The Studio Takeover Podcast

Cat Ford-Coates
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The Studio Takeover podcast is about and for Portrait Photographers from all walks. Join host Cat Ford-Coates as she shares her journey and interviews other Portrait Photographers to learn how they navigate personal and professional challenges, their businesses, and their lives.

  1. The Shadow | Ep. 01: "I'm Not Ready Yet"

    1H AGO

    The Shadow | Ep. 01: "I'm Not Ready Yet"

    Send us Fan Mail She told you "not yet". For months. Maybe years. In the voice that sounds exactly like wisdom — like patience, like the most responsible version of yourself. That voice has a name. In this episode, we meet the Shadow for the first time. We talk about why "not ready yet" is her cleanest move, what the waiting is actually costing you, and the question underneath the lie that she never wants you to ask. You will never feel ready. Readiness is not a feeling you arrive at. It's a decision you've been postponing. You knew what the next move was before you pressed play. The Shadow didn't stop you from knowing. She just convinced you that knowing wasn't enough. The Shadow series names three lies. It doesn't fix them. The Shadow is not going away. She doesn't disappear when you get more experience, more clients, more revenue, or more confidence. She evolves. She finds the next gap, the next reason, the next version of not yet. The photographers who build the businesses they actually want don't do it because she finally went quiet. They do it because they stopped waiting for her permission. She was never going to give it. That work happens inside The Exposure Mastermind; a four-week, identity-first experience for the photographer who is done letting her run the show. Not a course. Not a curriculum. Four weeks to get out of your own head long enough to hear what you actually want, and build the version of your business that matches the level of the person leading it. May 8th. Four weeks.   If you're ready to stop rehearsing the version of yourself you've been describing, this is where you do it. DM me EXPOSURE on Instagram @catfordcoates  Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

    16 min
  2. Creative Authority Embodied with Rachna Ratti Randev

    FEB 16

    Creative Authority Embodied with Rachna Ratti Randev

    Send us Fan Mail In this powerful and present conversation, Cat Ford-Coates sits down with Rachna Rattindev to explore the intersection of artistry, authority, and the quiet courage it takes to lead your brand from embodied truth. They unpack the creative evolution that happens when you stop performing for the algorithm and start building a category of one, from within.  This episode is a deep dive into aligned marketing, energetic leadership, and the nuances of showing up with clarity, calm, and conviction in a noisy world. If you’ve been craving real talk about creativity, visibility, and building an artful, profitable business on your terms - this one’s for you. Follow Rachna on Instaram! @photographybyrachna Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

    36 min

  3. JAN 29 ·  BONUS

    Why You’re Still Optional (And Undercharging) - Even with Premium Work

    Send us Fan Mail You’re not undercharging because you don’t know your value. You’re undercharging because your message and sales process haven’t caught up with your evolution. If you're creating content every day, testing price points, running ads, and still attracting hesitant buyers who need convincing, you're not dealing with a sales issue. You're facing a positioning leak. In this episode, I reveal why so many talented, visionary photographers stay stuck in $3K to $5K months, even while producing premium work. It's not your audience. It's not the algorithm. It's the way you're showing up to sell. You're still selling like a service provider, when you're meant to be leading like an artist. You’ll learn: Why your current messaging is attracting attention but not alignmentHow your sales process may be signaling "I'm available" instead of "I'm the one"The internal shift required to stop negotiating your pricingWhat it really takes to build a business that holds your full valueAnalogy: You're pouring water into a leaky bucket and calling it marketing. If you're ready to recalibrate how you're seen, how you're priced, and how people buy from you... DM me ‘STUDIO’ on Instagram @catfordcoates. Let’s build a business that communicates your value before you speak. Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

    12 min

  4. JAN 29 ·  BONUS

    The Invisible Ceiling That’s Capping Your Revenue

    Send us Fan Mail You’re not underpaid because you’re under-skilled. You’re underpaid because your messaging still reflects a version of your work that you’ve outgrown. In this episode, I reveal the real reason premium photographers feel stuck at $3K–$6K months, despite having evolved, elevated work. If you're still trying to break through your next income level using recycled content prompts, pricing calculators, or marketing tactics designed for beginners… this is your wake-up call. You don’t need more visibility hacks. You need your messaging to mirror the depth of your work, heart, and genius. Because when you start speaking at the level you create at, that’s when your pricing, your presence, and your positioning rise to meet you. 🔁 Analogy: “You’re trying to break through a glass ceiling with someone else’s ladder.” DM me ‘STUDIO’ on Instagram @catfordcoates if you’re ready to stop selling like a photographer, and start earning like an artist. Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

    16 min
  5. The Power of Connecting Your Photography to Your Heart with Stef Graston

    08/25/2025

    The Power of Connecting Your Photography to Your Heart with Stef Graston

    Send us Fan Mail Some transformations are born in quiet moments. Others are forged in fire. In this conversation with Stef Graston, we go far beyond the highlight reel of running a photography business. Stef shares her journey from building success in a small Colorado town, to starting over in Charlotte, NC — and facing setbacks that would make most people walk away. From losing her studio to navigating the raw grief of miscarriage, Stef’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and turning pain into profound purpose. You’ll hear: Why moving markets doesn’t guarantee success — and how to rebuild when your safety nets are goneThe hidden cost of “survival mode” and how it impacts creativity and growthThe power of connecting your work to your deepest values and lived experiencesHow The Nova Project is helping women process and honor miscarriage and child loss through art, storytelling, and communityWhy campaigns that are rooted in heart — not just revenue — can create both deep impact and sustainable businessThis episode is about more than photography or business strategy. It’s about reclaiming your story, creating meaning from what was meant to break you, and allowing your work to be an extension of your own healing. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn a season of loss into a legacy — or if you’ve felt the pull to create something bigger than yourself — Stef’s journey will remind you that your next chapter can start right here, right now. Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

    58 min
  6. Exploring the Art of building Business and Life on Your Terms with Sissela Johansson

    08/18/2025

    Exploring the Art of building Business and Life on Your Terms with Sissela Johansson

    Send us Fan Mail What if your next level wasn’t about doing more — but about creating space to be more? In this conversation with Sissela, we explore the art of building a business and life that reflect not only your skill, but your values, vision, and pace. From refining your offer to structuring your days, she shares how intentional choices can lead to more freedom, more impact, and more fulfillment. Inside, we talk about: Designing your business around your life, not the other way aroundFinding the balance between ambition and alignmentThe mindset shifts that turn “busy” into “purposeful”How clarity in your vision makes decision-making effortlessWhy your next level is less about adding and more about refiningThis episode isn’t about chasing someone else’s version of success — it’s about crafting yours. If you’ve been craving a way to expand without burning out, to grow while staying grounded, and to step into a business that truly reflects you, this conversation is your sign to move forward with intention. Press play. Your next level is already waiting. Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

    1h 5m
  7. Designing A Business in Alignment with Cate Scaglione

    08/11/2025

    Designing A Business in Alignment with Cate Scaglione

    Send us Fan Mail What if “success” as you’ve been chasing it isn’t the version that will actually fulfill you? In this conversation with photographer and former corporate leader Cate Scaglione, we move past the surface of business strategy and into the heart of alignment - building a life and business that supports your values instead of eroding them. Kate shares her journey from high-powered, high-stress corporate roles to crafting a photography business rooted in creativity, peace, and purpose. We talk about: Redefining success so it’s measured by more than revenueBuilding a business that supports your life instead of consuming itInfusing luxury and intentional detail into every client touchpointPricing confidently without apology — and without losing yourself in the chaseUsing your values as the ultimate filter for decisions, growth, and scaleThis episode isn’t about doing more — it’s about becoming more of who you already are, and letting that be the driver of your business, your artistry, and your impact. If you’re ready to step off the treadmill of “more, faster, bigger” and instead step into your most aligned, next-level self, this conversation is your sign. Press play. Your evolution starts here. Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

    50 min
  8. Navigating AI as an Artist of Photography with Pratik Naik

    07/28/2025

    Navigating AI as an Artist of Photography with Pratik Naik

    Send us Fan Mail Cat Ford-Coates and Pratik Naik explore the evolving landscape of AI in the creative industry, particularly in photography. They discuss the duality of AI's impact, from fear and uncertainty to excitement and opportunity. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of adaptability, intentionality, and the human experience in a tech-driven world. They also touch on environmental considerations, the role of curiosity, and the potential for AI to enhance creativity while urging listeners to remain open-minded and proactive in shaping the future. Takeaways AI is constantly evolving, and opinions about it are shifting.The creative process can be enhanced by AI tools.It's essential to question the impact of AI on society and personal value.AI can help clarify creative visions and improve communication.Environmental impacts of AI usage should be considered.Creativity can drive positive change in society.Staying curious and open-minded is crucial in a rapidly changing landscape.Intentionality in using AI tools can lead to better outcomes.The butterfly effect of our choices can have significant impacts.The future of creativity lies in collaboration between humans and AI. Find Pratik Here: Website: www.solsticeretouch.comInstagram: @solsticeretouch Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

    54 min
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4.8
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

The Studio Takeover podcast is about and for Portrait Photographers from all walks. Join host Cat Ford-Coates as she shares her journey and interviews other Portrait Photographers to learn how they navigate personal and professional challenges, their businesses, and their lives.

Information

  • Creator
    Cat Ford-Coates
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Studio Takeover Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Studio Takeover Podcast

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