We recently connected with Lisa Mathews and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Lisa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
Yes. I’ve been earning a full time living from my photography for years now, but it was absolutely not like that from day one.
I started shooting boudoir in 2015. In the beginning it was very much a side hustle. I was figuring out my style, building a portfolio, saying yes to almost everything, and undercharging because I thought that was the only way people would book me. I was also learning how to run a business while raising three boys, so it was chaotic and scrappy and very much “let’s see if this works.”
It did not explode overnight. It grew slowly. And honestly, that was probably a gift.
One of the biggest turning points was deciding to treat it like a real business instead of a creative hobby. That meant clear pricing, contracts, boundaries, systems, and a website that actually explained what I do and who it’s for. It also meant getting very specific about my audience. I stopped trying to photograph everyone and started speaking directly to women who wanted to feel confident, seen, and in control of their experience. When my messaging got sharper, my bookings got better.
Another major shift was raising my prices before I felt “ready.” I realized I couldn’t build a sustainable full time income on discount energy. Once I priced myself in a way that reflected the experience and service I provide, I attracted clients who valued it. That changed everything. Fewer sessions, more profit, better alignment.
Consistency was huge too. I showed up online over and over again. I shared real stories. I let my personality come through. I built trust before people ever inquired. That long game is what made the income stable instead of seasonal panic.
Adding weddings and expanding into maternity and newborn sessions also helped create more income streams. Diversifying made the business less fragile. If one area slowed down, another picked up.
Could I have sped it up knowing what I know now? Probably. I would have raised my prices sooner. I would have invested in education and mentorship earlier instead of trying to Google my way through everything. And I would have worried less about what other photographers were doing. Comparison wasted a lot of mental energy in the early years.
But I also think there’s something valuable about the slow build. You learn resilience. You learn boundaries. You learn how to talk to clients, how to recover from mistakes, how to handle a slow month without spiraling. Those lessons are the scaffolding that holds up a full time creative career.
So no, it wasn’t instant. It was layered. It was strategic. It was messy at times. And it was absolutely possible.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Lisa, the owner of Lisa Robin Photography, with my boudoir work under Baltimore Boudoir. I’ve been photographing women since 2015, starting while raising three boys and figuring out how to turn creativity into a real, sustainable business.
I got into boudoir and quickly realized it was about so much more than photos. It was about helping women see themselves differently. That moment when someone says, “I can’t believe that’s me,” is still why I do this.
Under Baltimore Boudoir, I offer private, guided boudoir sessions in my Cockeysville studio. I walk clients through everything, from posing to expression, so they never feel awkward or unsure. Through Lisa Robin Photography, I also photograph weddings, maternity, and lifestyle newborn sessions, all with a focus on real emotion and honest connection.
What sets me apart is transparency and authenticity. My pricing and booking calendar are public. I don’t play sales games. I talk to my clients like real humans, and I create an experience that feels safe, private, and empowering.
I’m most proud that I built a full time career from this while raising my kids and staying true to my voice. More than anything, I want potential clients to know they don’t need to change before booking. You’re allowed to show up exactly as you are.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Referrals and Google have been my strongest sources of new clients.
Referrals are huge because boudoir especially is built on trust. When someone has a great experience, they tell their friends. Those clients often come in already feeling comfortable because they’ve heard firsthand what it’s like to work with me.
Google has also been incredibly consistent. When someone is actively searching for a boudoir photographer or wedding photographer, they’re usually ready to book. Showing up there has brought in a steady flow of inquiries from people who may not be on my social media at all.
Referrals build loyalty and community, and Google keeps new people discovering my work. Both have been key to growing my business sustainably.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding part is that I get to wake up and do something different every day that I genuinely love.
No two sessions are the same. No two clients are the same. I’m constantly creating, solving problems, connecting with people, and making something that didn’t exist before. That never gets old.
But just as important is the freedom. I’m in charge of my schedule. I can build my business in a way that supports my family instead of competing with it. Being able to put my kids first while still running a full time creative business is something I don’t take lightly.
Creating work that matters to people and building a life that works for my family at the same time is easily the most rewarding part.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lisarobin.com/boudoir
- Instagram: @baltimoreboudior
- Facebook: @lisarobinphotography
Image Credits
www.lisarobin.com/boudoir