Shoot It Straight

Have you found your business bestie? In today’s episode, I’m diving into the importance of photographer friendships and why they lead to greater success for your business. Plus, I’m sharing real-life examples of how having photographer friends has changed mine and my students’ lives. 

The Shoot It Straight Podcast is brought to you by Sabrina Gebhardt, photographer and educator. Join us each week as we discuss what it’s like to be a female creative entrepreneur while balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. If you’re trying to find balance in this exciting place you’re in, yet willing to talk about the hard stuff too, Shoot It Straight Podcast is here to share practical and tangible takeaways to help you shoot it straight. 

This episode is brought to you by Root To Rise, a high-touch mastermind for established female photographers ready to lead their business, not just run it. Over the six-month experience, you’ll gain clarity on your vision and offers, build sustainable systems, and get to know the most supportive community of women. The program also includes lessons with incredible industry experts, weekly calls, and ongoing accountability. Sign up today to join the waitlist. 

Review the Show Notes:

The cost of going it alone (1:48)

“I don’t have time” (5:00)

Stories from myself and students (8:25)

Mentioned In This Episode: 

Root To Rise Mastermind: sabrinagebhardt.com/mastermind-waitlist

Episode 194: Q2 2026 Business Bestie Chat with Colie James: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/194-q2-2026-business-bestie-chat-with-colie-james

Connect with Sabrina:

Website: sabrinagebhardt.com

Instagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardt

TikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you pushing off your email marketing? Maybe you think you only need to email your list a few times a year, when you’re offering mini-sessions. In today’s episode, I’m sharing what photographers get wrong when it comes to email marketing. 

The Shoot It Straight Podcast is brought to you by Sabrina Gebhardt, photographer and educator. Join us each week as we discuss what it’s like to be a female creative entrepreneur while balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. If you’re trying to find balance in this exciting place you’re in, yet willing to talk about the hard stuff too, Shoot It Straight Podcast is here to share practical and tangible takeaways to help you shoot it straight. 

This episode is brought to you by Root To Rise, a high-touch mastermind for established female photographers ready to lead their business, not just run it. Over the six-month experience, you’ll gain clarity on your vision and offers, build sustainable systems, and get to know the most supportive community of women. The program also includes lessons with incredible industry experts, weekly calls, and ongoing accountability. Sign up today to join the waitlist. 

Review the Show Notes:

The numbers prove the value of email marketing (3:11)

The shift in your strategy (4:56)

Emailing only when you’re selling (6:19)

Selling to the same list over and over (9:17)

“I don’t have anything to say outside of my business” (10:16)

Email does not have to be salesy or formal (13:32)

Email is a relationship tool (15:32)

Mentioned In This Episode: 

Root To Rise Mastermind: sabrinagebhardt.com/mastermind-waitlist

Episode 193: Why Your Mini Sessions Aren’t Selling Out Anymore (It’s Not Your Pricing Or Your Photos): sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/193-why-your-mini-sessions-arent-selling-out-anymore-its-not-your-pricing-or-your-photos

Connect with Sabrina:

Website: sabrinagebhardt.com

Instagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardt

TikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you feel like you’re in a spiral or something is just off? I’ve been there. In today’s episode, I’m sharing 4 questions to ask yourself when everything in your business feels off. 

The Shoot It Straight Podcast is brought to you by Sabrina Gebhardt, photographer and educator. Join us each week as we discuss what it’s like to be a female creative entrepreneur while balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. If you’re trying to find balance in this exciting place you’re in, yet willing to talk about the hard stuff too, Shoot It Straight Podcast is here to share practical and tangible takeaways to help you shoot it straight. 

This episode is brought to you by Root To Rise, a high-touch mastermind for established female photographers ready to lead their business, not just run it. Over the six-month experience, you’ll gain clarity on your vision and offers, build sustainable systems, and get to know the most supportive community of women. The program also includes lessons with incredible industry experts, weekly calls, and ongoing accountability. Sign up today to join the waitlist: sabrinagebhardt.com/mastermind-waitlist

Review the Show Notes:

What doesn’t feel good right now? (4:32)

Why doesn’t it feel good? (8:15)

Who can support you through this? (9:43)

What am I missing? (11:25)

Mentioned In This Episode: 

Root To Rise Mastermind: sabrinagebhardt.com/mastermind-waitlist

Connect with Sabrina:

Website: sabrinagebhardt.com

Instagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardt

TikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you in a funk? It happens to every business owner from time to time. In today’s episode, I’m sharing honestly about the last few months: why I’ve been in a funk and how I’m working through it. 

The Shoot It Straight Podcast is brought to you by Sabrina Gebhardt, photographer and educator. Join us each week as we discuss what it’s like to be a female creative entrepreneur while balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. If you’re trying to find balance in this exciting place you’re in, yet willing to talk about the hard stuff too, Shoot It Straight Podcast is here to share practical and tangible takeaways to help you shoot it straight. 

This episode is brought to you by Root To Rise, a high-touch mastermind for established female photographers ready to lead their business, not just run it. Over the six-month experience, you’ll gain clarity on your vision and offers, build sustainable systems, and get to know the most supportive community of women. The program also includes lessons with incredible industry experts, weekly calls, and ongoing accountability. Sign up today to join the waitlist. 

Review the Show Notes:

Why I’m in a funky season (1:08)

Wrestling with business discomfort (6:07)

The huge breakthrough (11:43)

If you’re in a funk too (13:29)

Mentioned In This Episode: 

Root To Rise Mastermind: sabrinagebhardt.com/mastermind-waitlist

The First Class Lounge: sabrinagebhardt.com/membership

Connect with Sabrina:

Website: sabrinagebhardt.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you in the early years of your business and exhausted? In today’s episode, I’m reflecting back on 15 years of business and how it felt those first few years. Plus, 5 lessons that I wish someone would have told me back then. 

The Shoot It Straight Podcast is brought to you by Sabrina Gebhardt, photographer and educator. Join us each week as we discuss what it’s like to be a female creative entrepreneur while balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. If you’re trying to find balance in this exciting place you’re in, yet willing to talk about the hard stuff too, Shoot It Straight Podcast is here to share practical and tangible takeaways to help you shoot it straight. 

Review the Show Notes:

Confusion is not a sign that you’re doing it wrong (3:41)

You are going to outgrow your prices faster than you think (6:07)

When you say yes to everything, it will cost you (8:52)

They’re not your competition, they’re your community (12:09)

You don’t need a bigger audience, you need one that trusts you (14:52)

Connect with Sabrina:

Website: sabrinagebhardt.com

Instagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardt

TikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the quarterly business bestie chat! In this episode, Colie James and I are chatting in-person after spending a few days at a conference together. We’re recapping Q1 of 2026 and looking ahead to Q2. 

The Shoot It Straight Podcast is brought to you by Sabrina Gebhardt, photographer and educator. Join us each week as we discuss what it’s like to be a female creative entrepreneur while balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. If you’re trying to find balance in this exciting place you’re in, yet willing to talk about the hard stuff too, Shoot It Straight Podcast is here to share practical and tangible takeaways to help you shoot it straight. 

Review the Show Notes:

Recapping the Creative Educator Conference (1:45)

Sabrina’s brand new retreat (9:02)

Colie choosing to offer only one thing (11:27)

A community space for Sabrina’s memberships (13:10)

Re-evaluating our programs (18:46)

Our ad strategy goals (23:13) 

Sparking new ideas (27:43)

Our plans for Q2 (28:57)

Mentioned in this Episode:

Episode 190 From Skeptical to Obsessed with Jaiden Hamilton: 

sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/190-from-skeptical-to-obsessed-with-jaiden-hamilton/

Root To Rise Summer Camp: sabrina-gebhardt.myflodesk.com/summercamp

Our Quarterly Business Bestie Chats:

Q1 2026: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/183-q1-2026-business-bestie-chat-with-colie-james

Q4 2025 : sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/165-q4-2025-business-bestie-chat-with-colie-james

Q3 2025: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/q3-business-besties-chat-with-colie-james

Q2 2025: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/q2-2025-business-bestie-chat-with-colie-james

Q1 2025: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/128-q1-2025-business-bestie-chat

Q4 2024: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/q4-business-bestie-chat-with-colie-james

Q3 2024: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/q3-business-besties-chat-with-colie-james

Q2 2024: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/88-q2-business-besties-chat-with-colie-james

Q1 2024: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/75-quarterly-business-chat-with-colie-james

Connect with Colie:

Podcast: coliejames.com/podcast

Instagram: instagram.com/coliejames

Website: coliejames.com

Connect with Sabrina:

TikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Instagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardt

Website: sabrinagebhardt.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feel like you’re doing everything right, but your offers aren’t selling out like they used to? I’m hearing this a lot from the women I coach, and in today’s episode I’m diving into why this might be happening. Plus, 3 things you can do to fix it before your next launch.

The Shoot It Straight Podcast is brought to you by Sabrina Gebhardt, photographer and educator. Join us each week as we discuss what it’s like to be a female creative entrepreneur while balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. If you’re trying to find balance in this exciting place you’re in, yet willing to talk about the hard stuff too, Shoot It Straight Podcast is here to share practical and tangible takeaways to help you shoot it straight. 

Review the Show Notes:

You’re launching to the same list (1:17)

What a stale email list might look like (2:57)

You only send emails when you’re launching (4:12)

Pause and plan for list growth (7:01)

Creating value with your freebie (8:20)

Use your offers to build a waitlist (11:49)

Get creative with collaborations (12:40)

Nurture your audience in-between selling (15:05)

Consider running Meta ADs (16:00)

3 things to do before your next launch (18:19)

Mentioned In This Episode: 

The First Class Lounge: sabrinagebhardt.com/membership  | Use code: 50% off first month "PODCASTDEAL"

Marketing That Attracts: sabrinagebhardt.com/marketing

Episode 191 Meta ADs for Beginners with Brooklyn Grotte: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/191-meta-ads-for-beginners-with-brooklyn-grotte

Connect with Sabrina:

Website: sabrinagebhardt.com

Instagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardt

TikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does a strong marriage look like for an entrepreneur? In today’s episode, I’m sharing my own experience of what marriage has looked like with the demands of owning a business, raising a family, and so much more. Plus, what it has meant for my husband and I to truly choose each other.

The Shoot It Straight Podcast is brought to you by Sabrina Gebhardt, photographer and educator. Join us each week as we discuss what it’s like to be a female creative entrepreneur while balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. If you’re trying to find balance in this exciting place you’re in, yet willing to talk about the hard stuff too, Shoot It Straight Podcast is here to share practical and tangible takeaways to help you shoot it straight. 

Review the Show Notes:

Sharing our lowest point (2:40)

Doubling down and choosing each other (4:51)

Hidden pressures of marriage (6:36)

What we did to make things better (8:50)

Mentioned In This Episode: 

The First Class Lounge: sabrinagebhardt.com/membership

Connect with Sabrina:

Website: sabrinagebhardt.com

Instagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardt

TikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Curious about Meta Ads? In today’s episode, I’m chatting with ad specialist Brooklyn Grotte and breaking down how simple it can be to get started with ads. We’re talking about the best strategies, how affordable it actually is, plus what to do when your ads aren’t performing. 

The Shoot It Straight Podcast is brought to you by Sabrina Gebhardt, photographer and educator. Join us each week as we discuss what it’s like to be a female creative entrepreneur while balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. If you’re trying to find balance in this exciting place you’re in, yet willing to talk about the hard stuff too, Shoot It Straight Podcast is here to share practical and tangible takeaways to help you shoot it straight. 

This episode is brought to you by More Money, Less Burnout, a 14-day business reset. Each day includes short audios plus one tiny action step to help you create more income, better boundaries, and some breathing room in your business. Grab the free reset today! 

Review the Show Notes:

Meet Brooklyn (1:34)

From photographer to ad specialist (2:52)

The biggest misconception about running ads (7:14)

What to do before you invest in ads (8:15)

Where to start with lead generation ads (12:02)

What makes an ad convert (13:49)

Where to start with ad spend (17:51)

How long to wait before deciding that an ad isn’t working (20:04)

Ad metrics to watch (21:05)

What to do when an ad flops (24:04)

The first three steps to your first ad (26:37)

Mentioned In This Episode: 

More Money, Less Burnout: sabrinagebhardt.com/business-reset

Connect with Brooklyn:

Website: bizwithbrooklyn.com

Instagram: instagram.com/bizwithbrooklyn

Out Of Office Signature Program: bizwithbrooklyn.com/out-of-office

Connect with Sabrina:

Website: sabrinagebhardt.com

Instagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardt

TikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you still a bit skeptical about TikTok? In today’s episode, I’m chatting with my content strategist, Jaiden Hamilton and diving into my personal experience on the platform. We’re diving into how the algorithm differs from other platforms, how to use TikTok to benefit your business, plus your first steps for getting started. 

The Shoot It Straight Podcast is brought to you by Sabrina Gebhardt, photographer and educator. Join us each week as we discuss what it’s like to be a female creative entrepreneur while balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. If you’re trying to find balance in this exciting place you’re in, yet willing to talk about the hard stuff too, Shoot It Straight Podcast is here to share practical and tangible takeaways to help you shoot it straight.

This episode is brought to you by More Money, Less Burnout, a 14-day business reset. Each day includes short audios plus one tiny action step to help you create more income, better boundaries, and some breathing room in your business. Grab the free reset today! 

Review the Show Notes:

Meet Jaiden (2:20)

My initial feelings and journey on TikTok (2:44)

How the TikTok algorithm differs from other platforms (6:19)

The most surprising things about TikTok (11:49)

The community on TikTok (14:46)

There’s room for all types of creators (18:41)

Do you need a niche? (20:39)

Marketing a local-based business on TikTok (27:23)

The difference in content creation across platforms (28:50)

The right age for TikTok (34:23)

You just downloaded TikTok: now what? (35:24)

Advice for beginners (41:59)

Embrace being boring (or decide you’re not) (44:29)

If you’re still intimidated by TikTok (48:37)

Mentioned In This Episode: 

More Money, Less Burnout: sabrinagebhardt.com/business-reset

Connect with Jaiden: 

Website: theravesocial.com

Instagram: instagram.com/theravesocial

Connect with Sabrina:

Website: sabrinagebhardt.com

Instagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardt

TikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.