My Creative Journey - Photography Podcast

Claire Darwish is the founder of Gallery Lane Magazine and in this episode she breaks down why so many photographers are attracting the wrong clients. Before she was teaching marketing, Claire was fully booked, shooting 15 to 20 family photography sessions a week. On paper, it looked like success. Six figures within months, constant inquiries and a calendar that never stopped. But behind the scenes she was editing until 2am, replying to emails in the car and missing time with her kids while on family holidays because she couldn't switch off. She had built momentum, but it was pulling her away from the reason she started in the first place.

In this conversation, we unpack the real reason photographers end up overworked or attracting the wrong clients. We talk about the trap of copying trends, chasing reach, and creating content for the algorithm instead of speaking directly to your ideal client. Claire shares how defining her ideal client changed her systems, communication style, inquiry process and marketing strategy. We explore why your ideal client is often a reflection of your values, how shared beliefs matter more than demographics, and why clarity is the difference between being busy and being fulfilled.

If you have ever felt stuck chasing trends, growing on Instagram but not booking the right people or wondering why your content isn't converting, this episode will help you recalibrate.

Claire's Instagram | Gallery Lane Instagram

Sign up for Gallery Lane Magazine 

Claire's Website 

Listen to Mike's Interview with Claire on Tog Royalty

In this episode we discuss:
• How to define your ideal client as a photographer
• Why copying Instagram trends attracts the wrong clients
• Photography marketing strategies that convert into real bookings
• The difference between Instagram reach and attracting aligned clients
• How viral content can hurt your brand positioning
• Overbooking, burnout, and the hidden cost of being fully booked
• Setting boundaries and building sustainable systems in your photography business
• Hands off vs hands on clients and how to market differently to each
• Building a photography business that supports your life, not consumes it

Thanks for tuning in and if you did enjoy todays episode, make sure to leave a Rating or Review on your platform of choice.

Check out the Video Podcast on YouTube

Mike's Instagram | Mike's TikTok

Editing and Post Production by Mossy Heart Media
https://www.instagram.com/mossyheartmedia/

Music Created by JWPATON

Laura Shepherd is a wedding photographer, flash enthusiast and educator based in Portland, Oregon known for her bold, editorial style and refreshingly simple approach to off camera flash. In this episode, we go deep into flash photography and break down why so many photographers overcomplicate it. Laura shares how she learned flash early in her career, why she believes light is creative rather than technical and intimidating and how simplifying education has become part of her mission.

We also dive into her journey from working in marketing at Nike, to becoming a corporate flight attendant, to discovering photography during 2020 and completely changing her life. She talks openly about imposter syndrome, burnout, social media, and what it means to be an introvert building community online. If flash has ever confused you, intimidated you, or felt overly technical, this conversation will help you rethink it completely.

Laura's Off Camera Flash Guide:
https://www.laurashepherdimages.com/product-page/master-guide-to-off-camera-flash

Say Hi to Laura on
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurashepherdimages/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laura_shepherd_images

Sign up for updates from Laura about new courses & guides:
https://mailchi.mp/09a9bef98304/laura-shepherd-images-email-list

In this episode we talk about:
- Why flash doesn’t have to look flashy
- How to actually understand aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and flash working together
- The biggest mistakes photographers make when learning flash
- Why copying someone else’s settings will never work
- TTL vs manual on real wedding days
- How to recognise flash in other people’s work
- Using higher apertures like f/8, f/11 or even f/14 for that editorial look
- When one flash is enough and when two lights make sense
- How to get comfortable moving your flash off camera

Thanks for tuning in and if you did enjoy todays episode, make sure to leave a Rating or Review on your platform of choice.

Check out the Video Podcast on YouTube

Mike's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikejeffreyphoto/
Mike's TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mikejeffreyphoto/

Editing and Post Production by Mossy Heart Media
https://www.mossyheartmedia.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/mossyheartmedia/

Music Created by JWPATON
https://www.instagram.com/jwptn/

Gunawan has built a strong name for himself in Astrophotography. He runs in person workshops, he has worked with major brands and now he is asking a bigger question…. How do you turn everything you’ve learned into something you can sell? In this episode, Mike and G unpack what it really looks like to move into photography education. Not some fake polished version, but the real version with doubts, imposter syndrome and the fear that you're not ready yet. G shares his goal of launching an astrophotography course and expanding into workshops as Mike talks through the exact hurdles he is facing right now. Automation, Platforms, Pricing, Confidence, Audience expectations. All of it is in this episode. We want to show you that you do not need to be the best to teach. You only need to be a few steps ahead of the person you are helping. But you have to be willing to put yourself out there and learn as you go. This episode is not a polished masterclass. It's just two photographers and friends figuring it out in public. If you have ever thought about teaching, launching a course, or running workshops, this episode is for you.

Join the waitlist for Gunawan's Astrophotography Course:
https://red-imagination-photography.kit.com/880d1a3724

Tourhero x Gunawan Bali Photography Tour 2026:
https://www.tourhero.com/en/epic-adventures/indonesia/the-island-illuminated-a-bali-photography-journey-with-g-gunawan-280333558

Connect with Gunawan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/red_imagination_adventure/

Thanks for tuning in and if you did enjoy todays episode, make sure to leave a Rating or Review on your platform of choice.

Check out the Video Podcast on YouTube

Mike's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikejeffreyphoto/
Mike's TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mikejeffreyphoto/

Editing and Post Production by Mossy Heart Media
https://www.mossyheartmedia.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/mossyheartmedia/

Music Created by JWPATON
https://www.instagram.com/jwptn/

Photographers should niche down, choose one style and stick to it! Sounds familiar right. But what if you enjoy a lot of different things? In this episode, I’m joined by Chihiro Yanagi to talk about creativity, identity and why doing everything can actually bring more joy and success. Creativity should feel enjoyable. It shouldn’t feel like a test you’re constantly failing. This isn’t a conversation about ignoring advice or doing things the wrong way. It’s about trusting where you are and giving yourself room to grow.

Chihiro also shares the story of how she found photography unexpectedly lonely when she moved from Japan to Australia. This led her to start Senpo, a photo walk community designed to help people find others to create with. It started as a simple post asking if anyone wanted to go for a photo walk. What followed truly surprised her.

Say Hi to Chihiro on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/picsbychii/

Keep up to date with SENPO Photowalks
https://www.instagram.com/senpo.photowalk/

Thanks for tuning in and if you did enjoy todays episode, make sure to leave a Rating or Review on your platform of choice.

Check out the Video Podcast on YouTube

Mike's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikejeffreyphoto/
Mike's TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mikejeffreyphoto/

Editing and Post Production by Mossy Heart Media
https://www.mossyheartmedia.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/mossyheartmedia/

Music Created by JWPATON
https://www.instagram.com/jwptn/

Gavin Blue OAM is the founder and current president of Heartfelt Australia New Zealand, a volunteer run charity that provides free professional photography to families experiencing stillbirth, terminal illness, or life threatening conditions in children. Since its founding, Heartfelt has grown to more than 300 volunteer photographers and has supported over 19,500 families across Australia and New Zealand.

In addition to his photographic work, Gavin has been a long standing leader within the photography industry, previously serving as president of the Australian Commercial and Media Photographers association and contributing to national photographic awards and professional standards. In recognition of his service to the community through Heartfelt, Gavin was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2019.

In this episode, Gavin shares reflections from three decades behind the camera, what photography has taught him about purpose, and how personal loss led to the creation of one of Australia’s most impactful photography charities.

Volunteer/Donate with Heartfelt - https://heartfelt.org.au/get-involved

Say Hi to Gavin:

Website - https://www.gavinblue.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gavinbluephoto/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/gavinbluephoto/

Thanks for tuning in and if you did enjoy todays episode, make sure to leave a Rating or Review on your platform of choice.

Check out the Video Podcast on YouTube

Mike's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikejeffreyphoto/
Mike's TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mikejeffreyphoto/

Editing and Post Production by Mossy Heart Media
https://www.mossyheartmedia.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/mossyheartmedia/

Music Created by JWPATON
https://www.instagram.com/jwptn/