two domain names – one new site

Ok so I’ve been researching, but find myself with more questions than I had to start with… Therefore, I’m turning to WordPress gurus. Please keep in mind that I’m a bit challenged when it comes to techie stuff and pretty much know enough to be dangerous.

Background Info:
I started a blog/website for my photography business using WordPress.com and used a domain name that I already owned (leighleighphoto.com) via the mapping upgrade. This domain also has an email address (name@leighleighphoto.com) attached to it using Windows Live Mail (I believe – it looks like Hotmail).

Not long after I had the leighleighphoto.com website up and running, I decided to try my hand at a WordPress.org site… So, I now have a new and improved website with the domain name being: leighleighphotography.com.

Problem:
Basically, I now own two domain names (from two different providers), two different websites, and the old domain has an email attached to it. I believe from what I’ve found on the web, that I can actually export my first blog (with just a few steps) to my new blog; however, this is a bundle deal and does pages and all (?).

In theory, I think I can do the full export from leighleighphoto.com (old) to leighleighphotography.com (new) and then delete the pages from the old site once they appear on the new one (i.e. I would have two pages for senior portraits). I would then have a domain name that is essentially useless (leighleighphoto.com) that has an email address tied to it. From what I’ve read, I could just keep it up and use it to direct traffic to the new site, or somehow possibly use it for the new site as well (though I’m not sure on that). I’ve also learned that having two domains and one “content” hurts your score with SEO. OR, I could just delete all the pages on the old site and keep it as just a blog and tie it into the new site via the custom menu… Not sure how that affects SEO either.

I’m also not sure what all of this means for my email account – which I absolutely can’t get rid of. I’m thinking that I can create a new email account for the new site and then magically integrate it with my old one. However, I still think that still depends on what I end up doing with the old domain.

Question:
What is my best approach, or option, here??? …Any advice is greatly, greatly appreciated!! 🙂 Thanks so much! Sorry for the rambling.