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.
This episode is all about Color…the science, emotional responses, and even how to use it in our art and in branding.
I had the most interesting chat with J. Nichole Smith — or Nic — about why color affects how people feel about your work, why it matters more than you think, and how leaning into joy and self-expression can make your brand stronger.
Nic knows her stuff. As a marketing insider, color psychology expert, and former photographer who’s spent over 20 years helping creative entrepreneurs understand how color shapes emotion, connection, and the way people experience their brands. She’s brilliant, grounded, and brings so much heart to everything she teaches.
You are going to learn about…
• How color psychology influences trust and buying decisions
• Why photographers shouldn’t play it safe with their brand
• Finding a visual style that feels like you
• Thoughts about Pantone’s color of the year and why is controversial and a disappointment
Nic is also the host of the Joy First Podcast, where she shares conversations about purpose, creativity, and building a life and business that actually feel good.
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’m so excited to share an episode with you I wish I could have listened to her during my 12 year wedding business.
I sat down with the incredibly talented Alicia Parks to talk about something we don’t discuss nearly enough in photography: how to stay calm, energized, and grounded on high-pressure wedding days.
Alicia made the leap from corporate America into photography, and she’s built an amazing career by pairing beautiful work with a strong mindset and wellness practices. She is one of those people who brings a calm, steady energy into every room — and every wedding day.
Alicia is a California-based wedding photographer whose work has been featured in California Wedding Day and Vogue. She was also named Northern California’s Best Wedding Photographer by California Wedding Day Magazine, and she just landed her very first magazine cover, which hits Barnes & Noble this spring (and yes, she still blushes when she says it out loud).
She’s also a certified yoga instructor, which shows up in the way she approaches both life and photography.
She shares a six simple habits she swears by on the wedding day to show up relaxed and ready, including showing up early — give yourself time to decompress, hydrating all day, and a stretching routine after the event
In this episode, we go deep into: • How Alicia stays calm and focused during long, intense wedding days • Why mindset and body care matter just as much as gear and technique • How yoga and mindfulness have changed the way she shows up for clients • Simple ways to help your couples feel relaxed and supported
If you shoot weddings or portraits or any other type of photography that takes energy and focus, I.E. want a career that feels good as well as successful, I think you’re going to love this conversation.
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.
This is such an important question I get all the time….When do I tell people my pricing — and how much should I say?
If you’ve ever felt awkward, pressured, or unsure when someone asks, “How much do you charge?”, you’re not alone. So I decided to share a lot of my thoughts and strategies with you in this solo episode.
I talk about why leading with price too soon can cost you wonderful clients, how your business model should guide your pricing strategy, and how to talk about money with more confidence and ease.
I walk through how I personally handle pricing on the phone and by email, why I don’t list my prices publicly, and how I invite clients into an experience instead of a simple transaction. I also share a simple way to think about pricing based on your income goals and the kind of clients you want to serve.
Along the way, I share a favorite analogy, a mindset shift around value, and why stretching a client’s budget — when done thoughtfully and with integrity — can actually help them love what they purchase even more.
Listen for:
Why answering pricing questions too early can lose great clients
When it does (and doesn’t) make sense to put pricing on your website
A simple script for confident, comfortable pricing conversations
How to think about pricing based on your goals and business model
If pricing feels confusing or uncomfortable, I hope this episode helps you see there’s no single “right” answer — just the right strategy for your business.
And remember: people don’t just buy photography. They buy the experience, the relationship, and how it makes them feel.
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.
