Called to Both - Balancing Motherhood and Business for Photographers
Called To Both® is the podcast for ambitious photographers and creative small business owners wanting better clients & diversified revenue, while also building a life you love! Finally, a fresh perspective on business and marketing from a mom who works less than 20 hours per week!
On this podcast Joy Michelle talks about what it takes to pursue both Motherhood and entrepreneurship, balance these two worlds, and provide you with tools and lessons to help you thrive in both areas of life. While learning about business is so valuable—where is the business advice for women doing BOTH? At Called to Both, we truly don’t believe you have to choose between these two worlds tugging at your heart.
You can be Called to Both. Called to Both Podcast will leave you feeling refreshed and inspired with new episodes each week, walking away with tangible yet simple steps to make your business and life work for you.
Photographers, if you feel Called To Both you’re in the right place. Join us each week as we discuss time management, affiliate marketing, business strategy, marketing tips, and work life balance as if you were chatting one-on-one with your business coach.
You can find show notes, links, and resources mentioned in each episode at https://calledtoboth.com
Connect with Joy over on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/joyymichelle/.
Called to Both - Balancing Motherhood and Business for Photographers
173: Building Stability for Photographers in 2026 ft. Laura Esmond
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What do you do when your industry feels different, inquiries feel slower, and the strategies that used to work don’t hit the same way anymore?
In this episode, I’m sharing a conversation that originally aired on Laura Esmond’s podcast, where we talked honestly about what’s working in marketing in 2026, how photographers can build more stability in uncertain seasons, and why diversification matters more than ever. We go beyond surface-level strategy and into the real mindset shifts required to keep moving when business feels unpredictable.
Laura and I talk about the trust gap that many business owners are feeling right now, why buyers need more touch points before they say yes, and how building a personal brand creates deeper connection than polished marketing alone. We also dive into affiliate marketing, evergreen content, Pinterest, in-person community building, and the importance of taking action instead of waiting to feel fully clear.
In this Episode:
- Trust takes more touch points now.
- Diversification creates stability.
- Clarity comes from action.
Find It Quickly:
00:00 - Why this conversation feels timely for photographers
04:32 - What’s changing in buyer behavior and trust
07:17 - The importance of real-life connection and trust touchpoints
14:53 - What diversification really means (and where to start)
15:50 - Affiliate marketing as a scalable revenue stream
22:56 - Brand authority and building optional income paths
32:47 - Evergreen content, Pinterest, and long-term strategy
41:10 - The most stabilizing next step during a slow season
Mentioned in this Episode:
Connect with Laura:
Website: lauraesmond.com
Podcast: With Laura Esmond
Instagram: instagram.com/reeseandcoportraits
More ways to connect:
JOY MICHELLE INSTAGRAM
WORK WITH JOY AS YOUR COACH
JOY MICHELLE CO. WEBSITE
Read the full show notes from today’s episode HERE.
If you’re enjoying the content we’re creating on the podcast and want to connect with others who are called to both, make sure you come join us in the PhotoBoss® with Joy Michelle Facebook Group!