Leah O'Connell

One Year of The Photo Fuel Podcast: A Candid Q&A

It’s been officially ONE YEAR since I launched the Photo Fuel Podcast for family photographers! What started as a bi-weekly show has grown by over 600%, and now I’m releasing new episodes every week. I’ve found my groove with the whole process, and I’m loving every bit of create a podcast for family photographers.

Side note: If you’ve been listening and haven’t left a review yet, it would mean so much if you paused and clicked over to Apple Podcasts to leave some kind words about your experience with the show!

To celebrate this milestone, I’m doing special Q&A episode. I asked my email list to submit questions on anything—business, personal life, motherhood, art, growth, podcasting—and wow, you all delivered! Let’s dive into some of your questions.

You can join the list for family photographers here for updates on the show, collaboration opportunities, new offers, and more.

Podcast Q&A on Family Photography

1. Handling Tricky Toddler Photo Sessions

Q from Ali Latimer in Denver: “What are your best tips for dealing with tricky toddlers? Lately, I’ve had a lot of kids that aren’t all that willing to participate fully in the session. The shoot continues, and we make it work, but I’d love to get them to smile and engage a bit more!”

Set the Tone: One of the most nuanced parts of our job is balancing control and flexibility. I first learn about this from Brooke Schultz’s LoveSoaked Photography Course about both reading the temperature and setting it within the session. There’s a fine line between being demonstrative and gracious, and I try to walk it carefully.
Prep Parents Ahead of Time: Example – include a section in your prep guide called – “What if my toddler is having a MOMENT?” and reassure parents that it’s all about the overall session flow. Prep goes beyond one item though – you need to assert your style and approach for handling behavior and expectations at all touchpoints.
Engage Playfully: If a toddler doesn’t want to wear shoes, I might say, “I LOVE BAREFEET, let’s go for it!” This helps keep the energy positive while subtly guiding the session.
Use Your Voice & Body Language: Sometimes, putting my camera down and playing with the child is all it takes to help reset the vibe.

If you haven’t checked out my free audio training, 3 Tips for Endless Posing Variety, I share all kinds of prompts and tricks to keep sessions light and playful. Grab that if you’re interested in digging deeper into this topic!

2. How was The Reset Conference?!

I received several questions from folks who wanted to know more about the Reset Conference! Here’s a brief recap:

This was my first Conference Experience: I went in with an open mind, and it did not disappoint. The breakout sessions were well-planned, and the depth of topics covered was impressive for all levels of business. I was skeptical about whether sessions would feel like extended podcast episodes or webinars, but the speakers truly delivered. Some were hands-on workshops, and others included great Q&A sessions, but the focussed attention to going deeper on specific topics was super valuable.

The Real Gold = The Downtime.

The casual moments—lobby chats, cocktail hours, shared meals—were where I made the best connections and conversations.

I led a sunset beach session and an in-home family session as part of the conference, and both were incredible experiences where (I’m hoping) students learned a lot from being hands on in real family photography situations. See the photos from one of those sessions here!

If you’re curious, the next Reset Conference is happening in Chattanooga, TN, and tickets are already on sale! Check it out here.

behind the scenes of the reset conference in a podcast for family photographers

3. My Biggest Business Accomplishment

Question from Allison Patel in Richmond: “What would you say has been your biggest accomplishment in business so far? Not necessarily the most lucrative, but the one that you have the most pride in.”

A: Honestly? Sticking with it.

A lot of my feelings of success come from financial affirmation—after all, making an income is a real need for my family. I felt immense pride when I surpassed what I could have made as a teacher while working from home. I felt it again when my husband was able to quit his job and pursue his own entrepreneurial dreams, knowing my income gave us that flexibility.

But most of all, I’m proud that I didn’t quit. There were moments when I wondered if I should switch paths to something “easier,” but my heart knew I wouldn’t be content. Building this business has given me the freedom to work creatively, on my own terms, with people I love. It’s allowed me to be there for my kids, take them to the playground, and build a life that balances work and family in a way that feels right for us.

Success to me isn’t just about income, though—it’s about how I earn it. And I’m proud of the way I work and continue to work.

It is such a treat to make this podcast for family photographers each week and pour into the industry with free content. If you want to catch up on all the episodes, be sure to check out more featured episodes on art, business, and vision on the podcast homepage here.