Y’all! It’s my birthday this month and the end of Season 1 of the Zoom In Podcast!

Thank you for listening, for following, rating, sharing, leaving comments, opening emails all of the things! Thank you thank you!

In the words of Snoop Dogg, I wanna thank me for believing in me [LOL]. In my bonus episode I said I wanted to be proud of the work I produced this year and this podcast from the planning, interviews post production and sharing is no small feat and I’m extremely proud. 

My goal was to share the stories of Black women photographers and that was achieved! Thank you to Rhea Whitney, LaTara Sturgis, Takiyah Wallace, Terri Baskin, Shakira Hunt and Mecca Gamble for sharing your truth, your knowledge and for being a part of this experiment. I love you all and I’m sure we’ll see each other on the ‘gram and hopefully in person in the future! 

During this short episode I’m sharing my 7 takeaways from this season and a few updates on what’s next for the podcast & me.

Ways to Keep In Touch

Tamera Darden’s IG: @tamera.darden

Tamera Darden’s LinkedIn

Darden Creative IG: @dardencreative

To learn more about Darden Creative: http://www.dardencreative.com

Good Morning & welcome to the final interview episode of Season 1 of the Zoom In Podcast. As always, thank you to everyone who has listened to season 1!

This Week’s Guest

I think you’ll learn after this episode you’re learn that Mecca Gamble is more than a branding photographer for Black women. She is also a visionary + creative director and someone who is growing in real time, which is reflected in this episode. 

I may be biased but I’ve loved every episode of the Zoom In Podcast and my chat with Mecca feels like the perfect end cap to this season. 

I appreciated Mecca’s candor, transparency and vulnerability. And that’s really what this podcast is about which is seeing the expansiveness of Black women. Not just our business side but also our humanity. We covered a lot of topics in this episode including dealing with grief and forgiveness, the power of standing in your truth, the importance of embracing change and the importance of healing your inner child. 

Time Stamps

4:27 The importance of telling our stories from our point of view

9:30 I ask Mecca how’s her heart doing these days, learning to grieving & work through those feelings

11:06 Mecca recounts how she almost was not going to return to photography

18:15 Mecca sharing the evidence that God is always with us + learning to like herself again

19:36 The importance of prioritizing living life instead of always running a business

25:47 Mecca talks about the importance of boundaries

27:10 Mecca talks about how her parents cultivated & supported her creativity during childhood

30:43 The moment she knew photography was going to be her thing in this season of her life

33:45 I ask what was it about photography that Mecca decided to dedicate her time, energy and resources to the industry

38:06 Mecca shares how she was able to find her spark/passion again in photography + finding her joy

41:27 Mecca shares her transition from wedding photography to branding photography + creative direction

47:42 We discuss the importance of forgiving ourselves when we let projects go that didn’t work

55:41 Mecca speaks on an upcoming transition & using more of her gifts

59:41: Learning to embrace the unfamiliar

1:06:00 Mecca’s key to longevity

How to Keep In Contact with Mecca Gamble

Mecca Gamble’s IG: meccagamble

Website: http://www.meccagamble.com

Mecca Gamble

Mecca Gamble McConnell is an Atlanta-based photog rapher who creates images to elevate the digital presence of service-based entrepreneurs, tell their stories and leave their legacies. After earning a bachelor's degree in journalism from Duquesne University, she has dedicated the last decade to documenting the lives of black families, couples in love, and entrepreneurs. Through her workshops, speaking engagements, and one-on-one training, she has helped dozens of growing photographers establish and grow their businesses. A number of popular wedding and lifestyle publications have featured her work, such as The Knot, Upscale, Essence, Pittsburgh Magazine, B Collective Magazine, and The Atlanta Tribune. She enjoys reading, Pilates, and trying new restaurants with her husband when she's not behind the camera.

Hey hey! I’m so happy to be back with another fresh episode and the penultimate episode of Season 1 of the Zoom In Podcast. 

Today I’m chatting with amazing wellness photographer, interior designer & fine artist Shakira Hunt. We talk about how she transitioned from being a commercial designer for an architecture firm to becoming the founder/owner of Shakira Hunt Creative Studio and also her beautiful body of work “Give Me My Flowers.” Shakira is a former mentee of mine and it’s been amazing to see her growth after all these years.

Time Stamps

3:27 Shakira shares why she relocated to Philly

5:15 Shakira describes how working full time + being unfulfilled led to exploring a creative practice

11:35 Shakira shares the importance of networking with intention

14:34 Shakira explains how she transitioned from side hustle to full time photography

19:29 A myth Shakira overcame in the beginning of her entrepreneurship journey

21:30 The moment when Shakira knew working creatively full time was going to work

25:51 How Shakira’s personal wellness journey inspired her to begin serving the wellness community

27:42 Shakira covers the origin and impact of her personal project Give Me My Flowers

33:33 Describing the importance of play when it comes to producing personal work

37:31 Tamera asks Shakira if “Give Me My Flowers” is her life’s work

38:13 Shakira shares the insecurities & challenges to find balance between photography + her personal work

40:59 Shakira + Tamera discuss the importance of telling & preserving Black stories

43:14 Shakira talks about how the Planned Parenthood collaboration came to fruition

44:28 Shakira shares what she’s looking forward to in 2023

How to Keep In Contact with Shakira Hunt

Shakira Hunt’s IG: @shakirahunt.creativestudio

To learn more about her work/”Give My Flowers” Exhibit http://www.shakirahunt.com

Shakira Hunt’s Bio

Shakira Hunt is a multi-disciplinary artist and branding photographer. With her Interior Design & Architecture Experience [BFA in Interior Design], Shakira owns and operates Shakira Hunt Creative Studio. SHCS provides creative services including digital content creation for businesses + creative entrepreneurs. During the pandemic, Shakira Hunt developed the exhibit “Give Me My Flowers” a fine arts project exploring Black men’s exploration with masculine & feminine energies. The work has been featured in 2 solo exhibitions/installations as well as a big scale installation at Essence Fest in Collaboration with Planned Parenthood in 2022. She currently lives in Philadelphia, PA.

Can you believe we’re at episode 4 of Season 1?! I’m truly happy about how the Zoom In Podcast has been received by all of you, so thank you! A special shout out to one of our listeners: Taylor Monet. Taylor appreciated the questions, energy and authenticity that she finds other photo podcasts have struggled to achieve. Thank you Taylor for Listening!

Today’s guest is weddings photographer + educator, Terri Baskin. I consider Terri an OG in the game and I’m truly thankful for her coming onto the podcast to share her journey with us all! We covered her first few weddings with her father as her second shooter, how she’s been able to build longevity in her photography business and how she is a referral based business, something I was certainly curious about and implementing in my own business. 

Time Stamps

4:33 Terri grew up around photography with her father [a portrait & weddings photographer] in North Carolina

7:05 Terri shares her experience with her father being her second shooter for her first few wedding engagements

9:15 Lessons learned in the first year of wedding photography

11:52 Terri shares how she built her photography business while working full time

19:52 How did Terri starts to exercise her boundaries

24:44 How saying yes to the wrong things can be an example of scarcity mindset

26:55 How Terri Builds Trust with her brides before the wedding day

32:08 Terri shares how + why she built a referral based business

36:25 We talk about how to find balance while running a thriving photography business

40:25 Terri shares what she thinks has attributed to her longevity in wedding photography

45:25 Terri recounts how there are some things she would do differently

How to Keep In Contact with Terri Baskin

Terri Baskin on IG @terribaskin: https://www.instagram.com/terribaskin/

To learn more about Terri Baskin’s Services https://terribaskin.com/

To learn more about Terri’s Coaching Services http://shop.terribaskin.com/

Terri Baskin’s Bio

Terri Baskin started her photography career photographing weddings almost a decade ago. In that time, she has developed a style of photography that has allowed her to attract her dream clients. Since 2015, Terri has been educating other photographers and creative entrepreneurs through conferences, workshops and one-on-one mentoring. Terri has been recognized in local and national online and print publications such as Martha Stewart Weddings, Essence, The Knot, Washingtonian Weddings, Black Bride Magazine, Inside Weddings and the New York Times. Terri has developed a referral-based business and serves up to 25 wedding couples each year.

Hello Beautiful People! Welcome to another episode of the Zoom In Podcast. Today’s guest is LaTara Sturgis of Elle Danielle Photography. Full transparency, I totally thought Elle Danielle was also LaTarah’s name because of her IG handle. Also being Elle Danielle. I know I’m not the only one guilty of assuming what someone’s name is based on their IG handle! 😂 We covered the inspiration behind her photography name in the episode!

Time Stamps

5:35 LaTara’s decision to begin transitioning into family photography

9:20 Describing the Elle Danielle Bride/Family

10:38 Sharing some initial reservations around pursuing photography

14:11 LaTara discusses her why and why her goal isn’t to go viral

21:31 The Importance of having a contract, even at the beginning of your photography career

25:35 Bad Facebook Advice + Why it’s best not to get legal advice from FB Groups

34:20 How LaTara plans to use Instagram to show up authentically

41:42 We discuss LaTara’s tips for capturing the right moments when traveling for photography

50:18 What LaTara is looking forward to in the new year

How to Keep In Contact with LaTara Sturgis

LaTara Sturgis on IG @elledanielle: https://www.instagram.com/elledanielle/

To learn more about LaTara Sturgis’ Services https://elledanielle.com/

LaTara Sturgis’ Bio

LaTara Sturgis, better known in the creative world as Elle Danielle, is a wedding and portrait photographer living in Nashville, TN. After successfully pursuing her childhood dream of becoming an attorney, she picked up a camera to document memories of her son. Before she knew it, she had fallen in love with photography and the idea of capturing the best moments of people's lives, rather than some of the lowest moments she saw while practicing law. Now, more than a decade later, she has photographed hundreds of weddings around the country and Internationally and has a solid base of portrait clients that she serves year after year. She has mentored her peers, taught at conferences, and been featured in magazines... but it's her love for serving people and capturing special moments in their lives that keeps her motivated.

Hey hey! Welcome to this bonus episode of the Zoom In Podcast! I recorded this episode between sitting on 2 yoga blocks + standing up because my back is in pain right now. I honestly don’t know what happened but in the past few weeks I’ve agitated an old injury. I’m looking for an ergonomic home office chair so if you have any recommendations please share!!! Why am posting off schedule? Well I woke up in the middle of the night because of my back pain and I started journaling about my January takeaways to share on the Darden Creative blog, but I felt called to record these 3 lightbulb moments and some strategies I’m implementing for running a creative service business. So, here we are!!! 

Time Stamps

1:35 Why I decided to share this bonus episode

3:43 How I break down my annual goals

5:14 How do I want to feel by the end of the year

7:15 Why business being slow in January is rarely about you

8:58 Lightbulb Moment #1

9:48 Lightbulb Moment #2

12:58 The importance of separating yourself from your business

14:24 The importance of knowing your numbers

16:39 Lightbulb Moment #3

19:58 (2)Marketing Objectives for 2023

23:25 (2) important notes to remember about running a business

Mentions in the Podcast

What to do during slow season slumps https://www.dardencreative.com/blog/5-ways-to-combat-photography-slow-season-slumps

The Zoom In Podcast Episode 1 with Rhea Whitney

https://www.dardencreative.com/zoom-in-podcast/zoom-in-podcast-episode-1-rhea-whitney-shares-the-tea-on-pricing-best-advice-for-new-photographers-and-getting-out-of-the-comparison-game

How to Keep In Contact with Tamera Darden

Tamera Darden’s IG: @tamera.darden

To learn more about Darden Creative http://www.dardencreative.com

Tamera Darden’s Bio

Tamera Darden is the founder, lead photographer of Darden Creative. Darden Creative is a full service photo + video production agency based in Washington, D.C. With over 10 years of corporate retail experience + merchandising, Tamera has led Darden Creative to serve over 100 brands producing custom photography + video content for Beauty + Lifestyle Brands social media platforms + websites. Darden Creative’s clients include: Teleflora LLC, KINLÓ by Naomi Osaka, Wedding Wire and Framebridge. She’s been invited by various outlets to share her insight on how to run a photography business and personal branding including Vogue Business and Alt Summit. As the host of The Zoom In Podcast, Tamera highlights the stories + experiences of Black women photographers with the hope to inspire and provide actionable tools to other young photographers who desire to pursue a successful creative career.

This week’s guest is Takiyah Wallace, a children & families photographer who is the founder of Some Sweet Photography + Brown Girls Do Ballet. BGDB is a philanthropic organization that works to increase the participation of underrepresented populations in ballet by providing resources and scholarships to assist young girls in their ballet development and training. We covered how she creates/exercises her boundaries, how Brown Girls Do Ballet went viral, her experience collaborating with Athleta, a dream brand of mine, and her number one piece of advice for women photographers. 

Time Stamps

3:48  How finding bonding activities with her husband, turned Takiyah to Photography  

5:07 How her frustrations encouraged her to turn her photography hobby into a business 

10:00 How knowing what she didn’t want to shoot helped Takiyah set boundaries with prospects + clients 

16:34 Misconceptions of photographing children + families

19:08 Top Transferrable Skills that served her well with photographing children

21:16 How Charlie’s interest into Ballet Turned into a viral Black Girls Do Ballet Moment 

30:26 Black Girls Do Ballet’s Impact

32:08 Black Girls Do Ballet + Athleta Collaboration

40:17 Why Takiyah decided to pause SomeSweet Photography operations

43:04 Takiyah’s Future Plans for SomeSweet Photography

48:08 What Takiyah is looking forward to in 2023 

49:14 Takiyah’s Advice for Women Photographers 

54:55 How to support Brown Girls Do Ballet 

How to Keep In Contact with Takiyah Wallace

Takiyah Wallace on IG @somesweetphoto or @iamtakiyah

Brown Girls Do Ballet on IG @browngirlsdoballet 

Brown Girls Do Ballet Website https://www.browngirlsdoballet.com/

Some Sweet Photography Website http://www.somesweetphoto.com/

Blog Post Link: 

http://www.dardencreative.com/zoom-in-podcast/children-families-photographer-takiyah-wallace-is-a-child-whisperer

Chatting with Rhea Whitney felt like catching up with a girlfriend and I hope you feel the same way while listening! During this episode, Rhea shares when her love for photography began, how her parents’ terrible wedding photography experience shaped how she shows up for her clients, her straightforward pricing strategy for building a sustainable photography business & enjoying the journey amidst pitfalls of comparison. Rhea’s ability to put her clients needs first has catapulted her business to generating six figures and she shares her straightforward pricing formula for how to build a profitable photography business. She also covers the importance of enjoying the journey and how the Photo Bomb Academy has served over 100+ creatives.

Time Stamps

7:22 Rhea describes who is the Rhea Whitney Bride

12:25 Rhea describes how she found similarities between finance & photography

24:13 Rhea shares 2 important lessons weddings photographers should know in the beginning of their journey

29:48 Rhea breaks down what photographers need to know when determining their pricing

40:28 Rhea shares the importance of enjoying the journey

47:56 Rhea shares the traps she got caught in that she wants other photographers to avoid

58:09 Rhea breaks down the Photo Bomb Academy and how it’s helped over 100 creatives

How to Keep In Contact with Rhea Whitney

Rhea Whitney on IG @rheawhitney: https://www.instagram.com/rheawhitney/

To learn more about Rhea Whitney’s Services https://rheawhitney.com/

To learn more about the Photo Bomb Academy & Elevate https://www.photobombacademy.com/

I’m back sharing the theme for Season 1 of the ZOOM IN podcast. For context, ZOOM IN will be a seasonal podcast with about 6 - 8 episodes per season. 

This provides me with structure AND expectations… a silent contract if you will. But more importantly I still run a full service production agency, so committing to a weekly podcast would be setting myself up for failure. After 36 years, I think I know myself! 

There is a lot of fear associated with change and moving into a career that is completely unknown with no blueprint or manual. Which is why I’m so excited about this season. 

This season will highlight women who have transitioned from different careers/job/tangents to a photography career. I’m really excited to highlight this group of photographers because I come across women who say they are in a career that isn’t fulfilling or they’re just ready for a change and want to pursue photography. 

The women highlighted in this season serve a varied clientele and are not only doing it well, they’re thriving. 

Check out this trailer to hear why I’m highlighting this special group of women and the first episode drop!

Citations:

Average number of jobs held by Americans over their lifetime: https://www.zippia.com/answers/how-many-jobs-does-the-average-person-have-in-their-lifetime/

Number of Black women owned businesses https://www.jpmorgan.com/wealth-management/wealth-partners/insights/black-women-are-the-fastest-growing-group-of-entrepreneurs-but-the-job-isnt-easy

The average revenue Black women owned businesses have is $24,000 vs the national average of $142,900 https://www.jpmorgan.com/wealth-management/wealth-partners/insights/black-women-are-the-fastest-growing-group-of-entrepreneurs-but-the-job-isnt-easy

Peta Pixel Survey https://petapixel.com/2022/05/04/new-study-finds-majority-of-photographers-are-struggling-financially/

Let’s try this again, shall we!

This is Trailer One of ZOOM IN, a podcast that highlights the stories & experiences of women photographers.

The intention is clear: inspiring & empowering other women photographers to succeed on their own terms using the blueprint from other women who’ve done it. This doesn’t mean other service providers can’t benefit from these stories. Photography is still a business at the end of the day. But this podcast will serve as a vessel for their stories.

 I believe success leaves breadcrumbs. The more stories you hear from women who look and sound like you, the more you’ll believe that anything is possible. And more importantly, you realized that we’re really not alone.