Biggest Portfolio Mistakes Photographers Make (and Why Your Portfolio Isn’t Enough)
Beyond the Image Podcast
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 their work—and why these mistakes might be standing between you and your next client. In this episode, I cover: • Mistake #1: Overloading your portfolio with too many images • Mistake #2: Showcasing work you don’t actually want to shoot • Mistake #3: Not showing enough of the work you do want to be hired for And then we get into the biggest mistake of all: relying solely on your portfolio as your entire marketing strategy. Because in...
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Before You Shoot Video: Essential Guide for Photographers
Beyond the Image Podcast
Stepping into video work as a photographer? Before you hit record, you need to understand the technical fundamentals that make—or break—your footage. In this episode, James Patrick breaks down the 10 essential technical skills photographers must know before transitioning into video, including shutter speed rules, frame rates, ND filters, autofocus behavior, lighting continuity, audio basics, codecs, bitrates, and more. Whether you're adding video to your services or simply exploring motion for the first time, this episode gives you the roadmap to get started the right way.
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Nightmare Productions: 13 Times Everything (Almost) Fell Apart
Beyond the Image Podcast
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 barely escaped disaster. From shoots that spiraled out of control to campaigns that almost didn’t see the light of day, these are the lessons learned the hard way from behind the lens and behind the scenes. Whether you’re a creative, a brand, or a business owner, this episode is your survival guide for when everything that can go wrong… does. Tune in, take notes, and maybe keep some sage on standby.
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Being Ghosted: The Real Horror of 2025
Beyond the Image Podcast
It’s 2025 — and ghosting has gone professional. From clients who vanish after getting a proposal, to contractors who disappear mid-project, and collaborators who drop off without a word, we’re all haunted by the same modern nightmare: bad communication. In this episode, James Patrick dives into the spooky, hilarious, and painfully relatable world of ghosting in business. He shares dramatized stories of the vanishing client, the disappearing collaborator, and the contractor who seemed promising — all told with a sharp sense of humor and a dash of Halloween flair. But this isn’t just a...
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5 Biggest Mistakes Creatives Make When Bidding Jobs (and How to Fix Them)
Beyond the Image Podcast
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 down the 5 most common mistakes photographers and creatives make when quoting projects—from vague pricing and missing line items to failing to set boundaries. You’ll learn how to bid with clarity, confidence, and control, so you protect your value and land better clients without endless back-and-forth negotiations. https://jamespatrick.com/
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7 Things I’d Do Differently If I Were Starting My Photography Career Over
Beyond the Image Podcast
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 breaking down the 7 biggest things I’d do differently to build momentum faster, price with confidence, and create long-term opportunities without years of trial and error. From niching down earlier to not letting gatekeepers define my ceiling, these are the lessons I wish someone had handed me when I started. Whether you’re new to the industry or looking to reset your trajectory, this episode will give you a roadmap to build smarter, not harder....
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Why Creative Agencies Stall & How to Build a Business That Scales with Joel Pilger
Beyond the Image Podcast
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 many photographers and creative agencies back from sustainable growth. Joel brings real-world lessons from his two-decade journey running Impossible Pictures, through its rise, sale, and his transition into consulting for hundreds of studios. We dig into: Common growth traps creative agencies fall into (feast-or-famine cycles, underpriced services, lack of systems) How creative companies can evolve from “order-taker” to strategic,...
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Top Lies Clients Tell Photographers
Beyond the Image Podcast
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 take an hour.” In this episode of the Beyond the Image Podcast, host James Patrick pulls back the curtain on the most common (and most annoying) lies clients tell photographers — and why they can derail your business if you’re not prepared. From fake promises of future gigs to sneaky discount tactics, James shares real-world examples, hilarious truths, and strategies to protect your time, talent, and bottom line. If you’ve...
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Land Your NEXT Client
Beyond the Image Podcast
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 built a portfolio of clients. Over the last 20 years I've gone through two major phases of business development growth; when I first started and right now. In this episode of the Beyond the Image podcast I share the exact startegy I have used for the entirety of my career to not only onboard new clients but to earn repeat business from current clients. I also discuss ways you as a creative can differentiate yourself, beyond just segmenting or having...
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I Lost A Job (But Did Everything Right)
Beyond the Image Podcast
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 of which we were able to accomodate and a very competitive price. However, the client responded to say we were about three hundred percent over their budget. To be fair - their budget was pretty ridiculous and way under even the most conservative of market value for the work they were requesting. We were able to counter with a revised approach that brough our estimate within $200 of their budget and we still did not win the job. So. what happened...
info_outlineWe’re going to be diving into something that I guarantee makes every single one of you a little bit uncomfortable. We’re going to be talking all things sales. I get to chat with a dear friend of mine, Steve Valentine.
WHO IS STEVE VALENTINE?
Steve Valentine is an investment specialist, a real estate strategist, and a sales master. When he was 20 years old, he transitioned from the automotive field into the real estate world. Him and his dad became a powerful real estate duo, but also suffered some major financial blows around 2007. Him and his wife decided to go in a different direction in real estate away from his parents where they found success in their own space.
Steve believes in relationship selling and accredits his success to utilizing relationship capital in all he does.
BEING A GUIDE NOT A HERO
Steve believes it’s important to let his clients know he is here to guide them through the process. To help people, he provides insight on things he’s learned and leads people to a decision they already are wanting to make.
“Before you ever sell anything, the relationship has to be created.”
Steve makes it a point to add value to each relationship for free before ever starting the selling process. This creates trust which leads to the sale.
BUILDING TRUST
Asking questions is a great first step to learning about your client and what they genuinely want and helps to begin creating that relationship. Steve always asks his clients questions so he can dig deeper and uncover all the variables that are playing into their decision.
FINDING THE VARIABLES
In sales, we have to ask the right questions. The variables are the things that change from person to person.
For example, in Steve’s business he asks:
- How are your finances?
- Can you still afford this if you suffer a job loss?
By finding the variables, it allows you to find their why and gives that client clarity on their decisions. As a salesperson, this helps you serve your client in the best way possible.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO SELL?
Steve emphasizes the importance of genuinely wanting to help someone, even if that means not getting the sale right away. At the end of the day, it shouldn’t be all about money. It should be about truly helping someone and building that relationship. Oftentimes, it will lead to a bigger sale later if you continue to build that relationship correctly.
CONNECTING TO PEOPLE VIA SOCIAL MEDIA
Steve has found great success on social media, namely on his stories. After deciding to go all in on creating content for his stories, he shares behind the scenes footage and peaks into his daily life regarding family, investments, and real estate. He has found that people love seeing what he does in all areas of his life and it makes them feel very connected to him. He believes it’s even more important to stay authentic in how you show up in social media. He wants people to know what they’re getting ahead of time.
“Show up on social media as you do in person.”
KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND KNOW WHO YOU AREN’T
When you start, figure out who you are. This is who you should want to be in everything you do rather than comparing yourself to others and changing who you are.
“Be who you are and do the things that you do good, so that you can shine as only you can shine.”
It’s all about finding your own platform and what differentiates you from others. A consumer is looking for you to help solve their problem. Your job is to find out what the consumer wants to accomplish and stand out from others to help them accomplish it.
“The bigger the problem you solve, the more money you’re going to make solving it.”
MORE FROM STEVE VALENTINE
Tune into the episode to hear Steve share in detail about how he’s been successful in sales and strategies that will up your sales game. Steve shares great advice and things that have worked for his clients time and time again.
Follow Steve on Instagram @stevedvalentine to learn more and follow along!
CONNECT WITH HOST JAMES PATRICK
https://www.jamespatrick.com/coaching - To apply for 1-on-1 business coaching
https://www.instagram.com/jpatrickphoto - Follow in IG
Text James at (480) 605-3254
This episode is brought to you by www.FITposiumPLUS.com where you get monthly live coaching and education modules to support you in your business development goals!
Audio drops courtesy of ZapSplat.com