Alex reflects on the intertwining of personal life and business as a creative entrepreneur. She discusses the importance of community, especially during the holiday season, where many face disappointment despite the festive atmosphere. Alex emphasizes the significance of finding joy amidst challenges and shares practical tips for processing disappointment, including acknowledging feelings, reframing expectations, and leaning on personal beliefs. She also hints at expanding the podcast's focus to include more aspects of life beyond photography.

Key Takeaways:

• Community plays a crucial role in navigating life's challenges.

• True joy includes the acceptance of sadness and disappointment.

• Disappointment can be a common experience during the holiday season.

• It's essential to acknowledge and process feelings of disappointment.

• Reframing expectations can help in dealing with disappointment.

• Finding a source of hope is vital during tough times.

• The podcast will expand to cover more life topics beyond photography.

   

Follow Alex on Instagram: instagram.com/alexblakephotography

Photo Camp Info: photocampinfo.com

AI Culling/Editing 30-Day Free Trial: https://aftershoot.com/friends?ref=alexotto

HoneyBook Discount: https://share.honeybook.com/alex89263

Merch, Presets, & More: https://www.alexblakeeducation.com/

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Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast to stay inspired and support the show!

🎙

Alex interviews model Teagan Litten (@teaganlitten) who shares her journey of becoming a successful and signed model based in Charleston. Teagan discusses her unique path, including her decision to travel and volunteer around the world, her experiences in the modeling industry, and the importance of confidence and support in a challenging field. She also highlights the cultural differences in modeling styles and the significance of building strong relationships with photographers. In this conversation, Teagan Litten shares her experiences in the modeling industry, discussing the importance of photographers providing comfort during shoots, the pride in booking significant jobs, and the challenges of e-commerce modeling. She emphasizes the role of agency representation and the unpredictability of bookings, while also sharing memorable experiences.

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Connect with our guest: https://www.instagram.com/teaganlitten/

Follow Alex on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexblakephotography/

 Photo Camp Info: https://www.photocampinfo.com

AI Culling/Editing 30-Day Free Trial: https://aftershoot.com/friends?ref=alexotto

 HoneyBook Discount: https://share.honeybook.com/alex89263

Merch, Presets, & More: https://www.alexblakeeducation.com/

______

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast to stay inspired and support the show!

Alex chats with Chantel Miller, a wedding photographer, artist, and official Nikon Creator. Chantel shares how her fine arts background influences her photography style, her journey to finding her distinct moody and artistic aesthetic, and her tips for photographers still discovering their voice.

They also discuss balancing creativity with the chaos of weddings, staying inspired through intentional practices, and the power of storytelling in making your work stand out. Plus, Chantel gives an inside look at her partnership with Nikon and how it’s shaped her creative process.

Stay tuned for the fun Photography Red Flags game, where Chantel tackles hypothetical wedding day dilemmas with quick-thinking strategies!

Key Takeaways:

• ●  Tips for developing your unique photography style.

• ●  How to stay creative and inspired, even in busy seasons.

• ●  The importance of storytelling in wedding photography.

• ●  Practical solutions for tricky wedding day scenarios.

  Connect with Chantel: https://www.instagram.com/chantelmillerstorytelling/

  Connect with Alex Blake:

  Watch on YouTube: @Alexblakephotography Follow on Instagram: @alexblakephotography Photo Camp Info: photocampinfo.com

  Amazon Storefront: Amazon AI Culling/Editing 30-Day Free Trial: Aftershoot HoneyBook Discount: HoneyBook

  Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast to stay inspired and support the show!

🎙

Alex introduces a brand-new segment called Ask Alex, where she answers listener questions. She dives into a variety of topics, including:

●  Starting a Podcast: Practical advice for launching your own show.

●  Senior Photography: Tips for breaking into this market and standing out.

●  The Power of Niching Down: Why focusing on a specific niche can elevate your

photography career.

●  Workflow Organization with HoneyBook: How Alex uses this tool to stay on top of

client management and bookings.

She also reflects on her transition from Canon to Sony cameras, shares strategies for branding shoots, and talks about overcoming self-esteem challenges as a creative. Other highlights include streamlining the booking process, balancing personal life with work, and finding new ways to connect with senior photography clients.

Throughout the episode, Alex emphasizes the importance of community, support, and intentionality in building a sustainable and fulfilling photography business.

Keywords: podcast, photography, creativity, advice, community, coaching, workflow, niching down, senior photos, HoneyBook, photography, client automation, branding shoots, camera switch, self-esteem, booking process, work-life balance, senior photography

Connect with Alex Blake:

Watch on YouTube: @Alexblakephotography

Follow on Instagram: @alexblakephotography

Photo Camp Info: photocampinfo.com

Amazon Storefront: Amazon AI Culling/Editing 30-Day Free Trial: Aftershoot

HoneyBook Discount: HoneyBook

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast to stay inspired and support the show!

🎙

Alex talks with Ruthie Henderson (@ruthiesmagicalcamera) to explore the bold and vibrant world of creative portrait photography. Ruthie shares her journey into the art of self-portraits, how she found her unique style, and what led her to partner with Adobe Photoshop. Together, they discuss embracing creativity, pushing boundaries, and going "out there" with unconventional self-portraits.

Ruthie opens up about her creative process, what it takes to bring her vibrant concepts to life, and how she uses colors like blues, purples, and pinks to make a statement. She also offers advice for photographers interested in experimenting with self-portraits or adding bold elements to their work—encouraging them to let go of insecurities and embrace their unique vision.

After the chat, Alex and Ruthie have a little fun with a rapid-fire game, where Ruthie reveals her favorite Photoshop tool, most daring self-portrait, and the gear she can't live without!

Connect with Ruthie Henderson:

Follow on Instagram: @ruthiesmagicalcamera

Connect with Alex Blake:

Watch on YouTube: @Alexblakephotography

Follow on Instagram: @alexblakephotography

Photo Camp Info: photocampinfo.com AI Culling/Editing 30-Day Free Trial: Aftershoot

HoneyBook Discount: HoneyBook

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast to stay inspired and support the show!

🎙

Alex sits down with Sue (@sue.shutterbug) to dive into the journey of self-portraiture, creativity, and building confidence behind the camera. Sue shares her insights on using self-portraits as a powerful creative tool, her experiences with social media growth, and tips for photographers looking to put themselves out there.

Sue shares her photography story, reflecting on her journey so far, and talks about her recent experience at Photo Camp, where she spoke about pushing creative boundaries. She offers advice on building self-confidence through self-portraits and tips for creating unique, captivating shots. Sue also discusses a memorable photoshoot that took an unexpected turn and what she learned from it. She dives into how TikTok and Instagram influenced her photography style and offers tips on building a strong online presence. Plus, she answers a question from Alex’s last guest, Cassidy, about where she finds her inspiration.

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Connect with Sue:

Follow on Instagram: @sue.shutterbug Connect with Alex Blake:

Watch on YouTube: Alex Blake Photography 

Follow on Instagram: @alexblakephotography Photo Camp Info: photocampinfo.com

AI CULLING/EDITING 30 DAY FREE TRIAL: https://aftershoot.com/friends?ref=alexotto

HONEYBOOK DISCOUNT: https://share.honeybook.com/alex89263 ____ Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast!

🎙

Alex chats with Cassidy Lynne (@cassidylynne) about her transition from photographer to educator and influencer in the photography industry. They share stories, including favorite moments from Photo Camp, and dive into Cassidy's journey and insights on balancing photography with educating others.

Cassidy shares what inspired her to start educating fellow photographers and the challenges she faced in this transition, especially on social media. She offers valuable advice for photographers looking to make a similar shift, along with common misconceptions about being an educator or influencer. Cassidy also shares her tips for creatives wanting to transition into the influencing space.

After the deep talk, Alex and Cassidy engage in a fun rapid-fire game with questions about photography preferences, dream shoots, and inspiration sources.

___ Connect with Cassidy Lynne: Follow on Instagram: @cassidylynne ___ Connect with Alex Blake: Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Alexblakephotography Follow on Instagram: @alexblakephotography Photo Camp Info: photocampinfo.com AI CULLING/EDITING 30 DAY FREE TRIAL: https://aftershoot.com/friends?ref=alexotto HONEYBOOK DISCOUNT: https://share.honeybook.com/alex89263 _____ Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast!

In this episode, Alex (@alexblakephotography) shares a personal update fresh off a road trip to Tampa with family and an inspiring experience at Photo Camp. While this is a mini episode, Alex reflects on how hosting Photo Camp has sparked her creativity, and she’s excited to jump back into creative shooting. She also discusses a powerful talk by Sue Dukeminier (@sue.shutterbug) at Photo Camp, focusing on the importance of pushing yourself to do things that are hard, especially during busy seasons when it can be tough to find inspiration. As Alex prepares for a slower season, she’s ready to dive into creative portraits and is sharing her favorite ways to find inspiration for shoots: - Seasons: Think through summer, winter, fall, or summer themes - Alex chats about how fall is a big inspiration for her right now. - Emotions: Sue mentioned this at camp, and Alex likes to assign an emotion to her shoots. For instance, her styled shoot with Preston Luke at Photo Camp was based on "Loneliness." - Music: Trends are always great for content. Last April’s Photo Camp featured a Taylor Swift-themed shoot. - Books/Scripture: Alex has used scripture to plan shoots in the past, finding deeper meaning in her creative work. - Lighting: Playing with different lighting setups to inspire new ideas. - Colors: Monochromatic themes or diving into color theory to shape a shoot. - Props: Shelby Cece talked about props in a past episode, and they can be a fun way to add depth to your shoots. Feeling inspired? Plan your own creative shoot and tag Alex to share your work—she'd love to see it! --- WATCH ON YOUTUBE:   https://www.youtube.com/@Alexblakephotography HANG WITH ME ON IG:   https://www.instagram.com/alexblakephotography/ PHOTO CAMP INFO:   http://photocampinfo.com

In this episode of the podcast, Alex Blake (@alexblakephotography) sits down with the hilarious and vibrant Danielle Hickman (@_daniellephotog), a destination wedding and family photographer who travels to breathtaking locations to capture love stories. Danielle, known for her true-to-color photography style with a touch of filmy “home” style, shares how she brings her 'hype girl' energy into her sessions and how humor helps her connect with her clients.

In This Episode:

- Danielle's approach to creating engaging reels and hilarious content.

- How she balances her energetic personality with maintaining professionalism.

- Capturing her signature true-to-color style with a filmy touch in sessions.

- The joys and challenges of destination weddings—what makes them special and how to handle the planning logistics.

- Danielle’s favorite destination so far and her dream wedding location.

- Tips for photographers looking to break into the destination wedding industry.

- The beauty of family sessions and building relationships with repeat clients.

Connect with Alex Blake:

- Watch on YouTube: (https://www.youtube.com/@Alexblakephotography)

- Follow on Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/alexblakephotography)

- Photo Camp Info: (http://photocampinfo.com)

Connect with Danielle Hickman:

- Instagram: [@daniellehickman](https://www.instagram.com/_daniellephotog)

Don’t forget to apply to Photo Camp and rate/review the podcast!

In this episode, Alex Blake (@alexblakephotography) welcomes Abbey Jo (@abbeyjophotos), a talented brand photographer based in San Diego. As a new mom-to-be, Abbey shares her journey from shooting weddings to focusing on brand work, all while maintaining a beautiful film-inspired aesthetic in her photography.

In This Episode:

- Abbey introduces herself and shares her current photography gear and what she shoots.

- Insights on how pregnancy and motherhood will influence her creative process and business.

- A deep dive into Abbey's film-inspired style and how she achieves that look in digital photography.

- The exciting journey of developing presets to match her aesthetic.

- What she loves most about lifestyle and editorial photography in Southern California.

- How her faith shapes her work as a photographer and entrepreneur.

- Advice for photographers looking to transition into brand work from other niches.

- Memorable and challenging shoots, including any horror stories she has to share.

- What Abbey is most excited about as she embraces motherhood and upcoming projects.

Connect with Alex Blake:

- Watch on YouTube: (https://www.youtube.com/@Alexblakephotography)

- Follow on Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/alexblakephotography)

- Photo Camp Info: (http://photocampinfo.com)

Connect with Abbey Jo:

- Instagram: [@abbeyjophotos](https://www.instagram.com/abbeyjophotos)

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast!