The Studio Takeover Podcast
The Studio Takeover podcast is about and for Portrait Photographers from all walks. Join host Cat Ford-Coates as she shares her journey and interviews other Portrait Photographers to learn how they navigate personal and professional challenges, their businesses, and their lives.
Episodes
For 23 years, Kristen Fields ran her photography business the only way her nervous system knew how: feast or famine, hypervigilant, thriving in chaos because chaos felt like home. Then something changed, and it wasn't a new funnel, a new offer, or working harder.
In this episode, Cat sits down with Kristen, a Boise-based photographer 16 months into their work together, for one of the cleanest Flinch-to-Flow conversat...
The Shadow · "The Overturning"
Seven episodes. Seven shadows. Seven lies that creative women tell themselves to stay exactly where they are.
This is the last one.
And it's the most sophisticated — because this shadow doesn't keep you from doing the work. She lets you talk about doing the work. She hands you the vocabulary, lets you name every pattern with tremendous clarity, and then watches while you adjust the ...
The Shadow found a very elegant hiding spot. She convinced you that the business side; the pricing, the numbers, the strategy. It belongs to a different kind of person. Not you. You're the artist. And artists don't need to understand revenue.
What she didn't tell you: the art requires the business to fund it. The CEO is not the opposite of the artist. The CEO is what makes the presence and evolution of the artist pos...
She made sure you'd never have enough. Not because your calendar isn't full. It is. But because a full calendar is the perfect place to hide.
This episode is for three people:
- the photographer who is booked solid at rates that aren't working
- the person still at a full-time job who keeps saying "when I have more time,"
- the parent who has given everything to everyone else's timeline but their own.
It sounds like market research. It sounds responsible. Like you've thought it through and landed somewhere reasonable.
It's a prediction the Shadow made up.
This episode sits with the honest version of that fear, including the part that might actually be true. Some clients might leave when the price changes. We're not going to pretend otherwise. But the clients who leave when the price changes were never buying your w...
She handed you an entire geography to hide behind.
The market lie is the Shadow's most sophisticated move, because it sounds like data. Like research. Like you're being responsible and grounded and pragmatic about your reality.
But let's look at how that data was actually collected.
There is a photographer in your market right now charging what you want to charge. You know exactly who she is. You've been watching her f...
She took every bad experience you've ever had with being sold to, packed it into one word, and handed it back to you as a personality trait.
Now your integrity and your income are direct opposites. And she made it feel principled.
In this episode, we dismantle the mechanism, and rebuild what selling actually is for someone who believes in what she offers. The shift from seeking approval to offering advocacy changes ev...
She told you "not yet".
For months. Maybe years. In the voice that sounds exactly like wisdom — like patience, like the most responsible version of yourself.
That voice has a name.
In this episode, we meet the Shadow for the first time. We talk about why "not ready yet" is her cleanest move, what the waiting is actually costing you, and the question underneath the lie that she never wants you to ask.
You will neve...
In this powerful and present conversation, Cat Ford-Coates sits down with Rachna Rattindev to explore the intersection of artistry, authority, and the quiet courage it takes to lead your brand from embodied truth. They unpack the creative evolution that happens when you stop performing for the algorithm and start building a category of one, from within.
This episode is a deep dive into aligned marketing, energe...
You’re not undercharging because you don’t know your value. You’re undercharging because your message and sales process haven’t caught up with your evolution.
If you're creating content every day, testing price points, running ads, and still attracting hesitant buyers who need convincing, you're not dealing with a sales issue. You're facing a positioning leak.
In this episode, I reveal why so m...
You’re not underpaid because you’re under-skilled. You’re underpaid because your messaging still reflects a version of your work that you’ve outgrown. In this episode, I reveal the real reason premium photographers feel stuck at $3K–$6K months, despite having evolved, elevated work.
If you're still trying to break through your next income level using recycled content prompts, pricing...
Some transformations are born in quiet moments. Others are forged in fire.
In this conversation with Stef Graston, we go far beyond the highlight reel of running a photography business. Stef shares her journey from building success in a small Colorado town, to starting over in Charlotte, NC — and facing setbacks that would make most people walk away. From losing her studio to navigating the raw grief of miscarr...
What if your next level wasn’t about doing more — but about creating space to be more?
In this conversation with Sissela, we explore the art of building a business and life that reflect not only your skill, but your values, vision, and pace. From refining your offer to structuring your days, she shares how intentional choices can lead to more freedom, more impact, and more fulfillment.
Inside, we talk abou...
What if “success” as you’ve been chasing it isn’t the version that will actually fulfill you?
In this conversation with photographer and former corporate leader Cate Scaglione, we move past the surface of business strategy and into the heart of alignment - building a life and business that supports your values instead of eroding them.
Kate shares her journey from high-powered, high-stress corpo...
Cat Ford-Coates and Pratik Naik explore the evolving landscape of AI in the creative industry, particularly in photography. They discuss the duality of AI's impact, from fear and uncertainty to excitement and opportunity. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of adaptability, intentionality, and the human experience in a tech-driven world. They also touch on environmental considerations, the role of curiosity, and ...
The intricate relationship between self-worth and business success is a path every business owner travels. Cat and Lisa explore how confidence in one's value impacts pricing strategies, the importance of building a business that can operate independently of personal emotions, and the necessity of continuous learning and feedback.
The discussion also touches on the evolving role of AI in creative industries,...
In this episode of the Studio Takeover Podcast, host Cat Ford-Coates delves into the significance of sponsorships and partnerships for business growth for photography business owners. She emphasizes the importance of building in-person relationships and how they can lead to substantial economic impact for both businesses and communities. The conversation covers effective strategies for creating sponsorship p...
Summary
In this episode of the Studio Takeover Podcast, Cat Ford-Coates discusses the importance of marketing for photographers, emphasizing the need for networking and hosting events to gain visibility and connect with potential clients. She shares insights on creating memorable events, engaging attendees, budgeting effectively, and leveraging sponsorships to enhance event experiences. The conversation highl...
In this conversation, Elle Yeon shares her journey of entrepreneurship over the past year, discussing the challenges and triumphs of starting her photography business.
After having officially completed her first year as the business owner of a Portrait brand in the DC area she emphasizes the importance of community, the transformative power of photography for clients, and the need for confidence and courage...
Welcome André Smith, a photographer transitioning from sports photography to beauty and branding photography. They discuss the importance of empowerment in photography, the emotional reactions clients have during their photo reveals, and the significance of self-portraits in building confidence. André shares his journey, the challenges of being seen as a sports photographer, and his desire to help others see their b...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.