Mistakes Make Magic

Do these questions sound familiar: * How can I achieve the natural, spontaneous/candid look with my posing without shooting a million candids and hoping for the best? * How do I set up a posing 'flow' where I'm not grasping at straws and feeling awkward trying to come up with the next pose? * What are some of the methods you use to pose a variety of body types confidently -- e.g. flattering parts of their bodies the clients might be insecure about? In this q&a style episode, I'm walking Krysia Lynne through some of the techniques I use to create consistent and timeless poses for my clients!

With any business, it's totally normal to focus on the product, service, and visuals of your brand... But you know what's the real secret sauce: Words Words will ultimately help you convert clients from potential inquiries into actual customers! And on the podcast today we have professional copywriter Erika Fitzgerald sharing SO. Much. Good. Content! My mind was blown by all the nuggets she was sharing! We talked about: * Mistakes people are making with their website copy and what mistakes Erika has made * How many words are too much? * Who should you be writing to? * What happens when your personal language doesn't match your ideal client?  ...and all the tips that will help you become better at writing, even when you don't have the funds to hire a professional yet! I hope you love this episode!! 

We're changing things up on the podcast this week and for the first time ever, I'm airing a live mentoring session with a newly budding photographer.  When starting a photography business there are SO many questions:  - How do I legalize the business and when should I? - Do I need a business account? - I don't have any clients yet...how do I get my name out? - If someone does come to me, what do I charge? If you're in this place of working a 9-5 and dreaming of being a photographer but don't quite know where to begin this episode is for you! 

What started as a birth right trip turned into an opportunity for collaborations and sponsorships as traveling influencers/bloggers. Joel and Marla of Traveling for Two found themselves in 30 countries in 13 months. Their social platforms were originally intended to keep their friends and family members informed of their travels but sparked the interest of thousands all over the globe. Marla is sharing on this episode things like: * How to make money as a travel influencer * The challenges of create content while still enjoying travel * How to split duties when collaborating with a partner * The struggles of wanting to be both real and curated simultaneously * Encouragement to get out and see the world If you are someone who's dreamed of traveling and getting paid for it...this episode is for you! Or maybe you just want to hear about their adventures all over the world. :) This was a fun and interesting episode that I'm excited to share with you!!

On this episode of Mistakes Make Magic, we're featuring Holdfast's visionary Matthew Swaggart. Timing is everything in life. For Matthew, his timing couldn't have been more perfect for the invention and creation of the Holdfast product line. If you've ever seen a photographer wearing those harness-like leather straps at a session or event, Swaggart is responsible for the aesthetic and creation of this design. What started as two belts fastened together turned into a product that has revolutionized how photographers handle and carry their gear. In this episode you'll hear all about: * Why timing is important * What to do when competition creeps in * How to protect your design and your brand  * Where Holdfast employs all its workers  * How to trust your intuition when you see a need for a product * Realizing a vision

If you've ever considered starting a podcast, here's how to do it! On this episode I was interviewed by Laura Murray and answered all the questions she posed regarding starting and running a podcast. We started Mistakes Make Magic over two years ago and have learned so much along the way. I'm honored and thrilled to dive into all the specifics of what gear to use when starting a podcast, how to find podcast guests, and more on this episode. If this is something you've thought about, this is an episode you definitely want to tune into!

An industry veteran, Amanda Crean has photographed some of the most beautiful weddings around the globe for the last 12 years. You can see her work in Martha Stewart Magazine, Brides, Southern Weddings, The Knot, Style Me Pretty, Once Wed, Confetti Magazine, Vogue and more. Whether an intimate celebrations or grand affair, Amanda documents in her signature effortlessly chic, relaxed, and sophisticated world view. (And always with a dose of humor.)    Amanda is so much fun! I can’t wait for you to hear about:  Marketing to a specific audience  Tips for photographing for publication Finding confidence as a photographer    And as always, some mistakes Amanda has made during the last 12 years. 

Our guest is the owner of TAYLRD Media + Designs and the Co-Founder of Sourced Co. As a wedding industry marketing consultant, she works with wedding professionals to help them develop the skills, strategies, and guides needed to market their businesses and build their brands! I really enjoyed chatting with her and hope you love learning: Top tips from Sourced Co. On what you should be focusing on to level up your marketing  Common mistakes wedding professionals make when it comes to marketing and what you can do to change it!  If you’re short on time and already feeling overwhelmed, a few things that might help you regain that time back...AND keep up with your business marketing! Top branding and content creation tips for the creative industry professional!

KT Merry is an incredible photographer, explorer, and environmentalist. She works alongside her business partner and husband Chad, and together they seek to balance the curated with the raw, the composed with the real. They are destination photographers and have photographed some of the most impeccable and thoughtful events. She was named a top photographer by Harpar’s Bazaar and Martha Stewart, one of the top 100 most inspiring people by The Knot, and a rising star by PDN Magazine. I chatted with her about another side of her business though—the philanthropic and environmentally conscious side. What you will learn in today’s episode: Mistakes we are making as a society when it comes to animals and the environment The mission of KT’s venture Render Loyalty and the organizations it supports How to reduce your carbon footprint as a creative entrepreneur or photographer, especially one who shoots film You may have heard KT mention the Education tab on her website; that's coming soon! But right now she is offer

Erich Mcvey is a wedding, portrait and editorial film photographer with a love for medium format cameras, natural light and incredible scenery. Using an approach that combines documentary and fine art styles, he captures beautiful, honest, and timeless images. Named by Harper’s Bazaar and Martha Stewart Weddings as one of the best wedding photographers in the world, and twice selected as film photographer of the year by Belle Lumiere Magazine, Erich’s work has been featured in top wedding publications. Amy is the person behind the scenes making it all work. She is a wife, mom, branding / marketing consultant, and a true partner, and that’s what I chatted with Amy and Erich about for this episode of Mistakes Make Magic: Partnering for Life and Business. What you will learn in this episode:   Protecting yourselves financially when being in business together Raising children as entrepreneurs Launching an If I Made Course And, of course, the mistakes Amy and Erich have made and lessons they’ve learned while be

Laura Murray is a photographer in Denver, Colorado.   After graduating with a degree in mathematics and spending several years working in the technology sector, Laura Murray found inspiration in photography.  She never dreamed her career would transition from data cruncher to wedding photographer.  She considers herself unbelievably lucky that she gets to document the happiest of days for her clients.   Laura is passionate about the pursuit of being the best versions of ourselves. She believes each day we can find little ways to improve which will culminate into big changes.  She loves teaching the business aspect of photography, particularly about the power of goal setting, productivity tricks to get more done in less time, and marketing for the creative entrepreneur.  Her new brand Spark & Bound provides tools to creatives to achieve their wild dreams and extraordinary goals.       Laura has traveled across the world in pursuit of photography, but she thinks there's nothing quite like home.  Laura resid

Brad and I sat down in our newly renovated kitchen to record this episode LIVE! It was so much fun to answer your home renovation questions with a live (Instagram) audience. It was also surreal because when you’re in the thick of a big project like ours, the days of enjoying the fruits of your labor seem so far into the future. But here we are! If you didn’t know, Brad and I bought an old, outdated traditional New Orleans shotgun style home and spent about a year renovating it from top to bottom. We photographed it for the first time just a couple of weeks ago, and it felt so good! In today’s episode you will learn how to: Decide if you invest in an older home and renovate Budget for a large renovation project Learn to do some of the work on your own Not kill your spouse in the process and come out a stronger couple :) 

I met Cassie Jones through Showit United. But, in addition to being United Director, she is the wife of a husband and wife wedding photography duo in Arkansas and mother of three children. I am so honored to be speaking at United this year and chatting with Cassie made me even more excited!  What You Will Learn in This Episode: How to work with a large diverse team to plan and run a successful conference How to apply to be a speaker at United Mistakes to avoid when planning a large conference and how to help attendees resolve problems What is in the works / future for United

Rachel Brenke is a lawyer and business consultant for photographers and creatives who helps industry professionals all over the world initiate and implement strategic business plans.  In addition to being a managing partner of Connors & Brenke, she is the host of the podcast The Business Bites, an author of 7 books, a Team USA athlete, and a mother to 5 children. WOW! What You Will Learn in This Episode: What Rachel and her team are doing most often to help photographers and entrepreneurs Some of the biggest legal-related mistakes people in the creative or photo industry make Why becoming a legal entity is so important Also, be sure to check out TheLawTog for a free photographer’s contract.

Katie Norris is a Dallas-based photographer and founder of the nonprofit Fotolanthropy and Fotostrap. Katie is the producer of 2 inspiring and award-winning films, and she is currently working on her new documentary project 7 Yards. I am so excited to be sharing my conversation with Katie with all of you! What you will learn about in this episode: Manufacturing a product Choosing inspiring true stories to bring to life as a filmmaker The challenges of running a giving-based brand How to accomplish big projects like creating a film from funding, travel, filming, etc. Combining business and philanthropy If you enjoy the content that we are putting out here at Mistakes Make Magic, please take just a few minutes to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and leave a review!

Amanda Nistor currently lives in New Jersey with her husband and two children, Luna and Oliver. She started Ruffled in 2008 while planning her own wedding as a creative outlet and has since worked for many brands creating content such as Fiskars, Hershey’s, Macys, and Nordstrom and has gained recognition from publications such as Brides, Harper's Bazaar Australia, and The New York Times. What You Will Learn on This Episode: Creating and curating content to begin a blog and business Managing a team and a family How to get your submissions published - film vs. digital and styled shoots vs. real weddings  About Amanda’s Styled Social events If you enjoy the content that we are putting out here at Mistakes Make Magic, please take just a few minutes to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and leave a review! We appreciate and value you!!

Valorie Darling is one of the country’s top wedding photographers and educators who also shoots fashion and lifestyle brands. In the last few years, her photography business has evolved into an agency with her Darling Collective, a team of talented associate photographers she's trained over the years. What You Will Learn on This Episode: How big opportunities can change your career Common mistakes business and creative professionals make Tips to grow your social media following and some of the downfalls of it

Shannah Compton Game, CFP®, MBA is the leading expert for millennials on money. She is host of the popular podcast, Millennial Money, where over 500,000 listeners a month from around the world join her to tackle their finances. Shannah combines her love of finance with her creative talents to produce original content for millennials. What You Will Learn on This Episode:  Common financial mistakes How to save for retirement as an entrepreneur Tips to save more money  Financial mistakes to avoid when beginning your business or career    Enjoying the podcast? Don't forget to subscribe to and review Mistakes Make Magic. 

Kilee is the owner of Six One, a boutique public relations and brand strategy agency who believes in original ideas and international success. What You Will Learn on This Episode: The Behind the Scenes Role of Promoting Brands Should you have an agent for your brand and why? How do you know when it's time to hire an agent? What are some of the ways an agent promotes a brand If you are enjoying the podcast, please be sure to subscribe to and review Mistakes Make Magic.

I cannot say enough about Ale's episode on Mistakes Make Magic. I originally came across Ale on Instagram after she created a beautiful artist film for my sweet friend Kayla Barker! Her work stands out to me as a result of its ethereal and emotional aesthetic. It's so raw, elegant and allows you to feel something.   In this episode you will learn : How to define yourself as an artist. What inspires Ale and what it means to truly BE inspired! How to create emotional, ethereal videos and content as an artist How to set boundaries in business, with work and personal life Why it is SO important to always be yourself!