The Terrible Photographer Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Patrick calls out the toxic gatekeeping culture that's suffocating creativity in photography — and offers a better way forward for anyone tired of comment-section warriors and gear snobs who've confused being an asshole with having standards.

Episode Summary

From unsolicited critique bros to insecure middle-aged men treating Instagram like academic journals, photography has a gatekeeping problem. This episode explores why photographers can be unnecessarily cruel, how it stems from fear and insecurity, and why the most successful photographers are actually the most generous.

Patrick shares his own experience of being publicly torn apart for a simple business post, reveals his moments of being "that guy" himself, and introduces a framework for filtering feedback that could revolutionize how you handle criticism.

Key Topics Covered

The Gatekeeping Problem

• Why photography culture has become toxically hierarchical
• How fear and insecurity drive cruel behavior online
• The difference between constructive critique and ego-driven attacks

The Psychology Behind Photographer Dickishness

• Callback to Episode 1's "Mount Stupid" concept and Dunning-Kruger effect
• Elizabeth Gilbert's "hungry ghost" — the insatiable ego that feeds on diminishing others
• Why problem-solving instincts can turn toxic without self-awareness

The Feedback Filtering System

• Industry experts: When to listen and take notes
• Peer review: Valuable insights vs. armchair quarterbacking
• General audience: Gut reactions are gold, technical opinions are noise
• Your inner critic: The giant prick who sees flaws invisible to everyone else

What Successful Photographers Actually Do

• Why the most talented photographers are the most generous
• How kindness and collaboration build sustainable careers
• The difference between confidence and cruelty

Key Quotes

This Week's Challenge

Say something kind. Find a photographer whose work you genuinely admire and tell them why — specifically, thoughtfully. Offer encouragement to someone newer than you instead of unsolicited advice.

And if you catch yourself about to post that clever criticism, that technical correction, that snarky observation — pause. Ask yourself: Is this making the photography community better, or am I just trying to feel superior?

Resources Mentioned

• Elizabeth Gilbert (Author of "Big Magic" and the "hungry ghost" concept)
• Dunning-Kruger Effect (Psychological phenomenon from Episode 1)
• "Mount Stupid" (Framework introduced in Episode 1)

Connect

• Website: http://terriblephotographer.com
• Instagram: @terriblephotographer
• Book: Lessons From a Terrible Photographer — https://www.terriblephotographer.com/the-book
• Newsletter: Sign up for Field Notes and get access to "The Darkroom" — exclusive resources and extra content —  https://www.terriblephotographer.com/darkroom-download

Credits

Music provided by and licensed through Artist.io
Episode Photo by Brando Makes Branding | Unsplash

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every two weeks.

Choose the kind of photographer you want to be — choose the one who lifts others up.

Welcome to the first episode of The Terrible Photographer — a podcast for working photographers and creative humans who are done with fake positivity, influencer bullshit, and pretending they have it all figured out.

Episode Summary

Patrick shares the brutal Clubhouse critique that sparked this entire podcast, explores why "terrible" might be the most important phase of your creative development, and introduces the psychological framework every photographer needs to understand: Mount Stupid vs. The Valley of Despair.

This episode sets the foundation for the entire series — examining the messy, honest, human side of making art while trying to survive.

Key Topics Covered

The Clubhouse Origin Story

• How a pandemic-era app became a creative lifeline
• The 22-year-old photography student who delivered the harsh truth
• Why sometimes brutal honesty is exactly what we need

Creative Confidence vs. Competence

• The motorcycle metaphor that explains everything
• "Mount Stupid" — when ego outpaces ability
• "Valley of Despair" — when taste develops faster than skill
• How to navigate both phases without losing your mind

Building Authentic Confidence

• Master your tools until they become extensions of your vision
• Put in the hours — there are no shortcuts to mastery
• Study the masters, ignore everyone else's noise

The Psychology of Creative Growth

• Why the journey isn't a straight line from beginner to master
• How to embrace "terrible" as a necessary phase
• The difference between copying others and finding your voice

Key Quotes

This Week's Challenge

Make something you're not sure about. Not something you know will perform. Make something that's unfinished, too personal, a little uncomfortable. Then sit with it and ask yourself — what am I actually trying to say with this?

You don't have to post it. You don't have to show anyone. But make it. Because that's the muscle you need to build — the willingness to be terrible in service of something true.

Coming Up This Season

• The psychology behind creative growth phases
• Learning from masters vs. learning from peers
• When gear becomes a creative crutch vs. a creative tool
• Navigating burnout without losing your creative voice
• Why "terrible" photographers often become the most authentic ones

About Patrick Fore

Patrick is a commercial photographer who shoots brands, portraits, and campaigns. He's also someone who spends an embarrassing amount of time questioning whether what he's making actually matters. Previously lead photographer at Taylor Guitars, Patrick has experienced both the creative highs and soul-crushing lows of working in the photography industry.

Resources Mentioned

• Clubhouse (the pandemic-era audio app that started it all)
• Jeff Lipsky (photographer whose versatility across genres inspired the original comment)
• Dunning-Kruger Effect (the psychological phenomenon behind "Mount Stupid")

Connect

• Website: http://terriblephotographer.com
• Instagram: @terriblephotographer
• Patrick's (The Host) Instagram: @patrickfore
• Book: Lessons From a Terrible Photographer — https://www.terriblephotographer.com/the-book
• Newsletter: Sign up for Field Notes for free resources and extra content — https://the-terrible-photographer.kit.com/223fe471fb

Credits

Music provided by and licensed through Artist.io
Episode Photo by Ümit Bulut | Unsplash

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every two weeks.

If this episode hit somewhere between doubt and inspiration, share it with a fellow creative who's out there trying to figure it out too. We're just getting started — and we're glad you found it.

A show about creativity, survival, and making work that actually means something.

Hosted by commercial photographer and reluctant philosopher Patrick Fore, this podcast isn’t about gear, presets, or going viral. It’s about the tension of making honest work in a curated world — and what it means to stay inspired when you're burned out, broke, or creatively adrift.

Every episode blends storytelling, creative coaching, and just enough sarcasm to keep it human. You’ll find tales of test shoots and client chaos, deep dives into visual identity and artistic voice, and unexpected detours into topics like burnout, authenticity, failure, and the science behind creativity.

This show is for working photographers, half-working photographers, and anyone who’s ever wondered if they’re too late, too tired, or too weird to make something great.

Subscribe to Field Notes

The podcast is the campfire, Field Notes is what you take home. Field Notes is the weekly email companion to this podcast, one part creative letter, one part behind-the-scenes mess, all bullshit-free.

→ Sign up here

In this raw and unflinching episode, Patrick explores the psychology behind creative self-doubt and why your inner critic might be the biggest obstacle to your growth. Drawing from neuroscience research and brutally honest personal stories, this episode tackles the uncomfortable truths about self-criticism that most creative podcasts won't touch.

Warning: This episode contains frank discussions about mental health, financial anxiety, and the psychological realities of creative work. It's designed for mature audiences who want real talk, not feel-good platitudes.

Key Topics Covered

The Neuroscience of Self-Sabotage

• Why your brain is wired to focus on negativity (5:1 ratio)
• How rumination hijacks your mental bandwidth
• The evolution from dramatic self-torture to quiet resignation

The Economics of Self-Doubt

• How class background affects creative confidence
• Why self-doubt gets worse when money is tight
• The hidden costs of financial insecurity on artistic judgment

Uncomfortable Truths About Creative Culture

• Client enablement of perfectionism
• The "natural talent" myth exposed
• People-pleasing as disguised fear
• Why suffering doesn't equal depth

Practical Damage Control

• The 10-minute suffering limit technique
• Evidence-based reality testing
• How to separate creative concerns from financial anxiety
• The 10-10-10 rule for perspective

Personal Stories Featured

• The automotive campaign that Patrick assumed was a failure (spoiler: it wasn't)
• Why he had to hire an editor to select his own portfolio images
• The year-long assumption of client disappointment based on radio silence
• The self-fulfilling prophecy of boundary issues and burnout

Research Referenced

• Dr. Peter Grinspoon (Harvard Health): Rumination as "counterproductive brooding"
• Dr. Manju Antil: The psychology of "mental masturbation"
• Neuroscience findings: Amygdala processing speeds and negativity bias
• Default mode network: How your brain rehearses failures during downtime

Quotes from This Episode

"Your inner critic isn't sharpening you. It's using you. It doesn't want better art. It wants blood."

"Sometimes we choose misery because it's familiar. Because if we fail while already hating ourselves, at least we saw it coming."

"The critic doesn't need to scream anymore. It just quietly assumes the worst, and you've stopped arguing with it."

"You're not short on skill. You're short on the courage to suck long enough to get good."

Episode Challenge

Pick a project you've been avoiding because it scares you. Set a timer for one hour and work on it without judgment. When the inner critic starts up, acknowledge it and keep moving. When the timer goes off, stop—no evaluation, no spiraling.

Bonus challenge: Reach out to a client who went radio silent after you delivered work. Ask how they liked it. You might be surprised by the answer.

Content Warnings

• Frank discussions of mental health struggles
• References to financial anxiety and class issues
• Honest examination of self-destructive thought patterns
• Brief mention of suicide (Kurt Cobain reference)

Resources Mentioned

• Lessons From a Terrible Photographer (Patrick's book)
• Harvard Health Publishing articles on rumination
• Research on repetitive negative thinking and creativity

Who This Episode Is For

• Photographers struggling with perfectionism and self-doubt
• Creative professionals dealing with imposter syndrome
• Anyone who's ever spent hours "fixing" work that was already good
• People who want honest conversations about the psychological side of creative work

Who This Episode Is NOT For

• Anyone looking for surface-level motivation or feel-good content
• Listeners uncomfortable with discussions of mental health
• People seeking traditional business or technical photography advice

Connect

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Mental health in creative industries matters, and these conversations save careers—and sometimes lives.

Website: http://terriblephotographer.com
Instagram: @terriblephotographer
Book: Lessons From a Terrible Photographer — https://www.terriblephotographer.com/the-book
Newsletter: Sign up for Field Notes and get access to "The Darkroom" — exclusive resources and extra content — https://www.terriblephotographer.com/darkroom-download

Credits

Music provided by and licensed through Artist.io
Episode Photo by David Matos | Unsplash

Note: This podcast is obviously not a substitute for professional mental health treatment. If you're struggling with persistent negative thoughts or depression, please consult a qualified mental health professional.

You’re not missing a magic lens. There’s no course, preset pack, or algorithm trick that’s secretly holding you back. The truth is less glamorous — but way more powerful.

In this episode, Patrick peels back the myth of overnight success and calls out the industry’s obsession with shortcuts. Through stories from world-class kitchens, overlooked jazz clubs, and forgotten film sets, he explores why consistency beats charisma — and how real careers are built, not handed out.

If you’ve ever wondered when your “break” is coming, this one’s for you.

What You’ll Hear

1. Why the most successful creatives aren’t the flashiest
2.  Five habits that actually move the needle (and none of them involve reels)
3. The story of a chef who listened — and made a memory
4. What it means to show up when no one’s watching
5. How invisible work becomes your reputation

Creative Challenge

Audit your last 5 shoots. Did you…

• Show up fully?
• Solve problems?
• Listen?
• Bring kindness into the room?

No shame. Just an invitation to recommit. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about muscle memory.

Credits:
Episode Photo by Sangam Sharma | Unsplash

Field Notes is what you take home.

A weekly companion letter from Patrick: behind-the-scenes mess, creative prompts, and human reminders — all bullshit-free.

→ Join here

This one’s personal.

In this episode, Patrick shares the story of a full-blown burnout that ended behind a dumpster — and why it didn’t start there. We talk about what burnout really looks like (spoiler: it’s not just being tired), how the body reacts to prolonged stress, and how that quiet voice telling you you’ve “lost it” might just be your nervous system waving a white flag.

With insight from Dr. Michelle Hagel, a breakdown of chronic fight-or-flight, and a challenge for anyone teetering on the edge, this episode is for the creatives who feel dim — but aren’t done.

If you’ve been wondering why the spark is fading, or if you’ll ever feel like yourself again… this one’s for you.

Credits
Episode Photo by Caleb Wright | Unsplash

Subscribe to Field Notes

The podcast is the campfire, Field Notes is what you take home. Field Notes is the weekly email companion to this podcast, one part creative letter, one part behind-the-scenes mess, all bullshit-free.

→ Sign up here

This week’s episode isn’t about trends, trolls, or gear. It’s about something quieter — the part of you that refuses to give up, even when the work feels impossible.

We explore the idea of creative resistance, the myth of “falling behind,” and why showing up (even in small ways) is its own kind of creative power. There’s a story about trees, Biosphere 2, and why life’s “wind” might be shaping you more than you think.

We also talk about:

• The reality of trying to make work while making rent.
• How surviving is creative.
• Why creative seasons matter (even the dormant ones).
• Lessons from Toni Morrison, Gregory Heisler, and Joe McNally.

This one’s for anyone who’s tired, unsure, or just needs a reminder that still being here — still caring, still seeing — is enough.

Credits
Episode Photo by Claudio Schwarz  | Unsplash

Subscribe to Field Notes

The podcast is the campfire, Field Notes is what you take home. Field Notes is the weekly email companion to this podcast, one part creative letter, one part behind-the-scenes mess, all bullshit-free.

→ Sign up here

this episode is a love letter to color. Not just as an aesthetic choice—but as psychology, science, culture, and storytelling.

We start with a fictional moment on a busy New York City street, then dive into a 5-minute crash course on color theory (Bill Nye style), unpack cultural associations across time and geography, and land on practical ways to use color intentionally in your work. Whether you’re new to photography or 10 years deep into your career, this episode will challenge you to see color not as decoration, but as direction.

You’ll also hear vintage narration clips from the 1998 documentary Light, Darkness and Colours. For more info, visit the Top Documentary Films page.

Plus: old-school science film voiceovers, an Ira Glass-style segue, and a dad joke buried in the ad break. You’re welcome.

Subscribe to Field Notes

The podcast is the campfire, Field Notes is what you take home. Field Notes is the weekly email companion to this podcast, one part creative letter, one part behind-the-scenes mess, all bullshit-free.

→ Sign up here

Creative Challenge:

Use Adobe Color to explore a single color palette. Build an entire image—or image series—around it. Let color drive your lighting, styling, and emotional arc.

Music Credit:

🎵 “Color” by Wesley Jensen & The Penny Arcade – used with permission via Musicbed.

Stay Connected:

Follow the new Instagram feed at @terriblephotographer

or visit www.terriblephotographer.com to join the newsletter and get the first chapter of the upcoming book.

We all start by imitating. That’s human. But somewhere along the line, many of us stopped making work we love — and started making work that just looks like it belongs to someone else.

In this episode, Patrick tells the strange, slightly heartbreaking story of Klarbinnax-7, an alien who crash-lands in California and becomes a crude copy of a workshop guru named Brad. Through this fictional tale (that’s not so fictional), we dive deep into the psychology of conformity, the cost of mimicry, and how to find your voice again when everything around you screams “just do it like them.”

If you’ve ever felt stuck making the kind of work that doesn’t feel like you, this one’s for you.

🎧 Topics Covered:

• Why we follow, even when it costs us
• How photography education became a billion-dollar industry
• The subtle burnout of imitation
• 3 practical steps to break the cycle and make weird, personal, unforgettable work again

🌀 Creative Challenge:

If you stopped caring what other photographers thought of your work—if you weren't trying to impress them, join their communities, or earn their validation—what would your photography actually look like?

Subscribe to Field Notes

The podcast is the campfire, Field Notes is what you take home. Field Notes is the weekly email companion to this podcast, one part creative letter, one part behind-the-scenes mess, all bullshit-free.

→ Sign up here

Not what your clients want. Not what the algorithm rewards. Not what workshops taught you. But what would you create if the only person you needed to please was yourself?

📩 Feedback or thoughts? Email Patrick: [email protected]

📸 Follow: @TerriblePhotographer

What happens when you still love photography but start to wonder if there’s any place left for you in the industry?

In this raw, vulnerable episode, Patrick Fore gets brutally honest about what it means to be a working photographer in 2025. From a moment of personal crisis in a cluttered garage to the soul-draining grind of cold outreach and algorithm-chasing, this episode pulls back the curtain on the emotional and existential cost of staying in the game.

You’ll hear:

• Why radical honesty might be the only antidote to creative burnout
• The tension between art and commerce, and why it matters more than ever
• A reflection on the dark side of the photography education economy
• A personal story about hitting the wall, and choosing not to walk away
• A deeper dive into the concept of Flow vs. Resistance, and how to find your way back to meaning in the chaos

Whether you’re a full-time freelancer, a weekend warrior, or someone questioning the whole damn thing, this episode isn’t about pretending. It’s about naming the mess, wrestling with it, and finding a way to keep going.

📬 Subscribe to Field Notes, the weekly companion to the podcast:

https://www.terriblephotographer.com

💬 Let’s connect:

Instagram @TerriblePhotographer

Newsletter: Field Notes (via Substack)

Book: Lessons From a Terrible Photographer (coming soon)
Email me - [email protected]

Credits:

This episode contains a referenced clip from “How to enter ‘flow state’ on command” by Steven Kotler for Big Think (Watch here) and a short excerpt (under 30 seconds) from Pixar’s Soul, used to illustrate the concept of creative flow.

Music provided by and licensed through Artlist.io.