The Beginner Photography Podcast

#571 Valerie Jardin is a renowned street photographer, educator, and host of the Hit the Streets podcast, celebrated for her candid approach to capturing everyday moments. She recounts how her early influences growing up in France and her father's passion for wildlife photography shaped her artistic vision, even before she picked up a camera in her twenties. Valerie’s evolution from shooting wildlife and family portraits to ru...

#570 In Today’s Episode of the podcast I chat with YOU as I tackle a wide range of listener questions covering every stage of the photography journey. I respond directly to your real-world concerns, offering practical advice and personal insights on topics like preparing for photography trips, finding and owning your unique editing style, breaking into specialized fields such as wedding or food photography, and building a sustainab...

#569 Sean Kim is a passionate photographer whose journey explores the ways photography can help process emotions and discover meaning in life. Originally from South Korea and now living in the U.S., Sean transitioned from running a family business to finding profound purpose and self-expression through photography. His story is a testament to how picking up a camera can become a deeply personal tool for processing emotions, spiritu...

#568 Brian Doben is a celebrated commercial photographer whose journey into the craft was driven by pure instinct and a love for observing life—what he calls the “greatest romance” of his life aside from his marriage. Key themes throughout the episode include Brian’s unexpected entry into photography after realizing his first passion, professional cycling, wouldn’t pan out. He credits his success to a willingness to follow instinct...

#567 Allie Siarto is a wedding and lifestyle photographer based in East Lansing, Michigan, and host of the Photo Field Notes podcast. The episode is a deep dive into the importance of creating a world-class experience for portrait clients, a factor Allie emphasizes as crucial for building client loyalty and generating referrals in the photography business. Through engaging stories and clear advice, Allie illustrates how exceptional...

#566 In this episode of the podcast, I explore how photography can be a powerful tool for self-discovery—not just a way to create beautiful images or chase technical perfection. I share my belief that the most meaningful photos aren’t always the ones that earn the most likes or comments. Instead, our true value as photographers comes from how honestly we depict our lives and the world around us. 

KEY TOPICS COVERED

1. Photography as...

#565 Chris Owens is the Director of Photo Operations for IndyCar, and in this episode of The Beginner Photography Podcast, he shares what it’s really like to photograph the iconic Indianapolis 500. From his first experiences with disposable cameras as a child to leading a team of photographers at one of the world’s largest single-day sporting events, Chris details the technical, creative, and logistical challenges that come with hi...

#564 In this episode of the podcast, I dive deep into the idea that while capturing the right moment in photography matters most, it’s not everything. I share my own experiences as a photographer, especially those early days when I felt overwhelmed by all the camera settings—aperture, shutter speed, ISO—and how easy it is to get distracted by what influencers say you need in terms of new gear. I open up about how sharing my photos ...

#563 Kimberly Irish is a community member and moderator of the Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook group. Kim, based in Wisconsin, shares her journey from picking up a camera out of necessity to document her family’s life, to becoming a sought-after photographer who now primarily shoots weddings. The discussion explores the evolution of Kim’s skills, her approach to learning both technical and creative aspects of photography, and...

#562 In Today’s Episode of the podcast I chat with YOU as I dive into your most pressing photo questions. I take listener-submitted questions and share advice, stories, and practical strategies based on my own experiences as a photographer. Whether you’re wrestling with when to put a signature or logo on your images, trying to wrangle energetic kids during a family session, or feeling overwhelmed by all the technical settings on yo...

#561 John Kenny is a dedicated photographer based in rural England who shares his journey from picking up a camera for a family trip to building a portrait and headshot business. The conversation highlights John’s transition from landscape to portrait and headshot photography, underlining the importance of hands-on learning, continual practice, and client communication. 

KEY TOPICS COVERED

1. Getting Started and Early Learning - Joh...

#560 In this special “Workshop Episode” of the podcast, I, Raymond Hatfield, share my thoughts and experiences fresh off hosting our very first in-person workshop in Chicago. After nine years of connecting with listeners online, I finally brought together members of our community for a full day focused on photography, education, and camaraderie. This episode is a personal reflection on how meaningful it was to see faces behind the ...

#558 In this episode of the podcast, I wanted to shake things up by sharing five practical photo assignments that can help you build your skills no matter where you are in your photography journey. My goal was to get you out of passive learning mode and encourage you to actually take action—because in photography, ideas mean little without execution. Throughout the episode, I weave in personal stories and lessons learned from both ...

#557 Matt Austin is a dedicated sports photographer whose journey from a novice to a professional has been nothing short of inspiring. Matt’s life transformed dramatically as he went from using a basic camera to shooting high-profile sports events. Initially motivated by watching a Twitch stream of a videographer he admired, Matt took the dive into photography, capturing his local youth soccer league and rapidly advancing to sports...

#556 Mario Martinez is a dedicated photographer driven by the desire to capture genuine memories for his family. Mario shares his journey from an amateur photographer, motivated by a disappointing family photo experience, to a passionate pursuer of capturing genuine moments. The episode primarily revolves around the evolution of Mario’s photography skills, his intrinsic motivation, and the seamless integration of his camera into hi...

#555 Emily Brunner is a performance dance photographer from Philadelphia. The discussion focuses on Emily's journey from capturing casual photos of her children to specializing in dance photography. Key themes include transitioning into a photography niche, understanding the technical and artistic elements of dance photography, and the importance of collaborating with dancers to accurately capture their art. A central takeaway...

#554 Jeff Poole is a professional photographer who transitioned from a career as a paramedic to running a highly successful photography business. Jeff recounts how photography became pivotal in his life following the birth of his first child and the supportive push from family that set him on a path to transform a hobby into a profitable venture. The episode emphasizes the necessity of proper pricing and marketing strategies in pho...

#553 Dan Milnor is a seasoned photographer with over 25 years of experience. His career began with an unexpected twist when a lost transcript led him to a community college with a renowned journalism program. Milnor narrates his early experiences as a photojournalist, detailing the adrenaline-filled assignments and his eventual transition to documentary photography. The discussion delves into the challenges of keeping photography a...

#552 In this episode of the podcast, I share the core principles that shape both my personal photography journey and the mission of the podcast. Recognizing that photography can feel overwhelming for newcomers, I focus on shifting the mindset from technical skills to capturing meaningful moments. By sharing six foundational principles, I aim to inspire creativity, enhance confidence, and help photographers of all levels rediscover ...