Josh Rossi - Fearless for Success
Today’s featured guest is Josh Rossi
Josh is a Los Angeles based photographer. He's done work for clients such as Adobe, Mountain Dew, advanced Photoshop magazine, Lindsey Stirling, and the piano guys just to name a few. What started as an obsession with art has turned into a full time commercial and advertising photography career. And Photo World, you may know of Josh from his podcast The Full Time Photographer.
Note from Rob: I have to say that Josh is one of the most down to earth people I have ever met and as we dissect his journey through his photography career he unfolds a ton of value for you Photo World!
When I was a young boy I was obsessed with art. I was born in Florence,Italy where I lived for 7 years. When I hit high school I saw no need to pursue art and so I dropped it and got into other things. After high school I got an internship with a film production company and started getting more into film. When I was 22 I realized that I wasn't satisfied with what I was doing so I needed a change. I decided that advertising was a lot more exciting and chose to go to Miami Ad School and that's where my passion for photography came in. At school I had to rely on my own skills to produce print ads and online media. I had to convey a message and I didn't want to just snap one shot and be done. I wanted to include a lot of different elements that told a story. That's when I started getting into compositing. I realized that I could actually create the images that were inside my head. I never thought that was possible before. I became literally obsessed with ad photography. I would stay up every night until 2 or 3 studying my favorite photographers. I would study every single detail and try to recreate what I saw. It took me a year and a half before I decided to put my style out there to the public. Once I put my work out there for people to see I got a surprising response. People loved it! I dropped my 9 to 5 job and have been working full time doing what I love ever since. Whenever I create an image I try to think of a story behind it. I want my viewer to get into the picture and imagine a whole scenario. What brings me joy is when I can inspire others to do bigger and greater things. I am currently located in Los Angeles where I specialize in Commercial and Advertising photography and drive a bus that says "Escape from ordinary photography" on it.
My work can be seen on...
Lurzer's Archive 200 Best Digital Artists Worldwide 2014-2015,
Good Morning America, People Magazine, The Wall Street Journal,
The Huffington Post, The cover of Advanced Photoshop Magazine,
Ad Week, MSN NOW and Mashable
Client List...
Adobe, Acura, Champion USA, Wacom, Glenn Beck, Daymond John,
Mt Dew (Devin SuperTramp), Lindsey Stirling, SurfAir Airlines,
Advanced Photoshop Magazine, John Lee Dumas (Entrepreneur on Fire),
Twinlab, The Color Run, The Piano Guys and H&S Performance
Recommended Resource:
Book:
Blog: fulltimephotographer.com/blog
Webinars: ftpschool.com/webinar
Podcast: fulltimephotographer.com
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Work Hard and Be Nice - Matthew Salacuse
Today’s featured guest is Matthew Salacuse
Matthew is a New York commercial photographer. With over 17 years of experience he specializes in editorial portraiture and documentary photography. He has shot for clients such as Reebok, Coach, Pepsi, MTV, Adult Swim, and Vitamin Water just to name a few.
Note from Rob: had a great and down to earth talk with Matt about his photography business and the fact that nothing comes without working hard and it never hurts to be nice. Matt and I discuss personal projects, how to gain the clients you want, and advice for photographers of any level.
Matthew Salacuse, a native New Yorker, has been shooting professionally for over 14 years.
Matthew specializes in editorial portraiture and documentary photography.
He is available for editorial, corporate or advertising work all over the world.
He has had solo gallery shows at Wall Space Gallery (New York 2003),
Emporium Gallery (Montreal 2008) and K Galeria (Lisbon 2011)
Partial Client List:
Advertising:
REEBOK, COACH, NIKE FOOT LOCKER, PEPSI, MTV, NEW ERA, VITAMIN WATER, KOOL,
ADULT SWIM, G-SHOCK, ATLANTIC RECORDS, ISLAND DEF JAM, WARNER MUSIC
Editorial:
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, ESQUIRE, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, VICE, MAXIM,
XXL, ESPN THE MAGAZINE, THE LONDON OBSERVER, TIME MAGAZINE,
THE FADER, VIBE & COMPLEX
W: salacuse.com
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The Path to Success - episode 130
Success comes in all shapes and sizes and there are literally millions of way to define it. The main three tiers of success are Health Wealth and Happiness, but no matter how you define it Photo World you do have an idea about achieving success. I don’t blame you… I have thought out every detail in how I define success and every bit that goes with it. The problem is people define success more like a dream. “I wish I had 10 million dollars.” “It would be great if I could get that Corvette.” “I want a better job.”
There is one problem with having dreams… You can always wake up from a dream and find thing more than a dark room and a sad disappointment with reality.
Success is never built on dreams. Success is built on goals. Big or small, those goals are the driving force behind any accomplishment. Goals are a great destination as you move toward success. A pat on the back, one more thing checked off your list, acting as one of the small things for the bigger picture, and taking a step in the right direction. Goals bring you places. Dreams fail you in the night. Success is built off of a momentous forward progression.
You can do it Photo World - just get your mind right!
Happy Shooting!
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Wedding Reception - In today's episode I talk lighting. There are 7,273 different things to think about for lighting a wedding reception. (the number is completely made up) I break down a question and unravel ideas about lighting a wedding reception.
Kuster
Rosario, Argentina
Hi everyone. I've been recently booked for my first wedding as main photographer. Yay! (I usually work as second camera). The problem: The venue has really dark ceiling and walls are too far. I can't bounce at all. What do you recommend? We are two photographers. We have 3 speedlights, 2 studio flashes, radio triggers, umbrellas, off camera bracket... What would a good setting be? How do you deal with changing situations, like dancing, then the toast, then again dancig, etc..? Thanks!!
Fist off I want to set the record straight that any wedding reception can be lit and lit well. It may not be easy but with all images we make, the main factor is light! Kuster has 3 speedlights and 2 studio strobes... I can say with confidence there is more than enough light in that setup to light a wedding reception than most photographers would have on their first wedding gig.
Happy Shooting!
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Building A Portfolio - episode 128
Building A Portfolio is a long process. A career is often something we look back on to say what we did for a living rather than looking forward to what we want to do with the rest of our lives. Think of everything I talk about on the show as a pebble: on it's own its small and not very significant, but many pebble all together is more like a rock and build that to a bolder... the more pebbles of knowledge you have for your business the more solid the foundation and walls of this thing you've built. A business isn't something you have it is something you build and our portfolios as artists is the visual representation to our knowledge and skills in our craft. I love doing Take & Talk Pics but last Friday, today, and next Friday are more like Take & Talk Biz.
Christina
How many photos per job do you use for your portfolio?
LikeComment
Rob Krueger Some weddings you get a couple that fit the bill and others you only get 1. Everyone is different and not every wedding is portfolio worthy but never stop shooting to get a portfolio worthy shot. When I see more than 5 or 6 images from a single wedding (unless it is a specific gallery featuring a whole wedding) feel like there is more variety needed. For photographers starting out it is common to over show the few weddings they have done but that should transition over time. www.takeandtalkpics.com
Take & Talk Pics Photography Podcast | Blog | Education
Happy Shooting!
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BASH Conference 2016 - Monday Message
BASH 2016 at the Arizona Grand Resort and Spa in Phoenix Arizona!
I am honored to have been a speaker at last weekends BASH Conference 2016. I spoke for the first Track this past Friday. My topic was titled "Finding Your Voice" where I spoke on how a podcast can be important for a small business and how to begin one. I am offering Photo World 5 Free Whitepages on how to begin your new podcast. Just click here!
Happy Shooting!
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2015 © Take&TalkPics
Jim
January 3 at 1:10am · KS
Well, I've been doing this for 7 years and this was the worst. The guy was an uncle and in the 4th row from the front. He was there the entire time for the first kiss. I totally got bumpkiss.... So I caught up with him during the recessional and told him to be sure and email that to the bride and groom as he ruined my shot and that's about all they'll get. He apologized to me and I said I'm not concerned as my contract says I am not responsible for ruined images like this but I am sure the bride and groom would like a good image of the first kiss since that's what they were paying someone for. During the groups he was right behind me. I am one of those guys that uses two camera's and with different focal lengths for different looks during groups so am constantly moving back and forth. He was behind me all the time and I ran into him several times. Finally had enough and asked to him to let me do the job the Bride and Groom hired me to do. first time in 7 years and over 200 weddings I lost it. Totally. I feel bad.
So here is the image in question and Jim did such a good job making the best of a bad situation. You almost don't even see the rude uncle standing perfectly in the way.
Photo World please comment on this episode and give your feedback on if this is a good way to go for Friday's moving forward of if this needs to be an additional day in the week bumping the show to 4 days a week.
Happy Shooting!
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2015 © Take&TalkPics
Go For It!
Sleep When You're Dead - Colleen Miniuk-Sperry
Today’s featured guest is Colleen Miniuk-Sperry
Colleen is an outdoor photographer based in Chandler Arizona. She has authored 3 books, instructs for many workshops, and she is a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA). From corporate America to becoming a full time freelance photographer I am excited to have you on the show today!
Note from Rob: Now Photo World it has been months since I have had an episode go much further than my usual 30 minutes of amazing content but today is nearly twice that. After getting to know Colleen a bit I knew that she had a lot to share with you as you grow on your own journey's. Also I can't even remember the last time I wet over all of my questions for an interview. I am glad to say that today's episode is saturated with value and as a thank you for all this wonderful free content I ask that you share this interview with your facebook and twitter networks to let more people know they are welcome to join Photo World and the Take & Talk Pics Podcast.
Hi! My name is Colleen Miniuk-Sperry (pronounced "Min-ick-Spare-ee"). I'm a Corporate-America-escapee-turned-full-time-freelance-outdoor-photographer-and-writer, supporting a wide range of assignments for editorial and commercial clients. Specializing in outdoor recreation, nature, conservation, and travel, my work has been published in National Geographic calendars, Arizona Highways magazine, books, and calendars, Outdoor Photographer, AAA Highroads, AAA VIA, Extraordinary Vision, National Parks Traveler, Smith-Southwestern calendars, and a broad variety of other publications.
In November 2011, I co-authored and published the award-winning book, Wild in Arizona: Photographing Arizona’s Wildflowers, A Guide to When, Where, and How with my good friend and fellow photographer, Paul Gill. After selling out the 1st edition, we published the 2nd edition of this title in March 2015.
In addition, I've been selected three times as an Artist-in-Residence with Acadia National Park in Maine (November 2010, October 2011, and January 2013) which enabled me to author and publish mysecond award-winning guidebook, Photographing Acadia National Park: The Essential Guide to When, Where, and How in February 2014. In July 2015, I published my first instructional photography eBook titled, Seeing the Light in Outdoor Photography.
I'm just as excited to help others learn photography as I am making my own images, so I've proudly led photography workshops for the Arizona Highways Photography Workshops (AHPW), Moab Photography Symposium, The Nature Conservancy, Arizona Wildlife Federation's "Becoming an Outdoor Woman," Through Each Others Eyes, and numerous private clients.
As an active Associate of Through Each Other Eyes (TEOE), I have proudly participated in cultural photographic exchanges and international exhibitions with Japan, Mexico, and Canada.
Being a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) has allowed me the opportunity for unrivaled personal growth and new friendships with like-minded and extremely talented outdoor communicators. I've served as a Board Member since September 2013 and have won numerous Excellence in Craft awards for my photography, book, and blog, as well as the prestigious 2010 President’s Choice Award, the 2013 People’s Choice Award, and the 2014 and 2015 Outstanding Board Member Award.
Growing up in Ohio, Arkansas, and Illinois, becoming a photographer or writer never crossed my mind. In 1997, armed with a Bachelor of Business Administration-Computer Information Systems degree from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, I moved to Phoenix, Arizona to begin
a 10-year project management career at Intel Corporation. Initially as an outlet to corporate life, I began making photographs of the intriguing landscapes in the West in late 2001 during my "Introduction to Photography" class at the Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Two years later, I started selling my photographs at art shows across Arizona. Then, in February 2007, I left the grey cubicle walls of Corporate America to pursue a full-time career in photography and writing. Now, I can't imagine life without wandering with a camera or a notebook in hand!
Though I spend a significant amount of time on the road across the United States, I currently reside in Chandler, Arizona with my husband, Craig and cat, Nolan.
Recommended Resource:
Blog: youcansleepwhenyouredead.com
Workshops: cms-photo.com/Workshops
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2015 © Take&TalkPics
Preparation and Preparedness - Monday Message
Being ready for the next stage in your business and even in your life for that matter can be a scary thing to think about and it isn’t easy to be a Boy Scout and “Always be prepared.” However, isn’t that what we should all do? It may feel like a tall order to always be prepared but maybe always think ahead is the more appropriate way to go. Photo World, what did you do today to prepare for a better future? Is the work you have valuable and important to a forward progression in life? Big questions from a simple voice on a microphone but I look back on my life and the steps I’ve taken to get here speaking to you 3 days a week and I see the preparation that was more than necessary to deliver now 124 episodes. Join me on this episode Photo World and I can share with you my Monday Message on Preparation and Preparedness.
- I look back on my life and relive my becoming a photographer when there was actually a time where I thought my life would be in aquatics. I share how the impossible chance of a 27yr old guy like me would be hired to teach at a college level. Then how my almost 28yr old self would single handedly produce a 3 day a week podcast.
For those of you who don’t know I am currently 28, own a photography business, teach at College of DuPage, and run the Take & Talk Pics podcast and blog. Nothing happened over night, I don’t sleep many nights because I was, am, and will continue to be prepared.
Toward the end of this episode I have an exclusive offer that will be available on Friday January 15th and only on the 15th. You will need to keep an eye out for that offer and take full advantage because it is only open for those who are prepared...
Happy Shooting!
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Good People In Bad Places - Gavin John
Today’s featured guest is Gavin John
Gavin is a freelance photojournalist based out of Calgary a city in Alberta, Canada. His work has been featured in the Sun Media papers across Canada and Maclean’s Magazine. Gavin was deployed in the Philippines to photograph the Canadian armed forces in their recovery efforts following Typhoon Haiyan. Most recently Gavin spent a week in Pyongyang, North Korea where he documented daily life in the capital.
Message from Rob:
It's not every day you meet someone like Gavin. His work is inspiring and his stories are beyond fascinating. I learned about Gavin through a Documentary on Netflix called "The Propaganda Game". It is so new that it isn't yet offer on Netflix Canada yet so Gavin hasn't seen it. Although he did live it. I want to remind you Photo World that no matter how far fetched you think it is to meet someone, sending an email or tweeting to them can make all the difference. I don't know if I would have ever had the opportunity to interview Gavin if I didn't just try with an email following the slightest introduction through a Documentary on Netflix. You just never know what life can bring.
Recommended Resource:
nicoletung.com
Blog: gavinbryanjohn.com/blog
Email - gavinbryanjohn@gmail.com
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2015 © Take&TalkPics
Look For The Right Jobs... Not All Jobs - Chad Griffith
Today’s featured guest is Chad Griffith
Chad is a New York City based commercial portrait photographer. His main body of work consists of celebrities and musicians. He has shot for magazines like Backstage and the village VOICE as well as major brands such as New Balance and Oakley.
We talk about looking at other photographers work. I would like to invite you Photo World to look at the photographers, starting with Chad's work. You learn a whole lot about the photographer you want to be when you seek out inspiration from others in the industry. Especially if they are in the industry you are aiming for.
The constant reminders about the proper steps to take as a newer and learning photographer are so refreshing. We see a photographer like Chad with portraits of actor John Boyega and think how do you get there to be in front of such (recently) high profiled people? You work toward it a bit at a time, a long time, and never back down from this sometimes terrifying business.
Lastly I want to pull out one part of this episode and that is to: "Have a think skin." Chad reminded Photo World. No one likes rejection but it is 60% of the business. (I made up that stat)
Happy Shooting!
Recommended Resource:
Look in magazines or newspapers and be inspired.
How To Get Your Dream Job - Monday Message
Photo World if you look back to episode 67 I did a Monday Message about having a gratitude attitude. It is that same idea of a positive perspective that I want to speak to you about today.
Most common path to a successful business
- Interest
- Education/learning
- Paying your dues
- Education/learning
- Grow/stabilize
- Education/learning
- Grow/stabilize
After the pattern of learning and growing hits you know you are running a sustainable business. Many new photographers start their “business” thinking it will be easy. However most companies don’t turn a profit for 3-5 years and many people get burnt out before that ever comes. How many times has it come up on the show that this is a slow play for the long haul? Practice makes perfect… not just with your photography but a business as well. I am practicing my business every time I sit down to answer emails, each time I return a phone call, when I sit down and meet with clients, any time anywhere I am practicing my business. Just because I know how to meter my camera and set up my lights doesn’t mean I don’t check on myself every time. I have to check on myself, because I could easily miss something that I thought was routine. I always find that when I have a routine, something I could “do in my sleep”, I make a mistake because I went into that situation with far less attention to my “routine”. This episode is all about one thought process, one idea that may make all the difference in obtaining your dream job. Not to give it all away, but your next meeting, email, gig, shoot, or book keeping is the dream.
Happy Shooting!
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Stay Wild - Thayer Allyson Gowdy
Today’s featured guest is Thayer Allyson Gowdy
Thayer is a lifestyle photographer based in San Francisco California. The majority of her work is portrait based and Thayer has shot for clients such as Tommy Hillfiger, Apple, Chase, Dockers, Hugo Boss, JCPenny, Levis, Martha Stewart, Men’s Wearhouse, Pottery Barn, Sony, Target, Vanity Fair, and Verizon to name just a few from a long list of clients.
Thayer has been splitting her time between Bolinas, a hippy surf town on the cliffs over the Pacific in Norcal, and San Francisco the past few years. When not in SF at her modern home on the leafy streets of Bernal Hill with a hot pink front door, she is photographing the west coast vibe, building outdoor showers and dining with friends in her apple orchard in Bolinas. All the while with her scruffy terrier, Scout. She shoots and directs for the likes of Apple, Target, and Levis. Her work is inspired by sincerity and playfulness. Capturing fun, beauty and happiness in the everyday. A Connecticut native who moved West, she finds inspiration in the western landscape in the far reaches of Northern California. Taking Polaroids of it’s every nook. Seeking out hot springs and the pink fog at sunset. Her lifestyle work celebrates the real stories of those that find themselves in front of her lens. Her energy when shooting is always open, fun & caring. Boundless when she has a shot list as long as her arm, quiet when on a farm, filming crafters in their studios in Vancouver. Adaptable and always filled with easy going charm. With the recent poster/zine “Take Me to the Sea” in collaboration with the Lower East Side gallery, Ed Varie, her personal work is sexy, nostalgic and fresh. She is driven by color, texture and patterns in the landscape from her travels. Her bags are rarely unpacked. She is often on her way to South America, Cuba, Asia, Mexico or Big Sur; where she spends her free time. Thayer is a local to SF, LA and NY.
Recommended Resource:
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2015 © Take&TalkPics