BTI #182: Avoid Entrepreneurial Burnout with Kelly Patrick
Release Date: 01/13/2021
When Should You Refund a Client? (And When Should You Walk Away?)
Beyond the Image Podcast
Every creative entrepreneur will eventually face the uncomfortable question: Should I refund this client? In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick breaks down the only two situations where issuing a refund actually makes business sense. The first is obvious—when you've made the mistake and failed to deliver what you promised. The second is far more controversial: when dealing with a bad-faith client will cost you more in time, energy, and stress than the money is worth. Through real-world stories from more than two decades in business, James shares lessons on client accountability,...
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7 Revenue Streams Creatives Are Leaving on the Table
Beyond the Image Podcast
Too many photographers and creatives believe the only way to make more money is to raise their rates. But the reality is that many are already providing valuable services they simply aren't charging for. In this episode, I break down seven overlooked revenue opportunities that can increase profitability while delivering even more value to your clients. From equipment rental fees and digital file storage to behind-the-scenes content, additional revisions, and retouching beyond scope, these are services clients often request, expect, or benefit from, yet many creatives include them at no...
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Should Photographers Pay to Get Published?
Beyond the Image Podcast
Should photographers pay for magazine features, covers, and media placements? In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick explores the evolution of sponsored content, how pay-to-play publishing became commonplace, and why photographers need to rethink what publication actually means in today's media landscape. From the rise of sponsored content in traditional media to the explosion of niche digital publications, you'll learn the critical difference between earned media and sponsored media, how to evaluate publication opportunities as marketing investments, and why so many creatives...
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Other Photographers Are Not Your Biggest Competition
Beyond the Image Podcast
In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick breaks down a growing issue within the photography industry: photographers turning overlap into warfare. After receiving messages from a photographer attempting to pull him into a dispute over a project concept, James dives into the deeper mindset driving so much of the sniping, undermining, accusations, and territorial behavior that exists within creative industries. Why do photographers become so reactive to perceived competition? Why do some creatives constantly monitor others while others stay focused on growth? And most importantly, why...
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Anonymous Job Posts Are Destroying Photography Pricing
Beyond the Image Podcast
If you’ve spent any time in photography Facebook groups, you’ve seen it. Anonymous posts asking photographers to drop their rates, share their portfolios, and compete publicly for work with almost zero project detail. And photographers… lining up to compete. In this episode, James Patrick breaks down why this system is broken, how it commoditizes creative work, and why it pushes talented photographers into a race to the bottom that nobody wins. He unpacks the hidden power imbalance behind anonymous job posts, why “just drop your rate” is a red flag for serious creative work, and what...
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What Most Creatives Avoid That Could Change Everything
Beyond the Image Podcast
On this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick shares some of the most uncomfortable experiences of his photography career and why those moments ultimately led to the biggest opportunities. From flying to New York to pitch portfolio books in the middle of a blizzard, to sitting through brutally honest portfolio reviews, this episode explores the reality of what it takes to grow as a creative professional. James breaks down how putting yourself in front of editors, art directors, and decision-makers can lead to long-term relationships, stronger work, and career-defining opportunities. He...
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Why “Good Work” Is Making You Invisible (And What Actually Gets You Hired)
Beyond the Image Podcast
Every May, a new wave of talented creatives enters the market—and here’s the reality: their work is good. Really good. Which means “doing great work” is no longer a differentiator… it’s the baseline. In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick breaks down what he’s seeing firsthand from reviewing hundreds of student portfolios—and why it should be a wake-up call for working professionals. If your strategy for growth is built on your portfolio alone, you’re already falling behind. This episode dives into the real drivers of business growth in the creative industry,...
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Stop Answer "What Do You Charge?" Like an Amateur
Beyond the Image Podcast
“What are your rates?” It sounds simple, but most photographers fumble this moment and cost themselves money in the process. In this episode, we break down why answering too quickly puts you at a disadvantage and how to take control of the conversation instead. You’ll learn the key questions to ask before giving a number, how to position yourself as a professional instead of a commodity, and why pricing without context is just guessing. If you want to stop underpricing and start leading your client conversations, this episode is for you. Visit: Instagram: Substack:
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Should You Put Your Rates on Your Website?
Beyond the Image Podcast
Should your pricing be public… or is that quietly limiting your business? In this episode, I break down the real impact of listing your rates online. Not just from a convenience standpoint, but from a positioning and revenue perspective. Because while publishing pricing can filter inquiries, it can also create a ceiling on what you earn, reduce your ability to upsell, and shift how clients perceive your value before you ever have a conversation. We dig into when “starting at” pricing can work, where it falls short, and how most creatives unintentionally turn themselves into commodities...
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Who Pays Who? Models or Photographers?
Beyond the Image Podcast
This episode is a direct response to the conversations, debates, and hot takes sparked by two recent reels that hit a nerve. The question seems simple on the surface: who should pay who, the model or the photographer? But once you peel it back, it exposes a much bigger issue around value, expectations, and how people position themselves in the industry. In this episode, I break down the different scenarios where a model should be paid, where a photographer should be paid, and where neither should be reaching for their wallet. Because the truth is, this is not about rigid rules, it is about...
info_outlineUnfortunately, most entrepreneurs only realize they have hit the point of burnout once they are already in the midst of it. The lack of creativity, drive, passion, influence, productivity and energy is infectious and difficult to work through.
In this episode of Beyond the Image, host James Patrick chats with licensed psychotherapist Kelly Patrick - and, no, the last name is not a coincidence. James and Kelly discuss the early signs of burnout and various ways that entrepreneurs can support themselves so they avoid the burnout crash.
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