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 - it’s all here. Grab your camera and your confidence - it’s time to Shutter Up and Shine.
🎧 New episodes every week starting August 4, 2025. Follow now so you don’t miss a thing!
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In this juicy solo episode, Kate pulls back the curtain on her own struggles with workflow. She shares her real-life photo confession and the exact 5-step fix that turned her mess into a manageable, repeatable system.
Whether you're a photographer, creative business owner, or just tired of feeling buried under your to-do list, this episode is your permission slip to simplify and thrive.
The 5 foundational steps that keep Kate’s workflow under control
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✨ Want to simplify your workflow and look professional doing it? They’ve got you covered and they’ve created a special offer just for listeners of The One Behind the Lens! Grab 25% off your first annual membership.
S1 E3: The One About Photography Pricing, Mindset Shifts & Full-Service Success with Renee Bowen
Season 1 · Episode 3
Monday, August 4, 2025 • Duration 56:43
Episode 3 | The One Behind the Lens
Hosted by Kate DeCoste
Guest: Renee Bowen
Total Length: ~55:00
Inside the episode:
In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate sits down with photographer, coach, and podcast host Renee Bowen to dive deep into the world of sustainable pricing, full-service photography, and the mindset shifts that make it all possible.
📌 What You’ll Learn
Renee’s path from psychology grad to full-time luxury photographer
The mindset shifts required to charge premium prices
Why pricing struggles are often tied to self-worth
How to transition into full-service photography (and why it works)
Tips for maintaining boutique pricing across different offerings
The difference between mentoring and coaching—and how both can help
2:00 – How Renee got into photography (and what her childhood had to do with it)
4:00 – The story behind her first camera + photographing her son with autism 7:00 – From headshots to seniors: discovering her niche in SoCal
9:30 – Why Southern California wasn’t doing senior photos (and how she changed that)
11:00 – Seniors Ignite, We Are the Scene, and her start in mentoring
13:00 – The surprising emotional work underneath most business coaching
S1 E2: The One with Off-Camera Flash & Dance Photo Tips with Susan Gietka
Season 1 · Episode 2
Monday, August 4, 2025 • Duration 01:04:43
Episode 2 | The One Behind the Lens
Hosted by Kate DeCoste
Guest: Susan Geitka
Total Length: ~60:00
Inside the episode:
In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate is joined by photographer and light chaser Susan Gietka, whose journey began in 1983 with a Pentax film camera and a background in dance. Known for her emotive dance photography and creative lighting techniques, Susan shares her approach to working with natural light, introducing off-camera flash, and using unexpected tools (like a dress form!) to perfect her craft.
📌 What You’ll Learn
How Susan’s dance background shaped her eye behind the lens
Why self-initiated shoots matter (and how they lead to your best work)
Favorite lighting tools and techniques for outdoor, studio, and dance photography
Real-life stories of creative risk, gear fails, and magical photo moments
Tips for mentoring, natural light, off-camera flash, and reading light like a pro
🕒 Timestamps
0:00 – Meet Susan! Longtime friend, dancer, and storytelling genius
2:00 – The early years: dance in Philly + buying a manual film camera with her last $500
5:00 – When the digital transition wasn’t cute (6MP, anyone?) 7:30 – Her first paid shoot from a stranger on the street
9:00 – Why high school senior photography wasn’t a thing in New Jersey
– The power of creative communities (We Are The Scene memories!)
Bonus: What to Expect in Season One
Season 1
Friday, August 1, 2025 • Duration 01:20
So what’s actually coming in Season One of The One Behind the Lens?
In this bonus trailer, I’m giving you a sneak peek at what’s ahead — from branding and pricing to mindset, marketing, and building a biz that feels like you. If you’re a photographer in your first 5 years of business, this season is packed with practical tips, pep talks, and permission to stop playing small.
If you're a photographer in your first 5 years of business and you're ready to stop winging it, start shining, and finally build a brand that feels like you, you're in the right place.
This quick trailer sets the tone for Season 1 and gives you a sneak peek at what’s coming: bold strategies, creative inspo, mindset shifts, and a whole lot of biz bestie energy.
Yay, it’s YOU! If you're a photographer in your first 5 years of business wondering how to go from “what am I doing?” to “I’ve got this,” then welcome, this podcast was made just for you.
In this mini trailer, I’m breaking down who The One Behind the Lensis for and why this space exists to help you grow with clarity, confidence, and creativity.
Get ready to Shutter Up & Shine - it’s time to build a biz that fits your life, not the other way around.
Wondering what The One Behind the Lens is all about? Start here. This short-and-sweet trailer gives you the lowdown on what to expect in Season 1 and why this podcast was made for photographers in their first 5 years of business. If you’re looking for bold advice, real talk, and biz strategies that actually work… you’re in the right place.
I'm Kate - your host, biz bestie, and biggest cheerleader.
S1 E8: The One With AI, Contracts, and Copyrights: Protect Your Photography with Lawyer Rachel Brenke
Season 1 · Episode 8
Friday, September 12, 2025 • Duration 01:11:09
Episode Summary: In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate sits down with attorney, entrepreneur, and business strategist Rachel Brenke to unpack the key legal protections every creative business should have. Rachel shares insights from her own journey balancing law, family, and creative ventures, covering contracts, copyright, liability, AI and prevention strategies that save time, money, and stress.
What We Cover (Timestamps):
[5:40] Watermarks, copyright, and how to deter infringements
[47:23] Rachel’s background: attorney, author, and creative entrepreneur
[50:54] The three non-negotiables for creatives: contracts, copyright, liability protection
[52:53] Liability protection deep dive: contracts, business entity, insurance
[55:40] The value of prevention over cleanup—why front-end planning saves headaches
[58:20] Free resources and business audit for creative entrepreneurs
[1:01:58] Using AI as a legal and creative tool—pros, cons, and best practices
[1:02:58] Closing thoughts: incremental learning, practical legal steps, and protecting your business while you grow
Quotes to Remember:
"Contracts, copyright, and liability protection aren’t optional - they’re your business safety net." – Rachel Brenke
"Prevention always beats cleanup. It saves you time, money, and sanity." – Rachel Brenke
"AI is a good starting point, but it can’t replace strategy and human perspective." – Rachel Brenke
S1 E7: The One Where I Said No (And It Felt So Good)
Season 1 · Episode 7
Friday, September 5, 2025 • Duration 13:44
In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate DeCoste dives into the power of saying “no” in your photography business—and in life. She shares her personal journey of discovering what truly lights her up, letting go of the work that drains her, and embracing the messy middle of her creative story. From weddings and newborn sessions that weren’t a fit, to finding freedom and focus in high school senior and headshot sessions, Kate shows how saying no can lead to clarity, joy, and creative growth.
What We Cover (Timestamps):
[0:00] Welcome back, Shutter Squad—introducing the theme of saying no
[2:30] The messy middle: where anxiety, doubt, and growth intersect[
5:10] No as a complete sentence: freeing yourself and others
[7:40] Kate’s personal story: why weddings and newborns weren’t her fit
[12:20] The anxiety and pressure of shooting weddings—lessons from theater
[16:50] How saying no opened the door to what Kate truly loves: seniors & headshots[19:30] The Photo Confession Booth: sharing your photography fears, habits, or guilty pleasures[
22:00] Kate’s confession: missing an important bride & mother moment at a wedding
[27:40] Lessons learned from missed moments and why shot lists matter
[30:10] Weekly challenge: identify what you’ve been saying yes to that doesn’t bring you joy and practice saying no
Quotes to Remember:"
No is a complete sentence. It’s one of the kindest things you can do for yourself—and for others." – Kate DeCoste
"Saying no helped me hone my craft. It helped me get really good at what I love." – Kate DeCoste
"No is a boundary, no is a filter, no is a complete sentence—and no can change your business, your creativity, and your life." – Kate DeCoste
S1 E6: The One Where Your Story Built the Business. with Megan Yelaney
Season 1 · Episode 6
Friday, August 29, 2025 • Duration 51:01
Episode Summary: In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate sits down with storytelling strategist and business coach Megan Yelaney to unpack how your origin story can be your greatest marketing asset. Megan shares how she went from theater and network marketing to building a multi-million-dollar business—all by leaning into what made her different and learning how to tell her story with intention. She also walks us through her signature 5-part Business Story Blueprint and how to use it to craft content that connects and converts.
What We Cover (Timestamps):
[3:00] Megan’s unexpected journey from theater to network marketing to full-time business coach
[7:44] How unlearning performance and learning to show up authentically transformed her brand
[10:16] Why storytelling is your most powerful sales tool—especially in the age of AI
[14:20] How to turn everyday moments (like toddler tantrums or Target runs) into relatable business content
[16:42] The biggest storytelling mistake entrepreneurs make—and how to fix it
[17:00] Megan’s 5-part Business Story Blueprint explained step-by-step:
Catalyst Moment – the hook that draws people in
Transformation – what changed and how
Impact – the ripple effect of solving the problem
Mission – why you care deeply about what you do
Unique Edge – what sets you apart from everyone else
[26:00] Should you show your face online? (Especially if you're a behind-the-scenes creative)
[28:00] Going live: why it builds trust and how to make it less awkward
[31:00] Tips for going live without feeling like you need to “perform”
[32:30] Don’t think you have a story? Here’s what to do instead
16:00 – Pricing struggles: why creatives tie money to worth
18:00 – Pricing mindset shifts for full-service success
20:30 – Renee’s business structure: minimums, session fees, and pricing with intention
23:00 – The moment she decided: “If this doesn’t work, I’ll go work at Starbucks” 27:00 – Burnout, balance, and betting on herself
31:00 – Mindset > strategy: why your brain has to be on board for your business to grow
33:30 – Why halfway effort equals halfway results (and how coaching helps) 36:00 – Customizing pricing based on market, values, and alignment
39:00 – What to expect in a sales session—and why silence is a sales superpower 41:00 – Listener Q: How do you price digital-only branding sessions vs full-service portraits?
45:00 – Why transparency and education make a pricing model work
👉 Freebie from Renee: (Mainly for senior photographers, this canva doc is packed with valuable, up to date info that any photographer can use to go MAKE some clients!) How to get clients
✨ Quote Highlight:
“Money is just an amplifier. It’s not about the price—it’s about your worth.” – Renee Bowen
🔁 Try This: Your 3-Part Pricing Reset Challenge
Audit your time. Where is your energy actually going?
Audit your numbers. What do you need vs. want to earn?
Audit your beliefs. What story are you telling yourself about money—and is it even yours?
Raise your prices before you feel ready. Adjust as you go. Done is better than perfect.
☕ Huge thanks to our sponsor, The Coffee Roaster of Lincoln, Nebraska. Fueling creativity one cup at a time.
Get 5% off your online order when you visit www.coffeeroasterlnk.com/tobtl or use code TOBTL at checkout. Your morning brew just got a glow-up. 🔥
💡 FREE RESOURCES FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS:
If you’re feeling inspired to streamline your workflow or sharpen your skills, I’ve got a few free tools waiting for you on my site!
13:15 – Saturday Night Specials + the struggle to create for yourself
15:00 – Susan’s advice: shoot for yourself to stay inspired
17:30 – Behind the lake shoot: snapping turtles, rain, and her most iconic images 21:50 – The role of fear in creative breakthroughs
24:30 – Why the best work often comes from shoots where everything goes wrong
27:00 – Yes, she really brought a styrofoam head to practice lighting 😄
28:15 – When to push through… and when to pack it up (RIP camera in pool) 30:00 – Why being a dancer helps Susan photograph dancers (timing + technique)
34:00 – The value of directing with confidence and dancer-friendly language 36:00 – Tips for non-dancer photographers shooting dance clients
38:00 – Favorite lenses for movement + how to frame dancers like they’re on stage
40:00 – Susan’s take on light: not one-size-fits-all—and that’s the point
43:00 – Shooting in full sun: her secret weapon (and assistant torture stories 😅) 45:15 – Natural light tip #1: always expose for the skin
47:00 – Flash learning curve: starting at sunset, no pressure
49:30 – Her lighting rituals, reflectors, and the importance of angles
51:15 – Mentorship + Rise Up Workshop (and why she keeps teaching)
54:00 – Where to find Susan online and how to reach out for 1:1 mentoring
56:00 – Final wisdom: trust your ideas, stay curious, and read Big Magic
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert – for anyone sitting on a creative idea → “Ideas are magic. If you don’t act on them, they’ll visit someone else.”
📸 Try This: Susan’s 10-Minute Creative Challenge
Have an idea that’s been sitting on the shelf? Give it 10 minutes. Sketch it. Try one test shot. Don’t wait for it to be perfect. Just start. (And maybe bring bug spray… and a backup battery 😅)
Thank you to this episode’s sponsor: Rockbrook Camera Rockbrook Camera is a locally owned photo and video specialty store based in Nebraska. For 50 years, they have helped photographers find the right gear, learn new skills, and print what matters most.
Check them out online or visit in person to see why they’re more than just a camera store, they’re a creative partner. Now through the end of 2025, get 25% off your rental gear. Check out the link below!
Episode 4 - The One with the Business Game Plan: Ads, Pricing & Photo Biz Wisdom with Andrew Hellmich
Connect with Kate: 📸 Follow Kate on Instagram: @katedecoste
🌐 Visit the website: www.katedecostephotography.com
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