamine tasks. Coffee shops, light background noise, or a “work buddy” can help.

• Protect your executive function by systemizing home life on heavy work weeks. Meal help and laundry routines are productivity tools.

• Schedule rest like a deliverable. Capacity is finite, and recovery keeps your business sustainable.

• Use consultations to vibe-check client fit. When the energy is aligned, booking and follow-through get easier.

• Weddings can be overstimulating. Plan workflows that honor sensory needs for you and your clients.

Resources:

• Book: Your Brain’s Not Broken by Tamara Rosier

• Follow Andrea: TikTok, Instagram, Threads — @andreamichellephoto

• Andrea’s Podcast: Brilliant Minds? by Brilliant Minds Wellness (Spotify and YouTube)

• Coming Soon from Andrea: Downloadable guides — ADHD for Wedding Photographers and a companion guide for neurodivergent wedding clients