The Art of Saying No: Creating Clear Boundaries as You Step Into 2026

In this episode of the Luxe and Legacy Podcast, Amber and Marie share how setting clear boundaries can transform your photography business, especially as you step into a new year. They break down why boundaries are essential for luxury photographers, how they signal professionalism, and how they help attract aligned, high end clients.

This conversation covers practical boundary setting for photographers, including communication expectations, weekday vs weekend sessions, pricing confidence, client leadership, and navigating boundaries with friends and family. Amber also shares honest insight into balancing motherhood and business while building a sustainable photography career.

If you’re a photographer looking to raise your prices, attract luxury clients, avoid burnout, and create better work life balance in 2026, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and actionable strategies to move forward.

https://www.instagram.com/light_livin_photography/

https://www.instagram.com/marie.elizabeth.photo/https://lightlivinphotography.com/ 

Marie: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/

Amber and Marie sit down with SEO expert Melissa Arlena to break down SEO in a simple, practical way. If you want to get found on Google, attract aligned luxury clients, and stop relying only on Instagram, this episode will give you clear next steps you can implement during slow season and beyond.

Learn more at

https://www.instagram.com/pictureperfectrankings/

https://www.instagram.com/melissaarlena/

https://pictureperfectrankings.com/the-blogging-club/

https://www.instagram.com/light_livin_photography/

https://www.instagram.com/marie.elizabeth.photo/https://lightlivinphotography.com/ 

Marie: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/

In this episode, Amber and Marie break down why some images feel instantly high-end while others unintentionally read budget. They explore the visual cues that define luxury photography and share the intentional choices that elevate a portfolio. From lighting and color to posing, wardrobe, and curation, you will learn how to audit your work through the lens of The Vogue Test and shape a portfolio that attracts premium clients.

If you are ready to refine your portfolio and create a more elevated brand presence, stay tuned for upcoming resources.

https://www.instagram.com/light_livin_photography/

https://www.instagram.com/marie.elizabeth.photo/https://lightlivinphotography.com/ 

Marie: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/

In this episode, Amber and Marie break down why some images feel instantly high-end while others unintentionally read budget. They explore the visual cues that define luxury photography and share the intentional choices that elevate a portfolio. From lighting and color to posing, wardrobe, and curation, you will learn how to audit your work through the lens of The Vogue Test and shape a portfolio that attracts premium clients.

If you are ready to refine your portfolio and create a more elevated brand presence, stay tuned for upcoming resources.

https://www.instagram.com/light_livin_photography/

https://www.instagram.com/marie.elizabeth.photo/https://lightlivinphotography.com/ 

Marie: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/

Why ChatGPT only works well after you’ve built a clear brand foundation

The danger of generic AI output — and how to avoid “copy-paste photographer internet voice”

How Amber created a custom ChatGPT trained on her messaging

Using AI to repurpose one strong message into:

IG captions + hooks

Email newsletters

Pinterest descriptions

Blog outlines

Sales page copy

How ChatGPT can deepen connection while maintaining authenticity

Why AI should amplify your voice — not replace it

Marie’s workflow:

How Imagine edits her galleries in 15–20 minutes

Why she barely has to tweak anything anymore

Creating separate profiles (studio, outdoor, film stock)

The “secret sauce”: continuously feeding Imagine your refined edits so it learns your style

Amber’s experience:

Why Imagine didn’t work for her in the past — and what changed

The learning curve and how it handles tone curves + background masks

Where it excels and where she still fine-tunes things

Why it’s saving her after a huge tech issue this month

Key takeaway:

Marie’s go-to tools for newborn & family sessions:

Infant acne removal

Skin evening

Double-chin reduction

Hair frizz + flyaway removal

Eye catchlights

Amber’s approach:

Why she customizes a new “preset” for each client

Her favorite features: under-eye circle reduction, wrinkle softening, clothing de-wrinkle

What she uses sparingly to keep edits natural

How Voto saved a wind-blown lavender farm session

Why it’s the most user-friendly AI tool she’s tried

The biggest perk:

AI tools are evolving monthly — and the industry is moving fast.

Marie’s Courses — $200 off each:

The Posing Course

The Artwork Course

The Client Experience Course

Amber’s Black Friday Exclusive Bundle:

Light Livin Transformation Course

Playful Posing Course

Style Guide

Contract Templates

Imagen AI

Evoto

Instagram:

Amber: @light_livin_photography

Website:

Amber: https://lightlivinphotography.com/ 

Marie: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/

Here’s to using AI with intention, elevating your creative workflow, and building a photography business you love.

See you next week, friends!

In this episode, Amber and Marie talk openly about burnout and how to rebuild margin, creativity, and joy in your photography business.

You will learn:

Stay tuned for next week’s episode where they walk through the AI editing tools they have tested and what actually helps reduce burnout in the post processing phase.

Grab the freebies:

Instagram:

Amber: @light_livin_photography

Website:

Amber: https://lightlivinphotography.com/ 

Marie: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/

This week, Amber and Marie are joined by Stacy Musgrave, a mindset and relationship coach who helps women align with abundance, purpose, and ease in both life and business.

In this heart-opening conversation, the trio explores what manifestation and abundance energy really mean — in practical, grounded ways that photographers and creatives can use every day. If you’ve ever felt resistance around pricing, comparison, or self-worth, this episode will help you understand how your thoughts shape your results — and how to shift from scarcity into flow and confidence.

Whether you’re new to mindset work or you’ve been curious about manifestation, this conversation is full of simple, actionable ways to reframe your thoughts and attract more of what you truly want.

What manifestation and abundance energy actually are (without the “woo”)

Stacy’s journey from teaching and photography to mindset coaching

How your thoughts directly shape your energy and actions

The signs you’re operating from scarcity vs. abundance

The science behind manifestation — and how your brain helps create results

Practical steps to manifest goals (no fluff, just focus and belief)

How to rewrite limiting money stories and reframe pricing guilt

Using affirmations to rewire your mindset

The connection between mindset, energy, and sustainable business growth

Why abundance begins with clarity, awareness, and daily mindset practices

“I want ________, but…” — Write out every reason your brain gives you that you can’t have it. Then reframe each as an and statement that opens new possibility.

“What’s my money story?” — Explore how your family, culture, or past experiences shaped your beliefs about money and worth.

“What would it look and feel like if I already had what I desire?” — Write it in the present tense, as if it’s already yours.

📚 You Are a Badass & You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero

Instagram:

Amber: @light_livin_photography

Website:

Amber: https://lightlivinphotography.com/ 

Marie: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/

If this episode inspired you, share it with a friend or fellow creative who could use a mindset reset — and don’t forget to leave a review to help others find the show.

In this week’s episode, Amber and Marie dive deep into one of their favorite topics — posing families with confidence. Whether you’re photographing toddlers with endless energy, shy little ones, or expectant mothers, today’s episode will help you find your flow and create connection-driven imagery that feels effortless and alive.

You’ll hear how both photographers approach posing — from reading children’s energy and setting expectations with parents, to layering prompts, building posing “chains,” and knowing when to step back and let magic unfold naturally.

This conversation is packed with actionable tips and mindset shifts to help you guide families confidently, capture authentic emotion, and elevate your sessions with artistry and heart.

Understanding posing flow with families (and why linear posing doesn’t work with toddlers!)

How to adapt your energy and approach to match each child’s personality

The importance of setting expectations and taking pressure off parents

Building posing “chains” that keep energy moving and connection natural

Using direction, light, and composition to create variety within a single pose

Communication, reassurance, and energy: what to say (and not say) during sessions

How music can shift the tone and emotion of a session

Favorite family, newborn, and maternity poses that inspire authentic connection

What to do when a session isn’t going as planned

Posing mindset: guiding through connection instead of chasing perfection

Handling sessions with multiple young kids and high energy

What to do when your usual tricks don’t work

How to reset when things feel chaotic or unplanned

Amber’s Course: Playful Posing — Learn to photograph families and maternity sessions in a fun, candid, and elevated way with prompts and posing flows that create authentic connection.

Marie’s Course: The Art of Motherhood — Go behind the scenes in real newborn, maternity, and family sessions to master natural, flattering, connection-filled posing.

These courses beautifully complement each other and are the perfect next step if you loved this episode.

Follow along for more behind-the-scenes, education, and creative inspiration:

In this episode, Amber of Light Livin Photography and Marie of Marie Elizabeth Photography get honest about comparison, imposter syndrome, and fear-based pricing. If you’ve ever scrolled and felt smaller, second-guessed your rates, or wondered if there’s room for you—this conversation will help you step back into alignment, abundance, and creative confidence.

We’ll cover:

How to shift from comparison to creation (and why styled shoots help)

Curating your social feed with intention—muting, posting without scrolling, and seeking true inspiration

The expander mindset: turning others’ success into evidence for your own

Moving from scarcity to abundance in energy, pricing, and marketing

Community over competition: befriending local photographers and building support

Practical resets for imposter syndrome: proof folders, reframes, and small courageous actions

What does the most abundant version of me believe about her art, her worth, and her clients?

Where am I still playing small because of comparison or fear?

How would my energy, my marketing, and my pricing shift if I embodied that abundant version of myself today?

Amber’s Education – Light Livin Transformation Course (natural light shooting + editing): https://lightlivinphotography.com/education-page

Marie’s Education – The Luxury Client Journey: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/the-luxury-client-journey

Aligned Marketing Method Waitlist: https://proud-bamboo-728.myflodesk.com/ruq5vletnb

Style Guide Template: https://lightlivinphotography.com/style-guide

HoneyBook CRM: http://share.honeybook.com/marie85246

Amber – Light Livin Photography

Marie – Marie Elizabeth Photography

Affiliate Disclosure:

In this episode, Amber of Light Livin Photography and Marie of Marie Elizabeth Photography open their camera bags and share the tools that shape their fine art, luminous imagery—plus the small details that make sessions feel effortless and elevated.

This isn’t about chasing every new release. It’s about intention: choosing gear that serves your vision and simplifies your workflow.

We’ll cover:

The camera bodies and lenses we trust for that soft, painterly, light-filled aesthetic (Amber uses the Sony a7 IV; favorite lenses include the 85mm 1.4 GM, 50mm 1.2 GM, and 35mm 1.4 GM)

How Marie blends digital and film for a seamless hybrid workflow

Why one excellent lens can transform your portfolio more than constant upgrades

Lighting choices that keep skin tones luminous and colors true

Session-day extras that elevate the experience—think styling pieces, step stools, diffusers, and toddler-friendly treats

Simple storage you can trust on shoot day (Amber’s go-to: SanDisk 128GB cards)

By the end, you’ll see that the best gear isn’t about quantity—it’s about alignment. The right tools help you create with confidence and ease.

Camera Body: Sony a7 IV

Lenses:

Sony 85mm 1.4 GM

Sony 50mm 1.2 GM

Sony 35mm 1.4 GM

Memory Cards: SanDisk 128GB

Courses:

Amber’s Light Livin Transformation Course (shooting + editing in natural light): https://lightlivinphotography.com/lltcourse

Marie’s Luxury Client Journey: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/the-luxury-client-journey

Style Guide Template: https://lightlivinphotography.com/style-guide

HoneyBook CRM: http://share.honeybook.com/marie85246

Amber – Light Livin Photography

Marie – Marie Elizabeth Photography

Affiliate Disclosure: