As we're approaching the end of the year, maybe you're looking for a good book to kick back within the new year. So today I'm sharing 5 of the most influential books that have shaped my business, art, and life. Most of them are not even classified as "business books," but somehow, they top the list of books that have shaped the way I do business, how I think, and how I aspire to grow as a person. All of those things influence how I show up with and for people, + the art I create and how I bring it into the world. 

// Links mentioned // 

Episode 21: 4 simple copy tips to elevate your website

Free resources - leahoconnell.com/learn

Blog posts with book recommendations: 

Connect with Leah :

Free Photo Fuel FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/photofuel/

It’s time to start winding down your business from 2024 and whew, that’s an exciting time right? But before you can move onto goal setting and projects, this last month of the year is a beautiful time to take the pulse of your business. It's the imperative FIRST STEP to any kind of planning for the future. 

Making time for this process of reflection and study of what the heck actually happened this year in your business - and it can also be really fun, too! 

In this episode I’m sharing my process of holding an EOY meeting with myself. I'll take you behind the scenes of that process, the agenda, the questions i ask, and the metrics I tackle - so if you’ve never done this before you have a place to start and if you have you may find that you can pull some ideas from this to add in or tweak your current process. 

// FREE pdf from the episode: GRAB THE MEETING OUTLINE HERE. //

Other links mentioned: 

episode 26 with Sabrina Gebhardt

RIGHT TRACK AUDITS: https://www.leahoconnell.com/righttrack

How do you find joy photographing your own holidays when your job is as a family photographer? How can you distinguish photographing in your regular life as fun, creative fuel vs obligation or "work?" (even if you love your work!)  I hear a lot of guilt from photographers around not making photos at home “enough.” So in this episode, I want to dispel that and bring back the fun, ease the guilt, and just give a friendly reminder about the big picture. 

Get ready for 5 tips for photographing and honoring your holidays with intention and joy. 

// Timestamps //

00:00:22: Recognizing the blur of personal photography and photography 'work'

00:01:01: Addressing guilt with not doing "enough"

00:03:12: Reevaluating what makes a photo "worthy"

00:04:00: Disrupting visual influences

00:05:47: Tip 1 - Distinguish personal photography from work

00:06:42: Tip 2 - Name what matters

00:08:09: Tip 3 - Play with different gear

00:12:15: Tip 4 - Try a timed approach

00:13:53: Tip 5 - Be a memory-keeper with other mediums

// Links mentioned // 

episode 12 with Rachel Larson Weaver

epsidoe 8: Resetting inspiration in your personal life

Photography and Play - Erin C. Garcia // photographs drawn from the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum, https://a.co/d/dBbD8tM 

Jessica Todd Harper’s Here: https://a.co/d/eareauL

Sierra Madre Photography - website | instagram 

Free resources to connect and learn with me: https://www.leahoconnell.com/learn

In this episode, I'm sharing a run-down of the 4 categories of investments that serve as umbrellas for all the things you *could* purchase to support your business growth.

1. Software

2. Brand

3. Gear

4. Education

Each has several subcategories, too, so we'll walk through how to determine what will serve your business well AND I'll give you some recommendations to narrow down the scope.  

Of course, I also want to share a little more about The Homestyle Accelerator as well because I am so excited about the potential of this program and our conversations to support you in a direct way with the growth of your art and business. Enrollment opens TODAY (Nov. 25 2004) so you can check out all the details and enroll (or get on the waitlist for next time) at https://leahoconnelll.com/homestyle

Brand: 

Gear: 

Education: (check out the wonderful offers from these former guests on Photo Fuel)

In person retreat/conference for 2025

The Homestyle Accelerator!

As the person in your earbuds each week bringing you photography education and industry stories, I felt it was time to give you a little more context about my history and experience getting to this place. 

I don’t have a fancy background or any official qualifications or fancy job history. My business has grown slowly and humbly - but maybe that’s exactly the kind of realness you need?  

Failure after failure ultimately revealed something hidden and beautiful - a career that I love, that supports my family, and allows me to live in my purpose of creating light to the world. 

Get ready for a touch of nostalgia as I share about my early inspiration and training in mall portrait studios along with -

If you're interested in joining the Homestyle Accelerator small group coaching program for family photographers with a focus on in-home photography and simplified, warm businesses - get on the waitlist at https://leahoconnell.com/homestyle 

Enrollment opens Nov. 25 through 29 or until spots are filled!

// Other resources mentioned //

Emily lucarez course: https://www.creativelive.com/class/lifestyle-family-photography-emily-lucarz

Kirstin lewis class on Creativelive: https://www.creativelive.com/class/family-photography-creating-a-successful-business-kirsten-lewis

Brooke shultz: https://brookebschultz.com/love-soaked

Rachel Larsen Weaver : https://www.rachellarsenweaver.com/

You likely have passion and excitement to create beautiful photos, but have you ever found yourself working behind the computer and thinking what the heck am I doing?

Am I even doing the right thing? Am I doing the things that are actually going to help? Am I completely wasting my time?

Today's guest is Lydia Fine, and our conversation circles around this idea of imposter syndrome with a sprinkle of support and the value of education and mentorship. Lydia is actually a student of mine and we've worked together in mentoring several times, so she shares a little bit about that experience and the unique gap that one-to-one mentoring filled for her in her personal and professional growth.

Lydia grew up as a farm girl, she earned a marketing degree and an MBA, and she has two kiddos with her husband. She runs Apollo and Ivy Photography focused on families, seniors and newborns.

// Topics we discuss //

• The difference between affirmation in the formal workplace vs entrepreneurship

// CONNECT WITH LYDIA // 

Instagram: @lydia_apolloandivy

Lydia's freebies: 

How to get clients with google reviews: https://apolloandivy.myflodesk.com/google-reviews

The 3 client emails you're not sending yet: https://apolloandivy.myflodesk.com/3-emails

Instagram Reel Series: Google Business Profile Tips for Photographers: https://instagram.com/lydia_apolloandivy

// CONNECT WITH LEAH // 

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

Leah on Instagram: @leahoconnell_photo

Whether you're winding down your fall season or you're still in the thick of the season, not *everyone* experiences that "busy fall" photographers like to talk about. Maybe you're reflecting on what this fall looked like for you and instead of being filled with clients sessions, it was kind of stale.

Maybe you've moved to a new city, or you're on maternity leave, or just going through a lull - but when you go to Instagram and you see everyone doing sessions and sharing fall work and editing cues and whatever, it can be discouraging. SO in this episode I'm sharing four things that you can do to capitalize on the fall energy and build momentum, even when your work que is slow. 

// LINKS DISCUSSED //

Ultimate list of freebies : https://leahoconnell.com/learn

The Firefly Letters: https://leahoconnell.com/newsletter

Episode 5: 6 shifts that helped me grow my photography business

Ever had a heart-stopping moment when you realize your camera is dangling too close to the ocean or you check your camera back 100 times on the way to a session because you irrationally think you forgot all your gear?

Or show up to the wrong house? 

Or loose images from a session?

As a family photographer with over 15 years of experience, I've had my share of irrational fears and horrifying experiences, too. In this episode, I'm candidly sharing not just my personal stories of mishaps and embarrassing moments, but the invaluable lessons learned from these experiences.

This spooky season, let's acknowledge that fear is an inherent part of our creative journey and so is facing that sometimes those fears come true. Can you show yourself you'll be alright, even if you mess up? This episode is a humorous twist on the ideas that keep us up at night, and hopefully will lead all of us into feeling a little less alone. 

Photo Fuel facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/photofuel/

https://www.leahoconnell.com/mentoring (1:1 mentoring)

https://www.leahoconnell.com/group (group coaching + course interest list)

Sabrina Gebhardt is a long time photographer who’s made it her mission to coach family photographers through bettering themselves and building thriving photography businesses. Sabrina is doing all kinds of work in the education space for photographers right now, but she is also photographing families and has been for 14 years. In this episode, we talk about

-the ebb and flow of business and balance

-the art of hustling in a healthy way and keeping that big picture view of the whole year 

- the pitfalls of a scarcity mindset during slower seasons 

- and continuing education and choosing the container and coach wisely to suit your needs

Sabrina is an expert on this because she’s not only participated in all the types of education herself, but she now has created and runs opportunities from free guides, to online courses, to 1:1 mentoring, to small group support, and of course the Root to Rise Retreat and Mastermind. 

// connect with Sabrina // 

Website: https://www.sabrinagebhardt.com

Instagram: @sabrinagebhardtphotography

// connect with Leah // 

Website: https://www.leahoconnell.com

Instagram: @leahoconnell.photo

The Firefly Letters: https://www.leahoconnell.com/newsletter

1:1 Mentoring: https://www.leahoconnell.com/mentoring

Can Black Friday be about more than just superficial discounts?

We'll challenge the idea that slashing prices is the only way to engage customers and explore how taking cues from Trader Joe's stable pricing approach might be the game-changer your business needs.

Links: 

Episode 12: Newsletters - what I learned from 1 year of The Firefly Letters 

1:1 Mentoring : leahoconnell.com/mentoring

Course + group coaching wait list : leahoconnell.com/group

Free download: Gift certificate template // https://www.leahoconnell.com/gifts

Advertising print materials: moo.com

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/photofuel/