Dave Herring is a photographer, educator, and founder of Very Good CO. He’s also a creative nomad and a long time friend.

In this episode of Photo Fuel, I chat with Dave about how curiosity led him to a whole new career as a photographer and educator. From leaving the East Coast and relocating his family to California with no concrete plan, to working with brands like Leica and Hasselblad, Dave shares how paying attention to what felt meaningful—and staying generous along the way—shaped his career and a life that supports his ultimate measure of success: being in charge of his time.

We talk about blending past experience into creative work and how free content and generosity have become foundational to his business. This conversation is packed with stories that will inspire you and leave you feeling hopeful for all that’s possible.

Even though Dave is primarily a landscape photographer, this episode offers new perspective we all need on the value of metrics, making decisions in your business, and what it really means to make art your work—one thoughtful step at a time.

// LINKS MENTIONED //

Blog Post: "Generosity changed everything:" https://dave.online/writings/how-generosity-changed-everything

Very Good CO: shopverygood.com

Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/

STEPHEN SHORE Photo books:

Stephen Shore by STEPHEN SHORE - Book: 9781633450486 | Rizzoli Bookstore

What if you didn’t need to burn down your photography business to feel better in it?

In this solo episode of Photo Fuel, we'll explore the idea of micro-pivots—small, intentional changes that can bring more clarity, energy, and alignment to your work without rebranding, quitting, or announcing a brand-new niche.

This conversation is for family photographers who still love what they do, but feel a quiet sense of restlessness. Maybe sessions feel heavier than they used to. Maybe your creativity has shifted before your business has caught up. Or maybe you just know something needs to change—but you don’t know what yet.

We talk about:

What micro-pivots are (and what they’re not)

Signs you may be craving a small shift, not a big overhaul

Creative, structural, and offer-based micro-pivots you can try

How to experiment without risking your income or identity

Why sustainable change often happens quietly

If you’ve been wondering whether it’s possible to evolve without starting over, this episode offers permission, perspective, and practical ways forward.

Episode 61: From Families to Brand Photography with Nicole Hodgson

Episode 59: Messy Action, The Artful Pivot, and Creating from the Inside Out with Brooke Schultz

Episode 56: The Missing LInk to your Photography Marketing with Michelle Franzetti

The Micro-Pivots Journalling Workbook : https://leahoconnell.myflodesk.com/pivot

Leah's website: https://www.leahoconnell.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/leahoconnell.photo

In this episode, we’re kicking off a short series all about pivoting, evolving, and exploring new creative seasons as a photographer. It’s so easy to stay siloed inside the same family photography conversations, hearing the same strategies and the same voices. But there is so much to learn from photographers who step outside the familiar and build something new.

Today’s guest—Nicole Hodgson—is the perfect guest to kick it off.

Nicole is a former marriage and family therapist turned lifestyle brand photographer based in Northern California. She began her business photographing families, but over time, her sessions started filling with women who were also building businesses of their own. That pattern nudged her toward a new direction, and eventually, a full pivot into brand photography.

In this warm and candid conversation, we talk about:

Nicole shares her approach to a new pricing model for brands vs what made sense for her family clients and the financial logic behind marketing to brands versus families—an incredibly helpful lens for anyone curious about expanding their services.

Whether you’re considering brand photography, navigating your own pivot, or just wondering what else is possible in this industry, this episode is a reminder that your identity, your opportunities, and your creativity are bigger than any niche.

// CONNECT // 

Nicole Hodgson 

Website: www.nicolehodgsonphotography.com

Instagram: @nicolehodgson.photography

Leah O'Connell

Website: https://www.leahoconnell.com

Instagram: @leahoconnell.photo

This episode is releasing on the week of Thanksgiving, which is also a big time for holiday deals and making purchases for your business. This is a short and sweet chat to share my Top 4 Essentials as far as software for running my business. This powerful combo is the nuts and bolts of my marketing, sales, communication and delivery - the tech stack of dreams. 

If you're thinking of upleveling your tooling or getting started with some client experience systems to scale your work, listen in to learn more about what each tool does, why I chose it, how they connect to one another, and what to consider most if you’re shopping for smarter systems this season.

// LINKS MENTIONED //

Episode: 25: Navigating Black Friday for family photographers

Episode 46: Why I switched to Honeybook and how it’s going: (on spotify)

Honeybook referral link: https://share.honeybook.com/leah9738526

Pictime referral link: https://leahoconnell.pic-time.com/referral

Flodesk referral link: https://flodesk.com/c/PHOTOFUEL

Showit referral link: https://showit.com/r/jt922s

In this episode, I chat with the wise and wonderful Brooke Schultz — photographer, educator, and creative force behind Heartful Magazine— for a deep dive into the art and evolution of a career in family photography.

Brooke Schultz is a Utah based family photographer + industry educator who helps family photographers create their own unique style instead of mimicking trends. She is the founder of the Love Soaked method for family photographers and her work has been featured by Oprah, Martha Stewart, Kodak, Rangefinder, Parents and more. Her work across mediums from podcasting to music to writing explores what it means to live a wildly creative life in art and everyday living through intention, fun, and ingenuity.

We go through so many topics in today's conversation, but Brooke generously shares how she first discovered lifestyle family photography, what it means to take messy action, and why naivete can be one of your greatest creative assets. We unpack what it means to develop a signature style, why your story and values must be part of your work, and how to balance serving clients with honoring your own artistic fulfillment.

If you’ve ever struggled with burnout, comparison, or feeling like your clients are running the show, this conversation will help you find your footing as both an artist and a leader. It weaves between practical and big-picture in the best of ways. 

How Brooke transitioned from digital weddings to soulful in-home family sessions

The power of messy action and why your early “bad” images matter

Why your personal story is the foundation of your style

The truth behind the phrase “the only sustainable art is selfish”

What it means to “set the temperature” and lead sessions with confidence

Why being the calm, grounded presence your clients crave is part of your job

How personal growth and artistic growth go hand-in-hand

Connect with Brooke: Website | Instagram

       - The Emotive Bootcamp: https://brookebschultz.com/emotivebootcamp

       - Heartful Magazine: https://heartful.brookebschultz.com/

Dr. Becky Kennedy — mentioned in connection to “sturdy leadership”

       - The Photo Fuel Retreat and Mastermind: https://www.leahoconnell.com/retreat

WHAT EVEN IS A MASTERMIND?!

We’ll explore:

Even if the Photo Fuel Retreat isn't for you right now, this episode is full of insight into next-level education and what it looks like so when you *are* ready to take that step in your career, you know what to look for. 

This week's Photo Fuel is time to get candid and answer some of your direct questions! From the reality of avoiding burnout (is it even possible?!) to the behind-the-scenes of school photography, I've got some THOUGHTS.

We’ll talk about setting yourself up for success in your first years, film vs. digital (gasp) how to handle feedback or rejection when it comes to things like magazine submissions,  and stick around until the end of this episode becaaaaause—I have a big announcement!

Whether you’re just starting your family photography business or you’ve been at it for a while and are looking for perspective and some relatable honesty about the industry, this AMA episode has something for you!

School Photography Course Interest : Sign up here

THE PHOTO FUEL RETREAT & MASTERMIND: https://www.leahoconnell.com/retreat

In this episode of Photo Fuel, I’m joined by Michelle Franzetti for a conversation that will knock your socks off, make you laugh, and make you think. It's part marketing lesson, part mindset shift, and all about building a family photography business that actually works in today’s world.

We dig into what 2025 requires from small businesses, how to create a marketing plan that’s more than just “share and hope,” and the importance of designing seasons in your marketing so you have rhythm, clarity, excitement, and traction.

Michelle talks about why in-person connections are so powerful, even when they aren’t directly related to photography and what the real criteria is for a "successful" gathering. 

Michelle’s unexpected entry into marketing and how it shapes her business today

A simple but timeless take on marketing: be interesting & connect with people

What 2025 demands from small businesses (and how to adjust)

Why posting and hoping is not a plan—and what’s missing from the equation

How marketing seasons can keep you focused and motivated

The overlooked magic of in-person connections

Why hosting meaningful & FUN gatherings can fuel both your community and your business longevity 

This is a thoughtful, energizing conversation for any photographer who wants marketing to feel more human and more effective.

Website: https://franzettiphotography.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m_franzetti/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Michelle_Franzetti

Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/558214206287176

Website: https://www.leahoconnell.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahoconnell.photo

Voxer Coaching: https://www.leahoconnell.com/voxer

The Firefly Letters (weekly longform newsletter) - https://www.leahoconnell.com/newsletter

Today's episode is coming in short and sweet with a pep talk / tough love about a trend I've been seeing in the family photography industry. If you've been frustrated about working with families who aren't showing up and looking or acting the way you hoped, you need to take a listen. Have an open mind and humble spirit for this one, friends.

We are the vision casters and it's time we set a table that is welcoming. 

**Two 1:1 and/or Voxer mentorships open for the last quarter of 2025. If you want extra support in real time through your fall family photography season, learn more about mentoring at https://www.leahoconnell.com/mentoring

Free Resources for family photographers: https://www.leahoconnell.com/education

// CONNECT WITH LEAH // 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahoconnell.photo

Website: https://www.leahoconnell.com

Mentoring: https://www.leahoconnell.com/mentoring

In this episode, I’m joined by the incredibly talented Lyndsay McNiff of Lyndsay Hannah Photography. This one’s packed with the kind of perspective that only comes from learning through the doing (for a very long time!) and so much knowledge about creative growth in family photography.

We talk about what it really looks like to fill a calendar season by season—not just chasing bookings, but shaping a business that fits your life. Lyndsay shares so many real-life insights about the early years of running a family photography business, from finding her footing with marketing to figuring out her offers, and how she has grown a reputation and repeatable business in her local area.

We also get into ideas around creative evolution—like how your style shifts over time. Lyndsay shares how learning off-camera flash changed the game for her in-home sessions and the horrible session experience story that set the whole thing off. Since then, Lyndsay has also grown from family photography into adding brand photography as well, and working with associates to support her demand.

Whenever we're talking about sustainability and growth in family photography, we obviously have to touch on boundaries, too. Lyndsay's tactical perspective on scheduling sessions with flexibily for both her clients and her own family is so insightful and might offer an alternative to the classic advice you've heard before.

If you’re somewhere in the middle of building your business—or honestly, just figuring it out season by season—this one’s going to meet you right where you are.