S3 Ep 1: The One About Blogging That Actually Gets Clients with Jana Osofsky

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.

S3 Ep 1: The One About Blogging That Actually Gets Clients with Jana Osofsky

🎙️ Episode Overview What if your blog didn’t have to feel like a content treadmill? In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate sits down with content strategist and High Leverage Content creator Jana Osofsky to talk about blogging in a way that actually supports your business instead of draining it. Jana introduces her “capsule blog” strategy — a system built around creating 12–20 intentional blog posts that answer the exact questions your audience needs in order to feel ready to book, buy, or work with you. Instead of constantly chasing new content, Jana shares how photographers, creatives, and business owners can repurpose and reuse their best content over and over again. During the conversation, Kate and Jana dive into: • Why blogging is NOT dead• What a capsule blog actually is • Why photographers should think differently about SEO • Repurposing content without sounding repetitive • Using AI without losing your voice • Why content burnout is usually an ROI problem • How to create content that actually converts into clients If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to keep up with social media, blogging, emails, and content creation… this episode is for you. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Meet Jana Osofsky + what is a capsule blog? 04:00 – Why blogging still matters for photographers & creatives 07:00 – SEO vs human-first blogging 10:00 – How often should you actually blog? 11:00 – Refreshing and repurposing old blog content 15:00 – Why repetition in content is a GOOD thing 18:00 – What keywords actually are (without the confusing jargon) 22:00 – Categories, tags & getting overwhelmed by blogging 24:00 – Using AI for blog writing without sounding robotic 29:00 – The difference between “more content” and the RIGHT content 30:00 – Content burnout & why your content may not be converting 33:00 – Repurposing blogs into email + social media content 36:00 – Jana’s free blog strategy training 38:00 – Rapid fire round 40:00 – Biggest content marketing myths 41:00 – Why content shouldn’t feel disposable In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate chats with content strategist Jana Osofsky about building a “capsule blog” strategy designed to help photographers, creatives, and small business owners create high-leverage content that keeps working long after it’s published. Meet Our Guest Jana Osofsky is a content strategist and the creator of High Leverage Content, a program that teaches business owners how to create capsule blog libraries that help turn readers into clients. After years working as a virtual assistant and done-for-you service provider, Jana developed a sustainable content system designed to help business owners market their services without constantly creating new content from scratch. Today, she helps photographers, creatives, coaches, and service providers build intentional blogs that support SEO, repurposing, email marketing, and long-term business growth. A Quote From Jana “You’re not a blogger. You’re a business owner with a blog.” Another Favorite Quote “I don’t want so much content. I want the RIGHT content.” Connect with Jana Website: JanaOmedia.comFree Blog Strategy Training: JanaOmedia.com/free-blog-training Instagram: @janaomedia ☕ Sponsor Spotlight: The Coffee Roaster — Fresh-roasted, small-batch coffee shipped nationwide. Grab 5% off your online order with code TOBTL. 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/podcast📸 Follow Kate on Instagram: @katedecoste ✨ It’s time to Shutter Up & Shine.

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 ✨