Beyond the Image Podcast

I had, what I believed to be, a good idea for a new book. Unlike my first three books which I self published and self produced (two of which became best sellers), for this book concept I wanted to go the traditional publisher route. So I crafted a full length proposal and sample manuscript that detailed out the focus of the book, why it was unique and relevant in the marketplace as well as a multi...

Business development is likely the most stressful element of a photographer's career. Having to market and sell while navigating the relentless fear of rejection is what separates those who are able to successful grow their careers from those who continue to struggle. Well, let's fix that, shall we? My guest today on the Beyond the Image podcast is Vanessa Joy. She has worked with thousands of pho...

The last planner you will ever need! Plan out your year, months, weeks and days with The Legacy Planner to get more done, stay on track and chart out your most successful year ever! Why do some individuals seem to possess the capacity to consistently achieve great things in their lives, while others tend to struggle? Perhaps you have wondered the same thing and questioned what specifically separat...

Early in my career I got scammed by a client who hired me to photograph an event for his company, and then never paid me. His company eventually disappeared and two decades passed until I came across him again. He had relocated, launched a new company and was on the cover of a pay to be featured magazine.  What happened next with the magazine was really interesting. [NEWS] The Legacy Planner is ne...

The last time I dared talk about photographers using watermarks, I got a few (okay, a lot) of angry messages. But I hope this time you hear me out on why watermarking your photos is a futile effort that only satiates ego and does nothing to actually help your brand or business. https://jamespatrick.com/

By default we only want to share our wins and successes. The fear is that if we are open and honest about projects that don't go well or client experiences that are not stellar that it will somehow reflect negatively upon us. The truth is, when we only share the positives about our careers, it gives a false aspiration of what a creative career truly looks like. Throughout our careers we will lose...

When I am in the mood to torture myself, I hop over to Photography Facebook Groups and read the comment sections whenever a photographer asked for help, support or advice. The inevitable result is a barrage of awful keyboard critics giving the worst advice pretending they are being altruistic and supportive - but in reality just trying to keep others out of the industry they believe they are at th...

I selected 13 (of course) of the most terrifying photo experiences I've had in my 20+ year career. Everything from having people physically assault me to say I'm too young to be a photographer. Enjoy my awful memories while I go into an anxiety attack reliving these horrific experiences. https://jamespatrick.com/

Okay don't get too mad at me for this episode! It is not that I am encouraging photographers that they have to work for free. But I wanted to dissect how someone could professionally and respectfully ask a photographer to collaborate or provide services at low-to-no cost. https://jamespatrick.com/

How do we best compete as photographers in a way that supports the community and industry as a whole? And what happens when photographers go against that supportive environment and try to harm other's businesses? In this episode of the Beyond the Image podcast, host James Patrick discusses both sides of competition from healthy to unhealthy. Connect with James Patrick at https://jamespatrick.com/

When should photographers work for free? If you've followed me for anything length of time, you've seen the numerous videos and posts I've done about cheap clients trying to take advantage of photographers. You would, no doubt, asssume I would be diligent about saying that no photographer or creative should ever work for free. But that is not what I feel at all. In this episode of the Beyond the I...

When we think about creating our style as a photographer (or any creative professional) what we intially think is that we have to niche down who our core market is and the type of work we will be focusing on. And we are not wrong to think that. But surprisingly, there is actually a tremendous amount more we can do to define our style as a creative. In this episode of the Beyond the Image podcast,...

In this episode of The Beyond the Image podcast, host James Patrick reviews his recomended camera settings for a variety of various situational photo shoots. From in studio portraits to on location action photos to window lit natural light photos. James reviews each scenario and gives his recommended settings for ISO, f-stop and shutter speed. In addition, James reviews recommended camera settings...

"What do you charge" is a quesiton that can immediately generate a lot of panic for any photorapher. The fear is that the client is immediately trying to frame your pricing so they can find a potentially cheaper service provider. And likely, you may not be wrong. But what about those times when a genuine client approaches you with a real project? How do you help ensure you are best equipped with a...

In over two decades as a professional photographer, I've spent more than I will ever admit on photo gear. From cameras to lenses, from modifiers to lights, from tripods to c-stands and from computers to editing softwares. In this episode of Beyond the Image, I spill the tea on all my favorite pieces of gear I've ever purchased as well as all of the items I wish I could get my money back on. Have y...

Short answer: VERY I've spent over 20 years working in print media and even own two magazines. So you can say I have a vested interest in this topic and this industry. I want to deep dive into how magazines got themselves into the hole they have with subscribers and with advertisers. Also I will explore what, if anything, magazine publisher's can do to help salvage (or even save) the industry. You...

Today, we're talking about how to get good photos of bad subjects. When I say bad subjects, I don't mean they're bad people. What I mean is, they're just not great on camera.  "Regardless of how bad someone thinks they are on camera, it's our job as photographers to make something great. And if not great, to make something usable." IN THIS EPISODE   Are most subjects good on camera? Why you should...

Today, we're talking about bad actors or bad faith clients. These are clients who could potentially be trying to rip off your business, steal from you and try to take advantage of you as a small business owner.  "This can be, not only financially detrimental, it can be emotionally taxing." IN THIS EPISODE   Certain situations James has had in his businesses with bad actors.  Things you can do as a...

Welcome to the relaunch of the Beyond the Image Podcast! A show for creatives, made by a creative. If you've listened to this show over the last few years, you'll realize it's rare I bring a guest back on a second time. This is a mistake I want to rectify. I went back to our episode from March 5, 2019 with one of the first guests I had on.  I heard this individual speaking on a webinar series on h...

Here at the studio last week, we had our 4th annual get together where we had different creatives (whether photographers, videographers, producers, designers, etc.) to talk about the state of where the industry is at right now and the challenges we are facing as creatives within our businesses and to start to share best practices on how we can navigate these things.    The thing that kept coming u...

In today's episode, I want to talk about haters. Also known as, online trolls. In 20 years of running different businesses, I've had to navigate my fair share of trolling hate online. When you're just starting in a new industry, this crap could be devastating. So, let's talk about it.  "If you're not upsetting anyone, then you are simply not doing enough to be noticed." IN THIS EPISODE What happen...

Before I really launched into my career as a professional photographer, I had a lot of hesitations and reservations. I had a lot of thoughts and questions about if I could make it. Had I allowed those thoughts to take root, I never would've picked up a camera. Let's talk about what it takes to be successful.  "What is actually stopping you from getting started?" IN THIS EPISODE Initial thoughts I...

Photographing SI Swimwear's In Her Words with Taylor Ballantyne Hosted by: James Patrick We have a brand new approach for an episode today. I get to speak to a creative and we are going to unpack their catalog, work, and experiences and get a behind the scenes look at what it takes to bring some of these projects to fruition.    My guest today who I'm chatting with it Taylor Ballantyne, a photogra...

Things I USED To Think Mattered as a Photographer  Hosted by: James Patrick There's a handful of things I thought really used to matter as my career as a photographer. At some point in the 20 years, I've realized that these are things that don't matter at all. Let's talk about those things in this episode.  "There is no right and no wrong in your stance as a creative professional in any of these t...

Producing a Fashion Photoshoot  Hosted by: James Patrick We have a pretty large fashion campaign we're doing in the studio tomorrow. This got me thinking about discussing all of the essential steps required in the pre-production of having a successful fashion campaign. Let's get into it.  "Once we set the theme, that will help us dictate all the other decisions we have to make." IN THIS EPISODE  ...