Creative Banter Podcast

Positivity is a hot topic. But what is it? And how do you practice it?

From Law of Attraction, energy, and gratitude, we discuss all things about positive mindsets. Your mindset affects your business and creativity and we believe in the power of mental strength being a backbone for reaching your goals.

Hear what we have to say about healthy positivity versus toxic positivity, manifestation, and forming a mindset of abundance.

“The peace of mind I’ve been getting from my mindset lately….I feel so stable that [stress] can’t shake me anymore and it makes me go after my business in a way where I couldn’t even more forward before out of paralysis and anxiety.” - Madeline

Show Notes:

00:20

The history of Law of Attraction

2:22

Definition of Law of Attraction

3:05

When is the first time we discovered Law of Attraction?

6:15

Harlee share’s a personal story of how you feed off of the energy you surround yourself with.

7:18

How being creative and putting yourself in meditative states bring positivity to your mind.

“When you’re creating art, you open your mind up to a meditative state.”

8:50

What is Toxic Positivity vs Positivity? How to accept negative emotions from yourself and others!

16:03

Being transparent and not “good vibes only” all the time is important. This even affects your brand and business and how your audience connects to you.

18:35

A positive mindset is the most important aspect when running a business. Mental strength is vital.

21:36

Awareness of your emotions and behavior is key as opposed to avoidance and putting yourself in a negative vicious cycle.

22:20

How do creatives bring a positive mindset into their business?

27:28

Positive shared energy from your community is a great way to connect to others and succeed.

33:50

Gratitude Journaling: A wonderful way to grow a strong mindset.

Handling stress in difficult times can be more manageable with a positive mindset.

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You can find Creative Banter Podcast here:

Website - https://creativebanter.wixsite.com/podcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/creativebanterpodcast/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/creativebanterpodcast/

As photographers, a big part of our job is location scouting. We want to have go-to spots to shoot at for our clients.

Different clients will want different things so how do we figure out where and when to shoot at different places?

Hear how the three photographers of Creative Banter work location scouting and hear their dos and don’ts!

Show Notes:

00:20

Why we location scout and find it so important!

1:00

It’s imperative to know your actual location before shooting there.

1:18

How do we find our locations?

2:20

Heather could be a detective because of her location scouting skills!

3:49

How to make sure you aren’t on private property and trespassing - You have to have permits in certain places while other public or private places will kick you out.

9:10

Safety is important! How to make sure a place is safe and why.

9:40

Locations change based on time of day and sun angle – Heather talks about an app she uses just for this. We discuss golden hour in an urban setting versus in a nature setting and how that changes lighting.

11:11

Madeline travels all over for locations and talks about how she plans them out with her clients.

12:58

Heather gives her clients a list of locations they can choose from and talks how she does this and why.

13:55

Do you scout an actual venue location before a shoot?

14:50

How we save spots we have seen in person and don’t want to forget on our printed or digital maps with notes about why we like the location.

16:43

Back to safety – this is so important, photogs! It’s ok to say no to a location and to your client. Also, know your clients before showing up to locations alone!

19:40

Harlee expands on the importance of safety with knowing your photog if you’re a client and vice versa!

20:54

Photographers – stop asking your clients to do dangerous things in precarious locations! Communicate with your clients and make sure they are communicating with you.

22:20

Photographers asking other photographers for locations: navigating how to ask and why you should be okay with rejection.

25:37

Heather makes an important point – it’s not about this huge, grand scene. Some of the best locations are simple and as a good photographer you can make a spot look great. It’s not all about location.

You can find Creative Banter Podcast here:

Website - https://creativebanter.wixsite.com/podcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/creativebanterpodcast/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/creativebanterpodcast/

We LOVE to celebrate the holidays at Creative Banter so we always add in personal stories and fun facts surrounding each holiday we feature. Whether you hate Valentine's Day or not, we have some fun banter over here about this love day. 

Heather has a fantastic Valentine's story. HINT: a stupid boy leads to a best friend. 

At one point, Madeline needs to clarify a historic fact involving naked men spanking clothed women.

Happy Love Day, everyone! 

You can find Creative Banter Podcast here:

Website - https://creativebanter.wixsite.com/podcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/creativebanterpodcast/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/creativebanterpodcast

Inside tips from Tiffany Hopwood, CPA! She tells us everything we need to know about documenting and filing for taxes. Tiffany is also a professional photographer so she has a lot of knowledge and empathy for us small, creative business owners.

Tiffany loves working with the new business owners the most – “In one hour from now, when you leave here, you’re going to feel so much more confident and so much better than you did and that’s so rewarding to me!”

Taxes can be intimidating and difficult but if you hire a good CPA like Tiffany then they can help you sort everything out and it’s not even time consuming.

“You can live chat me anytime and I’ll answer your questions. I get random tax questions all the time and I absolutely love answering them. It’s absolutely free – no obligation. I just like helping people get their businesses set up correctly so they don’t have to be scared of taxes.” - Tiffany

Show Notes:

1:04

Tiffany, a CPA and photographer, introduces herself.

2:50

What made Tiffany want to be a CPA?

3:34

The 5 questions we ask each guest. Tiffany goes more into detail on her photography career as well!

10:58

As a CPA, whom does Tiffany typically work with?

12:15

If Tiffany could tell all small business owners one thing before they came in to see her then what would it be?

13:42

The most common question Tiffany gets from photographers.

15:43

Tiffany gives us info on LLC versus Sole Proprietor.

17:20

What are the main steps to take when starting a business and filing taxes? Find a system!

1. QuickBooks or studio management software. 2. Decide LLC vs Sole Prop. 3. Reserve website and domain names. 4. Register for franchise tax and register for sales tax. 5. Keep you personal and business accounts separate.

19:30

Keeping personal and business bank accounts separate: how to and why!

20:27

Sales Tax! Add it into your business plan and how to do this. Sales Tax also varies per state.

22:57

How do you document and then file taxes for when you get paid in cash? Documenting all revenue is important for goals and business plans.

24:19

What are expenses that photographers or business owners don’t think they can write off? What are things you can’t write off but is a common mistake?

From clothes and coffee to rent and car payments: how and what to write off.

29:36

How soon should someone reach out to Tiffany before taxes are due? She breaks down how to organize your total income and a list of expenses by type that you can bring to her so she can start working with you.

31:44

Mileage vs Gas : how to document and write off.

35:40

Hobby vs Business – The IRS is strict on how you file.

36:54

How much time does a CPA typically need from a new business owner for filing? Tiffany typically meets in 1-hour increments. First, Tiffany goes over all questions. Then she goes over the accounting software you use and will fix issues. Further meetings will take place as needed.

38:21

Where is Tiffany located if they want to meet in person?

39:44

This or That!

You can find Tiffany here:

https://www.facebook.com/TiffanyHopwoodCPA/

https://www.tiffanyhopwoodphotography.com/

You can find Creative Banter Podcast here:

Website - https://creativebanter.wixsite.com/podcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/creativebanterpodcast/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/creativebanterpodcast/

Harlee, Heather, and Madeline discuss the power of branding your business. Not only does branding attract your clients but it also supports your why behind your business.

If your business was a season or an animal then what would it be? Do you consider first impressions to be impactful? What lasting effect will you have on your clients?

Hear us discuss our passion in serving our clients and how branding ties into everything we do.

Show Notes:

00:20

The topic of visual branding and what that means to each of us individually.

1:00

Do you have a consistent artistic style?

2:20

People buy why you do what you do and not what you sell!

4:20

First impressions: how to set them and why.

“It’s all about the environment you create, whether it’s in a digital environment or in person. What you represent on your website and on Instagram should be how you are in person or you’ll really confuse your clients. You want them to trust you.”

5:10

What are our missions with our businesses? For us as photographers, prints are important and being able to preserve memories connects us to identity and to memories, can inspire others, and to make an emotional impact on people.

13:51

What sets your business apart from others?

17:05

We talk logos and what they should represent. We also talk tattoos because we are great at getting distracted.

24:44

It’s important to be true to you and to attract clients who align with your brand and values – in today’s political and social media climate this can be tricky, but we talk how we navigate this!

25:53

What type of emotions do you want your brand to evoke?

29:30

Brand questionnaires help you develop your vision! We go over some of the questions for our own branding.

You can find Creative Banter Podcast here:

Website - https://creativebanter.wixsite.com/podcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/creativebanterpodcast/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/creativebanterpodcast/

Heather and Harlee both shoot weddings so they discuss their workflow from the inquiry of a potential client followed by the communication they set up for their clients to the wedding day and delivery of photos! You can learn about tools, tips, timelines, and guides that they use to make the process as clear and smooth as possible. They believe in setting up expectations and knowing if they are the right fit for what their clients want.

Show Notes:

00:30

Heather and Harlee talk Wedding Day Workflow: planning with your clients from the inquiry to the delivery of their photos!

1:08

What’s the very first thing you do when the inquiry comes in? Heather uses Dubsado to help with her management and workflow. Harlee talks about the importance of connecting to your potential client immediately.

2:35

What do you bring and prepare with you when you meet your clients in person? iPad, laptop, full galleries for viewing, pricing guide, website to look over, contract for reading over, a gift, etc.

5:35

Sometimes you might not be a good fit for each other. Harlee and Heather discuss this!

6:00

Heather and Harlee go over their wedding packages. 

11:55

Heather talks discounts when they’re beneficial for both her and potential clients.

14:00

Seasons during weddings – Heather and Harlee’s preferences for when they shoot, mainly based on weather and lighting.

19:37

The contract is signed and the deposit is in. They are booked and their date is on the calendar. What’s the next step?

21:40

Going deeper into guides that we make for our clients: what’s included and how they function.

25:40

How Harlee and Heather make sure to check in with their clients leading up to the wedding day over payments, plans, questions, and more. They also discuss how far out they ask for final payment.

28:50

What is the ideal timeline as a photog? Harlee and Heather discuss how they plan their day out for a wedding shoot.

33:40

Heather and Harlee talk about their favorite part of the wedding day to shoot.

36:36

Working with wedding planners and day of coordinators: Harlee and Heather share some of their experiences. Then they continue to discuss the best way to coordinate the flow of the wedding day with their clients.

43:52

What happens when it starts pouring on a wedding day or the weather does not cooperate??

47:15

How Harlee and Heather deal with a venue that has bad management or the location is not photogenic. Heather explains in her guide and education on best way to consider venue locations.

48:20

What happens when guests cause issues? Or you have to diffuse a situation?

51:53

Post-wedding day part of the job: what are turnaround delivery times? They talk about how they cull and edit to create a smooth workflow. They also talk the gallery service they use. Harlee discusses her in-person sales technique with selling albums and photo products to reveal the photos to the clients!

57:30

What do you do when clients are texting and messaging asking when photos will be delivered by? Do you spend sneak peeks? How do you set up expectations?

01:01

Biggest tips Harlee and Heather give brides for their wedding day! They dive deeper into making sure they are the right fit for their clients and all expectations for what the clients want are clear.

You can find Creative Banter Podcast here:

Website - https://creativebanter.wixsite.com/podcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/creativebanterpodcast/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/creativebanterpodcast 

Opal and June is a styled shoot shop for photographers where a photographer can rent accessories and clothing for styled shoots and then return the clothing.

It’s a major solution for the problem we have in the photography industry of investing in a lot of props and clothing for a styled shoot but then never being able to use them again or knowing what to do with said items.

Founded in the summer of 2018 and brainstormed for years before launching, Opal and June was born from a mutual love of photography, insanely beautiful dresses, unique accessories, and a love of shooting for creative fulfillment.

The two women behind Opal and June are Lissa and Lauren. They share their passions, ideas, how they make the perfect team to run this business, and the difficulties they face.

Opal and June Show Notes:

00:20

What were Lissa and Lauren doing before Opal and June? As photographers, they met on a photo forum and became best friends and eventually began their business together!

2:07

The 5 Questions We Ask Everyone. Hear how Harlee and Lauren both like their coffee like they like their men – they definitely surprised us with their answers!

6:20

How did Opal and June start? Lissa and Lauren like to buy stuff for shoots but then what happens once you use a product for a shoot? 

08:36

Lissa and Lauren talk about their styled studio shoots and how they make such a good team when it comes to the creative side and the technical, detail-focused side.

9:25

Was there already a market for the styled shoots and business behind Opal and June? 

12:10

What are some of the challenges Lissa and Lauren face while juggling their photo businesses AND Opal and June? Main word: Chaos. Between a difficult pregnancy, a broken arm from falling 14 feet while bouldering, and running a new business, these two women have handled a lot in their lives since starting Opal and June.

17:25

Harlee asks, “How important do you think it is to give into your creative ideas and shoot for creative purposes as opposed to shooting for money?”

Lissa quotes:

“When I shoot for myself, even during my busiest time periods, I am so much happier. My work is better in general because when I’m used to shooting for myself I put that much more of myself into my client work and it creates better results for me and my clients and I’m happier all around. Those creative sparks that happen in your brain just keep going because you’re not stopping creating!”

21:20

How do they find the dresses and accessories for their business? Where do they buy and collect from?

25:18

Lissa and Lauren want to take the business past just renting clothing. It’s about learning and creativity, adding on different types of workshops, sources, and opportunities to grow.

29:30

The women in the group talk about how they balance their business with having kids.

32:31

Goals and plans for Opal and June continue

34:03

What is the name behind Opal and June?

35:33

The Game of This or That

You can find Opal and June here:

https://www.instagram.com/opalandjune/

https://opalandjuneshop.com/

https://www.facebook.com/opalandjune/

Contact Opal and June here:

[email protected]

You can find Creative Banter Podcast here:

Website - https://creativebanter.wixsite.com/podcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/creativebanterpodcast/

Fun fact: If Amanda wasn’t a lawyer then she would be a personal shopper for gift giving.

Amanda is a Dallas business lawyer with a passion for elevating entrepreneurs and creatives. Her story and why she works with creatives is so inspiring. Follow Amanda’s IG because she constantly educates on law in her stories and posts and is always open to connecting to creatives!

Throughout this episode, you will learn a lot of helpful knowledge as a creative in a business world so make sure to take notes! We can all learn more about the legal side of doing business. 

Show Notes:

00:20

Intro with Amanda: What she does and why. Amanda has been an attorney for 11 years. She also started her own firm based on ethics and lifestyle choice!

2:42

The 5 questions we always ask each guest.

9:05

Harlee asks, “You mentioned you work with creative business owners a lot so do you only do business law or do you practice other types of law, too?” Amanda goes on to explain what she practices and focuses on, such as contracts and bigger transactions with companies.

10:10

Amanda discusses the point in which a business owner should invest in a business lawyer or have a contract written up. The hands on experience and having an attorney who has your best interest is important, even when you’re starting in the beginning stages of an LLC.

11:50

What is a registered agent? Amanda breaks down what this is and you have to have one when you file for an entity (LLC, Corporation, Partnership, etc).

13:50

What is the meaning and importance of copyright and intellectual property? How does it work? Creatives – listen up! You OWN your work!

22:05

What does it mean if you are a sole proprietorship?

23:00

Why being in a partnership is or is not desirable vs LLC, Corp, or S Corp. Statutory guidelines and company agreements are KEY.

25:05

Amanda breaks down the liability protection between each entity. If you were to be sued then what happens to your assets?

27:20

Contracts: Many of us creatives can improve our contracts and it doesn’t have to be expensive to get a contract from an attorney! It’s worth it because you will use the contract countless times. Amanda explains how amazing a “pause clause” is when added into a contract – great if you’re working long-term with a client! She also discusses how much a contract can protect your time and services and give you clout when you need it with a client.

33:30

How to find and choose a lawyer in your area.

36:10

Amanda tells us the most difficult part of working with creatives (hint: creatives and being on time or working with deadlines don’t mix well). 

38:10

Amanda talks about protecting her time and her lifestyle choices as a lawyer. “You should observe boundaries and take care of yourself…” We pitch in with our opinions on giving into “the grind” versus maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

42:12

Your “why” is important and Amanda explains hers! “Rage against the machine” moment is definitely included. Her mission relates very much to ethics and inclusivity.

You can find Amanda here:

https://www.instagram.com/amontgomerylawyer/

https://www.amontgomerylaw.com/instagram

You can find Creative Banter Podcast here:

Website - https://creativebanter.wixsite.com/podcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/creativebanterpodcast/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/creativebanterpodcast/

Harlee and Madeline recap their year in 2019 from self-growth and a cross-country move to business development. They also talk about their personal and business goals for 2020. Creative Banter Podcast is growing so we also focus on how we can improve it to support listeners and creatives.

In the spirit of New Years Eve:

“Sometimes it's nice to take some time and give yourself perspective and set those goals to figure out a way to achieve them. That’s what we are setting this time aside for and we hope you do the same thing, too”

Show Notes:

1:15

Harlee recaps her 2019 year and accomplishments.

3:00

Madeline recaps her 2019 year and accomplishments and personal goals for 2020.

6:15

Harlee talks about her personal 2020 goals and discusses her thirst for knowledge.

10:20

Harlee enlightens us with her goals for Polich Company, expanding in their creative endeavors.

12:40

Madeline briefs on her professional goals for 2020, including what she sees in DFW Creatives.

17:50

Harlee talks about her vision with Creative Banter Podcast in 2020 which focuses on being more inclusive of all creative types.

21:57

Madeline’s podcast goals for 2020 include written content to go along with the audio.

23:41

Madeline shares how she isn’t goal oriented and good with structure but has worked to improve these skills and hopes that inspires others like her

You can find Creative Banter Podcast here:

Website - https://creativebanter.wixsite.com/podcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/creativebanterpodcast/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/creativebanterpodcast/

The Creative Banter girls talk all about their Christmas memories. Hear us bash and gush over certain Christmas movies and ow we found out about Santa. Feel free to partake in, or judge us on, a Christmas trivia game we play.