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Welcome to this week’s SeniorInspire the Newsletter — where all I ask is that you ignore the squirrel and focus your eyeballs here for the next 3 minutes.

This week, we’re talking about finding your spark again — you know, that thing you had before the 17th gallery delivery of the week. We’ve got some thoughts on how carving out even a little time can help you fall back in love with photography… or at least stop muttering “never again” under your breath.

Speaking of muttering under your breath, we’re also diving into why sometimes, you just gotta say F That — and yes, the “F” stands for Forget (unless you're feeling spicy).

This week's Why I Love This Image features an image from Marci and Christy that strikes the perfect balance of edge, style, and “don’t mess with me” vibes.

And finally, we’re introducing Craig Lee as our Mentor of the Week — a seasoned pro who’s all about helping others grow.

Let’s get into it!

This Week’s Question:
Lately I’ve been so busy with sessions and side obligations that I’m not even enjoying photography anymore. How can I protect time for the parts of my business I actually love?

Been there, done that!

You work your tail off to build a thriving photography business—then one day you wake up and realize you’re barely even taking photos anymore. Or if you are, it feels more like punching a clock than chasing a passion.

Here’s the good news: If you’re asking this question, you haven’t lost your love for photography—you’ve just buried it under a mountain of to-do lists, admin tasks, and endless sessions that don’t always fill your creative cup.

But there’s a way back. Here’s how to start digging out.

📌 Say No More Often (Literally)

Not every inquiry deserves a yes. If a client, project, or obligation doesn't align with your goals—or worse, drains your energy—it’s okay to say no. Your time is finite. Protect it like it’s the last chocolate chip cookie in the jar.

🎨 Build in Time for Creative Play

During each session, carve out 15 minutes for pure experimentation. Try a lighting technique you’ve never used, a new lens, or shoot in a location you’ve always ignored.

No pressure for it to be perfect or even usable—just shoot something for you. Sometimes those personal shots end up being the ones you’re most proud of... and sometimes they don't. But you'll never know if you don't try.

💭 Revisit Your Why

Remember that feeling when you first picked up a camera and thought, This is magic? Write down what pulled you into photography in the first place. Was it storytelling? Capturing emotion? Playing with light? Now ask yourself: When’s the last time you did that part on purpose?

🛠️ Outsource the Soul-Suckers

You don’t have to do it all. Bookkeeping? Hire it out. Editing? Consider a retouching service. Hate photographing families or events? Stop offering them and just say 'no' when friend asks you to do it.

Spend your time on the things that make you excited to pick up your camera—not the things that make you want to sell it.

📅 Schedule Time for What Fills Your Tank

You know how clients have to schedule a session with you? You should schedule time with you, too. Block out a half-day every month for a creative shoot with no client expectations. Or declare one weekend a quarter as a business-free zone. Rest and creativity are not luxuries—they're fuel.

☕ Shrink Your Circle (Temporarily)

It’s okay to scale back your client load when you're stretched thin. Fewer clients can mean more room to serve each one better, love what you’re doing again, and it's easy to say, but raise your rates if needed to make up the difference.

💡 Let the Business Evolve

Sometimes burnout is a sign your business needs to shift. Maybe it’s time to introduce mini sessions to cut down your editing time. Maybe you’d thrive teaching or mentoring. Give yourself permission to pivot when your creative instincts tell you it's time.

Final Thought

You didn’t start a photography business just to drown in admin work and burn out shooting things that don’t light you up.

Take back control of your time. Guard your creative energy. And remind yourself often: You’re the boss. Make the job one you’d actually want to apply for.

Have a burning question you want answered in a future column? Head over to www.seniorinspire.com/asknick. I’ll be there manning the phones and waiting for your questions...

Each week, I’m spotlighting one standout image from the thousands of senior photos we’ve featured over the years — in the magazine, on Instagram, and beyond. Whether it’s the light, the vibe, or just that unexplainable something, these are the images that made me stop and say, “Wow.” 

This image was featured on the SeniorInspire Instagram page years ago, long before anyone knew who Marci and Christy were…

OK, that’s a lie.

We’ve all known Marci and Christy for a LONG time, and honestly, it feels like we’ve been admiring their work FOREVER. Their style is polished, fun, confident, and consistently next-level — and this image checks every one of those boxes.

Let’s start with the lighting. It’s just the right amount of theatrical to complement the vintage movie theater setting. There’s a warm glow bouncing off the marquee bulbs above, a subtle falloff in the shadows behind her, and a crisp pop on the subject’s face and legs that feels carefully crafted, not overly lit. It sets a mood without screaming for attention.

Now, the location. It's perfect. You've got the old-school formality of a historic theater — all dark wood, vintage doors, and glowing bulbs — playing beautifully against the casual, slightly punk vibe of the senior.

She’s in roller skates, for crying out loud. The contrast between the backdrop and her punky energy adds tension and fun. You can almost imagine her waiting out front for the next boy to roll up and challenge her to a skate-off… which she’ll obviously win.

Styling? Spot on. The “California” tee tucked under overalls, the striped tube socks pulled high, and that pop of red lipstick are all doing exactly what they need to do.

But it’s the ponytail — high, slightly messy, and being casually tugged at mid-pose — that ties it all together. It says: “Yeah, I look great. And I’m not even trying that hard.”

The pose is another highlight. It’s playful and strong with just the right mix of sass and ease. One leg bent, one hip popped, and that hand on the hip — she looks confident, maybe even a little untouchable. Like she knows how cool she looks and wants you to know it too.

But here’s what really makes the image work for me: attitude. There's a story happening here. A little nostalgia, a little rebellion, a whole lot of style. It’s an image that feels both timeless and modern — like it could be a still from a ‘70s skate film or an editorial in a 2025 fashion magazine.

And let’s give credit where it’s due — the technical execution is flawless. Exposure, focus, color, posing, mood — all working together in harmony. That’s the kind of consistency and quality we’ve come to expect from Marci and Christy, and they never disappoint.

So yeah, that’s why I love this image.

Just to be clear right up front—the F here stands for “Forget That.” I wouldn’t want you to get the wrong idea. That said, if you’re feeling nasty, yeah… it stands for F That.

OK, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s have some fun with things you’d love to say to people you really don't want to work with...

1. The long-lost family hookup.

When a second cousin you only see at family picnics every five years calls and asks you to photograph his newborn...

You really want to say... “F that. Try Googling ‘baby photographers who don’t have to drive two hours just to get spit-up on.’”

2. The “influencer” who isn’t.

When a local influencer with 300 Instagram followers asks you to take her photos for free in return “for exposure.”

You really want to say... “F that. How about you just pay me instead, and then I’ll give you some exposure to my followers. Real exposure. The kind that doesn’t require hashtags like #HotGirlSummer #ButMakeItNovember.”

3. The “great opportunity.”

When someone invites you to photograph their 500-person event for free because you’ll be allowed to pass out business cards.

You really want to say... “F that, I can’t—I’m busy that day. Yeah, I’ve got a really big thing planned… washing all my free microfiber lens cloths."

4. The bargain hunters.

When a potential client tells you they found someone who will do the session for half your rate and asks if you’ll match it.

You really want to say... “F that, why are you even on the phone with me? Go! Run! Grab that deal before they realize they’re giving it away. Go, get that now!”

5. The “Can you just send me the RAWs?” client.

When someone insists they want the unedited RAW files because “my cousin has Photoshop.”

You really want to say... “F that. If I wanted my work filtered through your cousin Chad’s Windows 98 laptop, I’d have hired him myself. Let me guess—he also DJ'd your wedding?”

At the end of the day, we all bite our tongues more than we’d like. But sometimes just thinking what you'd like to say is enough to keep you moving forward with a smile.

And who knows—maybe one day, during your actual last week in business, you’ll finally let fly with the words you really want to say… and it’ll be the most freeing day of your life.

This week’s featured mentor is Craig Lee of Craig Lee Studios in Huron, South Dakota. Craig’s bold, cinematic style and technical command of off-camera flash have made him a standout in the senior photography world. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned shooter looking to push your lighting skills, Craig is the kind of mentor who will challenge you to level up. From humble beginnings to full-blown studio confidence, Craig’s journey is full of practical lessons, and he’s ready to share them.

Craig Lee
Huron, SD

What type of mentoring do you offer?
Both one-on-one sessions and virtual.

Who is your ideal mentee?
Beginners and established photographers. Really, anyone.

Did you have any mentors starting out?
When I first got into photography, blogs and photographers with YouTube channels were just becoming a thing. A lot of my early learning came from that. I would look for styles that I liked and devour anything those photographers put out on their channels. Then I’d go into the studio at the advertising agency where I worked and try to replicate what I saw.

There are a lot of photographers I look up to in the industry. Most of the ones I’ve talked with seem open to sharing their knowledge. We all want our industry to thrive.

.

How would you describe your own shooting style?
My shooting style leans toward dark and moody, heavily influenced by cinematic looks. One of my first photography and videography mentors told me, “Not everything in a photograph needs to be in focus or seen. Only light the important parts — or the parts that lend themselves to the story.”

That said, we don’t want our subjects floating in a black background. We still need to see what’s going on behind them — it just doesn’t always carry the weight of the main character. I wanted my photos to stand out from everything I was seeing online and in my local area.

What topics do you most enjoy mentoring on?
Off-camera flash for sure!

What’s one “rookie mistake” you see a lot of photographers make that you try to help them avoid?
Anytime you're learning a new technique, you need to practice. For the longest time, my camera lived on a tripod. I would adjust my lights, set the 10-second timer, stand in front of the camera, check the results, and adjust again — over and over. Practice until you can look at a location and know what you need to do to achieve a certain look.

Photographers tend to try something new during a session, and if it isn’t working, they’ll default back to what they know and are comfortable with. Practice, practice, and then practice some more — until it becomes an extension of your style.

If you could go back and mentor yourself when you were just starting out, what’s something you would tell yourself?
Just like anything you want to excel in — you have to live it. Get involved in your industry. Go to workshops. Read more. Practice more. Photograph what you love. Know your worth, and charge that.

It took me quite a while to figure out most of these things. I lived in my own bubble and photographed everything. Once I started to get involved and really dig into what I was passionate about, my photography took off.

How should potential mentees contact you?
Reach out on Facebook or shoot me an email. I’m an open book — and once you figure out a few simple concepts about off-camera flash, it’s easy to add more lights, make beautiful light in crummy or non-ideal locations, and define your style.

PS I'll be speaking at SYNC this Spring. Use the code CRAID5926 if you want to save $50...

Are you teaching a workshop on the horizon, I’d love to help you spread the word. NO CHARGE - No strings.

Just send me the details and a graphic, and I’ll get it in front of a bunch of senior photographers who might want in.

SeniorInspire the Newsletter goes out to about 2,500 senior photographers across the country, and more than a third of them actually open it (the rest are slackers who probably don't go to workshops either).

Anyway, just reply to this email with the details and a graphic, and I’ll get it in front of a bunch of senior photographers who might just want in.

Simple as that.

If you made it this far and have any opinions or ideas I'd love to hear it. Good, bad, whatever. Just hit reply or send me an email and let me know what you think. Thanks and have a great weekend. 

Thanks for rolling through another issue of SeniorInspire the Newsletter! Whether you read every word or just skimmed for your name (no judgment), I’m glad you’re here.

This week’s Tune of the Week is “Skateaway” by Dire Straits — a total vibe that’s been on repeat in our house ever since I revisited Marci and Christy’s incredible skater girl image from this week's Why I Love This Image column.

Be sure to check out the music video — it's full of retro, stylish, skater girl imagery that just may inspire your next skate shoot.

🎧 Skateaway – Dire Straits

Anyway... Until next week… keep gliding, keep creating, and don’t forget to hit play. 🎧🛹

Nick
SeniorInspire

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