Beyond the Image Podcast

If all you are sending a prospective client is an estimate sheet - then you are drastically under-selling yourself as a creative. In this episode of the Beyond the Image podcast - I dive into my strategy for crafting and desgining well curated proposals that I send to clients when bidding. https://jamespatrick.com/

In today's episode we answer the question "should photographers niche?" YUP! Yup they absolutely should! In this episode of Beyond the Image, host James Patrick dives into why photographers should carve out their specialty and unique selling proposition as well as unpacking the biggest fear they have when it comes to niching down. If I niche down, then I won't get hired for other work again! The r...

In this episode we answer the question; should photographers also provide video services to clients? Overwhelmingly yes! Without question. Either they need to learn how to construct and deliver video files - or it is important for them to form a partnership with a videographer to offer their services to clients. Client demand for video assets has only been increasing exponentially. In order for a...

I've been hired to do a handful of gigs over the last three decades with zero experience. Everything from selling wedding rings to modeling for an off campus student housing complex. But what is even more intense is the fact that I built a photography career over 20 decades having no prior experience. That I built a podcast from the ground up never having spoken into a microphone before. That I cr...

As traditional print media scrambles to find firm ground despite crumbling atrophy - the thing I was still so excited about and hopeful for as a creative was the rapid emergence of unique, fresh, bold and innovative independent publishers.   Sure, independent publishers have smaller budgets (if any) and the audiences are certainly a bit more finite. But also, there is far less overhead, the audien...

In more than 20 years as a photographer, I've had a few photoshop controversies. There have been times my work was accused of being over-edited (it wasn't) and there were times I even got fired because I refused to edit work beyond what I was comfortable with. The reality is that it has become increasingly difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is art. The abundance of photo editin...

I honestly thought that just by owning a pack of color gels that my photography career would immediately be transformed and I would instantly be more creative, professional and respected. Spoiler alert - all I learned at first was that I didn't know squat about how to use gels effectively. In this episode I talk about the steps I personally took to actually learn how to use gels from lighting back...

As a creative, dealing with difficult clients is inevitable. From unrealistic Photoshop demands to impossible shoot conditions, I've seen it all. But sometimes, the problem isn't the client—it's us. In this episode, I dive into real-life client horror stories, unpack when the client truly does suck, and discuss the critical times when they have every right to be frustrated. Whether you're a creati...

I am delighted to be joined by the Art Director of Phoenix Magazine, Mirelle Inglefield who I had on the podcast back when we first launched the show. In this new conversation - we dive into a behind the scenes look at the entire production of the latest issue of the magazine, The Top 100 Dishes of Arizona, which I was grateful enough to photograph the cover. From the initial conception of the mas...

I've been looking over my contracts that I send out to clients prior to a commercial campaign and have honed in on two specfic areas that are non-negotiables for me as a professional photographer. In 20+ years of business, these two sections are vital to reduce client confusion, add clarity to project deliverables and eliminate lost revenue of work we would have done without additional pay. https:...

I get asked (a lot) about my recommendations for lighting equipment. For most of my career, my answer has always been "just buy whatever you can afford." And more than two decades into my career, my stance on that has not changed. Get what you can afford and you will find ways to make it work. Also, gear does not make the photographer nor improve the shot if not used correctly. That being said - I...

The photography industry is evolving rapidly, and 2025 promises groundbreaking changes! In this episode of the Beyond the Image Podcast, host James Patrick breaks down his top 10 predictions, highlighting key trends shaping the future of photography. Discover how AI-enhanced portraits, vintage aesthetics, and mixed-media film are transforming creative expression. Learn why commercial campaigns wit...

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...