In today’s episode, Marie is diving into a question that comes up all the time in the photography world: is getting published actually worth it anymore? And if it is… how do you actually get your work accepted?

This conversation is honest, practical, and grounded in real experience. If you’ve ever wondered whether you should be spending time submitting your work to blogs and publications, this episode will give you clarity and direction.

What “getting published” really means today

Is getting published still worth it?

The biggest mistake photographers make when submitting

1. Study the publication before submitting

2. Make sure your work is strong and consistent

3. Curate your submission carefully

4. Follow submission guidelines exactly

5. Don’t overlook the details

6. Follow up (the right way)

Getting published isn’t a magic bullet for business growth—but it can be a helpful piece of the puzzle when approached intentionally.

The key takeaway?

And if you do decide to submit your work… go all in and do it well. Your work deserves to be seen.

Marie: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com

Amber: https://lightlivinphotography.com

If you loved this episode, it would mean so much if you left a review. It helps more photographers find the show and build a business that feels aligned, elevated, and sustainable 🤍

Episode Title: How to Create a Luxury Look in ANY Condition

What really makes an image feel luxurious?

It’s not the perfect light.

In this episode, we’re breaking down what actually creates a luxury experience and elevated imagery—from intentional client prep to how you pivot when things don’t go as planned (because they won’t always).

If you’ve ever felt like a session was “off” or not ideal, this episode will completely reframe how you approach your work and give you practical tools to still create magic.

1. Luxury is created, not found

2. How to prep clients for success

3. What to do when things go wrong

And most importantly: how to still create a luxury gallery anyway

When things aren’t perfect, you don’t panic—you pivot.

Here’s what to lean into:

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode:

Luxury isn’t about perfect conditions.

Marie shares how her background in music education shaped this mindset—focusing on doing whatever is in front of you exceptionally well.

Amber adds the reminder we all need:

Prepare with intention.

That’s the balance that creates both a luxury experience and a sustainable, joyful business.

Marie: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com

Instagram:

If you loved this episode, it would mean so much if you left a review—it helps more photographers like you find the show 🤍

Q&A: Real-Time Answers to Your Biggest Photography Business Questions

In this episode, we’re switching things up and diving into a Q&A! Amber and I asked you on Instagram what your most pressing questions are in your photography business right now, and you delivered. Today, we’re answering as many as we can with honest, real-time insight into what’s actually working in our businesses right now.

If you’ve been wondering how to get more inquiries, refine your marketing, or confidently raise your prices… this episode is for you.

If you’ve been putting off creating a solid contract (or questioning if yours is actually protecting you), this is your sign.

Amber had her contract professionally created by a lawyer and made it available for photographers to use—so you don’t have to DIY something this important.

👉 https://lightlivinphotography.com/portrait-contract

Marie:

Amber:

If you enjoyed this episode, it would mean so much if you left a review or shared it with a photographer friend. It helps more photographers discover the show and build businesses that feel aligned, elevated, and sustainable.

If Facebook and Instagram ads have ever felt overwhelming, confusing, or just… not worth it, this episode is going to completely shift how you see them.

Today, we’re joined by Brooklyn Grotte, a business strategist and ads expert who helps entrepreneurs scale their revenue through strategic, data-driven advertising. What makes Brooklyn’s perspective especially powerful is that she started as a photographer herself. She understands exactly where you are and what it takes to grow a photography business in a way that actually leads to consistent, aligned clients.

In this conversation, we break down what’s actually working with ads right now, how photographers can start using them in a way that feels simple and sustainable, and the biggest mistakes that are keeping people stuck.

Whether you’re brand new to ads or you’ve tried them before without results, this episode will give you a clear path forward.

You do not need a big budget to start.

Ads work best when your foundation is already in place.

Not all ads are created equal.

Specificity converts.

Email list growth is one of the best entry points.

Creative and messaging matter more than targeting.

The first 3 seconds are everything.

Organic-style content is winning right now.

If you’re brand new to ads, here’s where to begin:

From there, you can begin layering in more advanced strategies like sales pages, retargeting, and higher-converting lead campaigns.

You can find Brooklyn here:

Brooklyn also shared a beginner-friendly resource for getting started with ads, which we’ve linked for you below.

Email List Accelerator: 

Here’s a custom code for listeners to take an addition $10 off (making it only $17 for them): PODCAST10

If this episode helped you think differently about ads and how they can support your business, we would be so grateful if you left a review. It helps more photographers discover the show and grow alongside this community.

We’ll see you next week ✨

Episode Title:

Show Notes:

Adrianne shares the heart behind founding The Kindred Path, an online family photography publication created to inspire photographers at every stage of their journey and foster meaningful connection in an industry that can sometimes feel isolating. We talk about how powerful it can be to reach out, build relationships with other photographers, and create a sense of community in your local market and beyond.

We also dive into Adrianne’s approach to family posing and how she leads sessions in a way that feels organic, playful, and true to each family. From preparing clients before the session to using simple prompts and movement-based direction, Adrianne offers so much wisdom for photographers who want to create images that feel both beautiful and natural.

If you have ever felt alone in your business, struggled to create authentic connection in your sessions, or wanted a fresh perspective on family posing, this episode is full of encouragement and practical takeaways.

In this episode, we discuss:

Why community matters so much in the photography industry

How Adrianne started The Kindred Path in 2020

Practical ways to build relationships with photographers in your local area

Why leading with generosity creates stronger connection

Adrianne’s philosophy for natural, connection-filled family sessions

Simple rules and prompts that help families feel at ease

How to work with kids in a playful, low-pressure way

Tips for creating flattering images while keeping sessions organic

The importance of helping clients feel prepared before the session begins

Upcoming opportunities to learn from Adrianne through workshops and events

Connect with Adrianne:

Connect with us:

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Choosing the Right Education for the Stage of Business You're In

Education is one of the most powerful ways photographers grow their artistry and businesses, but with so many courses, workshops, retreats, masterminds, and coaching programs available today, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start.

In this episode, Marie and Amber share how they’ve both invested in education throughout their careers and why continued learning has played such a big role in the growth of their businesses. They break down how the right education depends entirely on the stage of business you’re in, and how choosing wisely can help you move forward with more clarity and intention.

From beginner photographers building their technical foundation, to mid-career photographers refining their work, to photographers ready to step into the luxury market, this conversation walks through the types of education that tend to be the most impactful at each stage.

They also discuss how to evaluate educational opportunities, how to identify experienced educators, and why it’s important to budget both money and time for learning if you want to build a refined and profitable photography business.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you should invest in a course, mentorship, retreat, or mastermind, this episode will help you approach those decisions with far more confidence.

Why education should look different depending on your stage of business

The best educational investments for beginner photographers building their foundation

How mid-career photographers can refine their artistry, client experience, and brand

When masterminds and coaching programs become the most valuable investment

The key business shifts photographers make when moving into the luxury market

Why brand alignment and marketing strategy matter for higher-end businesses

How to recognize high-quality education and experienced educators

What to look for in testimonials, reviews, and real-world results

Why budgeting both money and time for education is essential for growth

The goal is not to collect courses that sit unfinished in your inbox.

The goal is to invest in the right education at the right stage so that it truly moves your business forward.

When photographers choose educational opportunities intentionally, those investments can shape their artistic voice, refine their client experience, and ultimately transform their business.

Marie Elizabeth Photography

Light Livin Photography

Both Marie and Amber offer educational opportunities for photographers who want to build elevated, intentional businesses. You can explore their courses, mentorships, and upcoming offerings through their websites.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Luxe & Legacy Podcast and share it with a photographer who is growing their business with intention.

If you’ve ever looked at another photographer’s work and thought, How are they finding these locations?! this episode is for you.

Today, Marie and Amber break down what actually makes a location work for your style (not just what looks “pretty”), plus the practical ways they discover new spots year after year. From light and negative space to texture, layers, and avoiding distractions, this conversation will help you build a curated location list that supports a luxury, consistent brand and makes your sessions feel more intentional from the start.

You’ll also hear a real behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into “magical” locations, including scouting, permits, building relationships with property owners, and why it’s totally okay to keep certain spots private.

Why “pretty” isn’t enough and how to choose locations that support your specific brand look

What Marie and Amber look for first (and why light is still the dealbreaker)

Negative space, depth, and avoiding “nature walls” that flatten your background

How to use texture and layers to add refinement and dimension (foreground, mid-ground, background)

How to think through environmental color and tone, especially on cloudy days

Handling distractions like cars, trash cans, and crowds without ruining the image

The best practical ways to find new locations:

Trusted photographer relationships (and how to ask respectfully)

Pinterest and reverse image search

Trail apps like AllTrails and local hiking or wildflower Facebook groups

Old-school Googling and learning from wedding photographer blogs

Why scouting is non-negotiable, even if you found a location online

Private property etiquette, permits, and how to avoid awkward session interruptions

How knowing your criteria helps you start seeing location possibilities everywhere

Your locations aren’t just backgrounds. They’re part of your signature, and choosing them intentionally is one of the simplest ways to create recognizable work.

Marie Elizabeth Photography

Light Livin Photography

If you enjoyed this episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a minute to leave a review of the Luxe & Legacy Podcast. Reviews help other photographers discover the show and join the community, and we truly appreciate the support.

If we were starting our photography businesses in 2026, we wouldn’t chase more sessions or try to grow as quickly as possible. We would focus on building a strong artistic foundation, a clear brand identity, and profitable pricing from the very beginning. In this episode, we share the exact order we would follow to build a luxury photography business with more clarity, confidence, and intention.

Building your portfolio intentionally through styled sessions

Investing in education to elevate your work faster

Finding community while developing your own artistic voice

Setting profitable pricing from the start

Reinvesting into your business to build momentum

Using SEO and social media together for visibility

Curating a brand presence that reflects your ideal client

Niching down by following what energizes you

The fastest way to build a luxury photography business is not by doing everything. It’s by building your portfolio, brand, and pricing with intention from the beginning.

Use code LEGACY200 for $200 off Amber’s photography courses. Links and a ChatGPT brand identity cheat sheet are available in the show notes.

Follow us on Instagram:

Website:

Amber: https://lightlivinphotography.com/ 

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

If you enjoyed this episode, leaving a review helps other photographers discover the show.

In this episode of the Luxe & Legacy Podcast, Amber and Marie talk through how to start selling artwork in a way that feels natural, confident, and client led.

They share practical tips on introducing artwork early, using consultation calls and questionnaires to guide the conversation, leading with emotion instead of specs, simplifying pricing, and avoiding overwhelm with too many options.

This episode is for photographers who want a clearer, more aligned approach to selling albums and wall art.

Connect With Us:

Amber: https://lightlivinphotography.com/education-page 

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

Portraits That Sell Mini Course: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/portraits-that-sell-mini-course 

Brand alignment goes far deeper than visuals, presets, or polished feeds. In this deeply vulnerable episode, Marie and Amber explore what it truly means to run a values-aligned luxury business, one rooted in integrity, emotional resonance, and moral clarity.

This conversation invites photographers to reflect on the reality that clients are not only choosing your work, they are choosing you. Your voice, your values, your nervous system, and your humanity all play a role in how people experience your brand. Especially in an industry built on trust and intimacy, alignment is felt long before it is explained.

Recorded during a heavy moment in our country, this episode gently but honestly addresses the responsibility creatives carry when silence itself can signal misalignment. Marie shares her personal experience of speaking up, the peace that came from releasing people who were no longer aligned, and why luxury clients are not just buying beauty but trust, safety, and shared values.

This is not a conversation about being perfect or performative. It is about being clear, compassionate, and courageous. It is about allowing your brand to reflect your conscience and understanding that clarity attracts and repels in the healthiest way possible.

Why brand alignment is emotional, ethical, and energetic, not just visual

How clients subconsciously choose photographers based on values and trust

The difference between neutrality and integrity in your brand

Why luxury clients are deeply values-driven, not just aesthetics-driven

How sharing your values builds deeper, safer client relationships

Letting go of fear around “losing followers” and choosing alignment instead

Practical guidance for sharing thoughtfully on your business platform

How motherhood, humanity, and compassion intersect with brand identity

Your brand is already communicating who you are, whether you use your voice intentionally or not. When you allow your business to reflect your values with respect and care, you create deeper trust, more meaningful connections, and a brand that feels honest instead of performative. Alignment is not divisive, it is clarifying.

If you are feeling heavy and wanting to take meaningful action, here are a few resources mentioned in today’s episode:

Five Calls App – to easily contact your local representatives

ACLU Action Center – aclu.org/action

National Immigration Law Center – nilc.org

United We Dream – unitedwedream.org

Immigrant Legal Resource Center – for know-your-rights information

Please stay informed, act safely, and vote in every election, not just presidential ones.

You are allowed to care deeply. You are allowed to stand for dignity, compassion, and humanity. And you are allowed to build a luxury brand that reflects those truths without apology. When your values lead, the right people will always find you.

Thank you for being here and for holding space for this conversation with us.

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