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. 1D AGO

    Balancing Creativity and Business as a Photographer with Tom Wright

    Hey everyone! In this episode, I’m joined by UK-based photographer and educator Tom Wright, who often refers to himself as a therapist for photographers. Tom works with creatives to help them move through creative blocks, gain clarity in their work, and reconnect with why they picked up a camera in the first place. We talk about balancing art and business, understanding your brand, and finding the moments in photography that bring you the most joy. Meet Tom: Tom Wright is like a therapist for your photography business. He calls it therapy because he helps you work out obstacles, creative block, learning new skills, build systems, experiment with new mediums and provide support on an ongoing basis.He’s not a doctor, but you’ll feel better! 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 Tom: Website: https://www.bytomw.com/ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bytomw Youtube: ⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@bytomw

    1h 11m

  2. FEB 24

    Dave Hill on Creativity, Longevity, and Big Brand Campaigns as a Photographer

    Today on the pod, I sit down with Dave Hill to talk about what it really looks like to evolve over a 20+ year photography career. We dive into his transition from hyperreal composites to a more natural, wide-angle style, shooting major campaigns for big brands, and how social media changed the industry for all of us. Dave reflects on creative reinvention, not caring so much about outside opinions, balancing family life with ambition, and why staying curious matters more than staying trendy. Meet Dave: Dave is a director/photographer based in Los Angeles. He got his start shooting album covers for for artists like 50 Cent and Soulja Boy. This led to shooting national editorial and advertising campaigns. Dave has been collaborating with the top agencies and brands, directing TVC’s and shooting stills across the globe that combine his love of adventure, people, fashion, and cars. With a background in skating and snowboarding, he strives to tell stories that are fast-paced and energetic, always keeping the camera moving. Dave wrote/directed his first narrative feature film, FLYING CARS, which premiered at the 2019 Dances with Films Festival in Los Angeles. His second narrative feature, LET'S BOTH TRY, was just released worldwide in 2025. 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 Dave: Website: ⁠https://www.davehill.com/ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/davehill2021

    1h 30m

  3. FEB 17

    Destination Weddings, Adventure Couples, and Composition with Jordan Voth

    In this episode, I’m joined by Jordan Voth to talk about building a destination wedding and elopement photography career. Jordan shares how being laid off from his finance job led him to pursue photography full time, how travel shaped his brand, and how he became known for shooting weddings and elopements in incredible natural landscapes. Meet Jordan: Jordan Voth is a Seattle-based photographer who has been shooting full-time since 2015, traveling worldwide to photograph weddings, portraits, and lifestyle stories. Known for a documentary approach and a love of meaningful, honest imagery, his work is shaped by years on the road and a deep focus on storytelling. 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 Jordan: Website: https://www.jordanvoth.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanvoth

    1h 17m

  4. FEB 9

    10 Things Photographers Should Do in the Off Season

    In this episode, I’m sharing 10 things I’d focus on as a photographer during the off season to set myself up for a strong busy season. From updating your website and portfolio to getting more intentional with marketing, systems, and relationships, this episode is all about using slower months with purpose. If your calendar feels quieter right now, this is a reminder that the off season can be a really valuable time when you lean into it. 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!

    28 min

  5. FEB 3

    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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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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