Photo Fuel | The Vision, Art, and Business of Family Photography

Hosted by Leah O’Connell

Business Entrepreneurship ArtsInterviews guests

Website RSS feed Facebook YouTube

Episodes

Latest episode

Nov 2026

Language

About the show

This is a podcast for family photographers about the swirl of vision, art, and business. Through stories, interviews, and nearly 20 years of experience in the family photography industry, host Leah O’Connell will help pack your creative toolbox and build confidence to fuel your sessions, your business, and your life. We’ll tackle family photography education with topics around the logistics and the skills, along with mindset, marketing with alignment, and more. This podcast will help you fan your own flame towards doing more of what you love and loving how you do it. Free, full, and fun family photography education every Monday - grab your Photo Fuel and let’s get creating.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

November 2, 2026Episode 8650 min

Behind the Scenes of The Photo Fuel Retreat & Mastermind with Sadie Peterson

What do you do when your calendar is full, your clients are happy, but you're starting to resent the business you worked so hard to build? Today, we're talking with Sadie Peterson who was part of the spring 2026 Photo Fuel Retreat and Mastermind cohort to share about her experience before and after. After years of online courses we're getting into the details about why this was her next right step. We talk about why a small group made the difference, how the calls fit around her kids nap times, and what it was like to practice on real families with no styled shoots and pressure of expectations. Sadie also shares what's changed since: in-home sessions in a market where before, they were newborn-only, bringing the feel of home to family sessions even outdoors, raising her prices, and creating galleries that fill her cup AND leave her clients describing them as "full of life." Sadie is a family photographer in St. George, Utah, with a lifestyle and documentary approach focused on family connection. Over nearly eight years she's built and rebuilt her business in three different states, and her work has been featured by Heartful Magazine, Unscripted, Photographer[her] Magazine, and CloudSpot. Mentioned in this Episode: Photo Fuel Retreat & Mastermind: leahoconnell.com/retreat Free resources for family photographers: leahoconnell.com/learn Connect with Sadie: Website: https://sadiepetersonphotography.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sadiepetersonphotography If you're thinking about joining the next round, I'd love to hear from you. Reach out and we'll have a chat to see if it's your next right step, too.

October 22, 2026Episode 8521 min

Proactive vs Reactive: How to Manage Wild Client Expectations

"Oh by the way can you make me look 30 lbs thinner?" "I forgot to mention this but can you turn around our images in 24 hrs, or even if it's just like a couple good ones?" 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠 If you're used to handling a post-session requests like these, this one's for you. Those requests usually trace back to something much earlier: information a family didn't have before they booked, boundaries that were never set, or a brand that wasn't clear on its values/approach. This episode is about how vague processes create stress for both you and your clients, and the five places to set clear expectations before anyone books. We'll also talk about building generosity in on purpose so it comes from a place of overflow vs reactivity and putting out fires. And when the requests still come in anyways (because they will sometimes no matter what) we'll chat through the ways you can respond with a message that is clear but kind. Find It Quickly: 0:24 - The wild post-session requests we all get 3:56 - What vague processes cost you and your clients 6:58 - Setting expectations on your website and FAQs 8:23 - Answering the big questions in depth on your blog 12:26 - Your client guide 12:59 - Making your words, visuals, and actions match 14:50 - Pricing so generosity has room to breathe 18:57 - What to do when a request comes in anyway 21:40 - Clear is kind, all around Mentioned in this Episode: Photo Fuel Retreat & Mastermind: leahoconnell.com/retreat Free resources for family photographers: leahoconnell.com/learn

October 5, 2026Episode 8427 min

The benefits (and numbers) behind adding school photography to your business

You're a family photographer, and like it that way... so where does school photography actually fit into your business — and is it worth the time? This is part 2 of my school photography series, and today we're getting into the numbers. I'm sharing exactly what school photography looked like in my business in 2025, all done with the gear I already owned, while still photographing a full family photography fall season at my full rates. We'll break down how much time it actually takes to photograph and process a school of about 100 students and why school photography is a marketing channel that pays you to introduce yourself to hundreds of local families. I'm also sharing a few real stories of school families who went on to book full sessions with me and how that conversion flow looks in real life. Find It Quickly: 2:06 - Why you already have what you need to get started 8:04 - School photography as a marketing channel 12:00 - My 2025 numbers 16:17 - The time investment for a school of 100 students 20:00 - From school photos to full family sessions 22:11 - Bringing it all together Mentioned in this Episode: > Free guide: How to Land Your First School — https://leahoconnell.myflodesk.com/photochalk Join the Photo Chalk early access list — https://leahoconnell.com/photochalk

September 21, 2026Episode 8326 min

Introduction to Outdoor School Photography (+ Photo Chalk enters the chat)

Over time, we've decided as an industry that the way to make a school photos is to line a hundred kids up against a vinyl backdrop and give them 10 seconds to say cheese. We can do better!! This episode is all about how I became so passionate about offering an alternative to school photography and why it's about more than a pretty picture or a money grab. We talk about why it's an easy yes for schools which schools it works well for, + why it's one of the best marketing streams you can build into your larger family photography business. Stick around through the end because I'm officially letting you in behind the curtain of my new brand called Photo Chalk, the start-to-finish, privacy-first system my husband that is bringing warm, connected, and safe school photography into the modern age. Find It Quickly: 5:46 - What outdoor school photography actually is 11:37 - Why schools say yes 16:58 - Why it's good for your business 20:00 - Intro to Photo Chalk - my start-to-finish school photography app and platform coming soon! Mentioned in this Episode: Get started and stay connected with Photo Chalk: (FREE GUIDE) How to Land Your First School — https://leahoconnell.myflodesk.com/photochalk

September 7, 2026Episode 8224 min

The Summer Reflection: 5 Questions for Quarterly Review and Prep

This summer brought a lot of unexpected delights and frustrations, personal curveballs and a business that needed to sway with them. When you work by yourself, it's easy to let seasons slide by until suddenly the whole year's gone by and you're asking yourself - WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! This is the first in a new series of reflection episodes I want to record at the end of every quarter. It's a process I've been doing on my own for years, so I'm going to do it on the podcast for you to listen in on. Each quarter, I'll walk through the same five questions to get grounded about the previous quarter and look forward to the one ahead. I'm sharing the honest, unpolished version of what a working photographer's summer with three kids at home actually looks like, and even though my experience is unique to me, sometimes these peeks behind the curtain help us all feel a little less alone. SIDE NOTE >>> an introduction to Photo Chalk, the new venture I've been quietly building around the business of School Photography and am so excited to start breaking the ice about. Mentioned in this Episode: Episode #35 : Big Picture Questions to Guide Your Photography Business Goals Photo Fuel Mastermind (next round, Madison, VA — March 2027): leahoconnell.com/retreat Photographer's-only email list: leahoconnell.com/learn Photo Chalk news and updates: https://leahoconnell.com/photochalk ** If you love this show, please take a moment to leave a review in Apple Podcasts and share the love!**

August 31, 2026Episode 8137 min

Ditching Duct Tape Systems in Favor of Connection and Peace with Erin Wissig

We assume established photographers have it all figured out. Erin Wissig sees something different: talented, successful photographers whose backend systems never had the chance to catch up. I'm talking with Erin about why so many of us end up duct-taping our systems together as our businesses grow, what it actually looks like to build automations that hold while still maintaining the flexibility for humanity. We talk about why the point was never the systems themselves — it's the peace of mind and relational space they free up. We get into the fear of robotic systems in an industry that celebrates humanity, and why your system is only as good as your willingness to trust it. Find It Quickly: 05:44 - Why established photographers still feel behind 16:42 - Automation isn't the opposite of connection 20:18 - One workflow change to make this week Mentioned in this Episode: Erin's favorite systems stack (free guide): https://erinwissig.com/podcast-listeners Connect with Erin: Instagram: @erin_wissig Website: erinwissig.com Connect with Leah: Instagram: @leahoconnell_photo Website: https://www.leahoconnell.com Free Resources + Newsletter: https://www.leahoconnell.com/learn

August 24, 2026Episode 806 min

The 'Why Not' Mindset (REPLAY)

This is the last in a series of summer replays for the podcast, but I thought a short and sweet reminder was just the thing to kick off the next season. It's one that applies to pricing, but also to your work as a whole - the art of it, the backbone of decisions and creation together. I'm talking about the fear-based thoughts that show up around raising your rates, why "is there any reason not to?" is a better question than "should I?", and how confidence actually comes from competence - from doing the work, even when it doesn't go perfectly. I share a personal story from the early days of my business and building the thick skin it took to put myself out there with no connections to fall back on. I hope this episode brings you some encouragement and energy to move forward into the fall asking better questions and getting better answers. // STAY CONNECTED // FREE RESOURCES: https://www.leahoconnell.com/learn PHOTO FUEL RETREAT & MASTERMIND: https://www.leahoconnell.com/retreat

August 10, 2026Episode 7929 min

A Fall Pep Talk for Family Photographers (REPLAY)

This episode was originally published this time last year, but I'm bringing it back because the reminders are still just as relavent! It might still feel like summer, but fall is coming — and with it, the mix of excitement and overwhelm that hits every family photographer this time of year. I'm walking through the four pain points that tend to hold us hostage in the fall: - overbooking and burnout - marketing struggles - chaos with your systems - and creative blocks. For each one, I'm sharing what's actually worked for me and for the photographers I've worked with, including session limits and waitlists, why marketing is serving instead of selling (and how to treat it like that), building email templates before you need them, and small ways to keep your creativity fresh when you're shooting back to back. Find It Quickly: 2:45 - Pain point 1: Overbooking and burnout 10:45 - Pain point 2: Marketing and visibility struggles 17:45 - Pain point 3: Lack of systems and organization 21:30 - Pain point 4: Creative blocks 26:00 - Closing pep talk Mentioned in this Episode: PhotoFuel Retreat and Mastermind: leahoconnell.com/retreat Free resources: leahoconnell.com/learn If you're loving a regular dose of Photo Fuel, please take a minute to leave a review and I'll send lots of virtual hugs your way! :-)

July 20, 2026Episode 7825 min

REPLAY | Why I don't offer fall mini sessions

In case you're starting to think about fall (good for you!!!) and setting those fall mini session dates - listen to this first! Not villianizing them, but simply offering an alternative approach and something to think about before you sell your soul to fall mini sessions. Since this episode, I've offered mini sessions each summer as a test (because I don't like making assumptions and wanted to make sure this advice held up - spoiler, it does. At least for me.) Mentioned // QT albums: get 20% off your first order with code FUEL20 or a free studio sample – just reach out and mention Photo Fuel and they’ll get you hooked up with your album sample The Big Picture Workbook: https://www.leahoconnell.com/bigpicture Mentoring with Leah : https://leahoconnell.com/mentoring Group Coaching Waitlist: https://www.leahoconnell.com/retreat Mini sessions are a great way to get started, practice, and develop your skills. But at a certain point, you can decide if it’s something that’s really aligned with your business goals… or not. That’s what we’re digging into today – My 3 main arguments against doing fall mini sessions and a few ideas for how to supplement your business income or calendar instead. Connect with Leah: Website: https://www.leahoconnell.com/education Instagram: https://instagram.com/leahoconnell.photo

July 6, 2026Episode 7732 min

Putting in the website work to get found online with Jamie Bugbee

What business owner doesn't want to get found through Google and AI search? Jamie Bugbee spent over 20 years as a dental hygienist before postpartum depression led her back to a camera and a way to come home to herself. And once she put herself fully into learning and tackling SEO for family photographers, she was able to grow her photography business by 400% and leave her day-job to go full-time. Jamie is a Portland-based family, maternity, newborn, and brand photographer who now teaches photographers how to grow through their own websites. We talk about the practical side of getting found online without leaning on social media: on-page and off-page SEO for family photographers, backlinks and local citations, and how to blog in a way that's actually built to be found - not just written and forgotten. We also cover the tools Jamie uses to track what's working and what's not working, silent killers to your page speed and searchability that might be working against you, and more. Find It Quickly: 2:20 - From dental hygienenist to photography 5:00 - Picking up a camera again after having kids 12:00 - The mentorship that finally clicked 14:20 - The bones of modern SEO for family photographers 21:00 - Blogging effectively 27:30 - Tools for tracking what's working and what's not 30:15 - Jamie's Photo Fuel Mentioned in this Episode: Keywords Everywhere White Spark, Google Search Console SEO Edge Microsoft Clarity Free Guide from Jamie: Luxury Client Journey Connect with Jamie Portland Oregon family photographer (Jamie's website) Jamie's Instagram for photographers The PhotograpHER Podcast: The Booked Photographer (course) Connect with Leah Leah's website: https://www.leahoconnell.com Leah's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahoconnell.photo Learn Page with free resources + stay connected : https://www.leahoconnell.com/learn