Diaries Of A Mum-tographer - with Mel Cieslik

Mel Cieslik
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Diaries Of A Mum-tographer - with Mel Cieslik

Welcome to Diaries of a Mum-tographer, where photography and tech fuels success! I'm Mel, your go-to mum who's obsessed with snapping the perfect shot, staying ahead of the trends, and using technology to make it all happen in less time. Whether you're here to elevate your photography game, get the latest on industry trends, or just share in the journey of juggling mum life and running a thriving biz, you're in the right place. Let’s turn your passion into success, one click at a time!

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Confidence Boosters That Work

    The Newborn Photography Membership Fear is an evolutionary mechanism designed to protect us. It triggers the "fight or flight" response, keeping us alert to dangers—both real and perceived. This aspect of fear is invaluable. Example: If you’re standing too close to the edge of a cliff, fear prompts you to step back, preventing harm. Insight: In this context, fear serves a constructive purpose, acting as an internal alarm system that helps us avoid risks and stay alive. So fear in a new business, or a small business where you make all the decisions.. and most of the time you’re just winging it, fear is incredibly common, especially in creative industries like photography where comparison is constant. Since the rise of social media we compare ourselves.. ALL THE TIME. Whether it be someone elses body, her hair, the house they live in, the amazing holidays they are going on. And so too we compare our photography work. Well, I want you to write this one down. ’Comparison is the thief of joy” This phrase encapsulates the idea that constantly measuring ourself against others can undermine our happiness. When we compare our achievements, possessions, or circumstances to those of others, it often leads to feelings of inadequacy or dissatisfaction So, stop!!!!!! CONFIDENCE BOOSTERS THAT WORK Celebrate Your Wins (Big and Small) Embrace Progress, Not Perfection Focus on the Value You Provide Take Action, Even When It’s Scary LONG-TERM MINDSET SHIFTS Reframe Failure as Growth:“Every mistake I’ve made has taught me something valuable—whether it’s about lighting, posing, or how to handle a tricky client. Failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s part of the process.” Surround Yourself with Supportive People:“Find a community that lifts you up, whether it’s an online group or just a few photographer friends you can share wins and struggles with.” Imposter syndrome doesn’t disappear overnight, and honestly, it might never fully go away. But what matters is how you respond to it. You are good enough. You’re not an imposter—you’re a work in progress, and progress is powerful. So, my challenge to you this week is to celebrate one thing you’re proud of in your photography journey. Maybe it’s a session that went well, a new skill you’ve learned, or even the fact that you’re still showing up despite the doubts. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Shoot me a message on Instagram, or join the conversation in our Facebook group. And if this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow photographer who might need a confidence boost today. Until next time, keep creating, keep growing, and remember—you’ve got this.”

    21 min

  2. DEC 9

    The Art Of Capturing Pure Emotion In Your Subjects

    My gift to you Family Posing Prompt Cards Build Trust: Tips on how to make clients feel comfortable (e.g., icebreaker conversations, sharing your own stories). Use Prompts, Not Poses: For the most organic shots. When you pose a subject phisically, it can look staged, and awkward. And not to mention, extra work for you! Be Patient: The magic happens in the quiet moments—how to observe and wait. Create Movement: Encourage interaction (e.g., “walk hand-in-hand” or “spin your little one around”). Shoot Through the Moment: Advice on not stopping at the "perfect shot" but letting emotions naturally evolve. Register for the FREE Marketing Webinar Follow me on Instagram

    20 min

  3. DEC 1

    The Worst Thing You Can Do To Repel Photography Clients. And How to Fix It.

    Check out the Newborn Photography Business Blueprint Let’s face it—keeping customers happy isn’t rocket science, but it does require some common sense. Unfortunately, we’ve all seen (or made!) these mistakes. Let’s break down the worst offenders and why they send customers running for the hills. 1. Ignoring Inquiries – AKA “Ghosting Potential Clients” Picture this: a mum is scrolling through her phone at 2 a.m., desperately searching for a photographer who can capture her baby’s chubby cheeks before they disappear forever. She emails you in a frenzy of sleep-deprived hope... and hears nothing. Crickets. Days pass. By then, she’s moved on to someone else. 👎 Why it’s bad: Ignoring inquiries screams, "I don’t care about your business," and nothing says “bye-bye referrals” faster. Even if you're overwhelmed, clients expect acknowledgment—stat. ✅ Fix it: Automate! Set up an auto-response email or social media message that confirms receipt and sets expectations for when you’ll follow up. For instance: "Hi there, thanks so much for reaching out! I’m so excited to chat about your upcoming session. You’ll hear back from me within 24 hours—hang tight!" In my Newborn Photography Business Blueprint, I share templates you can plug and play to streamline this process and never leave a client hanging again. 2. Not Setting Clear Expectations – AKA “Over-Promise, Under-Deliver” Ah, the classic trap. You’re trying to win a client over, so you say yes to everything: "Yes, I’ll have your images ready in two days!" "Yes, I’ll make your living room look like a Vogue cover!" "Yes, I’ll Photoshop your toddler into smiling angelically, even though he cried the entire session!" 👎 Why it’s bad: When you over-promise and can’t deliver, clients feel let down—even if what you do provide is amazing. Unmet expectations leave a sour taste. ✅ Fix it: Be honest about what’s achievable upfront. Instead of making big promises, frame your process positively: "Editing takes about two weeks because I like to perfect every image for you. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!" When expectations are realistic, clients are thrilled when you go above and beyond. 3. Being Too Pushy With Upsells – AKA “Used Car Salesman Vibes” We’ve all been there. You just had a wonderful session, your client is on cloud nine, and then... bam! You hit them with a barrage of upsells they weren’t prepared for: “Do you want to add this $3,000 canvas package? How about a keepsake box? Oh, and there’s a digital download fee!” 👎 Why it’s bad: High-pressure sales tactics turn a beautiful experience into a transaction. It can leave clients feeling icky and less likely to come back. ✅ Fix it: Upsell gently. Frame it as an opportunity, not an obligation: "If you’re interested, I have a gorgeous canvas option that would look amazing in your home. No pressure—let me know if you’d like to see some samples." In my Blueprint, I teach strategies for offering upgrades in a way that feels natural and gets clients excited, not overwhelmed. 4. Delivering Low-Quality Experiences – AKA “Letting the Little Things Slide” From a clunky booking system to poorly edited photos, every touchpoint in your process matters. That one typo in your email? Clients notice. The awkward silence during a session? They feel it. Your attention to detail (or lack thereof) can make or break the experience. 👎 Why it’s bad: Clients want to feel cared for every step of the way. If you seem disorganized or sloppy, it reflects poorly on your professionalism. ✅ Fix it: Streamline your workflow. Invest in tools to keep your bookings, invoices, and communication flawless. And during sessions, make the experience FUN! Crack a joke, play with the kids, and make it unforgettable. The better they feel, the better the photos—and the bigger your referral base. Be sure to connect with me on instagram or subscribe to this podcast so you never miss another one!

    31 min

  4. NOV 25

    The Ultimate Photography Client Experience! That Keeps Customers Coming Back, and Telling Their Friends.

    The Newborn Photography Business Blueprint I am immensely proud of the ultimate client experience I have created over the years. I would 100% attribute my success to this unique formula. That, and pretty photos of course. But I believe the two go hand in hand. There is no point taking beautiful photos if you also treated your clients like trash! Automating the Client Journey: Email Sequences That Build Trust and Drive Sales . Consistent communication. Reducing manual tasks. Creating a professional and seamless experience from booking to post-session follow-up. I Love the royal treatment that my clients get in my sessions. Their baby is unique and special and shoudl be treated as such. I provide a full client wardrobe for mum and Bub. I do in person viewing, so my clients have a Live feed from the camera to view each and every photo in real time! This was initially for me to save time with proofing galleries. But it also keeps the client involved in the session, we can choose the photos and any print products together at the end of the shoot. and It maintains cash flow. No more following u0 on unpaid accounts. So I can get onto editing on the chosen photos and in order of my shoots. I used to get overwhelmed with creating client galleries because I didn’t want my clients to see the unedited photos. SO I would spend hours retouching a full gallery only for my client to choose 10 pics or so!! There had to be a better way! And this live viewing method is a game changer, and the clients love it. I can get their photos back to them sooner, and only edit what they choose!!! Session Follow-Up: Send an email thanking the client for their session, linking to a gallery (e.g., PicTime), and providing options for product purchases. Review Request: Automate an email a few days after the session asking for feedback and a review. Explain the importance of reviews in growing your photography business. Exclusive Limited-Time Product Sale: Eight weeks after the session, send an email through PicTime offering an exclusive sale on products like photo albums or framed prints. This adds urgency and keeps clients thinking about your service long after their initial session. Be sure to follow me on Instagram For 1:1 Coaching, Book a Discovery Call

    17 min

  5. NOV 18

    Photographers, Pricing for Profit! The mistakes to avoid!

    Free Pricing Calculator – Grab Your Freebie! To help you implement everything we’ve discussed, I’ve created a free pricing calculator that’s going to take the guesswork out of setting your rates. With this tool, you can input your business costs, your ideal salary, and the amount of work you want to take on, and it will calculate what you need to charge to hit those financial targets. It’s easy to use and will give you confidence in your pricing structure. Make sure to download it at the end of the episode through the link in the show notes. This tool is the first step toward taking control of your pricing and your profit! If you're stuck with marketing your services. Be sure to register for the FREE online training here. As always, I love to hear from you, so be sureto connect with me via instagram.

    14 min

  6. NOV 11

    Finding clarity when it feels like your life is a mess!!!

    Today we’re diving into something we’ve all experienced – those times when life feels like a total mess. You’re juggling so much as a mum, a business owner, and honestly, sometimes the motivation just isn’t there. It’s especially tough when we’re our own bosses, right? There are always so many things that have to get done – client enquiries, editing, shoots – and before you know it, you're caught up in a reactive cycle. You're putting out fires instead of moving your business forward proactively. But here’s the thing: if we want to build successful, thriving businesses, we need systems and strategies in place to help us work efficiently, even when we don’t feel motivated. So, how do you shift out of that reactive space and start moving forward with purpose? In this episode, I’m sharing my top tips and strategies for finding clarity, getting motivated when you can’t be bothered, and putting systems in place to help you succeed, even on the messy days. Let’s dive in! Here are my top tips: Start with a Brain Dump If your head is swirling with all the things you need to do, get it all out on paper. This clears the mental clutter and gives you a better sense of control. Create a Clear Daily Routine Having a predictable routine, even a flexible one, makes a huge difference. Outline the tasks that need to be done first thing in the day before anything else takes over. Batch Your Tasks Stop jumping from one thing to another. Focus on batching similar tasks – responding to enquiries all at once, editing in blocks, scheduling shoots back-to-back. This will save you heaps of time. Prioritise Proactive Over Reactive Make a list of tasks that help you move forward – like marketing, planning, and business development – and carve out time in your schedule before jumping into client work. It’s tough at first, but trust me, the results are worth it. Automate Where You Can Set up systems to handle the repetitive tasks in your business, like email templates or scheduling tools. That way, you can focus on the parts of your business that actually help it grow. Set Small, Achievable Goals Feeling overwhelmed often comes from trying to do too much at once. Break down your goals into bite-sized pieces, and celebrate your wins along the way. Every small step forward matters! In the end, it's all about creating habits and systems that allow your business to work even when you're not at your best. Stay tuned as I unpack these strategies in more detail and give you the tools to keep moving forward even when life feels like a mess! Looking for a 1:1 Photography Coach? Book a FREE Discovery Call with me! follow me on instagram..

    17 min

  7. NOV 4

    Set yourself up for an amazing year ahead!

    Since I’m in Australia. Spring has now officially sprung. I’m feelin' good, got my pins out, the weather is beautiful and manageable. In today’s episode I'm all about giving your business the spring clean it needs. And going into the new year with a bang!! I don’t wait for Dec or Jan to start strong.. It all starts in Quarter 4 believe it or not!!! I don’t know about you, but there’s something about spring that just sparks motivation, right? It’s the time when we’re all about cleaning out the cupboards, deep cleaning the appliances, and maybe even tackling that junk in the shed that’s been piling up for who knows how long. But once the house is looking spick and span, I like to take some of that energy and focus on my business. You see, just like your home, your business can collect clutter—whether that’s digital clutter, unnecessary expenses, or even outdated goals. And when that happens, it’s easy to feel stuck, stagnant, or unclear about where you’re heading. Personally, I’ve noticed that when my office is messy or my business is full of clutter, I start to lose focus. The creativity stalls, the clarity fades, and everything just feels like it’s in limbo. So, today I want to share with you my top tips for spring cleaning your business and getting it ready for the year ahead, including a little financial check-in to make sure everything’s in tip-top shape. Just like we declutter our physical spaces, our digital spaces need a refresh too. Start by organising your emails, client files, and hard drives. Delete what you don’t need, archive important documents, and make sure your systems are easy to navigate. Trust me, when your digital space is clean, you’ll feel like you can breathe again—and it’ll make you so much more efficient. Now is the perfect time to assess whether the tools and software you’re using are still serving you. Are there programs you’re paying for that you don’t use? Is there a more streamlined system out there that could save you time or money? Take the time to review what’s working, what’s not, and make the necessary changes to improve your workflow. and, if you don’t know.. then what i did, was I ran a P&L in my accounting software. and saw all of my subscriptions……. A fresh season calls for a fresh look, right? Go through your website and update your portfolio, pricing, and any outdated information. This is also a great time to review your brand and see if it’s still aligned with your vision and your ideal clients. Your website is your digital storefront, so make sure it reflects the business you want to be known for. Is your brand cohesive across all social platforms too. This ensures you build a strong and recognisable presence No spring clean is complete without a good old financial check-in. Take some time to go over your expenses—are there any unnecessary costs you can cut? Look at your pricing as well. Does it still reflect the value you provide? If not, this could be the perfect opportunity to adjust your rates or create new packages that better suit your business goals. Finally, after you’ve decluttered, updated, and fine-tuned everything, it’s time to set some fresh goals. What do you want to achieve by the end of the year? Whether it’s booking more clients, launching a new kind of session, make sure your goals are clear, actionable, and aligned with where you want your business to go. I like to make SMART goals. S- specific M- measurable A- Actionable R- Relevant T- time sensitive Tip 1: Declutter Your Digital Space Tip 2: Review Your Business Tools & Systems Tip 3: Update Your Website & Portfolio Tip 4: Financial Spring Clean Tip 5: Set Clear Goals for the Year Ahead Get My Marketing FREEBIE! Follow me on Instagram

    17 min

  8. OCT 28

    Mini Sessions: Increased Revenue at Holiday Time

    In this episode of Diaries of a Mum-tographer, we’re diving into holiday mini sessions and how they can be a game-changer for your photography business. Learn proven strategies to plan, promote, and profit from mini sessions during the festive season. I’ll walk you through the key elements of crafting the perfect offer, tips for pricing your mini sessions, and how to create urgency to fill up your spots fast. Plus, I’ll share marketing tactics to reach your ideal clients and maximise your holiday bookings. Whether you’re a newborn photographer, family photographer, or portrait photographer, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you boost your bookings and bring home profit for the holidays. Need a little extra help? Grab my Marketing Freebie. The 5 Most Common Mistakes Photographers Make When Marketing Their Business Don't forget to follow me on instagram

    25 min
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About

Welcome to Diaries of a Mum-tographer, where photography and tech fuels success! I'm Mel, your go-to mum who's obsessed with snapping the perfect shot, staying ahead of the trends, and using technology to make it all happen in less time. Whether you're here to elevate your photography game, get the latest on industry trends, or just share in the journey of juggling mum life and running a thriving biz, you're in the right place. Let’s turn your passion into success, one click at a time!

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