Photographic Collective Podcast || with Miles Witt Boyer

Photographic Collective Podcast ft. Miles Witt Boyer
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The Photographic Collective Podcast is hosted by wedding photographers Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher. Each episode features honest conversations with photographers, artists, and entrepreneurs about creativity, business, and growth. From behind-the-scenes wedding stories to social media strategies and mindset shifts, this show is built to inspire and equip photographers to find their voice, connect with clients, and build a business that lasts and then release them into PHOTOCO our exclusive membership community where training and top educators connect with real artists and listeners.

  1. FEB 10

    Goals, Capacity, and the Conversion Problem Most Photographers Misdiagnose (ft. Rachel Traxler)

    Episode Summary What happens when a systems girl has a heart and actually cares about people. This one starts with negative twenty one degrees and ends with an absolute mic drop on service, strategy, and building a business that does not eat your identity alive. Rachel Traxler brings the rare combo of warmth and tactical clarity, and Miles and Jared go right where photographers actually live: the tension between art, family, ambition, burnout, and the pressure to do it all. If you have ever thought “I just need more inquiries,” Rachel lovingly corrects you. If you have ever felt the hat switching guilt spiral, she names it. If you have ever wanted a simpler way to set goals that actually get finished, she lays out the framework. Why toxic positivity is a turnoff and how Rachel stays upbeat without becoming fluff The real issue most photographers have is not visibility, it is conversion How to use your conversion rate to set realistic inquiry goals Why creatives avoid goals and how vague goals secretly protect our excuses The quarterly sprint method: treat Q1 like the whole year and build momentum fast Capacity, prioritizing, and the uncomfortable truth that you cannot crush every hat at the same time Streamlining life outside of business to protect your bandwidth (yes, even grocery delivery) Vendor referrals versus social inquiries and why quality leads matter more than quantity Leaving a stable job to chase photography and why “plan B” is not always required Identity and work: when your job becomes who you are, the roller coaster gets brutal The gratitude reset and why your best life metrics are rarely gear or numbers Rachel’s background at Mayo Clinic working with women facing ovarian cancer and how it shaped her perspective The mic drop moment: service as the foundation that makes systems actually meaningful More inquiries is not always the answer. Sometimes you have enough leads and your conversion is the leak If your goal is one wedding a month and your conversion is 25 percent, you only need four solid inquiries Do not build marketing systems until you know your numbers and your actual goals Quarterly goals beat vague yearly dreams. Short sprints create real traction Your business should serve your life, not replace your identity Join PHOTOCO Membership (monthly trainings, exclusive guest experts, community): https://thephotographiccollective.com PHOTOCO Podcast: https://thephotographiccollective.com/podcast PHOTOCO AfterCast and member exclusives: https://thephotographiccollective.com Miles Witt Boyer on Instagram: https://instagram.com/mileswittboyer Rachel Traxler on Instagram: https://instagram.com/racheltraxler Strategy is serving. Systems are not cold. They are how you love people better. If you loved this episode, send it to a photographer friend who keeps saying “I just need more inquiries.” Then go look at your conversion rate like an adult. If you thought this episode was good, the AfterCast is where it gets dangerous. In the public episode we talk big ideas: goals, capacity, conversion, and building a business that does not eat your life. In the AfterCast we get specific.We pull the curtain back on what to actually do next, how to think about your numbers, and how to build systems that do not feel robotic or fake. If you are tired of listening to inspiration and still not knowing what to change on Monday morning, you want the AfterCast. Join PHOTOCO for less than $50 a month and get access to the AfterCast, member only trainings, guest experts, and a community of photographers who are building the same thing right alongside you. Come for the episode.Stay for the blueprint.

    49 min

  2. JAN 23

    My Grinder Is Jammed: Jon Taylor Sweet on Creativity, Burnout, and Building a Life You Actually Want

    What happens when your coffee grinder is jammed… and so is your life?This episode starts with a broken coffee grinder and accidentally turns into one of the deepest, most honest conversations we’ve ever had on the Photographic Collective Podcast.Today we sit down with Jon Taylor Sweet — one of the most influential visual artists of the last decade whose work spans weddings, music, commercial, editorial, and culture — to talk about: Why he walked away from shooting 30 weddings a yearWhat burnout actually does to your nervous systemHow he built a career by niching up instead of niching downWhy relationships matter more than ratesWhy your creative voice is more important than your brandAnd how to build a life that doesn’t require a breakdown every NovemberJon shares the real story behind his rise from shooting on an iPhone in Washington to working with artists like NF, David Kushner, Laney Wilson, and major brands like Jameson and Alaska Airlines — and why he still refuses to put himself in a box. This is a conversation about:Creativity without cagesBusiness without burnoutArt without arroganceAnd success without selling your soulIf you’ve ever felt tired, boxed in, creatively stuck, or like you’re running a business you don’t actually want to live inside of… this one will hit home. Also yes, we do talk about coffee. A lot. ☕️John Taylor Sweet joins us for a wildly honest conversation about burnout, creativity, niching up, and building a life you actually want to live. From shooting on an iPhone to working with world-class artists and brands, this episode is a masterclass in sustainable creativity.Why John cut his wedding workload from 30+ to 12 per yearWhat burnout actually feels like in your bodyHow to recognize when your nervous system is friedWhy saying no creates better yesesThe danger of building a business you hate living insideWhy niching up beats niching downHow relationships built his entire commercial and music careerThe truth about editing, style, and creative freedomWhy your composition and light matter more than your presetsHow to get commercial work without chasing brandsWhy comparison is killing your creativityThe real story of how his career started on an iPhoneWhy you don’t need permission to create meaningful work00:00 – The Grinder Is Jammed05:00 – Onyx Coffee, Arkansas, and Chaos08:00 – Why John Cut His Workload in Half12:00 – Burnout, Anxiety, and the Nervous System18:00 – Rhythms, Faith, and Life Structure24:00 – Creativity, Movement, and Making Things30:00 – Art vs Industry vs Ego38:00 – The Commercial Work Philosophy45:00 – From iPhone to Global Brands55:00 – Failure, Learning, and Showing Up1:02:00 – The Problem With “There’s Only One Way”1:08:00 – The Artist vs The Algorithm1:15:00 – Final Creative Mic DropA few KEY quotes from our chat.“If you don’t build space into your life, your body will build it for you.”“Niching up lets creativity feed the thing that pays your bills.”“Relationships last longer than campaigns.”“Your composition and how you see light is your real signature.”“If you’re not moving and you’re not creating, something’s off.”“You don’t need permission to make meaningful work.”“Comparison is the fastest way to lose your voice.”John Taylor SweetWebsite: ⁠https://jontaylorsweet.com⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jontaylorsweet⁠Referenced / RelatedNF (music artist)David KushnerLaney WilsonAlaska AirlinesJameson WhiskeyMiles & JaredMiles: ⁠https://www.mileswittboyer.com⁠Jared: ⁠https://www.jaredfincher.com⁠PHOTOCO: ⁠www.mileswittboyer.com/photo⁠

    1h 4m

  3. 12/30/2025

    Wrapping up 2025 - Resetting the WHY

    This episode feels like sitting across the table from us at the end of a long year... coffee going cold, passports still dusty, calendars already filling back up. Jared and I walk through the heart of our Arkansas Wedding Photographer blog and use it as a launch point to reminisce on 2025: the travel, the work, the moments that surprised us, and the ones that quietly shaped who we’re becoming. But more than that, this conversation is about something bigger... how we’re actively painting a picture of who we are in real time, without letting either success or complacency steal our creativity and joy. We talk honestly about resisting autopilot, protecting curiosity, and choosing intention over rinse-and-repeat. Along the way, we keep coming back to a few questions that feel especially important right now: “Can we not rinse and repeat our whole year?”“Can we celebrate the good things?”“Sometimes it’s important to reset the WHY.” This episode is part reflection, part permission slip, and part reminder that growth doesn’t have to mean losing yourself. Whether you’re a photographer, creative, or just someone trying to build a meaningful life alongside meaningful work—this one’s for you. LINKS & RESOURCES 📖 Read the blog we’re unpacking in this episode:https://www.mileswittboyer.com/blog/arkansas-wedding-photographer 📸 Follow along on Instagram:https://instagram.com/mileswittboyer 🎓 Join PHOTOCO + go deeper with us:https://www.mileswittboyer.com/photo SEE YOU IN PERSON 📍 IMAGING USA — NashvilleCatch Miles in Nashville on January 10–11, 2026, including PHOTOCO happenings around the city during IMAGING USA. 📍 WPPI — Las VegasMiles will be speaking on stage at WPPI in March, diving deeper into creativity, longevity, and building a career that still feels like yours. If you’ve been feeling the pull to slow down, zoom out, and ask better questions—press play.

    41 min
  4. The Truth About “Perfect” Wedding Photos - Gabe McClintock

    12/15/2025

    The Truth About “Perfect” Wedding Photos - Gabe McClintock

    In this episode of the Photographic Collective Podcast, Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher sit down with legendary destination wedding and elopement photographer Gabe McClintock for a conversation that feels like a reset button for your creative brain. They unpack why so many high level artists feel like imposters, why Gabe thrives in friction and chaos, and how he earns the kind of trust that lets him meet couples on the day of and create images that feel calm inside the mayhem. From shooting wide open in massive environments to hiking into wild places like Iceland volcanoes, Gabe breaks down what actually matters: emotion over perfection, focus over trends, and art that comes from doing the hard thing on purpose. If you feel buried under trends, presets, posing prompts, or “how to be everything to everyone” pressure, this episode is your permission slip to simplify and get back to the work that feels like you. THEMES FROM THIS EPISODE • Why “imposter syndrome” shows up in almost every respected artist• Gabe’s take on photography as a craft vs a “creative identity”• The technical choice that gives Gabe’s work that ethereal, painterly feel (and why it matters)• Trust as the true currency of destination work• How sales skills translate into confident direction and client buy in• Why chaos and friction can create the most honest images• Iceland volcano story: what went right, what went terrifying, and why he’d still do it again• The trap of social media noise, presets, trend chasing, and copying• Gabe’s simplest advice for photographers trying to find their voice: mute the noise and shoot what makes you feel something• A real conversation about staying focused in your lane for the long game Gabe McClintock is a Calgary, Canada based destination wedding and elopement photographer known for cinematic, emotional imagery that feels calm even in the most chaotic environments. With 15+ years of experience photographing couples around the world, Gabe has become one of the most influential voices in modern adventure wedding photography, recognized for his ability to create unforced, unscripted work rooted in trust, atmosphere, and honest connection. https://www.gabemcclintock.com/

    52 min
  5. Beyond the Bangers: Conscious Wedding Photography with Ryan Teague of Feather and Finch

    11/19/2025

    Beyond the Bangers: Conscious Wedding Photography with Ryan Teague of Feather and Finch

    On this one Jared and I sat down with our friend Ryan Teague from Feather and Finch Photography all the way on the Gold Coast of Australia. Ryan is one of those rare photographers who has been wildly “successful” on paper, shooting 120 plus weddings a year, and still had the courage to ask if any of it actually lined up with the life he wanted. We talk about falling in and out of love with photography, what it does to your heart to be a dad to a son with special needs, why surfing every sunrise might be a better business plan than your current workflow, and how much more powerful your work becomes when you stop trying to impress the internet and start trying to really serve the people in front of your lens. If you have ever looked at your own work and thought “this came too easy, is it really worth what I am charging” or felt that quiet little pull to slow down and be more present, this episode is going to hit you in the best way. In this episode we get into: The 120 weddings a year season How Ryan built a fast growing brand on the Gold Coast, what it felt like when the work was almost too easy, and why that started to mess with his sense of value. Falling out of love and finding it again The honest side of running your own business for years, the seasons where you could not care less about picking up a camera, and the small shifts that brought him back. Rethinking “candid” and “documentary” Ryan talks about how couples use these words, what they actually expect on the wedding day, and how he now has very specific conversations up front so the experience matches the marketing. Empathy first, ego second We talk about the difference between being the entertainer at the center of the room and being the quiet presence that makes the room feel safe, and why he is willing to sacrifice a perfect frame if it means his couple stays grounded. Meditative portraits and quiet frames How music, stillness, and silence shape the way Ryan shoots portraits, why he chases “quiet” images, and what it looks like to invite a couple into a slower, more intentional moment on their wedding day. Parenting, disability, and a very different true north Ryan shares how being a dad to a ten year old with cerebral palsy and autism has completely changed his priorities and made it very hard to care about the little vanity games we all get sucked into in this industry. Designing a slower life on purpose Sunrise surf sessions, short office days, training, and building a rhythm that actually supports his health and his family instead of constantly demanding more from them. Aftercast preview inside PHOTOCOIn the Aftercast for members we dig into the actual questions Ryan asks his couples, how he prepares them for a more meditative experience, and how he is thinking about storytelling over an entire wedding day as his style shifts. Listen to more episodes and read the show notes Photographic Collective Podcast home https://www.mileswittboyer.com/podcast Join PHOTOCO and get the Aftercast with Ryan Photographic Collective membership and training platform https://www.mileswittboyer.com/photo Learn more about the Photographic Collective community https://www.mileswittboyer.com/photographic-collective Feather and Finch Photography https://www.featherandfinchphotography.com.au Feather and Finch on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/featherandfinchphotography Miles Witt BoyerWebsite https://www.mileswittboyer.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mileswittboyer Jared Mark FincherWebsite https://www.jaredmarkfincher.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jaredmarkfincher If you are new around here, the Photographic Collective Podcast is basically Jared and me sitting down with people we really respect and pulling on the threads that actually matter. Creativity, business, family, burnout, ego, money, all of it. PHOTOCO membership and Aftercast access https://www.mileswittboyer.com/photo

    47 min
  6. Composition, Connection, And The Long Game With Jeff Chang

    10/21/2025

    Composition, Connection, And The Long Game With Jeff Chang

    Episode Description Jared and I sat down with Jeff Chang from The Apartment and it felt like talking shop with an old friend who still wakes up excited to make pictures. We dig into how to protect the art, why composition is really about proportion, and how trust with your couples unlocks the best frames. If you are tired of rinse and repeat, this one is a reset. PHOTOCO members get an Aftercast where Jeff lays out simple steps to last a full career without losing joy. Join us at mileswittboyer.com/photo for the Aftercast and all the perks. Guest Jeff Chang of The Apartment What we cover The artist struggle and how to keep your work fresh after nearly two decades Composition as proportion and the bento box way to see a frame Why connection comes first and direction works better after that Partnership in the field and how a trusted teammate lifts everything Burnout myths and the habits that make room for joy Chasing trends with taste including direct flash and when to move on Join PHOTOCO for the Aftercast with Jeff Members get a bonus episode with Jeff’s practical roadmap for longevity, portfolio evolution, and upgrades to client experience. Grab access at mileswittboyer.com/photo and listen today. Links PHOTOCO membership and Aftercast access: mileswittboyer.com/photo How we use AI to buy back time with Imagen AI: https://imagen-ai.com/?ref=mileswittboyer Subscribe and review on Apple and Spotify Membership info any time: mileswittboyer.com/photo People first wins. When couples feel known, the photos breathe Proportion matters. Let parts of the frame rest and place your subjects with intention The right shot looks different for every couple. Build a toolkit and pivot fast A good partner doubles your eyes and calms the room Joy sticks around when you protect time for the art and keep the business simple Start with connection. Take two minutes off camera and remind your couple what this day means Guide with a steady flow. Gentle prompts keep energy up and nerves down Build your nine pack. Three prompts for movement, three for stillness, three for close connection Scout for proportion. Find light and lines first, then place people where the frame already sings Tag team. If you work with a partner, trade two minute windows to chase a bold idea The Apartment origin story and why simple names stick when they come from real life The bento box metaphor you will never unsee Why in person meetings book higher than Zoom and how that trust shows up in the work The real way to avoid burnout and keep loving the craft Welcome and why this one matters The Apartment origin Composition as proportion Trust before direction Partnership on a wedding day Longevity and protecting the art Aftercast invite If this conversation fired you up, come sit with us inside PHOTOCO. The Aftercast with Jeff is loaded with step by step ideas you can put to work on your next wedding. Join now at mileswittboyer.com/photo. Bring your questions to the next live call, grab the bonus resources, and keep the momentum going. wedding photography podcast, Jeff Chang, The Apartment Photo, luxury wedding photography, fine art wedding photography, composition tips, client experience, photography longevity, creative burnout, Northwest Arkansas wedding photographer, Imagen AI workflow

    47 min
  7. From Off-Grid to On-Fire: Jenny Day on Curiosity, Color, and Building a Creative Life That Works

    10/15/2025

    From Off-Grid to On-Fire: Jenny Day on Curiosity, Color, and Building a Creative Life That Works

    Jenny Day from Jenny Pearl Photography joins Miles and Jared for a conversation that hits every photographer in the sweet spot. From growing up off the grid in Montana to building a sought-after wedding brand in Utah, Jenny shares how curiosity became her greatest tool, why she refuses to live in one visual box, and how moms and new photographers can build real momentum with simple systems and brave creativity. We dig into lighting beyond golden hour, clean color and skin tones, time blocking, Patreon education, and turning imposter syndrome into a challenge that actually fuels growth. Stay to the end for the Aftercast preview where Jenny walks through starter camera settings and business basics. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN• Curiosity as a superpower to keep your work fresh• Lighting beyond golden hour (harsh light, shadows, uneven light)• Composition prompts that move you past “safe” poses• Systems that buy your time back (HoneyBook, editing flow)• Education with receipts (monthly styled shoots, BTS, full edits)• Mindset shifts to turn comparison into a useful challenge• A client intake that tailors the experience to every couple CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS• Off-grid beginnings and learning tech with ChatGPT• Variety over niche and a monthly concept engine• Canon R5 color and skin tones, plus DSLR backup workflow• Word of mouth + consistent Instagram as growth engines• Editing faster and overthinking less with Imagen AI• The exact pre-wedding questions Jenny asks to customize direction and timeline• Managing travel, parenting, and business with time blocking• Choosing fewer, higher-level weddings while expanding education TACTICAL TAKEAWAYS• Build a monthly creative theme for yourself or your community• Schedule your brain: deep work by day, light cull/polish while you unwind• Use a couple questionnaire to clarify direction, priorities, and style• Practice hard lighting on low-stakes shoots so wedding-day stress drops• Treat envy as data: reverse-engineer what you admire and train that skill IMPORTANT LINKS • PHOTOCO Aftercast (extended episode with Jenny’s camera settings and starter systems): join inside the Photographic Collective https://www.mileswittboyer.com/photo• Imagen AI (Miles’s referral): https://imagen-ai.com/?ref=mileswittboyer• Miles Witt Boyer site: https://www.mileswittboyer.com CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome and why Jenny’s color stops Jared in his tracks06:40 Off-grid beginnings and learning tech with ChatGPT15:22 Variety over niche and the monthly concept engine23:10 Lighting in the real world31:45 Systems for moms and makers39:20 Tools that help: HoneyBook and Imagen47:05 Client intake that personalizes the whole day54:50 Turning comparison into a challenge59:20 Aftercast preview Love this one? Jump into the PHOTOCO Aftercast for Jenny’s step-by-step settings and starter systems, then use the Imagen link to win back your editing time. Subscribe, rate, and share with a friend who needs a creative push today.

    51 min
  8. Michelle Harris: Building Empires with Hustle, Heart, and Legacy | Education, Confidence & Booking with Intention

    10/07/2025

    Michelle Harris: Building Empires with Hustle, Heart, and Legacy | Education, Confidence & Booking with Intention

    This week's episode brought to you by IMAGEN Ai. This week, Miles and Jared sit down with Michelle Harris, luxury destination wedding photographer, Sigma ambassador, and powerhouse educator behind M Harris Studios, Laila Chanel Studios, and the 2K+ M Harris Hustlers community. From founding multiple brands to raising her daughters as a single mom and teaching thousands of photographers worldwide, Michelle has become a voice of confidence, community, and unapologetic hustle in an industry that often confuses success with perfection. In this conversation, Michelle opens up about the lessons she’s learned building associate teams in D.C. and Atlanta, creating systems for sustainable growth, and redefining what “hustle” really means. You’ll hear the heart behind her education, the real story of how her Master the City workshops started, and how she built a business that genuinely serves people while raising a family. Plus, Michelle shares practical steps for managing clients, creating emotional connection, and running consultations that book—and the mindset shifts that make it all possible. 🎧 AFTERCAST BONUS: PHOTOCO members get an exclusive session with Michelle, “How Not to Get Ghosted: How to Book Weddings During a Consultation” — available only inside the PHOTOCO membership community. 👉 Join at mileswittboyer.com/photo to unlock the Aftercast and get weekly education, resources, and coaching with Miles, Jared, and the PHOTOCO team. Systems Over Stress: Michelle’s repeatable workflows for posing, lighting, and editing keep her creativity sharp and her brand consistent. Education as Legacy: Teaching was never a “pivot” for her—it was a promise. She built her workshops because no one looked like her in education spaces when she began. Scaling with Heart: How she grew two associate teams across states while maintaining personal relationships with every client and community member. Confidence Is Contagious: Why her energy in client calls and workshops comes from genuine purpose, not performance. The Power of Community: How the M Harris Hustlers became more than a Facebook group—it’s an ecosystem of accountability and growth. Creative Motherhood: How being a mom fuels her work ethic and keeps her grounded. Client Care that Converts: Her signature approach—spending real time, humanizing the process, and becoming the advocate her brides didn’t know they needed. Southern Wedding Culture: Michelle shares how moving to Atlanta doubled her diversity in clients and gave her new perspective on style, flash, and culture in weddings. Rest Before Risk: Learning to pause, reflect, and let her children remind her to shut the laptop once in a while. Michelle Harris Website: mharrisstudios.com Instagram: @mharris_studios Associate Brand: Laila Chanel Studios Community: M Harris Hustlers Education & Workshops: Master the City PHOTOCO Join PHOTOCO + Aftercast: mileswittboyer.com/photo Instagram: @photographiccollective Hosts Miles Witt Boyer: @mileswittboyer Jared Mark Fincher: @jaredmarkfincher Join the PHOTOCO community to access Michelle’s full Aftercast episode, “How Not to Get Ghosted — How to Book Weddings During a Consultation.” You’ll get direct insight into her real consultation framework, pricing psychology, and the exact steps that turn conversations into bookings. 👉 Join PHOTOCO for exclusive podcast extras, monthly live calls, and the full Aftercast library.

    48 min
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5
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About

The Photographic Collective Podcast is hosted by wedding photographers Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher. Each episode features honest conversations with photographers, artists, and entrepreneurs about creativity, business, and growth. From behind-the-scenes wedding stories to social media strategies and mindset shifts, this show is built to inspire and equip photographers to find their voice, connect with clients, and build a business that lasts and then release them into PHOTOCO our exclusive membership community where training and top educators connect with real artists and listeners.

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