If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re charging enough for your photography pricing, this episode is for you. Kim Box sits down with wedding-turned-motherhood photographer Grace Ann Pumpelly to unpack the exact mindset and pricing shifts that helped her step into a business that finally reflects the value of her work.
Grace Ann built a thriving wedding photography business in Lexington, Kentucky, but after becoming a mom, her priorities and her schedule changed. She found herself drawn to newborn and family sessions, yet her pricing hadn’t caught up to the shift, or to the true value of her work. This conversation is a real look at what it takes to rebrand, reprice, and step fully into a new season of business.
Position Yourself Above the Competition, Not Inside It
One of the biggest shifts Kim encourages in this episode is a change in perspective. Instead of comparing your prices to everyone else in your market, she suggests looking at pricing the way clients naturally do. When you see five similar options and one that costs significantly more, your brain assumes that one is better simply because of the price. That is the exact position Kim wants photographers to claim for themselves, not competing with a dozen other photographers in the area, but standing apart from all of them entirely.
This applies just as much to weddings as it does to portraits. Kim’s advice for wedding photographers who are ready to step back is refreshingly simple: set an entry level wedding price high enough that it reflects the true value of the work, and let clients decide if they want to pay a premium for it. The goal isn’t to stop taking weddings altogether, it’s to make sure that if you do, the price honors your time and your talent.
The conversation also digs into the difference between all inclusive pricing and an a la carte structure. Grace Ann had been offering all inclusive newborn sessions, which felt safer, but Kim explained how that structure can unintentionally cap a client’s spending before they’ve even had the chance to fall in love with their images. A smaller upfront creative fee, paired with tiered options for digital files, gives clients room to say yes to more without ever feeling pressured.
From Wedding Photographer to Motherhood Business Owner
Grace Ann started shooting weddings six years ago and loved the rhythm of it, editing during the week, shooting on Saturdays, and sleeping in on Sundays. Becoming a mom changed all of that. She found herself dreading wedding days and craving more time at home with her daughter, which pushed her to lean into newborn, milestone, and family photography instead.
The transition hasn’t been without its fears. Grace Ann had priced her newborn sessions well below what her cost of doing business required, largely out of worry that raising prices would send clients elsewhere. As she put it, “I pour my heart and soul into my newborn sessions, especially with editing and just the experience.” Kim and the hosts were quick to point out that her work, and her heart behind it, more than justified a significant price increase.
Grace Ann also opened up about the practical side of running a growing business, from building a client wardrobe and sending style boards to families before sessions, to considering in-person sales appointments for the first time, to untangling the difference between SEO and her Google Business Profile. Throughout the episode, she circled back to one grounding piece of advice her brother once gave her: “My brother always says, don’t close the well before it’s dry.” It became a theme for the entire conversation, a reminder that stepping into something new doesn’t always mean walking away from what already works.
Community Makes the Hard Pricing Conversations Easier
What stands out most in this episode is how much clarity Grace Ann gained simply by talking it through out loud with people who understand the business. She had already made changes on her own, adjusting her digital packages and stepping outside her comfort zone, but she needed a space to ask the harder questions about pricing structure, wardrobe styling, and SEO strategy.
That is exactly the kind of support The Motherhood Anthology membership is built to provide. From live coaching conversations like this one to a private community where members can ask real questions and get real feedback, TMA exists to help photographers move through fear and into confident, profitable decisions. Grace Ann’s story is a great example of what becomes possible when you stop guessing and start getting guidance from people who have been there.
Listen and Learn More
Grace Ann’s story is proof that rebranding and repricing your business doesn’t have to mean starting over. It means recognizing the value you already bring and building a pricing structure that reflects it. This episode is worth a listen if you’ve ever felt torn between two seasons of your business, or unsure how to charge what your work is truly worth.
Find Grace Ann at createdwithgrace.com or on Instagram at @gracepumpelly.
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.
For our listeners, there’s a little perk – 20% off on Shop products and courses with code “MOTHERHOOD”
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.
