Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Emotionally Booked Out

Yeah... we said it.

This week, Milly Baine with The Rose Reflective is back on Emotionally Booked Out, and we're talking about the elephant in the room: are wedding photographers ruining weddings?

From making couples redo moments over and over again to chasing content instead of connection, we're unpacking how ego, trends, and social media have changed the client experience... and not always for the better.

We're not speaking from some high horse either. We've both made these mistakes. We've both had to learn when to direct, when to step back, and when to remember that this day isn't about us.

We get into editorial vs. documentary photography, overshooting because of nerves, working with videographers and content creators, reading the room, and why your clients will always remember how you made them feel more than they remember your coolest photo.

This one's spicy, a little sassy, and hopefully makes all of us better photographers. Because at the end of the day...

The wedding was never about us.

No seriously, sometimes being in the wedding industry feels like a pyramid scheme.

What if the scoreboard you've been chasing was never yours to begin with? What if I told you that what you deem successful is probably way different than what you've been told?

This week's episode is a quick one, but it packs a punch. I'm talking about the myths we've accepted in the photography and wedding industry, that destination weddings, luxury venues, follower counts, and constant busyness somehow equal success.

They don't.

We're unpacking why visibility isn't the same as revenue, why burnout isn't a badge of honor, and why the most successful businesses are often the ones you don't see shouting the loudest online.

If you've ever caught yourself comparing your business to someone else's highlight reel, this episode is your reminder to stop borrowing someone else's definition of success and start building one that actually supports your life.

Because a business you enjoy living is always more impressive than one that just looks impressive.

When I started this podcast, it wasn’t about numbers. It wasn’t about growth hacks. It wasn’t about going viral. It was about creating a space that wasn’t dictated by an algorithm, a space where the right people could just sit with me and think deeper about business, burnout, and what actually matters.

And lately? What’s been on my mind is vanity metrics.

Followers. Likes. Views. Engagement.

The instant serotonin hit of something “doing well.”

But here’s the truth:
Low engagement. High revenue. That’s the goal.

In this episode I’m pulling back the curtain on:

• Why I stopped tracking my follower count

• The reality of going viral (and not booking from it)

• Losing 3,000 followers while booking out 2026

• The week I logged in and had $10,000 booked without touching Instagram

• Exactly how I spend my work week (spoiler: only 10% is social media)

• The private numbers that actually matter

Vanity numbers are public.
Real money metrics are private.

If Instagram shut down tomorrow, would your business survive?

If this episode hits, send it to a friend who needs to stop measuring their worth in likes.

Friends don’t let friends burn out over numbers that don’t pay their bills.

I wasn’t burnt out because I was working too much, I was burnt out because I was ignoring myself.

In this episode of Emotionally Booked Out, I’m walking through the changes I’m making in my business this year to protect my energy, my creativity, and my nervous system.

We’re talking about:
–

• Why rest is not a reward, it’s a requirement
• How overbooking has a terrible ROI
• Setting calendar boundaries that actually work
• Raising prices ethically (and why it filters better clients)
• Treating your business like it exists to support your life - not consume it

This episode isn’t about hustling harder or fixing yourself.
It’s about stopping the habit of abandoning yourself for your art.

I

f you’re a creative or wedding industry professional feeling stretched thin, this episode is your reminder that sustainability is the goal.

What if the pressure to “pick a niche” is actually the thing burning creatives out?

In this episode, McKenzie sits down with Leslie Kinross Wright — photographer with Sunshine and Savasana, hair & makeup artist, studio owner of Soleil House Denver, stylist, and mom — to talk about failure, fear, rebuilding, and why doing things scared is often a sign you’re doing something right.

This conversation dives into:

• Starting over without letting failure define you

• Why most people aren’t paying as much attention to you as you think

• The hidden cost of people-pleasing and unpaid collaboration

• Burnout, boundaries, and protecting your creative energy

• How to tell when an opportunity aligns — and when it’s just draining you
  

If you’ve ever felt boxed in by the idea of a niche, overwhelmed by self-promotion, or unsure whether you’re allowed to want more than one creative lane, this episode will feel like a deep exhale.

You can find Leslie at:

Instagram: @sunshineandsavasana @soleilhousedenver

Website: https://sunshineandsavasana.com/

🎧 Follow the show, rate the episode, and share it with a creative who needs this reminder.

Learning feels productive.
Action feels scary.

If you’ve been buying courses, hiring mentors, saving Instagram tips, and still feeling behind - this episode is for you.

In this solo episode of Emotionally Booked Out, I’m talking about why education isn’t actually the problem in your business - avoidance is. We’re unpacking the course-to-consumption pipeline, decision paralysis, fragmented confidence, and why over-learning can quietly become a coping mechanism instead of a growth tool.

I share stories from my own hustle-era mistakes, what I’m seeing come up again and again inside mentorships, and why integration (not more information) is the thing that actually moves your business forward.

This episode is a loving kick in the pants for anyone who:

• Keeps buying courses hoping this one will fix it

• Feels overstimulated by conflicting advice

• Is learning a lot but changing nothing

• Knows what to do… but hasn’t done it yet

You’re not behind. You’re just over-consuming.
And your business deserves better than that.

This is our first episode of the year and our first guest episode - and we’re not easing into anything.

In this conversation, I’m joined by wedding and elopement photographer Gavin Stebbins, and we’re calling out the bare minimum when it comes to inclusivity in the wedding industry. Posting one queer couple during Pride Month and calling yourself an ally? Yeah… not cutting it anymore.

We talk about:

• Performative allyship vs. real support

• Why inclusivity has more to do with action than aesthetics

• Red flags queer couples notice immediately

• Language, websites, and marketing that actually create safety

• How allies can do better without being perfect

• Why effort is the highest form of allyship

This episode is honest, spicy, and deeply necessary — especially for wedding vendors, creatives, and anyone who claims to “lead with love” but hasn’t done the work yet.

If you’re ready to move past checkbox inclusivity and start showing up in a real way, this one’s for you.

Follow Gavin on Instagram: @gavin_takesphotos

Follow Gavin on TikTok: @gavin_takesphotos

In the final episode of 2025, McKenzie reflects on the hardest year of her life - what broke her open, what held her steady, and what she’s consciously leaving behind.

This episode is an honest, unfiltered conversation about boundaries as self-respect, detaching self-worth from validation and metrics, and why rest is not a reward - it’s a strategy. McKenzie dives into what she’s done over-explaining, over-performing for social media, and clinging to inquiries as proof she’s “good enough.”

She also shares what she’s carrying forward into 2026: deeper trust in herself, creating from honesty instead of trends, fighting harder for her clients’ stories, and building a business (and life) that allows for rest, clarity, and sustainability.

If you’re heading into a new year feeling exhausted, reflective, or ready to let some shit go - this episode is for you.

✨ Season Two begins in January with guest conversations focused on connection, humanity, and real life beyond the algorithm.

The end of the year is weird. It’s heavy. It’s emotional. And for a lot of us—especially entrepreneurs—it’s layered with pressure, grief, expectations, and this unspoken belief that we have to keep it all together.

In the final episode of Emotionally Booked Out for 2025, I’m getting really honest about what this season brings up for me: complicated family dynamics, grief that never fully fades, seasonal depression, and the strange tension of being both the “black sheep” and the “success story.”

This isn’t an episode about strategy, marketing, or scaling.It’s about being human—fully, messily, beautifully human—while also running a business, showing up for clients, and trying to hold the pieces together when your inner world doesn’t match your outer success.

If the holidays feel hard… if boundaries feel exhausting… if grief gets louder this time of year… if you’re tired of being the “strong one”… this episode is for you.

You don’t have to hold it all together.And you don’t have to do it alone.

EDIT: I refer to where I found my therapist and I mispoke. The Platform name is OPEN PATH! Not OpenSpace

In this episode, I’m taking you back to the moment everything changed - the move from Illinois to Colorado, the chaos of COVID, and the unexpected way elopements ended up shaping my entire business.

I’m sharing the real behind-the-scenes: the fear, the excitement, the “holy sh*t what am I doing” moments, and the community who held me up when I was rebuilding everything from scratch. From undercharging just to get in the room to learning how to set boundaries with people who weren’t growing with me, this is the episode about becoming who you’re meant to be.

If you’ve been craving a reminder that entrepreneurship is not linear, or that your support system deeply affects your success, consider this your sign. You’re allowed to grow. You’re allowed to change. And your environment matters more than you think.

In this episode, McKenzie Bigliazzi opens up about the deeply personal journey that shaped her life as an artist, educator, and wedding photographer. From the early influences that sparked her creativity to the unexpected shift into wedding photography, McKenzie reflects on the moments, relationships, and life-altering experiences that pushed her toward personal growth and a career built on storytelling.

She shares candid insights into navigating mental health, embracing vulnerability, and finding the courage to pivot when life offers a “stop or go” moment. Through heartbreaks, big moves, supportive people, and the quiet confidence of finding love, McKenzie explores how each chapter led her to Colorado and the creation of her photography business.

This episode is a reminder that art is shaped by the lives we live and that personal stories, both our own and others', are powerful guides in becoming who we're meant to be.

Chapters:
00:00 — Introduction to the Podcast Journey
02:21 — Influences and Inspirations in Art
05:48 — The Importance of Personal Stories
07:27 — Early Artistic Interests and Education
10:44 — Transitioning to a Career in Art
15:23 — Navigating Challenges in the Wedding Industry
20:31 — Life-Altering Experiences and Growth
23:23 — Finding Love and Support
30:10 — Teaching and Moving to Colorado
31:08 — Reflections and Key Takeaways

Every photographer faces that split-second question: do I direct this moment or let it breathe?

In this episode, we are getting real about one of the quietest but hardest parts of being a professional photographer - knowing when to step in to create intentional, artful work… and when to step back and let life unfold naturally.

Through personal stories, on-the-job reflections, and honest conversation, she breaks down:
✨ The difference between guiding and controlling
✨ How to read a room with emotional intelligence
✨ Why your editing crisis might actually be a composition crisis
✨ The subtle difference between hobbyists and professionals

If you’ve ever stared at a gallery wondering what you could’ve done better - this one’s for you.

🎙️ Tune in for a grounded, coffee-chat-style reminder that professionalism isn’t about perfection… it’s about presence.

What started as a styled shoot became something none of us expected: a real wedding.

In this episode, I'm joined by wedding planner Jen of Hitched AF and our incredible couple, PJ and Aaron, to unpack what it felt like to hand over the planning process, trust an entire vendor team, and experience a wedding that was designed around them - not trends, timelines, or expectations.

We talk about building a wedding experience rooted in queer joy, why the right vendors change everything, how collaboration creates better art, and the behind-the-scenes moments that made this day unforgettable (including the surprise involving one of PJ and Aaron's favorite musicians that still makes us cry).

This isn't an episode about wedding planning. It's about what becomes possible when people stop treating weddings like productions and start treating them like deeply human experiences.

Whether you're engaged, a wedding vendor, or simply someone who believes people deserve to feel fully seen, this conversation is for you.

Planning + Design: @hitchedaf_
Venue: @eventsbybestow

Photographer: ⁠@mckenzie_bigliazzi⁠

Videographer: @rachkobernikphoto 

BTS Photography: @photographermarybeth

Beauty + Grooming: @catehairmakeup

Cake + Dessert: @alyce.in.flourland

Catering: @sugarpinecatering

Draping: @coloradoeventcorentals

Entertainment: @electriflyevents

Floral + Decor: @growingwildbv  

Officiant: @nearlywedcoaching

Rental Company: @copartyrentals

Stationary: @honeybirdpaper

Let’s be real.. the client experience doesn’t start when someone signs the contract. It starts way before that.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I run my business behind the scenes, ya know, the things I do before people even inquire, how I guide them through every step of the process, and how that all leads to those 5-star reviews that allow me to book more dream clients.

From my pre-inquiry strategy (yes, I’m already building trust before they ever reach out), to the systems I use to stay organized, to how I keep the energy high and the experience human from start to finish, this episode is the full BTS.

If you’ve ever wanted to know how to turn your business into something clients rave about because it feels effortless, thoughtful, and a little loud in all the right ways… this one’s for you.

September hit hard: back-to-back weddings, endless editing queues, client emails stacked sky high. And yet, the industry flex is still “booked + busy” while everyone is quietly drowning. In this episode, I’m calling BS on hustle culture and the burnout badge of honor.

Similar to what we talked about last week, We’ll talk about why “busy = successful” is a myth, why clients don’t care how many all-nighters you’re pulling, and how boundaries are actually the ultimate power move. I’ll share tangible fixes for editing, booking, and marketing without flexing burnout - plus why “booked and balanced” is the real flex.

Burnout isn’t a vibe, it’s a business risk. Let’s hang up the hustle and start creating from a place of sustainability.

The past few weeks have been heavy, chaotic, and honestly overwhelming AF. If you’re an entrepreneur trying to keep your business moving while the world feels like it’s on fire, this episode is for you.

In 20 minutes, we get real about staying grounded amidst the chaos, protecting your energy, and showing up with clarity instead of panic. I’ll share three simple, no-fluff mindfulness practices you can start today — because you deserve to breathe, reset, and actually thrive, even when everything feels out of control.

Let's reset together

In this episode of the podcast, McKenzie Bigliazzi dives into the evolving world of wedding photography and the creative industry at large. From the powerful influence of Pinterest to the rising values of Gen Z couples, McKenzie explores how trends shape - and sometimes limit - photographers’ artistic vision.

She shares her own experiences navigating the pressures of social media marketing, the importance of authenticity, and why studying art and photography outside of the algorithm is key to building a sustainable, standout brand. You’ll hear practical strategies for using Pinterest as a tool rather than a crutch, tips for creating intentional mood boards, and insights on why branding and creativity go hand in hand.

Whether you’re a wedding photographer, creative entrepreneur, or simply curious about how Gen Z is reshaping the wedding industry, this episode will leave you inspired to reclaim your artistry and market yourself in a way that feels real.

Keywords: podcast, branding, Pinterest, wedding photography, Gen Z, creativity, authenticity, marketing, art, photography

Feeling like your dream clients vanished the second you raised your rates or got clear on your brand? You’re not imagining it. In this 20-minute episode, we break down why your ideal clients might not be finding—or booking—you, and what to tweak without selling your soul.

We cover:

• Why your portfolio and voice might not actually speak to your dream clients

• How to spot patterns in the clients you really want, not just a Pinterest aesthetic

• Pricing alignment that communicates expertise without intimidation

• Why specificity beats generality, always

• Taking up space and leading instead of waiting to be discovered

• The mindset check-in you can’t skip if you want confident clients

Your dream clients aren’t missing, they’re just not hearing you clearly enough yet. Tune in and learn how to make sure they do.

Let’s talk about what’s actually happening behind the lens right now.

In this episode, I’m pulling from real conversations with photographers, online forums, and industry trends to unpack the quiet (and not-so-quiet) burnout many of us are feeling. From oversaturation and being treated like a line item, to the pressure to go viral or compete with content creators, it’s a lot. And if you’ve been wondering, “Is it just me?” the answer is: nope.

Whether you're booked and burnt out, or just craving a little more clarity and creative space, this one’s for you.

✨ Topics include:

• Why the market feels so crowded (and how to stand out without selling out)

• Budget inquiries vs. aligned clients

• The emotional labor no one talks about

• The content creator takeover (and how to hold your lane)

• A gentle reminder: boundaries are not bad for business

Plus, I’ll share what’s helped me reconnect with my why—and why it’s okay to evolve your business, your pricing, and your entire approach.

🧡 Mentioned:

• Evolve Your Wedding Business – Book More Weddings Summit Get your Free Ticket Here

• My mentorship offerings + newsletter (link in bio!)

📢 If this resonates, share it with a friend, leave a voice message, or DM me—I’d love to hear what’s landing for you.

Let’s rebuild a wedding photography business that actually feels good to run. You deserve that.

Let’s cut the fluff: this episode is a behind-the-scenes reality check from someone who's done pretending everything’s fine.

From burnout I saw coming (and ignored anyway) to undercharging, red-flag clients, messy backend systems, and the pressure to be perfect online. I’m sharing the real, unfiltered lessons that built up until I had to deal with them.

This isn’t about shame. It’s about clarity. Boundaries. Choosing yourself and your business over people-pleasing and chaos.

Inside:

• The burnout that finally made me pause

• The client decisions I regret (and how I’m doing it differently)

• Systems I avoided that would’ve saved me

• Why showing up online messy hits harder than fake polish

• How saying yes too much was costing me everything

• The moment I stopped DIY-ing and asked for help

If you’ve been white-knuckling your way through “just one more busy season” - this one’s for you.

✨ DM me the thing you’ve been ignoring, or if you’re ready to stop doing it alone… mentorships are open. You don’t have to fix everything overnight — but you do get to start.

Have you been doomscrolling, spiraling, and still somehow trying to run a business like everything’s fine...... I knew it lol

This episode is your spicy little permission slip to grieve, rage, rest and still get sh*t done. We’re talking:

• Why your work still slaps (yes, even now)

• How to show up without selling your soul

• Creating as an act of resistance

• Building a business with the world, not in denial of it

• And how to stop crying in your bathtub long enough to schedule that damn Reel

No fluff. No fake hustle. Just a pep talk with a side of spite and the reminder that soft, creative weirdos like you? You’re what the world needs right now.

✨ DM me your favorite petty ritual, rage playlist, or apocalyptic comfort meme — and if you want support from someone who gets it, mentorships are open.

🎙️ Episode: “Rest Is Not a Treat, Babe—It’s the Damn Minimum”

Wedding season is poppin’—and so is your calendar. But before you hit burnout and start editing at 3am again, let’s talk about the radical power of rest.

In this short but fiery episode, WE get real about the guilt, fear, and unlearning it takes to step away from the hustle. I share my own messy relationship with overworking, the voice that panics every time I say no to paid work, and how rest has become a boundary—and a business strategy.

Because let’s be honest: you are not a vending machine for pretty photos. You’re a full human being with a nervous system, and rest is not the reward—it’s part of doing the work well.

We cover:
→ Rest during wedding season (yes, it’s possible)
→ Dragging hustle culture (with love, kind of)
→ Saying no to bookings without spiraling
→ Why rest = resistance
→ Emotional, mental, and creative rest—beyond just sleep
→ How to start practicing guilt-free rest now

Soundbites you’ll feel in your bones:
🗣 “The ROI of rest is real.”
🗣 “Doing nothing is not wasteful.”
🗣 “You wouldn’t ask your phone to run on 1% battery, so stop doing it to yourself.”

In this episode of Emotionally Booked Out, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it really means to build a values-centered business — especially when the world feels like it’s on fire.
We’re talking about why staying silent doesn’t serve you, your dream clients, or the communities you care about. I’m digging into the fears that keep folks quiet (spoiler: it’s not just about cancel culture), and giving you tangible ways to stop watering yourself down in your business.

If you’ve ever wondered how to show up louder, clearer, and more unapologetically you. This episode is your permission slip. I’m wrapping things up with a little challenge to get you moving from intention to action.

Time to be about it.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Context for Pride Month

02:06 The Importance of Values in Business

06:39 Political Nature of Business Ownership

11:49 Overcoming Fear of Speaking Up

16:33 Practical Steps to Define and Communicate Values

21:52 Call to Action and Conclusion

Takeaways

• The world is heavy right now, and it's okay to feel that.
• Your feelings matter, even amidst global issues.
• Values should be at the forefront of your business.
• Speaking up for your values is essential in today's world.
• Not speaking up can lead to misalignment with clients.
• You have the power to create an inclusive space.
• Fear of speaking up is common but can be overcome.
• Defining your core values is a crucial first step.
• Your brand should reflect your true self, not a mask.
• The world needs your unique voice and perspective.

Happy Pride Month 🌈

Every June, wedding vendors rush to add a few rainbow photos to their feed. But real inclusivity? That goes so much deeper than a once-a-year portfolio refresh.

In this episode of Emotionally Booked Out, I’m joined by Ali of A Ray of Light Videography - a queer wedding videographer, advocate, and bride herself. Together, we unpack what it actually feels like to plan a wedding as a queer couple, the emotional labor that comes with constantly assessing whether a vendor is truly safe, and why representation still has such a long way to go in the wedding industry.

Ali shares what she wishes more wedding pros understood, how vendors can move beyond performative allyship, and what it means to create spaces where couples feel genuinely seen, celebrated, and cared for.

We also get into one of the wildest wedding-day stories I've ever heard - featuring a rogue DJ, a timeline nightmare, and an unauthorized Facebook Live that left everyone asking, "How did this happen?"

Whether you're a wedding vendor committed to serving people better or a couple trying to find your place in an industry that wasn't always built with you in mind, this conversation is packed with perspective, honesty, and practical ways to do better.

Connect with Ali:

Website: arrayoflightvideography.com
Instagram: @arayoflightvideography

Resources Mentioned:

https://arayoflightvideography.com/lgbtq-resources

Equally Wed by Palladino
Safe Zone Initiative (Business Training)

This Pride Month, we’re getting real about the wedding industry's defaults—who they serve, who they leave out, and how we can do better. In this episode, we explore the biases many vendors (ourselves included) have internalized around what weddings "should" look like, and how those assumptions can unintentionally harm queer clients.

We’ll unpack how to move beyond rainbow marketing and start building truly inclusive practices—ones that center story over aesthetic, listening over ego, and real community over performative allyship. Whether you're a photographer, planner, florist, or creative pro, this episode is your invitation to reflect, unlearn, and grow.

✨ Featuring practical tips, real talk, and a few spicy industry truths.

🎧 This episode is for wedding industry professionals who have not experienced the lived queer experience.

Show Notes + Additional Resources

In case no one has told you lately - your value does not depend on how productive you are in life.

We pour our hearts into the work. The shoots, the edits, the emails, the posts — all of it feels personal. But what happens when the work isn’t working?

In this episode, we unpack the messy, emotional truth of tying your identity to your output. From creative ego to burnout, and that gut-punch feeling when feedback feels like rejection — we’re going there. Because you're more than your to-do list, your portfolio, or your performance. You're still whole, even when you’re not producing. Let’s talk about it.

ps- I ditched the jingle. Same show, just no jingle lol

Click here for Show Notes

Have you ever thought about the emotional shifts that come with stepping into your power and confidence — and the quiet grief that follows when you realize you’ve outgrown the people you love?

As we grow, we naturally evolve, and sometimes, that means letting go of old relationships that no longer align with the person you’re becoming. But how do we navigate this shift while holding onto love and honoring our growth?

Join me as we explore how to embrace your own evolution, make space for new connections, and love the people you’ve outgrown from a distance.

Listen now to reflect on:

• The identity shifts that come with confidence

• Navigating the grief of outgrowing relationships

Here’s your permission slip to stop diluting yourself to fit into someone else’s version of “likable.” In this solo episode, we’re digging into the fear so many of us have: that if we niche down, show personality, or get too honest, we’ll scare people away.

The truth? You will repel people. And that’s the point.

Inside this episode:

• Why trying to be “for everyone” leads to burnout
  

• How to shift from neutral to aligned without losing your mind
  

• Personal stories from my early days of over-editing myself to book more
  

• What changed when I stopped people-pleasing and got clear on my voice
  

If you’ve ever worried about being too much, not enough, or just different from the norm—this is your gentle nudge to keep going. Your people are out there. You don’t need everyone—you just need the right ones.

✨ You’re not here to be liked by everyone. You’re here to be a hell yes to the ones who matter.

Show Notes + Transcription Here

What does it actually look like to recession-proof your wedding photography business—without spiraling into scarcity mindset?

In this episode, I'm joined by Katie Fletcher, a fellow wedding photographer and friend, to talk honestly about how we're navigating a slower season, what we’re doing to keep the bookings coming in, and how we’re staying emotionally grounded through all of it.

We’re diving into:

• The shifts we’re seeing in the market right now
  

• Real strategies we’re using to stay visible + bookable
  

• What’s not working anymore (and what we’ve let go of)
  

• How we’re protecting our energy + avoiding burnout in uncertain times
  

If you’ve been feeling anxious about inquiries slowing down or wondering how to adapt without losing yourself in hustle mode—this episode is for you.

🧡 You’re not behind. You’re not broken. The market’s just different—and you’re allowed to shift with it.

Find Katie here:

• https://www.instagram.com/katiefletcher_photography/
• https://www.katiefletcherphoto.com/

Access Show Notes + Resources here.

What actually is success, anyway?

In this first episode of Emotionally Booked Out, I’m pulling back the curtain on all the pressure we feel to hit those made-up milestones and check the boxes that look like success from the outside. I’ve been there—chasing the “shoulds” until it led straight to burnout.

Now? I’m redefining success on my terms. One that feels emotionally fulfilling, actually aligned, and free from the hustle-for-validation loop.

🎧 Press play.

View Transcript here

Unlike other episodes, this one takes the form of what it feels like to sit in on a FaceTime call between my best friend, Mallory, and me since high school. She’s one of the few people who got a front row seat to my journey, who knew me before McKenzie Bigliazzi Photography.

This episode is hard to summarize, but this is my best: Two best friends from central Illinois sit down and accidentally unpack how wildly different life looks when you finally stop settling. From bad relationships, survival mode, and feeling stuck, to building businesses, finding healthy love, cleaning up your community, and realizing you actually can change your life, if you’re delulu enough.

TBH, this episode is basically one long unfiltered conversation about figuring it out as you go.

It’s messy, funny, honest, a little chaotic, and probably the closest thing to overhearing us at dinner. If you’ve ever felt behind, stuck, surrounded by the wrong people, or scared to make a change, this one’s for you.

Two photographers. One very honest (unfiltered) conversation about why workshop culture feels so weird right now.

When did “education” turn into:

• fighting 20 people for the same shot

• shooting styled couples with zero story

• attaching yourself to photographers with huge followings

• and leaving with content… but no actual growth

In this episode, I sit down with photographer and educator Milly Baine from The Rose Reflective to talk about the explosion of content days, influencer-led workshops, creative burnout, neurodivergence in education spaces, and the fuckery of the education space in general.

We absolutely rip to shreds:

• overpromising and underdelivering in the education space

• how to actually vet a workshop before investing

• why community matters more than follower count

• storytelling vs. “pretty pretty pretty” wedding content

• slowing down creatively instead of fighting for content

• what photographers really need from education right now

Also: possum cakes, Tumblr-era party photos, and the phrase “we’re just serving pasta” becoming a life philosophy. You’ll understand once you listen to the episode lol

If you’re curious about workshops, scared of workshops, or had a disappointing experience with workshops… you’re not alone. 

Follow Milly: https://www.instagram.com/therosereflective/

Yelp for Retreats and Workshops: https://www.instagram.com/soocdirectory/

Business has been feeling… off lately? You’re not alone.

I’m sitting down with Kelsey from Launch Your Daydream (aka the reason I look cool on the internet), and we’re getting into the real, unfiltered side of running a business.

Not the “do this and you’ll make more money” version.The actual experience - you know, the shit that no one talks about but truly affects all of us.

We’re talking about:

• outgrowing your business

• identity shifts and pivots that don’t make sense yet

• the messy middle where nothing feels clear

• why niching down isn’t always the answer

• and how to trust yourself when nothing external is validating it yet

This isn’t a strategy episode (those are boring anyway). This is about intuition. Alignment. And building something that actually feels good to wake up to.

If you’ve been burnt out, disconnected, or lowkey questioning everything… this one’s gonna hit.“Ditch the shoulds and do what feels good.”

Also… something kind of wild came out of this conversation.

Kelsey and I are officially teaming up. We are combining brand clarity + website design into a limited experience for business owners who are ready to actually book more aligned inquiries.

If you want in, join the waitlist here!

HAPPY ONE YEAR PODCAST ANNIVERSARY!

I'm so stoked you've been here with me - I can't believe it's been one whole year.

If I lost my entire business tomorrow and had to start from scratch, no audience, no referrals, no portfolio, here is exactly what I would do.

This is not a fluffy “go viral” episode. This is not about posting every day or chasing trends.

In this episode, I break down:

• What I would ignore completely (and why it is keeping people stuck)

• The biggest mistakes I made in my own business

• What actually leads to bookings, not just likes

• How I would rebuild trust, reputation, and demand from the ground up

We talk about the industry noise, the obsession with vanity metrics, and why most advice online is burning people out instead of helping them grow.

If you feel like you are doing everything and still not seeing results, this episode will probably slap.

Also, Emotionally Booked Out is turning one year old. Thank you for being here, for listening, and for building this with me.

Send me a DM and tell me what you want to hear next.

What if burnout isn’t about doing too much, but about being in the wrong rooms?

In this episode of Emotionally Booked Out, I’m sitting down with Jordan Vaz, founder of The Friendship Mixer, to talk about what real community actually looks like and why so many “community over competition” spaces feel off.

We get into the difference between networking and genuine connection, how to recognize when a room isn’t meant for you, and why self-awareness is the foundation of building relationships that actually support you.

We also talk about creating your own spaces, even if it’s small, messy, or just two people at a coffee shop. Because community doesn’t have to be performative to be powerful.

If you’ve ever felt drained by industry spaces, struggled to find your people, or questioned if community is even worth it, this conversation will shift the way you see it.

This episode is your reminder that the right rooms won’t make you question your worth. They’ll feel like a deep exhale.

Flexibility, inclusivity, and saying yes to real, aligned people is how you grow a business that actually works.

In this episode, Kylee B. Photography joins us to talk about breaking the wedding industry rulebook. From working with all types of couples to navigating budgets and family dynamics, Kylee shares how being flexible and inclusive can set your business apart. This is a modern, non-traditional take on being inclusive and breaking into the non-traditional market without compromising yourself.

If you are a wedding vendor or creative looking to ditch rigid rules and create a business that truly serves real people, this episode is for you.

Find Kylee here:

Instagram: @kylee_b_photography

Website: http://kyleebphotography.com