Some photographers find their passion after becoming a parent—but for Cally Petersen, photography came first. And over the years, her love for it has only grown deeper. Now a decade into her business, Cally has built a creative life that reflects her values, honors her limits, and stays true to her “why.”
In this episode, Cally shares how she found photography before motherhood, how her confidence and presence have grown over time, and what helps her genuinely enjoy showing up online. She walks us through how she approaches branding sessions with intention, how she structures her calendar to align with her energy, and why certain sessions bring her back to the heart of her work.
Let’s dive in!
What’s in this episode:
- [02:16] How Cally found photography pre-parenthood and how she has grown more grounded in her “why” over time
- [09:14] What has helped Cally to enjoy showing up online
- [13:56] How Cally approaches her branding photography sessions
- [19:23] How Cally keeps her calendar aligned and stays booked throughout the year
- [24:21] The types of sessions that remind Cally of her “why”
- [30:00] Cally’s lightning round
If you’ve ever felt pulled between business growth and a slower, more grounded life, this episode with Cally is one you can’t miss!
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Resources Mentioned
Shared Resource – Social Media Engagement Handbook
Meet Cally Petersen
Cally Petersen is a lifestyle photographer based in Chilliwack, BC, where she has spent the past decade capturing families and fellow creatives throughout the Fraser Valley. A full-time mother and part-time photographer, she brings both heart and experience to her sessions—offering a storytelling approach that’s rooted in warmth, authenticity, and connection.
Her work spans family milestones, in-home lifestyle portraits, and branding photography, all tailored to meet clients where they’re at. Whether documenting everyday beauty or big life moments, [Photographer’s Name] is passionate about preserving meaningful stories and creating imagery that feels honest and enduring. For her, photography is more than a profession—it’s a way to celebrate connection and help others see the magic in their lives.
Connect with Cally
Did this episode with Cally Petersen give you new ideas on how to navigate your business in a new season of life? Check out this episode Scroll-stopping Storytelling: Creating Fine Art children’s Portraits with Photographer Iwona Podlasinska that shares how another photographer started their career!
Transcript
[00:00:00] Cally: When I stopped overthinking that part of it and just kind of started sharing from the heart, I actually found that enjoyable. I found social media became a place of connection instead of performance. Right. And just like, I dunno, I just, I just wanna encourage people and say like, you don’t have to be everywhere and doing everything.
[00:00:18] Like just start with one platform, one voice, one moment. How are you feeling today? Are you in the mood to post like than post?
[00:00:30] Lisa: Hey, friend. Welcome to the Art and Soul Show. I’m your host, Lisa DiGeso, a mom, a photographer and entrepreneur. Tune in here for Pep Talks, conversations and advice on photography, creativity, mindset, business, life, and that messy in between. This is the place where you can go when you need a boost of encouragement, a kick in the pants, and inspiration to pick up your camera.
[00:00:52] This is the Art and Soul show. Hello, my beautiful friends. Welcome back to the show. Today I am hanging out [00:01:00] with the lovely Cally Petersen, a lifestyle family and portrait photographer based in Chilliwak, BC which is actually just a couple hours south from me. So for the past 10 years, she’s been capturing real meaningful moments for families and creative across.
[00:01:15] from Fraser Valley. A full-time mama and part-time creative, Cally specializes in outdoor lifestyle sessions, maternity portraits and branding imagery, and she brings a heartfelt storytelling approach to everything she does. She’s also passionate about helping photographers build genuine social media engagement in a way that feels sustainable and actually enjoyable.
[00:01:36] Oh, and she’s currently expecting baby number two, so I’m especially excited to catch up with her in this beautiful season of life. Creativity. So welcome Cally.
[00:01:47] Cally: Hi. Thank you so much for having me, Lisa. Truly, it means so much to be here and I love following along with your work. I love the way you encourage and uplift the community and I know you just have such a gift for making people [00:02:00] feel seen and it’s inspiring.
[00:02:01] I love it. Aww,
[00:02:03] Lisa: thank
[00:02:03] Cally: you. Well,
[00:02:03] Lisa: I love what I get to do and honestly I love, like, I just shot a newborn session this morning and my husband’s like, oh my God, you’re going to podcast now too. I’m like, yes. Both of these are like my jam. Like I get just so lit up that I get to do this. So I wanna hear about you.
[00:02:16] I wanna hear about your photography journey and what actually drew you
[00:02:19] Cally: into this work. Absolutely. Yeah. So I took a couple notes here ’cause I don’t wanna miss anything. I actually have had a big headache today, so I’m the hormones. It’s all a second trimester. Yes. Third trimester today. So, oh, congrats.
[00:02:33] Maybe my, maybe the brain fog will go, but I doubt it. No, what drew me to photography? So I actually started shooting on a little point and shoot in high school and that kind of just basically just kind of taught me like composition and. You know, what does what kind of thing, and I was so inspired and so honestly like photography started with the love of people.
[00:02:55] Yeah. I would go out, I would take pictures of my friends. We would just, I had a farm [00:03:00] growing up, so we had cows and sheep and we would go out and like sit on all the old tractor and everything. We thought we were cool. That was back in like, I don’t know, 2006 maybe. Yep. But I just, I love how photography preserves moments that are real and fleeting and I felt like when I picked up a camera, it just became a way to like have art and connection.
[00:03:22] Yeah. And honestly, I never looked back. Like since then I’ve just, yeah. I love it. Loving what? What I do shooting. I love it. Yeah.
[00:03:29] Lisa: Obviously upgraded your camera from quite a few times.
[00:03:33] Cally: A few times. Yes. You and me
[00:03:36] Lisa: both. I swear it was so funny. I swear for the first few years it was like. Because I started, I’m an icon girl.
[00:03:43] Okay. Yeah. And I started with the D 90 and then I had the D 700 and then the D two to 3, 3, 4, 5, and then the DZ nine, I think there’s actually a couple other ones in between there. Yeah. But like I have gone through cameras.
[00:03:56] Cally: Yeah. I feel like you upgrade like every couple mines, especially when you’re starting now.[00:04:00]
[00:04:00] I think I went through the same. Yeah. And then you find what you love. You find what works. And then it’s funny because all this new updated gear comes out and you get excited. I bought a whole mirrorless system about six months ago. ’cause I was like, man, like this is amazing. I’m hearing good things. And I actually sold it a couple months later because I was like, you know what, like yes, it’s reliable.
[00:04:21] Yes, it’s a little bit more sharp and so much lighter, but my old system works for me. Yeah, right. I have two DSLRs I shoot with and I just love the tone, the quality. I’m so familiar with them. So. If it ain’t, what? What’s the saying? If it ain’t pro, don’t fix it. Don’t
[00:04:37] Lisa: fix it. No, I totally agree. I ’cause Are you Canon?
[00:04:40] Cally: I’m
[00:04:41] Lisa: Canon. Yeah. You’re Canon. Okay. So I went through, I, like, I bought the, so the Nikon Z seven two I think is what it is. Okay. I hated this camera. I had it for three and a half years and I was forcing myself to use it and I hated it. And then finally I was like, you know what? I’m just gonna like [00:05:00] either not use this anymore because I really wanna throw in the river.
[00:05:02] Or I’m gonna upgrade to the Z nine, so I’m gonna get a Z nine. I’m gonna try it and see if, oh my gosh, I’m now in love. I have the camera for me. Yeah, but that I like, there was something about this camera, so like what I’m saying is like don’t count all muralists out. Maybe it was just that true camera.
[00:05:18] Maybe because I honestly, I was like, this is not for me. This is not, and then this new one, I’m like, we are, we are a match made in heaven. So I bet you one day. And then I’ll upgrade, you know, all the lenses and everything. It’ll be a whole new world. And I know, we’ll see. That’s the frustrating part though, I think is like, it’s such like, it, it is a very expensive career.
[00:05:37] It when it comes to our gear and like trying to like make sure we’re budgeting to. Yeah, be able to do the upgrades too. That’s a lot of times where people are talking about pricing, they don’t even think about including that part, which I think is like, we gotta remember to do that too. So you’ve been in business for over a decade now.
[00:05:55] So how has your work evolved over that time?
[00:05:58] Cally: So much. I [00:06:00] mean, I’ve, I’ve grown more confident, I feel like. I feel like I’ve gotten more grounded in my why, you know, not just shooting to shoot. I’ve learned to let go of perfection, uh, learn, like leaning into presence, like actually being intentional with, you know, when I’m shooting I, I’m like, okay, I’m here.
[00:06:19] I’m, I’m grounded. I breathe before I shoot, I actually get my clients to breathe with me because sometimes you get really caught up in the moment. Yeah. And then you. Overshoot and it just, you know what I mean? So I really learned how to slow down and like talk to my clients and get to know them and adjust my settings before I take a million photos.
[00:06:39] You know what I mean? Right. Yeah. So I feel like slowing down has showed up. In the way I’ve run my business, especially this year. And my daughter’s always reminding me, she’s like, slow down mom, slow down. So now 10 years in, I am, I feel like I’m like that slow confident shooter. Like I love that I had this one client comment.
[00:06:57] He’s like, you’re so late back. Like, [00:07:00] our kids are wild and you’re just so chill. Like, I love that. You know? So
[00:07:04] Lisa: no, I love ’cause So you like, a lot of the times you hear the story of. We have the children, then we pick up the camera. But you had the camera before you had the child? Yes. Yeah. So how was dad being a photographer and then having your first child?
[00:07:18] Cally: Yeah, I mean, oh my goodness. It was a little bit chaotic, I will say, at first, right? Yeah. Because you’re adjusting and you know, right after having her, I told everybody, I said, I’m going down to part-time. Okay, I’m gonna slow down. And I actually did the opposite. We do that, we do that. My work doubled and there was a lot of inquiries that were, it was too like hard to say no to, and the weather was beautiful and we had just come out of covid.
[00:07:44] Yeah. So I was excited to shoot again and it was so, it was a little bit crazy. I would edit basically every nap she had when she went to bed, uh, maybe in the morning if she was still asleep. You know? Yeah. And that was just life for the last four [00:08:00] years and now that a second’s coming, I’m like, no, guys.
[00:08:02] Like I’m actually, I’m really gonna slow down, slowing down. And I’ve turned down so many great and quiet, like so many dream sessions. I’m like, I would love to take this, but I know, I know my body can’t do it right now. Yeah. I’m gonna wrap up for maternity leave for June. Yeah. There’s only so many weekends before then.
[00:08:19] Um, and you know what? I think it’s gonna be good for me to slow down. Like actually it’ll
[00:08:23] Lisa: be, it’ll be
[00:08:23] Cally: absolutely. And
[00:08:25] Lisa: it’s, it’s hard because balancing that, like. Especially when you have the inquiries because you’re like, people wanna pay me to do what I love to do. Like, I feel like this is insane to turn this down.
[00:08:35] Yeah. Like it feels nuts, but it’s so good for you. I, I personally took two, two-ish years sabbatical Okay. From my photography business. And that’s a long time. It was a long time. And so like, it was like. Well, I was, I didn’t take the whole time off. I took a few clients here and there. Yeah. Yes. Yeah. But I, I pretty much like for the, for at least one year, I didn’t have an actual paying client.
[00:08:57] Yes. And for me, that was so [00:09:00] needed and it was almost like my own maternity leave. ’cause I really never had one. When I had my son, I picked up a camera and started my business like. Four months later. Oh wow. Yeah. And like from day one it was like I was booked out. But what’s been interesting is trying to restart the business.
[00:09:14] Yes. After
[00:09:14] Lisa: being gone for a, a bit, you know? ’cause I intentionally didn’t post on social media, partly because I have a love hate relationship with social media. We’ve talked a lot a of people do. A lot of people do. Yeah. So I wanna dive into your approach to social media because. What has actually helped you enjoy showing up online?
[00:09:35] Because I still sometimes struggle with that.
[00:09:38] Cally: Fair. Fair. So, yeah, so social media can feel like a chore. Like, and I mean, I feel like a nine outta 10 people would say that. Yeah. Because it, and it’s true, but I, it’s a lot about perspective shift. So I actually wrote some notes ’cause there is something I’m like, I don’t wanna, I don’t wanna miss out on this.
[00:09:55] So I wrote like letting go of the pressure of posting [00:10:00] regularly. So. They have all these algorithms. Right. And they’re like to, to be seen, you have to post this and this and this at this time and you have to post every day. You don’t have to, no. Like you don’t have to do that. Yeah. Like, so just kind of like letting go of the pressure of doing that.
[00:10:17] Yeah. And then why stopped overthinking that part of it and just kind of started sharing from the heart? Yeah. I actually found that enjoyable. I found social media became a place of connection instead of performance. Yes. Oof. Right. And just like. I dunno. I just, I just wanna encourage people and say like, you don’t have to be everywhere and doing everything.
[00:10:36] Yeah. Like just start with one platform, one voice, one moment. How are you feeling today? Are you in the mood to post? Like, then post, right. I. Again, like trying to, to I love captions. Yeah. I mean, some people don’t even read them. I love them.
[00:10:52] Lisa: I, I’m a person, I have my phone on silent most of the time because I find that the noise is overstimulating.
[00:10:59] Yes. But I [00:11:00] like to scroll and I like to read.
[00:11:01] Cally: Yes. So I have
[00:11:02] Lisa: my phone
[00:11:02] Cally: on silent always. Oh, there you go. Go. So that, taking away the music and the talking and, I mean, there’s so many, um, things that come when you’re scrolling, like in between. If there’s something that kind of irks me the wrong way, I’ll immediately unfollow that account.
[00:11:17] So only I, I find it a really good tip is like, only follow those who inspire you. Yeah. Honestly. And if you catch yourself scrolling, like. Maybe step back for a minute and think, think of social media, like a conversation, like not a billboard. Like you’re not here for the ads, you’re not here to be an ad yourself.
[00:11:35] Like nobody wants that. But I always find like I, I like to interact with maybe three different accounts a day and just kind of like. Have a conversation. And actually through that I’ve, I’ve made really good friends, which has been really cool. Some of my closest friends have been from social media, like it’s so crazy.
[00:11:53] Awesome. And then you meet in person and then you can talk about, you know, like, this is the heart and depth of my photography and. [00:12:00] Inspiring one another and yeah, not having that pressure, you know what I
[00:12:04] Lisa: mean? Yeah, I know. I put so much pressure on myself and then I start following up with people that are like, in order to go viral, you need to do this.
[00:12:11] No, don’t like, and here’s the that, and I’m just like, unfollow. Oh my God. I’m like, take out the authentic on. Authenticity of it. Yes. Yes. And it makes me, I don’t like the formulaic ness of it. No. ’cause then that becomes a have to not a get to. Yes. And it feels like it’s something I have to do that isn’t very fun.
[00:12:28] Cally: No.
[00:12:29] Lisa: And so I think that’s probably, it’s just my perspective.
[00:12:32] Cally: It’s how I’m No, that’s, and most people feel like that. Like Yeah, that’s the thing. It’s like when I kind of focused on like how the goal, like it’s not visibility. Yeah, it’s community and connection. Yeah, like spark, like talk to people, like you’re talking to a friend and if people don’t like that, they’ll unfollow you and that’s fine.
[00:12:50] Like I’d rather have less followers who are engaged and genuine than more, and I know that’s easier said than done. Yeah. But changing that perspective actually makes it fun to post. I’m like, [00:13:00] oh, I love, like I have something on my heart. I would just like love to share and, and it is vulnerable. I will say that.
[00:13:07] Some people might not like it or appreciate it.
[00:13:10] Lisa: That’s okay. And that that’s the thing is like we’re not for everybody. And like there’s people that don’t like my work. There’s people that don’t like my personality. Yeah. And I’m like, you know what? That’s fine’s funny. They’ll follow you. And that’s
[00:13:19] Cally: okay.
[00:13:19] Lisa: That’s, that’s cool.
[00:13:20] Cally: Go
[00:13:20] Lisa: find. It’s a hard peeps. It’s kind of like
[00:13:22] Cally: there’s this theory, I think Mel Robbins, I love her podcast. Yes. She’s wonderful. It’s called the Let Them Theory. Yes. I’m sure you’ve heard of it. I actually only heard of that recently, but that’s kind of like been my approach to social media for years now is like, let them
[00:13:38] Lisa: like, yep.
[00:13:41] Exactly. I love it. Yep. I totally agree. I totally agree. Yeah. So let’s talk about branding sessions for creatives. Oh yes. So you do branding sessions. So what makes a branding shoot feel powerful and aligned for you?
[00:13:54] Cally: Okay.
[00:13:55] Lisa: I have, I have some notes for
[00:13:56] Cally: that as well. I’m just trying to think. [00:14:00] Uh oh, here we go.
[00:14:01] Um, so one of my favorite types of sessions are one-on-ones. And I think it’s just because it’s so near and dear to my heart. ’cause that’s what I started out with. I love that Portraits and Browning Sessions can tell a story. Yes. Right. You can show up, you can get to know who that person really is and help them feel seen.
[00:14:20] Yeah. You can still stylize them and help them feel them. I, I actually just did a Browning session and she’s like, I don’t, I don’t feel like myself lately. I’m like, okay. Like let’s, let’s get to the root of that, like, you know, and so you have that conversation if you can. I like, I love to meet them for coffee before.
[00:14:37] But I’ll at least have a phone call and just, just chat and like say like, how can I help you tap into your why? Right? Ooh, right. So like bringing out authenticity and confidence to your images through your why. And then of course I will help stylize, which is like my favorite part. It’s so fun and I mean through the last decade of styling people, you kind of get an idea of [00:15:00] like what photographs well and what doesn’t.
[00:15:02] So I’ll make sure that like I either go to their house and look through their wardrobe, what they’ve chosen, or they’ll send pictures and I’ll pick like the top two or three that kind of help them feel the best in their body. And nine at a time, 10 times, like maybe 10 outta times, you know, they’re like, wow, I’ve never worn that outfit, but I feel like I look so good and I can feel like I can feel confident and be me and these photos like represent that, like, you know what I
[00:15:28] mean?
[00:15:28] Cally: And so I love that about.
[00:15:30] Lisa: Branding sessions. I love that. So you’re just escalating their why and like it’s more Yeah. It sounds to me more than just like, show up with your laptop and we’re gonna take some pictures for the graph. Yeah. Like, it’s like an experience where they, where you’re diving a little deeper.
[00:15:44] Cally: Yes. Like that. And then I feel like a lot of Browning Sessions, we kind of just keep in touch those people. Yeah. You know what I mean? And a lot of them have become friends and like we’re just really good acquaintances at least. And I love following up with seeing what they’re doing and you know, a year later and it’s, yeah, [00:16:00] really special.
[00:16:00] I really like those types of sessions. Oh, I love that. I love that.
[00:16:05] Lisa: So you mentioned building community and attracting dream clients through engagement. So what are some of your favorite ways to spark those connections? Yes.
[00:16:15] Cally: So one of the biggest things is to ask genuine questions, right? Like get to know your audience and celebrate them.
[00:16:24] Like people love feeling good about themselves, right? And you general, like you genuinely want to be a friend to people, right? They’re not just people on a screen, they’re real life people. Right? Yeah. And so like, I just wanna say again, like the goal isn’t visibility, it’s community, right? So narrowing down your circle a little bit and really focusing on those client relationships Yeah.
[00:16:45] Is like a, a huge thing. And I’ve actually created a little PDF that’s like a social media handbook, which I wanna give everybody who’s watching for free. It’s like a little PDF, it’s kind of like ideas. Fresh ideas [00:17:00] to connect with your audience and to engage pre-session, during session and post. And there’s like little like tips and like, I don’t even know, marketing strategies that feel fun and authentic and connected.
[00:17:13] They’re not just like, oh, like. To make money or Right. You know what I mean? It’s very fun session ideas that actually create those moments. I love that. And in the past, those are the sessions where I have the clients who I’ve been seeing for 10 years. Like they’ll come back because they’re like, oh my goodness.
[00:17:30] Like that session, you know, six years ago I just loved how like you just stopped and, and you like our son was having a hard time and you just sat with him for a minute and like he still remembers that. Yeah. He still remembers you giving him a lollipop and just like, yeah. You know, taking a break. So there’s like little things on there, like how you can engage.
[00:17:50] And also I think I have a few tips on mini sessions too. ’cause mini sessions can feel overwhelming. Yeah. And you can kind of get in this like go, go go [00:18:00] mentality. And after a couple years of doing them, I was like, there’s gotta be a better way. Yeah. Like there’s gotta be a better way to connect with my clients.
[00:18:07] And so, you know, just having them show up a little bit early and. Making sure you pick a spot. This is like a little sneak peek, like pick a spot that’s far enough to walk to so that you can have a conversation in that time. And just like that, two minutes of having an actual conversation rather than just showing up and shooting.
[00:18:25] I. Changes it for everyone, especially for the, the dads like a hundred percent. The dads I find, right? Calling the dads by their name. I have a little questionnaire that’s, I think that’s another thing is I have a questionnaire saying like, what’s everybody’s name and age? It really helps me before the session, like I can come up and say like, hi Mary, like.
[00:18:43] Hi Judah. Like I know their names and they love that. People love it when you know, like when you know me. Do, yeah.
[00:18:50] Lisa: So I had one, one client and she messaged me. I, well, the years I wasn’t shooting, and she’s like, Kay, as soon as you come back, can you please let us know because. My husband [00:19:00] likes you and he doesn’t like anybody.
[00:19:01] Cally: There you go.
[00:19:02] Lisa: Yeah.
[00:19:03] Cally: Most husbands hate it. Like they dread it the whole time. They’re trying to corre everybody and they’re just there for their wives. Like I want it to be fun for everybody, and I think the kids really feed off both mom and dad. Yeah. Yeah, they do. Um, right, so there’s like little tips and, and things in there like how to, how to get on dad’s good side.
[00:19:21] Yeah. So
[00:19:23] Lisa: funny. I love that. Well, I’ll make sure I put that in the show notes so everyone going download that touch and we’ll make sure you guys get that. I love that. So thank you. So let’s talk about creative booking strategies that have helped keep your calendar aligned with your values and your container of life.
[00:19:38] Absolutely.
[00:19:39] Cally: This is probably one of the hardest things about like owning your own business. Yep. And then throwing kids into the mix just. Makes it even harder. But I have found probably the best thing for me was to open my calendar seasonally. Right? Oh yeah. So focusing on instead of year round booking, ’cause that’s overwhelming, but just taking a chunk of the year [00:20:00] and kind of.
[00:20:01] Taking a cafe day, like making it fun and planning out like those three months, like typically I would say three months at a time, right? It just helps me stay present and protect my margins and pour fully into each client. And then when I get those three months booked, then I find client communication is key.
[00:20:19] Like I will get their cell phone number and I am the photographer who, who will text them like, yep. I say, Hey, like. Let me introduce myself. I am so excited to meet you guys again. They put their names and ages on the questionnaire, right? So I’m like, oh my goodness, I’m so excited. Oh, it’s Maria’s birthday.
[00:20:36] Like, do you guys wanna bring any props to celebrate her birthday? Like, do you guys have an anniversary coming up? I’ll really just hone into those clients at that time, and I’ll focus on the next seasons as they come. Love that. Does that make sense? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I always jump ahead in things in life, so I’ve had to really learn.
[00:20:55] I think I’ve only gotten good at that, like in the last year maybe. Yeah. [00:21:00] I’m already thinking about Christmas Tree Farm Minis and I’m like, oh
[00:21:03] Lisa: gosh. Yes. I’m already thinking about Christmas stuff too. And it’s funny ’cause I actually don’t shoot, I don’t shoot July and August. I take those off. Oh, nice. Yeah, because my son is 15 and Okay.
[00:21:13] We only get 18 years with our kids if we’re lucky for summers. Yes. And so I’m like, you know what? Good for you. Yeah. So I’m taking summers off. So that can really like creep up on you too, right? If you don’t, it’s all of, and then it’s booked. Yeah, I know. And it does, and it’s, what I have really been noticing though, is the invisible mental labor we have when we book a client in that window of when we know we probably shouldn’t.
[00:21:38] Yes. And
[00:21:39] Lisa: so it’s the mental energy of like, for me it’s usually newborn sessions. So I’m like, when’s that baby gonna come? I’m gonna be at the shoe swap during that time, so I’m gonna have to drive back to town. And I spend so much time mentally preparing for this session that is like invisible labor that I’m not paid for.
[00:21:55] And I like, you’re using all that energy, right? The
[00:21:56] Cally: same thing. And I’m
[00:21:57] Lisa: like, why am I doing this? [00:22:00] This is a, this is my Nobo zone. No go zone. Yeah. If you’re due after June, you know, June 18th, I’m sorry. I can’t do it. It’s like it is what it is. So, yeah. It took a long time, I mean, 15 years to, you have boundaries.
[00:22:13] It took me a really long time. Yes. Yeah. As a new
[00:22:15] Cally: photographer especially, your work is beautiful. It’s so inspiring. But those are the ones that, like I offer a newborn lifestyle as well. Yeah. And those are the one sessions, the same thing where I probably put way too much thought in way too much. Yeah. Uh, yeah, that’s a good, good reminder.
[00:22:32] Mental energy. Right. And
[00:22:34] Lisa: it’s
[00:22:34] Cally: just like, use it. Yeah. I
[00:22:35] Lisa: don’t, because I am a girl that loves to say yes, and I love to overcome it. I know. And my husband is like, oh, Lisa, what’d you do? Why’d you do that? There’s no going back. Yeah. So I’m, I’m learning. It’s taking me a while though. Yeah.
[00:22:51] Cally: Yeah. It’s, again, it’s easier said than done, and I think like the physical.
[00:22:57] Strain. I, I don’t know the word of having the [00:23:00] second baby. Yes. Like, I’ve just been so sick, cramping all the things. Oh. Um, it’s forced me Yeah. To just pause, pause to have to say no. Yeah. If I was feeling great, like I’d be so tempted to, maybe I’ll shoot till, you know, July, like, baby’s due July, but, oh, yeah.
[00:23:15] You know, like, it’d be
[00:23:17] Lisa: so tempting. So when I got married, I got married in 2003, and my wedding photographer was like. Do one week after my wedding with twins.
[00:23:28] Cally: Oh gosh. Yeah.
[00:23:29] Lisa: That’s, and she overwhelming a whole day. I was like, she was a warrior. Like Yeah. It was, I can’t even believe. And she, well she taught film back then too, and like un, the pictures are incredible.
[00:23:39] She’s still a very good friend and Wow.
[00:23:44] Cally: Like, yeah. Wow. And I mean, some people feel great. Yeah. Until 40 weeks of pregnancy, like my first, I was shooting to 40 weeks. Yeah. But now I think around 25, I was like, I feel like I’m 40. Yeah. 40 weeks at 25 and I’m 28 now. Yeah. And I could [00:24:00] definitely go on maternity leave now.
[00:24:01] Yeah. Like that’s what I feel like. But I have six weeks left, so Yeah. You’re just like, I, I’ll push through, I’ll push through home and use the belly band, my therapist all, you have to use the belly band. ’cause every shoot, I’m just like, I, I’m cramping. It’s embarrassing. Yeah,
[00:24:13] Lisa: yeah, totally. When I was pregnant with my son, I actually used to be a aesthetician, so I would do pedicures.
[00:24:21] And I remember being like 32 weeks and I was like, I think this is the last one I’m doing. So we’re good. It forces you to stop. Yeah. Yeah. We’re good. I’m done. Oh my gosh, you guys. I love it. Okay, so I wanna know what a session or project you’ve done that has made you pause and think, yes, this is why I do what I do.
[00:24:44] Cally: One that comes to mind, I mean a few is all those sessions that I’ve done for mamas. Post-loss. Mm. I’ve done a few of them and every single one, it just holds a little bit of a different weight. Yeah, so much [00:25:00] beauty and I love the conversations. I mean, a lot of those sessions I had after I had my daughter, healthy, beautiful baby girl, no complications whatsoever.
[00:25:12] I hadn’t experienced loss yet. Yeah. And it was still so like powerful on my heart. And now I’ve experienced two losses. Oh, I’m sorry. And a complicating pregnancy. Yeah. And I haven’t done one of those sessions since it probably would break me, actually. I’m just realizing now. I’m like, now that I have been in their boat, I’m curious.
[00:25:34] Um, or it would just be really redeeming. I don’t know, like if there’s any moms out there who’ve experienced loss and I don’t know, wanna sneak in a session. Yeah. Before my maternity leave. That’s just, it’s just something that really. Pulls into my why. Yeah. Like this is, I always remember this is why I’m doing this.
[00:25:50] And I love, she’s helping her feel so beautiful and seen and Yeah. Yeah. I had
[00:25:58] Lisa: a session this morning, this [00:26:00] beautiful Nigerian couple who, they’ve only been in Canada, I think about three or four years, and they’re an IVF. Couple as well. And I’m, I’m an IVF mama. Okay. And so it just like was such a beautiful reminder today of like how much I love what I do and why I do what I do.
[00:26:17] There you go. And I love when like, you just get those glimmers back and like, you’re just like, you feel it in your whole body. This is what I’m meant to do. You know, I love it’s, that’s beautiful. I love that. Best job ever. Oh, that’s so sweet. So good. So good. All right. What advice would you give to other creatives trying to build a business that fits around their life, not the other way around?
[00:26:39] Hmm.
[00:26:46] Cally: I think the, the main one would. Be, give yourself grace. Yes. And take breaks without guilt. Yeah. Depends what type of personality you are as well. But [00:27:00] I feel like I just have to be productive all the time. Uhhuh. And I’ve learned, I’ve learned that that’s not the case. And my husband always tells me, he says, rest is productive.
[00:27:09] Yeah. And so taking breaks without guilt is a huge one. Like remembering that your value doesn’t live in your visibility. Right. And also like managing healthy boundaries, especially with social media screens, how much time you are editing, how much time you are marketing, because there’s only so many hours in a day and before you know it, it can be 10:00 PM and your body knows it has to go to bed, but you’re still wound up in the editing and processing.
[00:27:43] So that would be my advice is to the timers. Yeah. And stretching. Like, I had a car accident, uh, just before I launched my business, and I learned to get an ergonomic chair Yep. And sit properly because your body feels it, like I, [00:28:00] I often edit on the couch and I know it’s bad. Oh yes. I know it’s bad. Right.
[00:28:05] And as, as so many people edit in their beds and then, and then we all have this like chronic neck pain. So I’ve learned to at least be mindful of that even if I am editing in the couch to like be sitting somewhat supported and take breaks to stretch and drink water and hydrate, like hydrate and, and have snacks.
[00:28:24] Um, because time will just go and the week will be gone and then there’s another week in it. There’s just no, I know. It’s
[00:28:29] Lisa: so fast break. I know. And then you just like realize that you had a weekend, but did you take a weekend?
[00:28:35] Cally: Yeah. Right, right. Burnout is real. I burnt out about three years into my business and I said never again.
[00:28:40] And then, you know what happened is last fall I burnt out. Yeah. And so now I’ve relearned. I was put on bedrest in December. I completely missed Christmas and New Year’s sucked so much. And you know, with the morning sickness and all of that, I was just like, ugh. It was awful. But I relearned how to like [00:29:00] actually rest again.
[00:29:00] And it was so like, kind of funny in a way because I was like, I don’t. I, I don’t remember how to rest.
[00:29:05] Lisa: No. It’s like when I have to on, it’s, I don’t know what to do with myself. Yeah. I’m like, oh, maybe I should edit this, or maybe I should do like a self-portrait photo. Or I’m like, Kate, I don’t know what to do with myself in time.
[00:29:15] I hat off at all.
[00:29:17] Cally: Learn how to like live to know what to do with Yeah. To do with yourself and like what do, what does self care mean to you? Like it means something different to everybody. Yeah. That was really sad when I had that realization. Yeah. I was like, I don’t know how to rest. And it took me six weeks.
[00:29:31] I had six weeks bedrest and like by the end of the six weeks I finally was like, okay, like now, like I feel like I know what to do now. Yeah. But now I’m back to work. Like I can use that rest now. Yeah. I was like, I feel like now I’m in the right mindset. So that was a bit of a bummer, but I think now that I’m gonna go on maternity leave for June.
[00:29:54] Hopefully I’ll remember how to rest and like actually genuinely rest. I love that. That’s [00:30:00] awesome. Uh, okay, so you ready for our lightning round? Okay. Absolutely. Okay. We’ll see, we’ll see how fast. I remember, like my brain works early bird or night owl, early bird, even before mother. I go to bed at like 8:00 PM no, like 10, like 10, but
[00:30:15] Lisa: still I do not go to comfort food during pregnancy.
[00:30:23] Cally: Mm. Homemade banana bread. Ooh. With like walnuts and chocolate and all the things. Nice. I’m not a huge baker, but I will make a good banana bread. Awesome. I love that. Favorite way to reset creatively. Something I love to do is, it’s funny because. My husband’s like, this is still work. Like, what are you doing?
[00:30:46] But Therea creatively, I’ll actually book a stylized shoot. Yes. It’s so fun. And he, and he’ll see me editing and he’s like, why? Like, you’re still working? I’m like, no, no, no, but this is fun work. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Yes.
[00:30:58] Lisa: I do the same thing [00:31:00] and it just, it does it reignites everything. Yeah. So great. It changes.
[00:31:05] Yeah. Do you have a small daily ritual that grounds
[00:31:08] Cally: you? I wish I could say like something relaxing like tea. Yeah. You know, in the morning and like listening to the birds. But I have a toddler and yeah, it’s not the case. Like five minutes in the bathroom alone. Literal, literally I get my alone time at the very end of the day end.
[00:31:28] I mean like end, end, end of the day. ’cause when she goes to bed, I’ll edit for a little bit. I’ll reset the house. I have to reset the house. Yeah. It’s just a mess. And it just feels good going to bed. Like, that’s actually kind of part of my ritual. Yeah. Is while I reset, I kind of think about the day, but I love laying on the floor.
[00:31:45] I go upstairs, I brush my teeth, and I just lay on the floor. No worries. For a few minutes. It’s just even five minutes. And then my, my feet always end up getting cold, so I’ll crawl into bed. But I just love the, the feeling of being [00:32:00] grounded on the floor. Oh, I love that. Wanna try that? That’s fun. It’s it, yeah.
[00:32:04] I.
[00:32:05] Lisa: I always ha I have a heat. I’m always perpetually cold, so I Me too. I have a heat pad that I put, like I plug in and I put like, on my bed. Yeah. Yeah. And I can like my preheat my bed before I get in. It, it like, that’s nice. Like year round I do this. Yeah. When it’s summer. I know.
[00:32:23] Cally: Maybe try laying it on the ground.
[00:32:24] Yeah. And just lay that. There’s just something about
[00:32:27] Lisa: it and it just, I just
[00:32:28] Cally: kind of, yeah.
[00:32:29] Lisa: Well I certainly love yoga and I haven’t done that in a while, so I’m gonna, I’m gonna try that.
[00:32:34] Cally: I used to, and then even that was just too much energy. Yeah. I don’t doubt it. I’m so tired, SHA It’s like the one pose just laying on the ground.
[00:32:43] Lisa: Yeah. I’m just gonna be in Shavasana for forever.
[00:32:46] Cally: Hey, there we go.
[00:32:47] Lisa: Um, what’s a book, podcast or show you’ve
[00:32:50] Cally: been loving lately? Yeah, I mean, so I actually, I love to edit while watching TV shows. I’m fine. I’m more productive, which is so interesting. I always have edit during a show [00:33:00] and I haven’t found one recently.
[00:33:02] I just like, there’s nothing that kind of that’s getting out, you know, is good out there. And so for the last few months I’ve been listening to podcasts, but then with podcasts I find they’re actually more distracting than the show. Isn’t that interesting? Yes. Maybe it’s because I wanna listen to them and like process what they’re saying and word process.
[00:33:19] Lisa: Yeah.
[00:33:20] Cally: Whereas a TV show, it’s kind of just like on It’s passive maybe. Yeah. Um, so I love the Mel Robbins podcast. I think she’s just hilarious and brilliant and she’s just got like all these great tips. I, I think it’s because, yeah, I wanna write down what she’s saying and I’m busy editing. And then Hannah, he, my friend Hannah Hughes has a podcast encouraging, uh, Christian mamas especially.
[00:33:40] Oh, cool. Yeah. Staying present and yeah, so I would kind of rotate between that. And I need a good show. If you have any suggestions. I just
[00:33:48] Lisa: actually watched, I think it was called North, north of North. Oh, I finished that. That’s a good one. Yeah, it was cute. It was super cute. It was cute. I really, I was like, oh, is there gonna be season two?
[00:33:56] I really, I really liked that one. That was like my fresh CC gem. [00:34:00] Yes. Anything really. CB, CI really like, so yeah. Okay. That’s, that’s in Canada. That’s our Canadian in Canada. Yes. I just plum off one.
[00:34:08] Cally: I always make it through the good shows and then I finish it. I’m like, there’s nothing. Oh yeah. Like is there anything else that’s season?
[00:34:13] I
[00:34:14] Lisa: don’t know. I know,
[00:34:15] Cally: I know.
[00:34:16] Lisa: What is something about motherhood that surprised you?
[00:34:22] Cally: I think the biggest thing is how much it stretched me. Yeah. My capacity. I feel like I didn’t have as big of a capacity before motherhood in every single way. Like again, I, I’ve never really functioned well on little sleep and since having our daughter sleep has like significantly gone down and I’m still functioning pretty well, especially when she’s a newborn.
[00:34:44] My husband’s like, wow, like you’re sleeping, you know, like an hour, two hours a night and you’re rocking it like. Who is this person? Yeah. Like how are you doing this? And I was like, I don’t, I don’t even know. Like, yeah. It’s crazy. Wow. And then there’s just like so much joy and like [00:35:00] it’s, it’s, it’s just stretched every single aspect of everything ever.
[00:35:05] Aw, I loved that. Yeah. Where do you feel most at peace? In my home? Yeah. With my family. Just doing things we love. Um, my husband and I we’re musicians, so it’s really fun to pull out our instruments. My, my daughter loves when we march around the house. Oh. And I just love being home. Like I would choose home if you gave me a ticket to fly around the world, I’d be like, I’m gonna sell it for money or give it away.
[00:35:32] I don’t know, like, I am not interested. I like, I would love to just be home and. Yeah. I just love it. I love it. What instruments do you play? I play violin and guitar. A little bit of piano, but violin’s my main one, which is fun ’cause my husband plays guitar. Oh, so fun. So we, yeah, we have a little band we jammed together.
[00:35:50] That’s awesome. It’s really fun. Yeah, that’s great.
[00:35:53] Lisa: That’s so funny. I’m, I’m a home buddy too, and my husband really is, and I don’t, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone, like during the [00:36:00] pandemic, he was the happiest person. Right, because we were all home. Yeah. And he was like, we are having like margaritas every night.
[00:36:06] We are like amazing. Just living our best life. Going in the hot tub. He’s like, I’m not working. So Wow. He loved it. He loved it. Oh
[00:36:13] Cally: see, not a lot of people are home bodies. Yeah. And so like people think I’m crazy, my husband’s not. Yeah. He gets stir crazy being home for a few hours. Oh. Like I could. And I get homesick at being out at an hour.
[00:36:25] Lisa: Yeah. It’s so funny. There was like a time, I think. Been a week. I hadn’t left home, and my husband’s like, maybe you should just like go to the grocery store, like just to get outta the house. I wouldn’t even notice, to be honest. Right.
[00:36:41] Cally: It does help them to get out a little bit. I will say. So funny. So funny.
[00:36:46] Aw. But we have that
[00:36:47] Lisa: in common. Yes, we do. So you are coming to teach for the online family retreat? Yes. So can you share a little bit what you’re going to be teaching on?
[00:36:56] Cally: Yes, absolutely. So I chose to talk [00:37:00] about storytelling and family photography. I’ve been a lifestyle photographer since I started, and I’ve really been drawn to the candid side of photography.
[00:37:08] And so we actually just finished all of our filming. We did three days and I took my videographer up the mountain and we did a beautiful family shoot, and I talked through it and it was so much fun. After that, I, I was just like, man, this is again, this is my why, like I just, yes, I love this job. It was so fun.
[00:37:27] I actually teach for a little bit before I was a photographer. I taught music. Oh. And I’ve been leaning more into mentorships and so this whole workshop experience has been really fun. I’m a little nerdy about it. I’m like finishing all the deadlines, like immediately. Like, we love you. We love you. It, it makes me feel like I’m in school again.
[00:37:47] I was that kid who would like do the homework at in the last five minutes of class. Yeah. Like right. So, yeah. So I love to talk about the Yeah. The artist storytelling and engaging and helping your families feel seen [00:38:00] and have a good time and like not feel like static and post. Yeah. And it should feel like a fun outing, right?
[00:38:06] So I love it. I’m excited about it.
[00:38:08] Lisa: We can’t wait for our students to have been, have it learned from you. I know. It’s gonna be awesome. So where can our listeners learn
[00:38:15] Cally: more from you? So I’m on Instagram at Cally Petersen Photography. SEN. A lot of people spell Petersen wrong, so Cally Petersen Photography.
[00:38:25] I mean, I have my website as well, Cally Petersen Photography, and I’ll be updating a little bit throughout maternity leave. I think I’ll be actually as, I feel like I have time and energy, I’ll be sharing some before and afters. I love to share about like how edits can enhance the storytelling feel of your photos.
[00:38:45] And so I think I’ll be digging through my hard drives, uh, while I’m not shooting and doing so. Yeah. But for before and afters and sharing about some presets that I love, that kind of stuff. And then I’ll be kind of picking back up for the, for the winter and [00:39:00] so we’ll see. We’ll see how I feel and how baby’s doing.
[00:39:03] Yeah. Who knows Exactly.
[00:39:03] Lisa: You never know, right? Yeah. It could be like, yeah. I think you’ll do great. You’ll be ready to roll. I’m excited. I love it. So I love to end my interviews just with this last question and it is, what are you currently curious about or artistically curious about?
[00:39:19] Cally: Mm-hmm. There’s a couple things.
[00:39:21] I’m trying to think like how much I should mention. I shared this with my husband the other day and he’s like, oh really? Like what? That’s cool. I had no idea. So I am very interested in. Book writing. Oh, and I think specifically two avenues like poetry and children’s books. And he’s like, what? Like he’s, he had no idea.
[00:39:45] He knew I liked to write, but he didn’t know that I was actually serious about maybe publishing. Yeah. And I have no idea how to do it, how much it costs. I know there’s tons of resources. I would love to get a Canadian publisher. Yeah. I’d love to get an illustrator. [00:40:00] I would love to maybe start with like a poetry book.
[00:40:02] Yeah. And kind of go from there. But yeah, I just, it’s a lot. It’s a lot to like look into to get started. Yeah. And I’m focusing so much on my last six week of weeks of work and surviving, like, yeah. Feeling absolutely gross. And then the baby’s gonna be here and I wanna focus on the baby. And I, another thing that I really wanted to.
[00:40:23] Just like try out with my baby is detailed shots like macro? Yes. Detailed shots of her feet. And her lips and her ears. ’cause I just started learning how to do that with my newborn sessions. I never really focused on those tiny little details before. It was always like that, you know, the newborn lifestyle family in the home.
[00:40:40] And I had one client who was like, can you get like her lips and her ear? And I was like, I, I don’t know, can I? And I did and it was beautiful. And so I really wanna bring my camera out. With my daughter, it was all iPhone. I would just like snap a couple, you know? But I wanna bring my actual camera out and like get her little toes [00:41:00] and like do my own kind of newborn shoot with her.
[00:41:02] So I’m going to play around with that. I love that. Who knows what it’ll be like, but yeah,
[00:41:08] Lisa: well it’s playing and learning and it’s fun. It’s just being creative and like documenting things. ’cause they’ll
[00:41:13] make us big for this long. I know, right? I
[00:41:15] Cally: saw somebody post a reel of, they had their, you know, little one’s foot at two weeks.
[00:41:21] Oh, and then they showed it again at two years. They had the hand at two weeks and then they started begin at two years, you know, and like the eyelashes. And I really wanna do that kind of stuff like I never did with my daughter. So I wanna do that kind of stuff. And I have my personal account that I’ll be updating, which is Little Peterson’s, so I’ll probably be.
[00:41:40] Showing up a bit more on there rather than my photography page over the summer. And who knows? We’ll do some fun little things with her and she’ll be like the most photographed baby. Oh my gosh.
[00:41:53] Lisa: Love it. I love it. Uh, well, I’m so excited and I’m so excited to have you teach her this and you’ve got so many great things [00:42:00] happening in your world.
[00:42:00] I love that.
[00:42:01] Cally: Mm-hmm.
[00:42:02] Lisa: Thank you for having me. Kelly, thank you so much for joining me today, and I’ll make sure that we link your social media handbook in our show notes to make sure our listeners will all get it. So thank you so much for joining me today and it’s just been such a treat chatting with you.
[00:42:18] Cally: You as well. I really appreciate getting to know, you know, this side of you rather than just messaging. I know, right? I’m so inspired by you and I wanted to say like one day I actually wanna do what you do, like when my kids are a little bit older, like literally your job from what I’ve. Got an idea of what you do.
[00:42:35] I’m like, I wanna, I wanna encourage the community. I wanna, I wanna teach and, and grow like younger. Photographers, photographers, photographer, and oh my goodness, I so inspired by you. So maybe I’ll chat with you about that in life. Five years.
[00:42:50] Lisa: Absolutely. I’m always been a few years. I love that. I love that.
[00:42:55] Cally: Thank you again.
[00:42:56] Lisa: Oh my beautiful friends. I hope you have loved this [00:43:00] conversation just as much as I have. I am sending you so much of my light and my love today and every single day. We’ll see you next time.
