Summer School - A Photography + Creative Podcast

Hi friends! Today I had the best time chatting with Hannah Kutner about bringing a cinematic feel to your photography. Hannah shares how embracing a filmmaker’s mindset—focusing on authentic narratives and meaningful details—completely transformed her everyday work into something truly special. We cover practical tips for building sessions around your clients’ personal stories and how to transitio...

Hey friends! On today's episode, we’re tackling a topic that can feel a bit intimidating—paid advertising. I’m thrilled to welcome Peyton Helm, an expert in ads for creative businesses, who’s here to share everything you need to know about making them work for you. Since I’m not exactly an ads pro myself, I found our conversation incredibly enlightening, and I’m confident you’ll walk away with som...

Hi everyone! Today I had an amazing chat with Brittany and Alex from Chasing Sunsets to talk about their journey from living on the road in a van to building a thriving creative business. We dive into how they turned their love for storytelling into a full-time career, the power of a positive mindset, and how daily routines keep them grounded. Listen in as they share about showing up authentically...

Hi everyone! With the holidays and the new year just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get organized and explore new tools to help your business. So in today's episode, I’m diving into one of my favorite tools that has completely transformed my business: HoneyBook. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your creative business, I’ll share how HoneyBook can help you set up the syste...

Hi everyone! Today I sat down with the incredibly talented Kayleigh Taylor. We chatted all about her journey into destination wedding photography, and everything she's learned along the way. Listen in as she shares all about traveling, film, and so many awesome tips for photographers of all kinds. I hope you find this conversation valuable and inspiring :) About Kayleigh: Kayleigh Taylor is a dest...

Hi friends! In this episode, I chat with Tess Gearhart, an incredible wedding photographer known for her unique blend of digital and film styles. We explore her journey into film photography, her approach to authentic posing, and tips for working smoothly with other vendors. About Tess: Tess is a 26 year old wedding photographer based in the southwest. She has been in the wedding industry for 8 ye...

Welcome Back! Today I sat down with Ben Lau, an incredible wedding photographer and entrepreneur from Northern New Jersey and NYC, to talk about building an associate team and running multiple brands. Ben shares his journey from solo photographer to managing three distinct wedding brands alongside his wife, Karis, allowing them to capture over 100 weddings a year. We dive into everything from find...

Welcome Back! Today, I sit down with Georgia McMaster of G&M Photo and Film to explore the art of posing and creating authentic client connections. Georgia shares how she and her husband, Micah, bring each couple’s story to life with natural poses, collaborative mood boards, and relaxed sessions. We also dive into their social media strategies that attract clients and build a strong brand. Be sure...

In this episode of Summer School, I’m answering your comments and stories! From handling shooting stress to discovering your editing style, I’m diving into real questions you’ve sent in and sharing advice based on my own experiences. Tune in for real talk, updates, and hopefully some inspiration for your photography journey :) Do you need any more advice? Fill out the inquiry form below if you wou...

Today, I’m diving into the travel tips and tricks I’ve picked up as a destination wedding photographer. From booking non-stop flights to maximizing travel rewards and navigating last-minute car rentals, I’m sharing the lessons I’ve learned from both my wins and mistakes. We’ll cover everything from smart gear packing to why non-stop flights are a must for wedding days. Whether you’re juggling mult...

In this episode of Summer School, I'm diving into the 5 biggest mistakes I made when starting my business—and how you can avoid them. From underpricing your services to trying to do it all yourself, I’m sharing the lessons I’ve learned along the way to help you run a smoother, more sustainable business. As usual, I’ll give you some life updates, including prepping for my last wedding before matern...

It's Q&A time! I'm diving into some of your most-asked questions and sharing updates on life, business, and photography. From balancing a busy wedding season while preparing for maternity leave to my go-to photography gear, I’m answering it all. I’ll cover everything from how to gracefully decline a booking, what I pack in my camera bag, pricing film packages, and even how I plan to navigate work-...

In this episode of Summer School, I sit down with videographer and YouTube sensation Matt Johnson to explore his journey from wedding films to becoming an educational content creator. We chat about his early start in videography, gear that’s shaping the industry, his tips for building strong collaborations with photographers, and youtube. If you’re interested in joining his upcoming workshop...

In this episode of Summer School, I sit down with my dear friend Morgan from In Frames Photography to dive into an often-overlooked topic: money mindset. Morgan shares her personal journey of shifting from a scarcity mindset—shaped by her upbringing—to one of abundance and gratitude. Together, we discuss how to foster a healthy relationship with money, set intentional financial goals, and use mone...

In this episode of Summer School, I’m giving you guys a real-life update on everything—travel, pregnancy, and what it’s been like juggling work as a photographer. I’ll answer some of the questions you sent in through Instagram, like what my business is going to look like after our baby girl arrives and how I’m planning to balance it all—parenthood, business, and life. Plus, I’ll talk a little abou...

  Hey everyone! Today on Summer School, we’re thrilled to welcome back one of my absolute favorite people, Jon Sweet. In this episode, Jon shares insights from his ever-evolving career as a photographer, revealing his passion for connecting with clients and fellow artists while juggling a busy work schedule and family life. We dive into the importance of community, spontaneity, networking, an...

Hello again! Today we chat with Preston Luke, a talented photographer and content creator, about his remarkable journey from picking up a camera in 2016 to amassing over 700,000 followers on Instagram. Preston offers insights into his disciplined content creation process, working with brands, and maintaining consistency. He also shares about his new studio space which just recently opened up. I ho...

Hi everyone! It’s another episode of Summer School. Today we chat with Rachel, a long time friend and a talented photographer. We discuss our photography journeys and evolving styles, reminisce about early experiences, and share tips for maintaining creativity in business. Our conversation also covers balancing personal growth with professional demands, insights and practical advice on staying con...

Hi everyone, and welcome back to Summer School! This episode is a special one as we hosted a live Q&A podcast party in Tacoma, Washington, at Shed Studios - the creative playhouse of Wyat Taylor. Surrounded by an amazing audience, we discussed a range of topics, including some of the most challenging and memorable moments I've faced as a wedding photographer. From dealing with difficult clients to...

Hey everyone, and welcome back to another episode of Summer School! Today I’m joined by the one and only Noella Andres. We originally crossed paths at a workshop where we bonded instantly, and our collaborative journey began. Over the past year, Noella has been by my side through numerous projects, from launching this very podcast to the inception of our group coaching program, “Summer School...

In this episode, I dive deep into the art of posing with my top tips and tricks to help you refine your technique and capture stunning images. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just starting out, these insights are designed to elevate your posing skills and ensure your subjects look their best. Tune in as I share practical advice and personal experiences that will enhance your photography...

In this week's episode of Summer School, I share updates from my recent travels and gear upgrades. Tune in to hear about the crazy wedding schedules, the new Canon R5 Mark II, and why I love Glazer's camera store in Seattle. I also dive into the features of the R6 Mark II and my new favorite 35mm lens. Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at my recent photography adventures!   Connect with...

On this week's episode of Summer School, Jake and I are diving back into more Photography Hot Takes, tackling a fresh batch of your audacious opinions and our honest reactions. We're unraveling the timeless debate of film versus digital, discussing the practical use of flash in modern photography, and much more. Tune in as we explore whether pushing creative boundaries is just for fun or if it's s...

In this week's episode, I’m beyond excited to chat with Angela Shae from Social Templates! Angela is an absolute Instagram pro, and we're diving deep into strategies to help photographers like you succeed on the platform. Whether you're looking to boost your reach with Instagram Reels or refine your social media game, Angela's got you covered with tips that can transform your online presence. Abou...

  In this solo episode of Summer School, I share my unforgettable experience at Nikon's Creator Camp. From shooting in challenging lighting conditions to collaborating with other talented creators, I dive into the lessons learned and insights gained from this unique event. Whether you're interested in the latest gear or looking for inspiration to elevate your own photography, this episode is...