Creative Campfire: Conversations for Creative Entrepreneurs

A World Cup-timed conversation about design, fantasy football, and finally finishing the idea you've been sitting on. Jordan walks through the origin story of his design career (Ninja Turtles, rap crew websites, and a Google Nexus hardware project he still calls his favorite), why football's visual design has lagged behind American sports, and how he used AI tools — ChatGPT first, Claude l...

In this episode, Shelly sits down with Liverpool-based documentary wedding photographer Andrew Keher to talk about the slow business snowball that becomes a quiet avalanche, why your best content might be the story behind a photo nobody would look twice at, and the two frameworks (three layers + MICE) that have given Andrew — and now his students — a way to show up on social media without losing t...

What does it take to build a career that spans National Geographic, Apple, Airbnb, and a palace in Jaipur — all while keeping your creative voice intact? In this episode, Shelly sits down with photographer, writer, and educator Michael George to talk about the winding road from a Florida hospital (yes, really) to photographing penguins in Antarctica, why licensing your images matters more than you...

Shelly and Lauren are hosting a live deep-dive on ⁠usage licensing.⁠ Lauren walks through a real case study where usage renegotiation happened after a shoot wrapped. ⁠ Rachel Korinek⁠ joins to share how terms shifted in the 24 hours before her shoot — and what happened. Tickets: $97 — includes a 14-page workbook. Newsletter subscribers⁠ get a discount code which now expires May 8, 2026. Episode Su...

What happens when the vibes stop being enough ? In this episode, I’m joined by operations strategist Samantha MacKinnon — my partial COO and the person helping me rein in the chaos behind the scenes. We get into what it really takes to move from scattered ideas to focused execution, why most creatives struggle with prioritization, and how data (yes, even if you hate it) can actually give you more...

In this episode, Lauren and Shelly unpack the biggest lessons from Shelly's recently completed Pitch Essentials course co-created with Rachel Korinek of Two Loves Studio. They cover the full arc of landing clients as a freelance photographer — from cold outreach anxiety and client calls, to portfolio strategy and the long game of follow-up.   Whether you're brand new to pitching or 19 year...

The Squiggly Line Career & The Courage to Pivot with Danae Karachaliou of Writing Pajamas In this episode of Creative Campfire, Shelly sits down with Danae Karachaliou — founder of Writing Pajamas — to talk about career pivots, identity shifts, and what it really means to build something that feels aligned. From pharmacy school to food photography to copywriting, Danae’s path is anything but l...

In this engaging conversation, Shelly Waldman and Rachel Korinek delve into the intricacies of pitching in the photography industry. They discuss the importance of crafting effective pitch decks, tailoring presentations for clients, and the value of visual storytelling. The duo shares insights from their experiences, emphasizing the role of templates and collaboration in creating standout presenta...

**ANNOUNCEMENT** Pitching Essentials returns this February: Foundation Class: February 5 Pro Track: Starts February 6 Pitch Essentials teaches photographers how to communicate their ideas with clarity and confidence — using visual tools and clear structure to communicate ideas and value at every stage of outreach. 👉 All details and tickets: http://courses.twolovesstudio.com/pitch-essentials Summa...

In this episode of the Creative Campfire Podcast, Shelly Waldman and co-host Lauren Liz sit down to reflect on 2025, looking at all the thrones and roses. Together, they unpack the moments that shaped the year both personally and professionally: navigating divorce, ending a close friendship and business partnership, grieving the loss of beloved pets, and the quiet courage it took for Lauren to com...

In this episode of Creative Campfire , Shelly sits down with creative producer, photographer, and The Naked Room podcast cohost Kelly Garthwaite for a wide-ranging conversation about creative careers, pivots, and what it really means to build something new when the path forward isn’t clear. Kelly shares her journey from technical writing to photography , to photo editor at NFL Network, to her seve...

In this episode of Creative Campfire , I sit down with Sam Cornwall — photographer, digital tech, and creator of The Photo Glossary — for a deep, honest conversation about what really makes a professional set run smoothly. We talk about learning to see light, why soft skills matter just as much as technical ones, and the industry knowledge that’s slowly disappearing as fewer photographers come up...

In this episode of Creative Campfire , Shelly sits down with powerhouse sports photographer Amanda J. Cain , the first Black female team photographer in the NHL and now head photographer for the Detroit Pistons . Amanda shares how she carved out her lane in sports, the realities of in-house photography, the importance of being multi-skilled, the challenges of career advancement inside teams, and h...

"We're all work in progress... We're always, growing. That's why I like to show the imperfections in a lot of my photography. I like to show that like, it's that wabi-sabi approach to it." - PJ Agbay In this episode, Shelly sits down with Philadelphia-based commercial, editorial and food photographer PJ Agbay to explore his creative journey — from shooting on an iPhone in high school to becoming a...

Jacquette M. Timmons and I dive into the complexities of pricing in the creative industry. In this engaging conversation, Jacquette shares her unique perspective on the phrase 'charge what you're worth,' exploring its cultural implications and the importance of aligning personal and business finances. Discover how to navigate the emotional and financial aspects of pricing, and learn why understand...

Zach Ancell “fell” into photography while running track at the University of Oregon, snapping photos of his teammates that eventually sparked a commercial career. His competitive drive to be the best fueled his success—until a life-altering moment forced him to confront his deepest fear: losing his wife. Death was something Zach had always kept locked away, but a series of events at 35 cracked tha...

In this episode, Phoebe Nelson of Pandrd Design Co shares her journey from in house graphic designer to full time muralist (yes that's painting cool designs on walls all over the world). We dive into changing the mindset around be grateful to be an artist, aka the starving artist, to get paid for your work, and value what you do. She shares about lessons learned about sexism and speaking with conf...

Jamie Kingham is a renowned lifestyle commercial photographer based in Reno, celebrated for his dynamic and engaging visual storytelling. With over two decades of experience, Jamie's career has seen a significant evolution from fashion photography in London and New York to capturing the essence of outdoor and lifestyle imagery. His journey has been marked by profound personal and professional tran...

Around the campfire today I have an engaging conversation with Colorado based, outdoor lifestyle photographer Ryan Dearth. He shares his journey from a military upbringing and taking a job in the world of physics, before exiting the science world to become a full-time freelance photographer. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of transitioning from weddings to editorial + travel photography ,...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Mike Brennan, a creator and communicator who tells stories on pages and stages. In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of creativity for mental health. Mike shares his journey from working in high-pressure design environments to embracing art as a personal healing practice. Discover how his daily creative habit has not only helped him nav...

In this engaging conversation, Lauren and Shelly discuss a project and pricing challenge faced by a design friend of Lauren's. They explore strategies for billing, the impact of economic uncertainty on the creative industry, and the significance of maintaining mental health while pursuing creative passions. The dialogue emphasizes the need for flexibility and resilience in the face of changing cir...

🎙️ Mastering the Art of Pitching in Photography with Rachel Korinek Keywords: photography, pitching, client communication, ghosting, networking, mindset, proposals, follow-up strategies, personal connections, business photography In this episode of Creative Camp , Shelly Waldman sits down with Rachel Korinek of Two Loves Studio to dive into the intricacies of pitching in the photography business ....

Ben Moore is now known for his incredible architectural urban landscapes. But he didn't start out photographing buildings. His winding journey to find his niche and build his creative eye took time and a lot of photos. We dive into his back story, hear about how taking Instagram seriously changed the trajection of his work and opened doors to partnerships and friendships. The Book: "Above & Ac...

Ever think about the one moment that changed your whole creative path? For Tom Crooke, it started with $500 from his grandfather. Instead of spending it on rent, he bought a camera. At the time, he was an actor making showreels for friends on the side — until a chance gig with a jewelry company landed in his lap... and changed everything. No more acting. Full-time video. Now he runs Bobbin Unlimit...

I’m calling this one The Money Shift —because that’s exactly what Xanthe Appleyard of Oh Sierra has been living. From “sweet, let me buy that” and overdraft life… to getting to zero, taking ownership, and actually looking at her numbers (go figure). After hearing Xanthe and her husband Frank open up about their debt on their podcast Love You to the Core , I knew I had to bring her on to go deeper....