Episoder
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We are kicking things back off this year with a solo pod, recapping 2021. Recovering what was a crazy and difficult year for creatives, some highlights from the conversations with fellow photographers both on and off the pod. So kick back with your notepad, ready to storm 2022.
What I talk about
Finding your own personal style and creativity
To stand out from the crowd you need to stop trying to fit in
Curate your work to curate the work you want to shoot
You can’t cheat time to build style and skill
Being easier on yourself as a new photographer
Stop comparing yourself to other photographers
Habits throughout your day outside of your business are directly mirrored in your business
The power of unplugging and active movement
Reducing distractions from your own mind
Pivoting your business - how to move forward and adapt
What’s next for Feather & Finch
Look to the future and map out where you want to be
Invest in yourself and invest in your business
My biggest takeaway of 2021
2021 was a massive wake up call for many photographers. What it highlighted to me is the value and essential nature of investing in yourself. A shiny new lens or laptop might give you a momentary one up in your everyday working, but getting a mentor, taking time off, going on holiday with your family, going to a workshop have life-long benefits. No matter how challenging the photography climate gets if you are strong individually nothing can hold you back.
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Today we have the owner of Kings and Thieves Benjamin Urquhart, an incredible creative and inspiration for photographers across the world. He has such a unique perspective on the business and creativity, one which he’s used to mentor some of my personal close friends in the industry. Ben is a busy man and I was super stoked to have him on the pod with us today.
What we chatted about
Where he’s based and his multi use office space
His micro-wedding business
Challenges of working from home and evolving the business
Rolling photography into his laid back wedding business
How constraints can forge creativity
How Ben created his style and his want to create a shift in the industry
Leaning into his own style after not feeling like himself in his work
Showing up as a person rather than just a photographer
His process working with couples
Time allocation at weddings
Going with the flow on shoot
Focus on light vs subject
His work vs ‘generic’ work - the power of being human
Getting your couple started without pushing to pose
His stance on advice with weddings - making them feel as little stress as possible
How he charges his services without getting too heavy
How his price guide has helped with the quality of his leads
Adjusting times to give better photos - why lighting matters
Helping people to create a wedding they actually want
Learning to channel your inspiration to fuel your creative voice
Does Ben ever think he’ll do video?
Are his boudoir sessions just for clients or for anyone?
His feelings on creativity during the boudoir sessions
My biggest takeaway
What struck me about Ben was his adaptability and raw creativity. Finding opportunities for businesses in his work space, expanding his range into the boudoir sessions and encouraging couples to push the boundaries of what their weddings can be. Looking and being open to opportunity is a key tenet which can really set you apart from being a good photographer to being an awesome one.
Links mentioned in the pod
Kings & Thieves website https://www.kingsandthieves.com.au/
Kings & Thieves Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kingsandthiev.es/
His personal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/benjamin_urquhart_/
My website https://ryanteague.co/
My Instagram (for guest DMs) https://www.instagram.com/ryanteague.co/
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E045 Escaping The Ordinary - John Gazzingnato
Today we have John Gazzingnato making his return to the podcast after a crazy year. He is an Tasmania-based award-winning photographer who has really thrived throughout the last 12 months despite the pandemic. Rather than going back to his roots, we look at the last year in depth, discussing his business growth, success and forging moments of true creativity.
What we spoke about in the pod
His journey from 12 months to now
Working with COVID and overcoming adversities throughout
Rediscovering motivation after the pandemic
His business growth - creative style vs business foundations
The power of his artistic approach
Storytelling & curation - creating a portfolio that attracts the work you’re looking for
Creating work he loves and times he wasn’t
Moving out of what’s expected of you or trending
How to read wedding situations differently - some practical tips
Scheduling a wedding - getting it just right
His default start for couples shoots
GIving cues and helping couples to feel more comfortable
Lighting and couples shoots - telling a story
Colouration with portrait sessions
His ‘secret sauce’ when it comes to editing
Leaning into your local area and the light you like using
Over exaggeration of presets
His luscious hair secrets
His dream shoot if he could plan one
How to make recommendations for clients & the importance of building the relationship
His favourite shoes for shooting weddings
The Rangefinder Rising Star Award
What's changed over the last year - mentally and practically
What the future hold for John
My biggest takeaway
John’s journey is the most clear evidence of the power of leaning into what you’re excited about. Rather than just creating images that you think are expected or trendy, it’s all about creating moments and stories. This year has been a massive year for his personal growth and assertion of his style and brand voice - so find it and don’t look back!
Links mentioned in the podcast
John’s website https://www.jongazzignato.com/
His Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jongazzignatophotographer
His Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jon.gazzignato/
My Website https://ryanteague.co/
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E044 Escaping The Ordinary - Bec & Andrew - Willow and Wolf
These guys are the epitome of adventure photography - creating stunning elopement images as well as capturing beautiful moments of their travels together. Today we chat about their road to starting Willow and Wolf, how to capture epic landscapes and how they run their business together. They are such an inspirational couple and have a lot of wisdom to share.
Get to know Bec & Andrew
Bec & Andrew met in Canada while Bec was travelling from her hometown Byron. They bonded over a love for the outdoors and passion for photography. Ben had business roots and Bec in graphic design but both found themselves feeling a little astray from their paths. After parting ways after a fun summer there wasn’t much on the cards. Creating a photography business was always a dream but didn’t come to fruition until Andrew came to Australia two years later. After a few years of back and forth from Australia to Canada and burning out, they have moved permanently to Canada, now basing themselves in Banff.
What we spoke about in the pod
An insight into their background
Their journey to starting a business together
Similarities and differences between Canada and Australia
Capturing epic landscapes
The challenges of hiking and photography
Planning a mountain shoot
How they manage out there enquiries
Picking locations and exploring
Letting your couple come forward with their idea
How to move into adventure photography as a professional
Some professional horror stories
Why they haven’t done styled shoots - using clients for this
How to photograph weddings together
Their process working with clients
How they prep their clients for outdoor weddings and get the shots at the top of a hike
How COVID has affected their business
Organising their blog and portfolio
How they’d work their business to Australia
Their kit and how they work them during a wedding shoot
My biggest takeaway
There was so much to take from our chat. But, my biggest takeaway has been about the way to work crazy elopements and the sheer amount of work that goes into every one of them. The key is being prepared - over prepared in terms of kit and items which can make the process all the more easy and getting your couple up to speed too.
Links mentioned in the podcast
Willow & Wolf Website https://willowandwolf.co/
Their Instagram https://www.instagram.com/willowandwolfweddings/
Their Facebook https://www.facebook.com/willowandwolf/
My Website https://ryanteague.co/
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In today’s episode, we have the incredible Omar Diaz, founder of wedding photography business, By The Wilde. We met at a workshop in early 2021 and since then he’s gone from strength to strength - pushing his creative boundaries and creating a business that aligns with his style and values. It was an honour to chat with him and discover more about his journey to becoming a recent full-time photographer.
Get to know Omar
Omar is based in Hobart Tasmania - a beautiful part of the world that attracts a lot of interstate travel for elopements. He started his photography journey inspired by travel after burning out from years of social work. Backpacking through parts of Asia, Europe and the Americas he captured stunning images of nature and progressed onward to people-focused photography in the streets of South America. This sparked an obsession with wanting to collect and curate those special moments - building a story around every one of his subjects. He did his first official wedding in the summer of 2019 and has since been building his skills and business into the impressive portfolio you see today.
What we talk about
Omar's roots and photography journey.
The benefits of having a fantastic wife who has wedding industry knowledge.
How he’s feeling 6 weeks into full-time photography - an honest and raw perspective.
Creating his new website and honing in on his personality.
Why community is important to him.
How to build and search for a sense of community.
Mentoring and peer-reviewing.
How he chose certain creators to review his work.
Practical things Omar took away from mentoring.
How to make your clients feel comfortable.
The power of humanising the space and levelling with your clients.
His kit and how he uses it throughout the wedding day.
Building relationships and rapport - and what it means to him.
His ratio of creativity to business person.
How much of a factor his editing has on the end image result.
A few practical things you could do to create that ‘magical’ feeling with light.
Personal projects and style shoots - the benefits he’s seen.
How to handle others' expectations of style shoots: balancing creativity with meeting the brief.
Documenting his son’s life and the guilt of not documenting enough.
My biggest takeaway
It’s awesome to see someone who has stepped into their own style so early on in their career. But my biggest takeaway from our conversation was the power of human connection in photography. And this comes in different, but all equally important forms. His connection to his wife and her network. His connection to the community of peers and mentors he’s built around himself. And, creating a human connection with his clients. It’s this connection that drives purpose, supports creativity and truly helps you tell stories.
Links we mentioned
The By The Wilde website: https://bythewilde.com/
By The Wilde Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bythewilde/
By The Wilde Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bythewilde
By The Wilde Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/bythewilde/_saved/
My Website: https://ryanteague.co/
My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanteague.co/
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Shari & Mike are veterans of the photography scene - based in Vancouver and working in the industry since 2005. They share valuable insights into the journey, the lessons they’ve learned, how they dealt with the pandemic and what their ‘aha’ moment was - something I know a lot of listeners are waiting to try and find.
Get to know Shari & Mike
Shari & Mike started their journey in completely different industries, dabbling in photography on the weekends. However, when things started to pick up Shari went full time - still supported by Mike who continued to work full time. As they moved to Vancouver Mike also made the leap to go full time - and there was plenty of work for the both of them. Since then, they’ve built an awesome reputation in the wedding space around Vancouver as a laid back and creative couple which has also taken them around the world to destination weddings. Their focus more recently has been localised with COVID making it difficult to travel, however this has been a useful shift in their work - allowing them to appreciate their own city and stay closer to home and family.
What we talk about in the pod
Their family set up with a 4-year-old.
Their pace of work and busy seasons.
Both Shari & Mike’s journey into photography - from dabbling to full time.
Co running the business and photographing weddings together.
Using your roots to propel you forward in your new journey.
COVID and the wedding industry in Vancouver - how they’ve coped throughout and the post lockdown boom.
The benefits of not travelling - yes, there are some!
How their business has changed since having a daughter.
How their practical shooting has changed with having a daughter too.
A shift in shooting and approaching weddings - focusing more on relationships.
Bringing parenting to your approach - putting yourself in the attendee's shoes.
Getting out of your own head and ‘off plan’ when it comes to weddings.
Emotive stories and the privilege of being part of such a special day.
Falling in and out of love with photography - and how their perspectives are quite different.
How removing the tool can help you to reconnect with your art.
Keeping balance when documenting your child growing up - keeping the fun & joy in special moments.
What they think hold photographers back from creating images that are full of life and personality.
Being a calming presence at weddings and lifting your client’s anxiety.
The power of personalising your approach with every client - creating as you go.
Not trying to fit into a formula.
My biggest takeaway
Shari & Mike shared so much knowledge from years of being successful in the industry. However, the biggest takeaway for me was their thoughts on personalising your approach with every client and not trying to fit in with a formula. As a business person and photographer, it can be easy to slip into a process-driven mentality. But their style which has brought and continues to bring them much success focuses on the individual and fitting the mould of what they need at the time.
Links we mentioned
Shari & Mike’s Website: https://www.shariandmike.ca/
Shari & Mike’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shariandmike/
Shari & Mike’s Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/shariandmikephotographers/_created/
My website: https://ryanteague.co/
My workshop tickets: https://ryanteague.co/
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This guy doesn’t need much of an introduction - it’s his second time on the pod and we’re stoked to have him back. He’s an incredible friend, artist, creative, businessman, photographer and educator- an inspirational figure in our industry. Oli has a really unique way of doing things, not bending to any rules but teaching others to forge their own path.
Get to know Oli
Oli started his creative life in advertising, UX and design - working at product agencies creating graphical elements, flash games and animations. He then moved into photography - assisting other photographers and making a lot of creative work without consequence. Over the years he’s built a business that has continued with this creativity albeit within the guise of weddings and projects. Now, he not only has become an iconic photographer in the space but also shares his knowledge with other photographers through workshops, guest speaking, mentoring and assets to help blow their clients’ minds.
What we spoke about
A Q&A answering your questions on Instagram
The strangest thing Oli’s ever done
Upcoming broadsheet release
His advice project - 100 mixed messages
His favourite film camera
Minimising what you show to increase the power of the shots
Storytelling at a wedding practically
Using scarcity to push your creativity
Accessing your ‘zone of genius’
What inspires him to push his boundaries of creativity
The power of music for Oli
Why the bigger questions can become crippling for some
How contradiction can help communicate a message
How not knowing the rules and not being paid allowed him to be the most creative
Creating opportunities to flex your creativity
How his education platform came to fruition
Mixed mediums of content - bitesize, short-form, long-form etc.
Making content for people with different learning styles
His new spins on workshops
Three things that hold photographers back
The power of connections within the photography community
Where he thinks the wedding industry is going to be in 10 years time
Advancement in technology and how it’s playing into the standards within the industry
Timeless styles and storytelling
Leaning into his own style on Instagram
Making your wedding couples feel ‘safe’ and focusing on your people
Tech solving problems and thinking about where it’s going to go
Why a business is more than just being different
The new educational space he’s created
My biggest takeaway
There’s always so many good nuggets of info from a thought leader like Oli. But my top takeaway was his thoughts on creativity - using scarcity to force your hand into being more thoughtful, using other art mediums to trigger creative thoughts and how storytelling will always be a timeless form of creativity.
Links mentioned in the pod
Oli’s Instagram www.instagram.com/olisansom
His website www./olisansom.com/
His education website https://strangeatlas.co/
Mannequin talks Instagram /www.instagram.com/mannequintalks/
Briars Atlas Instagrm www.instagram.com/briarsatlas/
Briars Atlas Weddings https://briarsatlas.com/
My website https://ryanteague.co/
Feather & Finch Instagram www.instagram.com/featherandfinchphotography/
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Today I want to welcome Christian from Paper Bear Weddings. He’s doing some
incredible things in the industry and has a lot of value to bring to other
budding wedding photographers. I met Christian at a workshop and have since
been mentoring him, helping him to expand his business. We cover how he got
into the industry, finding his unique style and how he made the switch from
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Get to know Tanya Lambart
Tanya actually started her career as a performer, working in the buzzing events space. From this however, she wanted a change of scene and created a role for herself at Bond University. Highlighting the need for social media management and the power it could have for them. Using all of these learnings and an incredible level of tenacity, Tanya started her own company Creative Haus. Today, she works with small businesses to build out an authentic social media strategy based around real business metrics. She offers reel packs, social media management, a reel course and so much more.
What we cover
Her career journey to starting Creative House
Finding her niche in the social media marketing space
The sustainability of the social media space and how it’s evolving
The ‘metaverse’ and the crazy future of social media
Keeping up as a small business
The importance of having an intention with social media
Vanity metrics - and why they really are just that
Balance of quality & quantity
Not just blindly following trends
Uncontrollability of the algorithm and virality
Tracking your own data
Tiktok Vs Reels
Testing, experimenting and refining content
Importance of planning, structure and knowing when to post
Finding music on Reels & Tiktok
Her normal setup to create content
Showcasing what you do on social
Power of standing out in a noisy industry
What trending actually means & how to find it
Looking at others in your industry & thinking about what your customer wants
Sticking to what’s true for you
What Creative House does and how Tanya helps her clients
Why outsourcing social media can be beneficial
My biggest takeaway
Social media is such an overwhelming space but Tanya does a great job of simplifying it. My biggest takeaway is authenticity. Firstly in the content you create, making content that not only speaks to your audience but speaks to your own personality. An inauthentic piece of content sticks out like a sore thumb, so if you’re going to commit to creating content, make sure it highlights your values and personality. Also ask yourself ‘is it authentic to create content or manage my social media?’. If the answer is no then outsource it to a great creative like Tanya - giving you more time to focus on your skill and business.
Links mentioned in the show
Creative Haus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_creativehaus_/
Creative Haus Website: www.creativehaus.studio
Tanya’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tannierose/
My website: https://ryanteague.co/
My workshop (2 spots left): https://ryanteague.co/workshop
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Escaping the ordinary 8 common mistakes
Today is a super short and sweet pod where I’ll take you through the 8 most common mistakes I see a lot of my coaching clients struggle with. In this discussion we'll hone in on some home truths, difficult aspects of running a business and uncover what holds so many photographers and videographers from achieving real success. Here’s a sneak peak of the 8 mistakes I’ll be digging into:
Many photographers prioritise business over skill creative
Throwing money at paid advertising without a strategy or delivering value
Posting too much on social with no intention or tracking
Over blogging and repetitive imagery
Copying or following brand trends
Not leaning into your personality and style
Thinking you’re the number one in your business and refusing to accept otherwise
Not getting across your why or digging into your purpose
Links I mentioned
My website: https://ryanteague.co/
2 spots left on my Gold Coast workshop: https://ryanteague.co/workshop
Want to chat in person? Check out my mentoring options: https://ryanteague.co/mentoring
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Today marks the third podcast with this photography and educational powerhouse - Jai Long. He needs no introduction at all, but if you need some context listen back to his past two episodes linked below. In the pod, we jump into all things wedding summit, what’s worked for his business in the past and key areas he helps his photography students overcome. Jai is truly a master of his craft and communicating the big pain points for new photographers out there, so be sure to have a notepad and pen at the ready.
Get to know
Jai is an experienced photographer but is now more focused on educating other photographers. Helping them to overcome their internal boundaries, building a business that matches their values and finding their photography style. From physical products to e-learning, workshops to his unbelievable summits, Jai is committed to building up creatives and their businesses.
What we cover
Recurrent problems mentees come to him with
Imposter syndrome and mindset
Practical ways to overcome imposter syndrome
Power of self-reflection and self-love - recognising your success
How that ‘week to week’ mentality affects how you show up for your business
Mind blocks for photographers
Working and learning with others
Moving with shifts and when to leave a trend
All you need to know about his online coaching program: The Business Map
A great trend of innovation in the photography business
Jai’s commitment to innovating in the wedding photography business
How the summit came to light
The upcoming summit on 22nd November
How he’s optimised his new summit
How lockdown didn’t hold him back from being a self-made millionaire
The power of having a big goal and not complaining just acting
Having an emotional connection to your goals
How he comes up with his ideas
How he switches off
How important time and solitude are
Social media scrolling and when it crosses into a negative boundary
Managing time and realising where it’s slipping away
How he’s innovating awards in the wedding photography space
The extra details of the summit that have added to the load
His mission and core values
My biggest takeaway
Talking to Jai is always a pleasure and source of inspiration. From this chat, I think my biggest takeaway is the power of self-belief and overcoming your internal boundaries. Jai is living proof that you can literally do anything you set your mind to, you just have to get out of your own way and really push towards goals that matter to you.
Links mentioned in the podcast
Sign up to the wedding summit: https://weddingphotographysummit.com/
Jai’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jailong.co/
Jai’s Website: https://jailong.co/
Jai’s podcast: https://jailong.co/category/podcast/
Free the Bird Wedding photography: https://www.freethebird.com.au/
Listen to Jai’s previous guest appearances: https://ryanteague.co/podcast
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We have an incredible guest on today’s episode - Joe Alson. A repeat guest that we spoke to last year, Joel is the founder of Barefoot & Bearded a highly successful non-traditional wedding photography business. Today we talk about what’s changed, his vulnerabilities, his childhood and the way his business has transitioned into what it is today. This pod is full of tonnes of practical tips for aspiring photographers who haven’t yet found their voice and aesthetic.
Get to know
Joel started much like many other photographers, doing photography as a hobby. Initially focusing on landscapes he was asked to shoot a mates wedding - and the rest is history. Not coming from an artistic background and having a talent for business, Joel focused on his branding and marketing before honing his craft. His unique takes on location gave him a unique selling point to run with, taking him all over the world. But after still feeling unfulfilled after reaching his ‘peak’ in the eyes of the industry, he pivoted his business in line with his core values. Creating a direction and movement that pulled him out of some of his hardest moments.
What we cover
My link and history with Joel
Joel’s grassroots in photography
Focusing on the business and brand - how it can carry you when you haven’t got an arty background
How definitions of success are based on society and social media - and why that doesn’t make sense for everyone
Focusing on your core life values and how they should play into how you define success
Reaching rock bottom despite ‘ticking all of the boxes’ and how transformational it was for him
How to work out your own values and integrating your non-negotiables into your lifestyle
The value of working with a therapist and how it forged his own introspection
The rebrand of his business and how COVID gave him the opportunity to do it
Finding your own personal style in photography and leaning into your point of difference
Being honest with yourself and your clients
Applying his ‘f*** traditions do it your way’ attitude to his art
How to plan with clients for their non-traditional weddings
Working outside of the wedding day cruise control - encouraging couples to do whatever they want on their day
How to have creative conversations with your clients when you want to lean into new concepts
Creating real and authentic images of a couple not just staged
Building trust and honesty with your couples
His different gear and transitioning through them
Embracing part of your couples’ day and having fun with it
Giving guests at the marriage a camera and getting different perspectives
What his wedding would look like today
Being grateful despite having trauma in his past
Using your battles to forge a happy and fulfilled life
My biggest takeaway
Joel is one of the strongest guys out there and has so much wisdom to offer. But, the biggest takeaway for me is the power of leaning into who you are and digging into your values. So often we get lost in societies definitions of success when it doesn’t truly serve us. Joel is living proof that finding your core values and forging your business to suit them is the path to a truly happy and fulfilling life. Ensuring you are on track with your non-negotiables and creating art that is reflective of your true self.
Links mentioned in the podcast
Barefoot & Bearded website: www.barefootandbearded.com
Joel’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/barefootandbearded
Joel’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/barefootandbearded
My Gold Coast Wedding Photography Workshop: www.ryanteague.co/workshop
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This international pod is with the awesome Sean Bell, based in Scotland. An inspiration for myself and a lot of photographers across Australia and New Zealand. Sean is considered a veteran of the photography industry - with a 15-year career of creating incredible art and imagery. In our chat, we explore his journey to wedding photography, his artistic processes and how to create a career with longevity.
Get to know
Sean is based just outside of Edinburgh but travels all over Scotland shooting - especially in the highlands. Growing up in Edinburgh, Sean was surrounded by photography with his father being a super keen amateur with a darkroom in his childhood home. As a kid, he was fascinated by the red light emanating from the darkroom and after getting a hand-me-down camera from his Dad, he was hooked. He’s now been in the business for 15 years after studying photography at college - starting in a local paper and then transitioning to commercial photography. He then fell into wedding photography, shooting for family and friends. It gave him a new sense of autonomy and the space to be creative when weddings were moving away from the traditional, stuffy format. Sean now creates stunning yet subtle imagery and has seen his business grow to much success.
What we cover
An intro to where Sean and where he’s located
His family ties to photography
The harsh beginnings of his professional career in journalism
His transition into wedding and portrait photography
How early criticism forged his photography
Not feeling satisfied with his images
Looking for nuance and subtlety
Sean’s practical process during a wedding
The importance of levelling with your clients and reading their body language
Inserting banter and soft direction - taking the couples lead
His kit for weddings
How to give direction and tapping into what makes a couple lights up
Buying time by starting the process and how it leads to creativity
The beauty of wedding shoots in Scotland
Working with his wife and We Are Elopers
What new photographers don’t do enough of lighting and working with couples
Still getting nervous before jobs and being the underdog
How to push your boundaries in wedding photography
The importance of consistently experimenting to keep things fresh
Taking your own artistic direction on shoot
My biggest takeaway
Speaking to Sean was really inspiring - especially with his legacy in the wedding photography space. What struck me was his consistent want to improve and ‘winging it’ attitude. Despite having a honed process and skill he still actively steps outside of his comfort zone and taps into the energy of a couple. This not only comes across in his creative process but his imagery too - enabling him to have a long and successful career.
Links mentioned in the podcast
Sean’s website: https://seanbellphotography.com/
Sean’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanbellphoto/
Sean’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhotographybySeanBell/
My workshop on the gold coast: https://ryanteague.co/workshop
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Today we have two of my brilliant mentees Katy and Matt. Together they run Rope & Pulley, Newcastle based wedding photography and video business. The married couple has really been driving their business towards success and forming it into the business that fits in with their goals. In this chat, we talk about their beginnings, their biggest business mistakes and regrets and how their journey has really shaped the strong business they now have.
Get to know
Katy and Matt are the dream team. Married since 2014, they set up Rope & Pulley soon after. Both coming from artistic backgrounds they each bought something different to the table, offering both still and video imaging for their clients. Rope & Pulley became Katy’s full-time gig in 2018 and Matt continues to work full time. Since then they’ve been working to build awareness in the wedding space but were a little slowed down by COVID. Today they have a highly successful business, with an additional 6 team members shooting weddings and engagements across New South Wales - pandemic permitting of course.
What we cover
An intro to Rope & Pulley
The beginning of their business
Making the transition from part-time to full time
The importance of setting business goals from the word go
Knowing what success looks like
Not sweating the small stuff
How to cut through the noise
Prioritising what you’re doing and self-value
The power of a mentor
Photography as your product
Focusing on what you like doing
Investing in learning
Their biggest business mistakes
Not letting your ego get in the way when you shoot
How to not just make assumptions about what you think a client wants
How Rope & Pulley are handling COVID
Growing their team and training
Offering support to couples affected by the pandemic
The trickiness of scaling and the busy 2022 ahead
Supporting other photographers within your own business
Pre mentoring headspace compared to now
Finding your true north
Handling your clients to make their day as smooth as possible
The two pieces of advice they’d each leave behind to other photographers
Putting in the work during slower periods
My biggest takeaway
It was great to have these guys on the pod and talk about their journey. The biggest takeaway for me was about learning from your mistakes. Katy & Matt are super self-aware and reflective, implementing changes to their ways of working and the business when they can see issues arise. Having that level of humility and being able to put your hands up and ask for help and guidance are rare traits, but are incredibly important to build and scale.
Links mentioned in the podcast
Rope & Pulley website: https://www.ropeandpulley.com.au/
Rope & Pulley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ropeandpulley/
Rope & Pulley Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ropeandpulley/
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Today I welcome Toby Atkins to the pod - one of my ex-clients, business mentor and most importantly a great mate. This pod is a must-listen for pretty much everyone, with Toby sharing his wisdom on business, finding your purpose and optimising your health. In this mind-blowing chat, we talk through making your own successes, finding your true north and how to build a life that brings you true happiness and fulfilment.
Get to know Toby Atkins
Toby has built his vision into a successful business with over 30 staff - creating a health-based movement across Australia. Starting his career training in sports physiology, Toby wanted to create a collective of fantastic talents and connect like-minded professionals together. This initial purpose has now been built into his successful business Atkins Health - which no doubt will leave an amazing legacy.
What we talk about
How we met - our relationship to date
My own health struggles and how Toby helped me heal my body
How psychology is most of the job when it comes to physical recovery
Diving into Atkins Health - from his vision to a highly successful movement and business
The importance and longevity of Atkins Health purpose and values
Importance of finding great people for specific gaps in the business
The necessity of self-reflection - in business and life
Societal frames of success and why they’re not for everyone
Practical tips of how to unpick your ‘place’ in life - what is your genius mode?
Creating a community or movement around your business & not going it alone
Visionary meets - creating life goals and moving towards them in business
Being a leader in business and changemaking
Having a dynamic vision
Seeking to understand
Toxicity of the word ‘busy’
Similarities in ‘successful’ or important people - creating good habits
Making rules and making it easier for yourself to follow them
Plans vs habits and building out your process
Why we need to stop chasing and focus on the things that make us happy
Letting purpose come to you and just enjoying the process of growing - not just focusing on not being at your outcome
The value of giving
My biggest takeaway
There were so many great nuggets of knowledge in this discussion. The biggest takeaway for me is the concept of not just chasing purpose, but finding purpose in the process. Society only allows us to see certain parameters when it comes to success and more often than not, they’re not fulfilling - they just hold us back. They’re asking us to constantly chase a financial or status goal. But when you’re looking at success holistically and finding purpose in the process all of those arbitrary parameters don’t hold any value. You can find that value and passion in your own change.
Links we mentioned in the pod
Atkins health https://www.atkinshealth.com.au/
Atomic habits https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits
Principles https://www.principles.com/
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In this episode, I welcome a person that’s always inspired me and someone I am grateful to call a friend: Daniel Carruthers. Since meeting over 10 years ago, when we used to train together, I’ve always admired Dan’s drive and ability to push past what’s possible. As an athlete and businessman, he’s found much success, all leading him to the release of his true calling Fund My Challenge. In the pod, we chat about how to find drive and motivation, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people and why challenging yourself in every aspect of your life is necessary for growth.
Get to know
Being bought up in an athletic family, Dan has always had an innate sense of resilience and motivation. This drove him to set up businesses across several different industries, from surf craft manufacturing to app development. He now has combined his entrepreneurial spirit with his passion for challenging himself mentally and physically. Drawing on his vast and strong network, Dan founded Fund My Challenge. An easy-to-use donation app, which creates an ecosystem of people that want to help. With unmatched capabilities in getting the message out there and raising a lot of money for people or causes in need. He now balances his fast-moving business with family and fitness: all essential and equal components of his happy life on the Gold Coast.
What we cover
Where he gets his energy for life from
Daily moments of uncertainty and overcoming them
Knowing you’ll have setbacks and how to take control of them
His first business venture
Forging his entrepreneurial career - failures and successes
How working in the gym environment wasn’t profitable, but was in terms of connections
His athlete’s mindset and the integral part it’s played in his life
Some of his toughest mental and physical challenges
How he started Fund My Challenge
The steps to take to get your idea off the ground
How important your network is
Taking risks and not giving up
Getting market validation - just because you think it’s great, doesn’t mean your market will
Aligning your passion, product and purpose
Surrounding yourself with honest people who can give you feedback
What a day in the life of Dan looks like
What doesn’t get inspected, doesn’t get respected
Why challenging yourself every day in some way is essential - it’s what keeps you moving forward
My biggest takeaway
There were so many golden soundbites, but I’d say the main takeaway was creating your own athlete’s mindset. Being competitive with yourself, encouraging yourself to take risks and challenges all while looking after your health. With your health in order you’ll have the energy and self belief to smash those goals both in fitness and business.
Links mentioned in the podcast
Fund My Challenge: https://www.fundmychallenge.com/
Fund My Challenge Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fundmychallengeapp
Fund My Challenge Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fundmychallengeapp/
Download on Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fund-my-challenge/
Download on Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=fund.my.challenge
Dan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-carruthers-517688183/?originalSubdomain=au
Dan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancarruthers_/?hl=en
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Today we’ve got Van Middleton on the show. Van is known for his creative photography style, mixing a balance between photojournalism and portraiture. We chat about how he’s found his style and how he sees the wedding industry pivoting after COVID.
Get to know Van Middleton (Website Copy)
Where do I begin?
First and foremost, I’m a father, husband, brother & son. My world revolves around my little girls and my wife.
I’m a curious and restless person. When I was younger I wanted to be a writer; I wrote a lot, including a few books, one that I finished just out of high school. My interest in writing has never faded, but it’s become dormant – I’ll revisit it one day. Now that I run my own business and play father and husband, I dont have time to read much, let alone write. And it takes so much time.
Instead I take photos. In many ways it’s a similar thing. I tell stories. I try to create beautiful things. I use my imagination, I explore, I try to capture moments, and manufacture things that will move people.
I studied Journalism at university, because I wanted to write and to tell stories, and see things. After graduating I learnt pretty quickly that journalists don’t do much of this at all. So I went travelling. I was a little bit lost.
I travelled for years, and during my travels I found two of the most important things in my life: my wife, and photography. I decided to keep both of them close for the rest of my life.
When I returned to Australia, I studied photography and film. I had no idea I wanted to shoot weddings, but I did understand what I had always known: I wanted to use my imagination, my creativity, and I wanted to work for myself. After graduating, work didn’t come easy, and I did more study, this time to become a teacher. It wasn’t what I wanted to do, but I wasn’t sure I had much choice.
While I studied, I shot a few weddings. I did them for next to nothing, for experience. My clients were happy. I looked around and realized that I could do a better job than my competitors. I didn’t raise my prices, but instead I shot dozens more weddings. I wanted to improve, and to learn. I studied the best wedding photographers in the world, I bought the best equipment. I got better. I’ve now shot more than 400 weddings. I’m still learning, and hopefully always will be.
Along the way I’ve also shot wedding videos. They’re difficult and stressful, and if you want one you’ll need to twist my arm. But I do a few here and there, just to keep myself on my toes, to test myself and discover new things.
I was asked once, by a prospective client, what my philosophy is. I found it an oddly disconcerting notion, that I should be able to distill my photographic approach into a few words – actually, into any words at all. Officially I call myself a Documentary Photographer. Or, probably because it borrows from my education, a Wedding Photojournalist. Neither of these titles are particularly accurate. In truth, I do whatever it takes at a wedding to get photos that I find most beautiful. Sometimes these photos involve me being an observer, hovering discreetly so I can snap the most unguarded moments. Sometimes they involve me rearranging furniture, manufacturing light, posing my muse, doing whatever it takes to get the shot I have in my head.
Text
REMOVE
Links mentioned in the show
Van’s Website: https://www.vanmiddleton.com/
Van’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanmiddletonphotography/?hl=en
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Looking back over the years, I have learnt some valuable lessons and want to share with you all some things that I wish I had done earlier in my career.
From creating specific goals, knowing my numbers, having a mentor and much more. These tips will help you not make the same mistakes I made and had to learn from.
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Today I talk all things marketing and go over things that have and have not worked in the past
From Social media, word of mouth to vendor relationships.
Learn the inns and outs of filling your funnel, ROI and more
- Se mer
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