Shoot Bigger: a photography podcast by The Pinckards

Dan & Laura - The Pinckards
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Shoot Bigger (formerly "Fully Exposed") is a podcast for professional photographers, hosted by Dan and Laura Pinckard (@thepinckards), where we talk about the realities and strategies for running a successful, sustainable, and fulfilling photography business. From marketing, to business management, to improving as an artist... If you refuse to be complacent, want to grow your photography business, and want to "shoot bigger" in 2026 and beyond, this show is for you.

  1. JAN 30

    Grow on Social Media: A Content Strategy That Will Help Photographers Snowball Their Growth on Instagram & TikTok

    Are you tired of feeling like just another face in the feed? In this episode, Laura and Dan dive deep into the core principles of content strategy that lead to long-term, "snowball" growth. While social media algorithms are always shifting, the power of brand recognition remains constant. We talk about practical ways that creators are using that kind of brand recognition to be more noticeable and memorable on Instagram and TikTok. We share our personal journey of shifting toward short-form video, how we’re finding clarity in our brand voice, and why being "instantly recognizable" is the ultimate goal for photographers today. Key Takeaways: Finding Your Unique Hook: How to use visual and audio cues to stand out. Consistency vs. Frequency: Why building trust through recognizable patterns is more important than just posting often. Real-World Examples: Analyzing successful creators like Black Tail Studios and Mike Jeffrey. Sponsor Spotlight: How Imagen AI saves us hours on culling and editing. Get 1,500 free edits here. Join our community "Shoot Bigger" at shootbigger.com for deeper dives and weekly live classes.

    43 min

  2. JAN 22

    The Evolution of Double Exposures: Influential Artists & Interesting Eras of Double Exposure Photography

    In this episode, Laura and Dan dive deep into the fascinating (and sometimes scandalous) history of double exposures. From the "happy accident" of a horse ordering at a diner to Victorian-era spirit scams and surrealist masterpieces, we explore how this technique evolved from a technical mistake into a powerful storytelling tool. We also tackle the elephant in the room: AI in the photography industry. We discuss the recent controversy surrounding AI headshot generators and why the human connection between a photographer and their subject can never truly be replaced by a prompt. Key Takeaways: The accidental origins of double exposures in the 1800s. How "spirit photography" was used to scam grieving families. Surrealist innovators like Man Ray and Jerry Uelsmann. The debate over transactional vs. relational photography in the age of AI. Why "purist" definitions of art are misguided. Resources Mentioned: Imagine AI — Get 1500 free edits and try it for yourself Join our community: Shoot Bigger

    48 min

  3. JAN 17

    Photographers Stealing Each Other's Work?! Disrespectful Things That Photographers Do On Social Media

    In this episode, Dan and Laura Pinkard dive into a major industry pet peeve: photographers who use other people’s work to advertise their own services. We discuss the ethical and legal realities of "sharing" posts to get clients, the myth of social media as "public domain," and the intentional disrespect of covering up the original creator's name when sharing to IG stories. Join our community: Join "Shoot Bigger" at ⁠shootbigger.com⁠ Try Imagen AI for free: https://imagen-ai.com/?ref=pinckards Key Takeaways: The "Hire Me" Share: Why using someone else’s creative session to book your own clients is wrong. Copyright Myths: Why posting on social media does NOT make your work public domain. Handling Trolls: Dealing with rude comments on Facebook and Threads.

    26 min

  4. JAN 7

    Photography in 2026: Stop Competing on Price & Start Communicating Value

    Welcome to the first episode of 2026—and the official debut of the Shoot Bigger Podcast! We are kicking off the year with a major announcement: we are rebranding the "Fully Exposed" podcast to align with our photography community, Shoot Bigger. In this episode, we dive deep into why 2025 felt "weird" for the industry and how you can "lock in" for a successful 2026 by shifting your mindset from "artist" to "business owner." Key Takeaways: The Rebrand: Why we’re moving everything under the Shoot Bigger umbrella. Mindset Shift: Why you need to start treating your business as an LLC, not just an extension of your personality. Value over Price: How to communicate your worth in an increasingly competitive, AI-assisted market. The Power of SOPs: Why systems (and physical punch cards!) are our secret weapon for growth this year. Join the community: Join other photographers at shootbigger.com to grow your business without feeling alone. Try Imagen AI: Stop wasting weeks on editing. Use the link in our description to try the AI-powered editing tool we use to streamline our workflow.

    40 min

  5. 10/16/2025

    How to Stay Creative in Photography, Start Trends, and Find Inspiration (Double Exposures, Movies & More)

    Feeling stuck in the wedding photography "status quo?" In this solo episode, Laura dives into her personal process for finding and staying inspired so you can keep your galleries fresh, unique, and consistent without doing the same thing at every wedding. She shares the unexpected sources of her most viral concepts and trends, including: How an idea for a slow-shutter bridal party trend came from a photo of kids. Taking cinematic inspiration from movies and visualizing a wedding as a film. Turning dreams and even commercials into double exposure ideas, like the viral shot inside the client's eye. How client Pinterest boards and questionnaires serve as a critical baseline for creativity and comfort level. The most important rule: Never let your artistic vision overshadow the client's day. Want to join a community of creatives pushing the boundaries of wedding photography? Join our community "Shoot Bigger" at shootbigger.com. Try Imagen AI and get 1,500 free edits: Try Imagen Join our Facebook group: Join Here

    26 min

  6. 09/18/2025

    Not getting inquiries? Try these 5 tips this week to book more photography clients

    Feeling stressed about slow bookings? This episode is for you. Try Imagen AI and get 1,500 free edits: https://imagen-ai.com/?ref=pinckards Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepinckards In this solo episode, Dan shares five actionable strategies you can implement right now to start getting more inquiries. He covers everything from optimizing your website's first impression and contact form to the power of building a strong referral network with other vendors. Plus, learn why a limited-time offer might be the key to sparking action and how to use value-driven social content to attract your ideal clients. Dan also stresses the importance of following up with past leads and clients to unlock a goldmine of potential referrals you might be missing out on.

    46 min

  7. 09/02/2025

    The 1% Rule: How Small Habits Create Massive Change

    Are you feeling stuck in the same routine? Do you have big dreams but struggle to find the motivation to achieve them? In this episode, Dan and Laura share their key takeaways from James Clear's "Atomic Habits" and discuss the power of the "1% Rule." They dive into how tiny, consistent changes can compound over time to create extraordinary results in your life and business. A HUGE thank you to Imagen for sponsoring this show. If you haven't already, go sign up for Imagen here and try it for yourself. We will soon be offering our editing profile (AI version of a preset that will work SO much better than presets ever do), but you can also train your own AI editing profile or use one of the free ones. Key Takeaways: The difference between goal-oriented and habit-oriented thinking. How to build an identity around the person you want to become. Applying the "1% Rule" to a photography business to avoid burnout. A fascinating case study of the British cycling team and their journey from worst to first. Show Notes: Try Imagen (get 1,500 free edits) | AI editing platform that saves us SO much time Book: Atomic Habits by James Clear Join our Facebook Group

    39 min

  8. 08/26/2025

    The Reality Of Being A Mom & A Photographer

    In this heartfelt and candid solo episode, Laura gets real about the challenges and unexpected pressures of being a new mom while running a successful business. She dives into the emotional tug-of-war between prioritizing her baby and her work, the societal expectations placed on women, and the surprising lack of grace people show to small business owners. Laura shares her personal struggles with mom-guilt, burnout, and the importance of asking for help, while also celebrating the resilience of women who are doing both. This is an unscripted, unfiltered conversation for any "mompreneur" who has felt alone in their journey.

    35 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Shoot Bigger (formerly "Fully Exposed") is a podcast for professional photographers, hosted by Dan and Laura Pinckard (@thepinckards), where we talk about the realities and strategies for running a successful, sustainable, and fulfilling photography business. From marketing, to business management, to improving as an artist... If you refuse to be complacent, want to grow your photography business, and want to "shoot bigger" in 2026 and beyond, this show is for you.

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