Defining Excellence: Curation, Space, Health

Samm Blake joins More Than Photos for a conversation about longevity, discipline, and what it really takes to build a career that lasts. With over two decades in the industry, Samm reflects on resisting “luxury,” learning when to push and when to rest, and how quiet disciplines like editing, boundaries, and gut instinct have shaped her work at the highest level.

This episode isn’t about chasing more, but tending what matters. Samm shares how artistic integrity, health, and intention have guided her through different seasons of growth, burnout, and recalibration. If you’re mid-career and trying to figure out how to grow without losing your love for the work, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

Key Takeaways

• Longevity is built through quiet, consistent disciplines—not constant expansion
• Resisting “luxury” can be a values decision, not a limitation
• Growth often requires subtraction, not addition
• Burnout can be a teacher when it leads to honest recalibration
• Editing and curation are grounding artistic practices, not just workflow steps
• Gut instinct becomes trustworthy through years of reps and reflection
• Excellence includes protecting health, energy, and relationships
• Decisions made today often show up 12–18 months later
• A sustainable career is shaped slowly, with intention and self-awareness
• You don’t need to reinvent yourself to grow—you need to stay rooted in your why

Links

Samm Blake Weddings
https://www.sammblakeweddings.com/

Samm's Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/sammblake/

Aperture Photography Workshop Series
https://aperture.org/books/photography-workshop-series/

Retouching Software
https://www.evoto.ai

Learn More About Brad & Jen

Brad & Jen Website
https://learn.bradandjen.com

Purpose & Profit Course
https://learn.bradandjen.com/purpose-and-profit-course

Chapters

• (00:00) Introduction & why this conversation matters
• (03:30) Resisting “luxury” and staying connected to your why
• (09:45) Career phases, rebuilding, and learning when to push or rest
• (17:30) Burnout, capacity, and the cost of constant momentum
• (24:00) Excellence under pressure and working at the highest level
• (31:30) Editing, curation, and grounding your artistic voice
• (38:45) Gut instinct, confidence, and earned trust
• (45:30) Health, boundaries, and redefining success
• (52:00) The long game: decisions that show up 18 months later
• (57:00) Encouragement for mid-career photographers feeling stretched

Keywords

photography podcast, Samm Blake, wedding photography, creative longevity, sustainable photography career, creative discipline, editing and curation, resisting luxury, burnout and recovery, artistic growth, mid-career photographers, business and creativity, More Than Photos, Brad & Jen