Called to Both - Balancing Motherhood and Business for Photographers

Joy Michelle, Coach for Photographers
  • 5.0 (113)
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Called To Both® is the podcast for ambitious photographers and creative small business owners wanting better clients & diversified revenue, while also building a life you love! Finally, a fresh perspective on business and marketing from a mom who works less than 20 hours per week! On this podcast Joy Michelle talks about what it takes to pursue both Motherhood and entrepreneurship, balance these two worlds, and provide you with tools and lessons to help you thrive in both areas of life. While learning about business is so valuable—where is the business advice for women doing BOTH? At Called to Both, we truly don’t believe you have to choose between these two worlds tugging at your heart. You can be Called to Both. Called to Both Podcast will leave you feeling refreshed and inspired with new episodes each week, walking away with tangible yet simple steps to make your business and life work for you. Photographers, if you feel Called To Both you’re in the right place. Join us each week as we discuss time management, affiliate marketing, business strategy, marketing tips, and work life balance as if you were chatting one-on-one with your business coach.You can find show notes, links, and resources mentioned in each episode at https://calledtoboth.com Connect with Joy over on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/joyymichelle/.

  1. 6D AGO

    Expanding Beyond Photography: How I Diversified My Revenue and Repositioned My Brand

    Feeling curious about how to make money outside of photography? Maybe you love your role as a photographer, but you're curious about diversifying your income and creating endless revenue potential. In today’s episode, I’m sharing my story of growing my business to become a business coach with diversified income.  This episode originally aired on February 17, 2025. In This Episode You'll: Get my story of adding additional streams of income to my businessHear about the three distinct shifts that needed to happen in my businessLearn how affiliate marketing has changed the game for me as a business ownerToday’s episode is brought to you by my Affiliate Marketing Jumpstart Guide. I’ve developed an affiliate marketing strategy that has brought me freedom in my business and I’m sharing this strategy in my free guide!  Find it quickly: 3:16 - The shift in my heart and mind 5:17 - The books that helped me to shift 5:57 - The shift in my content  9:43 - The shift in my offers 16:45 - The power of affiliate marketing  Mentioned in this Episode:  Ep 121: Why Every Photographer Should Have Multiple Income Streams + How to Get Started The Affiliate Marketing Jumpstart Guide: joymichellephotography.com/affiliate-marketing Read the full show notes from today’s episode HERE. More ways to connect: Joy Michelle Website: joymichelle.co Joy Michelle Instagram: instagram.com/joyymichelle Joy Michelle Facebook: facebook.com/joymichellephotography Joy Michelle Coaching: joymichelle.co/coaching If you’re enjoying the content we’re creating on the podcast and want to connect with others who are called to both, make sure you come join us in the PhotoBoss® with Joy Michelle Facebook Group! Join Now >>

    21 min
  2. 170: Why Diversifying Revenue Is a Power Move (Not a Sign You’re Falling Out of Love With Photography)

    JAN 26

    170: Why Diversifying Revenue Is a Power Move (Not a Sign You’re Falling Out of Love With Photography)

    What if your booked-out calendar and successful photography business weren’t the final destination, but the launchpad to something even better? The truth is, wanting to diversify your income isn’t a sign that you're falling out of love with your photography business. It’s the next evolution of it. If you're a photographer who has reached mastery in your craft and built a stable, respected brand, then adding new revenue streams isn’t a pivot—it’s a power move. Let’s talk about what happens after you "make it." Your calendar is full. Your pricing is solid. Your work is consistent. Clients are raving, and from the outside, everything looks perfect. And yet, there’s this quiet nudge that maybe you’re meant for something more. In this Episode: Why diversification is a power move, not a pivotThe difference between reactive and strategic income expansionHow to expand beyond client work without losing your identity or burning everything down Find It Quickly: 00:00 - Why diversifying your income can feel uncomfortable (and totally normal) 02:16 - Wanting more money ≠ falling out of love with photography 07:11 - How one income stream can quietly drain your creativity 13:31 - Protecting your energy, boundaries, and joy 20:11 - Aligned ways photographers can diversify without burning out 26:46 - Seeing diversification as growth, not quitting More ways to connect: JOY MICHELLE INSTAGRAM WORK WITH JOY AS YOUR COACH JOY MICHELLE CO. WEBSITE Read the full show notes from today’s episode HERE. If you’re enjoying the content we’re creating on the podcast and want to connect with others who are called to both, make sure you come join us in the PhotoBoss® with Joy Michelle Facebook Group! Join Now >>

    17 min
  3. 169: Too Many Ideas, Not Enough Time: How to Decide What to Work on Next

    JAN 19

    169: Too Many Ideas, Not Enough Time: How to Decide What to Work on Next

    Every day in business and life, we make hundreds of decisions, both big and small. If you’ve ever wondered how to choose what truly matters when everything feels important, this episode is for you. I’m unpacking exactly how I make choices in my business and life from a place of clarity, confidence, and alignment (without burnout or guilt). Today’s episode was inspired by an audience question about how to decide what to say yes to when so many things feel worthy of our attention. I walk through the internal process I use, from defining priorities and identifying seasons to journaling, praying, and even sleeping on decisions before choosing. I share personal stories about opportunities I passed on because they weren’t aligned with where I was going or the season I was in, and how those choices shaped who I’m becoming. In this Episode: Explore a framework for choosing what truly mattersHear questions to ask yourself before saying yesA mindset shift that removes perfection and replaces it with directionFind It Quickly 0:59 - Listener's Question: What to Focus On?02:52 - Personal Stories: Making Tough Choices07:30 - Defining Priorities and Values19:19 - Practical Steps for Decision MakingMore ways to connect: JOY MICHELLE INSTAGRAM WORK WITH JOY AS YOUR COACH JOY MICHELLE CO. WEBSITE Read the full show notes from today’s episode HERE. If you’re enjoying the content we’re creating on the podcast and want to connect with others who are called to both, make sure you come join us in the PhotoBoss® with Joy Michelle Facebook Group! Join Now >>

    24 min
  4. 168: What’s Working, What’s Not: A Business Audit for Established Photographers

    JAN 12

    168: What’s Working, What’s Not: A Business Audit for Established Photographers

    If you’re booked, busy, and still not seeing the income you want, It’s time to pause and take a closer look at your business. In today’s episode, we’re taking you on a guided audit to help you identify what’s working, what’s not, and where small shifts could make the biggest difference. We’ll look at the core areas of your business so you can focus your time and energy on what actually moves the needle in this next season. In this episode:  The #1 revenue mistake I see creatives make and how to fix itWhy leads aren’t converting (and what to audit in your content)The invisible systems draining your energy and timeIn this Episode: 0:00 - Welcome to your 2026 guided business audit!1:27 - You’re doing a lot right, but…3:23 - Your revenue check5:44 - Go to where your leads and client flow point you6:56 - Where and how are you showing up10:26 - Build clarity around your packages 13:43 - Don’t ignore your systems and processes.17:58 - What discoveries have you made in your business? Mentioned in this Episode: 121: Why Every Photographer Should Have Multiple Income Streams + How to Get Started: joymichelle.co/photographer-multiple-income-streams160: The 3 Revenue Streams Every Creative Should Have in 2026 (Beyond Your Core Offer): joymichelle.co/3-revenue-streams-2026167: The Invisible Sales Leak: Why Your Clients Stop Paying Attention After They Inquire: joymichelle.co/why-your-clients-stop-paying-attention-after-they-inquire53: 10 Tips for Using Instagram Stories to Attract Clients and Grow Your Small Business: https://joymichelle.co/10-tips-for-instagram-stories/131: 7 Content Ideas to Boost Your Visibility & Brand Authority: https://joymichelle.co/7-content-ideas-visibility/HoneyBook: joymichelle.co/honeybookNotion: joymichelle.co/notionMore ways to connect: JOY MICHELLE INSTAGRAM WORK WITH JOY AS YOUR COACH JOY MICHELLE CO. WEBSITE Read the full show notes from today’s episode HERE. If you’re enjoying the content we’re creating on the podcast and want to connect with others who are called to both, make sure you come join us in the PhotoBoss® with Joy Michelle Facebook Group! Join Now >>

    18 min
  5. 167: The Invisible Sales Leak: Why Your Clients Stop Paying Attention After They Inquire

    JAN 5

    167: The Invisible Sales Leak: Why Your Clients Stop Paying Attention After They Inquire

    If you've ever said, “I just need more visibility,” this episode is for you. What if your problem isn’t in your reach, but instead it’s what happens after someone reaches out? You don’t just need more eyeballs on your brand. You need a process that converts the eyeballs into bookings. In this episode, we're talking about the invisible sales leak that could be quietly costing you thousands in lost revenue and how to fix it today. Find It Quickly 2:53 - The five reasons a sales leak happens3:11 - Reason #1: Response time is too long4:00 - Reason #2: A meh response4:26 - Reason #3: There is no nurture sequence or follow up5:09 - Reason #4: No call to action5:58 - Reason #5: Lack of personalization7:29 - The prompts to seal your sales leak8:19 - The three step fix to keeping your leads warm and booking them10:44 - Here’s how you sharing your pricing11:42 - Always respond to questionsMentioned in this Episode: The KnotEpisode 163: 5 Questions I Would Ask You If I Were Your Business Coach@joyymichelleMore ways to connect: JOY MICHELLE INSTAGRAM WORK WITH JOY AS YOUR COACH JOY MICHELLE CO. WEBSITE Read the full show notes from today’s episode HERE. If you’re enjoying the content we’re creating on the podcast and want to connect with others who are called to both, make sure you come join us in the PhotoBoss® with Joy Michelle Facebook Group! Join Now >>

    16 min
  6. 166: 5 Minute Mindset Reset: For When You Feel Stuck Under Old Expectations of You

    12/29/2025

    166: 5 Minute Mindset Reset: For When You Feel Stuck Under Old Expectations of You

    Feeling stuck under the weight of old content expectations? Let’s reset that. If you’ve been creating content for a while, you’ve likely evolved—personally, professionally, and energetically. Your business may have shifted. Your offers may have changed. Maybe your voice has gotten bolder, wiser, or simply more you. And yet, your content? It still feels stuck in the past. This tension between who you are now and how you're still showing up online is something I see constantly with my coaching clients. They’ve grown, but their content hasn’t. When we dig a little deeper, it’s rarely about strategy. It’s about mindset. Let’s talk about why that happens, what it really means, and how to start showing up again in a way that feels fresh, aligned, and deeply authentic. In this episode:  Why your current audience might be the reason you’re hesitating to show up differently.A mindset shift to help you reset and experiment with your content confidently.Three truths to help you create consistent, creative content without needing permission.Find It Quickly: 0:00 - The five minute mindset reset episode is here! 0:42 - The mindset pieces showing up in your content 2:38 - Shift your mindset to show up in a new way 4:07 - Final reminders to rethink your content for 2026 5:21 - The last three questions More ways to connect: JOY MICHELLE INSTAGRAM WORK WITH JOY AS YOUR COACH JOY MICHELLE CO. WEBSITE Read the full show notes from today’s episode HERE. If you’re enjoying the content we’re creating on the podcast and want to connect with others who are called to both, make sure you come join us in the PhotoBoss® with Joy Michelle Facebook Group! Join Now >>

    6 min
  7. 165: The Emotion Nobody Talks About: Creative Resentment — and How to Reset Before a New Year

    12/22/2025

    165: The Emotion Nobody Talks About: Creative Resentment — and How to Reset Before a New Year

    You’re not burnt out. If anything, you’re probably resentful. There’s an emotion many creative business owners carry into the new year without even realizing it: creative resentment. It comes from the quiet frustration that grows when you’re underpaid, overbooked, and undervalued—and no one is talking about it. In this episode, I break down what creative resentment actually is, how it creeps in, and how to release it so you can move into 2026 with clarity and confidence. Listen in as I share the three key reflection questions that every creative entrepreneur should ask themselves before setting goals or pricing for the new year. In this episode: How creative resentment shows up—and why it’s not your fault.The boundary leaks and unsaid expectations that fuel resentment.Three powerful reflection questions to reset your mindset and business for the new year.Find It Quickly: 01:26 - Defining Creative Resentment 02:25 - Identifying the Causes of Resentment 03:19 - Reflecting on the Past Year 04:15 - Three Questions to Release Resentment More ways to connect: JOY MICHELLE INSTAGRAM WORK WITH JOY AS YOUR COACH JOY MICHELLE CO. WEBSITE Read the full show notes from today’s episode HERE. If you’re enjoying the content we’re creating on the podcast and want to connect with others who are called to both, make sure you come join us in the PhotoBoss® with Joy Michelle Facebook Group! Join Now >>

    8 min
  8. 164: 2025 Year in Review: Highs, Lows, Lessons, and What’s Coming Up Next

    12/15/2025

    164: 2025 Year in Review: Highs, Lows, Lessons, and What’s Coming Up Next

    This year taught me more than I ever expected. There were wins, challenges, business growth, motherhood, maternity leave, and more. In this episode, I’m walking you through my full Year in Review, highlighting what worked, what didn’t, the surprising lessons learned, and what I’m taking into 2026 with renewed clarity and intentional focus. Listen in as I share insights from a year that included launching a new offer, scaling systems, taking a 12‑week paid maternity leave, and showing up again with more resilience than ever. Whether you’re wrapping up your year or beginning your planning, this episode is your invitation to take meaningful stock of your own business. In this Episode: Big wins in business and strategy that moved the needle in 2025Honest lessons from things that fell flatWhy reviewing your year matters — not just for numbers, but for perspectiveToday's episode is brought to you by Forewarn: If you often meet clients in private homes or unfamiliar places, FOREWARN helps you verify identities and assess risk before meeting in person. Just enter a phone number for instant identity information — visit forewarn.com to learn how you can prepare and stay safe. Find It Quickly: 00:46 - Reflecting on Business Practices 01:41 - Podcast Introduction and Personal Journey 03:33 - CEO Review and Yearly Reflection 05:17 - Wins and Successes of 2025 12:14 - Challenges and Lessons Learned 18:06 - Highs and Lows of the Year 24:04 - Looking Forward to 2026 Mentioned in this Episode: Affiliate Boss More ways to connect: JOY MICHELLE INSTAGRAM WORK WITH JOY AS YOUR COACH JOY MICHELLE CO. WEBSITE Read the full show notes from today’s episode HERE. If you’re enjoying the content we’re creating on the podcast and want to connect with others who are called to both, make sure you come join us in the PhotoBoss® with Joy Michelle Facebook Group! Join Now >>

    32 min
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About

Called To Both® is the podcast for ambitious photographers and creative small business owners wanting better clients & diversified revenue, while also building a life you love! Finally, a fresh perspective on business and marketing from a mom who works less than 20 hours per week! On this podcast Joy Michelle talks about what it takes to pursue both Motherhood and entrepreneurship, balance these two worlds, and provide you with tools and lessons to help you thrive in both areas of life. While learning about business is so valuable—where is the business advice for women doing BOTH? At Called to Both, we truly don’t believe you have to choose between these two worlds tugging at your heart. You can be Called to Both. Called to Both Podcast will leave you feeling refreshed and inspired with new episodes each week, walking away with tangible yet simple steps to make your business and life work for you. Photographers, if you feel Called To Both you’re in the right place. Join us each week as we discuss time management, affiliate marketing, business strategy, marketing tips, and work life balance as if you were chatting one-on-one with your business coach.You can find show notes, links, and resources mentioned in each episode at https://calledtoboth.com Connect with Joy over on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/joyymichelle/.

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