The One Behind the Lens is the podcast for photographers in their first 5 years of business. Host Kate DeCoste shares real-talk strategies, behind-the-scenes stories, and bold advice to help you grow a business that fits your life. From branding to pricing and mindset to marketing - itâs all here. Grab your camera and your confidence - itâs time to Shutter Up and Shine.
đ§ New episodes every week starting August 4, 2025. Follow now so you donât miss a thing!
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S2 Ep 8: The One Where Photographers Build a Business They Love with Rachel Larsen Weaver
Saison 2 ¡ Ăpisode 8
vendredi 13 fÊvrier 2026 ⢠DurÊe 01:03:55
đď¸ The One Where Photographers Build a Business They LoveClient Experience, Confidence & Connection with Rachel Larsen WeaverIn this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate DeCoste sits down with photographer and educator Rachel Larsen Weaver for a deep, honest conversation about what it really means to build a photography business you actually love.Rachel shares how sheâs created a body-affirming, deeply welcoming client experience â and why making people feel safe in front of the camera often matters more than perfect lighting or flawless posing. From saying âyesâ to a glass of water to shifting sessions from transactional to relational, this episode is packed with practical ways to create connection, comfort, and confidence for your clients.Youâll hear about:
How client safety and body confidence change the way people show up on camera
Building a portfolio that feels like a true invitation (not a closed door)
Creating long-form, experience-driven sessions instead of cookie-cutter shot lists
Using writing and storytelling as part of your photography marketing and brand voice
What it means to make your business feel aligned, sustainable, and creatively fulfilling
If youâre a photographer who wants to attract better-fit clients, build stronger relationships, and create work that feels meaningful â this oneâs for you.
đ Connect with RachelWebsite: rachellarsonweaver.comInstagram: @rachel.larson.weaverEducation & Workshops: Available through her website (including The Words Workshop and photography education waitlists)
đ Connect with KateHost: Kate DeCosteInstagram: @katedecosteWebsite: www.katedecostephotography.comKateâs website is packed with resources for photographers, including education, business tools, and creative guidance for building a photography brand that feels aligned, confident, and sustainable.
âąď¸ Episode Timestamps
00:00 â Recording jitters & the awkward art of podcast intros
01:30 â âCreator of momentsâ: blending art, parenting, and teaching
04:25 â What âa damn good timeâ actually looks like in a session
07:45 â Why saying âyesâ to water changes the client experience
09:50 â Building a fat-affirming, welcoming photography business11:15 â The industry advice that made Rachel double down on doing it differently
13:20 â Why your portfolio is an invitation (and who feels excluded when itâs not)
15:55 â The â20-pound mythâ and why waiting for photos keeps people invisible18:20 â Social media, representation, and curating what you see
29:45 â Marketing in your own voice (and why writing matters)
32:45 â What long-form photography sessions really look like
36:30 â Co-creating a âbest dayâ instead of a shot list38:00 â How body safety changes the way clients show up on camera
42:30 â Trust, comfort, and why hands matter more than you think
47:10 â How photographers can start creating more affirming work
48:55 â The power of self-portraits for building connection and trust
52:50 â The Words Workshop & using writing as a creative practice
59:40 â Photo Confession Booth: âthe puppy ate the roll of filmâ
1:01:40 â Where to find Rachel & stay connected
đŹ Shutter Squad Quote Board
âYour portfolio is an invitation. If people donât see themselves in it, they wonât think the invitation is for them.â
âSaying yes to the water isnât about the drink â itâs about shifting the energy from transaction to relationship.â
âComfort is contagious. When someone feels safe in their body, everything in the photo softens.â
âDonât wait to lose 20 pounds to take the picture. This moment still matters.â
đď¸ About the Show The One Behind the Lens is a podcast for photographers and creatives who want to grow their business without losing their voice, values, or love for the craft. New episodes drop regularly â subscribe for conversations about photography, creativity, marketing, and the real human side of running a creative business.
S2 E7: The One with Repeat Clients - How Photographers Turn One Booking into Lifelong Clients
Saison 2 ¡ Ăpisode 7
vendredi 6 fÊvrier 2026 ⢠DurÊe 14:26
In this solo episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate DeCoste dives into one of the most overlooked (and most powerful) parts of building a sustainable photography business: repeat clients.
This isnât about luck, magic, or chasing constant new inquiries. Itâs about what happens after the gallery is deliveredâ and how the way you communicate, follow up, and make people feel turns one-time bookings into lifelong cheerleaders who come back, refer you, and trust you as your business grows.
From real-world referral stories to simple, human follow-ups that actually build loyalty, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can start using right away.
⨠What Youâll Learn in This Episode
Why repeat clients are easier to book, easier to raise prices with, and more likely to refer you
How trust and experience beat SEO and ads when it comes to long-term growth
Why people come back because of how you made them feel â not just how the photos look
How to plant the seed for future sessions without being salesy
Simple follow-up habits that turn clients into long-term relationships
How to shift from âone-off sessionsâ to serving people through seasons of life
âąď¸ Episode Timestamps
00:26 â Why repeat clients donât happen by accident
02:15 â The referral story: how trust travels through past clients
05:00 â Stop treating sessions like one-offs
07:30 â Why people really come back (hint: itâs not the poses)
09:45 â Communication, trust, and what silence feels like to clients
12:10 â Planting the seed for future work without being salesy
14:30 â Follow-up that feels human, not automated
16:00 â The big takeaway: how you want people to remember working with you
S2 Ep 6: The One with the Photography Pricing Breakthrough with Jill C Smith
Saison 2 ¡ Ăpisode 6
vendredi 30 janvier 2026 ⢠DurÊe 01:06:56
This episode feels like sitting on a couch with a really smart friend who gets it - the art, the business, the emotions, and the messy middle of being a photographer.
Iâm joined by Jill C. Smith, a Catskills-based family photographer and the educator behind The Business Focused Photographer Podcast. Jillâs work is rooted in warmth, nostalgia, and honesty, and her approach to business is refreshingly grounded, practical, and human.
We talk about everything from Dirty Dancing and abandoned Catskills resorts to imposter syndrome, pricing anxiety, and why pricing never exists in a silo. Jill shares her real pricing journey (numbers and all), what aligned pricing actually looks like, and why photographers need to stop blaming âcheap photographersâ for business problems that usually live somewhere else.
This is a must-listen if pricing feels emotional, confusing, or personal â because it is. And youâre not alone.
[9:23] Video store nostalgia & shared creative pasts
[11:29] Kateâs Catskills theatre connection & Full Moon Resort
[13:31] Being both a family photographer and a business coach
[15:04] Why authenticity works across services
[17:44] What actually makes a photographer âhireableâ
S2 Ep 5: The One Where Patrick Clayton Elevates Events - Corporate, Weddings & White House Experiences
Saison 2 ¡ Ăpisode 5
vendredi 23 janvier 2026 ⢠DurÊe 01:02:31
Episode Summary
This episode is a special one because sometimes the people behind the lens arenât photographers⌠but they are absolutely part of how the magic gets made.
Iâm sitting down with my longtime friend and college choir/theatre buddy, Patrick Clayton, the creative force behind Patrick J. Clayton Productions, a bi-coastal, full-service event production company creating large-scale branded experiences across the country.
We talk about growing up in Nebraska, finding your way to New York City, building a business from a spare bedroom, and what really goes into producing events that look effortlessly.
And yes⌠Patrick shares a confession booth story involving an 1,100-person event he thought was happening the next day. đ
âąď¸ What We Cover (Timestamps)
[0:00] Welcome & real-life check-inQuarter four sales, world chaos, and why âjust do whatever you wantâ sometimes feels valid.
[2:24] How Kate and Patrick know each otherDoane College (and why it will always be Doane College), choir, theatre, and lifelong creative friendships.
[7:56] Studying business while living in the artsWhy Patrick didnât have a master plan â and how a business degree plus creativity changed everything.
[9:50] The moment he knew it was time to leave NebraskaSupportive mentors, big conversations, and choosing a bigger world.
[11:16] Moving to New York CityFashion-focused business school, retail design, visual merchandising, and learning corporate life fast.
[12:54] Working for Pret A MangerNearly a million-dollar employee experience budget â and the only job Patrick ever loved while leaving.
Creative services, entertaining instincts, and realizing this could actually be a career.
S2 E4: The One with the Studio Keys: Opening a Photography Studio â Lessons, Surprises & What I Would Do Differently
Saison 2 ¡ Ăpisode 4
vendredi 16 janvier 2026 ⢠DurÊe 13:30
Episode Title:The One with the Studio Keys: Opening a Photography Studio â Lessons, Surprises & What I Would Do Differently
Episode Description:What is it really like to open your own photography studio?
In this solo episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate shares her 12-year experience of owning a studio â the good, the unexpected, and the honest lessons sheâs learned along the way.
From indoor headshot sessions and client consultations to overhead costs and long-term sustainability, this episode is a grounded look at studio ownership without the hype. A studio can be an incredible tool â but it isnât right for everyone, and thatâs okay.
If youâve ever considered opening a studio (or already have one), this episode will help you think more clearly about what a studio should support â and what it shouldnât.
In This Episode, We Talk About:
Why Kate chose to open a studio and why sheâs kept it for 14 years
The benefits of having a dedicated indoor space for headshots and sessions
How a studio changes the client experience before the shoot
The importance of separating work life and home life
The reality of overhead and ongoing expenses
Surprising challenges of studio ownership
What Kate would think through differently if she were starting again
Why a studio should support your business â not define it
Key Takeaway:Owning a studio isnât a milestone you have to reach â itâs a business decision. The right choice is the one that aligns with how you want to work, not what you think youâre supposed to do.
đ§ If this episode resonated, share it with a photographer navigating their next big decision.
⨠Subscribe to for honest conversations about photography, business, and the real behind-the-scenes.
S2 E3: The One Where Hybrid Shooting & Storytelling Elevate Your Photography Business with Shayna Lloyd
Saison 2 ¡ Ăpisode 3
vendredi 9 janvier 2026 ⢠DurÊe 51:00
The One Behind the Lens â Guest: Shayna Lloyd (Montana Diaries)
If youâve been flirting with the idea of adding video to your photography business (but your brain is like⌠absolutely not), this episode is for you.
Iâm hanging out with Shayna Lloyd from Montana Diaries, and we get real about what hybrid shooting actually looks likeâwithout the tech-bro energy, without the pressure to become a full-time filmmaker overnight, and without turning your workflow into chaos.
We talk iPhone video add-ons, mindset shifts, how to tell better stories without forcing âstorytelling moments,â and the 5-shot framework Shayna uses to make any session feel cinematicâwhether itâs a wedding, seniors, or brand work.
Also: the Photo Confession Booth story at the end? I will never recover. đ
What We Cover (Timestamps)
[2:19] Shaynaâs origin storyYearbook kid energy, YouTube travel diaries, and how âMontana Diariesâ accidentally turned into a business.
[7:03] Finding her style: âvlog meets indie filmâWhy trying to shoot like everyone else made her work worseâand what changed when she filmed weddings like she filmed vlogs.
[10:34] What âadventurous + laid backâ actually meansFlexible couples, timeline lovers, and not posing your way through your own memories.
[12:25] The truth about becoming hybridIt wasnât a cute âI followed my passionâ storyâShayna built it with reps, practice, and saying yes before she felt ready.
[14:22] Myths (and fears) about adding videoThe fears are realâso Shayna breaks down whatâs actually practical and what deliverables make sense.
[16:08] Why video is easier to sell now than everThe market is already educated. People video. Youâre not convincing themâitâs already everywhere.
S2 E2: The One Where Wellness Meets Work with Ivy Towler
Saison 2 ¡ Ăpisode 2
vendredi 2 janvier 2026 ⢠DurÊe 01:12:16
So many photographers and midlife women are told theyâre tired, inflamed, or gaining weight because âthatâs just getting older.â This episode challenges that narrative.
In this conversation, Kate DeCoste sits down with Ivy Towler â a retired registered nurse, photographer, and functional nutritionist-in-training â to talk about whatâs really happening in our bodies during midlife and why curiosity matters more than pushing through.
This episode isnât about extreme routines or fixing everything overnight. Itâs about understanding root causes, recognizing the signs of perimenopause, and making small, sustainable changes that support your health and your work.
If youâve been feeling off and looking for answers that go deeper than âeverything looks normal,â this conversation is for you.
đ§ What We Cover (Timestamps)[
2:15] Why so many midlife symptoms are dismissed as âjust getting olderâ
[5:10] Ivyâs transition from registered nurse to photographer to functional nutrition
[8:30] What functional nutrition really means â and why root cause matters
[11:45] Perimenopause: when it can start and what it actually looks like
[15:20] Common midlife symptoms photographers often ignore
[18:40] Starting with one small, sustainable habit instead of overhauling your life
[22:10] âExercise snacksâ and movement that fits into a real workday
[25:35] The three non-negotiables: sleep, blood sugar, and digestion
[29:10] Why gut health matters more than most women realize
[32:45] Reducing toxins without overwhelm â simple swaps that make a difference
[36:20] Building a new functional nutrition practice and sharing education online
S2 E1: The One Where We Build Your 2026 Photography Business Plan
Saison 2 ¡ Ăpisode 1
vendredi 2 janvier 2026 ⢠DurÊe 16:00
Every photographer hits a moment where they realize theyâve been busy⌠but not always intentional.
In this episode of The One Behind The Lens, Kate walks photographers through building a clear, realistic business plan for 2026 â without overwhelm, hustle culture, or complicated systems.
This conversation is about defining success on your terms, simplifying what you offer, understanding your numbers, and creating a business that supports your life instead of running it.
Whether youâre feeling motivated, stuck, or somewhere in between, this episode is your reset.
đ§ What We Cover (Timestamps)
[2:05] Why January 2 is the perfect time to plan (and why youâre not behind)
[4:40] Why most photographers avoid business planning â and how it leads to burnout
[7:30] Defining success beyond bookings, busyness, and Instagram
[10:15] Choosing focus: simplifying your offerings and revenue streams
[13:20] Setting realistic income goals without fear or pressure
[16:10] Reverse-engineering your numbers to support your life
[18:45] Simplifying your marketing so consistency feels doable
[21:30] Protecting your time, energy, and creativity in 2026
[24:10] Why clarity beats urgency every single time
đŹ Quotes to Remember
âYour business should support your life â not consume it.â â Kate DeCoste
âYou donât need a perfect plan. You need a clear one.â â Kate DeCoste
The One Behind The Lens | Season 2 Trailer (Drops Jan 2)
Saison 2
samedi 27 dÊcembre 2025 ⢠DurÊe 01:15
Yay â itâs you. Welcome back, Shutter Squad. đď¸đ¸Season Two of The One Behind The Lens with Kate DeCoste drops January 2, and this season weâre going deeper into the conversations photographers actually need.Behind every image is a human. Behind every business is a story. And behind the lens? Thereâs a whole lot no one teaches you.This season features honest conversations around:⢠Health and longevity in your photography business⢠Pricing, offers, and client experience⢠Vendor relationships â including how photographers and event planners work together⢠Signature style and standing out in a saturated industry⢠Real strategy for building a business that supports your lifeYouâll hear from incredible guests including Ivy Towler, Patrick Clayton, Shayna Lloyd, and Jill C. Smith â plus solo episodes with yours truly, including The One Where We Build Your 2026 Photography Business Plan.No fluff.Real talk.Real strategy.đ§ Season Two drops January 2 â subscribe so you donât miss an episode.Welcome back, Shutter Squad. Letâs do this.
BONUS: The One Where Senior Style Guideâs Vickie Black Breaks Down the HOT 100 â Icons, Influencers & Legends
vendredi 24 octobre 2025 ⢠DurÊe 01:08:03
đ Episode Summary
In this bonus episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate sits down with Vickie Blackâthe founder of Senior Style Guideâto unpack the origins of SSG, the mission behind its supportive photography community, and the iconic Hot 100 contest. From overcoming rejection and industry competition to mastering workflows and maximizing sales, Vickie shares how photographers can elevate their craft, their business, and their confidence.
Whether youâre a seasoned senior photographer or just starting out, this episode is packed with inspiration, actionable tips, and behind-the-scenes insights into one of the most competitive contests in senior photography.
đ What Youâll Learn
Vickieâs origin story: turning rejection into a thriving photography platform
How SSG fosters community over competition in a saturated market
Maximizing workflow efficiency to increase product sales
Navigating the Hot 100 contest: tips, tricks, and blind-judging insights
The importance of celebrating your unique style and value
17:30 â Outsourcing editing and bookkeeping for efficiency and sanity
21:00 â Hot 100 Contest breakdown: rules, blind judging, and strategy
28:00 â How entering the contest sharpens critical self-evaluation
Podcasts Similaires BasĂŠes sur le Contenu
DÊcouvrez des podcasts liÊes à The One Behind the Lens with Kate DeCoste. Explorez des podcasts avec des thèmes, sujets, et formats similaires. Ces similaritÊs sont calculÊes grâce à des donnÊes tangibles, pas d'extrapolations !
Kateâs website is packed with resources for photographers, including business tools, education, and creative guidance for building a photography brand that feels aligned, confident, and sustainable.
đ§ About the Show
The One Behind the Lens is a podcast for photographers and creatives who want to grow their business without losing their voice, values, or love for the craft. New episodes drop regularly â subscribe for conversations about photography, marketing, creativity, and the real human side of running a creative business.
[19:31] Why Jill started coaching photographers
[20:41] Photography as a lonely job â and the need for community
[22:23] Competition, saturation myths & industry reality
[24:28] Why following too many photographers hurts your business
[27:10] Why photographers struggle most with pricing
[28:54] Imposter syndrome, especially for women
[31:14] Why pricing feels personal (because it is)
[46:06] Burnout, overhead & the moment things had to change
[48:34] What âall-inclusiveâ actually means (and why Jill uses it)[52:20] When all-inclusive works â and when it doesnât
[55:36] Jillâs group coaching program: The Next Step
[58:50] Monthly group coaching roundtables (accessible + flexible)
[59:44] Where to find Jill + her free VIP Sessions guide
[1:02:04] Rapid fire questions[
1:04:30] Photo Confession Booth: the wrong name⌠for 45 minutes đ
đŹ Quotes to Remember
âWarmth, nostalgia, and honesty â thatâs what I want my brand to feel like.â
âPricing doesnât exist in a silo.â
âIf someone elseâs prices are interrupting your business, something else in your business needs work.â
âItâs almost 100% in our heads.â
âYou donât need to apologize for being profitable.â
âYour work is only one piece of why people hire you.â
đ§ Key Takeaways
Pricing is emotional â especially when photography wasnât your original career path
Most photographers werenât trained in business or sales, which fuels imposter syndrome
Raising prices without changing marketing or client experience leads to confusion
đ Free Resource for Listeners
Jill is offering a VIP Sessions Guide, a tool designed to help photographers raise prices thoughtfully while retaining favorite clients â without resentment or burnout.
đ Link : www.thebusinessfocusedphotographer.com/pricing
Jillâs Coaching + Education:
Website: thebusinessfocusedphotographer.com
Instagram: @thebusinessfocusedphotographer
Podcast: The Business Focused Photographer Podcast
Facebook Group: The Business Focused Photographer
If this episode made you exhale, do me a favor:
â Subscribe so you donât miss whatâs coming next.
â Leave a review (it helps more than you think).
â Send this to a photographer friend who keeps whispering âI should raise my pricesâŚâ and then immediately panics.
[14:28] Starting a business with three monthsâ rent savedWhat it looked like in the beginning â and why that leap mattered.
[17:48] What a bi-coastal production company actually doesBranded events, PR activations, pop-ups, launches, charity dinners, and nationwide logistics.
[20:49] Growing from a spare bedroom to a full floor studioContainer Store shelves, flower district studios, wood shops, and gradual growth.
[24:08] Decorating the East Wing of the White HouseHow Patrick applied, what the warehouse looks like, replica doorways, Secret Service escorts, and why it still matters.
[29:31] Being asked back as a White House docentGuiding military families and accidentally ending up in national photos.
[32:25] Rising costs, tariffs, and hard conversationsWhy flowers, plywood, wire, and ribbon affect everything â and how creatives are pivoting.
[35:30] How cost pressure impacts creativityStaying inspired while still running a business and paying the bills.
[37:07] Patrickâs creative process, step-by-stepClient calls, budgets, decks, renderings, logistics, and the âfun things vs non-fun things.â
[40:32] Why behind-the-scenes content mattersWhat people donât see â elevators, unions, freight access, and build timing.
[43:36] Photography relationships done rightRespecting boundaries, fees, shot lists, and choosing the right photographer for the job.
[47:17] Learning what you like as a clientHorizontal vs vertical, atmosphere vs people, and trusting the experts.
[51:14] Rapid Fire Questions⢠Florals vs planning vs set building⢠Must-have production tools⢠Dream location (Paris đ)⢠Creative style as a movie genre (hello, dramedy)
[56:16] Event Confession BoothThe 1,100-person event⌠on the wrong day.
[1:00:35] Fix it first, feel laterWhy compartmentalizing emotions is a survival skill in creative work.
đŹ Quotes to Remember
âWe make pretty things⌠and we also buy plywood.â
âThe client shows up at 3 PM and wants the same result.â
âIâm this kid from Nebraska, carrying ornaments to the East Wing of the White House.â
âItâs amazing how good a good box cutter is â and how bad a bad one is.â
âWe get irrationally excited when an event is on ground level.â
âA studio should support your business â not define it.â
get
[17:33] The simplest place to start: iPhone video add-onHow to add it to your pricing guide, test demand, and let one paid client push you into practice mode.
[18:00] Shaynaâs iPhone add-on strategy (and why vendors go feral for it)100â200 raw clips in a folder, delivered fast, shared with every vendor, and your name stays in the conversation all year.
[20:29] How she physically shoots iPhone clipsNo fancy rig. iPhone literally resting on the lens. Five to ten seconds, then back to work.
[22:10] Senior photographersâthis part is goldIntern Morganâs graduation film idea: multi-season sessions + extra footage + premiere at grad parties = genius (and solves client churn).
[24:39] Storytelling without making your clients actStop âpulling story outâ of people like theyâre actors. Learn story structure and shoot it like a filmmaker.
[26:07] Shaynaâs 5-shot storytelling frameworkWide shot, long shot, close-up/extreme close-up, detail shots, B-roll (and what B-roll is actually for).
[29:17] Hybrid shooting during time-sensitive momentsWhat to prioritize during first looks, ceremony, speechesâand how to communicate expectations so youâre not promising impossible moments.
[34:47] Hybrid Hangout: what it is + who itâs forShaynaâs teaching style: dumb fun energy + real results. Plus a freebie you can grab right now.
[36:13] Rapid fire funPhoto vs video, favorite âgear,â underrated hybrid skills, dream locations (Italy + Greece), and her creative style as a movie genre.
[43:14] Work + family + travel (honest version)No perfect balance talkâjust real life, seasons, and what actually makes it work.
[49:34] Photo Confession Booth (YOU HAVE TO HEAR THIS)Shaynaâs most chaotic wedding momentâŚand yes, itâs as shocking as it sounds.
Resources + LinksConnect with Shayna
Hybrid Hangout (Free Video Upsell Starter Kit): https://hybridhangout.com
Rockbrook Camera, Now through 2025, save 25% off your rental order at Rockbrook Camera in Omaha or Lincoln, Nebraska. â Redeem hereâ
⨠Quote Highlights
"No means not yet. Every setback is just a chance to create something bigger and better." â Vickie Black
"Community over competitionâwhen we lift each other up, we all rise higher." â Vickie Black
"Your uniqueness is your superpower. Stop comparing and start celebrating what only you can create." â Vickie Black
đ Try This: Hot 100 Prep Challenge
Select a Hot 100 buddy for objective feedback
Enter all applicable categories to maximize visibility
Submit only sharp, high-quality images
Use the contest to critically evaluate your work and celebrate your style
đŹ Final Thoughts
Vickieâs story is a masterclass in turning rejection into opportunity, fostering meaningful connections in photography, and embracing uniqueness as a tool for growth. Whether youâre submitting to the Hot 100 for the first time or looking to streamline your workflow, this episode is packed with actionable insights, inspiration, and encouragement to take your business and artistry to the next level.
Until next time âLetâs shutter up and shine. đŤ Kate
