In this powerful and personal episode of the Food Photography Corner Podcast, Rosslyn and Mikyla sit down with Linda and Marta from Focus and Flourish to talk about the real struggles behind building a creative business. From burnout and self-doubt to scarcity mindset and the pressures of success, the four commercial food photographers open up about their individual journeys, the moments they wanted to quit, and how they found purpose, joy, and community on the other side. This episode is packed with honest reflections, mindset shifts, and tangible insights for anyone navigating the creative entrepreneur path.

🔑 Key Takeaways: 

• How to reframe burnout and use it as a growth opportunity
• How to build community as a creative entrepreneur
• How to overcome self-sabotage and scarcity mindset
• How to embrace delayed gratification and trust your business timeline
• How to find your “creative superpower” and lean into your strengths
• How to create sustainable income through strategy and mindset
• How to transition from studio to restaurant photography with confidence
• How to find emotional and professional support systems as a solo creative
• How to celebrate small wins and avoid toxic productivity
• How to navigate combining part-time work with creative business ownership

🔗 Links, Tools, and Resources Mentioned:

• The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest
• Focus and Flourish Podcast (hosted by Linda & Marta)
• ClickUp – recommended for creative business organization
• Follow us on Instagram: @foodphotographycorner | @rosslynmaria | @flaxandsugar

In this episode, Rosslyn and Mikyla dive deep into the essential software that every food photographer needs to stay organized, wow clients, and scale their creative business with confidence. From CRM tools and gallery delivery platforms to editing software and video production tools, they cover exactly what’s working for them in 2025—and what’s worth investing in now to land higher-paying clients. If you want to work smarter (not harder) and build systems that support your growth, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

• How HoneyBook helps streamline proposals, payments, and client tracking
• How to simplify your social media scheduling with free tools like Metricool 
• How ClickUp supports team collaboration, project planning, and creative shot prep
• How Pixieset helps you protect and professionally deliver photo galleries
• How QuickBooks makes tax season easier for creative freelancers
• How your choice of video editing tools depends on your business goals
• How building systems in advance can help you attract higher-paying clients
• Why consistency matters more than constantly switching platforms

Helpful Links:

• HoneyBook – CRM for managing contracts, proposals, payments, and automation
• Metricool – Social media planning and scheduling
• ClickUp – Project management and task tracking
• Pixieset – Gallery delivery and image licensing
• Lightroom Classic – Photo editing
• Photoshop – Photo retouching and cleanup
• QuickBooks Self-Employed – Business expense and tax tracking
• Premiere Pro – Advanced video editing
• CapCut – Social video editing
• InShot – Mobile video editing
• TubeBuddy – YouTube SEO and keyword research
• Your Money or Your Life (Book) – Referenced in time tracking discussion

In this episode, Rosslyn & Mikyla are joined by the talented photographer Roberta Dall'Abla from Italy. The episode delves into the importance of color grading, Lightroom's essential tools, and the common mistakes photographers make. Roberta also shares valuable insights on presets and the significance of following one's passion in the creative industry. Listeners will gain tips on using Lightroom more effectively and the importance of aligning their photography style with their true passion. 

Key Takeaways:

• Roberta's career journey from food to travel photography
• The significance of color grading in Lightroom
• Introduction to Lightroom's essential tools: masks, color grading panel, and tone curve
• Common mistakes food photographers make in Lightroom
• The role of presets and why understanding editing tools is crucial
• The importance of following your passion in photography

Helpful Links:

Retreat Replay > Advanced Color Grading in Lightroom by Roberta Dall'Abla
Camera Gear > Amazon Storefront

In this episode, Rosslyn and Mikyla dive into one of the most foundational aspects of food photography: camera angles. Whether you’re shooting for fun or trying to book paid gigs, knowing how to work your angles can completely change the final image.

We break down the three essential angles every food photographer should master — from the versatile 45° to overhead flatlays to the powerful straight-on perspective. You’ll also hear real-life examples of when and why we use each angle, how we create depth, and some honest behind-the-scenes chaos from our recent branding photoshoot. If you’ve ever struggled with setting up your scene, choosing an angle, or holding up your backdrops (yep, we’ve been there), this episode is for you.

Key takeaways:

• How to easily hold up your backdrop for straight-on shots without fancy equipment
• Smart ways to maximize natural light in a small space
• How to transform tight or shared spaces into functional shooting zones
• Our go-to tips for keeping your gear organized and accessible
• Creative hacks for shooting overhead when you don’t have room for a C-stand

Helpful links:

📌 Gear on Amazon
📌 Connect with us on Instagram
📌 Browse our Resources (including FREEBIES!)

In this episode, hosts Rosslyn and Mikyla, founders of Food Photography Corner, discuss how Mikyla generated $72K in revenue from local restaurants in Spokane, Washington. They explain the importance of positioning oneself as a strategic marketing partner rather than just a photographer, and offer insights on building long-term client relationships.

The episode details Mikyla's strategy for identifying opportunities, providing valuable consulting services, and making the process effortless for busy restaurant owners. The discussion includes practical tips for food photographers looking to expand their business with small restaurants.

Key Takeaways:

• Challenges and Strategies in Small Towns
• Building Long-Term Partnerships
• Strategic Planning for Restaurants
• Offering Comprehensive Services

Helpful Links:

• Connect on Instagram
• Landing Restaurant Work Pocketbook
• Negotiating with Small Businesses – Apple, Spotify 

Tired of manually tracking your pitches and follow-ups? In this episode, we’re breaking down our step-by-step process for automating our pitching funnel using Honeybook. We’ll walk you through how we structure our pipeline, set up automation, and ensure no lead falls through the cracks—all while keeping things personal and customizable.

Key Takeaways:
✔ The exact stages we use to track potential clients—from first pitch to signed contract.
✔ Using Honeybook to schedule emails and update pipeline stages automatically.
✔ How to keep your outreach warm and engaging while still leveraging automation.
✔ Eliminating manual tracking and follow-ups to stay consistent without the overwhelm.
✔ Steps to set up your own automated pitching funnel and start converting more leads.

Helpful Links:
📌 Try Honeybook for Free + Get 30% Off
📌 Follow Us on Instagram
📌 View FPC Resources

Not all brand partnerships are created equal! In this episode, Rosslyn & Mikyla break down the biggest red flags that signal a brand isn’t worth your time—and the signs that indicate a brand is serious about investing in high-quality content. If you’re a food photographer struggling with brands that don’t have a budget or don’t value creative work, this episode will help you confidently choose the right partnerships and avoid wasting time on the wrong ones.

Key Takeaways

• Learning when to be cautious 
• How to navigate the budget conversation
• The red flags that scream ‘run!’
• What makes a brand actually worth working with
• How to research brands before pitching
• The secret to standing out in your pitches

Helpful Links

• Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodphotographycorner/
• Resource shop: https://foodphotographycorner.com/resources 

In today's episode, we’re diving into pre-production planning with Becca Maffett from @terragoldphoto! Becca recently led a phenomenal workshop at our advanced food photography retreat, and in this episode, she’s sharing her expert strategies to help you streamline your shoots, improve communication with clients, and execute professional commercial shoots—even from home! If you missed the retreat, don’t worry! You can check out the retreat replay video in the show notes.

Key Takeaways:

• Key client communication tips for a smooth shoot
• The most overlooked pre-production step that makes all the difference
• How to set up a commercial shoot efficiently from home
• Lessons learned from our own pre-production experiences
• The impact of streamlining pre-production on time, energy, and final results

Helpful Links & Resources:
🎥 Workshop Replay: https://foodphotographycorner.com/pre-production-planning
📌 Follow Becca on Instagram: @terragoldphoto

Connect with Us:
📷 Instagram: @foodphotographycorner
💌 Join Our Newsletter: https://foodphotographycorner.myflodesk.com/get-on-the-list

Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe for more food photography tips. See you next time!✨

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Nate Crawford of Crawford Captures, a food photographer and marketing expert who recently led a powerful workshop at our Advanced Food Photography Retreat. If you missed the retreat, don’t worry—you can grab the full replay in the show notes! We’re diving deep into how to attract your dream clients, the importance of personal branding, and how to make clients come to YOU instead of constantly chasing them down.

Key takeaways:

✔️ How to find and attract your ideal clients
✔️ The power of strategic branding for food photographers
✔️ Common mistakes photographers make when it comes to being discoverable
✔️ How to market yourself so clients reach out to you—without constantly cold-pitching

Helpful links:

📌 Get access to Nate’s full retreat workshop replay: https://foodphotographycorner.com/from-sell-to-sign
📌 Join Food Photography Corner community: https://www.instagram.com/foodphotographycorner/
📌 Connect with Nate on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crawfordcapturesphoto/

We hope you found this episode helpful! Please leave a star rating so we can share this information with as many creative entrepreneurs as possible. 

Welcome back to the Food Photography Corner Podcast with Rosslyn & Mikyla! In this episode, we're diving into effective strategies for building your restaurant photography portfolio while ensuring you’re not working for free.
Key Takeaways:

• Identifying Unicorn Clients: Understand how to find restaurants that align with your creative style and business goals.
• Tips on how to approach restaurants via Instagram DMs and emails for collaboration opportunities, while still maintaining professionalism.
• Why offering a free meal in exchange for a professional photoshoot benefits both you and the restaurant.
• How to leverage your existing photography work if you don’t yet have restaurant-specific imagery.
• Strategies to transition from portfolio-building shoots to paid gigs by offering value through business cards, QR codes, and follow-up emails.

Helpful Links:

• Flodesk: Use our affiliate link for 50% off! 
• Pixieset: Use our affiliate link for $20 off your first bill! 

If you’ve been wanting to build your restaurant portfolio without giving away your images for free, this episode will guide you through a method that not only helps you create stunning imagery but also establishes a solid relationship with local restaurants and puts money in your pocket. We’d love to hear how you try this out! Feel free to DM or email us with your experience!

Thanks for tuning in!

Join Rosslyn and Mikyla as they chat with Arabela from Weekend Creative about mastering Photoshop for food and product photography. Discover essential editing techniques, business advice, and gear recommendations that can transform your photography skills. Plus, learn how to access the full replay of Arabela’s exclusive workshop from the Joshua Tree advanced retreat!

Key Takeaways:

• Top 3 Photoshop Techniques: Focus stacking, compositing, and generative AI for next-level edits.
• Gear & Workflow Tips: Use tethering and grey cards for accurate colors and efficient production.
• Lighting Tips: Essential techniques to make food look fresh and appetizing.
• Business Advice: How to break into food photography and build a client base.
• Editing Essentials: Arabela’s go-to software and must-know editing techniques.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Access the Replay of Arabela’s Workshop: https://foodphotographycorner.com/transform-your-food-photos-in-photoshop
• Follow Food Photography Corner on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/foodphotographycorner/
• Follow Weekend Creative on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/weekendcreative/
• Leave a 5-star Review: If you loved this episode, please leave us a review to help other food photographers find us!

Welcome to another Macro Moment episode, where we break down crucial elements that can have a big impact on your food photography business! We’re your hosts, Rosslyn & Mikyla—two full-time commercial food photographers and co-founders of Food Photography Corner. In this episode, we’re diving into essential contract clauses every food photographer should know about to protect their work, define client expectations, and ensure a smooth working relationship.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover how to structure your project timelines for success.
• Find out why deposits are essential to secure your time and resources.
• Learn how a late fee clause supports prompt payments.
• Hear why clearly defined working hours are a must for setting boundaries.
• Understand how to protect your creative style with an artistic release.
• Discover the importance of cancellation terms for financial security.
• Find out how limited licenses work to maintain ownership over your work.

Disclaimer:

We’re sharing insights based on our experiences as food photographers, not as legal experts. We recommend seeking advice from a legal professional to create contracts that meet your business needs.

Helpful (affiliate) Links:

• Understanding Food Photography Contracts by Contract Legal Ease
  • Code FPC20 for 20% off sitewide
• Honeybook to Send Proposals, Invoices, and Contracts
  • Use the link for 30% off
• Pixieset to Send Galleries, Invoices, Contracts and more
  • Use the link for $20 off your plan
• Amazon Storefront for our Favorite Gear & Resources

Thanks for joining us! Subscribe for more quick, actionable tips to help build and protect your food photography business.

In this episode, we're chatting about what it was like for Rosslyn to work for one of her idols! We'll explore key learnings from the shoot, pivoting at the last minute, and the added pressure of working with someone you look up to. 

Helpful Links:

• Gear Guide: https://www.amazon.com/shop/foodphotographycorner
• Follow Us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodphotographycorner/

If you found this episode helpful, please leave us a rating! 

In this episode, we’re breaking down how we prepped for a multi-day production, what went well, and what we learned from the experience. The project had a tight turnaround, so we had to be extra organized and efficient.

Key Takeaways:

• Pre-Planning: Get on the same page with the client using mood boards that cover tone, lighting, and style.
• Shot List & Timeline: Clarify the brand’s needs and create a detailed production schedule to keep everything on track.
• Studio & Talent: Plan ahead for studio rentals and hiring talent, making sure logistics are smooth.
• Post-Production: Bring in extra help if needed to meet quick turnaround times.

Helpful Links:

• Gear Guide: https://www.amazon.com/shop/foodphotographycorner
• October Retreat Info: https://foodphotographycorner.com/retreats
• Follow Us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodphotographycorner/

If you found this episode helpful, please leave us a rating! Want to join us at a retreat? We have a few spots left for our advanced retreat in October. You’ll get hands-on experience and leave with portfolio-ready images.

In this episode, we’re sharing how we earned an extra $400 by doing something simple. We break down why it’s worth offering more images, how easy it is to upsell, and ways you can build packages that help you make more from your work. If you’re a photographer or creative entrepreneur, you’ll want to hear this because it could be an effortless way to boost your income.

Key Takeaways:

• Offer More to Clients: Give your clients the opportunity to choose from more images, which can increase the chances they’ll want to license extras.
• Simple Upselling: Add a few extra images to your gallery and let your clients know they have the option to license more if they fall in love with additional shots.
• Create Tempting Packages: Offer incentives like "buy 2, get 1 free" to encourage your clients to license more than just one extra image

Learn More About Our Luxury Food Photography Retreats: https://foodphotographycorner.com/retreats

In this episode, we delve into streamlining your workflow for food photography and videography, from planning to exporting. Whether you’re overwhelmed with projects, under a tight deadline, or simply looking to speed up your process, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you work more efficiently.

Key Takeaways:

• Pre-Planning:
  • Mood Boards: Align with the brand on tone, lighting, and styling using visuals.
  • Product Placement: Clarify product placement and focus preferences.
  • Shot List: Confirm specific shots needed to avoid missing important details.
• Planning and Setup:
  • Organized Checklists: Create a detailed shot list and plan your shoot order.
  • Preparation: Prepare ingredients and props ahead of time to save time during the shoot.
  • Studio Setup: Ensure your studio, camera, and lighting are clean and ready for use.

Helpful Links:

• Customizable Templates > https://foodphotographycorner.com/resources
• Gear Guide > https://www.amazon.com/shop/foodphotographycorner
• Advanced Retreat > https://foodphotographycorner.com/retreats
• Light and Bright Preset Pack > https://sowl.co/s/DbVoo

We hope this episode helps you streamline your workflow and tackle your projects with ease. Don’t forget to give us a star rating if you found this podcast helpful, follow us on social media, and check out the show notes for all the links mentioned in this episode.

Welcome back to the Food Photography Corner Podcast! In today's macro moment episode, Rosslyn and Mikyla, full-time commercial food photographers and founders of Food Photography Corner, share five essential food styling hacks that can elevate your food photography game.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover simple tricks to keep your food looking fresh and intact during shoots.
• Learn how to create realistic steam effects and enhance your dishes with garnishes.
• Find out how small details can make a big difference in your food photos.

Helpful Links:

Coaching & Other Resources >  https://foodphotographycorner.com/resources
FPC Retreats > https://foodphotographycorner.com/retreats

Connect with us on social media!

@foodphotographycorner 
@rosslynmaria
@flaxandsugar 

Welcome back to another Macro Moment! In this episode, we share our strategy for landing high-paying food photography clients. Grab your notebook and get ready to steal our strategy!

Key Takeaways:

• Raise Your Rates: Increasing your prices signals your value and expertise, attracting premium brands.
• Find Brands on Social Media: Follow large brands on Instagram and explore suggested accounts to discover new opportunities.
• Research and Evaluate Potential Partners: Ensure potential partners align with your vision and values by researching their branding and needs.
• Initiate Conversation/Pitch: Reach out to compatible brands with a tailored pitch showcasing your work and its benefits.
• Branded Documents and Elevated Client Experience: Present professional, cohesive documents to increase the perceived value of your services.

Helpful Links:

• Branded Asset Template Bundle - Templates to streamline your workflow and increase professionalism 
• Honeybook - Contracts / Split Payments/ [20% off affiliate link]
  
• Pixieset - Photo Galleries / Invoicing / Contracts 
  
• Understanding Food Photography Contracts - Rob / Contract Legal Ease [20% off affiliate link]
• Amazon Storefront - Gear Recommendations
• Metricool - Social Media Scheduling Tool
• Click Up - CRM / Client Management Organization

Thanks for tuning in! Join us at a retreat to learn in person!

In this episode, Rosslyn and Mikyla, full-time commercial food photographers and founders of Food Photography Corner, delve into the details of their process for working with brands. From initial agreement to final deliverables, they share valuable insights and tools to help streamline your workflow and maintain professionalism. This episode is packed with practical advice and tips to elevate your brand collaborations.

Key Takeaways:

• Essential Documents: Learn about the six key documents and tools used after a brand agrees to work with you, including contracts, payment invoices, vision boards, content approval documents, galleries, and report cards.
• Organization Tools: Discover how Honeybook, Pixieset, and other tools help keep your workflow smooth and efficient, from automated contracts to payment reminders.
• Client Communication: Understand the importance of clear communication and detailed planning with brands to ensure all expectations are met and projects run seamlessly.

Helpful Links:

Honeybook - Contracts / Split Payments/ [20% off affiliate link]
Pixieset - Photo Galleries / Invoicing / Contracts 
Understanding Food Photography Contracts - Rob / Contract Legal Ease [20% off affiliate link]
Content Approval Template - Professional Document to Share Content w/ Clients

Amazon Storefront - Gear Recommendations
Metricool - Social Media Scheduling Tool
Click Up - CRM / Client Management Organization 

Join us at a retreat to learn in person! 

In this episode, we dive into a common challenge faced by many creatives: overcoming client objections. We'll explore a recent experience where we turned a 'no' into a successful collaboration.

Key Takeaways:

• Importance of thorough research to understand client pain points and market trends.
• Using the Socratic method to ask insightful questions and guide clients to recognize their needs.
• Highlighting intentions to attract ideal clients and save time.
• Strategies for ending calls with a strong call to action to ensure follow-up.

Join us as we break down how to navigate client conversations, turn objections into opportunities, and position yourself as the solution to their needs. Ending the call with a confident "When can I anticipate hearing back from you?" can make all the difference!

Helpful Links: 

• Amazon Storefront - Gear Recommendations
• Honeybook - Contracts / Split Payments
• PocketSuite - Contracts on the go / Invoicing / Text Lead Management
• Pixieset - Photo Galleries / Invoicing / Contracts 
• Metricool - Social Media Scheduling Tool
• Click Up - CRM / Client Management Organization 

Join us at a retreat to learn in person!