The Raw Files

Vanessa Joy

Welcome to the video podcasts of The Raw Files. A podcast for photography business, technology, education and life.

  1. 3D AGO

    The biggest lie in photography: Time ≠ Money

    One of the biggest myths in photography is that time in the industry automatically leads to money. Stay long enough, work hard enough, and eventually it will all click… right? Not exactly. In this episode of The Raw Files, Vanessa Joy sits down with acclaimed wedding photographer and educator Susan Stripling for a candid conversation about the realities of building a long-term photography career. With over two decades in the industry, Susan shares what actually separates photographers who build stable, profitable businesses from those who stall out after a few years. Together, Vanessa and Susan unpack why experience alone doesn’t translate into income, why more leads usually aren’t the solution, and why education and speaking aren’t the “next step” many photographers assume they are. This conversation goes beyond the usual advice and dives into the real factors that sustain a career in photography: business strategy, relationships, mindset, and the ability to adapt as both your life and the industry evolve. They also discuss the uncomfortable truths photographers rarely talk about, including money stigma, the myth of the self-taught entrepreneur, and why treating photography like a real business is the key to longevity. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why simply staying in the photography industry longer doesn’t guarantee financial success The real reasons photography businesses stall after a few years Why more inquiries won’t fix a weak business model The truth about teaching, speaking, and education in the photography industry How relationships, not networking, build long-term careers Practical ways photographers can make more money without booking more jobs If you’ve ever wondered why your experience hasn’t translated into income yet or how to build a photography career that actually lasts, this honest conversation will challenge the way you think about the business. 🎧 Listen now and rethink what it really takes to succeed in photography. Links & Resources: Vanessa's education: https://breatheyourpassion.com Vanessa's mastermind: https://bit.ly/photoinsidermm Visit Vanessa's IG @vanessajoy and DM her "PHOTO MASTERMIND" to learn more. Visit Susan's IG ⁠@susanstriplingphotography)⁠

    33 min
  2. MAR 15

    How mentorship accelerates your photography business

    Podcast Description In this episode of The Raw Files, Vanessa Joy shares the three accelerators that transformed her personal life, finances, and photography business in just 10 months - more than the growth she experienced in the previous decade combined. And no, it’s not about a new camera, a better lens, or the latest Instagram strategy. Vanessa breaks down the real factors behind rapid business growth for photographers: reading the right business books, surrounding yourself with people who push you to think bigger, and taking calculated risks that move your career forward. She also shares the mindset shifts that helped photographers in her mentorship start booking higher-paying clients and building more profitable businesses. If you’ve been stuck relying on free tutorials, hoping your work will “speak for itself,” this episode is your wake-up call. Growth doesn’t come from waiting, it comes from investing in the right knowledge, the right people, and the right actions. Vanessa also gives a behind-the-scenes look at her Photo Insiders Mastermind and how mentorship, accountability, and a proven system can help photographers turn their passion into real profit. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why improving your craft alone won’t grow your photography business The business books that can completely change how you market and sell How the people around you influence your pricing, confidence, and success Why calculated risks are essential if you want real growth How mentorship can accelerate your business faster than going it alone If you’re ready to stop guessing and start building a profitable photography business, this episode will challenge the way you think about growth. 🎧 Listen now and start compounding your success. Links & Resources: Vanessa's education: https://breatheyourpassion.com Vanessa's mastermind: https://bit.ly/photoinsidermm Visit Vanessa's IG @vanessajoy and DM her "PHOTO MASTERMIND" to learn more.

    13 min
  3. FEB 26

    The REAL Reason Experienced Photographers Are Struggling to Get Leads

    If you’ve been in business for 5, 10, or even 20+ years and your leads are slowing down, this is not about bad luck, the economy, AI, or social media algorithms. In Episode 1 of Raw Files, we talk about the real reason experienced photographers are struggling in 2026... and why reputation alone no longer books clients. For years, word of mouth, relationships, and past success carried your business. But markets change, buyer behavior evolves, and what worked five or ten years ago doesn’t automatically work today. When your marketing, positioning, and systems don’t evolve, momentum fades even if your work is still incredible. In this episode, we cover: - Why reputation expires if it’s not reinforced - The difference between a photography problem and a business problem - Why posting more on social media won’t fix declining leads - How buyer behavior has changed (and what that means for your sales process) - The systems and messaging photographers skipped when business was “easy” - How to rebuild demand without burning down everything you’ve built This podcast is for photographers and videographers who are done blaming the market and ready to rebuild intentionally—from the ground up. Links & Resources: Vanessa's education: https://breatheyourpassion.com Vanessa's mastermind: https://bit.ly/photoinsidermm Visit Vanessa's IG @vanessajoy and DM her "PHOTO MASTERMIND" to learn more.

    16 min
  4. FEB 1

    “I Take Photos, Pay Me” — Why That Mindset Keeps Photographers Stuck

    In this episode of The Raw Files, we sit down with Corie Savary, a brand photographer and videographer based in Los Angeles, to talk about what it really takes to build a sustainable photography business in an oversaturated market. From starting in television and film, working on movie sets, and burning out in the film industry, to rebuilding a creative business from the ground up - Corie shares a raw, honest look at the mindset shifts, fears, and breakthroughs that moved him from surviving as a freelancer to running a true business. This conversation dives deep into: Why the photography industry isn’t actually oversaturated The difference between being a freelancer and thinking like a CEO Navigating fear, imposter syndrome, and “am I cut out for this?” moments How mentorship, systems, and community accelerate growth Pricing shifts, subscription models, and building recurring revenue Networking when you hate small talk Confidence, boundaries, and making decisions from a business-first mindset What changed after joining a photography mastermind — and why betting on yourself matters We also talk about neurodiversity, burnout, health challenges, and the internal battles creative entrepreneurs face especially when building a business alongside real life, relationships, and financial pressure. If you’re a photographer or videographer feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or questioning your next move, this episode is proof that clarity, confidence, and growth come from learning, listening, and taking intentional action. No fluff.No fake hustle. Just raw conversations about photography, creativity, and building a business that actually works. Welcome to The Raw Files.Let’s shoot. Raw. Links & Resources: Vanessa's education: https://breatheyourpassion.com Vanessa's mastermind: https://bit.ly/photoinsidermm Visit Vanessa's IG @vanessajoy and DM her "PHOTO MASTERMIND" to learn more.

    47 min
  5. 05/13/2025

    You're Not a Photographer - You're a Salesperson! | The Raw Files

    🎯 Episode Summary: In this episode of The Raw Files, Vanessa Joy sits down with business coach and photographer Joey T to expose a hard truth: most photographers are failing not because of their photos, but because they don’t understand sales. Joey unpacks his journey from psychology to photography to full-time entrepreneurship, revealing the common mindset traps photographers fall into and the strategies he uses to help them scale with purpose. You’ll get real talk on the emotional science behind pricing, the psychology of buying, and how storytelling—not spec sheets—is the secret to closing high-value clients. Whether you're 1 year or 10 years into your business, this episode will challenge how you view your worth, your client experience, and your next move. 📌 Episode Highlights: 1:23 – Joey’s journey: From psychology to photography to full-time coaching 5:02 – Why Joey created Mosaic Creative (and how it helps photographers sell while they sleep) 9:24 – The "steakhouse" pricing analogy and how photographers lose clients with cheap branding 13:48 – The biggest thing photographers are missing in sales education 14:19 – The psychology of value: Emotion first, logic later 16:59 – What happens when clients sell themselves (and why YOU don’t need to push) 22:03 – The power of storytelling in sales—and how to use it in every consultation 23:44 – What separates a 5-year business from a 20-year one Links & Resources: Vanessa's education: https://breatheyourpassion.com Vanessa's mastermind: https://bit.ly/photoinsidermm Joey T’s Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/joeyt.mcrafted/ Visit Vanessa's IG @vanessajoy and DM her "PHOTO MASTERMIND" to learn more Imagen AI: Get your 1500 FREE edits here https://imagenai.com/tips

    26 min
5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to the video podcasts of The Raw Files. A podcast for photography business, technology, education and life.

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