The Loud Lens: Photography's Middle Finger

Conflict in the creative industry? Oh, honey, it’s not just common—it’s practically currency. From late payments and ghosting clients to toxic 'community' politics and behind-the-scenes backstabbing, creatives face a war zone disguised as a vibe. In this specially requested episode of The Loud Lens, Khandie Rees rips the lid off the reasons creatives fall out—spoiler: it’s usually about money, ego...

Still hanging onto a photography business that’s burning you out? Dreading shoots you once loved? You’re not broken—you’ve evolved. In this episode of The Loud Lens , I’m tearing down the myth that you have to “stick it out” forever just because you once liked it or because people expect it. Whether you’re sick of weddings, burnt out from back-to-back minis, or feel like your audience has moved on...

Photography can be therapy—but it can also trigger burnout, anxiety, and imposter syndrome. In this episode of The Loud Lens , I dive deep into the honest, research-backed truth about how photography affects your mental health. From veterans using cameras to process trauma, to the crushing pressure of social media metrics, this episode explores both the healing and the harm. Thank you Jenna for su...

My second photography book No One F*cking Cares About Your Photography launches on 1st July — and in this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on both books. I break down why I wrote them.. Whether you’re deep in imposter syndrome, stuck comparing yourself to other photographers, or just tired of the same old “six figures in six weeks” advice — this is for you. 🔹 Why most creatives never get pas...

This episode is for the any ones who’ve been told they’re “too much”—and still kept going. From being called intimidating to building a brand on my own terms, I’ve learned that taking up space as a creative is the boldest thing you can do . I’ll show you why the groupthink can’t keep you safe, how to stop downplaying your brilliance, and what happens when you stop making yourself small for other p...

I tried wildlife photography for the first time in a luxury hide in the Estonian wilderness… and I wasn’t ready. Hosted by Wildlife Dreams (run by the brilliant Phil www.wildlife-dreams.com), this brand trip gave me a wild ride — from fox cubs just metres away while I edited fashion photos, to enduring rain, sweltering heat, and some brutally harsh Facebook feedback from the wildlife photography c...

Everyone’s talking about raising your prices but no one wants to talk about the real problem: you’re giving away your work for free . In this brutally honest episode of The Loud Lens , host Khandie breaks down the industry’s quiet addiction to unpaid labour. From speaker slots at sold-out photography events to “collaborations” with brands offering a 10% discount instead of a cheque, we’re exposing...

Are photographers and influencers becoming too entitled in public spaces? In this blunt episode, award-winning photographer and educator Khandie dives into the growing trend of creatives demanding silence, control, and exclusivity in parks, streets, beaches, and tourist hotspots — and why that’s a massive problem for the industry. We unpack what UK law actually says about photography in public, th...

Sick of hearing photographers moan about “quiet months”? In this episode, I’m calling out the booking season myth and showing you exactly why your inbox is empty: it’s not the season, it’s your strategy. We’ll break down why relying on trends keeps you broke, what a proper sales funnel actually looks like, and how to build a business that makes money all year round (yes, even in February). Real ex...

Phil from Wildlife Dreams joined me for the Estonian Fashion Festival thinking fashion photography would be simple compared to waiting hours for wildlife. Spoiler: it wasn’t. In this episode of The Loud Lens , we dive into the reality behind the runway: limited shooting space, photographers ignoring etiquette, unpredictable lighting, and the intense pressure to get the shot (without stepping on an...

What happens when a wildlife photographer walks into a fashion show? Spoiler: it’s not pretty. In this episode, I sit down with Phil from Wildlife Dreams after he joined me for Day 1 of the Estonian Fashion Festival. From camera pit chaos to short fuses and zero space to shoot, we unpack the brutal, unglamorous reality of fashion show photography. This one’s for anyone who still thinks fashion wee...

Ever wanted to shoot wildlife like a pro but thought you had to go to Africa? Think again. In this brutally honest episode of The Loud Lens , I'm recording straight from a hide in the Estonian wilderness — joined by Wildlife Dreams and, yes, interrupted by a literal fox and a chorus of birds mid-convo. We’re diving into what it really takes to start wildlife photography without flying halfway...

Thinking of going pro with your photography? Before you dive in, this episode of The Loud Lens lays down the brutal truth — because turning your passion into a business can mess with your mental health, your money, and your personal life if you’re not ready. We’re cutting through the fluff and influencer BS to ask the real questions: Do you actually have time to run a real business? Can you handle...

In this episode of The Loud Lens , things get a little more casual — more two mates chatting than a polished seminar. But trust us, it’s packed with the kind of honesty creatives actually need to hear. I’m joined by Phil from Wildlife Dreams (www.wildlife-dreams.com) , who I met after giving a talk at The Photography & Video Show . That one random conversation? It turned into a full-blown crea...

If your photography brand is still whispering in a world that rewards shouting , this episode is your wake-up call. I'm Khandie from Khandie Photography: blunt, brutally honest, and loud as hell — and I built my brand to reflect exactly that . In this episode, I’m taking you through how I went from industry beige to unapologetically bold — and why playing safe is slowly killing your business. We’l...

It’s the 1st of the month — which means you’ve got 30 days to make your photography actually pay. Not in theory. Not when your dream clients magically appear. But right now. This episode is your blunt, bullshit-free blueprint to getting paid this month using the skills and kit you already have. I’m breaking down over 10 real, sustainable, and often overlooked ways to earn with photography — no ego...

AI isn't the problem — your fear is. In this no-bullsh*t episode, Khandie breaks down why photographers freaking out about artificial intelligence are focused on the wrong enemy. From generative fill panic to lazy excuses like "I'm not techy," it's time for a wake-up call. Discover what AI can't do (like connect, storytell, or give a damn), how smart photographers are using it to buy back their ti...

You’re not a martyr for your craft. You’re just underpaid and burnt out. In this episode, I’m calling out the toxic mindset that says passion should be enough. It’s not. We’re diving into: Why photographers glorify burnout How “doing it for the love” is keeping you broke The bullshit behind the starving artist lie And what it really takes to turn your photography into a profitable business No fluf...

You keep chasing clout, validation, and approval from “big name” photographers who wouldn't even notice if you quit tomorrow. Sound familiar? This episode dives into the toxic side of the photography community — the fake support, the elitism, the curated cliques — and why it’s keeping you stuck, burnt out, and creatively bankrupt. I’m done with the Canva quotes and passive-aggressive Facebook grou...

I love a styled shoot. Who doesnt? However in this industry of photography, so many are misleading (either by accident or by choice) their client base into thinking this is their client work and therefore replicatably at an actual wedding. Styled shoots are not just for the wedding industry but are very popular amongst them. It can lead to catfishing your clients and misrepresenting yourself. Lets...

Still blaming the algorithm for your flop posts? Newsflash: it's not shadowbanning — your content just isn’t worth stopping the scroll for. In this brutally honest episode of The Loud Lens , I break down the facts about what platforms really say about shadowbanning, why your reach is dying, and how to stop hiding behind tired content. From Instagram myths to TikTok truths, we’re tearing down t...

Let’s cut the crap: if you’re not making money, not marketing, and still winging your pricing : you don’t have a business. You have a hobby… and an expensive one at that. In this unfiltered episode of The Loud Lens , Khandie serves the truth raw: 👉 Your lack of bookings? That’s on you. 👉 Still saying “the market’s saturated”? Cop-out. 👉 Blaming social media for no clients? Lazy. Whether you’re...

They told you to “upgrade your kit.” They said you can’t charge pro rates without full-frame. They judged your lens, your flash, even your tripod. Let’s call it what it is: GEAR SHAMING. And it’s absolute nonsense. In this loud, blunt, and brutally honest video, I'm exposing the somewhat toxic culture of gear snobbery and why your “entry-level” camera is NOT what’s holding you back. This is fo...

Every spring, the bluebells bloom and so does the flood of Instagram sessions and dreamy woodland shoots. But while the photos are beautiful, what’s happening behind the scenes isn’t. In this episode, I talk about why I’ve stopped offering bluebell sessions as a professional photographer. From crushed wildflowers and legal issues to misleading content and flat-out environmental damage, we’re divin...

Are you still rocking that camera-holding profile pic? Still agonising over fonts for a logo no one notices? In this brutally honest episode of The Loud Lens , your eccentric host Khandie of Khandie Photography (based in Northampton, UK) breaks down why personal branding matters more than ever for photographers. Whether you're new to the game or a seasoned pro stuck in a rut, it's time to...