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...
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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.
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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.
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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...
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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/
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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....
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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,...
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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...
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Land Your NEXT Client
Beyond the Image Podcast
We recently had a workshop at The Hive Studios on career growth and it got me thinking about how I've personally grown my photography business and built a portfolio of clients. Over the last 20 years I've gone through two major phases of business development growth; when I first started and right now. In this episode of the Beyond the Image podcast I share the exact startegy I have used for the entirety of my career to not only onboard new clients but to earn repeat business from current clients. I also discuss ways you as a creative can differentiate yourself, beyond just segmenting or having...
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I Lost A Job (But Did Everything Right)
Beyond the Image Podcast
I just lost a proposal for a video project. The client contacted me and had a pretty lengthly list of requirements and specs for the assignment, all of which we were able to accomodate and a very competitive price. However, the client responded to say we were about three hundred percent over their budget. To be fair - their budget was pretty ridiculous and way under even the most conservative of market value for the work they were requesting. We were able to counter with a revised approach that brough our estimate within $200 of their budget and we still did not win the job. So. what happened...
info_outlineOn the surface, shooting celebrities or high-profile athletes seems like a golden ticket to a stronger portfolio. But here’s the truth: it’s not the name—it’s the image. In this episode, I break down the myth that photographing celebrities or athletes will instantly elevate your brand.
I share stories from my own career—including a high-caliber shoot with first-round NFL draft pick Beanie Wells, and a less-than-stellar session with actors Eric Bana and Joel McHale—and explain why editors don’t care who is in your photo if the quality isn’t there.
You’ll also learn what photo editors have told me directly during portfolio reviews, and the one situation where working with athletes does give you an edge.
What You’ll Learn:
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Why name recognition alone won’t help your photography career
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The real reasons some celebrity shots don’t make the cut
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How to evaluate whether an image actually belongs in your portfolio
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What working with athletes can teach you about professionalism and production under pressure
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Why you must separate experience from presentation when curating your book
Key Takeaways:
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A weak image of a celebrity is still a weak image.
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Your portfolio is judged by quality, not notoriety.
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Shooting athletes builds credibility behind the scenes—not necessarily in your visuals.
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Every photo in your book needs to serve a purpose and reflect your highest standard.
Resources & Mentions:
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Story: NFL athlete Beanie Wells photo shoot
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Story: Behind-the-scenes from a difficult Joel McHale shoot
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Portfolio feedback sessions with top magazine editors
Connect with Me:
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Instagram: @jpatrickphoto
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Website: www.jamespatrick.com