Motherhood Anthology: Photography Edu...

Welcome to The Motherhood Anthology podcast: photography education to create a business you love. This podcast will serve as an invaluable resource to guide you in the world of motherhood photography and owning your own successful photography business. Tune in weekly to hear from us and some of our most admired friends and colleagues as we share some of our greatest tools, how-tos, successes, failures, and everything in between.

Visual Arts
Entrepreneurship
Careers
1
Episode 131 - Up 44%: What's Working for Annema...
 If the 1st half of 2025 was a little slower for you, you aren’t alone.  MANY photographers are experiencing economic shifts this year. But today's guest? She's having a great year and she's here to spill the beans about HOW.
49 min
2
Episode 130 - From $41K to Multi-Six Figures: T...
What does it really take to pivot your business, raise your prices dramatically, and build a deeply loyal client base along the way?
37 min
3
Episode 129 - Staying Relevant When the Photogr...
In this conversation with guest Annemie Tonken, we unpack the shifts happening in the photography industry and what it really means to stay relevant as a creative business owner. We explore everything from the evolution of marketing, like why relationship-building is outpacing pain-point messaging, to how AI is transforming the way we strategize. Annemie shares tangible advice on pivoting offers, keeping your brand personal, and using tools like custom GPTs to reignite your momentum. If you’ve been feeling a little off your game or unsure what’s next, this episode is your cue to adapt with confidence and creativity.
40 min
4
BONUS REPLAY: Inclusive Photography & Special N...
This week, Kim is joined by guest co-host, Abby Dorminey, and special guest Stephanie Fassler, to discuss photographing families who may need extra accommodations and care. Not all families fit inside a box... in fact, most families don't! But in particular, families with kids who have special needs and medical differences can feel underrepresented in family photography spaces. So in today's episode, Kim, Abby, and Stephanie are diving into tips, suggestions, and best practices for creating a photography business that is truly inclusive and accessible to families of all different shapes and sizes.
45 min
5
BONUS REPLAY: Diversifying Income Streams with ...
Between unexpected world events like the global pandemic as well as natural ebbs and flows of the changing seasons, consistent income can be a consistent obstacle for those of us running photography businesses. Today's guest, Corry Frazier, is a photographer and coach helping other photographers with brand photography. Brand photography can be a great addition to a motherhood photography business.
34 min
6
BONUS REPLAY: Run Your Photography Business Lik...
Many of us are accidental photography business owners... but what would be different if we ran our businesses like CEOs? This week's guest, Ashley Freehan, is a brand photographer and business coach for mom photographers. Today, she's sharing some of her best tips for getting organized, balancing your work and life priorities, managing different organizational personalities with your significant other, and so much more.
46 min
7
BONUS REPLAY: Living & Working Intentionally fe...
We spend so much time talking about how to make more money, do more, and hustle. In today's episode, Kim is joined by Alex Smith to talk about slowing down and romanticizing your life.
44 min
8
BONUS REPLAY: Incorporating Heirloom Photograph...
In this week's episode, our guest is Anna Claire Collier, founder of Born & Raised Studio, a traveling children's heirloom portrait studio. We leave no stone unturned as we discuss exactly what a session looks like, all the way from session times to pricing and products. This episode is packed with helpful information for any of you who might be interested or slightly intrigued by the beautiful artwork that is heirloom photography.
50 min
9
BONUS REPLAY: Defining Enough featuring Shanna ...
FLASHBACK: Over two episodes, Kim sat down with Shanna Skidmore to talk about defining enough. This week we're replaying part one, where Kim and Shanna talk about pricing, calculating your "enough number," burnout and taking rests, and understanding what it is we actually want when we set goals. Look back to episode 33 for the second half of this conversation!
41 min
10
Episode 128 - From Pause to Profitability: Caro...
After taking a pause for four babies in five years, Caroline Eidson made the brave choice to relaunch her photography business, and she’s doing it with clarity, confidence, and direction. In this episode, Kim sits down with Caroline to talk about what it’s really like to start fresh, what helped her rebuild with purpose, and why the right support makes all the difference.
14 min
11
Episode 127 - "Hello, Valerie? You're On Air!" ...
In this episode, Kim debuts a new segment called “Surprise Dial,” where she checks in with Valerie Vaughan, a TMA mentor and mother of three, including a newborn. Valerie shares insights on balancing business and motherhood, emphasizing the importance of outsourcing and giving herself grace during this season. We're also teasing upcoming resources for TMA members, including email templates and a film photography guide designed to help photographers at all stages.
11 min
12
Episode 126 - The Secrets to True Light & Airy ...
In this episode, Katie Lamb returns to dive deep into the elements that create a true light and airy photography style. With 17 years of experience as a light and airy photographer, Katie breaks down the key components of this popular aesthetic and dispels common misconceptions.
18 min
13
Episode 125 - The Language of Luxury: How to Po...
In this episode, copywriting queen Ashlyn Carter joins Kim for a masterclass in marketing your photography business to high-value clients. From crafting magnetic website copy to confidently communicating your pricing, Ashlyn dives into the language that elevates your brand from "pretty pictures" to powerful positioning. If you want to attract luxury clients without selling your soul—or your soul-crushing sanity—this one’s for you.
63 min
14
Episode 124 - 5 Ways to Make Meaningful Connect...
Sara Bywaters-Baldwin, TMA Group Expert and the owner of Willow Canvas, is taking over the TMA podcast this week to discuss how small business owners can create meaningful connections with clients by being genuine, attentive, and creative. Sara shares personal stories and insights about building relationships that go beyond transactional business interactions, emphasizing the importance of listening, remembering details, and showing authentic care for customers.
23 min
15
Episode 123 - How to Plan a Styled Shoot: Stren...
In this episode, I sit down with Adrianne Shelton, one of our incredible TMA mentors, to dive deep into the world of styled shoots. As a photographer balancing a full-time job and her creative passion, Adrianne shares her unique approach to creating meaningful, intentional photography that tells a story. We explore how styled shoots can transform your portfolio, inspire your creativity, and help you connect with your artistic vision.
53 min
16
Episode 122 - Part 2 Living Creatively with Int...
In this Part 2 of our conversation, international photographer Riley Hitchner shares how she's intentionally carved her own path, from starting her photography journey at 16 to now balancing motherhood and a thriving business. Join us as Riley dives deeper into her unique approach to resetting, finding inspiration, and defining success.
37 min
17
Episode 121 - Part 1 Living Creatively with Int...
This week's conversation with international photographer Riley Hitchner explores exactly that. From starting her photography journey at 16 to now balancing motherhood and a thriving business, Riley shares how she's intentionally carved her own path at every turn.
31 min
18
Episode 120 - From $75 to $2,150: A Photographe...
Brielle Pepper from Jacob & Brielle Photography is back on the podcast this week to share an update. If you remember, Brielle was a guest over a year ago sharing about making a BIG pivot with the help of the resources in the TMA Community. Now, she's here to update us about how it's gone since she made some big decisions, raised her prices, and what you can expect in your own business when making a pivot, too.
46 min
19
Episode 119 - Get Paid for Your Vision, Speak C...
This week, our Community Manager Ali and group expert, Shannon Griffin, went live in our Facebook group and the conversation was so good we just had to share it here on the podcast, too. Shannon is sharing her pivot from wedding photography to family and boudoir, her unique positioning when she tells people what she does that sets her apart, her pricing and marketing strategy for booking high-value clients and selling physical products, and so much more. You are going to want to take notes for this one!
43 min
20
Episode 118 - Unlocking Creativity: Kate Marie’...
This week, I am chatting with the talented Kate Grabowski of Kate Marie Portraiture. Kate and I dive into the importance of setting boundaries, taking breaks, and staying inspired as creative entrepreneurs. We discuss Kate's incredible photography style and her client process, from initial inquiries to session planning and delivery. We also explore the sources that fuel our creativity, from nature and dance to film and interior design, while emphasizing the need to stay true to our authentic selves.
43 min
21
Episode 117 - Get Rooted with Laura Esmond: Str...
Today I'm joined by Laura Esmond, the creator of the "Get Rooted" coaching program for motherhood photographers. We cover topics like simplifying business processes, pricing strategies, balancing business and personal life, and standing out in a saturated market... and so much more!
53 min
22
BONUS REPLAY: Setting Clear Boundaries with Kat...
One of our featured mentors in TMA is Katie Lamb, and in today's episode, we are excited for Katie to guest host the podcast. She's talking all about setting and maintaining clear boundaries to thrive while running a photography business.
12 min
23
Episode 116 - Back to Basics SEO Challenge with...
This week, our resident SEO expert, Melissa Arlena is taking the mic to share some SEO Basics.
14 min
24
BONUS REPLAY: The Framework to Going Full-Time ...
Marie of Marie Elizabeth Photography is taking over the mic today to outline the steps she took to transition from a teaching career to running a successful full-time photography business., In this episode, she emphasizes the importance of raising prices to a profitable level, developing a strong brand, and implementing effective marketing strategies focused on SEO and social media to gradually grow her client base.
12 min
25
Episode 115 - Launching a Mini Membership: Bala...
Adrianne Shelton is back this week to discuss the "mini membership" program in her photography business, which offers shorter and more affordable photography sessions throughout the year as a way to provide options for clients who may have been priced out of her full session offerings, allowing them to continue documenting their family. We are also discussing the pricing and structure of the mini membership, as well as how she hopes it will complement her existing full-session offerings.
16 min