Luxe & Legacy Podcast

What We Would Do if We Started Our Business Today

What We Would Do If We Started Our Business Today
If we were starting our photography businesses in 2026, we wouldn’t chase more sessions or try to grow as quickly as possible. We would focus on building a strong artistic foundation, a clear brand identity, and profitable pricing from the very beginning. In this episode, we share the exact order we would follow to build a luxury photography business with more clarity, confidence, and intention.
In This Episode, We Cover
Building your portfolio intentionally through styled sessionsWe share why we would plan a full year of curated styled shoots to create a portfolio that reflects exactly what we want to be hired for. Styled sessions give you full creative control and serve as powerful marketing that shapes your brand identity.
Investing in education to elevate your work fasterYour art is the foundation of your brand. We talk about why investing in high quality education early helps you refine your eye, build confidence, and create work that supports profitable pricing sooner.
Finding community while developing your own artistic voiceConnecting with aligned photographers can provide support, inspiration, and shared learning. But it’s equally important to create independently so your work remains distinct and true to your vision.
Setting profitable pricing from the startInstead of slowly raising prices over years, we explain why it’s more effective to build a strong portfolio first, then set pricing based on your cost of doing business and long-term goals.
Reinvesting into your business to build momentumDuring the early stages, reinvesting income into marketing, education, and visibility helps create long-term consistency and growth.
Using SEO and social media together for visibilitySocial media builds connection and showcases your artistry, while SEO helps clients who are already searching find you. Both are essential for creating steady, aligned inquiries.
Curating a brand presence that reflects your ideal clientYour website and Instagram should function like a gallery. Being selective about what you share helps position your brand as elevated and cohesive.
Niching down by following what energizes youPaying attention to which sessions inspire you most helps you refine your focus, attract aligned clients, and build a more fulfilling and profitable business.
The Key Takeaway
The fastest way to build a luxury photography business is not by doing everything. It’s by building your portfolio, brand, and pricing with intention from the beginning.
Resources Mentioned
Use code LEGACY200 for $200 off Amber’s photography courses. Links and a ChatGPT brand identity cheat sheet are available in the show notes.
Follow & Connect
Follow us on Instagram:Amber: @light_livin_photographyMarie: @marie.elizabeth.photo
 
Website:
Amber: https://lightlivinphotography.com/ 
Marie: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/
 
If you enjoyed this episode, leaving a review helps other photographers discover the show.

9 Tips for Starting to Sell Artwork

Episode Summary
9 Tips for Selling Artwork
 
In this episode of the Luxe & Legacy Podcast, Amber and Marie talk through how to start selling artwork in a way that feels natural, confident, and client led.
They share practical tips on introducing artwork early, using consultation calls and questionnaires to guide the conversation, leading with emotion instead of specs, simplifying pricing, and avoiding overwhelm with too many options.
This episode is for photographers who want a clearer, more aligned approach to selling albums and wall art.
 
Connect With Us:
Amber: https://lightlivinphotography.com/education-page 
Marie: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/photography-mentoring
Portraits That Sell Mini Course: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/portraits-that-sell-mini-course 

Brand Alignment Isn’t Just Visual - It’s Moral.

Episode Summary
Brand alignment goes far deeper than visuals, presets, or polished feeds. In this deeply vulnerable episode, Marie and Amber explore what it truly means to run a values-aligned luxury business, one rooted in integrity, emotional resonance, and moral clarity.
This conversation invites photographers to reflect on the reality that clients are not only choosing your work, they are choosing you. Your voice, your values, your nervous system, and your humanity all play a role in how people experience your brand. Especially in an industry built on trust and intimacy, alignment is felt long before it is explained.
Recorded during a heavy moment in our country, this episode gently but honestly addresses the responsibility creatives carry when silence itself can signal misalignment. Marie shares her personal experience of speaking up, the peace that came from releasing people who were no longer aligned, and why luxury clients are not just buying beauty but trust, safety, and shared values.
This is not a conversation about being perfect or performative. It is about being clear, compassionate, and courageous. It is about allowing your brand to reflect your conscience and understanding that clarity attracts and repels in the healthiest way possible.
What We Cover in This Episode
Why brand alignment is emotional, ethical, and energetic, not just visual
How clients subconsciously choose photographers based on values and trust
The difference between neutrality and integrity in your brand
Why luxury clients are deeply values-driven, not just aesthetics-driven
How sharing your values builds deeper, safer client relationships
Letting go of fear around “losing followers” and choosing alignment instead
Practical guidance for sharing thoughtfully on your business platform
How motherhood, humanity, and compassion intersect with brand identity
Key Takeaway
Your brand is already communicating who you are, whether you use your voice intentionally or not. When you allow your business to reflect your values with respect and care, you create deeper trust, more meaningful connections, and a brand that feels honest instead of performative. Alignment is not divisive, it is clarifying.
Resources & Ways to Take Action
If you are feeling heavy and wanting to take meaningful action, here are a few resources mentioned in today’s episode:
Five Calls App – to easily contact your local representatives
ACLU Action Center – aclu.org/action
National Immigration Law Center – nilc.org
United We Dream – unitedwedream.org
Immigrant Legal Resource Center – for know-your-rights information
Please stay informed, act safely, and vote in every election, not just presidential ones.
Final Thoughts
You are allowed to care deeply. You are allowed to stand for dignity, compassion, and humanity. And you are allowed to build a luxury brand that reflects those truths without apology. When your values lead, the right people will always find you.
Thank you for being here and for holding space for this conversation with us.
Connect With Us
Follow along on Instagram:Marie: @marie.elizabeth.photoAmber: @light_livin_photography
Visit our websites:Marie Elizabeth Photography: https://marie-elizabethphotography.comLight Livin Photography: https://lightlivinphotography.com

Building a Luxury Photography Business with Confidence and Legacy with Shannon Griffin

Building a Luxury Photography Business with Confidence and Legacy with Shannon Griffin
Some episodes teach. This one expands.
Marie shares why this conversation is deeply personal, because Shannon Griffin has helped widen her lens for years. Not just in artistry, but in belief. In this episode, Shannon opens up about leaving weddings, building a low-volume, high-touch business model, and creating an experience where artwork is not an upsell. It is the point.
You will hear the mindset shifts that took Shannon from “I could never charge that” to confidently saying the numbers out loud, and why that confidence is one of the most luxurious signals you can give a client.
In This Episode, We Cover
Why family photography can be more valuable than weddings, and why so many photographers undervalue it
Shannon’s transition out of weddings, and the real reason she knew she had to change everything
What a luxury, once-in-a-lifetime experience looks like, especially for boudoir and women-focused work
The pricing model that removes the digital-only ceiling
How Shannon builds trust-first sales without feeling pushy or performative
The ordering appointment strategy that gets clients excited about artwork before they even see the gallery
What elevates perceived value instantly: curation, restraint, and emotion
Money beliefs, guilt, and the “who am I to want more?” narrative, especially for women
Why the rise of AI is a reason to raise your prices, not lower them
The power of “enough” in different seasons, because high profit does not have to mean high hustle
Memorable Takeaways
1) Luxury is not louder. It is more curated.Shannon talks about how elevation often comes from what you do not show. The restraint, the edit, the emotional story over the “look at everything I can do” approach.
2) Artwork-first changes everything.Clients do not purchase digitals. They invest in an experience and tangible legacy: frames, albums, and matted prints, with matching digitals included only with what they purchase.
3) Confidence is a sales strategy.Shannon does not over-explain her pricing because explanation can unintentionally signal doubt. She gives a range, holds the silence, and trusts the value.
4) Your business model should protect your life.Shannon shares why she caps her sessions, often around two per month, so she can be present for motherhood and life without burnout.
A Few Highlights from Shannon’s Process
Average client investment: around $10,000
Session fee mentioned: $1,450
Album pricing mentioned: starting around $6,500
Past client example: a $40,000 order featuring multiple framed pieces, metal prints, gallery walls, and matted print boxes
Sales approach: trust and guidance, not pressure. She will recommend what she genuinely thinks is best, even if it is the lower option
If This Episode Hit You, Ask Yourself
Where am I treating my work like a commodity instead of art?
Where am I still acting like family photography is “less than”?
Where am I explaining my prices because I am trying to earn permission?
What would change if I believed there was truly no cap?
Not every episode is meant to give you a checklist. Some are meant to shift your internal ceiling. If you felt something stir while listening, pay attention to that.
Guest Spotlight: Shannon Griffin
Shannon Griffin is known for creating museum-worthy imagery rooted in depth, emotion, and legacy, with a luxury client experience designed for high-end artwork sales. Her work centers women and family in a way that feels intimate, timeless, and profoundly intentional.
Find Shannon:
Website: shannongriffin.com
Instagram: @shannongriffin
Connect
Follow us on Instagram
Amber: @light_livin_photography
Marie: @marie.elizabeth.photo
Website:
Amber: https://lightlivinphotography.com/
Marie: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/
Loved This Episode?
If you enjoyed today’s conversation, we would be so grateful if you left a review. It helps other photographers find the show and join this community of artists building businesses with clarity, intention, and elevated artistry.
See you next week.

The Invisible Signals of a Luxury Brand

Episode: The Invisible Signals of a Luxury Brand
Luxury isn’t just about a high price point. It’s the quiet details that communicate confidence, intention, and elevated value before a client ever meets you.
In today’s episode, Marie and Amber break down the invisible signals that make a brand feel luxury right away — from the words you choose, to the pace of your process, to the systems that create a calm, guided client experience.
If you’ve ever felt the urge to overexplain your pricing, bend to requests that don’t align, or “prove” your value, this episode is your reminder: luxury is built in clarity, structure, and steady confidence.
What We Cover
1) First impressions happen fast
Potential clients decide what you’re worth before they ever email you. We talk about how your language, presentation, and boundaries quietly signal “high-end” from the start.
2) Confidence shows up in your communication
Luxury brands don’t cave to client requests, and they don’t overexplain. We discuss:
Warm, clear responses (without justifying your process)
Why overexplaining reads as insecurity
Writing emails that are structured, concise, and easy to follow
3) The language shift that changes everything
Words matter more than you think. We share luxury-aligned alternatives to bargain language, including:
“Investment” vs. “price”
“Perk” or “bonus” vs. “discount”
“Collections begin at…” and “Most families invest…” vs. budget framing
4) Your website should pre-qualify the right clients
Your investment page should lead with experience and emotion before numbers. We also talk about:
Why you should show a minimum or range (to reduce budget inquiries)
Why urgency and discounts don’t belong on a luxury investment page
Making it obvious that you offer artwork (and showing it throughout your site)
5) Luxury feels intentional, slow, and guided
A luxury client experience is spacious, not rushed. We discuss:
Communicating timelines for film and fine art products (without making it about the wait)
Why clients should always know what happens next
How structure makes people feel safe and taken care of
6) Systems are a luxury signal
Using a CRM isn’t just “organized” — it creates consistency and ease. We cover:
Automated inquiry responses that still feel personal
Seamless booking, invoices, contracts, questionnaires, and reminders
Why “Venmo me” does not match a luxury brand experience
7) Boundaries build trust (and demand)
Boundaries aren’t just for burnout prevention — they’re a signal of authority. We talk about:
Office hours in your email signature and on your website
Not responding outside business hours (and why it reads as more luxury)
Calm, kind “no’s” that strengthen client trust
Rapid-Fire Luxury Details Mentioned
Email signature with office hours
Vacation auto-replies only
Clear scheduling flow (inquiry → consult → planning → session)
Beautiful, branded style and pricing guides (not just a Pinterest board)
Questionnaires that support a truly custom experience
Invoicing + contracts through a CRM for a polished, professional workflow
Key Takeaway
Luxury isn’t about being cold or exclusive. It’s about clarity, confidence, customization, and care — expressed through language, systems, boundaries, and a client experience that feels calm and intentional.
Follow & Connect
Instagram:
Amber: https://www.instagram.com/light_livin_photography/Marie: https://www.instagram.com/marie.elizabeth.photo/
 
Website:
Amber: https://lightlivinphotography.com/Marie: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/
 
If you enjoyed this episode, we’d be so grateful if you left a review — it helps more photographers find the show and grow alongside this community.
See you next week!

Goal Setting & Vision Boards

Vision Boarding & Goal Setting for 2026
The start of a new year is full of possibility — but it can also feel overwhelming. In this episode of the Luxe & Legacy Podcast, we’re talking about how to approach goal setting and vision boarding for 2026 with clarity, focus, and intention.
Marie shares why narrowing your focus to one or two meaningful goals can create more momentum than chasing every trend in the industry. We talk about distraction, doing less on purpose, and building on what’s already working in your business.
Amber then breaks down vision boarding in a way that goes far beyond a wishlist. We explore how to create vision boards based on how you want to feel, why your subconscious and nervous system play a role in what you allow yourself to receive, and how imagery can support aligned action and growth.
This episode blends practical strategy with mindset work to help you create real progress this year — without burnout.
In this episode, we cover:
How to simplify your goals without losing momentum
Why focus is essential for sustainable growth
The difference between a wishlist and an aligned vision board
Using emotion and imagery to support your subconscious
How to pair vision with action so goals actually happen
If you’re craving a more grounded, intentional way to grow in 2026, this episode will help you reset and refocus.
 
Connect
Follow us on Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/light_livin_photography/
https://www.instagram.com/marie.elizabeth.photo/
 
Website:
Amber: https://lightlivinphotography.com/ 
Marie: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/
 
 
 

The Art of Saying No: Creating Clear Boundaries for the New Year

The Art of Saying No: Creating Clear Boundaries as You Step Into 2026
In this episode of the Luxe and Legacy Podcast, Amber and Marie share how setting clear boundaries can transform your photography business, especially as you step into a new year. They break down why boundaries are essential for luxury photographers, how they signal professionalism, and how they help attract aligned, high end clients.
This conversation covers practical boundary setting for photographers, including communication expectations, weekday vs weekend sessions, pricing confidence, client leadership, and navigating boundaries with friends and family. Amber also shares honest insight into balancing motherhood and business while building a sustainable photography career.
If you’re a photographer looking to raise your prices, attract luxury clients, avoid burnout, and create better work life balance in 2026, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and actionable strategies to move forward.
Connect
Follow us on Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/light_livin_photography/
https://www.instagram.com/marie.elizabeth.photo/
 
Website:
Amber: https://lightlivinphotography.com/ 
Marie: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/
 
 
 

SEO for Luxury Photographers with Melissa Arlena

Episode Overview
Amber and Marie sit down with SEO expert Melissa Arlena to break down SEO in a simple, practical way. If you want to get found on Google, attract aligned luxury clients, and stop relying only on Instagram, this episode will give you clear next steps you can implement during slow season and beyond.
In This Episode
Why SEO matters for luxury brands and long term lead generation• Where to start if SEO feels overwhelming• Blogging ideas that actually bring in inquiries• Common keyword mistakes photographers make• How to target locations and affluent areas strategically• Simple image optimization and alt text tips• Using AI as a support tool without losing your voice
Work with Melissa
Learn more at
https://www.instagram.com/pictureperfectrankings/
https://www.instagram.com/melissaarlena/
https://pictureperfectrankings.com/the-blogging-club/
Use code LUXELEGACY for 50% off your first month in the Blogging Club.
Connect
Follow us on Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/light_livin_photography/
https://www.instagram.com/marie.elizabeth.photo/
 
Website:
Amber: https://lightlivinphotography.com/ 
Marie: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/
 

Does Your Portfolio Pass The Vogue Test?

In this episode, Amber and Marie break down why some images feel instantly high-end while others unintentionally read budget. They explore the visual cues that define luxury photography and share the intentional choices that elevate a portfolio. From lighting and color to posing, wardrobe, and curation, you will learn how to audit your work through the lens of The Vogue Test and shape a portfolio that attracts premium clients.
What We Cover
The core elements that create luxury imagery
Why intentional lighting is the strongest indicator of a high end brand
How consistency in edit, color, and mood builds trust with premium clients
The importance of natural skin tones, movement, and connection
How confident direction elevates posing and client experience
Why wardrobe choices dramatically affect perceived value
Common visual mistakes that quietly read budget
Different luxury aesthetics and what makes each of them elevated
How to use The Vogue Test to refine your portfolio
A simple process to curate a more cohesive, luxury aligned body of work
Key Takeaways
Luxury is built on intention and clarity
Beautiful light, clean color, and refined posing elevate even simple locations
Strong curation is one of the fastest ways to transform your portfolio
Removing budget cues immediately raises perceived value
A luxury portfolio is tight, cohesive, and aligned with your artistic vision
If you are ready to refine your portfolio and create a more elevated brand presence, stay tuned for upcoming resources.Share this episode with a photographer who is ready to move into a luxury lane
Follow us on Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/light_livin_photography/
https://www.instagram.com/marie.elizabeth.photo/
 
Website:
Amber: https://lightlivinphotography.com/ 
Marie: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/
The Vogue Test Worksheet

Our Favorite AI Tools for Photographers

What We Cover in This Episode
✨ How to Use ChatGPT Without Losing Your Voice
Why ChatGPT only works well after you’ve built a clear brand foundation(ideal client, tone, values, purpose, mission)
The danger of generic AI output — and how to avoid “copy-paste photographer internet voice”
How Amber created a custom ChatGPT trained on her messaging
Using AI to repurpose one strong message into:
IG captions + hooks
Email newsletters
Pinterest descriptions
Blog outlines
Sales page copy
How ChatGPT can deepen connection while maintaining authenticity
Why AI should amplify your voice — not replace it
✨ AI for Editing: Our Experience With Imagine AI
Marie’s workflow:
How Imagine edits her galleries in 15–20 minutes
Why she barely has to tweak anything anymore
Creating separate profiles (studio, outdoor, film stock)
The “secret sauce”: continuously feeding Imagine your refined edits so it learns your style
Amber’s experience:
Why Imagine didn’t work for her in the past — and what changed
The learning curve and how it handles tone curves + background masks
Where it excels and where she still fine-tunes things
Why it’s saving her after a huge tech issue this month
Key takeaway:Imagine can drastically speed up your editing workflow and improve consistency — especially once your profile has been fully trained.
✨ Voto: AI Retouching That Saves HOURS
Marie’s go-to tools for newborn & family sessions:
Infant acne removal
Skin evening
Double-chin reduction
Hair frizz + flyaway removal
Eye catchlights
Amber’s approach:
Why she customizes a new “preset” for each client
Her favorite features: under-eye circle reduction, wrinkle softening, clothing de-wrinkle
What she uses sparingly to keep edits natural
How Voto saved a wind-blown lavender farm session
Why it’s the most user-friendly AI tool she’s tried
The biggest perk:Magazine-quality refinements in minutes — without outsourcing a single image.
✨ The Future of AI for Photographers
AI tools are evolving monthly — and the industry is moving fast.Marie & Amber share why learning these tools now gives you more freedom, more creative energy, and more time to deliver meaningful, elevated work.
Links & Resources
✨ Courses & Black Friday Sales
Marie’s Courses — $200 off each:
The Posing Course
The Artwork Course
The Client Experience Course
Amber’s Black Friday Exclusive Bundle:Includes:
Light Livin Transformation Course
Playful Posing Course
Style Guide
Contract Templates
✨ Resources
Imagen AI
Evoto
 
Connect With Us
Instagram:
Amber: @light_livin_photographyMarie: @marie.elizabeth.photo 
Website:
Amber: https://lightlivinphotography.com/ 
Marie: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com/
 
Thanks for Listening!
Here’s to using AI with intention, elevating your creative workflow, and building a photography business you love.
See you next week, friends!