Shine and Thrive Photography Podcast
by Sara Monika
Do you feel stuck in your photography business with no idea how to achieve your next goals? I'm here to help you discover, that it's SO possible for you to have what you want, when you want in your business so that you can create the life you've always dreamed of + deserve. Why should you learn from me? When I first started my wedding photography business back in 2011, I made just $5000 in my business. Now I bring in multiple 6 figures per year while working only 30 hour weeks serving my dream couples. Let's hang out each week so I can show you how!
Episodes
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Giving Myself Permission to Pause: Podcast and Offers Update, Moving, and Redefining Success I Ep 188
"This felt hard to do, but my soul feels nourished and free!" - Sara Sara records a voice note while waiting to pick up Ben and announces she’s pausing the education side of her business, including the podcast, and will not relaunch Outsourcing Made Easy (OME) with group coaching calls this fall...
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Everything is Neutral ~ Flow Like Water I Ep 187
After feeling lost and pressured to have everything figured out in the evolution of my business, I share a new approach of taking the pressure off, following my excitement, and recording raw, low-production podcast episodes with no expectations or fixed schedule. I also go into how using Jenna...
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My 1-Minute Energy Reset for When I Don’t Want to Work (But Still Have Deadlines) I Ep 186
In this short solo episode, I share a simple mindset shift I use when I’m tired, overwhelmed, or procrastinating during busy seasons. This is a quick, grounding practice to help you finish what you’ve committed to with more presence and energy. You’ll hear about: • A grounding breath and…
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Releasing Old Identities to Make Space for Who You’re Becoming I Ep 185
In this episode, I share the two identities I didn’t realize I was still clinging to—and how releasing them has created more ease, creativity, and connection in my life. This is a grounding, heart-led riff on: Why we resist change (even when we crave it) What your morning routine might be trying…
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From Burnout to Balance: How Anika Saved 300 Hours + Fell Back in Love With Her Business I Ep 184
What if you could take 300 hours of editing, culling, and admin off your plate — and fall back in love with your photography business in the process? In this episode, I chat with OME student Anika about how she reclaimed her time, creativity, and peace of mind — after nearly giving up on weddings...
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More Time. More Bookings. No Burnout. How Brooke Made it Happen in One Season! I Ep 183
What if next wedding season didn’t feel like a blur of burnout… but instead felt like expansive time-freedom? In this episode, I’m chatting with photographer and mom of two, Brooke Murray, about the real changes she made to reclaim 90+ hours of her life — in just one wedding season. We talk…
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50 Weddings, Zero Burnout: Mark’s Joy-Filled Outsourcing System That Helped Him Work Less & Live More I Ep 182
What if more bookings didn’t have to mean more burnout? 🙌🏻 In this episode, I sit down with luxury wedding photographer Mark, who photographed 50 weddings last year...without burning out 🎊 But here’s what really blew me away. Mark didn’t just find an outsourcing system that worked. He found…
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What If Burnout Is Actually Your Promotion? I Ep 181
💭 What if the burnout you’re feeling right now…is actually your promotion? You built the business you once dreamt of! 🎉You have the clients, the bookings, the revenue. But somewhere along the way, your time disappeared, your energy tanked, and the dream started to feel like a weight 😔 You’re…
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How This Photographer Mom of Twins DOUBLED Her Income, While Working 65% LESS at the Computer with Katie Shaw I Ep 180
From drowning in 30 weddings to floating in a river while her VA sent contracts and a wedding from a couple days ago was being culled (by her virtual assistant). In this episode, I sit down with Katie Shaw, a wedding photographer and twin mama, who doubled her income while working 65% less. We…
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The 3-Minute Tool That Breaks the “Busy Season Burnout” Cycle I Ep 179
If you’re staring down a mile-long to-do list, still editing 10 hours a day, and wondering how you’re supposed to keep this pace up until the end of the season—this episode is for you. Sara shares the real reason most photographers stay stuck in the hustle-then-crash pattern… and the one number...
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What I Wish I Knew Before Trying to Hire My Way Out of Burnout I Ep 178
If you’ve ever thought “I just need to hire someone for marketing and I’ll finally feel caught up,” this episode is your intervention—delivered with love, truth, and strategy. Today I’m sharing the biggest mistake I made when I started outsourcing, what it really cost me (time, money, energy)…
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The Missing Pieces Behind Your Beautiful Photography Brand I Ep 177
In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the most overlooked reasons photographers stay stuck in burnout—even when their business looks amazing from the outside. You’ll discover the key difference between building a photography brand vs. a business, and why values-aligned workflows are the…
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How to Capture Soulful Wedding Photos Fearlessly with Raphaëlle Granger I Ep 176
Ever feel like you’re stuck in “safe mode” on wedding days – shooting what you think you should instead of what truly lights you up? Maybe you crave those soulful, layered images that make your heart skip a beat, but fear, burnout, or the pressure to deliver “must-have” shots keeps you playing...
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How to Raise Your Rates & Book High-Ticket Weddings with Alora Rachelle I Ep 175
Ever feel like you’re hustling nonstop – shooting, editing, delivering, and still wondering where all your time (+ money) went? Maybe you’re hitting those “six-figure” milestones, but behind the scenes, you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and missing out on the life you actually want. If you’ve ever...
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The New Way to Find, Hire, and Be a Great Second Shooter in 2025 I Ep 174
Real talk: finding a second shooter you can actually trust (who cares as much as you do) can feel like a tall order. Maybe you’ve been burned by “bare minimum” seconds, or you’re stuck in the cycle of doing it all yourself because letting go of control feels scary. But what if you could finally…
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BIG GIVEAWAY! Win a 1:1 Coaching Session or My Top Courses! Here's How to Enter (before it closes)
What if you could spend just 5–20 minutes today doing something your future self would thank you for — and it led to a massive shift in your photography business? Well... this is your chance. The 2025 Podcast Giveaway is officially LIVE, and I’ve got 3 incredible prizes up for grabs (yup, THREE...
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The Session Prompts That Changed Everything for Me as a Photographer I Ep 173
Swipe My Favorite Prompts: How To Capture the Photos Your Couples Will Treasure Most Ever left a session feeling like you missed “the shot” – the one that truly captures your couple’s real story? Or maybe you’ve felt stuck in a rut, using the same prompts and poses, wishing you could create…
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How I Cut My Editing Costs in Half and Got 90% of My Time Back With This Ai Workflow I Ep 172
Let’s face it… editing can feel like a never-ending time suck, but the thought of learning new tech (or letting go of control) can also be downright scary. But what if you could save 50-60% of your editing time, cut your outsourcing costs in half, and finally have space for the things that light...
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Inside My Live In-Person Talk on Imposter Syndrome, Bookings + Building a Better Photography Business I Ep 171
Ever feel like you’re running on a hamster wheel – shoot, edit, deliver, repeat – while your creativity and energy slowly drain away? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing the real talk from a recent in-person workshop I ran for a group of photographers in Ontario, where we dove deep…
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How Movement + Mindfulness Elevates Our Art and Energy as Photographers I Ep 170
What if tuning into your body could unlock more creativity, clarity, and connection in your photography work? In this heartfelt episode, I’m joined by photographer and podcast host Danika, for a free-flowing conversation on the role that movement and mindfulness play in helping us stay grounded,...
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How I Manage My Finances As a Photographer I Ep 169
Ever felt that pit in your stomach when you check your bank account or just totally overwhelmed with how to manage your money in your photography business? You’re not alone. In this episode, I open up about how a tough financial year – one that started with just $30k in guaranteed revenue for…
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From Prompt to Editing a Wedding Photo - Creating This EPIC Poolside Portrait I Ep 168
Ever wondered how a photographer you admire got “that” shot? The one that stops your scroll and immediately gets you curious? I know I do! And so I figured, why don’t I be that person for someone else and take you behind-the-scenes of my latest wedding in Mexico, so you can steal an idea or two…
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Q&A Alumni Panel! Get your burning outsourcing questions answered by experienced OME students!
I'm hooking you up with the audio replay from a recent OME alumni Q&A panel call with a few of my Outsourcing Made Easy alumni students: Tia, Jennifer, and Bri. They are crushing experiencing being the embodiment of a time + income abundant photographer - and you get to learn from them directly…
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How to Reverse Engineer Working Part-Time Hours AND Having a 6-Figure Photography Business (get your notebook ready!)
Mom photographers (and photographers that want to work less hard + make more), this bonus episode is for you specifically! (if you want to work fewer hours + STILL make the income you desire). Get your free spot in my once yearly FREE live Masterclass "The 4 Secrets To Becoming a Time + Income...
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167: 319 Hours Saved! Discover How Much These Photographers Paid to Gain Back This Time with Outsourcing (more affordable than you think!)
My once-yearly training + implementation program Outsourcing Made Easy for Photographers is BACK! And today, I’m beyond excited to share a special three-way episode (lol three-way 😉) with two of my incredible students, Bri & Montana. Why the pairing? Because Bri and Montana have not only been...
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166: From Being Hospitalized With Burnout to Saving 55 Hours a Month (While Still Making 6-Figures) with Nicole Tucker
I don’t know about you, But if I can avoid a painful experience simply by learning from somebody else’s story…. Sign. me. up! It’s also the reason I’m an open book when it comes to my own challenges and mistakes, because I’m always thinking about how my story can ultimately help someone else…
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BONUS: Becoming a Time + Income Abundant Photographer (why this is GOALS)
Today, I want to talk about the difference between struggling photographers and time and income abundant photographers. Yesterday, I watched a show called "Million Dollar Listing" and it got me thinking about success and abundance. There was a couple on the show who seemed to have it all - a...
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165: How To Work Just 2 HOURS a Day + Run a 6-Figure Photography Biz with Jessica Wasik
Imagine being able to work as little as 2 to 4 hours a day and still run a thriving six figure photography business (← yep, read that again) 🤯 This has been my reality and the reality of many of my Outsourcing Made Easy students for a while now… I remember feeling like nobody could do things as...
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From Working 24/7, to Running Her Photography Business with More Ease and Less Stress
I LOVE a good student success story and this one with Katie Silva, one of my Outsourcing Made Easy students, gives me all the feels! Come on a journey with us to discover how Katie was able to transform her life and business through OME these past few years, plus her advice for starting your own...
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The True Cost of Outsourcing vs. The Cost of NOT Outsourcing
Have you ever thought about beginning to outsource in your photography business but didn't take action on it because you wondered what the cost would be and if it would be worth it? If you are stuck in a world of burn out, and overwhelm, while not making the income you need and desire as a...
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How This Photographer Mom of 2 Was Able to Work Less, Make More Money, and Have More Time Freedom with Her Family in Just 10 Months! Student Story with Rachel Bowman
Who doesn’t love a good student success story? Especially one this inspiring! This week I’m talking with Rachel Bowman – photographer, mom of two, and student of my program, Outsourcing Made Easy. We’ll be diving into her incredible journey and how she was able to gain back so much time freedom,...
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3 Signs You're Ready To Start Outsourcing in Your Photography Business
How can a photographer know if they are ready to start outsourcing in their business? Also, is it worth it? After all, it can be scary to let go of control, and also let go of some of the money you've earned, but as you learned in the last episode it's possible to train someone to do tasks…
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How To Work Smarter Instead of Harder as a Photographer with Jess Collins
If you a burnt-out and overwhelmed photographer, and you're not sure how to stay sane right now, then this episode was literally made for you! Jess is one of my Alumni students from my Outsourcing Made Easy for Photographers program and she shares how she went from working long hours 7 days a…
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How To Have the Work/Life Harmony You Desire As a Portrait + Wedding Photographer
At the start of the year, you get all excited to finally start shooting again, and for the opportunity to get creative. You really believe that this year will be different than the last. Meaning, you won't get overworked and burnt out because you feel like you are more organized than you were…
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163: How Motherhood Changed Me: I Share My Newest Pursuit Of Slow, Abundant Living!
I’ve been waiting for the right time to share this. I’m not going to lie– it feels pretty vulnerable for me to share. But I know that vulnerability = connection, and if I can help just ONE person feel less alone by sharing my story, it’s all worth it to me! If you’re a mom photographer trying to...
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162: 11 Lessons Gathered From Our 10 Year Anniversary Trip To France + Tomorrowland!
I didn’t expect this! My mind is still blown about the 11 powerful life lessons that my recent 10-year anniversary trip with Rory taught me…💍 In just 11 days! That’s like 1 profound lesson a day! …But that’s exactly what happened. Rory and I recently spent a week vacationing in France and…
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161: How To Pivot While Shooting + Take Better Photos When Nothing Is Going As Planned
Have you ever shown up to a photoshoot already picturing exactly what shots you’re going to take… How the light is going to hit your subject’s face and illuminate their eyes… How the silhouette of the tree branches is going to frame the sky… How you’re going to get the perfect backdrop of that...
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160: How Kimberly Re-defined Mini Sessions and Made $8000 From 1 Day Of Shooting!
Want to know how Kimberly was able to make $8000 from just 1 day of shooting? 💰💰💰 Oh, and plot twist–she did it with mini-sessions. 🤯 If you had told Kimberly, a branding photographer, a few years ago that she could make that kind of money from mini-sessions… She wouldn’t have believed you....
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159: How To Own Your Creativity So You Can Take Incredible Photos and Book Out Your Calendar with Haley McDevitt
Do you ever doubt your own abilities as a photographer and wonder if your couples are going to be happy with your photos? 😰 Haley, a wedding photographer and one of my past students, was in this exact position not too long ago. She loved being a wedding photographer, but weddings made her...
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158: Riff Episode: Challenges I'm Facing Lately, What I'm Doing About It + What's Helping Me Grow
I’m gonna be real with you. I’ve been feeling like I’m in an awkward stage in my business right now. And by awkward, I mean… I’ve been feeling a heaviness around not having everything figured out yet with the direction I’m taking my business I’ve been feeling like I have SO MANY ideas, but…
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157: Using Human Design to Grow Your Photo Biz In a Way That Feels Energizing Rather Than Soul-Sucking with Madeline Evergreen
I recently spoke to my friend Madeline Evergreen, an expert in human design, about how we can use this tool to understand ourselves and our deepest desires better so that we can create a life and business we love ON PURPOSE. Madeline’s story is wild–she used human design to undo 95% of her…
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156: High-quality Questions You Can Ask Yourself To Grow Your Photography Business With Flow And Ease
Do you ever have burning questions about your photography business that you wish you could just get the answer to NOW? Maybe you want clarity on the nitty-gritty details of your photography business, like what type of social media content to create, or whether it’s worth it to study the Instagram...
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155: How I Made $25K In 6 Months Hosting The Exact Same Workshop 4 Times
Want to know how I made $25K from hosting the EXACT same workshop 4 times? Believe it or not, this is totally possible for you, too! But starting this education branch of your business can also bring on serious doubts. You might worry no one will buy after all that hard work, or that you’re not...
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EP 154: THIS Will Help You Decide If Mentoring Other Photographers Is For You!
Have you been considering getting started with mentoring other photographers through 1-on-1 sessions, hosting workshops, or creating your first online course? Mentoring others can be a really lucrative and rewarding path for you as a photographer. But here’s what no one tells you: mentoring…
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153: $369K In Revenue To Date: The Story Of How I Got Started With Workshops, Mentoring and Online Courses
Do you want to hear my full story of how I was able to generate $369k to date just from mentoring, workshops + courses? In this episode, I’m sharing my step-by-step timeline of how I started my education business and what happened each step of the way for me! I know that number might seem…
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152: Do THIS To Avoid Wrong Decisions in Your Photography Business
In this week’s live Ask Me Anything in the Shine + Thrive Photography Community on facebook I covered: Honest thoughts of where I am right now in life/business How to recognize if you are making decisions from a place of alignment or misalignment The foundation that needs to be strong for your...
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151: How To Run a Super Successful Giveaway So That You Get Noticed by Your Dream Clients!
Want to know how a simple giveaway helped me make $28,000 in wedding retainers in just 1 month? Then this week’s episode is for you! Contrary to what you might think, giveaways don’t make you look desperate or like you don’t have enough business. With just a bit of planning, giveaways can create...
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150: ONE Thing Photographers Need To Succeed In 2024 And Beyond!
Do you ever find yourself wondering if you’re on the path to success with your photography business? Then this week’s episode is for you. I asked 6 wildly successful photographers to answer this question: “What’s the ONE thing you need to create a successful photography business in 2024?” In this...
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149: A Fast + Effective Marketing Idea You Can Start TODAY To Attract More Photography Inquiries!
I recently heard a mind-blowingly simple but powerful marketing idea at a business conference that all photographers need to know about – so I’ve dedicated a whole podcast episode to it! Tune into this week’s episode to learn how this marketing idea helped me book 8 new clients in just 2 weeks,...
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148: How To Receive Powerful + Aligned Ideas for Your Photography Business Through Astrology + Numerology with Sheetal Story
It’s time we talk about one of the most underrated tools available to us as photographers and business owners…cosmic design! Join me and my special guest this week (certified astrologer and psychic medium) Sheetal Story, as she guides us through how to receive powerful and aligned ideas for your...
About this show
Do you feel stuck in your photography business with no idea how to achieve your next goals? I'm here to help you discover, that it's SO possible for you to have what you want, when you want in your business so that you can create the life you've always dreamed of + deserve. Why should you learn from me? When I first started my wedding photography business back in 2011, I made just $5000 in my business. Now I bring in multiple 6 figures per year while working only 30 hour weeks serving my dream couples. Let's hang out each week so I can show you how!
Hosted by
Sara Monika
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