What if the thing that built your career wasn’t your qualifications—but your grit?

In this brutally honest episode, I share how I went from a complicated, abusive childhood and academic overachievement to building a thriving creative business with zero formal training in my field.

I am unpacking:

• Why my 14 GCSEs and top A Levels never actually opened doors
• How trauma shaped my need to excel—and how I broke free
• The myth of “proper” qualifications in creative industries
• How self-taught creatives can build powerful careers without permission

Whether you’ve felt gatekept by education, been told you’re “not creative enough,” or are simply done waiting for the ‘right time’ to start—this episode is your sign to burn the rulebook.

You don’t need a degree to make noise. You need guts, Google, and the willingness to begin.

From ghosting weddings to turning up drunk, we're diving deep into the wildest real-life stories of photographers behaving badly. Join me as I react to documented horror stories (yep, even that one where a photographer shot the wrong wedding) in my classic no-BS, OMG-what-the-actual-hell tone. It’s chaos, it’s cathartic, and it’s your checklist for how not to end up as the next Reddit cautionary tale.

Tired of hearing the same old tips? “Post more!” “Niche down!” “Just charge your worth!” — Yeah, we’re calling BULLSH*T on most of it.

In this episode of The Loud Lens, I break down the most overhyped, useless, and damaging photography advice circulating in the creative world—and replaces it with practical, tested strategies that actually help you grow a real business.

You’ll learn:

• Why common tips like “just be consistent” don’t work
• How bad advice is keeping photographers broke
• What strategies DO work (based on real results)
• And why your blog isn’t ranking no matter how cute it is

🎧 Plus, I dish out truths from my own journey, my books, my YouTube channel, and The Loud Lens community—so you know this ain’t theory.

📚 Grab the books:
No One Fucking Cares… About Your Photography

🎥 Watch BTS + more: YouTube.com/@KhandiePhoto

🔗 Join the convo: What’s the worst advice you’ve ever been given as a photographer?

Photography has an influencer probleman d it’s time we talk about it.

In this episode of The Loud Lens, I’m diving into how influencer culture is slowly eroding trust in the photography industry. From fake BTS content and gear reviews with affiliate links to photographers who haven’t done a paid shoot in years telling you how to run your business… we’ve lost the f*cking plot.

I’m not here to cancel anyone—I’ve worked with brands too—but I am here to demand more honesty, more transparency, and a serious reset in how we value photographic work.

🎯 We cover:– The pressure to become a content creator instead of a photographer– Why gear hype and switch-ups are killing credibility– Real-life examples where influencer trust has broken down– What brands, creators, and you can do to make this better

If you’ve ever felt like the algorithm is more important than the image—you’re not alone. And you’re not crazy.

🔥 Let’s bring the craft back.

💬 Join the conversation in The Loud Lens Facebook group or DM me on Instagram @khandiePhoto

📱 Want to watch the video version? Head to my YouTube channel: Khandie Photography

#photographypodcast #thetruthaboutinfluencers #photographyeducation #theloudlens #authenticphotography

A lot of photographers aren’t running businesses. They’re running expensive hobbies with fancy gear and no plan. In this episode, I sit down with business coach and networking event host Brian Wrigley to get brutally honest about what’s going wrong in the photography industry.

We dig into:

• Why photographers are scared to charge properly

• The real reason your bookings have dried up

• Whether networking is still worth your time in 2025

• How the “passion over profit” mindset is killing your business

Brian works with business owners across industries — and while I don’t endorse many coaches, I do back a frank conversation. If you’ve been undercharging, hiding from marketing, or just winging it — this one’s your wake-up call.

🎙 Recorded for photographers who are ready to run a proper business.

Find out more about Brian: https://maximum-profit.co.uk/

“My partner doesn’t get it — being a photographer isn’t a 9–5.”
That’s what a listener messaged me recently via The Loud Lens Facebook group, struggling to explain the reality of a creative career to someone new in their life. So I invited my own partner — the unofficial assistant, emotional support human, and long-suffering plus-one — to the mic.

This brutally honest, listener-requested episode explores what it’s really like being in a relationship with a full-time photographer. From last-minute shoots and missed date nights to creative burnout, clout-chasing in the industry, and the personal sacrifices we don’t talk about — nothing’s off limits.

🎧 In this episode:

• What it’s like dating a photographer (spoiler: not easy)
• Why creatives don’t just “clock off” at 5pm
• Balancing ambition, burnout, and intimacy
• What non-creatives really see behind the lens
• The unspoken emotional cost of building a photography business

This one’s for the partners, the new relationships, and the creatives trying to keep love alive in a hustle-obsessed world.

🖤 Have an episode request?
DM me or post in The Loud Lens Facebook group — your story might just be next.

Conflict in the creative industry? Oh, honey, it’s not just common—it’s practically currency. From late payments and ghosting clients to toxic 'community' politics and behind-the-scenes backstabbing, creatives face a war zone disguised as a vibe. In this specially requested episode of The Loud Lens, Khandie Rees rips the lid off the reasons creatives fall out—spoiler: it’s usually about money, ego, or blurred boundaries—and gives you the tools to protect yourself while still thriving in this beautifully chaotic industry.

Still hanging onto a photography business that’s burning you out? Dreading shoots you once loved? You’re not broken—you’ve evolved. In this episode of The Loud Lens, I’m tearing down the myth that you have to “stick it out” forever just because you once liked it or because people expect it.

Whether you’re sick of weddings, burnt out from back-to-back minis, or feel like your audience has moved on without you—this is your sign. It’s OK to pivot. It’s OK to quit. It’s smart to diversify.

We’ll talk real-life examples, the red flags you’re probably ignoring, and the business power of burning things down to rebuild something better.

This was a specially requested episode from a follower.

Photography can be therapy—but it can also trigger burnout, anxiety, and imposter syndrome. In this episode of The Loud Lens, I dive deep into the honest, research-backed truth about how photography affects your mental health. From veterans using cameras to process trauma, to the crushing pressure of social media metrics, this episode explores both the healing and the harm.

Thank you Jenna for suggesting this episode.

Whether you're a new photographer trying to find your creative voice or a seasoned pro battling burnout, this is the no-BS conversation we need to be having.

🎯 What you'll learn:

• How photography is used in real-world mental health therapy

• Why imposter syndrome hits creatives so hard (with stats)

• Mindful photography techniques to protect your sanity

• Practical tools for balancing creativity with wellbeing

If you’ve ever felt like your camera saved you—or silently wrecked you—this one’s for you.

My second photography book No One F*cking Cares About Your Photography launches on 1st July — and in this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on both books. I break down why I wrote them..

Whether you’re deep in imposter syndrome, stuck comparing yourself to other photographers, or just tired of the same old “six figures in six weeks” advice — this is for you.

🔹 Why most creatives never get past self-doubt
🔹 What photographers need to stop doing immediately
🔹 How to build a selfish, intentional creative business
🔹 And why no one is your competition when you think bigger

This episode is a love letter to the bold, the tired, the burnt out, and the ready-to-get-shit-done.

📘 Book 1: Take The F*cking Lens Cap Off
📕 Book 2: No One F*cking Cares About Your Photography — Out 1st July

#photographybusiness #photographybooks #creativeentrepreneur #impostersyndrome #personalbrand #photographytips #theloudlens