Photo Fuel | The Vision, Art, and Business of Family Photography

The last thing you as a photographer want is for your family photo sessions to feel stiff or overly posed. That's why I believe in exploring the idea of creative play inside your sessions.
We just hosted the very first Photo Fuel Retreat and Mastermind, where we got to do exactly that. We not only found ways to bring more of each photographer into their businesses, but we also got to play with how they can break through the technicality of our work and bring more honesty and personality into it. That's what creates beautiful images for your families.
In this episode, I’m walking you through how to move beyond rigid posing and into something more alive and collaborative. Listen in as I share how curiosity (both about yourself and your clients) can completely transform the energy of your work.
 
Ready to reconnect with why you started and fall back in love with your business? The Photo Fuel Retreat is an intimate, in-person experience designed for family photographers who care deeply about storytelling, sustainability, and doing work that actually feels good. Think of it as your space to slow down, think deeply, and build real connection—with your craft, your values, and a small circle of like-minded creatives.
Join the Waitlist: leahoconnell.com/retreat
 
Find It Quickly:
1:29 - Why Sessions Feel Stiff
3:28 - Curiosity Over Perfection
6:10 - Curiosity with Yourself
7:09 - Breathe and Notice
10:36 - Curiosity With Your Subjects
13:37 - Trust the Unscripted
15:50 - Practice and Experiment
 
Mentioned in this Episode:
The Photo Fuel Retreat: leahoconnell.com/retreat

What if the next step in scaling your business isn’t just about adding something new, but about building something that finally matches what you’ve believed all along? For a long time, I thought being a photography educator meant I needed a shop full of templates, mini-courses, and downloadable resources. While I've found that courses and digital products have their place, what I was longing for in my educational offerings went deeper. It needed real, in-person connection: Enter the Photo Fuel Retreat & Mastermind.
In this episode, I’m sharing how Photo Fuel Retreat & Mastermind became what it is today (and all the iterations that led to it). Listen in to hear how I started my educational offerings with digital products and found my way to building an in-person, immersive experience for family photographers who want real transformation, not just more information.
 
Find It Quickly
01:06 - Digital Products Felt Shallow
01:55 - Mentoring to Group Coaching Lessons
03:55 - Retreat Idea Takes Shape
06:13 - The Seed Planted Years Ago
07:26 - A Retreat That Changed Me
09:30 - Why Online Learning Falls Short
13:09 - Designing the MVP Retreat
14:30 - No Styled Shoots Real Sessions
17:20 - Community Over Competition
18:54 - Slow Impact Over Scaling
 
Mentioned in this Episode:
Join The Photo Fuel Retreat Waitllist: leahoconnell.com/schools-waitlist
 Brooke Schultz's Love Soaked Retreat: brookebschultz.com/love-soaked
Ep 18 with Caitlin Alohilani Photography: leahoconnell.com/photo-fuel-episode-18-the-benefits-of-being-an-introverted-photographer-switching-careers-shooting-multiple-genres-and-more-with-caitlin-alohilani-photography/
Episode 9 with Mary Catherine Wickman: leahoconnell.com/connecting-with-clients-by-owning-your-story-photo-fuel-ep-09/

Have you ever looked at your work and thought, This is fine… but something feels off? In this episode, I’m talking about the sneaky middle season no one prepares you for—the growth plateau. It’s not burnout or failure. You’re seeing success, booking clients, and producing solid work. Deep down, though, you know what got you here isn’t going to get you there - wherever there may be for you.
I’ve been hearing this over and over in mentoring conversations lately. Photographers who feel bored, invisible, resentful about pricing, creatively flat, or just quietly craving something more—but they can’t quite name it. Listen in as we explore what might be holding you back.
 
Ready to reconnect with why you started and fall back in love with your business? The Photo Fuel Retreat is an intimate, in-person experience designed for family photographers who care deeply about storytelling, sustainability, and doing work that actually feels good. Think of it as your space to slow down, think deeply, and build real connection—with your craft, your values, and a small circle of like-minded creatives.
Join the Waitlist: leahoconnell.com/retreat
 
Find It Quickly:
00:26 - The Sneaky Middle: Understanding the Growth Plateau
03:21 - Signs You’re on a Plateau
07:29 - Plateaus as Transition Points: Steady Seasons vs. It’s Time to Change
09:56 - Breaking Through: Better Questions, Discomfort, and Taking Creative Risks
13:35 - Self-Coaching Prompts: Find What’s Boring, Safe, and What You’re Avoiding
16:37 - Why Support Systems Matter
21:00 - The Retreat Details
 
Mentioned in this Episode:
The Photo Fuel Retreat: leahoconnell.com/retreat

Building a photography business doesn’t always mean choosing just one lane and staying there forever. For many photographers, the most sustainable paths are layered, seasonal, and shaped by the realities of life.
That’s exactly the story of my guest today, Rebecca Hunnicutt, a lifestyle family photographer based in Portland, Oregon. Rebecca and I first connected in real life at Reset Conference, and in this conversation we dive into the many branches of her work—from family photography to school photography to teaching both photographers and kids.
We talk about how school photography became not just a revenue stream, but a strategic and sustainable foundation that supports her family work, and what it really looks like to juggle multiple niches.
 
Make School Photos a Part of Your Photography Business
If you've been thinking about adding school photography to your offerings, the Picture Day course is exactly what you need. Learn how to market, book, photograph, and deliver outdoor school photography for local daycares and schools to fuel your family photography business and boost your income.
Join the Waitlist: leahoconnell.com/schools-waitlist
 
Find It Quickly:
01:53 - Meet Rebecca Hunnicutt
03:02 - Rebecca's Photography Journey
04:22 - The Intersection of Family and School Photography
06:54 - Teaching Photography to Kids
08:49 - Challenges and Rewards of Photography Camps
10:49 - Balancing Multiple Photography Ventures
15:08 - The Importance of Seeing Differently
18:59 - Exploring New Ideas for Photography Courses
20:10 - Balancing Multiple Business Angles
20:58 - Challenges of Managing School Photography
23:06 - Streamlining Family Photography Operations
26:58 - Innovative Customer Service Solutions
29:57 - Future Goals and Personal Motivation
30:42 - The Joy of Travel Photography
33:36 - Creative Solutions for Business and Personal Life
 
Mentioned in this Episode:
Photo Fuel Retreat Waitlist: leahoconnell.com/retreat
School Photography Course Waitlist: leahoconnell.com/schools-waitlist
Airtable: airtable.com
Photography Education: elenasblair.com
 
Connect with Rebecca
Website: hunnicuttphotography.com
Instagram: instagram.com/rebecca.hunnicutt.photography
Instagram: instagram.com/rebecca.hunnicutt.education
 

If you have ever felt overwhelmed by how loud and crowded it feels online with the constant posting, optimizing, and trying to stay visible, you are not alone. Over the past few years, I have found myself quietly moving toward something slower, more personal, and more sustainable: analog marketing.
This shift started with my newsletter, The Firefly Letters. It became a space where I could be more honest, more thoughtful, and more myself than anywhere else online. That small decision to write more intimately led to something bigger: a deeper interest in creating real, human connections that extend beyond the screen.
That's when I made the shift from marketing as a performance to marketing with intent. In today's episode, I'm sharing how I've gone analog in my business and what that looks like for this year. Listen in as I highlight a few ways you can incorporate analog marketing into your own business!
 
A Creative Reset for Family Photographers
Ready to reconnect with why you started and fall back in love with your business? The Photo Fuel Retreat is an intimate, in-person experience designed for family photographers who care deeply about storytelling, sustainability, and doing work that actually feels good. Think of it as your space to slow down, think deeply, and build real connection—with your craft, your values, and a small circle of like-minded creatives.
Join the Waitlist: https://leahoconnell.com/retreat
 
Find It Quickly:
01:37 - Embracing Analog Methods in Marketing
04:22 - Introduction to Photo Fuel
04:47 - Analog Marketing Method 1: Snail Mail
08:41 - Analog Marketing Method 2: Hosting Local Gatherings
17:10 - Analog Marketing Method 3: Outdoor School Photography
20:08 - Analog Marketing Method 4: In-Person Education Retreats
 
Mentioned in this Episode:
Photo Fuel Retreat Waitlist: https://leahoconnell.com/retreat
School Photography Course Waitlist: https://leahoconnell.com/schools-waitlist
The Firefly Newsletter: https://leahoconnell.com/newsletter
Free Resources: https://leahoconnell.com/learn
 
Connect with LeahLeah's website: https://www.leahoconnell.com
Leah's IG: https://www.instagram.com/leahoconnell.photo

Does your quiet January inbox have you spiraling about your prices? You’re not alone. This time of year has a way of bringing out the darkest corners of our business fears. 
Questions like, “Did I price myself out of my market?” or “Will I ever get inquiries again?” swirl in the silence of a post-holiday lull. If we can learn to spot the pattern, we can break the cycle and make better decisions for the long game.
 
Get Clear on Your Big Picture:
If you’re feeling swirly about your business right now, it’s probably not because you need a new strategy—it’s because you haven’t slowed down enough to see the big picture. The Big Picture Workbook walks you through 10 thoughtful prompts to help you zoom out, get clear on your direction, and make confident decisions as a family photographer. You can print it or journal digitally and revisit it anytime you need grounding.
Download Now: https://leahoconnell.com/bigpicture
 
Find It Quickly:
00:24 - Understanding Pricing Anxiety
02:25 - Seasonal Nature of Family Photography
04:34 - Data-Driven Decision Making
11:59 - Client Communication and Feedback
15:50 - Financial Strategies and Adjustments
20:30 - Mentoring and Support Options
 
Mentioned in this Episode:
Big Picture Workbook: https://leahoconnell.com/bigpicture
Photographers-Only Email List: https://leahoconnell.com/newsletter
Photo Fuel Retreat & Mastermind Waitlist: https://leahoconnell.com/retreat
Voxer Coaching: https://leahoconnell.com/voxer
 
Connect with LeahLeah's website: https://www.leahoconnell.com
Leah's IG: https://www.instagram.com/leahoconnell.photo

Dave Herring is a photographer, educator, and founder of Very Good CO. He’s also a creative nomad and a long time friend.
In this episode of Photo Fuel, I chat with Dave about how curiosity led him to a whole new career as a photographer and educator. From leaving the East Coast and relocating his family to California with no concrete plan, to working with brands like Leica and Hasselblad, Dave shares how paying attention to what felt meaningful—and staying generous along the way—shaped his career and a life that supports his ultimate measure of success: being in charge of his time.
We talk about blending past experience into creative work and how free content and generosity have become foundational to his business. This conversation is packed with stories that will inspire you and leave you feeling hopeful for all that’s possible.
Even though Dave is primarily a landscape photographer, this episode offers new perspective we all need on the value of metrics, making decisions in your business, and what it really means to make art your work—one thoughtful step at a time.
 
// LINKS MENTIONED //
Blog Post: "Generosity changed everything:" https://dave.online/writings/how-generosity-changed-everything
Very Good CO: shopverygood.com
Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/
STEPHEN SHORE Photo books:
Stephen Shore by STEPHEN SHORE - Book: 9781633450486 | Rizzoli Bookstore
// CONNECT WITH DAVE // Dave’s youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@davidherringDAVE’S WEBSITE: Dave.online// CONNECT WITH LEAH //Leah's website: https://www.leahoconnell.comLeah's IG: https://www.instagram.com/leahoconnell.photo

What if you didn’t need to burn down your photography business to feel better in it?
In this solo episode of Photo Fuel, we'll explore the idea of micro-pivots—small, intentional changes that can bring more clarity, energy, and alignment to your work without rebranding, quitting, or announcing a brand-new niche.
This conversation is for family photographers who still love what they do, but feel a quiet sense of restlessness. Maybe sessions feel heavier than they used to. Maybe your creativity has shifted before your business has caught up. Or maybe you just know something needs to change—but you don’t know what yet.
We talk about:
What micro-pivots are (and what they’re not)
Signs you may be craving a small shift, not a big overhaul
Creative, structural, and offer-based micro-pivots you can try
How to experiment without risking your income or identity
Why sustainable change often happens quietly
If you’ve been wondering whether it’s possible to evolve without starting over, this episode offers permission, perspective, and practical ways forward.
 
// LINKS MENTIONED //
 
Episode 61: From Families to Brand Photography with Nicole Hodgson
Episode 59: Messy Action, The Artful Pivot, and Creating from the Inside Out with Brooke Schultz
Episode 56: The Missing LInk to your Photography Marketing with Michelle Franzetti
 
The Micro-Pivots Journalling Workbook : https://leahoconnell.myflodesk.com/pivot
 
// CONNECT // 
Leah's website: https://www.leahoconnell.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/leahoconnell.photo
 
 
 

In this episode, we’re kicking off a short series all about pivoting, evolving, and exploring new creative seasons as a photographer. It’s so easy to stay siloed inside the same family photography conversations, hearing the same strategies and the same voices. But there is so much to learn from photographers who step outside the familiar and build something new.
Today’s guest—Nicole Hodgson—is the perfect guest to kick it off.
Nicole is a former marriage and family therapist turned lifestyle brand photographer based in Northern California. She began her business photographing families, but over time, her sessions started filling with women who were also building businesses of their own. That pattern nudged her toward a new direction, and eventually, a full pivot into brand photography.
In this warm and candid conversation, we talk about:
The early signs that her niche was shifting
The first steps she took to bring a new direction to life
The identity work behind rebuilding a business from the ground up
The honest pros and cons of family photography
How her past career shaped her perspective as an artist and entrepreneur
The confidence it takes to be the face of your brand
The power of journaling for capturing new ideas and having confidence with executing on them
Nicole shares her approach to a new pricing model for brands vs what made sense for her family clients and the financial logic behind marketing to brands versus families—an incredibly helpful lens for anyone curious about expanding their services.
Whether you’re considering brand photography, navigating your own pivot, or just wondering what else is possible in this industry, this episode is a reminder that your identity, your opportunities, and your creativity are bigger than any niche.
// LINKS MENTIONED // 
Rebrand with Maddie Peshong: https://www.maddiepeschong.com/brand-photography
Episode 18: The benefits of being an introverted photographer switching careers, shooting multiple genres, and more with Caitlin Alohilani 
Free Resources for Family Photography Education: https://www.leahoconnell.com/learn
 
// CONNECT // 
 
Nicole Hodgson 
Website: www.nicolehodgsonphotography.com
Instagram: @nicolehodgson.photography
 
Leah O'Connell
Website: https://www.leahoconnell.com
Instagram: @leahoconnell.photo
 

This episode is releasing on the week of Thanksgiving, which is also a big time for holiday deals and making purchases for your business. This is a short and sweet chat to share my Top 4 Essentials as far as software for running my business. This powerful combo is the nuts and bolts of my marketing, sales, communication and delivery - the tech stack of dreams. 
If you're thinking of upleveling your tooling or getting started with some client experience systems to scale your work, listen in to learn more about what each tool does, why I chose it, how they connect to one another, and what to consider most if you’re shopping for smarter systems this season.
 
// LINKS MENTIONED //
Episode: 25: Navigating Black Friday for family photographersEpisode 31 : Your Black Friday Investment Plan
Episode 46: Why I switched to Honeybook and how it’s going: (on spotify)(on apple podcasts) 
Honeybook referral link: https://share.honeybook.com/leah9738526
Pictime referral link: https://leahoconnell.pic-time.com/referral
Flodesk referral link: https://flodesk.com/c/PHOTOFUEL
Showit referral link: https://showit.com/r/jt922s
The Photo Fuel Retreat & Mastermind: https://www.leahoconnell.com/retreat