“We remember the handful of tough clients louder than the hundreds who adored us.”

Every creative knows this feeling. You have a mountain of glowing reviews, grateful clients, emotional gallery reveals, and people who sing your praises, yet your brain fixates on that one person who wasn’t happy.

In this episode, I talk about the clients who live rent free in your head and why our brains cling to negativity so fiercely. I share real stories from my own fifteen years in business, the painful lessons those clients taught me, and how to finally stop letting one unhappy client define your worth or your work.

You will hear how to reclaim your confidence, reinforce your boundaries, and release the emotional weight of people who were never meant to stay.

What’s in this episode:

[00:30] Why one unhappy client feels louder than ninety-nine good ones
[01:40] Real stories of clients who shook my confidence
[02:10] Why pain imprints deeper than praise
[04:00] When clients drain your energy and cross boundaries
[04:50] Why resentment is a warning sign
[05:20] The importance of policies, limits, and saying no
[06:00] Rewiring your brain to stop letting negativity lead
[07:15] How to evict a client from your mental real estate
[07:45] A mindset shift to reclaim your confidence and energy

The tough clients are not the full story. When you let them take up less space in your mind, you can finally focus on the clients who valued you, the work you are proud of, and the truth of the business you have built.

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/podcast/

Art is changing and very fast. But even as technology evolves, our creativity and human touch will always matter most.

In this episode, I’m joined by Olguta Goddard of Oh My Goddard Photography to talk about artistry, authenticity, and navigating creativity in the age of AI. Olguta shares how she’s stayed grounded in her artistic vision, protected her energy, and kept creating from the heart, even when trends, tools, and expectations shift around her.

We talk about finding your creative rhythm again, balancing rest and reinvention, and trusting your instincts when it feels like the industry is moving faster than ever.

If you’ve been questioning what creativity looks like in a world of AI and constant change, this episode is for you.

What’s in this episode:

• [02:18] Why authenticity matters more than algorithms
• [05:32] How AI is changing the conversation around art and inspiration
• [10:07] Staying connected to your creative voice through rest and reflection
• [13:45] When comparison creeps in and how to reclaim your energy
• [17:58] Boundaries that protect your art and your sanity
• [21:34] A reminder that your art is still needed in a changing world

If you’ve been craving permission to slow down, reconnect with your creativity, and trust your own artistic eye again, this conversation with Olguta will help you remember why your art still matters.

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/podcast/

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“Everyone tells you to charge more. No one tells you what happens when you actually do.”

Photographers love success stories. The ones where raising your rates brings dream clients, bigger sales, and overnight growth. But what about the other side? The side no one talks about online. The side where you raise your prices and the inquiries slow to a halt, your confidence cracks, and you wonder if you just broke your business.

In this episode, I share what really happened when I raised my rates before I was ready. You’ll hear the emotional rollercoaster that followed, the pressure of industry expectations, and the mindset spiral that so many photographers silently go through.

More importantly, we’ll talk about why pricing is personal, why your math will never look like anyone else’s, and how to build a definition of success that actually fits your life, energy, and goals.

What’s in this episode:

[01:40] The shame and pressure photographers feel around pricing
[02:20] Photographer emotional math and why it wrecks confidence
[03:30] Why pricing is not one size fits all
[04:40] Understanding the real cost of your life and business
[06:20] How your definition of success evolves over time
[07:25] What it really means when inquiries slow after raising rates
[08:00] The four reminders you need before changing your prices

You’re allowed to define success in a way that fits your life, your energy, and the clients you want to serve. Your pricing doesn’t have to match anyone else’s to be valid.

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/podcast/

“Is overdelivering actually just overcompensating because you’re scared?”

That thought struck me because sometimes the urge to give more and more isn’t just generosity, it’s fear. Fear of not being enough, fear of disappointing clients, fear of rejection.

In this episode, I’m unpacking the tension between generosity and overcompensation. I’m sharing how I’ve learned to find the sweet spot where giving feels joyful, not draining and why believing your work and presence are enough might be the most generous gift of all.

What’s in this episode:

• [00:35] Why overdelivering isn’t always generosity
• [01:45] How fear sneaks in and moves the bar higher and higher
• [03:00] What clients actually want (hint: not hundreds of images)
• [04:15] The endless loop of overdelivering and exhaustion
• [05:45] Experiments with setting limits and boundaries
• [07:20] Learning to sit with “enough” and trust your art
• [08:00] Why generosity rooted in fear isn’t generosity at all

If you’ve ever felt caught in the loop of ‘more, more, more,’ this episode is a reminder that your art, your presence, and your energy are already enough

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/podcast/

Creativity isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s the quiet seasons that bring us home to ourselves again.

In this episode, I’m joined by Kelsey Freeman of Kelsey Freeman Photography, and we’re diving into what it really looks like to show up online and take care of your creative energy at the same time. We talk about TikTok wins and the reality behind them, how to develop the confidence to post imperfectly, and the burnout that can sneak up when your creativity becomes “content”.

Kelsey generously shares how stepping back helped her step forward again with more clarity, healthier boundaries, and content rooted in connection rather than performance.

If you’ve ever felt torn between needing to “be visible” and needing to breathe, this episode is the permission slip you’ve been waiting for.

What’s in this episode:

• [00:00] Kelsey shared how she grew through viral content
• [02:20] The real-life impact of a post that took off
• [04:50] Why going “viral” isn’t always victory
• [07:15] Making content on social media that feels like you
• [09:30] Building confidence on camera even if you feel cringey
• [14:50] When creativity collapses into burnout
• [18:40] Boundaries, rest, and coming back to joy
• [24:10] A pep talk for artists afraid to return after a break

If you’ve ever felt torn between visibility and burnout, this conversation will show you a healthier, happier way to show up and be seen.

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/podcast/

Grab your spot for the 2025 Online Newborn Retreat!

“Clients aren’t a social life.”

As photographers and creatives, we give so much of ourselves to our clients, creating joy and memories for their families. But if we’re not careful, our clients can become our only source of adult connection and the loneliness that creeps in is real.

In this episode, I’m sharing my honest reflections on hidden loneliness, why client interactions can’t replace real friendship, and how to start making space for joy and connection outside of business and family roles.

What’s in this episode:

• [00:35] The hidden loneliness of working from home
• [01:30] Why client interactions aren’t the same as friendship
• [02:30] How loneliness shows up in sneaky ways
• [03:20] The irony of creating joy for clients but not for ourselves
• [04:45] Why fun and friendship have to be intentional
• [05:40] A gentle reminder: you are more than your business and motherhood

This is your reminder that you’re allowed to have joy and connection outside of your work and motherhood — because you deserve it

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/podcast/

Newborn photography is part art and part patience, and no one embodies that balance like Johna Musarra of Three J’s Photography.

In this episode, Johna joins me to share her journey from 20 years at Starbucks to 13 years behind the camera as a full-time newborn photographer. We talk about how her style evolved through trial and error, the importance of patience (both with babies and yourself), and how she helps students bridge the gap between “good” and “great.”

She also reveals her approach to color harmony and client styling, how she handles unusual requests (grab your antlers and baby poop stories), and what she’ll be teaching at the 2025 Online Newborn Retreat. Johna also shares the moment she stopped chasing trends and started creating from her heart and it’s a lesson every artist needs to hear.

What’s in this episode:

• [03:00] The story behind the name Three J’s Photography
• [05:00] How her style evolved through trial and error
• [06:00] Why patience matters more than perfection
• [10:00] Teaching workshops and helping photographers grow
• [11:00] Creating cohesive color harmony in every gallery
• [13:00] Staying confident when clients request something different
• [17:00] Following your creative instincts
• [19:00] Avoiding trends and finding what makes your work unique
• [20:00] Beating creative boredom without buying more props
• [27:00] Owning your growth and celebrating how far you’ve come
• [31:00] Johna’s 2025 Retreat class on wrapping and maximizing setups

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/podcast/

Grab your spot for the 2025 Online Newborn Retreat!

“If your business looks amazing online but secretly drains the life out of you, that’s a problem.”

In a world obsessed with aesthetics, metrics, and viral posts, it’s easy to confuse visibility with success. But what if the business that truly supports your life doesn’t photograph well for Instagram?

In this episode, I’m getting honest about redefining success, setting boundaries, and building a business that feels aligned, not just impressive. I’m giving you a look into my own lessons about letting go of over-delivering, working weekends, and chasing trends, and inviting you to create a version of success that actually feels good inside your real life.

What’s in this episode:

• [00:35] Why your business doesn’t need to look “impressive” online
• [01:00] How Instagram rewards performance over peace
• [01:45] What success really looks like behind the scenes
• [02:30] The cost of over-delivering and over-working
• [03:00] Why visibility isn’t the same as joy
• [03:45] Redefining success on your own terms
• [04:40] Choosing peace and alignment over aesthetics

You don’t need a business that wins the algorithm. You need one that gives you your life back.

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/podcast/

Newborn photography is an art—but it’s also a responsibility. Ensuring baby safety while ALSO protecting your own body is key to a long, successful career. But when it comes to caring for our own bodies, how can we actually fit that into our busy photographer lives?

Well, Jamie Noyes, a photographer with a background in physical therapy, is here with her best tips for caring for ourselves while we care for our infant clients.

In this episode, Jamie and I talk through baby safety and proper infant posing, how to build connections with clients during sessions, and the common mistakes she sees photographers making that can lead to injuries. Plus, she’s breaking down simple stretches and habits photographers can use to relieve pain that might already be bothering you.

If you’ve been interested in body mechanics (both for yourself and your clients), this episode with Jamie is one you can’t miss!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[01:51] Jamie’s unique history in physical therapy and how it’s influenced her photography career

[07:40] The safety concerns around certain photography poses for babies

[12:37] What photographers can do to prevent common injuries and pain from their profession

[18:09] Stretches and exercises that photographers can use to relieve pain from common injuries

[21:38] Small habits that photographers can incorporate to take care of their bodies

[25:08] A little pep talk for photographers that are doubting themselves or their abilities

[29:47] Jamie’s lightning round

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/podcast/

Grab your spot for the 2025 Online Newborn Retreat!

“Your energy is a luxury item—and not everyone can afford it.”

When Taylor Swift said this, it hit me right in the gut. Because it’s true: your energy, presence, and emotional labor aren’t disposable. They’re rare, valuable, and worth protecting.

In this episode, I share how I've learned to guard my energy in my photography business and life. From saying no to summer sessions that drained me, to slowing down during newborn shoots, to setting boundaries that honor my time and creativity, you’ll see how important it is to reframe the value of your energy for yourself and your clients.

What’s in this episode:

• [00:35] Why your energy is not cheap or disposable
• [02:12] How energy leaks show up in photography work and life
• [06:45] A personal story about saying “no” to client sessions for rest
• [12:20] How calming energy transformed a stressful newborn shoot
• [16:40] Practical ways to protect your energy as a photographer

Tune in to learn how protecting your energy helps you show up more fully as a photographer, create sustainably in your business, and live with intention.

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/podcast/