May 17, 2023 • 59 mins
Listen to this episode of the Savory Shot featuring Dyutima Jha, a seasoned architect turned food photographer and podcast host who found her creative liberation through Instagram's food world. DJ shares her unique perspective on the power of social media in shaping and nurturing our passions. Tune in and hear about her journey, hits and misses, and how she leveraged a digital platform to enhance her love for food and creativity.
Savory Shot Shownote: https://micamccook.com/guests/dyutima-jha-the-savory-shot-episode/ Website: https://micamccook.com/podcast Instagram: www.instragram.com/mica.mccook Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesavoryshotpodcast Would you like to be a guest on the show? Fill out the guest form, and we'll be in touch soon.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Mica (00:00):
Welcome to the 26th episode of the Savory Shot.
Y'all know who I be.
It's your host with the most.
Mica.
I wanna start this partay off byextending a heartfelt thank you to
each and every one of you, y'all.
(00:22):
Your love for this little podcastfuels me to keep the trainer rolling.
I'm like the Temptations.
Mica was a rolling stone.
Whether this is your first time tuning inor if you've been with me from the humble
jump, I am so grateful for your support.
(00:42):
You could have been anywhere.
Doing anything.
But you hear with me.
And y'all that fills my heartto the brim and overflowing.
So thank you.
Now I have a question for y'all.
Did you catch last week'sepisode with Dyutima Jha?
A.K.A DJ.
(01:02):
I don't know what's goingon here, but work with me.
I've had a lot of coffee andI am energized like the bunny.
Bing, bing, bing, bing.
Seriously, y'all.
If you didn't catch that episode,you better stop, drop, and roll
your way back and give it a listen.
DJ was spitting gospelleft and right Y'all.
(01:25):
Her journey, her story and her advicewill gas you up and make you wanna charge
into the world with your camera in tow.
Y'all, please go listen to it.
I promise you won't forget it, but y'all.
But let's talk about today's episode.
This one is a special one, y'all.
(01:45):
Today mark's a momentous occasion.
My Savory Squad, listen up.
It's been an entire year since thebirth of the Savory Shot, y'all.
I can't believe it.
I can't believe that I've spent 12months, 52 weeks, and 365 days neck
(02:08):
deep in the most flavor packed, deepconversations about photography,
entrepreneurship, creativity, self-care.
Y'all, I couldn't have asked for abetter journey, but before we get
into that, let's start the show.
(03:01):
It's hard to believe it'sbeen one whole ass year.
Y'all.
I've been extremely fortunate to havesuch a diverse lineup of book guests.
I've had food photographers, foodstylists, educators, art directors,
celebrated cookbook authors, and y'all,each guest showed up with so much passion,
(03:25):
and a burning eagerness to share theirstories and invaluable nuggets of wisdom.
So for today's episode, that'swhat I wanna talk about.
I wanna talk about three things I learnedin the last year as a podcast host.
(03:47):
All right, y'all, I'm gonna lety'all in on a little confession.
I waited a whole yearto launch this podcast.
Yep.
I was supposed to launch it in 2021, andI delayed this show by an entire year.
Why?
Because your girl was scared.
And wanted everything to be perfect.
(04:09):
So I waited and I kept waiting.
I had all the excuses in the world.
"Oh, I'm too busy right now.
Maybe when things calm down.
I just wanna make sure I do this right,or I don't wanna rush the process."
You name it, I had an excuse for it.
I delayed my podcast and kept pushingback the deadline until I did an
(04:31):
interview with Flicker where I talkedabout the podcast and realized that
I had no choice but to launch it.
Only then did I stop getting so hungup on quote unquote being ready.
I learned that you're neverready until you decide to start.
Y'all.
I've seen it time and time again howfolks trapped themselves into the
(04:54):
nitty gritty of planning, paralyzedby self-doubt held back by their
own perfectionism to the point wherethey never launched their big idea.
Now, if that sounds like you, mm,I'm just saying this might be your
calling card, cuz I tell you what.
I've seen friends who tell me aboutthis amazing idea, but they get so
(05:19):
caught up in the planning stage,they fret over the smallest, teeny,
tiniest detail that they nearly talkthemselves out of doing it at all.
But one thing I've learned, is thatsometimes you just need to take the leap
and adjust your sails along the way.
Guests like Frank Curry,Hey o, shout out to Frank.
(05:40):
Echoed this lesson in episode seven.
Go listen to his episode.
Listen to the story where he talkedabout how he booked the client.
Telling them that he had a digital camera.
This was at the beginning of the,the, the film, the digital Era.
He told a client thathe had a digital camera.
He never ever, ever, ever touched adigital camera before that point, but
(06:01):
he booked that client and on the wayto the shoot, he was reading the manual
to the new digital camera he bought.
Y'all talk about taking aleap and adjusting your sails.
His advice, start small.
Take it one day at a time.
And remember that everyexpert was once a beginner.
Remember that?
(06:21):
Remember that?
Perfection.
It's a journey, boo.
It's not a destination.
Y'all already know how I feelabout the ugly comparison game.
It's toxic.
It's the worst kind of selfsabotage you could do to yourself.
(06:44):
Does this sound like you?
Boo.
You're scrolling through Instagramand a photo stops you in your tracks.
You think, damn, that's freaking gorgeous.
I love so-and-so photographer.
They're killing it right now.
You like the photo, leave a quickcomment, and you keep on keeping on.
Fast forward to a week later andyou're in some weird negative funk.
(07:08):
You're on the gram and boom, samephotographer posts another photo
that stops you in your tracks.
But this time you say,God, how do they do it?
My photos suck.
I'll never improve.
Why can't I be like so-and-so?
They're so talented, they're so bombed.
No wonder why I haven't booked a client.
(07:29):
I can't compete with that.
Or, how about this scenario?
You're looking at a fellowphotographer's stories on the Gram,
and you say to yourself, man, how thefuck is this loser booking clients?
I am so much better than them.
Their photos suck.
They're terrible.
Ugh.
If either of these situations makeyou feel called out, make you feel
(07:53):
attacked, then boo thing, thisepisode is definitely for you.
So clean your ears out and pay attention.
I remember an enlightening conversationI had with a fellow food photographer.
In the early stages of their career.
They found themselves constantly comparingtheir work to that of their peers.
(08:13):
They spent hours just obsessingon Instagram, studying other
photographer styles, and then inthe end, they just felt inadequate.
They didn't think they wereenough, but over time it was
some sage advice from mentors.
My friend transformed their perspectivefor one thing, they turned that
comparison trap into a force for goodand started viewing other photographer's
(08:36):
work not as a threat, but as a sourceof inspiration, a learning tool.
They talked about how they studiedthe photos, discussed possible
techniques the photographer used,and then you know what they did?
They put the headphones on and focusedon themselves and their portfolio.
They minded the business that paid them.
(08:57):
And y'all, I've heard it over and over andover again from the guests, that we need
to transform the way we see comparison.
Instead of allowing it to breednegativity and doubt and bad juju
vibes, we should use it to stimulatecreativity, encourage learning, and
reaching out to each other to builda supportive, understanding network.
(09:21):
I know, I know, I know, I soundlike a woo woo fifth dimension.
Age of Aquarius Hippie dippie song.
But y'all, I do believe it.
We're in an industry that isdynamic and forever expanding.
As Meika from episode five,shout out to Meika Ejiasi.
She says, there's room atthis table for you, boo.
(09:44):
And it's true.
There is room.
There's room for all stylesand all interpretations.
My guests have taught me and inspired meto continue to elevate other photographers
and celebrate the unique flavors thateach one of us brings to the table.
My key goal, my main goal hereis to build a community that
(10:08):
uplifts rather than discourages.
Ain't no haterade over here.
We are full out of haterade.
This place, this spot.
We believe here at the Savory Shot,that each success should be celebrated
and failures are simply stepping stonestowards a shared journey of growth.
(10:29):
You feel me?
You're picking up what I'm putting down.
If the answer is yes.
Yes, queen.
Yes.
Then I wanna hear you shout.
(10:51):
We've had 16 guests on theshow so far, and each one of my
guests at some point during ourinterviews talked about burnout.
And how real and how too common itis, especially among photographers.
I remember an episode two, celebratedcookbook author and food stylist,
(11:13):
Danny Columbatto, spoke candidlyabout her brush with burnout.
She reminded us that it's okayto step back, breathe, and get
out in the sun for a while.
Balance as she puts it, is as crucialin light as it is in a Mexican martini.
Heyoo, the jury has spoketh y'all andthey're all sending a clear message.
(11:37):
Take the time to recharge.
It's not an indulgence, it's a necessity.
I'm gonna repeat that for theperson texting in the back.
Taking the time to recharge is notan indulgence, it's a necessity.
So whether you go for a walk, grabsome coffee with your girlfriend, a
hobby, or simply curl up with a goodbook, remember, give yourself the
(12:02):
time to replenish and rejuvenate.
Otherwise what's the point indoing all of this if you're not
gonna stop and smell the roses?
Y'all, what a smorgasboard of insightsI've dished out today from embracing the
(12:25):
journey of progress to not getting stuckin the planning stages, to transforming
comparison into a force of inspiration.
And remember, To recharge andreplenish our creative energies.
All these things make up for fulfillinga sustainable, creative energy.
(12:46):
I'm a year in as the host withthe most, and man y'all, I've got
some ambitious goals for the show.
I wanna continue to have theserich conversations and invite
more voices to the table.
I wanna interview not only foodstylists and photographers.
But also producers, more art directorsand other behind the scenes heroes who
(13:10):
bring these banging shoots to life,like maybe photography assistants.
That would be such a coolconversation to have.
But y'all, the real questionis who do you want on the show?
What kind of conversationsdo you wanna listen to?
Let me know either in thecomments or shoot me an email.
Now before I wrap this baby up, Iwant to thank you for tuning in.
(13:35):
I'm serious y'all.
Without you, the listeners,these conversations would
just be farts in the wind.
So if you found value in this podcast,leave a review and share this episode.
With your friends?
Your mama, your daddy, fellowfood photographers, and really
anyone who's a wisdom seeker?
(13:55):
On the next episode, y'all.
Y'all are in for a treat.
Seriously, y'all.
I'm so, so, so, so damnexcited about our next guest.
Next episode.
I interviewed Penny de Las Santos.
Y'all.
She is a food photography hero.
She is my food photography hero.
(14:16):
If you know me, then you've heard megush on and on and on about Penny and
how amazing she is and how much she'simpacted me, influenced me as a food
photographer, and she's a Texan, y'all.
Hello.
I'm so excited she's on the showand I can't wait for y'all to
hear this banging conversation.
(14:37):
So be ready for that.
Till next time.
Bye y'all.
Welcome to the 26th episode of the Savory Shot.
Y'all know who I be.
It's your host with the most.
Mica.
I wanna start this partay off byextending a heartfelt thank you to
each and every one of you, y'all.
(00:22):
Your love for this little podcastfuels me to keep the trainer rolling.
I'm like the Temptations.
Mica was a rolling stone.
Whether this is your first time tuning inor if you've been with me from the humble
jump, I am so grateful for your support.
(00:42):
You could have been anywhere.
Doing anything.
But you hear with me.
And y'all that fills my heartto the brim and overflowing.
So thank you.
Now I have a question for y'all.
Did you catch last week'sepisode with Dyutima Jha?
A.K.A DJ.
(01:02):
I don't know what's goingon here, but work with me.
I've had a lot of coffee andI am energized like the bunny.
Bing, bing, bing, bing.
Seriously, y'all.
If you didn't catch that episode,you better stop, drop, and roll
your way back and give it a listen.
DJ was spitting gospelleft and right Y'all.
(01:25):
Her journey, her story and her advicewill gas you up and make you wanna charge
into the world with your camera in tow.
Y'all, please go listen to it.
I promise you won't forget it, but y'all.
But let's talk about today's episode.
This one is a special one, y'all.
(01:45):
Today mark's a momentous occasion.
My Savory Squad, listen up.
It's been an entire year since thebirth of the Savory Shot, y'all.
I can't believe it.
I can't believe that I've spent 12months, 52 weeks, and 365 days neck
(02:08):
deep in the most flavor packed, deepconversations about photography,
entrepreneurship, creativity, self-care.
Y'all, I couldn't have asked for abetter journey, but before we get
into that, let's start the show.
(03:01):
It's hard to believe it'sbeen one whole ass year.
Y'all.
I've been extremely fortunate to havesuch a diverse lineup of book guests.
I've had food photographers, foodstylists, educators, art directors,
celebrated cookbook authors, and y'all,each guest showed up with so much passion,
(03:25):
and a burning eagerness to share theirstories and invaluable nuggets of wisdom.
So for today's episode, that'swhat I wanna talk about.
I wanna talk about three things I learnedin the last year as a podcast host.
(03:47):
All right, y'all, I'm gonna lety'all in on a little confession.
I waited a whole yearto launch this podcast.
Yep.
I was supposed to launch it in 2021, andI delayed this show by an entire year.
Why?
Because your girl was scared.
And wanted everything to be perfect.
(04:09):
So I waited and I kept waiting.
I had all the excuses in the world.
"Oh, I'm too busy right now.
Maybe when things calm down.
I just wanna make sure I do this right,or I don't wanna rush the process."
You name it, I had an excuse for it.
I delayed my podcast and kept pushingback the deadline until I did an
(04:31):
interview with Flicker where I talkedabout the podcast and realized that
I had no choice but to launch it.
Only then did I stop getting so hungup on quote unquote being ready.
I learned that you're neverready until you decide to start.
Y'all.
I've seen it time and time again howfolks trapped themselves into the
(04:54):
nitty gritty of planning, paralyzedby self-doubt held back by their
own perfectionism to the point wherethey never launched their big idea.
Now, if that sounds like you, mm,I'm just saying this might be your
calling card, cuz I tell you what.
I've seen friends who tell me aboutthis amazing idea, but they get so
(05:19):
caught up in the planning stage,they fret over the smallest, teeny,
tiniest detail that they nearly talkthemselves out of doing it at all.
But one thing I've learned, is thatsometimes you just need to take the leap
and adjust your sails along the way.
Guests like Frank Curry,Hey o, shout out to Frank.
(05:40):
Echoed this lesson in episode seven.
Go listen to his episode.
Listen to the story where he talkedabout how he booked the client.
Telling them that he had a digital camera.
This was at the beginning of the,the, the film, the digital Era.
He told a client thathe had a digital camera.
He never ever, ever, ever touched adigital camera before that point, but
(06:01):
he booked that client and on the wayto the shoot, he was reading the manual
to the new digital camera he bought.
Y'all talk about taking aleap and adjusting your sails.
His advice, start small.
Take it one day at a time.
And remember that everyexpert was once a beginner.
Remember that?
(06:21):
Remember that?
Perfection.
It's a journey, boo.
It's not a destination.
Y'all already know how I feelabout the ugly comparison game.
It's toxic.
It's the worst kind of selfsabotage you could do to yourself.
(06:44):
Does this sound like you?
Boo.
You're scrolling through Instagramand a photo stops you in your tracks.
You think, damn, that's freaking gorgeous.
I love so-and-so photographer.
They're killing it right now.
You like the photo, leave a quickcomment, and you keep on keeping on.
Fast forward to a week later andyou're in some weird negative funk.
(07:08):
You're on the gram and boom, samephotographer posts another photo
that stops you in your tracks.
But this time you say,God, how do they do it?
My photos suck.
I'll never improve.
Why can't I be like so-and-so?
They're so talented, they're so bombed.
No wonder why I haven't booked a client.
(07:29):
I can't compete with that.
Or, how about this scenario?
You're looking at a fellowphotographer's stories on the Gram,
and you say to yourself, man, how thefuck is this loser booking clients?
I am so much better than them.
Their photos suck.
They're terrible.
Ugh.
If either of these situations makeyou feel called out, make you feel
(07:53):
attacked, then boo thing, thisepisode is definitely for you.
So clean your ears out and pay attention.
I remember an enlightening conversationI had with a fellow food photographer.
In the early stages of their career.
They found themselves constantly comparingtheir work to that of their peers.
(08:13):
They spent hours just obsessingon Instagram, studying other
photographer styles, and then inthe end, they just felt inadequate.
They didn't think they wereenough, but over time it was
some sage advice from mentors.
My friend transformed their perspectivefor one thing, they turned that
comparison trap into a force for goodand started viewing other photographer's
(08:36):
work not as a threat, but as a sourceof inspiration, a learning tool.
They talked about how they studiedthe photos, discussed possible
techniques the photographer used,and then you know what they did?
They put the headphones on and focusedon themselves and their portfolio.
They minded the business that paid them.
(08:57):
And y'all, I've heard it over and over andover again from the guests, that we need
to transform the way we see comparison.
Instead of allowing it to breednegativity and doubt and bad juju
vibes, we should use it to stimulatecreativity, encourage learning, and
reaching out to each other to builda supportive, understanding network.
(09:21):
I know, I know, I know, I soundlike a woo woo fifth dimension.
Age of Aquarius Hippie dippie song.
But y'all, I do believe it.
We're in an industry that isdynamic and forever expanding.
As Meika from episode five,shout out to Meika Ejiasi.
She says, there's room atthis table for you, boo.
(09:44):
And it's true.
There is room.
There's room for all stylesand all interpretations.
My guests have taught me and inspired meto continue to elevate other photographers
and celebrate the unique flavors thateach one of us brings to the table.
My key goal, my main goal hereis to build a community that
(10:08):
uplifts rather than discourages.
Ain't no haterade over here.
We are full out of haterade.
This place, this spot.
We believe here at the Savory Shot,that each success should be celebrated
and failures are simply stepping stonestowards a shared journey of growth.
(10:29):
You feel me?
You're picking up what I'm putting down.
If the answer is yes.
Yes, queen.
Yes.
Then I wanna hear you shout.
(10:51):
We've had 16 guests on theshow so far, and each one of my
guests at some point during ourinterviews talked about burnout.
And how real and how too common itis, especially among photographers.
I remember an episode two, celebratedcookbook author and food stylist,
(11:13):
Danny Columbatto, spoke candidlyabout her brush with burnout.
She reminded us that it's okayto step back, breathe, and get
out in the sun for a while.
Balance as she puts it, is as crucialin light as it is in a Mexican martini.
Heyoo, the jury has spoketh y'all andthey're all sending a clear message.
(11:37):
Take the time to recharge.
It's not an indulgence, it's a necessity.
I'm gonna repeat that for theperson texting in the back.
Taking the time to recharge is notan indulgence, it's a necessity.
So whether you go for a walk, grabsome coffee with your girlfriend, a
hobby, or simply curl up with a goodbook, remember, give yourself the
(12:02):
time to replenish and rejuvenate.
Otherwise what's the point indoing all of this if you're not
gonna stop and smell the roses?
Y'all, what a smorgasboard of insightsI've dished out today from embracing the
(12:25):
journey of progress to not getting stuckin the planning stages, to transforming
comparison into a force of inspiration.
And remember, To recharge andreplenish our creative energies.
All these things make up for fulfillinga sustainable, creative energy.
(12:46):
I'm a year in as the host withthe most, and man y'all, I've got
some ambitious goals for the show.
I wanna continue to have theserich conversations and invite
more voices to the table.
I wanna interview not only foodstylists and photographers.
But also producers, more art directorsand other behind the scenes heroes who
(13:10):
bring these banging shoots to life,like maybe photography assistants.
That would be such a coolconversation to have.
But y'all, the real questionis who do you want on the show?
What kind of conversationsdo you wanna listen to?
Let me know either in thecomments or shoot me an email.
Now before I wrap this baby up, Iwant to thank you for tuning in.
(13:35):
I'm serious y'all.
Without you, the listeners,these conversations would
just be farts in the wind.
So if you found value in this podcast,leave a review and share this episode.
With your friends?
Your mama, your daddy, fellowfood photographers, and really
anyone who's a wisdom seeker?
(13:55):
On the next episode, y'all.
Y'all are in for a treat.
Seriously, y'all.
I'm so, so, so, so damnexcited about our next guest.
Next episode.
I interviewed Penny de Las Santos.
Y'all.
She is a food photography hero.
She is my food photography hero.
(14:16):
If you know me, then you've heard megush on and on and on about Penny and
how amazing she is and how much she'simpacted me, influenced me as a food
photographer, and she's a Texan, y'all.
Hello.
I'm so excited she's on the showand I can't wait for y'all to
hear this banging conversation.
(14:37):
So be ready for that.
Till next time.
Bye y'all.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!