Summer School - A Photography + Creative Podcast

Summer Grace
  • 5.0 (14)
  • VISUAL ARTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Summer School, the podcast where we explore the world of creativity, entrepreneurship, and beyond. While I may be a wedding photographer by trade, my goal for this podcast is to break free from creative constraints and invite a wide range of guests to join us in thought-provoking conversations. Expect to hear from professionals in various fields – from educators to accountants, musicians to artists, and business owners of all kinds. My aim is to dive deep into the experiences, inspirations, and the nitty gritty of being an entrepreneur. Tune in today, hit subscribe and leave a review if you love what you hear. Summer Grace Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summergrace.photo/ Summer School Show Notes: https://www.the-summerschool.com/summer-school-show-notes

  1. 5D AGO

    Cinematic Photography, Social Media, and Finding Your Style with Joshua Mannila

    Hey everyone! This week on the podcast I’m joined by Joshua Mannila, a Portland-based photographer known for his cinematic, moody style. We talk about starting young, growing through social media, being known for a specific look, and giving yourself permission to evolve creatively. Joshua also shares practical advice on posting consistently, capturing BTS, and not letting engagement dictate your confidence as an artist. Meet Joshua: Joshua Mannila is a portrait and couples photographer based in Oregon. His work blends cinema-inspired themes with a modern, editorial style to create images that feel like movie stills. He’s known for using landscapes and light to build the mood and story within each frame. Beyond client work, Joshua also hosts styled shoots and retreats that bring photographers together to create. Connect with Me: Join us at ⁠Summer Camp⁠! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a Member of Summer School⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WPPI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get 20% off your ticket using code SUMMER26 Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to our emails for updates on all things Summer School! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@summergrace.photo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@the_summerschool⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Shop My Products: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Summer Grace x G-Presets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discount code: SUMMERSCHOOL) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pricing Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Summer Camp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (2026) *Summer School is powered by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Narrative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — the AI culling and editing tool I use that supports my workflow without replacing my creativity. Try Narrative for free today using the link above! Connect with Joshua: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.joshuamannila.com/ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joshuamannila/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshuamannila

    1h 1m

  2. JAN 27

    Building Community as a Photographer with Alex Nena

    In this episode, I sat down with Alex Nena, and we’re unpacking what community actually looks like in the photography industry. We talk about building real connections, navigating comparison, and why having people around you matters both personally and professionally. It’s an honest conversation about growth, support, and not trying to do everything on your own. Meet Alex: Alex Nena is a vintage- inspired wedding and elopement photographer based in California. Her work blends old world and modern elegance together capturing weddings that feel both intimate and cinematic. She is known for mostly for her low light capabilities and vintage look. Beyond her client work she is passionate about giving back to the photo community believing that knowledge is meant to be shared and creative growth thrives in community. Connect with Me: Join us at Summer Camp! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a Member of Summer School⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WPPI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get 20% off your ticket using code SUMMER26 Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to our emails for updates on all things Summer School! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@summergrace.photo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@the_summerschool⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Shop My Products: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Summer Grace x G-Presets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discount code: SUMMERSCHOOL) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pricing Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Summer Camp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (2026) *Summer School is powered by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Narrative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — the AI culling and editing tool I use that supports my workflow without replacing my creativity. Try Narrative for free today using the link above! Connect with Alex: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://byalexnena.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byalexnena/?hl=en

    1h 2m

  3. JAN 20

    Building a Sustainable Wedding Photography Business with Susan Stripling

    Hi friends! In this episode I’m sitting down with Susan Stripling to talk about what it actually takes to build a sustainable wedding photography business. Susan has been in this industry for over two decades, and her perspective on longevity, business, and staying relevant is grounded and honest. We talk about treating photography like a real business from the beginning, balancing creativity with structure, and why sustainability matters more than quick growth. Meet Susan: Susan Stripling has been photographing weddings, portraits, and theater for almost twenty-five years. Susan's work has been published in Inside Weddings, Martha Stewart Weddings, Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, Modern Bride, Town and Country Weddings, the New York Times, New York Post, Rangerfinder, and PDN. She's won multiple awards at the prestigious Wedding and Portrait Photographers International 16x20 print competition and holds the prestigious Grand Master Status at WPPI as well. She has been named one of the top ten wedding photographers in the world by American Photo Magazine. She is a Canon Explorer of Light and the founder of The Wedding School. In her spare time, Susan is a voracious reader, obsessive new scuba diver, sourdough enthusiast, lover of all horror movies, and inexplicably sleeps with the lights on. Connect with Me: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a Member of Summer School⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WPPI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get 20% off your ticket using code SUMMER26 Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to our emails for updates on all things Summer School! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@summergrace.photo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@the_summerschool⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Shop My Products: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Summer Grace x G-Presets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discount code: SUMMERSCHOOL) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pricing Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Summer Camp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (2026) *Summer School is powered by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Narrative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — the AI culling and editing tool I use that supports my workflow without replacing my creativity. Try Narrative for free today using the link above! Connect with Susan: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://susanstripling.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanstriplingphotography/

    58 min

  4. JAN 13

    What It Really Looks Like to Grow a Business as a Mom with Hannah Faye

    In this episode, I talk with Hannah Faye about building and scaling a photography business while raising three kids under five. We get into systems, outsourcing, workflow tools, and how she’s structured her business to support her life instead of compete with it. Hannah shares what’s actually helped her grow, what she’s stopped doing, and why community has mattered more than anything. Meet Hannah: Hannah Frederick is a Washington-based wedding photographer, mother of three, and wife who has built and scaled a thriving photography business while welcoming three babies in just over three years. She knows firsthand what it’s like to send client emails while breastfeeding, juggle nap schedules with timelines, and grow a dream business without losing herself—or her peace—in the process.As the founder of a growing associate team, Hannah is deeply passionate about encouraging and empowering women in business, especially mothers who are navigating both ambition and family life. She believes wholeheartedly that it is possible to run a successful, sustainable business without sacrificing family time, presence, or joy.Hannah is living proof that motherhood and entrepreneurship can coexist beautifully—and she truly believes that mothers make the very best businesswomen. Connect with Me: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a Member of Summer School⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WPPI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get 20% off your ticket using code SUMMER26 Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to our emails for updates on all things Summer School! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@summergrace.photo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@the_summerschool⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Shop My Products: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Summer Grace x G-Presets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discount code: SUMMERSCHOOL) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pricing Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Summer Camp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (2026) *Summer School is powered by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Narrative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — the AI culling and editing tool I use that supports my workflow without replacing my creativity. Try Narrative for free today using the link above! Connect with Hannah: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hannahfayephoto.com/ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hannahfayephoto/?hl=en Book a mentorship with Hannah here: https://www.hannahfayephoto.com/coaching

    1h 6m

  5. JAN 6

    Ins and Outs of 2026 for Photographers

    Hi everyone! In this episode, I share my thoughts on where I think 2026 is headed for photographers and creatives. I talk about the growing importance of community, the shift toward more human-first work as AI becomes more common, the pull back toward hands-on, process-driven creativity, and why diversifying income can create more freedom. This is less about predictions and more about patterns I’m noticing and how I’m thinking about moving forward into the new year. Connect with Me: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a Member of Summer School⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠WPPI⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get 20% off your ticket using code SUMMER26 Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ to our emails for updates on all things Summer School! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@summergrace.photo⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠@the_summerschool⁠⁠⁠⁠   Shop My Products: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Summer Grace x G-Presets⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ (⁠⁠⁠⁠discount code: SUMMERSCHOOL) ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pricing Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Summer Camp⁠⁠⁠⁠ (2026) *Summer School is powered by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Narrative⁠⁠⁠⁠ — the AI culling and editing tool I use that supports my workflow without replacing my creativity. Try Narrative for free today using the link above!

    26 min

  6. 12/30/2025

    A Creative Director’s Approach to Wedding Photography with Daniel Knight Harris

    This time, I’m sitting down with Daniel Knight Harris, a photographer and art director whose background in music, fashion, and film has deeply shaped how he approaches wedding photography. We talk about his transition from music and fashion into weddings, what it looks like to treat each wedding like a creative brief, and why film still plays such an important role in his work. Meet Daniel: Daniel, is a photographer and art director with a background in music, fashion, and film. For over a decade, he created visual work for brands like Netflix, Pinterest, Leica, Dr Martens, Spotify, and collaborated with some of the world’s most celebrated music artists . In 2021, he traversed fully over from Fashion & Music into weddings bringing his creative director hat with him. Over the years, he's found himself supporting his booked couples over their planning periods, helping them with their creative decisions across fashion, design, curation and production. He brings an artful, personal, and relaxed approach to each celebration he takes on and he feels that in the photographs. His clients typically look for a mixture of film photography and digital photography in their coverage that allow him to create images that feel timeless, expressive, and reflect his couples and their celebrations. His work has been featured in Vogue with two more features coming this month, he has taught a masterclass on Lensel this past September on Film Photography and he was recently named one of the UK’s Top 50 Wedding Photographers by Professional Photo Magazine. He works predominantly in Europe and the U.K. Connect with Me: ⁠⁠⁠Become a Member of Summer School⁠⁠⁠ Join me at ⁠⁠⁠WPPI⁠⁠⁠ and get 20% off your ticket using code SUMMER26 Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ to our emails for updates on all things Summer School! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@summergrace.photo⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠@the_summerschool⁠⁠⁠   Shop My Products: ⁠⁠⁠Summer Grace x G-Presets⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ (⁠⁠⁠discount code: SUMMERSCHOOL) ⁠⁠⁠Pricing Guide⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Summer Camp⁠⁠⁠ (2026) *Summer School is powered by ⁠⁠⁠Narrative⁠⁠⁠ — the AI culling and editing tool I use that supports my workflow without replacing my creativity. Try Narrative for free today using the link above! Connect with Daniel: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.danielknightharris.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielknightharris/?hl=en Daniel offers mentorships! Check out his website to inquire. Also, go check out his newly launched business “Film Drops” - https://filmdrops.co.uk/drop-waitlist

    1h 20m

  7. 12/23/2025

    What AI Means for Photographers (and Why It Matters) with Chris from Grainy Boi Weddings

    In this episode, I’m sitting down with Chris, a film photographer I discovered through a viral Instagram post about AI that sparked a lot of conversation. He shares the story behind his post, which features AI generated wedding images so convincing they fooled both industry peers and his own family, and why that experiment felt like a real wake-up call. That post opened the door to a much bigger discussion - one about where photography is headed in an AI-powered world, how easily fabricated images can pass as real, and what that means for trust and transparency in our industry. Meet Chris: Chris Spencer-Payne is a UK based film photographer working under the name Grainyboi. His work centres around travel photography & weddings all shot entirely on film. His work is rooted in being present and letting things happen naturally. No forced moments & no heavy polish. Whether he is photographing a wedding or golden hour in the mountains, the goal is always the same. Slow down, pay attention, and trust the process. Connect with Me: ⁠⁠Become a Member of Summer School⁠⁠ Join me at ⁠⁠WPPI⁠⁠ and get 20% off your ticket using code SUMMER26 Subscribe ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ to our emails for updates on all things Summer School! Instagram: ⁠⁠@summergrace.photo⁠⁠  ⁠⁠@the_summerschool⁠⁠   Shop My Products: ⁠⁠Summer Grace x G-Presets⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ (⁠⁠discount code: SUMMERSCHOOL) ⁠⁠Pricing Guide⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Summer Camp⁠⁠ (2026) *Summer School is powered by ⁠⁠Narrative⁠⁠ — the AI culling and editing tool I use that supports my workflow without replacing my creativity. Try Narrative for free today using the link above! Connect with Chris: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.grainyboi.com/ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/grainyboiweddings_/

    1h 12m

  8. 12/16/2025

    Getting Found Online: SEO and Social Media for Wedding Photographers with Catalina Jean

    This week on the podcast, I’m chatting with Catalina Jean - a former wedding photographer turned marketing and SEO expert. We talk about SEO in a very real, practical way - from understanding how Google actually works to why platforms like Instagram and TikTok are now search engines too. Catalina breaks down how photographers can improve visibility without chasing trends or relying solely on social media, and why slower bookings aren’t always about your work - they’re often about being harder to find. Meet Catalina: Catalina Jean is a wedding photographer, SEO strategist, and mad scientist of marketing. She creates high impact courses for photographers and wedding pros to book out their year, with ease. She believes owning your own business is a hack in the matrix - everyone who has the pull should have access to all the info on how to create a business that thrives. Connect with Me: ⁠Become a Member of Summer School⁠ Join me at ⁠WPPI⁠ and get 20% off your ticket using code SUMMER26 Subscribe ⁠here⁠ to our emails for updates on all things Summer School! Instagram: ⁠@summergrace.photo⁠  ⁠@the_summerschool⁠   Shop My Products: ⁠Summer Grace x G-Presets⁠ ⁠ (⁠discount code: SUMMERSCHOOL) ⁠Pricing Guide⁠ ⁠Summer Camp⁠ (2026) *Summer School is powered by ⁠Narrative⁠ — the AI culling and editing tool I use that supports my workflow without replacing my creativity. Try Narrative for free today using the link above! Connect with Catalina: Check out her “SEO for Socials” course here Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://catalinajeaneducation.com/ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/catalinajean/

    1h 3m
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5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Welcome to Summer School, the podcast where we explore the world of creativity, entrepreneurship, and beyond. While I may be a wedding photographer by trade, my goal for this podcast is to break free from creative constraints and invite a wide range of guests to join us in thought-provoking conversations. Expect to hear from professionals in various fields – from educators to accountants, musicians to artists, and business owners of all kinds. My aim is to dive deep into the experiences, inspirations, and the nitty gritty of being an entrepreneur. Tune in today, hit subscribe and leave a review if you love what you hear. Summer Grace Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summergrace.photo/ Summer School Show Notes: https://www.the-summerschool.com/summer-school-show-notes

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