Outside the Frame: A Podcast for Wedding Pros to Be Better Humans in Business + Life

For today's episode, we decided to sit down virtually with someone whose name has come up more than once in past episodes when it comes to fine-tuning a brand with values in mind: Kristy Black. This conversation was full of laughs and big truth drops - with heartfelt, yet bold ideas that are sure to inspire you. We talk about:- Kristy’s brand journey after realizing they were working with clients not aligned with their own values- What can happen when you start fine tuning your brand to showcase more of who you are and what you care about- Why values-based branding is important and its role in helping foster positive change in the world- Current shifts in the wedding industry surrounding values for couples and vendors- How not aligning your business with your values and your story could lead to feelings of burnout- Balancing risk vs. reward, and how privilege plays a role in this discussion- The power we all have to choose which authentic parts of ourselves we decide to include in our brands and setting boundaries for yourself- The first few steps you can take to get started, including Kristy’s Profitable Purpose Branding Workbook!

In today’s episode, we had an amazing and insightful conversation with Joanna, an elopement photographer and board member of Public Land Creatives, a nonprofit organization where she advocates for the responsible use and continued accessibility of public lands for photographers and creatives. You’ll hear us chat about: grassroots story of how Public Land Creatives was formed in response to restrictive guidelines of commercial permits (such as photography and videography permits) in national parks and on public landthe legal challenges and success stories of getting the FILM and EXPLORE Acts passed in Congresshow these recent changes will streamline the ability for creatives and wedding professionals to work on public land by being based on impact rather than contentLeave No Trace practices for creatives and wedding pros working on public landshow wedding and elopement vendors can guide and educate clients and others in the industrythe positive influence we can all have to make a difference when we pay attention and take action togetherwhat PLC will be focusing on over the next few years, such as permit processes for state or county-owned landthe perks of being a Public Land Creatives member and valuable resources PLC offers for membershow other creatives and wedding professionals can get involved with PLCLearn more about Public Land Creatives online here: https://www.publiclandcreatives.org/ 

On this episode we sat down to chat with the face behind Cate Hair & Makeup, a queer artist for queer clients in Colorado. We talked about: - her story of getting started in hair and makeup - how her work is rooted in inclusivity, stemming from her own personal life and recognizing the need for a range of masculine and feminine expressions and everything in between- why all makeup and hair artists should be inclusive - the importance of constantly learning, continuing education, and striving for growthSee more of her work on Instagram here!

Today we thought it would be a great time to feature some great organizations and initiatives related to the wedding industry, as well as give you all some ideas on how to get involved and/or give back to your own local community as a wedding professional or business owner. We briefly talk about some of these organizations: - Public Land Creatives- Brides Across America- Brides for a Cause- Wish Upon a Wedding- HopeChest- Beneficent Blossoms- Brides Against Breast CancerTune in to get inspired and find a way to get involved in your community!

In this episode, we look back on the last several months now that we're over 6 months into the podcast! We chat about how our 2025 busy seasons went, highlights and challenges of the year (including an exciting announcement from Kaylyn!), what we're looking forward to this upcoming season, why we took a short break this winter, and what to expect in the months ahead for the podcast as we close out Season 1 and prep for Season 2 in 2027.

In this episode, we had a great conversation with Olesha Haskett, a modern-day renaissance woman, educator, and a boudoir photographer documenting the essence of Black women. We talk about a range of topics: her story and shifting her work from weddings to boudoir and women’s empowermentwhat it was like reinventing herself and making big changes in her life after 30discovering confidence and self-love, and how we can accept our bodies today as they arefacing fear, shame, or nervousness and 'doing it anyway'creating safe and supportive spaces for womenthe importance of representation, inclusivity, and diversityhonoring not only a range of skin tones but also all body typesthe power of community in addressing tough conversations like race, ethnicity, colorism, and tokenismThe Coterie Noir, the only global directory for Black boudoir photographers

We had such a great time in this fun and impactful conversation with Jake (they/them) of Functions and Gatherings, a wedding planning team based in Seattle, WA. In this episode, we talk about: Jake’s own story and their journey with gender expressionexpressing gender and finding authentic joy in wedding planningwhy we should be going beyond just “acceptance” for the queer communitysupporting and celebrating couples of all kinds the way they deserveways weddings can be more real, thoughtful, and community-focusedreframing inclusion and honoring clients as unique individuals the importance of visibility and representation in the wedding industryways to practice activism while supporting local communities and nonprofits

This episode is a bit more personal. As a trigger warning, we talk about processing grief in this conversation between us about Kaitlyn’s personal experiences, so if topics of grief, loss, death, or other forms of trauma or heartbreak is hard for you right now, we recognize that this may not be the time for you to listen to this episode. It’s totally okay for you to come back and listen later. In this chat, Kaitlyn talks about: experiencing the loss of her dad, college friend, and dog over the last couple decadesher current experience navigating grief with her mom’s early onset Alzheimer’s diagnosisworking in the wedding industry while dealing with such heavy emotionsrecognizing and honoring loss our couples also go throughwhat it’s like trying to stay positive and work hard for couples while dealing with personal loss at the same timeSome additional books/resources Kaitlyn has been reading lately: Grief is Love: Living with Loss by Marisa Renee LeeThe Unexpected Journey by Emma Heming Willis

In this episode, we had such a fun conversation with Miki from Venturing Vows, an elopement photographer on the Oregon Coast. We chat about: her background in science and education and the start of her photo businesshow she blended her interest and expertise in science with her photography work, showing couples unique finds in the tide pools and forests of the Oregon Coastshowing up authentically on social mediathe value in finding your niche and being an expert in one specific regionpracticing safety and Leave No Trace (LNT) while working weddings outdoorsher volunteer work with local science and education organizations

In this episode, we had an amazing, honest, and reflective conversation with Meg Cooper, an elopement photographer based in northern California. We talked about: how she began her work as a photographer in the wedding industryher own mental health journey and recognizing signs of depression - even when life seemed "great" the process of learning more about herself through lots of self exploration, therapy, and her diagnosis with ADHDinsight and advice she has for anyone else who may be struggling with similar feelings and challenges she went throughgiving yourself compassion, empathy, grace, and self-care, even when you don't think you deserve itAnd we also wanted to drop a few of her top book recommendations that had a huge positive impact on her life and mental health: Your Brain's Not Broken by Tamara RosierA Radical Guide for Women with ADHD by Michelle Frank and Sari SoldenNo Bad Parts by Richard SchwartzADHD for Smart Ass Women by Tracy OtsukaReal Self-Care by Pooja LakshminThe Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control by Catherine Morgan Schafler

On today's episode, we share a great conversation with Officiant Jimmie - who's famously known for "Seal It With A Shot" as well as getting out of the way for a couple's first kiss . . . even if that means jumping into the water of a freezing cold lake. We get to hear more about how we started his wedding officiating business, as well as: being authentically yourself (especially in your business)how authenticity allows us to better connect with others more deeplyhis process for writing truly personalized wedding ceremonies for couplesbeing a person of color + a black man working in the Pacific Northwestwhy we should speak up about what we believe in, such as personal and political values, even in the wedding industrythe importance of showing kindness, support, and love to everyone we meetand of course, all the usual humorous anecdotes and pop culture references that comes with having a conversation with Jimmie

On today's episode, Kaitlyn + Kaylyn have a heartfelt conversation with Jenn Tai of Jenn Tai & Co, one of Seattle's most established wedding photography and portrait studios in the region. We chat about a variety of things, including:being an immigrant and her move from Malaysia to the States being a parent as a wedding photographer, which often means feeling regret for the days missed while working weddings in the busy summer seasonlongevity in the industry, with her 18+ years working as a wedding photographerthe power of saying "yes" to opportunities when they come your way, while also setting boundaries abundance mindset with networking and building a community

In this episode, Kaitlyn had a conversation with Jennie of Jennie Crate Photography on the LGBTQ+ community, queerness, and making the wedding industry more inclusive. Jennie is also manages LGBTQ I Do, an online wedding resource for queer couples searching for inclusive and accepting wedding vendors in Colorado. In this chat, she also talks about how she co-founded the Queer AF Engagement Party in Colorado, a unique wedding showcase featuring queer and allied vendors in Colorado. You'll here us talk about: Jennie's brand journey to niching down to queer weddings and LGBTQ+ couplesher own queer journeythe Queer AF Engagement Party she co-foundedways vendors in the wedding industry can be more inclusive and welcoming to couples of all kindswhy inclusion should still be important when couples choose vendors, even for if they're straightand a touch on another great resource for wedding pros: the Equally Wed LGBTQ+ Inclusion Certification Course

In this episode you'll hear from Hannah Paukstis of The Hummingbird Event Co. and co-founder of Emerald Hour, an organization based in Washington for wedding vendors who want to become more sustainable in their businesses. The Emerald Hour directory can also be used as a resource for couples who want to have a more eco-friendly wedding day. We get to hear a bit more about: - Hannah's backstory - the impact and carbon footprint the wedding industry has - how wedding vendors can learn to be more sustainable - simple swaps couples can make to have a more eco-friendly wedding or event

In this episode, we connected with Kelly Lemon, a one-armed wedding and elopement photographer, inspirational speaker, and adventure seeker based in the Pacific Northwest.You'll hear: all about Kelly's story, from the car accident that left her right arm permanently paralyzed to her passion for photography and determination to learn how to use a camera with one armhow Kelly felt after a teacher said "photography is a two-armed art" and overcame the challenge anywaysurprising life lessons, like why we all should "just ask" or "just try" even if something might not work outhow to talk with your couples when personal setbacks come upmindset, honesty, resiliency, health, and so much more!

In this episode, we invited Elizabeth (Liz) Mae of Embr Films to come on the show and share her story. We talked about: her experience going through a divorce while working in the wedding industrythe in-depth rebranding process for her videography companydealing with mental health challenges while still working to make your couples happyself-reflection and self-discoverybeing a part of the LGBTQ+ community + how other wedding pros can use more inclusive language ...and more!

In this episode you'll hear from our guest Katie Fletcher of Katie Fletcher Photography, based in Colorado. We invited Katie on to the show to talk about: her experience working in the sustainability fieldhow she brought values like sustainability and inclusion to the forefront of her photography brandhow other wedding vendors can start being more sustainable in the industry to reduce wastepractical tips on how other wedding pros can start weaving personal values into their own business

In this episode, you'll hear from both Kaitlyn and Kaylyn about values: why values are important to share as a small business (especially for us in the wedding industry)what our own values are as business owners + humanshow we're bringing our values to the forefront of our businessessome initial thoughts/tips on how you can do the same

Introducing Outside the Frame Podcast with Kaitlyn of Skyewater Photo + Film and Kaylyn of Wandering Wildflower Films. In this premier episode, you'll hear: each of our unique storieshow we got into the wedding industrywhere the idea of this podcast came fromour "why" behind Outside the Frameand what you can expect from us on this podcastHere on Outside the Frame, we're creating a supportive and meaningful space for a variety of voices to come on and chat with us about social and personal issues that impact wedding pros. Our hope is that collectively, we can bring more of ourselves and the things that matter to the forefront of our work in the wedding industry. We hope this helps all of us be better humans in business and life, and that we can all gain a little more courage to focus our businesses around who we are and what we care about most. Be sure to follow Outside the Frame to get access to all our future episodes as soon as they're released. We're so excited for you to join us on this journey.