The Art & Soul Show - Photography Podcast for Newborn and Family Photographers – Details, episodes & analysis

“Clients aren’t a social life.”

As photographers and creatives, we give so much of ourselves to our clients, creating joy and memories for their families. But if we’re not careful, our clients can become our only source of adult connection and the loneliness that creeps in is real.

In this episode, I’m sharing my honest reflections on hidden loneliness, why client interactions can’t replace real friendship, and how to start making space for joy and connection outside of business and family roles.

What’s in this episode:

• [00:35] The hidden loneliness of working from home
• [01:30] Why client interactions aren’t the same as friendship
• [02:30] How loneliness shows up in sneaky ways
• [03:20] The irony of creating joy for clients but not for ourselves
• [04:45] Why fun and friendship have to be intentional
• [05:40] A gentle reminder: you are more than your business and motherhood

This is your reminder that you’re allowed to have joy and connection outside of your work and motherhood — because you deserve it

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/podcast/

Newborn photography is part art and part patience, and no one embodies that balance like Johna Musarra of Three J’s Photography.

In this episode, Johna joins me to share her journey from 20 years at Starbucks to 13 years behind the camera as a full-time newborn photographer. We talk about how her style evolved through trial and error, the importance of patience (both with babies and yourself), and how she helps students bridge the gap between “good” and “great.”

She also reveals her approach to color harmony and client styling, how she handles unusual requests (grab your antlers and baby poop stories), and what she’ll be teaching at the 2025 Online Newborn Retreat. Johna also shares the moment she stopped chasing trends and started creating from her heart and it’s a lesson every artist needs to hear.

What’s in this episode:

• [03:00] The story behind the name Three J’s Photography
• [05:00] How her style evolved through trial and error
• [06:00] Why patience matters more than perfection
• [10:00] Teaching workshops and helping photographers grow
• [11:00] Creating cohesive color harmony in every gallery
• [13:00] Staying confident when clients request something different
• [17:00] Following your creative instincts
• [19:00] Avoiding trends and finding what makes your work unique
• [20:00] Beating creative boredom without buying more props
• [27:00] Owning your growth and celebrating how far you’ve come
• [31:00] Johna’s 2025 Retreat class on wrapping and maximizing setups

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/podcast/

Grab your spot for the 2025 Online Newborn Retreat!

We all come to photography from different angles, but for Melissa Barnes, loss and love cemented her affection for the medium. But photography isn’t her only love. Melissa is also a full-time architectural designer and doesn’t plan on giving up either career anytime soon. 

In this tender episode, Melissa shares her family history, how it’s shaped her love of photography, why she has no plans to become a full-time photographer, and how her cultural heritage shapes her art and work. She also shares how she captures those tender, romantic moments for her clients and why these connections give her so much joy.

If you’re ready to give deep into capturing those romantic moments on camera, this episode with Melissa is one you can’t miss! Let’s dive in!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[02:05] The family tragedies that propelled Melissa into her love of photography

[04:56] Why Melissa isn’t—and doesn’t want to be—a full-time photographer

[06:14] How Melissa captures love and romance in ordinary places

[09:46] How Melissa’s cultural heritage influences her photography work

[13:00] Where many styled shoots fall flat and how Melissa thinks they could be more equitable

[15:38] How being a multi-passionate person has affected Melissa and her work

[19:34] Melissa’s lightning round

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/podcast/

Grab your spot for the 2025 Online Family Retreat!

When it comes to business, we all make mistakes sometimes. Scheduling errors, miscommunications, and even technical or hardware issues come up (yes, even for me), but they’re all opportunities to grow and to learn from. 

So in today’s episode, I’m walking you through my process for how to get back on track once you’ve made a mistake, how to assess the situation, and then how to implement solutions so you don’t get stuck in the same situation again!

What’s in this episode:

[01:21] Why making a mistake is an learning opportunity

[02:24] Lisa’s mortifying experience of being unprepared for a client and how this was a catalyst for her to change her business systems to prevent a similar problem from happening again

[04:42] How to assess mistakes, miscommunications, and the circumstances that created them so you can keep a similar problem from happening again

[06:43] How to regroup, refocus, and look for growth opportunities (and NOT vent on a Facebook group)

[09:27] Why you need to take action by implementing new systems or pivoting your business, so you never have to repeat some of these tough situations

Tune in to this episode so the next time a mistake happens in your business, you’ll be ready to get back on track!

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/process-to-get-you-back-on-track-after-a-setback-in-your-photography-business/

Reserve your spot for the 2023 Online Newborn Retreat: https://themilkyway.ca/2023-newborn-retreat/

Discover what makes you stand out as a photographer with our free quiz, What’s YOUR Photography Superpower: https://themilkyway.ca/quiz/

The ebbs and flows of entrepreneurial life are constant, and balancing them can often be tricky. Finding alignment in your career while generating profits that support your lifestyle—that’s the dream. And today’s guest helps her mentees and students to make that dream into a reality.

I’m chatting with Kristin Sweeting, wedding photographer turned coach for entrepreneurs and the founder of Dangerous Creatives. She’s sharing how to find fulfillment in your business by aligning it with your values, how passive income streams can be a boost to your business, how to recenter when things feel out of alignment, and the success frameworks that she has created for her students to stay true to themselves.

What’s in this episode:

[02:31] Kristin’s approach with her students to a fulfilled and aligned career that generates great profits, and the importance of normalizing burnout and making your health a priority

[07:32] Building a business as a single parent, how passive income streams can help diversify your income and take some pressure off

[15:20] How to overcome imposter syndrome and shift your mindset, and understanding what you can control (and what you can’t)

[20:03] Kristin’s definition of success, how a core values exercise will help you hone in on what’s most valuable to you, and what to do when things feel out of alignment

[32:12] How Kristin’s Dangerous Creatives framework helps her mentees grow

Tune in to this episode with Kristin Sweeting to get inspiration for generating multiple income streams while prioritizing your values!

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/the-dangerous-creative-success-frameworks-core-values-and-income-diversification-for-your-photography-business-with-kristin-sweeting/

Reserve your spot for the 2023 Online Newborn Retreat: https://themilkyway.ca/2023-newborn-retreat/

Discover what makes you stand out as a photographer with our free quiz, What’s YOUR Photography Superpower: https://themilkyway.ca/quiz/

Today’s guest, Stacey Owen, started her marketing agency for photographers and creative entrepreneurs because she wanted to be able to share the education that she was seeking when she first started as a photographer. Her passion is very much about being behind the camera in her zone, but she wants photographers to be able to build a business that they love, too.

We’re chatting about how Stacey started her business, how prevalent burnout is in entrepreneurship, and some helpful marketing and branding tips and questions to help you find alignment and avoid burnout in your business.

What’s in this episode:

[02:48] Why Stacey pivoted from VA services to marketing for photographers and creative entrepreneurs

[05:10] A little tangent on why we have both chosen to quit drinking, and taking the step from acknowledging your burnout to doing something about it

[16:28] Stacey’s passion for noir stories told through photography

[19:15] The biggest marketing mistakes that Stacey sees from photographers and entrepreneurs, and her advice on where to begin when rebranding and important questions to ask yourself

[23:42] Stacey’s advice for me on creating marketing buzz around my business when I end my sabbatical (hint: I’m not ready for marketing yet)

[27:25] Where to start with SEO and why it’s important, and how a Google Business Profile (and keeping it updated) is an easy SEO win

[31:29] Information about Pepper U, the best piece of business advice she’s received, and her advice for photographers just starting out

Tune in to this episode with Stacey Owen to learn how to approach your branding and marketing from a place of alignment!

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/modern-marketing-sustainable-authentic-marketing-for-your-photography-business-with-stacey-owen-from-meet-pepper/

Reserve your spot for the 2023 Online Newborn Retreat: https://themilkyway.ca/2023-newborn-retreat/

Discover what makes you stand out as a photographer with our free quiz, What’s YOUR Photography Superpower: https://themilkyway.ca/quiz/

Photographers, and many other creative entrepreneurs, don’t often think of themselves as writers. It’s easy to get stuck in your head and think that if you’re a “bad” writer, you’ll never be able to write successful copy that draws in the clients you want to work with. The truth is that being a “good” writer just means being you.

In today’s episode, I’m talking with Jenny Roth, an email and website copywriter for coaches and creative service providers. She’s sharing how to embrace your uniqueness in your content creation, use client feedback to narrow in on your message, create a consistent tone that will catch someone’s eye, and what to avoid when it comes to crafting your message.

What’s in this episode:

[02:58] Jenny’s tips for writing a really great bio and elevator pitch and embracing your uniqueness in the process

[06:58] How to create copy that really connects with your ideal client, and the importance of doing market research and listening to client feedback to really hone in your market

[11:45] Jenny’s thoughts on ChatGPT and other AI writing tools as well as plagiarism in writing

[17:50] Why you should speak to your audience like you’re just talking to one person, and how to create a consistent tone in your copywriting

[20:33] Pitfalls and cliches photographers should avoid when it comes to their copy, and Jenny’s advice for finding your copywriter voice

[23:56] Jenny’s advice for how to get out of the limiting belief that you’re “not a good writer”

Tune in to this episode with Jenny Roth to learn how to find your unique voice and get out of your head when it comes to writing copy!

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/you-are-a-writer-copy-that-connects-with-photography-clients-with-jenny-roth/

Reserve your spot for the 2023 Online Newborn Retreat: https://themilkyway.ca/2023-newborn-retreat/

Discover what makes you stand out as a photographer with our free quiz, What’s YOUR Photography Superpower: https://themilkyway.ca/quiz/

How you approach your business and photo sessions doesn’t have to be complicated. And yet, for so many photographers it’s easy to overcomplicate things. Simplifying your business processes goes a long way to building a sustainable business that you love.

In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Leah O’Connell of Firefly Photography. She’s sharing her approach to sustainable client experiences, how she helps photographers untangle their business processes, how her current business model gives her the flexibility she wants for her family and personal life, and the importance of finding passion in your work.

What’s in this episode:

[05:03] How Leah approaches sustainable client experiences, and how photographers have to remember that they’re in charge of making sure they don’t get burnt out

[10:22] How Leah helps photographers untangle their business processes, how easy it is to make things more complicated, and how it takes intention to simplify

[17:09] Leah’s advice for getting out of your own way, and how her passion for in-home photo shoots has lead to more authenticity and openness in her photography

[26:14] Leah’s current business model, how she has simplified and aligned her processes along the way, and how a virtual model allows her to have flexibility

[34:59] Leah’s advice to new photographers to pay attention to what lights you up

Tune in to this episode with Leah O’Connell to learn how sustainable workflows can simplify your business!

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/simplification-sustainability-and-systems-that-work-for-your-photography-business-with-leah-oconnell/

Reserve your spot for the 2023 Online Newborn Retreat: https://themilkyway.ca/2023-newborn-retreat/

I would be so grateful if you would take a quick moment to leave a review in your podcast app! Your review helps other photographers discover the podcast and also lets me know what content you find most helpful. Thanks beautiful friends!

Burnout is an issue that plagues so many creative entrepreneurs. Juggling photo shoots and editing time with admin and social media while also making time for yourself and your family and cleaning the house … It can be a lot. 

In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Dawn Charles, wedding photographer turned photography and business educator to talk about all the ways she’s pivoted her business to thwart burnout. She’s sharing how setting boundaries and outsourcing in her business has helped her to scale her business, avoid burnout, and spend her time more intentionally, in both her business and in her personal life.

What’s in this episode:

[03:28] Dawn’s advice for balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood, the importance of setting boundaries between family and work time, and her advice for 

[09:54] Why Dawn chose to take on fewer weddings over time to prioritize the education side of her business

[16:01] How setting boundaries (yep, boundaries, again) helps you avoid burnout as a photographer and a creative, and how outsourcing gives you more time to do the things you love (in your business and in your personal life)

[26:24] Dawn’s Rise Academy membership which gives photographers access to a library of business and creative resources, and how her students have found success

[34:44] The best business advice Dawn has ever been given, and what she wishes more photographers knew

Tune in to this episode with Dawn Charles for some inspiration on setting boundaries and avoiding burnout!

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/balance-burnout-and-boundaries-creating-a-fulfilling-business-with-dawn-charles/

Reserve your spot for the 2023 Online Newborn Retreat: https://themilkyway.ca/2023-newborn-retreat/

Bringing passion to the work you do can strengthen your confidence and clarity in your business. For KT Merry, her passion for conservation and animals has allowed her to take beautiful editorial photographs everywhere from Miami to Mount Kilimanjaro. She has learned how to maintain passion and consistency in her business, something every photographer wants.

In today’s episode, KT shares how she got into editorial and luxury destination wedding photography, why your business should be sustainable and pay you what you’re worth, how to attract clients you align with, and the benefits of time management and a morning routine.

What’s in this episode:

[04:09] How KT got her start in editorial photography as a photographer’s assistant, and why she was drawn to go out on her own as a wedding photographer

[08:13] What it’s like working with celebrity clients, and her favorite location to shoot

[11:24] KT’s advice for the mindset shift photographers need to confidently raise their prices, the importance of creating a business that meets your needs and is sustainable

[15:49] How to handle when people inquire and then ghost you, building rapport with potential clients, and recommending fellow photographers when a potential client isn’t a good fit

[21:44] Why KT loves time blocking, how photographs can attract and keep clients they love, and how to maintain passion and consistency in your business

[31:50] How KT’s program, The Abundance Plan, is helping her students build a profitable and sustainable business and find alignment in their work

[33:51] How a solid morning routine benefits your business and your life

Tune in to this episode with KT Merry to be inspired to build your business on passion, sustainability, and consistency!

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/editorial-photography-mindset-shifts-and-maintaining-consistency-in-your-photography-business-with-kt-merry/

Reserve your spot for the 2023 Online Newborn Retreat: https://themilkyway.ca/2023-newborn-retreat/