Somewhere between selling in-person and slashing your prices out of panic, there’s a version of your photography business that actually fits the season of life you’re in. That’s the conversation Kim Box has with returning guest Laura Esmond, creator of Get Rooted, in this episode of the podcast. They dig into photography business boundaries, why simplifying your offer matters more than adding to it, and how to talk about pricing without your voice shaking.
Laura has been coaching motherhood photographers for years, and her approach starts with a question most of us skip: what do you actually want your business to give you? Not what looks impressive online, not what everyone else in the industry is doing, but what genuinely supports your life right now.
Simplify Before You Sell
Laura’s first piece of advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed is to stop and create what she calls a let go list. Photographers pick up habits and systems from every direction, a tip from a mentor here, a strategy from a colleague there, until the business barely resembles what they originally set out to build. She encourages writing down every piece of your current process, then asking honestly whether each one serves you, serves your client, or serves your goals. If it does not, it might be worth letting go.
That same clarity applies to pricing conversations, which Laura says are uncomfortable for almost everyone, tied closely to self-worth and a fear of rejection. Her solution is not to avoid the discomfort but to practice through it. She shared a simple script listeners can adapt for their own sessions, complete with a deliberate pause and a follow-up question that keeps the conversation moving instead of ending on an awkward silence. She also talked through the value of in-person sales, not as an old-fashioned add-on, but as a way to build real connection with clients at a meaningful price point.
Laura’s Own Pivot
Laura’s Get Rooted program did not start as a course she planned to build. It started with her own business pivot, one that felt risky because the business she was walking away from was already successful. She made the shift anyway, for her mental health, for her family, and for the version of herself she wanted to become as a mom. That experience is what shaped her coaching philosophy: rather than teaching one rigid method, she helps photographers figure out what they specifically need, then builds a plan around that.
She also opened up about the season she is in now, with her daughter about a year and a half from leaving for college. That timeline shapes how she prices, how she works, and what she says yes to. It is a reminder that a business built around your life will look different year to year, and that is exactly the point. Laura’s approach to slow seasons follows the same logic. Instead of scrambling when January feels quiet, she recommends building your systems ahead of time, tracking your business financials consistently, and using that history to plan for the months you already know will be slower.
Why This Kind of Support Matters
What comes through in this conversation is how much photographers benefit from talking honestly about the parts of the business that feel hard, pricing, boundaries, standing out in a saturated market. Laura pointed to human connection as one of the most reliable ways to grow a business, whether that is showing up at community events, nurturing existing clients, or simply being consistent enough that your name feels familiar. None of that happens in isolation, and it is part of why community and mentorship matter so much for photographers building a business on their own terms.
Inside The Motherhood Anthology membership, conversations like this one continue well beyond the podcast episode. Members get access to mentors like Laura, live coaching, and a community of photographers working through these same questions in real time.
Listen and Learn More
If you have been feeling like your business has drifted from what you actually wanted it to be, this episode is worth a listen. Laura’s perspective on boundaries, pricing, and building around your season of life offers a lot to sit with, whether you are just starting out or years into your business.
Find Laura at lauraesmond.com or on Instagram at @lauraesmondeducation.
Ready to build a business that reflects your own creative voice? The Motherhood Anthology membership gives you access to expert mentors, live coaching, monthly marketing suites, and a private community of photographers who are invested in your success. Learn more and join at themotherhoodanthology.com.
Episode Sponsor: Picture Perfect Rankings
This episode of The Motherhood Anthology Podcast is brought to you by Picture Perfect Rankings. Melissa Arlena is a TMA mentor who helps portrait photographers get found on Google through strategic SEO and blogging. Learn more about her work at Picture Perfect Rankings, and check out her Found & Booked program if you are ready for a done-with-you SEO system with personalized feedback on your website.
The Motherhood Anthology is a community and educational resource for photographers who want a profitable and sustainable business they love. With 15+ expert mentors and 7+ years of proven content, TMA helps portrait photographers build confident, thriving businesses through monthly education, mentorship, and a supportive community of 700+ members.
