Beating the Odds: What 23 Years as a Freelancer Has Taught Me
Photo by Robin Rayne In 2002, I left a full-time job to launch my freelance career as a visual storyteller. I had a couple of cameras, a good amount of hope, and just enough naivety…
Month: May 2025
Balancing Discernment and Warmth in Teaching (Especially When You’re Wired for Directness)
Photo by Dorie Griggs One of the strengths I bring to my workshops, especially the intense one-week kind, is discernment. I often see very clearly where someone needs help or correction. It's not a guess…
Why Teaching Is One of My Greatest Loves
This past week, I had the privilege of teaching lighting to the School of Photography students at YWAM Dunham. It wasn’t just another class on how to use studio gear—it was a week that reminded…
Why I Need Time to Process—and How It Helps Me Work Better
Photo by: Dennis Fahringer Over the years, I’ve understood that I need more time to process things than many. This isn’t a flaw or a lack of interest—it’s just how my brain works. As someone…
Tips from a Photographer: Getting the Best Headshots for Actors
Plus: Shout-out to Julie for Rocking Her Presentation! Yesterday, my friend Julie gave a fantastic presentation to a group of actors on the power and importance of headshots—and she nailed it. As someone who’s worked…
The Power of Curiosity in the Life of a Photographer
Caption: Stanley Leary teaches studio lighting in the School of Photography in Kona, Hawaii. [photo by: Dennis Fahringer] If you had told me years ago that I would be a professional communicator, I probably would…
When Photographers Help Each Other Out: Ethics & Best Practices
Caption: Straight from Tel Aviv to ATL, Israeli comedian Yohay Sponder brought the house down with his sharp, witty, and relatable humor! He was the headline act for Thursday Night Live, lighting up the stage…
Do You Really Need That New Camera? Here’s How I Decide When to Upgrade
Every time a camera company releases a new model, the internet goes crazy. The reviews start flooding in, YouTube thumbnails scream “GAME CHANGER,” and you can practically hear your credit card twitching in your wallet.…
The Unseen 25%: What Freelancers Spend Their Time Doing
The past few days have been a bit of a reality check, and if you’re freelancing or running your own business, you might relate. I’ve been knee-deep catching up on bookkeeping. It’s the kind of…
When Stress Sneaks In: How to Spot It, Own It, and Move Forward
This morning, I made a simple mistake in Quicken—one of those errors where you realize it just a second too late. I had to pull out the Time Machine backup, go back a few days,…
Smart Shooting: How I Use GPS and Face Recognition to Add Value for Clients
As a storyteller and brand builder, I’ve found that embedding GPS data and utilizing facial recognition in my photography workflow enhances my organization and adds immense value for my clients. These tools go beyond the…
Why the Words We Use Matter More Than Ever
Photo Caption: David and Tami Woods are beginning a new chapter in Bobo, Burkina Faso—and they’re not doing it alone. As they moved into their new home, they were welcomed by homeowner M. Augustus Dembele…