Welcome to the CEO Photog Club. Truly. I feel like this podcast has been a long time coming, and this very first episode is me pulling up a chair for the photographers who are ready for more—more income, more systems, more freedom, and a business that actually supports their life instead of completely consuming it.

Because if you’re here, I’m guessing photography started the same way it did for me: creative, exciting, and maybe just a little side income at first. But eventually, there comes a moment where you realize… wait, I actually need this business to work.

That moment for me came right after I had my first baby. I had been charging $35 sessions while my husband and I were in college, and suddenly “a little extra money” wasn’t enough anymore. I needed real income. Real systems. A real plan.

And honestly? That’s the exact reason this podcast exists.

Building a Photography Business That Actually Pays You

In this episode, I’m sharing who this podcast is really for: the photographer who is done playing small.

Maybe you’re constantly busy but still feel stuck on the hamster wheel. Maybe you’ve searched “how to scale a photography business” at midnight while exporting galleries. Or maybe your business is already successful, but you know there’s another level waiting for you if you start thinking like a CEO instead of just a photographer.

We’re talking about the real stuff here:

• Photography business systems
• SEO and blogging for photographers
• Building an associate photography team
• CRM workflows and automation
• CEO mindset shifts
• Motherhood, ambition, and work-life balance

This isn’t fluff. It’s the kind of business education I wish I had when I was figuring it all out myself.

Why I Rebranded the Podcast

Some of you may remember that this podcast originally started as Kylee Mentors Moms. And honestly, I loved that season. But over time, I got clearer on who I serve and what I’m actually passionate about teaching.

I realized I’m not just talking to moms. I’m talking to photographers who want to build sustainable, profitable businesses.

So I rebranded the show, recorded new episodes, and was ready to relaunch… and then life completely stopped me in my tracks when my dad was killed by a drunk driver.

For a long time, I couldn’t bring myself to pick the mic back up again.

But coming back to this podcast now feels different. Clearer. More grounded. Because building a business isn’t separate from your real life—it has to work with it. And that belief is woven into everything this podcast is going to be.

From $35 Sessions to a Multi-State Associate Photography Team

I also share more of my own story in this episode because I never want this space to feel polished or untouchable.

I didn’t start with a studio, connections, or some perfect business strategy. My husband literally sold his Xbox so I could buy my first camera. I built this business through Google searches, trial and error, long nights, and figuring things out one step at a time.

Eventually, I hit the point where I physically couldn’t take on more sessions myself, and that’s when I brought on my first associate photographer. Not because I felt ready, but because I had to.

That single decision completely changed the trajectory of my business.

Now we photograph hundreds of sessions every year with a team across multiple states, and I’ve built a business that doesn’t rely on me personally shooting every single session to survive. And helping other photographers build that kind of freedom? That’s one of my favorite things in the world.

If you’ve ever wondered how to scale a photography business without burning out, this episode is the perfect place to start.

Listen to “Welcome to the Club” now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, and make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes of the CEO Photog Club. We’re building businesses that actually support our lives over here, bestie. Pull up a chair.

Episode resources:

CEO Photog Club
SEO and Marketing Course
Kylee’s Instagram