The Photog Files: Photography, Creativity and Everything In Between

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I will be taking a break until January. Thank you for listening.Hosted by Rick Nelson — photographer, storyteller, and creator of The Photog Files.Follow me on Instagram: @carolinahawkeyeExplore my work: ricknelson.photographyVisit my YouTube channel: RickNelsonPhotoSubscribe to The Photog Files on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere podcasts are heard.Thank you for listening — please like, share, subscribe, and follow for more.Check out Dehancer! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dehancer.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — 10% off with code CAROLINAPHOTO

Some of the most important photographs you’ll ever take are the ones no one else will ever see.In this episode of The Photog Files, Rick explores why unshared photos — the unfinished, imperfect, and private ones — often shape us more as photographers than the images we post online. From creative freedom to failure without pressure, this episode is a reminder that growth often happens quietly, away from likes, algorithms, and validation.Hosted by Rick Nelson — photographer, storyteller, and creator of The Photog Files.Follow me on Instagram: @carolinahawkeyeExplore my work: ricknelson.photographyVisit my YouTube channel: RickNelsonPhotoSubscribe to The Photog Files on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere podcasts are heard.Thank you for listening — please like, share, subscribe, and follow for more.Check out Dehancer! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dehancer.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ — 10% off with code CAROLINAPHOTO

Film photography has a way of slowing you down — not just as a photographer, but as a human being. In a world obsessed with speed, perfection, and instant results, shooting film forces you to breathe, observe, and trust yourself in a way digital rarely does.In this episode, Rick explores the unexpected lessons film taught him: patience in the process, acceptance of imperfection, the beauty of letting go of control, and the quiet humanity hidden inside a single frame.It’s not about nostalgia.It’s not about the “film look.”It’s about what happens when you strip photography back to its simplest form — intention, presence, and honesty.Whether you’ve shot film your whole life or you’ve never touched a roll, this episode invites you to slow down and see the world a little differently.Hosted by Rick Nelson — photographer, storyteller, and creator of The Photog Files.Follow me on Instagram: @carolinahawkeyeExplore my work: ricknelson.photographyVisit my YouTube channel: RickNelsonPhotoSubscribe to The Photog Files on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere podcasts are heard.Thank you for listening — please like, share, subscribe, and follow for more.Check out Dehancer! ⁠⁠⁠https://www.dehancer.com/⁠⁠⁠ — 10% off with code CAROLINAPHOTO

In this episode of The Photog Files, Rick Nelson dives into one of the biggest modern photography debates: Is photography becoming too easy? With smartphones calculating light, AI fixing mistakes, and cameras practically shooting for us, it’s tempting to think the craft is being watered down.But Rick argues the opposite — this era is the most creatively liberating time in photography’s entire history.Hosted by Rick Nelson — photographer, storyteller, and creator of The Photog Files.Follow me on Instagram: @carolinahawkeyeExplore my work: ricknelson.photographyVisit my YouTube channel: RickNelsonPhotoSubscribe to The Photog Files on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere podcasts are heard.Thank you for listening — please like, share, subscribe, and follow for more.Check out Dehancer! ⁠⁠https://www.dehancer.com/⁠⁠ — 10% off with code CAROLINAPHOTO

A single idea can change your entire creative life — and in this episode, Rick Nelson breaks down why a personal project might be the most important thing a photographer can commit to.Whether you’re stuck in a rut, craving direction, or simply tired of shooting without purpose, this conversation explores how one simple theme, repeated with intention, can transform your style, sharpen your identity, and reconnect you to the reason you picked up a camera in the first place.Rick shares why personal projects matter, how they quietly shape your voice and vision, and how even the smallest idea — a street, a time of day, a feeling — can reignite your creativity. He also opens up about his own recent project and how it helped him push through a difficult creative season.If you’ve ever felt lost somewhere between inspiration and overwhelm, this episode is your invitation to choose one idea… and let it change you.Hosted by Rick Nelson — photographer, storyteller, and creator of The Photog Files.Follow me on Instagram: @carolinahawkeyeExplore my work: ricknelson.photographyVisit my YouTube channel: RickNelsonPhotoSubscribe to The Photog Files on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere podcasts are heard.Thank you for listening — please like, share, subscribe, and follow for more.Check out Dehancer! ⁠https://www.dehancer.com/⁠ — 10% off with code CAROLINAPHOTO

Sometimes the most powerful growth in photography doesn’t come from chasing new places — it comes from returning to the ones we think we already know.In this episode of The Photog Files, Rick Nelson explores the quiet art of coming back to a familiar scene, and why repetition isn’t sameness — it’s evolution.Through reflection, philosophy, and personal stories from behind the lens, Rick uncovers a deeper truth about creativity:we only capture what we’re capable of seeing…and every time we return, we see a little more.With insights from legends like Ansel Adams, Cartier-Bresson, Monet, and Heraclitus, this episode dives into how time, growth, and experience reshape our vision — not just as photographers, but as people.The landscape may stay the same.But you don’t.If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, or unsure whether you’re improving, this is your reminder that progress often hides in the familiar.Return.Look again.And see what’s changed — not in the scene, but in you.Listen to rediscover the beauty of coming back, the power of patience, and the truth that every revisit is a new beginning.Hosted by Rick Nelson — photographer, storyteller, and creator of The Photog Files.Follow me on Instagram: @carolinahawkeyeExplore my work: ricknelson.photographyVisit my YouTube channel: RickNelsonPhotoSubscribe to The Photog Files on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere podcasts are heard.Thank you for listening — please like, share, subscribe, and follow for more.Check out Dehancer! https://www.dehancer.com/ — 10% off with code CAROLINAPHOTO

Perfection is the quiet killer of creativity. In this episode of The Photog Files, Rick Nelson explores the myth of the “perfect shot” — why chasing flawlessness can hold you back, and how imperfection is actually where authenticity lives.Through honest reflection, philosophy, and personal stories from behind the lens, Rick uncovers the deeper truth about art: that beauty isn’t found in control, but in the moments we can’t predict — the soft blur, the missed focus, the human touch that makes our work real.If you’ve ever felt like your art isn’t good enough, this episode is your reminder to let go, breathe, and create freely. Listen to rediscover the joy of imperfection — and why your most honest work will never be perfect… and that’s exactly what makes it powerful.Hosted by Rick Nelson — photographer, storyteller, and creator of The Photog Files.Follow me on Instagram @carolinahawkeyeExplore my work: ricknelson.photographyVisit my YouTube Subscribe to The Photog Files on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and anywhere podcasts are played.Thank you for listening please Like, share and subscribe and follow for more.Check out Dehancer! https://www.dehancer.com/10% off with code CAROLINAPHOTO

What makes one photo feel flat and another feel alive? In this episode, host Rick Nelson explores the art of seeing in layers — a mindset that transforms the way you capture the world.Rick breaks down how depth, light, and emotion work together to create photographs that pull people in. You’ll learn how to spot layers in your environment, use movement and light to build dimension, and tell richer stories through composition and perspective.In this episode:What “layers” really mean in photography (beyond Photoshop)How to move, frame, and light your shots for natural depthStorytelling techniques that bring context and emotion into your photosPractical exercises to train your eye to see like a storytellerWhether you’re shooting portraits, street scenes, or landscapes, this episode will help you move beyond “nice” photos — and start making images that feel real.📸 Follow me on Instagram ⁠@carolinahawkeye⁠ 🌐 Explore my work: ⁠ricknelson.photography⁠ 🎧 Subscribe to The Photog Files on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyThank you for listening please Like, share and subscribe and follow for more.Visit my ⁠YouTube ⁠Check out Dehancer! ⁠https://www.dehancer.com/⁠10% off with code CAROLINAPHOTO

Ever feel like everyone else is creating faster, better, or more beautifully than you? You’re not alone — and this episode is for you.In “Creating Without Comparison,” host Rick Nelson dives into one of the biggest creative traps we all face: measuring our worth against someone else’s highlight reel. Through honest reflection and practical tools, Rick explores how to quiet the noise, reconnect with your own rhythm, and build work that feels deeply yours.You’ll learn how to:Turn comparison into curiosity (and fuel your growth instead of draining it)Reconnect with your natural creative paceProtect your small, personal projects that keep your art aliveBuild simple habits that ground you when the noise gets loudWhether you’re a photographer, artist, or anyone trying to stay inspired in a scroll-heavy world — this episode will remind you why your creative journey doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.🎙️ Hosted by Rick Nelson — photographer, storyteller, and creator of The Photog Files.📸 Follow me on Instagram ⁠@carolinahawkeye⁠ 🌐 Explore my work: ⁠ricknelson.photography⁠ Visit my ⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠🎧 Subscribe to The Photog Files on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and anywhere podcasts are played.Thank you for listening please Like, share and subscribe and follow for more.Check out Dehancer! ⁠https://www.dehancer.com/⁠10% off with code CAROLINAPHOTO

Inspiration isn’t hiding in faraway places — it’s sitting right in front of you. In this episode, Rick explores how to turn the small, ordinary details of life into fuel for your craft. Whether it’s the light on your morning coffee, the rhythm of your train ride, or a passing shadow on the wall, these quiet moments can become powerful creative prompts.This episode isn’t just about noticing — it’s about doing.Rick shares practical ways to turn everyday moments into mini creative projects: write a poem about your morning brew, photograph a single color all week, record the sound of your neighborhood and build something from it.Creativity doesn’t come from waiting for the muse — it comes from practicing your craft in motion, every day, right where you are.📸 Follow me on Instagram @carolinahawkeye 🌐 Explore my work: ricknelson.photography 🎧 Subscribe to The Photog Files on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyThank you for listening please Like, share and subscribe and follow for more.Visit my YouTube Check out Dehancer! https://www.dehancer.com/10% off with code CAROLINAPHOTO

After burnout, the hardest part isn’t picking the camera back up — it’s finding your rhythm again.In this deeply reflective episode, Rick opens up about what it really feels like to lose your creative flow — that quiet disconnect between the art you love and the energy to make it. From standing at Yates Mill watching perfect light fade without taking a single shot, to rediscovering curiosity through small, “stupid simple” moments, he breaks down how to rebuild trust in your creative instincts one step at a time.You’ll learn:Why burnout doesn’t end with exhaustion — it ends with silence.How to rebuild creative trust through simplicity, ritual, and reconnection.The power of observing before creating — and why curiosity beats motivation.How rhythm returns not through perfection, but through permission.Whether you’re a photographer, filmmaker, or creative soul feeling out of sync, this episode is your reminder that rhythm isn’t lost — it’s remembered.🎧 Listen now and start finding your way back to the work that moves you.📸 Follow Rick on Instagram @carolinahawkeye🌐 Explore his work: ricknelson.photography🎧 Subscribe to The Photog Files on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyThank you for listening please Like, share and subscribe and follow for more.Visit my YouTube Check out Dehancer! https://www.dehancer.com/10% off with code CAROLINAPHOTO

What happens when the thing you love most… stops feeling like you?In this deeply personal episode, Rick opens up about the moment he almost walked away from creating altogether. Between long nights, heartbreak, and burnout, he found himself staring at his camera — unsure if he’d ever pick it up again.But what started as an ending became the spark for a new beginning. Through honest reflection and rediscovering his love for photography, Rick shares how falling apart creatively can sometimes be the start of something stronger.If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, or on the edge of giving up, this story is for you.In this episode:The real story behind Rick’s creative fallout in 2013How personal loss can silence your creative voiceWhat it takes to find joy in creating againWhy “falling out” isn’t failure — it’s transformationThank you for listening please Like, share and subscribe and follow for more.Visit my ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠My ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ricknelson.photography⁠⁠⁠⁠Photo Presets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ricknelson.photography/store⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out Dehancer! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dehancer.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠10% off with code CAROLINAPHOTO

We all know the feeling — you’ve made something you’re proud of, but then the doubts creep in. Is it good enough? What will people think? Before long, your work is hidden away on a hard drive instead of out in the world.In this episode of The Photog Files, we’ll talk about how to quiet the overthinking, build confidence in your creativity, and take that brave step of sharing your work. You’ll hear stories of artists and photographers who pushed past fear, and you’ll learn practical ways to shift your mindset so you can start showing up authentically.This is your pep talk to stop waiting for perfection — and start letting your creativity be seen.Thank you for listening please Like, share and subscribe and follow for more.Visit my ⁠⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠⁠My ⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://ricknelson.photography⁠⁠⁠Photo Presets: ⁠⁠⁠https://ricknelson.photography/store⁠⁠⁠Check out Dehancer! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dehancer.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠10% off with code CAROLINAPHOTO

You made time for creativity — now what?In this follow-up to last week’s episode, we explore how to actually fill that creative time with ideas, even when life feels ordinary or uninspired.You’ll learn how to:​Retrain your brain to notice hidden inspiration in your daily life​Use creative journaling to capture ideas before they disappear​Photograph the everyday moments that are shaping your story​Turn life’s frustrations into fuel for new projectsThis episode is equal parts pep talk and practical guide — helping you fall in love with your daily life again and see it as your biggest source of creative inspiration.Thank you for listening please Like, share and subscribe and follow for more.Visit my ⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠My ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠https://ricknelson.photography⁠⁠Photo Presets: ⁠⁠https://ricknelson.photography/store⁠⁠Check out Dehancer! ⁠⁠⁠https://www.dehancer.com/⁠⁠⁠10% off with code CAROLINAPHOTO

Life never slows down on its own — so if you want to create, you have to choose to. In this episode, I share practical, realistic ways to carve out time for creativity (even in a packed schedule) and a motivational push to get you back into your flow. Whether you’re a photographer, writer, or just someone who misses feeling inspired, this is your reminder that creativity isn’t optional — it’s fuel.Thank you for listening please Like, share and subscribe and follow for more.Visit my ⁠YouTube ⁠My ⁠Instagram ⁠Website: ⁠https://ricknelson.photography⁠Photo Presets: ⁠https://ricknelson.photography/store⁠Check out Dehancer! ⁠⁠https://www.dehancer.com/⁠⁠10% off with code CAROLINAPHOTO

Thank you for listening please Like, share and subscribe and follow for more.Visit my YouTube My Instagram Website: https://ricknelson.photographyPhoto Presets: https://ricknelson.photography/storeCheck out Dehancer! ⁠https://www.dehancer.com/⁠10% off with code CAROLINAPHOTO

Today's Podcast is discussing some new cameras on the market along with talking about creative ruts.

In this new season / Episode I go out in the field. Chasing Landscapes around the Somerset Dam region of Queensland, Australia. Let me know what you think buy commenting, liking and subscribing. Also check out my Instagrams and YouTube channel below.Instagram Main: https://www.instagram.com/carolinahawkeye/Instagram Black & White:https://www.instagram.com/carolinanightowl/Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RickNelsonPhoto

Street photography tips and more. Follow for more and find me at https://ricknelson.photography/links

Today is about storytelling. Some tips and pointers in the way to find it. Follow me on Instagram @carolinahawkeye. Visit RickNelson.photography for more on me and the YouTube channel.