Photo Fuel | Family Photography Education

Spring Checkpoint (+ a podcast update)

We’re now over 50 episodes into the Photo Fuel Podcast, and I’m coming to you from the messy middle with some real talk. In this episode, I’m sharing a big update on the future of the podcast and why I’m choosing to step back from weekly episodes—for now.
If you’ve been tuning in regularly, you know I’m all about sustainable business practices and aligning your creative work with your actual life. In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of my own quarter-end reflection around creating educational content and the red flags that have me pausing.  + 5 questions you can add to your own regular checkpoints to make sure you're growing in the right direction.
 
Whatever your dreams and visions were for the first part of the year, I hope you'll give yourself grace to consider the full picture. 
 
 
// LINKS MENTIONED // 
Episode 6 - The Key Ingredient to your success
Episode 8 - Resetting your inspiration when you don't feel like shooting
The Shop - https://www.leahoconnell.com/shop
Learn Page - https://www.leahoconnell.com/learn
// CONNECT WITH LEAH //Website: https://www.leahoconnell.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahoconnell.photo
The Firefly Letters: https://www.leahoconnell.com/newsletter
 

Help clients decide what to wear (without being a stylist or stocking a client closet).

One of the biggest questions that comes up for clients when preparing for their session is "what do I wear?" As the photographer, it's good service to help them with that!  But that doesn't mean you have to become a full-on stylist, stock a client closet, or put them in a cookie cutter formula of "what looks good." Of course, full styling is an option that serves some photographers and clients very well! It's all about your goals and the type of images you're marketing.
But if you want to empower your clients to make clothing choices that feel natural and genuine to their actual style and make them feel great just being themselves... this episode is for you. 
 
I'm coming in with 6 tips to help your clients decide what to wear without *TELLING* them what to wear. This episode is quick and actionable to encourage you that providing great customer experience can look a lot of different ways (and so can your clients!). 
 
// LINKS MENTIONED // 
 
connect with Leah: www.leahoconnell.com
1:1 mentoring: https://www.leahoconnell.com/mentoring
THE SHOP: https://www.leahoconnell.com/shop
IG: https://www.instagram.com/leahoconnell.photo
 
 
 
 

Extended Family Sessions: My Approach & Tips for Success

Extended family sessions can feel like a whole different ballgame compared to standard family shoots—more people, more potential, and more opinions! In this episode, I’m sharing why I actually love extended family sessions and how you can approach them with confidence and creativity.
We’ll cover:
Why photographing at home makes a difference and how to make it work
My philosophy on pricing extended family sessions
Balancing posed portraits with candid, natural moments
Navigating group dynamics, including when tension arises
Activities that help families relax and connect naturally
Tips for keeping it fun, intentional, and drama-free
Whether you already love extended family sessions or they make you nervous, this episode will give you practical strategies to create beautiful, meaningful images—no matter the size of the group. 
 
// LINKS MENTIONED //
THE SHOP: https://leahoconnell.myflodesk.com/wnln59l5yj
 
Blog posts about extended family sessions:
A backyard large extended family session
Extended family photos at home with all adults
An extended family session at home (with Thanksgiving dinner + backyard baseball!)
 
// CONNECT WITH LEAH // 
Website: https://www.leahoconnell.com/education
Learn for free: https://www.leahoconnell.com/learn
IG: https://www.instagram.com/leahoconnell.photo
 

Building a Bold Brand & Exceptional Client Experience with Christine Dammann

Creating a standout brand and an unforgettable client experience is key to building a thriving photography business, and Christine has mastered both. In this episode, she shares how her bold, playful branding attracts her dream clients and how she ensures stress-free, enjoyable sessions through thoughtful preparation and communication.
From detailed prep guides to surprise gifts and heartfelt follow-ups, Christine’s client experience strategies go the extra mile. In this episode she gives us all the details for her process from start to finish. 
We also dive into the importance of finding community, trusted mentorship, and staying inspired through playing with your camera just for fun! Whether you're looking to refine your workflow, strengthen client relationships, or elevate your brand, this episode is packed with insights to help you refine your family photography business with purpose. 
 
// CONNECT WITH CHRISTINE // 
www.christinedammann.com
IG: @christinedammannphotography
Christine’s freebie for glowing google reviews: https://christinedammann.com/google-freebie
 
// OTHER LINKS MENTIONED //
Christine's Brand design by Bella Maven: https://bellamavenstudio.com/
 
// CONNECT WITH LEAH // 
Website: https://www.leahoconnell.com/education
Learn for free: https://www.leahoconnell.com/learn
IG: https://www.instagram.com/leahoconnell.photo
 
COMING SOON - THE SHOP: leahoconnell.com/shop

One Year of Photo Fuel: A Candid Q&A on Business, Conferences, Balance, Social Media, and more

🎉 Happy One-Year Anniversary to Photo Fuel! 🎉
This week marks a full year since I launched this podcast, and I want to celebrate with a special Q&A episode! I asked my email list to send in their biggest questions—about photography, business, motherhood, and more—and wow, you guys delivered.
In this candid, coffee-chat-style episode, I’m answering:📸 How to handle tricky toddlers in family sessions🎤 Behind the scenes of the Reset Conference💡 My biggest accomplishment in business 📱 How to approach social media as a new photographer👩‍👧‍👦 How my business changed after having kids
Thank you for being here—this milestone wouldn’t be possible without you! 💛
 
// Links & Resources Mentioned//📌 Lovesoaked Course (Affiliate)🎧 Free Audio Training: 3 Tips for Endless Posing Variety🎟️ The Reset Conference💬 Book a Free 1:1 Mentoring Call → leahoconnell.com/call📊 Right Track Audits → leahoconnell.com/righttrack
Enjoying the podcast? If you’ve been loving Photo Fuel, I’d be so grateful if you could leave a quick rating or review on Apple Podcasts with why you love the show! And always feel free to DM me (@leahoconnell.photo) to let me know what you'd love to see more of on the show in the next year!

Why I switched to Honeybook : takeaways from my migration + how it's going so far

Around Black Friday last year, I made a big decision to switch my CRM from Sprout Studio to HoneyBook—a huge move after nearly five years with the same CRM. One of my big goals for Q1 was managing this migration myself, and in this episode, I’m sharing how it’s going so far. 
I’ll walk you through:✨ Why I decided to make the switch (and why this isn’t a Sprout Studio takedown!!!)✨ My top three favorite things about HoneyBook as a newbie user✨ What made the transition challenging and what I’m still figuring out✨ Thoughts on HoneyBook’s pricing and features compared to Sprout
If you’ve been considering a CRM switch, or if you just want to refine your client experience, this episode is packed with insights! Plus, if you want to try HoneyBook, you can grab 30% off your first year with my link below + in the full show notes.// LINKS MENTIONED //
TRY HONEYBOOK: https://share.honeybook.com/leah9738526
TRY PICTIME: https://leahoconnell.pic-time.com/referral TRY SHOWIT: https://showit.com/r/jt922s
Grab coffee with me! Schedule a free 20 minute call to talk business and see if/how I can help: https://www.leahoconnell.com/call// CONNECT WITH LEAH // 
Website: https://www.leahoconnell.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahoconnell.photo
 

The Booking Call Debate: Pros, Cons, and Alternatives

The client booking call—also known as a discovery call or inquiry call—is one of the most debated steps in the photography client experience. Some photographers swear by it as a way to increase bookings and build trust, while others feel it creates unnecessary barriers. So, do you really need to require a phone call before a client books?
In this episode, we’re breaking down:- The pros of booking calls, including stronger client connections, simplified planning, and a high-touch experience.- The cons of booking calls, like scheduling challenges, added barriers for busy clients, and hidden pricing concerns.- Alternatives to phone calls that still create a smooth and aligned client experience—without the hassle.
If you’ve ever wondered whether to include (or ditch) phone calls in your workflow, this episode will help you decide what fits best for you and your business!// LINKS MENTIONED // 
https://www.leahoconnell.com/homestyle
https://www.leahoconnell.com/newsletter
Honeybook: https://share.honeybook.com/leah9738526
Showit: https://showit.com/r/jt922s
// CONNECT WITH LEAH // Website: https://www.leahoconnell.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahoconnell.photoFull Show Notes and Written Recap of the Episode: https://leahoconnell.com/should-you-incorporate-a-phone-call-in-your-photography-client-experience/

The 4 Stages of a Connection-Driven Client Experience

Your client experience is more than just delivering a beautiful gallery—it’s the foundation of a thriving, relationship-driven photography business. In this episode, we break down the four key stages of client experience: Attracting, Nurturing, Serving, and Continued Connection.
 
A solid client experience isn't necessarily about extreme high touch details or expensive gifts (it can be, but it doesn't have to - nor do those always make sense!). Whether you're starting from scratch or looking for ways to tweak your processes for more alignment, this episode is packed with both specific examples and overarching ways to think about client experience from a new angle. 
// LINKS MENTIONED //
THE HOMESTYLE ACCELERATOR : https://www.leahoconnell.com/homestyle
 
THE FIREFLY LETTERS: https://www.leahoconnell.com/newsletter
 
EPISODE 20: 6 unique ways to nurture your family photography clients. https://leahoconnell.com/ep-20-6-ways-to-nurture-your-family-photography-clients/
 
TRY HONEYBOOK: https://share.honeybook.com/leah9738526
 
 
 

Crafting a Client Experience That Works No Matter Where You Are with Natasha Sewell

What happens when you have to rebuild your photography business in a brand-new location? How do you create an intentional client experience that blends your own skills and capacity with your market needs?
In this episode, guest Natasha Sewell helps us explore the challenges and strategies of moving a photography business while maintaining (and improving) your client experience. Pivots can be scary and hard, but Natasha shares first hand experience with making it work, and growing even more passionate in the process. We talk about how she shifted her shooting style from posed newborns in studio to lifestyle in-home sessions, re-established her brand in a new market, and refined her process to attract and serve her target people in a new area. 
Whether you're planning a move or just want to refine your client experience, this episode is packed with specific examples and ideas about how to create a seamless, sustainable business from wherever you are. 
 
// LINKS MENTIONED //
Connect with Natasha: IG: instagram.com/npsphotography
Website: npsphotography.comThe Client Experience Blueprint: https://npsphotography.com/the-client-experience-blueprint-waitlistContact Pages That Serve: Create Connection and Confidence: https://npsphotography.com/contact-pages-that-serveThe Focussed Path Retreat: https://npsphotography.com/the-focused-path-retreat/Connect with Leah: 
IG: @leahoconnell.photoWebsite: https://www.leahoconnell.com
The Homestyle Accelerator Waitlist: https://www.leahoconnell.com/homestyle

3 times family photographers should shoot for free (+ a case for generosity)

In this episode, I'm tackling a controversial topic: shooting for free.
When is it worth it, and how can it benefit your growth as a family photographer?
I’ll share three instances where free shoots are a great move, plus, I’ll offer tips for handling free sessions with professionalism, creativity, and control (despite the free price tag).
Whether you're just starting out or years into your photography career, this episode will inspire you to rethink the value of generosity and creativity.
 
// LINKS // 
Full show notes: https://www.leahoconnell.com/
Leah's website: https://www.leahoconnell.com
Connect on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahoconnell.photo
Mentoring / book a free discovery call -  https://www.leahoconnell.com/mentoring