The Rhea Whitney Podcast

Hosted by Rhea Whitney

Business Entrepreneurship Education

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Dec 2025

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About the show

Welcome to The Rhea Whitney Podcast! This podcast was created to help you become more intentional and knowledgeable about the growth and success of your business. On this podcast, we'll explore a variety of topics such as business, finances, marketing, branding, and more. Plus we'll also dive into the importance of self-care and personal development and how it plays a crucial role in achieving your goals and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

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60 recent

December 10, 202522 min

Ep. 56 -Growing Emotional Resilience in your Business with Bryanna Goode

Growing Emotional Resilience in your Business with Bryana Goode In this conversation, Rhea interviews Bryanna, a two-year Elevate coaching student and branding photographer, about her growth in business, mindset, and confidence. Bryanna shares how she transitioned from content creation to photography, built her skills, and shifted from a side hustle to a profitable business. Inside Elevate, she strengthened her pricing, created four-figure offers, improved her brand presence, and refined her client experience with upgraded packages, content deliverables, questionnaires, and a more seamless workflow. They also discuss the personal challenges Bryanna navigated in her late 20s—including friendship shifts and emotional stress—while still choosing to show up for her business. Rhea highlights Bryanna's resilience, growth, and commitment to becoming the next version of herself. Together, they reflect on the power of coaching, community, accountability, and confidence building, especially in a changing photography industry where mindset and support are just as critical as creative talent.   What You Will Learn How Bryanna turned a creative hobby into a profitable photography business The mindset shifts that helped her raise prices and develop four-figure offers Why community and coaching accelerated her growth and confidence How she refined her brand, client experience, and marketing strategy What it looks like to navigate personal challenges while still building a business Practical advice for new photographers about experimenting before niching   Standout Quotes (13:35) “Being more confident in my pricing… if a client doesn’t align with me, being OK with that.” (24:52) “You thrive in community, you grow in community, you heal in community.” (33:10) “It’s not just about trusting me—you have to learn to trust yourself to show up and do the work.” (21:15) “Entrepreneurship is challenging… if it were easy, everyone would be a business owner.”   Stay Connected  Learn more about me here: https://rheawhitney.com/ Follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/RheaWhitney/ Connect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RheaWhitneyPhotography

December 3, 202522 min

Help me Please! I'm Booked but Still Broke!

If you're shooting nonstop, constantly editing, delivering galleries, and STILL wondering where your money went… this episode is for you! So many photographers think that more bookings automatically equals more income. But the truth is: being “busy” does NOT mean being profitable. In this video, we’re breaking down: • Why you’re fully booked but your bank account doesn’t show it • The hidden leaks in your pricing and packages • How your processes are costing you time AND money • The mindset shift every profitable photographer makes • The FIRST step to becoming a $100k photographer If you’re tired of hustling with nothing to show for it, it’s time to change the way you run your business, not just book more clients.   Stay Connected  Learn more about me here:  https://rheawhitney.com/ https://elevate.rheawhitney.com/webinar https://elevate.rheawhitney.com/ Follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/RheaWhitney/

November 19, 202512 min

Help Me Please! I Can’t Stay Consistent with My Marketing

Struggling to stay consistent with your marketing as a photographer? 😩 You’re not alone! And today, I’m showing you exactly how to fix it! In this episode of the Help Me Please series, I’m breaking down the real reason your marketing feels inconsistent and what to do to build the systems, strategy, and confidence you need to stay visible and booked. You’ll learn: 📸 Why consistency is the #1 factor that builds client trust 💡 How your content acts as your digital storefront🗓️ My batching method that makes marketing simple (and repeatable!) If you’re a photographer who’s tired of posting only when you feel “inspired,” this episode is for you! 💜 Join my next live training, Perfectly Packaged for Six Figures & Beyond https://elevate.rheawhitney.com/webinar    Stay Connected  Learn more about me here: https://rheawhitney.com/ https://elevate.rheawhitney.com/webinar https://elevate.rheawhitney.com/ Follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/RheaWhitney/

November 19, 202512 min

Help Me Please! I'm Scared to Show Up Online

Are you a photographer who hates showing your face online? Does the idea of talking on camera make you want to hide behind your lens even more?! You are NOT alone! And this week’s episode of Help Me Please is just for you! In this episode, I’m breaking down why hiding online is silently hurting your photography business… and how showing up with confidence (even imperfectly!) is the key to standing out, booking better clients, and positioning yourself as a TRUE creative CEO. Inside this video, you’ll learn: 📸 Why your personality is your brand’s secret sauce 💜 How to build confidence even if you’ve never shown your face 🎥 What to post if you never know what to say ✨ How my client Isora stepped into her brand voice and booked 5-figure weddings If you’ve ever told yourself: “I’m awkward on video.” “I don’t know what to say.” “I’m scared people will judge me.” …this episode is your permission slip to finally show up and own your magic.   Stay Connected  Learn more about me here:  https://rheawhitney.com/ https://elevate.rheawhitney.com/webinar https://elevate.rheawhitney.com/ Follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/RheaWhitney/

November 12, 202510 min

Help Me Please! I Don't Know How to Price Myself

Help Me Please! I Don’t Know How to Price Myself (Photography Business Series) Are your packages still capped at $500? 👀 If you’re working hard but still feel stuck, the real problem might be your pricing. Confident pricing attracts confident clients — and until you own your value, you’ll keep feeling overwhelmed, underpaid, and burnt out. In this video, I’m breaking down why underpricing is holding you back, how to shift into CEO pricing, and the mindset photographers need to book clients who respect their work. ✨ This is Episode 1 of my new Help Me Please! series, where I tackle the real struggles photographers face that keep them from growing their business. 🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Video: - Why $500 packages keep you stuck and stressed - The connection between confidence and pricing - How to start charging like a CEO, not just a freelancer   Stay Connected  Learn more about me here:  https://rheawhitney.com/ https://elevate.rheawhitney.com/webinar https://elevate.rheawhitney.com/ Follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/RheaWhitney/

November 12, 202513 min

Help Me Please! I’m Overwhelmed and Disorganized in my Photography Business

Are you a talented photographer who’s feeling completely disorganized behind the scenes? 😩 Maybe your client process lives in your head, your inbox is overflowing, or your invoices are all over the place. If any of this is you, this this video is your wake-up call! In this episode of my Help Me Please! series, I’m breaking down why being disorganized is keeping you stuck, loosing out on clients, and underpaid! And, what you need to do to finally get your business running smoothly like a true CEO. If you’ve been booked and busy but barely holding it together, this one’s for you FORREAL!!! Ready to build a business that feels organized, profitable, and in flow? Then check out Elevate, my signature coaching program for photographers! Enrollment for the 2026 class opens soon and this might just be the opportunity that changes it all!!   Stay Connected  Learn more about me here:  https://rheawhitney.com/ https://elevate.rheawhitney.com/webinar https://elevate.rheawhitney.com/ Follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/RheaWhitney/

November 5, 202529 min

Ep. 55 - 5 Mistakes Photographers Make That Keep Them Stuck (and How to Fix Them)

5 Mistakes Photographers Make That Keep Them Stuck (and How to Fix Them) In this episode Rhea breaks down the five most common mistakes experienced photographers make that keep them stuck in their business. Drawing from over a decade of photography and coaching experience, she emphasizes that success isn’t just about talent behind the camera, it’s equally about mindset, pricing strategy, marketing consistency, and business infrastructure. She urges photographers to recognize where they are holding themselves back and to adopt a CEO mindset to create sustainable profit and long-term growth. Rhea underscores the importance of valuing your expertise, pricing based on data, not fear, and building systems and workflows that support growth. She challenges listeners to examine their beliefs, stop DIY-ing everything, and show up consistently in their marketing. The theme throughout is empowerment: when photographers embrace confidence, structure, and strategic support, they unlock capacity for more income, better clients, and long-term success.   What You Will Learn Why underpricing and avoiding premium packages keeps photographers stuck How shifting from “creative mode” to CEO mode changes your results The importance of consistent marketing and nurturing your audience Why DIY-ing everything slows business growth and creates burnout How systems, workflows, and structure create confidence and scalability The role mindset plays in pricing, visibility, and sales success   Standout Quotes “Underpricing keeps you feeling overwhelmed, broke, not profitable, and undervalued.” (~10:15) “You can’t grow a sustainable photography business if you’re only focused on the art—you have to embrace CEO mode.” (~20:48) “Laid-back marketing and promotion is going to create laid-back money and sales in your business.” (~32:05) “If five to ten premium clients came to you today ready to say yes—would you be ready?” (~47:10)   Stay Connected  Learn more about me here: https://rheawhitney.com/ Follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/RheaWhitney/ Connect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RheaWhitneyPhotography

October 29, 202522 min

Ep. 54 - Creating Premium Offers that Sell

Creating Premium Offers that Sell In this episode Rhea emphasizes the steep learning curve photographers face when transitioning from simply taking pictures to running a full-fledged business. Rhea's mission is to empower photographers to become confident business owners who can create premium-priced offers that truly sell. She outlines the mindset and strategic foundation needed to move beyond creative passion and step into intentional business development. She breaks down five pillars to building premium photography offers: organized systems, consistency in artistic style, strong vendor relationships, mastery of lighting, and consistency in marketing. From using client management systems like HoneyBook to mastering off-camera flash, Offering practical and actionable insights to elevate a photographer’s professionalism and client experience. Her core message: becoming a successful photographer means mastering both artistry and business, staying consistent, and showing up with intention and strategy every day.   What You Will Learn: The mindset shift from creative to business owner and why it’s essential. How to build an organized backend using tools like HoneyBook or CloudSpot. Why consistency in your photographic style establishes trust and brand identity. How vendor connections—especially with makeup artists—can expand your reach. The importance of mastering light and flash to shoot confidently in any environment. Why consistency in marketing and visibility is critical for long-term business success.   Standout Quotes: “Just because you’re a great photographer doesn’t mean you’re a great business owner.” — (10:42) “Selling is service—you’re doing others a service by selling your services.” — (38:19) “If you’re inconsistent in sales, you’re likely inconsistent in visibility.” — (1:05:10) “Success as a creative is not just about talent—it’s about strategy, mindset, and taking action.” — (1:09:35)   Stay Connected  Learn more about me here: https://rheawhitney.com/ Follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/RheaWhitney/

October 22, 202527 min

Ep. 53 - Announcements vs. Marketing

 Announcements vs. Marketing This week Rhea dives into the critical distinction between announcements and marketing for photographers. She emphasizes that simply announcing an offer or posting once or twice on social media isn’t true marketing. Real marketing, she explains, is an ongoing, strategic engine fueled by consistency, repetition, and connection. Ray encourages photographers to embrace their role as business owners, not just creatives, and to approach marketing as an essential skill for growth and long-term success. Rhea introduces the “Elevate Marketing Formula,” which combines three key components: You, the CEO, Your Services, and Your Target Audience. By consistently sharing stories, educating clients, and calling out the right audience, photographers can position themselves as authorities in their niche. Rhea also highlights the importance of building personal connections, staying consistent across platforms, and developing a full marketing ecosystem that nurtures cold, warm, and hot leads. Her message: announcements may inform, but marketing transforms.   What You Will Learn: The difference between making announcements and implementing a marketing strategy. Why consistency and repetition are essential for building brand authority. How to apply Ray’s Elevate Marketing Formula (You + Your Services + Your Target Audience). The importance of nurturing cold, warm, and hot audiences differently. How personal connection and storytelling strengthen your marketing. Practical examples for promoting offers like fall or holiday mini sessions effectively.   Standout Quotes: “Making an announcement is not enough.” — (14:32) “Repetition is what builds expertise and authority.” — (15:18) “Just because you’re a great photographer doesn’t mean you’ll have a great business.” — (18:05) “Selling is service—when done from the right heart posture, it’s how you help people.” — (53:47)   Stay Connected  Learn more about me here: https://rheawhitney.com/ Follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/RheaWhitney/

July 23, 202553 min

Ep. 52 - How to Align Your Energy for Business Success with Emily Aarons

How to Align Your Energy for Business Success with Emily Aarons In this intimate and empowering podcast episode, Rhea Whitney sits down with energy healer and spiritual teacher Emily Aarons to unpack the deep intersection between spirituality, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. The two women reflect on their childhood passions—Emily’s early interest in spirituality and Rhea's lifelong love of photography—and how those early inclinations evolved into the careers they have today. Both women share candid stories of their beginnings, family resistance, self-doubt, and the transformative power of trusting themselves, emphasizing the spiritual and emotional work required to truly thrive as entrepreneurs. Emily talks about moving her healing practice online and how that leap of faith multiplied her business success while helping thousands virtually. The conversation digs into how mindset, energy, and embodiment play vital roles in not only selling authentically but also in sustaining personal fulfillment. Emily introduces the concept of the “Energetic Advantage,” a three-part framework—energy, embodiment, and execution—that helps entrepreneurs align their internal state with their outward action. Rhea opens up about the challenges of being seen, the emotional weight of coaching, and the importance of showing up wholeheartedly for clients. Together, they highlight the importance of self-awareness, reconnecting to your childhood passions, embracing your spiritual gifts, and shedding limiting beliefs to walk confidently in purpose and impact.   What You Will Learn: How childhood passions are powerful clues to your life’s calling and business path. The role of energy and embodiment in business growth and authentic selling. How to navigate self-doubt, visibility fears, and family resistance with inner healing. The three components of the “Energetic Advantage”: energy, embodiment, and execution. Why spiritual tools like meditation and energy healing can fuel business clarity and calm. Practical mindset shifts for newer entrepreneurs struggling with consistency and confidence.   Standout Quotes: “You could be filling stadiums, and they still wouldn’t get it.” — Emily Aarons, 50:15 “We all have some limiting thought… that is really keeping us from our best lives.” — Rhea Whitney, 1:00:25 “You're holding it hostage inside of you. Meanwhile, there are people suffering in silence who need you. Not someone like you—you.” — Emily Aarons, 1:08:40 “Take yourself back to the times that you’ve changed a client’s life… that’s your proof.” — Rhea Whitney, 1:10:10   Stay Connected with Emily Website: https://emilyaarons.com/Instagram: @emilyaarons   Stay Connected  Learn more about me here: https://rheawhitney.com/ Follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/RheaWhitney/ Connect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RheaWhitneyPhotography