From $250 to Luxury Senior Sessions: The Power of Connection & Confidence with Maria Ortiz

In this episode, we sit down with Maria Ortiz—a talented photographer who has transformed her senior portrait business by infusing it with deep emotional connection, thoughtful communication, and bold pricing strategies.

Maria shares how she brings excitement and warmth into every stage of her client process, from the first email to the session day. She discusses how her carefully crafted questionnaire helps her get to know each senior on a deeper level, asking questions like “If you could give a TED Talk, what would it be about?” or “What would your perfect Sunday look like?” These intentional prompts not only prepare her for the session but also allow her clients to feel seen and celebrated before the camera even clicks.

We also dive into one of the most pivotal moments in Maria’s journey: how she worked through internal blocks to confidently raise her prices—eventually 10x-ing her rates for senior sessions and then doubling them again. Maria opens up about the mindset shifts, investments in education, and personal development work that allowed her to own her value and create transformational experiences worth premium pricing.

D'Arcy and Maria discuss the concept of your "internal money thermostat," how subconscious beliefs about money can hold us back, and the importance of expanding your capacity to receive. Whether you’re a photographer or creative entrepreneur, this conversation is filled with wisdom on fostering connection, courageously raising your rates, and leading a heart-centered business.

 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

• How to use pre-session questionnaires to build genuine connection with clients

• The kinds of questions Maria asks to go beyond surface-level rapport

• Why emotional presence is essential in photography (and all client-based work)

• The internal shifts required to raise your prices with confidence

• Maria’s step-by-step process of going from $250 to premium luxury pricing

• Why doing personal money mindset work is essential to business growth

 

MEET MARIA:

Maria is a high school senior photographer in the Baltimore, MD area, highly sought-after for the luxury experience she provides for her clients. Originally from Ecuador, Maria considers herself a citizen of the world, with traveling as her foremost passion. Her experiences living in various countries have allowed her to meet people from diverse backgrounds, enhancing her ability to create deep, emotional and meaningful relationships. Maria believes that these connections are essential to both her photography and her coaching, as they form the foundation for true and impactful interactions.

With over 23 years of photography experience and a specialization in senior portraits for the past six years, Maria has found her true passion in this genre. She is dedicated to crafting empowering and confidence-boosting experiences for each of her young clients, building trust and making them feel seen and valued. In recent years, Maria has expanded her influence by publishing articles, speaking at conferences and coaching fellow senior photographers on streamlining their businesses, creating a strong portfolio and presence they are proud of, believing in them themselves and the experience they provide as photographers to ultimately help increase their income. Maria's true passion lies in empowering other photographers to believe in their capabilities and to value their time