Every photographer faces that split-second question: do I direct this moment or let it breathe?
In this episode, we are getting real about one of the quietest but hardest parts of being a professional photographer - knowing when to step in to create intentional, artful work… and when to step back and let life unfold naturally.
Through personal stories, on-the-job reflections, and honest conversation, she breaks down:
✨ The difference between guiding and controlling
✨ How to read a room with emotional intelligence
✨ Why your editing crisis might actually be a composition crisis
✨ The subtle difference between hobbyists and professionals
If you’ve ever stared at a gallery wondering what you could’ve done better - this one’s for you.
🎙️ Tune in for a grounded, coffee-chat-style reminder that professionalism isn’t about perfection… it’s about presence.
Let’s be real.. the client experience doesn’t start when someone signs the contract. It starts way before that.
In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I run my business behind the scenes, ya know, the things I do before people even inquire, how I guide them through every step of the process, and how that all leads to those 5-star reviews that allow me to book more dream clients.
From my pre-inquiry strategy (yes, I’m already building trust before they ever reach out), to the systems I use to stay organized, to how I keep the energy high and the experience human from start to finish, this episode is the full BTS.
If you’ve ever wanted to know how to turn your business into something clients rave about because it feels effortless, thoughtful, and a little loud in all the right ways… this one’s for you.
September hit hard: back-to-back weddings, endless editing queues, client emails stacked sky high. And yet, the industry flex is still “booked + busy” while everyone is quietly drowning. In this episode, I’m calling BS on hustle culture and the burnout badge of honor.
Similar to what we talked about last week, We’ll talk about why “busy = successful” is a myth, why clients don’t care how many all-nighters you’re pulling, and how boundaries are actually the ultimate power move. I’ll share tangible fixes for editing, booking, and marketing without flexing burnout - plus why “booked and balanced” is the real flex.
Burnout isn’t a vibe, it’s a business risk. Let’s hang up the hustle and start creating from a place of sustainability.
The past few weeks have been heavy, chaotic, and honestly overwhelming AF. If you’re an entrepreneur trying to keep your business moving while the world feels like it’s on fire, this episode is for you.
In 20 minutes, we get real about staying grounded amidst the chaos, protecting your energy, and showing up with clarity instead of panic. I’ll share three simple, no-fluff mindfulness practices you can start today — because you deserve to breathe, reset, and actually thrive, even when everything feels out of control.
Let's reset together
In this episode of the podcast, McKenzie Bigliazzi dives into the evolving world of wedding photography and the creative industry at large. From the powerful influence of Pinterest to the rising values of Gen Z couples, McKenzie explores how trends shape - and sometimes limit - photographers’ artistic vision.
She shares her own experiences navigating the pressures of social media marketing, the importance of authenticity, and why studying art and photography outside of the algorithm is key to building a sustainable, standout brand. You’ll hear practical strategies for using Pinterest as a tool rather than a crutch, tips for creating intentional mood boards, and insights on why branding and creativity go hand in hand.
Whether you’re a wedding photographer, creative entrepreneur, or simply curious about how Gen Z is reshaping the wedding industry, this episode will leave you inspired to reclaim your artistry and market yourself in a way that feels real.
Keywords: podcast, branding, Pinterest, wedding photography, Gen Z, creativity, authenticity, marketing, art, photography
Feeling like your dream clients vanished the second you raised your rates or got clear on your brand? You’re not imagining it. In this 20-minute episode, we break down why your ideal clients might not be finding—or booking—you, and what to tweak without selling your soul.
We cover:
Why your portfolio and voice might not actually speak to your dream clients
How to spot patterns in the clients you really want, not just a Pinterest aesthetic
Pricing alignment that communicates expertise without intimidation
Why specificity beats generality, always
Taking up space and leading instead of waiting to be discovered
The mindset check-in you can’t skip if you want confident clients
Your dream clients aren’t missing, they’re just not hearing you clearly enough yet. Tune in and learn how to make sure they do.
Let’s talk about what’s actually happening behind the lens right now.
In this episode, I’m pulling from real conversations with photographers, online forums, and industry trends to unpack the quiet (and not-so-quiet) burnout many of us are feeling. From oversaturation and being treated like a line item, to the pressure to go viral or compete with content creators, it’s a lot. And if you’ve been wondering, “Is it just me?” the answer is: nope.
Whether you're booked and burnt out, or just craving a little more clarity and creative space, this one’s for you.
✨ Topics include:
Why the market feels so crowded (and how to stand out without selling out)
Budget inquiries vs. aligned clients
The emotional labor no one talks about
The content creator takeover (and how to hold your lane)
A gentle reminder: boundaries are not bad for business
Plus, I’ll share what’s helped me reconnect with my why—and why it’s okay to evolve your business, your pricing, and your entire approach.
🧡 Mentioned:
Evolve Your Wedding Business – Book More Weddings Summit Get your Free Ticket Here
My mentorship offerings + newsletter (link in bio!)
📢 If this resonates, share it with a friend, leave a voice message, or DM me—I’d love to hear what’s landing for you.
Let’s rebuild a wedding photography business that actually feels good to run. You deserve that.
Let’s cut the fluff: this episode is a behind-the-scenes reality check from someone who's done pretending everything’s fine.
From burnout I saw coming (and ignored anyway) to undercharging, red-flag clients, messy backend systems, and the pressure to be perfect online. I’m sharing the real, unfiltered lessons that built up until I had to deal with them.
This isn’t about shame. It’s about clarity. Boundaries. Choosing yourself and your business over people-pleasing and chaos.
Inside:
The burnout that finally made me pause
The client decisions I regret (and how I’m doing it differently)
Systems I avoided that would’ve saved me
Why showing up online messy hits harder than fake polish
How saying yes too much was costing me everything
The moment I stopped DIY-ing and asked for help
If you’ve been white-knuckling your way through “just one more busy season” - this one’s for you.
✨ DM me the thing you’ve been ignoring, or if you’re ready to stop doing it alone… mentorships are open. You don’t have to fix everything overnight — but you do get to start.
Have you been doomscrolling, spiraling, and still somehow trying to run a business like everything’s fine...... I knew it lol
This episode is your spicy little permission slip to grieve, rage, rest and still get sh*t done. We’re talking:
Why your work still slaps (yes, even now)
How to show up without selling your soul
Creating as an act of resistance
Building a business with the world, not in denial of it
And how to stop crying in your bathtub long enough to schedule that damn Reel
No fluff. No fake hustle. Just a pep talk with a side of spite and the reminder that soft, creative weirdos like you? You’re what the world needs right now.
✨ DM me your favorite petty ritual, rage playlist, or apocalyptic comfort meme — and if you want support from someone who gets it, mentorships are open.
🎙️ Episode: “Rest Is Not a Treat, Babe—It’s the Damn Minimum”
Wedding season is poppin’—and so is your calendar. But before you hit burnout and start editing at 3am again, let’s talk about the radical power of rest.
In this short but fiery episode, WE get real about the guilt, fear, and unlearning it takes to step away from the hustle. I share my own messy relationship with overworking, the voice that panics every time I say no to paid work, and how rest has become a boundary—and a business strategy.
Because let’s be honest: you are not a vending machine for pretty photos. You’re a full human being with a nervous system, and rest is not the reward—it’s part of doing the work well.
We cover:
→ Rest during wedding season (yes, it’s possible)
→ Dragging hustle culture (with love, kind of)
→ Saying no to bookings without spiraling
→ Why rest = resistance
→ Emotional, mental, and creative rest—beyond just sleep
→ How to start practicing guilt-free rest now
Soundbites you’ll feel in your bones:
🗣 “The ROI of rest is real.”
🗣 “Doing nothing is not wasteful.”
🗣 “You wouldn’t ask your phone to run on 1% battery, so stop doing it to yourself.”
In this episode of Emotionally Booked Out, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it really means to build a values-centered business — especially when the world feels like it’s on fire.
We’re talking about why staying silent doesn’t serve you, your dream clients, or the communities you care about. I’m digging into the fears that keep folks quiet (spoiler: it’s not just about cancel culture), and giving you tangible ways to stop watering yourself down in your business.
If you’ve ever wondered how to show up louder, clearer, and more unapologetically you. This episode is your permission slip. I’m wrapping things up with a little challenge to get you moving from intention to action.
Time to be about it.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Context for Pride Month
02:06 The Importance of Values in Business
06:39 Political Nature of Business Ownership
11:49 Overcoming Fear of Speaking Up
16:33 Practical Steps to Define and Communicate Values
21:52 Call to Action and Conclusion
Takeaways
This Pride Month, we’re getting real about the wedding industry's defaults—who they serve, who they leave out, and how we can do better. In this episode, we explore the biases many vendors (ourselves included) have internalized around what weddings "should" look like, and how those assumptions can unintentionally harm queer clients.
We’ll unpack how to move beyond rainbow marketing and start building truly inclusive practices—ones that center story over aesthetic, listening over ego, and real community over performative allyship. Whether you're a photographer, planner, florist, or creative pro, this episode is your invitation to reflect, unlearn, and grow.
✨ Featuring practical tips, real talk, and a few spicy industry truths.
🎧 This episode is for wedding industry professionals who have not experienced the lived queer experience.
In case no one has told you lately - your value does not depend on how productive you are in life.
We pour our hearts into the work. The shoots, the edits, the emails, the posts — all of it feels personal. But what happens when the work isn’t working?
In this episode, we unpack the messy, emotional truth of tying your identity to your output. From creative ego to burnout, and that gut-punch feeling when feedback feels like rejection — we’re going there. Because you're more than your to-do list, your portfolio, or your performance. You're still whole, even when you’re not producing. Let’s talk about it.
ps- I ditched the jingle. Same show, just no jingle lol
Have you ever thought about the emotional shifts that come with stepping into your power and confidence — and the quiet grief that follows when you realize you’ve outgrown the people you love?
As we grow, we naturally evolve, and sometimes, that means letting go of old relationships that no longer align with the person you’re becoming. But how do we navigate this shift while holding onto love and honoring our growth?
Join me as we explore how to embrace your own evolution, make space for new connections, and love the people you’ve outgrown from a distance.
Listen now to reflect on:
The identity shifts that come with confidence
Navigating the grief of outgrowing relationships
Here’s your permission slip to stop diluting yourself to fit into someone else’s version of “likable.” In this solo episode, we’re digging into the fear so many of us have: that if we niche down, show personality, or get too honest, we’ll scare people away.
The truth? You will repel people. And that’s the point.
Inside this episode:
Why trying to be “for everyone” leads to burnout
How to shift from neutral to aligned without losing your mind
Personal stories from my early days of over-editing myself to book more
What changed when I stopped people-pleasing and got clear on my voice
If you’ve ever worried about being too much, not enough, or just different from the norm—this is your gentle nudge to keep going. Your people are out there. You don’t need everyone—you just need the right ones.
✨ You’re not here to be liked by everyone. You’re here to be a hell yes to the ones who matter.
Show Notes + Transcription Here
What does it actually look like to recession-proof your wedding photography business—without spiraling into scarcity mindset?
In this episode, I'm joined by Katie Fletcher, a fellow wedding photographer and friend, to talk honestly about how we're navigating a slower season, what we’re doing to keep the bookings coming in, and how we’re staying emotionally grounded through all of it.
We’re diving into:
The shifts we’re seeing in the market right now
Real strategies we’re using to stay visible + bookable
What’s not working anymore (and what we’ve let go of)
How we’re protecting our energy + avoiding burnout in uncertain times
If you’ve been feeling anxious about inquiries slowing down or wondering how to adapt without losing yourself in hustle mode—this episode is for you.
🧡 You’re not behind. You’re not broken. The market’s just different—and you’re allowed to shift with it.
Find Katie here:
What actually is success, anyway?
In this first episode of Emotionally Booked Out, I’m pulling back the curtain on all the pressure we feel to hit those made-up milestones and check the boxes that look like success from the outside. I’ve been there—chasing the “shoulds” until it led straight to burnout.
Now? I’m redefining success on my terms. One that feels emotionally fulfilling, actually aligned, and free from the hustle-for-validation loop.
🎧 Press play.