There’s a weird mix of grief and excitement that comes when you outgrow something that used to fit. In this episode, I’m sharing what it’s been like to rebuild my website from the ground up—and why it’s so much more than a fresh design. I talk with Becca, my marketing director, about the story behind the rebrand, the identity shift that came with it, and the deeper reason I knew it was time to make this move. 👉 Go To The New Website! This isn’t just about changing fonts or colors. It’s about bu...
Jul 10, 2025•17 min•Ep. 56
What happens when your business outgrows your website… but you’re still emotionally attached to it? That’s where I found myself. And in this special episode, I’m bringing you behind the scenes of my BIGGEST brand shift yet—with the one and only Jen Olmstead, my dear friend and longtime web designer (and Tonic Site Shop co-founder). We’re talking about: What “KJ 3.0” really means and why bold, colorful confidence feels right in this season The biggest mistakes creatives make with their websites (...
Jul 07, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 55
This episode hit deep ! If you’ve ever felt like you’re the only one driving vision in your marriage or that your spouse doesn’t seem as invested, you’re not alone. Julia Woods and I dive into why vision casting as a couple can feel so challenging—and why it often triggers emotions like fear, shame, and frustration. Julia shares powerful insights on: • How vision exposes deeper beliefs about ourselves and our relationship. • The tension between feeling like we’re “too much” or “not enough” in ma...
Feb 11, 2025•42 min•Ep. 54
What does success really mean? Is it about income, status, or something deeper? In this episode, Michael and I sit down for a candid conversation about how our childhood shaped our views on success and how we’re intentionally redefining it for our own children. We reflect on growing up in a small-town community, the hidden lessons we learned about money and work, and the challenges of raising kids in a world that often equates success with wealth and achievement. We share three key ways we’re gu...
Feb 04, 2025•39 min•Ep. 53
In this episode, I’m sharing how my perspective on business shifted from hustle to purpose and how I’ve seen God use my work as a ministry. From unexpected conversations with clients to moments of service on wedding days, I reflect on the ways faith has overflowed into my business. If you’ve ever wondered how your work could make a bigger impact, this episode will encourage you to see opportunities right where you are—whether you’re running a business, raising a family, or simply showing up for ...
Jan 28, 2025•35 min•Ep. 52
In this episode of Doing Life Differently , I share a raw and honest recap of my December digital detox. Spoiler: it was nothing like I expected! What started as a plan for distraction-free family memories quickly turned into a season of survival, self-discovery, and surprising lessons. From navigating a rare allergy and health scares to the unexpected gifts of stepping away from social media, this episode is packed with reflections on intentional living in the midst of chaos. KJ Reflection Ques...
Jan 21, 2025•23 min•Ep. 51
In this deeply personal episode, I’m opening up about my bizarre and life-changing journey with Alpha Gal syndrome, a tick-borne allergy that has completely reshaped how I live. From mysterious symptoms and terrifying reactions to the unexpected diagnosis and a functional medicine approach that’s brought relief, I’m sharing it all—the fear, the frustration, and ultimately, the hope and healing. This isn’t just about an allergy; it’s about learning to care for yourself, embracing help, and living...
Jan 14, 2025•41 min•Ep. 50
In this episode of Doing Life Differently , I’m sharing why I’m stepping into a digital detox for the month of December! I dive into the heart behind this decision—both the practical and spiritual motivations that led me to hit pause, especially on social media like Instagram. For me, this detox is about creating space to be more present with my family and making room for stillness and reflection in a season that’s often filled with noise and distraction. I talk about the challenges technology b...
Dec 09, 2024•22 min•Ep. 49
In this episode of Doing Life Differently , I'm opening up about my family’s journey to a healthier, lower-toxicity home. Our family has been learning so much about about food additives and dyes! So I'm sitting down to shares actionable steps and real-life insights that have helped my family reduce our toxic load and promote better health. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the topic of toxins this is an episode for you!! I hope you find encouragement that small, manageable changes can have a big ...
Nov 13, 2024•33 min•Ep. 48
In this episode of Doing Life Differently , Michael and I reflect on our unique journey in education as founders of an Acton Academy. Now in year three, we’re seeing the results of an alternative education model designed to foster independence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning in young learners. If you’re curious about what makes Acton different, we break down how our “learner-driven” approach encourages students to set their own goals, embrace challenges, and learn collaboratively wi...
Oct 31, 2024•39 min•Ep. 47
In this episode of Doing Life Differently , I chat with my friend Catherine Guidry, a luxury wedding photographer and educator from New Orleans. Catherine shares how embracing personal branding and vulnerability transformed her business and life. We explore the challenges of being authentic online while balancing professionalism and how connection can fuel both personal and business growth. If you’ve ever wrestled with sharing your story or feared judgment, this episode will inspire you to lean ...
Oct 17, 2024•46 min•Ep. 46
In this episode of Doing Life Differently , I sit down with two of my favorite photographers and business owners, Erica and Jon, to talk about their journey of leaving corporate life and traditional wedding photography behind to build a thriving brand photography business that aligns with their values and lifestyle. 📲 Follow Katelyn on Instagram EPISODE MENTIONS: Click to sign up for Erica + Jon's FREE CLASS! Episode Highlights: The Bold Leap : Erica and Jon left behind a stable corporate job a...
Oct 03, 2024•56 min•Ep. 45
In this episode of 'Doing Life Differently', Katelyn shares her unique approach to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of personal marketing, innovation, and community building! From a college student to a successful multi-7 figure entrepreneur, Katelyn highlights the foundational elements that have contributed to her thriving business. MENTIONS: Follow Katelyn on Instagram ! Learn more about Acton Academy Photographers - follow Katelyn on YouTube! CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Doing ...
Sep 19, 2024•40 min•Ep. 44
Welcome to the RE-BRAND of the Podcast! The Katelyn James Podcast is now Doing Life Differently with Katelyn James. In this episode of 'Doing Life Differently', Katelyn introduces her rebranded podcast, focusing on living intentionally across various aspects of life, including family, education, faith, business, and wellness. This podcast will shares Katelyn's journey of embracing a different path, emphasizing the importance of community, deep relationships, and holistic approaches to health and...
Sep 19, 2024•28 min•Ep. 43
What if what you really want in life is going to take more than just finding your passion? What if it means doing life completely different than what most consider normal! Katelyn dives into a deep conversation with a dear friend, Graham Cochrane, who is a bestselling author, 7 figure entrepreneur, TEDx and keynote speaker, bestselling author and host of The Graham Cochrane Show. With over 14 years of online coaching and content experience and 700,000 YouTube subscribers across his channels, Gra...
Aug 22, 2024•51 min
Today I am sharing part 2 of my REST series on the podcast! (If you missed it, you can listen to part one HERE !) Has anyone ever told you that you need to rest by “turning your brain off?”..... Have you ever felt like the part of your brain that allows you to dream or be inspired isn’t accessible anymore? Have you ever struggled with being STUCK? If so, this episode is for you! For the photographers out there : COURSES + PRODUCTS: https://geni.us/kj-store KJ EDUCATION COMMUNITY: https://geni.us...
Aug 08, 2024•47 min
In today’s episode you’ll hear me walking through the beginning conversation of “What is REST” and what have I believed about it that has kept me stuck in some cycles that aren’t serving me well anymore! It is definitely out of the norm to slow down…. It’s also out of the norm to TALK THROUGH rest as an entrepreneur because honestly, if you’re wired like me, making time to even listen to a podcast about making time for rest can seem like a waste of time!!! For the photographers out there : COURS...
Jul 18, 2024•37 min
As I continue to share more about the path we've been on, there have been a lot of questions! I wanted to answer some of those questions and try to tie a bow on this long story that can hardly fit into 3 podcast episodes. If you're in the middle of a health journey, or advocating for your kids, I hope this episode encourages you! Brain Balance : https://www.brainbalancecenters.com/ Dr. Aaron Hartman : https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/about/aaron-hartman-md/ RVA Baby- Dr. West: https://www....
Jun 27, 2024•29 min
This has been a LONG time coming.. I mean YEARS. It is the icing on the cake of our course collection and I cannot wait! This is the fun technical course that I have loved creating. We'll have two LIVE free classes in two weeks, and you'll want to be on the waitlist for the Composition Course to hear about that first! Sign up HERE --> https://katelynjames.com/composition-waitlist
May 29, 2024•28 min
This episode isn't light hearted or easy to listen to. I would go so far as to say, it's a bit painful to listen to but it's also powerful. If you struggle to make sense of how pain can be so present in the world where there is also a good God who loves us, this episode is worth listening to. We lost a child 6 years ago to complications from Down Syndrome. His story has changed thousands of lives and transformed us as parents and believers. This is my disclaimer: If you're looking for a photogra...
May 01, 2024•51 min
The other week I shared a very vulnerable podcast about the latest health journey we are on as a family, specifically for our son! If you would like to listen to part one, you can do so HERE ! I was blown away by the response and I am so thankful for all of you who shared resources, reached out, and asked questions. The amount of mommas out there who are also searching for answers is shocking. It’s equal parts encouraging to not be alone and also startling that so many people are at a loss for a...
Apr 04, 2024•50 min
Today’s episode is a little different than normal. Actually, it’s VERY different from normal. I sat down in my studio to record this without a plan or an outline or really even a clear vision for what I wanted to share….. I ended up sharing the raw, honest journey we have been on the past 8-10 months with a health journey with one of our children and recently, my own health hurdles as well. Consider this an “intro” because there are so many things I didn’t get to in this episode. This paints a c...
Mar 20, 2024•44 min
In today's episode we're talking to a KJ Student who shoots 90 WEDDINGS PER YEAR. We talk about her backstory, the current wedding market, her workflow and so much more! COURSES + PRODUCTS: https://geni.us/kj-store KJ EDUCATION COMMUNITY: https://geni.us/join-kj-community KJ ALL ACCESS MEMBERSHIP | https://geni.us/yt-all-access KJ FREEBIE DOWNLOADS | https://geni.us/kj-freebies Check out our 3 FREE webinars! These free classes would be a great starting point for you and to help gauge whether or ...
Mar 07, 2024•1 hr 38 min
Today's podcast is inspired by a recent KJ All-Access episode. In that episode the bride had very different taste than what I personally prefer and wouldn't be considered a "typical" KJ Bride. BUT I still had to show up on her wedding day and serve her as best as I possibly could. So today I want to talk through what that looks like and how you can serve your clients well, even when they're not the perfect fit! KJ FREEBIE DOWNLOADS | https://geni.us/kj-freebies WEBSITE | https://geni.us/katelyn-...
Jan 25, 2024•22 min
The business world (and just the world in general) looks A LOT different today than it did 15 years ago when I started my business. But as my business has changed and evolved over the years one thing has stayed the same: the power of a personal brand. I've noticed that many of our student's struggle with applying this concept to their own businesses for a number of reasons: so in this episode I'm sharing WHY personal branding is still important and debunking some beliefs that many make up as to ...
Jan 11, 2024•33 min
Today I’m sharing some personal and business recaps in today’s Podcast episode! Per usual, I’m a little heavy on the personal side because this year has been a whirlwind of both challenges and joys. Becoming a family of six, starting year two at the school we started, running our business, a soft launch of a new one… it’s all a bit of a blur. We’re excited for 2024 and have so many ideas for how we can more effectively help, serve, guide and challenge our community of amazing photographers!! Tha...
Dec 21, 2023•35 min
In today's episode I'm sharing about how I am fostering a learning environment for my children: both in the school that we started but also at home in our day to day lives. My goal is to build entrepreneurial minded children... which may seem crazy when my oldest is only 6 years old BUT my hope is that this episode will show you that it IS possible and give you a few practical tips on how you can instill these mindsets in your own children. KJ FREEBIE DOWNLOADS | https://geni.us/kj-freebies WEBS...
Nov 30, 2023•41 min
In this episode I'm sharing 5 main takeaways that have stuck with me since hosting my in-person Mastermind retreat last week! It was such a treat and filled me up in ways that other parts of my business cannot! I left our time together feeling more excited and encouraged about the trajectory of my Photography Education business and that's EXACTLY what a mastermind is for! I'm also sharing about the soft-launch of a new brand, Now Teach It, and how I made the decision to put it out into the world...
Nov 02, 2023•29 min
This episode was not on the schedule. It wasn't even on my radar. However, over the weekend I tried having AI edit one of my sessions and it was mind blowing... so I shared about it. I was proud of myself for trying something new and pushing myself to figure it out. What I didn't realize was that it was going to start a firestorm in the private editing community. When I first started outsourcing, I became a strong advocate for the private editor. I tried the mega editing companies and they alway...
Sep 14, 2023•42 min
Ever feel like you just can't get things done? Maybe you're like me and you have massive tasks that just seem to loom over you. This has been my reality since about 2 months before I had our last baby. I needed space, dedicated time away and the ability to focus! I finally did something about it and it worked! While this isn't an every day or every week solution, I walked away with some key takeaways about my work and my tasks that have proven to be incredibly valuable this past week! Hear all a...
Aug 24, 2023•32 min
