This week’s episode is a big one. After two incredible years of building our education business, traveling, hosting retreats, and creating this community together, Devin is stepping away to focus on her family and her health after a really hard year personally.

We’ve always said the goal of business is to build a life you actually want — one that makes space for peace, family, and freedom — and this decision is part of that. I couldn’t be prouder of her for choosing what’s right, even when it isn’t easy.

We’re so damn proud of everything we built together — the events, the launches, the people we’ve met — and endlessly grateful for every single one of you who’s been part of this ride. Don’t worry: Devin’s not disappearing forever, and we’re already dreaming up ways to collaborate next year.

Moving forward, the business and podcast will be just me (Shay). I’m going to serve the hell out of you, and you can expect free events/education/coworking over the next couple of months, unfiltered education, and a whole new chapter of the show coming in the new year under a new brand.

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Destini is a force. She’s a hair + makeup artist who absolutely crushed it at our Montana photo/video retreat, but she’s also building something way bigger—pioneering curly hair and braiding in an area where hardly anyone else is doing it, pushing for diversity in vendor teams (not just diverse models), and speaking honestly about what it feels like to be a Black artist in mostly white spaces.

This episode is equal parts heartfelt, hilarious, and unfiltered. Destini shares her hot takes and pet peeves about photographers (lmao, we had to), plus what it’s really like to carve out a niche that nobody else around you is filling.

If you care about diversity in the wedding + photo/video industry, if you’re a photographer who wants to work better with hair/makeup artists, or if you just want to laugh and hear from someone unapologetically real—this one’s for you.

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This episode of The Devin and Shay Show is as raw and unfiltered as it gets. We’re spilling every single detail about hosting our Montana photo + video retreat—the wins, the mistakes, the behind-the-scenes chaos, and everything we learned about planning, marketing, and executing an event like this.

We put an enormous amount of pressure on ourselves to make this the best retreat in the industry—not just another styled shoot or business weekend, but a true experience that delivered on every level. Did we pull it off? That’s what we’re talking about here, no filter.

It’s vulnerable, it’s juicy, and we don’t hold anything back. We’re so grateful for every photographer and videographer who trusted us enough to come, and for the team that helped bring it all together in Northwest Montana.

If you’ve ever thought about hosting your own retreat, or you’re just curious what it really takes behind the scenes, this one is for you.

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In this episode of The Devin and Shay Show, Shay interviews Pinterest and SEO consultant Julia Bocchese about how photographers can use Pinterest to consistently generate inquiries. Julia shares why Pinterest should be treated like a search engine, the importance of keyword-rich pins and optimized boards, and how to use Pinterest Trends and Google Analytics for content planning. She also dives into website best practices to make sure Pinterest traffic actually converts, and when it makes sense to hire out Pinterest management. This episode is packed with actionable strategies for photographers who want leads without relying on Instagram.

SHOWNOTES: https://www.devinandshay.com/blog/why-pinterest-still-works-for-photographers-and-how-to-fix-yours

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In this episode of The Devin and Shay Show, Devin and Shay interview photographer and educator Rachel Traxler about lead generation, funnels, and SEO for photographers. Rachel explains why visibility alone won’t book clients, the six pinned Instagram posts that attract different buyer types, and how to use vendor collaborations and blog posts to boost inquiries. She also shares her strategy of creating tangible wedding albums with QR codes for venues, helping couples connect with photographers during tours. This episode is packed with actionable steps to build a photography business that isn’t reliant on social media. 

SHOWNOTES: https://www.devinandshay.com/blog/the-instagram-strategy-photographers-are-missing-and-its-only-6-posts 

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FREE VIDEO UPSELL STARTER KIT: https://devinandshay.com/starter-kit 

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 In this episode of The Devin and Shay Show, Shay interviews sales coach and strategist Megan Smyth about sales strategies every photographer and videographer needs to book more clients. Megan shares how to build a simple sales funnel using a lead magnet and email marketing, why sales calls should always end with a clear yes, no, or next step, and how to handle money objections with empathy instead of pressure. They dive into the difference between marketing and selling, how to stop relying on referrals, and the small changes that can double your conversion rates. If you’ve ever struggled with sales calls, ghosted inquiries, or wondered how email fits into your photography business, this conversation is packed with actionable strategies you can implement right away. 

SHOWNOTES: https://www.devinandshay.com/blog/photographers-stop-relying-on-referralsheres-how-to-actually-book-more-clients

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In this episode of The Devin and Shay Show, Devin and Shay talk with astrologer and transformational coach Jaz about astrology, entrepreneurship, and navigating change. They reflect on an inside joke from the early days of their business—when Jaz predicted a two-year Pluto transit just as Shay said they needed two years to reach profitability—and how it all came full circle during their rebrand. Jaz shares how chart readings can guide timing and clarity, why heart-centered people make powerful leaders, and how astrology can support creative entrepreneurs through pivots and growth.

SHOWNOTES: https://www.devinandshay.com/blog/astrology-and-business-with-jaz

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SHAY HAS THE ICK.  In this episode of The Devin and Shay Show, Devin and Shay break down why they’re ditching the word luxury in their wedding photography and videography business. They share unfiltered thoughts on how the wedding industry uses “luxury” as a buzzword for posturing, why it doesn’t reflect the couples they serve, and how photographers can build a high-end brand without selling out their values. From handling rainy elopements to dealing with out-of-touch planners, they talk about what couples actually want on their wedding day — and how staying authentic is the real key to scaling a profitable, sustainable business. 

SHOWNOTES!

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Ready to book dream photo and video clients in Glacier National Park and beyond?

In this episode, we're taking you inside the most intentional, strategy-packed, experience-driven photo and video retreat in the industry — happening this September in Northwest Montana.

We walk you through every part of the retreat — from luxury portfolio-building shoots in Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake, and the Cabins at Blacktail… to deep-dive education on SEO, blogging, hybrid shooting, video marketing, and building a client experience that books $10K+ weddings.

You’ll hear how every single detail is designed to help you scale — not just creatively, but strategically.

This isn’t a “get inspired and go home” kind of retreat. It’s an immersive, done-for-you opportunity to:

• Build a portfolio that books high-ticket clients
• Learn to upsell video and scale your business
• Get expert SEO + content marketing training
• Create content that ranks for Glacier National Park weddings, Flathead Lake elopements, and destination micro-weddings
• Actually implement everything you learn with our help

🎯 If you’re a photographer or videographer ready to elevate your brand, book better clients, and leave with a complete marketing plan… this is for you.

APPLY NOW: https://www.heythriver.com/in-person-events
Spots are limited and filling quickly.

Want to shoot in Glacier? Build a business that books itself? Create content that converts?
 This retreat is the fastest way there.
Join us in Montana → https://www.heythriver.com/in-person-events

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If you're afraid to invest in your photography or videography business, you're not alone. One of the biggest things holding creatives back is fear—fear of spending money, fear of not making it back, and fear of failure. But the truth is, fear and belief can’t exist in the same space. In this episode, we’re talking about how that fear often stems from not separating personal and business finances, and how real business growth starts when you learn to invest with a plan. We also walk through the mindset shift needed to move from scarcity to strategy and how our next retreat will help you make that shift.

If you’re ready to bet on yourself and create a business that’s built to last, apply for our Montana photography and videography retreat here:

https://www.heythriver.com/in-person-events

This is the year you stop operating like a hobbyist and start showing up like the CEO your business needs.

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!