How Discounted Photography Sessions Nearly Destroyed My Business (Copy)
(And What I Did to Build a Sustainable Photography Brand)
For years, I thought I was doing everything right.
"Stay booked."
"Offer discounted sessions to attract more clients."
"Run mini session specials to keep momentum going."
And for a while, it looked like it was working. My photography business was busy. I had a full calendar. I was editing non-stop, replying to inquiries, delivering galleries, and running last-minute promotions every other week.
But the truth?
Offering $99 photography sessions almost cost me my business.
Why Discount Photography Sessions Lead to Burnout
I was burnt out.
Underpaid.
Emotionally drained.
And honestly, I started to resent the very career I once dreamed about.
Even though I was constantly shooting, I was barely making ends meet. I was working long hours for low-paying clients who didn’t value the full experience. And I was attracting discount shoppers—not dream clients.
Here’s what I wish someone had told me: high-volume, low-ticket photography sessions are not a sustainable business model.
Sure, mini sessions can be useful in some situations. But if they’re the backbone of your strategy, you’re likely running on fumes. Discount pricing brings in quantity, not quality—and you end up chasing ten clients just to make what you could earn from one aligned, high-value brand photography client.
Mini Sessions Are Not a Long-Term Business Strategy
Eventually, I had to face the hard truth:
I wasn’t building a business. I was building a burnout cycle.
Mini sessions and low-ticket promos were just band-aids for a broken strategy. They filled short-term income gaps but created long-term instability. The more I discounted, the more I attracted the wrong people—clients who expected everything for very little investment and didn’t respect boundaries or processes.
I needed a change. Not just in my pricing—but in my mindset, my systems, and my overall approach to running a photography business that felt aligned, profitable, and scalable.
How I Rebuilt My Photography Business with Confidence and Strategy
Here’s what I changed that shifted everything:
I defined my ideal client and stopped trying to market to everyone.
I raised my prices and repositioned myself as a premium branding and boudoir photographer.
I created a luxury client experience that justified high-ticket pricing.
I implemented systems that allowed me to run my business with more structure and less stress.
I prioritized strategy over sales desperation—and began thinking like a CEO instead of a hobbyist.
The result?
I went from overworked and overwhelmed to running a photography business that was booked and balanced—with fewer shoots, higher income, and more freedom.
If You're Tired of the Hustle, Here's What You Need to Know
If you're constantly running flash sales or mini sessions to stay afloat…
If you feel like you're stuck on a hamster wheel, always busy but barely profitable…
If you love photography but hate how your business feels right now…
You are not alone. And more importantly, you’re not failing—you just need a better framework.
You need a system that supports long-term growth, aligned clients, and sustainable income.
You need strategy—not more discounts.
Ready to Build a Photography Business That’s Booked + Balanced?
If you’re a photographer ready to step into your CEO energy and build a business that supports your life (instead of running it), I want to invite you to join the waitlist for my upcoming course:
Booked + Balanced: The Photography Business Framework for Creatives Who Are Done With Burnout
Inside the course, I’ll walk you through:
How to attract aligned, high-value clients
How to stop relying on discounts or mini sessions to stay booked
How to raise your prices without fear
How to set up simple systems to manage your time, clients, and marketing with ease
And most importantly, how to create a business that supports your life—not takes over it
Click here to join the waitlist now and be the first to know when enrollment opens.
