More Than Photos
Veteran wedding photographers Brad & Jen share actionable insights and practical steps for building a thriving creative business. They offer motivation and inspiration for photographers looking to grow beyond just taking photos.
Episodes
055 - On Belief, Bold Moves, and 3 Years That Changed Everything w/ Fulton Events
What if the biggest opportunities in your business don't come because you're finally "ready"… but because you've spent years preparing before they ever arrived?This week we're joined by Kellie and Caitlin of Fulton Events for one of our favorite conversations to date. On the surface, it's the story of three years that changed everything. But underneath, it's a conversation about believing in a fut
054 - Book More Weddings by Changing This One Thing
This week's episode is a little different. Brad & Jen are recording from the road instead of their usual studio, but the conversation couldn't wait.If you've ever stared at a new inquiry wondering, "Do I send pricing? Do I email first? Do I schedule a call?" this episode is for you.What starts as a conversation about discovery calls quickly becomes something much bigger. Why are photographers
053 - The Making of an Artist w/ Emilie White
This week Brad & Jen sit down with Emilie White, a French wedding and editorial photographer whose life has stretched across seven countries, two careers, and a constant pull toward something more than the photography itself.Before she ever picked up a camera professionally, Emilie spent 7 years in law, working in international law and intellectual property across Paris, Ireland, and the Middl
052 - What Actually Happens Inside Coaching
What actually helps photographers grow? After years of coaching photographers through every stage of business, we've noticed something surprising. The biggest breakthroughs rarely come from finding more information. They come from clarity, community, personalized guidance, and having the confidence to take the next step.In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on the lessons we've learned f
051 - Building a Life Bigger Than Your Business w/ Perry Vaile
This week Brad and Jen sit down with Perry Vaile, a destination and editorial wedding photographer, historian, educator, and creative whose life stretches far beyond the wedding industry.What begins as a conversation about Perry’s mountain home in North Carolina quickly turns into something much bigger: ambition, success, identity, community, social media, and what it means to build a life that do
050 - How Great Photographers
Become So Versatile w/ Sophie Lin Berard
This week on the podcast, we’re joined by photographer and artist Sophie Lin Berard.Known for blending documentary honesty with editorial sophistication, Sophie’s work draws from a wide range of influences including street photography, fashion, commercial work, architecture, and fine art. In this conversation, we explore what it actually takes to become a versatile photographer and why some of the
049 - 3 Skills We're Leaning Into in an AI Era
AI is changing the way we work, create, and communicate, but what if the most important response isn’t learning how to use AI better? What if it’s becoming more human?In this episode, Jen shares 3 simple skills she’s intentionally investing in during an AI era. Skills she believes they’reare becoming increasingly rare, and therefore increasingly valuable.Books MentionedTheo of Golden - Allen Levi
048 - Guarding Your Creative Life w/ Kate Thompson
This week Brad is sitting down with Kate Thompson for a conversation about creativity, parenthood, burnout, ambition, and the discipline of protecting the parts of yourself that make meaningful work possible in the first place.Over the last several years, we’ve watched Kate intentionally refine her work and her business, but what surprised us most in this conversation wasn’t hearing about “levelin
047 - Should You Deliver Previews? (You’re Asking the Wrong Question)
Previews. Sneak peeks. Whatever you call them… this conversation keeps coming back around.In this episode, we unpack why so many photographers feel stuck in the tension between artistry and expectation and why the question “should I do previews or not?” might actually be the wrong place to start.Instead of giving a formula, we invite you into a different way of thinking. One rooted in ownership, c
046 - The Inner Life of Anni Graham: On Success, Self-Doubt, Creativity,
and Staying Whole
Hey everyone! This week on the podcast we’re joined by photographer, educator, and artist Anni Graham for a conversation that goes far deeper than photography, pricing, or building a luxury brand.What began as a conversation about growth, reinvention, and moving into a higher-end market quickly became something much more honest - about the inner life of being a creative, the private tensions many
045 - Originality, Copycats & Creative Discipline with Roma Vera
This week on the podcast we’re joined by Roma Vera , whose films have become some of the most recognizable and influential in the wedding world.In this conversation, we talk about originality, creative discipline, and what it takes to build work that still feels fresh after 16 years. Roma and Vera share their journey from a small town in Siberia to Moscow to Spain, the surprising influences behind
044 - A New Way to Set Goals (That You’ll Actually Follow Through On)
Hey everyone! This week on the podcast, Jen is walking through a handful of ideas that have been reshaping the way we think about goals, happiness, and what it actually looks like to move forward in life and business.What We Cover:Why goal setting doesn’t need to revolve around a new calendar yearThe shift from “have, do, be” to “be, do, have”How happiness actually drives success (not the other wa
043 - When Life Becomes Art Itself w/ Tejas.
This week on the podcast, we’re joined by photographer Tejas, whose work has quietly become some of the most thoughtful and distinctive in the wedding and documentary space.In this conversation, we talk about the long arc of becoming an artist, the discipline of creating before sharing, and how to build a body of work that actually means something. Tejas shares how he discovered photography in hig
042 - When Your Work Is Good… But Growth Feels Stuck
Hey everyone! This week Brad is diving into a conversation that many photographers wrestle with but rarely talk about.Why is it that so many talented photographers eventually plateau? Why does momentum slow down even when the work keeps getting better?In this episode, we explore a hidden tension that lives inside many creative careers: the discomfort artists feel when effort becomes visible. In ma
041 - How Real Relationships Build a Reputation That Markets Itself w/ Mashaida
This week on the podcast we’re joined by husband-and-wife photography team Andrew and Mashaida, the creatives behind Mashaida. Known for their deeply relational approach to weddings, their work is rooted in a simple belief: great photographs are the byproduct of great relationships.In this conversation, we talk about building a photography business around people rather than algorithms, cultivating
040 - The Power of Growing a Steady, Generous, People-First Business w/ Sarah Bradshaw
This week on the podcast, we’re joined by wedding photographer Sarah Bradshaw. We talk about building a value-led brand, resisting the pull of constant attention, and creating a business that supports a full life instead of slowly draining it. Sarah unpacks her “fireplaces vs. fireworks” metaphor, shares how faith and intentionality guide her decisions, and explains why defining “enough” may be th
039 - AMA Episode: Attract Higher-Budgets, Convert More Inquiries & Stop Feeling Overwhelmed Online
Hey everyone! This week on the podcast we’re doing something a little different — an AMA episode pulled straight from your DMs.What We Cover:• Why low-budget inquiries aren’t the real issue• The shift from “How do I stop this?” to “How do I attract differently?”• Common positioning patterns that attract general-market budgets• The continuity gap between social, website, pricing guide, and discover
038 - How to Build Taste, Ignore Trends, and Play the Long Game w/ Pat Furey
Hey everyone! This week on the podcast we’re joined by Pat & Claire Furey, a Philadelphia-based husband-and-wife photography team known for their refined, timeless work and incredible business tac.In this conversation, we talk about staying relevant in a sea of sameness, building a business that supports longevity, and how to think ahead without losing your identity in the process.What We Cove
037 - Creating a Bespoke Wedding Experience w/ Daniel Knight Harris
In this episode of More Than Photos, Brad & Jen sit down with UK-based wedding photographer Daniel Knight Harris for a wide-ranging conversation on creative longevity, intentional business decisions, and building a career that supports real life. Drawing from his background in music and commercial photography, Daniel shares why weddings offer a rare gift of creative freedom and how slowing dow
036 - Different Markets, Different Rules: A Better Way to Grow
In this episode of More Than Photos, Brad shares a powerful metaphor drawn from a skiing trip in Colorado to explain why growth in your business can suddenly feel exhausting—even when you’re experienced and capable. This conversation reframes pricing, markets, and “leveling up” not as a ladder to climb, but as terrain that requires conditioning. If growth has felt heavy, chaotic, or discouraging l
035 - Choosing Enough, Rest, and Creative Longevity w/ Daniel Kim
Photographer Daniel Kim joins More Than Photos for a thoughtful conversation on creativity, burnout, and the long road of building a sustainable career. Daniel reflects on early ambition, seasons of overwork, and the disciplines like rest, journaling, budgeting, and saying no, that have helped him create without losing himself. This episode is an honest look at what it takes to make meaningful wor
034 - The Discipline Behind a World-Class Photography Career w/ Samm Blake
Samm Blake joins More Than Photos for a conversation about longevity, discipline, and what it really takes to build a career that lasts. With over two decades in the industry, Samm reflects on resisting “luxury,” learning when to push and when to rest, and how quiet disciplines like editing, boundaries, and gut instinct have shaped her work at the highest level.This episode isn’t about chasing mor
033 - Building for clients, not peers & the mindset to do both well w/ Noble Photo Co.
In this episode, we sit down with Christian Sudrath of Noble Photo Co. to talk about a hard truth many photographers avoid: you can build a following that will never hire you!!!We unpack what it looks like to stop posting for other photographers, separate making art from selling it, and build a business that actually moves you forward. If you’re feeling stuck, chasing engagement, or questioning wh
023 - 7 Things We Quit to Book 5-Figure Weddings
The biggest breakthroughs in our business didn’t come from doing more. They came from letting go. In this episode, we walk through the seven things we quit to move into consistent 5-figure weddings — and how you can decide which one to start with. If you’ve been feeling stuck at a ceiling, this is your permission slip to stop hustling harder and start aiming with clarity.
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017 - 4 Things Every Six-Figure Photographer Has Mastered
You don’t need to shoot 40+ weddings, work every weekend, or burn yourself out chasing six figures. In this episode, we’re breaking down what it actually takes to hit a $100K year (or more!) as a photographer or filmmaker - and spoiler alert: it’s not about grinding harder.
We walk through the 4 things every profitable business needs to grow with clarity and confidence—not chaos—and why your min
028 - "Too Busy" to Grow: How One Hour a Day Could Change Everything
In this episode, Jen breaks down why “busyness” is one of the biggest traps photographers fall into and how giving your business just one intentional hour a day can completely transform your art, your income, and your peace.
You’ll learn:
- Why your systems are the trellis that lets your creative work flourish
- A simple one-hour-a-day rhythm that helps you grow without burnout
- Real stories of
006 - 5 Ways to Keep Marketing Simple During a Busy Wedding Season
In this episode, we explore how to keep your business thriving even during the busiest wedding season. Learn practical tips for building strong vendor relationships, enhancing your portfolio, and leveraging behind-the-scenes content to attract new clients and keep your energy high.
Book Referenced: https://a.co/d/0iNXpuV6
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Highlights:
Establishing Rhythms: Creating sustainable routines to m
024 - Why Your Pricing Guide Isn’t Working (and What to Do Instead)
A pretty PDF won’t pay your bills. In this episode, we’re sharing how we went from barely scraping by (even while booking 30–40 weddings a year) to tripling our rates in just over a year by transforming our pricing guide into a strategic (and beautiful!) sales tool.
We’ll cover why most guides don’t work, the myths you need to stop believing, and the simple shifts that will give you more confiden
030 - Before You Redo Your Website… Let’s Talk About This
Every year around this time, photographers get the itch to refresh their brand or build a brand new website. And it makes sense! You’ve grown, your work has evolved, you’re inspired again… and you finally have time.
But before you jump into a redesign, there’s something really important to understand:
A website can only amplify what already exists underneath.
In this episode, we unpack the 6 fo
015 - Feeling Stuck in Your Photography Business? Jake Was Too - Here’s What Changed
"I felt like the Target of photography." That’s how Jake described his business—trying to be everything to everyone, taking whatever inquiries came his way, and feeling completely stuck. After 15 years as a wedding photographer, he hit a wall. The industry had changed, his bookings felt random, and deep down, he wondered: Is this all there is?
In this episode, Jake opens up about the real struggl
029 - Curation Is Luxury: How to Create Stronger, More Intentional Work w/ Joanna Brown
Fine art photographer Joanna Brown joins us for a conversation about developing a recognizable style, trusting your instincts, slowing down on purpose, and tuning out the noise that pulls so many photographers off their path. Joanna shares honest stories about failure, mentorship, business, film, and the creative freedom that comes when you finally work from your own point of view.
Whether you’re
003 - Transforming Fear into Action - How We Got Unstuck
Learn how to turn feelings of stagnation and fear into powerful actions that propel you forward. We get real vulnerable on this one and share some REAL stories on how we moved through challenges, imposter syndrome and fear and turned it into opportunities for growth.
Join Purpose & Profit: https://learn.bradandjen.com/purpose-and-profit-course
001 - Why Discovery Calls Are Your Secret Weapon
Step into this episode as we dive deep into why discovery calls are game changers for your creative businesses. We’re sharing real stories and simple analogies to show how these calls can do so much more than just “sell”. Discover how they help us connect deeply and serve our couples in ways that truly matter. This is about turning those awkward feelings about sales calls into opportunities that m
013 - Our Yearly Retreat: The Tradition That Transformed Our Marriage and Business
In this episode, we’re sharing the heart behind our yearly retreat - a tradition that’s brought SO MUCH clarity, connection, and transformation to our marriage and business. We’ll take you behind the scenes, from why we started, to the lessons learned (even the year we skipped!), and how this intentional time has shaped our goals, decisions, and relationship.
Whether you’re dreaming of creating
002 - The One Question to Change Your Client Experience
What if one question could transform the way you engage with clients and redefine your business? In this episode, we explore a powerful revelation that completely changed our business and the impact on our clients. Join us as we explore the path to unlocking a client experience that exceeds client expectations and sets your photography business apart in an unforgettable way.
Join Purpose & P
011 - One Year from Now: The Photographer You Could Be
What if you gave yourself permission to dream (really dream) about where your life and business could be just one year from now?
In this episode, we’re talking about the power of envisioning your future self. We’ll explore the stories we tell ourselves, the fears that hold us back, and how to break through the noise to create a business that aligns with your life, not the other way around.
What
005 - The Secret to Success: Knowing When to Shift Focus
Is it time to work on your ART or your BUSINESS? Every photographer goes through seasons. Knowing yours can be the key to unlocking powerful growth and impact. Tune in as we walk through signs and strategies for recognizing and making the most of each season.
009 - Shaping Your Portfolio for Your Dream Client (Pt. 2 - The Heart)
Dive deeper in Part 2 of 'Shaping Your Portfolio for Your Dream Client' as we explore 'The Heart' of what drives us. This episode challenges you to break from comfort, engage deeper with life to transform how you capture the world. Learn why embracing your humanity enriches both your work and personal experiences.
Join us as we try not to tear up through this one <3
018 - What to Do When Nothing’s Working (That Actually Shifts Things)
Ever feel like you should be farther along by now?
Like you’ve got the tools… but something underneath keeps stopping you?
This episode is a quiet gut-check on what’s really going on when growth feels stuck... and how to start moving forward without burning out!
If you’re in that in-between space—where the old way no longer fits, but the new way hasn’t fully shown up yet…You don’t have to walk th
007 - Unpacking Why Clients Say You're Too Expensive
Dive into the common misunderstandings and miscommunications that lead clients to see your photography services as "out of budget". Discover practical strategies to align your brand and pricing with client expectations and BOOK MORE WEDDINGS!
Join Purpose & Profit: https://learn.bradandjen.com/purpose-and-profit-course
016 - The Secret to Growing Faster: Why the Right People Make All the Difference
Have you ever felt stuck in your business, spinning your wheels but not quite breaking through? In this episode, we dive deep into a transformative concept that has completely changed our lives and business: the power of being in the right room.
We explore why community and mentorship are essential for growth, how the wrong environments can hold you back, and why surrounding yourself with support
012 - From Blueprint to Breakthrough: A Virginia Photographer's Journey to Doubling Her Income in ONE Year
Join us for a deeply inspiring episode with Heather Mrva, a talented wedding photographer from Virginia Beach. Heather shares her transformative journey within our mastermind, revealing how she doubled her income in just one year and reshaped her approach to business and life. Dive into her story to discover how embracing community support and challenging personal limits can lead to amazing growth
019 - How Trying to ‘Go Luxury’ Nearly Cost Us Everything We Loved About Our Business
In this episode, we share the honest story of how chasing “luxury” almost made us lose the very heart of our business. We talk about the quiet burnout that snuck up on us, the wake-up call that changed everything, and the moment we realized there is a third way - one that honors your art, your voice, and the life you actually want. While STILL booking 5 figure weddings.
If you’ve ever felt caught
020 - Where We’re Headed (And Why It Matters)
After 20 episodes of showing up, learning out loud, and sharing our hearts, we hit pause and asked some bigger questions about where this podcast is headed and why it matters. In this short episode, Brad shares what’s changing, what’s been stirring, and what you can expect ahead!
New themes. New voices. A whole new direction.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re building a business that doesn’t quite
025 - Boundaries, Vulnerability, and Building a Life That Lasts w/ Christy & James Tyler
In this engaging podcast episode, Brad & Jen sit down with Chicago photographers Christy & James Tyler to explore their journey in the photography business, the challenges of balancing family life with work, and their evolving definition of success. The conversation delves into the importance of vulnerability, establishing boundaries, and building meaningful connections with clients. Chris
026 - What Keeps You Safe Might Be Holding You Back w/ therapist Blake Roberts
Ever wonder why you can’t seem to slow down... or why rest sometimes feels unsafe? In this episode, we sit down with therapist Blake Roberts to explore how your past shapes the way you create, work, and connect today. Blake explains attachment styles in a way every creative can relate to and even walks Jen through a LIVE exercise that’s equal parts eye-opening and healing.
If you’ve ever felt stu
008 - Shaping Your Portfolio for Your Dream Client (Pt. 1 - The Head)
Join us in this episode as we get real about the art of portfolio curation. This is a two part podcast. In this episode we’re staying in our “heads” - walking you through our own rollercoaster ride — from those "what were we thinking?" moments to the biz-changing decisions that helped us connect with our ideal clients.
Discover hands-on tips on how to tweak your portfolio to better reflect who yo
010 - The Stories We Tell Ourselves
Have you ever stopped to think about the stories you’re telling yourself about your business? Stories like, "I’m not ready for this," "I’ll never be good enough to charge those rates," or "This just isn’t possible for me"? These narratives shape everything, from how you see yourself and how you show up, to the results you get.
In this episode, we’re diving deep into how these stories might be hol
032 - Creating From Rest: Grant Daniels on Pacing, Presence & Purpose
In this episode, we sit down with Texas-based wedding photographer Grant Daniels, a fourteen-season veteran, father of four, and someone who has built a thriving photography business by choosing small things done with care over the pressure to scale fast. Grant opens up about burnout, rebuilding his business with intention, and learning how to pace his life so he can show up fully - both for his c
031 - From Bored to Bold: Getting Clear on What You’re About, Who You’re For, and Finding the Clients Who Want the Same
In this episode, we sit down with New York–based photographer Tracy Jade, whose work and words have reshaped the conversation around documentary wedding photography. Tracy shares how creative boredom pushed her to get radically clear on what she’s about, who she’s for, and the kind of couples she’s meant to work with.
We explore how speaking boldly—about her philosophy, her limits, and her values
014 - Marriage & Business: What It's Really Like Working Together as a Couple
What’s it really like to work with your spouse? This is one of the questions we get asked the most. So today, we’re inviting you into a convo for an honest chat about what it looks like to run a photography & coaching business, homeschool three kids, and keep our marriage at the center of it all.
We’re not here to give you a how-to guide or pretend we’ve got it all figured out. Instead, we’re
027 - Outside the Box: How Joel & Justyna Built a Career Without Waiting for Permission
Joel and Justyna Bedford are photographers whose work feels cinematic, soulful, and quietly rebellious. They’ve built a career defined by risk, trust, and the courage to do things their own way, without ever waiting for permission.
In this conversation, we dig into what it means to see differently in a world that rewards sameness. We talk about the tension between confidence and doubt, how to kee
021 - The Tunnel Is Full: Carving Your Own Path with Tomasz Wagner
What does it take to not just survive, but thrive as an artist in the most copycat industry on earth? In this episode, Brad & Jen sit down with acclaimed wedding photographer and all-around creative human, Tomasz Wagner, to talk about staying true to your creative voice in a world obsessed with trends, lists, and what’s “working” right now.
From the importance of building trust with your coup
022 - Planners, Photographers & the Secret to True Collaboration with Haley Kelly
Every photographer dreams of being trusted by top planners, but most don’t know how to get there. In this conversation with Charleston-based planner and designer Haley Kelly, we pull back the curtain on what real collaboration looks like.
Haley shares unfiltered wisdom about what planners actually look for, why “getting coffee” isn’t the golden ticket, and how the most memorable photographers pla
004 - How We Prep for Weddings: Mind, Gear, and Empathy
Discover the deeper aspects of wedding day prep, where it's not just about what cameras and lenses but also about setting the right mental and emotional tone. Learn how to approach each wedding with a new perspective and genuine empathy.
Join Purpose & Profit: https://learn.bradandjen.com/purpose-and-profit-course
