EPIC – The Destination and Adventure Elopement Photographer Podcast

How Elopement Photography Retreats Can Transform Your Business

Welcome back to The EPIC Podcast (Elopement Photographer Inspiration Compass), the space where destination and adventure elopement photographers come to connect, grow, and build intentional businesses. I’m your host, Sheryl Anne, destination elopement photographer, Navy veteran, and proud mama. In this episode, I’m joined by Kasey Jo, founder of Elope Academy and one of the leading educators in the elopement photography industry. Kasey shares her journey from photographing 40 traditional weddings a year while working a full-time job to building a business focused on adventure elopements, education, retreats, and community. After attending a photography retreat in Iceland that completely changed the direction of her career, Kasey discovered the power of intentional experiences and went on to create Elope Academy, helping hundreds of photographers grow their businesses through education, connection, and destination elopement experiences. In this episode, we dive into the value of photography retreats beyond just creating a beautiful portfolio. Kasey shares what photographers should look for before investing in a retreat, how destination experience can improve your client experience, and why building genuine community is one of the most powerful parts of growing as an elopement photographer. In this episode, you’ll hear: How Kasey went from traditional weddings to full-time elopement photographyWhy attending a retreat completely changed the direction of her businessHow Elope Academy was created and what makes an intentional retreat experienceWhy retreats are more than just styled shoots and portfolio buildingHow to choose the right photography retreat for your goalsHow destination experience helps you better serve elopement couplesThe reality of planning destination elopements behind the scenesWhy community matters in the elopement photography industryHow photographers can turn retreat content into real business growthAdvice for building a sustainable and meaningful photography business This episode is for elopement photographers who want to grow intentionally, build connections, create better client experiences, and step into destination photography with more confidence. Stay tuned. Stay adventurous. Stay EPIC. Links & Resources Explore EPIC: The Elopement Photographer Inspiration Compass Find resources created for elopement photographers, including community, courses, creativity tools, and client experience resources to help you build intentional, experience-focused elopements. Access planning guide templates, TikTok education, drone photography courses, and more. Use code EPIC15 for $15 off. https://sherylannephoto.com/epic [https://sherylannephoto.com/epic] Follow Kasey Jo and Elope Academy:Website: https://elopeacademy.com [https://elopeacademy.com/]Instagram: @elopeacademy Use Code: SHERYLANNEPHOTO at checkout or your application for content days, retreats, and educational courses! Follow Kasey’s Photography:Website: https://elopewithkaseyjo.com [https://elopewithkaseyjo.com/]Instagram: @elopewithkaseyjo [https://www.instagram.com/elopewithkaseyjo/] Follow me on Instagram and TikTok:@sherylannephoto@epicphotopodcast Explore my work:https://sherylannephoto.com [https://sherylannephoto.com/]

How to Book Destination Elopements & Build a Travel Photography Business with The Chaffins

Welcome back to The EPIC Podcast (Elopement Photographer Inspiration Compass), the space where destination and adventure elopement photographers come to connect, grow, and build intentional businesses. I’m your host, Sheryl Anne, destination elopement photographer, Navy veteran, and proud mama. In this episode, I’m joined by Sammie and Micah Chaffin, a husband and wife elopement photography team known for their cinematic storytelling, destination work, and intentional client experience. They share how they built a full-time elopement photography business together, how they broke into destination elopements without a portfolio, and what it really takes to succeed in this space beyond just taking beautiful photos. This episode is packed with real strategies, honest insights, and behind-the-scenes processes that can help you grow your elopement photography business with intention. In this episode, you’ll hear: * How to transition from weddings to elopements and niche down with confidence * How to book destination elopements without prior international experience * Why travel experience matters more than a destination portfolio * Practical ways to build a destination portfolio on a budget * How to guide clients into dream locations and create unforgettable experiences * The reality of destination photography and what no one talks about * Their full location scouting process for new and unfamiliar places * How they structure their husband and wife photography business * The difference between being a good photographer vs a good business owner * How mindset, mental health, and consistency impact long-term success Links & Resources Follow The Chaffins: Instagram: @thechaffins Website: https://thechaffins.co [https://thechaffins.co] Links & Resources Follow me on Instagram and TikTok: @sherylannephoto and @epicphotopodcastExplore my work: https://sherylannephoto.com [https://sherylannephoto.com] Booked Not ViralA calm TikTok content system for elopement photographers.Use code EPIC15 for $15 off.https://sherylannephoto.com/booked-not-viral-elopement-photographers/ [https://sherylannephoto.com/booked-not-viral-elopement-photographers/]

How TikTok Can Grow Your Elopement Photography Business

Welcome back to The EPIC Podcast (Elopement Photographer Inspiration Compass), the space where destination and adventure elopement photographers come to connect, grow, and build intentional businesses. I’m your host, Sheryl Anne, destination elopement photographer, Navy veteran, and proud mama. In this episode, we’re talking all about TikTok and why elopement photographers should not be sleeping on this platform. If you’ve ever felt unsure about TikTok, overwhelmed by content creation, or questioned whether it actually brings in bookings, this episode breaks down how TikTok works and how you can use it in a way that feels simple, intentional, and aligned with your business. In this episode, you’ll hear: * Why TikTok is different from Instagram and why that matters * How TikTok builds trust with potential clients before they even inquire * Why TikTok is now a search engine for elopement planning * The biggest mistakes photographers are making on TikTok * How your content positioning affects the type of inquiries you attract * Why you do not need to post every day to see results * How TikTok can lead to high-ticket destination elopement bookings * The pros and cons of TikTok inquiries This episode is a real and honest look at how TikTok can support your marketing, help you connect with your dream clients, and create new opportunities for your elopement photography business. Stay tuned. Stay adventurous. Stay EPIC. Links & Resources Follow me on Instagram and TikTok: @sherylannephoto and @epicphotopodcast Explore my work and education:⁠ https://sherylannephoto.com⁠ [https://sherylannephoto.com] For educational courses & templates: ⁠⁠⁠https://sherylannephoto.com/epic-photographers/⁠⁠⁠ [https://sherylannephoto.com/epic-photographers/] Booked Not Viral Use code EPIC15 for $15 off. A self-paced TikTok course for elopement photographers who want consistent, aligned inquiries without trends or high-energy content. ⁠⁠https://sherylannephoto.com/booked-not-viral-elopement-photographers/⁠ [https://sherylannephoto.com/booked-not-viral-elopement-photographers/]

How Hybrid Photo and Video Can Grow Your Elopement Photography Business with Shayna

Welcome back to The EPIC Podcast (Elopement Photographer Inspiration Compass), the space where destination and adventure elopement photographers come to connect, grow, and build sustainable businesses. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Shayna from Hybrid Hangout. She is an elopement photographer, videographer, and educator who teaches photographers how to confidently offer both photo and video on elopement days without overwhelm. If you’ve ever felt intimidated by video, unsure about gear, worried about burnout, or confused about pricing, this conversation breaks it all down in a practical and approachable way. Shayna shares how she started in video before photography, how SEO helped grow her business, and why hybrid shooting works especially well for elopements. In this episode, you’ll hear: * How Shayna built her photo and video business through YouTube and SEO * Why hybrid shooting works so well for elopement photographers * Common fears about adding video and how to overcome them * A simple five-shot system for capturing strong hybrid coverage * How to shoot video without complicated gear * How to price and position hybrid photo and video * When to upsell versus include video in packages * How hybrid shooting can increase income * Why messy action matters more than perfection This episode is packed with practical advice for elopement photographers who want to expand their services, serve clients more intentionally, and grow their revenue in a way that feels aligned and sustainable. Stay tuned. Stay adventurous. Stay EPIC. Links & Resources Follow Shayna and Hybrid Hangout:Instagram: @hybridhangoutWebsite: https://hybridhangout.com/ [https://hybridhangout.com/] Explore Hybrid Hub, Shayna’s education program for photographers who want to offer both photo and video on elopement days. Follow me on Instagram and TikTok: @sherylannephoto and @epicphotopodcast Explore my work and education: https://sherylannephoto.com [https://sherylannephoto.com] For educational courses & templates: ⁠⁠https://sherylannephoto.com/epic-photographers/⁠⁠ [https://sherylannephoto.com/epic-photographers/] Booked Not Viral Use code EPIC15 for $15 off. A self-paced TikTok course for elopement photographers who want consistent, aligned inquiries without trends or high-energy content. ⁠https://sherylannephoto.com/booked-not-viral-elopement-photographers/⁠ [https://sherylannephoto.com/booked-not-viral-elopement-photographers/]

Tips for Balancing Motherhood and Destination Elopement Photography

Welcome back to The EPIC Podcast (Elopement Photographer Inspiration Compass) — the space for destination and adventure elopement photographers who want honest conversations about business and life. In this episode, I’m sharing a deeply personal look at pregnancy, postpartum, and what it’s really like navigating motherhood while running an elopement photography business. From booking clients while trying to conceive, to maternity leave, boundaries, pricing shifts, mom guilt, outsourcing, pumping on elopement days, and traveling with a baby,  this episode is rooted in honesty, flexibility, and sustainability. This isn’t about hustle or “bouncing back.” It’s about building a business that supports your life in different seasons and releasing the pressure to do it all perfectly. In this episode, you’ll hear: * How I approached booking during pregnancy and postpartum * Why transparency with clients strengthened trust * What maternity leave and returning to work really looked like * How motherhood reshaped my boundaries, pricing, and priorities * The reality of mom guilt and releasing unrealistic expectations * Outsourcing, systems, and protecting your energy * Pumping, breastfeeding, and travel logistics as an elopement photographer If you’re an elopement photographer navigating pregnancy, postpartum, or motherhood — this episode is for you. Stay adventurous. Stay EPIC. 🤍 Links & Resources Follow me on Instagram and TikTok: @sherylannephoto and @epicphotopodcast For educational courses & templates: ⁠⁠https://sherylannephoto.com/epic-photographers/⁠⁠ [https://sherylannephoto.com/epic-photographers/] Explore my work: https://sherylannephoto.com [https://sherylannephoto.com] Booked Not Viral Use code EPIC15 for $15 off. A self-paced TikTok course for elopement photographers who want consistent, aligned inquiries without trends or high-energy content. https://sherylannephoto.com/booked-not-viral-elopement-photographers/ [https://sherylannephoto.com/booked-not-viral-elopement-photographers/]