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.
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.
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.
