Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Photographic Collective Podcast || with Miles Witt Boyer
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| John Bunn: Getting Unstuck From the Middle Market — Work, Brand & Network | 21 Aug 2026 | 00:47:53 | |
John Bunn started shooting weddings in 2007 to dig his way out of $400k of student loan debt, and 600+ weddings later he's one of the most connected educators in the industry, the guy who's quietly worked with more photographers than almost anyone alive. In this episode we get into the heart behind that: why he's built everything on relationships over time instead of chasing influencer status, and the framework he uses to help creatives get unstuck. John's whole philosophy comes down to three things you have to be good at: your work, your brand, and your network. Most people obsess over the work and between year 18 and 19 they're getting maybe half a percent better — while their brand and network sit neglected. John breaks down why all three have to move together, and how leaning into brand and network is what actually propels you out of the middle market. The part that'll stick with a lot of you: the trifecta. Serving couples you genuinely love, getting paid what you deserve, and creating work that feeds your soul. Most photographers believe they have to give one up. John makes the case that you can have all three — and walks through exactly how to define where you're headed, dissect your best and worst weddings for their real attributes, and steadily feed the top 20–30% of the work you actually want. We also get John's origin story as a lifelong "gatherer" who never wanted anyone to feel alone in a room, how a grieving family asking for footage of a groom who'd passed changed how he saw the work, and how he went from video-only to building a six-figure photo business in under two years by practicing exactly what he preaches. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE This episode is brought to you by PhotoCo, the community, education, and coaching space built to help photographers grow businesses that actually last. Come join us: www.joinphotoco.com CONNECT WITH JOHN BUNN CONNECT WITH PHOTOCO | |||
| Chris J. Evans: How the Gen Z Shift Is Rewriting Luxury Wedding Photography | 11 Aug 2026 | 00:38:29 | |
Chris J. Evans photographs some of the most over-the-top luxury and destination weddings in the world. Maui to Malta to Lake Como and in this episode he pulls back the curtain on the biggest shift the wedding industry has seen in years: Gen Z is here, and they want something completely different. Chris gets honest about the year his fifteen-year growth streak stalled, the 15 strikeouts in a row that forced him to change, and the single messaging tweak that flipped it back to 15 bookings in a row. We dig into why these couples care less about the polished, romantic "your love story" imagery and more about the collective story of their people — the party, the tribe, the peak-energy gathering of everyone they love. From there it turns into a masterclass on something bigger than photography: how to become the vendor every planner wants in the room. Chris shares how he builds planner relationships that last, why taking work off the planner's plate is the whole game, and the tiny two-second acts of service, wiping down a wet bench, handing umbrellas to the moms in the front row that have booked him entire clients. It all comes back to one idea he lives by, borrowed from the Ritz Carlton: we are ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen. If you're a few years into your business and confident behind the camera but still fighting the fear of "missing the shot," this one will reframe how you think about your real job on a wedding day. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
This episode is brought to you by PhotoCo, the community, education, and coaching space built to help photographers grow businesses that actually last. CONNECT WITH CHRIS J. EVANS | |||
| Brady Puryear of Blacksmith Print Co: Why Caring Is the Best Business Strategy (The In-N-Out vs. McDonald's Playbook) | 28 Jul 2026 | 00:57:28 | |
Brady Puryear, the founder and CEO of Blacksmith Print Co. and a wedding photographer with 700+ weddings under his belt, joins Miles and Jared for a conversation that goes way deeper than albums. After 12 years behind the camera, Brady built one of the most beloved album companies in the industry on a single radical idea: caring about people is a great business strategy. In this episode, Brady breaks down the In-N-Out vs. McDonald's playbook, why the company that pays more, charges less, and refuses to cut corners still out-earns the competition three to one per location. He shares how to build core values that actually drive decisions (not just marketing fluff), why he's built a "rabid fan base" while being almost completely inactive on social media, and the leadership superpower behind it all: never assuming he's the smartest person in the room. The guys also get into the danger of chasing vanity metrics, why isolation is poison for creatives, and the question every business owner needs to sit with: is your ladder leaned against the right building? What you'll learn:
Whether you're a wedding photographer, a studio owner, or anyone building a business with soul, this is a conversation about choosing quality, leading well, and making sure success doesn't cost you the things that mattered most. Want more from Brady? Connect with Brady | |||
| Carrie Moe: How to Up-Level Your Photography Pricing, Get Off the Couch & Land the Stage | 15 Jul 2026 | 00:52:57 | |
Producer, creative director, and owner of The Hybrid Collective, Carrie Moe joins Miles and Jared for a conversation about what separates photographers who thrive from those stuck in a cycle of "there aren't enough inquiries" and "the market dried up." With a background producing creative campaigns for major brands and years curating one of the most respected stages in the wedding industry, Carrie has a rare vantage point on what actually moves a photography business forward. Carrie unpacks why your time is your most valuable currency, how to treat yourself like a luxury brand without losing your soul, and why the photographers who go all-in on a distinct artistic voice are the ones who get paid. She and the guys dig into the resilience it takes to up-level your pricing, the discipline of putting less (not more) on your portfolio, and why getting a coach and finding your community is the fastest way off the couch and into a thriving business. Plus: the resurgence of film in a new generation, why "perfect" was never the goal, how collaboration across a creative team makes the work stronger, and a rapid-fire breakdown of exactly what conferences look for when they pick a main-stage speaker. What you'll learn:
Join us at The Hybrid Collective — November 8–11, 2026, in Middleburg, Virginia. Want more? Go behind the scenes of every episode inside PhotoCo, where you'll find exclusive bonus conversations, extended interviews, educational resources, and a growing community of photographers committed to building stronger businesses and more meaningful careers. Join the community at www.joinphotoco.com Connect with Carrie Moe | |||
| Elena S Blair: Building a Photography Business That Feels Like You — Systems, Soul & Community Over Competition | 23 Jun 2026 | 00:51:16 | |
Family and newborn photographer and educator Elena S Blair joins The Photographic Collective Podcast to unpack how she's built a thriving photography business that's both profitable and deeply personal. With over 300 students coached and years of speaking at events like WPPI, Elena makes the case that systems and soul aren't opposites the right systems are exactly what give you back the time to stay present with clients, family, and the work you love. In this conversation, Elena, Miles, and Jared dig into why "community over competition" isn't just a slogan, how to find your signature style and the courage to go all-in on it, and why most photographers who feel stuck are really just out of time, not talent. Elena also gets honest about handling online negativity, protecting your energy, and why being unapologetically yourself is the best marketing strategy there is. What you'll learn:
Whether you shoot families, weddings, or brands, this episode is a reminder that you can grow a real, sustainable business without sacrificing the art or the life you got into this for. Want more? Go behind the episode inside PhotoCo, where we're sharing exclusive content with Elena you won't hear anywhere else. Join the community at www.joinphotoco.com. Connect with Elena:
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| The Wedding Photography Problems Nobody Is Solving | Nathan Desh | 094 | 28 May 2026 | 00:48:15 | |
How do you build a wedding photography business that actually lasts? How do you create wedding albums couples will treasure for generations instead of galleries that disappear into cloud storage and forgotten hard drives? And how do you stop reacting to chaos in your business long enough to actually build something intentional? This week on the PHOTOCO Podcast, we sat down with Nathan Desh for one of the most practical and perspective-shifting conversations we’ve had in a long time. We talked about wedding photography storytelling, album design, second shooting, business systems, long-term thinking, creativity, legacy, client experience, and why photographers need to stop trying to skip straight to chapter 10. Nathan shares how he went from shooting weddings for a few hundred dollars while working as an electrician… to photographing more than 850 weddings… to building platforms like Storybook and Shoot With Me that are helping photographers all over the industry. But honestly… this episode became about way more than photography. This conversation is really about building a meaningful life and business with intentionality. We unpack: Nathan also shares incredible insight into how couples actually experience their wedding photos over time… and why the images photographers love most are often NOT the images that matter most to clients years later. If you’re a wedding photographer trying to:
…this episode is for you. KEY MOMENTS: QUOTES FROM THE EPISODE: “You have to start with the end outcome and work backward from there.” “The photos couples value most are usually different than the photos photographers think are the coolest.” “I would rather fail trying than regret never taking action.” “The goal isn’t just beautiful images. It’s helping people remember what their wedding day actually felt like.” MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Follow: The PHOTOCO Podcast is hosted by Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher and is focused on wedding photography, creative business, storytelling, marketing, mindset, client experience, artistic growth, and building a meaningful career in the photography industry. | |||
| Why Powerful Matters More Than Pretty | Esther Kay | 07 May 2026 | 00:45:20 | |
There are photographers who create pretty images. https://www.estherkaystudio.com/
KEY TAKEAWAYS
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| STAY CURIOUS : LIVE FROM WPPI (Featuring Fer Juaristi) | 21 Apr 2026 | 00:42:32 | |
This episode is a little different… because it’s not polished, it’s not scripted, and honestly, it’s not trying to be either. What you’re about to hear is a live conversation from the stage at WPPI 2026 with one of the most respected creative minds in our industry, Fer Juaristi. Fer has been photographing weddings for over 20 years, and what makes him different isn’t just his work… it’s the way he sees the world. This conversation goes way beyond photography. It’s about curiosity. It’s about resisting the pressure to conform. It’s about building a life and a career that actually feels like yours. We talk about:
And maybe the most important idea from the entire conversation: You are a photographer long before you ever pick up a camera. Aftercast (PHOTOCO Exclusive): Inside PHOTOCO, we go deeper into this conversation with a private Aftercast episode where Miles breaks this down into real, actionable steps. We unpack:
And most importantly… How to stay curious when the industry is constantly pulling you toward sameness. Key Takeaways from This Episode:
What We Talked About in the Aftercast (Sneak Peek): In the Aftercast, Miles expands on Fer’s ideas and brings structure to them:
If this episode sparked something in you, the Aftercast is where it gets practical. Join PHOTOCO (The Photographic Collective): If you want more than just inspiration… if you want real growth, structure, and community, PHOTOCO is where that happens. Inside PHOTOCO, you’ll get:
This is where photographers go when they’re ready to stop guessing. 👉 Join PHOTOCO: https://www.photoco.com Connect with Us: Follow Miles: https://www.instagram.com/mileswittboyer Final Thought: You can chase trends. Or… You can fall in love with the process. Because if you do that… If this episode hit home, share it with someone who needs it. | |||
| If Everyone Is Good… How Do You Win? | Chris Denner on Disruption, Style, and Saturation | 31 Mar 2026 | 00:48:52 | |
What happens when everyone is talented… but no one stands out? In this episode, we sit down with Chris Denner to unpack one of the biggest challenges in photography right now: a saturated industry full of really good work… that all looks the same. Chris has spent nearly two decades building a brand that refuses to blend in. His work is bold, chaotic, colorful, and unapologetically different — and it’s exactly why his clients seek him out. We talk about the rise of the sea of sameness, why saturation isn’t the real problem, and how photographers can break out of trend chasing to build something that actually lasts. This is a conversation about identity, disruption, and the courage to create work that doesn’t fit inside the box. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
KEY CALLOUTS
SHOW NOTES 00:00 – Meet Chris Denner 05:00 – Is the Industry Too Saturated? 10:00 – The Disappearing Middle 15:00 – The Sea of Sameness 25:00 – Finding Your Voice 35:00 – Disruption as a Strategy 45:00 – Directing Without Forcing 55:00 – What NOT to Do 60:00 – Final Takeaways LINKS Follow Chris Denner Join PHOTOCO More from Miles ------------- If this episode hit you, here’s the move Stop scrolling And if you’re ready to go deeper into building a business and body of work that stands out, come join us inside PHOTOCO https://www.mileswittboyer.com/photoco If you loved this episode, leave a review, share it with a friend, and tag us on Instagram so we can see what resonated most | |||
| Jeremy Cowart on Curiosity, Creativity, and the Future of Photography | 10 Mar 2026 | 00:43:01 | |
This is one of those episodes you may need to listen to twice. In this conversation, Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher sit down with photographer, artist, and creative entrepreneur Jeremy Cowart. Jeremy is the founder of the Help Portrait movement, which has provided free portraits to hundreds of thousands of people around the world, and he has spent years pushing the boundaries of what photography can look like through experimentation, technology, and empathy. But this episode is bigger than photography. It is about curiosity.It is about courage. Jeremy shares how he moves between photography, fine art, AI, augmented reality, humanitarian storytelling, and wildly experimental creative processes without losing his sense of purpose. He talks about why experimentation matters, why so many creatives stop learning too early, and how staying curious has opened unexpected doors in both commercial and personal work. We also talk about his latest project, If You’re Breathing, a powerful concept built around using art and storytelling to help people in extreme financial need. It is one of the most honest and inspiring conversations we have had on the podcast. If you are a photographer, artist, or creative entrepreneur trying to stay inspired in a changing industry, this episode will challenge the way you think about your work. And in the Aftercast, Jeremy breaks down the process he uses to filter, test, and pursue new ideas. What we cover: About Jeremy:Jeremy Cowart is an internationally recognized photographer, artist, and creative entrepreneur. He is the founder of Help Portrait and is known for blending photography, technology, and humanitarian storytelling in ways that consistently push creative boundaries. His work spans portraiture, immersive art, AI driven image making, and collaborative projects designed to bring hope and dignity to people around the world. Links: Help Portrait Jeremy on Instagram Miles Witt Boyer PHOTOCO If this episode challenged you, inspired you, or made you want to create something new, don’t miss the Aftercast. Jeremy shares the framework he uses to evaluate and pursue creative ideas, and it is gold. You can get access inside PHOTOCO. | |||
| Stay the Course: Faith, Trends, and the Courage to Speak What You Know (with Nathan Chanski) | 23 Feb 2026 | 00:45:38 | |
Episode Summary: What We Talk About: Key Quotes: Aftercast: https://www.mileswittboyer.com/photo Connect:
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| Goals, Capacity, and the Conversion Problem Most Photographers Misdiagnose (ft. Rachel Traxler) | 10 Feb 2026 | 00:49:05 | |
Episode Summary What happens when a systems girl has a heart and actually cares about people. This one starts with negative twenty one degrees and ends with an absolute mic drop on service, strategy, and building a business that does not eat your identity alive. Rachel Traxler brings the rare combo of warmth and tactical clarity, and Miles and Jared go right where photographers actually live: the tension between art, family, ambition, burnout, and the pressure to do it all. If you have ever thought “I just need more inquiries,” Rachel lovingly corrects you. If you have ever felt the hat switching guilt spiral, she names it. If you have ever wanted a simpler way to set goals that actually get finished, she lays out the framework.
Strategy is serving. Systems are not cold. They are how you love people better. If you loved this episode, send it to a photographer friend who keeps saying “I just need more inquiries.” Then go look at your conversion rate like an adult. If you thought this episode was good, the AfterCast is where it gets dangerous. In the public episode we talk big ideas: goals, capacity, conversion, and building a business that does not eat your life. In the AfterCast we get specific. If you are tired of listening to inspiration and still not knowing what to change on Monday morning, you want the AfterCast. Join PHOTOCO for less than $50 a month and get access to the AfterCast, member only trainings, guest experts, and a community of photographers who are building the same thing right alongside you. Come for the episode. | |||
| My Grinder Is Jammed: Jon Taylor Sweet on Creativity, Burnout, and Building a Life You Actually Want | 23 Jan 2026 | 01:04:18 | |
What happens when your coffee grinder is jammed… and so is your life?This episode starts with a broken coffee grinder and accidentally turns into one of the deepest, most honest conversations we’ve ever had on the Photographic Collective Podcast.Today we sit down with Jon Taylor Sweet — one of the most influential visual artists of the last decade whose work spans weddings, music, commercial, editorial, and culture — to talk about: Why he walked away from shooting 30 weddings a yearWhat burnout actually does to your nervous systemHow he built a career by niching up instead of niching downWhy relationships matter more than ratesWhy your creative voice is more important than your brandAnd how to build a life that doesn’t require a breakdown every NovemberJon shares the real story behind his rise from shooting on an iPhone in Washington to working with artists like NF, David Kushner, Laney Wilson, and major brands like Jameson and Alaska Airlines — and why he still refuses to put himself in a box. This is a conversation about:Creativity without cagesBusiness without burnoutArt without arroganceAnd success without selling your soulIf you’ve ever felt tired, boxed in, creatively stuck, or like you’re running a business you don’t actually want to live inside of… this one will hit home. Also yes, we do talk about coffee. A lot. ☕️John Taylor Sweet joins us for a wildly honest conversation about burnout, creativity, niching up, and building a life you actually want to live. From shooting on an iPhone to working with world-class artists and brands, this episode is a masterclass in sustainable creativity.Why John cut his wedding workload from 30+ to 12 per yearWhat burnout actually feels like in your bodyHow to recognize when your nervous system is friedWhy saying no creates better yesesThe danger of building a business you hate living insideWhy niching up beats niching downHow relationships built his entire commercial and music careerThe truth about editing, style, and creative freedomWhy your composition and light matter more than your presetsHow to get commercial work without chasing brandsWhy comparison is killing your creativityThe real story of how his career started on an iPhoneWhy you don’t need permission to create meaningful work00:00 – The Grinder Is Jammed05:00 – Onyx Coffee, Arkansas, and Chaos08:00 – Why John Cut His Workload in Half12:00 – Burnout, Anxiety, and the Nervous System18:00 – Rhythms, Faith, and Life Structure24:00 – Creativity, Movement, and Making Things30:00 – Art vs Industry vs Ego38:00 – The Commercial Work Philosophy45:00 – From iPhone to Global Brands55:00 – Failure, Learning, and Showing Up1:02:00 – The Problem With “There’s Only One Way”1:08:00 – The Artist vs The Algorithm1:15:00 – Final Creative Mic DropA few KEY quotes from our chat.“If you don’t build space into your life, your body will build it for you.”“Niching up lets creativity feed the thing that pays your bills.”“Relationships last longer than campaigns.”“Your composition and how you see light is your real signature.”“If you’re not moving and you’re not creating, something’s off.”“You don’t need permission to make meaningful work.”“Comparison is the fastest way to lose your voice.”John Taylor SweetWebsite: https://jontaylorsweet.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jontaylorsweetReferenced / RelatedNF (music artist)David KushnerLaney WilsonAlaska AirlinesJameson WhiskeyMiles & JaredMiles: https://www.mileswittboyer.comJared: https://www.jaredfincher.comPHOTOCO: www.mileswittboyer.com/photo | |||
| Wrapping up 2025 - Resetting the WHY | 30 Dec 2025 | 00:41:11 | |
This episode feels like sitting across the table from us at the end of a long year... coffee going cold, passports still dusty, calendars already filling back up. Jared and I walk through the heart of our Arkansas Wedding Photographer blog and use it as a launch point to reminisce on 2025: the travel, the work, the moments that surprised us, and the ones that quietly shaped who we’re becoming. But more than that, this conversation is about something bigger... how we’re actively painting a picture of who we are in real time, without letting either success or complacency steal our creativity and joy. We talk honestly about resisting autopilot, protecting curiosity, and choosing intention over rinse-and-repeat. Along the way, we keep coming back to a few questions that feel especially important right now: “Can we not rinse and repeat our whole year?” This episode is part reflection, part permission slip, and part reminder that growth doesn’t have to mean losing yourself. Whether you’re a photographer, creative, or just someone trying to build a meaningful life alongside meaningful work—this one’s for you. LINKS & RESOURCES 📖 Read the blog we’re unpacking in this episode: 📸 Follow along on Instagram: 🎓 Join PHOTOCO + go deeper with us: SEE YOU IN PERSON 📍 IMAGING USA — Nashville 📍 WPPI — Las Vegas If you’ve been feeling the pull to slow down, zoom out, and ask better questions—press play. | |||
| The Truth About “Perfect” Wedding Photos - Gabe McClintock | 15 Dec 2025 | 00:51:46 | |
In this episode of the Photographic Collective Podcast, Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher sit down with legendary destination wedding and elopement photographer Gabe McClintock for a conversation that feels like a reset button for your creative brain. They unpack why so many high level artists feel like imposters, why Gabe thrives in friction and chaos, and how he earns the kind of trust that lets him meet couples on the day of and create images that feel calm inside the mayhem. From shooting wide open in massive environments to hiking into wild places like Iceland volcanoes, Gabe breaks down what actually matters: emotion over perfection, focus over trends, and art that comes from doing the hard thing on purpose. If you feel buried under trends, presets, posing prompts, or “how to be everything to everyone” pressure, this episode is your permission slip to simplify and get back to the work that feels like you. THEMES FROM THIS EPISODE • Why “imposter syndrome” shows up in almost every respected artist Gabe McClintock is a Calgary, Canada based destination wedding and elopement photographer known for cinematic, emotional imagery that feels calm even in the most chaotic environments. With 15+ years of experience photographing couples around the world, Gabe has become one of the most influential voices in modern adventure wedding photography, recognized for his ability to create unforced, unscripted work rooted in trust, atmosphere, and honest connection. https://www.gabemcclintock.com/ | |||
| Beyond the Bangers: Conscious Wedding Photography with Ryan Teague of Feather and Finch | 19 Nov 2025 | 00:46:48 | |
On this one Jared and I sat down with our friend Ryan Teague from Feather and Finch Photography all the way on the Gold Coast of Australia. Ryan is one of those rare photographers who has been wildly “successful” on paper, shooting 120 plus weddings a year, and still had the courage to ask if any of it actually lined up with the life he wanted. We talk about falling in and out of love with photography, what it does to your heart to be a dad to a son with special needs, why surfing every sunrise might be a better business plan than your current workflow, and how much more powerful your work becomes when you stop trying to impress the internet and start trying to really serve the people in front of your lens. If you have ever looked at your own work and thought “this came too easy, is it really worth what I am charging” or felt that quiet little pull to slow down and be more present, this episode is going to hit you in the best way. In this episode we get into:
Listen to more episodes and read the show notes Join PHOTOCO and get the Aftercast with Ryan Learn more about the Photographic Collective community Feather and Finch Photography Feather and Finch on Instagram Miles Witt BoyerWebsite Instagram Jared Mark FincherWebsite Instagram If you are new around here, the Photographic Collective Podcast is basically Jared and me sitting down with people we really respect and pulling on the threads that actually matter. Creativity, business, family, burnout, ego, money, all of it. PHOTOCO membership and Aftercast access | |||
| Composition, Connection, And The Long Game With Jeff Chang | 21 Oct 2025 | 00:47:01 | |
Episode Description Jared and I sat down with Jeff Chang from The Apartment and it felt like talking shop with an old friend who still wakes up excited to make pictures. We dig into how to protect the art, why composition is really about proportion, and how trust with your couples unlocks the best frames. If you are tired of rinse and repeat, this one is a reset. PHOTOCO members get an Aftercast where Jeff lays out simple steps to last a full career without losing joy. Join us at mileswittboyer.com/photo for the Aftercast and all the perks. Guest What we cover
Join PHOTOCO for the Aftercast with Jeff Links
If this conversation fired you up, come sit with us inside PHOTOCO. The Aftercast with Jeff is loaded with step by step ideas you can put to work on your next wedding. Join now at mileswittboyer.com/photo. Bring your questions to the next live call, grab the bonus resources, and keep the momentum going. wedding photography podcast, Jeff Chang, The Apartment Photo, luxury wedding photography, fine art wedding photography, composition tips, client experience, photography longevity, creative burnout, Northwest Arkansas wedding photographer, Imagen AI workflow | |||
| From Off-Grid to On-Fire: Jenny Day on Curiosity, Color, and Building a Creative Life That Works | 15 Oct 2025 | 00:51:23 | |
Jenny Day from Jenny Pearl Photography joins Miles and Jared for a conversation that hits every photographer in the sweet spot. From growing up off the grid in Montana to building a sought-after wedding brand in Utah, Jenny shares how curiosity became her greatest tool, why she refuses to live in one visual box, and how moms and new photographers can build real momentum with simple systems and brave creativity. We dig into lighting beyond golden hour, clean color and skin tones, time blocking, Patreon education, and turning imposter syndrome into a challenge that actually fuels growth. Stay to the end for the Aftercast preview where Jenny walks through starter camera settings and business basics. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS TACTICAL TAKEAWAYS IMPORTANT LINKS
CHAPTERS
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| Michelle Harris: Building Empires with Hustle, Heart, and Legacy | Education, Confidence & Booking with Intention | 07 Oct 2025 | 00:47:57 | |
This week's episode brought to you by IMAGEN Ai. This week, Miles and Jared sit down with Michelle Harris, luxury destination wedding photographer, Sigma ambassador, and powerhouse educator behind M Harris Studios, Laila Chanel Studios, and the 2K+ M Harris Hustlers community. From founding multiple brands to raising her daughters as a single mom and teaching thousands of photographers worldwide, Michelle has become a voice of confidence, community, and unapologetic hustle in an industry that often confuses success with perfection. In this conversation, Michelle opens up about the lessons she’s learned building associate teams in D.C. and Atlanta, creating systems for sustainable growth, and redefining what “hustle” really means. You’ll hear the heart behind her education, the real story of how her Master the City workshops started, and how she built a business that genuinely serves people while raising a family. Plus, Michelle shares practical steps for managing clients, creating emotional connection, and running consultations that book—and the mindset shifts that make it all possible. 🎧 AFTERCAST BONUS: PHOTOCO members get an exclusive session with Michelle, “How Not to Get Ghosted: How to Book Weddings During a Consultation” — available only inside the PHOTOCO membership community. 👉 Join at mileswittboyer.com/photo to unlock the Aftercast and get weekly education, resources, and coaching with Miles, Jared, and the PHOTOCO team.
Michelle Harris
PHOTOCO
Hosts
Join the PHOTOCO community to access Michelle’s full Aftercast episode, “How Not to Get Ghosted — How to Book Weddings During a Consultation.” You’ll get direct insight into her real consultation framework, pricing psychology, and the exact steps that turn conversations into bookings. 👉 Join PHOTOCO for exclusive podcast extras, monthly live calls, and the full Aftercast library. | |||
| Preston Luke: From Photographer to Creator | 1M+ Audience, Big Brand Collabs, and Building a Business Beyond Sessions | 23 Sep 2025 | 00:49:21 | |
Preston Luke went from small-town senior photographer to creator, educator, and creative director with an audience of 1M+ across Instagram and TikTok. In this conversation, Preston breaks down the practical steps behind turning your photo brand into a creator business—while staying sane and protecting your love for the craft. We cover:
🎧 Stick around to the end for how Preston prices seniors at the high end, the full year-round senior playbook, and why delayed posting keeps him present on shoots. 💬 AFTERCAST: Members get Preston’s tactical deep-dive on building a luxury senior offer, annual calendar, and pricing strategy. Join PHOTOCO below. — Preston Luke
Slate Studios (Preston’s all-white natural-light space)
PHOTOCO / Aftercast Access
Subscribe to the Photographic Collective Podcast
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| Building a business fast. The 5 year story of hustle and consistency with Staci Brucks | 08 Sep 2025 | 00:46:37 | |
We love conversations like this. Staci Brucks sat down with Jared and me and let us into the real story. Five years ago she was working in cardiac rehab. Today she’s a fast-rising wedding photographer with a gift for connection and a presence online that feels honest and fun. We talk about how she found her voice, why consistency beats perfection, the realities of destination work, packing smart, and how simple behind-the-scenes clips can build trust with the right clients. Staci’s approach is all heart and all hustle. If you’ve been stuck second-guessing your work or overthinking your marketing, this one will feel like a reset. Join PHOTOCO to hear the exclusive AFTERCAST with Staci where we dig into her workflow, social strategy, and the little systems that keep her business moving: www.mileswittboyer.com/photo Follow Staci:
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| Living to Work, Not Working to Live: A Conversation with Summer Grace | 25 Aug 2025 | 00:42:22 | |
In this episode of The Photographic Collective Podcast, Miles and Jared sit down with LA-based photographer and educator Summer Grace. Known for her film and digital artistry, as well as her growing influence in education, Summer shares a raw, authentic look into her journey of balancing business, motherhood, and creative fulfillment. The conversation touches on her shift from shooting a heavy wedding load to focusing more on Summer School, her educational platform, while raising her daughter Georgia alongside her husband Jake. Summer opens up about the tension between business and art, why success is not defined by six-figure income metrics, and how she finds balance by prioritizing sustainability, creativity, and family. Listeners will hear candid insights on avoiding burnout, defining personal success, resisting trends, motherhood as a creative discipline, and embracing business as an art form.
✅ Key Takeaways Success is Personal: Summer redefines success as living to work (loving what you do so it doesn’t feel like work), rather than working to live. For her, success blends creativity, financial sustainability, and family balance. Business as Art: She views business not as separate from creativity but as a complementary art form. Running a strong business allows her the freedom to be a better artist and parent. Resisting Trends: Summer emphasizes staying true to personal style and brand rather than conforming to industry fads. Education with Integrity: Instead of teaching “get rich quick” six-figure formulas, she focuses on holistic growth—helping photographers create art they’re proud of and a life they love. Motherhood & Discipline: Parenthood has made her more disciplined and efficient, valuing her time more deeply while still embracing imperfection. Creative Renewal: Some of her best work comes from self-initiated, unpaid projects. She encourages artists to carve out time for shoots that are purely creative. Stay connected with the hosts and exclusive content:
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| Tom Wright on Building a Workflow That Fuels Creativity & Business Growth | 12 Aug 2025 | 00:42:57 | |
Join Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher on the Photographic Collective Podcast for a deep dive with acclaimed photographer and educator Tom Wright. In this conversation, Tom unpacks how to design a streamlined photography workflow that protects your creativity, enhances your client experience, and fuels long-term business growth. Whether you’re shooting weddings, portraits, or commercial projects, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to refine your process, market your brand, and deliver images that resonate long after delivery day. Follow & Connect: DON'T MISS THE EXCLUSIVE CONTENT - IN THE AFTERCAST. Tom, gives step by step information on how to build the perfect backup workflow, what systems need to be built to create redundancy for peace of mind, and how to protect our creativity with structure. Join The Photographic Collective:The Photographic Collective is a growing community for photographers who want to level up their craft, grow their business, and connect with like-minded creatives. As a member, you’ll gain access to quarterly courses, exclusive podcast extras, monthly live call-ins, and our signature business training protocols. Whether you’re just starting your journey or scaling a thriving studio, The Collective gives you the tools, knowledge, and support to create a business that serves your life — not the other way around. 🎯 Sign up now at mileswittboyer.com/photo and become part of a network committed to inspiring, educating, and empowering photographers around the world. | |||
| From Survivor to Storyteller: The Unstoppable Rise of Lauren Ashley | 01 Aug 2025 | 00:45:02 | |
In this raw and powerful episode, we sit down with Nikon Ambassador and viral photography sensation Lauren Ashley, whose story goes far beyond the lens. With over 600,000 followers on Instagram and 850,000 on TikTok, Lauren has built more than just a brand—she’s built a movement grounded in vulnerability, resilience, and radical authenticity. What unfolds in this conversation is not your average industry talk. Lauren opens up about surviving unimaginable personal loss, raising a son with level-three autism, leaving a toxic relationship, and rebuilding her photography business from the ground up. Her story is one of deep emotional truth—and it's reshaped how she sees life, art, and the true value of a photograph. This episode isn’t just for fans of beautiful imagery—it’s for anyone who’s ever doubted their worth, faced heartbreak, or questioned if they could still succeed after hitting rock bottom. Lauren’s journey will challenge you to stop hiding behind your portfolio and start leading with who you are. 🎧 Photographers, prepare to feel empowered, inspired, and deeply moved. 💡 PLUS: Don’t miss the exclusive “After the Pod” bonus episode inside The Photographic Collective platform, where Lauren shares a 10-minute masterclass on going viral, building a loyal audience, and monetizing your story. It’s pure gold. CLICK THIS LINK TO HOLD YOUR SPOT IN LINE : https://mileswittboyer.myflodesk.com/photocowaitlist Subscribe now and hear why vulnerability is the most powerful tool a creative can wield. | |||
| Final Attempt at the Best Photography Podcast Ever | 21 Jul 2025 | 00:25:44 | |
FREE GUIDE FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS https://mileswittboyer.myflodesk.com/capture But don't call it a come back. Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher are back for a brand new season of the Photographic Collective Podcast with an all new vision and some exciting news. This episode breaks down the absolutely Chat GPT written vision statement for the new pod, sets some big goals for new and returning guests and explains what is so exciting about the Photographic Collective Platform launching August 15th.Exclusive content available via PHOTOCO after launch but you can get on the waitlist RIGHT NOW using the link https://www.mileswittboyer.com/photo Affiliate discounts, huge giveaways, community collaborations, monthly live calls, trainings, behind the scenes, and early access to retreats and industry hang outs all available inside the PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTIVE.In this episode Miles + Jared chat through favorite guests from the past like Fer Juaristi, Jonas Peterson, and Jai Long and paint a clear picture towards the goals of a new season of episodes. If you're not familiar with the podcast yet : The Photographic Collective Podcast with Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher is a bi-weekly conversation with creatives who are chasing depth over hype. No ego. Very Little gear talk. Just real stories from people who’ve built something meaningful — and the mess, growth, and grit it took to get there.This show is a seat at the table. Sometimes it’s business, sometimes it’s art, sometimes it’s about navigating what it means to be human — all through the lens of a camera and a calling. If you're looking for honest conversations that feed your soul and push you forward, welcome home.Join us wherever you listen to your podcasts or simply by clicking this link https://open.spotify.com/show/7iYqQmx... OR Hangout with us on VIDEO on YOUTUBE at https://youtu.be/s8SbYnnIxvE?si=ehUw9K0yZyb0P4hFThis episode is brought to all platforms via the power of AI and the strongest most advanced Photo Ai platform on the Market! ICONIC is our all new profile available exclusively on the Imagen Ai platform. Click here to try ICONIC for FREE and watch your images come to life with the power of over 25,000 of our own edits powering every click. Imagen : https://imagen-ai.com/homepage-lp/?re...AUGUST 15 : https://www.mileswittboyer.com/photo SIGN UP NOW. | |||
| ALORA : The Photo Educator that keeps it REAL. | 06 May 2025 | 00:44:15 | |
FREE GUIDE FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS https://mileswittboyer.myflodesk.com/capture The photo educator that the world kind of needs. Especially for the ladies, this episode dives DEEP behind Alora Rachelle. From Burned Out to CEO Alora is a successful photographer turned mindset coach that focuses on inspiring female photographers to level up their businesses. She's a mom, a brilliant voice, a talented artist, and a really entertaining podcast host over at the Wedding Atelier Podcast which I (Miles) was just a guest on, ALSO releasing TODAY. CHECK HER PODCAST OUT AT https://podcasts.apple.com/ky/podcast/how-to-be-authentically-artistic-with-miles-whitboyer/id1494012135?i=1000706473782 If you need a marketing coach, CEO coach, or just super rad new friend connect with Alora at https://www.alorarachelle.com/ | |||
| Leica Ambassador Jay Cassario : Being an artist - authentically | 02 May 2024 | 00:51:44 | |
Jay Cassario is the photographer every known photographer knows. He's been around for long enough to see the industry eb and flow and has this remakably simple outlook on life. A Leica Ambassador with a decade of weddings under his belt Jay didn't come into the wedding industry until long into his adult life. A career that left him feeling unfulfilled gave way to an opportunity to get back to doing what his mom did when he was a kid. Wedding photography was literally in his blood however this simple desire to live authentically, raise his son on the farm he grew up on in southern New Jersey, and photograph weddings from a place of intentionality is all his. Jay has this magnetic composure to him. A larger than life guy with a million stories who has maintained a posture of humility and kindness despite incredible success. We're excited to share with the world the Jay so many photographers know and call friend. The normal dude with a big laugh behind some absolutely remarkable images. https://www.jaycassario.com/ Check here for Jay's website or find him on instagram https://www.instagram.com/jaycassario/ This episode mentions our new partnership with Narrative Edit - the one place where you can cull, ship, and curate Ai edited images right through Adobe Lightroom with our very own color science applied. https://narrative.so/edit for more information and make sure you try the Iconic Color Style by Miles Witt Boyer. For more information on the Photographic Collective find us any time @mileswittboyer and @jaredmarkfincher on instagram. | |||
| Instagram Reels that don't suck. The Photographer's guide. | 19 Mar 2024 | 00:42:52 | |
It's 2024. The landscape of instagram and tik-tok (RIP?) and X (twitter?) and Facebook (is that still a thing?) is exhausting. It's a daily shift of what is trending and how to utilize the right audio, the right format, the right hashtags at the right times so that people even (gasp) see the work. If you're exhausted with even trying to wander through the darkness of social media you're not in the minority. The fact of the matter is the days of posting a photo, a super deep quote, and sitting back and watching clients roll in are over and catchy reels seem to be here to stay for awhile. Before you spend hours designing reels in Adobe or downloading some horrible tacky app that Instagram lowkey penalizes you for using anyway we're bringing in the expert in Instagram Reels to walk us through the future. Angela isn't JUST the founder and CEO of Social Templates, she's also a really talented photographer with a long history of taking beautiful images and getting those images into the hands of the right couples. This chat is all about the practicality of the future and how important being intentional with social media can be. This in depth conversation is all about the growth of this idea. How Angela went from being an educator at WPPI to being a brand on the tradeshow floor and how you as a photographer can benefit from utilizing better instagram strategies in 2024 to reach the clients you're searching for. For more info about Angela and Social Templates follow them on Instagram @socialtemplates.co and when you drop them a DM make sure you tell them we sent you! | |||
| Wanderlust & Wedding Bells: Traveling Wedding Photographer's Tips and Tales | 13 Feb 2024 | 00:36:32 | |
Hey there! Welcome to another episode of The Photographic Collective Podcast. Today, I'm thrilled to take you on a whirlwind adventure through the lenses of destination wedding photographers – that's us! Come along as we spill the beans on all things travel tips and cherished memories from wild globetrotting escapades. Picture this: exotic locales, stunning backdrops, and a million pounds of camera equipment. Yep, that's the world of destination weddings, and I've got the inside scoop to share. From packing hacks to navigating cultural quirks, I've learned a thing or two about making the most out of shooting in far-flung places. And trust me, it's not always as glamorous as it seems – but oh, the stories I could tell! Join me as I reminisce about some of my favorite moments behind the lens, and some of the best things to consider when flying with cameras in the overhead storage. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just dreaming of chasing sunsets with your camera in tow, this episode is for you. Let's dive into the art of destination wedding photography and uncover the secrets to creating images that truly stand the test of time. Get ready for a laid-back chat filled with wanderlust and wedding bells. It's time to celebrate the joy of travel, photography, and love – one frame at a time. Let's dive in! The PhotoCo podcast is a production of the Photographic Collective llc based in Bentonville, Arkansas hosted by Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher | |||
| Destination Wedding Special Ft. Special Guest Tyler Rye | 08 Jan 2024 | 00:52:35 | |
Imagine a world where you spend your life flying from amazing destination to amazing destination with only couples in love and your cameras. The adventure elopement industry has exploded in the last few years and from Iceland to Italy, Thailand to New Zealand, the Utah Salt Flats to Yellowstone one photographer has seen them all. Tyler Rye is your favorite elopement photographer's favorite elopement photographer and we had the pleasure to sit with him and pick his brain all about the fun behind these adventures as well as the challenges. From missing time with family and big holidays to travel headaches, tips and tricks, and plenty of advice along the way this episode is kind of a one stop shop for truly seeing behind the adventure photography curtain. I've said it before but Tyler is my (Miles writing) favorite elopement photographer. His pure view, dynamic movement, and creative composition has been an inspiration to my work for years and our friendship has been a constant thread back and forth for quite awhile. It's a huge honor to introduce PHOTOCO to Tyler. For more of his work or to get more information about an Expedition (the coolest adventure workshops on the planet) check out his website https://tylerrye.com/ or just connect with him like I do @tylerrye_ on instagram PHOTOCO - the podcast - is a production of The Photographic Collective and is hosted by Arkansas based photographers Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher. All content is ©2024 Photographic Collective inc. and can not be used without permission. To join the fastest growing, most positive, most dynamic community of photographers on the planet completely free check out the Photographic Collective on facebook or simply visit https://www.mileswittboyer.com/photographic-collective | |||
| Is AI art... art? Special Guest Jonas Peterson | 15 Dec 2023 | 01:09:18 | |
Join us as we delve into the remarkable transition from renowned wedding photographer to groundbreaking AI artist. Jonas shares his insights, challenges, and the creative process that led him to reimagine his artistic expression through artificial intelligence. From capturing timeless moments in weddings to crafting digital masterpieces, his journey is nothing short of inspiring. In this episode, we tackle the big question: Is AI art actually art? Together with Jonas Peterson, we explore the intersections of technology and creativity, discussing the implications, controversies, and the emotional impact of AI-generated art. Can a machine evoke the same emotions as a human artist? Is the soul of the artist lost in lines of code? Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges preconceptions and pushes the boundaries of what we consider art in the digital age. Whether you're a photography enthusiast, an AI aficionado, or simply curious about the evolving landscape of art, this episode of the Photographic Collective Podcast is not to be missed. Join us on a captivating journey through pixels and emotions, as we uncover the story of Jonas Peterson's transformation from capturing love stories to creating art that transcends the boundaries of the human hand. Finally if you're wondering whether or not that entire description was written using Ai the answer is absolutely. Chat GPT powered this whole thing and the truth is, whether you're ready for it or not Ai is a part of our every day lives and artist and visionaries like Jonas Peterson are leading the charge. check out this article all about Jonas' work : https://dolcemag.com/beauty/jonas-peterson-art-reimagined-by-ai/46889 for our first episode with Jonas Peterson - the most listened to episode of this podcast ever : https://www.mileswittboyer.com/podcast/jonas-peterson-more-authentic-photography | |||
| Working Mom Photographers. You got this. | 30 Nov 2023 | 00:55:57 | |
Momtogs you're doing a good job! I'm not just talking to the hobby shooters (though you're doing a great job too) but to the huge population of wildly talented, super busy, keep all the balls in the air kids to school lunches prepped laundry folded while also shooting editing and absolutely slaying the photography world women out there. This episode was supposed to be for you - and then, April started talking and I realized... --We all need to hear this stuff.-- An episode full of truth and totally relatable stories and struggles and tiny wins from April Payne, a Houston based wedding and portrait photographer who is as humble as she is talented. So many people in this industry come to the end of fall and absolutely collapse from exhaustion. We burn ourselves out every year trying to strike while the irons hot in our minds but this episode really opens up the truth of how quickly success can show up when you just keep moving the needle forward a little at a time and surround yourself with people who believe in you. April's perspectives here are absolutely powerful. "I can do the scary stuff" is a mantra that has taken her from a brand new photographer to a completely in demand brand in only a few years all while managing to keep her marriage, her home, and her family front of mind. This interview is a great chance to reset our priorities coming into the holidays and a slower season for most of the photo industry and audit our goals and who we're surrounding ourselves with for support. Make sure you check out April's work https://aprilmpaynephotography.com/ and consider joining her and a whole community of like minded, positive, encouraging photographers in one of our small groups simply by visiting https://www.facebook.com/groups/photographiccollective.mwb This episode is sponsored by the raddest preset pack ever released. https://www.gpresets.com/product/abidepresets/ Get the ABIDE preset pack from Miles Witt Boyer Presets today and then DM me @mileswittboyer or @mileswittboyerpresets on insta your before and after images for a chance at being featured! | |||
| Unplugged and Candid with Vanessa Joy. (Episode 66) | 03 Oct 2023 | 00:52:11 | |
She is a force. Vanessa Joy is everywhere. Canon Explorer of Light. The founder of The Photo Insiders. Prolific speaker, personality, educator. Sought after wedding photographer. Vanessa Joy is a pretty remarkable brand but behind all of that she is this really approachable, humble, beautiful human finding her way through success and failure in the most relatable way. We set off in this conversation with her to take a break from some of the more tip intensive episodes or heavy high level interviews to just unplug with Vanessa. To chat about her challenges, her wins, and how she juggles being a mom and a wife and a friend with big dreams and so many eyes watching. I know Jared and I walked away with a refreshed perspective on how both human and super human Vanessa Joy really is. For more info on Photo Insiders and how you can learn directly from Vanessa Joy click here https://www.breatheyourpassion.com/ For bite sized and easily understood tips and tricks as well as plenty of eye candy from Vanessa's work, tutorials on everything from posing tricks to what camera and lighting equipment she is using make sure you keep up with her on her on youtube https://www.youtube.com/@VanessaJoy The PhotoCo Podcast is a production of Photographic Collective LLC. Produced by Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher in Bentonville, Arkansas as an extension of the free to join photo community - The Photographic Collective. For more information on joining the large community, joining a small training group, one on one training opportunities, or just to say hi send Miles a message any time @mileswittboyer on instagram or via https://photographic-collective.com/ | |||
| The last lightroom presets you'll never need? | 21 Sep 2023 | 00:37:35 | |
This is the come back tour. The episode where we talk through what Jared and I have been up to over the last few months as we've taken a short break from this podcast and tackled a project we've been dreaming up for years. It's a cool look into the world of color science, what quality editing looks like for photographers in 2023 and how we partnered with one of the coolest brands to design what we truly feel like are the most versatile and beautiful Lightroom presets on the market and the best part? They're not even available for another week which means that listeners of this episode will be a few of the first to get their hands on them. After over a year of going strong with the PhotoCo podcast, a booming community in the Photographic Collective facebook group, constantly evolving conversations and small group trainings in the PhotoCo Slack Channels and now ABIDE the first official preset pack by Miles Witt Boyer and GPresets it's safe to say there's a few balls in the air. THANK YOU AHEAD OF TIME for investing in Abide and for upleveling your brand, your color, and your community with PhotoCo, Miles Witt Boyer, and Jared Fincher. | |||
| Shooting the Streets of New York with Derek Fahsbender | 06 Jul 2023 | 00:58:52 | |
Don't call him a street photographer. Derek Fahsbender is a legend in the Bronx and a familiar smile on the other side of the street in neighborhoods all over New York City. His bold approach to shooting the faces and the spaces of the city he calls home has shaped not only his own portfolio but the work of countless other shooters who call the streets of New York home. Close friends with icons of the genre like Phil Penman and Rinzi Ruiz what makes Derek's work unique is a truly intentional approach to his composition and an unbelievable ability to make people comfortable with him in pretty uncomfortable situations. He has a bold opinion about success, an unapologetic perspective on how to push your own work forward, and the backing of a few of the most known brands and retailers on earth standing right behind him and if that isn't enough to convince you that this conversation is worth hearing I can personally promise you, his vulnerability and humility will. One of my closest friends in the photography industry this was a chat I've been waiting to have publicly for a long time. Typically held over a whiskey at a tiny bar in New York or tucked away from the crowds over dinner at WPPI in Las Vegas my friendship with Derek has been filled with these conversations from the very beginning and I'm pretty excited to be able to share a deeper side of Derek with the world. Take a moment to check out Derek's work here : https://www.likeamacheen.com/ Grab your copy of the Twenty Twenty book here : https://www.blurb.com/b/10902233-twenty-twenty-standard-edition Follow Derek on Instagram here : https://www.instagram.com/likeamacheen | |||
| A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF ALISON CONKLIN. | 05 Jun 2023 | 00:49:35 | |
"I never thought I would live to see 42" Alison's story is one of ultimate perspective. In her first episode on this podcast we dived into a story filled with creative perspective and intentional, thought provoking heart. Before Alison found her wedding photography on the covers of major magazines like Martha Stewart Weddings chalking up awards and international attention from a few of the largest photography brands on earth she was a grieving teenager processing the loss of her mom at 42 years old by learning to develop old film negatives of her alongside her dad in a makeshift darkroom in their house. At 13 she found out she carried the same genetic heart disorder and what she thought would be an inevitable expiration date ticked closer and closer this last year. We interview Alison on a "bonus day" in the 200's. That's 2/3 of a year after she survived the unthinkable, setting her camera aside and undergoing a full heart transplant after her heart hit nearly 100% failure. Perspective is a powerful thing. Sitting down with Alison for this interview felt altogether different and yet somehow familiar. This is still the brilliant artist with the big smile and remarkable purpose behind her work but now with literally a new heart beating inside of her chest. Don't miss this opportunity to hear her story, to lean into the lessons she's learned about how important the photos of the people we love are, and to simply listen to her process her own story and learn to accept that this new lease on life is one she never knew she would have. Alison Conklin is a Philadelphia (area) based wedding and commercial photographer. She is a Fujifilm X Photographer and her work can be seen here https://www.alisonconklin.com/ or via her Fujifilm profile page here https://fujifilm-x.com/en-us/photographers/alison-conklin/ She can also be found over in the large group for the Photographic Collective, a community packed with positive, purpose filled photographers from around the globe. Join the large group or apply for small group training or mentorship by simply clicking over to http://photographic-collective.com/ The PhotoCo Podcast is a production of The Photographic Collective LLC hosted by Photographers Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher based in Bentonville, Arkansas. All portions of this recording at ©2023 Photographic Collective llc. | |||
| THE FILM MAKER YOU NEVER KNEW YOU ALWAYS NEEDED. | 11 May 2023 | 00:44:39 | |
Let's get down to it. Hustle is not appreciated nearly enough. Sitting down in this interview with Chris from LVL13 Wedding Films based in New Jersey to simply appreciate what hard work turns into. Chris' story is really interesting and his work is some of my favorite I've ever seen in the wedding video industry but it's his humility, his work ethic, and his character that show up in this conversation. We're flooded with big egos in the photo/video world these days. There's a general approach to success that says that you don't need to make it if you can convincingly fake it for long enough and Chris is a refreshing answer to that. He's a successful guy but it's not the success that drives him. Creating work he's proud of along side close friends for clients he connects with all so that he can provide for a family that he loves; this dude has his head on straight and this conversation could easily serve as a clear reminder that there really are some remarkable names out there you may not have heard of yet. We'll be chatting about this episode in the private Slack Channels for PHOTOCO Small Group members this week as we unpack the difference between Hustle and Grind and would love to keep all of our listeners up to date in the Photographic Collective Facebook Group. If you're not a member of PHOTOCO yet simply click over to https://www.mileswittboyer.com/photoco/hq and jump into a community of image makers with success and positivity on our minds. For more information on Chris and to see his work check his website here http://www.lvl13.com/ or simply follow him on instagram @lvl13cinematography The PhotoCo podcast is a production of The Photographic Collective LLC based in Bentonville, Arkansas. Hosted by Photographers Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher all portions of this conversation are ©2023 Photographic Collective LLC. | |||
| BEHIND JUNEBUG WEDDINGS AND THE WORLDS BEST WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS. | 03 May 2023 | 00:42:17 | |
She’s like the wizard of oz of the wedding industry. The founder of Junebug Weddings and the Worlds Best Wedding Photographers. She has helped shape and curate some of the most iconic portfolios in our industry. She is Meryl Streep from the Devil Wears Prada, a bold mind that has shaped the look and feel of wedding photography for over a decade and yet somehow she is still so approachable, kind, humble, generous. This chat with Blair deLaubenfels and Miles is eye opening as they talk through the importance of curation, community, collaboration, and consistency. If you've ever wondered how to approach getting your wedding photography published, how to better curate your portfolio to speak directly to the clients you're hoping to reach, how important having a consistent look and feel to your images is, or simply what it's like to be on the consulting end of the photo/video industry this episode is going to answer so many questions for you. As always we're so excited to continue this conversation over in the Photographic Collective community on Facebook and in our Small Group Training programs taking place right now in the all new PHOTOCO Slack Channels. For more information on any of that, to join in on the fun, or simply to connect directly with Miles and Jared simply connect with us @mileswittboyer on instagram or at our website https://www.mileswittboyer.com/photoco/hq To see more from https://www.worldsbestweddingphotos.com/best-wedding-photographers simply click the link! The PHOTOCO podcast is a production of The Photographic Collective llc based in Bentonville, Arkansas. Hosted by Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher this interview is ©2023 Photographic Collective llc. | |||
| PHOTOGRAPHER Q+A | 21 Apr 2023 | 00:40:53 | |
We hear you guys loud and clear. This entire episode is a totally unplugged, totally unplanned chat between Miles + Jared about some of the really interesting and really rad questions that you guys, the listeners and members of the PhotoCo community, Small Groups, and Triad Trainings send in. We're going over everything from juggling gender stereotypes in wedding photography, how to communicate well with videographers and other vendors at big events, and the absolute importance of finding a wingman. Jump in and join the conversation after this episode over at the Photographic Collective Facebook Group and bring your own thoughts, your own questions, and your own perspectives into a place where everybody is absolutely welcome to have a voice. The PhotoCo podcast is a production of the Photographic Collective LLC and is recorded, produced, and released right here in our lovely little home town of Bentonville, Arkansas. Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher are full time photographers simply doing life together as friends and business partners and opening the door for amazing creators and entrepreneurs to have a community to call home. If you like this episode please join the group, subscribe to the show, and give us a five star review! | |||
| YOUR PHOTOS DON'T SUCK, YOUR CULLING DOES. (Special Guests James + Kyle from Narrative) | 06 Apr 2023 | 01:08:14 | |
Curate. It's that word that people don't want to hear, but need to. The challenge here is simple : are you showing work that communicates your value to the right people, in the right ways, at the right times? Are you leaving your best work on the editing floor or including too much? Are your processes for editing and post production stuck in the early 2000's? Are you actually getting any better or is every Uncle Joe snagging a camera at Cost Co catching up to you? Before you get all down on yourself consider this : maybe as a photographer you're best work just isn't being found hidden down deep amongst the most obvious stuff. Maybe just like your favorite band ever, it's the deep cuts that say the most about you as an artist. Sitting on this episode with two absolute legends. James Broadbent founded Narrative to solve the problems that photographers all over the world are facing. From the headaches of blogging to managing the culling and cataloging process outside of Lightroom this is a dude with incredible vision and insight and right along side him we bring in Kyle Wilson, wedding photographer, artist, and Narrative team member to spit ball together the way curating work can elevate it's value. This chat is filled with so many nuggets of wisdom and perspective we should probably charge for it, but instead we're going to give it away for free and then ask you to do a few things with this info! First - https://narrative.so/select?affiliate=miles CLICK THAT LINK to try Narrative Select! Second - https://www.mileswittboyer.com/photoco/hq JOIN US. There's a pretty rad little army of creatives hanging out every dang day in PHOTOCO and whether you're in a small group, a 2TO1 training group, or just chilling in the Photographic Collective Community I can promise you there's something waiting for you to learn, give, and grow right inside. The Photographic Collective (PHOTOCO) is a production of Photographic Collective LLC based in Bentonville, Arkansas. This episode is ©2023 hosted by Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher. | |||
| BLOGGING DOESN'T HAVE TO SUCK. Ft. Aga from Pic-Time | 31 Mar 2023 | 00:33:05 | |
Photographers : how are you telling your stories? Are you letting Meta decide for you what images get seen and hoping for some quirky caption that adds value to your hard work or are you building a home for your stories to be told? There once was a time where every photographer had a blog and then the dark ages of social media took over. This conversation with Jared and Aga from Pic-Time about blogging explores not only some of their new blogging features but also the importance of finding ways to tell your stories. We share a few minutes from a long interview with Aga that was streamed live for members of the Photographic Collective community and then unpack it a little offering some tidbits for you guys to chew on. Should you be blogging your photos? Should you find a way to make your blogging, and your SEO more central to your marketing strategy? Should you replay this episode a few more times? USE THIS CODE N9ZZGA FOR A FREE MONTH OF https://www.pic-time.com/ For more exclusive sit downs with people like Aga make sure you join the Photographic Collective, jump into a small group or a triad training with Jared and I and get engaged in community. | |||
| BETTER WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY MARKETING STRATEGIES : Special Guest Ron & Jess Marketing | 20 Mar 2023 | 00:59:03 | |
Your wedding photography marketing is supposed to stand out right? And yet somehow 90% of the industry is doing the exact same tactics hoping to somehow rise above the noise. If you're stuck drowning in the vacum of instagram analytics and worn out blog posts this episode may really hit home. We sit down today with Ron from Ron + Jess Marketing to chat about all of the things he gets to see going wrong with most wedding photography and videography company's marketing these days. Ron and Jess aren't just another convenient wedding photography duo however, they're a full time marketing company serving just this industry. From helping to solve SEO problems to building more effective social media ad buys, unpacking successful keyword strategies to creating workflows that build a better client experience these two have carved themselves deep into the industry at a level where it is incredibly needed. I think you'll enjoy the authenticity behind Ron's perspective on advertising in general as well as his nerdy numbers first approach to making sure that marketing is effective. We will be breaking into a second quarter of 2023 topic train in all of our PHOTOCO small groups all about marketing after this episode airs and are eager to see students, mentors, peers, and friends make some great changes in the way they're reaching new clients and serving current ones with better strategies all around. For more information on how to join a small group, or to get in at the ground level with PHOTOCO join us over at https://www.mileswittboyer.com/photoco/hq Make sure you give Ron + Jess some love and connect with them directly at https://ronandjessmarketing.com/ and if you're in the market for a team that can truly help you uplevel your marketing and reach more brides we'd strongly recommend giving them a shot! | |||
| TELLING PEOPLE'S STORIES. Ft. Special Guest Garrett Hubbard | 01 Mar 2023 | 00:51:36 | |
From documentary photography on the other side of the world to high fives with President Obama, mountain biking adventures to working with the press Garrett has chased down the stories of humans all over the world. His eye for photography shaped early on influenced by a love for culture and an education from one of the world's most prestigious photography schools Garrett's story comes alive as he starts to talk about finding his place in the world. We asked Garrett to be a part of this podcast because of just a sliver of his story. Leaving the Washington DC area to move closer to a place where his passion for mountain biking and the outdoors could be a more prominent part of his family's life but what we got out of him was more than Jared and I could possibly have expected. A story of intentionality, willingness to learn, humility, and so many amazing successes along the way. The simple fact is that Garrett Hubbard as a photographer, a film maker, a director, a father, and a husband is a man that we can all learn from as he so calmly describes his craft through the vein of it's value to sharing the stories of other people - to other people. I walked away from this interview with a keen appreciation for the talent and the accomplishments of the people who quietly drive our industry forward always more focused on doing a good job than getting praise for it. Perhaps what strikes the hardest about this interview with Garrett is his willingness to give credit to the people from all over the country that have simply opened doors for him to walk through. Community is a critical element to success and Garrett Hubbard is absolutely willing to share his success with the people who have contributed to it. https://www.garretthubbard.com/ PhotoCo and the Photographic Collective Podcast are productions of The Photographic Collective LLC ©2023. All rights reserved. Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher host this podcast as well as a community for Photographers and Film Makers based in Bentonville, Arkansas. | |||
| THE FUTURE OF THE PHOTO COMMUNITY : Round Table with Miles Witt Boyer, Tom Wright, Brandon Buccheri, Jared Mark Fincher. | 16 Feb 2023 | 01:03:17 | |
What comes next for photographers, videographers, and creatives? Community. It's the simple solution to almost every problem that arrises. How do you become more successful? Community. How can you refine technique? Community. How can you work on your craft, your creativity, avoid burn out, fight impostor syndrome, achieve a more consistent workflow, and enjoy your work more? Community. This episode is a live, completely unscripted and off the cuff conversation with the four members of the leadership team for the Photographic Collective. We're peeking behind the curtain on an all new platform that is being prepared for our community that will include modules for training, small and large group sub communities, and collaborations with world class educators. It is a big task trying to cast vision for something that can affect the industry as a whole and these are the voices of a few of the people who are looking to do just that. If you're looking for a business coach, an accountability team, an editing workflow, a marketing strategy, or just a friend in the imaging industry we're discussing today something being built simply to serve you. This conversation with UK educator Tom Wright, US based film maker and director Brandon Buccheri, Architectural and portrait photographer, producer, and musician Jared Mark Fincher and Fujifilm Global Ambassador and wedding photographer Miles Witt Boyer is a candid, organic, raw approach to casing that vision. PhotoCo is a production of the Photographic Collective LLC hosted by Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher based in Bentonville, Arkansas. Copyright 2023, all rights reserved. | |||
| Better Business Reboot. Resources to uplevel your 2023 | 31 Jan 2023 | 00:33:47 | |
Most of the way through January 2023 and spending a lot of time with creatives who's resolve is already starting to struggle. The temptation to fall back into bad habits, let new business opportunities slip through the cracks, or just be isolated from the industry and the world around you may be creeping in. This episode is all about the business reboot :
Jared and Miles run through some of the battles of seasonal business while also giving challenges and tips along the way that can help you press through road blocks in your businesses. Books Mentioned :
If you're on the hunt for a business coach or a small group make sure you're a member of the FREE TO JOIN Photo Community over at The Photographic Collective on facebook and sign up for more information on training opportunities or simply DM Miles Witt Boyer or Jared Mark Fincher any time for registration information. The Photographic Collective podcast is a production of PHOTOCO and Photographic Collective LLC. ©2023 | |||
| G PRESETS AND THE FUTURE OF PHOTO EDITING. || Special Guest Greg Petersen. | 20 Jan 2023 | 00:47:21 | |
Everybody has heard of GPresets. Like everybody. These Lightroom presets are stylistic and edgy and as if the signature packs aren't rad enough they've somebody partnered with a few of the coolest photographers in the world to match and sell their color science as well. This episode isn't about G though, at least not directly. It's about Greg. The guy behind GPresets. Greg is this brilliant musician turned photographer turned entrepreneur in Northern California who has spent the last several years simply helping photographers get more out of their images. This chat was really laid back and unplugged just getting to know Greg and talking through what the industry has been like through a different perspective over the last few years and though we didn't pack this thing with actionable tips on ways you can get better as photographer if you listen closely you'll soak up some really powerful knowledge from a guy who has conquered a lot of the wedding and photography world on his journey to the top. If you liked this episode, or any episode of the Photographic Collective Podcast please leave us a five star rating and a solid review and make sure you join the Photographic Collective. It's a free to join community of photographers from all over the world coming together to encourage and support each other along side a small group and 1TO1 training program hosted by Miles Witt Boyer. For more information on GPresets and for a 15% discount on everything in the store use the code PHOTOCO over at https://www.gpresets.com/. This podcast is a production of The Photographic Collective, an Arkansas based community lead by photographer Miles Witt Boyer and cohosted, produced, and edited by Jared Mark Fincher. All information is copywritten 2023 Photographic Collective LLC. | |||
| The best podcast moments of 2022. Cohosted by Miles + Jared | 11 Jan 2023 | 00:41:13 | |
It was a year filled with absolute growth. The photo industry boomed coming out of the Covid hole and somehow riding that wave Jared convinced me to start this little podcast that would end up growing into a bit of a movement. Here we are so many seasons in with the who's who of guests behind us and we couldn't think of a better way to kick off 2023 than to rehash last year. Our favorite guests, photographers, film makers, and industry professionals. Our favorite moments, quotes, and tid bits. Our favorite memories jumping head first into the world of educations, community coordinators, and obviously podcasters. This episode was a blast to record and a chance to really expose our listeners to the guy behind so much of the magic at PhotoCo. Jared will be helping to host more often moving forward as well as helping me shape the way the PhotoCo community, small group trainings, workshops, and courses come together! A huge start to the year and a huge opportunity to share what we're most excited about as this humbling, exciting, and wild ride continues beneath us! | |||
| BEN HARTLEY : THE ONE WHERE BEN TELLS YOU TO SHOW UP : PCP50 | 04 Nov 2022 | 00:49:24 | |
Ben Hartley you guys. The most dynamic, most interesting, most energy packed educator in the photography space shows up in a real way in this episode. I asked Ben to have this chat with me to talk about how he has shifted his social media focus to a much more community minded approach over the last several years but what I got instead was, true to form, an intense purpose filled conversation with a brilliant mind that went much deeper. Ben is absolutely hilarious but his comedy only aids his perspective that when we show up as our best selves, when we are intentional about lifting up the communities and friends and people right around us, and when we act with integrity the results are always positive. Whether you've found Ben because of the Six Figure Photography Podcast, or his Mastermind Group, or the Booked Solid workshop series, or Abundance, or heard him on a platform stage at WPPI, or this is your first experience diving into the mind of this amazing friend of mine let me tell you directly : Ben is one of the most authentically kind people I know. This conversation all centers around his perspectives on the "long game", showing up every day in an industry that you love with your best work, your best intentions, and your most positive outlook. You'll hear throughout this chat a general perspective that is pretty counter cultural to the wedding / portrait photography industry these days that says, more than likely you already have all that you need baked into you to succeed. Ben's vision as a coach is just to help you navigate through the garbage standing in your way and that perspective is as bold as it is beautiful. Grab a coffee for this one, a notebook, and prepare to just be filled up with some goodness. The Photographic Collective Podcast is a production of PhotoCo, hosted by Arkansas based Photography team Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher. To join the Photographic Collective, a FREE community filled with positive, intentional conversations for the photo/video industry simply click over to https://www.mileswittboyer.com/photoco/hq | |||
| STUPID SIMPLE SALES with special guest Joe Torres || PCP49 | 27 Oct 2022 | 00:49:40 | |
A very special 50th episode featuring special guest Joe Torres. Joe is a wedding photographer and videographer based in New York City who has taken a straight forward, simple approach to selling his services to couples all over the tri state area and has an impressive rate of conversions. His intentional approach to building relationships and establishing trust with clients before discussing cost allows him to convey himself more as an "assistant buyer" than the seller. Through that lens Joe walks us through a sales process as well as gives some great tactics and tidbits on how he has scaled a small photo and video company into a full time job in almost no time with an army of happy clients behind him. Joe is a member of the Photographic Collective Community, a free to join creative group that exists simply to scale the value of the voices inside of it. This conversation is a perfect example of the kind of chat that happens weekly inside the community with the intent on building more legacy minded, service oriented creatives. If you're struggling with how to price your photography, building packages, understanding sales, client workflow, or simply want a refresher on how simple it can be to close the deal with your ideal client when you know how to communicate your value to them : this conversation is for you. https://josephtorresphotography.com/ The Photographic Collective Podcast is hosted by Arkansas based Wedding Photographer Miles Witt Boyer with sound by Jared Mark Fincher. To see an uncut video format of this interview or exclusive video content make sure and click over to our YOUTUBE Channel All information in this podcast is ©2022 Photographic Collective LLC. | |||
| MAYBE YOU JUST NEED A NEW CAMERA. (SPECIAL GUEST TOM WRIGHT) || PCP48 | 24 Oct 2022 | 00:59:36 | |
An in depth conversation with UK commercial photographer and videographer TOM WRIGHT about the newest generation of cameras and how we're being marketed to by the big companies. Whether you're a film maker, portrait photographer, wedding photographer, or hobbiest this conversation is for you. An in depth look at the new Fujifilm XH2 and XH2s (as well as the differences), a chat about some of the flaws in the Canon R5 system, why Tom doesn't prefer Sony, honest perspectives on Leica and more. Hosted by US, Arkansas based wedding photographer Miles Witt Boyer. Miles is a Fujifilm X Photographer and global ambassador who is using the new Fujifilm Xh2 and Xh2S in real world scenarios. The purpose of this interview was to discuss why and how purchasing the right gear matters, how to get beyond the specs and discover if a camera system is a good decision for YOUR brand, and how to shop smart. Whether you're interested in the 8k / 6k open gate options in the newest systems or in need of faster auto focus and more crisp lenses we walk through the elements in 2022 of camera shopping that matter, and a few that do not. Tom Wright is a remarkable storyteller, educator, and consultant based in the UK. His work can be seen here https://www.bytomw.com/ Tom is also an active member of the Photographic Collective, a FREE TO JOIN community for like minded, positive creators. The Photographic Collective podcast is ©2022 Photographic Collective LLC, hosted by Arkansas Photographer Miles Witt Boyer with editing and engineering by Jared Mark Fincher. To see this episode and more content in video form make sure and check out our YOUTUBE channel | |||