Motherhood, boundaries, and building a business that actually supports your life... this one hits close to home.

Marie and Amber are recording just days before Mother's Day 2026, and they're getting real about hustle culture, the pressure to be constantly available, and how they've intentionally structured their businesses around their families, not the other way around.

If you've ever felt the Sunday-night dread before a Monday session, said yes to a weekend booking you really didn't want, or found yourself halfway present at your kid's soccer game because your brain was still on work mode... this episode is for you.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why hustle culture is so easy to fall into (especially as a people pleaser who gets her self-worth from productivity... hi, Marie)
• The "bitterness test": how Marie uses that feeling as a signal to reevaluate her workload
• How both Marie and Amber structure their weeks to protect family time
• Why luxury clients actually respect you MORE when you have clear boundaries
• Weekend surcharges, blocked calendar dates, and other practical tools that give you your life back
• Money mindset and abundance energy... yes, the woo woo stuff, and why it actually works
• Working smarter: raising prices, offering albums and artwork, automations, workflows, and more
• How Marie is booking fewer sessions this year but making the same (or more) money through full-service artwork sales

Resources & links mentioned:

• Amber's education page (she's running a Mother's Day sale!): lightlivinphotography.com/education-salepage
• Marie's mentoring & education: marie-elizabethphotography.com/photography-mentoring

Connect with us:

Amber | Light Livin Photography 🌐 lightlivinphotography.com 📸 @light_livin_photography

Marie | Marie Elizabeth Photography 🌐 marie-elizabethphotography.com 📸 @marie.elizabeth.photo

In this episode of the Luxe & Legacy Podcast, we’re breaking down exactly how we guide clients through the luxury photography experience using Zoom consultation calls, planning appointments, and ordering appointments… without ever feeling pushy or salesy.

We’re sharing the step-by-step process we use to build trust with clients from the very first inquiry all the way through artwork sales and final ordering. If you’ve ever felt awkward about sales calls, unsure how to talk about artwork, or overwhelmed by IPS, this episode will completely change the way you think about client communication.

We discuss:

• Why consultation calls should feel simple and conversational
• How Zoom calls help clients trust you faster
• The importance of helping clients envision their session and artwork
• How we guide wardrobe, locations, and styling during planning calls
• The key to talking about albums and wall art naturally
• Why artwork sales actually happen before the ordering appointment
• How we keep ordering appointments collaborative instead of sales-focused
• Why offering a full digital gallery can still lead to strong artwork sales
• The mindset shifts that make luxury sales feel easy and aligned

At the heart of it all, luxury service is about making clients feel cared for, guided, and fully supported every step of the way.

Listen now and learn how to create a client experience that builds trust, increases sales, and feels effortless for both you and your clients.

Marie Elizabeth Photography: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com Light Livin Photography: https://lightlivinphotography.com

In this solo episode, Marie shares an honest look at what’s happening in today’s photography market and why things might feel slower, even if you’re still booking.

Between decision fatigue, rising costs, and everything going on in the world, clients are taking longer to book and being more selective. The good news? You’re not doing anything wrong. The market is just shifting.

Instead of overhauling everything, Marie is making small, intentional changes:

• Building local relationships through networking, collaborations, and community involvement
• Reaching out to past clients with personalized emails to get sessions on the calendar
• Using memberships to create repeat bookings and more consistent income
• Increasing revenue per client by offering artwork and upgrades
• Simplifying inquiries by testing quicker, easier ways to respond

This is a season of adjustment, not failure.

Marketing is evolving, and the photographers who stay visible, connected, and adaptable are the ones who will come out stronger.

Keep going. You’re closer than you think.

Websites: marie-elizabethphotography.com lightlivinphotography.com

Instagram: @marie.elizabeth.photo @light_livin_photography

If you enjoyed this episode, leaving a review helps more photographers find the show and grow alongside you.

In today’s episode, Marie is diving into a question that comes up all the time in the photography world: is getting published actually worth it anymore? And if it is… how do you actually get your work accepted?

This conversation is honest, practical, and grounded in real experience. If you’ve ever wondered whether you should be spending time submitting your work to blogs and publications, this episode will give you clarity and direction.

What “getting published” really means today

• The difference between Instagram feature accounts vs. full blog/publication features
• Why not all “features” carry the same value

Is getting published still worth it?

• Why it doesn’t hold the same weight it once did
• When it can still benefit your business
• The role of backlinks and how they support your SEO
• How publications contribute to social proof for potential clients

The biggest mistake photographers make when submitting

• Why “good work” alone doesn’t guarantee acceptance
• The importance of aligning your work with a publication’s style

1. Study the publication before submitting Every publication has a unique style and preference. Submitting without understanding this is one of the fastest ways to get rejected.

2. Make sure your work is strong and consistent

• Cohesive editing and true-to-life skin tones
• Variety in composition, posing, and storytelling
• Intentional use of light

3. Curate your submission carefully Choose your best images and include a mix of:

• Detail shots
• Wide, scene-setting images
• Emotional, connection-driven moments

4. Follow submission guidelines exactly Editors receive a high volume of submissions. If you miss something small (file size, format, required info), your work may be skipped entirely.

5. Don’t overlook the details

• Some publications require session descriptions or background stories
• Many do not accept workshop or styled session work
• Always check what is allowed before submitting

6. Follow up (the right way) A short, respectful follow-up email can help ensure your submission was received—just don’t overdo it.

Getting published isn’t a magic bullet for business growth—but it can be a helpful piece of the puzzle when approached intentionally.

The key takeaway? Focus your energy where it matters most, and treat publication as a supporting strategy, not the main driver of your business.

And if you do decide to submit your work… go all in and do it well. Your work deserves to be seen.

Marie: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com Instagram: @marie.elizabeth.photo

Amber: https://lightlivinphotography.com Instagram: @light_livin_photography

If you loved this episode, it would mean so much if you left a review. It helps more photographers find the show and build a business that feels aligned, elevated, and sustainable 🤍

Episode Title: How to Create a Luxury Look in ANY Condition

What really makes an image feel luxurious?

It’s not the perfect light. It’s not the dream location. And it’s definitely not just having beautiful clients.

In this episode, we’re breaking down what actually creates a luxury experience and elevated imagery—from intentional client prep to how you pivot when things don’t go as planned (because they won’t always).

If you’ve ever felt like a session was “off” or not ideal, this episode will completely reframe how you approach your work and give you practical tools to still create magic.

1. Luxury is created, not found

• It starts long before the session
• Styling, communication, and intention set the tone
• You’re designing the outcome before you ever pick up your camera

2. How to prep clients for success

• Styling consults and guiding wardrobe choices
• Creating cohesive color palettes
• Removing overwhelm with clear direction
• Why this step alone dramatically elevates your work

3. What to do when things go wrong Real-life scenarios we cover:

• Clients showing up in off-brand outfits
• Kids melting down
• Stressful or chaotic session starts
• Cloudy or less-than-ideal conditions

And most importantly: how to still create a luxury gallery anyway

When things aren’t perfect, you don’t panic—you pivot.

Here’s what to lean into:

• Tight, intentional cropping to eliminate distractions
• Light as your strongest tool (backlighting, haze, glow)
• Foreground elements for depth and storytelling
• Creative angles (overhead, low angles, drone perspective)
• Motion blur & artistic techniques for emotional impact
• Negative space for softness and balance
• Movement + variety without constantly repositioning clients

• Slow things down instead of forcing smiles
• Focus on connection over perfection
• Reassure parents constantly
• Capture in-between moments (that’s where the magic is)
• Adjust your approach instead of resisting the moment

• Curate ruthlessly — not every image needs to be shared
• Prioritize skin tones for a high-end finish
• Enhance, don’t over-edit
• Only deliver and showcase your strongest work

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode:

Luxury isn’t about perfect conditions. It’s about taking full responsibility for creating something beautiful no matter what you’re given.

Marie shares how her background in music education shaped this mindset—focusing on doing whatever is in front of you exceptionally well.

Amber adds the reminder we all need: Let go of perfection. Stay present. That’s where your best work lives.

Prepare with intention. Lead with confidence. Then let go and trust yourself.

That’s the balance that creates both a luxury experience and a sustainable, joyful business.

Marie: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com Amber: https://lightlivinphotography.com

Instagram: @marie.elizabeth.photo @light_livin_photography

If you loved this episode, it would mean so much if you left a review—it helps more photographers like you find the show 🤍

Q&A: Real-Time Answers to Your Biggest Photography Business Questions

In this episode, we’re switching things up and diving into a Q&A! Amber and I asked you on Instagram what your most pressing questions are in your photography business right now, and you delivered. Today, we’re answering as many as we can with honest, real-time insight into what’s actually working in our businesses right now.

If you’ve been wondering how to get more inquiries, refine your marketing, or confidently raise your prices… this episode is for you.

• How to get more eyes on your work (and turn that into real inquiries)
• The three marketing channels we’d focus on if we were starting today
• Instagram strategies that are actually working right now (and why carousels still convert)
• How to use SEO on Instagram and your blog to attract ideal clients
• Pinterest: is it worth it, and do you need to start over?
• How to handle comparison in the photography industry
• Booking more newborn sessions and positioning yourself as the expert
• Building a client wardrobe (and actually getting clients to use it)
• Setting boundaries with weekday sessions and making them desirable
• Navigating friends and discounts without it getting awkward
• What to do when you raise your prices and bookings slow down
• The biggest factor in converting inquiries into booked clients

• Visibility comes from intentional SEO + consistent, quality content
• Instagram is less about hacks and more about connection and value
• Your marketing should speak directly to your ideal client, not everyone
• Raising your prices means stepping into a new level of clientele
• Consultation calls can dramatically increase your booking rate and client trust

If you’ve been putting off creating a solid contract (or questioning if yours is actually protecting you), this is your sign.

Amber had her contract professionally created by a lawyer and made it available for photographers to use—so you don’t have to DIY something this important.

👉 https://lightlivinphotography.com/portrait-contract Use code PODCAST50 for 50% off

Marie: 🌐 https://marie-elizabethphotography.com 📷 Instagram: @marie.elizabeth.photo

Amber: 🌐 https://lightlivinphotography.com 📷 Instagram: @light_livin_photography

If you enjoyed this episode, it would mean so much if you left a review or shared it with a photographer friend. It helps more photographers discover the show and build businesses that feel aligned, elevated, and sustainable.

Episode Title: Building Community and Posing Families Naturally with Adrianne Shelton of Beatific Visions Photography

Show Notes: In this episode of the Luxe & Legacy Podcast, we are joined by Adrianne Shelton of Beatific Visions Photography for a conversation about community, connection, and the art of creating natural family images.

Adrianne shares the heart behind founding The Kindred Path, an online family photography publication created to inspire photographers at every stage of their journey and foster meaningful connection in an industry that can sometimes feel isolating. We talk about how powerful it can be to reach out, build relationships with other photographers, and create a sense of community in your local market and beyond.

We also dive into Adrianne’s approach to family posing and how she leads sessions in a way that feels organic, playful, and true to each family. From preparing clients before the session to using simple prompts and movement-based direction, Adrianne offers so much wisdom for photographers who want to create images that feel both beautiful and natural.

If you have ever felt alone in your business, struggled to create authentic connection in your sessions, or wanted a fresh perspective on family posing, this episode is full of encouragement and practical takeaways.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why community matters so much in the photography industry

• How Adrianne started The Kindred Path in 2020

• Practical ways to build relationships with photographers in your local area

• Why leading with generosity creates stronger connection

• Adrianne’s philosophy for natural, connection-filled family sessions

• Simple rules and prompts that help families feel at ease

• How to work with kids in a playful, low-pressure way

• Tips for creating flattering images while keeping sessions organic

• The importance of helping clients feel prepared before the session begins

• Upcoming opportunities to learn from Adrianne through workshops and events

Connect with Adrianne: Website: https://beatificvisionsphotography.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekindredpath/

Connect with us: Marie Elizabeth Photography: Website: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/ Instagram: https://lightlivinphotography.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/light_livin_photography/

Listen and subscribe: If you enjoyed this episode, we would be so grateful if you left a review. It helps more photographers discover the show and become part of this community.