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

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
 

What every family photographer needs to know about "conveying value"

This week, I'm addressing a question from the Photo Fuel Facebook group about pricing around the common concern -  how do I “convey the value.” 
 
In this episode, we'll address how to structure a package so it feels good in your gut and your wallet, what to include in it and what to leave behind. I’m going to give you 3 main points to consider when thinking about your package structure and setting your pricing, no matter where you are in business.
If pricing is giving you a headache and you feel torn between following trends and advice and wrestling with your own ideas among all that, this episode is your next best thing. 
 
// LINKS MENTIONED // 
TONIC templates: https://tonicsiteshop.com/showcase/?_showcase_collection=add-on-templates
TONIC newsletter: https://tonicsiteshop.com/tonic-vip/
Right Track Audits : https://www.leahoconnell.com/righttrack
FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/photofuel/
Susannah Treadway: https://www.instagram.com/susannahrayephotography/
 
 

History of Pricing Part II : Growing a business and babies, my biggest game-changers, & where I've landed

In this episode, we’re diving back into my pricing journey and picking up where we left off in Part I. Over the past decade, I’ve experimented with session structures (IPS, virtual, print credits, collections - you name it), along with team fluctuation, revised brand vision, and big mindset shifts. From beginning to scale a team, to navigating 2020, to restructuring again - and navigating having three babies through all of it - I have finally found alignment in pricing and this episode is packed with lessons learned through it all.
You’ll hear about:
Why my pricing and created a bottleneck for growth and how I overcame confidence hurdles to change it
How major life changes pushed me to refine my process.
The systems and strategies I implemented to increase revenue while keeping my business lean and family-focused.
My recent shift to an all-inclusive model that’s simplified my workflow and delighted my clients.
Plus, I’ll share practical takeaways about adapting your pricing to align with your values, avoid client confusion, and create a more sustainable business.
If you’re a family photographer wondering how to navigate your own pricing evolution, this one’s for you.
// Links & how to connect // 
Part 1: History of pricing Part 1 
Big picture workbook : https://leahoconnell.com/bigpicture
Right track audits: https://leahoconnell.com/righttrack
1:1 mentoring : https://leahoconnell.com/mentoringFind me on instagram @leahoconnell.photo
 

History of Pricing Part 1

Here it is - THE PRICING TALK. Since I believe storytelling is one of the best avenues of learning, I'm broaching this with simply my experience - which, let's be honest, after 10+ years in business I've seen and tried just about everything. I'm talking —$50 sessions with CDs in plastic sleeves, IPS out of my tiny starter Hawaii apartment, every combination of session fee + collection model imaginable, and eventually moving to an all-inclusive digital model with print credit and a la carte sales. We're talking numbers, collection details, logistics - so much that this is just Part 1.
This episode is packed with real numbers, honest reflections, and plenty of takeaways for you to apply to your own business.Whether you’re just starting out or rethinking your pricing strategy, stick around to the end for tips on how to build a pricing model that actually works for you—your style, your life, and your goals. 
Next week in part II we’ll dive into the past five years, where I made big shifts, grew my family + 2 more kids, and faced new challenges (hello, pandemic) and how pricing changes fit into the scheme of things when developing a life and a business you love.  
// LINKS MENTIONED // 
Episode 30: MY STORY -  https://leahoconnell.com/ep-30-my-story-the-roots-experience-failures-inspirations-that-shaped-my-photography-business-paying-it-forward/
 
Homestyle Accelerator Group: https://www.leahoconnell.com/homestyle
The LEARN page with free resources - https://www.leahoconnell.com/learn 
Photo Fuel Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/photofuel/
 

Adopting a 'why not' mindset

In this episode, I'm kicking off a series on pricing and workflow with a short and sweet entry point around setting your mindset for this kind of work. Pricing tends to bring up a lot of fear and questioning and imposter syndrome and I believe this one question - why not? - is the key to getting out of your own way and staying dedicated to curiosity, trial and error, and building the business you're excited to run. 
 
// LINKS MENTIONED // 
The big picture workbook: https://www.leahoconnell.com/bigpicture
The Homestyle Accelerator: https://www.leahoconnell.com/homestyle
Free resources to learn from me: https://www.leahoconnell.com/learn
 
 
// CONNECT WITH LEAH // 
instagram: @leahoconnell.photo
 

What I'm working on in slow season : a peak into how I organize projects and make plans

Happy new year and welcome to Q1 where it’s known in the family photography world as kindof a dead zone for bookings and shoots. For wedding photographers, this it usually the start of a busy season of bookings, but in our world I’ve noticed that no matter how I slice it, things tend to slow way down.
 
If you’ve listened to the last few episodes, you’ve probably noticed it’s been heavy on the reflections and questions so I thought maybe it was time to give you a few answers. Today I'm sharing a behind the scenes peak into my plans and projects for this month.
 
You'll get the zoomed out look at the tools I use to capture ideas, prioritize them, and choose what's most important next. Then we'll get into specifics with how I'll be spending my time this month and planning on utilizing the slow season as a family photographer well.  //
 
LINKS DISCUSSED // 
Big picture workbook: https://leahoconnell.com/bigpicture
Episode 33: My 3-Part Process for EOY Goal Setting and Reflection (*free download for a personal meeting agenda)
Trello For Photographers course: https://leahoconnell.com/trello-for-photographers
How I use Trello in my business blog post: https://leahoconnell.com/how-i-use-trello-for-my-photography-business-2/
Kat Schmoyer - Trello for Beginners
https://katschmoyer.com/productivity-trello-beginners/
The Firefly Letters (my weekly newsletter) 
Photographers only email list: https://www.leahoconnell.com/learn
Homestyle accelerator waitlist: https://leahoconnell.com/homestyle
Episode 7 with Morgan Miles: Marketing, Privacy, and Social Media
Blog post: Do i need instagram for my photography business? 
 
All my free resources to support you: https://www.leahoconnell.com/learn