Not every photographer wants—or needs—to go pro. In this powerful episode, Khandie unpacks the joy and freedom of being a hobbyist photographer in a world obsessed with monetisation. Whether you shoot for peace, pleasure, or personal meaning, this episode validates your choice, dismantles creative gatekeeping, and reminds you that art doesn’t have to earn money to matter.
🎧 Perfect for: hobbyists, burnt-out pros, or anyone who loves photography just because.
📸 Follow @khandiephoto for more no-BS creative conversations.
Photographers are sounding the alarm on scammers in the industry—but what if you’re the one setting off the warning bells? In this brutally honest episode of The Loud Lens, Khandie Rees breaks down the red flags clients see all over social media—no contracts, no insurance, dodgy portfolios, styled shoots masking inexperience, and outdated business practices. This isn’t just a callout—it’s a wake-up call. Let’s fix the mess before it costs you your reputation.
Sign up here to be sent the Red Flag Audit.
⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode discusses grief, child loss, terminal illness, and emotional trauma. Please listen with care.
In this emotionally raw episode of The Loud Lens, I share the stories behind the most powerful—and heartbreaking—sessions I've ever photographed. From cancer warriors to child funerals, from pet goodbyes to grieving mothers, this is the side of photography that rarely gets talked about.
This isn't about lighting setups or editing tips. It's about holding space. It's about seeing people in their pain and being brave enough to document it. If you’ve ever wondered what it really means to be a photographer beyond the portfolio, beyond perfection, beyond the performance—this one’s for you.
Summer's here—but your bookings might not be. Whether you’re off on holiday, stuck in a slow season, or drowning in weddings, this episode is packed with real, actionable advice for photographers who want to stay visible and grow their brand without faking the hype or frying their brain.
Host Khandie Rees gets brutally honest about:
How to look booked and busy without lying to your audience
Marketing while on holiday (without being cringe or manipulative)
Building your portfolio ethically at festivals, events and on the go
Balancing work-life without disappearing from your audience
Copywriting tricks that sell your vibe without desperation
Referencing past episodes like “Taking Up Space”, “Burn It All Down”, and “You’re Not a Freelancer—You’re a Damn Business”, this longer-form episode helps you treat summer like what it really is: a chance to recharge, reconnect, and re-market yourself like a pro.
Perfect for photographers who want real results, honest advice, and zero fluff.
What if the thing that built your career wasn’t your qualifications—but your grit?
In this brutally honest episode, I share how I went from a complicated, abusive childhood and academic overachievement to building a thriving creative business with zero formal training in my field.
I am unpacking:
Whether you’ve felt gatekept by education, been told you’re “not creative enough,” or are simply done waiting for the ‘right time’ to start—this episode is your sign to burn the rulebook.
You don’t need a degree to make noise. You need guts, Google, and the willingness to begin.
From ghosting weddings to turning up drunk, we're diving deep into the wildest real-life stories of photographers behaving badly. Join me as I react to documented horror stories (yep, even that one where a photographer shot the wrong wedding) in my classic no-BS, OMG-what-the-actual-hell tone. It’s chaos, it’s cathartic, and it’s your checklist for how not to end up as the next Reddit cautionary tale.
Tired of hearing the same old tips? “Post more!” “Niche down!” “Just charge your worth!” — Yeah, we’re calling BULLSH*T on most of it.
In this episode of The Loud Lens, I break down the most overhyped, useless, and damaging photography advice circulating in the creative world—and replaces it with practical, tested strategies that actually help you grow a real business.
You’ll learn:
🎧 Plus, I dish out truths from my own journey, my books, my YouTube channel, and The Loud Lens community—so you know this ain’t theory.
📚 Grab the books:
No One Fucking Cares… About Your Photography
🎥 Watch BTS + more: YouTube.com/@KhandiePhoto
🔗 Join the convo: What’s the worst advice you’ve ever been given as a photographer?
Photography has an influencer probleman d it’s time we talk about it.
In this episode of The Loud Lens, I’m diving into how influencer culture is slowly eroding trust in the photography industry. From fake BTS content and gear reviews with affiliate links to photographers who haven’t done a paid shoot in years telling you how to run your business… we’ve lost the f*cking plot.
I’m not here to cancel anyone—I’ve worked with brands too—but I am here to demand more honesty, more transparency, and a serious reset in how we value photographic work.
🎯 We cover:– The pressure to become a content creator instead of a photographer– Why gear hype and switch-ups are killing credibility– Real-life examples where influencer trust has broken down– What brands, creators, and you can do to make this better
If you’ve ever felt like the algorithm is more important than the image—you’re not alone. And you’re not crazy.
🔥 Let’s bring the craft back.
💬 Join the conversation in The Loud Lens Facebook group or DM me on Instagram @khandiePhoto
📱 Want to watch the video version? Head to my YouTube channel: Khandie Photography
#photographypodcast #thetruthaboutinfluencers #photographyeducation #theloudlens #authenticphotography
A lot of photographers aren’t running businesses. They’re running expensive hobbies with fancy gear and no plan. In this episode, I sit down with business coach and networking event host Brian Wrigley to get brutally honest about what’s going wrong in the photography industry.
We dig into:
Why photographers are scared to charge properly
The real reason your bookings have dried up
Whether networking is still worth your time in 2025
How the “passion over profit” mindset is killing your business
Brian works with business owners across industries — and while I don’t endorse many coaches, I do back a frank conversation. If you’ve been undercharging, hiding from marketing, or just winging it — this one’s your wake-up call.
🎙 Recorded for photographers who are ready to run a proper business.
Find out more about Brian: https://maximum-profit.co.uk/
“My partner doesn’t get it — being a photographer isn’t a 9–5.”
That’s what a listener messaged me recently via The Loud Lens Facebook group, struggling to explain the reality of a creative career to someone new in their life. So I invited my own partner — the unofficial assistant, emotional support human, and long-suffering plus-one — to the mic.
This brutally honest, listener-requested episode explores what it’s really like being in a relationship with a full-time photographer. From last-minute shoots and missed date nights to creative burnout, clout-chasing in the industry, and the personal sacrifices we don’t talk about — nothing’s off limits.
🎧 In this episode:
What it’s like dating a photographer (spoiler: not easy)
Why creatives don’t just “clock off” at 5pm
Balancing ambition, burnout, and intimacy
What non-creatives really see behind the lens
The unspoken emotional cost of building a photography business
This one’s for the partners, the new relationships, and the creatives trying to keep love alive in a hustle-obsessed world.
🖤 Have an episode request?
DM me or post in The Loud Lens Facebook group — your story might just be next.
Conflict in the creative industry? Oh, honey, it’s not just common—it’s practically currency. From late payments and ghosting clients to toxic 'community' politics and behind-the-scenes backstabbing, creatives face a war zone disguised as a vibe. In this specially requested episode of The Loud Lens, Khandie Rees rips the lid off the reasons creatives fall out—spoiler: it’s usually about money, ego, or blurred boundaries—and gives you the tools to protect yourself while still thriving in this beautifully chaotic industry.
Still hanging onto a photography business that’s burning you out? Dreading shoots you once loved? You’re not broken—you’ve evolved. In this episode of The Loud Lens, I’m tearing down the myth that you have to “stick it out” forever just because you once liked it or because people expect it.
Whether you’re sick of weddings, burnt out from back-to-back minis, or feel like your audience has moved on without you—this is your sign. It’s OK to pivot. It’s OK to quit. It’s smart to diversify.
We’ll talk real-life examples, the red flags you’re probably ignoring, and the business power of burning things down to rebuild something better.
This was a specially requested episode from a follower.
Photography can be therapy—but it can also trigger burnout, anxiety, and imposter syndrome. In this episode of The Loud Lens, I dive deep into the honest, research-backed truth about how photography affects your mental health. From veterans using cameras to process trauma, to the crushing pressure of social media metrics, this episode explores both the healing and the harm.
Thank you Jenna for suggesting this episode.
Whether you're a new photographer trying to find your creative voice or a seasoned pro battling burnout, this is the no-BS conversation we need to be having.
🎯 What you'll learn:
How photography is used in real-world mental health therapy
Why imposter syndrome hits creatives so hard (with stats)
Mindful photography techniques to protect your sanity
Practical tools for balancing creativity with wellbeing
If you’ve ever felt like your camera saved you—or silently wrecked you—this one’s for you.
My second photography book No One F*cking Cares About Your Photography launches on 1st July — and in this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on both books. I break down why I wrote them..
Whether you’re deep in imposter syndrome, stuck comparing yourself to other photographers, or just tired of the same old “six figures in six weeks” advice — this is for you.
🔹 Why most creatives never get past self-doubt
🔹 What photographers need to stop doing immediately
🔹 How to build a selfish, intentional creative business
🔹 And why no one is your competition when you think bigger
This episode is a love letter to the bold, the tired, the burnt out, and the ready-to-get-shit-done.
📘 Book 1: Take The F*cking Lens Cap Off
📕 Book 2: No One F*cking Cares About Your Photography — Out 1st July
#photographybusiness #photographybooks #creativeentrepreneur #impostersyndrome #personalbrand #photographytips #theloudlens
This episode is for the any ones who’ve been told they’re “too much”—and still kept going.
From being called intimidating to building a brand on my own terms, I’ve learned that taking up space as a creative is the boldest thing you can do. I’ll show you why the groupthink can’t keep you safe, how to stop downplaying your brilliance, and what happens when you stop making yourself small for other people’s comfort.
Being visible isn’t vain—it’s powerful. So get loud. Be proud. And let’s talk about what happens when we stop apologising and start owning it.
I tried wildlife photography for the first time in a luxury hide in the Estonian wilderness… and I wasn’t ready.
Hosted by Wildlife Dreams (run by the brilliant Phil www.wildlife-dreams.com), this brand trip gave me a wild ride — from fox cubs just metres away while I edited fashion photos, to enduring rain, sweltering heat, and some brutally harsh Facebook feedback from the wildlife photography community.
This is my honest look at what it’s really like stepping into wildlife photography as a newcomer — the wonder, the judgment, and the joy.
🦊 Like, comment, and subscribe if you believe photography should stay accessible, ethical, and open to all.
Everyone’s talking about raising your prices but no one wants to talk about the real problem: you’re giving away your work for free.
In this brutally honest episode of The Loud Lens, host Khandie breaks down the industry’s quiet addiction to unpaid labour. From speaker slots at sold-out photography events to “collaborations” with brands offering a 10% discount instead of a cheque, we’re exposing the hidden economy of creative exploitation.
You’ll learn:
• Why unpaid work isn’t harmless — it’s strategic devaluation
• The psychological traps keeping you saying yes
• The real cost of “exposure” in events, education, and brand deals
• How to professionally say no without burning bridges (you weren’t invited to cross anyway)
• And why cutting off the supply is the only way to create a paid, respected future for creatives
📌 Tag this one: must-listen. Especially if you’ve ever accepted “opportunity” over income.
Are photographers and influencers becoming too entitled in public spaces? In this blunt episode, award-winning photographer and educator Khandie dives into the growing trend of creatives demanding silence, control, and exclusivity in parks, streets, beaches, and tourist hotspots — and why that’s a massive problem for the industry.
We unpack what UK law actually says about photography in public, the ethical line between creating and controlling, plus real stories of both nightmare shoots and respectful public work. You’ll get practical tips for how to shoot professionally in shared spaces — without acting like you own them.
Perfect for photographers, influencers, content creators, and anyone navigating shoots on location.
Sick of hearing photographers moan about “quiet months”? In this episode, I’m calling out the booking season myth and showing you exactly why your inbox is empty: it’s not the season, it’s your strategy.
We’ll break down why relying on trends keeps you broke, what a proper sales funnel actually looks like, and how to build a business that makes money all year round (yes, even in February). Real examples, real data, and real talk from someone who actually does this for a living.
If you’re tired of riding the feast-or-famine rollercoaster, this episode will give you the slap — and the strategy — you’ve been avoiding.
📣 Listen, learn, and start acting like the business owner you claim to be.
Phil from Wildlife Dreams joined me for the Estonian Fashion Festival thinking fashion photography would be simple compared to waiting hours for wildlife. Spoiler: it wasn’t.
In this episode of The Loud Lens, we dive into the reality behind the runway: limited shooting space, photographers ignoring etiquette, unpredictable lighting, and the intense pressure to get the shot (without stepping on any toes… literally).
Phil got a front-row seat to the challenges, and came away with a whole new level of respect for the craft.
If you think fashion shooters just press a button and call it art, this episode is your reality check.
