Today, we’re talking about how to get good photos of bad subjects. When I say bad subjects, I don’t mean they’re bad people. What I mean is, they’re just not great on camera.

“Regardless of how bad someone thinks they are on camera, it’s our job as photographers to make something great. And if not great, to make something usable.”

IN THIS EPISODE

• Are most subjects good on camera?

• Why you should communicate and give direction to your subjects.

• The power of preset ideas and having a visual representation on set.

• Starting safe instead of ending safe.

• Making micro adjustments.

• Paying attention to body language.

• Knowing when to stop.

Connect with James

Website: jamespatrick.com

Instagram: @jpatrickphoto

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For more, visit jamespatrick.com

Today, we’re talking about bad actors or bad faith clients. These are clients who could potentially be trying to rip off your business, steal from you and try to take advantage of you as a small business owner.

“This can be, not only financially detrimental, it can be emotionally taxing.”

IN THIS EPISODE

• Certain situations James has had in his businesses with bad actors.

• Things you can do as a photographer to protect yourself and your business.

• What a contract actually does.

• The power of saving all your communication.

• Why you should listen to your intuition and be okay saying no.

• Should you collect a deposit?

• Facts over feelings.

• The last resort that will work.

Connect with James

Website: jamespatrick.com

Instagram: @jpatrickphoto

Share this podcast with a friend and remember to leave a 5-star review!

For more, visit jamespatrick.com

Welcome to the relaunch of the Beyond the Image Podcast! A show for creatives, made by a creative.

If you’ve listened to this show over the last few years, you’ll realize it’s rare I bring a guest back on a second time. This is a mistake I want to rectify. I went back to our episode from March 5, 2019 with one of the first guests I had on.

I heard this individual speaking on a webinar series on how creative professionals can navigate their career and try to procure work from bigger and better clients so they can scale their business and I knew I needed to have him on the podcast so I can pick his brain.

In his career he has been the Director of Photography at Sports Illustrated, a Senior Photo Editor for the New York Times, and the Associate Director of Photography for the White House. Currently, he is the VP of Photography for the WWE and I could not think of anyone better to bring back as a guest for the 600th episode of this show.

Welcome, Brad Smith, back to the show.

“The key thing to remember is, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

IN THIS EPISODE

• A review of Brad Smith's professional career trajecetory.

• What inspired Brad to take on the role of a leader and teacher in the photography industry.

• The most important realization you can have as a photographer.

• What will keep getting you jobs over and over again.

• The power of connecting with your clients.

• Why you need word of mouth in your business

• How deliverables have changed over time.

• What Brad and the WWE is looking for when looking at a photographer’s social media and portfolio.

• Being willing to evolve and adapt.

• The one character trait that will lead to better photographs.
  

Connect with James

Website: jamespatrick.com

Instagram: @jpatrickphoto

Connect with Brad

Website: https://www.wwe.com

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For more, visit jamespatrick.com

Here at the studio last week, we had our 4th annual get together where we had different creatives (whether photographers, videographers, producers, designers, etc.) to talk about the state of where the industry is at right now and the challenges we are facing as creatives within our businesses and to start to share best practices on how we can navigate these things.

The thing that kept coming up over the course of this 3 hour conversation is that so many creatives are still struggling with ways to develop new business for their companies.

Let’s talk about it.

“Having a specialty, never stopper me from working in any industry or any genre.”

IN THIS EPISODE

• What most of us are relying on for our business.

• How James was able to scale his business and what strategies he was implementing.

• 8 different things that James did in his business.

• The power of having a speciality.

• A strong way to stand out.

• Effective outbound marketing.

• Being seen by your ideal client.

• Why you need proactive marketing strategies.

Connect with James

Website: jamespatrick.com

Instagram: @jpatrickphoto

Share this podcast with a friend and remember to leave a 5-star review!

For more, visit jamespatrick.com

In today’s episode, I want to talk about haters. Also known as, online trolls. In 20 years of running different businesses, I’ve had to navigate my fair share of trolling hate online. When you’re just starting in a new industry, this crap could be devastating. So, let’s talk about it.

“If you’re not upsetting anyone, then you are simply not doing enough to be noticed.”

IN THIS EPISODE

• What happened to James early in his career when he experienced online trolling.

• The realization James had that changed everything.

• What it actually means when you get haters.

• A reminder of why you do the work you do and who you do it for.

Connect with James

Website: jamespatrick.com

Instagram: @jpatrickphoto

Share this podcast with a friend and remember to leave a 5-star review!

For more, visit jamespatrick.com

Before I really launched into my career as a professional photographer, I had a lot of hesitations and reservations. I had a lot of thoughts and questions about if I could make it. Had I allowed those thoughts to take root, I never would’ve picked up a camera. Let’s talk about what it takes to be successful.

“What is actually stopping you from getting started?”

IN THIS EPISODE

• Initial thoughts I had when starting my photography business.

• The real reason why I’ve had over 20 years of success and awards in my business.

• How to have success in any industry.

• How to stay exactly where you are now.

Connect with James

Website: jamespatrick.com

Instagram: @jpatrickphoto

Share this podcast with a friend and remember to leave a 5-star review!

For more, visit jamespatrick.com

Photographing SI Swimwear’s In Her Words with Taylor Ballantyne

Hosted by: James Patrick

We have a brand new approach for an episode today. I get to speak to a creative and we are going to unpack their catalog, work, and experiences and get a behind the scenes look at what it takes to bring some of these projects to fruition.

My guest today who I’m chatting with it Taylor Ballantyne, a photographer and director.

“It’s our responsibility to learn how people are digesting information, first and foremost.”

IN THIS EPISODE

• How Taylor got her start into photography, started working with fashion brands, and then became a director.

• The power of taking the time to learn and work on different projects in different industries during your career.

• How work ethic has changed over time and why.

• The lack of communication this generation is facing.

• Why it’s so important to continue to evolve.

• Behind the scenes stories from some of Taylor’s projects.

• Working with models who aren’t comfortable.

• Are personal and business really separate?

• What Taylor is most excited for next in her career.

Connect with Taylor

Website: www.taylorballantyne.com

Instagram: @taylorbphoto @taylorbfilm

Connect with James

Website: jamespatrick.com

Instagram: @jpatrickphoto

Share this podcast with a friend and remember to leave a 5-star review!

For more, visit jamespatrick.com

Things I USED To Think Mattered as a Photographer

Hosted by: James Patrick

There’s a handful of things I thought really used to matter as my career as a photographer. At some point in the 20 years, I’ve realized that these are things that don’t matter at all. Let’s talk about those things in this episode.

“There is no right and no wrong in your stance as a creative professional in any of these things.”

IN THIS EPISODE

• 8 things I used to think really mattered as a photographer.

• What prevented me from outsourcing to editors.

• Should you set longer usage terms?

• What I think about giving your clients RAW files.

• Tagging and being tagged.

• Why the brand and amount of gear doesn’t actually matter.

• What really matters at the end of the day.

Connect with James

Website: jamespatrick.com

Instagram: @jpatrickphoto

Share this podcast with a friend and remember to leave a 5-star review!

For more, visit jamespatrick.com