This Conversation with Jed Taufer: Recent Episodes
WHCC
Join Jed Taufer as he hosts conversations with your favorite photographers and creatives covering topics of all shapes and sizes.
Vicki and Jed Taufer have been involved in the photography industry for over 20 years. They co-founded their studio, V Gallery, in Morton, IL in 1998. With a focus on artistic portraiture, Vicki specializes in photographing people, pets, and commercial shoots. V Gallery has been everything from a small home based studio, to a large storefront with multiple employees, and everything in between.
Vicki has a passion for people. Her journey with a camera has taken her and Jed around the world. They have been recognized internationally through their teaching, awards, and publications. Vicki’s goal is a healthy work/life balance. At work, she focuses on photography, marketing, and sales. At home, she focuses on homeschooling her two children. You can check out her website at vgallery.net
The Taufers currently reside in Illinois.
I would describe myself as a down-to-earth creative who isn’t afraid to be honest. I like to have fun and act like a weird-o sometimes. I strongly believe that having killer photos of yourself, no matter who you are, can work wonders on your confidence and I love being able to create that imagery for teens as they begin the journey of stepping out on their own in this crazy world. A senior portrait isn’t just a rad profile pic but a chance to show the world the REAL you.
Believe it or not, I’m a country girl at heart and learned of my love for photography through 4H. I started a full service portrait studio in 2006 after graduating from Hawkeye Comm. College with a degree in Professional Photography. It grew quickly and I soon realized that my favorite subjects were seniors. When I started this biz in 2014 I was bound and determined to build a brand solely focusing on teen photography. I continue furthering my skills through conferences, workshops and competitions and became a Master of Photography through Professional Photographers of America in 2017 with nationally award winning images and albums. I will never stop learning how to better my craft, and I’m so excited to be able to teach other photographers how to create amazing experiences for their clients as well.
Anj Olson is the owner and photographer at Lav & Lime Studio, a children and family photography studio located in Ankeny, Iowa. The studio specializes in modern storytelling photography with an emphasis on a custom experience with every client. Alongside the studio, Anj is a mama to 3 beautiful boys that provide inspiration, insight, and a necessary infusion of reality in a world that loves ideals.
Kristina Guerrero,Cards + Press Product Owner, Client Success Program Manager, and Marketing and Events Manager.Highly creative marketer with over 15+ years experience at WHCC. She has transformed business initiatives that continue to propel revenue growth and produce brand exposure on a multitude of ever-changing platforms. She is a trade show visionary, problem-solver, and product leader driving vision and collaboration between cross-functional partners to deliver successful results.
Laretta Houston was born in Angeles City, Philippines. From struggle and poverty evolved an inspirational vision of beauty and life all around her. Laretta’s story could easily have taken such a different turn if not for her determination and strength.
Born the daughter of a military father and a Filipino mother who traveled a lot, she spent most of her time with relatives modestly raised in poverty without luxury.
After losing her mother at age 13 to Lupus, this is when she entered her journey through the foster care system, eventually making her way to the United States, where she was determined to change the course of her life.
Struggling to balance work, school, and being a single mother, she found her love in photography. Having a multimedia background would also prove to be an invaluable help in marketing her passion as well as giving incredible insights into advertising and marketing needs.
She has photograph clients such as Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, ABC (Dancing with the Stars, VH1, Allergan, Broadway Shoes, Spanx, Proctor and Gamble, CDC, Modelland, and more. She sees beauty in everything and as a woman who wears her emotions on her sleeve, her mind’s eye sees each project as a very personal journey.
Matt’s career has been centered around the world of professional photography. Owning and operating a studio for over 20 years along with coaching and educating photographers on the importance of product sales and studio design have been his long term passion. Matt joined WHCC a little over 3 years ago as their Client Success Manager to extend customized concierge level service to their client base. When Matt’s not working with photographers he enjoys playing with vintage cars, camping with Kelly and playing with their 20 week old Golden Retriever puppy Monte around the yard.
Audrey Wancket owns the high-end portrait studio, Wancket Studios in Spring Grove, Illinois. Audrey’s portraits have earned her numerous awards at the state and national levels, which has made here a sought after speaker to amateur and professional photography groups across America and as far away as Korea.
Degrees and Certifications:
· Master of Photography degree from PPA in 1996
· Craftsman degree in 1998
· Certified Professional Photographer
· Honorary Master of Photography degree, PPA 2021
· Board of Director, Professional Photographers of America 2012-present
· 2019-2020 President of Professional Photographers of America
· 2020-2021 Chairman of the Board, Professional Photographers of America
· Approved International Juror, PPA
Photographic Awards:
· Canon Par Excellence award, 2012 and 2013
· 6 Regional(district) Medallion awards, American Society of Photographers
· Kodak Gallery Elite
· 2-Imaging Excellence awards, PPA
Audrey’s philosophy to “never settle for good enough” has been instrumental in the reputation she has earned in her business.
Natalie Keyssar is a documentary photographer whose work focuses on inequality, youth culture, and the personal effects of political turmoil and violence, in the Americas. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting and illustration from The Pratt Institute, has taught New Media at the International Center of Photography in New York and has instructed at various workshops across the US and Latin America. She has received grants from the Pulitzer Center, the IWMF, and the Magnum Foundation, was the winner of the 2018 ICP Infinity Emerging Photographer Award, and the 2019 PH Museum Women Photographer’s Grant. She’s a regular contributor to National Geographic, The New Yorker, and The New York Times among many other publications. She is currently based in Brooklyn, New York.
Dorie Howell is a published photographer serving the Northern Virginia and Washington, DC Metropolitan area. She loves serving her clients in all genres but specializes in Newborn, Family and Corporate Headshots.
As well as running her photography business, she has also become a top photography mentor to other photographers all over the world. Her previous experience in the corporate world working in small professional offices taking care of everything from payroll, employee management, customer service, and sales, to running her own photography business, then having an idea to start and run one of the largest photography education memberships in the industry, has given her the experience and knowledge to help creative business owners in any field.
Her passion remains with the photography industry and helping photographers define their goals and then give them the tools they need to meet those goals. She has worked with tens of thousands of photographers worldwide and loves seeing their success!
Dorie is a highly sought-after speaker, podcast guest, and teacher in the areas of marketing, social media, mindset and workflow.
Allison English Watkins specializes in capturing family portraits that will be treasured heirlooms for generations. For over 25 years Allison has been creating portraits for her beloved clients and celebrating their lifetime milestones. Living in the beautiful mountains of Park City, Utah, Allison loves incorporating the gorgeous landscape into her portraits as much as possible.
Besides being a Master Photographer, Craftsman and Certified Professional photographer, Allison’s portraits have won numerous awards during her career. A few career highlights include being PPA Diamond Photographer of the year, IPPA Master Photographer of the year and having 3 wedding albums finish in the IPC Top 10 wedding albums of the year. Allison has won multiple LexJet Sunset Awards, Kodak Gallery Awards and Fuji Masterpieces and has been international published. In 2018 she was the recipient of the Professional Photographers of America National Award presented by the Intermountain Professional Photographers Association for her service to the photographic community. Currently, Allison stays busy serving on the Professional Photographers of America Board of Directors and is a PPA Approved Photographic Juror. Allison also travels and educates photographers on the fine art of family portraiture. Allison is also part of the Camera Craftsmen of America, a group dedicated to the fine art craft of photography.
Allison’s greatest joys are her husband of almost 25 years, her 3 kids and her cat S’mores.
Vanessa Joy is a Canon Explorer of Light that has been an influential speaker in the community for over a decade. Starting her photographic journey in 1998, she has since branched into public speaking, earned 5 college degrees, received a PPA Photographic Craftsman degree, been named a WeddingWire Education Expert, sponsored by Canon, Profoto and Animoto to name a few. Vanessa has spoken at almost every major convention and platform in the event industry such as CreativeLIVE, The Wedding School, Clickin’ Moms, WPPI, ShutterFest, Imaging USA, Wedding MBA, WeddingWire World, MobileBeat, in addition to hosting personal workshops and numerous small business and photography conventions around the globe. Recognized for her talent and more so her business sense, her clients love working with her and industry peers love to learn from her tangible, informative and open-book style of teaching.
William Branson III
M. Photog. Cr., Fellow - ASP,
A-BIPP, A-RPS, MPP-MPI
“As a portrait artist, I help families hold onto time by creating portraits from their dreams. I write their story and the story begins with their family – their journey – their dreams. I create a world around them, a world beyond a photograph. It is a portrait that will become their most treasured possession and it will endure when their other material property has been discarded and forgotten. My goal is to bring a tradition of quality and refinement to portraiture for the walls of my client’s homes.”
A much sought after speaker and teacher to professional artist, William holds Fellowship and Associate degrees from around the globe. Families and institutions from all over look to him to help and guide them as he captures the most important people in their lives. Carefully preserved, these treasured portraits are admired in beautiful homes and institutions around the globe, iconic traces of each person’s heritage.
It has been said . . .
“You never own a portrait by William Branson III.
you merely take care of it for the next generation.”
Mark Rossetto is an international award-winning Double Master Photographer with the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP), an international keynote speaker and a qualified Photography Business and Life Coach. Mark is highly regarded and has coached hundreds of photographers from beginners to seasoned professionals all over the world including Australia, USA, UK, Europe and NZ.
Brooke Shaden is a conceptual fine art photographer specializing in self-portraiture. After graduating college with degrees in film and English, she turned to photography to tell the stories she always wanted to let loose. Photography provided a medium that was faster than film with the richness of story that writing had, and she built a career from those passions.
Her work has received awards for it’s cohesion and storytelling abilities. Many of the images are dark yet timeless and whimsical, creating a sometimes disturbing yet beautiful montage of worlds that people feel connected to. Shaden’s work reminds us that there is dark and light inside us all, and that element has allowed for openness and sharing of the ideology behind the works, garnering more than one million followers online.
When not creating personal work, Brooke is a dedicated philanthropist, teaching self-expression workshops for survivors of human trafficking. She has also started photography schools for the same community in India and Thailand. Brooke lives in a small mountain town with her husband and kitties.
Gary Hughes covers being a Girldad, the Hobby Paradox, and much more as we discuss how one must Learn to Play.
As the child of photographer parents it would have been natural for Gary to step right in to the family business, but he had to go out and try pretty much everything else before finding his way back to photography. In the 13 years since picking up a camera he has earned local and national awards including 3 Gold Medals and an Imaging Excellence Award from the International Photographic Competition and a Fuji Masterpiece Award. His work has been featured in Professional Photographer Magazine, Shutter Magazine, Professional Image Maker and he has published multiple articles on photography for the Huffington Post as well as an educational book, /Photographing Headshots/. He lives and works in Orlando, FL with his partner and wife, Julie and their children.
Marc Silber is a 3-time bestselling author, photographer, filmmaker, and producer of the very popular YouTube series Advancing Your Photography, where he has interviewed scores of some of the biggest names in photography.
He started out learning darkroom skills and the basics of photography at the legendary Peninsula School in Menlo Park, CA, in the ‘60s, and moved on to hone his skills to professional standards at the famed San Francisco Art Institute. Marc moved into teaching photography in workshops all over the country, he became renowned as an engaging and helpful speaker and coach, as his greatest joy comes from helping others.
He loves adventure and you will find him out backpacking surfing or snowboarding, or maybe just chilling, taking a walk-through Carmel with his wife and Golden Retriever.
David Hume Kennerly is an amazing PJ photographer based in LA with years of experience going back to the Vietnam war. He was the presidential photographer for Gerald Ford and has published several books of his work including “Seinoff: The Final Days of Seinfeld.”
David is a wonderful story teller not only with his pictures, but also in casual conversation. He is one of the founding members of Canon’s EOL program and has seen, and been at the forefront, of the transition from film to digital.
Don’t miss the CTRL-ALT-DEL RETREAT with Mary Fisk-Taylor and Kira Derryberry on August 15th and 16th 2021 at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas! Go to www.getyourshoottogether.com for more information and to sign up!
For almost 25 years Mary Fisk-Taylor has owned a portrait and wedding business with her business partner, Jamie Hayes in Richmond, Virginia. Hayes & Fisk Photography is one of the most sought-after Portrait and Wedding studios in their industry. Mary and Jamie are both incredibly committed to preserving family legacies, professionally capturing and printing portrait and milestone memories. They both believe that these fleeting need to be proudly displayed in family’s homes, not living digitally on phones, computers and modern technology. Mary co-hosts the podcast Get Your Shoot Together with Kira Derryberry and has her own consulting company helping other small business creatives be more profitable, sustainable and successful.
Kira Derryberry is a Tallahassee based photographer focused on Family and Commercial portraiture. Kira has spent the last 10 years of her career photographing hundreds of clients all over the southeast as well as sharing her knowledge with thousands of photographers across the country. Kira is a proud member of Professional Photographers of America and has earned Master Photographer, Master Craftsman and Certified Professional Photographer, is an approved judge for International Photographic Competition, as well as a member of PPA Board of Directors since 2017. Kira is also cohost of the Get Your Shoot Together Photography Podcast alongside fellow photographer and friend Mary Fisk-Taylor. She's a Paul C Buff Ambassador, Tether Tools Pro, Spider Holster Ambassador and WHCC Speaker. When not slinging a camera or volunteering for her favorite photography organizations, Kira is a wife and a mom who publicly loves karaoke jams and bad science fiction.
Julia Woods is an expert On Relationships. In part 4 of a 4 part series, we discuss Creatives and Depression. You can find Julia @beautiful_outcome on Instagram.
Hi, I’m Julia. I am passionate about helping couples stop fighting for themselves and instead fight for the marriage they long for. After 30 years of marriage to my husband Jeff, and nearly 10,000 hours of coaching couples, I created the 3-Part Communication Renovation System to guide couples step by step through their desired relationship transformation.
As a child I saw the painful reality of my parent’s abusive marriage. I knew that is not what I wanted for myself. Yet, through owning a photography business together and raising four kids, Jeff & I quickly saw that the marriage we longed for was not going to magically happen. Our search for answers took me down the path of becoming a transformational coach. And through that, I am thankfully not repeating my past and instead partnering with couples to create marriages they are proud of.
Julia Woods is an expert On Relationships. In part 3 of a 4 part series, we discuss The System Julia has developed for reconstructing ourselves so that we can be known by those we love the most. This is the “now what” part of the series. You can find Julia @beautiful_outcome on Instagram.
Hi, I’m Julia. I am passionate about helping couples stop fighting for themselves and instead fight for the marriage they long for. After 30 years of marriage to my husband Jeff, and nearly 10,000 hours of coaching couples, I created the 3-Part Communication Renovation System to guide couples step by step through their desired relationship transformation.
As a child I saw the painful reality of my parent’s abusive marriage. I knew that is not what I wanted for myself. Yet, through owning a photography business together and raising four kids, Jeff & I quickly saw that the marriage we longed for was not going to magically happen. Our search for answers took me down the path of becoming a transformational coach. And through that, I am thankfully not repeating my past and instead partnering with couples to create marriages they are proud of.
Julia Woods is an expert On Relationships. In part 2 of a 4 part series, we discuss Three Mistakes often made in relationships. You can find Julia @beautiful_outcome on Instagram.
Hi, I’m Julia. I am passionate about helping couples stop fighting for themselves and instead fight for the marriage they long for. After 30 years of marriage to my husband Jeff, and nearly 10,000 hours of coaching couples, I created the 3-Part Communication Renovation System to guide couples step by step through their desired relationship transformation.
As I child I saw the painful reality of my parent’s abusive marriage. I knew that is not what I wanted for myself. Yet, through owning a photography business together and raising four kids, Jeff & I quickly saw that the marriage we longed for was not going to magically happen. Our search for answers took me down the path of becoming a transformational coach. And through that, I am thankfully not repeating my past and instead partnering with couples to create marriages they are proud of.
Julia Woods is an expert On Relationships. In part 1 of a 4 part series, we discuss Connection and Disconnection. You can find her @beautiful_outcome on Instagram.
Allison Tyler Jones interviews two fellow photographers in Part 4 of her four-part series “From Pixels to Products”.
Allison Tyler Jones spends her days capturing spontaneous portraits of children and their families in her Main Street studio in Mesa, Arizona. Committed to the art of the photographic print, Allison works with her clients and their interior designers to create iconic art pieces and family galleries for their homes.
An author of four photography books, her most recent title, “100% Kid” (Peachpit Press) focuses on photographing rambunctious kids in gorgeous light. Allison owned a retail store for 12 years in a former life and has leveraged that business expertise to create a studio that ranks as one of the nation’s most profitable, according to Professional Photographers of America.
Allison is committed to helping photographers create their own success through her workshops, speaking and as a business mentor.
Owning a business is hard, and Allison is excited to share her down-to-earth, practical, take-no-prisoners advice.
Allison Tyler Jones talks about Sales in Part 3 of her four-part series “From Pixels to Products”.
Allison Tyler Jones spends her days capturing spontaneous portraits of children and their families in her Main Street studio in Mesa, Arizona. Committed to the art of the photographic print, Allison works with her clients and their interior designers to create iconic art pieces and family galleries for their homes.
An author of four photography books, her most recent title, “100% Kid” (Peachpit Press) focuses on photographing rambunctious kids in gorgeous light. Allison owned a retail store for 12 years in a former life and has leveraged that business expertise to create a studio that ranks as one of the nation’s most profitable, according to Professional Photographers of America.
Allison is committed to helping photographers create their own success through her workshops, speaking and as a business mentor.
Owning a business is hard, and Allison is excited to share her down-to-earth, practical, take-no-prisoners advice.
Allison Tyler Jones talks about Pricing Your Work in Part 2 of her four-part series “From Pixels to Products”.
Allison Tyler Jones spends her days capturing spontaneous portraits of children and their families in her Main Street studio in Mesa, Arizona. Committed to the art of the photographic print, Allison works with her clients and their interior designers to create iconic art pieces and family galleries for their homes.
An author of four photography books, her most recent title, “100% Kid” (Peachpit Press) focuses on photographing rambunctious kids in gorgeous light. Allison owned a retail store for 12 years in a former life and has leveraged that business expertise to create a studio that ranks as one of the nation’s most profitable, according to Professional Photographers of America.
Allison is committed to helping photographers create their own success through her workshops, speaking and as a business mentor.
Owning a business is hard, and Allison is excited to share her down-to-earth, practical, take-no-prisoners advice.
Allison Tyler Jones talks about developing a product line in Part 1 of her four-part series “From Pixels to Products”.
Allison Tyler Jones spends her days capturing spontaneous portraits of children and their families in her Main Street studio in Mesa, Arizona. Committed to the art of the photographic print, Allison works with her clients and their interior designers to create iconic art pieces and family galleries for their homes.
An author of four photography books, her most recent title, “100% Kid” (Peachpit Press) focuses on photographing rambunctious kids in gorgeous light. Allison owned a retail store for 12 years in a former life and has leveraged that business expertise to create a studio that ranks as one of the nation’s most profitable, according to Professional Photographers of America.
Allison is committed to helping photographers create their own success through her workshops, speaking and as a business mentor.
Owning a business is hard, and Allison is excited to share her down-to-earth, practical, take-no-prisoners advice.
It has been said that photographer and educator Gregory Heisler possesses “the eye of an artist, the mind of a scientist, and the heart of a journalist.” Renowned for his technical mastery and thoughtful responsiveness over a career spanning more than 35 years, his enthusiasm, curiosity, and drive are manifested in his hands-on approach to all aspects of the image making process.
Having photographed luminaries ranging from Bill Clinton to Bruce Springsteen, he is perhaps best known for his more than 70 cover portraits for TIME magazine. His iconic portraits and innovative visual essays have graced the covers and pages of many other magazines, including LIFE, ESQUIRE, FORTUNE, GQ, GEO, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, ESPN, and THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE. He has also photographed major advertising campaigns for such clients as American Express, Benson & Hedges, Dewar’s, Ford, Guinness, Marlboro, Merrill Lynch, Nike, Pfizer, Reebok, and United Technologies.
Private portrait commissions are another important focus of Gregory’s work.The first photographic portrait for New York’s City Hall was his lithographic print of Mayor Edward I. Koch. He has also completed a suite of large-scale portraits of noted authors and actors for the National Arts Club in New York.
Among the kudos he has received are the Alfred Eisenstadt Award and the Leica Medal of Excellence. Gregory has been profiled in AMERICAN PHOTO, COMMUNICATION ARTS, ESQUIRE, LIFE, and numerous industry periodicals.
Having been a founding member of the elite Canon Explorers of Light, he has just been chosen to be a Canon Legend, and is also an Ilford Master.
As a sought-after speaker and educator, he has taught at scores of workshops and seminars throughout the country and overseas. He is currently focused on personal projects and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students as Distinguished Professor of Photography at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
His widely acclaimed book, /Gregory Heisler: 50 Portraits, with a foreword by Michael R. Bloomberg, New York City Mayor (and Presidential candidate),/published by Random House/Amphoto in October 2013, and in its third printing.
Annie Marie tells her story, addresses the challenges she’s faced, and talks about Kindimosity, a term she coined that describes how she looks at life and treats others.
0:40 - About Annie
9:49 - Awards
14:23 - Two Markets
19:52 - The Burnout
24:48 - Positivity is a Choice
34:18 - Viewing 2021
I began my photography journey as a child following my photographer dad around with a camera, wanting to learn as much as I could. I would spend hours out in nature photographing anything that caught my eye and late nights in the darkroom he built in our home.
Years later, in 1994 after college and some adventures in Guatemala, I started Annie Marie Photography in Miami where I was living at the time. After eight years of building a successful studio, I moved back home to Minnesota with my two kids and started all over again. This time with experience backing me up, I went digital and built my business up again stronger than before.
My business has taken so many twists and turns though the past 27 years. I have worked out of my home, in large studios, and now on location and studio shares. I have loved each stage that I have gone through and love where I am in my business today. Even though I feel solid with my business model and style.
I continue to learn and push myself to always evolve. I have learned so much about myself and my photography the past couple years through awards and accreditation. I have earned Minnesota Photographer of the Year two years in a row as well as 2020 SYNC Photographer of the year as well as several awards from International competitions. The best one yet was just earning my Fellow accreditation with the Portrait Masters. I am honored to be one of nine in the world.
I also have a side hustle creating and selling marketing templates for photographers in hope to make their life easier and business more successful. I also mentor photographers as a way to give back and offer something I wish I had when I was starting out.
Now, off to see what I can create next…
Jessica Robertson talks about what we actually do as photographers. It’s so much more than you might think.
0:40 - About Jessica
3:16 - What We _Actually_ Do
20:00 - The Impact of Senior Photographers
24:59 - What Can Somebody Do?
35:29 - The Road Ahead
38:42 - Finding Jessica
Jessica Robertson has been a professional photographer for over 20 years and currently serves the Richmond, Virginia area from her 3000 square foot retail space in Ashland. With the support of her team, Robin and Karen, Jessica personally photographs over 200 seniors each year. She also photographs families, children, pets, and headshots. These additional 100 sessions a year create a full circle of life studio based upon relationships.
The studio’s authentic imagery reflects their commitment to timeless, creative, memorable, unique, and storytelling portraiture. Because of her commitment to her photographic style and her pragmatic business philosophy, Jessica has established a reputation as the premier photographer in her area.
Although the photography market is ever changing, she has been able to increase her gross sales and profit margin consistently each year. Jessica creates imagery that stands the test of time and forges relationships with her clients that withstands fluctuations in the economy.
Jessica holds a degree in Art with a Concentration in Photography from Guilford College. She has earned her PPA Masters of Photography, PPA Master Craftsman degree and she is also a PPA Certified Professional Photographer. Jessica has earned her Associate Fellow and Fellow of Photography degrees from the Virginia Professional Photographers Association.
Her professional life is balanced with being married to her husband, John and raising their two girls Grace, age 9, and Jaclyn, age 5. A full and busy life for sure! She is grateful for her family and for her ability to build and maintain a sustainable business based on her passion for photography.
Simon Bruty talks about the importance of concentration when you’re in a position to capture a moment that might exist for a mere second…or less. Originally from the U.K., Simon Bruty now lives in Washington D.C.
During his career, Simon has traveled extensively to work on large sporting events such as World Cup Soccer, Super Bowls, and the Olympics. His feature stories are as diverse as golfers in Greenland, soccer in Zambia, and badminton in Indonesia. Somewhere along the way Simon learned how to make people sit still and has created portraits of some of today’s most memorable athletes.
His editorial and commercial clients include the International Olympic Committee, Sports Illustrated, the All England Lawn and Tennis Club, ESPN, and Canon. He received a Lucie Award in 2016 for Achievement in Sports Photography. He has also received awards from the World Press Foundation, Pictures of the Year, and the International Olympic Committee. The London Observer chose one of Simon’s photographs to be included in their list of the World’s 50 Greatest Sports Photographs.
Julie Collins is an award-winning portrait photographer and the artist behind Julie Collins Photography, based in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Julie is a Certified Professional Photographer through Professional Photographers of America and her studio specializes in family, newborn, and senior portraiture. Her images are characterized by bold color and authentic emotion. Candid “in the moment” photographs touch her heart deepest and what feeds her passion for storytelling through her lens. You can expect full service when working with Julie, including design consultations, in-person reveal sessions and installation of your wall art in your home.
Lynsey Weatherspoon knows Something Greater is out there, and she’s determined to work hard to get it.
“Suddenly this camera, this thing, allowed me to move around the world in a certain kind of way, with a certain kind of purpose.” Carrie Mae Weems
Lynsey Weatherspoon’s first photography teacher was her late mother, Rhonda. Like her mentor-in-her-head Carrie Mae Weems, that first camera - a gift - delivered purpose. Her career includes editorial and commercial work that has been inspired and powered by her first teacher’s love and lessons.
The “blackqueergirl” is a photojournalist and portraitist based in Atlanta and Birmingham. Using both photography and filmmaking as tools to tell stories, Weatherspoon’s work has been featured in print and online in such publications as The New York Times, USA Today, NPR, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Time, ESPN and ESPN-owned The Undefeated.
As a member of a modern vanguard of photographers, she is often called on to capture heritage and history in real time. The Equal Justice Institute’s Bryan Stevenson. The National Memorial for Peace and Justice. The Legacy Museum. Ronnie the shoe repairman in downtown Birmingham. The people of the Gullah-Geechee Corridor. An entire family infected with and affected by a pandemic. Demonstrators with raised fists and sad, vulnerable eyes. The sons and daughters of history. The mothers of children who died making history. The majesty of Mardi Gras. The loving hands of family caregivers.
Lynsey Weatherspoon’s work has been exhibited at The African American Museum in Philadelphia and Photoville NYC. She is an awardee, The Lit List, 2018. Her affiliations include Diversify Photo, Authority Collective, and Women Photograph.
0:40 - About Lynsey
4:57 - A Hard Worker
6:05 - Honor
9:08 - Purpose
12:45 - A Generational Gap
17:42 - Success
23:27 - The Best is Yet to Come
27:59 - Canon Explorer of Light
30:37 - Legacy
Jai Mayhew is a portrait & fashion photographer currently residing in St. Louis. Her work has been published internationally, featured in galleries and commissioned by public figures. Growing up in Germany, Jai was first introduced to portraiture in the form of romantic paintings and marble statues. This influence has evolved into the style she’s best known for - romantic, sensual and editorial. Jai is PRO EDU’s newest instructor and is excited for the launch of her ‘Luxe Portraiture’ tutorial in March 2021. When she isn’t in the studio, you can find Jai with her beautiful family, in the gym, or mixing an especially dirty martini.
0:40 - Empowering + Lifting Clients
4:57 - A Specific Questionnaire
7:35 - Vulnerability
16:30 - The Final Touches
23:16 - Methods + Motives
29:27 - Jai’s Tutorial
Cris and Deanna Duncan have a passion for people. Their greatest joy comes in seeing others succeed. Cris is often labeled “Mr. CPP” as he is only one of a few PPA (Professional Photographers of America) approved CPP instructors and he often brags about his students’ passage rates. He’s the geek that loves the technical side of photography and his humor, wit and eye for detail have earned him a spot as an International Print Competition (IPC) juror. To balance Cris, Deanna brings the “softer” side of photography, but she geeks out on understanding personalties and bringing them out in front of the camera.
When not traveling the country teaching, Cris and Deanna are at home in Lubbock, Texas operating C j Duncan Photography where they specialize in family, senior and commercial photography. In their 18 year career the Duncan’s have photographed numerous portraits, weddings, commercial assignments and even two Presidents. Cris currently serves at the President of the Texas Professional Photographers Assoc. The Duncans’ are both Master Photographic Craftsmen, CPPs and the founders of Find Your Focus Photographic Education and have one daughter.
0:40 - Mr. President
2:57 - What We Don’t Know
5:53 - The Top Dog
9:06 - Importance of TPPA
16:31 - Image Competition
22:20 - Moving Forward
31:11 - A C+ Student
World renowned child photographers, Regis and Kahran Bethencourt are a husband and wife duo and the imaginative forces behind CreativeSoul Photography. The pair gained global recognition with their AfroArt series. The collection, which showcases the beauty and versatility of afro hair, was conceived as a way to empower kids of color around the world. The couple recently authored their New York Times best selling coffee table book, “Glory” which brings to life past, present, and future visions of black culture. With more than eleven years of working with hundreds of children, families and brands, they specialize in child and lifestyle photography while incorporating authentic visual storytelling.
0:40 - A Bit of an Agenda
2:40 - Web Designers
10:02 - Taking The Leap
15:47 - Growing The Business Together
20:34 - Complimenting One Another
24:17 - Working With Your Spouse
28:02 - Our Mission
38:45 - Canon Explorers of Light
Spanki Mills lives life on her own terms. From Spanki: Hey y’all. I’m just a girl named Spanki. Yep, that’s my real name…long story short, it was a dads nickname (Spanky from the Little Rascals), my mom was clearly so blinded by love she wasn’t thinking and in the end there was a baby girl who looked like her dad… named SPANKI!
I am an ENFP and an enneagram 7…so what does that mean? It means at 40 something I am still trying to figure out who I am..join me on my journey!
I am a mother to four…yes Lord please have mercy on me…FOUR teenagers! Which leads me to express my love and crazy desire to travel…it is how I cope with stress, I fly as far away from it as possible! I am a multifaceted entrepreneur running a few businesses because any smart business owner knows not to put all their eggs in one basket. I am a photographer, an educator in the photography industry, I work on home design and just started offering online design consults. I also work for the leading anti-aging haircare company in the world helping women change the health of their hair while creating financial freedom. My heart hungers for helping women just like you let go of the expectations you put on yourself, I am here to offer a hand to help you crawl out of societies box of the “perfect woman” because believe it or not…you already ARE!
I am so glad you are here to help me journey through the busy life of a creative mind that has more balls in the air than hands to catch them, who has a heart that is so full of love it aches for her growing kids and a sense of humor while navigating her mid-life crisis.
Sarah Petty, MBA, is a highly-acclaimed speaker, best-selling author of Worth Every Penny, and photography business teacher, inspiring thousands to use the boutique model to build their dream business. Her expertise is based on 20+ years of helping build the Coca-Cola brand, meeting client goals at a top regional advertising agency, and building her own photography studio in Springfield, Illinois. PPA named Sarah Petty Photography one of the most profitable studios in the USA (just five years after opening). Sarah has mastered the science and art of making marketing simple, actionable, and fun— without sacrificing time for the most important thing in life: family.
Go Boutique Live is a 3-day virtual spectacular for boutique photographers who want to inject joy, purpose and freedom into their photography businesses (and their families’ lives, too). This event will show you there’s a better way to be a professional portrait photographer, where you can truly make the income you want and still put your family first. Here’s a preview of what you’ll discover at GO Boutique Live: how to shoot for, price and service a $3,000 order; how to sell wall art without being pushy; how to elevate your brand so boutique clients FIND you and INVEST more with you; and so much more! The event is LIVE February 23-25, 2021. Get your tickets at goboutiquelive.com or apply for a scholarship at goboutiquelive.com/scholarship.
Jamie attributes the success of their studio, along with business partner Mary Fisk-Taylor, to their sound management and business skills combined with their love and passion for photography. His commitment to creating priceless portraits, wedding albums and commercial imagery has earned him an extremely loyal clientele as well as a sterling reputation in the state of Virginia. Their business savvy and creative marketing concepts have enabled them to establish an extremely profitable and fulfilling portrait and wedding gallery. As a PPA Approved Business Instructor and PPA Approved Photographic Instructor, Jamie offers informative and motivational programs to working photographers.
Jamie has participated in several state, regional, national and international conferences giving both full-day and week long classes. As an affiliate PPA juror, he has the pleasure to judge several international print competitions throughout the US. He is a proud member of several professional photography organizations, including: Professional Photographers of America (PPA), Virginia Professional Photographers Association (VPPA), The Society of XXV and the International Society of Portrait Artists.
Jamie has been honored with many awards on both state and national levels. His achievements include the Kodak Gallery Elite Award of Excellence, numerous Kodak Gallery Awards of Excellence, PPA Loan collections, multiple ASP Regional Medallion Awards, SEPPA Distinguished Awards, Best Wedding Albums VPPA, Best of Category, Fuji Masterpiece Awards and the VPPA Photographer (Highest Print Case) several times as well as one of the Top Ten Photographers for the entire state of Virginia. Jamie earned the distinguished honor of ASP Fellow in January of 2018 as the 122nd photographer in the world to earn this degree. Jamie shares his simple lighting concept applying a down to earth and easy formula for lighting any subject indoors or outdoors.
Accomplishments:
Photographic Craftsmen Degree Master of Photography Degree Imaging Excellence Degree Approved Photographic Instructor Approved Business Instructor Member of The Society of XXV
Scored a perfect 100 in SEPPA competition using film
4 for 4 in PPA Loan Collection (2 wedding albums and 2 prints using film ) Kodak Gallery Elite
Award 1st place
16 Kodak Gallery Awards 14 Fuji Masterpiece Awards
4 VPPA Photographer of the Year Awards 4 ASP State Awards 2 ASP Regional Awards
2 Top 10 PPA Wedding Photographer of the Year Awards 8 PPA Charities Legacy Award PPA Affiliate Juror
PPA Directors Award Recipient
Certification Committee Member
Speaker Selection Committee Member
PPA Charities Dream Studio Giveaway Committee Member PEC Committee Member
VPPA Print Salon Chair
Born in Staffordshire, England. Lara Jade first picked up a camera at the early age of fourteen - influenced by self-portraiture and conceptual photography. Growing up with the rise of social media and digital techniques enabled Lara to see the bigger picture of an international industry. After graduating college she made the move to London, where she naturally felt the transition to fashion photography. A couple of years later - she embarked on her first trip to New York and never looked back.
Lara enjoys creating timeless and emotive imagery. She is inspired by feminine strength, unique beauty and lasting style.
She currently resides in Brooklyn, New York with her husband James and regularly travels for assignments, working between NY, LA and London.
Lara also enjoys teaching & speaking at photography conventions and runs her own photography education business Lara Jade Education. Her love of education has been recognized by some of the largest brands in photography and most recently she was named a Canon Explorer Of Light.
Well everyone, here we are. 2020 is behind us. And now 2021 lays outstretched before us. We’ve called this episode An Unforgettable 2020…for obvious reasons, I hope. I just wanted to say thanks for listening these past few years. This last one was…well, it was something else. This next one, I hope is much, much better for all of us. We’ve put together some of our best clips from this past year. I hope you enjoy them. Again, thanks for listening. And Happy New Year.
As 2020 comes to a close, the last This Conversation episode for the year is a classic podcast from the "early days". This episode featuring Teri Fode was originally released on April 23, 2018. Teri Fode is an award-winning photographer specializing in fashion-inspired teen and senior portraits that also grow into family portraits, boudoir and headshot opportunities. She has created a successful luxury brand in her market, having started 13 years ago by growing from a small in-home production studio using the client's home for sales and consults into a boutique-style brand. She is passionate about offering an unforgettable experience and has grown her business with a high client-return base. Teri is also the creator of VoiceYourBrand.com, teaching photographers how to market their own brands on purpose and with intention using actionable systems and strategies.
As 2020 comes to a close, This Conversation will be featuring two classic episode from the "early days". This episode featuring Brooke Shaden was originally released on January 8, 2018. Brooke explores the darkness and light in people, and her work looks at that juxtaposition. As a self-portrait artist, she photographs herself and becomes the characters of dreams inspired by a childhood of intense imagination and fear. Being the creator and the actor, Brooke controls her darkness and confronts those fears.
After studying films for years in college, she realized her love of storytelling was universal. She started photography then in 2008, excited to create in solitude and take on character roles herself. Brooke works from a place of theme, often gravitating toward death and rebirth or beauty and decay.
Ultimately, her process is more discovery than creation. She follows her curiosity into the unknown to see whom her characters might become. Brooke believes the greatest gift an artist has is the ability to channel fears, hopes and experience into a representation of one's potential.
While her images come from a personal place of exploration, the goal in creating is not only to satisfy herself; her greatest wish is to show others a part of themselves. Art is a mirror for the creator and the observer .
Brooke's passion is storytelling, and her life is engulfed in it. From creating self-portraits and writing to international adventures and motivational speeches, she wants to live a thousand lives in one. She keeps her curiosity burning to live a truly interesting story.
Self Description: Intensely anxious, powerful little creative soul.
Favorite Memory: Flying into the sky before she lost her wings at the age of 5.
Greatest Achievement: Starting The Light Space, a photography school for survivors of human trafficking in India and now Thailand.
Greatest Fear: Whales.
Favorite Book: Dune by Frank Herbert.
Darren McBurnett “McB” (SEAL) Ret. is a combat veteran, professional photographer, author, corporate speaker, and ambassador. His 24-year SEAL career included numerous combat zone deployments for which he earned 53 individual, unit, and campaign honors, including a Bronze Star. During his time as a military free fall instructor, he taught himself photography. His professional portfolio now includes images for NIKE, National Geographic, Fox and Friends, Rolling Stone, and the movie “Act of Valor.” He is the first Navy SEAL to have photographed the rigorous Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL training, which lead to the creation of his book Uncommon Grit.
Be sure to check out McB on Instagram @mcteams3842
Peter Hurley’s haphazard way of moving through life has had him cruising the seven seas on a sailboat while training for the Olympics, thrown him in front of a camera modeling for the likes of Polo, Hanes, Wrangler, and Abercrombie, and had him recognized as the premier headshot photographer in the world after having over 30,000 faces 3 feet in front of his lens. His prowess as a lensman fueled his desire to educate. He has spoken at Google, Apple, Microsoft, and TEDx on the subject of how to be your most photogenic self. His unique ideas on the subject have propelled his YouTube videos to over 8 million views. Canon took notice and brought Peter under their wing by honoring him as one of their coveted Explorers of Light.
When he’s not taking pictures, Peter spends much of his time educating as the founder of the Headshot Crew, a photographer network that is now home to the largest and most talented group of headshot specialists in the world. Although he never anticipated adding author to his list of accolades, his book, The Headshot, jumped to the bestseller list in photography immediately after its highly anticipated release. While he still believes that the twists and turns of his life continue to make it a most interesting journey, he couldn’t be more grateful to have picked up a camera along the way. He calls New York City his home where he lives with his beautiful wife and precious twin daughters.
Clay Blackmore was blessed to have worked with a photographic legend in Monte Zucker and one of the things he learned was how to bat 1.000 with his clients. Clay is an enthusiastic leader in the photographic industry. Not only is he revered for his development of innovative lighting and portrait techniques, but he is highly sought after as an instructor and considered one of the most passionate photographers working in the country today.
Clay meticulously developed his photographic, teaching, and business skills during his 25-year association with Monte Zucker, first as an assistant, then as a co-educator and business partner. His clientele has included celebrities such as Tiger Woods, Forest Whitaker, Jenna Elfman, Maria Sharapova, and many of Washington D.C.’s top families.
Clay is a champion of innovation and growth in the photography industry, pushing the boundaries of storytelling with the latest innovations in technology. In addition to his mastery of lighting and classic portraiture, Clay was among the first to test and evaluate new products for photography and HD-DSLR cinematography.
As a Distinguished Canon Print Master, Clay has been part of the Canon team for over 20 years. In 2018, he received the Tom McDonald Award from the Professional Photographers of America for supporting photographic education. He is also part of the Westcott Pro Team, a member of the elite Cameracraftsmen of America. His Rockville, Maryland, studio supports a team of passionate photographers and filmmakers working with the most cutting-edge technologies in the field.
In addition, Clay is active in ministry and his local community, volunteering his time to help others through photography. He believes that the best way to teach is by example. “Confidence comes from success, and success comes from practice,” he says.
Campli photography was born in 1990 to become a leader in the neighborhood. Today the studio handles family portraits, weddings, seniors and commercial accounts. The studio is a brick and mortar operation with client service at the forefront. With a staff of 3 in the studio, and 3 additional part time photographers, this busy place is still the place on main street to stop by for a coffee and good conversation. Even with a mask.
David is the man behind the vision. Though he is the head photographer, his vision stretches far beyond the scope of a lens. David not only has years of experience behind the camera, but also as a business owner. His technical training makes the camera an extension of his personality. Working with people young and old, individuals and large groups, are what he enjoys the most about portrait photography. He is a family man at heart, holding those values true in his work. His ideals give his images a certain aura of authenticity. From his home to his studio, family is what fuels his art form.
From Lance: This is where I’m supposed to talk about myself, let you know who I am and what I love. I am a father, and I’m a daydreamer with my head in the clouds! I love homemade popcorn, sunshine, flip flops, white sand beneath my feet and my mountain bike. Old Volkswagens, cars & hotrods bring a huge smile to my face. I love watches, Vans shoes, hoodies and as I get older, I love last minute adventures with no plan - thanks to my family and friends. I love a good movie, and a great book, especially if its a book on being human, good self care or self development. There is nothing so great as a good cup of coffee, and I love a fantastic breakfast on a day off with my family. And finally - I love helping others in their business. I am passionate about a great start up!
It’s great when your passion becomes your career but if you don’t fuel that passion, eventually it’s just going to die. Your community is very similar in that it’s built, not found. It needs to be constructed and nurtured and cared for…not merely discovered or stumbled upon. This episode features Chicagoland videographer, Aaron Bean. Aaron describes himself like this: I love Jesus, live concerts, playing drums, coffee, and anything that puts joy in people’s lives. I shoot Wedding Photography and Cinematography. I love telling stories through photos and videos. I’m fun, energetic, and passionate about capturing people’s stories. I want to show off how fun you are, how beautiful you are, and how important your story is. You can find out more about Aaron here.
Marcus Bell is a multi-award winning and highly acclaimed photographer. Best known for his wedding photography, Marcus’ original passion for the grandeur of landscapes and story-telling of documentary photography saw Marcus defy scope and created something that had never been done before; placing couples in expansive, dramatic landscapes, shooting breathtaking frames that experimented with the element of scale (a style now dubbed “weddingscapes”). Pushing the boundaries with fearless originality, his documentarian approach together with his iconic landscape shots went global, propelling Marcus into the international space. American Photo Magazine listed Marcus as one of the top 10 wedding photographers in the world. In Australia he was the youngest photographer ever to be awarded the title “Grand Master” by the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP), the highest photography accolade in the country. He has been honoured with a Fellowship in the United Kingdom and granted his Masters with WPPI in America. Marcus is an international speaker and author of “ Masters Guide to Wedding Photography”. Marcus’ natural ability to capture the spirit and character of the people and places he photographs is very much influenced by his own life experiences, moments that have shaped who he is as a person. His work is powerful, dramatic, emotive and speaks to human connections – connections to nature, to each other and to our own histories and human spirit.
The full extent of Marcus’ work goes way beyond wedding photography, inviting you to move beyond sometimes superficial person to person connections and explore connectedness through the feelings invoked by the natural beauty of the world in which we exist.
Zabrina Deng’s episode is called “Persevering” because that’s the word that comes to her mind when thinking about how she wants her kids perceive her. She wants them to see that she fought and continued to grind through difficult times.
Booray Perry is an excellent photographer/podcaster/educator from Tampa, FL with a broad skillset and a tender heart.
Jared Platt has no interest in softening the edges around the fact that at some point, everybody is bad at something even when they think they are good; but he’s also more than willing to unpack what it takes to be great. And here’s the thing, Jared is one of my favorite people in the whole wide world to converse with. This conversation is from WPPI 2020 last February before the world became whatever it is right now. We talk about the process of improvement among some other very important things. Take a moment and listen as Jared shares his wisdom and experience. I think you’ll be very glad you did.
Every year at WPPI in Las Vegas, I have dinner with Jason Hsiao. This past year was maybe our 10th or 11th time. I’ve really lost count. I cannot say enough about how much I admire Jason. Yes, he is the one of the founders and president of Animoto…a successful tech company in New York City. But he’s a million things more than that. He’s a good man in every sense of those words.
I’ve wanted to interview him since day one of this show’s inception. But the night before, we had our annual WPPI dinner and he said that he had an idea. That idea turned out to be that he wanted to Turn the Tables and interview me. And so that’s just what we did. Thank you, Jason. You are one of the best friends I’ve ever had and one of the best men I’ve ever known.
Brant Menswar encourages people to discover their “Black Sheep Values” and move forward with deliberate intention. Check out his new book, "Black Sheep Values" right now!
I’m a terrible golfer. Always have been. And I’m sure I always will be. I don’t golf much anymore but there was a time in my life when I went about every other week or so. And it was all because of Tiger Woods. Tiger made the game appealing to me…even though I was terrible. I’d watch him win, many times in dramatic fashion, on Sunday, and then think about playing all week until I could hit the links the following Saturday morning.
Eric Floberg is a Photographer, Filmmaker, and Content Creator based out of Chicago, IL and he’s kind of like Tiger Woods to me. I’m not a great any of that, but he makes me want to create amazing films. I’ve dabbled with video, yes, but Eric’s work inspires me to…make stuff. I’ve had Eric on the show before and I fawned over his Tyler and Elle film. I’m still fawning. And if you haven’t check it out, please do so. But be ready. Eric is focusing much of his time on teaching now, so not only will you want to start filming and editing and creating amazing work yourself, you’ll have a direct way to learn from him via YouTube and his educational resources.
I think it’s an understatement to say that 2020 has been uncomfortable. For many, it’s been much more than that. I spoke with Jason Vinson about several things regarding photographing weddings, but one of the things he talked about was being comfortable in an uncomfortable situation (particularly when you’re shooting a wedding). Since I’ve had time to reflect on our conversation, I’ve likened it to how I’ve felt for much of this whole year. Jason suggests adopting the right mindset…one of confidence and of belonging. And I think it applies to much more than just shooting weddings. He also took some time during this crazy season to intentionally document his son for 50 days in a row. It’s definitely worth checking out on YouTube. Join us as we discuss stepping out of your comfort zone and staying in a good place no matter what’s going on.
“What else can be true?” Have you ever asked yourself that question? So many times we find ourselves caught up in and supporting various narratives and perspectives. But how often do we stop, take a minute, back up a bit, and ask, “What else can be true?” After a traumatic scare just before he turned 50, Tampa photographer Ryan Joseph found himself doing just that. He asked, “What else can be true?” and looked at himself and his life from a different perspective. And with a little help from his friends, he’s continuing to ask, and to grow, and to claim Victory over Victimhood.
True Moua is a creator, educator, and lover of natural light. She’s based in Western Wisconsin and specializes in fine art senior portraits. In addition to photography, she’s a dedicated mother and artist and loves sharing her creativity with fellow industry photographers. She has learned quite a bit about business and life, but one of the mains things has been to Value Your Self.
She’s an Explorer. She’s a Legend. She’s an Icon. And she’s not even 35. Canon Explorer of Light, Lindsay Adler graciously accepted our invitation for a conversation to discuss her meteoric rise, her pioneering role as a female photographer and educator, as well as how the industry has changed and continues to do so.
During a crisis, we look for the guides…the ones with the steady hand…the scars from experience…the wisdom born from previous suffering and perseverance. This may sound like the voiceover from the trailer for an epic film, but it’s really just describing what so many of us have been doing this year. And 2020 kinda has been like living inside an epic film. Well, Bryan Caporicci from Sprout Studio wants there to be a happy ending. And he thinks there can be. In This Conversation, we go over some of the things that entrepreneurs can actually take advantage of during this time of uncertainty. I hope this chat finds you doing well and staying safe. Keep your head up and continue to look for the opportunities. And as always, thanks for listening.
There are many different ways to run your business…and it seems like there are an endless amount of variables to consider as you build and nurture your company. Nikki Harrison is an amazing photographic artist from Canada. She built a business starting in Calgary and then moved to Vancouver where it really took off. Then, she moved to a much smaller town and everything changed. Nikki had changed locations and discovered that she needed to also change her business model. Now, the big thing that I took from this is that, knowing Nikki the way I do, I know that she’s a tremendously gifted artist. But more than that, I know that she’s someone who cares so much about her art, that she wouldn’t want to compromise it no matter what. This conversation is a deeper dive into how she navigated the creation of a completely different business model after moving to a much smaller market. But not just any business model. Nikki created something that was profitable and allowed her to continue to embrace her artistry.
Matthew “The Body” Kemmetmueller cracks me up and scares me to death at the same time all the time. He scares me because I never have any idea what he’s going to say or do at any given moment. That’s also why he cracks me up. So we’ve been talking about doing a podcast for a few years and we finally made it happen. You’ll find, if you didn’t already know, that Matthew is hilarious and unpredictable. But you’ll also discover, if you didn’t already know, that he has a great mind for business. Now, everyone has their own business model. Matthew has developed a system in the world of event photography that essentially serves as a template. And now that his template exists, it’s just a matter of executing his system on each shoot. As you listen, consider how might be able to tweak the systems that exist within your model. You might find that even the smallest of improvements can make a big difference.
When I’m really excited about a movie that’s coming out, I do my best to stay away from knowing much about it. I like to go in cold. And for the most part, I really prefer going into these interviews relatively cold. Not completely, mind you, but I enjoy learning about my guests in real time…right along with you. For me, it provides for a much more authentic experience for all of us. I made the mistake of diving into who Nick Onken was about 7 minutes before our interview. I had known of Nick for several years, but I didn’t know a lot about him. When I sat down for our interview, I was a few minutes early so I pulled up his website and began to peruse more than I had before. I quickly discovered that he was a much bigger deal than I even knew. As a result, I became quite nervous about interviewing him and found myself a bit shaken about 37 seconds before he appeared on my screen for our chat. I was delighted when I found him to be extremely grounded and down to earth despite his success and accomplishments. We spoke at the relative beginning to our culture’s response to a pandemic that we didn’t really understand at the time. Despite the craziness, Nick was extremely gracious and easy to talk to. Enjoy our conversation.
I’m 45 years old. I feel much younger than that most of the time, but with each passing year, the reality of middle age hits home harder and harder. And we’re all in the same boat. None of us can hide from Father Time. That means a lot of things, but one of the things it means for me is that I don’t have to be afraid or feel threatened by or angry at younger generations solely because they are, well, younger. I remember my parents and grandparents not understanding my taste in music. And I see the “get off my lawn” approach all the time. But I think there is something to be said for being able to meet our clients where they are and co-exist in the same space. Renee Bowen is a senior photographer and certified life coach from the LA area. She specializes in creating unique portrait experiences for high school seniors and brands while emphasizing her clients’ authenticity and uniqueness. She offers coaching and various online courses to photographers who want to get their businesses to the next level - always with a focus on Gen Z. I’ve been inspired by Renee’s passion and zest and I really like her approach regarding my own insecurities that seem to be popping up from time to time as I age. We talk about TikTok among other things which is timely as you can now catch This Conversation on there as well. I’ve been told that I’m only as young as I feel. I’m not sure if that’s entirely true, but for now, I’ll go with it. I hope you are doing well, friends. Thanks for listening.
If you’re a photographer that gets paid for your time and efforts, you’ve probably heard about In-Person-Sales a million times. If you offer IPS, then you may know how valuable the process can be for your business. If you don’t offer IPS, here is another conversation meant to be encouraging to you. Dorie Howell and Rachael Boer created the online education platform IPS Mastermind in 2015. In this conversation, they share their IPS conversion stories as well as tips and tricks to help you avoid leaving money on the table. Our businesses have all been impacted this year. Many of us are still fighting to keep our heads above the water, so to speak. Doing anything in person may not seem or even be feasible right now, but even if you are conducting online meetings with your clients, several IPS concepts may be able to help you navigate the current situation affecting so many of us. Thanks for listening, folks. And don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help. Visit whcc.com. We’re here for you. Really.
Identity is a funny thing. Who we are is a big deal. Much of our perceived reality is based on it. And so often, what we do gets conflated with that. One of the first questions people ask each other when they are getting to know each other is, what do you do? Sometimes it’s the very first question. Many of us want to be known by what we do and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Actions speak louder than words after all and again, what we do is important. But is what we do really who we are? Benjamin Edwards is a storyteller from Oregon. We sat down and had a chat online during a time when he was feeling pretty raw. I consider those times to be be the best times to have a discussion…especially with a good man like Ben. He said a lot of things that rang true to me. Identity was one of several things we broached. Join us for this one. There may be something here that resonates with you as well. Oh, and pardon my audio quality issues. In a nutshell, I tried something new while recording and it didn’t work out so well.
It’s always great to find someone who’s sincere and down to Earth. I’m talking about the kind of person who doesn’t steal the energy from a room or a group of people. A giver of energy, even. My producer (yes, I have one of those now), came across David duChemin on Instagram and reached out to him for an interview. He kindly accepted and scheduled a time to have a conversation. It was just one of those pleasant talks. I left it feeling better about the industry and the creative process and what our potential as human beings really looks like. And it felt genuine to me…no fluff, so to speak. To me, David is an optimist, and a realist as well. I can appreciate that point of view more than ever right now.
Matthew Jordan Smith is the type of person that is really well known and really well loved. Those two things don’t always go together but they certainly do with him. And for good reason. Initially, I was planning on speaking with Matthew about marketing and branding. I had a few questions I wanted to ask him about Oprah and Aretha as well. Then, as the day for our interview approached, things changed. In a way, it feels like everything has changed. And when it came time to speak with Matthew, I just decided to listen.
There are few things in my experience as a business owner and entrepreneur that have been more of a mixed bag than employees. A good employee is worth their weight in gold, and a not-so-good employee can make things very challenging to say the least. I haven’t broached the subject much on this podcast…not intentionally, but the opportunity hasn’t really presented itself. Until recently. A few weeks ago, I had the privilege to speak with Meredith Kestel. She works for Midwest Lifeshots Photography owned by Scott and Jen Elder. I can tell you that after just a couple minutes of my time with Meredith, I knew she was the type of person that anyone would want as an employee. So listen in to hear a bit from an employee’s perspective. The word essential has been used quite a bit lately. I think Meredith embodies it’s meaning perfectly.
It’s not often that we get to meet living legends, much less spend some time with them. That’s why I was excited and a little nervous when Canon gave me the opportunity to sit with Bruce Dorn. I’ve known of Bruce for a very long time, but I never imagined I’d get to have a conversation with him. I was continually struck by all that he’s been through…all that he’s seen and captured. And I’m quite certain I don’t know the half of it…or even the half of one percent of it. Bruce has lived a very full life. And I have the feeling he’s not done by a long shot. Have fun with this one, friends. I know I did. Oh! And if you want to see what we look like, you can watch this interview, and many others on our YouTube channel.
There are several things that I’ve seen people focus on as we’ve weathered this pandemic. I’ve been encouraged by those who use their time in ways that seem productive and positive. John Gress is a photographer in Chicago…one of the hot spots for this virus. He’s been creating more YouTube content during his stay at home time the last couple months. Here, he shares some insight into what life is like for him, and how he’s using this time to put himself out there. He’s using his skills to reach out to others in similar situations so that they can learn and be inspired by what he has to offer. There are many ways to look at our situation right now. I appreciate that despite being in one of the hardest hit spots in the country, John is using his time well as we move through this. Thanks for listening, friends.
We talk about it a bit in this episode, but I knew I had to speak with Scott Robert Lim the second I saw his Facebook post about his Dad’s shoes. If you’ve lost a parent, what is it about them that stays with you? In retrospect, what did they teach you? And not just with their words, but with what they did and who they were? If you still have your parents like I do right now, when is the last time you thanked them or just had the conversation about the helpful things you’ve learned from them? My conversation with Scott really grounded me…humbled me, even. I love his mission to help others. And I can relate to his “trick” many times over. And now that 2020 has turned out to be the way that it has, I’m more grateful than ever to the examples of strength and courage I’ve had in my life. We’re getting through this, friends. Stay strong and stick to your mission.
I don’t know what state you’re in…geographically or psychologically. I know this past month has seemed more like a year to many of us and, of course, I have no idea how much longer this strangeness will last. But sometimes I gather comfort in the little things…like a smile, or a giggle, or even a full blown guffaw. And speaking of laughter, I got to sit with a couple dudes who really set the bar high for podcasts in our industry. Gary Hughes and Booray Perry joined me at WPPI a few months ago…or was it a few years ago? I can’t remember. In any case, we had a ball talking about all kinds of stuff. I felt like I was in the middle of a comedy duo act as we discussed everything from internet trolls to self-driving ride shares and how everything is more amazing than ever. Look, I know that right now, things may be amazing in a lot of ways, but it’s also a very strange, crazy time. My hope is that that light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter. My hope is that you are safe and sound right now. And my hope is that you enjoy this silly conversation between three goofballs who just wanted to make each other laugh a bit. Stay strong, friends.
My brother Kippy is just a year behind me. We grew up and were thick as thieves. We played together (for and against each other), fought together (for and against each other), grieved together, and celebrated together. And no matter what the situation was, we always had each other’s back. In adulthood, we’ve had our ups and downs. Most people that know us are aware of this. But I’m here to tell you, even though there have been times when I felt like shooting him, I’d take a bullet for him right now. When I got to sit with Tom and Mario Muñoz at WPPI this year, I saw the same thing in them. Like other relationships, the bond of brotherhood is a one that’s tough to describe if you don’t already have it. But if you do, you know it when you see it. Tom and Mario exemplified brotherly love to me. I could see it in their eyes. And I’m here to tell you, after spending some time in person with those boys, there’s no way I’d ever think of crossing either one of them. To have a problem with one, is to have a problem with the other. Or as Tom would say, to have an event with one, is to have an event with the other. Whether you have a sibling or not, there’s some great stuff here, friends. I hope you are all safe and sound. Stay strong and stay safe.
As a husband and a father, I find myself looking at other guys are who married with kids and comparing myself. Now, these comparisons are by no means rational. I very little about most of these other guys. I just base my comparisons on what I see and hear and experience. I do the same thing with other married couples. I observe how they act in general and how they interact with each other and I can’t help but compare sometimes. In doing this, I discover those couples whom I consider to be standard bearers for myself. Phillip and Eileen Blume are one of these standard bearer couples for me. I haven’t known them super long, but they have consistently come across as genuine and honest and vulnerable in exceptional ways. And in these trying times, they are the type of people I look to for guidance and wisdom. As we all go through this pandemic together, we are finding out what it is like to collectively suffer…at all kinds of different levels. I’m here to tell you, that for me, it’s people like Phillip and Eileen who set a standard when things are quote unquote normal, that when applied in our lives can really help the rest of us when things aren’t quite so normal. In short, they strive to celebrate life in a way that isn’t dependent upon circumstances or…normalcy. And that’s a mindset I can really use right now.
What have you learned about yourself in the last few weeks? When we get to the other side of this pandemic, how will your choices have evolved as a result of this challenging time? As I re-listened to this conversation I had with Parker Pfister and his partner Elizabeth Alina from Imaging USA in Nashville this past January, I came at it from a completely different perspective. Our lives have been collectively altered. Things will be different on the other side of this whether we like it or not. And that “different” will look different for everyone. But, after hearing this again, it made me wonder, how much of my different can be altered, or in some cases, tempered, by my choices? Some things, no doubt, are out of our control. Some things we just need to accept or deal with, even if it’s only for the time being, but there are many things, I suspect, that are determined by choice. And that’s the crux of what the three of us spoke about a few months ago. Obviously we had no idea that this life altering event would occur, but now that it has, I’m thinking some of the messages we discussed might be more important than ever. I hope you are safe, friends. I hope you are healthy, and I hope we are close to the other side.
You know those conversations where you start off going down one path and it’s turns into something you never saw coming? Brooke Shaden and I sat together again to talk about, “What is Weird”? We also wanted to cover the concept of “selling out” and some other things, and we did that. But with Brooke, you always get more than you bargained for. She’s very adept at underpromising and overdelivering. She’s also wise beyond her years…an old soul, so to speak. And for me, that means she always has something new for me to learn. So yeah, we discuss the concept of what weird is among many other things, and, as has happened many times before, I walk away with some fresh perspectives. I think you will, too. Stay home, friends. And stay safe. This, too, shall pass.
There are many things I love about Josh Hanna. He’s nice. He’s funny. He’s a great photographer and an absolutely gifted compositor. But I think my favorite things about him are that he’s grounded, self-aware, and honest. To me, the best thing about photography in general is that it’s about so much more than photos. Josh embodies this. And we can talk about it all day, but at the end of the day, Josh lives it. That is a beautiful thing. I think you’ll hear quite a bit that you can relate to in this one, friends. And that might be the best thing about Josh…he’s so relatable. Enjoy.
Hey everyone. This episode with Joel Grimes was recorded several weeks ago at WPPI so obviously we didn’t take the pandemic into account. Joel mentions a workshop, The Photo Creators, he’s scheduled to teach at in Tucson and I just wanted to let you know that workshop isn’t being cancelled but postponed to this Fall. You can find out more information at thephotocreators.com Thanks for listening. Stay safe, friends.
I remember when my dad turned 40. I thought he was so old. You know, there’s that “over the hill” thing that happens at 40 and all. Now, I’m 45, and 40 doesn’t seem old anymore. In fact, 60 doesn’t seem old anymore. On the other hand, doing something for 45 years does seem like a long time…but in more of a notable achievement sort of way. Something to be admired and strived for. John Hartman has been photographing for as long as I’ve been alive. He’s an absolute master at his craft and he has some fantastic insights for newcomers and for veterans alike. One of my favorite parts of this conversation is when he addresses retirement and says “people retire to do what I do”. How awesome is that? If you’re on the front end of this business, consider those words and that concept. You’ll be 45, or 60 or beyond before you know it. And if you’re still blazing trails the way John has been during his career, you’ll have something special to look back on and to keep you moving forward. Just like him.
I got to sit with Roberto Valenzuela at WPPI a couple weeks ago and it was legit. He’s a force. He’s one of those “you can’t stop him, you can only hope to contain him” type of guys. And he really knows his stuff. I love his philosophies and the way he sees things. Roberto is a great balance between an artist and a business person. He’s a master producing amazing images and he has a very strong acumen for numbers and value and time well spent. On top of that, he makes me laugh…hard. Roberto is a Canon Explorer of Light which means he’s also all about teaching. And teaching well. Get ready to laugh and learn, friends. Enjoy.
I think one of the greatest joys for us on this Earth and in our lifetimes is finding someone to love and to be loved by. It’s an amazing thing to experience for yourself, but it is also something to behold when you see it in others. Like, when you spend time with two people that just compliment each other so well that you can just say, “yeah, they just make so much sense together.” Tony and Mandy Corbell are like that. They just fit. And it’s wonderful to get to spend time with them. One of the things I love about them, is that even though they make a super strong team, they’re both so powerful in their own right as well. And yes, Tony may be the living legend, but as he says, Mandy can outshoot him, out edit him pretty much out everything him. And while maybe that’s true, and maybe it isn’t, I can tell you with certainty that Mandy has the best lighting assistant of all time.
You never know what someone’s going to say if you just give them the chance to say it. This is one of things that struck me when I got to sit with Richard Sturdevant for a conversation at Imaging USA in Nashville a couple weeks ago. Richard is one of the most accomplished, award winning photographers I’ve ever met. He’s the Mr. T of the photo world. I say this not only because of his award bling, but also because even though he’s a big, burly guy, he’s got a soft heart…just like Mr. T. And I found that he just needed a little space to open up. Take heed, friends. Richard has accomplished things that many of us aspire to, and he knows about traps we have yet to face. He has made mistakes in business and in life. He’s learned from them. And now he’s offering advice on how we can, too.
“Don’t let what you do steal your joy. Don’t let it define you. Use it to refine you.” This is a big part of what Cris Duncan and I talked about at Imaging USA in Nashville several weeks ago. Cris is really focused on refinement in his business and in his life. I took away quite a bit from our conversation but I think the main thing that resonated with me is the struggle of what refinement can look like. When a weapon or a tool is refined in a forge, it’s thrust into an intense heat. Then it’s taken out of the fire and flame and beaten with a hammer in order to harden it. Then the process is repeated. I think that’s what refinement looks like for us sometimes. It isn’t always pretty. In fact, it can be painful. But many times it’s necessary in order for us to get to where we need to be. I think Mr. Duncan knows this. He’s lived it and he continues to learn from it. In fact, as you’ll hear, he has about 18% more to go.
Value is based on perception. We’ve heard it a thousand times. And yet, it’s so true. So let’s say you’re on board with that. Let’s say you concede that value is, in fact, based on perception. What then? What are some things you can do to really influence your client’s perception of you and your business? Enter Tavis and Amy Guild. Tavis and Amy are powerhouse entrepreneurs from Yakima, WA and they incorporate some fantastic ways of interacting with their valued clients. In order to be profitable, building value is a must for them so they’ve developed strategies revolving around five touch points they have with each client. Listen in as we discuss.
Don’t you just love spending time with people who have a strong, symbiotic relationship? For me, a perfect example of this is Mary Fisk-Taylor and Kira Derryberry. They host the podcast “Get Your Shoot Together” which you should definitely listen to if you haven’t already. I’ve actually interviewed both of them individually for this podcast, but it’s a completely different experience when you get to sit with them together. It’s the whole Reese’s thing…chocolate and peanut butter are both delicious by themselves, but put them together and you have some truly epic. And that’s really the crux of what we talk about here…the power, beauty, importance, of having other people in our lives. We laugh a lot on this one, but some of that is just so we don’t start bawling like babies. Take this one to heart, friends. And don’t be afraid to reach out to somebody soon. You’ll be doing something good for yourself, and for them.
When I was a kid, I thought I was going to be a doctor. Even in high school, that was the plan. I job shadowed an anesthesiologist and everything. It was all laid out in front of me. And then, as I got older, I realized that I didn’t want to be a doctor. In fact, I realized that I had no idea what I wanted to do. Through circumstance and because of experience, I’ve found myself here. And it’s been an amazing ride. I think Zara Ashby can relate. For various reasons, she’s found herself photographing boudoir. She may not have planned on it initially, but she’s embraced it. And she’s thriving as a result.
Ed Monahan has achieved expert status in many things. Here, he talks about who we are selling to as professional photographers and entrepreneurs.
Business and entrepreneurship has always interested me. I think part of it is because I grew up being supported by a family owned business. Another part is that my wife and i started one ourselves and then I think a big piece is that I associate such a thrill with the excitement and risk and challenge of owning and running your own business. And when family is involved, those pieces are heightened all the more. We’ve always said that the challenges are that much harder, and the victories are that much sweeter. That’s why I was excited to sit with local photographer friend, Jarod Schilling. He grew up in and around and actually took over, his Dad’s photography business. He’s an entrepreneur at heart and a family man on top of everything else. It’s clear that he learned a lot about both of those things from his Dad. Jarod’s a really good guy. He’s honest and genuine, and as you’ll hear right away, he knows how to dish out a compliment or two.
Well, 2020 is upon us. And, as usual, many of us take on the proverbial self-reflections that come with a new year. I generally focus on health resolutions…physical, mental, spiritual etc. I don’t always succeed, but I’m not giving up either. It’s a new year and a new decade. Let’s jump right in by setting goals and making a plan to accomplish them. Take your health to the next level. Take your business to the next level. Take your life to the next level. You can do it. This episode of This Conversation features an interview with Zach Daniels. Zach is a pastor, a content creator, and a disruptor of systems. He has a passion for gear and for people. He drops a lot of insightful nuggets. He gives some great advice. And he cracks me up the entire time. Have fun with this one and use it to fire you up for the decade that stands before us. Let’s make it a great one, friends.
Well, 2019 has come to a close. And with it, the end of our second full year of podcasts on This Conversation. We hit our 100th episode this past October and we’re very much looking forward to providing you with more conversations that empower, educate, and entertain. I’ve put together some of my favorite moments from the past year. There were a LOT of them to pour through, so there are many moments that I didn’t have room for. But these clips provide a pretty good idea of what This Conversation brings to the table. It never ceases to amaze me how people have so much to offer if you just give them a chance. I laughed. I cried. I was surprised and enlightened. And I laughed some more. Happy New Decade, everyone. Thanks for listening.
Sometimes better isn’t easier. Sometimes better means more difficult. This was just one of the things I unpacked with Todd Van Fleet as we sat and discussed his belief that we are created to create. Todd is an accomplished creator, but he believes that, in a sense, we’re all creators and that we were made that way. Quite a bit came up as we talked about what that means for him and what he believes it means for everyone else. I’m still thinking about something being better also meaning that it’s more difficult. Part of me doesn’t like that theory one bit. And yet, I must admit, I’ve experienced it more than a few times in my own life. Some of you may be in the midst of challenges at work right now. If you’re a photographer, you most likely just finished the holiday rush and are ready for some R and R after a hectic season. As we roll into 2020, just know that White House is here for you. So keep going. Keep trying. Keep creating.
I’ll never forget it. There we were in a huge warehouse studio filled with photographers from all over the country…most of whom we knew, or at least knew of, because they were essentially famous within our industry. We were at an invite only gathering in Northern Wisconsin in late 2004 or 2005. I remember being constantly anxious. That was pretty much my default state during those years. Life was moving really fast and big things were happening all around me. We gave a 30 minute presentation to our fellow industry creative entrepreneurs and listened while they gave theirs as well. And I can’t remember what we talked about, or what any of those others talked about either…except for one guy. Kevin Jordan unassumingly stood up in front of everyone. Almost nobody there (expect our gracious hosts Dave Junion and Sandy Puc) knew who he was. And he absolutely killed it. And he just told his story. He just talked about what he did and how he completely transformed his business almost overnight by simply learning from people he looked up to and actually implementing what he learned. It’s just one of those moments that you don’t forget. That’s the day I met Kevin, and we’ve been friends ever since. These days, and for the past several years actually, it’s Kevin that’s doing the teaching. Take these words to heart. Kevin’s a living testimony to what can happen when you practice what you hear preached.
Everyone has a story, right? It’s an old cliché for sure, but clichés are a thing because there’s some truth to them. I didn’t know Carey Sheffield at all when it was suggested that I ask her to sit with me for a conversation at The Portrait Masters this past fall. I met her briefly and knew right away that I wanted to know more about her. She moves fast, so you have to keep up, but it’s so worth it if you can. Yes, she’s savvy and tenacious, but she’s also warm and endearing. I felt myself going back and forth between feeling overwhelmed and captivated. It was like watching a big-budget film unfold right across the table from me. I loved it. Carey has a powerful story, and I was made better on the other side of just getting to hear a part of it. I think you will be, too.
I remember discovering what eventually became the educational juggernaut CreativeLive. So many amazing instructors. So much wonderful content. But one of the things that stood out to me the most were the hosts, Kenna Klosterman and, at the time, Susan Roderick. They both had such wonderful personalities. I felt drawn to them and therefore, more to CreativeLive itself. You never know how someone like that is going to be in “real life”, though. And so I also remember the joy of discovering that Kenna and Susan were genuine. Their charm and charisma weren’t just a facade for the cameras. Because of that, I was super happy when Kenna agreed to sit with me for an interview. I didn’t know what to expect as we hadn’t really mapped out what we were going to cover. But I think what came out was authentic and so very helpful. And, in hindsight, I think, “We should never be surprised when an authentic person has an authentic conversation.”
I’ve heard it said that the two most common fears are death and public speaking…and not necessarily in that order. At least not in my case. And although I used to be deathly afraid of public speaking, it didn’t hold a candle to the issues I had with the fear of money. Or, more accurately, the fear of not having any. Growing up, we lost our house. It was the early 80’s and interest rates were in the high teens. Can you even imagine having a variable rate mortgage sitting at around 18%? In any case, I lived through some tough times with my family in those days. And a very deep fear was born. So when I sat down with Susan Stripling and she told me she wanted to talk about money and more specifically, saving money…my heart sank a bit. And yet, it was one of the best conversations I’ve had. Susan has a way of laying things out that are clear and concise. She’s relatable. She’s reasonable. And she’s really funny. At one point, she says, “I don’t like feeling afraid of things that I know that I have the power to change.” Amen to that, sister.
Making decisions, especially big life decisions, that go against the status quo are extremely difficult. I think we worry about what other people will think and say so much, that sometimes we don’t even consider taking that leap or changing gears, so to speak, for fear that we’ll look foolish or flaky. Lara Blair knows this. She’s lived it. But despite the not-so-subtle jabs from others close to her, she follows her heart. She pays attention to her instincts. She listens to that still small voice. And when it’s telling her to take that leap, she jumps.
There are a lot of people in the photo industry that talk the talk. And, for the most part, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. If you can get somebody fired up to work harder and be a better person by giving them some words of encouragement, good for you…and them. But some people talk the talk because they walk the walk. There are some people who are really good at motivating you because they know what it’s like in the trenches. Michele Celentano is one of those people. She knows what it’s like to hear that she can’t do something. But she also knows what it’s like to do that very thing. Over and over. My favorite quote from this chat is when she says, “If you say impossible, I will show you possible.” I hope that motivates you as much as it does me. Because coming from Michele, it’s more than just talk.
I’ve been very fortunate to grow up within a good family. My parents are high school sweethearts and have been married for almost 50 years. Their relationship has certainly seen its ups and downs, but they’ve weathered the storms over the years and their marriage is stronger as a result. I poke some fun at my parents a bit during this interview, but the truth is, I’m grateful for both of them, and I’m delighted to see the grandparents they’ve become to my own children. My family is on it’s own level when it comes to the important things in my life. For 20 years, my wife and I have been a part of the portrait and wedding photography industry. During that time, we’ve found ourselves part of another family so to speak. Arlene Evans has been a special member of that family for me. Arlene is someone I always enjoy seeing and even if it’s just in passing at a crazy trade show, she makes the effort to stop and give me a hug. She’s one of hardest working people I know and she always has a little twinkle in her eye…almost like she knows something that you don’t know yet. During this particular interview, though, it was I who knew something that she didn’t know. Right before we sat down to chat, I received a text message instructing me to be done with her before 5 o’clock as she was set to receive the first Lifetime Achievement award from The Portrait Masters. Arlene had no idea, of course, but looking back, I’m sure it directed some of my questions. I was so excited for her. And she absolutely deserves it. And I’m grateful that she’s a part of my family.
Well here it is. Episode 100. It’s been about two years since This Conversation presented by White House Custom Colour got up and running. And what a fantastic two years it’s been. I’ve had the honor and the privilege of speaking with some of my favorite people, not only in the industry, but in my life. I’ve experienced everything from nervousness, to exhilaration…from deep sorrow, to profound joy….from unexpected tears, to bellowing guffaws. I’ve been educated, enlightened, empowered, and entertained. And I hope you have as well. My guest this week has been one of the more important people in my life for the last 16-17 years. Mike Hanline is my boss. My mentor. And most of all, my friend. He’s been an amazing example of patience and fortitude. And I can’t imagine a more appropriate guest for my 100th episode. Thanks for listening, friends. I look forward to the next 100.
You know how some people are just fun to talk to? And how, every once in a while, they’re also fun to listen to as well? I’ve officially released 99 of these interviews and a couple people have sat with me twice. Jared Platt is one such person. And I think he’s brilliant. I had no idea what we were going to discuss, but I knew I would enjoy it. I did. I hope you do, too.
I’ve found it a joy to speak with someone who’s authentic. I’ve also found that a necessary trait for authenticity is vulnerability. Being able to recognize your flaws or weaknesses whether past or present, is powerful. And I think it can lead to something even more powerful…confidence. I was having some trouble with something the other day and my 6 year old son was watching me. After failing to get it right for the third or fourth time, he spoke up. “Just have confidence, Dad. That’s all you need.” he said as serious as he could be. And he was right. Confidence is that powerful and important. Kara Marie knows this. And she knows it from her own experience. Her photography is niched in a way that inspires confidence in her clients. And many times, that’s exactly what they need.
Everybody has a camera. In fact, for the most part, everybody has a pretty awesome camera. And that tech just keeps getting better and better. Have you seen the night mode shots that our phones can pull off these days? It’s insane. This rise in technology is just one of the reasons why it’s so important for professional photographers to be able to offer both an amazing experience as well as amazing images to their clients. Senior photographer Trevor Ray from Austin, Texas focuses on both. And he offers some unforgettable options to make it happen. If you want an incredible experience, Trevor Ray will go there.
Just when you think you’ve heard about everything, somebody comes along and presents some things you’ve never heard…or at least, never heard presented that way. Craig Stidham is a veteran photographer that knows his way around a camera and a salesroom. He’s a big proponent of selling himself and he’s implemented some really clever concepts to make that happen. Get ready to learn from someone who’s been around the block a couple times and is still evolving every year.
Last year I spoke with senior photographer extraordinaire Christina Ramirez about being in a rut. I was struck by her openness and her honesty. It’s one thing to talk about being in a rut after you’re out of it, but Christina was right in the middle of it and she laid it all out there. If you haven’t heard that conversation yet, I’d highly suggest you have a listen before you continue with this one. In any case, we sat down again at PUSH conference in Green Castle, Indiana for an update and, once again, Christina had quite a bit to share. This time, I was double struck. No matter which side of the rut you’re on right now, this one will be good for your soul, my friends.
It’s no secret that some people are driven to succeed more than others. We see it all the time. There are just some people who are laser focused, super disciplined, and tremendously hard workers regardless of their situation or circumstance. And yes, it may be hard to believe, but those people tend to be the ones who come out on top. Now, I’m genuinely interested in why people are the way they are. So when I finally got to meet and then chat with Amanda Holloway, I was surprised to hear her why’s as I was completely unaware of them. I knew she was and had been, very successful, but it was an honor to get to learn and understand some of the reasons why she is so driven.
I’ve always been fascinated by why people are the way they are. There’s always the nature vs nurture piece which is interesting in and of itself, but that aside, I think there is just so much that goes into what makes us…us. When I sat down with Nicki Hufford for a conversation, I was struck by her vibrance, her positivity, and a sense that she was fierce. Not in a bad way, but in a make-it-happen sort of way. After learning more about her and her background as a successful athlete and a strong competitor, I totally get it. Nicki really strives to be the best. And she doesn’t let anything stand in her way. If she needs to get something done, she’ll figure it out. That’s just who she is.
My uncle has told me time and again that he still doesn’t know what he wants to be when he grows up. He’s currently in his 60s. I say this because there are times when that resonated with me. I’ve never had a singular, all consuming passion that so many people in the photographic or creative industry seem to have. In fact, I’ve admired people that seem to know what they want and are able to be laser focused on making it happen. Dani Diamond knows what he wants. And he knows how to get it. I was fortunate enough to sit and chat with him for a second time at PUSH Conference 2019 in Green Castle, Indiana. And once again, he was gracious and full of insight. Enjoy, my friends.
I know a LOT of amazing photographers. I’ve met people who do things that absolutely blow my mind. And most of them are also good people. I enjoy hanging out with them at various conventions and shows…mostly when we go out for dinner, of course. And then there are a handful of people that are truly great. I believe Dan McClanhan is one of those. He’s an amazing artist but he’s an even better Dad. And yes, that also means friend. He has great wisdom and he’s able to put really big thoughts into just a few words. I always look forward to my time with Dan. Sit back, listen, and you’ll see why.
Ok, so this interview comes with a prerequisite. Or at least a very strong suggestion. Go to ericfloberg.com e r i c f l o b e r g .com - and watch the Tyler and Elle video before you listen to this podcast. Then, of course, come right back. We’ll still be here.
Alright, so, first off. Good job doing that. Amazing, wasn’t it? Now, you’re ready to hear what’s coming from Eric Floberg. He’s in the process of building his business and his brand. He’s doing it one step at a time. He’s doing it with intentionality. He’s making things happen with hard work and he’s not doing it alone. Listen, laugh, learn, and then get to work. And seriously, if you haven’t watched the Tyler and Elle video at ericfloberg.com yet, do that first.
The story goes that at one point somebody asked Eric Clapton what it felt like to be the greatest guitar player in the world. His response was, “I don’t know. Ask Prince.” I have no idea if this story is true or not, but it’s powerful in that it demonstrates how much it means to be revered by others who are considered proficient in your field, or industry, or niche. The most requested interview that I’ve gotten from other photographers whom I’ve actually interviewed is Allison Tyler Jones. And of course the one I’ve heard from the most, has been my wife. Upon meeting Allison a couple years ago, my wife couldn’t stop talking about how amazing she was. And then when I made her acquaintance myself, I quickly understood why. Allison is absolutely brilliant. Listen to this one, and then listen to it again, my friends.
One of my absolute favorite qualities in a person is strait forwardness. I’m not talking about right or wrong or good or bad, I just mean someone who tells it like it is. Someone you don’t have to wonder about. Now every once in a while, if you choose to hang with someone like that, you’re gonna hear something you don’t like. But that’s part of the gig. Frankness isn’t always pleasant. There’s a reason why people say The Truth Hurts…because sometimes, it does. But sometimes, that’s what we need to hear in order to have a chance to change for the better. Darty Hines considers himself to be a straight shooter. Along with his wife, he owns and runs SYNC and SYNC Sports which are two of some of the best mid-size conferences in the photography industry. Darty doesn’t mince words. He gets right to the point and calls ‘em as he sees ‘em. Enjoy our chat.
There are some people that can just spout off pearls of wisdom from their experience over and over. Gary Box is one of those people. His brain moves a mile a minute, so you have to be ready for all he has to say. A lot of times, people will listen to podcasts at 1.5 or even 2x speeds. I’d recommend slowing this one down.
There are some states that, for whatever reason, have risen above the others in terms of the amount of talent they’ve produced in our industry. In my 20 year tenure, Wisconsin is one of those states. And Dan Frievalt is one of those creatives. In an era where it’s harder than ever to be different and stand out, Dan succeeds at doing just that. And, he makes it look easy which is especially impressive then you consider the sheer amount of talent in his own state. Listen in as we discuss Dan’s thoughts about being different as well as quite a few ideas about how to run a better business.
For whatever reason, bullying has come up quite a bit lately. It’s such a terrible thing for someone to experience. But I keep finding that many times, people who have persevered come out on the other side stronger and more confident. Abbie Miller is one such person. She’s a riot. She’s brilliant. And she’s strong. Abbie’s been through the ups and the downs. She’s moved several times…she’s actually been told, read threatened, to NOT start a business…and then she did just that in a brand new market. And she’s killing it. Sit back and enjoy our conversation about Abbie’s Journey thus far.
Carl Caylor is a fantastic senior photographer from the Michigan upper peninsula. He’s one of those guys that you just really like. Carl never has a mean thing to say about anyone. He’d give you the shirt off his back. He’s a hard worker and man of integrity. And he thinks that refining your creativity actually requires being less refined in general. He also thinks we all need to just take some time, slow down, and take it all in. I was happy to do just that with him this past year at SYNC 2019 in Destin, Florida. Have a listen.
It’s easy to say “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” And it’s easy to say, “And it’s all small stuff.” I get it. And yet, some things seem pretty darn huge. Especially when you’re right in the thick of ‘em. Marci and Christy are a mother-daughter photographic dream team from Indiana. They’re really more like sisters. And they’ve endured the highs and lows of business, relationships, and life in general, side by side for over ten years. They know what it’s like to be in tough spots. They know that when you’re going through those hard times, you have to choose to pick yourself up. And they’re thankful that they have each other to hold onto.
Kay Eskridge is one of the good guys. She lifts up and supports a segment of the population that is dealing with things we never imagined when we were growing up.
We all experience seasons in our lives that are really difficult. And sometimes you don’t realize how hard it was until you’re on the other side. Dave Junion helped my wife and I through one of our most trying seasons. When we fully transitioned our photography business from film to digital in 2002, we had no idea what we were doing. Back then, nobody really did. Or so we thought. Dave graciously gave up his time and helped us understand things in a way that I wonder if anyone else could have. And he made it fun. Simply put, we would have never been able to accomplish much of what we did without Dave Junion. He’s a creative in every sense of the word. Buckle up, ya’ll.
Learning something new can be tough. There’s no doubt about it. And that difficulty usually tends to increase as you get older. In the creative world, a lot of times we learn by emulation. Dan Rowe thinks too many people stop there. Dan’s a hard worker who considers himself less of an artist and more of a problem solver. He’s from a small town in Indiana, so he has that small town work ethic. In this episode, Dan and I discuss the what’s and the why’s of how he moved beyond emulation to develop his own style.
Miyo Strong has seen a series of changes and shifts throughout her 23 year career as a photographer that have contributed to an enviable strength and a formidable will.
Ben Shirk might be one of the hardest working creatives out there. But he has reasons to do so. He works hard, so he can play hard…with his wife, Sara, and their three children.
Christina Kjar Hanson is a one-woman-show. As a result, there’s only one person she needs to rely on to make things happen. And it has worked wonderfully.
In a time of social media facades, it can be difficult to cope with the tendency to feel inadequate or unattractive in general. Aaron and Elizabeth Vovk are boudoir photographers in the Minneapolis area who have taken it upon themselves to help everybody feel comfortable with who they are…no matter what that looks like.
Gary says some things that seem fairly simple on the surface, but when you actually consider applying his advice, it becomes quite profound. I was expecting a light-hearted, funny talk with Gary. Mostly because he’s hilarious. What I got instead, was a look at the mess behind the curtain. And I left encouraged to talk to someone about my own mess. I hope you do, too.
Ted Linczak is all about doing your best no matter the circumstances. He tackles typical by knowing his craft as well as he can.
Paul and Kristen Privette are incorporating one of the best things about Paul’s upbringing into their business and it’s changing lives.
Drake Busath considers himself more of a craftsman as opposed to an artist. He’s a second generation photographer in the process of handing the reigns over to the next generation of his family.
Jeff Dachowski is successful for many reasons, but the main one might be that he puts tremendous effort into being prepared.
Greg Daniel is a modern master of fine art photography who knows from years of experience that there are a lot of things that go into creating fine art. Listen and learn.
Caroline Trespalacios knows that it takes time and hard work to be successful. And many times, things suffer along the way. Caroline runs a very successful teen model program that she uses to funnel clients into her senior program. It’s an extremely effective process that she’s built and honed over the years. But it hasn’t come without sacrifice…sacrifice that she deemed necessary in order to make it to where she is today.
Rachel Marten wanted people to get over the fear of sales and have better lives. So she wrote a book about how to do just that. And it’s free.
Brittni Schroeder finds joy in her art by doing good and making a difference despite suffering through tremendous tragedy.
Blogging may seem daunting. It may even seem archaic. But, rest assured, it is neither. Holli True explains.
Leslie Kerrigan chose to photograph high school seniors after noticing that nobody else in her market was doing so. Then, she created a market from scratch.
Craig Swanson has spent his career being the left-brain support for right-brain professionals and the results are incredible.
George Varanakis has been killin’ it behind the curtain for years. Get to know him a bit and you won’t be surprised at why he’s been so successful.
Parker Pfister is an artist in every sense of the word. He doesn’t want money. He wants experiences. And to him, that’s what life is all about.
Zack Arias talks depression, perspective, and what to do when you desperately need to be inspired.
I got to sit a bit with Sue at her conference, The Portrait Masters, in Phoenix this past fall, and I’m here to tell you, she’s all that and a bag of chips. Please pardon my nerves, and enjoy the conversation…
Sally Sargood has been in the biz for quite some time. She’s an expert at many things marketing. Here, she talks about the how’s and why’s of integrating video marketing with social media.
Latasha Haynes almost died in 2017. Hear about how it was one of the hardest things she’s ever faced. And why she wouldn’t change it for the world.
Nicollette Mollet loves fashion. It’s been her inspiration since she was a young girl with dreams of becoming a fashion photographer. Listen in as she talks about how she made it happen and what it looks like today.
Sean Brown is a young senior photographer who has his finger on the pulse of today’s clientele. He’s an expert at incorporating video into his marketing and he believes it’s essential for you to do the same. Get ready to take some notes as he flies through his thoughts and ideas.
Audrey Woulard is passionate. She speaks her mind and isn’t afraid to stand up for the underdog (she also considers herself an underdog of sorts). Hear what she has to say about the state of the industry, fighting for justice, and working hard.
Tara Rochelle grabs inspiration from the fashion industry and incorporates it into her senior photography business on the West Coast. She’s laid back, but very driven. She knows what she wants and how to get it. Listen in as she talks about incorporating styling into your photo shoots so much that she begins to lose her voice!
Christina Ramirez is in a rut. And she wants to talk about it. Come along as she processes some issues and develops some potential solutions.
Braedon Flynn is a phenomenal wedding and event photographer. Take this opportunity to learn from someone who’s superpower is “High Capacity”.
Jen Bertrand is a lot of fun. She’s also sharp as a tack. A few years ago she and her husband underwent a big move, had a baby, and completely rebranded her business. Find out how she navigated such big changes and what she learned in the process.
Most entrepreneurs have their work/life balance story. Brooke Daniels came to the realization that how she was operating her business wasn’t sustainable and that she was the only one who could make the changes that were needed. This is the story of how she overcame herself.
Dani Diamond is an amazing NYC fashion photographer with a huge following on Instagram but he’s a husband and father first.
Vickie Black is a mom, a business owner, an artist and much more. Hear about how she keeps all of her plates spinning.
Amanda Davis is relatively young, but she knows about struggle and understands the value of good mentors.
Troy Schroeder has a story that's worth hearing. To say much more wouldn't do it any justice. Take our word for it.
So much has changed in the last 20-30 years and Mike Ridinger has weathered the storms. Hear about his highs and lows and what he’s learned along the way.
Karen Marie owns Belly Beautiful, a successful professional photography studio in California. Focusing primarily on maternity and newborn sessions, she works hard to make sure her clients get the best experience possible. Here, she runs through her process from start to finish.
Makayla Jade & Dave Harris are a young, married couple working together to make it all happen. Listen to a bit of their story and find out about their struggles, what they’ve learned over the past few years, and where they’re headed.
Brian and Dena DeMint are truly one of a kind. They forge their own path and do things their own way. If you’re looking for inspiration, empowerment, or maybe just a few good laughs, look no further.
A good process is essential. It doesn’t need to be complex but it needs to be something that works and that you can actually implement. Jacquelynn Buck has spent years refining her process to be one that promotes profitability. Listen and learn. Then create your process and profit.
Jason Groupp’s life has taken some interesting turns. From successful photographer to working behind the scenes of WPPI to his current venture as President of Song Freedom/Fyrefly, he’s seen a LOT during his time in our “industry”.
Increase your productivity, creativity and resiliency while providing a client experience that makes them love you more and spend more, too! Take the risk out of your clients’ hands, and put it into your own. Make the art of photography second nature to your clients, allowing them to be themselves and relax in front of you. If you're feeling stuck in your business, your photography or your life, then this class is for you! Find your value and worth and apply it to every aspect of your business. Learn to put your personality into your branding, client experience, look and feel (editing) of your photography and your studio. Most of all, learn to have confidence in every aspect of working with your clients.
Phillip and Eileen Blume have built a successful business in what many would consider a "bad" or certainly "challenging" market. Find out what they've done to make it happen.
Christine Tremoulet loves the power of “story” and thinks your clients do, too. She is all about blogging has some great reasons why. If you’ve never blogged, or have written it off, you may want to rethink your position. And if you currently blog, listen in for some great tips and advice.
Kenny Kim has photographed hundreds of weddings...many of them around the globe. Hear his take on how to break into the destination wedding game as well as tips and tricks to make it worth your while.
Cliff Mautner has been a wedding photographer for over 20 years. He’s a “been there, done that” kind of guy and he’s still going strong. Listen in as Cliff talks about where he’s been and where he wants to go. Don’t miss his words of wisdom. They come fast and furious.
Katie Cannon is a freelance photographer focusing on families, farms and food. She has taken a scenic path to a career in photography, starting as a human resources professional with a stop in food writing along the way. She is a mother, wife, friend, eater and adventurer and loves photographing it all.
Jen Rozenbaum embraces her femininity while allowing women to embrace their own. By daring her clients to shed their clothes, they begin to shed their inhibitions. In the last nine years, Jen has found a burgeoning audience in the intimate photography market and is now sharing her shamelessly feminine movement with women worldwide. She proves that you can own your world if you live fearlessly, think audaciously and act spontaneously.
Steve and Jane Pilkerton have built their business from the ground up. Learn how they've used wedding shows to meet potential clients, get their name out there in the market, and build their brand.
Tomayia Colvin knows her purpose and that's a big deal. Listen as we discuss why knowing your purpose is important and what to do about it whether you know your purpose or not.
Sarah Petty has been one of the photography industry's most prolific business and marketing gurus for years. Here, she sits down with her son, Jack, to talk about the challenges he faces as he jumps into entrepreneurship himself.
Carl Dylan hasn't got it all figured out. But he does have an order that he strives to follow. Find out why he chooses this philosophy as opposed to working on balance.
Gary Hughes isn't a man of few words. In fact, he's a man of many words and a wise one beyond his years at that. Listen in as Gary talks about his transition into running a business that makes sense for him and his family as well as a few other entertaining tangents along the way.
Jeremy Cowart blocked some time out for a quick discussion to catch us up on where he's come from and where he's going.
Jared Platt wears many hats. He has the uncanny ability to make you laugh one minute and want to cry the very next. Join us as we discuss his thoughts on Why It All Matters.
Teri Fode is a business person first. She loves photography, but she REALLY loves business. Listen in as she talks about the importance of keeping your clients for life and how to do just that.
Kira Derryberry isn't afraid of a challenge. She's one to take the bull by the horns. Check out how she's always looking to grow and improve as she discusses ways to level up your business and your life!
Bry Cox is good with numbers and money. He's a photographer, but he's also a businessman. And a great one at that. Listen in as Bry shares some dos and don'ts about how to tackle money, numbers, and pricing from a different angle...not just the "what's" but the "why's" as well.
Kristen and Eric Kaiser aren't just another husband and wife wedding photographer team. They work hard and they play hard. They love to travel to beautiful places, eat delicious food, and have a blast while they're at it. Listen in and be inspired and entertained by the undeniable chemistry between these two love birds.
The photography industry has gone through a tremendous shift in the last 15-20 years. Not only has enduring the transition from film to digital, it has seen a huge gender shift from primarily male to primarily female. Kia addresses this and some of the challenges and victories associated with it.
Carrie Wildes is a fan of the "Word of the Year" concept. Find out what her word is this year and why she's so sold on the idea.
Jamie Hayes has a very no-nonsense approach to photography, business, and life in general. Have a listen as this straight shooter tells it like it is and pulls no punches.
Julia Kelleher is a master of the in person sale. She has grown her studio into an almost half-million dollar annual business with three employees. Listen to her words of wisdom.
Julieanne Kost discusses the role that personal projects play in her life and why she thinks creatives should consider implementing them if they haven't already.
Tim Walden, along with his wife, Beverly, have been professional photographers and educators in the photography industry for over three decades. Their motto: "Do less. Do it better than anyone else." Years ago, the Waldens created one of the best known styles of black and white portraiture that is now recognized around the world. Named Relationships with the tagline "Images That Speak" for the stories their portraits told, it is still at the core of their active portrait studio and in great demand from their clientele
Kim Hartz is a photographer, entrepreneur, consultant, mentor, speaker, and loving mother to two humans and two fur babies. She is an intimate photographer foe babies, both with and without fur, and she works diligently to capture her clients’ little ones as seen through their eyes. Having successfully been in business since 2010, Kim spends her time behind the camera as well as in front of other photographers, helping them find their niche. She is a sought-after speaker and offers one-on-one business coaching, photography mentoring, workshops and online programs.
Mary Fisk-Taylor talks about the important things...family, printing, laughing, and family again. Join us as we laugh, cry a bit, and then laugh some more so we don't cry too much.
Nate Peterson and his wife Teresa own NP Design and Photography in New Richmond, WI. Focusing mainly on high school seniors, they've emulated some strategies from the wedding industry to develop a fantastic way to profitably provide their clients with amazing images and great products they'll enjoy for a lifetime.
Matthew Hodgman, a professional photographer of going on 23 years, started doing in person sales, (I.P.S.) in late 2004 and has never looked back. Making the change to being more involved with clients through the consultation, session planning, sales and final installation of the products has been and continues to be the right choice. Not only from a business perspective but a personal one too.
Brooke Shaden may be one of the most creative individuals on the planet today. But if you follow her, then you already know that. What sets Brooke apart from other artists is her heart and how she walks her talk. Join this conversation as we discuss Brooke's growth as an individual and what the coming months look like for this authentic artist and lover of life.
Kari Campbell is an interior decorator based out of Minneapolis. She's a wife, a mom, and a business owner. Join the conversation as we discuss the importance of integrating portraiture into a home, the potential of photographers working with interior decorators, and some sales tips.
Vicki knows marketing and relationships. Listen in as she describes how well they pair and how you can grow your business as a result.
Join Kevin Kubota and I as we challenge ourselves with questions regarding ethics and photography.
Resentment is a destroyer of relationships. It must be faced. But first, it has to be acknowledged.