The Wedding Frame

Things I’ve Stopped Doing as a Wedding Photographer

This week I’m reflecting on the habits and mindsets I’ve let go of throughout my photography career and how those changes have helped me become a more intentional, intuitive wedding photographer. From overposing couples and filling every silence to chasing validation, comparing myself to other photographers, and saying yes to everything, this episode is an honest conversation about growth, self awareness, and learning to trust my instincts behind the camera. I also share personal stories from real wedding days that completely shifted the way I approach directing couples, reading the room, handling timelines, and creating under less than perfect conditions. I also talk about the pressure photographers feel to create work for social media, the temptation to chase perfection, and the reality that growth in this industry never really stops. Whether you’re a newer photographer still finding your footing or someone years into your career reevaluating your approach, I hope this episode reminds you that evolving is part of the process. Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs happen when we stop doing what we think we’re “supposed” to do and start leaning into what feels the most natural and honest to us as artists. Follow The Wedding Frame on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theweddingframepod/] Check out Lisette's website [https://www.lisettegatliff.com/]and follow her on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lisettegatliff]

How Diversification Built a Thriving Wedding Photography Business for Nicole Back

In this episode of The Wedding Frame, Lisette Gatliff sits down with photographer and filmmaker Nicole Back of Nicole and Photo to talk about how diversification has shaped her wedding career, from starting in corporate construction management to moving into wedding planning, photography, and eventually videography. Nicole shares how working across multiple roles in the wedding industry has given her a stronger understanding of timelines, vendor collaboration, and client experience, while also helping her build a more sustainable and in demand business. She also opens up about her experience growing a multi-service brand, including why videography quickly became a major driver of bookings, how she approaches content creation, and what it looks like to manage a busy creative business with intention and systems. Follow Nicole on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nicoleandphoto/] , TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@nicoleandphoto], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@nicoleandphoto] Follow The Wedding Frame on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theweddingframepod/] Check out Lisette's website [https://www.lisettegatliff.com/]and follow her on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lisettegatliff]

How to Spot Red Flags in Wedding Inquiries

Some wedding inquiries tell you everything you need to know, you just don’t realize it until later. In this episode, I get into the subtle cues that show up early on and what they can reveal before you ever book the wedding, from price only emails and rushed messages to long negotiation cycles and clients already struggling with other vendors. I also talk about why not every red flag is actually a bad thing, and how inquiries that feel overwhelming at first, like couples who ask a lot of questions or say they feel awkward in photos, often turn out to be the best clients. This episode is about learning how to read between the lines, trust your instincts, and recognize that an inquiry is not just about booking a date, it is the beginning of a relationship. In this episode, I cover: *  Price focused inquiries and what they can signal  *  Rushed or minimal communication in early emails  *  Long negotiation cycles and indecisiveness  *  Clients who have had issues with multiple vendors  *  When red flags are actually green flags  *  Why curious or “awkward” couples often make great clients  *  Learning to trust your instincts during the inquiry process Follow The Wedding Frame on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theweddingframepod/] Check out Lisette's website [https://www.lisettegatliff.com/]and follow her on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lisettegatliff]

How Helena Wong Scaled Her Wedding Photography Business to $400K Per Year

In this episode of The Wedding Frame, I sit down with wedding photographer and educator Helena Wong of @helenawongphotography to talk about what it really takes to build a sustainable, profitable photography business in today’s industry. We dive deep into the business side of wedding photography, including marketing, mindset, social media strategy, and client experience from inquiry to wedding day. Helena breaks down how she helps photographers define their ideal client, build trust through Instagram, and create intentional systems that support consistent bookings. One of the biggest themes in this conversation is mindset and courage. Helena shares that most photographers are not held back by fear and hesitation, and consistent small acts of courage are what actually build confidence and momentum in business. In this episode, I talk with Helena about: • Transitioning from corporate to full time wedding photography  • Building a photography business through organic marketing  • Instagram strategy for photographers (feed vs stories)  • Defining and attracting your ideal client  • Raising prices and communicating value on sales calls  • Creating a high touch client experience  • Building referrals through weddings and vendor relationships  • The role of mindset and courage in business growth Connect with Helena: Instagram: @helenawongphotography [https://www.instagram.com/helenawongphotography/] Website: creativeceo.co [https://creativeceo.co/] Follow The Wedding Frame on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theweddingframepod/] Check out Lisette's website [https://www.lisettegatliff.com/]and follow her on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lisettegatliff]

When My Hair Caught on Fire - Mishaps and Lessons Learned

In this episode of The Wedding Frame, I’m sharing a couple of mishaps that happened while I was working recently. One involves photographing a birthday party with open flame candles and accidentally catching my hair on fire. The other involves dropping my camera and damaging a lens. Both moments were unexpected and embarrassing, but they also reminded me how quickly things can happen when you are moving through an event. I talk about what these situations taught me about staying calm, being aware of your surroundings, and having backup gear ready when something goes wrong. Mistakes and mishaps are part of working in fast-paced environments like weddings and events, and learning how to recover is part of becoming an experienced photographer. Follow The Wedding Frame on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theweddingframepod/] Check out Lisette's website [https://www.lisettegatliff.com/]and follow her on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lisettegatliff]