Off the Memory Card: A Photographer’s Podcast

offthememorycard
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

🎙️ Off the Memory Card Where photographers talk about everything but taking photos. Hosted by Cathleen Burns of Use That Camera, Off the Memory Card dives into the 90% of photography no one teaches you; running a business, handling clients and keeping your creativity alive. Each episode tackles real-life struggles like imposter syndrome, burnout, overwhelm, and work/life balance, along with practical tips for booking more clients, planning better sessions, and wowing everyone who steps in front of your lens. If you’re a photographer or entrepreneur who wants to build a business that enhances your life -- not one that drains it -- this show is for you.

  1. 5d ago

    Why we stopped shooting weddings

    This weekend, Jeremy and I photographed an elopement for a friend...and it reminded me that one hour is the perfect dose of wedding bliss for us. We used to be full-time wedding photographers, and we loved it. So why did we walk away? In this episode I'm sharing the whole story: the exhaustion after Benji was born, the weekend we shot three weddings in three days, how hard it was to give up something we were really good at (and that made us a lot of money), and the client we were sure we'd lose for good...who came back to us years later. Plus my two big takeaways: trust your gut, and being good at something doesn't mean you have to keep doing it. Learn with us • The Camera Confidence Club is coming soon. Want to be first to know when the doors open? Join the waitlist: https://usethatcamera.com/community-waitlist Let's connect • Website: https://www.usethatcamera.com • Podcast: https://www.offthememorycard.com • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/burnsexposures (come tell me: what are you holding on to that doesn't fit anymore?) If this episode meant something to you, I'd be so grateful for a quick review...it really does help the show grow. Be kind, work hard and stay humble.

  2. Oct 5

    Photography Wasn’t the Hard Part: What I’d Tell My Year-One Self

    Almost 11 years ago, I left my full-time job as a TV news reporter to do photography full time...before I'd even hit my one-year mark behind the camera. It was a total leap of faith. In this episode I'm sitting down with my year-one self and telling her the three things I wish someone had told me: that photography isn't the hard part, the business is (including the B&O tax audit that caught me completely off guard), charge what you're worth (and what our "pay what you can" headshots taught me about it), and the big one...it's going to be okay. Plus why confidence is what got me through, and why that's exactly what the Camera Confidence Club is built on. Learn with us The Camera Confidence Club is coming soon. Want to be first to know when the doors open? Join the waitlist: https://usethatcamera.com/community-waitlist Let's connect Website: https://www.usethatcamera.com Podcast: https://www.offthememorycard.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/burnsexposures (come tell me what you'd tell your year-one self!)

  3. Sep 28

    5 Fall Photoshoot Ideas Every Photographer Should Try

    Fall is one of my favorite times of year for photography, so in this episode, I'm sharing five of my favorite fall photoshoot ideas! From pumpkin patches and farm sessions to chasing fall color, shooting downtown, and adding a little spooky magic with gels and haze, these are all ideas Jeremy and I have actually tried ourselves. And the best part? You don't need a fancy studio or a huge budget. Sometimes the best locations are already sitting right outside your door. Plus, I'm sharing a little reminder for photographers who are heading into one of the busiest seasons of the year: don't get so caught up in the work that you forget to enjoy the season, too. Grab your camera, pick an idea, and go make some fall magic! 🍂

  4. Sep 21

    Behind a seasonal set (how I build them without breaking the bank)

    If you walked into my studio right now, you'd think I'd lost my mind. There's a whole area filled with Christmas trees for my tree farm set, holiday props stacked in piles everywhere, and it's September. But that beautiful chaos is how the magic starts. In this episode I'm pulling back the curtain on how I actually dream up and build my seasonal sets, and more importantly, how I do it without spending a fortune. We'll talk about starting with one feeling instead of a whole Pinterest board, shopping what you already have before you buy a thing (my Hobby Lobby January tree habit is literally how the tree farm exists), why thrift and antique stores are gold (I have a whole herd of rocking horses to prove it), why a few hero pieces and a tight crop do all the work, and building everything to reuse for years. But here's the part I care about most: the set is just the doorway. What we're really making is a feeling people get to keep. So if a big seasonal set has ever felt out of reach, this one's for you. Pick one corner...and let your creativity grow like kudzu. LEARN WITH ME Mini Sessions Made Simple — my $37 course with the whole system I use to run mini sessions that actually make money without running me ragged: the planning, the booking setup, the emails, all of it. https://usethatcamera.app.clientclub.net/courses/offers/777bdb3f-3daa-499e-9894-509ca8cafee6 The membership is in the early stages...more on that to come. Want to be first to know? Join the waitlist: https://usethatcamera.com/community-waitlist LET'S CONNECT Website: https://www.usethatcamera.com Podcast: https://www.offthememorycard.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/burnsexposures — come show me what you build this season!

  5. Sep 14

    Introducing The Camera Confidence Club

    After months of hints, it's finally out loud: I'm building a membership. In this episode I share the why behind it (years of mentorships, workshops, and our online course, and the itch to make something affordable that helps as many photographers as possible), what I've been head-down building since late July, and everything that's inside The Camera Confidence Club: curriculum, coaching, community, library, and bonuses. The whole thing is built around one word: confidence, which comes from knowing your craft and knowing how to sell it. A small beta kicks off in November, and we launch right after Christmas. Want to be first to know when the doors open? Join the waitlist: usethatcamera.com/community-waitlist Be kind, work hard and stay humble.

  6. Sep 8

    How I Turned Mini Session Launch Day Into a Coffee-and-Blanket Morning

    What if your mini session launch day could actually feel...easy? In this episode of Off The Memory Card, I’m sharing how planning ahead turned my Christmas mini session launch from what used to be a stressful, chaotic morning into something I actually get to enjoy...with a blanket, a cup of coffee, and my booking notifications rolling in. I’m breaking down the four things I did before launch day to make it happen: planning my season, setting up my booking system, writing my emails ahead of time, and front-loading the work so launch morning required almost nothing from me. If you’re a photographer who loves mini sessions but hates the last-minute scramble that comes with them, this episode is for you. We’re talking mini session planning, booking systems, marketing, client communication, and why being proactive can make such a huge difference in your photography business. And if you want to take this process even further, check out my mini course, Mini Sessions Made Simple, designed to help photographers create profitable mini sessions without letting them take over their lives. Learn More: https://usethatcamera.app.clientclub.net/courses/offers/777bdb3f-3daa-499e-9894-509ca8cafee6

  7. Aug 31

    What Dolly Parton Taught Me About Being a Better Photographer

    This episode is a little different. After spending the past week reflecting on Dolly Parton, I realized just how many lessons she left behind; not just about music and success, but about being a good human and a smart business owner. So I’m sharing three lessons I’m taking to heart as a photographer: be yourself and embrace what makes you different, know when to give and when to stand your ground, and dream big without ever forgetting where you started. I hope this one gives you a little encouragement to trust yourself, keep working toward your dreams, and remember the people who believed in you along the way. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go listen to Jolene for approximately the 57th time this week. ❤️

  8. Aug 24

    Back to Routine: A Day in the Life of a Photographer During Busy Season

    Summer is winding down, school is back in session, and I'm heading into one of my busiest seasons of the year. And honestly? I'm kind of excited to get back into a routine. In this episode of Off The Memory Card, I'm pulling back the curtain and sharing what a typical day looks like for me as a photographer, business owner, mom, and someone who is constantly trying to figure out how to get everything done without working myself into the ground. From early-morning school drop-offs and coffee to answering emails, updating QuickBooks, fitting in a gym class, editing, afternoon ice cream stops, evening photoshoots, and protecting family time, I'm sharing how I try to structure my days as we head into the busy fall and holiday season. But this episode isn't about telling you to copy my schedule. Your life is different. Your family is different. Your business is different. The point isn't to follow someone else's routine; it's to find a rhythm that works for you. When you work for yourself, nobody hands you a schedule. There's no boss telling you when to clock in or clock out. That freedom is one of the best parts of being your own boss, but it can also leave us constantly reacting, playing catch-up, and wondering where the day went if we're not intentional with our time. In this episode, I'm talking about: Why I'm actually excited to get back into a routine after summer What a typical workday looks like for me during photography busy season Why I start my mornings by getting the "boring" business tasks out of the way Why scheduled gym classes are the only way I stay accountable How I balance editing, parenting, and evening photoshoots Why we almost always stop for ice cream after school The importance of protecting family time and creating boundaries around work Why Jeremy and I don't schedule photoshoots on Wednesdays Why I believe rest is actually part of being productive Why your schedule doesn't need to look anything like mine The difference between being proactive with your time and constantly being reactive As we head into fall and the holiday rush, I want to encourage you to take an honest look at your own days. You don't need to schedule every single minute, and you definitely don't need a perfect routine. But having some structure to come back to can make a huge difference when life, and your calendar, starts getting busy. Your future self, in the middle of the holiday rush, might just thank you for it.

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🎙️ Off the Memory Card Where photographers talk about everything but taking photos. Hosted by Cathleen Burns of Use That Camera, Off the Memory Card dives into the 90% of photography no one teaches you; running a business, handling clients and keeping your creativity alive. Each episode tackles real-life struggles like imposter syndrome, burnout, overwhelm, and work/life balance, along with practical tips for booking more clients, planning better sessions, and wowing everyone who steps in front of your lens. If you’re a photographer or entrepreneur who wants to build a business that enhances your life -- not one that drains it -- this show is for you.

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