After an unplanned break from the mic, I’m back on The Brand Photographer’s Lounge, and I’m keeping it real about why I pressed pause. In this episode, I open up about what pulled me away, the mindset hurdles that crept in, and the small but powerful shifts I’m making to bring more structure (and joy) back into my business.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in the busy cycle of client work, or caught yourself making excuses that keep you from doing the things you actually love, this one will resonate. Join me as I share the lessons I’ve learned, what’s changing behind the scenes, and how I’m re-finding my rhythm.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome back to the podcast
00:36 – Why I stopped recording episodes
01:15 – Getting stuck in my own head
02:01 – Calling out my own excuses
02:45 – Returning with new energy and focus
03:53 – Lessons from a busy season
05:00 – Clearing my inbox and rediscovering time blocking
06:32 – The relief of structure and productivity
07:40 – Advice for photographers in busy season
09:00 – Protecting time and managing deadlines
10:42 – Avoiding burnout and finding breathing space
12:38 – Exciting milestone: going limited
13:43 – Looking ahead to future podcast plans
14:30 – Wrapping up and what’s next

In this episode of The Brand Photographer’s Lounge, Amanda shares the unexpected, middle-of-the-night idea that turned into one of her most successful offers to date. From shifting the way she approaches mini shoots to launching an annual pass that sold out in just two weeks, Amanda dives into the data-driven thinking, client behaviour insights, and timing strategy that made it all work. Whether you offer mini shoots or are just looking for smarter ways to package your services, this episode is packed with practical takeaways - and a big dose of inspiration for trusting your gut.

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Timestamps

01:15 My approach: a mini version of a full shoot
02:24 Who actually books mini shoots—and it’s not just newbies
03:38 What the data told me after a decade of minis
04:44 The 3am idea that changed everything
06:00 How I launched the Mini Shoot Annual Pass
07:37 The surprising results (and no objections!)
09:00 Pricing, structure, and what’s included
10:15 Why timing your offer matters
11:16 Planning, clarity, and what clients really need
13:05 Not capping images—and why that works for brand shoots
14:30 Solving real problems with simple offers
15:50 Launch timing tips for your niche
16:50 Final thoughts on trusting your gut and giving it a go

Thinking about adding video to your photography services - but feeling overwhelmed by the tech, the editing, or just where to start? In this episode, Amanda chats with Vikki from Featured, an award-winning videographer and course creator, about breaking into video as a photographer.

They explore what’s really holding people back, how the industry is evolving, and why now might be the perfect time to expand your skillset. If you’ve ever wondered whether video is worth the investment (spoiler: it just might be!), this conversation will leave you inspired, informed, and ready to take the next step.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro and Tech Woes

01:45 – Why Amanda Added Video to Her Services

04:00 – Meet Vikki: Background and Journey into Videography

07:30 – The Gender Gap in Videography

10:00 – The Shift in Client Video Needs

13:10 – AI, Video Trends, and Staying Current

15:00 – Why Amanda Took the Pro Video Course

17:00 – Inside the Pro Video Course

20:40 – Real-Life Results from the Course

23:30 – The Importance of Community and Support

25:00 – Final Thoughts: Confidence, Competence & What Photographers Need to Know

27:00 – Course Details and What’s Next

About Vikki Hutton

Vikki is the founder of Featured - an all-female video team based in London, creating content for national women's brands and female founders. Her clients include Dune, ghd, Women's Health and the British Beauty Council. When she's not on set, Vikki is a regular speaker at industry events and runs the Pro Video Course for photographers who are excited to expand their businesses with videography.