The Beginner Photography Podcast

By Raymond HatfieldEducation Arts Leisure How To Visual Arts Hobbies

The Beginner Photography Podcast episodes

March 21, 2023A Photographers Journey to Preserve the Natural World with Harry Skeggs
#356 This podcast follows Harry Skeggs, a fine art wildlife photographer, to discuss the impact and importance of photography in preserving the world. He motivates listeners to take a tool in their hands to influence the world and bring awareness to issues near and far. He shares his story of not knowing the value of photography until he was forced to have time for himself due to an accident, and ended up winning runner-up in a Nat Geo Photography of the Year competition.
The Big Ideas with Timestamps
00:03:09 Learn art to take better photos.
00:11:43 Animals are family members.
00:13:39 Follow your passion.
00:22:52 Tell a story before taking photos.
00:27:00 Protect animals we love.
00:30:06 Wildlife conservation is essential.
00:39:03 Make mistakes to improve photography.
00:43:15 Be the change you want.
Resources:
Fine Art Wildlife Photographer Harry Skegg’s website
Follow Harry on Instagram
Join The Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook Community
Sign up for your free CloudSpot account to deliver beautiful images galleries today
Free Lightroom Presets!
Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com

Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com
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!
42 min
March 16, 2023Conquer the Learning Curve in Photography with Heather Lahtinen
#355 On this episode, I interview photographer and educator Heather Lahtinen about how to tackle the feelings of overwhelm that come with learning photography. Heather explains how she became an unintentional wedding photographer and eventually made the transition to going full-time.

THE BIG IDEAS
Overwhelm Is a Choice: Feeling overwhelmed is normal, but it’s often a self-imposed barrier. Flip the narrative—view challenges as exciting adventures, not obstacles.
Progress Over Perfection: You don’t have to be the best from the start. Commit to improving just a little each week and focus on your journey, not comparison.
Action Beats Fear: Waiting until you’re “ready” and free of doubt will only hold you back. Growth comes from shooting, learning, and saying yes before you’re comfortable.
Your Value Goes Beyond Gear: Clients value the connection and experience you offer, not just technical perfection. Confidence and authenticity resonate more than perfect images.

Resources:
The Flourish Academy
The Flourish Academy on Instagram
Flourish Academy Episode 73: How to deal with imposter syndrome
Heathers Free Pricing guide for photographers
Join The Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook Community
Sign up for your free CloudSpot account to deliver beautiful images galleries today
Free Lightroom Presets!
Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com

Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com
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!
1 hr 14 min
March 14, 2023Shooting Everyday for Creativity with Anja Poehlmann
#354 On this episode of the Beginner Photography Podcast, host Raymond Hatfield interviews Anja Poehlmann, a documentary family life photographer. They discuss how shooting every day can affect both creativity and personality. Anja also shares how digital cameras have made shooting easier since she moved to Hawaii for a 6-month internship. She created a website as a way to document her life in her new home and was inspired to start shooting photography as a career.

THE BIG IDEAS
Celebrate Authentic Moments: Capturing genuine, everyday experiences creates meaningful photos that reflect real life—not just posed perfection.
Embrace Imperfection: Accept clutter, chaos, and less-than-ideal lighting as part of your story. These imperfections often reveal true emotion and connection.
Commit to Daily Creativity: Practicing photography every day, even in tough conditions, builds discipline, confidence, and creative problem-solving.
Guide Your Perspective with Intention: Ask yourself (and your subjects) what moments are truly valuable to document, then use your unique viewpoint to create images that matter.

Resources:
Brighton Family Photographer Anja Poehlmann’s website
Follow Anja on Instagram
Join The Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook Community
Sign up for your free CloudSpot account to deliver beautiful images galleries today
Free Lightroom Presets!
Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com

Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com
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!
55 min
March 07, 2023Manifesto Pt2 - To Be Half Way Decent at Photography You Must Dedicate All Of Your Time To It
#352 Today I cover Photography Manifesto Rule #2, To Be A Half Way Decent Photographer You Must Dedicate All of Your Available Time To It. That this does not mean focusing on it 24/7, instead I urge you to keep a photographical eye on in-between moments.
THE BIG IDEAS
Story and Emotion Matter Most: Great photos are built on the ability to convey stories and emotions, not just technical perfection.
Dedicate Attention, Not Just Time: You grow as a photographer by consciously looking for moments, light, and composition in daily life—even without a camera in hand.
Tools Are Just Tools: Mastering your camera settings is valuable, but true artistry comes from seeing creatively and telling stories.
Critically Engage with Photography: Evaluating both your own and others’ photos deepens your understanding and improves your skills.
Resources:
Listen to the full Photography Manifesto Episode, BPP 334
Join The Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook Community
Sign up for your free CloudSpot account to deliver beautiful images galleries today
Free Lightroom Presets!
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!
25 min
March 02, 2023Gain Wisdom Through Mistakes In Photography
#351 In this episode I delve deep into the importance of making mistakes and how it can help photographers develop their skills faster. I share how Huy Nguyen, one of the most talented wedding photographers shares his wisdom surrounding the knowledge vs wisdom paradigm and learning through practical experience. Through this, Raymond tries to encourage listeners to take risks, make mistakes and not be afraid in order to elevate their photography and understanding of the craft.
THE BIG IDEAS
Mistakes Fuel Growth: Every error teaches a lesson that knowledge alone can’t provide; real learning comes from doing and adjusting after setbacks.
Perfection Isn’t the Goal: Even the most seasoned professionals expect things to go wrong. Chasing perfection only creates fear and stunts progress.
Experience Beats Theory: Practical, hands-on shooting will teach you more than endless hours of tutorials ever could. Wisdom is earned, not downloaded.
Reflect and Share: Owning your missteps and discussing them with others accelerates improvement and builds community with fellow photographers.
Resources:
Join The Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook Community
Sign up for your free CloudSpot account to deliver beautiful images galleries today
Free Lightroom Presets!
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!
20 min
February 28, 2023Food Photography Secrets: Plating Up Art with Mica McCook
#350 Mica McCook is an Austin based food photographer. Mica recollects her journey to becoming a photographer which had begun in 2015 when her then-boyfriend encouraged her to take up photography as a business. On receiving payment from her first gig, she realized she could turn it into a career. Mica shares how she began her journey as a photographer by experimenting with different types of photography, and eventually landed on food photography. Mica believes that light is an important element of her work and uses it to create dramatic photos.
The Big Takeaways
You can be a photographer.
Start with a passion.
Develop emotional sensitivity.
Learn the rules to break them.
Bring life to still images.
Try the thing.
Light and shadows create art.
Prepare before shooting.
Give yourself permission to fail.
Resources:
Check out Austin Food Photographer Mica McCook’s website
Listen to the Savory Shot Podcast
Follow Mica on Instagram
Join The Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook Community
Sign up for your free CloudSpot account to deliver beautiful images galleries today
Free Lightroom Presets!
Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com

Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com
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!
56 min
February 23, 2023Photo Q&A - Photography: The More You Know, The Harder It Gets
#349 You have photo questions, I want to answer them for you here on the show.
Whenever you have a question about photography, day or night, 24 hours a day 7 days a week, head to https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa , and send me your questions.
After shooting for more than a decade and interviewing 300+ world class photographers, its time to share some of that practical information with you!
Todays Photography Questions:
Can you market yourself as a weekday wedding photographer?
Can you use CloudSpot in Sweden?
What tips do you have for orginizing all of your photos from vatious locations into one place?
What to use, Lightroom or Lightroom Classic
How do you deal with imposter syndrome when the more you learn about photography the more critical you become
How can photographers earn money in a recession when luxury items are typicly the first expense cut.
Resources:
Ask your photography questions to get answered on the show!
Join The Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook Community
Sign up for your free CloudSpot account to deliver beautiful images galleries today
Free Lightroom Presets!
Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com
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!
38 min
February 21, 2023Niching Down and Exceeding Expectations with Unforgettable Harry Potter Weddings with Gary Pope
#348 Gary Pope is a self-proclaimed Geeky Wedding Photographer. We discuss the importance of niching down when marketing yourself and why it’s important to find the right audience in order to better align with your goals. Gary shares his story of learning how to use his camera for YouTube videos and taking photos for a whole year before he realized he loved wedding photography.
THE BIG IDEAS
Find your niche and stand out
Always keep learning
Pay attention to guests
Find a way to stand out
Be a friend with a camera
Serve clients with care
Be polarizing and unique
Be true to your niche
Passion draws people in
Be creative and realistic
Plan ahead for photos
Enjoy your niche passion
Know your worth
Resources:
Check out Geeky Wedding Photographer Gary Pope’s Website
Follow Gary on Instagram
Join The Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook Community
Sign up for your free CloudSpot account to deliver beautiful images galleries today
Free Lightroom Presets!
Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com

Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com
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!
1 hr 5 min
February 16, 2023A Photographic Journey of Determination with Stephanie Robinson
#347 Stephanie Robinson is a Denver-based wedding and elopement photographer and a member of the Beginner Photography Podcast community. Growing up, Stephanie had an affinity for photography and was encouraged by her dad who, like her, was a photography enthusiast. After having her own Covid wedding, Stephanie decided to take the plunge into professional photography and left law school, where she was studying. Stephanie noted that with photography, her left brain and right brain are equally used, which is something she found satisfying and engaging.
Big Take Aways
Learned photography with engineering background
Work to capture authentic moments
Prioritize urgent projects first
Back up your data
Be confident and prepared
Authenticity is key
Build a sustainable business model
Invest in help for success
Track analytics to succeed
Resources:
Check out Denver wedding and elopement photographer Stephanie Robinson’s website
Follow Stephanie on Instagram
Follow Stephanie on TikTok
Join The Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook Group!
Sign up for your free CloudSpot account to deliver beautiful images galleries today
Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com

Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com
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!
51 min
February 14, 2023Getting Started with Birth Photography with Tavia Redburn
#346 Today we are chatting with birth photographer Tavia Redburn and we get real technical about what you need and what you need to know before shooting your first birth session! In this episode Tavia talks about how she got interested in photography and the experiences that led her to becoming a birth photographer. She teaches beginners the technical aspects of the craft and encourages them to practice as much as possible for better results.
Theres this phrase that says, you’re only an expert on something if you can explain it to a 5 year old and today, that is me, I may as well be a 5 year old with how little I know about birth photography and Tavia explains it as an expert and in a very pragmatic way that I know many of you will appreciate! She also host the From better half to boss podcast which is focused on the business side of photography but if you like Tavia’s teaching style here today, be sure to check out her podcast as well!

The Big Ideas
Learn to use the tools you have.
Capture special moments.
Control camera settings to capture vision.
Capture moments authentically.
Look for small details.
Communicate expectations clearly.
Embrace the grain in low light.
Control light with flash.

Timestamps
00:05:17 Learn to use ingredients available.
00:10:05 Photograph Anything and Everything.
00:17:51 Adding a family member through birth.
00:24:20 Control your camera for best results.
00:25:11 Capture moments as they happen.
00:31:20 Capture meaningful moments.
00:40:25 Communicate non-negotiables upfront.
00:47:47 Embrace the grain in birth photography.
00:50:05 Control your light with flash.

Resources:
Tavia Redburn’s birth photography education website
Follow Tavia on Instagram
Join The Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook Community
Sign up for your free CloudSpot account to deliver beautiful images galleries today
Free Lightroom Presets!
Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com

Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com
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!
51 min

About The Beginner Photography Podcast

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The Beginner Photography Podcast is a free weekly podcast hosted by professional photographer Raymond Hatfield who interviews world class photographers of all genres who share what they wish they knew…