Are you feeling stuck, like your business has lost momentum, or maybe you're questioning if you're the problem?

I see you, and you're definitely not alone. So many photographers are feeling the pinch right now, especially in the luxury family and boudoir markets. In this episode, I get real about what's happening in our industry and why it's not your fault.

The world has changed, and so have our clients' priorities.

I'll share some honest, actionable ideas to help you shift with the market—without losing your passion or your sanity. We'll talk about offering digital-only packages, blending family and business sessions, and how a little diversification can open up new streams of income.

Plus, I'll remind you that it's okay to ask for help and that your business isn't stuck forever—it's just evolving.

Main topics covered:

- Current challenges in portrait photography

- Emotional impact of market changes

- Creative sales strategies for tough times

- Combining personal and business branding

- Embracing change and seeking support

Ever felt like the photography industry is changing faster than you can keep up? Or maybe you’re wondering if personal brand photography is really a sustainable path, especially when everyone’s talking about AI, economic downturns, and “the death of photography”? I get it—these are the questions that keep us up at night, especially when you’re trying to build a business that feels both creative and secure.

In this episode, I chat with the wonderful Sarah Morgan, a portrait and brand photographer from San Diego who’s seen it all—from shooting weddings on film in the 80s to navigating the digital revolution and now thriving in the world of personal branding. We dig into the real challenges of shifting genres, pricing your work with confidence, and how to create an experience that clients rave about (even when things go sideways on shoot day). Sarah shares her honest journey, including the moments she was sweating bricks and the lessons she’s learned about rolling with the punches and building trust with clients.

If you’ve ever wondered how to weather industry storms, find your niche, or just want to hear how another photographer has made personal branding work for her lifestyle (hello, no more schlepping gear to the beach at sunset!), this episode is for you. We also talk about the power of automation, why ongoing learning matters, and how to create a collaborative, creative process that lights you up.

Main topics covered:

- Navigating industry changes and economic downturns

- Transitioning from weddings/families to personal brand photography

- Building client trust and handling shoot-day curveballs

- Pricing strategies and confidence

- The impact of automation and ongoing education

Feeling a little behind?

Like you’ve been working hard behind the scenes… but not showing up as much as you “should”?

Same. And you’re not alone.

This episode is a soft, honest reminder that your value isn’t measured by how visible you are.

If you’ve been building quietly, holding everything together, or just doing your best with what you’ve got — this one’s for you.

Learn More in PBE Academy - CLICK HERE

Have you ever lowered your prices in an attempt to stay competitive?

While this may seem like the right move, it can actually be detrimental to your business. Too often, photographers undercharge due to fear or self-doubt, but this can damage your professional reputation.

In this episode, I dive into:

• Why charging too little can make your business seem unprofessional
• How underpricing impacts your brand image
• The common pitfalls of low pricing and how to avoid them
• How to confidently price your work to reflect its true value

Pricing is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a photographer, yet it's also the most challenging. So if you've ever felt like you're not charging enough for your photography, or if you're worried about pricing yourself out of the market, this episode is for you.

LINKS :

Learn more about learning inside of Academy HERE

Wanna get a one-on-one FREE strategy call with moi? Book HERE

“I wish I found you before I bought that course,”

It’s a shame when I hear this from others in my industry but it can be the downside of cookie-cutter coaching programs—those well-meaning, step-by-step systems that ignore your personality, learning style, or life context—and how that can leave you feeling stuck or overwhelmed.

This episode is for any photographer who's ever bought the course, downloaded the templates, and followed the steps… only to feel like something just didn’t click. I’ll show you why that’s not your fault.

🎯 You’ll learn:

• Why business coaching should never be “one size fits all”
• How the right guide can nurture your growth, even when you resist at first
• Why it’s okay to skip the parts of a system that don’t suit you

LEARN PERSONAL BRAND PHOTOGRAPHY WITH PAULA & GET THE WHOLE BUSINESS SYSTEM BUILT OUT FOR YOU

This week I chatted with my VIP client and friend, Katie Lawrence, a salon owner who has booked multiple shoots with me over the years—and who’s proof that branding photos aren’t just a luxury—they’re a necessity for any business that wants to grow and evolve.

Katie runs a successful salon and has booked multiple branding shoots over the years as her business expanded. She shares how each session has reflected a new stage in her journey, from launching her business to building a team and refining her high-end brand identity.

We also talk about how showing up consistently in polished, professional images has made her business feel cohesive—and how that’s translated into more bookings and brand trust.

And Katie opens up about a major social media setback that would have crushed most businesses—but thanks to a strong brand presence (and a killer image bank), she was able to bounce back stronger than ever.

If you want to learn how to educate clients on the long-term value of branding photography, this episode is packed with insights that will help you shift their (and shift your) mindset!

In this episode, we cover:

• Why brand aesthetics are more than just "pretty pictures"
• How Katie used photography to elevate her business and attract premium clients
• The different types of shoots she’s done and how they’ve evolved with her brand
• The hidden power of professional imagery in social media and marketing
• How to help your clients understand the value of personal branding photography

After years of coaching photographers through big career pivots, I've seen the priceless joy that comes when someone finally finds their niche.

I brought Brooke Cerny on to share how she transitioned her photography skills into a niche that provides freedom, creative input, and fulfilling client relationships... You guessed it... Branding!

(And this is one of those conversations that just brings me pure joy to bring to you)

You'll hear how she tackled the uncertainty of letting go of steady wedding bookings and built a consistent brand photography business—something many dream of but hey it can be scary, so many just don't try to do.

If you've been searching for a more chill approach to photography that still keeps the lights on (and then some), Brooke's journey might just be what you need to hear today.

In this episode Brooke Shared :

* Confronting "safe" wedding work vs. new opportunities

* Building genuine client connections in branding

* The opportunities, conversations and rooms your camera can get you into

* Letting go of fear to pursue a calmer photography life

LEARN MORE ABOUT ACADEMY HERE

Check out Brooke at Magnolia Studios HERE

BOOK STRATEGY CALL WITH PAULA

What if one decision could completely change the course of your photography journey?

They say big changes usually start as small ideas, but this one caught me by surprise and grew faster than I ever expected.

In this episode, I reveal the unexpected turn I never saw coming and why it’s had such a massive impact on me—breathing new life into my photography work.

If you’ve been feeling like you’re on the edge of something new, this might be the spark you’ve been waiting for.

No spoilers here—you’ll have to listen to find out exactly what happened and why I’m so excited for what’s next.

BOOK STRATEGY CALL WITH PAULA