The PhotoTellers--Photography Podcast

Is it possible to move to a dream location, carve out ample time for your family, and enjoy "work that isn't work?" Here's the story of a guy who:

I ask Mr. Bret Edge about his major life transitions.

"Why go to Moab? 'Because it's Moab.'" -Bret Edge

Today's conversation will interest you if:

Cris Duncan is on a mission to help you fall in love with Photography again.

He also shares 3 things that EVERY Photographer should know. I'm warning you: listen to this conversation with a pencil and paper. It's filled with sage advice and great soundbites to remember.

*Hear the difference between correct exposure and proper exposure.

"There's a big difference between good exposure . . . and a well-lit photograph." -Cris Duncan

*To those afraid to open their work to other Photographers, learn 3 reasons why you should. *Learn how to immediately increase the value of yourself and others!

David Edmonson's advice if you "want to be a good . . . better . . . great Photographer: Be ___. "

If you're a hobbyist Photographer or seasoned Pro, and especially if your photographic enthusiasm is waning, the second half of the conversation is for you. Learn how you can Find Your Focus again, in Yellowstone Park, September 13-18, 2015. Connect with other Photographers, including Cris & Deanna Duncan, Tony Corbell, and Lauri Rubin. The Find Your Focus trip is limited to only 20 people, so learn more by clicking here NOW!

"Awareness breeds creativity." -Cris Duncan

You'll hear the story of Cris' career turning point, and how he rediscovered his love for Photography. What about you? How do you stoke the embers of your love for the craft? Leave a comment in the section below.

Janine Marie Campbell's camera is her passport through history, 10 countries, and many faiths.

"At age 8, I had a professional camera in my hand, by 10 I was shooting in manual." And from there? She's owned a large portrait studio space. She honors our veterans with her project, Pride of America. And as of this publication, she's in the midst of a 10-country, 2 month tour with noted journalist Jennifer Preyss.

The newest adventure is the Breaking Bread project. It's a journey of two women through 10 countries (and more cultures) over 2 months. Jennifer and Janine Marie will explore and challenge beliefs about persons of other cultures and faith traditions. Today's guest on The PhotoTellers serves as the photographer and videographer for the book and documentary--to be released in the Fall of 2015.

You may love the idea of being a Lone Ranger Photographer, but even the Lone Ranger had Tonto. How much more effective had they partnered with the entire TRIBE!

Thanks to the Texas School of Professional Photography, I had the chance to meet Mr. Randy Pollard. Today's brief conversation answers 2 questions:

1. Why should YOU belong to and support your local Photography Association? Drawing from his own experience, Randy gives 2 compelling reasons.

2. What opportunities await you in Texas for growing your career and network of friends? HINT: You don't have to be a member of the Texas Professional Photographer's Association to attend.

Our conversation ends with 2 tidbits of advice that have shaped Randy. One brilliant tidbit comes from his Mom about the proverbial "free lunch." The other tackles the topic of profits and artistry. How does one achieve both? Listen in to learn.

IMAGINE: You just photographed your sister's wedding. She accuses you of missing all of the important moments of the day. "You were in the bar, weren't you?!" How do you answer?

Steve Armstrong can tell you. Hear that story and more from the guy who has photographed over 1,000 weddings, and won Top Wedding Album of the Year in Austin--10 years in a row!

"That's the mark of a good Photographer. I'm not the show--you're the show." -Steve Armstrong

Midway through the conversation, we shift gears to discuss SUMMERFEST.

It's the event for Photographers AND THEIR FAMILIES: June 28th-July 1st, 2015, at the La Torretta Lakeside Resort in Conroe, Texas. The La Torretta Resort and Spa features a water park, an 18 hole golf course, a full service spa, and much more--all on Lake Conroe.  Bring your boat or jet skis and dock right at the hotel!

With the amazing line up of speakers and programs and the annual TPPA Print Competition, this will be something special, so make your plans now to bring your entire family. Never fear, your loved ones (kids) will not have to endure photography stuff if they're not interested!

And as you'll hear, Steve is especially passionate about the golf tournament! Sign up to join him, and please publicly announce on our Facebook page if you beat him. :)

Attention Frustrated Photographers! If you feel like your artistic growth is stunted, today's talk with Mark McCall is for you. How can you quickly improve the quality of your work?

"Nothing will improve the level of your work FASTER than print competition." -Mark McCall

If your work could use a shot of steroids, and you're considering competition, Mark explains:

*Advice to the first-timer before you compete

*Why you should compete, even if you're creating work that's atypical for you

*A few resources to help you fare your best

If you'd like to compete NOW, you still have time to enter your work at SUMMERFEST--June 28-July 1, 2015. Learn more here.

And another resource that Mark mentioned: printcompetition.com.

Woody Walters' career highlight was learning from and printing for Ansel Adams.  The Texas School of Professional Photography 2015 changed that.

Listen in to hear:

If You:

*Study the careers of successful Photographers *Wish you could follow their footsteps *Enjoy biographies

Then the BECOMING SERIES is for you!

You know that the PhotoTellers showcases "WHO is doing WHAT in the world of Photography." The Becoming Series specifically asks HOW. Every career is served/cajoled/disrupted by key moments, decisions, mistakes, mentors, resources . . . all elements along the road of BECOMING successful.

Have you admired the career of a Photographer, and wondered HOW he/she built it? Me, too. Listen over my shoulder as I ask.

I'll publish a BECOMING interview every month. When I sat down to scribble a list of names for the series, Sean Bagshaw hit the top of the list. For those of you who don't know Sean, it's a real honor to introduce him.

If you want to see ASTOUNDING landscape work, Sean is the guy to follow. He also happens to be a heckuva nice guy, and devotes extensive time providing free resources for Photogs looking to improve their work. Be sure that you click the links at the bottom of this post. [Do you know about Photo Cascadia? If not, you do now. You're welcome.]

"If you live in an igloo, the world will pass you by." -Don Dickson

Don Dickson, Executive Director of the Texas School of Professional Photography, sits in the hot seat today where I ask him, "Why shouldn't I get my (FREE!) education online?"

He's been a professional photographer since he was 19 years old (HINT: that was more than 10 years ago). He still works as a Photographer, he's a member of the elite Camera Craftsmen of America, he's Director of one of the largest photographic educational opportunities in the country. His opinion on the industry?

"If I had any do-overs, I'd do it all the same. I wouldn't change a thing!"

Why does Texas School attract attendees from 44 states, 8 countries, 55 instructors, 75 volunteers, 40 models, and $280,000 of equipment (free for the students to use)?

Pour a cup of coffee, click play, and you'll hear why before you've finished your drink.

Erin Babnik, Art Historian and stellar Landscape Photographer, addresses the question, "How will modern landscape photography rate in the realm of Art History?"

She also provides insight into her world as a female in a male-dominated field. What advice does she give to other women who want to work as landscape photographers? Tune in to hear.