#586 In Today’s Episode of the podcast I chat with YOU as I answer the questions that matter most to photography beginners and enthusiasts who are eager to grow both technically and creatively.
This episode is all about addressing real-world challenges that come up when you’re starting or growing a photography practice. I share my personal experiences, insights, and favorite tips—especially about balancing a day job with a budding side hustle in photography. I open up about my own journey of building a wedding photography business and the practical strategies I used to manage my time, keep clients happy, and avoid burnout.
KEY TOPICS COVERED
- Starting a Photography Side Hustle & Workflow Automation - Raymond shares his early struggles balancing a day job with building a portrait and wedding photography business. He highlights the time-saving power of using tools like CloudSpot Studio for automating bookings, contracts, invoicing, and client communication. Key takeaway: automation prevents lost opportunities and allows photographers with limited time to provide a seamless client experience.
- Editing Style Evolution & Managing Creative Ruts - Addressing questions about losing confidence in editing style, Raymond emphasizes that evolving tastes are normal and even healthy. He encourages experimenting with new edits and using past work to develop a style that feels authentic. Takeaway: feedback is useful, but personal satisfaction with your work is crucial for creative fulfillment.
- Equipment Choices for Travel, Studio, & Technical Mastery - Through specific gear-related questions, Raymond discusses how to weigh camera options for travel and studio documentation, advocating for a minimalist approach while tailoring choices to the context and desired output. He also offers a deep dive into understanding depth of field and autofocus, demystifying how they interact to produce sharp images. Takeaway: deliberate gear selection and technical competence empower photographers to adapt to any shooting situation.
IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS & CONCEPTS
- Depth of Field (DoF): The range within a photo that appears acceptably sharp, determined by a combination of aperture, focal length, and subject distance. Raymond explains how understanding DoF helps photographers achieve their desired focus in different scenarios, especially when combined with autofocus settings.
DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- How might automating your business workflow free up time for more creative pursuits? What steps can you start implementing now?
- Have you recently felt dissatisfied with your editing style or creative output? What strategies could help you refresh your perspective?
- When preparing for a travel or studio shoot, how do you decide what gear is essential versus what might be excess baggage?
- In what ways has understanding (or misunderstanding) depth of field affected your photography?
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Thanks for listening & keep shooting!
