Photographers for People and Planet - The Podcast

What happens when you get to a wedding day and the clients have a balloon release or some other activity planned that you know if incredibly damaging to the environment? Do you still photograph it? That's a dilemma I've faced in the past, and after speaking with Aida from My Wedding Season Podcast, I'm not alone. So what can you do as a photographer to make sure you don't end up in this awkward position in the first place?

In this episode, I introduce two key terms when looking at your impact as a photographer or media creator - footprint and brainprint. Want to learn more? Read the blogpost for photographic examples: https://photographersforpeopleandplanet.com/understanding-footprint-brainprint-in-photography/

This episode is a quick introduction to the newly rebranded podcast. Formerly titled "The Entrepreneurial Expedition", the podcast has rebranded to align with the work of Photographers for People and Planet. Future episodes and collaborations will focus on issues of sustainability, ethics, diversity, and inclusion and how they relate to running a professional photography business.

In this episode, we take a dive into conscious copywriting, and look at some of the most popular destination wedding 'buzzwords' and how their use can be problematic. Read the blog: https://adventureweddingacademy.com/conscious-copywriting-12-words-to-eliminate-in-your-marketing/

At the end of each wedding season, I sit down and do an energy audit across my businesses. This slower time of year allows me to reflect on the months that have passed, and they help me to make sure that the work I do over the winter months is fully aligned with where I want to be going. Do you take the time for an energy audit?

Does being a wedding photographer have an expiry date? In this episode, I chat with the wonderful Nadia Meli about why she decided to walk away from her thriving wedding photography business, the fear that comes from leaving and why it's important to live in integrity with yourself. Who is Nadia Meli? Italian born, German raised, mum of two cats, and ambassador for Nikon. I love people and I seek truth and connection, that is why I am a photographer. If you want to connect with Nadia, you can find her in these places: Substack: https://nadiameli.substack.com/ Website: https://www.nadiameli.com/ Instagram (personal): https://www.instagram.com/thenadiameli/ Instagram (photography): https://www.instagram.com/nadiameli/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadia-meli-270114124/

Have you ever heard of the term "work-life blend?" This definitely resonates with me more than the more common term, "work-life balance". In this mini episode, I'll explain why.

In this episode I explore the world of ethical vs unethical marketing when it comes to selling and being sold, especially around business education and development.

Why are so many people obsessed with earning 6-figures? When is the right time to quit your "day job"? In this episode, I ask financial coach Molly to give me her views on these commonly asked questions, as we talk about money, finances, and financial sustainability. ---- After 20 years managing and leading multi-million dollar arts organizations, including the start-up of my own two successful businesses, an award-winning photography business and a profitable consulting business, Molly decided their passion was found in helping other creatives not only gain financial control, but thrive in the creative arts. They are a Certified Financial Trainer and graduated from Yale University's School of Drama with a graduate degree in Theater Management. Their goal has always been to provide artists with the space to create. And from 2006-2021 that meant managing Broadway Across America tours, leading theatres and arts organizations with budgets from $500K to $4 Million, to overseeing arts education programming initiatives within the state government. Now it means that they want to help creative individuals and business owners have the freedom to live creative lives with a solid financial footing so that they can create their best work. They've helped over 100 individuals and creative business owners get solid when it comes to money and building the lives they want. Talking about money is hard. They make it easier. Learn more at: Website: mmstrategicadvising.com Instagram: @consultingforcreatives

Diversity, equality and accessibility are all important pillars of sustainability. In this episode, I speak with Ami from SNAP! to see how they are trying to make the education space in the photography industry a much more welcoming and accessible place. About Ami: Ami is head honcho at SNAP! and a well established brand and wedding photographer as well as an educator. With a career that has spanned over 13yrs, she is passionate about the photography & creative industry and seeing it thrive which is why taking over SNAP! was the perfect next step in her journey! A strong advocate for diversity and inclusivity, Ami wants to use the SNAP! platform to elevate others in her industry and bring the very best in education from previously unheard voices. Aside from work and business, Ami loves her horse and nature - two big reasons SNAP! is more of a festival/retreat than conference. Ami uses her platform to openly discusses various challenges and struggles that she and many people face when they are self employed, especially mental health and neurodiversity. Learn more about SNAP! SNAP ticket links https://www.snapphotofestival.com/snap-24 Join our email list https://www.snapphotofestival.com/email-list-cover-page Instagram @snapphotofest

Does your business have emergency plans and protocols in place, should something unthinkable happen to you? Studies have shown that freelancers take around ⅓ of the number of sick days in comparison to people in paid employment, many choosing to just “push through” and work even when they are sick. But what happens when an illness is serious, or you’re involved in an accident? And even in the worst case scenario, that you die. It’s important to think about what will happen to your business (and your clients) if you are unable to work, and to have plans and procedures in place to make any transition or handover as smooth as possible.

In this episode of "Niche Stories", I chat with Lina Orsino-Allen, also known as Lina Della Luna, as she shares her story of how she created a second business around her passion for Moonology, her hesitations around her photography clients finding out that she wasn't "just" a photographer, and how she's now finding a beautiful blend where she's able to bring all of these aspects of her life together to create moments of magic with her clients. About Lina: Lina Orsino-Allen is one half of award-winning international wedding photography team Lina and Tom. Twelve years into this business, after gaining her certification in Moonology from publisher Hay House during the pandemic, she took her passion for the Phases of the Moon and Cyclical Living and launched herself as Lina Della Luna; a holistic business and intuition coach and spiritual mentor. Now both businesses intertwine as many of her 1:1 and workshop clients come from her connections to the wedding industry, and she also offers intuitive brand photography to many spiritual and creative entrepreneurs.  She is on a mission to make as many people as possible reconnect to their intuition as the best personal development coach they have within. An experienced public speaker, she gives informative and inspiring talks and seminars both to the photography and wedding industry, and in the holistic wellbeing space. Connect with Lina: https://linadellaluna.com/https://www.instagram.com/linadellaluna/ https://www.linaandtom.com/https://www.instagram.com/linaandtom/

Have you ever wondered how sustainable websites are? I hadn't. That was until I met Lorenz from Jut-So at a sustainable business networking event. That conversation opened up a whole new world of sustainability questions for me, so I asked Lorenz to join me on the podcast to answer my questions and to share his knowledge on sustainable websites and tech, especially within the photography industry. To find out more about Lorenz and Jut-So, you can visit the following: Website (English) / Website (German) Instagram For more sustainability resources, check out the following articles: 7 Ways to Be A More Sustainable Destination Wedding Photographer Intro to Sustainability For Photographers Sustainability Questions To Ask Wedding Vendors (A Blog For Couples)

I think everyone should niche their business. But I actually find talking about niching on a more broader scale quite challenging. Today I'm trying to give you a bit of an introduction to what I think niching is, and set up for some upcoming interviews with some amazing creatives who are making waves by creating really inspiring niches. If you're looking to learn more about niching, you can start by taking my 6-day niche challenge: https://adventureweddingacademy.com/niche

The term “sustainability” seems to have become another buzzword. Not just in the wedding industry, but in general. But what does sustainability, and running a sustainable photography business actually mean? In this episode, we explore the 4 Pillars of Sustainability, and what steps business owners can take to implement more sustainable practices in their business.

Building your portfolio to reflect your niche can be a challenge, whether you're just starting out or you are refining your niche. But should you be offering discounts for bucket list weddings in order to boost your portfolio? In this episode I'll explore why using real weddings to build your portfolio can be problematic, and how you can find more aligned ways to create a portfolio that truly reflects where you want your business to be going. --- Whenever you’re ready… here are 5 ways we can work together: 1. ⁠Join Book Club⁠ - A free quarterly meeting where we get together to share thoughts, insights and learnings from a chosen book. 2. ⁠Book A Shadow Shopper Audit ⁠- Want to know what a stranger really thinks of your website when they are comparing it with your competitors? Now you can find out. 3. ⁠Peak Performance Mentoring Program⁠ - 4-month intensive mentorship to fast-track your journey to YOUR DEFINITION of success while building a brand that gets noticed. 4. ⁠Book A Business Booster Call⁠⁠ ⁠- Need help with your SEO strategy ? Want someone to review your packages? Book a one-off 1:1 consulting call with me to focus on any topic you need. 5. ⁠Join The Inner Circle⁠ - An accountability membership for people who need a sometime to make sure they get their sh*t together.

Working with many different kinds of creative service & lifestyle businesses, there's one thing many of them have in common. And that's following a really narrow approach to their marketing and visibility. While having a strategic and focused marketing strategy is important, especially for niche businesses, one aspect that's far too regularly overlooked is that of "brand visibility". In this episode, we explore what brand visibility might look like, and some easy ways to start increasing yours today. --- For more marketing articles, including the on referenced in this podcast, visit: https://adventureweddingacademy.com/blog/ For more information on the Trekking Retreat mentioned in this episode visit: https://adventureweddingacademy.com/disconnect-to-reconnect-trekking-retreat/

"Uncool & Unfiltered" is a podcast collaboration series between myself and my good friend Steph Zakas of Alchemize your Weird Podcast, where we get together for some frank and unfiltered discussions current topics from the wedding photography and creative industries that have caught our attention. As two successful elopement photographers who have always done things differently, and now certified coaches, we chat openly and honestly about the things that we are and are not loving about the industry. We're proud to have never been the "cool kids" in the industry, but we also know that sometimes being an outsider can be tough. In this first episode, we cover how educators in the photography space are using sleazy marketing to sell courses and why it's giving us the ick. We talk about how we are tired of mainstream marketing tactics that use emotional manipulation and fear mongering to create feelings self-doubt in order to sell you something, and how to instead, choose education and support that empowers you to follow your own unique journey, in a way that makes you feel great. --- If you've got topics you's like us to discuss in future episodes together, please leave us a comment or send them to us at: cat@adventureweddingacademy.com or steph@stephzakas.com ---- About Steph: Steph is a Success Coach and Sales Expert for Photographers & Creatives helping them leverage their weird to make more money and confidently become a sorcerer of selling their unique services. As an introvert with ADHD and self-proclaimed weird kid, Steph has grown her premium priced Elopement Photography business into an international success moving from America to Iceland through leaning into her weird and uniqueness in the world. She now loves to do the same for others as a certified Master Coach & Master Hypnotherapist, mentor, and advisor to bottle up their weird and expand what they ever thought was possible. Connect with Steph on: TikTok & Instagram  &  Alchemize Your Weird™ podcast Stephzakas.com About Cat: Cat is a British elopement photographer, ski instructor, hiking guide and certified coach, living in the Austrian Alps. She created a super-niche photography business, not as a way to stand-out and attract her dream clients in a crowded market, but also because that's the only work she wanted to do. Through her role as a certified coach, mentor and advisor she supports entrepreneurs across the wedding and creative industries to embrace their differences, and achieve what everyone else tells them is impossible. Connect with Cat on: ⁠Instagram⁠  &  Facebook AdventureWeddingAcademy.com

In this episode, I talk about the most common misconceptions about being a luxury photographer and why what you've been told might be completely wrong for you and your business. Are you one of those people who think that being a luxury photographer is all about your photography style? If so, then you're in for a big surprise! In this episode, I'm going to tell you why being a luxury photographer isn't what you think it is - or what lots of people tell you it is. --- Whenever you’re ready… here are 5 ways we can work together: 1. Join Book Club - A quarterly meeting where we get together to share thoughts, insights and learnings from a chosen book. 2. Book A Shadow Shopper Audit - Want to know what a stranger really thinks of your website when they are comparing it with your competitors? Now you can find out. 3. Peak Performance Mentoring Program - 4-month intensive mentorship to fast-track your journey to YOUR DEFINITION of success, building a luxury brand that gets noticed. 4. Book A Business Booster Call - Want to work on what YOUR version of luxury looks like? Book a one-off 1:1 consulting call with me. 5. Join The Inner Circle - An accountability membership for people who need a sometime to make sure they get their sh*t together.

Running a business is full of challenges. At times, it can be a struggle. But I've noticed that there are also a lot of people who only ever seem to be struggling. Perhaps you can picture someone right now? Or perhaps that person is you! Are you maybe attached to the struggle, and keeping yourself small? Join me in this episode as we explore some of the reasons why you might be attached to the struggle, and what you can do to move past it. --- In this episode, I mention the European Elopement Guide, a new resource for couples, created by vendors. If you want to be a part of it, you can submit your work here: https://europeanelopementguide.com/submit/ --- Whenever you’re ready… here are 5 ways we can work together: 1. Join Book Club - A quarterly meeting where we get together to share thoughts, insights and learnings from a chosen book. 2. Book A Shadow Shopper Audit - Want to know what a stranger really thinks of your website when they are comparing it with your competitors? Now you can find out. 3. Peak Performance Mentoring Program - 4-month intensive mentorship to fast-track your journey to YOUR DEFINITION of success. 4. Book A Business Booster Call - Have a particular challenge or goal you'd like to work on? Book a one-off 1:1 consulting call with me. 5. Join The Inner Circle - An accountability membership for people who need a sometime to make sure they get their sh*t together.