Photo Fuel | The Vision, Art, and Business of Family Photography
This is a podcast for family photographers about the swirl of vision, art, and business. Through stories, interviews, and nearly 20 years of experience in the family photography industry, host Leah O’Connell will help pa...
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
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| 10/5/26 |  The benefits (and numbers) behind adding school photography to your business | You're a family photographer, and like it that way... so where does school photography actually fit into your business — and is it worth the time? This is part 2 of my school photography series, and today we're getting into the numbers. I'm sharing exactly what school photography looked like in my business in 2025, all done with the gear I already owned, while still photographing a full family photography fall season at my full rates. We'll break down how much time it actually takes to photograph and process a school of about 100 students and why school photography is a marketing channel that pays you to introduce yourself to hundreds of local families. I'm also sharing a few real stories of school families who went on to book full sessions with me and how that conversion flow looks in real life. Find It Quickly:2:06 - Why you already have what you need to get started8:04 - School photography as a marketing channel12:00 - My 2025 numbers16:17 - The time investment for a school of 100 students20:00 - From school photos to full family sessions22:11 - Bringing it all together Mentioned in this Episode: > Free guide: How to Land Your First School — https://leahoconnell.myflodesk.com/photochalkJoin the Photo Chalk early access list — https://leahoconnell.com/photochalk | 27m 14s | ||||||
| 9/21/26 |  Introduction to Outdoor School Photography (+ Photo Chalk enters the chat) | Over time, we've decided as an industry that the way to make a school photos is to line a hundred kids up against a vinyl backdrop and give them 10 seconds to say cheese. We can do better!!This episode is all about how I became so passionate about offering an alternative to school photography and why it's about more than a pretty picture or a money grab. We talk about why it's an easy yes for schools which schools it works well for, + why it's one of the best marketing streams you can build into your larger family photography business. Stick around through the end because I'm officially letting you in behind the curtain of my new brand called Photo Chalk, the start-to-finish, privacy-first system my husband that is bringing warm, connected, and safe school photography into the modern age. Find It Quickly:5:46 - What outdoor school photography actually is11:37 - Why schools say yes16:58 - Why it's good for your business 20:00 - Intro to Photo Chalk - my start-to-finish school photography app and platform coming soon! Mentioned in this Episode:Get started and stay connected with Photo Chalk: (FREE GUIDE) How to Land Your First School — https://leahoconnell.myflodesk.com/photochalk | 26m 12s | ||||||
| 9/7/26 |  The Summer Reflection: 5 Questions for Quarterly Review and Prep | This summer brought a lot of unexpected delights and frustrations, personal curveballs and a business that needed to sway with them. When you work by yourself, it's easy to let seasons slide by until suddenly the whole year's gone by and you're asking yourself - WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! This is the first in a new series of reflection episodes I want to record at the end of every quarter. It's a process I've been doing on my own for years, so I'm going to do it on the podcast for you to listen in on. Each quarter, I'll walk through the same five questions to get grounded about the previous quarter and look forward to the one ahead. I'm sharing the honest, unpolished version of what a working photographer's summer with three kids at home actually looks like, and even though my experience is unique to me, sometimes these peeks behind the curtain help us all feel a little less alone. SIDE NOTE >>> an introduction to Photo Chalk, the new venture I've been quietly building around the business of School Photography and am so excited to start breaking the ice about. Mentioned in this Episode:Episode #35 : Big Picture Questions to Guide Your Photography Business GoalsPhoto Fuel Mastermind (next round, Madison, VA — March 2027): leahoconnell.com/retreatPhotographer's-only email list: leahoconnell.com/learn Photo Chalk news and updates: https://leahoconnell.com/photochalk ** If you love this show, please take a moment to leave a review in Apple Podcasts and share the love!** | 24m 50s | ||||||
| 8/31/26 |  Ditching Duct Tape Systems in Favor of Connection and Peace with Erin Wissig | We assume established photographers have it all figured out. Erin Wissig sees something different: talented, successful photographers whose backend systems never had the chance to catch up. I'm talking with Erin about why so many of us end up duct-taping our systems together as our businesses grow, what it actually looks like to build automations that hold while still maintaining the flexibility for humanity. We talk about why the point was never the systems themselves — it's the peace of mind and relational space they free up. We get into the fear of robotic systems in an industry that celebrates humanity, and why your system is only as good as your willingness to trust it. Find It Quickly:05:44 - Why established photographers still feel behind16:42 - Automation isn't the opposite of connection20:18 - One workflow change to make this week Mentioned in this Episode:Erin's favorite systems stack (free guide): https://erinwissig.com/podcast-listeners Connect with Erin:Instagram: @erin_wissigWebsite: erinwissig.com Connect with Leah: Instagram: @leahoconnell_photo Website: https://www.leahoconnell.com Free Resources + Newsletter: https://www.leahoconnell.com/learn | 37m 15s | ||||||
| 8/24/26 |  The 'Why Not' Mindset (REPLAY) | This is the last in a series of summer replays for the podcast, but I thought a short and sweet reminder was just the thing to kick off the next season. It's one that applies to pricing, but also to your work as a whole - the art of it, the backbone of decisions and creation together. I'm talking about the fear-based thoughts that show up around raising your rates, why "is there any reason not to?" is a better question than "should I?", and how confidence actually comes from competence - from doing the work, even when it doesn't go perfectly. I share a personal story from the early days of my business and building the thick skin it took to put myself out there with no connections to fall back on. I hope this episode brings you some encouragement and energy to move forward into the fall asking better questions and getting better answers. // STAY CONNECTED // FREE RESOURCES: https://www.leahoconnell.com/learn PHOTO FUEL RETREAT & MASTERMIND: https://www.leahoconnell.com/retreat | 6m 44s | ||||||
| 8/10/26 | A Fall Pep Talk for Family Photographers (REPLAY) | This episode was originally published this time last year, but I'm bringing it back because the reminders are still just as relavent! It might still feel like summer, but fall is coming — and with it, the mix of excitement and overwhelm that hits every family photographer this time of year. I'm walking through the four pain points that tend to hold us hostage in the fall: - overbooking and burnout - marketing struggles - chaos with your systems - and creative blocks. For each one, I'm sharing what's actually worked for me and for the photographers I've worked with, including session limits and waitlists, why marketing is serving instead of selling (and how to treat it like that), building email templates before you need them, and small ways to keep your creativity fresh when you're shooting back to back. Find It Quickly:2:45 - Pain point 1: Overbooking and burnout10:45 - Pain point 2: Marketing and visibility struggles17:45 - Pain point 3: Lack of systems and organization21:30 - Pain point 4: Creative blocks26:00 - Closing pep talk Mentioned in this Episode:PhotoFuel Retreat and Mastermind: leahoconnell.com/retreatFree resources: leahoconnell.com/learn If you're loving a regular dose of Photo Fuel, please take a minute to leave a review and I'll send lots of virtual hugs your way! :-) | 29m 25s | ||||||
| 7/20/26 |  REPLAY | Why I don't offer fall mini sessions | In case you're starting to think about fall (good for you!!!) and setting those fall mini session dates - listen to this first! Not villianizing them, but simply offering an alternative approach and something to think about before you sell your soul to fall mini sessions. Since this episode, I've offered mini sessions each summer as a test (because I don't like making assumptions and wanted to make sure this advice held up - spoiler, it does. At least for me.)Mentioned // QT albums: get 20% off your first order with code FUEL20 or a free studio sample – just reach out and mention Photo Fuel and they’ll get you hooked up with your album sample The Big Picture Workbook: https://www.leahoconnell.com/bigpicture Mentoring with Leah : https://leahoconnell.com/mentoring Group Coaching Waitlist: https://www.leahoconnell.com/retreat Mini sessions are a great way to get started, practice, and develop your skills. But at a certain point, you can decide if it’s something that’s really aligned with your business goals… or not. That’s what we’re digging into today – My 3 main arguments against doing fall mini sessions and a few ideas for how to supplement your business income or calendar instead. Connect with Leah: Website: https://www.leahoconnell.com/education Instagram: https://instagram.com/leahoconnell.photo | 25m 23s | ||||||
| 7/6/26 |  Putting in the website work to get found online with Jamie Bugbee | What business owner doesn't want to get found through Google and AI search? Jamie Bugbee spent over 20 years as a dental hygienist before postpartum depression led her back to a camera and a way to come home to herself. And once she put herself fully into learning and tackling SEO for family photographers, she was able to grow her photography business by 400% and leave her day-job to go full-time. Jamie is a Portland-based family, maternity, newborn, and brand photographer who now teaches photographers how to grow through their own websites. We talk about the practical side of getting found online without leaning on social media: on-page and off-page SEO for family photographers, backlinks and local citations, and how to blog in a way that's actually built to be found - not just written and forgotten. We also cover the tools Jamie uses to track what's working and what's not working, silent killers to your page speed and searchability that might be working against you, and more. Find It Quickly: 2:20 - From dental hygienenist to photography5:00 - Picking up a camera again after having kids12:00 - The mentorship that finally clicked14:20 - The bones of modern SEO for family photographers21:00 - Blogging effectively 27:30 - Tools for tracking what's working and what's not30:15 - Jamie's Photo Fuel Mentioned in this Episode: Keywords Everywhere White Spark, Google Search Console SEO Edge Microsoft Clarity Free Guide from Jamie: Luxury Client Journey Connect with Jamie Portland Oregon family photographer (Jamie's website) Jamie's Instagram for photographers The PhotograpHER Podcast: The Booked Photographer (course) Connect with Leah Leah's website: https://www.leahoconnell.com Leah's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahoconnell.photo Learn Page with free resources + stay connected : https://www.leahoconnell.com/learn | 32m 41s | ||||||
| 6/15/26 |  Falling for Lifestyle, Session Prep, and Playing the SEO Long Game with Becca Lueck | Becca Lueck has been photographing families in the Portland, Oregon area for 16 years, but she didn't find lifestyle photography until year seven. Once she did, everything changed. We talk about the before and after of learning to fall in love with the work you're doing, how it changes, and how to keep it interesting. Becca is the founder of Becca Jean Photography, a membership for family photographers, and a suite of courses covering everything from business systems to video. She's also been blogging and building her SEO for years, to the point where she can now publish a post and rank on the first page within days. In this episode, we talk about how she got there and how things look now. We also get into her video workflow — how she moves between photo and video inside a family session without losing momentum — and her honest take on where new photographers should put their energy. Find It Quickly:3:30 - Getting started7:00 - Mini sessions and slow early growth12:00 - Discovering lifestyle photography in 201720:00 - Client prep: email sequences other tools27:00 - Styling guidance and client closets30:00 - Adding video inside a family session37:00 - SEO over Instagram41:00 - Becca's membership44:00 - Photo fuel: in-person events Mentioned in this Episode:Becca's Membership: https://courses.beccajeanphotography.com/p/family-photography-collective Style and Select: https://styleandselect.com/ Becca's CRM: https://17hats.com/ How Becca edits film: Adobe Premiere Pro How Becca edits photo: Imagin AI Tristin Tracy: @tristentracy_photography Connect with Becca: Education: https://beccajeanphotography.com/education Instagram: @beccajeanphotography Connect with Leah:PhotoFuel Retreat and Mastermind: leahoconnell.com/retreatFree resources: leahoconnell.com/learn | 47m 20s | ||||||
| 6/1/26 |  Guide to In-Home Family Photography Part 4 - 8 Tips for What to Do When You're Stuck | You're halfway into a session, things are flowing, and then — nothing. The energy drops, your brain goes blank, and you're thinking - WHAT NOW. This is the final part of the four-part in-home family photography series, and I'm giving you eight specific moves to pull out when a session stalls or you need to jolt yourself in to a new perspective. Stay to the end for a preview of what's coming this summer! Find It Quickly:2:56 - 1: Three focal ranges 4:37 - 2: Shoot through something nearby5:34 - 3: Doorways6:41 - 4: Invite music7:55 - 5: Invite play9:00 - 6: Look for the moment, not the space10:57 - 7: Use furniture in non-conventional ways11:38 - 8: Let the mess be the story13:10 - Recap 13:43 - Series wrap-up + how to get the field guide 14:52 - What to expect next on the podcast Mentioned in this Episode:In-Home Session Field Guide (free): leahoconnell.com/home-fieldguidePhoto Fuel Retreat and Mastermind: leahoconnell.com/retreat | 16m 59s | ||||||
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| 5/25/26 |  Guide to In-Home Family Photography Part 3: Story Filters | In Part 1, we prepped. In Part 2, we got the ball rolling. This episode is all about how to open your dang eyeballs, guide with your heart, and sink into a session that is less pose and more honest family gold. If you often leave sessions feeling like you checked the boxes but you never really GOT anywhere emotional, this is your next-level. I originally learned the concept of "elements of family story" from Brooke Schultz, and Story Filters are my evolution of that over the last 5 years. They're themes you carry into a session like a scavenger hunt — lenses for seeing what's actually in front of you rather than hunting for your next pose. I'm sharing what they are, how they work in practice, and a two-step process for developing your own. It's the thing that made the difference between galleries that are fine and work that actually means something. Find It Quickly:1:49 - Introducing Story Filters (your personal in-shoot scavenger hunt)3:37 - Story filter examples5:06 - Filters in action: how they change the way you see and direct7:52 - Why filters matter: seeing people not subjects9:28 - Direction vs. documentary: finding the middle ground10:51 - How to develop your own filters14:09 - Series recap + next episode preview15:03 - How to get the Field Guide for all these tips in writing to reference for your next shoot Mentioned in this Episode:In-Home Session Field Guide (free): leahoconnell.com/home-fieldguideEpisode 72: Part 1 — The Walkthrough Video: https://leahoconnell.com/guide-to-in-home-family-photography-sessions-part-1-the-walkthrough-video/ https://leahoconnell.com/guide-to-in-home-family-photography-sessions-part-1-the-walkthrough-video/Episode 73: Part 2 — The First 10 Minutes: https://leahoconnell.com/in-home-family-photography-series-part-2-the-first-10-minutes/ Also listen to: Episode 59 with Brooke Schultz: https://leahoconnell.com/episode-59-messy-action-the-artful-pivot-and-creating-from-the-inside-out-with-brooke-schultz/ | 16m 43s | ||||||
| 5/18/26 |  Guide to In-Home Family Sessions Part 2: The First 10 Minutes | You've done your prep. You've watched the walkthrough video. You knock on the door - now what? The first 10 minutes of an in-home session do more than most photographers realize. They're where trust gets built in person, the tone is set, and where you either make it feel like an experience or a performance. I'm walking through five things that shift the energy in those opening minutes and two things I'm careful not to do in a session to help get it rolling on a good foot. This is Part 2 of a four-part May series on practical in-home family photography tips. The guiding principles and recommendations for each episode can be found in the companion resource for free called : The In-Home Session Field Guide. You'll find swipe copy, pep talk language, and go-to moves for every stage of the session. Find It Quickly: 2:30 - Why the first 10 minutes matter more than you think5:00 - Tip 1 - hospitality 10:30 - Tip 2: Kid level13:00 - Tip 3: Notice the good15:30 - Tip 4: The loop17:30 - Tip 5: The pep talk21:00 - Transitional shooting before direction22:30 - What not to do Mentioned in this Episode:In-Home Session Field Guide (free): leahoconnell.com/home-field-guideEpisode 72: Part 1 — The Walkthrough Video - https://leahoconnell.com/guide-to-in-home-family-photography-sessions-part-1-the-walkthrough-video/Episode with Rachel Larsen Weaver: https://leahoconnell.com/an-interview-with-rachel-larsen-weaver-on-pursuing-the-love-of-art-business-and-people-photo-fuel-podcast-episode-13/ | 25m 21s | ||||||
| 5/11/26 |  Guide to In-Home Family Sessions Part 1: The Walkthrough Video | If you're working on improving your process for in-home family photography or adding home as a location this year, this series is for you! This first episode is one of four that kicks off a short, practical series on in-home family photography, starting with the one thing I do before every session to walk in feeling prepared. This is the biggest asset to preparing for an in home shoot - without requiring a consult call, zoom meeting, or in-person scouting trip: the walkthrough video. I share how I ask for it about two weeks before an in-home session and what I'm looking for when I watch it. I also cover what to do when clients don't send a video, and why the goal of all this prep isn't a rigid plan but a confident, settled mindset before you even knock on the door. Find It Quickly:1:30 - The two traps in in-home sessions3:00 - The mental shift required 4:30 - Asking for the walkthrough video7:00 - When they don't send it 8:30 - What to look for : Light, Life, and Layers framework12:30 - The real win, regardless of how it's executed in the end14:30 - Part 2 preview + The In-Home Session Field Guide Mentioned in this Episode:In-Home Session Field Guide: leahoconnell.com/home-fieldguide >>Episode 69: Stop Posing, Start Playing >> Episode 55: Set the Table - how to stop expecting your clients to perform for youFree resources: leahoconnell.com/learn >>CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM: @leahoconnell.photo | 12m 27s | ||||||
| 4/27/26 |  What I Learned From Hosting a Photography Retreat and Mastermind | A few weeks out from the first PhotoFuel Retreat and Mastermind, this episode is the honest debrief — what I got right, what surprised me, what I'd do differently, and one big decision I made about the future of the program. Regular reflection is tool I use often in my photography business so I want to model what that looks like and how it can lead to purposeful alignment. If you're curious about the inner workings of crafting something new, I hope this episode models what it looks like to be in development rather than just seeing the end result. Find It Quickly:0:00 - Free resources at leahoconnell.com/learn1:15 - Intro3:00 - What I got right8:30 - Why the in-between moments were king12:30 - What I'm changing for the next round 16:30 - The biggest reason I think it worked21:30 - The surprising tax I wasn't expecting24:30 - A big decision about future rounds Mentioned in this Episode:PhotoFuel Retreat: leahoconnell.com/retreat Episode 68: Why I Started a Retreat for Family Photographers | 26m 12s | ||||||
| 4/13/26 |  Thoughtful growth & the power of mentoring with Lydia Fine | Have you ever wondered what working with a mentor actually looks and feels like over time? Lydia Fine is back as our first-ever returning guest. She's a purposely part-time photographer with a full-time marketing career and two kids, and over the past few years she and I have worked together across just about every format. In this episode, she breaks down exactly what that journey has looked like: the doubts going in, the breakthrough that changed how she thought about her business, the numbers, and what it's meant for her life outside the business. We also get into the harder questions — when someone is actually ready for mentoring, how to choose the right person, and what you have to be willing to bring to it. Lydia now mentors other photographers herself, specifically around systems and marketing strategies for part-time photographers, so her perspective comes from sitting on both sides of the table. Find It Quickly:2:30 - Where Lydia started: lack of confidence, scared to raise prices, feeling alone in decision-making7:00 - The first doubt: was mentoring worth the cost if she was just making $15k a year?9:00 - The 2024 breakthrough: you don't have to compete on photos alone15:00 - How she helped me form my Voxer coaching package around making micro decisions and the in-between moments21:00 - "Like a therapist for my business"26:00 - The numbers: revenue doubled, then grew another 50%30:00 - From $300 sessions to $1,025 to $1,850 (and her first $2k+ booking)33:00 - When is someone ready for mentoring?38:00 - How to choose the right mentor — and what to avoid43:00 - Intentional rest, boundaries, and how support has helped her be a more present parent Mentioned in this Episode:PhotoFuel Retreat & Mastermind: www.leahoconnell.com/retreat1:1 Mentoring: leahoconnell.com/educationIlluminate Courses: illuminateclasses.com Connect with Lydia:Photography Instagram: @lydia_apolloandivyEducation Instagram: lydiafine_forphotographersMentoring with Lydia: https://www.apolloandivy.com/for-photographers/photography-business-mentor/ | 35m 53s | ||||||
| 3/30/26 |  Stop Posing, Start Playing | The last thing you as a photographer want is for your family photo sessions to feel stiff or overly posed. That's why I believe in exploring the idea of creative play inside your sessions. We just hosted the very first Photo Fuel Retreat and Mastermind, where we got to do exactly that. We not only found ways to bring more of each photographer into their businesses, but we also got to play with how they can break through the technicality of our work and bring more honesty and personality into it. That's what creates beautiful images for your families. In this episode, I’m walking you through how to move beyond rigid posing and into something more alive and collaborative. Listen in as I share how curiosity (both about yourself and your clients) can completely transform the energy of your work. Ready to reconnect with why you started and fall back in love with your business? The Photo Fuel Retreat is an intimate, in-person experience designed for family photographers who care deeply about storytelling, sustainability, and doing work that actually feels good. Think of it as your space to slow down, think deeply, and build real connection—with your craft, your values, and a small circle of like-minded creatives. Join the Waitlist: leahoconnell.com/retreat Find It Quickly: 1:29 - Why Sessions Feel Stiff 3:28 - Curiosity Over Perfection 6:10 - Curiosity with Yourself 7:09 - Breathe and Notice 10:36 - Curiosity With Your Subjects 13:37 - Trust the Unscripted 15:50 - Practice and Experiment Mentioned in this Episode: The Photo Fuel Retreat: leahoconnell.com/retreat | 19m 46s | ||||||
| 3/16/26 |  Why I Started a Retreat for Family Photographers—The Photo Fuel Retreat & Mastermind | What if the next step in scaling your business isn’t just about adding something new, but about building something that finally matches what you’ve believed all along? For a long time, I thought being a photography educator meant I needed a shop full of templates, mini-courses, and downloadable resources. While I've found that courses and digital products have their place, what I was longing for in my educational offerings went deeper. It needed real, in-person connection: Enter the Photo Fuel Retreat & Mastermind. In this episode, I’m sharing how Photo Fuel Retreat & Mastermind became what it is today (and all the iterations that led to it). Listen in to hear how I started my educational offerings with digital products and found my way to building an in-person, immersive experience for family photographers who want real transformation, not just more information. Find It Quickly 01:06 - Digital Products Felt Shallow 01:55 - Mentoring to Group Coaching Lessons 03:55 - Retreat Idea Takes Shape 06:13 - The Seed Planted Years Ago 07:26 - A Retreat That Changed Me 09:30 - Why Online Learning Falls Short 13:09 - Designing the MVP Retreat 14:30 - No Styled Shoots Real Sessions 17:20 - Community Over Competition 18:54 - Slow Impact Over Scaling Mentioned in this Episode: Join The Photo Fuel Retreat Waitllist: leahoconnell.com/schools-waitlist Brooke Schultz's Love Soaked Retreat: brookebschultz.com/love-soaked Ep 18 with Caitlin Alohilani Photography: leahoconnell.com/photo-fuel-episode-18-the-benefits-of-being-an-introverted-photographer-switching-careers-shooting-multiple-genres-and-more-with-caitlin-alohilani-photography/ Episode 9 with Mary Catherine Wickman: leahoconnell.com/connecting-with-clients-by-owning-your-story-photo-fuel-ep-09/ | 23m 02s | ||||||
| 3/2/26 |  How to Break Through a Growth Plateau in Your Photography Business | Have you ever looked at your work and thought, This is fine… but something feels off? In this episode, I’m talking about the sneaky middle season no one prepares you for—the growth plateau. It’s not burnout or failure. You’re seeing success, booking clients, and producing solid work. Deep down, though, you know what got you here isn’t going to get you there - wherever there may be for you. I’ve been hearing this over and over in mentoring conversations lately. Photographers who feel bored, invisible, resentful about pricing, creatively flat, or just quietly craving something more—but they can’t quite name it. Listen in as we explore what might be holding you back. Ready to reconnect with why you started and fall back in love with your business? The Photo Fuel Retreat is an intimate, in-person experience designed for family photographers who care deeply about storytelling, sustainability, and doing work that actually feels good. Think of it as your space to slow down, think deeply, and build real connection—with your craft, your values, and a small circle of like-minded creatives. Join the Waitlist: leahoconnell.com/retreat Find It Quickly: 00:26 - The Sneaky Middle: Understanding the Growth Plateau 03:21 - Signs You’re on a Plateau 07:29 - Plateaus as Transition Points: Steady Seasons vs. It’s Time to Change 09:56 - Breaking Through: Better Questions, Discomfort, and Taking Creative Risks 13:35 - Self-Coaching Prompts: Find What’s Boring, Safe, and What You’re Avoiding 16:37 - Why Support Systems Matter 21:00 - The Retreat Details Mentioned in this Episode: The Photo Fuel Retreat: leahoconnell.com/retreat | 25m 44s | ||||||
| 2/16/26 |  Kids Photography Camps, School Photos, and Creative Offers to Support Your Business with Rebecca Hunnicutt | Building a photography business doesn’t always mean choosing just one lane and staying there forever. For many photographers, the most sustainable paths are layered, seasonal, and shaped by the realities of life. That’s exactly the story of my guest today, Rebecca Hunnicutt, a lifestyle family photographer based in Portland, Oregon. Rebecca and I first connected in real life at Reset Conference, and in this conversation we dive into the many branches of her work—from family photography to school photography to teaching both photographers and kids. We talk about how school photography became not just a revenue stream, but a strategic and sustainable foundation that supports her family work, and what it really looks like to juggle multiple niches. Make School Photos a Part of Your Photography Business If you've been thinking about adding school photography to your offerings, the Picture Day course is exactly what you need. Learn how to market, book, photograph, and deliver outdoor school photography for local daycares and schools to fuel your family photography business and boost your income. Join the Waitlist: leahoconnell.com/schools-waitlist Find It Quickly: 01:53 - Meet Rebecca Hunnicutt 03:02 - Rebecca's Photography Journey 04:22 - The Intersection of Family and School Photography 06:54 - Teaching Photography to Kids 08:49 - Challenges and Rewards of Photography Camps 10:49 - Balancing Multiple Photography Ventures 15:08 - The Importance of Seeing Differently 18:59 - Exploring New Ideas for Photography Courses 20:10 - Balancing Multiple Business Angles 20:58 - Challenges of Managing School Photography 23:06 - Streamlining Family Photography Operations 26:58 - Innovative Customer Service Solutions 29:57 - Future Goals and Personal Motivation 30:42 - The Joy of Travel Photography 33:36 - Creative Solutions for Business and Personal Life Mentioned in this Episode: Photo Fuel Retreat Waitlist: leahoconnell.com/retreat School Photography Course Waitlist: leahoconnell.com/schools-waitlist Airtable: airtable.com Photography Education: elenasblair.com Connect with Rebecca Website: hunnicuttphotography.com Instagram: instagram.com/rebecca.hunnicutt.photography Instagram: instagram.com/rebecca.hunnicutt.education | 36m 09s | ||||||
| 2/2/26 |  Analog Marketing for Family Photographers | If you have ever felt overwhelmed by how loud and crowded it feels online with the constant posting, optimizing, and trying to stay visible, you are not alone. Over the past few years, I have found myself quietly moving toward something slower, more personal, and more sustainable: analog marketing. This shift started with my newsletter, The Firefly Letters. It became a space where I could be more honest, more thoughtful, and more myself than anywhere else online. That small decision to write more intimately led to something bigger: a deeper interest in creating real, human connections that extend beyond the screen. That's when I made the shift from marketing as a performance to marketing with intent. In today's episode, I'm sharing how I've gone analog in my business and what that looks like for this year. Listen in as I highlight a few ways you can incorporate analog marketing into your own business! A Creative Reset for Family Photographers Ready to reconnect with why you started and fall back in love with your business? The Photo Fuel Retreat is an intimate, in-person experience designed for family photographers who care deeply about storytelling, sustainability, and doing work that actually feels good. Think of it as your space to slow down, think deeply, and build real connection—with your craft, your values, and a small circle of like-minded creatives. Join the Waitlist: https://leahoconnell.com/retreat Find It Quickly: 01:37 - Embracing Analog Methods in Marketing 04:22 - Introduction to Photo Fuel 04:47 - Analog Marketing Method 1: Snail Mail 08:41 - Analog Marketing Method 2: Hosting Local Gatherings 17:10 - Analog Marketing Method 3: Outdoor School Photography 20:08 - Analog Marketing Method 4: In-Person Education Retreats Mentioned in this Episode: Photo Fuel Retreat Waitlist: https://leahoconnell.com/retreat School Photography Course Waitlist: https://leahoconnell.com/schools-waitlist The Firefly Newsletter: https://leahoconnell.com/newsletter Free Resources: https://leahoconnell.com/learn Connect with LeahLeah's website: https://www.leahoconnell.com Leah's IG: https://www.instagram.com/leahoconnell.photo | 27m 43s | ||||||
| 1/19/26 |  Your Prices Aren’t the Problem (It’s Just January) | Does your quiet January inbox have you spiraling about your prices? You’re not alone. This time of year has a way of bringing out the darkest corners of our business fears. Questions like, “Did I price myself out of my market?” or “Will I ever get inquiries again?” swirl in the silence of a post-holiday lull. If we can learn to spot the pattern, we can break the cycle and make better decisions for the long game. Get Clear on Your Big Picture: If you’re feeling swirly about your business right now, it’s probably not because you need a new strategy—it’s because you haven’t slowed down enough to see the big picture. The Big Picture Workbook walks you through 10 thoughtful prompts to help you zoom out, get clear on your direction, and make confident decisions as a family photographer. You can print it or journal digitally and revisit it anytime you need grounding. Download Now: https://leahoconnell.com/bigpicture Find It Quickly: 00:24 - Understanding Pricing Anxiety 02:25 - Seasonal Nature of Family Photography 04:34 - Data-Driven Decision Making 11:59 - Client Communication and Feedback 15:50 - Financial Strategies and Adjustments 20:30 - Mentoring and Support Options Mentioned in this Episode: Big Picture Workbook: https://leahoconnell.com/bigpicture Photographers-Only Email List: https://leahoconnell.com/newsletter Photo Fuel Retreat & Mastermind Waitlist: https://leahoconnell.com/retreat Voxer Coaching: https://leahoconnell.com/voxer Connect with LeahLeah's website: https://www.leahoconnell.com Leah's IG: https://www.instagram.com/leahoconnell.photo | 23m 38s | ||||||
| 1/5/26 |  One Step at a Time: Curiosity, Generosity, and the Creative Life with Dave Herring of VeryGood Co. | Dave Herring is a photographer, educator, and founder of Very Good CO. He’s also a creative nomad and a long time friend. In this episode of Photo Fuel, I chat with Dave about how curiosity led him to a whole new career as a photographer and educator. From leaving the East Coast and relocating his family to California with no concrete plan, to working with brands like Leica and Hasselblad, Dave shares how paying attention to what felt meaningful—and staying generous along the way—shaped his career and a life that supports his ultimate measure of success: being in charge of his time. We talk about blending past experience into creative work and how free content and generosity have become foundational to his business. This conversation is packed with stories that will inspire you and leave you feeling hopeful for all that’s possible. Even though Dave is primarily a landscape photographer, this episode offers new perspective we all need on the value of metrics, making decisions in your business, and what it really means to make art your work—one thoughtful step at a time. // LINKS MENTIONED // Blog Post: "Generosity changed everything:" https://dave.online/writings/how-generosity-changed-everything Very Good CO: shopverygood.com Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/ STEPHEN SHORE Photo books: Stephen Shore by STEPHEN SHORE - Book: 9781633450486 | Rizzoli Bookstore // CONNECT WITH DAVE // Dave’s youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@davidherringDAVE’S WEBSITE: Dave.online// CONNECT WITH LEAH //Leah's website: https://www.leahoconnell.comLeah's IG: https://www.instagram.com/leahoconnell.photo | 36m 55s | ||||||
| 12/29/25 |  Micro Pivots - You don't need to burn it all down | What if you didn’t need to burn down your photography business to feel better in it? In this solo episode of Photo Fuel, we'll explore the idea of micro-pivots—small, intentional changes that can bring more clarity, energy, and alignment to your work without rebranding, quitting, or announcing a brand-new niche. This conversation is for family photographers who still love what they do, but feel a quiet sense of restlessness. Maybe sessions feel heavier than they used to. Maybe your creativity has shifted before your business has caught up. Or maybe you just know something needs to change—but you don’t know what yet. We talk about: What micro-pivots are (and what they’re not) Signs you may be craving a small shift, not a big overhaul Creative, structural, and offer-based micro-pivots you can try How to experiment without risking your income or identity Why sustainable change often happens quietly If you’ve been wondering whether it’s possible to evolve without starting over, this episode offers permission, perspective, and practical ways forward. // LINKS MENTIONED // Episode 61: From Families to Brand Photography with Nicole Hodgson Episode 59: Messy Action, The Artful Pivot, and Creating from the Inside Out with Brooke Schultz Episode 56: The Missing LInk to your Photography Marketing with Michelle Franzetti The Micro-Pivots Journalling Workbook : https://leahoconnell.myflodesk.com/pivot // CONNECT // Leah's website: https://www.leahoconnell.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/leahoconnell.photo | 25m 08s | ||||||
| 12/15/25 |  From Families to Brands | How Nicole Hodgson Reinvented Her Photography Business | In this episode, we’re kicking off a short series all about pivoting, evolving, and exploring new creative seasons as a photographer. It’s so easy to stay siloed inside the same family photography conversations, hearing the same strategies and the same voices. But there is so much to learn from photographers who step outside the familiar and build something new. Today’s guest—Nicole Hodgson—is the perfect guest to kick it off. Nicole is a former marriage and family therapist turned lifestyle brand photographer based in Northern California. She began her business photographing families, but over time, her sessions started filling with women who were also building businesses of their own. That pattern nudged her toward a new direction, and eventually, a full pivot into brand photography. In this warm and candid conversation, we talk about: The early signs that her niche was shifting The first steps she took to bring a new direction to life The identity work behind rebuilding a business from the ground up The honest pros and cons of family photography How her past career shaped her perspective as an artist and entrepreneur The confidence it takes to be the face of your brand The power of journaling for capturing new ideas and having confidence with executing on them Nicole shares her approach to a new pricing model for brands vs what made sense for her family clients and the financial logic behind marketing to brands versus families—an incredibly helpful lens for anyone curious about expanding their services. Whether you’re considering brand photography, navigating your own pivot, or just wondering what else is possible in this industry, this episode is a reminder that your identity, your opportunities, and your creativity are bigger than any niche. // LINKS MENTIONED // Rebrand with Maddie Peshong: https://www.maddiepeschong.com/brand-photography Episode 18: The benefits of being an introverted photographer switching careers, shooting multiple genres, and more with Caitlin Alohilani Free Resources for Family Photography Education: https://www.leahoconnell.com/learn // CONNECT // Nicole Hodgson Website: www.nicolehodgsonphotography.com Instagram: @nicolehodgson.photography Leah O'Connell Website: https://www.leahoconnell.com Instagram: @leahoconnell.photo | 44m 12s | ||||||
| 11/24/25 |  My 2025 Photography Business Tech Stack | The Big 4 | This episode is releasing on the week of Thanksgiving, which is also a big time for holiday deals and making purchases for your business. This is a short and sweet chat to share my Top 4 Essentials as far as software for running my business. This powerful combo is the nuts and bolts of my marketing, sales, communication and delivery - the tech stack of dreams. If you're thinking of upleveling your tooling or getting started with some client experience systems to scale your work, listen in to learn more about what each tool does, why I chose it, how they connect to one another, and what to consider most if you’re shopping for smarter systems this season. // LINKS MENTIONED // Episode: 25: Navigating Black Friday for family photographersEpisode 31 : Your Black Friday Investment Plan Episode 46: Why I switched to Honeybook and how it’s going: (on spotify)(on apple podcasts) Honeybook referral link: https://share.honeybook.com/leah9738526 Pictime referral link: https://leahoconnell.pic-time.com/referral Flodesk referral link: https://flodesk.com/c/PHOTOFUEL Showit referral link: https://showit.com/r/jt922s The Photo Fuel Retreat & Mastermind: https://www.leahoconnell.com/retreat | 22m 57s | ||||||
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Chart history for Photo Fuel | The Vision, Art, and Business of Family Photography
Peaked at #196 in SA, currently #196 in SA.
| Market | Genre | Peak | Current | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA | — | #196 | #196 | — |
Chart Positions
1 placement across 1 market.
Chart Positions
1 placement across 1 market.