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_outline
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/
info_outline
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....
info_outline
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,...
info_outline
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...
info_outlineFor today’s episode, we are dipping back into our archives. In fact, this is an interview I did back in 2017 with Katelyn Swallow. If that name rings a bell, it’s because she’s been attending FITposium and on our panels for years now; every year since 2017. She is currently the editor of Strong Fitness Magazine in Australia. But, at the time of this interview, she was the editor of Women’s Health and Fitness Magazine.
So much of what we talk about is so important for entrepreneurs to know about leveraging media outlets to grow their brand awareness, visibility, credibility and generate more leads.
PSA! We are doing a cover search right now for the cover of Portfolio Magazine, but only for those who register for FITposium 2021. Register HERE.
IN THIS EPISODE
- Katelyn’s background and how she got to where she is.
“Knowledge applied is power.”
- The importance of working hard and continuing to learn.
- Doing what it takes to get where you want to be.
- Why genuine content makes a difference.
- Aligning with the values of the magazine you are looking to work with.
- The truth behind photos in magazines.
- Why the quality and relevance of your images in proposals need to be up to par and align with the values of the magazine.
- You need 3-4 sentences that can explain your brand clearly.
- Don’t be afraid to do a lot of things for free at the beginning of your journey.
“Find your niche, differentiate yourself, earn the attention.”
Connect with Katelyn
Instagram: @katelynswallow_
Share this podcast with a friend and remember to leave a 5-star review!
For more, visit jamespatrick.com