Episode Summary: In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate sits down with attorney, entrepreneur, and business strategist Rachel Brenke to unpack the key legal protections every creative business should have. Rachel shares insights from her own journey balancing law, family, and creative ventures, covering contracts, copyright, liability, AI and prevention strategies that save time, money, and stress.

What We Cover (Timestamps):

[5:40] Watermarks, copyright, and how to deter infringements

[47:23] Rachel’s background: attorney, author, and creative entrepreneur

[50:54] The three non-negotiables for creatives: contracts, copyright, liability protection

[52:53] Liability protection deep dive: contracts, business entity, insurance

[55:40] The value of prevention over cleanup—why front-end planning saves headaches

[58:20] Free resources and business audit for creative entrepreneurs

[1:01:58] Using AI as a legal and creative tool—pros, cons, and best practices

[1:02:58] Closing thoughts: incremental learning, practical legal steps, and protecting your business while you grow

Quotes to Remember:

"Contracts, copyright, and liability protection aren’t optional - they’re your business safety net." – Rachel Brenke

"Prevention always beats cleanup. It saves you time, money, and sanity." – Rachel Brenke

"AI is a good starting point, but it can’t replace strategy and human perspective." – Rachel Brenke

Resources Mentioned:

👉 Rachel Brenke’s website: rachelbrenke.com

🎧 Rachel’s podcast: Business Bites Podcast

🌐 TheLawTog: thelawtog.com → Use code LENS to save 20% off anything

📲 Free business audit and resources: rachelbrenke.com

💻 PhotoBiz: photobiz.com → Save 25% off your first year with code TOBTL

☕ The Coffee Roaster: coffeeroasterlnk.com → Enjoy 5% off your order with code TOBTL

Work with Kate:
🎓 Photography Workshop (Virtual, October) → katedecostephotography.com/photographers
✨ Earlybird Pricing available until September 15th!

Connect with Kate:

📸 Instagram: @katedecoste

🌐 Website: katedecostephotography.com

In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate DeCoste dives into the power of saying “no” in your photography business—and in life. She shares her personal journey of discovering what truly lights her up, letting go of the work that drains her, and embracing the messy middle of her creative story. From weddings and newborn sessions that weren’t a fit, to finding freedom and focus in high school senior and headshot sessions, Kate shows how saying no can lead to clarity, joy, and creative growth.

What We Cover (Timestamps):

[0:00] Welcome back, Shutter Squad—introducing the theme of saying no

[2:30] The messy middle: where anxiety, doubt, and growth intersect[

5:10] No as a complete sentence: freeing yourself and others

[7:40] Kate’s personal story: why weddings and newborns weren’t her fit

[12:20] The anxiety and pressure of shooting weddings—lessons from theater

[16:50] How saying no opened the door to what Kate truly loves: seniors & headshots[19:30] The Photo Confession Booth: sharing your photography fears, habits, or guilty pleasures[

22:00] Kate’s confession: missing an important bride & mother moment at a wedding

[27:40] Lessons learned from missed moments and why shot lists matter

[30:10] Weekly challenge: identify what you’ve been saying yes to that doesn’t bring you joy and practice saying no

Quotes to Remember:"

No is a complete sentence. It’s one of the kindest things you can do for yourself—and for others." – Kate DeCoste

"Saying no helped me hone my craft. It helped me get really good at what I love." – Kate DeCoste

"No is a boundary, no is a filter, no is a complete sentence—and no can change your business, your creativity, and your life." – Kate DeCoste

Resources Mentioned:

Shutter Squad Freebies: www.katedecostephotography.com/photographers

🌐 Kate’s website & booking info: katedecostephotography.com

💡 Aller Enterprises: https://tayloraller.myflodesk.com/freeplanner

Connect with Kate:

📸 Instagram: @katedecoste

🌐 Website: www.katedecostephotography.com

Episode Summary: In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate sits down with storytelling strategist and business coach Megan Yelaney to unpack how your origin story can be your greatest marketing asset. Megan shares how she went from theater and network marketing to building a multi-million-dollar business—all by leaning into what made her different and learning how to tell her story with intention. She also walks us through her signature 5-part Business Story Blueprint and how to use it to craft content that connects and converts.

What We Cover (Timestamps):

• [3:00] Megan’s unexpected journey from theater to network marketing to full-time business coach

• [7:44] How unlearning performance and learning to show up authentically transformed her brand

• [10:16] Why storytelling is your most powerful sales tool—especially in the age of AI

• [14:20] How to turn everyday moments (like toddler tantrums or Target runs) into relatable business content

• [16:42] The biggest storytelling mistake entrepreneurs make—and how to fix it

• [17:00] Megan’s 5-part Business Story Blueprint explained step-by-step:

• 1. Catalyst Moment – the hook that draws people in

  2. Transformation – what changed and how

  3. Impact – the ripple effect of solving the problem

  4. Mission – why you care deeply about what you do

  5. Unique Edge – what sets you apart from everyone else

• [26:00] Should you show your face online? (Especially if you're a behind-the-scenes creative)

• [28:00] Going live: why it builds trust and how to make it less awkward

• [31:00] Tips for going live without feeling like you need to “perform”

• [32:30] Don’t think you have a story? Here’s what to do instead

• [35:00] The power of “small” stories and why they often convert better than big dramatic ones

• [39:00] How to sell in a way that feels natural, not salesy

• [42:00] Perfectionism, progress, and why you need to just post the story already

• [45:00] Why likes ≠ sales and the importance of DMs over public validation

• [47:00] Vulnerable content and the quiet lurkers who become clients

Quotes to Remember:

"You don’t need a wild transformation to have a story worth telling. You need relatability and intention." – Megan Yelaney

"If you’re not selling, you’re actually limiting someone from being able to work with you." – Megan Yelaney

"I could get 10 likes and 5 DMs from the right people—and that’s a win." – Megan Yelaney

Resources Mentioned:

👉 Download the Free Business Story Blueprint

🎧 Listen to Megan’s podcast: https://meganyelaney.com/podcast

📲 Follow Megan on Instagram: @meganyelaney

💻 Work with Megan or learn more: www.meganyelaney.com

Mentioned in the episode:

5% off your Coffee Roaster Order: http://www.coffeeroasterlnk.com/tobtl

Episode 4 - The One with the Business Game Plan: Ads, Pricing & Photo Biz Wisdom with Andrew Hellmich

Connect with Kate: 📸 Follow Kate on Instagram: @katedecoste

🌐 Visit the website: www.katedecostephotography.com