This episode felt like such a full-circle moment for me. I’m talking with my former photography mentee, Cortnie Davis, who has grown from an 18-year-old wedding photographer into a thoughtful consultant helping creative entrepreneurs build calmer, more sustainable businesses.
Cortnie began her career behind the camera and later added floristry to her creative life. Today she works at the intersection of creativity, systems, and sales, helping wedding professionals and other service-based creatives turn all that invisible behind-the-scenes work into intentional systems that actually support their businesses.
With a background in hospitality and years of client-facing experience, Cortnie believes strong processes should feel human and supportive — not rigid or overwhelming. She’s equal parts people-obsessed and spreadsheet-loving, and her work focuses on helping creatives build workflows that allow their artistry to thrive.
In our conversation, we also reminisce about her early photography days and the moment at a conference when a little encouragement helped her keep going. Hearing how that stayed with her all these years truly touched my heart.
We also talk about the powerful mindset shift from scarcity to service, and why documenting your workflows and using tools like HoneyBook and ShootProof can make running a photography business so much easier.
In this episode
• The moment of encouragement that helped Cortnie stay in photography • Why a service mindset can calm anxiety and make selling feel natural • How documenting your workflows can completely change your business • The importance of personal touches in client communication • Systems and tools that free creatives to focus on what they love
A thoughtful, honest conversation about creativity, burnout, service, and building a photography business that feels calmer, clearer, and more profitable — without losing the human touch.
New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.
You will love this wonderful conversation with my Canadian friend Cristina Sacco — a photographer who has built a thriving career for more than 20 years by staying curious, saying yes to opportunities, and bringing heart into everything she photographs.
Cristina is the founder of Boy Girl Photography, where she photographs newborns and families, and Stetati Media, where she works with corporate and medical clients on larger commercial projects. We talk about how her journey evolved from photographing babies to producing commercial shoots, and how being open to new opportunities helped her grow her skills and confidence.
Her career has unfolded in surprising ways by just saying yes to requests for jobs outside of her main focus. This led her to create a brand new aspect to her business as a commercial photographer while still having her portrait photography specialty.
One of the most powerful parts of our conversation is how giving back through nonprofit work opened unexpected doors in her career. Cristina has volunteered her photography for several charities, including projects supporting breast cancer survivors and the organization Cameras for Girls, where she now serves on the board.
She also shares why photographers should stop comparing themselves to others and instead focus on creating meaningful work and a genuine connection with their clients.
In this episode, we discuss:
• How she built two photography businesses • Why volunteering with your photography can open unexpected doors • The power of connection when photographing people • How saying yes to opportunities can expand your career
Cristina’s story is a beautiful reminder that when we follow our passions and stay open to new experiences, our photography careers can grow in ways we never expected.
If you’d like support building a photography business that truly works for you, you can schedule a complimentary 20-minute chat at: lucidumascoaching.com
Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas:
New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.
I had the absolute joy of talking with my friend, Valerie Tabor Smith — one of the most published children’s photographers in the world and a pro at art licensing.
Valerie’s career is fascinating. She began in wedding photography, discovered her love for babies and children, and eventually built an international licensing business with her images appearing on greeting cards, calendars, and products around the globe. Her work has even been displayed at EPCOT, and she received the prestigious Steuben Trophy from Kodak.
But what I love most about this conversation isn’t just the accolades — it’s Valerie’s honesty about reinvention, rejection, persistence, and staying true to your creative heart.
We talk about how she moved from black and white hand-tinted portraits into color work, how a calendar company first “discovered” her images, and what photographers today can learn about breaking into commercial and licensing markets.
Valerie shared so much, including
• How she broke into art licensing (and handled rejection)
• The evolving world of greeting cards, calendars, and product design
• Why following your passion is still the smartest business strategy
We also talk about balancing creativity with family life, how the industry has shifted for women photographers, and the incredible opportunities that still exist in commercial photography for those willing to pursue them.
This episode is part inspiration, part history lesson, and part encouragement to trust your artistic voice.
And as always, I’m cheering you on as you build a business that is not only profitable… but deeply aligned with who you are.
New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.
I can hardly believe this is episode 350. What a gift this podcast has been — listened to in over 110 countries — and I’m so grateful you’re here.
In this solo episode, I’m diving into one of my favorite topics: posing people in a way that captures not just how they look… but who they are.
Because for me, portrait photography has never been about perfection. It’s about revealing that inner light. The story. The soul. And yes — we can absolutely use technique to help that happen.
I share practical, real-world posing tips you can use immediately, whether you’re photographing one person, a couple, or a full family.
In this episode, I cover:
Why I love using a tripod (hint: connection improves instantly)
How authentic expressions come from the eyes — and why “cheese” doesn’t work
My go-to lens choices and why 100mm is magic for portraits
Simple posing foundations like C-curves, S-curves, and the “Hollywood Walk” for families
We talk about flattering body positioning, soft language that guides instead of commands, and how to analyze faces so you can pose people intentionally instead of guessing.
If you’ve ever felt unsure directing clients, this episode will give you a simple structure and more confidence behind the camera.
And if you’d like more support, I’d love to connect. Subscribe on YouTube for more tips, or reach out for a complimentary 20-minute chat. I’m here to help you thrive — not just creatively, but profitably too.
Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas:
New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.
Okay, I need to strongly suggest going to my guest’s website thewaysofthedog.com to see her amazing photography.
Jen Hillenga is creating some of the most beautiful, soulful pet photography in New York City, and I’m completely obsessed with her work. And she shares how she has created both wonderful images and a highly profitable business.
Jen is a world-renowned portrait photographer, designer, and photography educator with over 25 years of experience. She’s a PPA Master Craftsman and longtime WPPI print judge who reinvented her career into a wildly successful pet photography business built around joy, simplicity, and dogs.
In this episode, we talk about pivoting your career, building a profitable business model, and designing a photography life that actually feels good.
We cover:
How Jen built a pet photography brand in NYC
Reinventing yourself at any stage of your career
Pricing, value, and knowing your numbers
Photographing dogs in a way that captures feeling
Part inspiration, part business strategy, and a whole lot of dog love. Perfect if you’re craving a fresh direction in your photography.
Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas:
New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.
A big, exciting and maybe a little scary dream to have a successful, profitable and creative photography business doing exactly what you love for wonderful, grateful clients? Or do you want to bring your business to the next level of fun and profit.? If so, then this Podcast is for you.
For over 36 years, I have made a great living as portrait and wedding business, Luci Dumas Fine Photography, with no other source of income. No rich husband or lottery winnings, through the ups and downs of the industry and economy.
Now as a business coach with Insight Training for Photographers, I love love love to support photographers who want to do the same. This podcast is full of practical business info, and insights gained from my years in business, plus interviews with amazing people. My desire is to help you along on your joyful journey to success, however that looks to you.
