150 - Behind the Scenes, Ahead of the Curve: The Power of Learning as a Photography Assistant
The Nerdy Photographer Podcast
Release Date: 09/04/2025
156 - The Big Pivot: Rebranding Your Photography Career for New Opportunities
The Nerdy Photographer Podcast
Thinking about pivoting your photography business? Rebranding can feel risky, but it may be the key to unlocking new opportunities. In this episode of The Nerdy Photographer Podcast, I sit down with photographer Justin Haugen, who successfully transitioned from being a wedding photographer to building a thriving commercial photography brand. We discuss: Knowing when to pivot – signs your current niche isn’t serving your long-term goals. Rebranding strategies – reshaping your portfolio, website, and marketing to reach new clients. Leveraging past experience – how skills from one...
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155 - Beyond Trends: Building a Genuine Presence as a Photographer
The Nerdy Photographer Podcast
Tired of feeling like you have to follow every social media trend to get noticed? Authenticity wins. In this episode of The Nerdy Photographer Podcast, we talk with California photographer Linda Alida about how photographers can build a genuine presence, both online and in person, without compromising their voice or values. We dive into: Authenticity online – how to share real work and personality instead of copying trends. Meaningful connections in person – building trust with clients, collaborators, and peers. Balancing visibility and integrity – growing your reach while staying...
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154 - Creative Vision - An Original Story of Photography Horror
The Nerdy Photographer Podcast
What happens when a photographer starts to lose his vision - but not in the way he thinks? In this chilling Halloween episode of The Nerdy Photographer Podcast, I share an original horror story that blends photography, obsession, and the terrifying cost of creative ambition. Expect: A haunting tale of artistic obsession and self-destruction A photographer who discovers the true meaning of “losing vision” Psychological tension, eerie twists, and plenty of atmosphere A dark reflection on the fears that haunt every artist Perfect for fans of eerie storytelling, this episode...
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153 - Structure & Spontaneity: Realizing Your Vision While Staying Flexible
The Nerdy Photographer Podcast
Want to take better photos? The secret isn’t just planning every detail or just winging it. Great photography comes from balancing structure with spontaneity. In this episode of The Nerdy Photographer Podcast, I talk with photographer Jonathan Pitts-Wiley about how building a framework for your work while staying open to unexpected moments can transform your images and your creative process. We dive into: The power of structure – why routines, systems, and preparation keep you growing. The importance of flexibility – how to capture magic when plans change. Training adaptability –...
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152 - Reps, Sets, and Shutter Clicks: Building Photography Skills Like an Athlete
The Nerdy Photographer Podcast
Want to get better at photography faster? Stop waiting for inspiration and start training like an athlete. In this episode of The Nerdy Photographer Podcast, I sit down with street photographer Ryan Faer, who uses his background in professional baseball as an athletic trainer to show how discipline, repetition, and practice can transform the way you shoot. We explore how applying an athlete’s mindset to photography can help you sharpen your skills, stay consistent, and see improvement over time. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: Why “reps” matter – putting in the shots...
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151 - Drone Like a Pro: Tips, Tools & Rules for Aerial Photographers
The Nerdy Photographer Podcast
In this episode of the Nerdy Photographer Podcast, we’re taking to the skies—literally. I sat down with award-winning photographer and author Chase Guttman, whose groundbreaking book on drone photography helped launch an entire generation of aerial image-makers. As one of the earliest voices in the drone photography space, Chase brings insight, experience, and a healthy dose of sky-high inspiration. We talk about what it means to compose an image when your camera is 400 feet off the ground, how to think three-dimensionally when navigating space and light, and the gear that every aspiring...
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150 - Behind the Scenes, Ahead of the Curve: The Power of Learning as a Photography Assistant
The Nerdy Photographer Podcast
Ever wish you could get paid to get a behind-the-scenes look at the photography industry? That’s exactly what being a photography assistant offers. In this episode of The Nerdy Photographer Podcast, I interview photographer Andrew Tomasino and we dive deep into the role of photographic assistants and all the invaluable knowledge that comes with lugging gear, holding reflectors, and quietly absorbing everything on set like a human sponge. Whether you're helping a wedding photographer keep the timeline on track or assisting a commercial shooter on a big product campaign, the assistant gig...
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149 - Seasoned but Still Learning: Experience, Doubt, and Staying Sharp
The Nerdy Photographer Podcast
Ready to sit down with one of the most acclaimed names in the wedding photography world? On this episode of the podcast, we have the amazing Susan Stripling joining us. With more than two decades of experience capturing once-in-a-lifetime moments, Susan brings her signature honesty, humor, and razor-sharp insight to a conversation that dives deep into what it really takes to thrive in this industry. We talk about everything from her best tips for new and seasoned photographers, to the kinds of fears that still creep in before a shoot (yes, even those of us who have been doing...
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148 - Creative Vision vs. Client Needs: Navigating Artistic and Consumer Photography
The Nerdy Photographer Podcast
Ever find yourself navigating the divide between artistic expression and commercial work. How do you balance the two? In this episode, we dive deep into the differences, and the overlap, between artistic and commercial photography. We’ll explore how creating art for yourself and working to meet a client’s specific needs can sometimes feel like two worlds apart. From finding your own voice in a commercial world to knowing when to take creative risks, we break down how you can approach both sides of the photography spectrum without losing your passion. If you’ve ever wondered how to merge...
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147 - First Frames: Giving Refugee Children an Artistic Voice
The Nerdy Photographer Podcast
In this powerful episode of The Nerdy Photographer Podcast, we sit down with documentary filmmaker Ilie Mitaru to discuss his deeply moving film First Frames. The documentary follows the journey of photographer and refugee Serbest Salih who travels to refugee camps to teach children the basics of photography—giving them not just a creative outlet, but a voice. For children facing the trauma of displacement, disrupted education, and overwhelming anxiety, the camera becomes more than a tool—it becomes a lifeline. Ilie shares the inspiration behind the film and what drew him to this story....
info_outlineEver wish you could get paid to get a behind-the-scenes look at the photography industry? That’s exactly what being a photography assistant offers. In this episode of The Nerdy Photographer Podcast, I interview photographer Andrew Tomasino and we dive deep into the role of photographic assistants and all the invaluable knowledge that comes with lugging gear, holding reflectors, and quietly absorbing everything on set like a human sponge.
Whether you're helping a wedding photographer keep the timeline on track or assisting a commercial shooter on a big product campaign, the assistant gig is full of golden opportunities. We're talking lighting techniques, gear handling, client interaction, posing cues, on-the-fly problem-solving, and how to not look panicked when a light stand goes rogue.
We also cover how assisting gives you a front-row seat to the business side of photography - from managing client expectations to understanding workflow, pricing, and delivering consistent results. It's like being paid to attend photography grad school (but with more bags to carry and better snacks).
If you’re new to photography or looking to grow your career in a hands-on, immersive way, this episode is your roadmap. We’ve got tips on how to land assistant jobs, what makes a great assistant (spoiler: it’s not just being strong), and how to turn those experiences into a launching pad for your own work.
And there's a whole lot of non-assiting related advice and other information we cover as well. Don't miss it!
Listen in and learn how you can build skills, expand your network, and gain real-world experience - all while cashing a paycheck.
Episode Promos
This episode contains promos for:
- Elementor Website Builder - https://nerdyphotographer.com/recommends/elementor/
- On1 Photo Raw Photo Editing Suite - https:/https:/nerdyphotographer.com/recommends/on1/
- Aftershoot AI Culling and Editing - https://aftershoot.com/?ref=nerdyphoto
- Nerdy Photographer Resources for Photographers - https://nerdyphotographer.com/resources/
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About My Guest
Tomasino is a photographer and director focusing on portraits and fashion photography. You can view his work on his website - andrewtomasino.com - or on Instagram @t.omasino
About The Podcast
The Nerdy Photographer Podcast is written and produced by Casey Fatchett. Casey is a professional photographer in the New York City / Northern New Jersey with more than 20 years of experience. He just wants to help people and make them laugh. You can view Casey's photography work at https://caseyfphoto.com
If you have any questions or comments about this episode or any other episodes, OR if you would like to ask a photography related question or have ideas for a topic for a future episode, please reach out to us at https://nerdyphotographer.com/contact