What's Your Secret? Conversations with Real Photographers, Designers, & Entrepreneurs

Pye Jirsa is an incredible man who in seven short years has gone from CPA to creating a photo empire that has over 100 people under his supervision at the wedding photography studio Lin & Jirsa. He is the founder and partner of the popular educational platform SLR Lounge and has taught numerous classes on CreativeLive, including Working with Flash and Incredible Engagement Photography.

Abbey Kyhl is a wedding photographer and educator from Salt Lake City, Utah. Her area of expertise is creating top-notch customer service for her clients- so that they not only come back for more, but tell all their family and friends about their amazing experience. She manages to work only 24 hours a week while generating a 6-figure wedding business and also runs The AK Crew, a collection of killer resources for photographers!

Kyla Ewert is a family and children's photographer based out of BC, Canada. The images she creates of her own kids and others' children have a bit of magic in them. It's a combination of the light, texture, and her decision to capture images in unique and interesting ways. She recently released an e-learning product, Images from the Heart: Composing a Love Letter to your Children through Photographs, available through the Clickin Moms store. In this episode, Kyla talks about what makes a captivating image and how she uses light to add interest and depth to her photos, her strategy for completing a 365 project, and the big shift that occurred when she started taking pictures for herself instead of for others.

This week we have Houston-based wedding and portrait photographer Candace Moore of MINERVA HOUSE on the show! You'll hear how Candace personalizes the glass heirloom boxes that she gifts to her clients, the inspiration behind the name MINERVA HOUSE, and why she recommends getting a custom logo.

Rachel-Marie Iwanyszyn is the creator of Jag Lever, a fashion blog influenced by her love of nature. Growing up in Michigan and now residing in Brooklyn, Rachel-Marie brings a bit of that midwestern country girl to the bustle of the city. She has grown her Instagram following to more than 230,000 followers through consistent posting (she aims for 3 times per day) and an unmistakable "Jag Lever" style. Think hats. And layers. And plaid. 

This week on What's Your Secret, we have the lovely Emily Reiter of Anna Delores Photography. Emily is a wedding photographer based out of Ventura County, California who has been making impressive progress in the photography world since starting her business just under 5 years ago. Though there is a lot I could have talked to her about, we focused primarily on her advice for putting on styled wedding shoots and collaborating with vendors in the industry. Her list of published features ranges from Style Me Pretty to Pottery Barn to Darling Magazine.

Phil Van Nostrand is a wedding, commercial, and portrait photographer based out of Brooklyn, NY. In this episode, we talk about three ways he separates himself from all the other wedding photographers out there - including his slogan as "The Curliest Photographer You Know", the infamous camera toss, and pulling off a same-day wedding slideshow.  

Katie Doherty quit her job as an elementary school teacher and transitioned into life as a photographer and founder of La Rousse Shoppe. In this episode you'll learn how La Rousse Shoppe was built from scratch in December of 2014, including details on the platform we use to host our online store and where we source our products. Katie and Phil also discuss her secret for success and where she finds her biggest inspiration.

An under five-minute introduction by Katie of what you can expect from What's Your Secret.