The Photographer Mindset

Dalton Johnson (@storiesbydalton) is a photographer, adventurer, and journalist who has collaborated with renowned brands such as Patagonia, Big Agnes, and Rivian.

In this episode, Dalton shares his own experiences in an effort to help photographers understand how they can leverage free work as a tool for growth, the importance of persistence in marketing their craft, and the cyclical process of building a thriving creative career. ...

Eric Bennett (@bennettfilm) is a nature photographer, artist, and storyteller who brings an intentional and deeply personal approach to his craft.

How does a photographer transform the ordinary into the extraordinary? What is the role of creativity in connecting more deeply with the world around us? Eric shares his philosophy on capturing meaningful images, the importance of slowing down and observing, and his thoughts on staying tr...

Justin Haugen (@photowarlock) is a commercial photographer, creative professional, and a father navigating the challenges of balancing career and family life.

What does it take to pivot from a flourishing wedding photography career to the dynamic world of commercial photography? How do you stay creatively fulfilled while facing the realities of parenthood and life’s unexpected changes? Justin’s story is one of evolution, resilience,...

How can free gigs pave the way for a thriving creative career? We dissect the art of turning unpaid work into meaningful opportunities in this episode. From playing the long game and smartly building your portfolio to balancing effort in free projects and leveraging relationships, we break down how to make every opportunity count. This conversation is meant to be your guide to strategically navigating free work and setting yourself...

How do you elevate your creative work when revisiting familiar places or projects? This episode explores how revisiting locations or concepts with fresh eyes can help refine your process and strengthen your portfolio. Aaron and Seth break down the value of intentional shooting, learning from past experiences, and finding balance between capturing the moment and simply enjoying it. From improving your approach to preparation to craf...

In this episode we're joined by photographer and filmmaker Chris Burkard (@chrisburkard) as he shares his insights on storytelling, creative exploration, and balancing ambition with family life. Chris dives into the leap from dreaming to achieving, finding joy in the creative process, and building a meaningful legacy through connection with nature. He opens up about cultivating curiosity, overcoming impostor syndrome, and rede...

Part two is here, and we’re bringing more reflections and lessons learned from our photography journeys. This time, we’re talking about the power of focusing on fewer, impactful goals, finding balance in your social media habits, and navigating the endless tug-of-war with perfectionism. With honest stories, practical advice, and relatable insights, this episode is packed with ideas to help you sharpen your focus and build a creativ...

Everyone makes mistakes, but in this episode, we’re owning them and sharing the valuable lessons they brought us. From pouring too much energy into social media to regretfully underpricing creative work, skipping contracts, and being enticed by the exposure promises of predatory photography sharing platforms, we're breaking down what we got wrong in our photography journeys. We reflect on these missteps with personal stories, ...

This episode dives into the controversial topic of gatekeeping in the photography community, unpacking both sides of the debate on sharing knowledge versus earning it through experience. We explore the role of mentorship, the importance of building meaningful connections, and the true value of learning through experimentation and persistence. With personal anecdotes and actionable advice, this conversation aims to inspire photograp...

This episode is part two of our two-part series, where we continue exploring the lessons that have defined our photography journeys. We dig into the art of building a unique editing style through fearless experimentation, the importance of harnessing early passion to create momentum, and the value of protecting your mental space with practical tools like managing notifications. We also reflect on the power of surrounding yourself w...

In today’s episode, we reflect on our photography journeys, sharing pivotal strategies and mindset shifts that have shaped our growth. We explore the art of building momentum from small gigs, mastering versatility to meet different creative demands, and finding freedom in letting go of rigid expectations. With compelling stories and thoughtful analogies to keep things engaging, this conversation offers plenty of inspiration for pho...

In this episode, we challenged ourselves to create an entire episode without mentioning photography, not even once! What seemed simple at first turned out to be a tough but rewarding experiment. The episode serves as an experiment and demonstration of how it’s okay to take a pause from your duties, even when an audience has come to expect something specific from you. 

This rare break gave us the chance to check in on each other as f...

Are photography contests worth your time? Can submitting your work really change your creative trajectory or confidence? Seth and Aaron sit down with photographer Neil Dankoff (@neildankoff), VIEWBUG CEO Ori Guttin, and Zach Hodges from VSCO to explore how photography contests go far beyond competing for prizes and likes, offering insight into your work, sharpening your skills, and pushing you to think outside the Instagram bubble.

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When faced with the question "If everything is meaningless, why bother?" how do we push forward as creatives and start or resume sharing our work again?

Seth and Aaron explore what it means to create in a world that often feels saturated, overwhelming, and cosmically insignificant. They reflect on their own experiences of creative nihilism, the creeping sense that no creative act really matters in the grand scheme of thing...

In this episode, we chat with Eric Yang (@yangez) , CEO of Topaz Labs (@topazlabs), about the future of photo and video creation over the next 5 to 10 years. Eric shares how advancements in AI and creative tools are set to make high-production-value visuals nearly effortless, shifting the focus from technical skills to the art of authentic storytelling. We explore how these innovations will redefine what it means to be a creator, p...

Why do our creative journeys twist and turn in unexpected ways?

This episode opens with a nostalgic throwback to one of the first times Aaron and Seth met during an Instagram Live exchange five years ago. Taking inspiration from a listener’s suggestion, we reflect on how we met, got started, earned our first dollar behind the camera, and how our motivations as creators have evolved over time.

We unpack early successes, setbacks, and ...

Why does hard work sometimes fall short of delivering the results we expect? In this episode, we uncover the non-linear relationship between effort and success, challenging the idea that rewards are always proportional to the work we put in. Through self reflections, we discuss the frustration around fairness, the role of external validation, and the power of self-auditing to find your "fifth gear" without burning out. By...

In this episode we chat with Ryan Peters (@ryanpeterspgh) a.k.a "Peter's Pasta", a Pittsburgh-based chef and pasta enthusiast whose viral TikTok and Instagram videos have captivated millions. Ryan shares his inspiring story of transitioning from the demanding restaurant world to becoming a full-time content creator and pasta entrepreneur, all fuelled by a 64-day obsession with perfecting his craft. Discover how he bl...

In this episode, we chat with Vaughn Ridley (@vaughnridley), NBA team photographer for the Toronto Raptors and Getty Images photographer, about his journey into sports photography and what it takes to capture the raw emotion and intensity of professional basketball. Vaughn shares his process for balancing instinct with preparation during fast-paced events. He reflects on memorable moments with the Raptors and operating in high-pres...