S3 Ep 3: The One About Pet Photography, Instagram Marketing & Redefining Success with Jen Hillenga

S3 Ep6: The One About the Future of Photography with Eric Wittman, CEO of VSCO

What does the future of photography actually look like? If you've been feeling overwhelmed by constant changes in social media, AI, marketing, and the business side of photography, you're not alone. This week, I'm joined by Eric Wittman, CEO of VSCO, for a conversation about where our industry is headed and why photographers should be paying just as much attention to their business as they do their camera. We talk about why photographers aren't struggling because they need to take better photos. Instead, they're trying to navigate marketing, visibility, pricing, client management, and running a profitable business in a rapidly changing world. Eric also shares his perspective on AI, why he believes photographers aren't being replaced, and how technology should support creativity not replace it. Of course, we also dive into VSCO One, VSCO's all-in-one platform built to simplify the business side of photography by bringing together editing, galleries, portfolio websites, client management, contracts, education, and workflow into one place. Whether you're just starting your photography business or you've been photographing clients for years, this episode is packed with practical insights that will help you think differently about where our industry is headed. In this episode • The biggest challenges photographers face in 2026 • Why the business side of photography is often harder than photography itself • How AI is changing the creative industry • The importance of community and mentorship • Why photographers need to adapt their marketing strategies • Building a business that lasts • An inside look at VSCO One Resources Mentioned 📸 Learn more about VSCO One:https://refer.vsco.co/katedecoste [https://refer.vsco.co/katedecoste] ☕ Free Photography Resources:https://www.katedecostephotography.com [https://www.katedecostephotography.com/] If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love for you to leave a review and share it with another photographer. Your support helps more creatives discover the show, and it truly means the world to me.

S3 Ep 5: The One About Building a Business Around Your Life with Tiffany Crenshaw

What if the key to growing your photography business isn't working more... but working differently?In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, I'm joined by family photographer, educator, homeschooling mom of three, and founder of the Realign Retreat, Tiffany Crenshaw.Tiffany has intentionally built a photography business around her season of life instead of trying to force her life around her business. We dive into creating boundaries that actually stick, building a sustainable calendar, avoiding burnout, and why saying "no" can often be the best business decision you make.Whether you're juggling kids, another job, or simply trying to reclaim your evenings and weekends, this conversation is packed with practical ideas to help you build a business that supports the life you want—not the other way around.In This Episode We Talk About:Building a photography business around your current season of life.Creating a shooting schedule that protects your time and energy.Setting boundaries that actually improve your client experience.How CEO planning days and quarterly goal setting can transform your business.Avoiding burnout by saying "no" more often.Why comparing yourself to social media is holding you back.Transitioning into a new photography niche without starting over.Creating workflows that save time and reduce stress.Memorable Quotes"I'd rather be excellent for five clients than mediocre for thirty-five.""Sometimes we spend so much time protecting everyone else's mental and emotional space that we forget to protect our own.""We're not just photographers—we're CEOs."Connect with Tiffany📸 Instagram: @tiffanycrenshawedu📷 Photography: @animalhousephotographyLearn more about Tiffany's coaching, the Realign Retreat, and her educational resources through the links below.Free ResourceTiffany has generously shared her Quarterly Planning Guide to help you start thinking like the CEO of your business.➡️ Download the Quarterly Planning Guide: https://animalhousephotography.myflodesk.com/katied [https://animalhousephotography.myflodesk.com/katied]Resources MentionedSprout Studio CRMRealign RetreatQuarterly Planning GuideListener PerkLooking for a better way to organize your photography business?I've been using VSCO One to simplify my workflow, keep projects organized, and spend less time searching for files and more time creating.As a listener of The One Behind the Lens, you can save $75 on VSCO One using my referral link below.➡️ Get $75 Off VSCO One: https://refer.vsco.co/katedecoste [https://refer.vsco.co/katedecoste]Love the Podcast?If this episode encouraged you, I'd love for you to:⭐ Leave a review.📲 Share this episode with a photographer friend.🎙️ Subscribe so you never miss an episode of The One Behind the Lens.Connect with Kate🌐 Website: katedecostephotography.com📸 Instagram: @katedecoste🎥 YouTube: The One Behind the LensThanks so much for listening! Until next time, keep showing up, keep creating, and remember—you get to build a business that fits the life you want to live.💥 New episodes every week.💻 Learn more + get freebies at katedecostephotography.com/podcast📸 Follow Kate on Instagram: @katedecoste✨ It’s time to Shutter Up & Shine.

S3 Ep 4: The One About Being Multi-Passionate

Have you ever felt like people wanted you to pick just one thing? Maybe you're a photographer who also teaches. A creative who's been dreaming about starting a podcast. A business owner with an idea you've been afraid to pursue because you're worried people will think you're "all over the place." In this solo episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate shares why being multi-passionate isn't something to apologize for—it's one of your greatest strengths. Through personal stories and practical encouragement, she explains how your passions can work together to build a stronger business, spark more creativity, and create a life that actually feels like you. * Why society encourages us to stay inside one box * The difference between having a clear niche and limiting yourself * How your passions naturally strengthen one another * Why thinking in seasons can reduce overwhelm * How to stop apologizing for evolving * A simple exercise to help you connect your passions Take five minutes and write down every passion, hobby, business idea, or creative outlet that lights you up. Then ask yourself: "How could one of these passions make another one stronger?" Instead of choosing between your passions, start looking for the ways they support one another. Creative work gets a whole lot easier when everything has a place. This episode is brought to you by VSCO Workspace I've been using VSCO Workspace to help organize projects, simplify my workflow, and spend less time searching for files and more time creating. ✨ Check it out using my referral link: 👉 https://refer.vsco.co/katedecoste [https://refer.vsco.co/katedecoste] Connect with Kate 🌐 Website: https://www.katedecostephotography.com [https://www.katedecostephotography.com/] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katedecoste [https://www.instagram.com/katedecostephotography] 🎙️ Listen to more episodes of The One Behind the Lens 📩 Join Marketing Backstage for monthly marketing ideas, content prompts, and behind-the-scenes strategies: https://www.katedecostephotography.com/photographers [https://www.katedecostephotography.com/photographers] If this episode encouraged you, I'd love for you to leave a review and share it with another creative who needs the reminder that they don't have to fit into someone else's box.

S3 Ep 3: The One About Pet Photography, Instagram Marketing & Redefining Success with Jen Hillenga

What happens when you've built the business everyone thinks they should want... and discover you're miserable? In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate sits down with New York City pet photographer, educator, and entrepreneur Jen Hillenga to talk about the winding road that led her from portrait photography and million-dollar businesses to photographing dogs in one of the most competitive cities in the world. "I had spent my entire late twenties and thirties making a business, but I hadn't made a life." Jen shares her incredible journey—from working in portrait studios, building a successful education and template company, managing a large team, and eventually realizing that bigger wasn't necessarily better. As her businesses grew, so did the pressure. "I was praying for rain so I could cancel sessions." After selling her company and moving to New York, Jen found herself once again at a crossroads. During the pandemic, a creative project involving her own dogs sparked something she hadn't felt in years. "I think I'm done directing creative and I need to go back to being a creative." That realization eventually led her to launch what would become a thriving pet photography business built around freedom, creativity, and a completely different definition of success. In This Episode We Discuss: * How Jen accidentally fell into photography and built her first portrait business * The reality of managing employees, overhead, and multiple companies * Why a million-dollar business wasn't bringing more fulfillment * Leaving everything behind and moving to New York City * Building a successful niche business around pet photography * Creating a highly personalized client experience * Using Instagram to build an engaged community * Photographing dogs in one of the busiest cities in the world * Why systems and boundaries can actually create more freedom * Redefining success as your life and priorities change A Few Favorite Jen-isms "I'm happy to make people happy, but I'm not happy to inconvenience myself to convenience someone else." "Your clients will fall in line if these are your policies and they want what you have." "People just want joy these days." "I'm not talking about what I'm selling. I'm talking about the dog." "Dogs are kind of like toddlers... but they rarely have a bad day." Connect with Jen Website: The Ways of the Dog Instagram: @thewaysofthedog Pet Photographer Community: Pet Portrait Pros Spotlight: Sundays for Dogs — Get 50% OFF at Sundays for Dogs with the following link: https://share.sundaysfordogs.com/Kate43!18247fc234!a [https://share.sundaysfordogs.com/Kate43!18247fc234!a] Final Takeaway This episode isn't really about dog photography. It's about permission. Permission to evolve. Permission to change your mind. Permission to redefine success. And permission to build a business that supports the life you want instead of the one you think you're supposed to want. "I swore to myself that if I did this again, I was going to do it differently." If you've ever found yourself questioning what success really looks like, this conversation is one you won't want to miss. Enjoyed the Episode? • Follow The One Behind the Lens• Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform• Share this episode with a photographer or business owner friend Your support helps more creatives discover the show ✨ 💻 Learn more + get freebies at katedecostephotography.com/photographers [https://www.katedecostephotography.com/photographers] 📸 Follow Kate on Instagram: @katedecoste ✨ It’s time to Shutter Up & Shine.

S3 Ep 2: The One Where We Build Your July Marketing Plan

Feeling behind on your marketing? You're not alone. In this solo episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate is serving as your unofficial marketing cheerleader and helping you create a simple, realistic marketing plan for July—without burnout, overwhelm, or spending hours staring at a blank content calendar. Whether you're a photographer, creative entrepreneur, or small business owner, this episode will help you simplify your marketing by focusing on three key content buckets that actually move the needle: visibility, relationships, and offers. Kate shares practical content ideas, July marketing themes, email newsletter prompts, and a reminder that you don't need to market perfectly—you just need to stay visible. Plus, she gives listeners a first look at her brand-new monthly marketing membership, Marketing Backstage, designed to help creatives and business owners show up consistently with confidence. * Why marketing feels harder than ever right now * The three content buckets every business owner should focus on * Visibility content ideas that keep you top of mind * Relationship content that helps people connect with you * How to sell without feeling salesy * July marketing themes to inspire your content * Reel, social media, and email ideas you can start using immediately * Why consistency matters more than perfection Mentioned in This Episode * Marketing Backstage - https://www.katedecostephotography.com/photographers [https://www.katedecostephotography.com/photographers] * PhotoBiz (Use code POD25 for 25% off your first year) Connect with Kate Website: Kate DeCoste Photography Instagram: @katedecostephotography If You Loved This Episode: Share it with a fellow photographer, creative, or small business owner who could use a July marketing reset. And don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join the Shutter Squad for future episodes filled with business tips, marketing strategies, and honest conversations from behind the lens.