The Focus Trap

Amy and Casey
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A show about cameras, creativity, and the weird shit your brains do while you're trying to make something. Together, we're exploring photography for all levels — asking the silly questions, sharing the expert knowledge, and digging into what it actually takes to grow as a human being and as an artist.

Episodes

  1. Jul 16

    110: The Trap of Imposter Syndrome

    What if feeling like a fraud isn't proof that you are one? In this episode of The Focus Trap, Amy and Casey close out season one by pulling together a thread that's been running underneath almost every episode: imposter syndrome. It's the gap between what you can actually do and what you believe you can do, and it shows up in things as loud as "I don't belong here" and as quiet as editing the same photo for the fifth time before you'll let anyone else see it. They also talk about: Why "I have imposter syndrome" should start the conversation, not end itThe difference between needing more experience and dismissing genuine praisePhotography certifications, authority badges, and what they actually proveWhy detaching from success can be just as important as detaching from failureRecovery time as a better measure of progress than whether the hard feelings show upAlong the way, there are conversations about the Paul Hollywood handshake, a vintage Jungle Book lunchbox full of handwritten thank-you notes, the surprising motivational power of mediocre Facebook reels, and hate-shopping in gift shops for badly focused wildlife prints as proof that your brain isn't always telling you the truth. Season one wraps up here. Season two shifts from the traps photographers fall into toward what deserves their focus instead: intentionality, joy, and maybe even a few guest voices that Amy and Casey are excited to bring into the conversation. ------------------- Subscribe so you don't miss the next episode. Email us at thefocustrap@gmail.com 📸 Find Amy and learn more about her photography coaching: www.greatdanephotoadventures.com 🧠 Find Casey and learn more about what she's up to: www.caseyjourdan.com And follow The Focus Trap @thefocustrap on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok (00:00) - Introduction (03:23) - What Imposter Syndrome Actually Is (07:26) - The Credential Chase (21:44) - Action Before Thought (32:49) - Predefining Success (41:41) - Retraining Takes Years, Not Days (44:26) - Casey's Proof Stories (47:31) - Amy's Proof Stories

  2. Jul 9

    109: The Trap of the Hot Take

    What if most photography hot takes fall apart the moment you ask, "Why?" In this episode of The Focus Trap, Amy and Casey dive into the world of photography hot takes. What starts as a list of opinions quickly turns into something bigger: how photography culture keeps turning personal preferences into hard rules. They also talk about: Why back-button focus won't fix your photographyWhether editing is "cheating"Why beginners should stop trying to learn from everybody everywhere all at onceWhy you don't have to monetize your photography and why you definitely shouldn't rush into itWhen refusing to answer a question is gatekeeping and when it's just a boundaryWhy your ISO is probably too lowAlong the way, Amy discovers her thumb and forefinger are apparently wired together, there's an extremely unnecessary Threads argument over whether RAW is a file type, Casey explains why weightlifting made her appreciate technical photography, and they imagine what it would be like to photograph a portrait with a 600mm lens.  Got your own hot take? Want to tell Amy she’s wrong about something? The email is below so you can tell us about it.  ------------------- Subscribe so you don't miss the next episode. Email us at thefocustrap@gmail.com 📸 Find Amy and learn more about her photography coaching: www.greatdanephotoadventures.com 🧠 Find Casey and learn more about what she's up to: www.caseyjourdan.com And follow The Focus Trap @thefocustrap on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok (00:00) - Introduction (01:50) - Back Button Focus Isn't Magic (12:09) - Is Editing Cheating? (15:43) - Technique vs. Artistry (20:07) - Stop Learning From Everybody (24:51) - Bokeh, Blur, and Pop (33:58) - The Pressure to Find Your Style (43:09) - Monetizing Too Soon (54:35) - Gatekeeping in Photography (59:02) - 80,000 ISO and I Sleep Fine

  3. Jul 2

    108: The Trap of Overthinking

    What if the cure for overthinking isn't certainty, but evidence? In this episode of The Focus Trap, Amy and Casey talk about overthinking: what it actually is, how it shows up in photography and everyday life, and why simply calling yourself “an overthinker” can sometimes become part of the problem. They explore the difference between thoughtful decision-making and getting trapped in loops that keep you from taking action. They also talk about: • Using evidence instead of anxiety to make decisions• Why beginners often try to skip steps in the learning process• Why action creates information that thinking can't• How nervous systems lag behind conscious understanding• Closing loops and knowing when you're done Along the way, there are conversations about 1980s TV theme songs, crying at airport gate agents, stuffed animals as stand-in models, and why sometimes the answer is simply to go take the photo and see what happens. (00:00) - Introduction (04:40) - The Part Where Casey Overthinks Live on Air (10:52) - Boy Scout Brain vs. MacGyver Brain (16:23) - What the Data Actually Says (21:52) - Less Thinking, More Action (46:15) - You're Not an Overthinker, You're Overthinking (59:42) - Closing the Loop

  4. Jun 25

    107: The Trap of Keeping the Peace

    What if deciding to bring your camera on a trip has nothing to do with the gear? In this episode of The Focus Trap, Amy and Casey start with a question a lot of photographers have wrestled with: when you're traveling with family or friends, do you bring the camera? What starts as a conversation about vacations, bird photography, and logistics quickly turns into a bigger discussion about relationships, expectations, and the stories we tell ourselves about what we're allowed to want. They also talk about: Why photographers and non-photographers often mean very different things when they say "just take a picture"Building photography time into a trip without turning the whole trip into a photography tripSolo photography outings as a practical solution, not a selfish oneHow avoiding discomfort can sometimes look a lot like "being considerate"Along the way, there are conversations about swallows versus sparrows, a husband who quietly solved a bird-photography problem, a hike that didn't make it past the first waterfall, and a trip to a local lake that produced no photographs but was totally worth it anyway. (00:00) - Introduction (13:51) - Have the Conversation (24:51) - Permission vs. Having a Plan (32:40) - Why "Being Considerate" Gets Complicated (37:02) - Where This Is All Going

  5. Jun 18

    106: The Trap of Perfection

    What if perfectionism isn’t actually about making better photos, but about trying not to look stupid while learning? In this episode of The Focus Trap, Amy and Casey talk about perfectionism in photography, why so many photos never leave the hard drive, and what’s actually happening when photographers hesitate to share their work. They explore the difference between wanting to improve and getting trapped in endless editing loops disguised as “high standards.” They also talk about: Why “good enough” is such a slippery standardWhy bird photography is apparently chaosWhy the experience of being there can matter more than taking the photoWhy YouTube tutorials can only take photographers so farThe weird social ritual of apologizing before showing your photosAlong the way, there are conversations about hummingbirds, fuzzy snow pants, workshop frustration, and the realization that “I’m a perfectionist” might be less of a personality trait and more of a very socially acceptable hiding place. (00:00) - Intro (05:54) - “Good Enough” is a Moving Target (11:17) - Waiting for the Perfect Shot (14:53) - Inspiration vs. Self-Judgment (26:04) - The Socially Acceptable Hiding Place (33:55) - Curiosity Instead of Perfectionism

  6. Jun 11

    105: The Trap of Editing

    What if “fixing it in post” is just doing the same job twice? In this episode of The Focus Trap, Amy and Casey talk about editing. Not the fun, creative side of editing, but the kind that happens because something went wrong in the field and now you’re trying to rescue it later on the computer. They also talk about: How relying too heavily on editing can sabotage learningThe relationship between fieldcraft, flow state, and creativityWhy repeated editing problems usually point to field problemsThe mental load of photography and how to simplify itHow fixing mistakes can consume creative energyAlong the way, there are conversations about black dogs, AI editing tools, crooked horizons, agility trials, kayak bird photography, and the realization that your body mechanics might be the reason all your photos are crooked. (00:00) - Welcome (04:38) - Editing to Fix vs Editing for Creativity (12:24) - Why Amy Wants It Right in Camera (17:54) - Fieldcraft, Flow State, and What Cameras Are Actually Good At (38:08) - The Difference Between Planning and Playing (46:06) - When Fixing Photos Starts Killing Creativity

  7. Jun 4

    104: The Trap of Creativity

    What if the photographers who seem “naturally creative” just took way more bad photos than everybody else? In this episode of The Focus Trap, Amy and Casey talk about creativity, natural talent, and why so many people decide they “aren’t artistic” long before they’ve actually given themselves enough reps to learn. They also talk about: The hidden value of “boring” practice subjectsWhy beginners usually don’t take enough photosThe difference between anecdotal data and real patternsWhy photographers need rest as much as repsTeleconverters and whether more reach is worth the trade-offsAlong the way, there are conversations about theater lighting design, weightlifting, Michael Phelps, house finches, disposable cameras, potato days, angry woodworking, Baby Beethoven, and why “go take more f*****g pictures” might genuinely be the best photography advice most beginners never hear. 00:00 Are Some People Just Naturally Creative? 13:59 Reps, Pattern Recognition, and Learning Photography 20:57 Nobody Shows the Throwaway Photos 30:17 Potato Days, Burnout, and Intentional Rest 42:40 The Gear Question: Teleconverters and Trade-Offs ------------------- 📸 Find Amy and learn more about her photography coaching: www.greatdanephotoadventures.com 🧠 Find Casey and learn more about what she's up to: www.caseyjourdan.com And follow The Focus Trap @thefocustrap on Instagram and TikTok

  8. May 28

    103: The Origin of Focus Trap

    What if two people from completely different worlds were actually talking about the same thing all along? In this episode of The Focus Trap, Amy and Casey talk about where they came from, how they each ended up teaching in completely different fields, and how a conversation about email somehow turned into a photography podcast. Amy shares how she went from math and physics teacher to photographing dog sports professionally, building a custom system to sort thousands of dog photos, and accidentally creating a business around solving problems nobody else was paying attention to yet. Casey talks about being wounded in Iraq at 19, navigating life with PTSD and a brain injury, and eventually building a coaching practice around helping other people untangle the same kinds of overwhelm and identity shifts she had to figure out herself. They also talk about: The overlap between creativity and nervous system regulationADHD, late diagnosis, and identity shiftsProblem solving as a shared languageWhy both of them became teachersThe origin of the name “The Focus Trap”Along the way, there are stories about floppy disk cameras, dog shows, CrossFit coaching, TikTok algorithms, bird photography workshops, and the realization that maybe the email was never actually about the email. 00:00 Welcome 00:37 How Did This Partnership Even Happen? 08:04 Film Cameras, Dog Shows, and Building a Photography Business 22:48 It Was Never About the Email 25:22 PTSD, ADHD, and Learning Yourself the Hard Way 44:35 Photography, Nervous Systems, and Learning to Be Curious 51:17 Why the Show Exists ------------------- 📸 Find Amy and learn more about her photography coaching: www.greatdanephotoadventures.com 🧠 Find Casey and learn more about what she's up to: www.caseyjourdan.com And follow The Focus Trap @thefocustrap on Instagram and TikTok

  9. May 28

    102: The Trap of Gear

    What if the thing standing between you and better photos isn’t your camera? In this episode of The Focus Trap, Amy and Casey talk about gear. Why photographers get obsessed with it, when it actually matters, and when it’s just a very expensive attempt to quiet your nervous system. Amy explains why she chooses gear based on photographing fast dogs in terrible light, why megapixels are wildly overhyped, and why she cares more about ISO than almost any other camera spec. Casey talks about recently upgrading from a 20-year-old DSLR to a mirrorless camera, the dopamine hit of shiny new gear, and realizing that some problems are solved by equipment while others are still just fundamentals. They also talk about: Why “does gear matter?” is the wrong questionHow to tell whether your issue is skill, technique, or equipmentWhy patterns matter more than one bad photoWhy better gear won’t magically replace practiceAlong the way, there are conversations about horse arenas with terrible lighting, disposable cameras, heat haze, Amazon wishlists, and why “just buy a new camera” is usually not the full answer. 00:00 Welcome02:47 When Gear Actually Matters05:00 Gear Acquisition Syndrome (aka G.A.S.)07:11 What Specs Actually Matter?15:41 How Do You Know It’s Time to Upgrade?27:04 Stop Chasing Gear, Go Chase the Shot ------------------- 📸 Find Amy and learn more about her photography coaching: www.greatdanephotoadventures.com 🧠 Find Casey and learn more about what she's up to: www.caseyjourdan.com And follow The Focus Trap @thefocustrap on Instagram and TikTok

  10. May 28

    101: The Trap of Getting It Right

    What if the question "am I doing this right?" is the thing actually getting in your way? In this first episode of The Focus Trap, Amy and Casey talk about the pressure to “get it right,” why that question tends to shut down curiosity instead of helping people learn, and why Amy starts photo critiques with a different question entirely.  They also talk about: Why “right vs wrong” is usually the least helpful way to evaluate a photoThe difference between a successful image and a technically perfect oneWhy audience and context matter more than universal rulesThe emotional experience of learning something new as an adultThe overlap between photography, self-trust, and curiosity Along the way, there are stories about vultures, hunting, Great Danes, blurry dog photos, adrenaline spikes, photo contests, and the deeply important question: “But did you die?” If you’ve ever picked up a camera and immediately worried about whether you were doing it correctly, this episode is for you. 00:00 Welcome to The Focus Trap 05:19 Why ‘Right or Wrong’ Shuts Down Creativity 07:23 So who’s the boss? 21:14 Vultures, Bad Photos, and Nervous Systems 36:13 Ask Better Questions -------------------📸 Find Amy and learn more about her photography coaching: www.greatdanephotoadventures.com🧠 Find Casey and learn more about what she's up to: www.caseyjourdan.comAnd follow The Focus Trap @thefocustrap on Instagram and TikTok

  11. Episode 1

    Trailer

    About the hosts: Amy Johnson is a professional dog sports photographer and the founder of Great Dane Photo Adventures (GDPA), where she teaches photographers at all levels. She has been the official photographer for events including the AKC National Agility Championship and is known for teaching photographers to make better decisions—not follow better rules. [Click here to see more of Amy's work] Casey Jourdan is a former nervous system coach, beginner photographer, and someone who thinks deeply about how the brain and nervous system function during learning and creativity. [See more about Casey]

Trailer

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About

A show about cameras, creativity, and the weird shit your brains do while you're trying to make something. Together, we're exploring photography for all levels — asking the silly questions, sharing the expert knowledge, and digging into what it actually takes to grow as a human being and as an artist.

Information

  • Creator
    Amy and Casey
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Casey Jourdan llc