Episode 11: The Bestie Episode: Behind the Scenes of Our Photography Friendship
The Bestie Episode: Behind the Scenes of Our Photography Friendship
Welcome to The Bestie Episode — and buckle up, because this one’s raw, real, and a little ridiculous. In this unfiltered episode of The Raw Edit, I brought my business bestie, Sarah, on the mic to talk all things business, friendship, and the hilarious chaos in between. From the moment we connected inside Sabrina Gebhardt’s roundtable group, we knew we had something special—and this is your all-access pass to what it’s really like having a biz bestie who gets it.
How “The Bestie Episode” Began
It started with a simple question: “Any other senior photographers in here?” A shoutout turned into a Voxer convo, and suddenly, we were talking for HOURS every day. We went from strangers to sharing outfit hauls from dressing rooms across state lines. I’m in North Dakota, Sarah’s in Wisconsin—but that didn’t stop the friendship. We bonded over color seasons (we’re both Springs, obviously), photography, business goals, and even our shared love for shopping.
Real Talk: What Business Besties Actually Do
We don’t just send memes (though we do that too). We strategize. We bounce ideas. We push each other to launch the damn thing. If one of us sees something that feels aligned, we say it out loud: “You need to turn this into a freebie.” “This should be your next course.” It’s honest, it’s hype-y, and it works. We launched courses, reworked marketing, and streamlined our workflows—all because we had someone in our corner who sees the big picture when you’re too deep in the weeds.
Lens Talk and Rapid Fire Qs (Yes, We Got Nerdy)
You know we had to talk about gear. From the heavy beast of a 28-70 to the dreamy bokeh on the 85mm macro (seriously—who knew the budget-friendly one was the MVP?!), we dished on what stays in our bags, what surprised us, and the random stuff we never expected to love (pantyhose and Ziploc bag tricks included).
Hot Takes: Industry Trends We Love (and Loathe)
Let’s just say blurry photos with nothing in focus? Not our vibe. We love intentional blur that tells a story, but when every photo in a gallery looks like a mistake… yeah, no thanks. Also: AI isn’t scary. It’s a damn business blessing. From blog writing (hi, Buddy!) to client emails, AI has saved us hours and sanity.
Blogging is Not Dead
If you think blogging is over, think again. Blogging is a game-changer for SEO and connection. I blog every senior Sunday, and YES, they read it. Want to make it easier? Pull up the ChatGPT app, voice-to-text all the highlights right after the shoot, and let it write your blog while you’re driving home. Want to learn more? Check out my homepage to see how I build unforgettable photography experiences that also rank on Google.
How to Find Your Own Business Bestie
Honestly? Put yourself out there. Join a Facebook group, DM someone who inspires you, or ask a question in a membership space. That’s what Sarah did. Two years and a billion Voxer messages later, here we are: co-creating, encouraging, and laughing our way through this wild ride.
Final Thoughts From The Bestie Episode
If you’re building your biz alone right now, we see you. But here’s your nudge: find your people. They’re out there. And when you do? You’ll build something bolder, better, and way more fun.
Real Talk. No Fluff. Just Photography, Unfiltered.
If you’ve ever found yourself in the middle of an edit at 2 AM, questioning all your life choices—or had a client request just one more tiny edit that turned into a never-ending saga—you’re in the right place.
Hosted by photography besties Kellie Rochelle & Sarah Monson, RAW Edit is where we strip away the sugarcoating and dive into the real behind-the-scenes of running a photography business. From nightmare shoots to lighting disasters and those why-is-this-happening tech moments, we’ve seen it all—and we’re talking about it.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or still figuring out how to pose your first couple, this podcast is your go-to for raw, relatable stories and real-world advice. So grab your camera, your caffeine of choice, and let’s get into it.
🎧 Hit play and let’s get RAW.
Subscribe & download the episode to your device: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music
About Raw Edit
Hosted by Kellie Rochelle and Sarah Monson, two photographers who have been through all the highs and lows, this podcast is your safe space for honest conversations about what it actually takes to thrive in this industry.
Each week, we’re bringing you behind-the-scenes stories, industry insights, and hard-earned lessons—so you can skip the mistakes and fast-track your success!
🌐 Connect with Us:
Kellie Rochelle Photography
- Website: https://kellierochelle.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellierochellephotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellierochellephotography/
Sarah Monson Photography
- Website: https://smonsonphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmonsonphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SarahMonsonPhotography
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