STOKED with Megan MacPhail

You know what’s really been bugging me lately? This unwarranted negativity and judgmental attitude towards educators. I’ve personally had negative comments on my ads of people saying things like, “There’s already too many educators,” “Everyone thinks they can be educators” and even, “People who can’t make it as photographers will educate” and none of that is true. ‌ People seem to think that in order to be a good educator, you have to have a ton of followers and be Insta-famous, but that’s not what makes a good educator. What makes a good educator is someone who loves teaching and is passionate about helping others succeed. ‌ Because of the judgment and negativity around this, people are scared to become coaches, and it shouldn’t be that way. I want to share the things that I truly believe make a good educator, the struggles many of us face with imposter syndrome, and why the low-volume coaching programs you create will have so much more impact than high-volume courses. ‌ In this episode, we chat about: ‌ Come join us at ElopementCon from May 14-16, 2024! ElopementCon is a virtual conference designed exclusively for elopement photographers and filmmakers. Scheduled for May 14-16, 2024, it's a platform where industry professionals gather to share insights, strategies, and stories about capturing intimate and adventurous elopements. Thirty speakers will present on a wide range of topics including: SEO, storytelling, client experience, business practices, social media, ads, AI, inclusivity, and more! Our goal is to empower, educate, connect and inspire our community in the first and only elopement photography and filmmaking conference. ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

Are you finding yourself struggling with the pressure of timelines in entrepreneurship? It’s common for people to get upset if something doesn’t happen in the time they want it to, whether it’s getting bookings, reaching their financial goals, or launching a program. One thing we have to keep in mind is that not everything happens in the time we want it. We need to embrace the journey of building a business with patience and resilience. ‌ While timelines can be good to have, if we focus too much on them, they can impede our progress and quite honestly, can make building our businesses not as fun. ‌ There are things we can do in order to help us not stress so much about timelines. By removing the pressure of the timelines, asking for help when needed, and continuing to self-reflect, we will be able to have a healthier relationship with our timelines, and ultimately thrive. ‌ In this episode, we chat about: ‌ ‌ Come join us at ElopementCon from May 14-16, 2024! ElopementCon is a virtual conference designed exclusively for elopement photographers and filmmakers. Scheduled for May 14-16, 2024, it's a platform where industry professionals gather to share insights, strategies, and stories about capturing intimate and adventurous elopements. Thirty speakers will present on a wide range of topics including: SEO, storytelling, client experience, business practices, social media, ads, AI, inclusivity, and more! Our goal is to empower, educate, connect and inspire our community in the first and only elopement photography and filmmaking conference. ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

No matter what kind of business you own, establishing boundaries and achieving the work/life balance you’ve always desired can be a struggle. While there are seasons in business for hustling, many of us don’t know how to relax, but my guest today has been able to nail that down. ‌ Nina Larsen Reed is a Colorado elopement photographer, who moved from Norway in 2010, and soon-to-be SEO coach. She started her photography business in 2013 as a portrait photographer and eventually pivoted into elopements which gave her more flexibility and better balance. ‌ During our conversation, Nina shares the concept of work/life balance and setting boundaries in business. We chat about the initial hustle that many of us need to do to establish our businesses, as well as the importance of setting boundaries so that we can enjoy our personal lives. ‌ We also dive into Nina’s approach to marketing, highlighting the impact effective SEO can make, along with the importance of creating quality content for long-term business success. ‌ ‌ In this episode, we chat about: ‌ Connect with Nina: ‌ www.larsenphoto.co@‌larsenphotoco ‌ Come join us at ElopementCon from May 14-16, 2024! ElopementCon is a virtual conference designed exclusively for elopement photographers and filmmakers. Scheduled for May 14-16, 2024, it's a platform where industry professionals gather to share insights, strategies, and stories about capturing intimate and adventurous elopements. Thirty speakers will present on a wide range of topics including: SEO, storytelling, client experience, business practices, social media, ads, AI, inclusivity, and more! Our goal is to empower, educate, connect and inspire our community in the first and only elopement photography and filmmaking conference. ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

Get ready for a twist in today’s episode because Todd is going to be interviewing me. We’re diving deep into both serious stuff and the fun side of things. From what I’m most proud of to my dream podcast guests, we are covering all the bases. Along with that, we’re adding in some fun rapid-fire questions so you can get to know me better on a personal level. You will hear about some of my guilty pleasures, favorite comfort foods, and even a few things I can live without. ‌ Tune in for a refreshing and unfiltered episode as you get a blend of personal reflections, business insights, and light-hearted moments. ‌ Check out the book You Are a Badass at Making Money ‌ Come join us at ElopementCon from May 14-16, 2024! ElopementCon is a virtual conference designed exclusively for elopement photographers and filmmakers. Scheduled for May 14-16, 2024, it's a platform where industry professionals gather to share insights, strategies, and stories about capturing intimate and adventurous elopements. Thirty speakers will present on a wide range of topics including: SEO, storytelling, client experience, business practices, social media, ads, AI, inclusivity, and more! Our goal is to empower, educate, connect and inspire our community in the first and only elopement photography and filmmaking conference. ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

If you wanted to pursue something, and you found out it was a crowded market, would you continue to pursue it, or would it prevent you from starting? A lot of people I talk to don’t make the jump because they think a crowded market is a bad thing, but that’s just not true. ‌There are many reasons why joining a crowded market can be good! For one, it means there’s a demand for that service, whether it’s photography, art, coaching, or any other industry. You won’t need to educate your audience on it because they already know it’s there. Additionally, joining an established market means you have the potential to grow faster compared to starting a market from scratch. Also, the presence of competitors in an existing market can validate the viability of your business. ‌ The key to standing out in a crowded market is crafting your unique value proposition or UVP. It’s all about leaning into your personality, background, and skill sets, and sharing your values, beliefs, and experiences with your followers. When you can connect with others on a personal level, that’s what’s going to attract the right clients for you. ‌ In this episode, we chat about: ‌ Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Check out the book, The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks ‌ Come join us at ElopementCon from May 14-16, 2024! ElopementCon is a virtual conference designed exclusively for elopement photographers and filmmakers. Scheduled for May 14-16, 2024, it's a platform where industry professionals gather to share insights, strategies, and stories about capturing intimate and adventurous elopements. Thirty speakers will present on a wide range of topics including: SEO, storytelling, client experience, business practices, social media, ads, AI, inclusivity, and more! Our goal is to empower, educate, connect and inspire our community in the first and only elopement photography and filmmaking conference. ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

Whether you’re a photographer or not, pricing is a struggle that many entrepreneurs face. It’s commonly believed that in order to attract clients, you need to charge lower rates, but that’s far from true. Raising your prices and charging your worth can actually not only help you make more money, but it will also attract those clients who you align with and give you a better work/life balance. ‌ Today, Sydney McRae, a Colorado-based elopement photographer and business coach, shares her mindset journey of justifying her higher prices. She pivoted from big weddings into elopements and hit 6 figures in her first year as an elopement photographer. ‌ During our conversation, Sydney discusses some of the challenges photographers face when setting their prices, as well as strategies to effectively communicate your value to attract the right clients. ‌ ‌ In this episode, we chat about: ‌ Connect with Sydney: @‌sydney_mcraeeThe Elopement Photographer Blueprint@‌sydneymcraephotowww.sydneymcraephoto.com ‌ Come join us at ElopementCon from May 14-16, 2024! ElopementCon is a virtual conference designed exclusively for elopement photographers and filmmakers. Scheduled for May 14-16, 2024, it's a platform where industry professionals gather to share insights, strategies, and stories about capturing intimate and adventurous elopements. Thirty speakers will present on a wide range of topics including: SEO, storytelling, client experience, business practices, social media, ads, AI, inclusivity, and more! Our goal is to empower, educate, connect and inspire our community in the first and only elopement photography and filmmaking conference. ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

Failure is a word that holds a lot of weight and tends to be seen as something negative. We create these expectations for ourselves, and if we don’t reach them, we say that we failed. But what if I told you that “failure” is a huge part of success and it’s actually important feedback for you in your business journey? During our conversation, we talk about the trap of being too optimistic, blinding us from the potential pitfalls we experience, how we can learn from our setbacks, and the importance of setting realistic expectations. ‌ Success isn’t defined by not failing. It’s defined by our ability to learn from our setbacks, adapt, and then keep going. ‌ In this episode, we chat about: ‌ Come join us at ElopementCon from May 14-16, 2024! ElopementCon is a virtual conference designed exclusively for elopement photographers and filmmakers. Scheduled for May 14-16, 2024, it's a platform where industry professionals gather to share insights, strategies, and stories about capturing intimate and adventurous elopements. Thirty speakers will present on a wide range of topics including: SEO, storytelling, client experience, business practices, social media, ads, AI, inclusivity, and more! Our goal is to empower, educate, connect and inspire our community in the first and only elopement photography and filmmaking conference. ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

While the topic of money management is never sexy to talk about, and quite honestly one that many creative entrepreneurs like to avoid, it’s important to discuss because it can make or break your business. Luckily for us, my guest today, Melanie Sidlow, loves talking about this kind of stuff. Melanie is a Southern California elopement photographer, mentor, and she routinely travels to Hawaii and Montana for work. ‌ During our conversation, Melanie shares her transition from wedding to elopement photography and the struggles she faced when trying to make a profit. She explains how she was able to not only recognize those issues with her finances but also how she was able to fix them. ‌ She talks about the importance of separating your personal and business finances so you can really understand your income and expenses, as well as charging what you’re worth so you can take control of your work/life balance. We even dive into her morning routine and how that contributes to her overall success. ‌ ‌ ‌ Connect with Melanie: Website: Melanie Sidlow Photography Instagram: @‌melaniesidlowphotography ‌ ‌ Come join us at ElopementCon from May 14-16, 2024! ElopementCon is a virtual conference designed exclusively for elopement photographers and filmmakers. Scheduled for May 14-16, 2024, it's a platform where industry professionals gather to share insights, strategies, and stories about capturing intimate and adventurous elopements. Thirty speakers will present on a wide range of topics including: SEO, storytelling, client experience, business practices, social media, ads, AI, inclusivity, and more! Our goal is to empower, educate, connect and inspire our community in the first and only elopement photography and filmmaking conference. ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

When you think of being on “the right track” in the eyes of society, what does that mean? Does it mean going to college? Getting a good job? Getting married and raising a family? That may work for some people, but it doesn’t align with everyone. ‌ If you want to do life on your own terms and build a business and life that supports you, then it’s time to check in with yourself and see if you’re on the right track toward accomplishing your goals. ‌ If you’re wondering how to decide if you’re on the right track, Todd and I have some ideas that can help you. We each compiled our own lists of indicators that suggest if you’re on the right track. ‌ My list includes: aligning with your values and purpose, progressing toward your goals, making a positive impact and receiving positive feedback, continued learning, and maintaining a sense of well-being and balance. ‌ Todd’s list of being on the right track includes: being financially literate, having a vision on where your life is heading, experiencing a level of discomfort, putting forth effort to better yourself, finding fulfillment from something in your life, and having a community that supports you. ‌ And while we are on the topic of community, we are excited to share that we are hosting our first ever ElopementCon May 14-16, 2024! This is a virtual conference designed exclusively for elopement photographers and filmmakers. 30 speakers will be there to present on a wide range of topics, including SEO, storytelling, client experience, business practices, social media, ads, AI, inclusivity, and more! ‌ Right now, we have early bird tickets at just $7 and that discount will be available until March 28th. I’m so excited for this event and so proud we were able to put it together, and we hope to see you there! ‌ In this episode, we chat about: ‌ Come join us at ElopementCon from May 14-16, 2024! ElopementCon is a virtual conference designed exclusively for elopement photographers and filmmakers. Scheduled for May 14-16, 2024, it's a platform where industry professionals gather to share insights, strategies, and stories about capturing intimate and adventurous elopements. Thirty speakers will present on a wide range of topics including: SEO, storytelling, client experience, business practices, social media, ads, AI, inclusivity, and more! Our goal is to empower, educate, connect and inspire our community in the first and only elopement photography and filmmaking conference. ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

As humans, we are wired to seek comfort and security. Our brains want to do the things that are familiar, predictable, and known, but as we all know, that’s not where the fun stuff happens. We’re discussing what exactly our brains do when we try to do something that’s unfamiliar to us, and then we tie that into entrepreneurship because entrepreneurship is anything but a comfort zone. It involves breaking out of habits and routines without knowing if those things will work out. Growth can’t happen if we stay in our comfort zones, but as entrepreneurs, we can cultivate resilience, creativity, and problem-solving skills if we take risks and pursue challenges. As Brene Brown says, “You can choose courage or you can choose comfort. You cannot have both.” So, choose to make the uncomfortable decisions. Embrace discomfort because that’s where you’ll find your way. ‌ In this episode, we chat about: ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

Is laziness a lie? I think so. In fact, I would argue that laziness is often associated with a deeper issue, such as fear, anxiety, overwhelm, or lack of clarity. During our 52nd episode (yes, we’ve been podcasting for a year!), we are talking about how society uses the concept of laziness to shame people and push them toward constant productivity. I open up about my own personal journey with ADHD and the stigma associated with us being perceived as lazy, as well as the idea that self-worth tends to be tied to productivity and societal expectations. Addtionally, Todd and I discuss our experiences with the feeling of guilt when it comes to resting and needing intentional downtime. Through our conversation, we challenge you to take a closer look at your own relationship to productivity and self-worth, and hopefully give yourself the compassion you deserve. In this episode, we chat about: ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

In today’s episode, I am sitting down with Brianna Parks, an elopement photographer based out of Northern California and serves the Pacific Northwest. ‌ Brianna shares the story of how she started her business after purchasing a DSLR camera during college, driven by a sense of feeling creatively unfulfilled. We touch on the importance of SEO, as well as the challenges that can go along with success, including her struggle with work addiction and how she overcame it through therapy. ‌ Brianna also discusses her decision on narrowing down her niche even further, and her advice for other photographers, which is to stop comparing yourself to everyone else and focus on your personal strengths and wins. ‌ Whether you’re just starting out in photography or you’re already established, this episode is sure to leave you with valuable takeaways. ‌ ‌ Connect with Brianna: Photography website: Brianna Parks Photography Photography IG: @‌briannaparksphotography ‌ ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

This podcast is all about leaving the 9-5 grind, and my next guest literally JUST did that! Today on the show, I have Anna Holden. She is a chemical engineer turned Florida-based elopement photographer and business coach. When I tell you she just left her 9-5, I mean that her last day is next week! ‌ Anna shares with us how she went from being a chemical engineer to an elopement photographer, and the identity crisis that went along with leaving a career that many would consider prestigious. Along with that, she delves into just how important it is to have a support system, and how she strategically and successfully built her business all while working her full-time. ‌ This episode is sure to leave you inspired and motivated to take control of your own journey. ‌ In this episode, we chat about: ‌ Connect with Anna: Photography Website: https://hazography.com/ Photography Instagram: @‌hazography_ Coaching Website: https://hazography.com/laboratory Coaching Instagram: @‌annaholdennn ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

One of the most important steps you can take for yourself as an entrepreneur is to build a community. So many of us are working in our offices alone, building our businesses, and it can be lonely. My guest today, Juliana Wall, knows all about what it's like to build a solid community. She’s an elopement photographer and business coach based out of D.C. and Virginia. She’s only been on the East Coast for about 2 years, but she has done an incredible job forming her own community there. Juliana shares her journey of moving out to the East Coast, her strategies for connecting with fellow entrepreneurs, and the impact of having a supportive community in her life. We also touch on different ways for creating communities, from coffee dates and co-working sessions to online masterminds and interest-based groups. ‌ In this episode, we chat about: ‌ Connect with Juliana Photography Website: julianawall.com Photography Instagram: @‌juliana.wallphoto Coaching Website: Elopements With A Purpose Coaching Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliana.walll/ ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

If you don’t know who Henry Tieu is, you are in for a treat! Henry is an elopement photography icon. He is a former nurse turned wedding and elopement photographer, as well as educator, based in Seattle. And not only that, but he was the photographer for mine and Todd’s elopement in Alaska back in September. ‌ Henry and I dig into the art of storytelling, emphasizing that each couple has their own unique story that can be used when photographing them. We also talk about the challenges photographers can face when trying to find creativity when shooting in the same locations over and over again. ‌ Not only that, but Henry is sharing his personal story on how being an immigrant, coming to America on his own, and being part of the LGBTQ community has helped evolve his brand and become more comfortable with being authentic on social media. ‌ In this episode, we chat about: ‌ Connect with Henry: Website: Henry Tieu Photography Photography Instagram: Instagram (@henrysdiary) TikTok: Henry | Elopement Photographer's Creator Profile ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

The topic of money can be a controversial topic, especially when it comes to making a lot of it. When I first start working with people in my coaching programs, many of them tell me they want to make enough money to get by, almost as if they are taking the moral high ground by saying they don’t want to be rich. ‌ A lot of people think that being rich is bad or that rich people are greedy, but the truth is, people who are rich can do amazing things for workers, the environment, and communities. By spending money to support local businesses, ethical practices, and sustainable products, it can really help the world overall. ‌ Through this episode, I challenge you to shift your mindset from viewing wealth negatively to understanding the positive changes wealth can have through responsible and conscious financial choices. ‌ In this episode, we chat about: ‌ ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

How many times have you encountered challenges in your business journey? Maybe you weren’t performing in the way that you wanted to, or you found yourself comparing yourself to others who seemed more successful. It can be really tough, and when you dwell on these things, you can get stuck in this loop of discouragement. In this episode, we are helping you recognize the signs of being in a discouragement loop, and more importantly, how to break free from it. We are also discussing the negative self-talk that can come with discouragement, and the importance of having self-awareness, which is the first step to overcoming it. As we reflect on our own journeys, we chat about the role of self-compassion, learning from setbacks, and the power of self-motivation. In this episode, we chat about: What the discouragement loop is and what it looks like Our personal examples of dealing with discouragement The impact that discouragement can have on you How to break free from the discouragement loop The importance of seeking the help of others when you are struggling If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

Happy 2024! This time of year is the perfect time to reflect on our goals and to set the stage for 2024. And since we want to make sure everyone has the best 2024 ever, we are exploring some tips on how you can set yourself up for the upcoming year. ‌ It’s easy for us to get pulled off course from achieving our goals, especially when we compare ourselves to others, so it’s crucial that when you are creating your goals, you start with the end in mind, and don’t worry because we will guide you on how to effectively do this. ‌ We’ll also discuss the things that worked for us in 2023, what didn’t, and how we can leverage those experiences to make this upcoming year even more successful. Along with that, we emphasize the importance of planning your personal days early on so you aren’t overworking yourself throughout the year. ‌ Get ready to make 2024 your best year yet! ‌ In this episode, we chat about: ‌ ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

As humans, we all have times where we struggle with guilt and shame. I work with a lot of people who have big dreams for their lives and businesses, and sometimes just don’t take action to build those businesses because of things like guilt and shame. While it’s common to have these feeling, there can be some major consequences if we let them dominate our lives. ‌ So, how can we overcome these feelings of guilt and shame? In this episode, we are not only exploring ways to overcome these emotions, but also how to recognize when you’re struggling with those feelings and understanding how they can each show up in the life of a business owner. ‌ In this episode, we chat about: ‌ ‌ Podcast Episodes Mentioned in This Episode: Episode 8 - Harnessing the Power of Imposter Syndrome Episode 9 - How to Recognize Burnout and Prioritize Self-Care Episode 10 - Learning to Embrace Your Imperfections Episode 25 - How Grit Shapes Resilient Entrepreneurs ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

If you’re looking for a creative spark, then this conversation with my next guest is for you! Meagan Lawler is an elopement photographer, business coach, and workshop host based in Colorado.. She is a multi-passionate artist who not only loves photography, but also ceramics, DIY house projects, interior design, and anything fine art. Join us as we dive into Meagan’s journey from shooting big weddings in Indiana to moving to Colorado and completely rebranding and shifting to elopement photography. ‌ This episode is all about creativity, including the importance of mindfulness and gratitude in fostering your creativity, and how to stay inspired in channeling your creativity. Meagan is sharing valuable insights on how to always continue to nurture your creative spirit. ‌ Whether you’re just starting your creative journey or you’re looking to reignite the creativity you once had, this episode is sure to leave you walking away with valuable tips you can start using today. ‌ In this episode, we chat about: ‌ Connect with Meagan: Photography Instagram: @‌meaganlawler Photography Website: Adventure Elopement Photographer Photography Tik Tok: Meagan Lawler's Creator Profile Elopement Education: The Adventure Roadmap ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com