There are shoots where everything clicks.

The light is magic. The client is chill. The work feels effortless.

This episode isn’t about those.

Instead, we’re going into the plumbing.

Literally.

From overflowing toilets in luxury villas to Fortune 500 invoice purgatory, from last-minute gear fails to moments that remind you why you ever picked up a camera in the first place — this one’s for every photographer (and creative) who’s quietly asked themselves:

“Wait… is this really the job?”

Turns out? It is.

But maybe that’s not a bad thing.

Because hidden under the chaos, the duct tape, and the missed payments…

there’s still something worth fighting for. And sometimes, the most honest thing you can say is:

“This is the job I hate the least.”

And maybe that’s the most romantic thing you’ll ever say about your career.

🧰 Mentioned in this episode:

• Client disasters (featuring two Kyles, mushroom water, and sewage)
• Scope creep and hostage negotiation skills
• Invoice limbo with billion-dollar brands
• A failed choir shoot and a thousand-dollar mistake
• The shoot that broke your heart in the best way possible
• Why the photos are just the receipt

📬 Stay connected

If this episode made you feel seen, stolen from, or slightly less alone—

subscribe to The Terrible Newsletter:

👉 terriblephotographer.com

You’ll get Field Notes, updates, and the occasional nudge to keep going.

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It helps more misfit creatives find their way here.

And honestly, it just feels good to know someone’s listening.

Credits

Music in this episode is licensed through Epidemic Sound and Artlist.io.
Episode Photo by Gryffyn