Take Your Shot Podcast

Are you deep in wedding season and feeling totally overwhelmed? Whether your editing queue is stacked sky-high, your inbox is overflowing, or social media has taken a back seat—you are not alone. In this episode, I’m walking you through how to actually thrive during busy season as a wedding photographer, instead of just surviving it.

I’m sharing how I used to feel completely burned out every summer and what finally helped me turn things around. From managing your calendar and batching client sessions to setting boundaries, organizing workflows, and outsourcing editing—you’ll walk away from this episode with practical ways to take back control and make your business more sustainable. You don’t have to live in constant chaos to be successful. Let’s get things back on track so you can keep growing your business and still have a life outside of it.

If you’re feeling stressed, behind, or out of rhythm, this is your permission to reset.

More from Take Your Shot Collective

We're here to help you build a sustainable, successful business that actually fits your life.

• Join the 3-day boot camp and check out all our other resources like dubsado and imagine AI:: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources
• Coaching with Halle: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching
• Free online community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community

Are you relying too much on Instagram and wondering how to build a more sustainable, relationship-driven business? In this episode of the Take Your Shot Podcast, I chat with renowned wedding photographer Liz Banfield about the power of relationships, long-term strategy, and showing up offline to build a business that lasts.

Liz has been a wedding and editorial photographer for over 25 years, with features in top publications like Martha Stewart Weddings, Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar. In our conversation, she shares how nurturing connections—both in-person and online—has fueled her career. She opens up about her early days in advertising, what helped her stand out in the wedding industry, and her approach to long-term success in a fast-changing world.

Whether you're new to wedding photography or ready to level up your brand, you'll walk away from this episode with tangible ways to get in the room, build your network, and position yourself for high-end visibility.

Learn more about WIPA - Wedding Industry Professionals Association

WIPA Website: https://www.wipa.org/

WIPA Minneapolis: https://www.wipa.org/minneapolis/

Connect with Liz Banfield

Instagram (Weddings): @lizbanfieldweddings

Instagram (Editorial + Brand): @lizbanfield

Website: lizbanfield.com

To request Liz’s freebie "10 Tips to Jumpstart Your Business," mention the Take Your Shot Podcast in your message via her contact form on her website!

More from Take Your Shot Collective

We're all about supporting and elevating creative business owners, and along with our weekly podcast, we’ve got even more to help you grow:

• Join our free online community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community

• Download free resources and exclusive discounts: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources

• Learn more about 1:1 coaching with Halle: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching

• Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeyourshotcollective

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review so you never miss a conversation that will help you build a business that supports your life.

Are you still doing tasks in your business that drain your time and energy? In this episode of the Take Your Shot podcast, I’m joined by Callan Faulkner, founder of The Uncommon Business and expert in AI strategy, automation, and time-saving systems. Callan breaks down how AI tools can help creative business owners streamline their operations, make decisions faster, and reclaim hours of their week.

We talk about what AI actually is, how it works behind the scenes, and how you can start using tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity to make everyday tasks—from client communication to content writing to bookkeeping—more efficient. Callan also shares real examples of how she uses AI daily in her own business and how you can apply those strategies to yours.

Whether you’re a wedding photographer, coach, or service provider, this episode is your invitation to rethink how you’re spending your time—and how AI can support you in doing more of what you’re truly meant to do.

Resources Mentioned

• Callan’s Website: https://reioptimize.com
• Callan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callanfaulkner
• Claude (for content writing and SOPs): https://claude.ai
• Perplexity (for research): https://www.perplexity.ai
• ChatGPT (for everyday automation): https://chat.openai.com
• Fireflies AI (for meeting notes and action items): https://fireflies.ai
• The Uncommon Business Masterclass: Visit https://theuncommonbusiness.co for upcoming trainings

More From Take Your Shot Collective

• Free Online Community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community
• 1:1 Coaching with Halle: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching
• Business Tools and Resources: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeyourshotcollective

If you enjoyed this episode and learned something new, leave a review and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next.

What if the real reason you’re not booking weddings isn’t about your pricing—but about how easy (or hard) you’re making it for your couples to say yes?

In this episode, I sat down with Sam Jacobson, wedding industry sales and marketing expert and founder of Ideaction Consulting, to talk about what’s actually happening in the post-pandemic wedding industry and what smart business owners can do to adapt, connect with today’s buyers, and create a business that lasts.

Sam breaks down the biggest mistakes vendors are making right now, why Gen Z couples shop differently, and exactly how to make your website, pricing, and inquiry process more effective. Whether you’re struggling to get inquiries, hearing crickets on your proposals, or just feeling stuck in this “new normal,” this episode is packed with practical insights and real talk you need to hear.

• Why the “golden age” of weddings is over—and what that means for your business
• The most common friction points that drive couples away (and how to fix them)
• How to communicate value without overselling
• Pricing do’s and don’ts for today’s market
• Key KPIs Sam tracks to monitor business health
• How to make your brand experience consistent across all touch points
• What you actually need before raising your prices again

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ideactionconsulting
• Website: https://ideactionconsulting.com
• Get 50% off a website and copy audit: https://ideactionconsulting.thrivecart.com/website-review-and-copy-audit/?coupon=HALFOFFBUNDLE
• Podcast: Own Your Business
• Services: Website audits, proposal reviews, full sales process strategy, and more

We're all about supporting and elevating creative business owners—and that doesn't stop with the podcast. Come hang with us and get the tools you need to grow:

• Free Online Community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community
• 1:1 Coaching with Halle: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching
• More Business Resources & Freebies: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources
• Instagram: @takeyourshotcollective

Getting featured in publications, podcasts, and blogs isn’t just for the "big names" in the industry—it’s for YOU, too. In this episode of the Take Your Shot podcast, I sit down with Genieva Davidson, PR strategist and founder of Genieva Bliss Media, to break down the exact steps you need to take to successfully pitch yourself for press features, speaking gigs, and guest collaborations.

We’re talking about how to get in front of the right people, where to find media opportunities, and common mistakes to avoid when pitching yourself. If you want to boost your visibility, increase your SEO, and build credibility in your industry, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you get started today.

✔️ Why pitching yourself is essential for growing your business (especially for photographers!)

✔️ Where to find press opportunities and how to know which ones are worth your time

✔️ Step-by-step guide to writing a winning pitch (and the biggest mistakes to avoid)

✔️ How getting featured improves your SEO and long-term visibility

✔️ The difference between warm and cold pitching and when to use each

✔️ Tools and platforms to find media requests (like Source of Sources and Qwoted)

✔️ How AI can hurt your chances of getting published—and what to do instead

• Connect with Genieva Davidson:
• Website: https://www.genievablissmedia.com
• Instagram: @genievablissmedia

Genieva'sOffers:

• Pocket Publicist Course
• PR Starter Pack
• Done for you PR with Genieva

Pitching & PR Platforms Genieva Recommends:

• Source of Sources (SOS) – Free press requests delivered to your inbox
• Qwoted – Connects experts with journalists looking for sources

More From Take Your Shot Collective:

• Join the Free Take Your Shot Collective Community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community
• 1:1 Coaching with Halle: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching
• More Business Resources & Freebies: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources

Selling doesn’t have to feel pushy or uncomfortable and how you approach your messaging makes all the difference. In this episode, I’m joined by Isobel Griffin, a copywriter specializing in ethical, feel-good messaging, to talk about how to confidently sell in a way that feels natural and aligned.

We talk about how to craft messaging that makes clients excited to book and mindset shifts that make a difference. Whether you’re struggling with confidence in your sales process or just want to refine your messaging, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you attract your ideal clients while staying true to your values.

• Why ethical marketing builds stronger client relationships
• How to confidently communicate your value without feeling pushy
• Three powerful sales strategies: Comparison, Common Enemy, and the IKEA Effect
• Why clarity in your offers makes it easier for clients to say yes
• How shifting your mindset around selling can lead to better results
• How feel-good marketing helps you attract more aligned clients

Connect with Isobel Griffin

• Visit Isobel’s Website
• Follow Isobel on Instagram

Resources from Take Your Shot Collective

• Business Resources
• 1:1 Coaching with Halle
• Join Our Free Online Community

Running a creative business takes a lot of time, energy, and focus. We love to create, but when it comes to having time for the back end of our business and actually working on the business, it can feel overwhelming. Have you ever struggled to know what to focus on, what to prioritize, and what will make the most impact in your business? Well then, you're going to love this episode!

Hosted by Halle Heather, this episode covers:

• How to think about and plan out your workload
• A strategic ranking system for analyzing passion and impact
• How to determine which tasks to prioritize
• What to outsource and tips for doing so effectively
• Setting yourself up for success in the long run

I'm all about supporting and elevating creative business owners, and so along with our weekly business podcast, we have so much more to share with you! Get plugged in, take what you need, and let me know how I can continue to support you in your business.

• Free Online Community: Join here
• 1:1 Coaching with Halle: Learn more
• Business Resources: Explore resources
• Let's connect on Instagram!! https://www.instagram.com/takeyourshotcollective

Have you ever felt the pull to pivot in your career but weren’t sure where to start? In this episode of the Take Your Shot podcast, I sit down with Molly Jo, a creative entrepreneur who turned her passion for calligraphy into a thriving career in murals, branding, and large-scale art. We talk about what it means to follow your curiosity, take risks, and trust the process—even when you don’t have it all figured out. Molly shares how she navigated big career shifts, built confidence in her work, and ultimately created a business that aligns with her passion. If you're a creative entrepreneur looking for inspiration and permission to pivot, this episode is for you!

• Connect with Molly Jo: Instagram | Website
• Join the Free Take Your Shot Collective Community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community
• 1:1 Coaching with Halle: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching
• Business Resources & Tools: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources

If you enjoyed this episode of the Take Your Shot Podcast, don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com
• Follow on Spotify: https://spotify.com

Let’s connect! Follow along on Instagram for more tips, stories, and support for creative entrepreneurs like you.

Instagram: @takeyourshotcollective – https://www.instagram.com/takeyourshotcollective

Do you ever feel awkward or uncomfortable when it comes to selling your photography services or products? You’re not alone! In this episode, I sit down with Ashleigh Raddatz, full-time photographer and founder of the Documentary Family Photographers (DFP) Community, to talk about how to shift your mindset around sales and make the process feel natural, easy, and even enjoyable.

Ashleigh shares how selling is really just consulting, and why reframing it this way can take the pressure off and make it easier to sell with confidence. Whether you struggle with pricing, presenting offers, selling print products, or closing the sale, this episode will give you practical tips to make sales feel like second nature—without the pressure or sleazy tactics.

• Why selling doesn’t have to feel pushy—and how to make it a conversation instead
• The biggest mistake photographers make in their sales process
• When and how to confidently present your offers
• Why planting the seed early in the client journey leads to more print and product sales
• Small shifts you can make today to book more of the right clients

• Connect with Ashleigh Raddatz:
• Instagram: @documentaryfamilyphotogs
• Website: https://www.dfpeducation.com/
• More From Take Your Shot Collective:
• Join the Free Take Your Shot Collective Community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community
• 1:1 Coaching with Halle: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching
• More Business Resources & Freebies: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources

If you enjoyed this episode of the Take Your Shot Podcast, don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: Click Here
• Follow on Spotify: Click Here

Let’s connect on Instagram for more tips, strategies, and inspiration for creative entrepreneurs like you!

📲 Instagram: @takeyourshotcollective – Follow Here

Are you making it harder than it needs to be for your clients to book with you? In this episode, I’m joined by Kelly McCracken, a certified Dubsado specialist, to break down how Dubsado’s custom proposals can streamline your booking process and increase your conversion rate. We chat about what makes Dubsado stand out from other CRMs, the power of custom proposals, and how to create an effortless client experience.

Whether you’re a photographer, wedding vendor, or service-based business owner, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to simplify your workflow and get more clients to say yes faster.

• What sets Dubsado apart from other CRMs
• How custom proposals work—and why they’re a game changer
• A simple way to structure proposals for higher conversions
• The importance of reducing friction in your client’s booking process
• How to make your proposals on-brand and visually seamless
• Other ways Dubsado can automate and simplify your business

Connect with Kelly McCracken

• Shop Dubsado Templates
• Follow Kelly on Instagram

• Try Dubsado

Resources from Take Your Shot Collective

• Business Resources
• 1:1 Coaching with Halle
• Join Our Free Online Community

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—it helps us keep bringing you the best content to grow your business.