The Beginner Photography Podcast

• How Thoughtful Details Win Photography Clients for Life with Allie Siarto

  #567 Allie Siarto is a wedding and lifestyle photographer based in East Lansing, Michigan, and host of the Photo Field Notes podcast. The episode is a deep dive into the importance of creating a world-class experience for portrait clients, a factor Allie emphasizes as crucial for building client loyalty and generating referrals in the photography business. Through engaging stories and clear advice, Allie illustrates how exceptional service, thoughtful preparation, and emotional connections often outweigh technical perfection in client satisfaction.KEY TOPICS COVEREDThe Power of Client Experience Over Technical Perfection - Allie explains that while technical skill is important, the client’s emotional experience during the shoot has a greater impact on their satisfaction. Providing guidance, being prepared, and making clients comfortable often leads to higher perceived value and greater word-of-mouth referrals.Practical Steps for Improving Client Experience - Major points include communicating proactively (e.g., style guides, prep emails), planning for logistics (like family lists and timeline management), dressing professionally, and using prompts to create genuine moments. Real-world examples such as helping clients find venues or ensuring parents feel included underscore how small efforts make a big difference.Continuous Learning and Reflection - Allie shares her own learning curve, including mistakes (like not asking parents if they wanted more photos), and details how she implements those lessons to continually improve. The importance of treating early years in business as an extension of education is highlighted, encouraging listeners to seek feedback and view setbacks as opportunities.IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS & CONCEPTSClient Experience: The cumulative impressions and feelings that clients have throughout their interactions with a photographer, from initial inquiry to final image delivery. Ensuring a positive client experience can be a greater predictor of success and referrals than technical image quality alone.Unposed Posing: A posing style that uses prompts and interactive questions to evoke natural expressions and genuine emotion, rather than traditional, static posing. This approach helps even uncomfortable clients relax, leading to more authentic and memorable images.DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONSHow do you currently manage the experience of your clients before, during, and after a shoot? What areas can you improve based on Allie’s advice?Think about a time you had a remarkable or disappointing service experience (outside of photography). What specific factors made the difference, and how can you apply those lessons to your photography business?RESOURCES:Visit Allie Siarto's Website - http://alliesiarto.com/Follow Allie Siarto on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alliesiarto/Grab your free 52 Lightroom Presets athttp://freephotographypresets.com/ Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.comConnect 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!

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  49:44
• The Mirror and the Megaphone: How Photography Reveals Who You Truly Are

  #566 In this episode of the podcast, I explore how photography can be a powerful tool for self-discovery—not just a way to create beautiful images or chase technical perfection. I share my belief that the most meaningful photos aren’t always the ones that earn the most likes or comments. Instead, our true value as photographers comes from how honestly we depict our lives and the world around us. KEY TOPICS COVEREDPhotography as Self-Discovery - Raymond explains that photography is more than just technical skill or visual appeal—it's a tool for self-exploration. The choices you make behind the camera act as a "mirror," revealing your interests, values, and the way you see the world.The Mirror and the Megaphone Metaphor - The “mirror” captures your authentic, unfiltered truth, while the “megaphone” amplifies what you choose to share with the world—curated, staged, or idealized moments. The real magic happens when your megaphone projects your mirror’s truth.Practical Ways to Shoot Authentically - Raymond recommends concrete strategies, like setting reminders to document ordinary scenes (e.g., your fridge, messy rooms) to foster honesty in your work. He challenges listeners to photograph something honest, unpolished, and meaningful—if only for themselves.IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS & CONCEPTSMirror: The aspect of photography that reflects your true self—your interests, emotions, and what you naturally notice. It’s about authenticity.Megaphone: The way you present or share your images, shaping how your story is told to others. This can be more curated or staged but is most powerful when aligned with your mirror.DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONSWhat do your everyday photo choices reveal about you?Have you ever felt pressure to shoot for an audience instead of for yourself?How can you begin to capture more authentic and honest moments in your daily life?Grab your free 52 Lightroom Presets athttp://freephotographypresets.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!

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  25:21
• Capturing the Action at the Indy 500 with Chris Owens

  #565 Chris Owens is the Director of Photo Operations for IndyCar, and in this episode of The Beginner Photography Podcast, he shares what it’s really like to photograph the iconic Indianapolis 500. From his first experiences with disposable cameras as a child to leading a team of photographers at one of the world’s largest single-day sporting events, Chris details the technical, creative, and logistical challenges that come with high-paced event photography.He explains how persistence, adaptability, and a passion for storytelling have shaped his career. Chris offers practical advice for breaking into event and sports photography, highlighting the importance of volunteering, networking, and being proactive with your portfolio. KEY TOPICS COVEREDBreaking into Event Photography & Building a Career - Chris discusses his early fascination with capturing memories, the path from hobby to professional, and strategies for getting noticed—including the power of volunteering and keeping a portfolio visible.Operational & Creative Challenges at the Indy 500 - The massive scale of the event requires intricate planning, teamwork, and shot lists; photographers often multitask and cover everything from action shots to sponsor events.Creative Storytelling in Fast-Paced Environments - Chris shares the importance of finding unique angles, moving beyond standard shots, and using techniques like slow shutter speeds to capture both speed and atmosphere.IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS & CONCEPTSShot List: A detailed plan assigning photographers to specific events, angles, or moments, ensuring coverage of all necessary aspects of a large event. Relevance: Essential for organizing coverage at events as vast as the Indy 500.DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONSHow does volunteering and working for free early in your career add value, and when should you start charging for your work?What are the unique storytelling opportunities at massive sporting events compared to smaller assignments?In what ways can photographers push themselves beyond “safe shots” to develop a recognizable style or perspective?RESOURCES:Visit Chris Owens' Website - https://www.chrisowensphotography.com/Follow Chris Owens on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisowens/Grab your free 52 Lightroom Presets athttp://freephotographypresets.com/ Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.comConnect 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!

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  1:04:21
• The Moment Isn't Everything in Photography

  #564 In this episode of the podcast, I dive deep into the idea that while capturing the right moment in photography matters most, it’s not everything. I share my own experiences as a photographer, especially those early days when I felt overwhelmed by all the camera settings—aperture, shutter speed, ISO—and how easy it is to get distracted by what influencers say you need in terms of new gear. I open up about how sharing my photos online sometimes left me second-guessing myself when the feedback was harsh or not constructive, and how important it is for our mental health to not tie our self-worth to internet commentary.KEY TOPICS COVEREDThe Role of Moment in Great Photography - I talk about why the “moment” is king, but also share a story of photographing race cars with my son to show that technical choices—like shutter speed—are what give your images the power to convey emotion and story.Overcoming Overwhelm and Gear Envy - I reflect on my struggles with self-doubt, gear lust, and how feeling unskilled led me to blame my camera for missed shots. I encourage you to focus on learning and being patient with yourself instead of obsessing over equipment or social media critique.Shooting in Manual and Preparing for the Moment - I break down my personal workflow, from choosing settings to working with couples, so you can enter your sessions confident in exposure and ready to pay attention to the fleeting moments that matter.IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS & CONCEPTSManual Mode: The camera setting where the photographer controls ISO, aperture, and shutter speed, rather than letting the camera choose. This gives more creative control and removes uncertainty about exposure.Exposure: The overall brightness or darkness of a photograph, determined by settings such as shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. Proper exposure is essential for capturing high-quality moments.DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONSHow has mastering camera settings changed the way you feel during a shoot?Have social media comments ever affected your confidence? How can you protect your creative process?What can you do before a session to minimize stress and maximize your ability to catch authentic moments?Grab your free 52 Lightroom Presets athttp://freephotographypresets.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!

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  26:02
• Growing as a Beginner through Photo Challenges with Kimberly Irish

  #563 Kimberly Irish is a community member and moderator of the Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook group. Kim, based in Wisconsin, shares her journey from picking up a camera out of necessity to document her family’s life, to becoming a sought-after photographer who now primarily shoots weddings. The discussion explores the evolution of Kim’s skills, her approach to learning both technical and creative aspects of photography, and her philosophy on gear upgrades, creativity, and client relationships. The episode is both an inspiring personal story and a practical guide for beginners, emphasizing the importance of consistent practice, embracing imperfections, and cultivating one’s own style.KEY TOPICS COVEREDGetting Started & Overcoming Beginner Struggles - Kim’s entry into photography was motivated by wanting to capture her children’s lives on a tight budget. She learned the basics, especially the exposure triangle, before even getting her camera, but struggled with focus and indoor low-light conditions. Key takeaway: Embrace the learning curve, practice daily, and accept imperfections like grain as part of the process.Gear Choices & When to Upgrade - The discussion details Kim’s decision-making process about purchasing her first prime lens, the importance of buying gear to match specific needs, and the benefits of buying used equipment. Takeaway: Don’t rush into expensive upgrades—let real photographic needs drive your purchases, and don’t shy away from secondhand gear.Creativity & Building a Consistent Style - Kim talks about attempting to push her creativity by using tools like the Daily Photo Challenge and focusing on self-evaluation rather than external comparison. She shares her methods for developing her style organically and offers insight into the value of authenticity and daily practice. Takeaway: Consistency, self-reflection, and deliberate experimentation fuel creative growth.DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONSWhat challenges did you face when you started photography, and how did you overcome them?How do you decide when it’s time for a gear upgrade? What factors influence your choices?In what ways do you push yourself creatively, and how do you avoid getting stuck comparing your work to others?What are the benefits and challenges of using themed photo challenges to accelerate your learning?RESOURCES:Visit Kimberly Irish's Website - https://www.weeirishphotography.com/Follow Kimberly Irish on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weeirishphotography/Grab your free 52 Lightroom Presets athttp://freephotographypresets.com/ Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.comConnect 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!

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  41:46

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