In this episode of Lens Republic, we sit down with photographer, visual artist and musician Nate Hill to talk about finding your creative voice and building a career around the things you're passionate about.Nate shares how he found his way into photography and digital art, how experimenting with photo manipulation helped him develop a style of his own, and the role Instagram and creative communities played in his journey.We also talk about the business side of being a creative—including pricing your work, dealing with clients who don't understand what's involved behind the scenes, knowing when to say no, and why you shouldn't be afraid to stand by your rates.Nate also takes us behind the scenes of his creative work with music, including the process of creating artwork for his band and how his visual practice connects with his music.Plus, we chat about social media, networking, being easy to work with, and how putting your work out there consistently can lead to opportunities you never expected—including working with Tool.In This Episode00:00 – Nate's creative journey & finding his visual style05:00 – Pricing creative work & knowing your worth12:30 – Social media, networking & unexpected opportunities16:00 – Music, visual art & creating work for his band19:20 – Dealing with clients, creative boundaries & standing by your rates26:00 – Nate's creative projects, books & advice for other photographers📸 Follow Lens Republic for more behind-the-scenes conversations, photography tips and interviews with creatives working in the music industry.Follow Lens Republic:Instagram: @lens.republicSkool Community: skool.com/lens-republic-5495Follow Monique:Instagram: @moniquepizzicaWebsite: moniquepizzica.comFollow Amanda:Instagram: @minniephotogWebsite: amandaleestarkeyphotography.comFollow Nate HillInstagram: @natehillEnjoying the podcast?If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love it if you subscribed, left a review, and shared it with another photographer, videographer or creative. It really helps us reach more people in the music community.

Heading to your first concert photography gig? This episode is for you.In Episode 2 of Lens Republic, we break down everything we wish we'd known before shooting our first live music show. From applying for media passes and arriving at the venue, to pit etiquette, gear choices and handling difficult lighting, we share practical advice that can help make your first experience a whole lot less intimidating.We also dive into how to prepare before a show, why researching artists can help you capture stronger images, and the little habits that can make you a photographer that venues, artists and other creatives actually want to work with.Whether you're about to shoot your first gig or you're looking to sharpen your live music photography skills, this episode is packed with practical tips from years of experience in the pit.In This Episode:00:00 Welcome to Lens Republic00:25 What to Expect at Your First Gig03:35 Making the Most of Every Show08:15 Creative Techniques for Better Concert Photos11:35 Planning Your Shots Before the Lights Go Down15:05 Gear, Pit Etiquette & Working with Other Photographers23:50 Outro📸 Follow Lens Republic for more behind-the-scenes conversations, photography tips and interviews with creatives working in the music industry.Follow Lens Republic:Instagram: @lens.republicSkool Community: skool.com/lens-republic-5495Follow Monique:Instagram: @moniquepizzicaWebsite: moniquepizzica.comFollow Amanda:Instagram: @minniephotogWebsite: amandaleestarkeyphotography.comEnjoying the podcast?If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love it if you subscribed, left a review, and shared it with another photographer, videographer or creative. It really helps us reach more people in the music community.

Welcome to the very first episode of Lens Republic!In this episode, we share how we each found our way into music photography—despite having no roadmap, no connections, and (in some cases) no portfolio. From photographing our first gigs to volunteering at festivals, shooting for publications, and slowly building careers in the live music industry, we're pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to get started.We also chat about:- How to build a photography portfolio from scratch- Whether shooting for publications is worth it- Networking within the live music community- Our favourite concerts to photograph- Tips for shooting in crowded photo pits- Why understanding performer movement can help you capture better photos- The lenses we keep coming back to for live music photographyWhether you're just starting out or you've been photographing gigs for years, we hope this episode gives you some practical advice, and reminds you that everyone starts somewhere.In This Episode00:00 Welcome to Lens Republic00:42 How We Got Into Music Photography03:39 Building a Portfolio & Breaking Into the Industry08:59 Our Favourite Gigs, Gear & Shooting Tips15:57 Thanks for Listening📸 Follow Lens Republic for more behind-the-scenes conversations, photography tips and interviews with creatives working in the music industry.Follow Lens Republic:Instagram: @lens.republicSkool Community: skool.com/lens-republic-5495Follow Monique:Instagram: @moniquepizzicaWebsite: moniquepizzica.comFollow Amanda:Instagram: @minniephotogWebsite: amandaleestarkeyphotography.comEnjoying the podcast?If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love it if you subscribed, left a review, and shared it with another photographer, videographer or creative. It really helps us reach more people in the music community.