The Work We Keep

If I had to start my photography business over from zero, these are the marketing strategies I would focus on first.In this episode of The Work We Keep, Kayla shares how she would build a photography business today using SEO, AI search optimization, social media marketing, strategic networking, styled shoots, local partnerships, email marketing, and word-of-mouth referrals. From working with an SEO specialist to help your photography website rank on Google and appear in AI-driven searches, to building brand advocates, connecting with your ideal clients locally, and growing an email list you actually own, this episode is a practical roadmap for photographers and creative entrepreneurs who want to get found by the right people.If you're a photographer trying to book more clients, grow your local business, improve your photography SEO, or build a marketing strategy that doesn't rely entirely on Instagram, this episode is for you.RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEPLANNMy go-to social media planning and scheduling tool for organizing content and staying consistent across platforms.https://www.plannthat.com/FlodeskWhat I use to build my email list, create opt-ins, and send newsletters that keep my business top of mind.https://flodesk.com/c/HD4ZNMPicture Perfect Rankings / Melissa ArlenaSEO support specifically for photographers to help optimize your website, improve Google visibility, and get found by the people already searching for what you offer.https://pictureperfectrankings.com/done-for-you-seo/Learn more about Kayla and her photography business at: https://kaylamariphoto.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Links to Sources:The most important source is the actual Seventh Circuit opinion in United States v. Anderegg. The court explicitly says modern generative AI can create virtual abuse imagery “virtually indistinguishable” from imagery involving actual children, expresses concern about how old Supreme Court precedent applies to modern AI, and says it is bound by that precedent. The opinion also confirms that Meta originally reported the Instagram transmission to NCMEC. Read the Seventh Circuit opinionNCMEC's Generative AI resource provides the numbers used in the episode. NCMEC reports more than 400,000 CyberTipline reports with a generative-AI nexus in 2025, more than 158,000 images/videos categorized as AI-generated between January 2023 and December 2025, and more than 275 identified direct victims during 2024–2025. It also explains AI deepfakes, sextortion, peer victimization, CyberTipline and Take It Down. NCMEC: Generative AI and child exploitationThe new Meta lawsuit, Alvarez v. Meta Platforms was filed September 4, 2026. Parents and children allege that Facebook and Instagram photographs were used in connection with biometric, facial-recognition and generative-AI systems without legally required consent. Importantly, these are allegations, and Meta says the lawsuit is without merit. The Meta AI children's-information incident was reported by Business Insider and The Verge. Meta acknowledged that its AI should not have generated the invasive suggested prompts concerning a user's children and said it fixed the issue. The Meta advertising investigation found prohibited AI-generated exploitative imagery in ads running on Meta platforms. Subsequent reporting identified hundreds more problematic ads, some involving imagery of real children. Meta says it does not tolerate the material and removed offending ads. Senator Mark Warner also formally requested answers from Meta about its advertising review systems. The New Mexico child-safety judgment against Meta is a separate case. The New Mexico DOJ says Meta's financial exposure reached $942 million and the court ordered five years of reforms involving teen safety, sextortion, sexual exploitation, privacy and other protections.New Mexico DOJ: Meta judgment and child-safety reformsLearn more about Kayla and her photography business at: https://kaylamariphoto.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Work We Keep, Kayla explores the difference between building a creative business alongside a full-time job and making creative entrepreneurship your full-time career. She unpacks the comparison, guilt, financial pressure, time constraints, and subconscious beliefs that can make side-hustle creatives feel “less than” while also challenging the idea that full-time entrepreneurs have endless time and freedom. If you’re a photographer, creative entrepreneur, working mom, or business owner navigating career growth, work-life balance, and the decision to go full-time, this episode offers a more honest definition of success.Learn more about Kayla and her photography business at: https://kaylamariphoto.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the Season Two premiere of The Work We Keep, Kayla reflects on balancing motherhood, a full-time job, and a growing creative business while entering a new season of life. From hosting The Kindred Path photography workshop in Virginia to navigating kindergarten, changing routines, and evolving creatively, this episode explores sustainable entrepreneurship, work-life balance, creative identity, and building a business that actually fits your life. If you’re a photographer, creative entrepreneur, or working mom trying to grow without burning out, this episode is for you.The Kindred Path | www.instagram.com/thekindredpathLearn more about Kayla and her photography business at: https://kaylamariphoto.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this solo episode of The Work We Keep, Kayla shares an honest behind-the-scenes look at what it actually costs to run a creative business in 2026, and why photography, filmmaking, and creative services are no longer inexpensive to do well. From rising equipment costs and AI-driven industry shifts to hard drives, SD cards, gas prices, and the emotional labor of creative work, this conversation explores the hidden realities clients rarely see. Kayla also unpacks why “cheap” photography often comes at the expense of sustainability, care, and client experience, and why the creatives charging intentionally are usually the ones investing the most into protecting your memories and telling your story well.Learn more about Kayla and her photography business at: https://kaylamariphoto.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on The Work We Keep, we are diving into everything you need to know about the connection between your portfolio, burnout, and building a business that actually fits your life.Learn more about Kayla and her photography business at: https://kaylamariphoto.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Work We Keep, Kayla sits down with Laura of Flower Mound Lactation Care to talk about breastfeeding, lactation support, and the realities of feeding in early motherhood. From common misconceptions about “natural” breastfeeding to tongue ties, latch pain, milk supply concerns, and returning to work, Laura shares practical education and compassionate reassurance for new moms. They also discuss supplementing without guilt, the emotional weight of feeding decisions, and why local, in-home lactation support can make all the difference. If you’re pregnant, newly postpartum, or listening at 2 a.m. during a feeding, this conversation is for you.https://www.flowermoundlactationcare.com/Learn more about Kayla and her photography business at: https://kaylamariphoto.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Work We Keep, Kayla explores the myth of “work-life balance” and why chasing it often leaves women feeling stretched, guilty, and behind. Instead of striving for perfectly even days, this conversation reframes life and work through the lens of seasons, trade-offs, and intentional alignment. If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing at balance, this episode offers a more sustainable perspective. One rooted in honesty, rhythm, and choosing what matters most in the season you’re in.Learn more about Kayla and her photography business at: https://kaylamariphoto.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Work We Keep, we sit down with Paige Burlew, owner and founder of Lone Star Nannies to talk through what families should know before hiring a nanny. From how nannies and families are vetted, to what goes into finding the right match, to understanding typical costs and expectations, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the nanny hiring process. Whether you’re a working parent considering support for the first time or looking to make a better match for your family, this episode breaks down the process with clarity, honesty, and care.To find our more about Lone Star Nannies, head to their website: https://www.lonestarnannies.com/Learn more about Kayla and her photography business at: https://kaylamariphoto.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is for the creative entrepreneurs who listened to last weeks episode, and thought "I don't resonate with any of this." As 2026 brings shifts toward more human-centered design, analog lifestyles, AI-generated video, and looser brand aesthetics, this conversation explores what it looks like to opt out, and why that choice can be just as powerful. If you’ve ever felt pressure to pivot your work to stay relevant, this episode is an invitation to build with intention, trust your identity, and choose the work you keep.Join my Photographer Newsletter: https://kaylamariphotography.myflodesk.com/workshopJoin my email list for moms and everyday relatable things: https://kaylamariphotography.myflodesk.com/eqmtrfxdhcLearn more about Kayla and her photography business at: https://kaylamariphoto.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’d like to stay connected beyond the podcast, I send a weekly email that feels more like a letter than a newsletter. It’s where I share real life. The lessons, the chaos, and the beauty in between. Click the link below:https://kaylamariphotography.myflodesk.com/eqmtrfxdhcLearn more about Kayla and her photography business at: https://kaylamariphoto.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the exact systems and tools that keep my business running smoothly, especially while juggling motherhood. From email marketing and social scheduling to website design, gallery delivery, booking platforms, and even how I ship client products and film. These are the platforms that save me time, elevate my client experience, and keep my workflow stress-free. If you’ve been wanting to streamline your business, simplify your process, or upgrade your tech stack, this episode gives you a full tour of what I use, why I love it, and how it can help you, too.Get Flodesk: https://flodesk.com/c/HD4ZNMShipStation: https://ship15.shipstation.comPicTime: https://kaylamariphotography.pic-time.com/referralLearn more about Kayla and her photography business at: https://kaylamariphoto.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Kayla sits down with performance coach and gym owner Brad Giglio to talk about why strength training is one of the most powerful things a woman can do for her body and her confidence. They break down the myths around women “getting bulky,” how strength affects long-term metabolic + hormone health, and why building muscle matters even more as we age. Brad also shares how to choose the right coach, how to start strength training without feeling intimidated, and small steps moms can take to feel stronger in everyday life.Learn more about Kayla and her photography business at: https://kaylamariphoto.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.