The Photog Files: Photography, Creativity and Everything In Between

The Photog Files

The start of a new year can feel overwhelming—especially for creatives. In this episode of The Photog Files, we slow things down.

This is a calm, reflective New Year conversation about looking back without judgment, finding inspiration again through curiosity (not pressure), and starting fresh without the noise of hustle culture.

If you’re a photographer or creative feeling stuck, behind, or unsure where to begin this...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I will be taking a break until January. Thank you for listening.

Hosted by Rick Nelson — photographer, storyteller, and creator of The Photog Files.Follow me on Instagram: @carolinahawkeyeExplore my work: ricknelson.photographyVisit my YouTube channel: RickNelsonPhotoSubscribe to The Photog Files on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere podcasts are heard.

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Some of the most important photographs you’ll ever take are the ones no one else will ever see.

In this episode of The Photog Files, Rick explores why unshared photos — the unfinished, imperfect, and private ones — often shape us more as photographers than the images we post online. From creative freedom to failure without pressure, this episode is a reminder that growth often happens quietly, away from likes, algorithms, and valida...

Film photography has a way of slowing you down — not just as a photographer, but as a human being. In a world obsessed with speed, perfection, and instant results, shooting film forces you to breathe, observe, and trust yourself in a way digital rarely does.

In this episode, Rick explores the unexpected lessons film taught him: patience in the process, acceptance of imperfection, the beauty of letting go of control, and the quiet hu...

In this episode of The Photog Files, Rick Nelson dives into one of the biggest modern photography debates: Is photography becoming too easy? With smartphones calculating light, AI fixing mistakes, and cameras practically shooting for us, it’s tempting to think the craft is being watered down.
But Rick argues the opposite — this era is the most creatively liberating time in photography’s entire history.

Hosted by Rick Nelson —...

A single idea can change your entire creative life — and in this episode, Rick Nelson breaks down why a personal project might be the most important thing a photographer can commit to.

Whether you’re stuck in a rut, craving direction, or simply tired of shooting without purpose, this conversation explores how one simple theme, repeated with intention, can transform your style, sharpen your identity, and reconnect you to the reason y...

Sometimes the most powerful growth in photography doesn’t come from chasing new places — it comes from returning to the ones we think we already know.
In this episode of The Photog Files, Rick Nelson explores the quiet art of coming back to a familiar scene, and why repetition isn’t sameness — it’s evolution.

Through reflection, philosophy, and personal stories from behind the lens, Rick uncovers a deeper truth about creativity:<...

Perfection is the quiet killer of creativity. In this episode of The Photog Files, Rick Nelson explores the myth of the “perfect shot” — why chasing flawlessness can hold you back, and how imperfection is actually where authenticity lives.

Through honest reflection, philosophy, and personal stories from behind the lens, Rick uncovers the deeper truth about art: that beauty isn’t found in control, but in the moments we can’t predict ...

What makes one photo feel flat and another feel alive? In this episode, host Rick Nelson explores the art of seeing in layers — a mindset that transforms the way you capture the world.

Rick breaks down how depth, light, and emotion work together to create photographs that pull people in. You’ll learn how to spot layers in your environment, use movement and light to build dimension, and tell richer stories through composition and per...

Ever feel like everyone else is creating faster, better, or more beautifully than you? You’re not alone — and this episode is for you.

In “Creating Without Comparison,” host Rick Nelson dives into one of the biggest creative traps we all face: measuring our worth against someone else’s highlight reel. Through honest reflection and practical tools, Rick explores how to quiet the noise, reconnect with your own rhythm, and build work t...

Inspiration isn’t hiding in faraway places — it’s sitting right in front of you. In this episode, Rick explores how to turn the small, ordinary details of life into fuel for your craft. Whether it’s the light on your morning coffee, the rhythm of your train ride, or a passing shadow on the wall, these quiet moments can become powerful creative prompts.

This episode isn’t just about noticing — it’s about doing.
Rick shares practic...

After burnout, the hardest part isn’t picking the camera back up — it’s finding your rhythm again.
In this deeply reflective episode, Rick opens up about what it really feels like to lose your creative flow — that quiet disconnect between the art you love and the energy to make it. From standing at Yates Mill watching perfect light fade without taking a single shot, to rediscovering curiosity through small, “stupid simple” momen...

What happens when the thing you love most… stops feeling like you?

In this deeply personal episode, Rick opens up about the moment he almost walked away from creating altogether. Between long nights, heartbreak, and burnout, he found himself staring at his camera — unsure if he’d ever pick it up again.

But what started as an ending became the spark for a new beginning. Through honest reflection and rediscovering his love for photogra...

We all know the feeling — you’ve made something you’re proud of, but then the doubts creep in. Is it good enough? What will people think? Before long, your work is hidden away on a hard drive instead of out in the world.

In this episode of The Photog Files, we’ll talk about how to quiet the overthinking, build confidence in your creativity, and take that brave step of sharing your work. You’ll hear stories of artists and photographe...

You made time for creativity — now what?

In this follow-up to last week’s episode, we explore how to actually fill that creative time with ideas, even when life feels ordinary or uninspired.

You’ll learn how to:

• ​Retrain your brain to notice hidden inspiration in your daily life
• ​Use creative journaling to capture ideas before they disappear
• ​Photograph the everyday moments that are shaping your story
• ​Turn life’s frustrations into f...

Life never slows down on its own — so if you want to create, you have to choose to. In this episode, I share practical, realistic ways to carve out time for creativity (even in a packed schedule) and a motivational push to get you back into your flow. Whether you’re a photographer, writer, or just someone who misses feeling inspired, this is your reminder that creativity isn’t optional — it’s fuel.

Thank you for listening please Lik...

In this new season / Episode I go out in the field. Chasing Landscapes around the Somerset Dam region of Queensland, Australia. Let me know what you think buy commenting, liking and subscribing. Also check out my Instagrams and YouTube channel below.

Instagram Main: https://www.instagram.com/carolinahawkeye/

Instagram Black & White:https://www.instagram.com/carolinanightowl/

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RickNelsonPhot...