I can still remember the feeling—packing up my gear on a Friday night, knowing I’d be spending yet another weekend photographing other families while missing time with my own.

At the time, I was fully booked with motherhood sessions—those beautiful, emotional, joy-filled shoots with mamas and their babies. While I genuinely loved capturing those sweet connections and helping other mothers freeze time in such a fleeting season, there was always a quiet ache in my chest.

Because while I was giving my clients memories they’d cherish forever, I was missing out on my own.

I wasn’t there for lazy Saturday mornings in pajamas, or spontaneous afternoon walks with my kids. I was spending weekends creating for others, while watching my own time with my family slip by in the margins.

And what made it harder? I knew that if I stopped shooting—even for a weekend—I wasn’t just pressing pause on work. I was pausing my entire income.

That was the moment it clicked: I needed to build a business that could run with me and for me—even when I wasn’t actively working.

The Limitations of Service-Based Business (Even the Ones You Love)

Service-based businesses can be beautiful. They’re often built on heart and hard work. They let us share our gifts in deeply personal ways. But there’s an unspoken truth that not enough of us talk about: they have a cap. A limit.

There are only so many hours in a day. And as one person, there’s only so much you can do. Your energy becomes the currency. And over time, that becomes exhausting.

I reached a point where I realized I didn’t want to hustle for every dollar anymore. I didn’t want to build a business that only paid me when I showed up. I wanted freedom. I wanted flexibility. I wanted to make income even on the days I was fully in mom mode, snuggling my kids on the couch.

My First Step Into Passive Income (It Wasn’t Fancy)

It started small—almost by accident. I began sharing my editing tools with other photographers. I packaged up my presets (you know, those dreamy film-inspired edits that I love) and offered them as digital downloads.

And then something amazing happened.

Sales started coming in while I was sleeping. Or while I was at the park with my kids. Or while I was working with a client on something completely unrelated.

That shift was the beginning of something much bigger. It was proof that I could build something once—and have it continue to work for me long after I hit publish.

From One Product to Multiple Streams

After that first taste of passive income, I was hooked—but not in the “let’s build an empire” kind of way. It was more about curiosity. I started asking:
What else can I create that helps others, solves a problem, and doesn’t require me to be tied to my laptop 24/7?

Alright, beautiful soul, let’s dive deep into some updates about my newest venture, and oh, it’s all about passive income. But to truly paint the picture, I’m rewinding the tapes and letting you in on some personal I wasn’t entirely sure I’d ever share online.

The love and warmth I felt from your responses about diving deep into passive income while still in your cozy pajamas was so overwhelming! Picture this as the first episode of our “Passive Income Chronicles” that’ll land directly in your inbox (or in this case, on the blog).

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of brainstorming sessions. How do I serve you best? The answer felt clear as day – give you an unfiltered, VIP access into the process. It’s like baking a cake. You could tell someone the recipe, or you could invite them into your kitchen and bake it together.

So here’s my puzzle: What magic can I craft that not only gifts me with passive income but also takes you on the entire rollercoaster from the first brainstorm to the final result?

Here’s a confession: When I pressed ‘send’ on that first email, it was like jumping off a cliff not knowing if I’d fly or fall. But isn’t the thrill of creation so much more electric when you’re not alone? 

And that’s why I wanted to start this journey with YOU.

With a head bursting with ideas, it felt like picking a flavor at an ice cream parlor. 

The real challenge? 

Deciding which idea gets the golden star. Whether you’re a dreamer like me with a myriad of thoughts, or you’re at a crossroads, I suggest this: jot down your thoughts, let them simmer, and then pick what feels right in your gut. The most important piece to choosing the *right* thing is choosing something you’re excited about. It doesn’t matter what your best friend, sister, mom or anyone thinks about the idea. If YOU have a vision for this idea and are excited about it that’s the thing you gotta go for. 

When I dream of crafting something that trickles in passive income, here’s my checklist:

Does it solve a problem for my ideal customer/client? 

Can this be scaled?

Can it help them save time? 

Can this help them get a positive result? 

Is this something that my already established audience could use?

How difficult will this thing be to create? (Depending on you’re strengths you might be able to get it done quickly, or you’ll have to give yourself more time to get it all done). 

And most importantly, how can this produce passive income for me? 

I had that ‘aha’ moment when one idea, shining brighter than the rest, called out to me. But before I unveil, let’s take a quick detour.

Remember The Essential Studio Manager? Our labor of love that we poured our hearts and souls into and then, with mixed emotions, handed its reins over, hoping it would soar to greater heights? Well, life threw a curveball.

Instead of the anticipated growth, the new owners not only let it slide but went MIA on our beloved community. This heart-wrenching turn from a glittering accomplishment to a bittersweet memory was tough. After an intensive 6-month handover, seeing our creation wither w

If you’ve ever felt exhausted trying to keep up with social media trends just to stay visible, let me introduce you to one of the BEST platform for passive sales: Pinterest. Unlike Instagram, where your posts disappear into the void within a day (or even hours), Pinterest works differently.

It’s not a social platform like most everything thinks—it’s a search engine. That means the content you post today has the power to bring in sales weeks, months, even years down the line.

And that, my friend, is the kind of marketing I can get behind.

How Pinterest Works Differently From Social Media

Most social media platforms are designed to keep people engaged on the platform itself—endless scrolling, short-lived posts, and constantly shifting algorithms. Pinterest, on the other hand, is designed to send people off the platform to find what they’re looking for.

Think of it like this:

Instagram = Content disappears fast. You have to keep posting to stay relevant.

Pinterest = Content builds over time. One pin can send traffic to your site for years.

Why Pinterest Is Perfect for Passive Sales

Here’s the magic of Pinterest—it connects buyers to your business at the exact moment they’re looking for a solution.

Think about how people use Pinterest. They’re searching for inspiration, ideas, and things to buy. Whether it’s a Lightroom preset, an online course, or a physical product, they’re already in the mindset to take action.

This is why Pinterest drives some of the highest-converting traffic compared to other platforms. People aren’t just scrolling mindlessly; they’re searching with intent—and when your product pops up as the solution? That’s when the magic happens.

How I Use Pinterest to Make Passive Sales

Step 1: Optimize Your Website for Pinterest Traffic

Before you even start pinning, make sure your website is ready to convert visitors into customers.

Create clear landing pages for your products, services, or freebies.

Have an email opt-in to capture leads from Pinterest traffic.

Use strong CTAs (calls to action) that guide visitors toward making a purchase.

Step 2: Create Pins That Drive Clicks

Pinterest is a visual platform, so your pin