Feeling stuck in the wedding photography "status quo?" In this solo episode, Laura dives into her personal process for finding and staying inspired so you can keep your galleries fresh, unique, and consistent without doing the same thing at every wedding.
She shares the unexpected sources of her most viral concepts and trends, including:
How an idea for a slow-shutter bridal party trend came from a photo of kids.
Taking cinematic inspiration from movies and visualizing a wedding as a film.
Turning dreams and even commercials into double exposure ideas, like the viral shot inside the client's eye.
How client Pinterest boards and questionnaires serve as a critical baseline for creativity and comfort level.
The most important rule: Never let your artistic vision overshadow the client's day.
Want to join a community of creatives pushing the boundaries of wedding photography?
Join our community "Shoot Bigger" at shootbigger.com.
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Join our Facebook group: Join Here
Feeling stressed about slow bookings? This episode is for you.
Try Imagen AI and get 1,500 free edits: https://imagen-ai.com/?ref=pinckards
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepinckards
In this solo episode, Dan shares five actionable strategies you can implement right now to start getting more inquiries. He covers everything from optimizing your website's first impression and contact form to the power of building a strong referral network with other vendors. Plus, learn why a limited-time offer might be the key to sparking action and how to use value-driven social content to attract your ideal clients. Dan also stresses the importance of following up with past leads and clients to unlock a goldmine of potential referrals you might be missing out on.
Are you feeling stuck in the same routine? Do you have big dreams but struggle to find the motivation to achieve them? In this episode, Dan and Laura share their key takeaways from James Clear's "Atomic Habits" and discuss the power of the "1% Rule." They dive into how tiny, consistent changes can compound over time to create extraordinary results in your life and business.
A HUGE thank you to Imagen for sponsoring this show. If you haven't already, go sign up for Imagen here and try it for yourself. We will soon be offering our editing profile (AI version of a preset that will work SO much better than presets ever do), but you can also train your own AI editing profile or use one of the free ones.
Key Takeaways:
The difference between goal-oriented and habit-oriented thinking.
How to build an identity around the person you want to become.
Applying the "1% Rule" to a photography business to avoid burnout.
A fascinating case study of the British cycling team and their journey from worst to first.
Show Notes:
Try Imagen (get 1,500 free edits) | AI editing platform that saves us SO much time
Book: Atomic Habits by James Clear
In this heartfelt and candid solo episode, Laura gets real about the challenges and unexpected pressures of being a new mom while running a successful business. She dives into the emotional tug-of-war between prioritizing her baby and her work, the societal expectations placed on women, and the surprising lack of grace people show to small business owners. Laura shares her personal struggles with mom-guilt, burnout, and the importance of asking for help, while also celebrating the resilience of women who are doing both. This is an unscripted, unfiltered conversation for any "mompreneur" who has felt alone in their journey.
We took a little break, because we were rearranging our podcast studio, but we're BACK. In this episode, Dan and Laura talk about some controversial opinions in the photography industry.
We're curious to hear your thoughts on these, so be sure to comment on Spotify!
Send galleries with Pic-Time (free month): https://laurapinckard.pic-time.com/referral
Mentorship / coaching for photographers: https://thepinckards.com/photography-mentorship-sessions/
Our YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thepinckards
In this episode, Dan and Laura answer the question, "You guys are well known and popular among photographers (for good reason), but what has helped grow your business with clients not in the industry?"
Send galleries with Pic-Time (free month): https://laurapinckard.pic-time.com/referral
Mentorship / coaching for photographers: https://thepinckards.com/photography-mentorship-sessions/
Our YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thepinckards
In this episode of Fully Exposed, a photography podcast by The Pinckards, Dan and Laura read some hilarious stories that actually happened at people's weddings. From uninvited family members crashing the wedding to vendors ghosting at the worst possible moment, we’re diving into some chaotic and downright bizarre wedding stories.
GIVEAWAY: We’re also running a massive giveaway right now for photographers. The grand prize is a full-day in-person mentorship with us in a scenic US location — including a styled shoot, deep-dive business coaching, and just time to hang out (valued at over $5,000). Two additional winners will get virtual mentorship calls.
Want 10 bonus entries? Listen to this episode for how to earn them.
Links mentioned:
→ Follow us on Instagram: @thepinckards
→ Follow our podcast on Instagram: @fullyexpo
→ Try Pic-Time (our favorite gallery delivery software): https://laurapinckard.pic-time.com/referral
Another episode of The Pinckards’ photography podcast, Fully Exposed. In this episode, Dan and Laura talk about hate mail they received a few years ago, along with rude comments that they get frequently.
Send galleries with Pic-Time (free month): https://laurapinckard.pic-time.com/referral
Mentorship / coaching for photographers: https://thepinckards.com/photography-mentorship-sessions/
Our YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thepinckardsm
This discussion is lighthearted & humorous, making light of negativity, but also touches on some important lessons for photographers who are spending a lot of time on social media.
As photographers, we are working in a field that is entirely subjective by nature. Even the “objective” rules of photography should be broken intentionally more often than not. Everything from lighting to focus to composition, it all can be done in a dozen different ways to achieve completely different styles.
Because of that, it’s inevitable that there will be people who dislike your photos, no matter what you do. There is no lighting setup, no camera settings, no posing, and no framing technique that will please everyone. On social media, the result is that you will undoubtedly get rude comments from time to time, and it’s important to put thought into how that impacts you emotionally and mentally.
What is it like to be a full-time husband & wife photography team while being new parents?
We had no idea what to expect when we found out we were pregnant last year, so we wanted to share some thoughts for any other photographers who have thought about having kids & have no clue what to expect.
Questions? Let us know so we can answer them in future episodes!
In this episode, Dan & Laura talk about how they got into photographing elopements and share some tips for photographers wanting to get into elopement photography. Curious about our experience getting into elopements about 7 years ago? This episode is for you!
Pic-Time free month: https://laurapinckard.pic-time.com/referral
Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepinckards
What does it mean to be original as an artist? Is it even possible to create something original as a photographer?
In this episode, we talk about some comments we’ve gotten on Facebook posts and discuss what originality actually means.
Pic-Time free month: https://laurapinckard.pic-time.com/referral
Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepinckards
In this episode, we talk with Staci Brucks about how she stays inspired as a photographer even after being in the industry for several years. She gives tips and advice on how to not get burnt out while continuing to do what you love!
Staci is an incredibly talented photographer and also posts a ton of fun behind the scenes content - so definitely go follow her!
Staci’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stacibrucksphoto
Staci’s website:https://stacibrucksphoto.com
In this episode, we sit down with Barbados-based wedding photographer Gina Francesca to talk about the turning point that launched her full-time photography career-becoming a mom. Gina shares how she went from a traditional 9-5 to building a thriving destination wedding business, what it took to make the leap, and the real-life challenges and mindset shifts that came with it. Whether you're on the fence about going full time or just love a good origin story, this one's for you.
Gina's Website: https://www.ginafrancescaonline.com/
Gina's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginafrancescaphotography/
If you’ve ever felt behind in your photography journey, like everyone else is growing faster, booking more clients, or finding success while you’re stuck—this episode is for you. In this powerful conversation, Dan and Laura sit down with photographer Neshaszda (@neshaszdazphotography) to talk about one of the most relatable struggles in the photography world: comparison.
They dive deep into the real, often-unspoken mindset challenges photographers face—especially when you're building a business in the age of social media. From battling imposter syndrome to feeling invisible online, this episode reminds photographers that slow growth is still growth—and that showing up with intention matters more than flashy success.
Neshaszda shares candidly about her early days, the moments she felt discouraged, and how she’s learned to stay consistent even when results weren’t immediate. They talk about why comparing yourself to other photographers will kill your creativity, how to navigate seasons of doubt, and how mindset work is often the key to long-term success.
Whether you're just starting your business or you're years in, this episode will meet you where you are—with encouragement, wisdom, and a reminder that you’re not alone in the ups and downs.
Connect with Neshaszda on IG: @neshaszdazphotography
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @thepinckards
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: The Pinckards on YouTube
🌐 Our Website: thepinckards.com
Topics We Cover:
Why comparison is such a trap for photographers
The truth about “overnight” success stories
How to keep showing up when no one’s watching
Letting go of hustle culture and embracing rest
Serving your clients instead of chasing growth
Mindset shifts that help you build a sustainable photography business
If you’re looking for a photography podcast that’s honest, encouraging, and focused on both mindset and business, hit play on this one. Then share it with a photographer friend who needs to hear it, too.
Thinking about starting a photography business in 2025? In this episode, we break down exactly how we would start from scratch, covering portfolio building, finding your niche, setting up your website, marketing strategies, and booking clients.
We started our business in 2017 with no experience, no portfolio, no formal photography education, and nobody to guide us. It was all trial and error, but that taught us the best (and worst) ways to go about starting and growing a business. Within two years, we had broken six figures, and revenue continued increasing every year.
Hopefully this episode gives you some clarity on where you should start to have a good trajectory for growth.
Have questions about starting a photography business? Send us a DM on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/thepinckards
Need a photography business mentor? https://thepinckards.com/photography-mentorship-sessions/
In this candid and relatable episode of our photography podcast, we sit down with the talented photographer Kaila from Kaila & Company (https://kailaandcompany.com). We have a heartfelt conversation about a topic many photographers can relate to: setting boundaries.
Go follow Kaila on Instagram at @kailaandco!
Kaila shares her experiences and insights on how to handle requests from friends and family who expect discounted or free photos, and how we can communicate and set boundaries better. Additionally, we dive into the importance of setting clear expectations with clients through thorough contracts, ensuring a smooth and respectful working relationship.
Join us in this episode as we discuss Threads, the social media app launched by Meta to compete with Twitter. As photographers, we share our initial impressions of the platform, highlighting what we appreciate about it and discussing what it might look like in the future.
We talk about what makes Threads unique compared to other social media platforms. For example, we love how it encourages conversations and interaction, going beyond the photo-centric nature of Instagram. Threads helps us connect with our followers on a more personal level, fostering a sense of community among photographers.
Looking ahead, we explore the potential impact of Threads on the photography world. We envision it becoming a preferred platform for photographers in some aspects, offering features tailored to our needs without requirement as much time/emotional commitment as Instagram.
Join us for this insightful episode as we delve into Threads, appreciating its potential as a game-changing platform for photographers. And if you haven't already, give us a follow on Threads!
In a book I'm reading (the 1-page marketing plan), the author said that any small business that doesn't track their marketing data is being an idiot. That motivated me to take the time to get reports set up in Google Analytics for our websites, and you should do the same for yours!
Listen to this solo episode, where I talk about why it's important that you take the time to do this now so you can make data-driven decisions in the future.
Photographers! I'm going to start a new series of podcast episodes. Each one will be short and sweet, explaining what I am doing that day to enhance our marketing efforts for wedding photography, elopements, or studio sessions. The goal is to for this series to be a step-by-step "follow along" guide to help you grow your business.
In this episode, I'm talking about setting up a drip email campaign with Klaviyo, which will triggers automatic emails that start after someone has done a session or wedding with us. The goal of this drip email flow is to stay at the top of past clients' minds, give them incentives to recommend us to friends, and do it all on autopilot with minimal effort from us.