If you’ve ever felt the urge to change directions in your photography business—but worried it was too late, too risky, or too confusing—this one’s for you.
I recently joined D’Arcy Benincosa on the Play It Brave podcast to talk about what it’s really like to make bold moves mid-career. From starting my business at 41 to stepping away from a thriving studio model to pursue meaningful in-home sessions, I know firsthand how pivoting your photography business can open doors you never saw coming.
We also took a deep dive into what client experience really looks like—not just branded packaging and prep guides, but the systems and strategy that carry your clients (and you) through the entire journey with ease.
About My Guest Episode: Play It Brave Podcast
Hosted by the brilliant D’Arcy Benincosa, Play It Brave is a podcast for photographers and creatives who are ready to show up more boldly in life and business. It’s part mindset, part strategy—and this episode is packed with both.
We talked about how pivoting your photography business is often less about burning everything down and more about returning to what lights you up. We also explored how thoughtful client experience isn’t a trend—it’s a foundation for growth.
What We Talked About
- Why I started my photography business at 41 and how that timing became a gift
- How I left posed newborn sessions behind to focus on emotion-forward, in-home storytelling
- The creative power of personal projects like black-and-white film and motion blur
- What actually makes a client experience powerful—and how to deliver it without burnout
- How systems like automated emails, video libraries, and “What’s Next” pages build trust and increase product sales
- Why pivoting your photography business doesn’t have to mean starting over
- The importance of community, support, and honest mentorship at every stage of your career
Whether you’re brand new or a decade in, this episode offers permission to make changes, dream differently, and refine the way you serve.
Listen to the Episode
Tune in to Photography Business Pivot: Why It’s Never Too Late to Reinvent Your Brand and Improve Client Experience on the Play It Brave podcast.
Listen now: iTunes | Spotify | iHeart Radio
Whether you’re a new photographer or a decade into business, this conversation will help you reimagine what’s possible when you prioritize both your creativity and your client experience.
How Pivoting Your Photography Business Supports Creativity and Longevity
A big pivot can feel scary—but it can also bring new clarity. For me, pivoting my photography business wasn’t about chasing trends. It was about getting back to what matters: storytelling, connection, and creating a seamless, supportive client experience.
That pivot included:
- Rebuilding my brand to reflect lifestyle work over studio work
- Letting go of perfection and leaning into honest, unscripted moments
- Reworking my photography client experience to reflect my values and serve clients better
- Using tools like Dubsado, Loom, and ChatGPT to automate what I could—and personalize what I couldn’t
- Creating space for passion projects so I could stay creatively engaged, even during busy seasons
When you consider pivoting your photography business, remember: it doesn’t have to happen overnight. Start by listening to your gut, identifying what’s not working, and making one intentional change at a time. but also saves you time, builds trust, and leads to more satisfied clients who refer and rebook.
Ready to Make a Shift in Your Business?
If this conversation sparked something in you, here are a few ways I can support you:
- Download my free AI email prompts to strengthen your prep communication
- Explore The Client Experience Blueprint, my course for photographers who want to serve better without doing more
- Consider a mentoring session if you’re ready for hands-on support with pivoting your photography business or refining your client systems
You can find everything HERE.
Stay Connected
If this episode resonated with you, share it with your photography community. Tag @npsphotography and @darcybenincosa on Instagram—we’d love to hear your takeaways.
Building a sustainable photography business doesn’t require a huge rebrand or burnout-level hustle.
It starts with knowing who you are, what lights you up, and how to serve your clients with clarity and care—through every step of the journey.
