The One Behind the Lens with Kate DeCoste
The One Behind the Lens is the podcast for photographers in their first 5 years of business. Host Kate DeCoste shares real-talk strategies, behind-the-scenes stories, and bold advice to help you grow a business that fits your life. From branding to pricing and mindset to marketing - it’s all here. Grab your camera and your confidence - it’s time to Shutter Up and Shine. 🎧 New episodes every week starting August 4, 2025. Follow now so you don’t miss a thing!
Episodes
🎙 Episode Summary
In this bonus episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate sits down with Vickie Black—the founder of Senior Style Guide—to unpack the origins of SSG, the mission behind its supportive photography community, and the iconic Hot 100 contest. From overcoming rejection and industry competition to mastering workflows and maximizing sales, Vickie shares how photographers can elevate their craft, their business, and their co...
Episode Summary:Busy season is busy — but that doesn’t mean your marketing should go dark. In this bonus episode, Kate shares real, actionable ways photographers can stay visible, connect with their audience, and keep future bookings coming — without burning out. From batch posting to showing the messy middle, this is your gentle reminder that done is better than perfect.
⏱️ Episode Breakdown:
00:00 – Yay, it’s you, Shutter Squad! Ka...
🎧 The One with Sales That Don’t Feel Salesy, with Luci Dumas
Bonus | The One Behind the Lens
Hosted by Kate DeCoste
Guest: Luci DumasTotal
Length: ~60:00
🎙 Episode Summary
When you think of “sales,” do you picture pushy tactics, awkward conversations, and clients ghosting you afterward? My guest this week, Luci Dumas, is here to flip that script.
Luci has been a full-time photographer for over 40 years and now coaches creatives on ...
Episode: The One Behind the Lens – Overcoming Pose Panic
Every photographer has been there. Standing behind the camera, ready to capture the perfect shot, and suddenly your mind goes blank. Pose panic is a common challenge that can strike during any session, from seniors to families to couples.
In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, I share strategies for overcoming pose panic, keeping your clients relaxed, and making your sessi...
S1 E9: The One About SEO & AI: What Photographers Need to Know Now with Jeremy Hyler of Photobiz.com
Episode Title: The One About SEO & AI: What Photographers Need to Know Now with Jeremy Hyler of Photobiz.com
Guest: Jeremy Hyler, Creative Director at PhotoBiz.com
Summary: In this episode, Kate chats with Jeremy Hyler about the truth behind SEO, what photographers need to know about AI (spoiler: it’s not all bad), and why a streamlined website experience matters more than ever. Whether you're looking to improve your Google ranki...
Episode Summary: In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate sits down with attorney, entrepreneur, and business strategist Rachel Brenke to unpack the key legal protections every creative business should have. Rachel shares insights from her own journey balancing law, family, and creative ventures, covering contracts, copyright, liability, AI and prevention strategies that save time, money, and stress.
What We Cover (Timestamp...
In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate DeCoste dives into the power of saying “no” in your photography business—and in life. She shares her personal journey of discovering what truly lights her up, letting go of the work that drains her, and embracing the messy middle of her creative story. From weddings and newborn sessions that weren’t a fit, to finding freedom and focus in high school senior and headshot sessions, Kate...
Episode Summary: In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate sits down with storytelling strategist and business coach Megan Yelaney to unpack how your origin story can be your greatest marketing asset. Megan shares how she went from theater and network marketing to building a multi-million-dollar business—all by leaning into what made her different and learning how to tell her story with intention. She also walks us through h...
In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate gets real about a topic every creative faces but few talk about openly: burnout. The One with the Dry Spell is a candid conversation about those low seasons—the ones where you question everything, feel stuck, uninspired, or just plain tired. Whether you’ve found yourself staring blankly at your gear or wondering if you’ll ever feel creative again, Kate offers honest encouragement, pe...
Welcome to a special behind-the-scenes episode of The One Behind the Lens where Kate sits down with the consultant and strategy partner who helped bring this very podcast to life — Taylor Aller.
From the first sparks of an idea to late-night voxer messages and spreadsheet grading systems, Taylor shares her take on the magic of launching with heart, structure, and sustainable strategy.
They cover:
The real reason multipassionate cr...
In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate chats with Andrew Hellmich. Wedding and portrait photographer, host of the #1 photography business podcast PhotoBizX, and a go-to expert for marketing, pricing, and business growth. With over 20 years of experience, Andrew shares actionable insights on running effective Facebook ads, building sustainable pricing models, and what truly makes a photography business thrive. Whether you&...
Episode Title: Bonus: The One Where We Shutter Up & Celebrate: Live Launch Party & Replay+Juicy Photo Confessions
Length: ~45 minutes
Inside this Episode: We’re popping the virtual champagne! This bonus episode drops you right into the live launch party for The One Behind the Lens. Hear from guest experts Megan Yelaney and Ivy Towler, get Kate’s top three lessons for running a photography business, and laugh along with real-...
Episode 2 | The One Behind the Lens
Hosted by Kate DeCoste
Guest: Susan Geitka
Total Length: ~60:00
Inside the episode:
In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate is joined by photographer and light chaser Susan Gietka, whose journey began in 1983 with a Pentax film camera and a background in dance. Known for her emotive dance photography and creative lighting techniques, Susan shares her approach to working with natural light,...
Episode 3 | The One Behind the Lens
Hosted by Kate DeCoste
Guest: Renee Bowen
Total Length: ~55:00
Inside the episode:
In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate sits down with photographer, coach, and podcast host Renee Bowen to dive deep into the world of sustainable pricing, full-service photography, and the mindset shifts that make it all possible.
📌 What You’ll Learn
Renee’s path from psychology grad to full-time luxur...
Inside the episode:
In this juicy solo episode, Kate pulls back the curtain on her own struggles with workflow. She shares her real-life photo confession and the exact 5-step fix that turned her mess into a manageable, repeatable system.
Whether you're a photographer, creative business owner, or just tired of feeling buried under your to-do list, this episode is your permission slip to simplify and thrive.
The 5 foundational steps...
So what’s actually coming in Season One of The One Behind the Lens?
In this bonus trailer, I’m giving you a sneak peek at what’s ahead — from branding and pricing to mindset, marketing, and building a biz that feels like you. If you’re a photographer in your first 5 years of business, this season is packed with practical tips, pep talks, and permission to stop playing small.
🔗 Links + Resources:
Welcome to The One Behind the Lens!
If you're a photographer in your first 5 years of business and you're ready to stop winging it, start shining, and finally build a brand that feels like you, you're in the right place.
This quick trailer sets the tone for Season 1 and gives you a sneak peek at what’s coming: bold strategies, creative inspo, mindset shifts, and a whole lot of biz bestie energy.
It’s time to Shutter Up a...
Yay, it’s YOU!
If you're a photographer in your first 5 years of business wondering how to go from “what am I doing?” to “I’ve got this,” then welcome, this podcast was made just for you.
In this mini trailer, I’m breaking down who The One Behind the Lens is for and why this space exists to help you grow with clarity, confidence, and creativity.
Get ready to Shutter Up & Shine - it’s time to build a biz that fits your lif...
Wondering what The One Behind the Lens is all about? Start here. This short-and-sweet trailer gives you the lowdown on what to expect in Season 1 and why this podcast was made for photographers in their first 5 years of business. If you’re looking for bold advice, real talk, and biz strategies that actually work… you’re in the right place.
I'm Kate - your host, biz bestie, and biggest cheerleader.
🔗 Links + Resources:
👉 Learn more +...
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