Episode 3 | The One Behind the Lens

Hosted by Kate DeCoste

Guest: Renee Bowen

Total Length: ~55:00

Inside the episode:

In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate sits down with photographer, coach, and podcast host Renee Bowen to dive deep into the world of sustainable pricing, full-service photography, and the mindset shifts that make it all possible.

📌 What You’ll Learn

• Renee’s path from psychology grad to full-time luxury photographer

• The mindset shifts required to charge premium prices

• Why pricing struggles are often tied to self-worth

• How to transition into full-service photography (and why it works)

• Tips for maintaining boutique pricing across different offerings

• The difference between mentoring and coaching—and how both can help

🕒 Timestamps

0:00 – Welcome back! Meet Renee Bowen—photographer, coach, and creative entrepreneur

2:00 – How Renee got into photography (and what her childhood had to do with it)

4:00 – The story behind her first camera + photographing her son with autism 7:00 – From headshots to seniors: discovering her niche in SoCal

9:30 – Why Southern California wasn’t doing senior photos (and how she changed that)

11:00 – Seniors Ignite, We Are the Scene, and her start in mentoring

13:00 – The surprising emotional work underneath most business coaching

16:00 – Pricing struggles: why creatives tie money to worth

18:00 – Pricing mindset shifts for full-service success

20:30 – Renee’s business structure: minimums, session fees, and pricing with intention

23:00 – The moment she decided: “If this doesn’t work, I’ll go work at Starbucks” 27:00 – Burnout, balance, and betting on herself

31:00 – Mindset > strategy: why your brain has to be on board for your business to grow

33:30 – Why halfway effort equals halfway results (and how coaching helps) 36:00 – Customizing pricing based on market, values, and alignment

39:00 – What to expect in a sales session—and why silence is a sales superpower 41:00 – Listener Q: How do you price digital-only branding sessions vs full-service portraits?

45:00 – Why transparency and education make a pricing model work

47:00 – Inside Renee’s coaching offers: Elevate group, 1:1 mentorship, and courses

50:00 – Building a safe space for women to grow, cry, and be real

53:00 – The podcast that started it all: Tried and True with a Dash of Woo

54:30 – Where to find Renee online + one final mic drop on creative freedom

💾 Resources & Links:

🎧 Renee’s Podcast: → Tried and True with a Dash of Woo

📸 Coaching & Membership Info: → ReneeBowen.com/coaching

🎓 Join Elevate (Renee’s coaching group for experienced photographers) → Applications open twice a year – July and January

Follow Renee :

Facebook

Instagram

Tik Tok

Website

👉 Freebie from Renee: (Mainly for senior photographers, this canva doc is packed with valuable, up to date info that any photographer can use to go MAKE some clients!) How to get clients

✨ Quote Highlight:

“Money is just an amplifier. It’s not about the price—it’s about your worth.” – Renee Bowen

🔁 Try This: Your 3-Part Pricing Reset Challenge

1. Audit your time. Where is your energy actually going?

2. Audit your numbers. What do you need vs. want to earn?

3. Audit your beliefs. What story are you telling yourself about money—and is it even yours?

Raise your prices before you feel ready. Adjust as you go. Done is better than perfect.

☕ Huge thanks to our sponsor, The Coffee Roaster of Lincoln, Nebraska. Fueling creativity one cup at a time.

Get 5% off your online order when you visit www.coffeeroasterlnk.com/tobtl or use code TOBTL at checkout. Your morning brew just got a glow-up. 🔥

💡 FREE RESOURCES FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS:

If you’re feeling inspired to streamline your workflow or sharpen your skills, I’ve got a few free tools waiting for you on my site!

👉 www.katedecostephotography.com