In this podcast episode of Photo Fuel, I sit down with Annemie Tonken—photographer, educator, and host of the This Can’t Be That Hard podcast—for a thoughtful, no-fluff (but metaphor filled!) conversation about what it really takes to run a sustainable photography business in a changing world.
This conversation goes beyond productivity hacks or pricing formulas, because while all those logistics are so important, they are secondary to the heart and brains of your business. In this episode, we talk about things like how handle discomfort and failure, the parallels between business and parenting, and how to find peace and momentum even when things feel hard.

Inside this Podcast Episode with Annemie Tonken
We also go deeper into the real (and perceived) risk at stake with starting a creative business a
- Addressing risk and ego in entrepreneurship
- The difference between recognizing misalignment and quitting
- Uncovering your strengths and leaning into opportunity despite changes in your style, season of life, the market, and more
- How to raise your prices or shift your editing style without blowing up your business
- Building predictability with your income in a seasonal or uncertain market
- How to find peace, empowerment, and creative fuel in tough times

Connect with Annemie:
- Annemie’s Website: thiscantbethathard.com
- Revenue on Repeat: https://www.thiscantbethathard.com/revenue
Connect with Leah:
- Website: https://www.leahoconnell.com
- Education + *NEW* Voxer Coaching https://www.leahoconnell.com/education
- Instagram: @leahoconnell.com

You may also like:
Episode 46: Why I switched from Sprout Studio to Honeybook: How it’s going so far
Episode 35: Big Picture Questions to Guide your Business Goals
Episode 29: Discovering your strengths, why client love isn’t enough, and the impact of support with Lydia Fine