10 Years In: The Most Important Lessons I’ve Learned

Amber’s at Disney, so Marie’s flying solo this week to celebrate 10 years in business. She’s sharing the four lessons she wants every photographer to hold onto.

In This Episode We Cover

• How Marie started her business while teaching, and why three weddings were enough to steer her toward portraits
• Lesson 1: Be ready to adapt. Swapping discovery calls for texts, hiring an intern for reels, a mini rebrand, and what Gen Z clients value
• Lesson 2: Find your people. Workshops, communities, and how cold DMs turned into close friendships
• Lesson 3: Your business doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. Building around your life, your market, and your personality
• Lesson 4: Plan for five years down the road. Using your long-term vision as a compass so trends lose their grip

A Few Things We Mentioned

• The Becoming Retreat, August 2 to 4 on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Only 10 spots: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/the-becoming-retreat
• The Motherhood Anthology (TMA) community
• The Kindred Path, founded by Adrianne Shelton: https://thekindredpath.com
• You’re Never Done Learning (Even When You’re the One Teaching): https://luxeandlegacypodcast.podbean.com/e/you-re-never-done-learning-even-when-you-re-the-one-teaching/

Your Assignment This Week

Pick the lesson you need most right now and take one small step toward it. Then run your next big business decision through the five-year filter.

Takeaway

There’s no finish line in this business, and that’s what keeps it exciting.

Connect With Us

Marie: @marie.elizabeth.photo | https://marie-elizabethphotography.com Amber: @light_livin_photography | https://lightlivinphotography.com/education-page

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Want a calendar that doesn't depend on constantly chasing new bookings? This week we're talking all about repeat clients: why they're the backbone of a sustainable luxury business, and how to create an experience that keeps your favorite families coming back year after year.

In This Episode We Cover

• Why repeat clients are easier to book, and how their referrals snowball
• Why clients come back for the experience, not just the photos (styling help, wardrobe, and making mom feel taken care of)
• Getting to know kids before the session and turning posing into imaginative play (hello, T-Rex dad)
• The sweet moments that make moms tear up, and giving families a little emotional rest during a session
• How collections and memberships help you document more chapters of the same family's life, plus the VIP perks that make them special
• Why artwork sales grow with trust over multiple sessions, and why you should never write anyone off as digitals-only
• Staying in touch without being salesy: nurture emails, genuine check-in texts, and engaging on social
• Penciling in the next session at the ordering appointment
• Not taking it personally when a client doesn't come back

A Few Things We Mentioned

• Amber's full posing course, including her entire client experience and how she works with kiddos: https://lightlivinphotography.com/education-page
• The Becoming Retreat, August 2 to 4 at a historic farmhouse on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Only 10 spots and registration is open: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/the-becoming-retreat
• How I'd Book 5 More Clients in the Next 30 Days: https://luxeandlegacypodcast.podbean.com/e/how-id-book-5-more-clients-in-the-next-30-days/

Your Assignment This Week Reach out to five past clients you absolutely loved working with who haven't booked in a while. Send a genuine, personal message, no discounts or marketing speak, just checking in on them and the kids. Then pick one part of your client experience to level up, like your styling guide, your questionnaire, or your ordering appointment.

Takeaway Beautiful photos might get someone to book you the first time, but an incredible experience is what makes them excited to come back.

Connect With Us Marie: @marie.elizabeth.photo | https://marie-elizabethphotography.com Amber: @light_livin_photography | https://lightlivinphotography.com/education-page

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In This Episode

It's officially busy season. Calendars are full, galleries are piling up, and we're still trying to be present moms and keep our creativity alive. This week we're sharing our best tips for not just surviving busy season, but actually thriving in it.

In This Episode We Cover

• Prepping at the start of the week: batch steaming wardrobe, formatting memory cards, and screenshotting client questionnaires
• Amber's jewelry organizer trick for storing labeled memory cards until galleries are delivered
• Scheduling social posts so you stay visible for winter bookings
• Filling your cup on purpose, from sound baths to date night celebrations
• Self-care basics: water and snacks at sessions, a hard stop on editing, and client message hours
• Setting one creative goal per session to break out of autopilot
• Why automated 17hats workflows save so much brain power
• A sneak peek at our upcoming Instagram challenge 👀

A Few Things We Mentioned

• The Becoming Retreat Waitlist: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/waitlist-the-becoming
• 17hats for client workflows
• Amber's free posing guide: comment "cake" on her latest posing post at @light_livin_photography
• Balancing Business & Family in Summer: https://luxeandlegacypodcast.podbean.com/e/balancing-business-family-in-summer/

Coming Next Summer: The Becoming Retreat

An intentionally small retreat at a historic farmhouse on Maryland's Eastern Shore, with styled sessions, savory meals, and space to reconnect with your creative vision. Spots open 10/20, so join the waitlist to be first in line:

https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/waitlist-the-becoming

Your Assignment This Week

Pick one tip and put it into practice before your next session. Then give yourself one small creative goal at that shoot.

Takeaway

Busy season is a sign your business is working!

Connect With Us

Marie: @marie.elizabeth.photo | https://marie-elizabethphotography.com Amber: @light_livin_photography | https://lightlivinphotography.com/education-page

Got a favorite busy season tip? DM us or share this episode and tag us both. And if you loved it, a quick review helps other photographers find the show. See you next week! 💛