Episode Summary:

Success in photography doesn't always have to come from the Instagram algorithm. In today’s Empowered coaching session, Elena Blair sits down with Santa Barbara-based photographer Tristin Tracy to discuss her rapid rise as the go-to expert for family, couples, and proposal photography. Tristin shares how she leveraged Elena's Mastermind to build a solid foundation and then supercharged her business by leaning into an "old school" but highly effective marketing strategy: local network marketing.

They dive deep into the world of proposal photography a lucrative and romantic niche that Tristin mastered through strategic partnerships with luxury boutique hotels. From walking into hotels with zero experience to becoming the #1 ranked proposal photographer in Santa Barbara via SEO, Tristin’s journey is a blueprint for photographers who want to stop "scrolling" and start building a real-world reputation.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

 * The Quick Trajectory: How Tristin went from watching YouTube videos during the pandemic to a thriving six-figure business in record time.
 * Proposal Photography 101: The logistics of capturing a secret proposal, from hiding your camera in a beach basket to recording the audio of the "Yes".
 * Networking with Hotels: How to approach local businesses and concierges to become their preferred referral partner.
 * The Power of Authority: Why blogging isn't a "diary"—it's a tool to build trust and educate your clients before they even book you.
 * Diversifying Revenue: How Tristin transitioned into education by teaching other photographers how to master the art of the "pitch".

Links & Resources:

 * Tristin Tracy Photography: tristintracyphotography.com [https://tristintracyphotography.com/]
 * Follow Tristin on Instagram: @tristintracy_photography [https://www.instagram.com/tristintracy_photography]
 * Tristin’s Course on Local Networking [https://www.tristintracyphotography.com/a-fresh-look-at-referrals-to-book-your-calendar/]: Get 50% OFF using the code PODCASTSPECIAL!
 * Elena Blair’s Mastermind: Apply here [https://www.elenasblair.com/] to fast-track your own growth.+1

Connect With Me:

 * Follow me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/elenasblair_photography/?hl=en]
 * Join my Facebook Community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1823216771316654/]
 * Visit my Website [https://elenasblair.com/] for More!

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, make sure to subscribe and leave a review! We just celebrated 20,000 downloads, and your support helps the podcast reach more photographers like you. 💛

Empowered Coaching Sessions with Guest Tristan Tracy

Episode Summary:

In this powerful episode, Elena Blair sits down with Cincinnati-based branding photographer Bonnie Phillips to discuss the deep intersection of business strategy and personal mindset. Bonnie, a "longtime lurker" turned mastermind student, shares her journey of transitioning from a generalist photographer to a specialist who serves small businesses and creative entrepreneurs.

They dive into the realities of "fear of success," the psychological hurdles of raising your prices, and why a solid brand solves problems rather than just selling services. Whether you are a "lead parent" trying to make your business "legit" or a photographer struggling to merge multiple passions onto one website, Bonnie’s experience offers a roadmap for finding clarity and confidence in a crowded industry.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

 * The Long Game of Marketing: How years of "lurking" on social media can eventually lead to a high-value conversion.
 * Fear of Success vs. Fear of Failure: Understanding why we subconsciously sabotage our growth to stay in the "safety" of camaraderie and failure.
 * Mindset Over Strategy: Why your business won't grow until your internal money story catches up with your worth.
 * Niche Specialization: How Bonnie successfully separates branding, headshots, and family photography on a single website.
 * The Problem-Solver Mentality: Shifting from "selling photography" to providing a high-value service that elevates a client's brand.
 * Human Connection in the Age of AI: Why in-person photography and real human experiences are becoming more valuable as technology advances.

Links & Resources:

 * Bonnie Phillips Photography: bonniephillipsphotography.com [http://www.bonniephillipsphotography.com/]
 * Follow Bonnie on Instagram: @bonniephillipsphotos [https://www.instagram.com/bonniephillipsphotos]
 * Elena Blair Mastermind: Learn more about the program that transformed Bonnie’s business.+1

Connect With Me:

 * Follow me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/elenasblair_photography/?hl=en]
 * Join my Facebook Community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1823216771316654/]
 * Visit my Website [https://elenasblair.com/] for More!

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, make sure to subscribe and leave a review! We just hit 20,000 downloads, and your support helps us reach more photographers like you. 💛



Empowered Coaching Sessions with Bonnie Phillips

Episode Summary:

For the first time ever, Elena Blair records a live, in-person episode—straight from her home! Joining her is Becca Jean (Becca Jean Photography), a rising star in the industry who successfully transitioned from being a school reading assistant to a full-time, high-earning adventure family photographer.

In this dynamic conversation, Elena and Becca peel back the curtain on how Becca built a highly recognizable brand through her signature "adventure sessions" and a sought-after client closet. They also dive deep into the "why" and "how" of becoming a photography educator. From launching presets to creating high-converting funnels, Becca shares her journey of moving from active income to passive income. Whether you’re curious about adding video to your workflow or wondering if it's finally time to bet on yourself and quit your day job, this episode is packed with tangible advice and a major confidence boost.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

 * The Career Leap: How Becca replaced her teaching income and why betting on yourself is better than staying in a "safe" job just for health insurance.
 * Adventure Family Sessions: What "adventure" really means (hint: it's not a three-hour hike!) and how to choose locations that engage children.
 * The Client Closet Strategy: How providing versatile, high-end dresses creates brand consistency and increases your value.
 * Easy Family Films: How Becca added video to her offerings without a gimbal or a sound crew by using handheld slow-motion techniques.
 * The Educator Journey: The natural progression from selling presets and templates to launching full-scale online courses.
 * Email Marketing vs. Social Media: Why you should prioritize your email list (where 20-50% see your content) over the Instagram algorithm.

Links & Resources:

 * Becca Jean Photography Website: beccajeanphotography.com [https://beccajeanphotography.com/]
 * Becca’s New Membership [https://courses.beccajeanphotography.com/p/family-photography-collective]: Community and monthly learning for photographers
 * Course Creation & Autopilot Sales [https://www.courses.elenasblair.com/p/course-creation-autopilot-sales-for-photographers]: Learn how to turn your expertise into a digital course
 * Metricool [https://metricool.com/]: The tool Becca uses to schedule her social media content and reels

Connect With Me:

 * Follow me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/elenasblair_photography/?hl=en]
 * Join my Facebook Community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1823216771316654/]
 * Visit my Website [https://elenasblair.com/] for More!

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, make sure to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps the podcast reach more photographers like you. 💛

Empowered Coaching Sessions with Guest Becca Lueck

Episode Summary:

In this candid solo episode, Elena Blair pulls back the curtain on one of the most frequently asked questions she receives: "How do you do it all?" Elena addresses the misconception that she built her empire entirely on her own while raising children. She shares her honest journey from being a young, isolated mom and NICU nurse to becoming a high-volume photographer, and educator, and the essential role that support played in that transformation.

Elena dives deep into the "guilt-free" necessity of childcare, tracing her path from hiring a babysitter for just four hours a week to eventually transitioning her children into full-time preschool as her business demands grew. This episode is a permission slip for any photographer who feels divided between their passion and their parenting. Elena discusses why getting help isn't just a business strategy, it's a way to become a more present, intentional mother and a successful artist.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

 * The Reality of the "Solo" Journey: Why Elena believes being transparent about having help is vital for the creative community.
 * Starting Small with Support: How Elena began with just four hours of childcare a week when disposable income was tight.
 * The "Divided Parent" Trap: Why working during nap times and playtime can lead to burnout and how focused work hours change everything.
 * Transitioning Careers: The steps Elena took to replace her nursing income with photography, eventually doubling and tripling her previous salary.
 * Inspiring the Next Generation: How building a business as an artist teaches your children that pursuing their own creative dreams is possible.
 * Setting Boundaries: Learning to treat your photography like a real business by establishing clear working hours.

Links & Resources:

 * Behind the Scenes: Follow Elena on Instagram [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/elenasblair/] to see the highlights from the recent Mastermind Retreat.
 * The "Love, Love, Love" Podcast: Listen to Elena’s guest appearance [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/season-2-episode-02-elena-s-blair/id1262468955?i=1000434093105] on Jan Palmer's show for the full story on her career and personal transitions.

Connect With Me:

 * Follow me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/elenasblair_photography/?hl=en]
 * Join my Facebook Community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1823216771316654/]
 * Visit my Website [https://elenasblair.com/] for More!

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, make sure to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps the podcast reach more photographers like you. 💛

Behind the Scenes: How I Balance Motherhood and a Full-Time Photography Business

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Elena Blair sits down with Casey Thornton, a motherhood photographer who successfully transitioned from a career in dental hygiene to a thriving, six-figure photography business in less than four years. Casey shares her journey of embracing a micro-niche in "intimate motherhood," the power of community over competition, and how she manages the delicate balance of growing a business while raising young children. Whether you are just starting out or looking to pivot into a more soulful, aligned business model, Casey’s story offers a roadmap for fast-tracking success through intuition, specialization, and mindset work.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

 * The Transition: How Casey moved from a "safe" healthcare career she wasn't passionate about to a creative business she loves.
 * Community as a Catalyst: Why joining a mastermind and finding photography "camaraderie" can collapse time and fast-track your success.
 * The Power of Specialization: Why Casey decided to focus exclusively on moms with toddlers and babies to stand out in a crowded market.
 * Mindset and Business: The role of meditation, intention setting, and overcoming limiting beliefs in scaling a business.
 * Realities of "Career Mothering": Honest talk about breastfeeding, childcare boundaries, and the guilt associated with being a working mom.
 * The Next Chapter: Casey’s journey into education, hosting in-person workshops, and her dreams of global photography retreats.

Links & Resources:

 * Casey’s Website: photosbycaseylouise.com [http://photosbycaseylouise.com/]
 * The Aligned Photographer Collective: Casey's upcoming educational platform
 * Elena's Mastermind: [https://elenasblair.com/the-elena-s-blair-mastermind] Learn more about the programs Casey used to scale her business

Connect With Me:

 * Follow me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/elenasblair_photography/?hl=en]
 * Join my Facebook Community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1823216771316654/]
 * Visit my Website [https://elenasblair.com/]for More!

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, make sure to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps the podcast reach more photographers like you. 💛

Empowered Coaching Sessions with Casey Louise Thornton

In this inspiring coaching session, Elena sits down with Leslie Fox to dive deep into what it means to build a business that aligns with the life you actually want. Leslie shares vulnerably about navigating the pressure to do it all while also honoring her values around family, rest, and meaningful work. Whether you’re a mom, creative, or multi-passionate entrepreneur, this episode reminds you that success doesn’t have to look like hustle culture. It can look like ease, clarity, and intentional growth.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

 * How Leslie redefined productivity to work with her lifestyle
 * The power of asking yourself what success really looks like
 * How to let go of pressure to meet external expectations

Links & Resources:

Learn more about Leslie's work on her website [http://lesliefoxphotography.com/]

Apply for the Mastermind [https://www.elenasblair.com/elena-s-blair-mastermind-application]

Connect With Me:

Follow me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/elenasblair_photography/?hl=en]
Join my Facebook Community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1823216771316654/]
Visit my Website [https://elenasblair.com/] for More!

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, make sure to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps the podcast reach more photographers like you. 💛

Empowered Coaching Sessions with Leslie Fox

Episode Summary:

In this heartfelt interview, Elena chats with Rebecca Bloomfield, a documentary family photographer in Connecticut, about her transformation from part-time passion to full-time business owner. Rebecca shares how enrolling in the Elena S. Blair Mastermind shifted her mindset, gave her clarity in her niche, and helped her build sustainable income with intention. From photographing schools to refining her documentary style, Rebecca’s story is a beautiful reminder that building the business you want starts with believing that it’s possible.

Whether you're feeling unsure about investing in your business, struggling with pricing or packages, or afraid to niche down, this episode will remind you that growth is available, when you decide to go all in.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

 * How Rebecca went from four part-time jobs to full-time photographer
 * Why niching down into documentary family photography was both scary and empowering
 * The power of setting income goals and working toward them with intention
 * Ways to balance artistic fulfillment with client expectations
 * Why time-based pricing might be holding your business back

Links & Resources:

Rebecca’s Website
[https://rebeccabloomfield.com]Follow Rebecca on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rebecca.bloomfield.photography/]
Learn More About the Elena S. Blair Mastermind [https://elenasblair.com/the-elena-s-blair-mastermind]

Connect With Me:

Follow me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/elenasblair_photography]
Join my Facebook Community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1823216771316654/]
Visit my Website for More! [https://www.elenasblair.com]

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, make sure to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps the podcast reach more photographers like you. 💛

Empowered Coaching Sessions with Guest Rebecca Bloomfield

Episode Summary:
In this inspiring episode, Elena welcomes her first guest  to the Empowered Coaching Sessions, Jaime Bugbee King, a Portland-area family photographer and educator. Jaime shares her powerful story of transitioning from a burnt-out dental hygienist to a thriving full-time photographer and business coach. Together, they explore how investing in education, embracing a luxury client experience, and building a reliable lead-generation system helped Jaime replace her salary and step confidently into her role as a creative entrepreneur.

Whether you're just starting out or feeling stuck in your growth, this conversation is a must-listen. You’ll walk away with encouragement, tangible marketing tips, and a reminder that you're capable of building something beautiful and profitable on your own terms.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

 * Why mindset and identity work are foundational to building a successful photography business
 * How Jaime replaced her dental hygiene salary through intentional marketing and SEO
 * Tips for transitioning from side-hustle to full-time photographer, and later into educator

Links & Resources:
Jaime Bugbee Photography on IG: @jaimebugbeephotography [https://www.instagram.com/jaimebugbeephotography/]
Jaime Bugbee Photo Coach on IG: @jaimebugbeephotocoach [https://www.instagram.com/photomarketingcoach/]
Jaime’s Education Website: https://www.jaimebugbee.com [https://www.jaimebugbee.com/]
Apply to the Elena S Blair Mastermind [https://www.elenasblair.com/elena-s-blair-mastermind-application]

Connect With Me:
Follow me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/elenasblair_photography/]
Join my Facebook Community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1823216771316654/]
Visit my Website for More! [https://www.elenasblair.com]

Subscribe & Review:
If you loved this episode, make sure to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps the podcast reach more photographers like you. 💛

Empowered Coaching Sessions with Jaime Bugbee King

In this episode, Elena shares how to make fine art mini sessions a successful and sustainable part of your photography business. She walks you through her approach to creating minis that feel elevated, artistic, and aligned with your brand values—while also serving as a reliable income stream. Whether you’re in a slow season or just craving a creative shift, this episode gives you the clarity and encouragement to run minis your own way.

You’ll walk away with practical tips for pricing, setup, branding, and marketing so that your mini sessions don’t feel like a rushed afterthought, but instead a powerful tool to connect with ideal clients and keep your calendar full.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

 * How to structure mini sessions that align with a fine art brand
 * The importance of visual branding and intentionality in minis
 * How to price minis to make them worth your time and energy
 * Why mini sessions can be a great entry point for long-term clients
 * Mindset shifts around offering minis without diluting your brand

Links & Resources:

Free Fine Art Mini Session Class [http://elenasblair.com/free-fine-art-mini-session-class]
ElenasBlair.com [http://www.ElenasBlair.com] for more free education.

Connect With Me:

Follow me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/elenasblair_photography/?hl=en]
Join my Facebook Community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1823216771316654/]


Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, make sure to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps the podcast reach more photographers like you. 💛

Turning Fine Art Mini Sessions into a Profitable Revenue Stream

In this heartfelt episode, Elena shares the story behind the creation and transformation of her signature Mastermind Retreats. From a modest gathering of 20 photographers in post-COVID Seattle to an industry-recognized annual event with over 80 attendees, these retreats have become a sanctuary for connection, creativity, and business growth. Elena walks us through the values, structure, and special moments that make the retreat unlike any other experience in the photography world—and invites you to envision your seat at the table.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

 * The origin story of the Mastermind Retreat and how it has evolved since 2022
 * What makes this retreat different from other industry events
 * The intentional design behind the retreat experience: from styled shoots to print competitions
 * Why community and aligned business strategy go hand in hand
 * How to apply or join the waitlist for the next retreat

Links & Resources:
Apply for the next Mastermind [https://www.elenasblair.com/elena-s-blair-mastermind-application]
Learn more about the Mastermind Program [https://elenasblair.com/the-elena-s-blair-mastermind]

Connect With Me:
Follow me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/elenasblair_photography/?hl=en]
Join my Facebook Community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1823216771316654/]
Visit my Website for More! [http://www.elenasblair.com]

Subscribe & Review:
If you loved this episode, make sure to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps the podcast reach more photographers like you. 💛

The Evolution of the Elena S Blair Mastermind Retreats

A podcast by Elena S Blair! For Empowered photographers looking for bite-sized, actionable tips to up level their art, business, and lives!

Elena Blair

Shows