More Than Photos

The biggest breakthroughs in our business didn’t come from doing more. They came from letting go. In this episode, we walk through the seven things we quit to move into consistent 5-figure weddings — and how you can decide which one to start with. If you’ve been feeling stuck at a ceiling, this is your permission slip to stop hustling harder and start aiming with clarity.

Join Purpose & Profit: https://learn.bradandjen.com/purpose-and-profit-course

Every photographer dreams of being trusted by top planners, but most don’t know how to get there. In this conversation with Charleston-based planner and designer Haley Kelly, we pull back the curtain on what real collaboration looks like.

Haley shares unfiltered wisdom about what planners actually look for, why “getting coffee” isn’t the golden ticket, and how the most memorable photographers play the long game. From navigating sneak peeks to showing up with personality (not performance), this episode is packed with perspective shifts that will help you build genuine, lasting partnerships.

If you’ve ever wondered how to move from outsider to trusted collaborator, this conversation is your guide.

Timestamps:

00:00 — Intro: Why Planners & Photographers Dance Around Each Other

08:00 — Haley’s Story: Planning, Design & the Heart Behind It

17:00 — What Planners Really Look For In Photographers

22:00 — The Right (and Wrong) Ways to Reach Out to Planners

25:45 — Getting in Sync: How to Actually Collaborate

28:40 — The Myths Photographers Need to Let Go Of

33:00 — Sneak Peeks, Social Media, and Transparency

39:00 — The “Closed Circle” Myth and How to Build Real Connection

47:00 — What Success Looks Like for a Planner (and What Photographers Should Know)

Connect with Haley: https://haleykellyevents.com/

Learn more about the Mastermind: https://learn.bradandjen.com/mastermind-coaching

What does it take to not just survive, but thrive as an artist in the most copycat industry on earth? In this episode, Brad & Jen sit down with acclaimed wedding photographer and all-around creative human, Tomasz Wagner, to talk about staying true to your creative voice in a world obsessed with trends, lists, and what’s “working” right now.

From the importance of building trust with your couples (and yourself), to using psychology as much as a camera, to the very practical magic of mint tea, Tomasz shares the behind-the-scenes process that’s made his work instantly recognizable and deeply personal.

In this conversation, we dig into:

Why your best work happens when you show up as a blank canvas (not a checklist)

How Tomasz uses “the 50/50 rule” to invite his couples into the creative process

How to experiment, play, and fail forward on the wedding day (and why you must)

The crucial role of building trust, curiosity, and belonging—before the first photo is ever taken

How film and travel reset your creative soul

Why every artist needs a sounding board (shoutout to Amy!)

Whether you’re a seasoned pro tired of the tunnel, or just starting to carve your own lane, this episode is a masterclass in staying present, playful, and true to what lights you up.

Find Tomasz:

Instagram: @tomaszwagnerco

Website: https://tomaszwagner.co/

Learn More About the Mastermind

https://learn.bradandjen.com/mastermind-coaching

After 20 episodes of showing up, learning out loud, and sharing our hearts, we hit pause and asked some bigger questions about where this podcast is headed and why it matters. In this short episode, Brad shares what’s changing, what’s been stirring, and what you can expect ahead!

New themes. New voices. A whole new direction.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re building a business that doesn’t quite fit… stick around! This is about to get reallllllly good!

In this episode, we share the honest story of how chasing “luxury” almost made us lose the very heart of our business. We talk about the quiet burnout that snuck up on us, the wake-up call that changed everything, and the moment we realized there is a third way - one that honors your art, your voice, and the life you actually want. While STILL booking 5 figure weddings.

If you’ve ever felt caught between playing small and selling out… this one’s for you.

And if you're ready to go deeper: https://learn.bradandjen.com/purpose-and-profit-course

Ever feel like you should be farther along by now?

Like you’ve got the tools… but something underneath keeps stopping you?

This episode is a quiet gut-check on what’s really going on when growth feels stuck... and how to start moving forward without burning out!

If you’re in that in-between space—where the old way no longer fits, but the new way hasn’t fully shown up yet…You don’t have to walk through that alone.

Inside the Mastermind, we go deep into this kind of work: strategy and the stuff underneath. And we’re building businesses that feel good to run.

Come take a peek: https://learn.bradandjen.com/mastermind-coaching

You don’t need to shoot 40+ weddings, work every weekend, or burn yourself out chasing six figures. In this episode, we’re breaking down what it actually takes to hit a $100K year (or more!) as a photographer or filmmaker - and spoiler alert: it’s not about grinding harder.

We walk through the 4 things every profitable business needs to grow with clarity and confidence—not chaos—and why your mindset, packages, and sales strategy matter more than your editing style ever will.

Inside this episode:

- Simple math that changes everything

- Why “booking more” is keeping you stuck

- How to clarify your offers to attract high-quality clients

- The sales shift that makes discovery calls feel effortless

- Our favorite tool for creating breathability (yep, we said it) in your business

If you’re done second-guessing yourself and ready to finally hit your income goals with more ease, Purpose & Profit is your next step. It’s just been fully updated with even more tools, strategy, and support and students are calling it “the best investment I’ve ever made.”

📲 Check it out here → https://learn.bradandjen.com/purpose-and-profit-course

Have you ever felt stuck in your business, spinning your wheels but not quite breaking through? In this episode, we dive deep into a transformative concept that has completely changed our lives and business: the power of being in the right room.

We explore why community and mentorship are essential for growth, how the wrong environments can hold you back, and why surrounding yourself with supportive peers and coaches who challenge and encourage you can be the most important aspect to unlocking potential.

Hear personal stories, real stats, and practical takeaways on:

- Breaking through blind spots with the help of others.

- Why free Facebook groups might not be the answer.

- What defines the “right room” for your unique goals.

- The mindset shift needed to truly embrace growth.

If you're hungry for growth and ready to step into a room designed for transformation, we also share details about our Mastermind program, tailored for photographers and filmmakers who are ready to build intentional, thriving businesses.

Let’s talk about what it looks like to bet on yourself and create a business (and life) you love.

🔗 Apply for the Mastermind using the link here: https://learn.bradandjen.com/mastermind-coaching

As always, share this episode with a friend who needs it, leave a review, and subscribe to never miss an episode. We’re cheering you on every step of the way.

"I felt like the Target of photography." That’s how Jake described his business—trying to be everything to everyone, taking whatever inquiries came his way, and feeling completely stuck. After 15 years as a wedding photographer, he hit a wall. The industry had changed, his bookings felt random, and deep down, he wondered: Is this all there is?

In this episode, Jake opens up about the real struggles behind running a creative business: the doubt, the burnout, and the fear of making a change. But more importantly, he shares the shifts that helped him regain confidence, attract the right clients, and take back control of his work.

If you’ve ever felt lost in your business, constantly second-guessing if you’re doing it right, or booking clients that don’t actually light you up… this conversation is for you.

🎧 Listen in, and if this resonates, let me know what part of Jake’s story hits home for you!

And if you're ready to join the Mastermind Community, head to think link and apply: https://learn.bradandjen.com/mastermind-coaching

What’s it really like to work with your spouse? This is one of the questions we get asked the most. So today, we’re inviting you into a convo for an honest chat about what it looks like to run a photography & coaching business, homeschool three kids, and keep our marriage at the center of it all.

We’re not here to give you a how-to guide or pretend we’ve got it all figured out. Instead, we’re opening the door to share the real, messy, and beautiful moments that have shaped our journey - from the lessons we’ve learned about boundaries and teamwork to the challenges we never saw coming.

If you’ve ever dreamed of working with your partner, or you’re just curious about how we make it work, this one’s for you.