Most photography advice is aimed at beginners or those who’ve already “made it”, but what about everyone in between?

In this episode, we’re talking about the awkward middle of a photography business, the stage where you’re no longer new, you’ve made real progress, but you’re not yet where you want to be. Motivation starts to dip, responsibility increases, and it can feel like you’re working harder without the clarity or confidence you expected to have by now.

We unpack why this phase feels so uncomfortable, how comparison and pressure creep in and why feeling stuck is often a sign of growth rather than failure. If you’ve lost some of the beginner excitement, feel caught between levels or are quietly questioning your next move, this episode is for you.

This conversation is about perspective and understanding that the middle isn’t a problem to fix, it’s a phase to move through.

The Maternity Academy, Spain - Use code MBU25 for 25% off! - https://www.abigaillewisphotography.co.uk/the-maternity-academy

Join the conversation in our Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/690300729099443/

The Photographer's Power Pack FREE DOWNLOAD - https://www.abigaillewisphotography.co.uk/the-photographers-power-pack

Join this channel to get access to members only live streams and more -

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqorebmeGsNQQ9mK-jDNaVw/join

Chapters

00:00 – The Awkward Middle Most Photographers Hit

02:45 – When Growth Slows and Excitement Fades

05:55 – Why Success Stops Feeling Like Success

08:35 – The Reality of Stability, Money & Self Employment

11:30 – Imposter Syndrome, Risk & Playing It Safe

14:05 – Feeling Overlooked (Even When You’re Showing Up)

16:50 – Why Most Photographers Quit in the Middle

18:55 – The Middle Is a Building Phase

21:40 – Perspective, Support & Long Term Confidence

25:45 – Final Thoughts: The Middle Isn’t a Dead End

www.abigaillewisphotography.co.uk

Abigail Lewis Photography are an international award winning, Maternity and Newborn Specialist photography team. Focusing their time and experience in creating breathtaking artwork that will be treasured by your growing family for generations to come. Abigail is the force behind the camera, immortalising your memories and Kristie is Creative Director, ensuring your experience and needs are met. Together they work as one to make sure your journey into parenthood and beyond is empowering and unforgettable.

Being a photographer isn’t just about taking beautiful images. For many of us, especially those working in maternity, newborn and family photography, it means holding space for people during some of the most emotional moments of their lives.

In this episode, we talk about the emotional weight of being someone’s once in a lifetime photographer, the pressure to get it right, the responsibility that comes with documenting fleeting moments and the invisible labour that often goes unseen.

We explore why burnout in photography isn’t always about workload, how emotional responsibility can quietly build over time and why so many photographers feel exhausted even when they “love their job”.

This is an honest, grounded conversation about the side of photography that’s rarely talked about but felt by so many.

If you’ve ever carried the emotional load of your clients home with you, questioned why the work feels heavier some seasons than others, or wondered if it’s okay to acknowledge this part of the job, this episode is for you.

Remember My Baby Charity - https://remembermybaby.org.uk

Join the conversation in our Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/690300729099443/

The Maternity Academy Spain - https://www.abigaillewisphotography.co.uk/the-maternity-academy

The Photographer's Power Pack FREE DOWNLOAD - https://www.abigaillewisphotography.co.uk/the-photographers-power-pack

Chapters

00:00 — Intro

00:18 — Trigger Warnings

00:43 — Being a Once In A Lifetime Photographer

01:46 — Pressure in Maternity and Newborn Photography

03:50 — Dealing with Anxiety

10:12 — Safe Space For Our Clients

13:28 — Having A Community of Photographers

15:39 — Nothing To Fix

17:42 — Outro

www.abigaillewisphotography.co.uk

Abigail Lewis Photography are an international award winning, Maternity and Newborn Specialist photography team. Focusing their time and experience in creating breathtaking artwork that will be treasured by your growing family for generations to come. Abigail is the force behind the camera, immortalising your memories and Kristie is Creative Director, ensuring your experience and needs are met. Together they work as one to make sure your journey into parenthood and beyond is empowering and unforgettable.

Is your camera really the thing holding you back, or is that just what we’ve been taught to believe?

In this episode of Mother, Baby & Us, we unpack one of the most common misconceptions in photography: that better gear automatically leads to better images.

We talk honestly about why so many photographers feel stuck, frustrated or tempted to upgrade their equipment before they’ve truly learned to use what they already own. From entry level cameras to professional bodies, we share real world insight from years of photographing maternity, newborn and family sessions, and explain what actually makes the biggest difference to your work.

This episode covers:

- Why new gear often feels like the solution

- The skills that matter more than camera bodies and lenses

- How learning light, posing and intention impacts your images far more than specs

- When upgrading your gear does make sense

If you’ve ever wondered whether your camera is the problem or felt pressure to invest in expensive equipment before you’re ready, this conversation will help you refocus on what really moves your photography forward.

Canon R50 vs R5 Comparison Video - https://youtu.be/i2sZd8SFayE

Join the conversation in our Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/690300729099443/

The Maternity Academy Spain - https://www.abigaillewisphotography.co.uk/the-maternity-academy

The Photographer's Power Pack FREE DOWNLOAD - https://www.abigaillewisphotography.co.uk/the-photographers-power-pack

Join this channel to get access to members only live streams and more - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqorebmeGsNQQ9mK-jDNaVw/join

Chapters

00:00 — Intro

00:34 — Where Gear Myths Come From

04:29 — Gear Does Matter, Just Not In The Way You Think

07:39 — Practise Is Magic

13:45 — What Actually Improves Your Images

22:05 — When Gear Does Matter

26:25 — How To Know When It's Time To Upgrade

28:05 — Proving Our Point

30:17 — Outro

www.abigaillewisphotography.co.uk

Abigail Lewis Photography are an international award winning, Maternity and Newborn Specialist photography team. Focusing their time and experience in creating breathtaking artwork that will be treasured by your growing family for generations to come. Abigail is the force behind the camera, immortalising your memories and Kristie is Creative Director, ensuring your experience and needs are met. Together they work as one to make sure your journey into parenthood and beyond is empowering and unforgettable.

January can feel heavy for photographers.

The pressure to book out, upgrade gear, overhaul your business and “make this your year” can lead to rushed decisions, burnout and comparison before the year has even properly started.

In this first episode of Season 4 of Mother, Baby & Us, we’re welcoming you back and talking honestly about the biggest mistakes photographers make in January, and what to focus on instead.

We cover:

Why January feels so overwhelming for photographers

The most common reactive decisions made from panic

Why busy doesn’t always mean productive

How comparison distorts reality at the start of the year

What foundations are actually worth strengthening in January

How to start the year with clarity instead of pressure

If January feels quieter, heavier or more uncertain than you expected, you’re not behind, and you’re not alone.

The Maternity Academy Spain - https://www.abigaillewisphotography.co.uk/the-maternity-academy

Join the conversation in our Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/690300729099443/

The Society of Photographers Convention London - https://thesocieties.net/convention/

The Photographer's Power Pack FREE DOWNLOAD - https://www.abigaillewisphotography.co.uk/the-photographers-power-pack

Join this channel to get access to members only live streams and more -

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqorebmeGsNQQ9mK-jDNaVw/join

Chapters

00:00 — Intro

01:11 — What Happened After Season 3

03:01 — Coming Up In Season 4 & 2026

05:31 — Mistake Photographers Make In January

08:17 — Mistake 1

10:20 — Mistake 2

13:10 — Mistake 3

20:09 — Mistake 4

24:23 — What CAN Photographers Do In January

30:00 — Recap & Next In Person Talk

32:09 — What Are Your 2026 Goals & Outro

www.abigaillewisphotography.co.uk

Abigail Lewis Photography are an international award winning, Maternity and Newborn Specialist photography team. Focusing their time and experience in creating breathtaking artwork that will be treasured by your growing family for generations to come. Abigail is the force behind the camera, immortalising your memories and Kristie is Creative Director, ensuring your experience and needs are met. Together they work as one to make sure your journey into parenthood and beyond is empowering and unforgettable.

As the year winds down and the busy season fades, it’s easy to feel torn between wanting to rest and fearing you’ll lose momentum. In this episode, we’re talking about what it really means to slow down without losing your creative spark.

We share how we’re embracing the slower season, giving ourselves permission to pause and finding little ways to stay inspired, without the pressure to constantly produce. From personal projects to gentle resets that feel good for your business, this one’s your reminder that rest is part of growth.

Inside this episode:

- Why slowing down doesn’t mean you’re going to falling behind

- How to reignite creativity when you’re feeling drained

- Easy ways to stay on top of marketing while you're having down time

- A gentle mindset shift for photographers heading into a new year

Grab a blanket, your favourite brew and join us for the final episode of Season 3. It’s time to rest, reset and refocus before the year ahead.

👉🏻 Join the conversation in our Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/690300729099443/

Try Pixpa today - https://www.pixpa.com/?via=abigail99

The Photographer's Power Pack FREE DOWNLOAD - https://www.abigaillewisphotography.co.uk/the-photographers-power-pack

Join this channel to get access to members only live streams and more -

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqorebmeGsNQQ9mK-jDNaVw/join

Upgrade your Email Marketing with 50% off your first year with Flodesk - https://flodesk.com/c/4QS2A7

Cull, Edit, Deliver Faster with Aftershoot get 10% off - https://aftershoot.com/explore/?ref=abigail10

Chapters

00:00 — Intro

00:34 — Season 3 Finale

01:18 — Being Able to Take Down Time

03:10 — The Guilt Around Slowing Down

04:50 — Christmas Plans and Boundaries

07:02 — Little Ways To Stay Inspired

11:59 — How We Keep Our Business Running During Down Time

18:10 — Small Business Things That Can Feel Good

23:39 — Rest, Reset, Recharge

27:25 — Podcast Challenge

29:02 — Outro

www.abigaillewisphotography.co.uk

Abigail Lewis Photography are an international award winning, Maternity and Newborn Specialist photography team. Focusing their time and experience in creating breathtaking artwork that will be treasured by your growing family for generations to come. Abigail is the force behind the camera, immortalising your memories and Kristie is Creative Director, ensuring your experience and needs are met. Together they work as one to make sure your journey into parenthood and beyond is empowering and unforgettable.

As photographers, it’s easy to fall into the trap of saying “yes” to everything — every inquiry, every collaboration, every project — even when it drains your time, creativity and joy. But learning to say no isn’t about being difficult, it’s about protecting your energy, your boundaries and the integrity of your brand.

In this episode of Mother, Baby & Us – A Photography Podcast, we’re diving into why saying no can actually help you grow.

We’ll chat about:

- How to recognise when an opportunity isn’t the right fit

- Why setting boundaries protects your creativity (and your mental health)

- How saying no can strengthen your brand identity and attract the right clients

- Real life examples of when saying no made space for something better

If you’ve ever felt burnt out, overbooked or just stretched too thin, this one’s for you. Learn how to reclaim your time, protect your energy and make choices that align with your goals, both creatively and professionally.

👉🏻 Join the conversation in our Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/690300729099443/

Chapters

00:00 — Intro

01:22 — Why Saying No is So Hard

04:41 — What You Might Be Saying Yes To, That's Actually Hurting You

13:58 — How Saying Yes Too Often Damages Your Brand

17:43 — How To Say No, Without The Guilt

25:01 — What Happens When You Start Saying No

27:25 — Podcast Challenge

28:35 — Kristie's Titbits / Outro

The Photographer's Power Pack FREE DOWNLOAD - https://www.abigaillewisphotography.co.uk/the-photographers-power-pack

Join this channel to get access to members only live streams and more -

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqorebmeGsNQQ9mK-jDNaVw/join

Upgrade your Email Marketing with 50% off your first year with Flodesk - https://flodesk.com/c/4QS2A7

Cull, Edit, Deliver Faster with Aftershoot get 10% off - https://aftershoot.com/explore/?ref=abigail10

www.abigaillewisphotography.co.uk

Abigail Lewis Photography are an international award winning, Maternity and Newborn Specialist photography team. Focusing their time and experience in creating breathtaking artwork that will be treasured by your growing family for generations to come. Abigail is the force behind the camera, immortalising your memories and Kristie is Creative Director, ensuring your experience and needs are met. Together they work as one to make sure your journey into parenthood and beyond is empowering and unforgettable.

Creativity fatigue is real, especially for photographers balancing client work, editing, marketing and the never ending to do list. But when was the last time you picked up your camera purely for fun?

In this episode of Mother, Baby & Us – A Photography Podcast, we’re talking about how to spot the signs of creativity fatigue and practical ways to overcome it. We’ll share why shooting for yourself is essential to staying inspired, keeping your brand fresh, and avoiding burnout.

You’ll learn:- What creativity fatigue looks like for photographers

- Why personal projects help you reconnect with your passion

- Simple ways to make time for fun shoots

- How rediscovering creativity can actually grow your photography business

Whether you’re a maternity photographer, newborn photographer, or running a busy portrait studio, this episode will help you bring the joy back into your work and keep your creativity alive.

The Photographer's Power Pack FREE DOWNLOAD - https://www.abigaillewisphotography.co.uk/the-photographers-power-pack

Abigail Lewis Photography Education FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/690300729099443/

Join this channel to get access to members only live streams and more -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqorebmeGsNQQ9mK-jDNaVw/join

Upgrade your Email Marketing with 50% off your first year with Flodesk - https://flodesk.com/c/4QS2A7

Cull, Edit, Deliver Faster with Aftershoot get 10% off - https://aftershoot.com/explore/?ref=abigail10

www.abigaillewisphotography.co.uk

Abigail Lewis Photography are an international award winning, Maternity and Newborn Specialist photography team. Focusing their time and experience in creating breathtaking artwork that will be treasured by your growing family for generations to come. Abigail is the force behind the camera, immortalising your memories and Kristie is Creative Director, ensuring your experience and needs are met. Together they work as one to make sure your journey into parenthood and beyond is empowering and unforgettable.

Your brand is more than just a pretty logo, it’s the way clients connect with you, trust you and ultimately choose you over another photographer. In this episode of Mother, Baby & Us, we’re diving into what branding really means for photographers and how you can get crystal clear on your message.

We’ll cover:

- Why your logo isn’t enough to define your brand

- Why photographers need to clarify their message

- How to figure out your brand message

- Real examples of how strong branding leads to more bookings

Whether you’re just starting your photography business or looking to refresh your brand, this episode will help you cut through the noise and create a brand that truly reflects who you are.

The Photographer's Power Pack FREE DOWNLOAD - https://www.abigaillewisphotography.co.uk/the-photographers-power-pack

Abigail Lewis Photography Education FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/690300729099443/

www.abigaillewisphotography.co.uk