Ambreia Turner: Start Your Photography Business with Confident Sales & Purposeful Service
We were seriously counting down the days until this episode dropped because Ambreia Turner is back on the podcast, and let us tell you, she brought the goods. If you’re a new photographer trying to build a business that doesn’t burn you out, this is the episode (and the blog) for you.
If you haven’t listened to Ambreia’s episode from Season 1, go do that. It’s honestly one of our all-time favorites. But this time, she came back to talk all about how to start your business with intention, how to sell confidently without feeling “salesy,” and how to turn maternity photography into meaningful legacy work.
We adore Ambreia. Her wisdom, her warmth, her generosity, all of it just shines. So here’s a breakdown of the biggest lessons we walked away with (and what we wish we knew when we were starting out).
Why Most New Photographers Burn Out
One thing Ambreia said that really hit us was this:
“The average career for a photographer is only about two and a half years.”
We believe it. Not because people don’t love photography, but because trying to turn your passion into a sustainable business is hard. You’re learning to shoot, edit, deliver galleries, and oh, run an actual business on top of that.
Ambreia reminded us that without systems, pricing structure, and boundaries in place, things fall apart. And they usually fall apart right when you’re hitting your stride creatively.
What we learned: You don’t have to “wait” to build the business side of things. Start with structure now, even if you’re still in auto mode. You’ll thank yourself later.
Why In-Person Sales Isn’t Pushy — It’s Service
We talk to so many photographers who say, “I want to start offering more than digitals, but I hate selling.” We’ve been there.
Ambreia reframed it in such a simple, beautiful way:
“You’re not selling — you’re serving. You’re helping people choose what they already want. You’re just guiding them.”
IPS (In-Person Sales) doesn’t have to be complicated or high-pressure. It’s just another way to take care of your clients. To help them get their favorite images off their phones and into their homes.
What we learned: If we believe in our work, we should believe it deserves to be printed — and that our clients will be glad we helped them do that.
The Sample Sale Strategy (AKA How to Start IPS Without Freaking Out)
Okay, this was one of our favorite things Ambreia shared. If you’re a photographer who wants to move away from “shoot and burn,” but don’t know how to begin, she created a mini course that’s exactly what you need.
It’s called the Sample Sale Strategy, and it’s all about helping you:
Create sample products (without wasting a ton of money)
Do a simple, no-pressure product sale to your existing clients
Learn what your people actually want to order
And most importantly, gain confidence in offering printed work
What we loved: This is truly designed for beginners. No fluff. No gimmicks. Just a clear, low-stress way to start selling printed products without needing to change everything about your business overnight. (sign up for her newsletter to learn more here!)
Tips for Photographing Maternity Sessions
If you’ve followed Ambreia’s work at all, you know she creates the most gorgeous maternity and motherhood portraits. But what we really loved in this episode was how she explained her approach in such a practical way. She gave real tips that you can apply right away — especially if you're new to maternity sessions or still figuring out how to pose clients confidently.
Here are a few gems:
1. Skip the flowy gowns (most of the time)
This was a bit of a surprise — we’ve seen those gowns everywhere. But Ambreia pointed out that they can actually look frumpy on some clients, especially curvier mamas. She recommends encouraging form-fitting dresses that highlight the shape of the bump and show off the curves. And when you see her work? You get why.
2. Stop posing your clients like the letter “P”
This one made us laugh, but it’s so true. If someone’s just standing stiff, legs together, no weight shift… they end up looking flat and awkward in photos. Ambreia encourages subtle movement — popping a knee, shifting the hips, creating soft lines that bring out the natural beauty and strength of pregnancy.
3. Be the expert your clients need
This one hit home. A lot of us feel shy about posing, especially early on. But Ambreia reminded us that our clients want direction. They’re not supposed to know how to pose — that’s why they hired us. Don’t be afraid to give confident, clear instructions like:
“Let’s shift your weight to the back leg.”
“Pop that left knee forward just a bit.”
“Tilt your chin down slightly. Beautiful.”
What we learned: Great posing isn’t about copying Pinterest photos — it’s about reading your client, giving direction with kindness, and helping them feel beautiful in their own skin.
It All Comes Back to Legacy
Throughout this entire conversation, one word kept coming up: legacy.
Ambreia is so passionate about helping photographers (and their clients) create something that lasts. She said something toward the end that really stuck with us:
“If you’re not giving your clients something they can pass down… what are you actually giving them?”
That hit us hard. We know how easy it is to get caught up in digital delivery and quick turnarounds. But what would it look like to actually build a business — and a body of work — that lasts?
What would it look like to serve your clients so well that their children grow up seeing your photos on the wall, in an album, in their hands?
That’s legacy. And it’s worth building.
Where to Learn More from Ambreia
If you want more of Ambreia’s insight (and trust us, you do), visit her website and sign up for her newsletter. She shares practical, no-fluff advice for photographers who want to build sustainable, legacy-driven businesses — plus you’ll get early access to her workshops, education, and upcoming resources. Follow her on Instagram at @ambreia_artistry to see her stunning maternity work and daily inspiration. And if you're into honest conversations about business, love, and building something meaningful with your partner, don’t miss The Joint Venture Podcast, which she co-hosts with her husband. It’s honest, thoughtful, and seriously so good.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something about the way Ambreia teaches that makes you feel like it’s all actually possible. Like, you can do this. You can build a business that’s profitable and sustainable and deeply meaningful — even if you're still figuring things out.
We left this conversation feeling totally inspired and so, so grateful that we get to learn from women like her. And we hope you feel the same way.
— Amanda & Whitney
The Edit Podcast
Want to hear the full episode? You can listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you get your podcasts. And if you loved this post, leave a comment and let us know what you’re changing in your business after hearing Ambreia’s advice.
