In this inspiring episode of the podcast, Laura Esmond sits down with portrait photographer Tawni Adams to unpack the real and raw journey of transforming a photography business—from charging $300-$600 per session and burning out, to confidently booking consistent $1500+ sessions and even landing a nearly $12,000 sale.

Tawni opens up about the mindset hurdles she faced, the emotional rollercoaster of raising her prices, and how she almost gave up before things finally clicked. If you’re a photographer feeling stuck at lower price points or wondering if sustainable, high-profit portrait sessions are possible, this conversation is your permission slip to believe in what's possible.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why Tawni originally thought no one would pay more than $500 for a session
• The exact mindset shift that helped her move from “overwhelmed and underpaid” to building a thriving, profitable portrait business
• How Get Rooted helped her break down her pricing, boundaries, and value
• The emotional weight of changing your business model while raising a family
• Why your first $1500+ client might be closer than you think
• How Tawni learned to trust the process and “let it simmer”
• What actually happens between $300 sessions and a $12,000 artwork sale

Resources Mentioned:
LEARN MORE ABOUT GET ROOTED – https://www.lauraesmond.com/getrooted
Follow Tawni Adams on Instagram: @tawniadamsphoto
Tawni’s website: https://www.tawniadams.com/

SEO Keywords:
photography pricing strategy, raise photography session rates, profitable portrait business, $1500 photography session, photography business coaching, Get Rooted program, luxury portrait pricing, family photographer success story, photography business mindset, how to increase photo session prices, photographer burnout recovery

In today’s episode, we’re talking about one of the most powerful ways to grow your portrait photography business: creating a little spectacle. But don’t worry, I don’t mean hopping on every trend or becoming a human highlight reel.

This is about showing up with intention, creativity, and a little bit of wow factor that feels true to you.

Whether you’re in year one or five of business, creating a buzz around what you do is how you get seen by the right people and start booking the kinds of clients you love. In this episode, I’m walking you through 5 concrete ideas to help you do exactly that.

We’ll talk about:

• How to create portfolio work that actually attracts your dream clients
• Why fun, low-stakes portrait events can build big-time momentum
• The simple monthly habit that books more sessions than Instagram ever has for me

This one’s packed with practical ideas you can use right away, no matter how busy life is. Grab your notebook or just listen in while you edit!

Links & Resources:

• Sign up for the Peace & Profit Bootamp: lauraesmond.com/bootcamp

• Apply for Get Rooted—now open for enrollment: lauraesmond.com/getrooted

portrait photography business, photography business strategy, in-person sales photography, IPS tips, IPS for photographers, pricing for photographers, photography business reflection, goal setting for photographers, profitable photography business, how to sell photo products, photographer workflow, client experience for photographers, get rooted, laura esmond podcast

Welcome back to part three of this four-part planning series. If you’re dreaming about a 2026 that feels aligned, profitable, and actually doable, this episode is for you.

So far, we’ve walked through gratitude (what’s already working) and reflection (what needs to shift). Today, we’re stepping into planning your photography business—but not just numbers on a spreadsheet. This is where photography business strategy meets mindset in the most powerful way.

Inside this episode, we’re talking all about:
– Why manifestation for photographers isn’t magic (and what it actually is)
– How photography pricing strategy impacts your time, energy, and sustainability
– The key questions to ask before planning your 2026 photography calendar
– Why your real life deserves to be in the plan

You’ll walk away with a fresh perspective on how to create intentional business goals that fit your life, not just your Instagram grid—and how to take those dreamy goals and turn them into something real.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
– Get the free photography reflection worksheet, https://www.lauraesmond.com/reflections

– Join the Peace & Profit Bootcamp for photographers, https://www.lauraesmond.com/bootcamp

– Apply for Get Rooted: Business Coaching for Portrait Photographers, https://www.lauraesmond.com/getrooted

photography business planning, portrait photography pricing, sustainable photography business, how to plan your photography business, profitable photographer tips, photography income goals, intentional business strategy, photography coaching, business planning for photographers, 2026 photography goals

NEXT UP:
Don’t miss next week’s episode—our final step in the series—where we’ll bring it all together and talk about action. Plus, there's a fun bonus episode dropping tomorrow about marketing for photographers (and creating a spectacle in the best way). Can’t wait to share that one with you!

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
– Get the free reflection worksheet -- https://lauraesmond.com/reflections
– Join the Peace & Profit Bootcamp https://lauraesmond.com/bootcamp
– Apply for Get Rooted -- https://lauraesmond.com/getrooted

NEXT UP:
Don’t miss next week’s episode—our final step in the series—where we’ll bring it all together and talk about action. Plus, there's a fun bonus episode dropping tomorrow about marketing (and creating a spectacle in the best way). Can’t wait to share that one with you!