Building a Part-Time Photography Business on Purpose with Lydia Fine

In this episode of The PhotograpHER Podcast, Jaime Bugbee sits down with photographer and educator Lydia Fine of Apollo and Ivy Photography for an honest conversation about building a part-time photography business on purpose. Lydia shares how she grew her photography business while continuing her career in marketing, and why choosing part-time was not a backup plan, but an intentional decision that supports her life, family, and long-term goals. Together, Jaime and Lydia talk about the pressure photographers often feel to go full-time, chase six figures, or keep doing more just because they can. This episode is a refreshing reminder that success does not have to look the same for everyone. In This Episode, We Talk About: What inspired Lydia to start her photography business Why she intentionally keeps her business part-time The pressure photographers feel to go full-time Defining success in a way that fits your season of life Systems that help photographers save time behind the scenes Why client experience is one of the best business differentiators Common marketing mistakes photographers make Why SEO matters so much for photographers How Google Business Profiles can help local photographers get found Building a business that supports your life instead of consuming it A Conversation Every Photographer Needs to Hear Lydia's story is especially powerful for photographers who are balancing motherhood, another career, family responsibilities, or simply want a business that feels sustainable. She shares how her background in marketing and technology gave her an advantage when building her business, but also how much clarity she's gained by defining success on her own terms. One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is that more money does not always equal more success. For Lydia, success looks like contentment, balance, reliable systems, and having enough margin to enjoy the life she's building. They also talk about a topic both Jaime and Lydia feel strongly about: SEO for photographers. Instead of relying only on social media, Lydia explains why photographers should focus on building on platforms they actually own, like their website and Google Business Profile. If you've ever felt like you had to choose between growing your business and protecting your peace, this episode will remind you that you are allowed to build differently. Ways to Connect with Lydia Lydia Fine is a lifestyle photographer and educator based in North Liberty, Iowa. She photographs families, seniors, and newborns through Apollo and Ivy Photography, and she also helps photographers create smarter systems, better workflows, and stronger websites. Connect with Lydia: Website: Apollo and Ivy Photography Instagram: @lydia_apolloandivy Education Instagram: @lydiafine_forphotographers Helpful resources from Lydia: Google Business Profile resources for photographers Resources and education for photographers Ways to Connect with Jaime Jaime Bugbee is a family photographer, educator, and the creator of The Booked PhotograpHER Course, where she helps family photographers get booked through their websites, improve their SEO, and build a business that supports their real life. Connect with Jaime: The Booked PhotograpHER Course Instagram: say hello in my DM's!