Description

⚠️ Note: This is a legacy episode from the Intentional Documentary® era. I’ve kept it here because Michelle’s story offers a beautiful example of growing a creative business through service, story, and staying true to what matters.

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When Michelle McKay picked up a camera, she had no plans to start a business, but a deep pull to document the beautiful ordinary led her there anyway.

In this episode, Michelle shares how she slowly grew a thriving photography business in a new city, largely through word-of-mouth, social connection, and heartfelt service.

We talk about the power of showing up as yourself online, building trust with your audience, and the surprisingly effective promotions that helped her book 12 sessions and pivot her business model with confidence.

Topics covered:

• Michelle’s move to a new city and how she used Instagram to build connections
• Her early mindset around charging and learning to value her work
• How photographing a local gelato shop unlocked a stream of new clients
• Why she mails physical photo prints as a surprise-and-delight strategy
• The emotional power of printing photos for your kids to see themselves valued
• How a holiday promotion helped her shift from all-inclusive pricing to a new, aligned model
• Behind the scenes of a $200 session strategy that led to 12 bookings
• Creating physical gift certificates and blog posts to drive momentum
• How she built a loyal, responsive audience through authentic daily sharing
• The story behind her two “iconic” personal images — and what they still teach her

Connect with Michelle + access the archived episode resources here: 

→ dangerouslygoodstories.com/intentional-documentary-archive