The Work We Keep

In this solo episode of The Work We Keep, Kayla shares an honest behind-the-scenes look at what it actually costs to run a creative business in 2026, and why photography, filmmaking, and creative services are no longer inexpensive to do well. From rising equipment costs and AI-driven industry shifts to hard drives, SD cards, gas prices, and the emotional labor of creative work, this conversation explores the hidden realities clients rarely see. Kayla also unpacks why “cheap” photography often comes at the expense of sustainability, care, and client experience, and why the creatives charging intentionally are usually the ones investing the most into protecting your memories and telling your story well.

In this episode of The Work We Keep, Kayla sits down with photographer Brooke Lacombe, to explore the growing shift of parents choosing not to show their children’s faces online. With a background in public safety and psychology, Brooke shares how concerns around consent, digital footprints, privacy, and AI are reshaping both parenting and the photography industry. Together, they discuss how photographers can adapt creatively, how families can make more intentional decisions about what they share, and why this movement is less about fear—and more about protecting childhood in a digital world. Prompts for Privacy for Photographers: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/4491967123/prompts-for-privacy-guide-photography?ref=share_ios_native_controlSocial Media Privacy Checklist for Parents: https://www.etsy.com/listing/4491990942/social-media-privacy-checklist-for?sr_prefetch=1&pf_from=shop_home&ref=shop_home_active_3&dd=1&logging_key=4cca58f007566e155ed9c0c00528dd1844f4151a%3A4491990942

Today on The Work We Keep, we are diving into everything you need to know about the connection between your portfolio, burnout, and building a business that actually fits your life.

In this solo episode of The Work We Keep, Kayla reflects on the unexpected shift that came after hosting her first workshop, and how it’s changing the way she approaches family photography. Moving away from perfectly styled, “pretty” images, she shares why she’s now drawn to more honest, real-life moments that reflect how families actually live, love, and remember this season. This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at evolving creatively, trusting your instincts, and letting go of what no longer feels aligned.If this resonated with you and you’re craving more honest, behind-the-scenes conversations like this, you can join my email list here: https://kaylamariphotography.myflodesk.com/eqmtrfxdhc

In this episode of The Work We Keep, Kayla sits down with Laura of Flower Mound Lactation Care to talk about breastfeeding, lactation support, and the realities of feeding in early motherhood. From common misconceptions about “natural” breastfeeding to tongue ties, latch pain, milk supply concerns, and returning to work, Laura shares practical education and compassionate reassurance for new moms. They also discuss supplementing without guilt, the emotional weight of feeding decisions, and why local, in-home lactation support can make all the difference. If you’re pregnant, newly postpartum, or listening at 2 a.m. during a feeding, this conversation is for you.https://www.flowermoundlactationcare.com/

In this solo episode of The Work We Keep, Kayla shares her exact social media marketing schedule and content structure for running Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and TikTok as a creative entrepreneur. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay consistent on social media without burning out, this episode breaks down the full system, from long-form podcast and evergreen content to carousels, short-form video, and Pinterest.Kayla walks through how she repurposes podcast episodes into Instagram content, uses branded templates and Tonic Site Shop graphics for consistency, leverages ChatGPT to condense and expand ideas, and plans her grid using the Plann app to schedule posts in advance. She also shares practical tips like manually adding location tags and collaborations inside Instagram for better discoverability.This episode is a transparent look at sustainable social media marketing for photographers, creatives, and small business owners who want structure, clarity, and longevity, not constant content chaos.If you’re looking for a realistic Instagram marketing workflow, content repurposing strategy, and behind-the-scenes insight into how a working mom and business owner manages multiple platforms each week, this one is for you.Grab my "Steal My Social Media Checklist" to help create a sustainable social media strategy: https://kaylamariphotography.myflodesk.com/sjmuytr96q