Flourish Academy Podcast

Heather Lahtinen
  • 4.9 (53)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Weekly

Our purpose at the Flourish Academy is to leave people better than we found them. We hope to inspire and motivate you to reframe your thinking in a way that serves you. Our hope is that you will reply with, "wow, I never thought of it that way."

  1. 1d ago

    Podcast Ep 438 - You Know What You Need to Do, Why Aren't You Doing it?

    What if you could stop forcing yourself to do the things that grow your photography business—and start becoming the person who naturally does them? You already know you need to follow up with inquiries, market your work, ask for referrals, and make direct offers. So why is it still so hard to actually do them? In this episode, Heather shares a hilarious personal story about how calling herself an "athlete" completely changed the way she approached her habits. She reveals a surprisingly simple identity-shifting strategy that can help photographers overcome procrastination, build confidence, and take consistent action in their businesses. You don't need more discipline. You might need a new way of seeing yourself.  Key Takeaways:  Knowing what to do doesn't mean you'll automatically do it. The gap between knowledge and action is often driven by thoughts, hesitation, and your relationship with discomfort. Stop negotiating with comfort. When you constantly debate whether to do an uncomfortable task, comfort will often win. Your identity influences your actions. How you see yourself can shape the behaviors you naturally begin to practice. You don't have to force every habit. Instead of focusing on a long list of tasks, consider who you want to become and what that person would do. Try on a new identity. You don't have to believe it is completely true before you begin practicing it. Ask, "What would a business owner do?" This simple question can help you move from procrastination to action. Become a relationship builder. Stay in touch with clients, follow up, and make it easy for people to refer you. Become a guide. Clearly explain your offers, help clients make decisions, and show them how to book. Become someone who creates opportunities. Don't wait to be discovered. Reach out and invite people to work with you. A new self-concept can create a new standard. When you think of yourself differently, the actions you take may begin to feel more aligned with that identity. Make business growth fun. Heather's athlete story demonstrates how humor and playfulness can help make a shift feel easier. You don't need to become perfect to take action. You can start practicing the identity you want to embrace today. Choose one identity and take one action. The strategy doesn't require a complicated process. Start with a simple question and follow through. What if the reason you're struggling to grow your photography business isn't a lack of discipline—but the way you see yourself?What if following up, marketing, and making offers could become easier simply by changing the identity you're practicing? Discover Heather's hilarious "I'm an athlete" story and the surprisingly powerful mindset shift that transformed the way she approached action. How to Support the Podcast: Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review. If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people. Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com Connect: Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

  2. Oct 27

    Podcast Ep 437 - The #1 Reason Photographers Hesitate and Stay Stuck

    You don't need to know that it will work. You need to trust yourself enough to try. What if the biggest thing holding you back in your photography business isn't a lack of strategy, information, or ideas—but your discomfort with uncertainty? In this episode, Heather explains why waiting for guarantees can lead to procrastination, overthinking, and missed opportunities. Learn how to build self-trust, make decisions without knowing the outcome, and take action before you feel completely ready. Because business growth doesn't come from predicting the future. It comes from learning to handle whatever happens next. Key Takeaways: Uncertainty—not a lack of information—may be keeping you stuck. You can know exactly what to do and still hesitate because you can't guarantee the outcome. Planning can become a form of avoidance. More research, repeated rewrites, and asking for reassurance may look productive while keeping you from taking action. You cannot know how the market will respond until you test your idea. No amount of thinking can guarantee whether clients will book an offer you haven't made. Distinguish outcome certainty from self-trust. You may not know whether something will work, but you can trust yourself to learn, adapt, and make another decision. Name what you're trying to know in advance. Identify the question your brain is trying to answer, then ask whether it's possible to know the answer before acting. Make the best next decision—not the perfect decision. Use the information you have today and take the smallest useful step forward. Treat business decisions as experiments. Test a price, send an email, or try an offer without turning it into a permanent commitment. Decide how you'll respond before you act. Plan what you'll do if something works, what you'll do if it doesn't, and what you can learn from either outcome. Indecision has consequences, too. Avoiding an offer, follow-up, or price increase doesn't eliminate risk; it means accepting the consequences of staying where you are. Build your uncertainty tolerance through practice. Send the email without rewriting it ten times. Make the offer before you feel completely ready. Give a strategy enough time to gather useful information. Don't let one result become a verdict on you. A disappointing outcome is information to evaluate, not proof that you're incapable of succeeding. Clarity often comes from action. Movement gives you real-world feedback that thinking alone cannot provide. The goal is self-trust, not fearlessness. You can feel uncomfortable and still take the next step. What if the reason you're still stuck isn't that you need a better strategy—but that you're waiting for a guarantee that will never come? What if you could raise your prices, make the offer, and finally take the next step without needing to know exactly how it will turn out? Discover the three-step process that helps you stop overthinking, build self-trust, and keep moving—even when uncertainty makes you want to retreat. How to Support the Podcast: Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review. If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people. Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com Connect: Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

  3. Oct 20

    Podcast Ep 436 - The Sales Prediction That's Costing You Money

    Stop trying to guess what your photography clients are going to spend. You might be costing yourself sales before the conversation even begins. Have you ever looked at a potential client and decided they probably won't invest in your larger package, or convinced yourself someone is going to make a huge purchase before they've even seen their photos? In this episode, Heather explores how assumptions about clients' spending habits can affect your confidence, sales approach, and revenue. Learn why sales confidence isn't about predicting what someone will buy; it's about presenting your offers confidently, creating an excellent client experience, and letting your clients decide for themselves. Key Takeaways: Stop trying to predict what clients will spend. Your assumptions aren't reliable financial information, even when they feel convincing. Don't emotionally spend a sale before it happens. Counting imaginary revenue toward your goals can make a perfectly reasonable purchase feel like a failure. Your clients aren't responsible for your expectations. They haven't agreed to the story you've created in your head about what they should buy. Stay out of other people's pocketbooks. You cannot accurately determine what someone values or can afford based on their appearance, car, neighborhood, or profession. Don't decide for your clients. If you assume someone won't purchase your premium collection, you may never give them the opportunity to choose it. Present every option with confidence. Show your larger collections, albums, wall art, and other offers with the same enthusiasm, regardless of what you think a client will spend. Neutrality isn't pessimism. You can believe in your work, set ambitious revenue goals, and still acknowledge that you don't know what one particular client will buy. Your job is to create the opportunity for the sale. Provide an excellent experience, make clear offers, explain the possibilities, and help clients make informed decisions. Sales confidence means being comfortable with uncertainty. You don't need to know whether a client will spend $500 or $5,000 to sell well. Pay attention to what your predictions are doing for you. Are you trying to protect yourself from disappointment, create excitement, or decide how much effort a client deserves? Let your clients surprise you. Loosen your attachment to predictions and give people the opportunity to say yes. Work on the thinking beneath your strategy. Even the best sales process won't help if your assumptions quietly convince you not to use it. What if the biggest thing standing between you and your next big sale is an assumption you've already made about your client? What if you're losing opportunities—not because people won't spend, but because you've decided what they'll buy before you even make the offer? Discover how to stop predicting, stop holding back, and start selling with confidence—even when you have no idea what the outcome will be. Press play and learn the sales mindset shift that could change the way you approach every client, every offer, and every opportunity to grow your revenue. How to Support the Podcast: Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review. If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people. Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com Connect: Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

  4. Oct 13

    Podcast Ep 435 - The Proudly Disorganized Six-Figure Photographer

    You don't have to be organized, fearless, or have everything figured out to build a successful photography business. In this episode, Heather interviews Sarah DeRemer, a Los Angeles-based dog photographer who has built a thriving business by leaning into what she loves most: photographing dogs and connecting with the people who love them. Sarah shares how passion, word of mouth, social media, self-trust, and the courage to raise her prices have shaped her success—even as a proudly disorganized creative. If you're a photographer who struggles with overthinking, comparison, pricing fears, or feeling like you're doing business "wrong," this episode will remind you that you can build a profitable photography business without becoming someone you're not. You can explore Sarah's incredible work on her website or connect with her on Instagram. Key Takeaways:  You don't have to be like everyone else to succeed. Build a business around your personality, strengths, and priorities instead of copying someone else's approach. Passion is a business asset. Sarah's genuine love of dogs helps her connect with clients, create meaningful work, and build lasting relationships.  Personal relationships matter. Networking, word of mouth, and authentic interactions can be powerful drivers of photography bookings.  Show people what working with you looks like. Sharing your work, behind-the-scenes content, and enthusiasm helps potential clients get to know you before they book.  Outsource strategically. You don't need to excel at every task. Hiring help with emails and reminders has allowed Sarah to focus more of her energy on photography.  Raising your prices can be scary—and worthwhile. Sarah moved from a $500 session to packages reaching $2,950, despite fears that clients wouldn't pay more.  Not everyone is your client, and that's okay. You can price your work according to the value you provide without trying to accommodate every budget.  Stop holding on to someone else's opinion. One person's belief about what clients will pay doesn't determine what your ideal clients are willing to invest.  Choose opportunities that align with your goals. Sarah has become more intentional about the events and clients she pursues, focusing on the relationships most likely to support her business.  You don't need to do everything at once. Focus on the actions that matter most now rather than trying to fix every part of your business simultaneously.  Self-trust develops through action. You can experience doubt and still make a decision, test an idea, and learn from the outcome.  Reconnect with your joy when you're overwhelmed. Taking a breath, stepping outside, or returning to the work you love can help you regain clarity.  Build a business that supports your life. Success isn't just about revenue; it's also about creating a career you genuinely enjoy. What if you could build a successful photography business without becoming the perfectly organized, endlessly confident person you think you need to be? What if your passion, your personality, and the things that make you different are actually your greatest business advantages?  Discover how one dog photographer overcame pricing fears, trusted herself, and built a thriving business by doing more of what she loves. Press play and learn why you don't need to become someone else to create the photography business—and the life—you really want. How to Support the Podcast: Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review. If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people. Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com Connect: Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

  5. Oct 6

    Podcast Ep 434 - Before You Say "I Need More Inquiries," Do This

    What if your next photography client is already closer than you think? In this episode, Heather shares a simple way to find potential revenue without constantly chasing new followers, inquiries, or strangers online. She breaks revenue opportunities into three powerful buckets: existing opportunities, past relationships, and new opportunities, and explains why photographers often overlook the first two. If you've been wondering how to get more photography clients or make more money in your photography business, this episode will help you see the opportunities that may already be sitting right in front of you.  Key Takeaways: Your next client doesn't necessarily have to be a stranger. Existing opportunities are often the fastest place to start. Follow up with open inquiries and unanswered proposals. Look for additional sales opportunities with current clients. Past clients and old leads are still valuable relationships. Someone who wasn't ready before may be ready now. Referral partners and vendors can become powerful sources of business. New opportunities still matter—but don't overlook the first two buckets. You don't need to constantly chase more followers to create revenue. Change the question from "Where will I find clients?" to "Where are the opportunities?" A scarcity question creates scarcity; a possibility question makes you look for options. Before deciding there are no clients or opportunities, make sure you've actually looked.  What if your next client isn't waiting to discover you, you've already met them? What if you're searching for new leads while money is sitting inside relationships you've already built? There may be far more opportunities around you than you're currently seeing. Press play, find your three buckets, and discover where your next sale could already be hiding. How to Support the Podcast: Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review. If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people. Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com Connect: Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

  6. Sep 29

    Podcast Ep 433 - The Five Reasons Photographers Aren't Booking

    You don't need more clients. You need to know why the clients you want aren't booking. In this episode, Heather breaks down the five most common places where movement can stop in a photography business: audience, offer, invitation, follow-up, and conversion. If you've been saying "I need more clients," "nobody is booking," or "my marketing isn't working," Heather will help you turn those vague frustrations into specific, actionable problems you can actually solve. This episode is about replacing business drama with clarity—and finally knowing what to do next.  Key Takeaways "I need more clients" isn't a diagnosis. It's a description of what you want—not an explanation of what's preventing you from getting it. Find where movement has stopped. Your problem is likely happening somewhere within your audience, offer, invitation, follow-up, or conversion. You may already have an audience. Past clients, old inquiries, email subscribers, referral partners, local businesses, and community connections can all be potential sources of business. More leads aren't always the answer. If you already have warm leads, your real opportunity may be reconnecting with the people who already know you. A clear offer makes buying easier. Your potential client should understand who the offer is for, what they're receiving, why they want it, what it costs, what to do next, and why they might act now. Posting isn't the same as making an offer. Beautiful images and visibility matter, but people also need a clear invitation to take the next step. Follow-up isn't bothering people. Someone not responding isn't necessarily a "no." Following up gives them another opportunity to make a decision. Clicks are information. If someone has clicked your offer, they've shown some level of interest. Don't dismiss that data. Don't immediately blame pricing. If people aren't buying, examine clarity, value, trust, timing, audience, messaging, and price before randomly changing your numbers. Too many priorities can kill momentum. You don't need to choose one thing forever—you need to decide what gets your attention right now. "I've tried everything" is probably not accurate. You may have tried several things, but perhaps not consistently, with the right audience, with clear messaging, or with enough follow-up. Turn passive problems into actionable problems. "Nobody is booking" becomes "I'm not having enough booking conversations." Now you have something you can measure and change. Choose one reasonable next action. You don't need a massive 90-day strategy. Take one action, gather information, and use the result to decide what comes next. What if you don't need more clients—you need to know why the clients you want aren't moving forward? What if the problem isn't your entire business, but one place where movement has stopped? Once you can diagnose the real problem, you can stop guessing and finally know what to do next. Press play and discover the five places your photography business could be stuck—and the simple shift that can get it moving again.  How to Support the Podcast: Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review. If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people. Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com Connect: Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

  7. Sep 22

    Podcast Ep 432 - You know what to do, why aren't you doing it?

    In this episode, Heather explores why we get distracted when a task feels uncomfortable and how avoidance often has less to do with discipline and more to do with our desire to escape discomfort. From editing thousands of images to marketing, sales, and bookkeeping, Heather breaks down how to identify the real reason you're avoiding something and create practical systems that work with your brain, energy, and business. Discover how replacing "I should" with "I could" can reduce shame, increase choice, and help you build a business you can actually trust yourself to run.    Key Takeaways: Distraction is often an attempt to avoid discomfort. Your brain may be seeking relief from tasks that feel boring, complicated, uncertain, or emotionally risky. Distraction doesn't automatically mean you're lazy. Understanding the discomfort underneath your behavior helps you respond more effectively. False productivity can disguise avoidance. Completing comfortable tasks may feel productive while allowing you to avoid the work that matters most. Get curious instead of judgmental. Ask yourself, "What am I thinking and feeling right now?" when you notice yourself trying to escape a task. Identify the specific discomfort. Is the task too big, confusing, boring, uncertain, or demanding for your current energy? Make the work less painful. Break tasks into smaller sections, create finish lines, add rewards, schedule breaks, or ask for support. Replace "should" with "could." "I should do this" creates pressure, while "I could do this" introduces choice. You can want the result without enjoying the task. It's possible to value the outcome while disliking the work required to achieve it. Stop designing systems for an imaginary version of yourself. Build strategies around your real energy, responsibilities, and working style. You don't need the universally perfect productivity system. You need a system that works for your brain and your business. Experimentation builds self-trust. When you find a process that works, you spend less time negotiating with yourself. Your goal isn't to love every task. Your goal is to create systems that make the work manageable and sustainable. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-694501d9-f4b4-8322-b538-25cb090990b0-0" data-turn-id-container= "request-694501d9-f4b4-8322-b538-25cb090990b0-0" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-turn="assistant"> What if the task isn't the problem—the way you're asking yourself to do it is? What if you could stop fighting yourself and finally create a system your brain can trust? The solution to your productivity struggles may not be more discipline, but a completely different approach. Press play and discover how to make the work less painful, stop the avoidance cycle, and build a business that works for YOU. How to Support the Podcast: Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review. If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people. Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com Connect: Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

  8. Sep 15

    Podcast Ep 431 - The Burnout You Don't See Coming

    What if you're not burned out because you're doing too much, but because of the way you're thinking about everything you have to do? In this episode, Heather and Nicole Begley unpack the difference between being tired, overwhelmed, and truly burned out. They explore how resistance, self-judgment, and the pressure to get everything done can turn ordinary stress into suffering. Heather shares a simple question that has helped her navigate some of her most overwhelming seasons: "What do I want to pay attention to right now?" You'll also hear why movement, rather than simply resting, can be the reset some entrepreneurs and ADHD brains actually need.  And there's even more coming. Heather reveals that she's creating a new, quick, bingeable mini-course all about burnout, designed specifically to help photographers understand what's happening when overwhelm starts taking over, and what they can actually do about it. This is especially timely as photographers head into one of the busiest seasons of the year. If you're anticipating a packed fall, you're already feeling stretched thin, or you've experienced that familiar cycle of overwhelm → exhaustion → guilt → more overwhelm, this is something you'll want to keep an eye out for. And if you're an Elevate member, there's an extra bonus: members receive complimentary access to the courses Heather creates. It's another example of how Elevate isn't just about calls and coaching, it's an evolving library of resources designed to support you through the real challenges of running a photography business.  Key Takeaways: Being exhausted doesn't automatically mean you're burned out. You can be physically exhausted from meaningful, purposeful work without experiencing burnout. Burnout and overwhelm are different. Overwhelm may come and go; burnout can feel like you've reached a constant "redline." Resistance can turn pain into suffering. Fighting reality and judging yourself for what you're experiencing often adds another layer of stress. Acceptance creates space for wisdom. You don't have to love the situation to accept that it's where you are right now. Ask yourself: "Where have I fallen out of belief in my capability?" Overwhelm can be a signal that you're questioning whether you're capable of handling what's in front of you. You don't have to finish everything right now. The entire list can exist without demanding your attention simultaneously. "What do I want to pay attention to right now?" is a powerful reset. Bringing your attention back to the present can quiet the mental noise of everything else. Your brain may need movement, not just rest. Walking, riding, paddleboarding, or getting outside can help move some of that stress and energy through your body. Know what works for your brain. Traditional advice like "just sit down and relax" doesn't work equally well for everyone. Stop judging yourself for how you function. Understanding your brain and responding to what it needs can be far more productive than constantly asking what's wrong with you. You don't have to solve your entire life today. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is focus on what's happening now. Burnout is worth understanding before you reach the breaking point. Learning to recognize the signs early can help you make different choices before overwhelm becomes your baseline.  What if you're not failing; you're simply carrying more than your brain can hold all at once? What if one question could pull you out of the spiral and bring you back to what matters right now? Before another busy season pushes you toward burnout, you need to hear this. Press play and discover the mindset shift that could change the way you handle overwhelm, stress, and the busiest seasons of your business.  How to Support the Podcast: Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review. If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people. Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com Connect: Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

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4.9
out of 5
53 Ratings

About

Our purpose at the Flourish Academy is to leave people better than we found them. We hope to inspire and motivate you to reframe your thinking in a way that serves you. Our hope is that you will reply with, "wow, I never thought of it that way."

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