Photographers Create

Summary In this conversation, Alison Hatch interviews Rachel Larson-Weaver about the importance of writing in a creative practice. They discuss how writing can enhance photography and other artistic mediums, and how to incorporate writing into daily life. Rachel shares her journey of how she got into writing and the interplay between writing and photography in her own work. They also talk about Rachel's writing workshop and the benefits of participating in a safe and supportive writing community. The conversation highlights the value of exploring personal obsessions in writing and the impact of different skill levels in a learning environment. Takeaways Writing can enhance and expand a creative practice, including photography. Incorporating writing into daily life can provide a therapeutic and meditative outlet. Exploring personal obsessions in writing can lead to new insights and creative growth. Participating in a writing workshop can provide a safe and supportive space for sharing and receiving feedback. Learning from individuals with different skill levels can enhance one's own creative journey. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 06:24 The Importance of Writing in a Creative Practice 12:54 Incorporating Writing into Daily Life 19:22 Exploring Personal Obsessions in Writing 24:47 Rachel's Writing Workshop 27:56 Creating a Safe Space for Writing 32:34 Learning from Different Skill Levels 36:40 Other Ways to Work with Rachel 39:33 Closing Remarks https://www.rachellarsenweaver.com/

Therapeutical photography. Have you heard of it? Do you know where it originated or what it is used for? On this episode I interview Anouk Godbout, a French Canadian mom of three emotionally intense children who has a Masters of Social Work. Anouk explains what therapeutical photograph is, its fascinating origins, and how implementing this practice into our lives is oh so beneficial. This episode was a fascinating shift from what we normally talk about, and listening to Anouk's French accent is a lovely few minutes. Anouk has a free family self portrait guide that might be interesting for you you'd like to learn more https://familymoments.ca/self-portraits-im-there-too/  A course at the Click photo school teaching more in details a lot of what we talked about on the episodet https://www.clickphotoschool.com/documentary-connections/ You can find Anouk on IG at https://www.instagram.com/moments.famille/  https://www.photonative.com/

Starting out as a teen working the Picture People store at the mall to a thriving family photography business, Leah O'Connell's photography journey has spanned 20 years. The lessons collected along the way are something we all could learn from. Leah talks about what she learned from her past that has made her the success she is now. Leah O’Connell is a lifestyle family photographer and educator based in Charlottesville, VA who has been developing her style and systems in the industry for over 10 years. She is passionate about creating heartwarming images of families that feel both wild and true while running her business from a place of joy. Pulling from her original love of teaching and master's degree in education, Leah now also guides family photographers through building a streamlined virtual sales experience and foundational business skills in her online course, The Workflow Launchpad. Leah is a wife of 11 years, a mom to 3, and writes about the swirl between art and family through her weekly newsletter, The Firefly Letters. You can connect with her in her private Facebook community for family photographers, or on Instagram @fireflyphoto_leah. Website: www.lofirefly.com Social: https://www.facebook.com/fireflyphoto.leah https://www.instagram.com/fireflyphoto_leah/ Education:Mentoring - https://www.lofirefly.com/educationThe Workflow Launchpad (course) - https://lofirefly.com/workflow-launchpad Facebook group for family photographers -https://www.facebook.com/groups/familyphotogs.behindthescenes/

Amy is at the end of a divorce. A time of confusion, pain, and loss of self. In her efforts to heal from this trauma, Amy leans into her art, especially self-portraiture. After taking one specific image, Amy was able to truly see herself and step into her power. On this episode Amy and I talk about how art heals, venerability, abundance verses scarcity mentality, learning to let go so we can truly explore and become the artists we are called to be, holding space for the creative unknown, and so much more! This episode is full of "AH-HA" moments that you need to experience. So get that audio going, because YOU BELONG.; ; Amy Elizabeth is an artist, writer, mentor, educator, experimenter, and lab owner based in Minneapolis, MN. Her primary medium for self-expression is film photography and over the last few years has found a home creating self-portraits. Her desire is to see and be seen, and in all things uses vulnerability for the empowerment of others.  Her belief in the healing power of community and creativity led her to start The Artists’ Collab, a monthly subscription support group, at the start of 2023. In this same spirit, she recently completed the first run of her workshop Self-Portraits With Meaning, meant to equip, give permission, and guide others through the therapeutic process of stepping boldly in front of the camera to externally process inner-workings. You can find her on Instagram @itsamyliz and on her website https://www.itsamyliz.com/

As adults we don't usually put time for play on our to do list, but maybe we should. On this episode, Cindy Cavanagh shares her reasons why play should be a part of every photographer's work. Leaning into personal projects to recharge and hone skills. And even using play in marketing. Don't miss this episode because You Belong! Cindy Cavanagh is an artist who seeks beauty in the ordinary and the Australian landscape. Her painterly portraits are scenes that feel like someone has just stepped away, using colour and light to portray visual stories with deep emotion. Cindy mentors creatives and photographers to believe in their creative intuition. She uses a gentle voice to encourage the artist to look inwards and to observe, see, feel, listen and ultimately make stuff they love. After five years and over 50 artists later, her goal is to keep encouraging others to create from within.  Website: https://www.cindycavanagh.photography/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindy_cavanagh/ and  @cindy_cavanagh

Think about some of your favorite sessions. I bet those clients trusted you completely. I'd also bet, those clients gushed over their gallery and gave you a glowing review. Now, don't we all want clients who fully trust us? In this episode Emily Murdock walks us through how to create that client trust. It's not as difficult as it may seem. Emily Murdock is a joy-centric film + digital photographer based in Dallas, Texas, USA. For more than 15 years, she has sought to show people the beauty of their lives through photography - not fake, pretend beauty that ignores the realities of life, but rather the kind of beauty that embraces what is real, raw, and painful, along with what is joyful, hopeful, and loving. Her photography work consistently toes the line between polished and wild, and that is precisely where she wants to be. When she's not taking the best portraits of her clients' lives, she can probably be found desperately catching up on homeschooling her four kids, planning her next epic road trip, or listening to 60's pop on Spotify. Or maybe all of those things at once. She welcomes connection in all forms, so please reach out and say howdy! You can find Emily on Instagram @Emilymurdockphotopraphy 

Photos just aren't enough to tell the story. Enter copy! Being image driven entrepreneurs, thinking about the copy on our websites and bios isn't really on the radar. Rachel Grieman is the owner of Green Chair Stories, the answer to you copy conundrums. Listen how Rachel talks about why copy is so important, tips for writing copy yourself if you're on a budget, and how Chat GPT will affect the future of copy writers. Rachel Greiman is a copywriter and documentary family photographer in Denver, CO. With a degree in photojournalism and a decade of experience writing and photographing in the nonprofit world, Rachel started Green Chair Stories: a company committed to writing websites that get photographers booked. It’s run on empathy and storytelling, getting to the heart of why photographers do what they do and what makes them different from the other photographer down the street.  Every website tells a story. And photos are, unfortunately, only half of it. Rachel helps photographers tell the story they mean to, with the words that keep their favorite people sliding into their DMs. You can find Rachel and all her downloadable products at https://greenchairstories.com/shop-products Use the code YOUBELONG15 to get 15%off. To see Rachel and her amazing feed go to https://www.instagram.com/greenchairstories/

Karmen Meyer is a published photographer of 14 years, renowned for her soulful portraits of women. A mother to 2 daughters and the eldest of 6 sisters, she has spent her life encompassed by awe-inspiring feminine energy and has made it her personal mission to create portraits that showcase the depth, honesty, and power of women. Celebrating each individual, just as they are. Karmen spoke at Photo Native 2023 and together we continue the conversation about photographing the feminine and the power that we as women hold. You can find Karmen and her work... https://www.karmenmeyer.ca/ https://www.instagram.com/karmenmeyerphotography/

On the very first every You Belong Podcast episode I am interviewing Fiona Margo. She is an adventure family photographer, mom of two daughters plus a fluffy puppy, lives in Seattle, married to a fire fighter, has her own podcast, and is a marketing guru. In this episode Fiona and I talk specifics about marketing for photographers with actionable tips that you need to implement right now. You will want to take notes with this one!

Today I have something really special for you, my darling listener. I did a collaboration with Alison Bell and Melissa Arlena from the Keep It Moving podcast. I am in a transition of moving my business to San Diego and knew these incredible ladies were the ones to ask for help. On the episode we go over how to move your business step by step. We go over SEO, networking, preparing for new locations, and more. Chalk full of very helpful information, this episode is helpful whether you are moving your business, or are wanting to up your presence in your current city. Takeaways When moving a business, it is important to focus on rebuilding the website and improving SEO for the new location. Managing two businesses simultaneously can be challenging, but it is possible with proper planning and organization. Building an email list and networking on Instagram can help attract potential clients in the new location. Creating lead magnets, such as downloadable guides, can be an effective way to build an email list and provide valuable content to potential clients. Blogging once a week, mixing up content with FAQs and location-specific posts, can help improve SEO and attract organic traffic. Melissa Arlena ⁠https://melissaarlenaphotography.com⁠ Alison Bell ⁠https://alisonbellphotographer.com⁠ ⁠@pictureperfectrankings⁠⁠@alisonbellphotog⁠⁠@keep.it.moving.podcast⁠ Host Alison Hatch is an analog film photographer, educator, podcast host, and artist. Alison offers her Albuquerque and San Diego clients a stress-free and memorable experience getting photos taken. She has been featured in Shoot It With Film and published in the Front Steps Project Book. Alison splits her time between New Mexico and Southern California with her husband and three boys. Alison Hatch ⁠https://www.alisonhatchphoto.com⁠ Free Film Soup Recipe ⁠https://www.alisonhatchphoto.com/film-soup⁠ Keywords moving business, website deletion, blogging, SEO, managing two businesses, rebuilding website, improving SEO, shifting focus, building email list, networking on Instagram, lead magnets, blogging strategy

Natasha and I met because we were both older photographers (I go into the story on the Podcast). So it seemed like the obvious choice to ask my dear friend to join me in a discussion about age. A topic in our business that just isn't talked about. Aging in photography. How being an older photographer is both hard and a strength. How getting started with our photography businesses later gave us a leg up. And because of our age, our why's are so different than the norm. In a profession that is filled with 20 and 30 somethings, diving into this topic is bringing ageism out of the shadows and into the spotlight. A very welcomed thing! Takeaways Being an older woman in the photography industry can bring both benefits and challenges. Age can be a superpower in family photography, as it brings wisdom, experience, and a sense of calm. Connecting with clients is not necessarily harder because of age; in fact, it can be an advantage as clients see older photographers as wise and experienced. Physical limitations, such as getting down on the floor for long periods of time, can be a challenge for older photographers. Authenticity and relatability can still be achieved by older photographers, as they have gone through similar stages of parenthood and can offer guidance and understanding to clients. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Connection through Age 02:54 The Superpower of Age in Family Photography 05:05 Authenticity and Relatability as an Older Photographer 06:56 Dealing with Physical Limitations 09:01 Connecting with Clients as an Older Photographer 10:57 Different Journeys in Photography Bio Natasha Sewell (NPS Photography) is a lifestyle family and newborn photographer serving the Washington, D.C. area with 11+ years of experience. Her goal is to capture your life in its just as it is--beautiful, joyful, unscripted, and in the most tender of places: your home. Natasha is also a photography mentor and coach. Links: website: https://npsphotography.cominstagram: https://instagram.com/npsphotographyFreebie Prompt Guide for Photographers: https://npsphotography.myflodesk.com/l34uccv2h4Mentoring/Coaching: https://npsphotography.com/photographer-mentoring-and-education/ https://www.alisonhatchphoto.com/film-soup

In this conversation, Alison Hatch interviews Kim Hildebrand, an analog film photographer, about lighting techniques for film photography. Kim shares her tips and tricks for using flash to create beautiful and consistent lighting in indoor spaces. Takeaways Using flash in film photography can help overcome the challenges of shooting in dark indoor spaces. Off-camera flash and bouncing the light off reflective surfaces can create a soft and natural look. A handheld light meter is essential for metering the flash and achieving proper exposure. Checking the light with a digital camera before shooting on film can help ensure the desired results. Kim Hildebrand offers resources and freebies on her website for those interested in learning more about flash photography. Keywords film photography, lighting, flash, off-camera flash, bouncing light, indoor photography Sound Bites "Flash and off-camera is the way to go." "The reason I love off-camera flash is that it allows me to move around and get different angles without having to remeter." "Using flash with film photography is doable and can be a game changer for indoor sessions." Where you can find Kim: https://www.kimhildebrand.com/filmhttps://www.kimhildebrand.com/flashhttps://www.kimhildebrand.com/tag/one-light-many-looks IG: https://www.instagram.com/kimhildebrandphoto Where you can find Alison: https://www.alisonhatchphoto.com https://www.instagram.com/alisonhatchphoto/ https://www.instagram.com/alisonphatch/

Summary In this episode, Alison Hatch discusses the importance of incorporating creativity into your photography business and website. She shares a story about a photographer who was asked to take photos of pets by her brother's girlfriend and how it led to an unhappy client situation. Alison emphasizes the need to manage client expectations and delight them through clear communication and a well-designed website. She suggests thinking of your website as a storefront and creating a curated and organized experience for your clients. By providing clear information, easy booking processes, and personalized touches, you can create a positive client experience and eliminate clients who are not the right fit for you. Takeaways Incorporate your creativity into your photography business and website design. Manage client expectations by delighting them through clear communication and a well-designed website. Think of your website as a storefront and create a curated and organized experience for your clients. Eliminate clients who are not the right fit for you by providing clear information and easy booking processes. Sound Bites "How can you do this creatively?" "You can be creative with your font choice or your word choice." "Have you ever been in that situation before? Have you been in the situation with an unhappy client?" Keywords photography, creativity, website design, managing client expectations, delighting clients, client experience Alison Hatch Photo Film Soup Online Course Calendly Loom

Natalia Robert shares her journey into interior photography and the differences between shooting for real estate listings and interior designers. She emphasizes the importance of building relationships with interior designers and capturing specific moments that evoke a feeling. Natalia provides tips and tricks for working with interiors, including using a tripod, straightening verticals, and mastering masking in Photoshop. She also discusses her platform, The Grove, which provides resources, courses, and a supportive community for women in the interior photography industry. Keywords interior photography, real estate photography, interior designers, relationships, capturing moments, tips and tricks, tripod, straightening verticals, masking in Photoshop, The Grove, resources, courses, community, women in photography Takeaways Interior photography is a niche within the photography industry that is often overlooked but offers unique opportunities to blend design and architecture with photography. Working with interior designers requires building relationships and understanding their vision for the space. Tips for interior photography include using a tripod, straightening verticals, and mastering masking in Photoshop. The Grove is a platform that provides resources, courses, and a supportive community for women in the interior photography industry. Sound Bites "Interior photography is its own little niche" "Working with interior designers is relationship-heavy" "Using a tripod and straightening verticals are essential in interior photography" Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:11 Exploring the Niche of Interior Photography 09:20 Building Relationships with Interior Designers 16:17 Tips and Tricks for Interior Photography

In this episode of the Photographers Create Podcast, Anja Poehlmann discusses personal projects, specifically the 365 project. She shares her experience and tips for starting and maintaining a 365 project, including the benefits of personal projects, the importance of play and experimentation, and the value of documenting everyday moments. Anya emphasizes the need for flexibility and grace in personal projects, allowing for breaks and missed days without feeling like a failure. She also provides insights into post-processing and organization strategies for a 365 project. Keywords personal projects, 365 project, photography, play, experimentation, everyday moments, flexibility, grace, post-processing, organization Takeaways Personal projects allow photographers to explore ideas, test and play, and learn new techniques that can be applied to client work. Starting with smaller projects can be a good segue into a 365 project, allowing photographers to build confidence and develop a routine. Personal projects are an opportunity to capture and document the little moments in life that often go unnoticed. Staying organized and having a system in place is crucial for managing a 365 project and ensuring that photos are easily accessible and editable. It's important to use the equipment and process that works best for you, whether it's shooting with a phone, film, or digital camera, and finding a post-processing workflow that suits your style and preferences. Sound Bites "Personal projects let me play and experiment without having to prove anything to anyone." "Starting smaller is a good segue into a 365 project." "Missing a day doesn't mean the project has failed. Keep going and find ways to catch up." Sound Bites "Personal projects let me play and experiment without having to prove anything to anyone." "Starting smaller is a good segue into a 365 project." "Missing a day doesn't mean the project has failed. Keep going and find ways to catch up." Sound Bites "Personal projects let me play and experiment without having to prove anything to anyone." "Starting smaller is a good segue into a 365 project." "Missing a day doesn't mean the project has failed. Keep going and find ways to catch up." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Scheduling Collaboration 00:38 Getting into Personal Projects 02:55 Starting a 365 Project 06:41 Taking Baby Steps into a 365 Project 07:37 Starting Small and Building Confidence 09:29 Giving Yourself Grace in Personal Projects 10:37 Continuing a 365 Project 11:14 The Power of Photos and Videos 12:10 The Importance of Personal Projects 13:09 Filling the Gap in Photos 15:31 Keeping Photos Fresh and Creative 16:30 Finding New Angles and Techniques 24:48 Staying Organized in a 365 Project 29:13 Using the Equipment and Process That Works for You 32:04 Resources for 365 Projects 35:11 Conclusion and Where to Find Anja Links: My website: https://www.anjapoehlmann.com/ 365 course (hosted and recorded for DFP Education): DFP education 365 course (affiliate link) IG: https://www.instagram.com/by_anjap/   Alison Hatch Photo

In this episode, Allison Jacobs discusses her love for photographing the beach and water. She explains that while she doesn't consider herself a traditional landscape photographer, she is drawn to the beach and water because it brings her peace and calmness. Allison also talks about her experimentation with different photography styles and techniques, including film soup and double exposures. She emphasizes the importance of keeping photography fun and stress-free, and shares her love for vintage cameras and the stories they hold. Takeaways Find inspiration in places that bring you peace and calmness. Experiment with different photography styles and techniques to keep your work fresh and exciting. Don't be afraid to try different cameras and film stocks to find what works best for you. Keep photography fun and stress-free by focusing on the joy of creating and connecting with other photographers. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 00:43 Being Drawn to Water and the Beach 03:41 The Solitude and Details of Beach Photography 04:36 The Influence of Impressionism in Photography 05:30 Experimenting with Different Photography Styles 08:31 The Contrast Between the Beach and the City 09:43 The Challenge of Composition and Finding Interest 11:51 Finding Inspiration Outside of Familiar Environments 13:07 Keeping Photography Fun and Stress-Free 14:51 The Stories and Connections of Vintage Cameras 15:17 The Joy of Shooting with Other Photographers 19:55 The Importance of Loving the Medium You Use 22:30 The Challenges of Shooting with Different Cameras 25:44 The Love for Different Film Stocks 28:47 The Versatility of Kodak Gold 200 34:25 Preview of the Analog Artist Retreat Photo Walk Find Allison on Instagram @allisonjacobs The Creative Frame Podcast Alison Hatch Photo

In this episode, the host Alison Hatch shares five things that have helped her photography business throughout the years. The first thing is hiring a mentor, who can provide guidance, support, and help navigate the journey to success. The second thing is following her gut and listening to her intuition, which has led to finding joy and fulfillment in her work. The third thing is getting outside of her comfort zone on social media and other marketing strategies, which has helped her connect with more people and boost her confidence. The fourth thing is having other creative outlets, such as knitting and gardening, which rejuvenate her and influence her photography. The fifth thing is taking the emotion out of her business and approaching it more transactionally, which reduces stress and allows for more productivity. Analog Artist Workshop April 27th & 28th San Diego, CA https://www.alisonhatchphoto.com/analog-artist Film Soup Online Course https://www.alisonhatchphoto.com/store

In this episode, the host discusses five mistakes she made in her photography business and provides advice on how to avoid them. The mistakes include not finalizing her style before charging clients, incorporating expensive programs and systems, paying for branding, believing a big social media following is necessary, and charging too much. The host emphasizes the importance of consistency, simplicity, and understanding the local market when running a photography business. She also encourages photographers to support and advocate for each other in the industry. Analog Artist Workshop April 27th & 28th San Diego, CA https://www.alisonhatchphoto.com/analog-artist Film Soup Online Course https://www.alisonhatchphoto.com/store

In this episode, David Teran discusses his journey from wanting to be a chef to becoming a photographer. He shares how he fell in love with film photography and his passion for capturing ballerinas outside of the ballet. David emphasizes the importance of the Hasselblad camera in his work and the focus on creating visually stunning photographs. He also highlights the unique experience of shooting film and the limited number of frames available. In this conversation, David discusses his approach to ballet photography and the challenges of capturing unique and memorable shots with limited frames. He explains his preference for shooting on film and the magic of not knowing the outcome until the film is developed. David also shares his favorite locations for ballet photography and his inspiration from non-ballet photographers. He mentions his upcoming book and hints at a potential second project. Lastly, he talks about his process of developing and digitizing film. David Teran https://www.hasselbladballet.com/ Analog Artist Workshop https://www.alisonhatchphoto.com/analog-artist Film Soup Online Course https://www.alisonhatchphoto.com/store

Allison Corinne discusses her journey as a self-portrait photographer and the evolution of her self-portrait series. She shares her inspiration for creating self-portraits and the planning and execution process behind each series. Allison also talks about the use of Photoshop and AI in her work and the themes and messages that are conveyed through her self-portraits. She discusses the reception and audience engagement with her work and the influence of her maternity photography on her self-portrait style. Takeaways Self-portraits can be a creative and personal way to express oneself as a photographer. Planning and execution are important aspects of creating self-portraits, with some series requiring more preparation than others. The use of Photoshop and AI can enhance and expand the possibilities for self-portrait photography. Self-portraits can convey personal themes and messages, reflecting the photographer's values and beliefs. Engagement and feedback from the audience can be rewarding and validating for self-portrait photographers. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:25 Inspiration for Self-Portraits 04:58 Evolution of Self-Portrait Series 08:28 Planning and Execution of Self-Portraits 10:20 Process and Ideas for New Series 13:27 Variety in Self-Portrait Styles 15:18 Use of Photoshop and AI 23:22 Reception and Audience Engagement 24:58 Influence of Maternity Photography 27:47 Closing Remarks Find Allison Corinne at https://www.allisoncorinne.com/ The Analog Artist Workshop https://www.alisonhatchphoto.com/analog-artist The online Film Soup course https://www.alisonhatchphoto.com/store