What does it actually look like to build a $500K+ photography business—step by step, phase by phase?

In this episode, I’m joined by Kylee Maughan, founder of Kylee Ann Studios, who breaks down the real evolution of her business over the past 15 years. From charging $35 sessions in college to building a multi-six-figure company with a team of photographers across multiple states, Kylee walks through the exact phases that got her there.

We talk about the messy beginnings, the rapid growth that comes from investing in education, the breaking point that forced her to rebuild her business with systems, and the pivotal moment she expanded beyond just herself by hiring associate photographers.

Kylee also shares how a major pivot during COVID—into product photography—became one of the most impactful decisions in her business, ultimately helping her scale past $500K while creating more freedom in her life.

If you’re in the early stages, feeling maxed out, or trying to figure out how to grow beyond just yourself, this episode will give you a clear picture of what each phase actually requires—and what it takes to move to the next level.

Key Takeaways:

Every phase of growth requires a different version of you. What works when you’re starting out won’t work when you’re scaling—and trying to hold onto old ways of operating is often what keeps photographers stuck.

Kylee’s story shows that sustainable growth doesn’t come from hustling harder. It comes from building systems, expanding your capacity through people, and being willing to pivot when the market changes.

The goal isn’t just to make more money—it’s to build a business that actually supports your life.

Connect with Kylee:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyleeann.maughan

Website: https://kyleeannphotography.com

Free Product Photography Class: https://kyleeannphotography.com/bp

Take Your Shot Resources:

Business Resources: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources

Coaching: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching

Community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community

Mentioned in this episode:

Wanderlust Videos - Get your time back and start working with a high-end, dedicated post-production team! use the code: TAKEYOURSHOT100 for $100 off your first edit - https://dp.wanderlust-videos.com/sign_up?invitation_link=1637&tkn=Luke

In this episode of the Take Your Shot podcast, we’re joined by website copywriter and marketing consultant Andrea Shah to unpack the real role your words play in your business. From navigating today’s “trust recession” to helping your ideal clients actually understand and connect with your work, Andrea breaks down how strategic copy bridges the gap between beautiful visuals and booked clients. If your website looks good but isn’t converting, this conversation will help you rethink how you show up online.

Andrea brings over a decade of experience working with Fortune 500 companies and luxury brands, and now helps wedding professionals use psychology, storytelling, and market research to become the last tab standing in their clients’ browsers. This episode is packed with practical shifts you can make right now to build trust, reduce ghosting, and turn more inquiries into bookings.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why copy matters just as much as your visuals (especially in an AI-heavy world)
• How to build trust with potential clients before they ever inquire
• The concept of a “trust recession” and what it means for your business
• How to use your website to give clients language to understand and talk about your work
• The biggest mistakes creatives make on their inquiry forms (and how to fix them)
• Simple tweaks that can reduce ghosting and improve response rates
• Where to focus first on your website (About page, FAQs, testimonials, and more)
• How SEO and AI search are evolving—and what that means for your visibility
• Why treating your marketing like an experiment is key to growth

About Andrea Shah:

Andrea Shah is a website copywriter and marketing consultant for wedding creatives who want to better communicate their artistry and client experience. With a background in translation and brand voice strategy, she has worked with major brands before transitioning into the creative and wedding industries. Today, she helps photographers and service providers craft copy that builds trust, connects emotionally, and converts.

Connect with Andrea:

Website: https://www.andreashah.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreashahcopy

Take Your Shot Resources:

Free Community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community

Business Resources: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources

Coaching: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching

Final thought:

If your website isn’t converting the way you want it to, it’s probably not a traffic problem—it’s a messaging problem. Start small. Make a few tweaks. And remember: the goal isn’t just to be seen… it’s to be understood.

Mentioned in this episode:

Wanderlust Videos - Get your time back and start working with a high-end, dedicated post-production team! use the code: TAKEYOURSHOT100 for $100 off your first edit - https://dp.wanderlust-videos.com/sign_up?invitation_link=1637&tkn=Luke

Are you building a business that actually reflects who you are—or just one that “looks good” from the outside?

In this episode of the Take Your Shot podcast, I’m joined by Emily Woodall Gbadamosi, founder of Woodall Creative Co., photographer, and systems strategist for creative entrepreneurs. We’re diving into what it really looks like to run a values-driven business—and why this goes far beyond a few words on your “About” page.

Emily shares how her experience building a photography business while working full-time forced her to create systems that gave her time back—and how that eventually led her to helping other creatives do the same. But more importantly, we unpack how your values influence everything from your client experience to your marketing, your boundaries, and even the tools you choose to use.

This conversation gets honest about the fear so many business owners have: “What if I lose clients by speaking up?” Emily shares her real-life experience—and why showing up authentically has actually led to deeper connections, stronger inquiries, and more aligned clients.

We also talk about:

• The difference between stated values vs. lived values (and why people can tell the difference)
• How to share your beliefs online without feeling preachy or performative
• The balance between automation and maintaining real human connection
• Why authenticity is becoming more valuable in a world full of AI-generated content
• How your values can guide decisions behind the scenes—like who you work with, what tools you use, and how you run your business

If you’ve ever felt hesitant to fully show up as yourself in your business, this episode will challenge you to rethink that—and give you a more grounded way to move forward.

Website: https://woodallcreative.co

Instagram: https://instagram.com/woodallcreativeco

Free Resource:

Defining Your Business Values: A Framework for Small Business Owners

https://woodallcreative.co/values

If you’re ready to build a more intentional, profitable photography business, here are a few ways to go deeper:

1:1 Coaching

https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching

Business Resources

https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources

Community

https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community

• A clearer understanding of how values impact your business beyond just branding
• Practical ways to start sharing your beliefs authentically
• A new perspective on “losing followers” and why it can actually be a good thing
• Insight into building a business that feels aligned, sustainable, and human

Mentioned in this episode:

Wanderlust Videos - Get your time back and start working with a high-end, dedicated post-production team! use the code: TAKEYOURSHOT100 for $100 off your first edit - https://dp.wanderlust-videos.com/sign_up?invitation_link=1637&tkn=Luke