The One Behind the Lens with Kate DeCoste

Your portfolio shows your work. A framework post shows why it looks the way it does. In this episode, I teach you how to write a post that explains one piece of your process so clearly that clients can picture it, and want it.I walk through the five-part framework I learned from Megan Yelaney in The Distinctive Edge, using my own pinned post as the example, and show you how to turn it into a reel, a blog, and even a freebie.In this episode:- Starting with your favorite client- Writing an "I" hook around something you stopped doing- Naming the mistake without making anyone feel dumb- The missing piece, and why explaining it matters- Consequences that go one layer deeper- Choosing a freebie or a DM keyword- Smoothing the seams by speaking it out loud- Four checks before you pinInstagram: @katedecosteWebsite: www.katedecostephotography.comMentioned in this episode:- Megan Yelaney on The One Behind the Lens, season 1, episode 6: https://pod.link/1826428370/episode/ZjExNDBhNDQtNzA3OS00Nzk0LWIzMmEtZmEwYzgwZjkyZTAz- Bonus episode, The One Where We Shutter Up & Celebrate: https://pod.link/1826428370/episode/MDRhYjNkOWEtNTNiNC00YWQyLTkxNjYtYWZlMGUyMDM1YmQ0- Business Not As Usual with Megan Yelaney: https://pod.link/1471547197- Megan on Instagram: @meganyelaney- Megan's website: meganyelaney.comIf this episode helped, share it to your Instagram Stories and tag me! And if you're loving the show, a quick review helps more photographers find us.

If a parent landed on your Instagram today, would they know why you do this? In this episode, the first of a three-part series on what I learned at Megan Yelaney's 3-Day Content Fix, I teach the six steps I use to write an origin story that builds trust before a client ever reaches out.I walk through my own pinned post piece by piece, so you can hear each step in action, and then I show you how to stretch one story into a post, a blog, and an About page.In this episode:- Why your origin story belongs at the top of your profile- Opening with a scene instead of a bio- Linking your story to what clients feel today- Using details, not adjectives- Writing the turning point with real dialogue- Turning the story toward your client- Choosing one clear call to action- Repurposing it for your blog and About pageInstagram: @katedecosteWebsite: www.katedecostephotography.comMentioned in this episode:- Megan Yelaney on The One Behind the Lens, season 1, episode 6: https://pod.link/1826428370/episode/ZjExNDBhNDQtNzA3OS00Nzk0LWIzMmEtZmEwYzgwZjkyZTAz- Bonus episode, The One Where We Shutter Up & Celebrate: https://pod.link/1826428370/episode/MDRhYjNkOWEtNTNiNC00YWQyLTkxNjYtYWZlMGUyMDM1YmQ0- Business Not As Usual with Megan Yelaney: https://pod.link/1471547197- Megan on Instagram: @meganyelaney- Megan's website: meganyelaney.comIf this episode helped, share it to your Instagram Stories and tag me! And if you're loving the show, a quick review helps more photographers find us.

After the Shoot: Galleries, Backups, and Prints with PixiesetLast episode I walked you through how I onboard clients, from the booking link all the way to session day. But here’s the thing, Shutter Squad: the session is really just the halfway point. How your clients receive their photos, how safe those images are, and how easy it is to get them on the wall is all part of what they remember about working with you.In this short one, I’m sharing how I use Pixieset for everything after the shoot. I’ll tell you why I moved from in-person sales to gallery delivery, how every gallery doubles as a cloud backup for me, and how letting clients order straight from their gallery takes the back and forth off my plate.I also share a sweet moment from delivering a senior album in person last week. Hearing a 17-year-old say her photos looked so different on the page than on her phone? That’s exactly why I want more of my clients’ images printed.In this episode:Why I use VSCO Workspace for client management and Pixieset for everything after the sessionHow I deliver galleries so that first look feels special and easyWhy I swapped Instagram sneak peeks for short behind-the-scenes videosRemember mailing client CDs? Why gallery links are a better experience for everyoneUsing Pixieset as one part of my backup systemThe 3-2-1 rule: three copies, two types of storage, one off-siteHow clients order prints, wall art, and cards right from their galleryWhy albums are the top seller for my seniors, and why I offer to design themYour challenge: walk through your own after-session process like you’re the clientLinksGet a discount on a Pixieset upgrade: https://katedecostephotography.com/form/the-one-where-you-get-pixiesetInstagram: @katedecosteWebsite: www.katedecostephotography.comIf this episode was helpful, share it to your Instagram Stories and tag me so I can see it! And if you’re loving the show, leave a rating or review. It’s the best way for other photographers to find us.

Stop Chasing Contracts: How I Automate Client OnboardingHey Shutter Squad! Think about your last client. Not the session, just getting them booked and ready. How many emails was that? How many follow-ups? This week I’m talking CRMs, and if you’ve been quietly nodding along whenever that word comes up in photography groups, this one’s for you.I’ve used VSCO Workspace for years, but I’m finally setting it up the right way. I walk you through my new onboarding flow, step by step, from the booking link to session day. Every client still gets every touch point. I’m just not the one hitting send anymore.And no, this doesn’t turn your business into a robot. The automations handle getting clients prepped. The consultation and the session are where I show up fully present, so every client feels seen.In this episode:What a CRM is, in plain languageThe real math on how much time one client takes before session dayWhy a booking link beats the “does Tuesday work?” email danceThe contract, questionnaire and payment that go out automatically at bookingWhy I send the prep guide the day after booking, not the same dayMy three-day session reminder and what to include in itHow I set consultation days and shooting days on my booking linkWhy I recommend offering a Zoom consult to every client (and require it for seniors)Your challenge: count your touch points and automate just oneLinksVSCO Workspace + my $75 discount code: https://katedecostephotography.com/form/the-one-where-you-get-vsco-oneInstagram: @katedecosteWebsite: www.katedecostephotography.comIf this episode got you thinking about your own client process, take a screenshot, share it to your Instagram Stories and tag me so I can see it. And if you’re loving the show, leaving a rating and review helps more photographers find it.

Not on Page One of Google? Let’s Fix That.Shutter Squad, have you ever Googled your niche and your city and not found yourself anywhere? I get it. I recently moved my business from Wahoo to Lincoln, which means I’ve been doing a full SEO overhaul of my own site. So I’m right there with you on this one.In this episode, I break SEO down into five simple, doable steps that help you start ranking in your niche and your city. Before any of that, though, there’s one thing you absolutely have to have first, and it’s not your Instagram.You don’t need to do all five perfectly overnight. Pick one and start there. My suggestion? Start by asking three recent clients for a Google review this week.In this episode:Why a real .com website is non-negotiable (Google doesn’t rank your Instagram grid)How to use your niche and your city naturally across your site, from page titles to image descriptionsHow I used AI to catch old “Wahoo” references hiding on my site after my moveWhat backlinks are and how vendor relationships, local directories, and school or team pages can helpWhy blogging is one of the easiest SEO wins, plus simple ideas for what to blog aboutHow my three-part senior guide blog series does double duty as evergreen, searchable contentWhat bounce rate is and the basics that keep people on your siteWhy Google reviews matter so much for local search, and a simple script for asking clientsLinks:PhotoBiz: photobiz.com (get $25 off your first year) https://www.katedecostephotography.com/form/get-the-hookup-my-exclusive-photobiz-offerInstagram: @katedecosteWebsite:www.katedecostephotography.comIf this episode helped you, share it to your Instagram Stories and tag me so I can see which episodes are hitting home for you. And if you haven’t yet, leaving a review helps other photographers find the show too.

The One Brands Want to Hire: Positioning & Outreach with Paul WeaverTo kick off Season 4, I'm joined by Paul Weaver, a Miami-based commercial photographer and videographer who shoots for health and wellness brands like Garmin and Prada Beauty. Paul is the founder of The Freelance Photographer and Director of Education at VSCO. We cover the difference between a niche and positioning, how AI is changing the way brands find photographers, what good outreach looks like, price shoppers versus value shoppers, and why video is a big deal right now. Then Paul steps into the Photo Confession Booth with a story about a big Garmin shoot.In this episode:0:00 Niche vs. positioning3:29 Who is Paul Weaver?10:03 What really holds photographers back in years one to three12:08 Treating senior sessions like lookbook shoots15:54 How Paul found his niche (the ice cream shop analogy)18:57 How to narrow down what you shoot24:19 Taking work outside your niche without showing it26:49 Positioning, keywords, and how brands are using AI to find photographers33:21 How Paul reaches out to brands: selfie videos, LinkedIn, and Instagram search36:34 Handling rejection and finding community42:00 Why Paul started teaching51:50 Price shoppers vs. value shoppers54:42 How adding video changes what you can charge59:20 Behind-the-scenes content as your front door1:01:51 Paul's advice to his year-one self1:03:24 The TFP Accelerator1:08:25 The Photo Confession BoothConnect with Paul:LinkedIn: Paul WeaverInstagram: @paulwheatthinsWebsite: www.paulwashere.comThe Freelance Photographer: www.thefreelancephotographer.com (monthly workshops open to everyone; the Accelerator opens once a quarter)If this episode helped you, leave a review and share it with a photographer friend!

“I’m awkward.”“I don’t know how to pose.”“I hate having my picture taken.”“What do I do with my hands?”And the classic: “I’m not photogenic.”If you've ever said any of those things before getting in front of a camera, this episode is for you.In this bonus episode and the Season 3 finale of The One Behind the Lens — I'm wrapping up my Senior Session Playbook with the part that can make seniors the most nervous: What am I actually supposed to DO in front of the camera?Here's the first thing I want you to know:You don't need to know how to pose. That's your photographer's job.We're talking about why those first few minutes of a senior session might feel awkward, how movement helps you relax, why you shouldn't compare your session to someone else's, and how bringing things you love can help your personality come through in your photos.I'm also talking to parents about how to be the ultimate hype person without accidentally making your senior more self-conscious.And photographers, there's plenty in this one for you too. Your clients don't do this every day — you do. How you direct, communicate, encourage and give feedback can completely change someone's experience in front of your camera.🎧 In This Episode📸 The Senior Session Playbook00:24 — Welcome + the Season 3 finale01:35 — You don't need to know how to pose03:22 — Why the first 5–10 minutes might feel awkward04:45 — Why I don't recommend wearing your favorite outfit first05:05 — Stop worrying about what you look like06:20 — Movement is your friend07:25 — Bring things that make you feel like YOU08:20 — Bring someone who makes you feel confident09:25 — You don't have to smile in every photo10:25 — Don't compare your session to someone else's11:20 — Tell your photographer what you're nervous about12:55 — Why consultations matter + the senior who hates bugs13:55 — Parents, this part is for you15:35 — Photographers: remember what this feels like16:30 — Your client can't read your mind — give them feedback17:15 — Confidence is contagious17:30 — Putting the Senior Session Playbook together18:25 — Wrapping up Season 319:45 — Season 4 is coming in October!This episode wraps up our three-part senior photography series:Part 1: How to Choose the Right Location for Your Senior PhotosPart 2: What to Wear for Your Senior PhotosPart 3: The One Where They Said, “I’m Awkward in Photos”Location matters.What you wear matters.But ultimately, your senior session should feel like you.You don't need to know how to pose. You don't need to be “photogenic.” And you definitely don't need to become somebody else for your senior photos.You need a photographer who knows how to guide you, an experience that gives you room to relax, and permission to show up as yourself.And with that, Season 3 is officially a wrap!Thank you, Shutter Squad, for listening, sharing episodes, sending me messages when something resonates, and being part of another season of The One Behind the Lens.Season 4 drops in October!Until then, it's the perfect time to go back and catch up on any Season 3 episodes you missed.Make sure you're following or subscribed so you'll know when we're back.And remember:There's always more to the story behind the lens.I'll see you next season.

The One About Building a Marketing System That Actually Works with Lindsay PinchukIn this episode, I sit down with Lindsay Pinchuk, an award-winning entrepreneur, consultant, and small business mentor who's among the less than 1% of female founders to successfully lead her company through an acquisition. Lindsay built her first company, Bump Club and Beyond, from just $500 into a 7-figure brand with partnerships including Target, Nordstrom, Huggies, and Unilever, reaching over 3 million people every month before selling the business to a large agency holding company. Today, she's the founder of Dear FoundHer, a top 0.5% podcast and community supporting women business owners over 40.We talk about her signature SWEEP framework for simplifying marketing, why partnerships don't have to mean brand deals, how to show up on camera even if it terrifies you, why chasing trends isn't the growth strategy people think it is, and why women over 40 might have the biggest advantage in business right now.In this episode:2:41 — Lindsay's story: from corporate America to founding Bump Club and Beyond4:21 — How Dear FoundHer came to be5:23 — The SWEEP framework: what it stands for and how one piece of content can be repurposed across six channels9:16 — A real example: turning one blog post into weeks' worth of content13:24 — Why LinkedIn is an underused platform for photographers14:44 — How SWEEP changed the way Lindsay thinks about marketing19:34 — Why "partnership" is broader than brand deals — and how your own clients are partners25:01 — Two tips for showing up on camera when you hate being on camera30:57 — Why chasing trends won't grow your bottom line36:28 — Why women over 40 have an edge in business right now46:51 — How and why Lindsay started The FoundHer Files on Substack53:41 — The three-month premium listener gift, explained55:31 — Rapid fire round57:17 — More on the Dear FoundHer podcast and communityConnect with Lindsay:Instagram: @dearfoundherPodcast/Community: dearfoundher.comThe FoundHer Files: foundherfiles.substack.comSpecial offer: Lindsay is giving Shutter Squad listeners three months free of the premium FoundHer Files — claim it here.The Coffee Roaster of LincolnDiscount: 5% off online ordersCode: TOBTLPodcast link: coffeeroasterlnk.com/tobtl☕ The Coffee Roaster — Save 5% on your online order with code TOBTL, or shop through the podcast link above.If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The One Behind the Lens so you never miss a conversation, and leave a review to help more photographers find the show.

The One Where AI Can't Steal Your Joy with Jon CheneyIn this episode, I sit down with Jon Cheney, founder and CEO of the General AI Proficiency Institute, to talk about what AI actually means for photographers and creatives — beyond the hype and the fear.Jon breaks down how AI is already working behind the scenes in your iPhone photos, how to use it to fix blown shots, remove distractions, and clean up editing work that used to eat up hours. We also get into the tools he actually uses day to day, why different AI platforms can give you completely different answers to the same question, and the story behind how he built an entire business — one that would've cost $3.2 million and 18 months the traditional way — in a single weekend for $400.My favorite part of this conversation: Jon's take on why the joy of creating, and the stewardship that comes after, is something AI can never take from us.In this episode we cover:Why you're probably already using AI without realizing itUsing AI to fix framing issues, remove distractions, and clean up shotsHow to give your AI tools your own "voice" for writing and contentWhat Jon actually uses ChatGPT, Claude, and Replit for in his own businessWhy AI platforms can give wildly different answers depending on how they're trainedHow Jon built a business in a weekend for $400Why creativity and stewardship are uniquely human, no matter how good AI gets0:00 Intro 2:14 Who is Jon Cheney? From tech-lover to AI founder 4:42 You're already using AI (yes, even on your iPhone) 5:10 Jon's Alaska story: fixing a blown photo with AI 7:34 Removing distractions — cars, trees, tan lines, blemishes 9:34 Why AI just makes creatives faster, not less creative 10:54 What AI can take off a photographer's plate (admin, emails, scheduling) 13:00 Vibe coding explained: how Jon uses Replit 16:17 Giving AI "your voice" for writing and content 19:00 Will photographers get left behind if they ignore AI? 22:25 Jon's business and course offer (with your discount code) 24:54 ChatGPT vs. Claude vs. Replit vs. Midjourney — what Jon uses for what 30:54 Why different AI platforms give different answers 36:13 Spotting AI content and being transparent about your process 40:00 The future of photography and why AI can't fake real creativity 42:48 Creation vs. stewardship — the part AI can never replace 44:49 How Jon built a $3.2M business in one weekend for $400 48:23 Jon's advice: the first AI tool to try if you're starting from zero 53:00 Rapid fire questions 57:47 Shoutout to Jon's mom, Carolyn Cheney (1.1M followers!) 59:03 Where to find Jon and wrap-upEvoto — my go-to AI editing tool for things like skin retouching, tan lines, and blemish removal. Get free credits to try it for yourself here: katedecostephotography.com/form/the-one-where-you-get-evotoConnect with Jon Cheney:LinkedIn: Jon CheneyInstagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, YouTube: @CheneyPianoCourse: "How to Build a Business in a Weekend" at GenAIPI.org — use code KATE for $350 off https://genaipi.org/live-courses/1Follow his mom, Carolyn Cheney, a nature photographer with 1.1 million followers

She's the Founder and CEO of a multi seven-figure, women-led social media agency and a former NBC News reporter, and in this episode Katie Love breaks down what really builds trust on social and it's not follower count.Hey Shutter Squad! This episode is packed for photographers and creatives. Katie Love, founder of Love Social Media, joins me to talk about why credibility matters more than followers, the story behind her very first $800 brand photos (and her now-iconic pink brand), why chasing everyone means you're building trust with no one, and the biggest content mistake she sees photographers make over and over. We also talk about the three "hooks" that stop someone from scrolling, why Pinterest and YouTube are so underrated for booking clients, and how her team actually uses AI without losing their voice.Katie is an Entreprenista 100 winner, and Love Social Media was named to Inc's Best Places to Work 2025. Plus — her team currently has five reels nominated for the Reelies Awards, and she shares a rapid-fire round at the end you don't want to miss.Connect with Katie LoveInstagram: @katielovesocialWebsite: loveyoursocialmedia.comGet VSCO ONE: https://refer.vsco.co/katedecosteIf this episode helped you, I'd love if you left a review or shared it with a friend. See you next time, right here behind the lens.