i dropped out of college + american eagle reached out?! (ft joshua mannila)
Release Date: 09/25/2025
Let's Create with Alex Blake
Itâs the first episode of the year!!! YAY! Iâm kicking things off with a casual, honest conversation with my friend Maegan (@maegangrendellphoto) about the things weâre officially leaving in 2025. Weâre talking about habits, expectations, and mindsets we picked up over the years that just donât make sense to carry into a new year. As photographers and business owners, itâs easy to hold onto things out of fear, pressure, or âthis is how itâs always been doneâ thinking, and we get real about what weâre choosing to let go of instead. This episode feels like sitting on the...
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Photography retreats can feel intimidating at first. Like you need to be more experienced, more confident, or have everything figured out before you go. Spoiler alert: you donât. In this episode, Iâm sharing what Iâve actually learned from going to photography retreats over the years. The awkward first day energy, how much you learn just by watching other photographers shoot, why Instagram confidence disappears the second you meet people in real life, and why styled shoots feel so creatively freeing. If youâve ever thought about going to a retreat but felt nervous, unsure, or like you...
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Today weâre talking about the little things that make a big difference in your photos â the tiny tweaks most beginners overlook but instantly transform your work once you start paying attention to them. If youâve been wanting to improve your posing, clean up your compositions, make your photos look more polished, or just feel more confident behind the camera⊠this is the episode for you. Everything in here is simple, beginner friendly, + something you can start using today :) _______ đMENTORSHIPS If youâre craving direction in your photo business, want real, honest guidance, or...
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Today weâre getting cozy and talking through 10 indoor photoshoot ideas you can try this winter. Just because itâs cold outside doesnât mean your creativity has to freeze with it. From hotel lobbies to grocery stores to museums, these locations will spark new ideas, stretch your skills, and get you shooting again even on the chilliest days. Save this one for the next time you're stuck inside and need a little inspiration! _______ đMENTORSHIPS If youâre craving direction in your photo business, want real, honest guidance, or just wanna hang with me in personâmy 1:1 mentorships...
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After walking through infertility for nearly three years, I was preparing for surgery â and just two days after publicly opening up about that journey for the first time, we found out we were pregnant. A literal miracle. But this episode isnât just about the miracle. Itâs about what surrender really looks like â in life, in business, and in faith. Because even now, Iâm still learning that being pregnant isnât the finish line of infertility⊠itâs another opportunity to trust God fully. Today Iâm sharing how surrender has shaped every part of my story â from trusting Him with...
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So youâre thinking about going full time with your creative business⊠or maybe you already have and youâre realizing itâs a lot more than just taking pretty pictures. In todayâs episode, Iâm sharing 10 things I wish I knew before I made the leap into full-time photography. From learning how to set boundaries, diversify income, and protect your creativity, to trusting God when things feel uncertain â this oneâs packed with the kind of wisdom I wish someone had told me earlier. Whether youâre dreaming about leaving your 9 to 5 or youâre already in the middle of the grind, I...
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Have you ever felt like youâre taking a step backward in your business? Like things that used to flow easily suddenly feel slow, quiet, or uncertain? In todayâs episode, Iâm sharing about what it really means to walk through a season of refinement â and how Iâve learned that those hard seasons arenât wasted ones. From rebuilding my business after moving from Georgia to Charleston, to seeing Godâs hand in the quiet in-between, Iâm reminded that refinement isnât failure. Itâs formation. Weâll talk about what refinement looks like, how to recognize when youâre in it, and...
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If youâve ever felt anxious about your business, your finances, or just life in general - this episode is for you. We all experience worry in different ways. Maybe itâs when you have to draw a boundary with a client, send a hard email, or trust that the next booking will come through. In this episode, Alex shares 10 Bible verses that have helped her find peace in the middle of uncertainty. Each verse comes with reflection and real life encouragement for creatives and business owners who want to trade anxiety for trust. Take a deep breath, slow down, and let Scripture remind you that...
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Fall is HEREEE + itâs time to get creative đ In this episode, Iâm sharing 10 content ideas that are perfect for photographers to use all season long â we are chatting reel ideas, post concepts, and stories that have potential to bump your engagement! I actually recorded this in my car with my notes written on a napkin (lol), but the ideas are solid, practical, and meant to help you plan out your fall content calendar with ease. _______ đMENTORSHIPS If youâre craving direction in your photo business, want real, honest guidance, or just wanna hang with me in personâmy...
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Ever wondered how photographers can actually land work with design studios? đ I sat down with Charleston designer Amanda Andreucci to talk about building her studio, leading a creative team, tips for collaborating across industries, and even how sheâs approaching AI. Quick, punchy, and packed with takeaways (plus it feels like a facetime date with two creatives). Connect with Amanda: đMENTORSHIPS If youâre craving direction in your photo business, want real, honest guidance, or just wanna hang with me in personâmy 1:1 mentorships are open (in person or virtual)! LETâS CONNECT...
info_outlineJoshua Mannila is a 21-year-old photographer known for his dreamy, cinematic style. In this episode we chat about how he went from shooting on an iPad mini to building a community of 200k+ followers, why he believes photography is 70% art and 30% business, and the wild opportunities that have come from putting his work online (including that time American Eagle slid into his DMs). We also dive into lens filters, posing, editing, and how to make your photos feel cinematic instead of just chasing a trend.
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đMENTORSHIPS If youâre craving direction in your photo business, want real, honest guidance, or just wanna hang with me in personâmy 1:1 mentorships are open (in person or virtual)! https://www.alexblakeeducation.com/services
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