With Laura Esmond

Laura Esmond

With Laura Esmond is the unfiltered podcast for women growing creative businesses while raising families and raising themselves. I’m Laura, a mom of three, educator, coach, and photographer. After scaling a portrait studio to multi–six figures in under two years, I realized success without purpose feels empty. Now I help photographers and creative entrepreneurs build businesses that are profitable, sustainable, and aligned with real life. Each week you will hear real talk, mindset shifts, and stories from women entrepreneurs who know the messy middle of business and motherhood. No filters, no highlight reels, just honest conversations to help you grow with confidence.

  1. 3 FEB

    How to Partner with Local Businesses (Bring the muffins)

    Creative Local Business Partnerships: A Real Approach to Growth In this episode, host Laura Esmond shares her personal journey and unique approach to growing her business by forming meaningful partnerships with local businesses, rather than relying on social media or elaborate marketing strategies. She emphasizes the importance of building genuine relationships by offering support and generosity, like walking into local businesses with small gifts, such as a basket of muffins and a handwritten note. Laura details actionable steps to identify potential business partners who share your target audience, such as florists, interior designers, real estate agents, and boutique owners. By partnering with these businesses, you can foster mutual growth and community connection. Esmond also provides three practical ways to collaborate with local businesses: supporting existing events, cross-promotion, and creating service-based bundles. The episode concludes with an open invitation to think creatively about local partnerships and a call to action for listeners to reach out to local businesses they admire.  00:00 Introduction and Personal Growth Journey 00:26 The Power of Local Partnerships 01:43 Identifying Potential Business Partners 02:44 Effective Strategies for Collaboration 04:46 Leading with Service and Follow-Up 06:43 Creative Event Ideas and Cross-Promotion 10:27 Successful Partnership Case Studies 13:04 Building Trust and Long-Term Relationships 15:24 Your Invitation to Take Action 16:44 Conclusion and Mentorship Opportunity Connect with Laura: Private Mentoring: lauraesmond.com/mentorInstagram: @reeseandcoportraitsWebsite: lauraesmond.comKeywords: motherhood photographer, family photography, newborn photographer, maternity sessions, photography pricing tips, portrait photography business, money mindset for creatives, IPS for photographers, work-life balance, photographers who are moms, client experience photography, raising photography prices

    18 min
  2. 20 ENE

    Is There a Gap Between Your Price and Your Value as a Portrait Photographer?

    In this episode of the podcast, Laura Esmond shares reflections from a month-long break during the holiday season, including time spent with her family, prepping for the Peace and Profit Bootcamp, and welcoming new students into her Get Rooted program. She opens up about the common guilt many motherhood portrait photographers feel when stepping back from business tasks like social media, blogging sessions, or sending marketing emails. Laura encourages photographers—especially those balancing motherhood and running a photography business—to honor the natural ebb and flow of life and business. She also shares powerful insights from the Peace and Profit Bootcamp, including mindset shifts around money, how to raise your prices with confidence, and how to ensure your portrait photography packages reflect the full value of the experience you provide. Whether you're a newborn photographer, maternity photographer, or specializing in family sessions, this episode will help you reframe how you approach pricing, marketing, and the emotional load of growing a photography business while raising a family. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back 00:46 The Importance of Taking Breaks 02:55 Holiday Reflections and Family Time 04:13 Peace and Profit Bootcamp Insights 08:14 Money Mindset and Pricing Strategies 16:51 The True Value of Money 25:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Keywords: motherhood photographer, family photography, newborn photographer, maternity sessions, photography pricing tips, portrait photography business, money mindset for creatives, IPS for photographers, work-life balance, photographers who are moms, client experience photography, raising photography prices

    26 min
  3. 16/12/2025

    When It Finally Clicks: Tawni’s Journey from $300 to $1500+ Portrait Sessions

    In this inspiring episode of the podcast, Laura Esmond sits down with portrait photographer Tawni Adams to unpack the real and raw journey of transforming a photography business—from charging $300-$600 per session and burning out, to confidently booking consistent $1500+ sessions and even landing a nearly $12,000 sale. Tawni opens up about the mindset hurdles she faced, the emotional rollercoaster of raising her prices, and how she almost gave up before things finally clicked. If you’re a photographer feeling stuck at lower price points or wondering if sustainable, high-profit portrait sessions are possible, this conversation is your permission slip to believe in what's possible. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why Tawni originally thought no one would pay more than $500 for a sessionThe exact mindset shift that helped her move from “overwhelmed and underpaid” to building a thriving, profitable portrait businessHow Get Rooted helped her break down her pricing, boundaries, and valueThe emotional weight of changing your business model while raising a familyWhy your first $1500+ client might be closer than you thinkHow Tawni learned to trust the process and “let it simmer”What actually happens between $300 sessions and a $12,000 artwork sale Resources Mentioned: LEARN MORE ABOUT GET ROOTED –  https://www.lauraesmond.com/getrooted Follow Tawni Adams on Instagram: @tawniadamsphoto Tawni’s website: https://www.tawniadams.com/ SEO Keywords:photography pricing strategy, raise photography session rates, profitable portrait business, $1500 photography session, photography business coaching, Get Rooted program, luxury portrait pricing, family photographer success story, photography business mindset, how to increase photo session prices, photographer burnout recovery

    1 h y 5 min
  4. 10/12/2025

    Portrait Photography Marketing: 5 Ways to Create a Beautiful Spectacle

    In today’s episode, we’re talking about one of the most powerful ways to grow your portrait photography business: creating a little spectacle. But don’t worry, I don’t mean hopping on every trend or becoming a human highlight reel. This is about showing up with intention, creativity, and a little bit of wow factor that feels true to you. Whether you’re in year one or five of business, creating a buzz around what you do is how you get seen by the right people and start booking the kinds of clients you love. In this episode, I’m walking you through 5 concrete ideas to help you do exactly that. We’ll talk about: How to create portfolio work that actually attracts your dream clientsWhy fun, low-stakes portrait events can build big-time momentumThe simple monthly habit that books more sessions than Instagram ever has for meThis one’s packed with practical ideas you can use right away, no matter how busy life is. Grab your notebook or just listen in while you edit! Links & Resources: Sign up for the Peace & Profit Bootamp: lauraesmond.com/bootcamp Apply for Get Rooted—now open for enrollment: lauraesmond.com/getrooted portrait photography business, photography business strategy, in-person sales photography, IPS tips, IPS for photographers, pricing for photographers, photography business reflection, goal setting for photographers, profitable photography business, how to sell photo products, photographer workflow, client experience for photographers, get rooted, laura esmond podcast

    10 min
  5. 09/12/2025

    Series Part 3: How to Plan a Profitable (and Sustainable) Portrait Business in 2026

    Welcome back to part three of this four-part planning series. If you’re dreaming about a 2026 that feels aligned, profitable, and actually doable, this episode is for you. So far, we’ve walked through gratitude (what’s already working) and reflection (what needs to shift). Today, we’re stepping into planning your photography business—but not just numbers on a spreadsheet. This is where photography business strategy meets mindset in the most powerful way. Inside this episode, we’re talking all about:– Why manifestation for photographers isn’t magic (and what it actually is) – How photography pricing strategy impacts your time, energy, and sustainability – The key questions to ask before planning your 2026 photography calendar – Why your real life deserves to be in the plan You’ll walk away with a fresh perspective on how to create intentional business goals that fit your life, not just your Instagram grid—and how to take those dreamy goals and turn them into something real. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: – Get the free photography reflection worksheet, https://www.lauraesmond.com/reflections – Join the Peace & Profit Bootcamp for photographers, https://www.lauraesmond.com/bootcamp – Apply for Get Rooted: Business Coaching for Portrait Photographers, https://www.lauraesmond.com/getrooted photography business planning, portrait photography pricing, sustainable photography business, how to plan your photography business, profitable photographer tips, photography income goals, intentional business strategy, photography coaching, business planning for photographers, 2026 photography goals NEXT UP: Don’t miss next week’s episode—our final step in the series—where we’ll bring it all together and talk about action. Plus, there's a fun bonus episode dropping tomorrow about marketing for photographers (and creating a spectacle in the best way). Can’t wait to share that one with you! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: – Get the free reflection worksheet -- https://lauraesmond.com/reflections– Join the Peace & Profit Bootcamp https://lauraesmond.com/bootcamp – Apply for Get Rooted -- https://lauraesmond.com/getrooted NEXT UP: Don’t miss next week’s episode—our final step in the series—where we’ll bring it all together and talk about action. Plus, there's a fun bonus episode dropping tomorrow about marketing (and creating a spectacle in the best way). Can’t wait to share that one with you!

    14 min
  6. 02/12/2025

    Series Part 2: Reflection + The #1 IPS Mistake Photographers Make

    In Part 2 of our 4-part series on planning your most intentional and profitable photography year, we’re diving into two game-changing topics: how to reflect honestly on your business before you set 2026 goals, and the biggest mistake photographers make when starting In-Person Sales (IPS). If you’re a portrait photographer who wants to grow a sustainable, profitable business—and you're tired of chasing someone else’s version of success—this episode is for you. We’ll talk through the exact questions you need to ask yourself as you review your photography business, including how much money you actually made, what sessions lit you up creatively, and whether your pricing truly supported your income goals. Then we shift gears and talk about IPS—specifically, the common misstep that derails so many photographers who want to sell products but don’t see the results they hoped for. Spoiler: it’s not about having the perfect sales strategy or needing to be perfect. Whether you're just starting to sell products or you're restructuring your pricing and packages for the new year, this episode will help you get grounded in what matters most—clarity, consistency, and confidence in how you show up and sell. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why honest reflection is the key to intentional growth in your photography businessThe exact questions to ask yourself when reviewing your yearHow to stop building your goals on comparison and start building from realityThe biggest IPS mistake photographers make—and how to avoid itWhy committing to a consistent pricing and product strategy is critical for sustainable successLinks & Resources: Download the free Reflection Worksheet: lauraesmond.com/reflection Apply for Get Rooted—now open for enrollment: lauraesmond.com/getrooted Keywords: portrait photography business, photography business strategy, in-person sales photography, IPS tips, IPS for photographers, pricing for photographers, photography business reflection, goal setting for photographers, profitable photography business, how to sell photo products, photographer workflow, client experience for photographers, get rooted, laura esmond podcast

    23 min

Acerca de

With Laura Esmond is the unfiltered podcast for women growing creative businesses while raising families and raising themselves. I’m Laura, a mom of three, educator, coach, and photographer. After scaling a portrait studio to multi–six figures in under two years, I realized success without purpose feels empty. Now I help photographers and creative entrepreneurs build businesses that are profitable, sustainable, and aligned with real life. Each week you will hear real talk, mindset shifts, and stories from women entrepreneurs who know the messy middle of business and motherhood. No filters, no highlight reels, just honest conversations to help you grow with confidence.

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