#447 In today's episode of the podcast, I chat with product photographer Kelly Lawson about her journey from healthcare to photography, navigating the struggles of being a beginner, and unlocking the potential of photography to revolutionize her career and creative passions. We cover practical approaches for securing your first client, marketing, pricing, and understanding the psychology of photography.

THE BIG IDEAS

• Unlocking Your First Client:  Begin by showcasing your product photography, tag companies in your work, or offer free shoots for photo credits to secure your first client
• Business Savvy: Develop a diverse portfolio for product, lifestyle, and commercial photography. Choose pricing that covers expenses and leaves profit.
• Mastering Light and Angles: Understand and control light, use natural light, and optimize positioning to flatter the product in photography.
• Target Audience and Emotions: Focus on appealing to the target demographic in commercial photography and convey emotions and perspectives in product photos using camera angles.

Resources:
Follow Kelly on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kellyslawson/
Check out Kelly's Website - https://kellylawson.ca/

Watch the Free Maximizing Mini Sessions Video training and start earning money with your camera!
https://beginnerphotopod.com/minis

Connect with Raymond!

• Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#446 In today's episode of the podcast, I chat with photographers Vanessa Joy, Daniel Norton, and Mary Fisk-Taylor at Imaging USA 2024 and  learn about their approach to staying creative in photography. You'll learn about cultivating genuine emotions in your photography, networking tips, and finding inspiration beyond the lens.

THE BIG IDEAS

1. Cultivate Genuine Emotions: Build connections and capture authentic emotions to create impactful and meaningful photographs.
2. Networking Tips: Learn the value of networking at photography events and how it can benefit your journey as a photographer.
3. Finding Inspiration: Discover the importance of seeking inspiration beyond photography to fuel your creativity.
4. Staying Creative: Explore ways to overcome creative ruts and stay inspired in the art of photography.

Resources:
Follow Vanessa Joy on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@VanessaJoy
Follow Daniel Norton on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@DanielNortonPhotographer
Follow Mary Fisk-Taylors on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/maryfisktaylor/

Watch the Free Maximizing Mini Sessions Video training and start earning money with your camera!
https://beginnerphotopod.com/minis

Connect with Raymond!

• Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#445 In todays episode of the podcast, I chat with underwater conservation photographer, Karim Iliya. Today you'll learn how photography can be a catalyst for conservation and an advocate for environmental awareness. As you listen, prepare to be transformed by a new perspective on the power of your photography.

THE BIG IDEAS

• Perspective: You'll learn that impactful photography goes beyond aesthetics, encouraging you to showcase the beauty and plight of nature and animals.
• Change: Embrace the responsibility to use your photography to evoke a love for nature, ultimately contributing to conservation efforts.
• Engagement: Understand that even as a beginner, you can contribute to conservation through your photography, changing how you perceive and portray nature.
• Adapting Technology: Recognize the potential for innovative VR technology in conservation storytelling and photography, pushing the boundaries of traditional methods.

Resources:
Follow Karim on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/karimiliya
Check out Karim's Website - https://karimiliya.com/about

Watch the Free Maximizing Mini Sessions Video training and start earning money with your camera!
https://beginnerphotopod.com/minis

Connect with Raymond!

• Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#444 In today's episode of the podcast, I chat with photographers Taylor Jackson, Taylor Brumfield, and Cris Duncan at Imaging USA 2024 hosted in Louisville. In this lightning round style interview we discuss finding motivation, networking, balancing passion and patience, and the value of self-care and personal connections in photography.

THE BIG IDEAS

1. Balance Passion with Patience: Prioritize building your resume and portfolio over following your passion initially, and be patient in pursuing your passion.
2. Value Personal Connections: Personal interaction is crucial for growth in photography – seek support and attend industry events for connection and learning.
3. Transform Challenges into Triumphs: Overcome creative ruts by engaging in non-photography-related creative activities and forming genuine relationships with subjects.
4. Effective Marketing through Networking: Networking is a key marketing strategy in photography. Building meaningful connections leads to referrals and repeat clients.

Resources:

• Follow Taylor Jackson on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCdYgwZvHnXO8nkRrWl-mfA
• Follow Taylor Brumfield on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taylorrbee
• Check out Cris Duncans Website - https://www.cjduncan.com/

Watch the Free Maximizing Mini Sessions Video training and start earning money with your camera!
https://beginnerphotopod.com/minis

Connect with Raymond!

• Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#443 In today's episode of the podcast, you'll learn how to capture the essence of winemaking through branding photography with Heather Daenitz. Discover how she focuses on storytelling, adapts to unexpected situations, and translates her passion into a successful photography business.

THE BIG IDEAS

• Adapt to Unexpected Situations: Learn how to be flexible and creative when faced with unforeseen challenges during a photoshoot.
• Finding Your Niche: Understand the importance of identifying and pursuing a photography niche that aligns with your passion.
• Business Development: Gain insights into building a successful photography business tailored to a specific industry or niche.
• Visual Storytelling: Explore the art of crafting compelling visual narratives through photography, capturing the spirit and emotion of winemaking.

Resources:
Follow Heather on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/craftandcluster
Check out Heathers Website - https://www.craftandcluster.com/

Watch the Free Maximizing Mini Sessions Video training and start earning money with your camera!
https://beginnerphotopod.com/minis

Connect with Raymond!

• Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#442 In today's episode of the podcast, you'll discover how to transform your photos from simple snapshots into compelling stories, learning the art of narrative photography and its power to add depth and emotion to your images.

THE BIG IDEAS

1. Storytelling Beyond the Frame: Understand that a photograph tells a part of a larger story, encouraging you to think beyond a single shot.
2. Essential Story Elements: Learn to identify and capture key story elements - character, setting, conflict, and resolution - in your photography.
3. Gear Minimalism: Discover the importance of using minimal gear to focus on storytelling, avoiding distraction and enhancing narrative depth.
4. Sequential Storytelling Mastery: Gain insights into selecting and sequencing images to create a cohesive and engaging visual narrative.

Resources:

• Join the Free and Private Beginner Photography Podcast Community - https://beginnerphotopod.com/group

Watch the Free Maximizing Mini Sessions Video training and start earning money with your camera!
https://beginnerphotopod.com/minis

Connect with Raymond!

• Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#441 In today's episode of the podcast, I chat with street photographer Donato Di Camillo. You'll gain a deeper understanding of photojournalism, visual storytelling, and human connections. You'll learn how to approach and capture diverse subjects, and how to use photography to give voices to those often unheard. You'll be inspired to tap into the human experience through your lens.

THE BIG IDEAS

• Embrace Emotional Connection: Connect with people, understand their stories, and capture genuine emotions in your photos.
• Authenticity Over Categories: Let go of labels and categories and focus on capturing images that resonate with your emotions and experiences.
• Establish Trust: Build trust with your subjects to capture their authentic selves and create compelling portraits.
• Use Photography to Share Stories: Recognize the power of photography in giving voice to diverse and often marginalized narratives, and use your work to bring awareness to important and powerful stories.

Resources:
Follow Donato on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/donato_dicamillo/

Watch the Free Maximizing Mini Sessions Video training and start earning money with your camera!
https://beginnerphotopod.com/minis

Connect with Raymond!

• Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#440 In today's episode of the podcast, I chat with landscape photographer and podcast host Matt Payne about his 35 day 520 mile hike on the Colorado Trail. You'll learn how to capture real, authentic moments in nature. Discover how to differentiate yourself, trust your instincts, and find inspiration without copying others. 

THE BIG IDEAS

• Be Authentic: Learn how to capture real moments and represent the true experience through your photography.
• Trust Your Instincts: Embrace your unique style and experiment fearlessly to improve your work.
• Find Inspiration Everywhere: Look beyond your genre and incorporate elements from other photographers' work without copying them.

Resources:
Follow Matt on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mattpaynephoto
Listen to Matts Landscape Photography Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/fstopcollaborate
Visit Matts Website - https://www.mattpaynephotography.com/

Watch the Free Maximizing Mini Sessions Video training and start earning money with your camera!
https://beginnerphotopod.com/minis

Connect with Raymond!

• Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#439 In today's episode of the podcast, you'll discover the transformative power of personal and professional growth. You'll learn the importance of investing in yourself, supporting your clients, and finding balance in your photography journey.

THE BIG IDEAS

• Prioritize the Couple: Support the couple on their wedding day to capture genuine emotions.
• Continuous Growth: Emphasize the ongoing benefits of investing in photography education and business tools.
• Work-Life Balance: Plan and enjoy life outside of photography to maintain creativity and fulfillment.
• Business Success: Focus on consistently delivering high-quality work and investing in essential tools.

Watch the Free Maximizing Mini Sessions Video training and start earning money with your camera!
https://beginnerphotopod.com/minis

Connect with Raymond!

• Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#438 In today's episode of the podcast, I chat with photographer, film maker, and curator of the popular Eye Mama Project, Karni Arieli. You'll learn how she challenged misconceptions with photography. You'll discover the transformational power of storytelling and the impact of curating authentic, inclusive images. Through honest communication and collaboration, you'll realize the value of your art in changing perspectives.

THE BIG IDEAS

• Embracing Realism: Capturing the duality of moments in motherhood, from joy to hardships, to create raw and honest stories.
• Global Representation: Curating a diverse and inclusive portrayal of motherhood, embracing all caregivers and photographers.
• Self-Reflection: Recognizing the significance of injecting your perspective into every photo and connecting with your audience.
• Overcoming Challenges: Understanding the process of curating a meaningful photography project and book, and finding the courage to push the limits.
• Artistic Growth: Exploring the therapeutic and inclusive nature of photography, and the potential for personal and collective transformation.

Resources:
Buy Karni's Book Eye Mama - https://amzn.to/3TSByU1
Check out the Eye Mama project Website - www.eyemamaproject.com
Follow the Eye Mama Project on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/eyemamaproject

Watch the Free Maximizing Mini Sessions Video training and start earning money with your camera!
https://beginnerphotopod.com/minis

Connect with Raymond!

• Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!