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!

In this episode, Alex Blake (@alexblakephotography) shares her best tips for shooting in harsh mid-day sunlight. Learn how to handle tricky lighting, avoid blown-out highlights, and make the most of your photos!

In This Episode:

●      Challenges of Mid-Day Shoots: Harsh shadows, overexposure, and squinting.

●      Tips: Use diffusers, find shade, try backlighting, and keep your ISO low.

●      Posing & Editing: Use creative shadows, lower whites/highlights, and raise shadows in post-processing.

Connect with Alex Blake:

●      Watch on YouTube: Alex Blake Photography

●      Follow on Instagram: @alexblakephotography

●      Photo Camp Info: Photo Camp

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

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

In this episode, Alex Blake (@alexblakephotography) sits down with Shelby (@shelby.cece), a talented creative portrait photographer who recently moved to Charleston. Join us as Shelby shares her journey from relocating to a new city and becoming neighbors with Alex, to mastering the art of creative portraiture. Discover her unique approach to photography, how she overcomes challenges, and the secrets behind capturing her unique photos. In This Episode: - Shelby’s journey in creative portrait photography. - The process from concept to execution of her creative portraits. - How Shelby collaborates with clients and makes them feel at ease. - Challenges in creative portraiture and strategies for overcoming them. - Balancing personal style with trends and social media pressures. - Tips for aspiring creative portrait photographers. Connect with Alex Blake: - Watch on YouTube: [Alex Blake Photography](https://www.youtube.com/@Alexblakephotography) - Follow on Instagram: [@alexblakephotography](https://www.instagram.com/alexblakephotography) - Photo Camp Info: [Photo Camp](http://photocampinfo.com)

In this episode, Alex (@alexblakephotography) takes us through some of the craziest photography horror stories from Reddit. From the missing groom and chaotic dog photoshoots to the unforgettable Bridezilla moments and unexpected weather disasters, this episode is packed with cringe-worthy moments as a photographer. Whether you're a beginner photographer or a seasoned pro, these stories will make you laugh, cringe, and maybe even rethink your next shoot.

Plus, Alex shares some exciting life updates— being back from California, getting ready for Utah, and wrapping up her small group at home in Charleston. If you’re enjoying the podcast, don’t forget to rate it 5 stars and leave a review!

Also, make sure to follow Alex on Instagram to submit your own stories or questions for future episodes!

📺 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, Alex Blake (@alexblakephotography) is joined by the best guest—her husband, Zach! Join them as they take a trip down memory lane, sharing hilarious and sweet stories from their travels together over the years. From staying on the cliffs of Santorini, to getting weird massages in Italy, no story is off-limits. There’s plenty of laughter as Alex (usually the queen of organization) gets called out on some of her more disorganized moments, making this episode a must-listen just for fun. Don't forget to rate and review the podcast! WATCH ON YOUTUBE: (https://www.youtube.com/@Alexblakephotography) FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM: (https://www.instagram.com/alexblakephotography/) PHOTO CAMP INFO: (http://photocampinfo.com)

In this episode, Alex Blake (@alexblakephotography) sits down with her good friend Preston Luke (@iamprestonluke) to discuss the ins and outs of building a successful brand. From finding your unique voice to staying authentic while engaging with your audience, Preston shares his journey and offers invaluable advice for photographers at any stage of their careers.

In This Episode:

• Finding Your Voice: Preston reveals how he discovered his unique style in photography and how it has shaped his brand over the years.
• Consistency vs. Authenticity: Balancing consistency with authenticity can be challenging. Preston shares his strategies for staying true to his brand while maintaining a consistent online presence.
• Engaging with Your Audience: Learn Preston’s top tips for genuine engagement with followers, creating meaningful connections that go beyond the screen.
• Showcasing Personality: Discover how Preston showcases his personality online without oversharing, and why this balance is key to building trust with your audience.
• Dealing with Trends: Trends come and go, but staying true to your brand is crucial. Preston discusses how he navigates trends while remaining authentic to his style.
• Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Preston opens up about his experiences with imposter syndrome and shares practical advice on how to overcome it.
• Monetization and Authenticity: The challenge of balancing monetization with authenticity is real. Preston talks about how he stays true to himself while monetizing his work.
• Advice for New Photographers: For those just starting out, Preston offers his top advice on building a strong, authentic brand.

Don’t forget to rate and review the podcast!

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@Alexblakephotography

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/alexblakephotography/

PHOTO CAMP INFO: http://photocampinfo.com