Thanks for coming back to part 2 with my interview with my son Maxden.

n this episode of The Photographer’s Couch, I’m opening up about something I think so many of us quietly wrestle with—how to find joy in the everyday moments, especially when those moments don’t always feel meaningful in the moment.

As a mom, a creative, and someone who’s constantly juggling life and business, I often catch myself struggling to connect when the activity isn’t something I personally enjoy (hello, Minecraft and endless YouTube videos 🙃). But I also know that those small, mundane moments are where deep connection and joy live—if we can learn to see them.

✨ In this episode, I share:

• Four small but powerful practices I use to stay grounded and present
• Why writing down 10 things I’m grateful for every morning changes everything
• How prioritizing tiny acts of self-care adds up in big ways
• The importance of surrounding yourself with positive energy
• A simple mindset shift that turns chores into acts of love
• How mindfulness can help us actually be where our feet are

Joy doesn’t always have to be loud or obvious. Sometimes it’s tucked into the quiet, the ordinary, the pause before we pick up the next task. I hope this episode reminds you to slow down, look up, and notice it.

We are starting something new. Mondays with Maxden. Maxden is my 9 year old son and I am excited to bring him on the podcast today for an interview. Check back next Monday for the 2nd part.

Lighting can make or break a photo—and it’s one of the most important things I consider when planning a session. In today’s episode of The Photographer’s Couch, I’m diving into how I evaluate lighting at new locations, why I sometimes ask clients to send me photos of their space, and how I adapt my approach when the weather throws us a curveball.

Whether you're a fellow photographer or someone planning a photo session, this episode will give you insight into how I think through lighting decisions, what types of shade work best, and why I usually don’t reschedule on cloudy days.

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why I scout unfamiliar locations or ask clients to send photos
• What I look for in good natural lighting (and what I try to avoid)
• The difference between tree shade and building shade
• How I handle sessions on cloudy or overly sunny days
• Pro tips for clients getting photos done in less-than-ideal weather
• A few tricks I use in editing to make your photos shine

📷 Client or Photographer? This episode is packed with practical insights to help you understand what goes into creating beautiful, light-filled images—no matter the forecast.

Ever have one of those days where you finally get a break—no appointments, no errands, no chaos—and instead of feeling peaceful, you feel completely overwhelmed?

That was me today. I had the time I’d been craving, and yet my mind was racing, my to-do list felt endless, and I couldn’t focus on a thing.

In this episode, I’m talking about:

• The surprising anxiety that comes with too much unstructured time
• Why a simple brain dump was the game-changer I didn’t know I needed
• How slowing down and organizing my thoughts helped me reset
• What to do when the quiet feels louder than the noise

If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by your own thoughts or unsure where to start, this one's for you. Let’s take a breath, clear the mental clutter, and find a little peace in the process.

Welcome back to The Photographer’s Couch! In this episode, host Megan Gioeli invites you into a vulnerable and honest conversation about reflection, alignment, and personal growth.

After a season of running late, running on empty, and repeating cycles that didn’t serve her, Megan shares how she started asking herself a powerful question: “Are the things I’m doing every day aligning with the life I want to live?”

From fitness goals to motherhood routines and business habits, Megan gets real about what wasn’t working, what’s shifting, and how regular self-reflection has helped her break survival mode and step into more intentional living.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of chaos, exhaustion, or just plain misalignment—this episode will meet you right where you are.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Why reflection is a non-negotiable part of creating a life you love
• The trap of survival mode and how to break free
• How small habits (like running late or late-night work) add up over time
• Why consistency with intention matters more than perfection
• How Megan adjusted her gym routine and nutrition goals to reflect deeper desires
• A reminder that health, business, and family goals all benefit from alignment

💭 Reflection Questions:

1. What are the things I do every day — and do they support the life I want?
2. Am I being honest about what’s working and what isn’t?
3. Am I showing up with intention or simply reacting to survival mode?

📣 Listener Invitation:

Megan wants to hear from you! She’s created a simple form where you can share one of your goals — health, business, or personal. She’d love to cheer you on and hold space for your growth.

Tell me your goal!

In this episode of The Photographer’s Couch, Megan Gioeli dives into a simple yet powerful question that can shift the way we live, create, and do business: “If no one saw this… would I still buy it?”

Inspired by a moment of reflection while online shopping, Megan explores how this one question goes far beyond impulse buys. It’s about alignment, intentional living, and making choices that feel good — not just look good.

This episode is for creatives, entrepreneurs, moms, and dreamers who want to make decisions rooted in authenticityinstead of external validation.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Why asking yourself “Would I still want this if no one saw it?” is a game-changer in both life and business
• How we often build lives that look successful but don’t feel aligned
• The difference between curating for the feed and curating for fulfillment
• A reminder that clarity comes when we pause to ask the deeper “why” behind our choices

💭 Reflection Questions Megan Shares:

1. Does this align with the life I actually want — or just the life I want people to think I have?
2. Would I still love this if no one ever complimented it?
3. Does this help me show up as the person I want to be?

📲 Resources & Links:

• Connect on Instagram: @mgioeliphotography
• Learn more or book a session: mgioeliphotography.com

In this episode, Megan shares a powerful conversation she had with her son about the difference between doing a task for money and doing it with intention. What started as a talk about chores turned into a reminder for all of us — especially business owners — about why adding value matters more than just checking things off a list.

Key Takeaways:

• Why Megan paused before her son started his chore list
• The deeper value in exchanging money for time
• How chasing money can lead to burnout, but adding value creates purpose
• A reflection on how this mindset shift transformed her photography business
• 3 ways to shift from task-oriented to value-driven in life and work:
  1. See beyond the task
  2. Do it with pride, not just precision
  3. Give more than expected

Links & Resources:

• Connect on Instagram: @mgioeliphotography
• Learn more or book a session: mgioeliphotography.com

Call to Action: If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend or leave a review. Let’s keep the conversation going!