Episodes

EP 132: We're back with another round of golf with Owen Main right before Christmas. In this episode, we chat about AI, archiving, New Year's resolutions, and what is best served for Christmas dinner. Owen Main @fansmanship This episode is brought to you by Bay Photo Lab. For all your professional photography printing services, go to bayphoto.com for 25% off your first time order! Support the show

EP 131: Paying yourself as a business owner can be somewhat complicated if you don't have a system. In this episode, we bring back Christian Brim, to talk about Mike Michalowicz's renowned method of putting profit first, and why that might be the best option for creative business owners out there. Connect with Core Group!!! Website For creatives 10 questions your accountant should be asking you Instagram Youtube Facebook Twitter This episode is brought to you by Bay Photo Lab. For all your pro...

EP 130: We all seek resources to help us in our journey; be it people who affirm that what we are doing is the right thing, or people who pick us up when we're down, or who keep motivating us forward when we're resting on our laurels. This episode is about recognizing that what you seek is already in your corner. It may manifest itself in different ways, but it is not far away. I dedicate this episode to all of those who have supported me over the years, particularly over these past couple o...

EP 129: In today's episode, I am citing the film, A Million Miles Away, in which the protagonist's father gives his son 5 ingredients in a recipe for achieving success. Now regardless of whether you buy into this recipe is of no concern, but maybe if you have yet to build your own recipe, this will help ignite that spark, because those who often achieve their goals, have very clear visions and outlines for how to approach their path. This episode is brought to you by Bay Photo Lab. For all ...

EP 127: Traveling for work is one of the more liberating and exciting parts of being a creative, but after time, it can wear on you as well. From the luggage to the time zone differences to the stress of business expenditures, I'll list a handful of tips to reduce your travel anxiety. This episode is brought to you by Bay Photo Lab. For all your professional photography printing services, go to bayphoto.com for 25% off your first time order! Support the show

EP 128: I don't know if there's any perfect website formula for photographers, nor am I any foremost expert to speak on them, but I have learned from far more intelligent marketers and business owners than myself, and what I've gathered is a laundry list of mistakes and oversights many of us photographers make, when crafting our site. In this episode, I'll list off a handful of the most common pitfalls I see in photography websites. This episode is brought to you by Bay Photo Lab. For all yo...

EP 126: Let's face it... Millennials and Gen-Z are delaying, if not giving up on, many common adulthood decisions that came far more naturally to the generations before them. Marriage, home-buying, investing, saving for retirement, and having children are seen by some as nearly impossible due to the economics of today's day, and one of the big drivers in delaying those decisions....student loans. The crushing weight of 5-6 figure debt for 18-22-year-olds is often more than they can handle afte...

EP 125: We've got a fantastic guest today, family photographer, Christian Michelle Grant, out of Chattanooga, Tennessee. We discuss many aspects of her art and business; from crafting her shooting and editing style to developing a marketing strategy and pricing structure that allow her to meet her goals. Beyond that, we delve into her journey of making the plunge into full-time photography and how she manages the anxiety that comes with that move. This is a lovely conversation about pursuing ...

124: Deciding what to do with your profits? While there are a multitude of areas to contribute to, many of which I did not list in this episode, I decided to highlight 5 key areas that I believe can help stimulate intentionality and vision in your creative journey. This episode is brought to you by Bay Photo Lab. For all your professional photography printing services, go to bayphoto.com for 25% off your first time order! Support the show

EP 123: Connect with Core Group!!! Website For creatives 10 questions your accountant should be asking you Instagram Youtube Facebook Twitter This episode is brought to you by Bay Photo Lab. For all your professional photography printing services, go to bayphoto.com for 25% off your first time order! Support the show

EP 122: Culling photos can be a daunting process, particularly when the volume is high, and the stakes are higher. Wedding photography tends to fit this bill, as clients are very demanding but you have thousands and thousands of frames to select from. In walks AI culling! In this episode, I'll give you my early review to Aftershoot AI, which promises to save you hours off your workload! Affiliate Link to Aftershoot: https://aftershoot.com/get-started?referrer=65PADWYW This episode is brought ...

EP 121: Clients seek out portrait photography services for a variety of interests and needs; be it for corporate, family, or brand-building reasons. There's also a market of people who seek out more personal and empowering forms of artistic expression that may not be seen quite as often by friends, family, and colleagues. In this episode, we talk with Arizona boudoir photographer, Shayla Pelton, about her journey through this fascinating space of sexuality and expression. We chat about the e...

EP 120: The photojournalism industry, particularly when it comes to newspapers, isn't anywhere as strong as it used to be. A most recent slashing of journalists at the LA Times is a harsh reminder that we always need to be updating our resumes just in preparation for situations like this. But furthermore, how do we process the mental side of the recovery? A portfolio or resume certainly won't help quell your stress or anxiety. In this episode, I'll list 5 prompts to hopefully help you get th...

EP 119: If you haven't used Chat GPT yet, you've at least likely heard of the noise it's making across a variety of industries. Well, in today's episode, I specifically talk about how this AI platform can help photographers and creatives improve the speed of their business in 3 distinct ways; customer service, risk and legal, and copyright for marketing and content creation. This episode is brought to you by Bay Photo Lab. For all your professional photography printing services, go to bayphot...

EP 118: Perhaps starting your creative business in your early 20s seems ideal, but there is no one way to approach a creative life, let alone a singular progression. In fact, there are many advantages to starting or pivoting your business after the age of 40 because of the skills you now possess. In this episode, I talk about my entry into the 40 club and why I view it as an asset, not a liability. This episode is brought to you by Bay Photo Lab. For all your professional photography printin...

EP 117: Golf is an amazing opportunity to network and connect with people. It's also a great place to learn valuable life lessons. My guest is Owen Main, a Southern California photographer who has built a successful 6-figure business in a very short time frame, and our recording studio today is on the golf course, where I ask Owen a question on each hole; some of which are professional and others that are personal. We talk about the best lessons he's learned, how he balances art and commerce...

EP 116: What does work-life balance mean? Is it achievable? Is it even an achievement at all? We all face times of imbalance in favor of our work life, so what measures need to take place to tip the scales back towards rest, relaxation, and play? In this episode, I will discuss the pitfalls I find in chasing work-life balance, and replace them with a few key ideals instead. This episode is brought to you by Bay Photo Lab. For all your professional photography printing services, go to bayph...

EP 115: Did you know that accounting is an important part of your business? Of course, you did! The problem is many of us are not fully equipped to handle those duties while also trying to be the very best artist we can be. This is where hiring an accountant can come into play, but that first step in approaching one can be intimidating or overwhelming for first-time business owners. After all, what do we say? What do we ask? Is my business valid enough? I only do this part-time! In this...

EP 114: Maybe this is a hot take, but I think attaching any sort of file in your very first cold email pitch to a new lead, is counterproductive. It could be a pitch deck or it could be photos you want to highlight, but attaching them without a relationship already in place may increase your chances of having your emails unopened, or even worse, unseen. In this episode, I advise embedding photos into your email as a more proactive way to have your work shown while also avoiding that dreaded Sp...

EP 113: Have you ever attended a big photography conference? What are the benefits? Will it be overwhelming? In this episode, I'll recap my very first WPPI experience, and give you 10 tips to make the most out of a big show that may otherwise intimidate introverts and photographers looking to stand out. This episode is brought to you by Bay Photo Lab. For all your professional photography printing services, go to bayphoto.com for 25% off your first time order! Support the show

EP 112: Miquel Quiles is a Sony Artisan of Imagery portrait photographer and digital creator, and in this episode, he's looking at my book and helping me navigate my next moves in wedding photography. If you've never had a portfolio review before, or are nervous about getting one yourself, hopefully, this behind-the-curtains peek of a real review will help ease your anxiety. www.miguelquiles.com @miguelquilesjr Youtube This episode is brought to you by Bay Photo Lab. For all your professional...

EP 111: If you're getting into wedding photography, doing a styled shoot may be very beneficial for networking with vendors and developing your own portfolio. As someone who hasn't shot a styled wedding shoot before, I went straight to a qualified source and asked long-time wedding photographer, Phylicia Willis, what the best actionable steps are to getting your first styled shoot off the ground. www.phyliciawillis.com @phylicia.willis This episode is brought to you by Bay Photo Lab. For all ...

EP 109: Inflation is a real pain in the ass, but ultimately speaking, it has a relatively small impact when compared to another inflation that many of us are guilty of exercising; lifestyle inflation. While inflation may increase the price of milk and eggs by a few dollars, lifestyle inflation may cost us thousands. In this episode, I will discuss why we invite lifestyle inflation into our lives so willingly, and how to attack it if it is keeping us from our goals. This episode is brought to ...

EP 108: I recently came across a statement from another creative who said "If you are mentally weak, you should not freelance". So in today's episode, I'll unpack my thoughts on this statement and respond with why I think the so-called "mentally weak" actually should freelance despite this common narrative. This episode is brought to you by Bay Photo Lab. For all your professional photography printing services, go to bayphoto.com for 25% off your first time order! Support the show