More Than Photos

Brad & Jen - Creative Business Coaches, Wedding Photographers
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Visual Arts
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Veteran wedding photographers, Brad & Jen, peel back the curtain on what it takes to not just create beautiful photos, but build a thriving creative business — consider this your this is your go-to for actionable inspiration, practical steps, and the motivation to make your next move.

  1. 10h ago

    055 - On Belief, Bold Moves, and 3 Years That Changed Everything w/ Fulton Events

    What if the biggest opportunities in your business don't come because you're finally "ready"… but because you've spent years preparing before they ever arrived? This week we're joined by Kellie and Caitlin of Fulton Events for one of our favorite conversations to date. On the surface, it's the story of three years that changed everything. But underneath, it's a conversation about believing in a future before anyone else can see it. About making decisions before there's proof they'll pay off. About saying "yes" when the opportunity feels just a little bigger than you're ready for. Over the course of just 3 years—while raising three young kids—they transformed their business through intentional relationships, strategic investments, countless uncomfortable decisions, and a willingness to build the business they wanted long before they actually needed it. If you've ever wondered whether the work you're doing today is actually leading somewhere… this conversation is a reminder that growth rarely looks dramatic while you're living it. It looks like showing up. Again. And again. And again. Chapters00:00 – Meet Kellie & Caitlin of Fulton Events 04:15 – Building belief before there was proof 11:42 – Why three years changed everything 20:31 – Preparing for the business you want 29:18 – Saying yes before you're ready 37:40 – Relationships that change your trajectory 46:52 – Every next level starts with one step 55:26 – The unseen work behind extraordinary growth 1:05:14 – Advice for creatives chasing their next chapter In This EpisodeBuilding the business before you need itBelief before proofStrategic business growthMaking bold decisionsPreparing for opportunityRelationship marketingReputation and referralsLeadership and team buildingEntrepreneurshipCreative businessWedding industryFulton EventsKeywordsBusiness growth, entrepreneurship, creative business, wedding planner, Fulton Events, business strategy, leadership, relationships, networking, mindset, entrepreneurship podcast, photographer education, business development, creative entrepreneur, premium clients, business mindset, reputation, marketing, long-term growth, intentional business.

    055 - On Belief, Bold Moves, and 3 Years That Changed Everything w/ Fulton Events

  2. Jul 14

    054 - Book More Weddings by Changing This One Thing

    This week's episode is a little different. Brad & Jen are recording from the road instead of their usual studio, but the conversation couldn't wait. If you've ever stared at a new inquiry wondering, "Do I send pricing? Do I email first? Do I schedule a call?" this episode is for you. What starts as a conversation about discovery calls quickly becomes something much bigger. Why are photographers becoming more efficient, yet feeling less connected? Why do couples ghost? And what if the problem isn't your pricing at all? Brad & Jen unpack one of the biggest mindset shifts they've seen transform photographers inside Purpose & Profit and the Mastermind. You'll learn why leading with connection instead of efficiency changes the way couples experience your brand, why discovery calls are about serving rather than selling, and how one simple shift can change your confidence, your bookings, and the way you show up as a business owner. Main Points• Why photographers unintentionally make booking harder after an inquiry • The real reason couples ghost (and why it usually isn't your pricing) • Why you're asking couples to judge your worth before they've experienced your value • How AI and automation are increasing the value of genuine human connection • Why discovery calls are about service, not sales • The four ways every discovery call pays you, whether you book the wedding or not • How curiosity replaces defensiveness and changes the entire pricing conversation • Why premium businesses are built by leading conversations, not sending information Chapters00:00 The $5,000 inquiry that sparked this conversation 02:00 Why photographers focus on the wrong questions 05:00 The real reason couples ghost 08:00 Why human connection is becoming more valuable 10:00 Discovery calls are about serving, not selling 15:00 The four paychecks of every discovery call 20:30 A real story about making an impact without booking the wedding 24:30 The mindset shift that changes pricing conversations 29:00 Becoming the kind of business owner people trust 32:00 One challenge for your next inquiry How to ConnectPurpose & Profit Ready to build a business that attracts better-fit couples, increases your confidence, and gives you a clear path forward https://learn.bradandjen.com/purpose-and-profit-course Keywordswedding photography, wedding photographer, photography business, discovery calls, inquiry process, booking more weddings, sales for photographers, photography pricing, client experience, wedding inquiries, photography marketing, premium wedding photographer, business mindset, human connection, photography education, Purpose & Profit, Brad and Jen

    054 - Book More Weddings by Changing This One Thing

  3. Jul 7

    053 - The Making of an Artist w/ Emilie White

    This week Brad & Jen sit down with Emilie White, a French wedding and editorial photographer whose life has stretched across seven countries, two careers, and a constant pull toward something more than the photography itself. Before she ever picked up a camera professionally, Emilie spent 7 years in law, working in international law and intellectual property across Paris, Ireland, and the Middle East. When she and her husband left Oman, she traded a comfortable expat life for a shoebox apartment in the south of France, a newborn, and a leap into photography with no formal training and no safety net. What unfolds is an honest look at the long, winding road to becoming an artist: years of imposter syndrome, the slow work of finding her voice, and the grief that shaped her eye. Emilie opens up about losing her father at 15, the family hardships that pushed her work through darker and lighter seasons, and why she believes you have to feed your soul and then trust it to surface in your work when you least expect it. Together, we explore patience, preparation, curation, parenthood, and the discipline of holding your ego loosely while building a career the industry calls successful. We also explore: Trading a seven-year law career for photography with a newborn in towLiving across seven countries and how it taught her to read any roomThe accolades that signaled she was on the right path (and why she keeps them in perspective)Working under pressure when a portrait window shrinks to three minutesWhy preparation, not acceptance, is what makes the hard moments workUsing film cameras to spark curiosity and disarm a tough crowdBuilding teams around strengths and treating hires as investments, not expensesWhy curation is the hardest part, and the one thing she will not hand to AIMaking images that gain value with age, not just attentionHow motherhood reshaped what she shoots and how she protects her timeKeeping her ego in check while her work lands in Vogue, Harper's, and BridesConnect with Emilie Website: https://emiliewhite.com/ Instagram: @emiliewhitephotography Connect with Us Join Purpose & Profit – A Roadmap to 10k Weddings Apply for the Mastermind Program - High level 1:1 creative coaching & community. Chapters (00:00) Welcome and a life across seven countries (08:32) From law school to photography (11:40) Imposter syndrome and owning the artist title (14:15) Shooting a designer's wedding and early validation (18:32) Finding her voice through editing and curation (24:15) Grief, dark seasons, and how life shapes the work (27:14) Patience, process, and time to be bored (30:43) Three-minute portraits and preparation over acceptance (39:46) Cameras as tools to read and disarm a room (44:51) Building teams around strengths (50:10) Why curation is the hardest part (59:00) Empathy in the edit: don't forget the elders (01:03:43) The couple behind the curation: Greer and Dimitri (01:06:16) Accolades, ego, and staying grounded (01:10:38) How motherhood reshaped her work (01:16:14) Movies, inspiration, and what's next

    053 - The Making of an Artist w/ Emilie White

  4. Jul 1

    052 - What Actually Happens Inside Coaching

    What actually helps photographers grow? After years of coaching photographers through every stage of business, we've noticed something surprising. The biggest breakthroughs rarely come from finding more information. They come from clarity, community, personalized guidance, and having the confidence to take the next step. In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on the lessons we've learned from working closely with photographers inside Purpose & Profit and our Mastermind. We talk about the difference between courses, coaching, and community, why so many photographers feel stuck despite having endless free information, and how real transformation happens when you stop trying to build your business alone. Whether you're wondering what kind of support you actually need, or you're simply looking for a fresh perspective on growing your business, this conversation will help you think differently about what moves the needle. LINKS Learn more about Purpose & Profit: https://learn.bradandjen.com/purpose-and-profit-course Apply for the Mastermind: https://learn.bradandjen.com/mastermind-coaching CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome and why we recorded this episode 03:00 What are you really building your business for? 09:30 Why information alone rarely creates growth 18:20 The difference between learning and implementing 27:40 Purpose & Profit and building a business with intention 39:45 Why community changes everything 47:10 Inside the Mastermind experience 58:30 What makes a great coaching student? 1:04:45 Purpose & Profit vs. The Mastermind 1:08:30 Final thoughts and next steps KEYWORDS wedding photography business, photography education, photography coaching, mastermind for photographers, photography community, photography mentor, photography course, wedding photographer marketing, photography pricing, photography business strategy, photography mindset, creative entrepreneur, business coaching, Purpose and Profit, Brad and Jen, More Than Photos podcast

    052 - What Actually Happens Inside Coaching

  5. Jun 23

    051 - Building a Life Bigger Than Your Business w/ Perry Vaile

    This week Brad and Jen sit down with Perry Vaile, a destination and editorial wedding photographer, historian, educator, and creative whose life stretches far beyond the wedding industry. What begins as a conversation about Perry’s mountain home in North Carolina quickly turns into something much bigger: ambition, success, identity, community, social media, and what it means to build a life that doesn’t depend on your work to fulfill you. Perry shares the story of building a 15-year photography career, the moments she felt like she had finally “made it,” and how her relationship to success has evolved over time. From photographing a Victoria’s Secret supermodel’s wedding to intentionally removing social media from her phone, she offers a refreshing perspective on staying connected to what matters while working in an industry built on visibility and comparison. Together, we explore boundaries, hobbies, community, family, creativity, and the challenge of building a successful career without sacrificing the life around it. We also explore: • Living a “split life” between the mountains and the city, and why each pace feeds the other • Buying land on instinct and building a home designed to last generations • The two moments Perry felt like she had “made it” • Finding the confidence to stand up for her work on a make-or-break deadline • Entering a world of wealth without attaching her worth to it • Why real memories matter more than staged perfection • Removing social media from her phone and creating healthier boundaries • Archery, needlepoint, gardening, reading, and building a life outside the industry • Creating local community on purpose • Holding success open-handedly and defining it on your own terms • Working smarter, protecting rest, and avoiding burnout • Why “going quiet” may be the biggest risk for photographers today Connect with Perry Website: https://perryvaile.com/ Instagram: @perryvaile Connect with Us Join Purpose & Profit – A Roadmap to 10k Weddings Apply for the Mastermind Program - High level 1:1 creative coaching & community. Chapters (00:00) Welcome and the seven-weekend stretch ahead (01:00) A split life between the mountains and Raleigh (03:30) Buying the land and building a forever home (08:45) The long view: who do you want to be at 70? (14:00) Fifteen years in and the moments she “made it” (22:00) Chutzpah, film deadlines, and confidence (24:00) Wealth, worth, and belonging in luxury spaces (27:00) The historian’s approach to photography (32:00) Redefining success and holding it loosely (40:00) Protecting the craft from the industry (42:00) Social media boundaries and bricking the phone (48:00) Hobbies, books, and building community (56:00) Perspective, gratitude, and figure-out-able problems (59:00) Working smarter and protecting rest (01:13:00) What matters now and why going quiet is risky (01:20:00) Books, recommendations, and what’s next Keywords: wedding photography, destination wedding photographer, boundaries, work-life balance, redefining success, building community, photographer mindset, burnout, rest and margin, intentional living, historic preservation, film photography, photographer education

    051 - Building a Life Bigger Than Your Business w/ Perry Vaile

  6. Jun 9

    050 - How Great Photographers Become So Versatile w/ Sophie Lin Berard

    This week on the podcast, we’re joined by photographer and artist Sophie Lin Berard. Known for blending documentary honesty with editorial sophistication, Sophie’s work draws from a wide range of influences including street photography, fashion, commercial work, architecture, and fine art. In this conversation, we explore what it actually takes to become a versatile photographer and why some of the most important skills are developed far away from a wedding day. Sophie shares her unconventional path into photography, from photographing sneakers for a local retailer to working in editorial fashion, commercial photography, and eventually weddings. We talk about building confidence through repetition, why preparation creates freedom, and how learning multiple disciplines has shaped her ability to adapt and create in real time. Beyond photography, we also dive into burnout, ambition, boundaries, and what it means to define success on your own terms. From technical mastery to creative curiosity, this episode is packed with practical wisdom for photographers looking to grow their craft and build a sustainable creative life. What We Cover: Why great photographers develop skills outside of weddingsHow commercial, fashion, and street photography shaped Sophie’s voiceThe case for becoming a “jack of all trades”Why preparation creates confidence and creative freedomHow Sophie approaches documentary and editorial photographyThe role of personal projects in developing your eyeWhat burnout taught her about boundaries and successDefining your “enough number” and creating a more sustainable career Connect with Sophie: Website: https://sberard.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sberardweddings/ Connect with Us: Join Purpose & Profit – A Roadmap to 10k Weddings: Instagram: @bradandjeneducation Chapters: (00:00) Introduction to Sophie Lin Berard (03:00) From sneaker photography to commercial work (08:00) Why being a jack of all trades matters (13:00) How different creative disciplines shape your photography (19:00) Preparation, timelines, and creative freedom (25:00) Building confidence through technical mastery (33:00) Developing your eye outside of weddings (38:00) Documentary versus editorial photography (45:00) High-profile weddings, planners, and staying true to your voice (48:00) Burnout, boundaries, and redefining success (57:00) Gratitude, social media, and protecting your creativity (01:10:00) What success looks like now Keywords: wedding photography, documentary photography, editorial photography, creative growth, photography education, artistic voice, commercial photography, film photography, wedding photographer, photography business, creativity, confidence, personal projects, photography workflow, burnout, creative process

    050 - How Great Photographers Become So Versatile w/ Sophie Lin Berard

  7. Jun 2

    049 - 3 Skills We're Leaning Into in an AI Era

    AI is changing the way we work, create, and communicate, but what if the most important response isn’t learning how to use AI better? What if it’s becoming more human? In this episode, Jen shares 3 simple skills she’s intentionally investing in during an AI era. Skills she believes they’reare becoming increasingly rare, and therefore increasingly valuable. Books MentionedTheo of Golden - Allen LeviBird by Bird - Anne LamottKey TakeawayWhen everyone else is relying on automation, your ability to think deeply, communicate clearly, and connect genuinely may become your greatest advantage. The future may belong to those who remain unapologetically human. Episode Chapters(00:00) Why this conversation matters (02:00) How Brad & Jen use AI in their business (03:10) Skill #1 (06:45) Skill #2 (08:45) Skill #3 (10:15) Why Skill #3 matter more than ever (13:00) Building your human superpowers Links & ResourcesPurpose & Profit: https://learn.bradandjen.com/purpose-and-profit-course KeywordsAI and creativity, photography business, storytelling, discovery calls, writing, reading fiction, human connection, creative growth, wedding photography, communication skills, entrepreneurship, artist development, purpose and profit.

  8. May 12

    048 - Guarding Your Creative Life w/ Kate Thompson

    This week Brad is sitting down with Kate Thompson for a conversation about creativity, parenthood, burnout, ambition, and the discipline of protecting the parts of yourself that make meaningful work possible in the first place. Over the last several years, we’ve watched Kate intentionally refine her work and her business, but what surprised us most in this conversation wasn’t hearing about “leveling up” or entering the "luxury market"... it was hearing what happened underneath all of it. Kate shares openly about navigating postpartum depression during the pandemic, learning to detach her self-worth from success, and the tiny daily habits that slowly helped her rebuild her creativity, confidence, and joy. We also explore: her background in speech pathology and linguisticsworking alongside her sister at Palindrome Creative Co.creating personal work in seasons of limitationsimplifying her business and refining her editing processwhy curation mattersand how learning to quiet outside noise helped her trust her own artistic voice again This episode was so special and is a refreshing and honest look at what it takes to sustain a creative life over the long haul. In This Episode Protecting your creativity in a noisy industryTiny habits, self-care, and rebuilding after burnoutMotherhood, surrender, and creative ambitionDetaching self-worth from successThe role of personal work and bookmakingLearning to trust your artistic intuitionSimplifying your business and editing processWorking in both weddings and commercial photographyCreating meaningful work in real-life seasons Quote Worth Remembering “I had to create this fortress to protect my internal fire of inspiration. I had to redefine what success looked like for me. And for a while, success just meant staying inspired.”   Books Mentioned North Woods — Daniel MasonI Cheerfully Refuse — Leif Enger Connect with Kate Kate Thompson Weddings Palindrome Creative Co. Connect with Brad & Jen Join Purpose & Profit – A Roadmap to 10k Weddings Apply for the Mastermind Program Instagram: @bradandjeneducation @bradandjen

    048 - Guarding Your Creative Life w/ Kate Thompson
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5
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About

Veteran wedding photographers, Brad & Jen, peel back the curtain on what it takes to not just create beautiful photos, but build a thriving creative business — consider this your this is your go-to for actionable inspiration, practical steps, and the motivation to make your next move.

Information

  • Creator
    Brad & Jen - Creative Business Coaches, Wedding Photographers
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Brad & Jen - Creative Business Coaches, Wedding Photographers
  • Show Website
    More Than Photos

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