The Lifted Lens

Have you ever bought a photography course, felt really excited… and then barely put any of it into practice?

In this episode of The Lifted Lens, I’m chatting about why buying another course can feel like moving your business forward—even when you’re still standing in the same place.

I love education, but sometimes we’re looking for more information when what we really need is the confidence to use what we already know.

If you’ve been thinking, “I’ll be ready once I’ve learnt this one more thing,” this is a little nudge to back yourself and start taking action.

You might already know more than you think. 🤎

When I started my photography business back in 2012, I thought success meant being fully booked, constantly busy and getting recognition from other photographers.

Fourteen years later, my idea of success looks completely different.

In this episode, I'm reflecting on how my priorities have changed, particularly since becoming a mum, and why I've realised that I might already have the business I spent years working towards. I just don't always remember to appreciate it!

We're talking about the pressure to be busy, comparing ourselves to what we see on Instagram, and why having a successful photography business doesn't have to mean filling every spare hour with work.

Because I still have ambitions, goals and plenty of things I want to achieve. But these days, success looks a lot more like two lovely shoots a week, time with my boys, financial freedom and actually getting to enjoy the life I'm building.

If you've ever found yourself wondering whether you're doing enough, or comparing your business to somebody else's, I think you'll relate to this one.

A little reminder: don't get so caught up chasing the next version of success that you forget to enjoy the one you've already built. 🤎

Come and say hello on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.liftedlens/

Do you actually need more photography clients… or do you just need to make more from the clients you already have?

Because more bookings aren’t always the answer.

In this episode, I’m talking about why I think photographers are so quick to focus on getting MORE clients when sometimes the biggest opportunities are already sitting inside our businesses.

I’m chatting about pricing, gallery upgrades, repeat clients, mini sessions and looking at what each booking is actually worth — rather than constantly feeling like you need to fill every gap in your diary.

Especially if, like me, you’re trying to run a profitable photography business around kids, school hours and an actual life.

Before you decide you need more enquiries, more shoots and more clients… have a look at what you could be making from the ones you already have. 🤎

Sophie x

In this episode, I’m joined by photographer, educator and host of the Mum Means Business podcast, Victoria Phipps.

Victoria and I have followed very similar paths — both starting out as wedding photographers before motherhood led us towards family photography and forced us to rethink what we wanted our businesses to look like.

We chat about Victoria’s decision to shoot exclusively on film, the moment she realised her family photography business wasn’t financially sustainable and why that led her to completely change the way she served her clients.

We also take a deep dive into in-person sales, or IPS. Victoria shares why she believes digital galleries can leave already-busy mums feeling overwhelmed, how photographers can help clients turn their images into meaningful printed products and why offering a more personal service can help us stand out, earn more and build a business that actually works around family life.

We talk honestly about the fears and resistance around moving away from digital galleries, what an IPS experience looks like in practice and how you could begin introducing a more print-led service to new and existing clients.

This conversation completely changed the way I think about in-person sales — and I think it might do the same for you.

Find Victoria:

Victoria on Instagram: @victoriaphippsmbe
Mum Means Business on Instagram: @mummeansbusinesspodcast
Listen to the Mum Means Business podcast
Visit Victoria’s website

You can also message Victoria on Instagram to learn more about her Print Over Pixels course.

If Instagram disappeared tomorrow, would you still have a way to reach the people who love your work?

In this episode of The Lifted Lens, I’m talking about why every photographer should be building an email list—even if you already have an audience on social media.

I share how I use email within my own photography business, why past clients are often your warmest audience and how my VIP list has helped me sell out mini sessions—including half of my autumn spaces within just 15 minutes.

We’ll cover:

→ Why you shouldn’t rely entirely on Instagram
→ Why you don’t need a huge email list
→ What to send when you have “nothing to say”
→ How often to email without feeling spammy
→ Using VIP lists to launch mini sessions
→ Simple ways to start growing your list from zero

Your emails don’t need to be polished, complicated or constant. They just need to help you build genuine relationships with the right people—before you have something to sell.

This week I'm sharing why I'm pressing pause on the podcast over the summer, and why I truly believe building a business that supports your life is far more important than chasing consistency for the sake of it.

I'm chatting about the season I'm in, why I'm taking a break, and giving you permission to slow down if that's exactly what you need this summer too.

I'll also be sharing a little more about my brand new Mini Session Bootcamp launching this September. If you want to feel confident and completely launch-ready for your autumn mini sessions, join the waitlist here:

👉 [JOIN THE BOOTCAMP WAITLIST]

Thank you so much for listening this season. Have the most wonderful summer, and I'll see you back here in September!

Have you ever launched mini sessions, posted "Bookings now open!"... and then heard nothing but crickets?

In this episode, I'm sharing some of the biggest mistakes I made when I first started running mini sessions, what I've learnt over the years, and why selling out your mini sessions has so much more to do with your launch strategy than the Instagram algorithm.

I also share a little sneak peek into my brand new Mini Session Bootcamp.

✨ Join the Mini Session Bootcamp waitlist here

In this episode, I'm sharing my journey with money mindset, from years of undercharging and overdelivering to slowly learning that making a profit doesn't make you greedy.

We'll chat about the money stories we carry, how they show up in our businesses, some of the books that have helped me (Get Rich, Lucky Bitch by Denise Duffield-Thomas and The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks), and why building a profitable business can give you more freedom, security and time with your family.

If you've ever felt guilty charging what you're worth, this one's for you.

If you’re a photographer and a mum, this episode is for you. I’m chatting honestly about the juggle of running a business around school runs, family life, mental load, and trying to carve out time for yourself somewhere in the middle of it all. No perfect routines here — just a real conversation about finding a rhythm that works for your season, lowering the pressure, and building a business that fits around the life you actually want.

If I had to start my photography business from absolute scratch in 2026 — no clients, no audience, no fancy website — what would I actually do? In this practical episode, I’m breaking down the simple steps I’d focus on first to start building momentum, attract those first bookings, and grow with confidence (without getting overwhelmed trying to do all the things at once). If you’re new to photography or feeling ready for a fresh start, this one’s packed with honest advice and actionable steps.