Beyond the Image Podcast

When Photographers Turn on Photographers

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Photographers… this may shock you — but not everyone is going to like your work. And sometimes, the loudest critics are other photographers. In th...

Why Photographers Are Getting Pricing Wrong

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick takes a direct, professional look at one of the most polarizing conversations in the photography wo...

When the Client Is the Problem: How Photographers Protect Themselves

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick dives into one of the biggest questions photographers asked after his viral video: "What do you do ...

Strategy No One Talks About Which Landed Me A Dream Job

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I break down exactly how I landed a dream project—not through luck, connections, or waiting to "get discovered," but by creating th...

Biggest Portfolio Mistakes Photographers Make (and Why Your Portfolio Isn't Enough)

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Fresh off a portfolio review at a local college, I'm breaking down the biggest and most common mistakes photographers make when trying to showcase the...

Before You Shoot Video: Essential Guide for Photographers

07 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Stepping into video work as a photographer? Before you hit record, you need to understand the technical fundamentals that make—or break—your foota...

Nightmare Productions: 13 Times Everything (Almost) Fell Apart

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the spirit of Halloween, I'm pulling back the curtain on 13 real-life production horror stories — projects that went sideways, off the rails, or ...

Being Ghosted: The Real Horror of 2025

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's 2025 — and ghosting has gone professional. From clients who vanish after getting a proposal, to contractors who disappear mid-project, and coll...

5 Biggest Mistakes Creatives Make When Bidding Jobs (and How to Fix Them)

17 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Pricing your work shouldn't feel like guesswork—but too often, creatives leave money on the table simply by how they bid. In this episode, I break d...

7 Things I'd Do Differently If I Were Starting My Photography Career Over

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If I could go back to day one of my photography career—knowing everything I know now—I wouldn't follow the same path. In this episode, I'm breakin...

Why Creative Agencies Stall & How to Build a Business That Scales with Joel Pilger

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I sit down with Joel Pilger, former agency founder and now global advisor to creative studios, to uncover the root causes that hold m...

Top Lies Clients Tell Photographers

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Every photographer has heard them — the promises of "more work coming soon," the classic "we'll pay you in exposure," or the dreaded "this will only...

Land Your NEXT Client

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We recently had a workshop at The Hive Studios on career growth and it got me thinking about how I've personally grown my photography business and bui...

I Lost A Job (But Did Everything Right)

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I just lost a proposal for a video project. The client contacted me and had a pretty lengthly list of requirements and specs for the assignment, all o...

Are Photo Bookings Down?

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Bookings for photographers, videographers, and other creative professionals are dropping—and it's not just you feeling the pinch. From shrinking mar...

Burnout Behind the Lens: Why Photographers Lose Their Spark (and How to Get It Back)

29 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Photography is supposed to be a passion — but too often, it turns into exhaustion, resentment, and the dreaded creative rut.    In this episode of...

Mastering the One-Light Beauty Dish Setup

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes the most powerful portraits come from the simplest setups. In this episode, I'm breaking down one of my favorite one-light techniques—a be...

The Fashion Shoot That Got Me Fired — and Why I Don't Regret It

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when you stand your ground as a creative… and it costs you the job? In this episode, I share the wild story of a fashion campaign that ...

The Magazine Covers Are Fake — Should We Care?

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You saw a magazine cover. Gorgeous. Flawless. Totally fake. A magazine recently published what looked like a professional photo — until AI detection...

How to Master Light Without Buying More Stuff

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Too many photographers fall into the trap of thinking better images come from buying more gear. A new modifier, another light, the latest lens. But th...

Best and Worst Portfolio Reviews

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The best and the worst portfolio reviews I've ever had in my career were actually both with the same exact client - just three years apart from one an...

Image Stolen by Another Photographer

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I just had my work stolen by another photographer who tried to pass it off and claim it was their own work. It all started when I received a DM from o...

Bezos AI Wedding Photos & the Death of Visual Truth

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Beyond the Image, I dive headfirst into the AI-manipulated Bezos wedding photos — not just as a viral moment, but as a symbol of ...

Should You Photograph for Magazines?

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Once considered the pinnacle of photographic achievement, shooting for magazines has drastically changed. In this episode of Beyond the Image, I'm pul...

Do Celebrity Shoots Actually Help Your Portfolio?

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On the surface, shooting celebrities or high-profile athletes seems like a golden ticket to a stronger portfolio. But here's the truth: it's not the ...

What's in My Camera Bag for On-Location Shoots

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After photographing over 800 magazine covers and producing countless brand campaigns, James Patrick knows the one thing that separates pros from prete...

Projects I Thought Would Make Or Break My Career

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Here are proejcts I was convinced would make (or break) my career as a photographer. The truth is - they didn't do either. This is about the culminati...

Awful Way to Get New Clients as a Photographer

06 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I recently experienced one of the worst, if not THE WORST, attempts at marketing and busienss develiopment from a photogarpher I think I have ever see...

5 Ways to Make More Money as a Photographer

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Last week we hosted our annual photo marketing roundtable here at The Hive Studios in Phoenix, Arizona. At this event, a handful of creative professio...

Is Peerspace Going to Get Too Expensive?

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Peerspace is a brokerage site used for short-term rentals for photo shoots, video productions, events, podcasts, meetings and the like. Historically, ...

Biggest Marketing Mistake Photographers Make

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There is one mistake that I've seen photographers, videographers and creatives make over the course of my 20+ year career. This mistake is often what ...

Why Photographers are Toxic

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let's face it - if you expand the timeline long enough - you're going to find there is quite a fair amount of toxicity within the photography communit...

Biggest Mistakes Photographers Make in Lighting Subjects

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I want to be clear, right off the top, that I have personally made every single one of these mistakes myself in my 20+ year career. The goal is not to...

You Bid Too Low, Now What?

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You were asked by a client to bid on a project and either intentionally or unintentionally they did not give you all of the information you need to ac...

Stop Chasing THESE TYPES of Clients

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Photographers - there are two types of clients we need to STOP chasing. Clients who don't have money. Clients who don't want to spend money. Instead...

Why Your Social Media Sucks

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Social media was never particularly easy - but it sure was a lot simpler. The way to achieve engagement has completely shifted (and we've lost count h...

Make Better Photo Bids & Proposals

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If all you are sending a prospective client is an estimate sheet - then you are drastically under-selling yourself as a creative. In this episode of t...

Should Photographers Niche?

28 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we answer the question "should photographers niche?" YUP! Yup they absolutely should! In this episode of Beyond the Image, host Jam...

Should Photographers Also Do Video?

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we answer the question; should photographers also provide video services to clients? Overwhelmingly yes! Without question. Either they...

I Got Hired With ZERO Experience

13 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I've been hired to do a handful of gigs over the last three decades with zero experience. Everything from selling wedding rings to modeling for an off...

Independent Publishers Taking a Dump

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As traditional print media scrambles to find firm ground despite crumbling atrophy - the thing I was still so excited about and hopeful for as a crea...

Photoshop Controversies

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In more than 20 years as a photographer, I've had a few photoshop controversies. There have been times my work was accused of being over-edited (it wa...

Learning to Use Gels in Photography

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I honestly thought that just by owning a pack of color gels that my photography career would immediately be transformed and I would instantly be more ...

When the Client Sucks… and When They're Actually Right

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As a creative, dealing with difficult clients is inevitable. From unrealistic Photoshop demands to impossible shoot conditions, I've seen it all. But ...

Photographing for Phoenix Magazine with Mirelle Inglefield

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I am delighted to be joined by the Art Director of Phoenix Magazine, Mirelle Inglefield who I had on the podcast back when we first launched the show....

I won't sign a contract unless this is included

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I've been looking over my contracts that I send out to clients prior to a commercial campaign and have honed in on two specfic areas that are non-nego...

Best Photo Lighting Equipment for Location Shoots

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I get asked (a lot) about my recommendations for lighting equipment. For most of my career, my answer has always been "just buy whatever you can affor...

Top 10 Predictions for the Photography Industry in 2025: Trends, Teach and Opportunities

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The photography industry is evolving rapidly, and 2025 promises groundbreaking changes! In this episode of the Beyond the Image Podcast, host James Pa...

Rejected or Accepted? Results of 100 Publisher Pitches

01 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I had, what I believed to be, a good idea for a new book. Unlike my first three books which I self published and self produced (two of which became be...

No BS Approach to Business Development with Vanessa Joy

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Business development is likely the most stressful element of a photographer's career. Having to market and sell while navigating the relentless fear o...

[FREE GUIDE] Legacy Planner Annual Goal Strategy Guide

12 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The last planner you will ever need! Plan out your year, months, weeks and days with The Legacy Planner to get more done, stay on track and chart out ...

I Got Scammed

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Early in my career I got scammed by a client who hired me to photograph an event for his company, and then never paid me. His company eventually disap...

Your Watermarks Suck

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The last time I dared talk about photographers using watermarks, I got a few (okay, a lot) of angry messages. But I hope this time you hear me out on ...

Getting Fired by Clients

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

By default we only want to share our wins and successes. The fear is that if we are open and honest about projects that don't go well or client experi...

Photographers Give Terrible Advice

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When I am in the mood to torture myself, I hop over to Photography Facebook Groups and read the comment sections whenever a photographer asked for hel...

Nightmare Photo Shoots **Halloween Special!**

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I selected 13 (of course) of the most terrifying photo experiences I've had in my 20+ year career. Everything from having people physically assault me...

How to Ask a Photographer to Work for Free

24 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Okay don't get too mad at me for this episode! It is not that I am encouraging photographers that they have to work for free. But I wanted to dissect ...

Competition in Photography

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do we best compete as photographers in a way that supports the community and industry as a whole? And what happens when photographers go against t...

When Should Photographers Work for Free

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When should photographers work for free? If you've followed me for anything length of time, you've seen the numerous videos and posts I've done about ...

Creating Your Style as a Photographer

30 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When we think about creating our style as a photographer (or any creative professional) what we intially think is that we have to niche down who our c...

Camera Settings for Various Situations

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Beyond the Image podcast, host James Patrick reviews his recomended camera settings for a variety of various situational photo ...

Questions to Ask Before Pricing Your Photography Services

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

"What do you charge" is a quesiton that can immediately generate a lot of panic for any photorapher. The fear is that the client is immediately trying...

Best & Worst Photo Gear

13 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In over two decades as a professional photographer, I've spent more than I will ever admit on photo gear. From cameras to lenses, from modifiers to li...

Are Magazines Screwed?

04 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Short answer: VERY I've spent over 20 years working in print media and even own two magazines. So you can say I have a vested interest in this topic a...

How to Take Good Photos of Bad Subjects

28 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we're talking about how to get good photos of bad subjects. When I say bad subjects, I don't mean they're bad people. What I mean is, they're j...

Protect Your Photo Business

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we're talking about bad actors or bad faith clients. These are clients who could potentially be trying to rip off your business, steal from you...

WWE VP of Photography Brad Smith

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the relaunch of the Beyond the Image Podcast! A show for creatives, made by a creative. If you've listened to this show over the last few y...

How I Radically Increased My Photography Income

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Here at the studio last week, we had our 4th annual get together where we had different creatives (whether photographers, videographers, producers, de...

Dealing with Haters Online

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I want to talk about haters. Also known as, online trolls. In 20 years of running different businesses, I've had to navigate my fa...

Launching a Photography Business

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Before I really launched into my career as a professional photographer, I had a lot of hesitations and reservations. I had a lot of thoughts and quest...

BTI # 596: Photographing SI Swimwear's In Her Words with Taylor Ballantyne

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Photographing SI Swimwear's In Her Words with Taylor Ballantyne Hosted by: James Patrick We have a brand new approach for an episode today. I get to...

BTI # 595: Things I USED To Think Mattered as a Photographer

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Things I USED To Think Mattered as a Photographer  Hosted by: James Patrick There's a handful of things I thought really used to matter as my caree...

BTI # 594: Producing a Fashion Photoshoot

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Producing a Fashion Photoshoot  Hosted by: James Patrick We have a pretty large fashion campaign we're doing in the studio tomorrow. This got me th...

BTI # 593: Creating Community Over Competition with Corey Spiegel

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we're talking about the power of human connection. It is so easy to get lost in this endless sea of competition and comparison. It's so simple ...

BTI # 592: Photographers Who Suck

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Photographers Who Suck Hosted by: James Patrick Some photographers just suck, so in this episode, let's give them a name.  "The common denominato...

BTI # 591: Self-Care for the Modern Entrepreneur with Daniel James

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Self-Care for the Modern Entrepreneur with Daniel James Hosted by: James Patrick I still need to be reminded about the importance of prioritizing ou...

BTI # 590: Should Photographers Give RAW Files to Clients?

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Should Photographers Give RAW Files to Clients? Hosted by: James Patrick Today, we're addressing the question, "Should you as a photographer be givi...

BTI # 589: When to Hire a VA with Kaelyn Marie Fuglaar

12 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When to Hire a VA with Kaelyn Marie Fuglaar  Hosted by: James Patrick Today, we're talking all about outsourcing: when to outsource, what tasks you...

BTI # 588: 7 Ways to Get MORE Clients as a Photographer

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

7 Ways to Get MORE Clients as a Photographer  Hosted by: James Patrick There is a very finite number of things a photographer can do to get work. I...

BTI # 587: Why Your Ads Aren't Working with Jason Wojo

07 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why Your Ads Aren't Working with Jason Wojo  Hosted by: James Patrick In this episode, we're talking about how we can best leverage advertising to ...

BTI # 586: Why We Closed Get Published LIVE

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why We Closed Get Published LIVE Hosted by: James Patrick In this episode, we're sharing about why we're closing the doors on something that we work...

BTI # 585: Getting Your Brand Published with Chelsea Clarke

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Getting Your Brand Published with Chelsea Clarke Hosted by: James Patrick In this episode, I have Chelsea Clarke with me, the editor of Icon Refined...

BTI # 584: Growth of Independent Magazines with Kaneo Biggs & Chelsea Clarke

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Growth of Independent Magazines with Kaneo Biggs & Chelsea Clarke Hosted by: James Patrick In this episode, I have two amazing guests with me; Chels...

BTI # 583: Shooting the Cover of Paradise Valley City Lifestyle with Nadine Bubeck

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Shooting the Cover of Paradise Valley City Lifestyle with Nadine Bubeck Hosted by: James Patrick In this episode, we are going to be diving into my ...

BTI # 582: Are Business Coaches Lying to You?

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are Business Coaches Lying to You? Hosted by: James Patrick Are business coaches lying to you? If you've seen this show or listened to any previous ...

How to Price Creative Services

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Let's have a conversation about how you can be pricing your photo services.  "Pricing as a creative is hard." IN THIS EPISODE Determining what...

BTI #580: Why the Algorithm Hates You

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why the Algorithm Hates You Hosted by: James Patrick Do you ever get a feeling that the Instagram algorithm hates you? I think I might have an idea ...

BTI # 579: Red Flag Requests for Clients

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Red Flag Requests for Clients Hosted by: James Patrick I've fallen for some pretty dumb requests as a photographer.    In this episode, let's look...

BTI # 578: Dealing with Excuses

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dealing with Excuses Hosted by: James Patrick People making excuses about why they don't want to buy our products and services sucks. But, maybe we'...

BTI # 577: What to Charge and How to Set Your Rates

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What to Charge and How to Set Your Rates Hosted by: James Patrick My most profitable years in business were not the years that I made the most money...

BTI # 576: Really Bad Pitch

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Really Bad Pitch  Hosted by: James Patrick I for a really, really bad pitch recently. So, let's dive into why this pitch was so offensively bad and...

BTI #575: Photo Scam to Watch Out For

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Photo Scam to Watch Out For Hosted by: James Patrick There's now a new scam out there to watch out for and photographers are the ones being targeted...

BTI # 574: Be the Perfect Podcast Guest with Ella Lucas-Averett

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Be the Perfect Podcast Guest with Ella Lucas-Averett Hosted by: James Patrick There are few things more frustrating and more annoying than when you ...

BTI # 573: Getting Rejected to Speak on Stage

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Getting Rejected to Speak on Stage Hosted by: James Patrick I just got rejected and that sucks. In this episode, I'm talking about how to navigate a...

BTI # 572: Avoid Being Taken Advantage of in Business

23 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Avoid Being Taken Advantage of in Business  Hosted by: James Patrick Do you ever get the sense that someone is trying to take advantage of your bus...

BTI # 571: The Software Every Entrepreneur Needs

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Software Every Entrepreneur Needs Hosted by: James Patrick I'm in a lot of Facebook groups for my industry and I see a very similar question pop...

BTI # 570: Get Your Brand to Stand Out with Chris Do

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Get Your Brand to Stand Out with Chris Do Hosted by: James Patrick On the podcast today is Chris Do. He's a branding coach and branding strategist a...

BTI # 569: Jerks Who Undercut Rates

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jerks Who Undercut Rates Hosted by: James Patrick A photographer tried to poach my clients by telling them he would charge them less.    In this e...

BTI # 568: Cyber Security Tips Entrepreneurs Need to Know with Heather Monthie

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Cyber Security Tips Entrepreneurs Need to Know with Heather Monthie Hosted by: James Patrick I got an email yesterday about what is being dubbed as ...

BTI #567: When Everyone Does What You Do

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When Everyone Does What You Do Hosted by: James Patrick "But everyone is a photographer now." That was told to me by a photographer as a reason why ...