The Art & Soul Show - Photography Podcast for Newborn and Family Photographers

When it comes to sharing her love of art, color, photography, and business, Kellee Wynne isn’t shy. But that openness and willingness to say what’s on her mind didn’t always feel like a good thing when she was growing up. Instead, it’s been a skill she’s spent more than a decade refining and cultivating through her various business ventures as an artist, author, business mentor, and podcaster.

In this episode, Kellee and I chat all about sharing knowledge and cultivating a community online. We dive into why speaking your mind is a gift to your audience (and it's not actually pushy or bossy!) We also chat about her brilliant marketing skills, from how she dives into the mind of her clients to streamlining her content creation process–and why even though we might be multi-passionate as creatives, we still need to niche down when it comes to business. 

There is SO MUCH wisdom in this fun conversation! Let’s dive in!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[02:26] Why Kellee Wynne founded her company, Color Crush Creative

[07:45] Why understanding your customer’s desires is the key to effective marketing

[11:52] The Primary Content Machine and how Kellee uses it to streamline her content creation

[17:32] How Kellee helps her clients to find clarity on what they want and need

[23:44] How Kellee is embracing AI and learning to integrate it into her business

[31:04] Why Kellee values “we over me” and incorporates community values into her mentoring business

[34:32] How multi-passionate artists can embrace their interests while also niching down to create a more sustainable business

[38:40] Kellee’s lightning round

Tune in to this episode to learn how Kellee Wynne takes mentoring creatives to the next level!

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/boss-not-bossy-how-kellee-wynne-helps-others-fulfill-their-dreams-by-sharing-her-knowledge-and-why-you-should-too/

Grab your replay of the 2024 {online} Family Retreat!

The age of AI is here… and that’s not a comforting realization for many of us working in the creative field. But the technology isn’t going away, so what if we could use AI tools to elevate our work, instead of replacing us?

That’s the future Justin Benson and the team at Aftershoot have in mind for AI in the photography field. In today’s episode, Justin shares just what Aftershoot is, why it can be a game-changing assistive technology for photographers, and how he hopes the creative world will adapt to the advent of AI.

If you’ve been struggling to make sense of AI’s introduction into photography, this conversation will be so uplifting and encouraging for you. Let’s dive in!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[02:35] What Aftershoot is and how it can help photographers (especially if you’re an over-shooter)

[08:57] How Aftershoot is continuing to improve and add additional features

[11:08] How the concept for Aftershoot was developed and why it’s always had elevating photographers as a core ethos

[14:41] Some workarounds to use Aftershoot in a variety of workflows

[17:33] How Justin sees AI continuing to evolve in the photography field

[22:14] Justin’s best advice to photographers just starting to incorporate AI into their workflow

[28:31] Justin’s lightning round, including a few more tips for beginning photographers

Tune in to this episode to learn more about how we can grow with AI technology like Aftershoot as photographers!

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/how-embracing-an-ai-workflow-can-help-you-become-a-more-efficient-photographer-with-justin-benson/

Get access to the 2024 Family Retreat, starting May 15th!

Before Valerie Eidson found photography, she tried every other creative field first. Eventually, she found herself behind a camera with a new problem: how to learn and develop her own voice and style.

In today’s episode, Valerie and I sit down to chat about the key decisions that helped her create her own unique perspective when it comes to her photography. She shares her best advice for other photographers just starting out (spoiler: you just have to keep shooting), and how she navigates the balance between fostering creativity, her business, and her family!

This episode is full of amazing advice. Let’s jump in!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[02:20] Valerie shares all the creative careers she tried before finding photography

[07:00] How Valerie navigates her way out of creative droughts

[11:25] How Valerie manages the demands of her family and her business

[16:25] How Lisa and Valerie are both experimenting with AI (and navigating the pros and cons of these new systems)

[22:59] Valerie’s advice for finding your own unique creative voice

[25:17] How Valerie tries to balance shooting vs editing in a way that doesn’t feel totally overwhelming

[31:15] Valerie’s lightning round

Tune in to this episode to learn more about the unique way Valerie developed her voice as a photographer!

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/take-your-shot-how-to-find-your-unique-photography-voice-with-valerie-eidson/

Get access to the 2024 Family Retreat, starting May 15th!

While artistic interest runs in Anna Kruse’s family, she didn’t immediately take an interest in photography. In fact, she didn’t even begin photography until she became a mother, but it wasn’t until the loss of her father that she finally decided to make photography into her career, after truly understanding the gift of captured memories. 

In today’s episode, Anna vulnerably shares her story of love, loss, and passing her family’s artistic legacy to another generation. She explains what photography means to her and why it’s drawn her into family photography. She also shares how these experiences have helped her to connect with her families and capture their own vulnerable, open moments on camera.

This episode is so tender and meaningful. Let’s jump in!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[02:31] The familial loss that propelled Anna into her photography career

[08:08] How Anna’s change in environment affected the way she approaches photography

[11:03] Why Anna is so passionate about capturing family connections

[17:20] The unique way Anna thinks about storytelling when capturing these sweet family moments

[23:19] The best piece of business advice Anna has ever received

[25:31] How Anna sets families at ease when capturing vulnerable moments on camera

[31:42] Anna’s lightning round

Tune in to this episode to learn how Anna Kruse’s unique family history has influenced her photography career!

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/love-loss-and-legacies-why-anna-kruse-is-so-passionate-about-capturing-timeless-family-moments/

Get access to the 2024 Family Retreat, starting May 15th!

When it comes to motherhood and business, there is no perfect balance. In some seasons, one takes precedence over the other… and that’s okay! Finding success in both requires holding space and giving ourselves grace when both parts of our life feel less than harmonious. 

In this episode, family photographer Aspen Dawn shares how exactly she goes about navigating the ebb and flow of motherhood and her photography business. She shares the mental health struggles she’s faced and the ways she gives herself compassion to keep herself mentally well as she manages a thriving business. 

This episode is SO raw and real. You can’t miss it!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[04:58] Aspen shares how motherhood propelled her into photography

[10:11] What inspired Aspen to focus on motherhood, family, and maternity photography

[13:14] How Aspen does (and doesn’t) find harmony between her family and her photography career

[21:19] Why Aspen is a passionate mental health advocate and how she prioritizes her well-being to stay mentally and physically healthy

[26:43] Aspen’s tips for capturing authentic family connections in photography 

[30:00] Aspen’s lightning round

Tune in to this episode to learn how Aspen Dawn navigates motherhood and mental health while running a thriving photography business!

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/ebb-and-flow-the-myth-of-finding-balance-as-a-mother-and-business-owner-with-aspen-dawn/

Get on our waitlist for  the 2024 Family Retreat, starting May 15th!

Sandy beaches, wind and waves, and small children everywhere… sounds like a recipe for chaos when it comes to a photoshoot, right? Well, to be honest, it is! And that’s okay with Kristen Coberly. 

In this episode, Kristen shares how she’s learned to embrace the chaos of photographing large families by planning for multiple outcomes, going with the flow, and learning to turn toddler meltdowns into memorable keepsakes. She shares her very best tips for photographing big families, including the pre-session prep she does with each family. 

This episode is so fun and chock-full of helpful tidbits! Let’s dive in!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[02:03] How Kristen got her start in photography (and why she loves large families so much!)

[04:05] Kristen’s best tips for keeping photo sessions with large families fun and stress-free

[10:44] How Kristen stays flexible and fluid when it comes to her beach photography sessions

[17:44] Kristen’s unique take how she manages her shot lists

[20:21] How Kristen manages kiddos who just aren’t cooperating at her photo sessions and her “Sand, Nap, Snack” strategy

[26:00] Kristen’s Lightning Round

Tune in to this episode to learn how Kristen Coberly keeps her large family photo sessions fun and as stress-free as possible!

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/from-chaos-to-keepsakes-the-joy-of-photographing-large-families-with-kristen-coberly/

Grab the replay for the 2024 Online Newborn Retreat!

For Liz Devinny, photography isn’t her only interest. In fact, her passion for art and education (she’s a middle school and high school teacher!) led her into her photography career. Along the way, she’s developed her own playful, bright style by experimenting with color and using her teaching experiences to set all of the family members at her photo shoots at ease.

In this episode, Liz shares how she got started in photography, how she created her signature style and encourages her students to do the same, and how she gets older children to open up and feel more comfortable at her photo sessions.

If you’re looking to add more ease and fun into your family photography sessions,  you can't miss this episode. Let’s dive in!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[02:57] Liz introduces herself and her passions, including education, art, and photography

[05:09] How Liz helps her students develop their own signature style through experimentation and exploration

[09:20] The techniques Liz uses to help her clients loosen up so she can catch relaxed, fun feelings on camera

[14:48] Liz’s advice for how photographs can avoid and recover from burnout

[20:13] How to set boundaries for a photographer – and why you really need them

[24:22] Liz’s advice for getting older children to feel more comfortable and participate in photoshoots

[33:13] Details on Liz’s upcoming workshop in Ireland and how you can plan your own international workshops

Tune in to this episode to learn how Liz Devinny fosters a playful atmosphere at every photo session!

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/play-prompts-and-passion-how-liz-devinny-creates-playful-photography-masterpieces/

Grab the replay for the 2024 Online Newborn Retreat!

Iwona Podlasinska started her career as an architect, but once she became a mother, she discovered her newest inspiration: her children. That prompted her to pivot into the world of photography, and she’s been honing her creative craft ever since!

In today’s episode, Iwona and I chat about her incredible career as she’s focused on fine art children’s portraiture and educating other photographers. We dive into how she’s developed her own eye-catching style, how she thinks about composition, and the way she directs her clients to capture just the right mood in every portrait. 

If you’ve ever wanted to dip your toes into fine art photography, you can't miss this episode. Let’s dive in!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[03:27] Iwona shares how she got her start in photography and why she focused on education early

[05:41] How Iwona uses social media and how she rebuilt after losing her Instagram account

[12:42] What inspires Iwona and how she’s created her signature style

[18:27] How Iwona manages traveling for her work as a photographer with two small children at home

[25:31] How Iwona sets the mood in her photography sessions through composition choices and direction for her clients and models

[41:09] The new teaching models Iwona is working on to continue educating other photographers

Tune in to this episode to learn how Iwona Podlasinska crafts her magical fine art children’s portraits!

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/scroll-stopping-storytelling-creating-fine-art-childrens-portraits-with-photographer-iwona-podlasinska/

Grab the replay for the 2024 Online Newborn Retreat!

Nicole didn’t start her career as a photographer. She just had a love for animals and knew she wanted to work with them forever! When she finally did pick up a camera, it took her a few years before she niched down to just pet portraits, but since then, she’s created a thriving, profitable business doing just that!

In this episode, I chat with guest Nicole Begley on what got her into photography, why niching down was a scary, but necessary, choice for her business, and the mindset changes that allowed her to reach real profitability in her photography business. Nicole is also a brilliant educator (and teacher at our upcoming Family Photography Online Retreat), and she shares the four stages all of us as photographers go through and what we need to move forward in each stage.

This episode has something for everyone. Let’s dive in!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[02:27] Nicole explains her life-long love of animals

[05:09] Why Nicole is a huge proponent of niching down and how niching down to pet photography elevated her own business

[10:49] How Nicole prepares for her pet photography sessions and interacts with her furry friends the day of the session

[16:35] How Nicole handles nervous pet owners 

[20:28] The four stages of photography business that every photographer goes through 

[26:09] The messaging shifts photographers need to make to move through each stage

[30:29] Nicole’s lightning round, including her best business advice!

Tune in to this episode to learn how niching down can help you create a thriving photography business, just like Nicole has done with pet portraits!

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/a-passion-for-pet-portraits-making-furry-friend-photography-a-profitable-business-with-nicole-begley/

Grab the replay for the 2024 Online Newborn Retreat!

As creatives, the legal side of running a business can be really intimidating for us. What protection do we need? Can we just use a contract from the internet? What do we do when someone steals our photographs?!

Well, in today’s episode, I’m chatting with Kiffanie Stahle to answer all your burning legal questions and hopefully ease some of your fears around the legal process! Kiffanie is so gracious and takes her time explaining exactly what we need to know about contracts, copyrights, liabilities, and payment policies. 

If you’ve been avoiding some of the legal tasks in your business because it’s felt too overwhelming, this episode is for you! Let’s dive in!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[02:43] How Kiffanie created the magical life she is currently living in her RV 

[05:00] Why contracts aren’t as scary as creatives make them seem, but why you should still have a lawyer create a custom one for you

[10:24] The kinds of clauses and additions you do –and don’t– need in your photography contract

[18:34] Everything you need to know about protecting your copyrights as a small business photographer

[33:07] What photographers should know when writing their pricing and payment policies

[39:24] How photographers can protect themselves from liability in a variety of situations

[43:55] The double-edged sword of social media for photographers

[47:48] Kiffanie’s lightning round, including some really creative business advice she has to share

Tune in to this episode to learn about the must-do legal tasks for your photography business to set yourself up for success!

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: http://themilkyway.ca/contracts-copyrights-and-copycats-the-must-do-legal-tasks-for-your-photography-business-with-kiffanie-stahle/

Grab the replay for the 2024 Online Newborn Retreat!