The Studio Takeover Podcast

The Diver's Mentality with Eryn Brydon

Send us Fan Mail She spent fifteen years calling "just enough" a career. Then she got in the water and stopped coming up for someone else's air. Six months ago Eryn Brydon clicked an ad she couldn't scroll past. She had the master's degree. The college teaching job. Fifteen years of underwater photography she'd been doing well enough to survive on and never well enough to feel like hers. She also had an agreement running underneath all of it. The quiet one. The one that says an artist takes what she can get, keeps the price low, keeps herself smaller than the work, and calls the whole arrangement humility. Then she went to Mexico. Four days at Elevate, a Temescal ceremony, and a version of the real world so real she still can't stop talking about it. She came back forty, in love, done neglecting her own body, and finished (genuinely finished) auditioning for a life she'd already been living underwater the entire time. This is the confession episode. Eryn is a scuba diver, and she talks about business the way she talks about the ocean: the current isn't the thing that kills you. You are. Complacency is. The moment you stop watching your own air and start believing nothing can touch you because that's when it does. Cat and Eryn take that all the way down. What the fear is actually for. Why the most dangerous thing in the water is the person holding the camera. And what it costs a woman to keep putting everyone else's oxygen mask on first. Then it turns, the way these always turn. Because Eryn isn't just processing a retreat. She's launching two things fifteen years in the making, and you get to hear her build them out loud. Decision compels action. She wrote it on her mirror. Come find out what she's deciding. Connect with Eryn Here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oceaninkstudios/ Website: https://oceaninkstudios.com/ Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

The Audacity to Choose with Kristen Fields

Send us Fan Mail 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 conversations we've put on the show. Kristen is building an empire in real time: a photography business taken international, a keynote and shoot in Mexico this September, and a book — The Audacity — on its way by year's end. But the inventory isn't the story. The story is how she learned to hold all of it and be at peace. How she got there is the part you'll want to hear in her own words. The Flinch Nobody Names Out Loud Every photographer's flinch wears a different costume. Kristen's looked like constant constriction, chronic indecision, and handing her choices to other people so she'd never have to sit with what she actually wanted. Underneath it ran the same permission system so many creatives never consciously installed — the quiet rule that wanting more, being seen, and getting paid for your art are things you're supposed to apologize for. A year ago, she says, she was surviving. Existing by default. Chaos wasn't just tolerated — it was identity. In the episode she names the exact belief that kept her there for two decades, and the moment she caught it running the show. (It's the same wiring a lot of us carry in from scarcity, and Cat traces where it comes from.) The Question That Made Her Furious The shift didn't start with a strategy. It started with a single challenge from Cat — one Kristen admits she was "f*cking pissed" about for a long time. It became the title of her book. It also became the question this whole episode circles: what would it look like if you had the audacity to choose the life you actually want? We won't spoil how she answers it. But the conversation moves through the mechanism Cat comes back to again and again — why a decision, not a plan, is what actually compels you to change — and the retreat moment six months ago where Kristen stopped performing the work and started feeling it. What Flow Actually Looks Like Flow doesn't mean the hard stuff stops showing up. It means it stops meaning something about who you are. Kristen gets honest about how she moves now when everything goes sideways — and how different that is from the version of her who'd spiral, grit, and drown in shame just two years ago. There's a thread here about regulation, visibility, and the fear that being seen isn't safe; including the surprising place that fear had been hiding in her body and her calendar. If you've ever believed a packed schedule was the only proof you were okay, this stretch of the episode is for you. Also In This Episode Why The Audacity isn't written from victimhood, and the arc Kristen says every woman moves through, from "good girl" to Phoenix to sovereign. How her September keynote, her Sovereign destination campaign, and the book all feed each other — what Cat calls "satellite congruence." Where photography fits now that it's no longer the whole empire What actually makes a five-figure destination session worth it; and why it has almost nothing to do with the location. The unprompted thing Kristen's 12-year-old said before a school play that told her the change is already reaching the next generation. Find Kristen Here: Website: https://kristenfieldsphoto.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenfieldsphoto/ Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

Shadow Series: The Overturning

Send us Fan Mail 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 rate before you send it anyway. Awareness is not transformation. Insight is not identity shift. Naming the cage is not the same as walking out of it. In this final episode, I'm not introducing another shadow. I'm telling you what I didn't say in any of the first seven — including what was running in me while I was building this series. And I'm telling you about a word that doesn't mean what you think it does. Catastrophe. From the Greek. Kata + strophe. Not the disaster. The overturning. The moment the structure that's been holding you in place gives way — not with a crash, but with a release — to something that was always there underneath it. The Torch is not a different woman. She is the same woman after she stops protecting herself from what she already knows. You've spent seven episodes doing the naming. Now do the choosing. Links: Book announcement → https://substack.com/@catfordcoates Instagram: @catfordcoates Tell me which shadow ran the longest. Come find me on Instagram. Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

The Shadow | Ep 04: "I'm Not Good with the Business Side"

Send us Fan Mail 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 possible. When you opt out of the business side, you don't protect your creativity. You hand the controls to someone who has never once been on your side. This episode is about the story that made avoidance feel like identity, and what it actually costs you to keep not looking. Uncomfortable Truth: You are already the CEO. You've just been letting the Shadow run the business in your place. Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

The Shadow | Ep 5: “A Full Calendar Is The Perfect Alibi”

Send us Fan Mail 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. The Shadow showed up differently for each of you. But she left the same thing behind: a life that looks full and a dream that keeps getting moved to…maybe next month. We also talk about something that usually gets flattened in conversations like this and thats that not everyone starts with the same access to their hours. That's real. And the Shadow knows it. She learned to speak fluently in the language of your real constraints. This episode is about learning to tell the difference between what's actually in your way and what she put there. She didn't steal your time. She filled it, and then convinced you the fullness was proof you couldn't go. Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

The Shadow | Ep 6: “If I Raise My Prices I’ll Lose My Clients”

Send us Fan Mail 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 work. They were buying your discount. And the clients who are there for the work? They will value it more at a higher price point. Not less. The deeper thing this episode gets into: when you don't trust yourself at the higher number, you broadcast it. The self-doubt becomes the signal. And the prediction starts coming true; not because your prices were too high, but because you told them they might be. The clients who value your photography work will only value it at a higher level. The ones who left when the price changed were never yours to keep. They were the practice run. You’ve graduated Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

The Shadow | Ep. 03: "My Market Wont Pay That"

Send us Fan Mail 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 for two years and telling yourself she's the exception. She's not. In this episode: Why "my market won't pay that" sounds like research but isn't What pricing for the market actually does to your client roster What the photographers charging more in the same cities are doing differently What really determines what your market will pay The harder truth underneath the market excuse The Shadow series names three lies. It doesn't fix them. That work happens inside The Exposure Mastermind: a four-week, identity-first experience for the photographer who is done letting The Shadow run the show. Not a course. Not a curriculum. Four weeks to get out of your own head long enough to hear what you actually want, and build the version of your business that matches the level of the person leading it. May 8th. Four weeks. THE UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTH The Shadow is not going away. She doesn't disappear when you get more experience, more clients, more revenue, or more confidence. She evolves. She finds the next gap, the next reason, the next version of not yet. The photographers who build the businesses they actually want don't do it because she finally went quiet. They do it because they stopped waiting for her permission. She was never going to give it. Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

The Shadow | Ep. 02: "I'm Not a Salesperson"

Send us Fan Mail 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 everything about a booking conversation. Every quality that makes you extraordinary as a photographer: the patience, the intuition, the ability to make someone feel seen is exactly what makes you brilliant at booking clients. The Shadow took your greatest strengths, called them “wrong”, and convinced you to opt out. To run. The Shadow series names three lies. It doesn't fix them. That work happens inside The Exposure Mastermind; a four-week, identity-first experience for the photographer who is done letting her run the show. Not a course. Not a curriculum. Four weeks to get out of your own head long enough to hear what you actually want, and build the version of your business that matches the level of the person leading it. May 8th. Four weeks. If you're ready to stop rehearsing the version of yourself you've been describing, this is where you do it. DM me EXPOSURE on Instagram @catfordcoates Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

The Shadow | Ep. 01: "I'm Not Ready Yet"

Send us Fan Mail 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 never feel ready. Readiness is not a feeling you arrive at. It's a decision you've been postponing. You knew what the next move was before you pressed play. The Shadow didn't stop you from knowing. She just convinced you that knowing wasn't enough. The Shadow series names three lies. It doesn't fix them. The Shadow is not going away. She doesn't disappear when you get more experience, more clients, more revenue, or more confidence. She evolves. She finds the next gap, the next reason, the next version of not yet. The photographers who build the businesses they actually want don't do it because she finally went quiet. They do it because they stopped waiting for her permission. She was never going to give it. That work happens inside The Exposure Mastermind; a four-week, identity-first experience for the photographer who is done letting her run the show. Not a course. Not a curriculum. Four weeks to get out of your own head long enough to hear what you actually want, and build the version of your business that matches the level of the person leading it. May 8th. Four weeks. If you're ready to stop rehearsing the version of yourself you've been describing, this is where you do it. DM me EXPOSURE on Instagram @catfordcoates Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

Creative Authority Embodied with Rachna Ratti Randev

Send us Fan Mail 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, energetic leadership, and the nuances of showing up with clarity, calm, and conviction in a noisy world. If you’ve been craving real talk about creativity, visibility, and building an artful, profitable business on your terms - this one’s for you. Follow Rachna on Instaram! @photographybyrachna Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

Why You’re Still Optional (And Undercharging) - Even with Premium Work

Send us Fan Mail 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 many talented, visionary photographers stay stuck in $3K to $5K months, even while producing premium work. It's not your audience. It's not the algorithm. It's the way you're showing up to sell. You're still selling like a service provider, when you're meant to be leading like an artist. You’ll learn: Why your current messaging is attracting attention but not alignment How your sales process may be signaling "I'm available" instead of "I'm the one" The internal shift required to stop negotiating your pricing What it really takes to build a business that holds your full value Analogy: You're pouring water into a leaky bucket and calling it marketing. If you're ready to recalibrate how you're seen, how you're priced, and how people buy from you... DM me ‘STUDIO’ on Instagram @catfordcoates. Let’s build a business that communicates your value before you speak. Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

The Invisible Ceiling That’s Capping Your Revenue

Send us Fan Mail 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 calculators, or marketing tactics designed for beginners… this is your wake-up call. You don’t need more visibility hacks. You need your messaging to mirror the depth of your work, heart, and genius. Because when you start speaking at the level you create at, that’s when your pricing, your presence, and your positioning rise to meet you. 🔁 Analogy: “You’re trying to break through a glass ceiling with someone else’s ladder.” DM me ‘STUDIO’ on Instagram @catfordcoates if you’re ready to stop selling like a photographer, and start earning like an artist. Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

The Power of Connecting Your Photography to Your Heart with Stef Graston

Send us Fan Mail 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 miscarriage, Stef’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and turning pain into profound purpose. You’ll hear: Why moving markets doesn’t guarantee success — and how to rebuild when your safety nets are gone The hidden cost of “survival mode” and how it impacts creativity and growth The power of connecting your work to your deepest values and lived experiences How The Nova Project is helping women process and honor miscarriage and child loss through art, storytelling, and community Why campaigns that are rooted in heart — not just revenue — can create both deep impact and sustainable business This episode is about more than photography or business strategy. It’s about reclaiming your story, creating meaning from what was meant to break you, and allowing your work to be an extension of your own healing. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn a season of loss into a legacy — or if you’ve felt the pull to create something bigger than yourself — Stef’s journey will remind you that your next chapter can start right here, right now. Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

Exploring the Art of building Business and Life on Your Terms with Sissela Johansson

Send us Fan Mail 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 about: Designing your business around your life, not the other way around Finding the balance between ambition and alignment The mindset shifts that turn “busy” into “purposeful” How clarity in your vision makes decision-making effortless Why your next level is less about adding and more about refining This episode isn’t about chasing someone else’s version of success — it’s about crafting yours. If you’ve been craving a way to expand without burning out, to grow while staying grounded, and to step into a business that truly reflects you, this conversation is your sign to move forward with intention. Press play. Your next level is already waiting. Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

Designing A Business in Alignment with Cate Scaglione

Send us Fan Mail 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 corporate roles to crafting a photography business rooted in creativity, peace, and purpose. We talk about: Redefining success so it’s measured by more than revenue Building a business that supports your life instead of consuming it Infusing luxury and intentional detail into every client touchpoint Pricing confidently without apology — and without losing yourself in the chase Using your values as the ultimate filter for decisions, growth, and scale This episode isn’t about doing more — it’s about becoming more of who you already are, and letting that be the driver of your business, your artistry, and your impact. If you’re ready to step off the treadmill of “more, faster, bigger” and instead step into your most aligned, next-level self, this conversation is your sign. Press play. Your evolution starts here. Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

Navigating AI as an Artist of Photography with Pratik Naik

Send us Fan Mail 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 potential for AI to enhance creativity while urging listeners to remain open-minded and proactive in shaping the future. Takeaways AI is constantly evolving, and opinions about it are shifting. The creative process can be enhanced by AI tools. It's essential to question the impact of AI on society and personal value. AI can help clarify creative visions and improve communication. Environmental impacts of AI usage should be considered. Creativity can drive positive change in society. Staying curious and open-minded is crucial in a rapidly changing landscape. Intentionality in using AI tools can lead to better outcomes. The butterfly effect of our choices can have significant impacts. The future of creativity lies in collaboration between humans and AI. Find Pratik Here: Website: www.solsticeretouch.com Instagram: @solsticeretouch Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

You're Already Worthy...Be Valuable with Lisa Zahiya

Send us Fan Mail 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, the significance of client education, and the need for accountability in overcoming challenges. Ultimately, they emphasize the importance of authenticity and connection in business, advocating for a mindset that prioritizes growth and resilience over ego. Lisa Zahiya is a nationally known business strategist and life coach who helps: Business owners cultivate lives on their own terms; Mission-driven entrepreneurs make more and give more; Small business owners scale quickly through effective digital marketing and products. After receiving a BS and a MBA from the University of Maryland, Lisa served as a director of marketing at Sylvan Learning Centers. "I had always dreamed of being a professional dancer and left my corporate career to pursue my dreams of dance. I opened the award-winning Studio Zahiya and traveled as a professional belly dance teacher and performer. I found that I enjoyed the community of body positivity, confidence, and success that Studio Zahiya created for my clients. I then furthered my goal of empowering others by training to be a life coach and opened a very successful coaching business. I I have now personally grown several seven-figure businesses reaching revenues of over 5 million dollars. I leverage this experience to help others pursue their dreams and have had six clients grow their businesses to over 1 million dollars in revenue." Lisa is based in New York, NY and El Gouna, Egypt, where she owns Lisa Zahiya Coaching. Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

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Events & Sponsorships 2 of 2

Send us Fan Mail 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 packages, identifying potential partners, and marketing events to maximize visibility and engagement. Cat encourages listeners to be bold in their outreach and to focus on creating win-win situations for all parties involved. Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

• Transcript

Events & Sponsorships 1 of 2

Send us Fan Mail 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 highlights the significance of building relationships within the community and the impact of well-executed marketing strategies on business growth. Topics: Marketing is essential for gaining attention in photography. Networking and personal connections are crucial for business growth. Events can be simple yet memorable to attract clients. Collaboration with other businesses can enhance event success. Understanding your target audience is key to event planning. Engagement strategies should keep attendees entertained and involved. Budgeting wisely can lead to impactful events. Sponsorships can alleviate financial burdens of hosting events. Future sales opportunities should be integrated into events. Celebrating your work through events can strengthen client relationships. Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

The Roller Coaster with Elle Yeon

Send us Fan Mail 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 in pursuing one's calling. Elle also reflects on her role as a mother and the impact of her business on her family life, while looking forward to future growth and opportunities, including a campaign celebrating women over 40. Find Elle here: Website: https://elleyeonphotography.com/ Instagram: @elleyeonphoto Support the show ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career. She didn't. She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience. She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have. She disagrees. Loudly. Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it. The question was never whether you're ready. You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.