While he’s not married to being a photographer, Jon Taylor Sweet has really enjoyed elevating his skills and sharing his work with the world. It all became possible for him through Instagram and using an iPhone. Listen as he shares how he was followed by Instagram, being featured on Buzzfeed, and reconnecting with his wife.
Jon has seen amazing growth through creating fantastic work and properly using social media platforms. Learn how!
Episode 46: Finding Your Niche with Benj Haisch
Jon on Instagram
Jon on Twitter
Jon on Pinterest
Adam on Instagram
Adam on Facebook
Download the Wedding Guide Template
I’m so excited to welcome back Abby Grace to the podcast. She’s been busy expanding her family and somewhat changing directions in her photography business, so there’s tons to talk about. For instance, she is quickly becoming a much sought after brand photographer and is teaching others how to approach brand photography in her course.
Since we last spoke, Abby has become a mom to a wonderful little boy, and it has completely changed her life and priorities. Prior to becoming a mom she worried about how it would affect her business, but what she’s found is that her business has been able to shift and pivot to support her creative needs while still allowing her to be the mom she’s always wanted to be.
How has she done that?
For one, she’s shifted into the much less frenetic realm of branding photography. She’s still doing weddings, but she has found a love and passion in helping creative entrepreneurs express their brand and marketing needs visually.
While she does have her own style of photography, she loves digging in and helping her clients approach their marketing materials in authentic and creative ways. Listen as she shares how she’s made such big shifts in her business. Plus keep an eye out for when she reopens her brand photography course.
[01:44] Abby and I chat about her now defunct YouTube channel.
[04:12] Her thoughts on becoming a mom and how it has changed her life and business.
[07:06] Just remember not to put a bunch of carts before the horses. Stop putting your life on hold waiting for big life moments.
[10:28] When you’re planning something big, you can’t live in a suspended state of reality. You have to be able to live in the midst of the mess.
[14:55] What she has had going on since the last time she was on the podcast and why she’s transitioned to brand photography.
[23:05] How has her pricing evolved since she’s become more intentional about promoting brand photography?
[26:40] People equate cost with quality. That is absolutely true of photography.
[28:32] Why brand photography requires a completely different preparation process.
[32:56] Upper level goals are extremely important for Abby to generate effective marketing materials.
[36:34] The difference between luxury and standard photography and why it matters in brand photography.
[38:52] What it means to be a brand chameleon.
[40:42] How she thinks of her style versus her clients’ style and why she’s not worried about sharing different kinds of branding aesthetics.
[45:05] Her thoughts on the first steps a photographer should take towards shifting into branding photography.
[46:33] What is the fear or pain point of most high level entrepreneurs when it comes to branding photography?
[51:11] Abby’s tips for approaching sales both for weddings and for branding shoots.
[56:00] You can’t sell what you don’t talk about.
[58:10] Connect with Abby.
Episode 6: The Secret to Attracting Better Clients with Abby Grace
Episode 150: How to Book $20,000 Weddings with Samm Blake
Episode 121: Why Wedding Vendors Suck at Sales with Sam Jacobson
Abby on Instagram
Adam on Instagram
Adam on Facebook
He is literally shooting out of this world pictures, but still considers himself an amateur. Andrew McCarthy is an astrophotographer who has combined amazing skills with a lifelong passion to create truly awe-inspiring works of art. Listen as he shares more about his process and what it takes to create his viral images.
As long as he can remember Andrew has been fascinated with cosmic bodies. He remembers looking at the night sky through his father’s telescope and how much he loved seeing these far off bodies become more and more clear.
Then in 2017 the Great American Eclipse was set to happen and he knew he needed his own telescope to see it all. After trying to capture images with his iPhone and getting terrible results, he decided he wanted to know how it was possible to capture images in space.
That curiosity led him down a path that is now appreciated by people all over the world. He recently had an image of the moon go viral that required layering over 50,000 images and a ton of time, but the result was incredible.
Listen as he shares his gear, technique, and some of what he has learned about generating the clearest images. But more importantly, he shares how he’s set himself apart within and outside of his niche through targeted social media strategy.
Andrew is anything but an amateur, but his belief in that status keeps him learning, keeps him growing, and keeps him creating these wonderful images. You definitely won’t want to miss out on his perspective of the craft.
[01:31] Welcome Andrew McCarthy, a well respected astrophotographer.
[02:30] How he got started in astrophotography.
[05:10] Was he already into regular photography or did he start with space?
[07:03] Andrew shares the differences between cosmic and standard photography.
[08:20] Why any movement near the camera is problematic.
[10:46] Lucky imaging and why good software is required for astrophotography.
[11:57] Andrew breaks down his camera bag.
[16:44] How do long exposure times not result in super blurry images?
[19:22] He shares how he makes money as an “amateur” astrophotographer.
[24:23] Why his viral moon photograph required over 50k images.
[30:10] Andrew chats about getting over 100% engagement and why it’s important to get those likes.
[32:02] How does he use Reddit in his social media strategy?
[34:43] Listen as he shares his posting strategy for Reddit.
[38:32] What is his advice for people trying to start doing astrophotography?
[43:31] Learn more about how you can take pictures of a galaxy.
[45:00] Andrew describes his stacking process for creating his work.
[48:23] Does geography matter when you’re shooting the galaxy?
[51:50] Connect with Andrew.
Andrew on Instagram
Andrew on Twitter
Andrew on Patreon
Adam on Instagram
Adam on Facebook
Samm Blake is a world renowned wedding photographer with a knack for combining her editorial background with the emotion and beauty of weddings. She’s joining me to chat about her background, her path toward weddings, and what it takes to be successful in the New York wedding scene. Listen as she shares her tips and advice for how to book $20,000 weddings.
When it comes down to it, Samm has always had a love of photography. She double majored in photography and journalism, but hated the feeling of invading people’s lives when they were at their worst.
So she switched to the very willing group of people who were excited to share their joy through photography.
Her photography shows raw, real emotions with an artistry and grace that is to be admired. How does she do it? By never becoming complacent in her skills. She’s always learning, always growing, and always down for a new challenge.
We chat about everything from booking out high-end $20,000 weddings, to what gear she’s loving now, and what happened when she raised her rates. Samm was a joy to have on the show and her story is definitely a source of inspiration for me.
After you take a listen, bookmark this episode and revisit it when you need a boost of inspiration!
[00:01:01] Does Samm miss Tumblr?
[00:03:26] Samm recounts her trip backpacking around the world.
[00:07:21] How did she start into photography and then wedding photography?
[11:29] Why she feels more comfortable with wedding photography versus photojournalism.
[00:12:45] Her journey to living and working and thriving in New York.
[00:16:25] What are some of the differences between Australian and U.S. weddings?
[00:25:17] Samm shares her average pricing and the number of shoots she’s doing per year.
[00:32:20] Learn tips for creating high end imagery that commands a higher price.
[00:37:50] Does she still do family photos? What is her process for getting the best poses and shots?
[00:44:36] How does she curate her feed with candid shots and couple shots while making sure everyone looks good and is comfortable with the imagery?
[00:48:22] Learn more about NDA weddings and her thoughts on increasing her charge for those.
[00:53:27] Her thoughts on signing over copyrights and people using images for commercial use.
[00:56:04] What is she most excited about for 2021 in her life and business?
[00:58:58] Samm shares her favorite lenses for the Fuji medium format.
[01:02:12] Does she shoot with medium format for receptions?
[01:06:50] Has she ever felt content with her gear?
[01:09:36] Connect with Samm.
Samm on Instagram
Samm’s Portfolio and Publications
Adam on Instagram
Adam on Facebook