My Creative Journey with Mike Jeffrey

Julia Trotti is a trailblazing photographer and YouTube creator, known for her engaging tutorials and authentic behind-the-scenes content. Her journey has inspired countless photographers to dream big and pursue their passions. Starting her career as a photo retoucher, Julia transitioned into wedding photography before dedicating herself fully to YouTube. While her path hasn’t always been smooth — battling introversion & self-doubt — her 600,000+ subscribers are a testament to the impact of her work. In this episode, Julia shares how she made the leap to becoming a full-time YouTuber, her experiences collaborating with top brands like Sony, Nikon, and Lumix, and her exciting new venture: Aperty, a portrait retouching software developed with Skylum. Supporting yourself through creativity is something that most creatives struggle with and Julia shares openly about how she generates income through her work, including selling her own presets through digitalfilmactions.com. If you’re ready to be inspired and take your own creative journey to the next level, don’t miss this conversation. Tune in now and share the episode with a fellow creative who could use a boost of motivation!

Say Hi to Julia on YouTube, Instagram or her Website

Check out Julia Trotti's photo retouching software Aperty

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Check out the Video Podcast on YouTube

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Editing & Post Production by Mossy Heart Media. Check out their Website & Instagram.

Music Created by JWPATON. Check out his work on Instagram.

Ever dreamed of leaving it all behind to pursue what truly excites you? Ben Hargreaves did exactly that. Once pulling in a six-figure income in a corporate job, he traded it all to follow his passion for car photography and content creation. A leap that took plenty of planning, grit, and relentless dedication. In this episode, Mike sits down with Ben to dig into his five-year plan for breaking free from a life that no longer inspired him and the strategic steps he took to get there in just 18 months. Through sharing his journey Ben has built a rock-solid following of over 700,000 people on Instagram and nearly 200,000 on YouTube. His story is a testament to what’s possible with commitment, resilience, and an unshakable belief in oneself.

In this episode Mike & Ben discuss the challenges of leaving behind a comfortable life, the strategies Ben used to grow his audience, and the mindset shifts necessary to follow your passion — even when it seems risky. Whether you're considering your own career pivot, or just looking for a dose of motivation to keep going, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical takeaways. Tune in to discover what’s truly possible when you choose to follow your passion.

Say Hi to Ben on Instagram, YouTube or TikTok

Find out more about Ben on his Website

Sign up for the next Cohort of Ben's Escape Roadmap

Thanks for tuning in and if you did enjoy todays episode, make sure to leave a Rating or Review on your platform of choice.

Check out the Video Podcast on YouTube

Follow Mike on Instagram | TikTok

Editing & Post Production by Mossy Heart Media. Check out their Website & Instagram.

Music Created by JWPATON. Check out his work on Instagram.

Jay Dekony is a New York City-based wedding Filmmaker and Photographer known for her unique, authentic style that’s making waves in the industry. In this episode, Jay shares her creative journey — how she got started, the challenges she faced, and how she’s built a successful media company from the ground up. Like many creatives, Jay’s path hasn’t been an overnight success. Standing out in NYC’s crowded creative scene took effort, and Jay turned to social media to do just that. By sharing her personality and distinctive approach to working with clients, she’s now fielding more inquiries than she can handle and has even reached a point where she can hire friends to join her team. Jay’s story is truly inspiring, and Mike is thrilled to bring it to you. Enjoy! 

Say Hi to Jay on Instagram or Website

Thanks for tuning in and if you did enjoy todays episode, make sure to leave a Rating or Review on your platform of choice.

Check out the Video Podcast on YouTube

Follow Mike on Instagram | TikTok

Editing & Post Production by Mossy Heart Media. Check out their Website & Instagram.

Music Created by JWPATON. Check out his work on Instagram.

Today, Mike sits down with his wife, Emily, for an open and honest reflection on where he stands in business and life. Recently, they’ve embarked on a new chapter, living life on the road as they travel across Australia on an extended holiday. Achieving location freedom and working remotely has been a lifelong dream for Mike, but the journey hasn’t been without challenges. In this episode, he shares his current plans and how he intends to keep his business thriving while traveling. Making such a big change brings plenty of anxiety, but hopefully, this episode will offer a real-world example of how it can be done.

Thanks for tuning in and if you did enjoy todays episode, make sure to leave a Rating or Review on your platform of choice.

Check out the Video Podcast on YouTube

Follow Mike on Instagram | TikTok

Editing & Post Production by Mossy Heart Media. Check out their Website & Instagram.

Music Created by JWPATON. Check out his work on Instagram.

Join me as I chat with my good friend Pippa Moore, a registered Marriage Celebrant in Australia. Pippa’s journey to this dream job didn’t happen overnight—she’s studied drama, tried stand-up comedy, attended film school, hosted a radio show, and finally started her own business. Her story is filled with inspiring twists and turns, proving it’s never too late to chase your dreams. We dive deep into her work as a celebrant, focusing on storytelling and connection—essential skills for any artist. Get ready for an inspiring and funny conversation with the amazing Pippa Moore!

Say Hi to Pippa on Instagram or her Website

Thanks for tuning in and if you did enjoy todays episode, make sure to leave a Rating or Review on your platform of choice.

Check out the Video Podcast on YouTube

Follow Mike on Instagram | TikTok

Editing & Post Production by Mossy Heart Media. Check out their Website & Instagram.

Music Created by JWPATON. Check out his work on Instagram.

This week I'm joined by UK wedding photographer and TikTok sensation Adam Lowndes. Over the past few years, Adam has transformed his business and marketing strategy by using TikTok to connect with new clients. His creative approach of filming weddings with a 360 camera and sharing engaging snippets gives a unique, first-person view of what it's like to have him as your photographer. This strategy has been incredibly successful, leading to a surge in client inquiries. We dive into how Adam's content has helped him grow and why artists shouldn’t overcomplicate their marketing. Tune in for insights on leveraging behind-the-scenes content to grow your creative business!

Check out Adam’s Website, TikTok or Instagram.

Join MIKE'S PHOTO ACADEMY

Thanks for tuning in and if you did enjoy todays episode, make sure to leave a Rating or Review on your platform of choice.

Check out the Video Podcast on YouTube

Follow Mike on Instagram | TikTok

Editing & Post Production by Mossy Heart Media. Check out their Website & Instagram.

Music Created by JWPATON. Check out his work on Instagram.

Join us for a hilarious and insightful conversation with Andrew, a wedding photographer and all-around funny guy from Liverpool, UK. I first discovered Andrew through his entertaining and relatable videos on Instagram, where he’s made a name for himself in the wedding photography space over the past year.

In this episode, we explore Andrew's journey from traditional photographer to viral content creator, diving into the challenges he faced while figuring it all out. He opens up about the struggles of being a creative in the business world, sharing his experiences of the highs and lows that nearly led him to give up on wedding photography after eight years. You'll hear how he managed to overcome that tough period and what he does daily to stay inspired and keep his creativity flowing. 

Check out Andrew and his work on Instagram & his Website.

Thanks for tuning in and if you did enjoy todays episode, make sure to leave a Rating or Review on your platform of choice.

Check out the Video Podcast on YouTube

Follow Mike on Instagram | TikTok

Editing & Post Production by Mossy Heart Media. Check out their Website & Instagram.

Music Created by JWPATON. Check out his work on Instagram.

In this episode, we explore the incredible power of passion and how it can be used to create positive change in the world. Mike dives into the world of Marine Photography with Suba Diving instructor Matt Testoni. They discuss Matt's love for the ocean and his dream to preserve it for years to come. Matt works at the Centre for Marine Socioecology at the University of Tasmania and is using his gift of Photography to shed a positive light on the worlds marine life. Not only that but Matt is also the host of the Sea Creatures Podcast and is launching his very own card game to bring awareness to Sustainable Fishing. Tune in this week to discover how your passion can truly become your purpose!

Check out Matt’s work on Instagram & his Website.

Listen to Matt’s Podcast — Sea Creatures Podcast

Support the Kickstarter for Matt’s Big Fish Card Game

Thanks for tuning in and if you did enjoy todays episode, make sure to leave a Rating or Review on your platform of choice.

Check out the Video Podcast on YouTube

Follow Mike on Instagram | TikTok

Editing & Post Production by Mossy Heart Media. Check out their Website & Instagram.

Music Created by JWPATON. Check out his work on Instagram.

Putting yourself out there and just starting is something that today's guest has been doing for years. Isabella Herrera is the host of the Amateur Activist Podcast where she asks simple questions to get the big answers. In this episode Mike talks with Isabella about how to start a podcast and conduct a successful interview. They talk about starting before you are ready and taking a chance on yourself. You never find any interesting opportunities in your loungeroom so you just have to put yourself out there. 

Say Hi to Isabela on the Amateur Activist Instagram & check out her Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Thanks for tuning in and if you did enjoy todays episode, make sure to leave a Rating or Review on your platform of choice.

Check out the Video Podcast on YouTube

Follow Mike on Instagram | TikTok

Editing & Post Production by Mossy Heart Media. Check out their Website & Instagram.

Music Created by JWPATON. Check out his work on Instagram.

Josh Huggett is an Australian Wedding Photographer taking the internet by storm frequently sharing videos of himself swearing with clients and drinking alcohol while working. In a world of Photographers all trying to fit in he is just being himself and standing out. Josh is an Incredible Photographer shooting 70+ Weddings per year and hosting sold out Photography Workshops in Australia and overseas. In this episode Mike speaks to Josh about the power of Social Media for attracting your ideal clients and how to create the ideal client experience. Getting clients is one thing but knowing how to keep them happy is a whole different test and Josh has definitely mastered both. We hope you love this super insightful conversation.

Go Say Hi to Josh:

Thanks for tuning in and if you did enjoy todays episode, make sure to leave a Rating or Review on your platform of choice.

Check out the Video Podcast on YouTube

Follow Mike on Instagram | TikTok

Editing & Post Production by Mossy Heart Media. Check out their Website & Instagram.

Music Created by JWPATON. Check out his work on Instagram.