Second Society Podcast

Jai Long, a serial entrepreneur, wedding photographer, and educator, shares his journey from being a photographer to becoming an educator and building a successful education business.

We dive deep into how Jai makes ambitious goals and becomes passionate and determined to achieve them. Jai's transparency with his employees and his focus on building a legacy for them is also something that makes an incredible leader. Our conversation explores the importance of building a strong community and culture within a business.

He emphasizes the need to create products that can be sold repeatedly, rather than focusing on low-value tasks. Jai also talks about his newest course Metamorphosis with Cara Mia, designed to bring back creativity to shooting weddings.

Check out Jai Long

https://jailong.co

Interested in Metamorphosis?

https://jointhemetamorphosis.com/course

Are you on Second Society yet? Join the thousands of wedding filmmakers & photographers.

www.SecondSociety.io

Sign up for a Free Account or

Use code PODCAST30 for 30% off Pro Monthly Memberships!

Download our Guide to becoming the Top 1% of lead and second shooters.

https://bit.ly/top_secondsociety

Find the best wedding inquiry guides, welcome guides, email templates and more from Destination Wedding & Elopement Photographer Stephanie Marie.

https://bit.ly/43UaNkS

00:00 From Photographer to Educator

13:00 Building a Community and Overcoming Challenges

24:49 Transparency and Building a Legacy

26:18 Building a Strong Community and Culture

27:43 Transparency and Trust in the Workplace

29:38 Prioritizing Employee Well-being

33:21 The Misconception of Passive Income

52:47 Increasing Income through Higher Value Tasks

55:02 Standing Out in a Saturated Market

57:00 The Power of Partnerships

01:10:54 Protecting Intellectual Property in Partnerships

Second Society is rebranding after a year and a half. We went through a journey of finding the right designer and faced challenges with our initial branding and want to give you all the WHAT NOT TO DO's when rebranding your company! After 9 months we eventually found a designer who understood our vision and created a brand that marries luxury boutique vibes with a side of adventure.

Are you on Second Society yet? Join the thousands of wedding filmmakers & photographers

www.SecondSociety.io

Sign up for a Free Account or

Use code PODCAST30 for 30% off Pro Monthly Memberships!

Download our Guide to becoming the Top 1% of lead and second shooters.

Find the best wedding inquiry guides, welcome guides, email templates and more from Destination Wedding & Elopement Photographer Stephanie Marie.

00:00 Introduction and the Importance of Rebranding

01:15 The Journey of Rebranding Second Society

04:30 Initial Branding and the Need for a Rebrand

06:21 Marrying Luxury Boutique Vibes with Adventure

09:09 Challenges with Previous Designers

10:37 Finding the Right Designer for a Successful Rebrand

11:35 Highlighting Artists on the Second Society Platform

13:25 Introducing the Community App for Photographers and Videographers

15:42 Conclusion and Future Plans

Daniel shares his ethos of being a human first, photographer second, and wedding photographer third.

He emphasizes the importance of shooting details like portraits and capturing the essence of the subject. Daniel also talks about his shift from shooting posed and perfect photos to embracing a more artistic and authentic style.

He discusses the importance of being confident in one's unique style and finding clients who appreciate and resonate with that style. Daniel also talks about the need to break free from societal expectations and focus on one's own vision and passion.

Check out Daniel Kim

Are you on Second Society yet? Join the thousands of wedding filmmakers & photographers.

www.SecondSociety.io

Sign up for a Free Account or

Use code PODCAST30 for 30% off Pro Monthly Memberships!

Download our Guide to becoming the Top 1% of lead and second shooters.

Find the best wedding inquiry guides, welcome guides, email templates and more from Destination Wedding & Elopement Photographer Stephanie Marie.

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage

03:14 Embracing Authenticity: From Posed to Artistic Wedding Photography

13:35 From Fear to Possibility: Transforming the Creative Process

16:30 Shooting Details Like Portraits: Unleashing Creativity in Wedding Photography

23:20 The Importance of Being a Human First in Photography

23:47 Discovering a New Approach to Wedding Photography

25:14 Gaining Confidence in Your Work

26:13 The Impactful Question That Changed Everything

29:40 Embracing Your Uniqueness and Attracting the Right Clients

30:38 The Value of Shooting for Free

34:04 Setting Your Own Price Based on Uniqueness

36:01 Creating a Positive Experience for Couples

38:21 The Importance of Capturing the Experience

44:08 Believing in Abundance in the Industry

46:34 Taking Responsibility for Success

As Top Shooter on Second Society, Jake Kazakevich shares the exact blueprint on how he's made upwards of $30,000 in the past year on Second Society. His main focus has always been investing in building relationships and networking which has led to valuable opportunities in the wedding industry, even when the gigs didn't pay well.

Check out Jake's Wedding Films

Are you on Second Society yet? Join the thousands of wedding filmmakers & photographers

www.SecondSociety.io

Sign up for a Free Account or

Use code PODCAST30 for 30% off Pro Monthly Memberships!

Download our Guide to becoming the Top 1% of lead and second shooters.

https://bit.ly/top_secondsociety

Find the best wedding inquiry guides, welcome guides, email templates and more from Destination Wedding & Elopement Photographer Stephanie Marie.

https://bit.ly/43UaNkS

Introduction and Background

02:11 The Influence of Music on Video Editing

04:40 The Journey of Continuous Learning

07:05 Job Opportunities on Second Society

09:28 The Value of Collaborating with Photographers on Second Society

11:55 The Benefits of Building Relationships within the Second Society Community

13:56 High-Paying Gigs

15:09 Building a Network

15:44 The Return on Relationship Investment

16:13 The Worth of Platforms

17:26 The Impact of High-Quality Footage on a Portfolio

17:41 Navigating the Competitive Landscape

18:51 Delivering Excellent Results for More Opportunities

Josh Helton from A Little Long Distance seems to have broken every rule in the rule book when it comes to be a top wedding videographer in the industry.

He's been able to tap into creative storytelling unlike any other filmmaker I know and has achieved national recognition for his brand. His success has allowed him to tap into a work life balance that I think so many of us desire and yet have a hard time actually achieving.

I hope this podcast is an inspiration to look deep inside and find what makes you truly you. Find how you can add indescribable value to your couples enabling your name and brand to take you where you want to go. For Josh, that's a 36 acre farm outside of Nashville and plenty of time with his family.

Our conversation highlights the value of staying true to oneself and creating films that reflect personal values and priorities.

Check out Josh's work

http://alittlelongdistance.com

Are you on Second Society yet? Join the thousands of wedding filmmakers & photographers.

www.SecondSociety.io

Sign up for a Free Account or

Use code PODCAST30 for 30% off Pro memberships!

Download our Guide to becoming the Top 1% of lead and second shooters.

Find the best wedding inquiry guides, welcome guides, email templates and more from Destination Wedding & Elopement Photographer Stephanie Marie.

https://bit.ly/43UaNkS

00:00 Introduction and Overview

05:27 The Power of Storytelling in Wedding Films

14:24 Balancing Work and Personal Life in the Wedding Industry

29:25 The Appeal of a Slower Lifestyle and Open Spaces

35:25 Work-Life Balance and Priorities

Zack Schomp an incredible wedding photographer in Northern California shares his journey from music to photography and his experience as a second shooter. He emphasizes the importance of choosing happiness and creativity over money and trends in the wedding industry.

Zack has had the pleasure of working alongside world renowned photographers like Nirav Patel & Gretchen Gause. With his extensive experience, he discusses the love he finds in being a second shooter and the importance of being responsive and finding unique shots.

He shares insights on progressing from a second shooter to a lead shooter and navigating the luxury wedding market; however, finds so much joy in working as a team and seeing the whole collection of a wedding a huge joy.

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:20 Transitioning from Music to Photography

03:37 Challenges Faced During the Pandemic

04:57 The Importance of Choosing Happiness and Creativity

06:23 The Role of a Second Shooter

07:58 Finding Joy in Being Part of a Team

09:25 Choosing Happiness and Creativity Over External Factors

11:23 Being Present and Responding in the Moment

12:46 Taking Unique Shots as a Second Shooter

15:37 Overcoming Awkwardness as a Second Shooter

20:30 Favorite Wedding Experience

21:46 Process of Booking Clients

24:07 Pursuing Creativity and Happiness

25:04 Conclusion

In this episode, David emphasizes the value of friendship and the role it plays in successful second shooting. The conversation also delves into creating a portfolio as a second shooter and building a sustainable career in the industry. We share insights on finding purpose beyond money and success, investing in savings, and outsourcing to manage time effectively.

Learn how to build a sustainable wedding business here!

https://bit.ly/49YcEaK

Are you on Second Society yet? Join the thousands of wedding filmmakers & photographers.

www.SecondSociety.io

Sign up for a Free Account or

Use code PODCAST30 for 30% off Pro memberships!

Download our Guide to becoming the Top 1% of lead and second shooters.

https://bit.ly/top_secondsociety

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast

01:18 The Importance of Second Shooters

05:40 Developing Skills as a Second Shooter

08:24 The Role of Friendship in Second Shooting

09:22 Matching Style and Dressing the Part

13:42 Creating a Portfolio as a Second Shooter

20:22 Finding Purpose Beyond Money and Success

28:50 Investing in Savings and Personal Growth

31:41 Outsourcing and Time Management

35:04 Trusting in God's Plan and Prioritizing Family

36:57 Overview of the Profitable Filmmaker Course

39:50 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

In this episode, Kelly and Taylor from the Level Up podcast discuss the transition from the mainstream wedding market to the luxury market.

We also talk about The Road To Luxury Workshop

A 3 day FREE Workshop for Wedding Filmmakers and Photographers

Sign up Here!

https://thelevelupco.com/workshop-secondsociety

Transitioning to the luxury market requires a shift in strategy and understanding of client expectations.

Presenting yourself professionally on the wedding day, including attire and demeanor, is crucial in the luxury market.

Curating your Instagram presence and showcasing your best work helps attract high-end clients.

Building relationships with wedding planners is essential for success in the luxury market.

Connecting with clients and telling their story can be achieved even without extensive pre-wedding consultations.

Join the thousands of wedding photographers and videographers who have already joined our community!

www.SecondSociety.io

Use code PODCAST30 for 30% off Pro memberships!

Download our Free Guide to becoming the Top 1% of lead and second shooters.

https://bit.ly/top_secondsociety

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:21 Difference Between Mainstream and Luxury Market

08:20 Benefits of the Luxury Market

13:47 Challenges and Strategies in the Luxury Market

25:21 Curating an Instagram Presence

27:45 Building Relationships with Wedding Planners

32:14 Connecting with Clients on the Wedding Day

38:12 Telling the Story in the Luxury Market

39:11 Free Workshop March 12-14

Irma Garcia, a wedding videographer from Newport Rhode Island, shares her journey and experiences in the industry. She discusses starting her business in 2019 and the challenges she faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Irma also talks about managing a team and the importance of balancing creativity with logistical tasks.

She highlights how Second Society helped her find a reliable second shooter for a wedding and build a relationship with other filmmakers.

Irma emphasizes the value of the platform and the trust it provides in finding the right fit for collaborations.

She expresses excitement for the future of Second Society and its potential to become a staple in the industry.

Some takeaways from the Episode!

1. Starting a wedding videography business requires perseverance and continuous learning.

2. Managing a team can be challenging, but finding the right balance between creativity and logistics is crucial.

3. Second Society provides a reliable platform for finding second shooters and building relationships with other filmmakers.

4. Filling out a detailed profile on Second Society increases trust and improves the chances of finding the right fit!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:22 Starting a Wedding Videography Business

02:21 Challenges and Successes in 2020 and 2021

03:20 Managing a Team and Balancing Creativity

04:16 Finding a Second Shooter on Second Society

06:35 The Benefits of Second Society

08:02 The Importance of Filling Out a Profile

09:26 Building Trust and Finding the Right Fit

10:52 Excitement for the Future of Second Society

11:11 Conclusion

Join the thousands of wedding photographers and videographers who have already joined our community!

www.SecondSociety.io

Use code PODCAST50 for 50% off Pro memberships!

Download our Free Guide to becoming the Top 1% of lead and second shooters.

Download Guide

Check out Irma's Work

www.EarthandSun.Co

Instagram: @earthandsun.co

In this episode, Brandon Johnson, a videographer and educator, shares his journey in the wedding industry and how he built a strong social media presence.

Join the thousands of wedding photographers and videographers who have already joined our community!

www.SecondSociety.io

Use code PODCAST50 for 50% off Pro memberships!

Check out Brandon's Work:

@novafilm.co

https://novafilmco.com

https://www.creativebeingsco.com