In this heartfelt interview, Elena chats with Rebecca Bloomfield, a documentary family photographer in Connecticut, about her transformation from part-time passion to full-time business owner. Rebecca shares how enrolling in the Elena S. Blair Mastermind shifted her mindset, gave her clarity in her niche, and helped her build sustainable income with intention. From photographing schools to refining her documentary style, Rebecca’s story is a beautiful reminder that building the business you want starts with believing that it’s possible.

Whether you're feeling unsure about investing in your business, struggling with pricing or packages, or afraid to niche down, this episode will remind you that growth is available, when you decide to go all in.

• How Rebecca went from four part-time jobs to full-time photographer
• Why niching down into documentary family photography was both scary and empowering
• The power of setting income goals and working toward them with intention
• Ways to balance artistic fulfillment with client expectations
• Why time-based pricing might be holding your business back

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Episode Summary:
In this inspiring episode, Elena welcomes her first guest  to the Empowered Coaching Sessions, Jaime Bugbee King, a Portland-area family photographer and educator. Jaime shares her powerful story of transitioning from a burnt-out dental hygienist to a thriving full-time photographer and business coach. Together, they explore how investing in education, embracing a luxury client experience, and building a reliable lead-generation system helped Jaime replace her salary and step confidently into her role as a creative entrepreneur.

Whether you're just starting out or feeling stuck in your growth, this conversation is a must-listen. You’ll walk away with encouragement, tangible marketing tips, and a reminder that you're capable of building something beautiful and profitable on your own terms.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why mindset and identity work are foundational to building a successful photography business
• How Jaime replaced her dental hygiene salary through intentional marketing and SEO
• Tips for transitioning from side-hustle to full-time photographer, and later into educator

Links & Resources:
Jaime Bugbee Photography on IG: @jaimebugbeephotography
Jaime Bugbee Photo Coach on IG: @jaimebugbeephotocoach
Jaime’s Education Website: https://www.jaimebugbee.com
Apply to the Elena S Blair Mastermind

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In this episode, Elena shares how to make fine art mini sessions a successful and sustainable part of your photography business. She walks you through her approach to creating minis that feel elevated, artistic, and aligned with your brand values—while also serving as a reliable income stream. Whether you’re in a slow season or just craving a creative shift, this episode gives you the clarity and encouragement to run minis your own way.

You’ll walk away with practical tips for pricing, setup, branding, and marketing so that your mini sessions don’t feel like a rushed afterthought, but instead a powerful tool to connect with ideal clients and keep your calendar full.

• How to structure mini sessions that align with a fine art brand
• The importance of visual branding and intentionality in minis
• How to price minis to make them worth your time and energy
• Why mini sessions can be a great entry point for long-term clients
• Mindset shifts around offering minis without diluting your brand

Free Fine Art Mini Session Class
ElenasBlair.com for more free education.

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In this heartfelt episode, Elena shares the story behind the creation and transformation of her signature Mastermind Retreats. From a modest gathering of 20 photographers in post-COVID Seattle to an industry-recognized annual event with over 80 attendees, these retreats have become a sanctuary for connection, creativity, and business growth. Elena walks us through the values, structure, and special moments that make the retreat unlike any other experience in the photography world—and invites you to envision your seat at the table.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The origin story of the Mastermind Retreat and how it has evolved since 2022
• What makes this retreat different from other industry events
• The intentional design behind the retreat experience: from styled shoots to print competitions
• Why community and aligned business strategy go hand in hand
• How to apply or join the waitlist for the next retreat

Links & Resources:
Apply for the next Mastermind
Learn more about the Mastermind Program

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In this episode, Elena shares how school photography—done differently—can create consistent income, boost visibility, and fuel growth in your family photography business. She breaks down the difference between outdated, stiff school portraits and the fine art, boutique model that has helped her scale to a multiple six-figure business. If you love working with children and want to eliminate the slow season, this episode opens the door to a strategy that can radically transform your business.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why school photography is more than just a side hustle
• How boutique school portraits attract your ideal family clients
• Systems that make high-volume photo days smooth and profitable
• How school photography boosts SEO and fills your calendar year-round
• Real income potential (from $5k to $300k+) with real examples

Links & Resources:
School Photography Quick Start Guide – Free Download
School Photography Course – Full System & Templates
www.elenasblair.com

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In this episode, Elena breaks down the buzz around “passive income” and gets honest about what it really means for photographers. She shares her own experience building multiple income streams and offers a practical look at how you can start earning money in your sleep—without needing a massive following or viral content. If you’ve been wondering whether you’re ready to start creating offers that generate revenue on autopilot, this bite-sized episode is your sign to begin.

• What passive income actually is—and what it’s not
• Why photographers are uniquely positioned to create profitable digital products
• How to take the first steps toward building a sustainable passive income stream

👉 Download Elena’s free 7-page Passive Income Workbook
👉 Join the Course Creation Class (starting January 5th)

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In this heartfelt episode, Elena reflects on her 15-year journey as a photographer and the lessons she wishes she had known when starting out. From embracing the slow growth of success to the importance of mentorship, marketing strategies, and honing your craft, this episode is filled with wisdom for photographers at any stage of business. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by comparison or unsure where to put your focus, Elena’s perspective will guide you toward building a grounded, sustainable, and meaningful photography business.

• Why success takes time and why that’s okay
• The power of ignoring comparison and focusing on your path
• How mentorship can rapidly accelerate your growth
• Why social media isn’t everything (and what to focus on instead)
• The underrated power of email marketing and SEO
• Why school photography can transform your income quickly
• How practice and creativity are foundational to your success

Photography Business Roadmap Freebie
Marketing the Right Way

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In this episode, Elena shares the exact strategy she’s used for over a decade to book out her photography calendar months in advance. Inspired by her own experience with her kids’ summer camp selling out in minutes, she breaks down how you can implement the same urgency and structure in your business. By leveraging email marketing, client loyalty, and scarcity, you can create a reliable stream of bookings that sustain your business year-round—without burning out or chasing leads all year.

This episode is packed with actionable advice to help you stop waiting for clients and start filling your calendar with intention.

• Why scarcity and exclusivity drive bookings
• How to use your email list as your most powerful marketing tool
• Why proactive booking beats reactive scrambling every time
• How to turn past clients into repeat, year-after-year customers
• A proven strategy to fill your calendar during Black Friday

• Black Friday Booking Class – Under $30
• Free Email List Building Guide

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In this energizing episode, Elena walks you through a step-by-step strategy to prepare for a thriving photography business in 2026. Whether you're just getting started or want to scale from part-time to full-time, this episode is packed with guidance on goal setting, marketing, mindset, and pricing. Elena shares what it really takes to plan for a profitable year ahead—and why now is the perfect time to begin laying the groundwork for the success you’re craving.

This is your invitation to take yourself seriously, set real goals, and make a plan to grow with intention.

• The first thing every photographer must do before 2026 begins
• Why you need an income goal (even if you're part-time)
• How to calculate your shoot volume based on your pricing
• The two marketing strategies that are more powerful than social media
• What role mindset plays in your profitability
• How to use the end of the year to build momentum for the new one

Apply for the Elena S Blair 5-Month Mastermind
Email Marketing Starter Guide
Photography Pricing Guide for Profitability

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In this quick and impactful episode, Elena shares her favorite time-saving strategies for photographers looking to streamline their workflows and reclaim their time. From creating email templates to batch working and outsourcing editing, this episode is packed with actionable ideas to help you stop wasting time on tasks that aren’t serving your business. If you're ready to run a more efficient and profitable photography business, this one's for you.

• How to save hours each week by using email templates and scheduling tools
• The power of batch working and why it’s a game-changer for creatives
• Why outsourcing editing or using AI tools can significantly increase your profit margins
• Practical advice on getting support at home so you can treat your business like a business

Time Saving Tips
Link to HoneyBook

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