477: Jenny Stein - How Everyday Photos Can Change Your Life

05/30/24 • 81 min

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In this episode of the Beginner Photography Podcast, I chat with Jenny Stein, a heartfelt family documentarian photographer dedicated to capturing real emotions. Jenny reveals the challenges of maintaining a love for photography when it becomes a business and shares powerful insights on how photography can provide closure in times of grief. We dive deep into balancing conflicting emotions and the significance of capturing authentic moments, even during difficult times.
The Big Ideas:

Balancing Emotions: Conflicting emotions can coexist in photography; both joy and sorrow are real and valuable to capture. This duality enriches your work.
Authenticity in Moments: Authentic photos during difficult times can offer significant comfort and closure, preserving the true essence of the moment.
Personal Connection: Personal losses and experiences shape your perspective and add depth to your photographs. Let your unique story enhance your creative vision.
Evolving Perspectives: As you grow, allow your photography interests to evolve. Focus on what you're good at and what genuinely inspires you to keep the passion alive.

Photography Action Plan:

Capture Real Emotions: During your next shoot, create space for authentic moments by engaging with your subjects and encouraging natural interactions. Review your photos with a critical eye, selecting those that genuinely capture raw emotions and telling a compelling story.
Diversify Your Portfolio: Set up scenes that depict both joyful and solemn emotions. This practice will help you become more versatile and empathetic in your work. Gather these varying shots into a mixed portfolio to showcase your ability to capture the full spectrum of human experience.
Reflect on Personal Losses: Take some time to reflect on moments of personal loss. Consider how these experiences can inform and deepen your photography practice. Write down three ways in which these experiences can shape your approach to photographing others.
Engage in Personal Projects: Start a personal project focusing on a theme close to your heart, such as family moments or personal loss, and make it a point to capture these authentically. Share your project with a trusted group or online community to receive feedback and refine your narrative approach.
Embrace Daily Practice: Commit to a 365 project where you take a photo every day, focusing on capturing real-life moments. This consistency will improve both technical skills and emotional depth. Maintain accountability by joining a group or setting reminders, and reflect weekly on the emotional journey and learnings from your daily shots.

Learn What Camera Settings to Use in our free guide!
https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Connect with Raymond!

Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Get your Photo Questions Answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

Balancing Emotions: Conflicting emotions can coexist in photography; both joy and sorrow are real and valuable to capture. This duality enriches your work.
Authenticity in Moments: Authentic photos during difficult times can offer significant comfort and closure, preserving the true essence of the moment.
Personal Connection: Personal losses and experiences shape your perspective and add depth to your photographs. Let your unique story enhance your creative vision.
Evolving Perspectives: As you grow, allow your photography interests to evolve. Focus on what you're good at and what genuinely inspires you to keep the passion alive.

Photography Action Plan:

Capture Real Emotions: During your next shoot, create space for authentic moments by engaging with your subjects and encouraging natural interactions. Review your photos with a critical eye, selecting those that genuinely capture raw emotions and telling a compelling story.
Diversify Your Portfolio: Set up scenes that depict both joyful and solemn emotions. This practice will help you become more versatile and empathetic in your work. Gather these varying shots into a mixed portfolio to showcase your ability to capture the full spectrum of human experience.
Reflect on Personal Losses: Take some time to reflect on moments of personal loss. Consider how these experiences can inform and deepen your photography practice. Write down three ways in which these experiences can shape your approach to photographing others.
Engage in Personal Projects: Start a personal project focusing on a theme close to your heart, such as family moments or personal loss, and make it a point to capture these authentically. Share your project with a trusted group or online community to receive feedback and refine your narrative approach.
Embrace Daily Practice: Commit to a 365 project where you take a photo every day, focusing on capturing real-life moments. This consistency will improve both technical skills and emotional depth. Maintain accountability by joining a group or setting reminders, and reflect weekly on the emotional journey and learnings from your daily shots.

Learn What Camera Settings to Use in our free guide!
https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Connect with Raymond!

Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Get your Photo Questions Answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

Previous Episode

476: You're Being Lied To... I'm Done

In this episode of the Beginner Photography Podcast, I pull back the curtain on the deceptive world of influencer marketing within the photography industry. I'll uncover how financial incentives and unethical practices are designed to mislead you when buying new gear. Learn why developing your skills should always take precedence over accumulating more gear. Reflect on your genuine needs before making purchases, and arm yourself with the knowledge to distinguish honest reviews from biased ones. As you listen, I encourage you to question the marketing messages you encounter, prioritize honing your craft, and aim for transparency in your own creative endeavors.

THE BIG IDEAS:

Skeptical Consumption: Always question product reviews to determine if they’re influenced by sponsorships. Trust your own instincts and needs.
Skill Over Gear: Focus on improving your photography skills instead of constantly upgrading your equipment—it's your ability that makes the difference.
Transparency Value: Understand the ethical implications of influencer marketing in shaping your buying decisions. Aim for transparency in your own practices.
Personal Needs: Evaluate how, why, and if you will use a product before making a purchase—tailor your toolkit to your specific requirements.

PHOTOGRAPHY ACTION PLAN:

Evaluate Current Gear: List out all your current equipment and consider which items you use frequently. Identify gaps in your skills that you might improve with your existing gear before buying new items.
Research Ethically: Check multiple sources for reviews to compare and contrast their opinions on new products. Look for content creators who transparently disclose their sponsorships and affiliations.
Focus on Skill Development: Spend dedicated time each week practicing different photography techniques. Invest in courses or workshops that focus on building your core photography skills.
Create a Test Environment: Set up controlled environments to experiment and learn more effectively, using the gear you already own. Document your findings and review how well your current gear meets your actual needs.

Board of Photography Advisors - Youtube

Creativity

Attic Darkroom: reminds me to get out of my comfort zone and try some crazy ideas even if they seem destined to fail - https://www.youtube.com/@atticdarkroom
Kim Grant: Has an idea and tests it. Encourages me to go deeper into smaller subjects - https://www.youtube.com/@kimgrantphotography

Technical

Daniel Norton: In depth discussions about light and BTS - https://www.youtube.com/@DanielNortonPhotographer
Mark Wallace: Always sharing tips on using different kinds of light -

Learn What Camera Settings to Use in our free guide!
https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Connect with Raymond!

Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Get your Photo Questions Answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

Next Episode

478: Taylor Jackson - Mastering Wedding Photography: Tips for Work-Life Balance and Efficiency

In this episode of the Beginner Photography Podcast, I chat with Taylor Jackson, a multifaceted wedding and travel photographer who has mastered the art of balancing work-life dynamics and outsourcing for efficiency. Taylor shares insightful anecdotes about his journey, emphasizing the value of trusting your process and understanding the benefits of outsourcing editing. He talks about creating a seamless client experience, from initial inquiry to final delivery which allows him more time to do everything else he loves.

THE BIG IDEAS

Outsourcing for Efficiency: By trusting others with the editing process, you can focus on your core creative tasks, maintaining quality control while gaining more time.
Streamlined Communication: Simplifying interactions with clients can lead to increased efficiency and a reduction in time spent on back-and-forth emails.
Networking within the Industry: Building relationships with vendors and venues strengthens your professional network and can lead to more business opportunities.
Marketing Your Expertise: Creating valuable local content draws in potential clients and establishes you as a knowledgeable and trusted photographer in your area.

PHOTOGRAPHY ACTION PLAN

Outsource Your Editing: Research and choose a reliable editing service or individual to handle your photo editing. Start with a small batch of photos to test their quality and turnaround time before committing fully.
Simplify Client Communication: Streamline your booking process by clearly listing your pricing and offerings on your website. Use email templates for common inquiries to save time and ensure consistent communication.
Enhance Your Networking: Reach out to local wedding venues, dress shops, and other vendors to introduce yourself and explore potential collaborations. Attend local wedding fairs or industry meetups to expand your connections and learn from peers.
Develop Your Marketing Content: Create blog posts or social media content that offers valuable tips for local wedding planning. Make venue tours or behind-the-scenes videos to showcase your expertise and help build trust with potential clients.
Focus on In-Camera Quality: Practice shooting in different lighting conditions to improve your technical skills and minimize the need for extensive post-processing. Experiment with composition, posing, and lighting to create compelling images straight out of the camera, reducing editing time later.

Learn What Camera Settings to Use in our free guide!
https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Connect with Raymond!

Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Get your Photo Questions Answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!