Reclaim Your Time: Fixing the Most Chaotic Day of the Dance Season

What would change in your studio if picture day actually gave you time back instead of taking it away?

Olivia Mode-Cater sits down with Lisa Mallis, Co-Founder and COO of PhotoDay, to unpack one of the most underestimated (and misunderstood) moments in the dance studio year: recital portrait day.

What’s often treated as a logistical headache is actually a powerful opportunity to elevate your brand, increase revenue, and reclaim your time. Lisa shares her journey from high-volume dance photography to building technology that transformed how studios and photographers handle picture day and why systems, transparency, and experience matter more than ever.

Together, Olivia and Lisa explore how outdated processes create unnecessary stress for studio owners, staff, families, and photographers and how the right workflows can turn one of the most chaotic days of the season into a smooth, confidence-building, revenue-generating experience.

This episode is a must-listen for studio owners who are tired of burnout, overwhelmed by logistics, and ready to grow their business while reclaiming their life.

You’ll hear:
Why recital portrait day feels so overwhelming and why it doesn’t have to

The hidden revenue opportunity most studios are leaving on the table

How systems and automation can dramatically reduce stress for owners and families

Why “return on time” matters more than return on investment

How transparency and feedback create stronger studio partnerships

What recital photos really represent for families — and why that matters for your brand

How to create an experience parents remember with love, not frustration

If you’re ready to stop dreading picture day and start using it as a strategic advantage in your studio, this episode will change how you see it forever.

Discover how studios are upgrading picture day with PhotoDay at photoday.com

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