LEVEL UP: A Wedding Photography + Videography Podcast

271: Build a Business That Supports Your Life w/ Shauna and Jordan

Taylor Petrinovich & Kelley Gilster | The Level Up Co. Episode 271

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0:00 | 32:13

Success in business is rarely about one big breakthrough.

More often, it's the result of hundreds of small decisions, years of consistency, and a willingness to keep growing long after you've figured out the basics.

In this episode, Kelley sits down with Shauna Cooney of Shauna & Jordan Photography to talk about the journey of building a business alongside your spouse, navigating the challenges of leadership, and creating a life that feels just as fulfilling as the business you've worked so hard to build.

Shauna shares how she went from a career in education to running a thriving destination photography business, the lessons she's learned from nearly a decade in the industry, and why continuing to invest in your growth never stops mattering.

One of my favorite parts of this conversation is the reminder that success isn't one-size-fits-all.

For some seasons, growth looks like booking more weddings. In others, it looks like creating more freedom, spending more time with family, building a stronger team, or creating systems that allow your business to support the life you actually want to live.

We also dive into the realities of working with your spouse, learning how to lead well, letting go of control, and building trust as both business partners and life partners.

If you've ever felt pulled between building a successful business and building a meaningful life, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that you don't have to choose between the two.

The businesses we build should support the lives we want to live.

The next round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in Fall 2026! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 8 week program. Learn more + save your seat here - https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind

This episode was sponsored by VidFlow. Level up your delivery experience at https://vidflow.co/thelevelupco

Timestamps:
00:00 - 01:44 | VidFlow Sponsor: Elevating the Client Delivery Experience
01:44 - 04:45 | Meet Shauna Cooney: From Education to Destination Weddings
04:45 - 09:07 | Building a Luxury Wedding Photography Business
09:07 - 12:30 | Pricing Growth, Mentorship & Industry Abundance
12:30 - 17:23 | Working With Your Spouse: Leadership, Roles & Communication
17:23 - 20:32 | Kelly’s Husband-and-Wife Business Journey & Leadership Lessons
20:32 - 23:34 | Building a Team: Third Photographers & Wedding Day Dynamics
23:34 - 27:30 | Parenthood, Travel Weddings & Finding the Right Work-Life Balance
27:30 - 31:26 | Scaling a Business, Family Support & Defining Success
31:26 - 32:01 | Where to Find Shauna & Closing Thoughts

The next round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in Fall 2026! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 8 week program. Learn more + save your seat here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind

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The Level Up Co. Resources:
- Wedding Planner Email Templates: https://thelevelupco.com/planner-email-template-bundle
- Elevated Client Experience Bundle: https://thelevelupco.com/client-experience-bundle
- Elevated Shot List: https://thelevelupco.com/elevated-shot-list
- The Luxury Framework Course: https://thelevelupco.com/theluxuryframework
- The Luxury Pricing Mini Course: https://thelevelupco.com/reset

Connect with Taylor , Kelley + The Level Up Co.:
🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelevelupco/
🔗Taylor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorpetrinovich/
🔗Kelley's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/618studios/
💻Website: https://thelevelupco.com/