The One Behind the Lens with Kate DeCoste

S2 Bonus: The One Where I Close My Studio After 14 Years

What happens when your photography business outgrows the space you once dreamed of having? In this bonus episode of The One Behind the Lens, I’m sharing the story behind my decision to officially close my photography studio location after 14 years. Since opening the studio in March of 2012, this space has been home to thousands of sessions, countless memories, and so many different seasons of my photography career. But over the years, my business has evolved — and so have my needs as a photographer and business owner. In this episode, I’m talking honestly about why this decision wasn’t actually difficult for me, how photography businesses can thrive without a storefront, and why sometimes growth looks more like simplifying than expanding. If you’re a photographer navigating change in your business, this episode is your reminder that there’s no one “right” way to build a successful photography career. And yes… Season 3 of The One Behind the Lens officially launches June 12th! In This Episode We Talk About • Why I decided to close my photography studio after 14 years • How my photography business has evolved over time • Why I no longer need a large shooting space • Renting creative studios vs owning a permanent location • Why photographers can absolutely succeed without a storefront • The emotional side of leaving a long-time business space • Packing up 14 years worth of photography “stuff” • What may be next for Kate DeCoste Photography A Quote from This Episode “Sometimes growth doesn’t look like getting bigger. Sometimes growth looks like simplifying and making room for what’s next.” About the Podcast The One Behind the Lens is a photography business podcast where professional photographer Kate DeCoste talks with photographers, educators, and creatives about marketing, business strategy, creativity, and what it really takes to build a sustainable photography business. Subscribe for More Photography Business Conversations If you’re a photographer looking to grow your business, subscribe for more conversations about: • photography marketing • senior photography • creative entrepreneurship • photography business strategy • content creation and branding 💥 Season 3 launches June 12th 💻 Learn more + listen to past episodes at katedecostephotography.com/podcast 📸 Follow Kate on Instagram: @katedecoste ✨ It’s time to Shutter Up & Shine.

S2 Bonus: The One About Wedding Photography Pressure, Finding Your Style & Booking Clients with Marissa Naylor

🎙️ Episode Overview What does it really take to be a wedding photographer—and is it actually for everyone? In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate sits down with wedding photographer Marissa Naylor to talk about the real, behind-the-scenes truth of the industry. Marissa has been photographing weddings for over a decade and has built a business rooted in connection, storytelling, and creating an experience that goes far beyond just taking photos. During the conversation, Kate and Marissa dive into one of the biggest realities of wedding photography—the pressure. From capturing once-in-a-lifetime moments to navigating emotions, timelines, and expectations, Marissa shares what it’s really like to be behind the lens on a wedding day.  If you’re a photographer trying to figure out your niche, grow your business, or understand what wedding photography really looks like—this episode is for you. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Why Kate stepped away from weddings 01:00 – What Marissa photographs (weddings, couples, branding) 02:00 – The reality of wedding photography workload03:00 – The pressure of “you only get one shot” 05:00 – Meet Marissa + how she got started 07:30 – Self-taught photography journey 09:00 – Balancing photography with a full-time job 12:00 – How to decide which clients to take on 14:00 – Candid vs posed wedding photography 16:00 – Turning clients into real relationships 19:00 – Why people feel awkward in front of the camera 21:00 – Social media pressure + expectations 23:00 – Athletics, pressure, and photography 26:00 – What clients should feel after a session 28:00 – Why family photos matter more than you think 31:00 – Business growth challenges 32:30 – Using AI without losing your voice 37:00 – Finding your photography style 40:00 – Why showing your face on social media matters 43:00 – Rapid fire round 45:00 – Photo confession booth 😅 48:00 – Community over competition in photography Show Notes In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate sits down with wedding photographer Marissa Naylor to talk about the real, behind-the-scenes truth of the industry. Marissa has been photographing weddings for over a decade and has built a business rooted in connection, storytelling, and creating an experience that goes far beyond just taking photos. During the conversation, Kate and Marissa dive into one of the biggest realities of wedding photography. Marissa shares what it’s really like to be behind the lens on a wedding day. You’ll also hear how Marissa balances photography alongside her marketing career, her thoughts on using AI in your business without losing your personal touch, and why showing up as yourself on social media is more important than ever. Meet Our Guest Marissa Naylor is a wedding and branding photographer based in Canada, serving clients in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Ontario. With over 10 years of experience, Marissa is known for her candid, emotion-driven approach to photography and her ability to turn clients into lifelong relationships. Alongside her photography business, she also works in marketing, bringing a unique perspective to how photographers can connect with their audience and grow sustainable businesses. When she’s not photographing weddings or working in marketing, Marissa is a competitive athlete representing Team Canada in bowling. A Quote From Marissa “Clients aren’t just booking your photos anymore—they’re booking YOU.”  Connect with Marissa Websitehttps://www.marissanaylorphoto.ca [https://www.marissanaylorphoto.ca/] Instagram: @marissanaylorphotography Enjoyed the Episode? • Follow The One Behind the Lens• Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform• Share this episode with a photographer friend Your support helps more photographers discover the show ✨

S2 BONUS: The One About Marketing Your Senior Photography Business with Leslie Kerrigan

What does it really take to build a successful senior photography business today? In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate sits down with senior photographer and educator Leslie Kerrigan, founder of Seniorologie. Leslie has been photographing seniors for nearly two decades and has built a thriving business along with an education platform that helps photographers create profitable, sustainable senior photography businesses. During the conversation, Kate and Leslie dig into one of the biggest marketing mistakes photographers make today — relying on photos alone to attract clients. Leslie explains why modern seniors need to see the **experience**, not just the final images, and how photographers can better connect with both seniors and their parents when marketing their work. They also discuss how senior model teams have evolved over the years, why video content is becoming increasingly important for photographers, and how knowing your business numbers is one of the most powerful things you can do to build a sustainable photography business. If you're a photographer who wants to book more senior sessions and market your business more effectively, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world insight. Meet my Guest: Leslie Kerrigan is a senior portrait photographer and educator who helps photographers book more clients, charge with confidence, and build businesses that actually support their life. She is the founder of Seniorologie, a one-stop resource for senior photographers that includes a podcast, retreats, online education, and coaching programs designed to help photographers grow profitable senior photography businesses. When she’s not photographing clients or mentoring photographers, Leslie can be found spending time with her husband, two sons, and their dogs. In This Episode We Talk About • The biggest marketing mistake senior photographers make • Why posting photos alone isn’t enough to attract senior clients • How seniors discover photographers vs. how parents choose them • Why Instagram continues to be a powerful marketing tool for senior photographers • The real role of senior model teams in today’s marketing landscape • How to structure a senior model program that supports your business • Why video content and behind-the-scenes clips help build trust with potential clients • The importance of understanding your numbers when building a sustainable photography business A Quote From Leslie “The biggest mistake I see senior photographers make is relying on their photos to do the marketing work.” Marketing isn’t just about showing your images — it’s about showing the **experience** and helping potential clients understand what it will feel like to work with you. Resources Mentioned in This Episode Learn more about Leslie and her education platform: Seniorologie Website [https://www.seniorologie.com](https://www.seniorologie.com) Seniorologie Business Retreat (Salt Lake City – July 2026) [https://seniorologie.com/bizretreat](https://seniorologie.com/bizretreat) Free Resource for Photographers [https://www.canva.com/design/DAGLDAiV06c/PtxOiDr7tw-7nJ-cqPu3yA/view](https://www.canva.com/design/DAGLDAiV06c/PtxOiDr7tw-7nJ-cqPu3yA/view)  Connect with Leslie Instagram: @seniorologie Website: www.seniorologie.com Connect with Kate Instagram: @katedecoste Website: www.katedecostephotography.com/photographers About the Podcast The One Behind the Lens is a podcast for photographers and creatives who want to build sustainable, profitable creative businesses. Hosted by photographer and educator Kate DeCoste. Enjoyed the Episode? If you loved this conversation: • Follow The One Behind the Lens • Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform • Share this episode with a photographer friend Your support helps more photographers discover the show.

S2 Ep 10: The One With Pinterest Marketing for Photographers: The Quiet Way to Get Booked

What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why Pinterest works differently than social media — and why that matters for photographersHow searchable, helpful content attracts clients long after you post itWhy consistency beats perfection when it comes to long-term visibilityHow one blog post can turn into multiple chances to be discoveredSimple weekly habits that help Pinterest quietly send inquiries your wayHow trust is built before a client ever hits “send” on an inquiryHow quiet, search-based marketing creates sustainable business growth ⏱️ Episode Timestamps 00:26 – Why Pinterest isn’t social media (and why that changes everything) 02:10 – How clients actually search for photographers online 04:40 – The biggest Pinterest mistakes photographers make 07:05 – Creating helpful, searchable content that gets found 10:15 – Turning one blog post into multiple pins 12:40 – Using real keywords your clients are already searching 14:55 – Consistency vs. perfection: the Pinterest mindset shift 16:45 – How Pinterest builds trust before the first inquiry 18:05 – Seeing the strategy in action through the Senior Session Guide 💬 Shutter Squad Quote Board “Pinterest isn’t about going viral. It’s about being found at the exact right moment.” “You don’t need more content — you need to use the content you already created.” “Helpful content builds trust long before the first email arrives.” “Consistency on Pinterest beats perfection every single time.” “Quiet marketing is still powerful marketing.” 🔗 Connect with Kate Host: Kate DeCoste — Photographer, Educator & Host of The One Behind the Lens 🌐 Website: www.katedecostephotography.com [http://www.katedecostephotography.com/]📸 Instagram: @katedecoste Kate’s website is filled with resources for photographers, seniors, and families — including her Senior Session Guide, which walks you through the entire senior portrait experience from preparation to final images and shows exactly how thoughtful marketing can guide clients every step of the way. 🎧 About the Show The One Behind the Lens is a podcast for photographers and creatives who want to grow their business without losing their voice, values, or love for the craft. Each episode blends real business strategy, creative encouragement, and honest behind-the-scenes conversations about what it actually looks like to build a sustainable photography business. New episodes drop regularly — so be sure to follow along for conversations about photography, marketing, creativity, confidence, and the very human side of running a creative life.

S2 Ep 9: The One Where We Upgrade Your Gear & Systems for 2026

Episode Description: As photographers, it’s easy to think upgrading for a new year means buying new gear. But after years in business, Kate has learned that smoother workflows and better systems matter just as much — if not more. In this solo episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate walks through the core systems and base gear she relies on to keep her business running smoothly heading into 2026. From client management and galleries to backup camera bodies and versatile lenses, this episode focuses on reliability, simplicity, and reducing stress — not chasing trends. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the “must-have” recommendations out there, this episode will help you refocus on what actually supports your work and your clients. In This Episode, We Talk About: * Why systems matter more than shiny new gear * The client management tools Kate uses for bookings, contracts, and questionnaires * Website, gallery, and financial systems that reduce friction * Why upgrading doesn’t always mean replacing * Base gear every photographer should consider for reliability * Why having two camera bodies matters * Versatile lens choices that cover most photography needs * Simple lighting solutions like speedlights * The importance of extra batteries and SD cards * How to think intentionally about upgrades for 2026 Key Takeaway:Upgrading your business isn’t about having more — it’s about having fewer points of failure. Strong systems and reliable base gear create confidence, consistency, and ease. Mentioned in This Episode: VSCO: https://workspace.vsco.co/join/kate-decoste-photographyXERO: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6em3r8aysbyoPHOTOBIZ: https://landing-page.photobiz.com/behind-the-lensPIXIESET: https://pixieset.com/a/katedecoste 🎧 Some tools mentioned include affiliate links that may offer a discount. Kate only shares tools she genuinely uses and trusts. ✨ Subscribe to The One Behind the Lens for honest conversations about photography, business, and building systems that support your life.