Photo Fuel | Family Photography Education

My Story: the roots, experience, failures, & inspirations that shaped my photography business + paying it forward

As the person in your earbuds each week bringing you photography education and industry stories, I felt it was time to give you a little more context about my history and experience getting to this place. 
I don’t have a fancy background or any official qualifications or fancy job history. My business has grown slowly and humbly - but maybe that’s exactly the kind of realness you need?  
Failure after failure ultimately revealed something hidden and beautiful - a career that I love, that supports my family, and allows me to live in my purpose of creating light to the world. 
Get ready for a touch of nostalgia as I share about my early inspiration and training in mall portrait studios along with -
the setbacks that left me jobless and wandering after college
the random people i met along the way who sparked the fire
how I taught myself alongside the mentors and courses I've learned from
the life circumstances that influence my style with both lifestyle and documentary approaches
how I've grown my business over the course of having 3 babies
the plateaus and breakthroughs I've experienced in my work
what accountability and feedback has done for my business and why I believe it's the true secret sauce to success
 
If you're interested in joining the Homestyle Accelerator small group coaching program for family photographers with a focus on in-home photography and simplified, warm businesses - get on the waitlist at https://leahoconnell.com/homestyle 
Enrollment opens Nov. 25 through 29 or until spots are filled!
 
// Other resources mentioned //
Emily lucarez course: https://www.creativelive.com/class/lifestyle-family-photography-emily-lucarz
Kirstin lewis class on Creativelive: https://www.creativelive.com/class/family-photography-creating-a-successful-business-kirsten-lewis
Brooke shultz: https://brookebschultz.com/love-soaked
Rachel Larsen Weaver : https://www.rachellarsenweaver.com/
 

Discovering Your Strengths, Why Client Love Isn’t Enough, and the Impact of Support with Lydia Fine

You likely have passion and excitement to create beautiful photos, but have you ever found yourself working behind the computer and thinking what the heck am I doing?
Am I even doing the right thing? Am I doing the things that are actually going to help? Am I completely wasting my time?
Today's guest is Lydia Fine, and our conversation circles around this idea of imposter syndrome with a sprinkle of support and the value of education and mentorship. Lydia is actually a student of mine and we've worked together in mentoring several times, so she shares a little bit about that experience and the unique gap that one-to-one mentoring filled for her in her personal and professional growth.
Lydia grew up as a farm girl, she earned a marketing degree and an MBA, and she has two kiddos with her husband. She runs Apollo and Ivy Photography focused on families, seniors and newborns.
// Topics we discuss //
The difference between affirmation in the formal workplace vs entrepreneurship
How affirmation and lack thereof affects us (and clients loving their photos isn’t the same thing!)
The reasons Lydia reached out to me for coaching and how it was the missing link in her growth
Different types of education she recommends looking to for specific problems
The role of coaching in confidence building through risk assessment
The questions that helped Lydia uncover her strengths
When it’s time to invest in one to one or group coaching and when you’re better served with things like courses
The value of slow growth
How to choose the right coach for you
 
// CONNECT WITH LYDIA // 
Website: www.apolloandivy.com
Instagram: @lydia_apolloandivy
Lydia's freebies: 
How to get clients with google reviews: https://apolloandivy.myflodesk.com/google-reviews
The 3 client emails you're not sending yet: https://apolloandivy.myflodesk.com/3-emails
Instagram Reel Series: Google Business Profile Tips for Photographers: https://instagram.com/lydia_apolloandivy
 
// CONNECT WITH LEAH // 
Homestyle Accelerator Group Coaching : https://leahoconnell.com/group
Leah's website: https://leahoconnell.com
Leah on Instagram: @leahoconnell_photo

4 ways to build momentum when you’re *not* busy in the fall

Whether you're winding down your fall season or you're still in the thick of the season, not *everyone* experiences that "busy fall" photographers like to talk about. Maybe you're reflecting on what this fall looked like for you and instead of being filled with clients sessions, it was kind of stale. Maybe you weren't as busy this fall as you usually are, or you're just getting started and you've never had a busy fall yet.
Maybe you've moved to a new city, or you're on maternity leave, or just going through a lull - but when you go to Instagram and you see everyone doing sessions and sharing fall work and editing cues and whatever, it can be discouraging. SO in this episode I'm sharing four things that you can do to capitalize on the fall energy and build momentum, even when your work que is slow. Through personal stories and advice, we'll create excitement around the slower seasons to use them well with the big picture in mind. 
 
 
// LINKS DISCUSSED //
Ultimate list of freebies : https://leahoconnell.com/learn
The Firefly Letters: https://leahoconnell.com/newsletter
Episode 5: 6 shifts that helped me grow my photography business

Photography Business Fears and Horror Stories 🫢

Ever had a heart-stopping moment when you realize your camera is dangling too close to the ocean or you check your camera back 100 times on the way to a session because you irrationally think you forgot all your gear?
Or show up to the wrong house? 
Or loose images from a session?
As a family photographer with over 15 years of experience, I've had my share of irrational fears and horrifying experiences, too. In this episode, I'm candidly sharing not just my personal stories of mishaps and embarrassing moments, but the invaluable lessons learned from these experiences.
This spooky season, let's acknowledge that fear is an inherent part of our creative journey and so is facing that sometimes those fears come true. Can you show yourself you'll be alright, even if you mess up? This episode is a humorous twist on the ideas that keep us up at night, and hopefully will lead all of us into feeling a little less alone. 
 
// connect with Leah // 
Photo Fuel facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/photofuel/
https://www.leahoconnell.com/learn (free resources to help you grow)
https://www.leahoconnell.com/mentoring (1:1 mentoring)
https://www.leahoconnell.com/group (group coaching + course interest list)

Seasons of Business, Marketing with Intention, & Choosing Education Wisely with Sabrina Gebhardt

Sabrina Gebhardt is a long time photographer who’s made it her mission to coach family photographers through bettering themselves and building thriving photography businesses. Sabrina is doing all kinds of work in the education space for photographers right now, but she is also photographing families and has been for 14 years. In this episode, we talk about
-the ebb and flow of business and balance
-the art of hustling in a healthy way and keeping that big picture view of the whole year 
- the pitfalls of a scarcity mindset during slower seasons 
- and continuing education and choosing the container and coach wisely to suit your needs
 
Sabrina is an expert on this because she’s not only participated in all the types of education herself, but she now has created and runs opportunities from free guides, to online courses, to 1:1 mentoring, to small group support, and of course the Root to Rise Retreat and Mastermind. 
// connect with Sabrina // 
Website: https://www.sabrinagebhardt.com
Instagram: @sabrinagebhardtphotography
// connect with Leah // 
Website: https://www.leahoconnell.com
Instagram: @leahoconnell.photo
The Firefly Letters: https://www.leahoconnell.com/newsletter
1:1 Mentoring: https://www.leahoconnell.com/mentoring
 

Beyond the discounts : Navigating Black Friday as a Family Photographer

Can Black Friday be about more than just superficial discounts? In today's episode, I'm talking through the complexities of Black Friday sales, especially for family photographers looking to maintain their artistic integrity and profitability. Rather than crafting a sale for your services, I want to propose some more creative thinking about how you might use this time of increased buyer attention to set yourself apart in a positive and productive way with 4 specific ideas to get you going (or walk away!).
We'll challenge the idea that slashing prices is the only way to engage customers and explore how taking cues from Trader Joe's stable pricing approach might be the game-changer your business needs.
// Join our private Facebook group to continue this engaging conversation and prepare for a successful, value-driven black Friday! // 
 
Links: 
Episode 12: Newsletters - what I learned from 1 year of The Firefly Letters 
1:1 Mentoring : leahoconnell.com/mentoring
Course + group coaching wait list : leahoconnell.com/group
Free download: Gift certificate template // https://www.leahoconnell.com/gifts
Advertising print materials: moo.com
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/photofuel/
 

A Pre-Shoot Pep Talk / Meditation (Recenter yourself for your best work)

This episode is airing originally in the fall, and because this podcast is specifically for family photographers, I’m assuming a lot of you are in your busiest part of the year. You’re travelling to a lot of shoots. Even if you don’t have a ton of work right now, every time you do go to a shoot, it feels especially important. If you are finding yourself in the dead center of tons of editing or in the car going back and forth to client’s homes, I want this episode to serve as a tool to recenter. 
 
Whenever you’re feeling swirly or like you’re running out the door from your own personal whirlwind and you just need something to help plug you back into your purpose, I hope you’ll play (or replay!) this episode and discover peace and potential that will rev you up to create a phenomenal experience for the families who’ve hired you. 
 
// connect with Leah //
Website: https://www.leahoconnell.com
Instagram: @leahoconnell.photo
Waitlist for the mastermind + retreat: https://www.leahoconnell.com/group
The Big Picture Workbook Freebie: https://www.leahoconnll.com/bigpicture
 
 

Why (and how) I Changed My Business Name

Have you ever known you needed to make a change for your business but felt scared about what it would cost you? 
Have you ever resisted taking risks or making investments or choices that you knew deep down were good choices but felt scary? 
That’s the backstory of this episode - why I knew it was time to change my business name and how I went about making the shift after 11 years of operating and creating content on the internet under a different name.
The history of my longstanding previous name (Firefly Photography)
The turning point for feeling the nudge to change it 
Making business personal on purpose
Simplifying branding by returning to the basics
Llogistics about changing a name and implications for things like SEO 
 
// Links discussed //
Group Coaching : leahoconnell.com/group
Free downloads: leahoconnell.com/learn
Fb group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/photofuel/
 

Get Discovered and Grow your Business in a New Place Using SEO with Melissa Arlena

SEO expert Melissa Arlena is on the show today with her experience and best practices for moving your photography business to a new city, establishing brand presence online with SEO, and ways you can set yourself up for success. 
 
We talk about things like:
 
How she excels and books as a photographer with a specific, repeatable look
Tips to transition your business between states
Tweaks to your keyword targeting
Changes to how google reads keyword differences
How do do keyword research and choose the best ones to get you “found”
Tips for how to understand what your target clients are looking for as topic starters for blog content
The purpose of local-specific blog posts for seo and client interest
Studying and understanding analytics
How long you can expect SEO work to take when moving to a new city
How we can utilize AI to better utilize our time and tools
The future of search behavior
 
This is a meaty episode - get your pens ready! 
 
// Connect with Melissa:  //
Website: https://pictureperfectrankings.com/
SEO facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pictureperfectrankings
On instagram: @pictureperfectrankings
 
// Connect with Leah // 
Website: https://www.leahoconnell.com
Instagram: @leahoconnell.photo
The Firefly Letters: https://www.leahoconnell.com/newsletter
 
 

4 Simple Copy Tips to Elevate your Family Photography Website

Something that always comes up in the audits I do, in any mentoring call I’ve done in the last 2 years, and in conversations all the time with photographers is COPY - specifically, for your family photography website. In this episode, I have four simple copy tips for your family photography website that will take under an hour to tweak. Even though they're simple, they make such a huge difference in your ability to attract and hold the attention of your dream clients and move through your customer journey and into that contact form. 
 
We talk about things like: 
The ‘fluff test’
What you “about” page is really for 
How to use the magic combination of personal vision, your favorite images, and customer feedback to write your website
Better calls to action
Logistic and design quick tips to support your copy and make sure people actually read it
// Links discussed //
Right track audits: https://www.leahoconnell.com/righttrack
Episode 10 - Website Work: https://leahoconnell.com/ep-10-website-work/
Episode 20- 6 ways to Nurture your Family Photography Clients https://leahoconnell.com/ep-20-6-ways-to-nurture-your-family-photography-clients/
The Big-Picture Workbook: https://www.leahoconnell.com/bigpicture