Our Photo Club Community Podcast

In this episode, Michael talks with Northern Michigan photographer and longtime friend Jessie Zevalkink about the shifting balance between adventure and routine — especially once parenthood enters the picture.

They explore how creative careers evolve over time, the emotional push-and-pull between craving adventure and embracing stability, and how structure can actually support better art. The conversation touches on work/life boundaries, parenthood, creative identity, and choosing opportunities intentionally.

Creative Challenge: Review your past year of photos. What changed in your work? Share one image that reflects your evolution and tag @ourphotoclub.

Join the community at ourphotoclub.co.

In Episode 9, Michael Kent breaks down The Art of Adaptability — how problem solving builds confidence and creativity.

From last-minute pivots at weddings to learning new tools on the fly, Michael shares stories from the field and lessons about resilience, curiosity, and flexibility in creative work.

Topics include:

• Why adaptability matters more than perfection

• Building confidence through problem solving

• The balance between isolation and inspiration

• How to learn new skills by saying "yes" to challenges

• The importance of community in creative growth

🎲 Creative Block Challenge: Portraits • Cave Light • Theme: Home

🎧 Listen now or join the community at ourphotoclub.co

Michael Kent sits down with photographer Marcela for a heartfelt conversation about gratitude, growth, and what it means to stay grounded as a creative. They unpack how their paths shaped their relationship to work, family, and purpose—and how gratitude can be both a grounding force and a catalyst for change.

Topics include:

• Why proposal photography is booming and what it says about the new generation of clients

• Finding balance between creative freedom and family life

• Overcoming burnout and rediscovering purpose

• The privilege and responsibility of being paid to create

• How reflection fuels personal and professional growth

🎧 New episodes drop every 1st and 3rd Monday. Join the community: ourphotoclub.co

As the summer fades and the quiet months begin, host Michael Kent invites you into the woods behind his studio for a thoughtful reflection on embracing slower seasons — both in photography and in life.

In this episode of The Photo Club Community Podcast, Michael shares his personal rituals for closing out the busy season, resetting his creative energy, and preparing for growth. You'll hear how he uses the quieter months to organize, recharge, and reconnect — plus two conversations with Photo Club members, Landon DeHerr and Adam Bergen, about how they approach their own creative downtime.

Whether you're a professional photographer or a passionate hobbyist, this episode will inspire you to treat the slow season not as an obstacle — but as an opportunity to grow, refine, and reset.

What does it really mean to evolve as a photographer? In this conversation, Michael Kent and Katie Weaver unpack the natural cycles of creativity and the importance of balancing artistic growth with client trust.

We cover:

• The phases of inspiration, growth, productivity, stagnation, and renewal

• Why trends aren't bad — if you adapt them into your style

• How client relationships evolve alongside your work

• Moving away from quantity and toward intentional presence

• Why great photography is about memories, not just "the shot"

Creative Challenge: Take a moment to reflect: What's next in your creative season? Write it down. Maybe it's a new technique, a shift in your business, or letting go of something that no longer serves you. Share with the community if you'd like!

Links & Resources:

• Join Our Photo Club → ourphotoclub.com

• Subscribe to Focus Circle for early access → ourphotoclub.com/focuscircle

In this solo episode, Michael Kent shares how shooting in black and white has transformed the way he sees light, shape, and emotion in his photography. From daily practice with his Fuji X100F to using black and white as a creative ritual, Michael explains why stripping away color can sharpen our vision and deepen our connection to the world around us.

You'll hear stories about how this approach shaped his work, tips for experimenting on any camera, and a challenge to try black and white shooting for yourself.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this episode is an invitation to slow down, see differently, and find new inspiration in your photography.

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👤 Host: Michael Kent 🌲 Instagram: @michaelstewartkent 🌐 Community: ourphotoclub.co

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🎧 New episodes drop every 1st and 3rd Monday. Subscribe & stay connected: → Join Focus Circle → Facebook Group → Instagram

In this episode, Michael is joined by co-host Sydney Marie for a thoughtful and honest conversation about the summer stretch—that point in the busy season where creativity, energy, and authenticity are tested. From the pressure of back-to-back sessions to the rituals that keep us grounded, this episode blends real-world experience with practical advice for sustaining yourself through your busiest months.

We talk about:

• What the busy season really feels like for photographers

• The signs of burnout and how to recognize them early

• The tension between authenticity and autopilot in client work

• Systems and workflows that make the load lighter

• Rest days, boundaries, and permission to say no

• Rituals and recovery practices that restore creativity

• Why community support is essential during the grind

Whether you're a seasoned pro in the thick of weddings or someone navigating your first packed season, this conversation will remind you that you're not alone—and that taking care of yourself is just as much a part of the work as caring for your clients.

👤 Co-Host: Sydney Marie 📸 Instagram: @sydneymariephotography 🌐 Website: sydneymariephotography.com

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🎧 New episodes drop every 1st and 3rd Monday. Subscribe & stay connected: → Join Focus Circle → Facebook Group → Instagram

In this episode, Michael is joined by portrait and underwater photographer Chelsea Erwin for a conversation that dives beneath the surface—literally and creatively. From gear and light to trust and direction, this episode explores how underwater photography pushes us to communicate clearly, shoot with intention, and create work that feels emotionally alive.

We talk about:

How Chelsea's surf photography background led to underwater portraits

What it really takes to protect your gear (and your peace of mind) underwater

How to communicate with clients when words don't work

Why relaxation is the secret to strong underwater images

Creative advantages of "anti-gravity" posing and fluid movement

The emotional depth water brings to maternity and couples sessions

Whether you're curious about shooting underwater or just want to improve how you direct and connect with clients, this episode offers practical insight with a healthy dose of wonder.

👤 Guest: Chelsea Erwin 🌊 Instagram: @chelseaerwinphotography 🌐 Website: chelseaerwin.com

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🎧 New episodes drop every 1st and 3rd Monday. Subscribe & stay connected: → Join Focus Circle → Facebook Group → Instagram

In this episode, Michael is joined by co-host Katy Weaver for a deep and practical conversation about golden hour, blue hour, and everything in between. From lighting logistics to emotional presence, this episode offers a blend of creative reflection and hands-on tips for portrait and wedding photographers alike.

We talk about:

• What golden hour really is—and why it feels different in the morning vs. the evening

• How personal boundaries and client education shape shoot timing

• What to do when the weather doesn't cooperate

• How light evolves across an evening session

• Breath work, slowing down, and the emotional potential of blue hour

• Common mistakes when shooting or editing golden hour sessions (and how to avoid them)

Whether you're a full-time pro or just learning to chase the light, this conversation will leave you feeling inspired to bring more intentionality (and maybe a little more softness) into your work.

👤 Co-Host: Katy Weaver 🌊 Instagram: @katyweaverphotography and @katyweaverportraits 🌐 Website: katyweaver.com

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🎧 New episodes drop every 1st and 3rd Monday. Subscribe & stay connected: → Join Focus Circle → Facebook Group → Instagram

In this episode, I'm joined by my good friend and fellow Northern Michigan photographer Jessie Zevalkink. We dive into the theme of water - not just how to photograph it, but what it means as a creative metaphor. From calm lakes at sunset to unpredictable waves during body brave sessions, we explore how water shows up in our work, how it shapes our process, and how it teaches us to adapt.

Jessie also shares stories from her sailing adventures (including a full boat capsize!) and how being near, or in, water changes the energy of a shoot. We talk about the balance between movement and stillness, the gear we trust, the light we chase, and the quiet moments that anchor our best work.

Creative Prompt for This Episode: Photograph water in any form, literal or abstract. Think puddles, waves, bath time, rain, dew, even coffee or drinking glasses. Tag @ourphotoclub on Instagram or share in the Facebook group.

👤 Co-Host: Jessie Zevalkink 🌊 Instagram: @j.zevalkink 🌐 Website: www.jzevalkink.com

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🎧 New episodes drop every 1st and 3rd Monday. Subscribe & stay connected: → Join Focus Circle → Facebook Group → Instagram