Stop Acting Like a Content Creator

Somewhere along the way, the portrait photography industry traded permanence for convenience. We stopped making things and started delivering files. We told ourselves it was progress. This episode is my pushback on that.

If you have been handing over galleries and hoping clients do something with them, this episode is going to reframe what your job actually is and why the photographer who understands that is running an entirely different business than the one who doesn't. 

We talk about the world your client grew up in, why she has no frame of reference for what you're capable of giving her, and what it actually looks like to cross the finish line instead of stopping at mile 25.

This is not a tips episode. It is a line in the sand.

In this episode:

• Why delivering a gallery is not finishing the job and what finishing the job actually looks like
• The identity shift that changes everything downstream: from the photographer who hopes to the photographer who leads
• Why your client isn't nostalgic for printed photographs, she's never had them, and what that means for how you show up
• Why we are memory keepers, not content creators, and why that distinction matters more right now than it ever has

Get Rooted enrollment closes this week for our April start. This is the program where the philosophy in this episode becomes a practice: the pricing, the client process, the ordering meeting, all of it.
lauraesmond.com/getrooted

Follow Laura

Instagram: @reeseandcoportraits

Website: lauraesmond.com

Loved This Episode?

Leave a review! This helps expand our reach and continue doing this work.

And come say hi to Laura on Instagram at @reeseandcoportraits — she actually reads her DMs.

Sources Referenced in This Episode:

Professional Photographers of America

Consumer Technology Information

Official Google blog

UCLA Health

Chatbooks

Psychology Today

Why Your Email List Is Failing You (And How to Fix It)

with Laura Esmond 

About This Episode

If you have an email list that feels like it is just sitting there — people opted in, you send something occasionally, and then nothing really happens — this episode is going to reframe the whole thing for you.

Laura Esmond is a portrait photographer with 26 years of experience and the founder of Get Rooted group coaching. In this follow-up to her guest episode on The Motherhood Anthology podcast, Laura gets into something she dropped into the TMA Facebook group that sparked a lot of questions: how she built her email list to over 4,000 people with open rates above 50%, click rates above 30%, and consistent bookings directly from email — and why almost none of it came from a lead magnet or a paid ad.

The answer is community marketing. Not the kind that lives on Instagram. The kind that happens in actual rooms with actual people — dance studios, country clubs, women's networking events, real estate partnerships, library storytimes. Laura walks through five specific community approaches her studio used, why she never charged for the events themselves, and what the difference really is between a warm lead and a soft one. She also shares the one thing she always does before sending a single email to a potential partner — and why brownies have been part of her marketing strategy for years.

This is a longer conversation but every part of it is practical. Grab a notebook.

What You'll Hear in This Episode

• Why the size of your email list is not the point — and what actually determines whether it converts
• The difference between a warm lead and a soft lead, and why it changes everything about your open rates and bookings
• How Laura's studio used country club events to collect engaged emails from exactly the right families
• Why dance studios are one of the most underutilized marketing partnerships in portrait photography
• What a Headshot Happy Hour is and how it puts you in a room full of women who will refer you for years
• How a real estate agent partnership became one of Laura's most reliable long-term referral sources
• What Laura did with her studio space every week that kept a steady stream of new mothers walking through her door
• Why she never charged for community events — and exactly what she was charging for instead
• The brownies-before-email rule and why humans don't get ignored the way emails do
• How to take one concrete first step this week without overhauling your entire marketing strategy

Key Topics Covered

Warm Leads vs. Cold Leads

Not all email subscribers are the same. Someone who opted in for a freebie is a starting point — you still have to earn their attention. Someone who met you in person, watched you work, and handed you their email in a real conversation is already yours. Laura breaks down why that distinction is the entire reason her email list performs the way it does.

The Five Community Approaches

• Country club events — photographing member gatherings to collect engaged emails from young families
• Dance studio pop-ups — hosted as client appreciation for the studio, not as a revenue event for Laura
• Headshot Happy Hours — quick professional headshots at women's networking events as a community value-add
• Real estate agent partnership — showing up, supporting, and building a long-term referral relationship
• Studio events — monthly Storytime with the local library and weekly lactation classes for new mothers

The Brownies Rule

Before you ever send an email to a potential partner, stop in. Bring something for the staff. Ask to speak with the owner or the person in charge of client happiness. The pitch is simple: let me help you show your clients how much you appreciate them. Emails get ignored. Humans don't.

Links & Resources

Get Rooted Group Coaching

For portrait photographers ready to build a client process that earns — ordering meetings, product pricing, and the full system: lauraesmond.com/getrooted

Mentioned in This Episode

10 Tips To Be Seen — lauraesmond.com/beseen

Follow Laura

Instagram: @reeseandcoportraits

Website: lauraesmond.com

Loved This Episode?

Leave a review! Share it with a photographer friend who has an email list that isn't doing what it should — this one will reframe the whole conversation for them.

And come say hi to Laura on Instagram at @reeseandcoportraits — she actually reads her DMs.

Keywords: email list for photographers, community marketing, portrait photography business, in-person marketing, photography studio marketing, warm leads, motherhood photographer, email open rates, Get Rooted, Laura Esmond, The Motherhood Anthology

A lot of pricing advice in the photography industry tells you to either give all the digitals away at a ridiculous price or withhold digital files to pressure clients into investing in artwork they may not be ready for. What if there’s a different way to honor a client's wish for the digitals while not sacrificing your ability to get your photos on their walls. 

In this episode I explain exactly why I structure my prices the way I do, share the pricing philosophy behind everything I teach in Get Rooted, and tell the client story that made me certain I was right. Includes a practical framework for how to actually set prices at whatever stage of business you are in right now.

In this episode:

  ·  Why Laura does not hold digital files hostage -- and what she does instead

  ·  The difference between leading a client and pressuring one

  ·  The client story that proved the long-game approach works

  ·  Why CODB is useful but not the whole story

  ·  How to balance draw-in pricing with room to grow

Links:

  ·  Get Rooted -- lauraesmond.com/getrooted

There was a moment in this conversation where Casia said something that made me pause.

She admitted that bookings slowed down at the end of 2024 and into 2025.

And instead of pretending everything was fine or quietly panicking behind the scenes, she said the thing a lot of photographers are feeling but not always saying out loud.

Things feel different right now.

If you’ve been wondering whether it’s the economy, the industry, your pricing, or something you’re doing wrong… this episode is going to feel like a breath of fresh air.

Because instead of spiraling into discounting or chasing more Instagram posts, we talk about what actually works during slower seasons: getting back into your community, building real relationships, and playing the long game in your business.

Casia shares how she’s leaning into what she calls her “season of yes” and showing up to events, supporting other small businesses, and creating touchpoints that lead to future opportunities.

And we also dig into some of the big mindset traps photographers fall into when things get quiet… especially the temptation to lower your prices.

If business has felt a little wobbly lately, this conversation is here to remind you of something important:

Ups and downs are normal.
But how you respond to them can change everything.

In This Episode

• Why photographers are feeling a shift in bookings right now
• The danger of assuming slower inquiries mean your pricing is wrong
• What a “season of yes” looks like in a photography business
• Simple ways to start networking in your community (even if you hate networking)
• How one small connection can turn into multiple opportunities
• Why lowering your prices during slow seasons can hurt you long-term
• A smarter way to adjust your offers without discounting your work
• The real reason ghosting happens with inquiries and what to do about it
• How following up can immediately set you apart in a saturated market
• Why photographers should stop hiding behind their computers and start building real relationships again

If this conversation resonated, Get Rooted is where we go all in on this work.

Inside the program, you build:

• Clear, confident pricing
• A simple but powerful sales structure
• A hands-on client experience that leads to artwork
• Marketing that attracts right-fit, investing clients
• The identity of a photographer who leads

Spots are limited. Once they’re filled, enrollment closes for several months. We get started in April.

If you want your business solid before we head into the busiest season of the year, what are you waiting for??

👉 Apply here

Connect with Casia:

• https://fletcherandco.photo
• https://www.instagram.com/fletcherandco/

Connect with Laura:

• Apply now for Get Rooted: lauraesmond.com/getrooted
• Instagram: @reeseandcoportraits
• Website: lauraesmond.com

In this first part of my conversation with Casia Fletcher, we go deep.

You may have heard Casia’s story on The Motherhood Anthology podcast, where she shared about a $45,000 client win inside her motherhood membership: check out that episode here!

But our conversation is a little different.

It’s an honest conversation about the shifts we have seen the past two years and what you can do when bookings slow down.

Casia and I talk honestly about navigating slower seasons without spiraling and why the photographers who thrive long-term are the ones who build depth with their clients.

This episode turned into a two-part conversation because we couldn’t stop unpacking the real strategy behind sustainable success.

In Part One, we dive into:

• Why diversification can stabilize your business (without diluting your brand)
• The long-game mindset that creates lifetime clients
• What shifted in 2024–2025 for many portrait photographers
• The power of in-person sales — consultations, ordering appointments, and real connection
• Why IPS isn’t just about revenue… it’s about leadership
• Creating multiple touchpoints that increase trust and average sale
• Why full-service photographers are positioned differently in slower markets

We also break down what it actually looks like to guide a client from inquiry to artwork, and why that clarity changes everything.

If this conversation resonated, Get Rooted is where we go all in on this work.

Inside the program, you build:

• Clear, confident pricing
• A simple but powerful sales structure
• A hands-on client experience that leads to artwork
• Marketing that attracts right-fit, investing clients
• The identity of a photographer who leads

Spots are limited. Once they’re filled, enrollment closes for several months. We get started in April.

If you want your business solid before we head into the busiest season of the year, what are you waiting for??

👉 Apply here

Connect with Casia:

• https://fletcherandco.photo
• https://www.instagram.com/fletcherandco/

Connect with Laura:

• Apply now for Get Rooted: lauraesmond.com/getrooted
• Instagram: @reeseandcoportraits
• Website: lauraesmond.com

Feeling the slow season hit a little harder this year? Wondering if there's more you could be doing to create consistent income, even when bookings slow down?

In this episode, I’m joined by the incredibly wise and wildly practical Joy Michelle, educator, business coach, and host of the Called to Both podcast. Joy walks us through how she’s built multiple income streams as a working photographer and a mom of three, and how affiliate marketing became a surprisingly powerful piece of the puzzle.

We’re not just talking about side hustles. We're talking about sustainable income that fits your life and your brand. Whether you're just getting curious about affiliate links or want to understand how this works without needing a massive audience or becoming an “influencer,” Joy breaks it all down with so much clarity.

Here’s what we cover:

• Why photographers should be thinking about income streams beyond client bookings
• What affiliate marketing actually looks like for a photographer (hint: it's not just Amazon links)
• How Joy made $600 in affiliate income… while in labor
• The mindset shift that changed how she approached content and monetization
• The first steps you can take to start earning affiliate income, even with a small audience

Connect with Joy:

• Affiliate Marketing Jumpstart -- free resource!
• Instagram: @joymichelle
• Website: joymichelle.co
• Coaching: joymichelle.co/coaching
• Affiliate Boss: joymichelle.co/affiliate-boss
• Pitch Power: joymichelle.co/pitchpower
• Hobby-to-Pro Toolkit: joymichelle.co/hobby-to-pro-toolkit

Connect with Laura:

• Private Mentoring: lauraesmond.com/mentor
• Instagram: @reeseandcoportraits
• Website: lauraesmond.com

I’m sharing three honest lessons I learned from scaling my portrait photography business, and then intentionally scaling it back. If you're a family photographer, brand photographer, or creative entrepreneur who’s ever been tempted to "go big" with a studio, team, and all the trappings of growth, this is a must-listen.

We’re getting real about what happens when your business looks successful on the outside but starts to feel misaligned on the inside. I’ll walk you through what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d do differently now.

Whether you're in your first five years of photography business or considering opening a studio, this episode will help you build a photography business that’s profitable, sustainable, and truly aligned with your life.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why scaling your photography business doesn’t automatically lead to time freedom
• What it really looks like to run a brick-and-mortar photography studio with a team
• How overhead, burnout, and decision fatigue can creep in quietly
• The difference between ego-driven growth and value-driven decisions
• How to protect your creativity and peace as a portrait photographer

Connect with Laura:

• Private Mentoring: lauraesmond.com/mentor
• Instagram: @reeseandcoportraits
• Website: lauraesmond.com

In today’s episode, I’m inviting you behind the scenes of the full client experience I’ve refined over the last two decades as a portrait photographer. From that very first inquiry to the moment artwork is installed in their home, every touchpoint is intentionally crafted to make clients feel safe, seen, and deeply cared for.

Whether you’re new to business or ready to elevate your systems with more ease and clarity, this episode will walk you through the thoughtful steps I take to nurture trust, communicate with intention, and create an experience that feels effortless for both you and your client.

In This Episode, I Share:

• How to set a tone of warmth and professionalism from the first inquiry
• My approach to automated systems that still feel personal and human
• Why planning calls are essential for connection and clarity
• How I guide families with care during the session (even in the chaos of toddlerhood)
• Why the ordering appointment is never the beginning of the sale
• The subtle ways we build loyalty, trust, and referrals through genuine service

Connect with Laura:

• Private Mentoring: lauraesmond.com/mentor
• Instagram: @reeseandcoportraits
• Website: lauraesmond.com

Creative Local Business Partnerships: A Real Approach to Growth

In this episode, host Laura Esmond shares her personal journey and unique approach to growing her business by forming meaningful partnerships with local businesses, rather than relying on social media or elaborate marketing strategies. She emphasizes the importance of building genuine relationships by offering support and generosity, like walking into local businesses with small gifts, such as a basket of muffins and a handwritten note. Laura details actionable steps to identify potential business partners who share your target audience, such as florists, interior designers, real estate agents, and boutique owners. By partnering with these businesses, you can foster mutual growth and community connection. Esmond also provides three practical ways to collaborate with local businesses: supporting existing events, cross-promotion, and creating service-based bundles. The episode concludes with an open invitation to think creatively about local partnerships and a call to action for listeners to reach out to local businesses they admire. 

00:00 Introduction and Personal Growth Journey

00:26 The Power of Local Partnerships

01:43 Identifying Potential Business Partners

02:44 Effective Strategies for Collaboration

04:46 Leading with Service and Follow-Up

06:43 Creative Event Ideas and Cross-Promotion

10:27 Successful Partnership Case Studies

13:04 Building Trust and Long-Term Relationships

15:24 Your Invitation to Take Action

16:44 Conclusion and Mentorship Opportunity

Connect with Laura:

• Private Mentoring: lauraesmond.com/mentor
• Instagram: @reeseandcoportraits
• Website: lauraesmond.com

Keywords: motherhood photographer, family photography, newborn photographer, maternity sessions, photography pricing tips, portrait photography business, money mindset for creatives, IPS for photographers, work-life balance, photographers who are moms, client experience photography, raising photography prices

In this episode of 'with Laura Esmond,' Laura dives into the essentials of crafting effective inquiry responses for portrait photographers. She discusses how to tailor your response to align with your business and offerings, emphasizing the importance of understanding your core product and unique differentiator. Laura also announces a potential name change for the podcast and provides insights on making personal connections with clients via phone calls and videos. Key concepts include portrait photography pricing, creating a personalized inquiry response, and balancing business with motherhood.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Update

01:26 Understanding Your Unique Selling Proposition

05:29 Crafting an Effective Inquiry Response

10:26 Personalizing Your Client Interaction

13:13 Using Video to Enhance Inquiry Responses

17:31 Summarizing Key Points for Inquiry Responses

19:53 Conclusion and Final Tips

Connect with Laura:

• Get Rooted Waitlist: lauraesmond.com/getrooted
• Instagram: @reeseandcoportraits
• Website: lauraesmond.com