My Creative Journey - Photography Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Claire Darwish is the founder of Gallery Lane Magazine and in this episode she breaks down why so many photographers are attracting the wrong clients. Before she was teaching marketing, Claire was fully booked, shooting 15 to 20 family photography sessions a week. On paper, it looked like success. Six figures within months, constant inquiries and a calendar that never stopped. But behind the scenes she was editing until 2am, replying to emails in the car and missing time with her kids while on family holidays because she couldn't switch off. She had built momentum, but it was pulling her away from the reason she started in the first place.

In this conversation, we unpack the real reason photographers end up overworked or attracting the wrong clients. We talk about the trap of copying trends, chasing reach, and creating content for the algorithm instead of speaking directly to your ideal client. Claire shares how defining her ideal client changed her systems, communication style, inquiry process and marketing strategy. We explore why your ideal client is often a reflection of your values, how shared beliefs matter more than demographics, and why clarity is the difference between being busy and being fulfilled.

If you have ever felt stuck chasing trends, growing on Instagram but not booking the right people or wondering why your content isn't converting, this episode will help you recalibrate.

Claire's Instagram | Gallery Lane Instagram

Sign up for Gallery Lane Magazine 

Claire's Website 

Listen to Mike's Interview with Claire on Tog Royalty

In this episode we discuss: • How to define your ideal client as a photographer • Why copying Instagram trends attracts the wrong clients • Photography marketing strategies that convert into real bookings • The difference between Instagram reach and attracting aligned clients • How viral content can hurt your brand positioning • Overbooking, burnout, and the hidden cost of being fully booked • Setting boundaries and building sustainable systems in your photography business • Hands off vs hands on clients and how to market differently to each • Building a photography business that supports your life, not consumes it

Thanks for tuning in and if you did enjoy todays episode, make sure to leave a Rating or Review on your platform of choice.

Check out the Video Podcast on YouTube

Mike's Instagram | Mike's TikTok

Editing and Post Production by Mossy Heart Media https://www.instagram.com/mossyheartmedia/

Music Created by JWPATON

Laura Shepherd is a wedding photographer, flash enthusiast and educator based in Portland, Oregon known for her bold, editorial style and refreshingly simple approach to off camera flash. In this episode, we go deep into flash photography and break down why so many photographers overcomplicate it. Laura shares how she learned flash early in her career, why she believes light is creative rather than technical and intimidating and how simplifying education has become part of her mission.

We also dive into her journey from working in marketing at Nike, to becoming a corporate flight attendant, to discovering photography during 2020 and completely changing her life. She talks openly about imposter syndrome, burnout, social media, and what it means to be an introvert building community online. If flash has ever confused you, intimidated you, or felt overly technical, this conversation will help you rethink it completely.

Laura's Off Camera Flash Guide: https://www.laurashepherdimages.com/product-page/master-guide-to-off-camera-flash

Say Hi to Laura on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurashepherdimages/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laura_shepherd_images

Sign up for updates from Laura about new courses & guides: https://mailchi.mp/09a9bef98304/laura-shepherd-images-email-list

In this episode we talk about: - Why flash doesn’t have to look flashy - How to actually understand aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and flash working together - The biggest mistakes photographers make when learning flash - Why copying someone else’s settings will never work - TTL vs manual on real wedding days - How to recognise flash in other people’s work - Using higher apertures like f/8, f/11 or even f/14 for that editorial look - When one flash is enough and when two lights make sense - How to get comfortable moving your flash off camera

Thanks for tuning in and if you did enjoy todays episode, make sure to leave a Rating or Review on your platform of choice.

Check out the Video Podcast on YouTube

Mike's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikejeffreyphoto/ Mike's TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mikejeffreyphoto/

Editing and Post Production by Mossy Heart Media https://www.mossyheartmedia.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/mossyheartmedia/

Music Created by JWPATON https://www.instagram.com/jwptn/

Gemma Higlett, Floral Designer, Stylist, and trained Marketer, joins Mike to unpack the marketing secrets every creative should know. They dive into why showing your face matters more than perfect work, how authenticity builds a stronger brand than aesthetics, and why sharing the messy middle of your journey is often the most powerful marketing you can do. Gemma talks about her transition from corporate PR and marketing into the creative world, the fears she had around being seen, and how learning to show up online transformed her business.

Together they explore practical marketing strategies creatives can put into action immediately, from getting over the fear of posting, to understanding what actually drives connection, to pricing your work with confidence instead of scarcity. They break down why so many creatives get stuck waiting for perfection, how to get real feedback from clients, and why relationships and collaboration will always outperform trying to build a business alone. Whether you are a photographer, florist, stylist or any kind of creative business owner, this episode will help you rethink your marketing, show up more consistently, and finally understand how to build a brand people connect with.

Say Hi to Gemma:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sub.subtle Website - https://www.subsubtle.com.au Party Stems Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/party.stems Party Stems Website - https://www.partystems.com.au

Thanks for tuning in and if you did enjoy todays episode, make sure to leave a Rating or Review on your platform of choice.

Check out the Video Podcast on YouTube

Mike's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikejeffreyphoto/ Mike's TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mikejeffreyphoto/

Editing and Post Production by Mossy Heart Media https://www.mossyheartmedia.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/mossyheartmedia/

Music Created by JWPATON https://www.instagram.com/jwptn/

This week on My Creative Journey, I talk about an epiphany that I had a couple of years ago when I discovered that I could actually make a career out of being Creative. Like most people, I grew up believing that Artists were just these mythical creatures that you only see in movies and that no one actually ever did Art as a career. One thing that I hear so often, is people saying that you can't make a living out of being an Artist and this simply just isn't true. In this episode I dive into all the reasons why I believe that being an Artist is actually a more stable and realistic career than most other childhood dreams, it's just about knowing how to get there. I hope you all enjoy this episode and I wish you all a safe and happy week :)

Ps. If you did enjoy today's episode, I would honestly appreciate it so much if you could leave me a review on your podcast platform of choice. I read every single one and it really does make a difference in helping this podcast grow and succeed :)

Pss. You can find me on Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/themikejeffrey/ *Send me a message, I would love to hear from you guys*

In this weeks episode of My Creative Journey, I talk about why it's so important to put your work out there into the world. Part of being an artist and creating anything means that you will have critics, but criticism doesn't always have to be a negative thing. A skill we must all learn is to determine whether feedback is constructive, and if it is, how you can learn from it in order to improve.

I speak from experience in this episode as it's the first episode that I actually told anyone about. In the first 4 weeks of making this podcast I had no listeners because I hadn't yet shared the podcast with the world. This was mostly out of fear and I had adopted the principal that you can't fail if no one else knows that you tried. I'm so glad that I finally shared it this week and I hope you guys enjoy listening!

Ps. If you did enjoy today's episode, I would love it so so much if you could leave me a review on your podcast platform of choice. I read every single one and it really does make a difference in helping this podcast grow and succeed :)

Pss. You can find me on Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/themikejeffrey/

Send me a message, I would love to hear from you guys

In this weeks episode of My Creative Journey, I speak out the importance of taking your creative job seriously. This may seem like an obvious point but it is often easier said than done. From experience I know how hard it can be to maintain a work/life balance when running your own creative business. Setting boundaries and putting systems in place to succeed are often the only way to get around these initial struggles. In this episode I give you guys 5 tips or ideas that I have had in my first year in business that I think will help you take your creative career seriously!

I really do hope you guys get so much out of this one and that it inspires you to pursue a creative career.

Ps. If you did enjoy today's episode, I would love it so so much if you could leave me a review on your podcast platform of choice. I read every single one and it really does make a difference in helping this podcast grow and succeed :)

Pss. You can find me on Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/themikejeffrey/

Send me a message, I would love to hear from you guys

In this weeks episode of My Creative Journey, I speak out how I started my Freelance Photography Business and tackle the age old question of should you work for free! I'm currently trying to pivot my business in a new direction and that has had me wondering how on earth am I going to find new clients for the style of work that I would like to be doing. Finding new clients for any new business can be tough but in this episode I go back to how I originally started my business and try to get some pointers for my upcoming pivot.

I really hope you guys get something out of this one!

Ps. If you did enjoy today's episode, I would love it so so much if you could leave me a review on your podcast platform of choice. I read every single one and it really does make a difference in helping this podcast grow and succeed :)

Pss. You can find me on Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/themikejeffrey/

Send me a message, I would love to hear from you guys

In this weeks episode of My Creative Journey, I speak out determining what it is you are meant to do with your life. I unravel tough questions like whether you should change careers and battle with cliche phrases like "you'll know when you know". I am sure all of us have asked ourselves this question at least once in our lives so becoming equipped with the tools to work through and answer such a question is just so important. I really hope you guys get something out of this one! Ps. If you did enjoy today's episode, I would love it so so much if you could leave me a review on your podcast platform of choice. I read every single one and it really does make a difference in helping this podcast grow and succeed :) Pss. You can find me on Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/themikejeffrey/ *Send me a message, I would love to hear from you guys*

G'Day Everyone and Welcome to My Creative Journey!!! In today's Inaugural Episode, I speak about my own creative journey and what steps I have taken so far to build a creative career for myself. I go through the struggles and the triumphs of being in business and give you tips on how to take your own leap into that creative lifestyle. This being my first ever episode, I share what it has been like to start a podcast and why I finally decided to jump into Podcasting over other forms of communicating like YouTube and Instagram. I really hope you guys enjoy Episode One, Mike. Ps. If you did enjoy today's episode, I would love it so so much if you could leave me a review on your podcast platform of choice. I read every single one and it really does make a difference in helping this podcast grow and succeed. Pss. You can find me on Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/themikejeffrey/ *Send me a message, I would love to hear from you guys*

Francisco Hernandez, Portrait Photographer and long time flash educator, joins Mike to unpack how photographers can build a signature style with flash photography. They explore the mindset behind creating consistent work, why flash gives you more control in unpredictable environments, and how understanding light can completely change the way you shoot. Francisco shares the early struggles that shaped his approach, the years spent experimenting with strobes and high speed sync, and the practical ways beginners can learn flash without feeling overwhelmed. Together they dive into style development, creative confidence, and why trying trends, even when they feel overdone, can still lead you toward your own unique look. Mike and Francisco break down how one light can transform an image, how to blend flash with natural elements, and why honest experimentation is the key to finding your voice. Whether you are new to off camera flash or looking to create a recognisable visual identity in your work, this episode will help you understand how flash can become the foundation of your signature style.

Say Hi to Francisco: YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@fjhphoto Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fjhphoto Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fjhphoto Website - https://www.fjhphoto.com/

Thanks for tuning in and if you did enjoy todays episode, make sure to leave a Rating or Review on your platform of choice.

Check out the Video Podcast on YouTube

Mike's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikejeffreyphoto/ Mike's TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mikejeffreyphoto/

Editing & Post Production by Mossy Heart Media https://www.www.mossyheartmedia.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/mossyheartmedia/

Music Created by JWPATON https://www.instagram.com/jwptn/