SHAY HAS THE ICK.  In this episode of The Devin and Shay Show, Devin and Shay break down why they’re ditching the word luxury in their wedding photography and videography business. They share unfiltered thoughts on how the wedding industry uses “luxury” as a buzzword for posturing, why it doesn’t reflect the couples they serve, and how photographers can build a high-end brand without selling out their values. From handling rainy elopements to dealing with out-of-touch planners, they talk about what couples actually want on their wedding day — and how staying authentic is the real key to scaling a profitable, sustainable business. 

SHOWNOTES!

SAY HI ON INSTAGRAM

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Ready to book dream photo and video clients in Glacier National Park and beyond?

In this episode, we're taking you inside the most intentional, strategy-packed, experience-driven photo and video retreat in the industry — happening this September in Northwest Montana.

We walk you through every part of the retreat — from luxury portfolio-building shoots in Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake, and the Cabins at Blacktail… to deep-dive education on SEO, blogging, hybrid shooting, video marketing, and building a client experience that books $10K+ weddings.

You’ll hear how every single detail is designed to help you scale — not just creatively, but strategically.

This isn’t a “get inspired and go home” kind of retreat. It’s an immersive, done-for-you opportunity to:

• Build a portfolio that books high-ticket clients
• Learn to upsell video and scale your business
• Get expert SEO + content marketing training
• Create content that ranks for Glacier National Park weddings, Flathead Lake elopements, and destination micro-weddings
• Actually implement everything you learn with our help

🎯 If you’re a photographer or videographer ready to elevate your brand, book better clients, and leave with a complete marketing plan… this is for you.

APPLY NOW: https://www.heythriver.com/in-person-events
Spots are limited and filling quickly.

Want to shoot in Glacier? Build a business that books itself? Create content that converts?
 This retreat is the fastest way there.
Join us in Montana → https://www.heythriver.com/in-person-events

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

Photographers and videographers—if you've ever wondered how to pay yourself consistently (even during slow seasons), this episode is for you. Financial coach Gina Knox joins Shayna and Devin to break down how to build a sustainable business using her signature Cash Flow Waterfall system. We talk about why percentage-based pay strategies don’t work, how to stop self-sabotaging your finances, and the mindset shifts creative entrepreneurs must make to scale. Plus, we get real about our own finances and why we’ve never paid ourselves from Hey, Thriver—until now.

🎧 Don’t miss this one—it’s equal parts money therapy and tactical business strategy.

👉 Want more from Gina? Listen to her podcast Small Business Big Money and join her free weekly webinar on paying off five figures of business debt at ginaknox.co.

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

Helloooo and welcome back to the Montana Diaries Podcast, HOLYYYYY frick it’s Season 2 — we took a little bit of a break for the holidays but I’m beyond stoked for the lineup of guests coming up here in 2022. We’re alsooooo going to be adding in solo shows this year, so pleaseeeee let me know what topics you’d love to hear covered! You know I’m an open book when it comes to my business, so ask away — aannddd for those who don’t know me: I’m Shayna and I’m so freaking stoked you’re here because on today’s episode we have the lovely Zoelle Devlin, the Missoula, Montana entrepreneur behind Love Dot and Love Zoelle. Zoelle has a beautiful eye for design, mind for business, and heart for serving — all of which serve her in her two businesses that she’s sharing about on this episode. Everyyyy purpose-driven creative entrepreneur will have something to gain from this conversation.

SHOWNOTES: https://www.montanadiaries.com/creativebusinessblog/25

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Salima Omwenga is a personal brand strategist and the founder of UFlourish, a platform where driven workforce professionals and entrepreneurs can learn how to develop a strong personal brand that will unlock new career and business opportunities all while living a life they love. She believes anyone that has a gift, talent, skill, or area of expertise can benefit from being intentional about developing a personal brand. 

Personal branding is a new term to some — it’s how you package what you offer, and how you deliver the offer to your audience. In episode 24 of the Montana Diaries Podcast, Salima Omwenga takes us through her 4 step method of helping creative business owners develop their personal brands. 

SHOWNOTES: https://www.montanadiaries.com/shownotes/24

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from failure and hiding out to pivoting and abundance

On episode 23, I’m joined by my dear friend Nicola Dixon. Nicola is an INCREDIBLE photographer —  like, how of this world talented. She’s also a launch strategist and coach who helps photographers enter the digital product space. She gets so freaking vulnerable on this episode of the Montana Diaries Podcast —  we go wayyyy back in her business journey and she is so kind to open up about failure, financial trauma, mindset, and her eventual successful pivot into the photo world. This episode is a must listen. 

SHOWNOTES: https://www.montanadiaries.com/creativebusinessblog/23 

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 On episode 23 of the Montana Diaries Podcast, I’m chatting with Hannah Lorenzen, the Missoula-based owner of Han-MadeWithLove — she makes stunning clay jewelry and it’s so freaking unique, you guys, unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I hired Hannah to design pieces to go in my welcome boxes for my wedding and elopement clients and I am absolutely blown away by the care she put into each design. I knew I had to get her on the pod to tell you about her process. If you’ve been wanting to sell a creative product but you’re not sure where to start, this is a great episode with a heart-centered approach from Hannah...but, yeah, I mostly just want to hype this woman up so that you go freaking check her out. Make your dollars mean something this holiday season — shop local, shop small.  



SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE: https://www.montanadiaries.com/creativebusinessblog/22

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Behind the scenes with MY Pinterest Manager!

In episode 21, I’m talking with MY Pinterest manager Teresa Dietrich about her journey to becoming a Virtual Assistant-turned Pinterest Strategist, her client workflow, and tips for creative entrepreneurs like you to create your own Pinterest workflows. We dive DEEP into the WHY behind Pinterest as well as the how, so be sure to listen alllll the way to the end so you can implement all of this goodness into your own business.

SHOWNOTES + ALL THE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: https://www.montanadiaries.com/creativebusinessblog/21

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We have an incredibleeee business owner and productivity coach on episode 20 of the Montana Diaries Podcast here to give alllll the guidance and tangible tips — it’s one of my favorite voices in this online business world, the lovely Hannah Murphy! As a business owner who 9xed her client load in just six months, she knows how overwhelming the role of CEO can be - even when your business is thriving on the outside. Hannah helps creative business owners develop PROFIT focused schedules that allow them to outsource the tasks that don’t bring them joy, skip work on the weekends and say yes to more mid-week lunches with your friends, and intentionally dream and plan for the next few years. This is a must-listen episode, friends.

crafting your profitable schedule

As you take in this conversation with Hannah Murphy, remember: Assess all of the tasks you do, plan your schedule around the season of business and life you’re in, create systems that support your goals, and figure out what you can do to sustain those systems. You’ve got this, friend.

SHOWNOTES + LINKS TO EVERYTHING WE DISCUSSED: https://www.montanadiaries.com/creativebusinessblog/20

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19 Lindsey Roman on stewarding each season in family & business

Lindsey Roman is a business educator, social media marketing guru, and photographer based out of Lawrence, Kansas. She’s one of the founders of The Heart University and she co-hosts The Heart & Hustle Podcast, a business podcast for creative entrepreneurs. Lindsey’s mission is to help women know their worth, value, and identity in who they are and boldly do what they were created to do. When she’s not speaking, teaching, or dancing on Instagram, you can find her spending quality time traveling and adventuring with her daughter, Eloise, and husband, Andrew.

SHOWNOTES: montanadiaries.com/creativebusinessblog/19

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18 Rocky Mountain Bride Editor Mackenzie Stevens on Allll Things Magazines and Submitting

Mackenzie turned her internship at RMB into a career as one of their incredible editors — in this pod, she brought insight into the magazine industry as well as those juicy tangible submission tips! 

SHOWNOTES: montanadiaries.com/creativebusinessblog/18

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Micah Larsen helps women creatives build audiences of engaged ideal customers so they can make a consistent income doing work they love. She is the Missoula-based marketing expert behind the 10 week program “How To Hustle.” She teaches everything from how to create a first impression to nurturing loyal customers. 

Today’s conversation is an absolute freaking must listen, especially for women in creative business. Micah brought ittt with the vulnerability about womanhood, motherhood, life, and business.  Micah Larsen helps women creatives build audiences of engaged ideal customers so they can make a consistent income doing work they love. She is the Missoula-based marketing expert behind the 10 week program “How To Hustle.” She teaches everything from how to create a first impression to nurturing loyal customers.  

Don't forget to rate AND review the pod on Apple Podcasts!! It takes 30 seconds!! Aanndddd here are the shownotes if you want the links + free resources mentioned in the episode: 

SHOWNOTES: https://www.montanadiaries.com/creativebusinessblog/17

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16: Can you be a good artist AND sane!? Mental health, addiction, and authentic expression w/ John Piacquadio

John Piacquadio is a Montana-based artist and fly fisherman, often drawing inspiration from fly tying and fishing in his work. In this episode of the Montana Diaries Podcast, John shared his rich life story from growing up as the child of an Italian immigrant, to the tension between his religious upbringing and his education, to being an art student and drug addict obsessed with originality, to settling into himself as a sober maker and fly fisherman. John was incredibly vulnerable about creativity, mental health, and everything in between.

The story of John’s life is fascinating, but so is his creative process. He explains finding flow state through fly tying and connecting with nature, and how he connected with his art more when he started depicting those things rather than only focusing on subjects that would be considered “groundbreaking.” Letting go of pretension in his art and embracing sincerity ironically lead to the success he craved as a younger artist, and it helped him come back to himself as a sober minded person. 

SHOWNOTES: montanadiaries.com/creativebusinessblog/16

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This casual end-of-week episode of the Hey, Thriver podcast is packed with real talk for photographers and videographers. Shayna and Devin catch up on their lives and businesses, then dive into the latest controversy around styled shoots in the photography industry. They break down why complaining online can backfire as a creative business owner, and share a behind-the-scenes look at Thrive: Montana — their in-person retreat for hybrid shooters ready to grow a profitable, aligned business.

Whether you're a photographer navigating industry drama or a videographer looking to grow without the chaos, this unfiltered conversation is for you.

JOIN US IN MONTANA: https://www.heythriver.com/in-person-events
FOLLOW ON IG: htps://www.instagram.com/heythriver

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15 Hillary Folkvord on owning multiple businesses and the "family bottom line"

Hillary Folkvord is a force to reckon with — she is a mother, an amazing curator and social media presence, and a fourth generation Montanan who, along with her amazing family, runs multiple successful businesses, including The RSVP Motel, The Farmer’s Daughter Cafe, and The Sacajawea Hotel. Hillary held nothingggg back when it came to business advice, her lifestyle, or balancing motherhood with her ambition. 

SHOWNOTES: montanadiaries.com/shownotes/15

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Dawn Jarvis on the value of support systems and creative communities


 In this episode of the Montana Diaries Podcast, we have one of my favorite photographers, I mean, one of my favorite people — she’s a badass business owner with the biggest heart, our twighlighty Myspace queen with a ridiculous amount of talent, and a super cool hang, Dawn Jarvis of Dawn Photo! This conversation went SO FAST you guys, we talked about so freaking much and I could have talked to this lady all day. 


 Dawn is an Oregon-based photographer who specializes in elopements and micro weddings in the Pacific Northwest annddd she’s freaking incredible. In this interview, Dawn and I talk about her journey from shooting fake weddings put on by her college sorority to becoming the badass business woman and photographer she is today. We talk growing in business, cultivating a community and support system, learning as you grow, creativity, and expanding into the education space. Dawn is an amazing educator and is super open, so this is a MUST listen!


SHOWNOTES: montanadiaries.com/shownotes/14 

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Morgan Ser Voss is the owner of Silo Skincare, which is Montana-based skincare made for the wild women who lead an active lifestyle and want affordable, all-natural products that won't hold them back. How pithy is that tagline, like come on!? Morgan is the sweetest soul and I just know you’re all going to fall in love with her and her goats the way I have — in this episode, she talks alllll about following in her grandma’s footsteps and adapting a farmers’ market-style business to the digital age we live in. If you are in the weeds with growing your small business and navigating social media marketing and digital sales, this episode is for you — Morgan is incredibly honest and vulnerable about what it is to transition from a maker to a business owner while still working a day job, andddd what it is to be intentional about being content in your current circumstances without losing your ambition. She is amazing, so please please please review this episode and gas her up on social media!

Shownotes: montanadiaries.com/shownotes/13

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Abigael Tripp is the Missoula-based artist behind Here Studio. Abigael focuses on landscape imagery and design inspired by the magic and beauty of the natural world. She joins the Montana Diaries podcast to talk about what art means to her — what art comes naturally, what it is to be a maker, and the feeling that her art evokes. I was drawn to Abigail and her art from the moment I stumbled across her, and it was a delight to speak to her about her process. 

“Getting Into” Painting

Abigael was working her day job as a graphic designer in Portland, Oregon — a job that she loves, that for all intents and purposes was “the dream.” when she realized that her priorities were out of alignment. She felt creatively depleted and suddenly unable to meet deadlines that were manageable in the past. She went to her boss and mentor, distressed and apologetic, but then something amazing happened:

She was met with grace.

Her boss told her to take a beat, to figure out what she wants, and to find alignment with herself again. Abigael thought about what she wanted, and the answer surprised her a bit: she wanted to paint.

At the same time, she received an email from her college advertising a painting class. 

— Abigael Tripp

Prioritizing joy

Painting was the catalyst for Abigael to make the decisions she wanted to make and to let the universe catch her — she felt it was finally time to be herself. Learning to paint was hard, but it was a new skill that enabled her to feel completely embodied. The physicality of the paintbrush and supplies grounded her in the earth.

What is it to feel IN one’s body?

Abigael opened up about how therapy made her realize how much time she spends in her head and detached from her own body. She is constantly reminding herself that she is a person present in a body — it’s why her studio is called “Here —“ a reminder to be rooted in the place that you are. 

Run, don’t walk — RUN to check out Abigail’s beautiful work.

LINKS
Check out the shownotes for our episode with Abigael -- they contain alllll the resources and links mentioned in the episode!! https://www.montanadiaries.com/creativebusinessblog/12

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Rio Chantel is a Missoula-based brand photographer and the coolest person I know — everything about her is just rad and makes me want to live a more intentional, creative, aesthetic life. I’ve been drawn to Rio since the first photo I saw of her — platonic love at first sight, truly, so this was a freaking treat.

Rio also owns our favorite creative studio space, Oi Yoi, where we shoot all of our branding + educational video content. Go check it out and book it nowwww! 

What do we hold space for?

Rio and I chat about our shared experiences as children of large, nomadic families. We dissect what it is to relate to others and hold space for people, to empathize, and to give grace — and how all of this relates to creativity and business. 

The fear of being misunderstood 

Rio and I also connect on having a deep, life-long fear of being misunderstood, and the challenges this fear creates in being ethical communicators. Rio speaks to her own personal journey with giving herself grace — grace, in relation to herself, means “forgiving herself for being human.”

Being human is hard.

Therapy has been a huge part of forgiveness + relationship mending for Rio over the past year and a half. She details her experience with therapy and how it has helped her.

From playing photographer to becoming “the worst boss in the world.”

Rio shares how high-volume and low-ticket her offerings used to be, and the anxiety that business structure caused. She mentions her early business “depleting (her) creative resources.” Rio’s process of niching down, raising her prices, and reconciling her business with the lifestyle she wants to lead will resonate with creatives of every niche. 

Let’s end with some true wisdom

We all know by now that I’m trashhhh at ending these blog posts, but I want to leave you today with my favorite quote from Rio’s episode of the pod: “Part of my journey is that if I make a sacrifice of my integrity then the universe will tell me to get back to my boundaries.” 

Oof. Yes. Thank you, Rio.

LINKS

Shownotes for this episode with Rio Chantel w/ all of the resources and goodies mentioned: https://www.montanadiaries.com/shownotes/11

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In this episode of the Montana Diaries podcast, I sat down with Nikki Fanshaw to chat about her path to becoming the wildly talented brand + web designer that she is today. From a Midwest farm girl, to a growing career in the fashion industry, to product design, to running her own successful design firm — Nikki knows a thing or two about pivoting in creative business. 

The brand + web design process

I was lucky enough to work with Nikki on our brand + website this year. We broke down the process of working together from the inquiry stage through the final delivery — Nikki outlined her process, and I chimed in from the clients’ perspective on how everything felt. We were super candid about creatives’ insecurities and roadblocks to working with a professional brand and web designer.

LINKS

Shownotes for this episode with Nikki Fanshaw: https://www.montanadiaries.com/creativebusinessblog/10
Your free starter guide to integrating video into your photography biz: https://www.montanadiaries.com/learnvideo
Montana Diaries Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/montanadiariespodcast

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I'm so excited to present this behind the scenes chat with everyone's fave husband, Brandon! We do a deep dive into the creation of Montana Diaries -- Bran leads the conversation by taking "the people," as he calls you sweet listeners, through my creative ~journey.~ LET ME KNOW if you liked this interview and if you have any questions at all that we can address in future! I want to do more tangible creative business episodes and the interview format might be the move; whatever you want, ha!

Be sureeee to head on over to montanadiaries.com/creativebusinessblog/9 for links mentioned in this episode. 

Don't forget to leave a review on your fave podcast platform!! It helps more than you know!  

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

We’ll see if Chris kills me for that title, ha!! You’ll have to listen to our chat to know what that’s about. 

Chris Mai is an incredible Portland, Oregon based filmmaker serving the PNW + beyond. On episode 8 of the Montana Diaries Podcast, Chris and I discuss everyyyything from balancing family and entrepreneurship, to looking toward the future and trying to envision an end point. Chris has some incredible heart-centered takes on ambition, innovation, creativity, and “the dream.” This is a MUST LISTEN.

Be sure to go give Chris all the love on Instagram and review the pod on your fave platform! We appreciate it so much. 

https://www.montanadiaries.com/creativebusinessblog/8

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

BAILEY ANSELME is an Iowa-based photographer, videographer, and graphic designer serving the Midwest United States and beyond. I felt compelled to pull Bailey on the pod to show what it looks like to offer multiple creative services within one business, and she didn’t disappoint! 

Bailey is the sweetest lil human in the entire world — she is ALL about finding contentedness in the situation she’s in and crafting a life of comfort. I know listeners will get a lot from her mindset and I can’t wait to hear what you think! Go give her some love on Instagram and be sure to review her episode on your fave podcast platform.


SHOWNOTES: https://www.montanadiaries.com/creativebusinessblog/7

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From Mary Kantner’s website:  Mary Kantner is a portrait photographer based out of Los Angeles, CA. She is inspired by “imperfections”, in-between moments, and telling a story in her photographs. She uses both film and digital photography fluently within her work.

Mary joins the Montana Diaries podcast to discuss, well, everything. We talk about being multi-passionate artists in an industry that demands niching down, and how we must allow our human selves to be more complicated than our brands. Mary attempts to put words to what draws her to photography legend Annie Leibovitz, which prompts a fumbling talk where we dissect the difference between technical excellence and emotional authenticity. 

This conversation is one of my favorites so far on the podcast, and I can’t wait to hear what you take from it. 

https://www.montanadiaries.com/creativebusinessblog/6

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What if your brand visuals actually moved the needle in your business?

In this episode of the Hey, Thriver podcast, Shay and Devin sit down with Karen Williams, visual creative director and founder of Black Visual Queen. Karen shares how she helps creative entrepreneurs show up as the face and visionary behind their brand—crafting visuals that do more than look good; they sell, convert, and align with the direction you're headed.

You’ll learn how she builds strategic brand identities that evolve with the entrepreneur, why visuals need to reflect your CEO energy now, and what it means to actually be seen in your business.

🎧 Whether you’re rebranding, scaling, or stepping into a new version of yourself—this conversation is for you.

🔗 Book Karen Williams here: https://www.blackvisualqueen.com/book
📲 Follow Karen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackvisualqueen

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

SHOWNOTES: montanadiaries.com/creativebusinessblog/5

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

Leanna Krenik is my dear friend and a Bozeman, Montana based photographer. In this episode of the Montana Diaries podcast, Leanna gets craazzzyyyy vulnerable about her feelings about her personal style and social perception shaped her creativity and career. Keep listening until the end because Leanna's mindset around keeping her personal life and marriage sacred paired with her thoughts about protecting her time are pure gold. 

https://www.montanadiaries.com/creativebusinessblog/4

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

Dawn Charles is an adventurous wedding and elopement photographer turned educator and the founder of Rise Photo Academy, which Dawn calls "Netflix for photographers." She is the creator of multiple digital products and resources for photographers, including her wildly popular DC presets. Dawn joins the Montana Diaries podcast to talk about her progression from photography student, to intern, to business owner. These days, Dawn's main passion lies with helping small business owners find success in their niche. 

I know you'll get as much out of this chat as I did -- make sure to let us know what you thought after you listen! 

Head over to montanadiaries.com/creativebusinessblog/3 to find any links discussed in this episode.  

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

Elise Perpignano is a Montana-based artist who specializes in graphic design and oil painting. Elise joins the Montana Diaries podcast to talk all things creativity and business. We discuss the freedom of trying things in childhood, what it feels like to try to cast a practical creative vision and monetize making things, and living outside Glacier National Park. 

Head over to montanadiaries.com/creativebusinessblog/2 to find any links discussed in this episode. 

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

April Sky is a Montana-based photographer and business coach for moms. She joins the Montana Diaries podcast to discuss her journey from stay-at-home mom to thriving owner of two businesses. In this chat, April gets personal about her divorce and the mindset hurdles she faced as a single mom faced with providing for her son financially for the first time.

April Sky is the owner of Moms Made for More, which is both a community for moms to share their challenges without fear of judgement and a coaching service for mom-entreprenuers lead by April herself.

Shownotes for this episode: montanadiaries.com/creativebusinessblog/1

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 The Montana Diaries podcast is all about storytelling and getting to the heart of creativity, entrepreneurship, and the drive it takes to build a full life for oneself. Host Shayna Lloyd dives into all things creativity, lifestyle, and business, and also sits down with many incredible creatives who come ready to open up about what the "dream" is. Let's talk pleasure and where this all fits into practicality, money, and lifestyle.

For more information about Montana Diaries, head over to montanadiaries.com 

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

In this episode, we’re sharing the exact strategy we use to stay fully booked with dream destination weddings and elopements — without relying on social media trends, ads, or luck.

We break down the ELOPE framework we teach at our in-person retreat, Thrive: Montana, and explain how each part of your content strategy can work together to get you in front of the right clients consistently.

We’re also joined by Danielle Johnson, who’s teaching live at Thrive: Montana this year. She shares powerful insights on visibility, long-term strategy, and how to build a brand that books dream weddings in dream places.

✨ If you're ready to stop guessing and start implementing a system that actually works, join us in person this September:
 👉 https://www.heythriver.com/in-person-events

💡 You’ll leave Thrive: Montana with:
 — A full portfolio from styled shoots in epic locations
 — Hands-on hybrid shooting experience
 — A step-by-step marketing plan tied to your goals
 — A community of creatives who want more than just survival mode
 — Hot tubs, cold plunge, yoga, wine nights, and space to rest and dream again

🎟 Spots are limited and filling quickly — this is the only time we’re hosting Thrive: Montana in 2025.
 → Save your seat now

xx
 Devin + Shay

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🎙️ Thinking about offering Super 8 film to your photography or videography clients? Before you hit record, make sure you’re legally protected. In this episode of the Hey, Thriver Podcast, Shay and Devin sit down with Paige Griffith of The Legal Paige to break down exactly what makes Super 8 different — and why your current contract probably isn’t enough.

We’re talking about:

• The biggest legal risks of offering Super 8
• Clauses you must include in your contract
• How to set client expectations around analog film
• Why film-specific protection is non-negotiable

Whether you're a hybrid shooter or fully leaning into Super 8, this conversation will help you protect your creativity and your business.

📖 Read the full show notes here:
 https://www.heythriver.com/blog/super-8-contract-for-photographers-what-you-need-to-protect-your-business-ft-the-legal-paige

📝 Want to protect your film work with a contract that actually covers it? Grab the Super 8 Film Videography Contract we trust:
 https://thelegalpaige.myshopify.com/discount/SHAYNA10?redirect=/products/super-8-film-videography-contract?aff=578

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

Want to book more clients without constantly chasing leads? It all starts with SEO—and if your dream couples can’t find you on Google, you’re leaving money on the table.

In this episode, Shayna and Devin break down exactly how photographers and videographers can use SEO to rank higher, get more inquiries, and turn their websites into 24/7 marketing machines. Plus, they’re sharing how Thrive: Montana will give attendees hands-on SEO training, real-time blogging sessions, and content creation opportunities designed to help you show up for the right clients.

🚀 What You’ll Learn:
✅ Why SEO is a game-changer for photographers + videographers (and how it transformed Shayna’s business)
✅ The exact keywords your dream clients are searching for (and how to find them)
✅ How to optimize your website, blog posts, and images for better rankings
✅ Devin’s favorite blog post formats for boosting SEO without feeling salesy
✅ Quick SEO wins you can implement TODAY to start showing up in search results

📌 Ready to take SEO seriously? Join us in Montana for Thrive: Montana, where you'll get expert guidance on optimizing your website, mastering blogging, and creating content that ranks. → heythriver.com/in-person-events

👀 DM @heythriver on Instagram if this episode helped you!

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

Your portfolio isn’t just a gallery—it’s your sales pitch. It’s what tells dream clients you’re the perfect photographer or videographer to capture their wedding or elopement. In this episode, we’re diving into actionable strategies to curate a portfolio that attracts the clients you truly want to work with.

We’ll cover:

• Why Your Portfolio is Key to Booking Dream Clients: Learn how to show the work you want to book and stand out in a crowded market.
• The Power of Styled Shoots: Discover why styled shoots are the ultimate fast-track to filling portfolio gaps and creating work that aligns with your vision.
• Steps to Build Your Dream Portfolio: Audit your current work, define your ideal clients, and invest in opportunities like styled shoots to showcase your best work.

✨ $27 Offers to Help You Elevate Your Business

• Become a Wedding Videographer by This Weekend: Learn to add video services to your photography business and start earning more today: heythriver.com/learnvideo.
• Thrive: Social Club Membership for $27/month: Weekly coworking sessions to stay consistent with your marketing and portfolio-building goals: heythriver.com/socialclub.

✨ Join the Thrive: Glacier Retreat Waitlist
Ready to transform your portfolio? At Thrive: Glacier, you’ll have access to:

• A detail-rich, intimate micro-wedding styled shoot.
• An adventurous, permit-ready elopement shoot in Glacier National Park.
• A lifestyle shoot with real couples, designed for hybrid shooters.

Spots are limited, so don’t wait! Join the waitlist now for early access: heythriver.com/in-person-events.

🎯 Free Resources Mentioned:

• ELOPE Framework: Build your destination wedding and elopement business: heythriver.com/elope.
• Financial Goals Marketing Sheet: Plan your revenue and marketing strategy: heythriver.com/financial-goals-marketing.

📌 Take Action Today:

1. Audit your current portfolio.
2. Define your dream clients and the work you want to showcase.
3. Join the Thrive: Glacier Retreat waitlist to secure your spot and start building a portfolio that books dream clients.

Don’t forget to share your portfolio wins with us @heythriver—we’d love to cheer you on!

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

What if you could make more money in 2025 without booking a single extra client? The answer is simple: video. In this episode, we’re diving into how photographers can scale their revenue by adding video services or using video marketing to attract their dream clients. Whether you’re ready to expand your offerings or amplify your reach, we’ve got you covered.

We’ll cover:

• Why Video is a Game-Changer: Meet the growing demand for video and stand out as a hybrid shooter.
• How to Upsell Video Services: Use your existing skills and gear to generate more income without doubling your workload.
• Using Video to Market Your Business: Boost your reach with short-form and behind-the-scenes video content that converts.

🎯 Affordable Resources to Help You Scale:

• Become a Wedding Videographer by This Weekend: Learn how to add video services to your photography business and start earning more today for just $27. Get started here: heythriver.com/learnvideo
• Thrive: Social Club Membership for $27/month: Join weekly coworking sessions to stay consistent with video marketing. Sign up here: heythriver.com/socialclub

🎯 Free Resources Mentioned:

• ELOPE Framework: Build your destination wedding and elopement business: heythriver.com/elope
• Financial Goals Marketing Sheet: Plan your revenue and marketing strategy: heythriver.com/financial-goals-marketing

It’s time to work smarter, not harder, in 2025. Tune in, take action, and start scaling your business with video! DM us @heythriver to let us know how video is transforming your business.

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

Let’s be real—sticking to a marketing plan can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, we’re breaking down the exact steps photographers and videographers can take to create a sustainable marketing system for 2025 and actually stick to it. Whether you’re looking to book dream clients, streamline your content creation, or finally stay consistent, this episode is for you.

We’ll cover:

• The Thrive Content Marketing System: Our proven strategy for planning, batching, and executing content without burnout.
• How to Create Long-Form and Short-Form Content That Converts: Align your content with your promotions and audience needs.
• The Power of Coworking and Accountability: Why working alongside others keeps you on track.

🎯 Affordable Resources to Help You Thrive:

• Thrive: Social Club Membership for $27/month:  Learn our full system to create and execute a marketing plan that works PLUS weekly coworking sessions to help you stay consistent. Join here: heythriver.com/socialclub.

🎯 Free Resources Mentioned:

• ELOPE Framework: Build your destination wedding and elopement business: heythriver.com/elope.
• Financial Goals Marketing Sheet: Plan your revenue and marketing strategy: heythriver.com/financial-goals-marketing.

This year, let’s turn your marketing plan into a marketing system that delivers results. DM us @heythriver and let us know how you’re making 2025 the year of growth and consistency!

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

As 2024 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on everything this year brought—our wins, challenges, lessons, and growth—and how it’s shaping our big plans for 2025. In this episode, we share how year-end audits have transformed our businesses and lives, and how you can use the same process to set yourself up for your best year yet.

We’ll cover:

• 2024 Highlights: What we achieved with Hey, Thriver and in our personal businesses.
• Lessons Learned: How reflection helped us grow and align with our goals.
• Auditing for Success: Why taking time to assess your year is critical for building momentum in the new year.

🎯 Free Resources to Help You Thrive:

• ELOPE Framework: Build your destination wedding and elopement business: heythriver.com/elope.
• Financial Goals Marketing Sheet: Plan your revenue and marketing strategy: heythriver.com/financial-goals-marketing.

Take an hour to reflect on 2024: celebrate your wins, learn from your challenges, and set intentional goals for 2025. Share your reflections and plans with us on Instagram @heythriver—we’d love to cheer you on!

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

If you're afraid to invest in your photography or videography business, you're not alone. One of the biggest things holding creatives back is fear—fear of spending money, fear of not making it back, and fear of failure. But the truth is, fear and belief can’t exist in the same space. In this episode, we’re talking about how that fear often stems from not separating personal and business finances, and how real business growth starts when you learn to invest with a plan. We also walk through the mindset shift needed to move from scarcity to strategy and how our next retreat will help you make that shift.

If you’re ready to bet on yourself and create a business that’s built to last, apply for our Montana photography and videography retreat here:

https://www.heythriver.com/in-person-events

This is the year you stop operating like a hobbyist and start showing up like the CEO your business needs.

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

Ready to crush your goals in 2025? In this episode, we’re cutting through the fluff and breaking down a practical, no-nonsense method for setting goals that actually stick—designed specifically for photographers and videographers who want to achieve more without burning out.

We’ll walk you through:

• Why reflecting on your progress is the first step to meaningful growth.
• How to create goals in key areas like health, creativity, your photo/video business, and relationships.
• Actionable strategies to set realistic, achievable goals that align with your personal and professional aspirations.

🎯 Free Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Financial Goals Marketing Sheet: Plan your revenue and marketing strategy for the year: heythriver.com/financial-goals-marketing.
• ELOPE Framework: Build your destination wedding and elopement business with this free checklist: heythriver.com/elope.

Take 30 minutes to reflect, set your goals, and start building the life and business you’ve been dreaming about. Don’t forget to tag us @heythriver and share your goals—we’d love to cheer you on!

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

In this fun and personal episode, Devin and Shayna take on some of the 36 Questions to Fall in Love—but with a twist. They’re not just getting to know each other better, but also letting you, the Hey, Thriver community, peek behind the scenes of their dynamic as co-hosts and friends. From lighthearted laughs to deep reflections, this episode is packed with personality and connection.

If you love hearing this side of us, let us know! DM us or leave a review, and we just might do more episodes like this one. And don’t forget to grab our free ELOPE Framework to grow your destination wedding and elopement business: heythriver.com/elope.

Let’s get candid, real, and maybe even fall in love—podcast style.

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

Why Most Marketing Strategies Fail with Jacinta Gandy

Is your marketing falling flat? You’re not alone. On this episode of Hey, Thriver, we’re joined by Jacinta Gandy, founder of Social Circle, to uncover the common pitfalls in marketing strategies and how to fix them.

With over 13 years of experience working with iconic brands like Disney and Nike, and a track record of helping 150+ entrepreneurs grow their businesses, Jacinta shares the three foundational elements small business owners often overlook in their marketing. These elements are critical to crafting a strategy that connects with your audience and drives real results.

Jacinta’s insights will empower you to reframe your marketing efforts and ensure your strategies are built to succeed. Whether you’re a photographer, videographer, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable advice to level up your marketing game.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
 1. The top reasons most marketing strategies fail.
 2. The three foundational elements every marketing strategy needs.
 3. How to create a strategy that resonates with your audience and fuels growth.

https://www.heythriver.com/blog/why-most-marketing-strategies-fail-with-jacinta

FOLLOW ON IG: https://www.instagram.com/heythriver

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

In this episode of the Hey, Thriver podcast, Devin and Shay chat about:

• The Power of SEO Blogging: Dr. Tonya Lawson, a musician turned SEO expert, breaks down why blogging is crucial for creative service providers looking to boost their visibility and attract more clients. She shares the secrets behind niche-specific content and how it can drive targeted traffic to your website.
• Leveraging AI for Blogging Efficiency: Discover how AI tools like ChatGPT can revolutionize your content creation process. Tonya explains how to use AI for keyword research, content briefs, and drafting blog posts, making blogging less intimidating and more efficient.
• Niche-Down Strategies for Better Rankings: Learn the importance of narrowing your content focus for better search engine rankings. Tonya provides practical examples and tips on how to optimize your website for your ideal client’s search intent, ensuring your content hits the mark every time.

Be sure to snag blogging templates from the shop!!! 

https://www.heythriver.com/blog/why-creative-service-providers-should-blog-for-seo-insights-from-tonya-lawson

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

In this episode of the Hey, Thriver podcast, Devin and Shay chat about:

• Portfolio Audits with Purpose: How auditing and curating your portfolio can help you showcase the work you want to book.
• Ranking on Google: Shayna’s strategy for optimizing portfolio content to rank for specific locations.
• Showcasing Travel Skills: How demonstrating your ability to travel and handle multi-day events attracts clients who value these experiences.
• Building Authentic Connections: Why showing your personality online creates stronger, more personalized inquiries.
• The ELOPE Framework: A step-by-step guide to booking your dream destination weddings and elopements.

GET THE ELOPE FRAMEWORK

SHOWNOTES: https://www.heythriver.com/blog/how-were-booking-more-destination-weddings-and-you-can-too

Hey, Thriver! Shayna Lloyd and Devin Larson share their insider tips for building a successful destination wedding and elopement photography business. From curating a purposeful portfolio to showcasing your personality online, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you attract dream clients. Shayna and Devin dive into their personal experiences, challenges, and successes, highlighting how they’ve used their ELOPE framework to grow their businesses and book high-value destination weddings. 

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

In this special Thanksgiving episode, Shayna Lloyd and Devin Larson explore how gratitude can transform your personal and professional life. They share actionable tips to integrate gratitude into your daily routine, client relationships, and business mindset—without requiring hours of journaling. This episode is packed with simple, effective practices to help you reflect, reframe, and reconnect during the holiday season and beyond.

SHOWNOTES: https://www.heythriver.com/blog/why-gratitude-is-the-secret-weapon-your-business-needs-right-now

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. The Importance of Gratitude: How gratitude reduces stress, improves mindset, and enhances client relationships.
2. Quick and Easy Gratitude Practices: Actionable steps like gratitude sprints, jars, and walks to make gratitude part of your routine.
3. Client Gratitude Challenge: The impact of sending genuine thank-you messages to clients or collaborators.
4. Reframe Challenges: Tips on finding lessons and opportunities in tough situations.
5. Gratitude in Nature: How connecting with the environment can foster appreciation and creativity.

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

In this episode of the Hey, Thriver podcast, Devin and Shay chat about:

• The Power of Coworking: Why finding a like-minded community can transform your business.
• Batching Content Like a Pro: Shayna’s foolproof system for creating months of social media content in hours.
• AI Hacks for Content Creation: How to use AI to blog faster, write captions, and create hooks that actually convert.
• Vendor Reels Strategy: Devin’s game-changing approach to building vendor relationships with Super 8 reels.
• December Marketing Mastermind: How Shayna and Devin’s $27 mastermind will help you crush your content marketing goals before the new year.

Hey, Thriver! In this episode, Shayna Lloyd and Devin Larson get real about the struggles of keeping up with content marketing, especially during the busy season. They dive into why consistency feels impossible when you're doing it solo and share how coworking and leveraging systems can save the day. From batching vertical videos to using AI tools strategically, this episode is packed with actionable advice for photographers, videographers, and creative entrepreneurs.

Shayna and Devin share personal stories, including how a coworking session in Mexico helped Devin batch 30 reels in under an hour and how vendor-specific reels have transformed their client relationships. They also provide insights into using AI to create blog posts, captions, and click-worthy hooks that align with your business goals. Plus, hear all about their exciting December Marketing Mastermind to help you end the year strong and set yourself up for success in 2025.

SHOWNOTES: https://www.heythriver.com/blog/no-bs-marketing-plan-that-actually-works-how-coworking-can-transform-your-content-game

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/heythriver

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

Hey, Thriver! On this episode of the podcast, Devin and Shay interview elopement photographer Jamie Tobin, who shares all the details about her game-changing nesting box set for flat lay photography. Jamie explains how this tool helps photographers create stunning, layered compositions quickly and easily, making it a must-have for those working in the luxury wedding and destination photography markets. Tune in to hear expert tips on mastering flat lays, the importance of details in high-end weddings, and practical advice for photographers looking to up their detail photography game.

In this episode of the Hey, Thriver podcast, Devin and Shay chat about:

• Creating the Perfect Flat Lay with Jamie Tobin: Learn how elopement photographer Jamie Tobin’s innovative nesting box set is transforming the way photographers approach flat lays. She shares how her product helps create dynamic, layered compositions that elevate wedding detail shots.
• The Role of Details in Luxury Weddings: Discover why mastering flat lay photography is essential for breaking into the luxury wedding market. Jamie explains how capturing meaningful details can set photographers apart and attract high-end clients.
• Tips for Destination Photographers: Jamie offers practical advice for photographers working on the go, from packing light to using the right tools to create professional flat lays, even in challenging locations.

SHOWNOTES: https://www.heythriver.com/blog/unlocking-the-art-of-flat-lays-how-jamie-tobins-product-revolutionizes-detail-photography

FOLLOW ON IG: https://www.instagram.com/heythriver

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

In this episode of the Hey, Thriver podcast, Devin and Shay chat about:

• How confidence and success grow when we focus on lifting others up
• Why jealousy can be a useful signal and how to channel it productively
• The role of gratitude and acknowledging others’ achievements
• Real-life examples of professional jealousy and how Shayna and Devin reframed these situations
• How Shayna’s supportive network inspired her to offer the same encouragement to others
• Embracing the power of “giving people their flowers” while they’re here—shout-out to all who inspire us daily!
• Tips for identifying and managing scarcity-driven behaviors and shifting toward an abundance mindset
• Why it’s vital to surround yourself with a supportive community that celebrates each other’s wins

Hey, Thriver! On this episode of the podcast, Devin and Shay dive deep into what it means to be truly successful and how that success grows when we lift others up. They talk about the power of confidence rooted in generosity and how embracing an abundance mindset has transformed their businesses and relationships. From navigating jealousy to celebrating others’ wins, they get real about how even the tough feelings can be channeled into something positive. Join us for this conversation on confidence, collaboration, and cheering others on in their journeys. Grab your headphones, and let’s thrive together!

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

 In this episode, Devin and Shay discuss burnout and how photographers and videographers can handle business stress during busy seasons. We share our personal approaches to managing burnout—what works, what doesn't, and why it's important to be practical about working through stressful times while planning for a healthier work-life balance next year. Whether you're a photographer or videographer, learn how to stay productive during tough seasons and create a plan to avoid burnout in the future.

Financial Goals Marketing Sheet: https://www.heythriver.com/financial-goals-marketing

Touchpoints Swipe Doc: https://www.heythriver.com/touchpoints

Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heythriver

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!

RIP Hey, Thriver

We’re spilling everything—why we’re rebranding, what’s happening to our paid programs, and what’s next for The Devin and Shay Show.

After months of behind-the-scenes changes, we’re finally sharing the full story: why we’re saying goodbye to the Hey, Thriver name, what it means for you, and how we’re closing down all of our current courses and programs.

We’re going all in on our Montana & Glacier National Park retreat this season—and after that? We’re building something even better. One powerful, streamlined offer that brings everything we’ve ever taught into one place.

If you’re a photographer or videographer who’s been learning from us, cheering us on, or just wondering what the hell is going on... this episode is for you. We’re not going anywhere. In fact, we’re just getting started—and we’re still here to serve the hell out of you.

Thanks for listening to the Hey, Thriver Podcast!! Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast platform -- it helps us get amazing guests and climb in the charts!