Photographer Iasis Kennedy shares her journey from working at Anthropologie during the pandemic to becoming a full-time destination wedding photographer. With stimulus checks in hand and a new camera, what started as a casual hobby quickly evolved into a thriving business. Originally on the pre-nursing track at University of Washington, Iasis found herself drawn to photography after participating in styled shoots and realizing this creative path could become a legitimate career.

Now with about 50% of her work being destination-based, Iasis discusses the challenges of pricing travel appropriately while building her portfolio. She reflects on lessons learned about advocating for herself financially, especially when excited about shooting in dreamy locations like Mexico, Spain, and Italy. Her approach centers on creating genuine friendships with clients rather than strictly business relationships - making her the ideal photographer for couples who want someone who feels like a friend documenting their special day.

After transitioning to full-time photography just a year ago, Iasis credits industry friends who warned her about taking on too much work and a crucial pricing workshop that helped her understand exactly what to charge to sustain her business. Her experience offers valuable insights for photographers navigating the delicate balance between creative fulfillment, financial sustainability, and maintaining quality of life in a competitive industry.

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Cultural portrait photographer Matt Jacob shares his journey from being an airline pilot to building a creative photography business on his own terms. Currently based in Bali, Matt discusses how his previous career afforded him the privilege to explore photography projects without immediate financial pressure, allowing him to develop his distinct style over five years.

Rather than following industry norms, Matt deliberately carved his own path, focusing solely on projects that genuinely excited him. He explains his diverse approach to monetization through print sales, brand collaborations, educational offerings, podcast sponsorships, and community building. Matt emphasizes the importance of photographers maintaining personal passion projects alongside client work, noting how these can eventually evolve into revenue streams through avenues like sponsored trips, books, and magazine placements.

Throughout the conversation, Matt addresses common challenges facing photographers today, particularly the pressure to grow a massive social media following. He advocates for cultivating "a thousand true fans" rather than chasing empty metrics, explaining how an authentic community creates more sustainable opportunities than algorithm-dependent growth strategies. His perspective offers valuable insights for photographers struggling to balance creative fulfilment with financial sustainability in today's competitive landscape.

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The MOOD Podcast

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Wedding photographer Heather Schoolcraft talks about her incredible journey from a small West Virginia town to shooting weddings across 30 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico - with Iceland and Paris on the horizon! She works alongside her fiancé who handles video, making those long wedding days less stressful and more fun. What makes Heather's approach special is how she taps into couples' love languages to capture genuine moments - like having someone whisper sweet nothings if words of affirmation is their thing, or encouraging meaningful physical touch for those who connect that way.

After five years in the business, Heather's learned the power of saying "no" - her actual New Year's resolution! She's shifting from being what she calls a "workhorse" (shooting tons of weddings) to becoming a "unicorn" photographer who takes fewer clients at higher rates. Along the way, she's faced challenges like wrist surgery from lugging around heavy camera gear, which led to the unexpected side hustle of making polymer clay earrings as client gifts.

Throughout the conversation, you really feel Heather's passion for finding couples who genuinely match her energy. As she puts it, "I want you to feel the warmth and love and happiness" in her photos - something that comes through when working with people who are truly excited about their wedding day.

About Heather:

Hi, I’m Heather - a photographer and videographer based in Charleston, West Virginia, but you’ll often find me traveling with my camera in hand. I’ve had the chance to capture love stories and real moments in 30 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico - and soon adding Iceland and Paris to the list! I’ve been photographing weddings for five years, and for the past two, I’ve been lucky enough to film alongside my amazing fiancé. My work is all about chasing golden sun rays, embracing pops of color, and capturing those raw, genuine reactions that make every story unique.

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