The photographers who thrived weren't just talented - they had their shit together behind the scenes. And the ones who burned out? They were drowning in chaos they didn't even realize was fixable.
Now I help creative entrepreneurs (photographers, yes, but also designers, planners, coaches, and anyone building something they actually care about) get out of the weeds and into the kind of business that doesn't require you to be 'on' 24/7 just to keep it alive.
If you've ever been, you'd know it's where the mess becomes something you're proud of. It's intimate, it's focused, and it's where the real work happens away from the noise.
That's what I do for your business.
The Dark Room exists because you need someone who:
→ Actually understands photography business operations
→ Has lived through the same backend nightmares you're facing
→ Can fix things fast without needing 17 emails of explanation
→ Speaks your language (because I was you)
I'm not interested in performative productivity or making you feel like you need to hustle harder. I'm interested in building systems that actually work, solving problems that are actively costing you time and money, and giving you the infrastructure to grow without losing your mind.
Here's What You Actually Get:
Same-Week Turnaround - Most requests handled within the week or faster.
Private Slack Channel for support in between tickets.
5 Negatives Developed Monthly - One "please just handle this" request per ticket.
Systems That Actually Work - Email sequences, automations - Whatever you need.
You're tired of paying for tools you're not actually using
You know what needs to happen, you just don't have the time (or brain space) to do it
You've hired people before and it didn't work because YOU had to manage them
You want someone who gets your business AND doesn't need their hand held
You're making money but your backend is held together with duct tape and prayers
People who want someone to read their mind (I'm good, but I'm not psychic)
Businesses that need 40 hours/week of support (let's talk retainers instead)
Anyone looking for "strategy" without execution (I do both, but I'm not here to make you a pretty plan you'll never use)
Fill out the form. Tell me what's broken, what you need, and how urgent it is.
I work through your negative in The Dark Room—fixing, building, optimizing, and troubleshooting.
I deliver the completed work in Slack with a video walkthrough (if needed) and instructions.
woowoo coach
"Working with Debbie was the sh*t — no laxative. She asked the right questions, brought structure to my scattered ideas, and helped me build a brand and website that finally reflect where I’m headed. She was fully invested in me the whole way through, and that level of care, clarity, and commitment made all the difference."
interpreter
"Working w/ Debbie was an incredible experience from start to finish. She was not only professional & knowledgeable, but also patient, & incredibly thorough. She took the time to understand my vision, & it really shows in the final result. Her care & dedication made all the difference, & I couldn’t be happier with how everything turned out."
photographer
"Working w/ Debbie has been an absolute game changer for my business. Her attention to detail, deep understanding of strategic operations, & ability to create systems that are both professional & personable have made a tremendous impact. I now have a polished, client-friendly presence that reflects my brand without sacrificing the human touch."
One ticket = one clearly defined task or approximately 60 minutes of work.
Yes! You can submit them all at once or space them throughout the month. I'll work on them in order of submission and priority.
Yes! The Dark Room is month-to-month. You can cancel anytime with 30 days written notice.
If you're consistently maxing out, we can talk about upgrading to Ops Partnership for more comprehensive support.
Did you become a photographer or creative to spend most of your time figuring out your CRM and how to automate emails when you should be creating meaningful and beautiful work?