Episode 8: Scaling Solo: Growth Challenges Without a Team

On this week’s episode of Wine Down and Focus, we had an amazing conversation with Canadian volume sports photographer Tammy Lipsett. Tammy’s story is one so many of us in the photography world can relate to—starting small, wearing all the hats, and learning how to grow without losing yourself in the process.

Tammy, based just outside Calgary, Alberta, has been photographing youth sports for over 15 years. What began with snapping action shots of her kids turned into a full-blown business, all managed solo. She shares how she built One Shot Photography by leaning into her strengths, hiring help seasonally, and relying on strong client relationships and word-of-mouth marketing—no website, no pressure to grow a big team, just results.

We talked about:

• How to scale your photography business solo without burning out

• Hiring seasonal help vs. building a permanent team

• Why tech tools like Evoto and Captura have transformed her workflow

• Navigating competition and staying true to your vision

• Setting boundaries in a 24/7 business world

• ...and the importance of emotional support crickets 🦗 (yes, really!)

Tammy's down-to-earth, hilarious storytelling makes this a must-listen episode for any photographer feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or stuck trying to figure out their next move.

She reminds us that your version of success doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s—and that it’s okay to grow slow, stay small, and keep it simple.

So whether you're photographing high school seniors, working in volume sports, or managing any type of solo photography business, this episode will leave you feeling seen, inspired, and maybe even laughing out loud.