The ARC Creative Podcast: Educating + Inspiring Creatives to Excel as Artists, Entrepreneurs & Humans.

A couple of years ago, Cam MacDougall went on an epic ride of 4,350km through the mountains of Banff all the way to Mexico in 30 days. The trail is called The Great Divide and it's one of the world's longest off-road mountain bike trails. Yet, this wasn't just a physical challenge for Cam, it was a practice in spirituality.

Interview Host: Sachin Khona // November 2020 Listening time: 49 mins

Cam MacDougall is an International High-Performance Coach based out of Toronto, CA and Bali, Indonesia. When talking to him, he naturally ebbs and flows between physical and mental practices that set him and the people he works with up for success - and it's a balance of both.

In this episode:

• Dispelling and shedding the "bro" culture of fitness
• The importance of spiritual practice in physical fitness and Cam's One Mountain
• The power of mantras to fuel and guide you through challenging moments
• How your body has a "hidden code" that already knows what you need to do
• The importance of finding at least 5 minutes just for yourself a day
• How breath-work helps athletes achieve their goals

Quotes

3:21 - "Really tapping into [the] powers that spirituality can give you, it's what conventional fitness seems to miss."

10:08 - "To have people around you that believe in what you're doing and people that are going to take the torch when you can't carry it to let you recover, and then you take the torch when they can't carry it anymore is to really collaborate and do things as a unit."

11:45 - I've always used mantras in fitness, especially when I'm going into something really challenging or even just trying to stay consistent.

12:54 - My one mountain right now is my spiritual practice.

14:34 - I'm a firm believer that your body holds all the codes to what you are to do and what you truly want to do, and your mind just complicates the shit out of everything.

Photographer, avid chess player, adventurer, and co-founder of Pixellu and SmartAlbums, Daniel Usenko is no stranger to hardship. At the age of seven, Daniel and his family had to flee his birthplace in the former Soviet Union when a civil war broke out. Growing up displaced and poverty-stricken, Daniel lived for years in poverty until he eventually immigrated to the United States. He has since co-founded one of the most successful photo album building tools and created a new and creatively-fulfilling life for himself.

Daniel's path was never clear and easy, pandemic or not. Yet, he still finds ways to innovate in his work and craft, and he addresses how you can as well.

In this episode:

• The importance of empathy in times of hardship
• The importance of focusing on the practical ends of your photography business
• Why immersing yourself with business-minded people in different industries will help your business is important
• The power of failing
• Finding gratitude in the everyday

6:14 - "How my parents dealt with hardship [...] has really informed me on how I'm dealing with the current situation here."

11:50 - "My perspective of gratitude comes from an experience of poverty."

15:03 - "Difficulties make a better person."

23:21 - "The more you grow, the more you realize how much you don't know."

25:10 - "[The] number one step is for photographers to invest any time into business education and just running a business."

25:25 - "I know that as creatives, we don't want to deal with the business. We just want to buy filters and play with Lightroom and Photoshop all day long, but for your business, it is important to have a business education."

28:22 - "Simply being around people that are thinking business, it's going to already help for you to simply think business."

28:44 - "Whatever the issues other people are facing, by just listening to them and how they're thinking about their problems, it'll orient your mind toward thinking of yourself and your photography or whatever artist you are as a business as well."

39:27 - "If a photographer wants to become better, I definitely recommend film because you cannot rely on technology."

44:33 - "Find what to be grateful for in your life because you cannot change the circumstances around you."

LINKS:

Personal work: danielusenko.com

Pixellu website: pixellu.com

Personal IG: @danielusenko.film

Work IG: @smartalbums @smartslides

HOST: Sachin Khona

ARC: https://thisisarc.co

ARC Masterminds: SEO + Marketing

One of our two keynote speakers at the upcoming ARC Techniques is Benj Haisch, a wedding photographer, father, and teacher. Since shooting his first wedding in 2007 Benj has traveled the world shooting weddings and even spent some time as the Seattle Seahawks official photographer.

Benj is all about being intentional with your photographs, eliminating the conflict and ensuring that the message coming out of a moment is communicated in the work that you are doing. Benj's keynote presentation, Painting The Photo You Meant To Take, and his workshop, is all about imparting tips and tricks to help you brand yourself as a wedding photographer while taking great photos.

From weddings in Kenya to elopements in Istanbul, Benj loves diving into other cultures and subcultures through the camera and is passionate about sharing his knowledge on what he has learned along the way.

How do you work to be more intentional with your photography? Share your thoughts with us in the comments on the episode page.

In This Episode

• The importance of being as intentional as possible when shooting
• Examining how elopements have changed in concept and execution
• A look into balancing family, travel, education and photography
• How to know and communicate your own personal brand
• Practical tips for composing photos and keeping the focus on your subjects

Quotes

"I definitely have a passion for people and teaching and trying to help people through their processes." (9:00)

"I think a really cool part of this job is being able to just kind of jump into either a new culture or someone else's subculture." (11:20)

"In our work and in our photography, how can I make the moments that are happening and how can I be as prepared as possible and as intentional as possible to communicate whatever I am trying to get out of that photograph or whatever that photograph is speaking?" (21:38)

"My clients and I sort of started this entire genre, what we sort of dubbed adventure elopements. And ever since then I've been doing a ton of them." (27:00)

"I am just trying to impart as much of my knowledge and experience as I can." (32:29)

Links

Benj Haisch Website

Benj Haisch Backup YouTube Video

Experience ARC Techniques

Check out the full show notes page here

Keep up with everything ARC here

Follow ARC on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Sachin Khona

Follow Sachin on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Sara Rogers, Pardeep Singh, and Jan Keck are all about bringing different experiences and techniques to the upcoming ARC Techniques Experience.

Sara Rogers has been dedicated to making the shift to full-time wedding photography from her previous career in interior design and jumped in with two feet to find success and happiness waiting on the other end. Always interested in the business side of things, Sara is here to explain why money isn't a dirty word and help you gain insight into the psychology behind pricing, marketing and how to increase sales and value within your business.

Pardeep Singh believes that shooting weddings is a privilege and works to honor the traditions and customs of each individual wedding. Always equipped with a good cup of coffee in hand and ending the night on the dance floor, Pardeep is passionate about self-development, gaining life lessons through creative pursuits and observing how things are changing in the wedding industry.

Part of the World Domination Summit, Jan Keck is passionate about creating connections in new and exciting spaces. If you are attending ARC for the first time and are nervous about how to create meaningful and lasting connections with all the new friends you haven't met yet, Jan is here to provide tips and tricks to help you connect with other photographers as well as your subjects.

Who are you most excited to learn from at the upcoming ARC Techniques Experience? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section on the episode page!

In This Episode

• How to wrap your mind around the business side of the photography industry
• The importance of calculating your costs of doing business twice a year
• Why you should view shooting weddings as an honor and a privilege
• Exploring the rewarding moments of educating new photographers
• Discovering the power of vulnerability when creating new connections

Quotes

"Photography was always something that inspired me a lot more and something that I was really passionate about. So I kind of made it my goal to go full time." (6:16) – Sara

"The business side of photography has been something that from the very beginning I have been very interested in that side of the industry. So I am super interested in the psychology behind pricing and customer service and basically just marketing." (8:29) - Sara

"To be the photographer at a photographers conference, I was a little bit nervous at first, I will admit that. But it has actually been a great experience." (17:34) - Pardeep

"It's really important for us to remember as photographers, as documenters, as artists, as whatever, that it's kind of a privilege to be there, they are asking you to be part of your wedding." (19:18) – Pardeep

"When you attend an event by yourself and you don't know anyone, you just believe that all the strangers are just friends you haven't met yet." (34:15) - Jan

"In my presentation, I want to share some tips on how you can connect with your subjects. If it's for video or photo or anything else creative, when you are interviewing someone, you can connect with them before you even turn on the camera. Because I think that is the most important thing." (35:53) - Jan

Links

Experience ARC Techniques

NPPA Business Cost Calculator

Sara Rodgers Photography

Pardeep Singh Photography

Jan Keck's website

Check out the full show notes page here

Keep up with everything ARC here

Follow ARC on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Sachin Khona

Follow Sachin on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Sara Rogers, Pardeep Singh, and Jan Keck are all about bringing different experiences and techniques to the upcoming ARC Techniques Experience.

Sara Rogers has been dedicated to making the shift to full-time wedding photography from her previous career in interior design and jumped in with two feet to find success and happiness waiting on the other end. Always interested in the business side of things, Sara is here to explain why money isn't a dirty word and help you gain insight into the psychology behind pricing, marketing and how to increase sales and value within your business.

Pardeep Singh believes that shooting weddings is a privilege and works to honor the traditions and customs of each individual wedding. Always equipped with a good cup of coffee in hand and ending the night on the dance floor, Pardeep is passionate about self-development, gaining life lessons through creative pursuits and observing how things are changing in the wedding industry.

Part of the World Domination Summit, Jan Keck is passionate about creating connections in new and exciting spaces. If you are attending ARC for the first time and are nervous about how to create meaningful and lasting connections with all the new friends you haven't met yet, Jan is here to provide tips and tricks to help you connect with other photographers as well as your subjects.

Who are you most excited to learn from at the upcoming ARC Techniques Experience? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section on the episode page!

In This Episode

• How to wrap your mind around the business side of the photography industry
• The importance of calculating your costs of doing business twice a year
• Why you should view shooting weddings as an honor and a privilege
• Exploring the rewarding moments of educating new photographers
• Discovering the power of vulnerability when creating new connections

Quotes

"Photography was always something that inspired me a lot more and something that I was really passionate about. So I kind of made it my goal to go full time." (6:16) – Sara

"The business side of photography has been something that from the very beginning I have been very interested in that side of the industry. So I am super interested in the psychology behind pricing and customer service and basically just marketing." (8:29) - Sara

"To be the photographer at a photographers conference, I was a little bit nervous at first, I will admit that. But it has actually been a great experience." (17:34) - Pardeep

"It's really important for us to remember as photographers, as documenters, as artists, as whatever, that it's kind of a privilege to be there, they are asking you to be part of your wedding." (19:18) – Pardeep

"When you attend an event by yourself and you don't know anyone, you just believe that all the strangers are just friends you haven't met yet." (34:15) - Jan

"In my presentation, I want to share some tips on how you can connect with your subjects. If it's for video or photo or anything else creative, when you are interviewing someone, you can connect with them before you even turn on the camera. Because I think that is the most important thing." (35:53) - Jan

Links

Experience ARC Techniques

NPPA Business Cost Calculator

Sara Rodgers Photography

Pardeep Singh Photography

Jan Keck's website

Check out the full show notes page here

Keep up with everything ARC here

Follow ARC on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Sachin Khona

Follow Sachin on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

ARC is all about creating relationships and connections in the photography world and beyond, and today's guests, Mitchell and Sancia Toth and Amber Hughes are proof of that. This episode highlights the relationship between photographers and videographers, the importance of bringing joy back into your everyday life and why you shouldn't fear the flash.

A look into what you can expect from The Toth's and Amber's presentations and a chance to get to know our presenters before the upcoming ARC Techniques, this episode is one you cannot miss. If you want to learn how these masters keep things creative while balancing booming businesses then tune into this episode and get excited about the upcoming ARC techniques experience.

Do you have your ticket to experience ARC Techniques yet? Share which presentation you are most looking forward to in the comments on the episode page.

In This Episode

• Exploring the role of videography and photography in the wedding industry
• The importance of communication when dealing with your photographer or videographer
• Tips to design your schedule so that you do not crash and burn and always find the joy
• A look into the relationships and connections built at ARC despite geography
• How to get over your stress around flash both on and off the camera

Quotes

"Video, as it is now in the wedding industry, has not been as valued as photos, and that is disappointing for me personally as a photographer." (9:21)

"The presentation is pretty much going to be a little exercise in finding that joy, and I think one of my greatest desires is to kind of reignite that in creatives and people who maybe aren't entrepreneurs but are feeling like things are dull or monotonous or they have lost sight of why they are doing what they are doing." (16:23)

"We were kind of looking to build a relationship and build connections… people have still been so so supportive of us and our work even though we are not necessarily in the Vancouver community." (24:37)

"I became really passionate about teaching myself how to use flash properly off-camera as well as on and it is something I have really poured a lot of myself into." (28:50)

Links

Experience ARC Techniques

Amber Hughes Website

The Toth's Website

Check out the full show notes page here

Keep up with everything ARC here

Follow ARC on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Sachin Khona

Follow Sachin on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Samm Blake is one of the keynote speakers at the upcoming ARC Techniques workshop and is here today to share her wedding experience with us both behind the camera and as a bride. Sam moved from Australia to New York to pursue her ability to start over in a new place and has since found a passion for elopement photography as well as big weddings and reactive photography.

Today Samm is sharing a sneak peek into her upcoming techniques presentation, How to Stand Out in the Wedding Market, a unique look on how to market yourself in the modern wedding market of 2019/2020. Plus, she is providing tips on how to create a better client experience and opening up about the benefits of finding the right working relationships when it comes to representation.

If you want to learn how to kickstart your business and stay in it for a long time, the benefits of gaining confidence in your own unique photography style and want to know what it is like to train for the New York Marathon while planning a wedding, Samm is the girl you need to hear from.

An expert in reinventing yourself in a new market and making every client experience an amazing one, Samm is a wealth of knowledge that you don't want to miss. Have you got your tickets from the ARC Techniques Experience? Share what topic you are most intrigued to explore deeper in the comments on the episode page.

In This Episode

• Advice on how to build a representation connection and working relationship
• The importance of genuine networking when it comes to setting yourself apart
• How to not spend money on advertising through alternative marketing methods
• Explore the transition and connections between war zone photography and weddings
• A look into the gritty, human and non-perfect side of wedding photography

Quotes

"I always thought it was an issue that I wasn't a proactive photographer, and by teaching these workshops it kind of gave me peace in finding that actually my style is fine, and I am good at what I do, so I guess it gave me confidence in that too." (12:57)

"Something had to give in my business, I had to outsource something, and that was the easiest thing to outsource. And there are so many benefits that come with it." (21:19)

"We have the opportunity to give our clients a business class experience every time that they work with us, and not like a subpar experience." (30:05)

"I definitely prefer and enjoy the photojournalistic parts of a wedding day. Where it is all kind of chaotic and messy and actually capturing the behind the scenes side, the nonglamorous parts of weddings." (37:03)

Links

Experience ARC Techniques

Samm Blake Website

The Wedding Artists Collective

Max Pam Photography

Check out the full show notes page here

Keep up with everything ARC here

Follow ARC on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Sachin Khona

Follow Sachin on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

India Earl has been shooting weddings since the age of 15 and has become a master of turning intentions into goals. India values time, intimacy and realness which comes across in both her business mentality and photographs. A fun, intimate and real photographer, India is passionate about diversifying your portfolio and finding ways to stop wasting time.

If you are looking for ways to expand your revenue streams or outsourcing the mundane aspects of your work, India is here to provide tips and tricks to accomplish your goals. India believes that the more passion you are able to put into your work the more successful you will be and is sharing all of her nuggets of knowledge on this episode.

Everything from skydiving to finding your purpose is covered in this eye-opening interview with India. If you are looking to diversify your income streams, spark creativity or create a community, this is the episode for you.

How do you manage your time and ensure you are putting your passion above everything else? Share with us in the comments on the episode page.

In This Episode

• Ways to harness different income avenues and how to balance them properly
• Exploring the transition from full-time photographer to educator
• Signs that it is time for you to hire an assistant and start outsourcing your work
• Recommendations to help you when trying to find a mentor
• How to draw different creative ideas through community

Quotes

"Every day since then I have just been trying to slowly improve my photography business on its own so that it can be more of like a passion project where I sometimes get money versus depending on that for my income." (14:35)

"Ultimately my goal besides all the materialistic things is just to have time." (20:55)

"I get to diversify my business by showcasing other peoples talents and skills and it supports them which is really cool and it just honestly helps build a bigger community around me than I ever honestly would have imagined having." (31:44)

"I feel like I am kind of at the point where I have so many options of directions to go, I just don't know which direction to take a step into. And so its a really good problem to have." (41:24)

Links

India Earl Website

India Earl Education

Follow India on Instagram

Evernote Note Taking App

Jour: Guided Journaling App

You Are A Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero

Check out the full show notes page here

Keep up with everything ARC here

Follow ARC on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Sachin Khona

Follow Sachin on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

After struggling with issues of mental health and a learning disability, Christina Disler realized the power of having a supportive space for entrepreneurs and creatives to come together and be inspired by each other. So she created the Werklab here in Vancouver, BC to act as a spiritual and conscious coworking base for those looking to join a community.

Christina believes in the ability of vulnerability to act as a way to connect, create and innovate and has created a coworking space that preaches an agenda of mindfulness, meditation and slowing down.

Today we are exploring her journey of entrepreneurship, why she believes vulnerability and curiosity are the keys to success and ways to live a meaningful life by taking care of yourself. Christina was intentional with her vision for Werklab and puts the importance of human connection at the root of all of her innovation.

An episode all about tuning into yourself and the experiences of others, Christina is a prime example of the tremendous power of community. What intrigues you most about the Werklab holistic perspective? Share with us in the comments on the episode page.

In This Episode

• How to create connection and community over the shared human experience
• Why Christina wanted to have a supportive space in a male-dominated industry
• Practices to connect with yourself and take the next step in your career
• Ways Werklab stays unique in the competitive co-working space industry
• Simple acts for yourself to encourage curiosity and vulnerability

Quotes

"It was like seeking the prescription of what others were telling me versus listening to myself and getting really in tune with what lands true for me." (8:54)

"We are a community of freelancers, of sole proprietors, of business owners, of remote workers, that come together as a collective and work out of the same space." (18:58)

"By creating this space and this room to breathe and actually taking care of myself, I actually started to see things so much clearer. And that's when I really recognized that the space I created for myself I wanted to create for others in the physical sense." (26:44)

"We want to make the world of wellness more aligned with the world of business and our life purpose." (32:49)

"The lows will pass, but also the highs. That's just part of entrepreneurship, there will be a next day. And you will win an award and then what? Or you'll hit a goal and then what? Its all about being adaptive at being mindful in the moment and to enjoy the ride. Because that's really what it is, its a journey, it's not about any destination." (36:37)

Links

Werklab Website

Follow Werklab on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

A Mindful Way Through Depression

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

The Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz

The Artist's Way Morning Pages by Julia Cameron

Check out the full show notes page here

Keep up with everything ARC here

Follow ARC on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Sachin Khona

Follow Sachin on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

You may know Jonathan Canlas as the owner of The Find Lab, his film photography, or other various passion projects. Jon believes in the power of selling prints, quality over quantity, and getting back in touch with your 'why' behind photography.

Jon has had a 20-year career and is well versed in everything from business and marketing to curation, pricing, digital files, and throat punch images. Today Jon is here to let you into his world and provides tips on how you can sell more prints and become better at your business.

There is no longevity in your career until you have a voice and images that set you apart, and to Jon, the only way to do that is by pointing your camera at things that make you tick, not just pay the bills. Your images have the power to change the world if a print of JPEG is put in front of the right person, and it is only by bettering yourself as a photographer that you can find your voice and become part of something bigger than yourself and the business.

A source of inspiration, great quotes, and a no-bullshit attitude, Jon is a master to learn from and the key to utilizing your own unique access. What do you find most inspirational about Jon's perspective? Join the conversation in the comments on the episode page.

In This Episode

• The importance of stepping away and looking at your photos with fresh eyes
• Focusing on the power of walking away with a photo that is worth printing
• Why you should stop giving away your digital files and how to price accordingly
• How to start curating and deliver a few select photos instead of too many options
• Ways to unlock your potential and do more than what you are being paid for

Quotes

"I'm constantly trying to document now so that things aren't missed." (6:46)

"Watching a piece of paper that is blank, and you put it in its water, and within 10 seconds, boom! Like magic, there is an image. I don't know anyone in the world, I don't even care if you are into photography or not If I show that to you you're like 'Woah that's cool'." (12:45)

"I'm not in the business of being pretty, I am in the business of making money." (35:30)

"There's a reason I have been in business for 20 years. Its because I don't give away the farm, I'm not constantly running a marathon, running from client to client to 'get a drink'." (41:54)

"It's not our responsibility as photographers to archive for our clients online, for them to be able to just see it. I give it to you and it's your responsibility to do what you are going to do with it afterward. I am not a hosting service, I am a photographer." (44:18)

"If you want to be able to create images that are throat punchers, you have to know what you want to say. And you are not going to figure out what you want to say just by showing up to the same gig over and over again and just repeating it." (47:40)

Links

Jonathan Canlas Photography

theFINDlab Website

Find Meaning In A Box

Follow Jonathan on Instagram

ARC Techniques

Check out the full show notes page here

Keep up with everything ARC here

Follow ARC on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Sachin Khona

Follow Sachin on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter