Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stephanie Small. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Stephanie, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome was something I struggled with early on, but I knew I had to shift my mindset if I wanted to build a successful business. I focused on mindset work and leaned into my “why”, which were my kids. After losing my mom in 2019 and my husband losing his dad in the same month, I became even more intentional about creating a life full of memories for my family instead of getting caught up in comparison or self-doubt.
One of the biggest changes I made was filtering what I consumed on social media. Imposter syndrome often starts when we constantly compare ourselves to someone else’s highlight reel. So I unfollowed or muted accounts that made me feel inadequate, not because they were doing anything wrong, but because I needed to protect my own confidence and creativity.
Now, as a photography business coach, I teach other photographers the same thing. Focus on your unique path, stay in your own lane, and remember why you started. When you’re clear on your purpose, the noise around you starts to fade, and imposter syndrome loses its power.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m a photographer and business coach helping photographers get fully booked with their dream clients and scaling their photography businesses. I started my photography journey like many others. I was excited about capturing beautiful moments but quickly realized that talent alone wasn’t enough to build a thriving business. Over time, I learned how to market myself effectively, book clients consistently, and, most importantly, create a business that aligns with my life and values.
After experiencing personal loss—losing my mom in 2019 and my husband losing his dad in the same month—I became deeply focused on creating a life full of meaningful memories for my kids. That’s a big part of why I do what I do. I want other photographers to build businesses that give them freedom. And not just financially, but also the ability to be present for the moments that matter most.
What excites me most about my work is helping photographers overcome the overwhelm of booking clients and showing them that success is possible without burnout. I teach them how to attract the right clients, build confidence in their pricing, and grow a business that serves their life instead of running their life. I also focus heavily on mindset because so much of success isn’t just about strategy but about believing in yourself, staying in your lane, and blocking out the noise of comparison.
One of the biggest things I teach is to stop following people who make you feel less than. Imposter syndrome thrives on comparison, and I help photographers break free from that cycle so they can focus on their own growth and success.
Right now, I’m focused on growing my coaching business and helping more photographers book out their calendars. I recently launched a 4 week group coaching program, where I work closely with photographers to refine their strategy, book their dream clients, and create a profitable, purpose-driven business.
I also just hosted a three-day AI workshop, teaching photographers how to use AI tools to streamline their workflow and make running a business easier. This is something I’m passionate about because I believe in working smarter, not harder.
Whether you’re a new photographer trying to get your first clients or a seasoned pro looking to elevate your brand, I’m here to help photographers build a business that gives them freedom, fulfillment, and financial success.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Marketing Skills – Learning How to Attract Clients
Being a great photographer isn’t enough. You have to know how to market yourself effectively. Once I mastered how to attract and book my dream clients, everything changed.
2. Mindset Is So Important– Blocking Out Imposter Syndrome
So much of success is about mindset. If you don’t believe you’re good enough or deserving of success, it will hold you back no matter how skilled you are. I had to actively work on my mindset, especially overcoming imposter syndrome and comparison.
3. Resilience – Pushing Through Challenges
When I first started, I faced plenty of setbacks. Whether it was struggling to book clients, dealing with self-doubt, or navigating personal losses. But I refused to give up. Resilience is what kept me moving forward even when things felt hard or uncertain.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in the past year is that I don’t have to book every single client that comes my way. Early in my career, I felt like I had to say yes to every opportunity. Whether it aligned with my personal life or not, because I was afraid of missing out on income or momentum. But over the last year, I’ve realized that true success isn’t just about being fully booked; it’s about being booked in a way that aligns with my values and my family.
This really hit me when I booked a wedding on my son’s birthday. At the time, I convinced myself it was just one day, that we could celebrate another time, and that the business needed it. But the entire drive there, I cried. It was in that moment that I realized I wasn’t running my business but my business was running me.
That day changed everything. I decided I would never let my schedule control me again. My family comes first, and my business has to fit into the life I want to create, not the other way around.
Now, I’m intentional about who I work with and when. I set boundaries, prioritize the things that truly matter, and say no to opportunities that don’t align with the life I’m building. And the most amazing part? My business hasn’t suffered because of it. In fact, it’s thriving even more because I show up fully present for both my clients and my family.
This is something I now teach other photographers. You don’t have to take every booking to be successful. Success is about building a business that works for your life, not sacrificing your life for your business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stephaniesmallphotography.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniesmallphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephaniesmallphotography
Image Credits
Stephanie Small Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
