In today’s episode, we’re talking about one of the most powerful ways to grow your portrait photography business: creating a little spectacle. But don’t worry, I don’t mean hopping on every trend or becoming a human highlight reel.

This is about showing up with intention, creativity, and a little bit of wow factor that feels true to you.

Whether you’re in year one or five of business, creating a buzz around what you do is how you get seen by the right people and start booking the kinds of clients you love. In this episode, I’m walking you through 5 concrete ideas to help you do exactly that.

We’ll talk about:

• How to create portfolio work that actually attracts your dream clients
• Why fun, low-stakes portrait events can build big-time momentum
• The simple monthly habit that books more sessions than Instagram ever has for me

This one’s packed with practical ideas you can use right away, no matter how busy life is. Grab your notebook or just listen in while you edit!

Links & Resources:

• Sign up for the Peace & Profit Bootamp: lauraesmond.com/bootcamp

• Apply for Get Rooted—now open for enrollment: lauraesmond.com/getrooted

portrait photography business, photography business strategy, in-person sales photography, IPS tips, IPS for photographers, pricing for photographers, photography business reflection, goal setting for photographers, profitable photography business, how to sell photo products, photographer workflow, client experience for photographers, get rooted, laura esmond podcast

Welcome back to part three of this four-part planning series. If you’re dreaming about a 2026 that feels aligned, profitable, and actually doable, this episode is for you.

So far, we’ve walked through gratitude (what’s already working) and reflection (what needs to shift). Today, we’re stepping into planning your photography business—but not just numbers on a spreadsheet. This is where photography business strategy meets mindset in the most powerful way.

Inside this episode, we’re talking all about:
– Why manifestation for photographers isn’t magic (and what it actually is)
– How photography pricing strategy impacts your time, energy, and sustainability
– The key questions to ask before planning your 2026 photography calendar
– Why your real life deserves to be in the plan

You’ll walk away with a fresh perspective on how to create intentional business goals that fit your life, not just your Instagram grid—and how to take those dreamy goals and turn them into something real.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
– Get the free photography reflection worksheet, https://www.lauraesmond.com/reflections

– Join the Peace & Profit Bootcamp for photographers, https://www.lauraesmond.com/bootcamp

– Apply for Get Rooted: Business Coaching for Portrait Photographers, https://www.lauraesmond.com/getrooted

photography business planning, portrait photography pricing, sustainable photography business, how to plan your photography business, profitable photographer tips, photography income goals, intentional business strategy, photography coaching, business planning for photographers, 2026 photography goals

NEXT UP:
Don’t miss next week’s episode—our final step in the series—where we’ll bring it all together and talk about action. Plus, there's a fun bonus episode dropping tomorrow about marketing for photographers (and creating a spectacle in the best way). Can’t wait to share that one with you!

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
– Get the free reflection worksheet -- https://lauraesmond.com/reflections
– Join the Peace & Profit Bootcamp https://lauraesmond.com/bootcamp
– Apply for Get Rooted -- https://lauraesmond.com/getrooted

NEXT UP:
Don’t miss next week’s episode—our final step in the series—where we’ll bring it all together and talk about action. Plus, there's a fun bonus episode dropping tomorrow about marketing (and creating a spectacle in the best way). Can’t wait to share that one with you!

In Part 2 of our 4-part series on planning your most intentional and profitable photography year, we’re diving into two game-changing topics: how to reflect honestly on your business before you set 2026 goals, and the biggest mistake photographers make when starting In-Person Sales (IPS).

If you’re a portrait photographer who wants to grow a sustainable, profitable business—and you're tired of chasing someone else’s version of success—this episode is for you.

We’ll talk through the exact questions you need to ask yourself as you review your photography business, including how much money you actually made, what sessions lit you up creatively, and whether your pricing truly supported your income goals.

Then we shift gears and talk about IPS—specifically, the common misstep that derails so many photographers who want to sell products but don’t see the results they hoped for. Spoiler: it’s not about having the perfect sales strategy or needing to be perfect.

Whether you're just starting to sell products or you're restructuring your pricing and packages for the new year, this episode will help you get grounded in what matters most—clarity, consistency, and confidence in how you show up and sell.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why honest reflection is the key to intentional growth in your photography business
• The exact questions to ask yourself when reviewing your year
• How to stop building your goals on comparison and start building from reality
• The biggest IPS mistake photographers make—and how to avoid it
• Why committing to a consistent pricing and product strategy is critical for sustainable success

Links & Resources:

• Download the free Reflection Worksheet: lauraesmond.com/reflection

• Apply for Get Rooted—now open for enrollment: lauraesmond.com/getrooted

Keywords:
portrait photography business, photography business strategy, in-person sales photography, IPS tips, IPS for photographers, pricing for photographers, photography business reflection, goal setting for photographers, profitable photography business, how to sell photo products, photographer workflow, client experience for photographers, get rooted, laura esmond podcast

It’s Thanksgiving week, and if you're anything like me—and most photographers I know—you’re probably feeling a strange mix of gratitude, pressure, comparison, and reflection. This slower season in our photography businesses gives us a rare chance to breathe and think about where we’ve been and where we’re going.

In this episode, I’m kicking off a four-part series designed specifically for photographers navigating the end of the year with intention. And we’re starting with something foundational: gratitude.

Whether you’re questioning if you did enough this year, wondering how to set goals for your photography business in 2026, or just need to quiet that inner critic, this episode is for you. I’ll walk you through how gratitude can reframe your mindset, fuel your momentum, and help you move forward without burnout.

I'm also sharing the exact journaling prompts I use to reflect on the year—ones that help me reconnect with why I started this journey and where I want to go next. These aren’t fluffy gratitude practices; they’re strategic, grounding tools for any creative entrepreneur ready to build a more sustainable and profitable business.

If you're tired of comparing your year to someone else’s highlight reel—or their entire decade—you'll find some peace and perspective here.

Inside, we’ll talk about:

• Why gratitude is a powerful business strategy for photographers
• How to shift out of scarcity and comparison during the slower season
• What sustainable success in your photography business really looks like
• Three intentional questions to help you reflect and reset
• How to begin setting aligned goals for the new year—without the overwhelm

If you want even more support as you reflect, dream, and plan for next year, I’d love to invite you to the Peace & Profit Bootcamp, where we’ll map out your 2026 goals and build a strategy that actually fits your life. You can sign up at lauraesmond.com/bootcamp
.

For now, grab a journal, your favorite holiday drink, maybe even a slice of pumpkin pie—and let’s reflect together. Gratitude comes first.

Connect with Laura:

• Get Rooted Waitlist: lauraesmond.com/getrooted
• Peace & Profit Bootcamp: lauraesmond.com/bootcamp
• Instagram: @reeseandcoportraits
• Website: lauraesmond.com

In this episode, Laura Esmond dives into the intricacies of portrait photography pricing, especially for photographers transitioning into premium pricing. Laura discusses four common pricing mistakes that many photographers make, such as offering the wrong session length, overdelivering in petite sessions, copying competitor pricing without real market research, and staying at starter rates for too long. She provides actionable advice on how to avoid these pitfalls, ensuring a more sustainable and profitable business. If you're a photographer ready to refine your pricing strategy and grow your business, this episode is for you.

Connect with Laura:

• Get Rooted Waitlist: lauraesmond.com/getrooted
• Peace & Profit Bootcamp: lauraesmond.com/bootcamp
• Instagram: @reeseandcoportraits
• Website: lauraesmond.com

Balancing Business and Motherhood: From Wedding to Portrait Photography with Caroline Klaar

Join Laura Esmond as she welcomes wedding and portrait photographer Caroline Klaar to discuss her transition from focusing on wedding photography to portrait photography. Caroline shares her journey of building a sustainable business while raising young children, pricing strategies, the impact of burnout, and creating balance between work and family life. Discover valuable insights on mindset shifts, the importance of charging your worth, and how intentional pricing can create more time for your family and improve your artistry. This episode dives into practical advice for photographers who want to pivot in their business and cultivate a healthy work-life balance.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:28 Caroline's Photography Journey

02:08 Balancing Motherhood and Photography

03:11 Struggles and Burnout

05:52 Transitioning from Weddings to Portraits

08:17 Pricing and Mindset Shifts

12:31 Contentment and Work-Life Balance

19:28 Current Pricing Strategy and Challenges

22:13 Strategies for Pricing and Packaging

23:12 Pre-Sales Conversations and Client Engagement

23:59 Testing Sales Strategies and Client Reactions

24:38 Building Confidence in Selling Artwork

25:10 Understanding the Value of Your Service

29:38 Transitioning from Weddings to Portraits

32:32 Balancing Work and Family Life

40:08 Setting Boundaries and Avoiding Burnout

45:35 The Importance of Community and Support

46:48 Final Thoughts and Farewell

You can find Caroline on Instagram at @klaarphotography.

Connect with Laura:

• Get Rooted Waitlist: lauraesmond.com/getrooted
• Peace & Profit Bootcamp: lauraesmond.com/bootcamp
• Instagram: @reeseandcoportraits
• Website: lauraesmond.com

Feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or stuck in constant hustle mode? You’re not alone. In this episode, Laura talks about the photographer’s burnout cycle — that endless loop of editing, marketing, posting, and pushing — and how slowing down might actually be the most productive thing you can do for your portrait photography business. Laura shares four powerful ways to slow down as a photographer so you can find balance, boost creativity, and build a sustainable business you love. You’ll learn why rest isn’t lazy, how your brain and body respond when you pause, and why giving yourself (and your clients) space leads to better focus, happier clients, and more profit.

In This Episode:

• How slowing down can actually speed up your photography business
• Why portrait photographers struggle with balance and boundaries
• The science behind burnout — and how to reset your nervous system
• How 10 minutes of rest or connection can fuel creativity and clarity
• Why a simple coffee date or short walk can change your productivity
• How to slow down with your clients for better service and faster sales
• The power of slowing down to learn new systems that save hours later
• How planning from a calm state leads to clarity, confidence, and growth

Key Takeaways for Portrait Photographers:

• You don’t need more hustle — you need margin.
• Slow moments create the brain space for your next big idea.
• Burnout is not a badge of honor; it’s a sign you’ve been over-giving.
• The most successful photographers build rhythm, not chaos.
• Balance in business begins with balance in your body and mind.

Connect with Laura:

• Get Rooted Waitlist
• Peace & Profit Bootcamp
• Instagram
• Website

In this episode, I’m diving into something so many of us feel but don’t always talk about—burnout during busy season. Especially if you're juggling work, motherhood, and the ever-present pressure to grow your business, this one’s for you.

I share a bit about my own journey, from the early days of running a tiny, high-touch studio (think: Pinterest boards and custom sessions for every client) to moving into a high-volume retail studio where mini sessions and cashflow ruled. Spoiler: it didn’t end well. I completely overdid it and hit a wall.

But burnout taught me some pretty important lessons, and I’m sharing the six guardrails I use now to protect my energy, calendar, and joy. From blocking editing time like a boss to selling value over volume, from knowing my true capacity to carving out quiet time for my brain—I’ve learned that a sustainable business isn’t just possible, it’s necessary.

If you’re feeling stretched thin or already burned out, I hope this episode feels like a deep breath and a gentle nudge toward change.

00:00 Introduction: The Struggles of Balancing Work and Life

00:33 Early Days: Building a Business from Scratch

01:10 The Mini Session Revelation

02:38 Transition to a Retail Studio

03:33 Burnout from Overbooking

04:32 Implementing Guardrails for a Sustainable Business

04:57 Step 1: Block Your Calendar Like a Boss

06:38 Step 2: Sell Value, Not Just Volume

07:53 Step 3: Respect Your Capacity

10:42 Step 4: Use Tools and Habits That Save Your Sanity

12:44 Step 5: Protect Your Mental Space

14:57 Step 6: Share the Workload

18:02 Conclusion: Respecting Capacity and Building a Sustainable Business

Hyperfocus drops I mentioned can be found here.
That brainwave app I mentioned.

Connect with Laura:

• Get Rooted Waitlist
• Peace & Profit Bootcamp
• Instagram
• Website

n this episode of the podcast, Laura Esmond explores the concepts of confidence and conviction. She articulates that confidence doesn't precede action but develops through the act of doing, often emerging from stumbles and mistakes. Laura distinguishes conviction as a firmly held belief or gut feeling that motivates one to start something new. She outlines a five-step process to build confidence: starting with conviction, taking imperfect action, learning from failures, reflecting on growth, and celebrating small progress. Emphasizing the importance of quiet perseverance, Laura encourages listeners to trust the process and see challenges as opportunities for growth, ultimately building a resilient and confident business.

00:00 Introduction to Confidence

00:20 Understanding Conviction vs. Confidence

04:01 Building Confidence Step-by-Step

04:23 Embracing Imperfection and Learning from Failures

05:21 Reflecting on Growth and Celebrating Progress

08:39 Quiet Perseverance and Long-Term Growth

14:23 Parenting Parallels and Teaching Through Mistakes

16:32 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Connect with Laura:

• Get Rooted Waitlist
• Peace & Profit Bootcamp
• Instagram
• Website

In this episode, I’m joined by my dear friend and incredibly talented portrait photographer, Kate Marie. We talk about what it really looks like to slow down, set boundaries, and build a photography business that supports your life, not the other way around.

Kate shares how she transitioned from a low priced business model to a slower-paced, high-touch experience that feels more aligned with the kind of artist and mom she wants to be.

We also talk about:

• How to stop overbooking yourself during busy season
• Why raising your prices might actually save your creativity
• What to do when clients show up with Pinterest boards and big expectations
• Creating calm, connected client experiences in a busy world
• And how our boundaries are actually a gift to our people, not a barrier

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s really possible to grow a thriving business without burning out, this episode will give you the encouragement and clarity you need.

LINKS & RESOURCES:

Connect with Kate on Instagram → @katemarieportraiture

Want help mapping out your own high-touch model? Get on the waitlist for my mindset workshop where we will pair up an unstoppable mindset with strategy to grow the business you've always dreamed of owning.

If you loved this episode, would you leave a quick review? It helps more photographers find the podcast—and it means the world to me.

Connect with Laura:

• Get Rooted Waitlist
• Peace & Profit Bootcamp
• Instagram
• Website