In this heartfelt episode of The Photographer’s Couch, Megan shares a powerful reminder that’s as true in business as it is in life: stop changing who you are because of how someone else reacts.

As a mom, business owner, and human navigating everyday life, Megan has learned this lesson over and over — through her kids, clients, and her own reactions. When someone is unkind, rude, or frustrating, it’s easy to mirror their behavior. But when you do that, you’re letting them take control of your emotions — and your character.

This episode is about taking your power back by staying grounded in who you are, no matter how others act.

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🧠 Key Takeaways

• You don’t have to match someone’s energy. Just because someone else is rude, impatient, or dismissive doesn’t mean you have to stop being kind, loving, or compassionate.

• Kind doesn’t mean weak. You can set boundaries and speak truth while still being a caring and grounded person.

• Grace doesn’t erase accountability. Sometimes telling someone the truth — even when it’s hard — is the most loving thing you can do.

• Reacting gives away your power. Every time you let someone else’s behavior change who you are, you give them control over your peace.

• Let it go. Don’t keep replaying the story, retelling it, or giving it more energy than it deserves. You get to choose how long it lives in your mind.

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💬 Real-Life Reflection

Megan shares how she teaches her kids this same idea:

“If someone is mean to you, don’t be mean back. Why let them change who you are?”

She’s honest about how hard this can be — even as adults — whether it’s someone cutting you off in traffic, leaving a rude comment online, or saying something hurtful. But the real strength is in pausing, giving yourself grace, and choosing to respond with the same compassion and kindness you want to live by.

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💡 The Big Reminder

“When you let someone else’s behavior change who you are, you give them power.

Stay kind. Stay loving. Stay you.”

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🗣️ Connect with Megan

If this episode resonated with you, Megan would love to hear your thoughts or stories about choosing kindness in hard moments.

Tag her on Instagram @mgioeliphotography (https://www.instagram.com/mgioeliphotography) or message her through https://www.mgioeliphotography.com

In this episode of The Photographer’s Couch, Megan opens up about what she no longer photographs — and how letting go can actually grow your business.

When she started over 15 years ago, she said yes to everything: weddings, newborns, birthday parties, boudoir sessions — all of it. Like many photographers, she thought success meant doing it all.

But through experience and burnout, she learned that real growth comes from clarity — knowing what brings you joy and what doesn’t. This episode is equal parts encouragement and permission slip for every creative who’s struggled to niche down or felt guilty about saying no.

🧠 Key Takeaways

• You don’t have to photograph everything. Saying “no” creates space for the work you love.
• Exploring early on helps you discover your niche — you often have to try it all before you know.
• Balance matters. Offering a few session types (families, seniors, branding) helps through slower seasons.
• It’s okay to evolve. Your business will change — give yourself permission to pivot.

📸 What Megan No Longer Photographs

1️⃣ Newborns (Mostly)

• No more in-home, prop-heavy sessions.
• Now focuses on lifestyle newborn sessions — simple, natural, connection-driven.
• Refers fully posed newborn work to Kim Sha’s Photography in Clemmons, NC.

2️⃣ Boudoir

• Tried it, realized it’s not for her — and that’s okay!
• Appreciates the genre but prefers to stay within her style and comfort zone.

3️⃣ Weddings

• No longer books full-day or large weddings.
• Still enjoys small, intimate celebrations (under four hours).
• Prioritizes balance, family time, and aligned projects.

4️⃣ Birthday Parties

• No full event coverage.
• Will capture milestone portraits or family moments but not entire parties.

5️⃣ Santa Sessions

• After years of magical holiday events — including her Toys for Tots sessions — Megan officially stepped away in 2025.
• Her longtime Santa retired, and she chose to close that chapter to welcome new creative energy.

💡 Real Talk: Finding Your Niche

“When I started, I thought I had to do it all to be an expert. What I learned is that doing it all helped me figure out what I actually love.”

Megan reminds photographers and entrepreneurs that you don’t have to know your niche right away. Try things. Learn. And when something stops feeling right — release it without guilt.

Your business should grow with you, not drain you.

🗣️ Connect with Megan

If you’re a photographer or small business owner navigating your own “what to let go of” season, Megan loves connecting and encouraging others.

📩 Reach out through mgioeliphotography.com or connect on Instagram @mgioeliphotography.

In this episode of The Photographer’s Couch, Megan dives into one of the most common questions photographers and small business owners ask: “How do I book more clients?”

She’s not a marketing expert — she’s a photographer who’s spent 15 years building a business that thrives through consistency, trust, and connection. These aren’t quick fixes. They’re simple, proven strategies that help you build momentum and keep your calendar full — without burning out or discounting your value.

Whether you’re a photographer, creative, or small business owner, this episode gives you real, repeatable steps to attract the right clients and grow a sustainable business.

🧠 Key Takeaways

• There’s no magic button for booking clients. Growth comes from consistency, not slashing prices.
• Start small, but start now. Pick one strategy and stick with it.
• Focus on these three marketing pillars:
  1. Blogging – boosts SEO and gives you shareable content.
  2. Email Marketing – builds lasting client relationships.
  3. Social Media – keeps your face and brand visible.

✏️ Megan’s Core Strategies

1️⃣ Blogging Blogging might seem old school, but it’s still one of the most powerful ways to stay visible online.

• Helps your website rank on Google (use local keywords like “family photographer in Mocksville, NC”).
• Gives you content to repurpose for emails and social posts.
• Lets potential clients connect with your voice and style. Pro Tip: Even one post a month works — just stay consistent.

2️⃣ Email Marketing If you have clients, you need an email list.

• Use it to nurture relationships, not just sell.
• Share behind-the-scenes updates, tips, and session openings.
• Stay top-of-mind so clients think of you first when they’re ready to book. Megan’s Routine: She emails every Thursday, but starting monthly is perfect.

3️⃣ Social Media Social media might not be where clients find you first — but it’s where they decide to trust you.

• Post regularly so your business looks active and reliable.
• Focus on connection, not perfection.
• Use Instagram Stories to build trust — show your face, talk about your process, and share real moments. Tip: Reels are great, but if you’re short on time, show up in Stories.

💡 Real Talk

“You are responsible for booking your clients. You can’t expect results if you’re not showing up.”

Marketing is a long game. You don’t have to do everything at once — just choose a few things you can do consistently and commit to them. That’s how you build trust, visibility, and a business that lasts.

💬 Want Help Getting Started?

If you’re a photographer or small business owner feeling stuck with blogging, email marketing, or social media — Megan loves helping entrepreneurs find clarity and confidence in their marketing.

📩 Reach out anytime at mgioeliphotography.com or connect on Instagram @mgioeliphotography.

In this short but powerful episode of The Photographer’s Couch, Megan shares one of her favorite mindset shifts inspired by Mel Robbins — the reminder that “No one is coming for you.”

Whether you’re building a business, chasing a dream, or just trying to get yourself off the couch and moving again, this phrase is a wake-up call. It’s not meant to discourage — it’s meant to empower. Because the truth is, no one else can want your life, your goals, or your growth more than you do.

Megan opens up about how this message shows up in her everyday life — both as a business owner and as a mom — and how she uses it to motivate herself (and her kids) to take action, even when it’s hard.

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🧠 Key Takeaways

• You are your biggest motivator. Others can cheer you on, but no one can take the steps for you.

• No one is coming to save you. The sooner you embrace that truth, the more power you have to create the life you want.

• Self-discipline is self-respect. Doing the things you don’t want to do — because you know they’ll get you closer to what you want — builds confidence and momentum.

• You can find your own way to “make yourself do it.” For Megan, the phrase “no one is coming for you” is the reminder that gets her unstuck every time.

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👩‍👧 Real-Life Reflection

As a mom, Megan reminds her kids that she’ll always be one of their biggest cheerleaders — but she can’t want their dreams more than they do. Whether it’s practicing, studying, or showing up when it’s tough, it’s up to them to make it happen.

And the same is true for business owners. No one’s coming to build your brand, post your content, or make the hard decisions — that’s all you. But that’s also the beauty of it: you have the power to change everything.

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💡 The Big Reminder

No one is coming to do it for you.

But the second you realize that — and decide to do it for yourself — you take back all the power.

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🔗 Mentioned in This Episode

• Mel Robbins: “No One Is Coming to Save You” video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_BFh3lrUgI

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🗣️ Connect with Megan

If this message hit home, let Megan know!

Share your biggest takeaway or tag her on Instagram @mgioeliphotography (https://www.instagram.com/mgioeliphotography)

Taking Responsibility: A Simple Shift That Changes Everything

💬 Episode Summary

In this episode of The Photographer’s Couch, Megan gets real about the word responsibility — and how shifting your mindset around it can completely change your business, your relationships, and your peace of mind.

This one is honest and unfiltered — because it took her three tries to record it just right. But sometimes, that’s exactly what growth looks like. Megan shares how she learned to stop outsourcing her emotions, decisions, and results to others — and instead, started taking ownership of her role as a mom, business owner, and human being.

It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

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🧠 Key Takeaways

• Responsibility isn’t punishment — it’s power. When you take ownership of your business, your emotions, and your choices, you take back control of your life.

• Hard conversations matter. Whether it’s with your kids, your clients, or yourself — responsibility sometimes looks like saying the thing you don’t want to say but know you should.

• You can’t control everything, but you can always control the next move. Even when life throws something big at you, your next decision is still yours.

• Stop outsourcing your feelings. Other people don’t make you feel a certain way — you get to decide how you respond.

• Your day can turn around at any moment. It’s not about pretending everything’s fine — it’s about taking responsibility for how you want to move forward.

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🪞Megan’s Real-Life Examples

• Parenting Moment: Instead of ignoring a hard moment with her kids, Megan reminded herself — it’s my responsibility as their mom — and had the tough but necessary talk.

• Business Boundaries: When a client situation wasn’t right, she had to choose between resentment and responsibility. She chose the hard conversation.

• Everyday Shift: After a rough morning, she decided to change the energy — writing her kids short encouragement notes instead of staying frustrated.

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💡The Big Perspective Shift

Taking responsibility isn’t about guilt or blame — it’s about empowerment.

When you own your choices, your mindset, and your next steps, you get your peace and confidence back.

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🗣️ Call to Action

What’s one area of your life or business where you need to take responsibility again?

Send Megan a DM or tag her on Instagram @mgioeliphotography (https://www.instagram.com/mgioeliphotography) — she’d love to hear how this message lands with you.

Welcome back to The Photographer’s Couch! I’m your host, Megan Gioeli, and today we’re talking about something I see all the time during this busy sports season: passionate sports parents.

First, let me say this—I applaud you. To every parent hauling chairs, cheering from the bleachers, driving to practices, and showing up week after week: you are the heartbeat of youth sports. Your encouragement and presence make the experience better not just for your child, but for every kid on the field.

But then there’s the flip side—the parents whose passion comes out as negativity. The ones yelling at refs, criticizing plays, or shouting at kids from the stands. It’s distracting, unhelpful, and, honestly, it takes away from the experience for everyone else.

Here’s what I unpack in this episode:

• The difference between positive passion and negative outbursts.
• Why consistent criticism from the sidelines doesn’t help kids, refs, or coaches.
• How our emotions as parents can cross the line from supportive to distracting.
• Why kids will remember how they felt supported far more than the score of a single game.

✨ Takeaway: Keep showing up. Keep cheering. Let your passion be the kind that lifts kids up, makes sports fun, and creates memories of encouragement and joy. Passion is powerful—but positive passion is what truly lasts.

Welcome back to The Photographer’s Couch! I’m your host, Megan Gioeli, a photographer here in the Triad, and this podcast is my little corner to have real, relaxed conversations—just like we’re sitting together on the couch.

In today’s episode, I’m diving into something that trips so many of us up: the fine line between research and overthinking. Research is valuable—we need it when making decisions about things like choosing insurance, hiring a contractor, or buying a car. But what happens when the “research” becomes endless? When it actually stops us from taking action?

Here’s what we talk about in this episode:

• How research can morph into procrastination and inaction.
• Real-life examples of getting “stuck” in research mode.
• Why due diligence matters (and how skipping it can create problems).
• The role anxiety, past experiences, and lack of support play in our decision-making.
• How to recognize when you’re overthinking versus gathering necessary information.

At the end of the day, research should move you forward, not hold you back. If you find yourself circling the same options, it may be time to pause, trust yourself, and just take the next step.

✨ Takeaway: Ask yourself—Is this research helping me move forward, or is it keeping me stuck?

Welcome back to The Photographer’s Couch! I’m your host, Megan Gioeli, and today I’m walking and talking about a simple phrase that’s been hitting home for me lately: Clear is Kind.

It might sound small, but this idea shows up everywhere—our marriages, parenting, friendships, and even in business. So often, frustration doesn’t come from what someone else did or didn’t do, but from our own lack of clarity.

Here’s what we dive into in this episode:

• Why vague communication sets people up to fail.
• Real-life examples from my marriage and parenting (like “clean your room” meaning 10 different things in my head vs. what my kids actually heard).
• How avoiding clarity often comes from wanting to protect feelings, but ends up creating confusion and resentment.
• Why clarity is an act of kindness in business—especially when it comes to setting client expectations.
• How consistency and transparency build trust with clients and relationships alike.

✨ Takeaway: When we are clear, we are kinder. Don’t expect people to read your mind—whether it’s your spouse, your kids, or your clients. Say what you mean, be transparent about what you offer, and give others the chance to show up for you.

Welcome back to The Photographer’s Couch! In this episode, I’m walking and talking with you about something that’s been on my mind all week: the difference between intentional action and hustle.

We’ve all been there—life feels chaotic, the to-do list is overflowing, and the only option seems to be to push through with a burst of energy. That’s hustle. But what happens when the hustle becomes your default mode? Stress, exhaustion, and a sense of being out of control.

I’m sharing:

• Why I don’t love the word “hustle,” but why I still think it has its place.

• How hustling to clean my house or finish edits isn’t enough without intentional action to prevent overwhelm next time.

• A real-life example of how my son’s driving hours turned from a hustle into a plan with just 15 minutes of intentional strategy.

• Why intentional action feels lighter, easier, and more sustainable than hustle alone.

• How making time (even just 10–15 minutes) to plan can shift the stress you’re carrying.

This conversation is about more than business—it’s about how we manage our homes, families, and lives with a little more calm and a lot more clarity.

If you’re tired of feeling like you’re always behind, I hope this encourages you to pause, plan, and bring intentional action into your routines. Hustle may get you through today, but intention will carry you further with less stress.

💡 Mentioned in this episode:

If you’d like to step away from the day-to-day and create intentional plans for your business, check out the Let’s Go Retreats I host for women entrepreneurs. These retreats are designed to give you the time and space to do the work you know you need to do—with clarity, support, and accountability. https://forms.gle/mEooa7xUP8HBa8WLA

In this episode of The Photographer’s Couch, I’m recording from the car with a real-time lesson I just had to share. A client interaction left me frustrated, but what it really revealed was something bigger: the importance of slowing down before reacting.

I share how dropping the ball on communication not only cost us a potential client but also gave me an opportunity to reflect on what “good business” really looks like. Instead of rushing to defend myself, I realized the power of pausing, listening, and giving both myself and others a little grace.

Whether you’re running a business, managing family life, or just navigating everyday conversations, this episode is a reminder that taking a breath before you respond can completely change the outcome.

✨ Takeaway: Sometimes the best response is found in the pause.