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/

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“If your business looks amazing online but secretly drains the life out of you, that’s a problem.”

In a world obsessed with aesthetics, metrics, and viral posts, it’s easy to confuse visibility with success. But what if the business that truly supports your life doesn’t photograph well for Instagram?

In this episode, I’m getting honest about redefining success, setting boundaries, and building a business that feels aligned, not just impressive. I’m giving you a look into my own lessons about letting go of over-delivering, working weekends, and chasing trends, and inviting you to create a version of success that actually feels good inside your real life.

What’s in this episode:

• [00:35] Why your business doesn’t need to look “impressive” online
• [01:00] How Instagram rewards performance over peace
• [01:45] What success really looks like behind the scenes
• [02:30] The cost of over-delivering and over-working
• [03:00] Why visibility isn’t the same as joy
• [03:45] Redefining success on your own terms
• [04:40] Choosing peace and alignment over aesthetics

You don’t need a business that wins the algorithm. You need one that gives you your life back.

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

Newborn photography is an art—but it’s also a responsibility. Ensuring baby safety while ALSO protecting your own body is key to a long, successful career. But when it comes to caring for our own bodies, how can we actually fit that into our busy photographer lives?

Well, Jamie Noyes, a photographer with a background in physical therapy, is here with her best tips for caring for ourselves while we care for our infant clients.

In this episode, Jamie and I talk through baby safety and proper infant posing, how to build connections with clients during sessions, and the common mistakes she sees photographers making that can lead to injuries. Plus, she’s breaking down simple stretches and habits photographers can use to relieve pain that might already be bothering you.

If you’ve been interested in body mechanics (both for yourself and your clients), this episode with Jamie is one you can’t miss!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[01:51] Jamie’s unique history in physical therapy and how it’s influenced her photography career

[07:40] The safety concerns around certain photography poses for babies

[12:37] What photographers can do to prevent common injuries and pain from their profession

[18:09] Stretches and exercises that photographers can use to relieve pain from common injuries

[21:38] Small habits that photographers can incorporate to take care of their bodies

[25:08] A little pep talk for photographers that are doubting themselves or their abilities

[29:47] Jamie’s lightning round

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

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“Your energy is a luxury item—and not everyone can afford it.”

When Taylor Swift said this, it hit me right in the gut. Because it’s true: your energy, presence, and emotional labor aren’t disposable. They’re rare, valuable, and worth protecting.

In this episode, I share how I've learned to guard my energy in my photography business and life. From saying no to summer sessions that drained me, to slowing down during newborn shoots, to setting boundaries that honor my time and creativity, you’ll see how important it is to reframe the value of your energy for yourself and your clients.

What’s in this episode:

• [00:35] Why your energy is not cheap or disposable
• [02:12] How energy leaks show up in photography work and life
• [06:45] A personal story about saying “no” to client sessions for rest
• [12:20] How calming energy transformed a stressful newborn shoot
• [16:40] Practical ways to protect your energy as a photographer

Tune in to learn how protecting your energy helps you show up more fully as a photographer, create sustainably in your business, and live with intention.

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

What happens when a self-proclaimed perfectionist swaps carefully posed newborn photography for the chaos of in-home lifestyle sessions? For Natasha Sewell, it meant rethinking everything she knew about photography.

In this episode, Natasha tells the story of how she transitioned from posed newborn photography to in-home lifestyle sessions. She shares how she prepares for the unexpected, helps clients feel at ease, and ensures every session flows naturally. 

Plus, she’s breaking down the biggest mistakes photographers make in client communication, how to use your website to bring in more business, and the lesson she wishes every photographer would learn earlier in their career.

If you want to communicate and create stronger connections with your clients, this episode with Natasha is for you!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[02:00] Why and how Natasha transitioned from newborn to in-home lifestyle photography

[05:36] How Natasha plans for the unexpected and prepares her clients ahead of time in each of her in-home sessions

[10:15] How Natasha helps her client to feel comfortable and creates opportunities for natural moments to occur

[11:30] How photographers can use their websites to create more business and client opportunities

[16:55] Some of the biggest mistakes Natasha sees other photographers making in their client communication

[18:55] Personal projects and other ways that Natasha reinvigorates her creativity

[26:15] One lesson that Natasha wishes photographers would learn earlier in their careers

[30:22] Natasha’s lightning round

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

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“If I’m not tired and busy, I’m probably not doing enough.”

Sound familiar? So many of us as photographers are grinding ourselves down with work and stress because that’s just what it takes to run a successful business, right? And if we’re struggling with it, it’s because we’re just not dedicated enough? 

No friends. That’s not right. Burnout is NOT a normal state of being. 

And in this episode, I’m explaining why. I’m also sharing some of the sneaky ways that burnout can show, how we can come back from burnout, and what burnout actually says about us as photographers.

Let’s dig in!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[00:35] Why burnout isn’t a badge of success

[01:44] Some of the different ways that burnout can show up

[04:46] Some steps we can come back from burnout

[06:30] What burnout says about you and your life AND what it doesn’t

Tune in to this episode to learn what burnout does and doesn’t say about us as photographers and business owners!

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

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Have you had this thought? “I’m so overwhelmed. Maybe it would be better just to walk away from this work entirely.”

If you have, you’re not alone. So many of us find ourselves in this position: overworked, overbooked, and with no end in sight. And we don’t know how to get ourselves out without giving up completely.

So in this episode, I’m sharing my own personal story of finding myself in this tough spot, what I did to climb out of the hole I’d dug for myself, and the steps I’m taking to avoid this in the future. Just because we need rest, it doesn’t mean that we’re a failure… and taking a break doesn’t mean that we have to be done forever.

Let’s dig in!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[00:35] That moment when we just want to quit and walk away and the gentle truth we need to hear about these moments

[01:39] A personal story about reaching my own breaking point

[03:35] What happened when I pressed pause on parts of my business

[05:00] How to tell if it’s time to rest or actually move on from certain parts of your business and steps you can take to find clarity

[08:35] Some personal news about my business (and this podcast!)

Tune in to this episode for advice on how to give ourselves time to rest instead of giving up!

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

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Slowing down isn’t always easy—but for Tiffany Crenshaw, it’s become essential. As a photographer, mentor, and mom of four, Tiffany has learned how to build a business that aligns with her life instead of competing with it. 

In this episode, she shares how her priorities have shifted in recent years and how she’s helping other women create businesses that actually support their families. Tiffany opens up about building sustainability into her schedule, why pricing is about more than numbers, and how she’s navigating slower seasons and a changing economy with creativity and care. 

She also shares practical tools for automating and eliminating tasks, the power of community, and how she uses simple, personal marketing strategies that go far beyond Instagram.

If you’ve ever felt like hustle culture doesn’t work for your life—or your values—this conversation with Tiffany will feel like a breath of fresh air. Let’s dive in!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[01:51] How Tiffany’s life and priorities have been shifting lately

[03:51] How Tiffany finds ways to slow down and manage her life and business without regret

[09:52] Tiffany’s advice for time and schedule management

[11:34] How Tiffany thinks about navigating the difficulty in the current economic landscape

[18:51] How Tiffany helps other women find and create their own communities 

[21:03] Tiffany’s thoughts on marketing without solely relying on Instagram

[25:02] Tiffany’s lightning round

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

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We’ve all felt that pang—a new photographer that’s blowing up right in our home town, a beautiful session at a location you’re just dying to shoot, or maybe something small like seeing more comments or compliments on another creative’s work instead of yours.

This jealousy doesn’t often feel good, bringing shame, guilt, and resentment if we don’t address the root causes. But jealousy doesn’t mean that we’re bad or heartless. It’s an opportunity for us to grow and learn more about ourselves.

In this episode, I’m sharing why we all experience this jealousy at some point in our photography careers, how to harness our jealousy into something useful instead of harmful, and my own personal story of jealousy. We don’t have to let it take over our lives, friends.

Let’s dig in!What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[00:30] Why everyone—photographers included—experience jealousy sometimes 

[01:42] The quote that shifted my perspective on jealousy 

[03:18] How we can harness jealousy as a tool to grow instead of letting it turn into resentment

[04:49] How getting curious can help us pinpoint what’s underneath jealousy

[05:15] A personal story of navigating my own jealousy

Tune in to this episode for how to navigate these sticky, jealous feelings that come with comparison and creativity!

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

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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/

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Some photographers find their passion after becoming a parent—but for Cally Petersen, photography came first. And over the years, her love for it has only grown deeper. Now a decade into her business, Cally has built a creative life that reflects her values, honors her limits, and stays true to her “why.”

In this episode, Cally shares how she found photography before motherhood, how her confidence and presence have grown over time, and what helps her genuinely enjoy showing up online. She walks us through how she approaches branding sessions with intention, how she structures her calendar to align with her energy, and why certain sessions bring her back to the heart of her work.

If you’ve ever felt pulled between business growth and a slower, more grounded life, this episode with Cally is one you can’t miss! Let’s dive in.

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[02:16] How Cally found photography pre-parenthood and how she has grown more grounded in her “why” over time

[09:14] What has helped Cally to enjoy showing up online

[13:56] How Cally approaches her branding photography sessions

[19:23] How Cally keeps her calendar aligned and stays booked throughout the year

[24:21] The types of sessions that remind Cally of her “why”

[30:00] Cally’s lightning round

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

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We’ve all had those moments of feeling stuck in-between something. Either we’re waiting for a new stage of life or we’re on the verge of a breakthrough and what we’re doing currently just isn’t working quite right. 

It can be a deeply frustrating place to find ourselves both in life and in our photography businesses. But it doesn’t have to last forever, and we can come out the other side of this messy middle stage stronger and more invigorated.

So in this episode, I’m sharing what the messy middle is for many photographers, why it can be so overwhelming when we’re in it, and some practical steps for navigating through this stage just a little bit faster.

Let’s dig in!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[00:30] What the “messy middle” is when it comes to our businesses

[02:29] How this messy middle causes us to question ourselves and our businesses

[04:22] What this in-between stage actually means about our business

[05:00] Some steps you can take to move through this messy middle stage

[10:20] An encouragement for anyone currently navigating this stage

Tune in to this episode for how to navigate being in the messy middle of your photography business!

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

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In photography circles, influencer marketing sometimes gets a bad rap. From getting ghosted after photographing a session or having filters applied to your hard work, it can feel intimidating to step into this realm.

But in this episode, Cydnee Jex is here to walk through her whole process of working with influencers. She shares how she finds influencers to work with, how she sets expectations and boundaries, how she approaches the whole process from a very practical angle, and why, at the end of the day, she loves working with influencers!

Plus, she’s giving us a sneak peek at her upcoming Maternity and Newborn Summit, including  why she loves making in-person connections and how potential educators can apply to teach.

If you’re ready to start adding influencers into the marketing plan for your photography business, this episode with Cydnee is one you can’t miss!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[02:12] All about the upcoming Maternity and Newborn Summit 

[10:51] Why in-person connection is so important

[16:24] How Cydnee started working with influencers

[20:23] Common mistakes when photographers try out influencer marketing for the first time

[22:44] How to approach the dreaded “filters” conversation with influencers

[30:18] How to talk about payment in collaboration with influencers

[31:39] Cydnee’s lightning round

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

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After nearly two decades of working, it would be understandable for any photographer to feel a little less enthusiastic about their work. But not Kim Hildebrand! She’s still honing her skills and stoking her passion for capturing those tender real life moments.

In this episode, Kim shares how she’s managed to grow and find stability over her last 17 years as a photographer. She shares the lessons she learned early on, how systems have helped her find consistency and balance, and how she’s helping other photographers do the same. 

Plus, she’s sharing what keeps her passion alive and why she loves photographing families so much. It’s the “why” that keeps her going. If you’re ready to lay the groundwork for a long and fulfilling photography career, this episode with Kim is one you can’t miss! Let’s dive in!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[02:29] How Kim’s style has evolved over her long photography career

[09:11] How Kim puts families at ease during her in-home photography sessions

[12:34] Kim’s PhotoBoss Frameworks and how developing systems over her decades as a photographer changed her business for the better

[19:14] Common signs that tell photographers that they need more systems in place

[23:00] How Kim keeps the passion for her photography going after nearly two decades

[28:35] Kim’s early career mistake that ended up as an invaluable learning moment

[32:37] Kim's lightning round

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

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When it comes to… basically anything, everyone has an opinion, and our photography and businesses are rarely exempt. And because our work is often so personal, the feedback can hit hard.

But not all feedback is useful, relevant, or even true. It is just information, and we get to choose what to do with that information and how much we let it affect us.

In this episode, I’m sharing why feedback can feel so personal in creative businesses, how to navigate different types of feedback in our photography businesses, and how we can differentiate helpful feedback that can help us grow from the feedback that isn’t serving us.

Let’s dig in!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[00:53] Why feedback can cut so deep and how we can use it to grow

[01:39] How to handle feedback on your pricing

[03:30] How to navigate feedback from disappointed clients

[06:26] Navigating critiques, both from genuine feedback and from the trolls

[09:00] What feedback is… and what it’s not

Tune in to this episode for some advice on taking the feedback that serves your business and leaving what does not!

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

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Are you excited to create marketing and brand content for your photography business? If you’re saying to yourself, “Uuuhh, no. Not really…” You’re not the only one. 

Creating the content to market our business when we really just want to create artwork for our clients can feel like such a chore. And that’s where Tania comes in.

In this episode, Tania Barbieri is sharing her wisdom on how we can build photography brands that we’re actually excited to show up for and how we can create messaging and content for that brand that showcases our unique perspective. Plus, she’s sharing how to prioritize and systematize content so that it can actually fit into our lives and business.

The way that Tania reframes brand-building and how we can connect with potential clients is truly inspirational. Let’s dive in!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[02:00] What Tania has learned about creativity in each chapter of her career and how she landed in her current niche

[07:44] How Tania helps photographers build a brand they want to show up for 

[10:58] How to keep going when your brand content isn’t landing how you hoped

[15:23] Mistakes that photographers are making with their content and messaging

[23:50] Tania’s advice for photographers who struggle to see their own magic

[27:37] How to create sustainable systems for content creation that fit into their lives and business

[35:03] The aha moment for photographers when they work with Tania

[41:25] Tania’s Lightning round

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

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There’s a lot going on in the world right now (and has been for a few years!)

Trying to stay productive and focused while the world feels so chaotic can be tough. The news, the economic worries… it can be so overwhelming. But you’re not alone in this struggle.

In this episode, I’m sharing all the ways I’ve found to stay grounded both in my life and my business. From connecting with friends to limiting my information intake to reconnecting with my purpose, this episode is full of ideas to help you cut through the noise and find your footing again.

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[00:40] The uncertainty of the last few years and how I’ve stayed productive

[01:50] How reconnecting to my purpose has allowed me to stay grounded and how you can reconnect to yours too

[04:19] Why simplifying has been revolutionary for my life and business

[06:00] Why prioritizing self-care during uncertain times is so important

[09:34] Why you have to trust yourself and your resilience

Tune in to this episode for some encouragement that you’re not alone during these uncertain times!

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

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Do you ever get those moments, where you think back to your childhood, and wonder how much of your memory is accurate or if you just imagined certain details?

Rebecca Hunnicutt is in the business of capturing those memories for families and enshrining their happy moments forever, instead of leaving it up to guesswork years from now. Through her lifestyle family photography business, she captures the personalities, moods, and details that families can cherish for decades to come.

In this episode, Rebecca shares how she found her niche in lifestyle family photography, the common mistakes she sees photographers make when choosing locations to shoot, how to capture those extra details that make photographs pop, and why she loves more formal school photography sessions too.

If you’ve wanted to jump into lifestyle family photography, this episode with Rebecca will get you started!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[01:48] How Rebecca found her photography niche

[07:29] Common mistakes Rebecca sees when photographers choose locations to shoot

[11:47] Tips for photographers to improve their composition skills

[14:02] How Rebecca uses color to set the mood and influence the feel of her photographs

[17:22] How to manage photoshoots while respecting family dynamics

[22:18] Why Rebecca loves school photography and her advice for starting out in that niche

[27:49] How to find inspiration and avoid creative burnout as a photographer

[31:12] Rebecca’s best advice for brand new photographers

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

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As professional creatives, we can often get wrapped up in our creative output. Are we creating enough? Is it getting the attention we need? Is it leading to more revenue, a larger audience, etc?

But the truth is, our creativity at its core isn’t about that. It’s about play and experimentation and making space to just let things happen sometimes. Putting pressure on the outcome of creativity often stifles what could be a breakthrough and also puts unnecessary pressure on something that could be our safe recovery space.

So in this episode, I’m challenging you to rethink how you approach creativity, how you can take some of the pressure off of your creativity, and how you can start thinking about it through the lens of self-care. Let’s get started!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[00:30] How most creatives typically view creativity and why that can be detrimental

[02:36] How to stop putting pressure on our creativity and treating it like a safe space

[05:27] How we can come back to creativity in times of stress and burnout

[08:22] Why creativity can be its own form of self-care when we let it 

Tune in to this episode for some encouragement to rethink the way you approach creativity in the new year!

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: [LINK]

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It’s no secret that most photographers get uncomfortable around the selling process. They don’t want to feel pushy, salesy, or like they're pulling a bait-and-switch on their clients. And often, they don’t want to do sales in person, as it can heighten their discomfort.

But Maggie Robinson of Tog Academy is here to show us there is another way… a way to make in-person sales feel comfortable and where both clients and photographers leave happy! In her view, it’s all about the process of leading the clients to their final purchase through every touchpoint you have with them, instead of surprising them at the end.

In this episode, Maggie breaks down what in-person sales is, why it’s crucial to her business, how she designs and markets her photography packages, and how to get around the mindset blocks that many photographers face when it comes to sales.

If you’re thinking about in-person sales gives you a cold sweat as a photographer, you need this episode with Maggie.

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[02:04] What in-person sales is and why Maggie is so passionate about it

[04:12] How avoid your clients being “surprised” by your pricing and leading them to sales instead

[13:04] The unique way Maggie builds her pricing packages and how less is more when it comes to your package offerings

[17:36] What the actual day of in-person sales looks like for Maggie

[22:27] How photographers can start implementing in-person sales and increasing their prices in their photography business

[30:37] Getting over the mindset block around attracting and working with high-price clients 

[37:06] Why some photographers give up on IPS and Maggie’s advice on how to stick it out when implementing IPS

[42:51] How spirituality and psychology influence the way Maggie teaches and approaches pricing

[52:30] What success looks like for Maggie in her photography business currently

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

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Failure comes for us all eventually, especially as creatives. Sometimes we try something new and exciting… and it just does not work. It can sting, it’s certainly a blow to the ego, and it can often leave us confused about where to go next.

But, in my experience, a failure is often an opportunity in disguise. It’s data that can help you reevaluate and move forward more successfully. So in this episode, we’re going to walk through how we can embrace failure and use these difficult experiences to build back even stronger.

Let’s dive in!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[00:26] The big F-word that all creatives experience

[02:05] The breakthroughs that can come after failure

[04:55] Some of the lessons that failure can teach us

[06:45] How we can reframe failure and use it to keep us moving forward

[09:31] What to do immediately after a failure

Tune in to this episode for a little kick in the pants to reframe that failure into something beneficial to your creative business!

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

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Water holds a special place for many of us: it’s beautiful, mysterious, and potentially dangerous, if not treated with respect. Karen Bagley of Significant Moments is no stranger to this mix when it comes to photographing underwater. 

She’s built her whole business on capturing the ethereal and majestic nature of underwater imagery through constant education and high safety standards.

In this episode, she’s sharing what it takes to dive into underwater photography, the education you need to have before jumping in, why safety is her top priority, and how to constantly learn and iterate in this unique environment. Her way of storytelling, both through photography and this episode, is so captivating.

If you want to try underwater photography, this episode will give you the roadmap to get started! Let’s dive in!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[03:06] Karen’s life-long relationship with water

[06:41] How Karen approaches planning underwater sessions with her clients

[10:46] The importance of safety and planning when it comes to underwater photography

[20:39] What appropriate training for underwater photography looks like and why you need to have training before starting photography like this

[29:03] How Karen chooses wardrobe pieces that will work underwater

[33:07] What an underwater photographer workshop looks like with Karen

[42:52] Karen’s take on pricing and her unique journey around her own money mindset

[1:01:18] Karen’s Lightning Round, including her favorite editing session snacks

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

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When you start out as a creative, you’re full of energy and motivation. You probably have a “why” that gets your adrenaline pumping and keeps you focused… at least for a little while.

But inevitably, that energy wanes. The motivation you once had to keep going in the tougher parts of your business is fading, and you might be wondering, how do I recapture that spark?

Well, in this episode, I’m going to walk you through my whole process of rediscovering my motivation to keep going in my photography business and sharing the questions I had to ask and answer for myself as I sorted through this process. 

Grab a pen and notebook to write down these questions for later, and let’s get started!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[01:26] Remembering our “why” when we lose our motivation

[04:25] How to transition if your original “why” doesn’t fit anymore

[05:53] How to identify what’s working and what isn’t in our current situation

[09:01] Why it might be time to shake things up if nothing else is working

Tune in to this episode for a little pep talk on rediscovering your motivation as you begin this new year!

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!

Styles change, fashion has seasons, and photographers grow and evolve throughout their careers too. So, how do you navigate stylistic changes while staying true to yourself and without surprising clients?

Marta Ponsko is here to help! She’s navigated her own style as it’s grown and developed throughout the years. While her style is influenced by her love of fashion, Marta has spent years experimenting with styling and lighting techniques, eventually adopting a less-is-more approach when it comes to her closet of props and garments.

In this episode, she shares how that evolution has looked for her, how she’s documented her career through social media in a way that resonates with her clients, and how the brave leaps she has taken have paid off throughout her career.

If you need a little encouragement to do something out of the ordinary in your photography career, this episode with Marta Ponsko will give you the kick in the pants that you need!

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[02:53] The family history that influenced Marta’s photography career 

[08:27] How Marta’s photography style has evolved and how she incorporates fashion into her photography style

[12:26] Marta’s lighting preferences and how she plays with light and color in her photography

[23:20] How Marta uses social media to grow her photography brand

[33:56] How Marta handles the inevitable artistic block that comes her way

[43:27] The bravest leap Marta has taken in her career and how it’s paid off

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!

As a photographer, you probably started taking photos because you loved some aspect of it, right? Maybe the artistry or the relationships you built, or the freedom that career seemed to offer you.

But at some point, many of us find ourselves overwhelmed, overworked, and out of love with the career we once dreamed of. So, if that’s where you find yourself today, how do you recover? How do you find your spark again?

Well, in this episode, Eden Strader is here to help. She’s a photographer turned business coach, helping other creatives rediscover their passion for their work, while building a life they love outside of work too.

If you’ve fallen out of love with photography and are trying to find your way back, this episode is just for you. 

What’s in this episode:

[00:00] Intro

[01:58] How Eden began mentoring other photographers and creatives

[05:40] How to create a business of your dreams that also creates the life you want too

[08:27] The first step photographers can take to climb out of the pit of despair we sometimes find ourselves in

[16:04] The psychology of sales and how understanding this aspect can help you find more joy and balance in your work

[26:04] How to find passion for your work again as a photographer

[31:08] What success looks like to Eden 

[41:06] How Eden channels her ADHD and builds her flexibility into her work patterns

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!