The Creative Freelancer

I'm thrilled to finally get the chance to speak with DP Shannon Palmer. Based out of New York by way of Baltimore (crabs cakes, football and DP's... am I right?) she shares her journey from athlete to DP. In this episode you'll find out her thoughts on film school, having a full time job and what steps she took in her career to make a name for herself as a DP not only in Baltimore but also NYC. If you're an aspiring or even a seasoned DP who feels stuck and not sure what the next step you should take is - this is the episode for you!

Philadelphia based Michelle Gustafson and I met during an assignment cover The Penn Relays. I was amazed at how naturally she struck up a conversation. Watching her work and approach people she had never met seemed to come so effortless to her. After following her on Instagram and seeing her reportage and portraiture, I had to know how she was able to reach out to complete strangers, walk into their house and put them at ease for portraits, especially with the topics she was covering including addiction, epidemics, immigration and other sensitive subjects.

As per the bio on her website:

"Her reportage and portraiture keenly reflects a curiosity and sensitivity towards her subjects, observing the intimate gestures and subtle interactions between them to tell a larger story of human connection and relativity."

Some of her clients include The New York Times, U.S. News and World Report, NPR, CNN and Bloomberg Business.

Our conversation starts in 2004 as she, a New Mexico native, decides on what college to attend. Over the next few years (and a few states later, she makes the jump to the east coast and shares with us in detail each step she took to building the career she has today.

It's our longest episode of the season but packed with inspiration to anyone looking to start fresh in a photography career or even a seasoned photographer looking to move to another market.

Michelle shares in-depth, step by step how she interacts with the subjects she photographs in their homes. This episode serves as a blueprint to what it takes to create a career in reportage and journalistic photography as well as some amazing gems dropped by Michelle that will light a fire of motivation to any seasoned photog.

If you have been trying to "make it" as a photographer and wonder "Am I on the right path?" this episode is for you!

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A quick shoutout to this episode’s sponsor, Think Tank.

Flashback to 2015, I had just quit my full time job to create content for Gary Vaynerchuk’s personal trainer. I had to travel once a week into NYC with a laptop, lenses, camera, mic and headphones. I knew my current bag wasn’t going to cut it. After doing a ton of research I settled on the Think Thank Airport Essentials bag. I can’t begin to tell you how many miles I’ve walked around NYC with that bag on my back fully loaded with my gear. It’s super reliable, fits into overhead compartments and had been my go to bag for the last 6 years now. See the multiple ways you can arrange your gear by heading over to the Think Tank website.

New York City based Stylist Caitlin Dooley keeps Season 2 of The Creative Freelancer going strong. It's already our 23rd episode of this podcast and like all great things with the number #23, Caitlin delivers.

Ever wonder what a photographer should have lined up before dropping into that stylist's DM and asking them to work together on a personal project? We cover that in this episode. Caitlin also discusses the role of a stylist on set as well as what to do with the wardrobe before, during and after a shoot that'll make you finally realize that working with a stylist will make shoots with a wardrobe light years easier and yield a better image for your portfolio in the end.

As an industry expert, Caitlin talks about all the dos and don'ts for any aspiring stylists out there. She also shares memories from her first few jobs and how those tough lessons helped develop her process as a stylist. Near the end of the conversation Caitlin drops some knowledge about where the heck personal style should comes from.

If you enjoy this episode, please consider sending me a review at [email protected] or leaving a review in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or platform of your choice.

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A quick shoutout to this episode’s sponsor, Think Tank.

Flashback to 2015, I had just quit my full time job to create content for Gary Vaynerchuk’s personal trainer. I had to travel once a week into NYC with a laptop, lenses, camera, mic and headphones. I knew my current bag wasn’t going to cut it. After doing a ton of research I settled on the Think Thank Airport Essentials bag. I can’t begin to tell you how many miles I’ve walked around NYC with that bag on my back fully loaded with my gear. It’s super reliable, fits into overhead compartments and had been my go to bag for the last 6 years now. See the multiple ways you can arrange your gear by heading over to the Think Tank website.

Season 2 continues to roll along with Producer Elizabeth Collins. Elizabeth's company, CTRL E Content produces branded content and commercials for companies including UPS, Jersey Mike Subs, Nike, L.L. Bean and others.

In this conversation, we discuss the top 3 mistakes Directors are making by self producing. We also talk about when is "the right" time to consider reaching out to a producer. Is it dictated by budget? Experience?

Elizabeth also shares what she views the relationship between a Director and Producer looks like on a project.

As a director who's self produced projects and was seeing the budgets and demand continue to grow, working with Elizabeth was a true pleasure. It helped having a professional discuss the details of budget directly with the client and keep the client demands within scope in the budget.

If this sounds like the episode for you, tap that play button below and enjoy this conversation with Elizabeth Collins.

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A quick shoutout to this episode’s sponsor, Think Tank.

Flashback to 2015, I had just quit my full time job to create content for Gary Vaynerchuk’s personal trainer. I had to travel once a week into NYC with a laptop, lenses, camera, mic and headphones. I knew my current bag wasn’t going to cut it. After doing a ton of research I settled on the Think Thank Airport Essentials bag. I can’t begin to tell you how many miles I’ve walked around NYC with that bag on my back fully loaded with my gear. It’s super reliable, fits into overhead compartments and had been my go to bag for the last 6 years now. See the multiple ways you can arrange your gear by heading over to the Think Tank website.

Continuing with our pattern of all female creatives for Season 2, photographer/director Emily Maye is our guest on this episode of The Creative Freelancer Podcast. Based in the US, represented worldwide, Emily's client roster is amazing and includes Adidas, The North Face, Rapha, Lululemon, Whoop, Trek, Tracksmith and the list goes on and on.

One this episode we discuss how an injury changed the trajectory of her career from professional ballet dancer to visual creative. We also discuss how a personal project of the Tour of Utah led to an opportunity to create images for a professional cycling team.

Emily does an amazing job of dropping wisdom throughout the episode and if you are paying attention, they will be of great value in your own career.

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A quick shoutout to this episode’s sponsor, Think Tank.

Flashback to 2015, I had just quit my full time job to create content for Gary Vaynerchuk’s personal trainer. I had to travel once a week into NYC with a laptop, lenses, camera, mic and headphones. I knew my current bag wasn’t going to cut it. After doing a ton of research I settled on the Think Thank Airport Essentials bag. I can’t begin to tell you how many miles I’ve walked around NYC with that bag on my back fully loaded with my gear. It’s super reliable, fits into overhead compartments and had been my go to bag for the last 6 years now. See the multiple ways you can arrange your gear by heading over to the Think Tank website.

Our guest on this week's podcast episode is Hearst Photo Director Amy Wolff. Amy oversees the photo departments for Runner's World, Bicycling and Popular Mechanics magazines. Last month I put out a question on my Instagram asking everyone "Who do you want to be a guest on The Creative Freelancer?" Amy Wolff was the collective request (alongside Emily Maye which will be the next episode).

In our conversation, we discuss the current role of a photo director in the magazine industry and how she sees that changing. We talk about the recent visual brand shift at the magazines and what was the driving force behind them and also tackle the question everyone was sliding into my DM's about, "How can I shoot for Runner's World Magazine??!!"

This episode is great for anyone looking to get on a magazine's photo editors radar and explains in detail how to do it the right way. Hint: You don't send nasty emails saying "I can't believe you hired that person instead of me!"

After the episode, please consider sharing it with someone who would benefit from hearing this conversation. While you're at it, leave a review and let me know about via DM and I'll enter you into this month's giveaway for Think Tank swag.

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A quick shoutout to this episode's sponsor, Think Tank.

Flashback to 2015, I had just quit my full time job to create content for Gary Vaynerchuk’s personal trainer. I had to travel once a week into NYC with a laptop, lenses, camera, mic and headphones. I knew my current bag wasn’t going to cut it. After doing a ton of research I settled on the Think Thank Airport Essentials bag. I can’t begin to tell you how many miles I’ve walked around NYC with that bag on my back fully loaded with my gear. It’s super reliable, fits into overhead compartments and had been my go to bag for the last 6 years now. See the multiple ways you can arrange your gear by heading over to the Think Tank website.

Listen to Amy WolffClick here to play Full Episode

If there was ever a period in photography where there was room for experiment and diversifying yourself it's now "

Podcast Show NotesLinks to everything Amy mentioned

Links to Dopeness Road Runner Burrito Bag

Connect with Amy @viewsfromthewolffdenWebsite

People to Follow @shalaneflanagan

Welcome back to Season 2 of The Creative Freelancer, I'm your host David Bracetty and on this episode, our guest is D.C. based writer and director Daniel Anastasion. I first discovered Daniele's work on I am Yupik, a short film about a native Alaskan teenager's quest to preserve his culture, premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. Her first feature, The Redemption of General Butt Naked received the Sundance award for Best Cinematography and was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. She also is the director behind Run Mama Run an episodic series that follows Olympic hopeful Sarah Brown as they trains for the Olympic Trials while pregnant.

We recently sat down to discuss her process as it relates to directing, her need to tell these stories and the importance of relationships coming up in the film industry.

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A quick shoutout to this episodes sponsor, Think Tank.

Flashback to 2013, I had just quit my full time job to create content for Gary Vaynerchuk's personal trainer. I had to travel once a week into NYC with a laptop, lenses, camera, mic and headphones. I knew my current bag wasn't going to cut it. After doing a ton of research I settled on the Think Thank Airport Essentials bag. I can't begin to tell you how many miles I've walked around NYC with that bag on my back fully loaded with my gear. It's super reliable, fits into overhead compartments and had been my go to bag for the last 6 years now. See the multiple ways you can arrange your gear by heading over to the Think Tank website.

Welcome fellow photographers to another hot one! On this podcast episode we feature Louisville based commercial and editorial photographer Clay Cook. I was on Instagram an saw that he just recently teamed up with Wonderful Machine and Mullenberg Designs to print and produce his first official looking print portfolio. This obviously leads me to question how did he find work before this portfolio? I also ask questions like what has been the biggest win for him in marketing himself and securing paying clients. Clay also mentions how his role as an educator/ influencer comes into play and how one should go about earning a sponsorship. This is a great resource for anyone looking to print their first professional portfolio and gives insight as to the timeline, cost and what to expect.

Listen to Clay CookClick to Hear Full Episode

What you will learn 3:28 What did you have in place before you new print portfolio? The problem with good enough5:32 How do you get your portfolio to “bounce around”? Forming Strategic Relationships8:00 Confidence to share your work10:57 How did you get work without portfolio? Advice for finding work without a print portfolio.12:21 Growing beyond the local market14:49 Marketing Strategy16:00 How does you being an educator factor into your marketing?19:13  Details of first sponsorship 22:02 How did Agency Access help you?26:49 What was it like turning over every photo you’ve ever shot27:49 Surprise of opening up first edit29:49 What it means vs how it looks31:55 Printing/ binding of print portfolio34:17 Determining the size of portfolio 36:04 Overall cost of new portfolio38:00 Are you happy with the print portfolio?40:28 Name something you don’t need as a photographer to succeed,44:36 How important is a social following?47:40 What upcoming events you have coming up?!

Show Links Clay Cook PortfolioClay Cook InstagramWonderful MachineMullenberg DesignsWolf PrintsFOUND Photoplus ExpoCreative LiveFStoppers Tutorial

Clay Cook Quotes “I go through these phases where I don’t like anything.”"Sponsorships don’t happen overnight, it’s definitely something that happens over years."“You’ve got to consider who’s looking at this portfolio”"Subject matter plays #1 in photographers. What it means vs how it looks.""Now I prefer imagery that speaks to me rather than looks good.

Seattle born Zoe Rain has already accomplished a lot in her young, creative career. By the age of 20, she was touring the world with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis as their official photographer. The list of artists she's worked with include Lorde, Chance the Rapper, Ed Sheeran, Miley Cyrus and more. Now based in Chicago, Zoe lives in the same studio where she shoots editorial covers and personal projects in her dream loft/studio setup.

In our convo, Zoe and I discuss the importance of establishing connections and how she handles herself on tour, on set and what this experience has been like for her so far. She shares artists she was starstruck by, what's in her DM's and answer some of aspiring concert photographer's questions. I hope you enjoy this episode Zoe Rain as much as I did.

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Zoe Rain Quotes “It’s so cliche but those are the moments under high stress that you’re going to figure it out.”“It was a really good avenue looking back. It really taught me how to shoot in harsh conditions. Like very contrasted or dark light with fast movement with unpredictable people with crowds and loud noises and having to climb over things to get shots.  Its kinda like a field guide to shooting.““I got to shoot portraits of Ed Sheeran those are things that are very lucky situations and moments I was lucky to be in an I feel like I happen to keep being in those situations"“And also being super supportive online and voicing constantly saying the nicest things and after certain point you either have to believe it or continue to say “nah, nah, I'm shitty”"I try to be a very humble person and take everything into perspective so I'm always going to be super critical of myself but the support’s been helpful for that negative voice in my head."“I wanted work with dolphins but thank God I didn’t because Seaworld is horrible”“It’s a combination of luck and hard work of course”“It’s not a natural thing to be a celebrity”“I don’t want to be forgettable by the work that they see my do.”"The only seperation between people that people that make it and the people that don't I feel is the people give up, get discouraged and stop shooting. The ones that stick around and fight through it; You're gonna eventually make it get better and figure it out." 

“My number one goal is to make people look beautiful, no matter what”

What you'll learn 2:20- How Zoe learned to shoot3:24- Getting her foot in the door6:00- Where Zoe found confidence early in her career7:06 Growing as a photographer9:00 Zoe's approach to assignments11:20 Growing up13:07 Making a connection15:06 Mistakes aspiring concert photographers make18:17 Staying positive and making $$$23:22 Marketing and finding work25:00 Looking back at old work26:26 On getting a studio28:57 Planned vs organic poses30:00 Connecting with talent 33:20 Updating Website and Instagram34:59 On Shooting Music Videos38:57 Starstuck42:14  DM's on Instagram44:32 Upgrading you camera45:40 Finding Inspiration47:15 What's next?48:19 Zoe's latest work  

Links 'n Stuff Zoe's WebsiteZoe Rain InstagramThe Rain Studio | ChicagoMacklemore InstagramRyan Lewis InstagramWolf Prints

Philip Hayes is a UK based commercial and advertising sports + lifestyle photographer... a pretty damn good one. Only 30, Philip somehow managed to compress 20 years worth of assisting, retouching, digi teching for others and signing with an Agency in the span of 10 years. As mentioned in our podcast together, "I was the guy that was in at 8am every morning and 8 am every night, working 20 hrs on the weekend and doing what I needed to get done in the evenings.”

He straight hustled his face off for years, worked with what he had and hasn't stopped since then.  Please listen all the way until the end as Philip Haynes unloads his wisdom, career experiences and outlines some valuable lessons he's learned along the way. Get ready for the fire on this podcast interview with Philip Haynes.

Timestamps 3:10- How did you get your first interests in photography5:03- How long did that DIY phase last and what kind of results were you getting?9:42- How did you tackle having diversified interests within photography?18:00- What did you transition look like from when you were shooting with DIY gear to having a portfolio you felt was worth sharing?21:27- Are those the projects that built your first book?29:43- Confidence37:15- What is Deng Camp and how did you get involved?45:00 What’s next?

Show Links http://www.philiphaynes.com http://www.nua.ac.ukhttp://www.peterbaileyproductions.com/NY/https://www.the-aop.org/awards/the-photography-awards-2016/home http://chasejarvis.com http://strobist.blogspot.com http://www.rachellsmith.com/home/slider/ http://www.carlosserrao.com https://www.timtadder.com http://www.modelmayhem.com 

Phil Haynes Quotes “I was the guy that was in at 8am every morning and 8 am every night, working 20 hrs on the weekend and doing what I needed to get done in the evenings.”“There is no guarantee is there?  You go to university. It doesn’t mean you’re gonna have a job, let alone a job in your study.”“I made snoots, I made grids out of black straws, I made a ring flash.. I just hacked my way through things just to make pictures.”“So I had to learn to retouch through trial and error”“But soon realized nothing happens for you just because your good at University.”“From collecting dry-cleaning, to their archival system to what lunch they prefer to eat. For two years I was paid a horrible wage but was gifted an opportunity.” “My fiancé at the time was working weekends in retail so I decided I was going to do a test on Saturday and a test on Sunday. I did that every weekend for 6 months”“And I didn’t get it which was a massive kick in the bits but these things come and go.”“My mantra is, there’s more than enough work to go around.” 30:32“I wanna keep meeting whacky people that can do things that I can’t. That can help me interpret my own work in different ways and that I can help them interpret their own work in different ways.”“Life is too short no to enjoy what you are doing ”