When Cameras Become Evidence: Photography, Power, and the First Amendment
Beyond the Image Podcast
Two photographs. Seconds apart. And a much bigger story about photography, accountability, and the right to document power. In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick examines the events surrounding photographers John Abernathy and Pierre Lavie, whose images captured the moment documentation itself became a threat. As Abernathy was taken down by ICE agents while photographing in public, he instinctively threw his camera to Lavie, preserving evidence that could have been confiscated or destroyed. The conversation expands to the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, an incident captured...
info_outline
15 Years Behind the Camera: Lessons That Built James Patrick Photography
Beyond the Image Podcast
Fifteen years ago, I walked away from a full-time career in marketing—complete with a steady paycheck, benefits, and a 401K—to pursue photography. There were no guarantees it would work, only a willingness to accept uncertainty and learn along the way. In this episode, I reflect on the lessons that have kept James Patrick Photography in business for 15 years. From starting out in Tucson to building a focused career in sports, fitness, and editorial photography, to relocating to Phoenix and opening The Hive Studios, this episode breaks down what actually creates sustainability in a creative...
info_outline
8 Posing Tips Every Photographer Needs to Confidently Direct Clients
Beyond the Image Podcast
Posing doesn’t have to feel awkward, forced, or inconsistent. In this episode, James Patrick breaks down 8 practical posing tips he’s used across more than 800 magazine covers to help photographers confidently direct real clients, not professional models. You’ll learn how to create structure at the start of a shoot, guide clients into flattering body angles, fix posture and hands, use props intentionally, and capture natural expressions that feel authentic and powerful. These are real, on-set cues and micro-adjustments you can start using immediately to improve your client experience and...
info_outline
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_outlineTune into an exclusive LIVE Fit Business Online to hear a live coaching session with an amazing coach, Shannon Fable. Shannon is going to be teaching us how as fitness professionals and coaches we can leverage our trust, rapport and credibility to book ourselves solid.
So much of what we see in the health and fitness space, whether it’s personal trainers, coaches, gym owners, is the idea that “I have to fix my marketing, I have to really get aggressive” while simultaneously trying quick fix solutions or a strategy that may have worked for someone else.
Shannon has a rich history working with health and fitness professionals to help them bolster up their business and bring in more clients in a very authentic and effective way.
“You have to commit to finding time to work on your business, not just in your business.”
IN THIS EPISODE
- Shannon’s background and how she got to where she is today.
- Why it’s important to go outside your industry to learn what is really working.
- Connecting with people on a deep level in your own way and why you need to be doing this!
- Finding time to do the work and how this will be the only way to bring change.
- Having a firm foundation.
- Determining your target market and deciding what group of people speaks to you.
- Determine your what - the #1 benefit you provide and how to portray this correctly.
- Articulating your why
- Specificity and shifting into an abundance mindset.
- The right way to respond to consumer demand.
- Three boxes of innovation and what they are in detail.
1 - Linear
2 - Leap frog thinking
3 - Selectively forgetting the past
- Why consistency is important and specific ways to stay consistent.
- You need a no-barrier entry offer!
- Sales cycle vs. sales funnel and why sales cycles are important, especially in playing the long game.
- Leaning into the digital world and using it for your benefit.
- Not all is loss if someone says no right away.
- Value - you can’t give away too much!
- Pricing correctly and learning to make money in your sleep.
- The 3 mandatory self promotion strategies Shannon recommends.
“Marketing doesn’t get you clients, it just gets you awareness.”
Connect with Shannon
Website: www.shannonfable.com
Instagram: @sfable
Facebook: Shannon Fable
Share this podcast with a friend and remember to leave a 5-star review!
For more, visit jamespatrick.com