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WWE VP of Photography Brad Smith

Beyond the Image Podcast

Release Date: 08/14/2024

Your Watermarks Suck show art Your Watermarks Suck

Beyond the Image Podcast

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 why watermarking your photos is a futile effort that only satiates ego and does nothing to actually help your brand or business. https://jamespatrick.com/

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Getting Fired by Clients show art Getting Fired by Clients

Beyond the Image Podcast

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 experiences that are not stellar that it will somehow reflect negatively upon us. The truth is, when we only share the positives about our careers, it gives a false aspiration of what a creative career truly looks like. Throughout our careers we will lose more work than we will ever win. That is the simple math of it. And once we acknowledge that reality - we can begin to look at losses as not failures but as opportunities to learn and improve our...

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Photographers Give Terrible Advice show art Photographers Give Terrible Advice

Beyond the Image Podcast

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 help, support or advice. The inevitable result is a barrage of awful keyboard critics giving the worst advice pretending they are being altruistic and supportive - but in reality just trying to keep others out of the industry they believe they are at the center of. In this episode I discuss what happened when a photographer made the mistake of asking for help. https://jamespatrick.com/

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Nightmare Photo Shoots  **Halloween Special!** show art Nightmare Photo Shoots **Halloween Special!**

Beyond the Image Podcast

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 to say I'm too young to be a photographer. Enjoy my awful memories while I go into an anxiety attack reliving these horrific experiences. https://jamespatrick.com/

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How to Ask a Photographer to Work for Free show art How to Ask a Photographer to Work for Free

Beyond the Image Podcast

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 how someone could professionally and respectfully ask a photographer to collaborate or provide services at low-to-no cost. https://jamespatrick.com/

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Competition in Photography show art Competition in Photography

Beyond the Image Podcast

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 that supportive environment and try to harm other's businesses? In this episode of the Beyond the Image podcast, host James Patrick discusses both sides of competition from healthy to unhealthy. Connect with James Patrick at https://jamespatrick.com/

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When Should Photographers Work for Free show art When Should Photographers Work for Free

Beyond the Image Podcast

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 cheap clients trying to take advantage of photographers. You would, no doubt, asssume I would be diligent about saying that no photographer or creative should ever work for free. But that is not what I feel at all. In this episode of the Beyond the Image podcast, I chat about the times when photographers and creatives should consider taking out the camera without being paid. What do you think? Connect with me on my website or Instagram  

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Creating Your Style as a Photographer show art Creating Your Style as a Photographer

Beyond the Image Podcast

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 core market is and the type of work we will be focusing on. And we are not wrong to think that. But surprisingly, there is actually a tremendous amount more we can do to define our style as a creative. In this episode of the Beyond the Image podcast, host James Patrick discusses a myriad of ways that photographers, videographers and fellow creatives can begin the process of defining and carving out their unique style to help them stand out from...

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Camera Settings for Various Situations show art Camera Settings for Various Situations

Beyond the Image Podcast

In this episode of The Beyond the Image podcast, host James Patrick reviews his recomended camera settings for a variety of various situational photo shoots. From in studio portraits to on location action photos to window lit natural light photos. James reviews each scenario and gives his recommended settings for ISO, f-stop and shutter speed. In addition, James reviews recommended camera settings to help work more efficiently when doing your photo shoots. Connect with James at JamesPatrick.com or IG @JPatrickPhoto

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Questions to Ask Before Pricing Your Photography Services show art Questions to Ask Before Pricing Your Photography Services

Beyond the Image Podcast

"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 to frame your pricing so they can find a potentially cheaper service provider. And likely, you may not be wrong. But what about those times when a genuine client approaches you with a real project? How do you help ensure you are best equipped with all of the right information to help you make an accurate price proposal and bid so you ultimately win more work? In this episode I talk about specific questions you should consider asking your...

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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 years, you’ll realize it’s rare I bring a guest back on a second time. This is a mistake I want to rectify. I went back to our episode from March 5, 2019 with one of the first guests I had on. 

I heard this individual speaking on a webinar series on how creative professionals can navigate their career and try to procure work from bigger and better clients so they can scale their business and I knew I needed to have him on the podcast so I can pick his brain. 

In his career he has been the Director of Photography at Sports Illustrated, a Senior Photo Editor for the New York Times, and the Associate Director of Photography for the White House. Currently, he is the VP of Photography for the WWE and I could not think of anyone better to bring back as a guest for the 600th episode of this show. 

Welcome, Brad Smith, back to the show. 

“The key thing to remember is, it’s a marathon,  not a sprint.”

IN THIS EPISODE

  • A review of Brad Smith's professional career trajecetory.

  • What inspired Brad to take on the role of a leader and teacher in the photography industry. 

  • The most important realization you can have as a photographer. 

  • What will keep getting you jobs over and over again. 

  • The power of connecting with your clients. 

  • Why you need word of mouth in your business 

  • How deliverables have changed over time. 

  • What Brad and the WWE is looking for when looking at a photographer’s social media and portfolio. 

  • Being willing to evolve and adapt. 

  • The one character trait that will lead to better photographs. 

Connect with James

Website: jamespatrick.com

Instagram: @jpatrickphoto

Connect with Brad

Website: https://www.wwe.com

Share this podcast with a friend and remember to leave a 5-star review! 

For more, visit jamespatrick.com