Focused AF

Have you spent countless hours blogging, optimizing your website, and trying every SEO trick in the book, only to wonder why Google still isn't sending you more photography clients? Or maybe you finally figured out how to make Google happy, and now ChatGPT has decided to crash the party.

So what the hell are photographers supposed to do now?

In this episode of Focused AF, we're joined by Corey Potter, founder of Fuel Your Photos, a former wedding photographer turned SEO expert who's spent over a decade helping photographers get found online and turn website traffic into actual business.

We're cutting through the noise to talk about what's working in SEO today, what's outdated, and which popular strategies might be a complete waste of your time. We also dive into the elephant in the room: AI. With ChatGPT changing how people search for businesses, is traditional SEO becoming obsolete, or is this just another evolution photographers need to understand?

From blogging and keywords to Google rankings, AI recommendations, and the future of online search, Corey shares his perspective on where photographers should be focusing their time and energy.

Whether you're an SEO beginner or someone who's been playing the Google game for years, this is one conversation you don't want to miss.

Every photographer hits a point where they wonder: How do I make my work look more like me and less like everyone else?

Jason Vinson joins us for a conversation on creativity, growth, and building a body of work that stands out in an increasingly crowded industry.

In this episode, we cover:

• How to develop a style that's unmistakably yours

• Why learning to see light changes everything

• The biggest mistakes photographers make at workshops and photo walks

• Why honest critiques are one of the fastest ways to improve

• How personal projects can reignite your creativity (and your business)

Whether you're just getting started or have been shooting weddings for years, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can apply immediately.

Have you ever been in that phase where you’re doing the responsible thing, but also building something on the side, and both are starting to fight each other. One is paying your bills, the other one is quietly telling you this is the thing, and you don’t know when to pull the trigger.

That’s this episode.

We had Chris "DJ O" Obando on, and before we got into anything useful, we spent a solid chunk of time talking about me destroying my own car with a sponge, Rolando curbing brand new wheels mid-OCD spiral, and whether Ben should bring back a 20-year-old baggy suit. So very on brand.

But underneath all that, there’s a real conversation about timing. When do you actually make the jump. What if you’re not ready. What if you wait too long. And the part nobody talks about, that middle phase where you’re grinding both sides and hoping it makes sense eventually.

Also, we made a spring Old Fashioned with bourbon, honey, lemon, and bitters. Thought it was his drink. It wasn’t. He drank it anyway. That’s how you know he’s a pro.

After a six-month break, we’re back—and catching up on everything from life updates to what we saw at WPPI 2026. This year felt different. More focus on content creation, social media, and business education than ever before, along with a new wave of voices entering the industry.

In this episode, we break down the biggest shifts we’re noticing: the growing role of platforms like TikTok and YouTube, the balance between education and real-world experience, and how photographers can navigate all the noise without feeling overwhelmed. We also share our thoughts on community, meetups, and why building real relationships still matters more than ever.

If you’re a wedding photographer trying to stay relevant, grow your business, or just make sense of where things are headed, this is a grounded, honest conversation on what to pay attention to—and what to ignore.

Ever wish you could sit down with the people who actually run the venues - and ask what they really think about us?

In this episode, the Focused AF crew talk with Debbie and Dana from Indian Trail Club, who’ve seen everything from rain dances to rogue vendors. They share candid (and hilarious) stories from decades in hospitality - along with rare insight into how venues choose who they trust, refer, and love working with.

If you’ve ever tried to build stronger venue relationships or land that elusive “preferred vendor” spot, this episode might change how you approach every wedding from here on out.

Follow The Indian Trail Club on IG here: https://www.instagram.com/thelakehouseitc/

Today's drink is the Honey Deuce:

Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ oz Grey Goose vodka

• 3 oz fresh lemonade (store-bought works, but fresh-squeezed makes a difference)

• ½ oz Chambord (black raspberry liqueur)

• Honeydew melon balls, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a highball glass with crushed ice (not cubes — that’s key for the texture).

2. Add the vodka and lemonade.

3. Gently drizzle in the Chambord, which will float slightly and create that pink ombré effect.

4. Garnish with three honeydew melon balls on a skewer — they’re meant to look like little tennis balls.

5. Serve immediately while icy-cold.

When she wasn't teaching high school Spanish and French, she spent nights and weekends photographing weddings, blogging, and slowly building a brand from scratch.

Eventually, Alexandra Peterson left the classroom behind and turned her side hustle into a full-time photography business with an associate team, a studio space, and a website that ranks all over Google.

In this episode, we dive into:

• How she shot 15 weddings while still teaching full time

• The $200 SEO course that completely changed her business

• Why she erased all mention of her “husband and wife team” branding

• The feedback process she uses to train her associates (without burning bridges)

If you're trying to go full time, grow a team, or just want a behind-the-scenes look at how real businesses scale - this one's for you.

Check out her work here: https://www.idaliaphotography.com/

Follow on IG here: https://www.instagram.com/idaliaphotography

In this laugh-out-loud, real-talk episode, we sit down with acclaimed Brooklyn-based wedding and editorial photographer Joshua Dwain — and it’s a ride. From navigating high-end weddings and dramatic destinations to dodging border patrol in Canada, Joshua pulls back the curtain on what it's really like building a luxury wedding brand with your spouse, traveling with 20K in camera gear, and staying creatively fulfilled.

Whether you're a photographer, a creative entrepreneur, or just here for the stories (and Josh has stories), this episode delivers on humor, honesty, and hard-earned insight.

In this episode, we sit down with Leah Weinberg—former wedding planner turned attorney and founder of Weinberg Legal—to dive deep into the wild legal landscape of the wedding industry. From pandemic cancellations and vendor scams to real-life contract horror stories, Leah shares her unique perspective as someone who's worked on both sides of the aisle. We cover red flags to watch for in contracts, why ChatGPT shouldn’t be your lawyer, the right (and wrong) ways to handle creative disputes, and how to protect your business without being a jerk. Whether you're a planner, photographer, or any wedding pro who’s ever wondered, "Can I cancel this contract?", this episode is your legal wake-up call—with a lot of laughs along the way.

In this episode of The Focused AF Podcast, Ben, Jen, and Ro sit down with the incredible Nicole Hoffman – a wedding photographer, educator, and CRM expert – to talk all things business, systems, and sustainability in the photography world.Nicole shares her inspiring journey from law school graduate to full-time photographer and team member at Táve, a powerful CRM for creative professionals. You'll hear how she transitioned careers, built a thriving photo business, and why she’s so passionate about helping photographers streamline their workflows through automation and organization.

We dive into:

✅ Why every photographer should be using a CRM (and how Táve saved Ben from a near-wedding disaster)

✅ Nicole’s behind-the-scenes setup and favorite automations for client communication

✅ How email templates and follow-ups boost bookings

✅ Insights on client behavior, sales cycles, and modern buying habits

✅ How to set clear expectations, avoid client confusion, and reduce post-shoot chaos

✅ Tips for using AI and tools like ChatGPT to improve copywriting, emails, and content creation

✅ Why early adoption of systems and data tracking can save your sanity laterWhether you're just starting out or years deep into your business, Nicole brings clarity, humor, and tons of practical wisdom to help you stay organized, proactive, and profitable.

🔗 Connect with Nicole: https://nicoleklym.com  / nkpandco  

Receive TWO free months of Tave, on us!: https://tave.app/join/benlauphotography

🍹 Drink of the Day: A classic mimosa — because automation and good vibes are worth celebrating!

LET'S BE FRIENDS:▸ Wanna share some of your stories with us?

Write us here: [email protected]

▸ Website: https://focused-af.com

▸ Instagram: https://instagram.com/focused.af

▸ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/focusedafpodcast

What happens when talent, passion, and humility collide? You get Rabih Madi — an award-winning wedding photographer from Montreal and the guest on this week’s episode! Rabih isn’t just capturing weddings; he’s creating art that’s turning heads on international stages. Fresh off a major win at WPPI, Rabih joins us to share how he went from assistant gigs and dinosaur Photoshop edits to producing grand award-winning work that’s as meaningful as it is visually stunning.In this episode, Rabih gives us a behind-the-scenes look at his creative evolution, his love for clean, emotion-driven storytelling, and why simplicity and intentionality win over flashy trends every time. He opens up about navigating cultural traditions in weddings and how these challenges often spark his most creative work. The hands-only portrait that won him WPPI’s Grand Award? He tells the full story behind it — and it’s one you don’t want to miss.We also dig into how competitions like WPPI shaped his growth, the importance of thoughtful critique, and what it really takes to develop a style that stands the test of time. Plus, we all share some laughs about industry trends (Dutch angles, anyone?) and finding the balance between chasing awards and serving your clients first.Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, Rabih Madi’s journey is packed with inspiration, honesty, and plenty of practical gems. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay creatively grounded while still pushing boundaries, this one’s for you. Hit play — you’ll walk away feeling recharged and ready to shoot with purpose.

You can check out Rabih here:  / madiphotography  https://www.madiphotography.com/

Wanna share some of your stories with us?

Write us here: https://focused-af.com/contact▸

Website: https://focused-af.com▸

Instagram:   / focused.af  ▸

Facebook Group:   / 3546659235657977