How to Calculate Your Rates as a Photographer
Beyond the Image Podcast
Are your photography rates leaving you busy, booked, and broke? In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick breaks down exactly how photographers can calculate sustainable rates that cover their cost of doing business, desired income, and all the hidden hours spent editing, marketing, and running their business. Learn step-by-step formulas to figure out your true hourly rate, price your shoots correctly, and turn every session into profit through usage, upsells, and add-on services. Whether you’re a portrait, commercial, editorial, or lifestyle photographer, this episode gives you...
info_outline
Why the Vanity Fair Portraits Made People Uncomfortable — and Why That Matters
Beyond the Image Podcast
The recent Vanity Fair portraits by Christopher Anderson sparked an unprecedented reaction across the creative world. Some called them powerful. Others called them “bad photos.” In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick breaks down why that criticism reveals more about viewer expectations than photographic quality. From extreme close-ups and intentional lighting choices to the role of honesty, narrative, and authorship, this conversation explores what actually defines a successful photograph. We unpack why photography is a form of storytelling, why not every image is meant to...
info_outline
When Photographers Turn on Photographers
Beyond the Image Podcast
Photographers… this may shock you — but not everyone is going to like your work. And sometimes, the loudest critics are other photographers. In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick breaks down why criticism from other creatives often has nothing to do with your talent and everything to do with ego, insecurity, and misplaced comparison. You’ll learn how to tell the difference between constructive feedback and noise, why other photographers don’t get to decide your value, and how to stay focused on what actually matters — creating work you’re proud of and serving the...
info_outline
Why Photographers Are Getting Pricing Wrong
Beyond the Image Podcast
In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick takes a direct, professional look at one of the most polarizing conversations in the photography world: ethical pricing. After a viral post claimed that “$2,000 for 100 photos is unethical,” the industry erupted into yet another round of pricing debates, judgment, and misinformation. James breaks down why these arguments happen—and more importantly, why they’re built on a limited, inaccurate understanding of how photography pricing, usage, licensing, and value-based business models actually work. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why...
info_outline
When the Client Is the Problem: How Photographers Protect Themselves
Beyond the Image Podcast
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 when the client is the difficult one?” After more than 20 years, hundreds of shoots, and more personalities than he can count, James breaks down the real root of “bad clients,” why a vague contract is more dangerous than a tough personality, and how to protect your work, your energy, and your business with clear boundaries. You’ll learn: • Why your contract is your #1 line of defense • What MUST be included in every scope and...
info_outline
Strategy No One Talks About Which Landed Me A Dream Job
Beyond the Image Podcast
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 the kind of work I wanted to be hired for. I share the full strategy behind building a spec portfolio, crafting content marketing around it, and ultimately generating a wave of viral visibility that positioned me as the go-to creator for that exact style of work. If you’ve ever felt stuck waiting for the “right” clients to find you, this is the blueprint for taking control of your opportunities and building demand around your passion. ...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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.
info_outline
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.
info_outline
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...
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