The Say Less Podcast

008 - [SERIES] The First Year Files: Portfolio Building + Shooting for Free

• Grace Cacho & Alex Taylor • Episode 8

Share episode

Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.

0:00 | 32:24

In this episode, hosts Alex and Grace share their honest insights into how photographers can strategically build their first portfolio—no magic, just real-world experience, experimentation, and intentionality. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with practical tips, encouraging advice, and lessons learned from years of experience.

Key topics:

  • The importance of a strategic approach to free shoots: aligning with your niche and growth goals
  • Using free sessions as research and development labs: testing lighting, poses, locations, and editing styles
  • Reframing free shoots as marketing tools: reviews, referrals, and future client confidence
  • Setting expectations beforehand: transparency with clients about your learning process
  • The significance of capturing work you love and that reflects your ideal clients
  • Navigating the evolution of your editing style and staying authentic to your evolving vision
  • The value of shadowing experienced photographers, especially for wedding work
  • How to gather and leverage reviews and social proof to grow your business

This episode is all about embracing the messy, imperfect, and crucial first steps toward building a portfolio that truly reflects your passions, skills, and voice as a photographer. Remember—your learning lab starts now. So grab your camera, set your expectations, and shoot deliberately to grow into the artist you’re destined to be!

Send us burning questions, topic ideas, and things you’re loving about the podcast!

Connect with Alex & Grace:

Education:

Must-Have Systems

Arisa Haus Creative Marketing Agency

Grace & Andrew Cacho provide clarity to businesses and personal brands by means of Brand Message Clarity, Audits, Brand Strategy, Content Creation, Photo & Video, Web Design, and Social Media Management.

SPEAKER_02

If you are a new photographer and currently staring at your empty portfolio thinking, how am I supposed to vote clients when I don't have any photos yet? You're not alone. This is honestly one of the most confusing parts of starting a photography business because everyone tells you that you need a strong portfolio, but nobody really explains how you actually get one. Like, what are we supposed to do? Manifest weddings? So today we're talking about the real way photographers build the first portfolio. The slightly scrappy, slightly chaotic, very normal process that almost every photographer goes through in the beginning. We'll talk about how to find people to photograph, what kinds of sessions actually help your portfolio grow, and how to make sure the work you're creating now will attract the clients you want later, because your portfolio doesn't start perfect, it starts small and then it grows with you. Let's get into today's episode. I wanted to start a podcast for creative entrepreneurs, so I asked Alex to join me and I said, stay less, I'm in. Welcome to the Stay Less Podcast, where we actually say a lot more about motherhood, creativity, photography, business ownership, and everything in between.

SPEAKER_01

We are your hosts, Alex and Grace, and this is a space for creative women building something meaningful. Whether you're raising babies, raising your rates, or just trying to figure out your next move, we talk about all the real stuff.

SPEAKER_02

What's working, what's not, what we're unlearning, what nobody tells you about building a business that has to fit inside a real life. The pivot, the pressure, the sustainability, and all of the seasons.

SPEAKER_01

If you've ever felt like you're creating in the margins of your time, your energy, or your confidence, you're not alone here.

SPEAKER_02

So stay lost. Let's get into it. Welcome back to the podcast, friends. Today we are diving deep in another episode from the first year files, and we're going to be talking about shooting for free and building your pro your building.

SPEAKER_00

Building your portfolio. Keep that in.

SPEAKER_02

I have to. You have to. Whenever we start doing photography, this goes for all beginners. We just hear like shoot for free. I feel like that's the biggest piece of advice that we all get. Just shoot for free and build your portfolio. But I think there's a lot more to it than that. You can do it really strategically, where you're not just, you know, taking pictures for free, but you end up maybe getting reviews and referrals and things that'll feed into your business kind of as it grows. So this should be a lot more of an intentional practice and not endless paid work until you just decide to stop.

SPEAKER_01

Um, I really wish I had something like this, like this podcast and like this take on free shoots, like when I first started, because we and we're gonna dive into this, but making your free shoots more like a styled shoot, which we have a whole episode on styled shoots. So we're not gonna go deep into that, but figuring out what you want to do and making that free versus anybody want a picture, like anybody wanting pictures for free and ending up taking pictures that um don't fuel your soul. I know that I discussed this on a couple episodes past, but like when I first started, you know, I was focused in design and not focused in photography really. And then kind of was like, I'm liking this photography thing. Does anybody need a picture? And that ended up with me taking senior photos and like my friend's dog. Um in like my friend's little kids, um, which, you know, it started out with me taking pictures of my niece, who's now 10 and a half. So that's really special. I know that's really special because I've kind of been like photographing her whole life. But um, other than my niece and my own children, I don't have a heartbeat for taking pictures of children. So um, in the beginning, I do wish I had something like this to give me the the ideas and inspiration of, you know, you need to be taking pictures of what you want to be taking pictures of instead of just offering for free. So I'm excited to get into it because I definitely think this is a good place to start. Um but let's let's reframe the free shoots. So kind of like go into that for me.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah. So I think early shoots, like you're talking about, and everybody's different. You may need to do 10 free shoots to decide what you you want your niece to be. You may know after like three if you want to do families or couples or like what you kind of gravitate towards most. But like Alex said, you don't necessarily have to do just like an open model call. Maybe reach out to people who, you know, are if you're comfy in front of the camera, let me know. Like something very vague like that. And then tell people like, hey, I want to do such and such uh shoot style this way, or I'm just testing out different things. Um, but they should be like research and development for your business. You're testing out posing and lighting and editing and client interaction because that's just as important as other stuff. Um, and your workflow, you want to treat each shoot that you do, even though it's free, like a little learning lab. Um every time you go into a free shoot, you need to ask yourself, like, what am I trying to learn from this shoot? Posing couples more naturally or shooting backlit at sunset, like all the nitty-gritty different scenarios you might find yourself in, working in harsh midday light, experimenting with editing tones. So not just who you're working with, but also all the different variables that come with shooting over many years and over different scenarios. I think just thinking about a wedding day too. Even if you don't start doing weddings right away, shooting couples or whatever you want to do in different lighting scenarios, low light, backlight, yep, harsh light, you're gonna end up with all of that on a wedding day. Indoor lighting, indoor lighting, the bridal suite, the groom suite, which is usually the dungeon. Yeah, yes, yeah. So, and then practicing with flash, using free shoots to hone in on things that you'd otherwise like neglect and just it ends up happening in a shoot and you're just not prepared for it. And then editing is a crazy task and you don't like it anymore, and and then you get burnt out and you never want to do it again. That's the last thing we want for you.

SPEAKER_01

So it's uh it's like exactly what you said. I think I like want to push heavy on what you were saying, like it's a learning lab. Um, at this point, if you have invested like in any sort of education, and like no, I've mentioned it's a past, but I love KJ education, which is Caitlin James. One day I hope to have her on the South Plasculine if you're out there. I love Caitlyn. I'm very Caitlin if you're out there. I love you. I really invested in her education and have about, I have um purchased a bunch of her like different um guides and stuff like that to use as like base for me. But these shoots need to be a learning lab. Um, I really found out throughout this that I love shooting in studio, but I don't love shooting newborns in studio. But I do love newborn lifestyle and I enjoyed that and I like working in people's home and like the challenge that that is, but I don't like pose newborns. And I think like in the same way that people need a license to drive a car, that you should have a license to like pose a newborn. True. Especially like as a mom now, and like it's kind of cray cray to me that people just like kind of out of nowhere decide to do that. But anywho, yes, definitely a learning lab. I I loved your phrase in that because figure out all give yourself all the tests that you can and all the challenges that you can so that you can be like, this is what I want to do and this is what I don't want to do. But also, if you're planning to go into weddings, like we said, you're going to get it all. You're going to be in the rain, you're going to be in the dark. If it's raining on an engagement shoot, you can reschedule it. Can't reschedule a wedding. So you have to be ready for all these experiences. And using these free shoots is a great way because your clients didn't pay. And if they didn't work out great, then it didn't. And I bet there's a handful of images that they're going to love regardless, but you were able to learn from it.

SPEAKER_02

If you want to shoot weddings, I think good practice shoots to do are couples' engagements, bridal portraits, small elopements. You'd be surprised how many women still fit into their wedding dress. I'm not one of them, no way. But some women may still fit into their wedding dress. Maybe they just got married this past season and you're like, hey, I want to practice bridal portraits.

SPEAKER_00

We're going to be happy for you, but also we hate you.

SPEAKER_02

Um, things that are less helpful. And again, we are wedding photographers, so we're speaking more in that niche, but this goes for like anybody. But what's not going to be helpful is, you know, free random birthday parties or free events unrelated to your goals. Like do the do the free stuff for high-stakes things and also things that you want in your portfolio portfolio like ASAP. Yeah. So questions that you can ask before the shoot. I think it's really important to remain in a posture of a learner, a lifelong learner. I think, you know, I still do free shoots. Alex probably still does free shoots. I don't know that for a fact. Okay, yeah. She does do free shoots. I do. So six years in, ten years in, we're still doing free shoots. And I think that is just a posture of like, we just want to keep learning and keep getting better at our craft. So when you are first starting, you're not going to be a professional. And there is still so much to learn. So, like, give yourself grace and also like be a little bit humble in the beginning. Like, you don't have to have it all figured out. So you don't have to pretend you have it all figured out. So when you're when you're going into a shoot, ask yourself like, what am I trying to learn? What kind of images do I want in my portfolio? And what lighting situations can I challenge myself with? Knowing that you're probably gonna fail. Yeah, the lighting for sure. And what poses and prompts do I want to try? There's plenty of times where I try a pose or prompt and I'm like, actually, that didn't work. And I'd rather do that in a free shoot and kind of know what I'm talking about, going into a page shoot and be a little bit more confident with that. So trying those things out in a free shoot. Um, yeah, trying new prompts, testing a new location you've never shot at before, experimenting with movement. Maybe you want to try blurry photos of all of these. You're so good with those. You're so sweet.

SPEAKER_01

I I think it's so interesting too because I was thinking about this when we were getting ready to record, but in the beginning I shot for free a lot. And then there was that like middle point of my business, you know, for a couple of years where I was like, I am a glow boss and I am a businesswoman and I will not work for free and I have talents that are meant to be paid. And now, kind of like as a mom and like this far into the business, I genuinely believe that my photography and picture taking is my God-given ability and talent, like literally a blessing from God in the way of this is like the life I was given, and I want to utilize these talents. And yes, I'm supporting my family. And yes, I like want to grow my business and I need to make money. But in a lot of ways, I do know what I love outside of weddings. Um, for example, I have a one of my besties in life is having a baby. And she asked me to take pictures for her, and I did offer to do it for free because I love her and I love her family, and I'm excited. And I feel that I was blessed with the talent and capability. And she has continued to bless me. Of course, I would not accept a dollar, but she has made me a pan of her homemade oatmeal cream pie, which is the best most delicious thing, and continued to treat me and spoil me with things that are above and beyond. But I'm like, I'm kind of back in the cycle of offering free shoots because I'm able to and blessed to and love to. Um, so I'm like, it kind of never ends. I wish that I didn't only stop in the middle of doing that, but I'm like, I'm back now to I'm shooting what I love again for free. And I do love weddings, but you know, that's a lot of work to do for free. So I have shot weddings for free, but that's another story for another day. That's another story for another day. But yes, I'm like, I just think it's it's all important and I think go with what's comfortable for you. But anyways, I didn't mean to like totally get you off of what you're doing, but I still use those as learning labs. Like I still am using them as experiences. I actually brought like a new film lens to the shoot I was just talking about. Let me test this out. You're paying me. So if it doesn't work, like you're not expecting this. And honestly, they turned out so beautiful and um gave them kind of a more artistic edit because it was free, and I was able to kind of enjoy it a little bit more. There's more enjoyment in it as well. Yeah. So, but as long as those expectations are set, yes, of I'm new, I'm learning, I'm trying to get a grasp of blank of the lighting or of blank of you know, whatever you're trying to do. Yeah. But if you're explaining that of I'm building my portfolio, I am brand new. I'm brand new. I'm experimenting with this. Like I with my friend Ashley, I'm experimenting with this new film lens and this kind of artistic style. I want to try some new ideas. I have some ideas. I also want to do what you want, but this is kind of what I'm thinking too. And um, they're gonna be more lenient with you, especially.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, and I think setting expectations with a free shoot almost sounds more professional than you just like walking into a free shoot and being like, I know it's what I'm doing. Don't worry. Yeah, yes, like being all hoity-toity. Yes. I think just coming into it with like an open mind and like, hey, I'm figuring some things out. I'm asking you because I trust you. Hopefully, you trust me. And if things don't work out, then that's okay. And like, no there was no money exchange or anything like that. So you can like let them off the hook, let yourself off the hook, and it's just so much more fun. It removes the pressure.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah. Just the pressure's off of offering anything. Nothing's more filled with pressure than that first paid wedding. I'll never forget it. Oh my gosh. I'll never forget it. I think about it often. I'm like, I can't believe that actually happened.

SPEAKER_02

Do you remember what you charged for your first paid wedding? Yes.

SPEAKER_01

Do you want to say $450? $450. And I remember that they wrote me a check. They wrote me a check for $500 and I was like beaming. Which are my guys? Like I just couldn't believe it. I was like, they tipped me $50 and like I haven't even done it yet, and blah, blah, blah. And um, it was crazy. I was using like a like a hand-me-down camera and like a kit lens. And so fun. I worked my ASS off. I mean, I literally was zooming around. Like I worked so hard. I remember it was in July, which that's what you know, I've been saying this summer. July 17th is my 10 year of shooting my first solo wedding. So 10 years in business. And it was so hot and they had the reception outside. I don't know why they did that. And I just was thinking, like, I'm so hot and sweaty, and I'm gonna die. And yeah, a $50 tip. So it was a $500 wedding day. And um, I remember every minute of it. I think back so funly, but there was so much pressure. However, I didn't know that here in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex area, the photographers at that time were like already charging like upwards of 3,000, which obviously it's gone up since then. Not hugely, but it has gone up and I was not realizing the huge discount I was already giving them. Yeah. So I should have had the pressure, but you know, it's just like a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and I wanted to work as hard as I could, but I had practiced before then. So this was not like my first shoot ever, but it was certainly my first wedding day of not really being able to manipulate the lighting and manipulate the posing. And it was kind of more yeah, the day was unfolding and I had to capture it. So there was definitely pressure. Although to say I don't recommend one of your free shoots for your portfolio building to be a wedding. I recommend if you do want to get into weddings, to reach out to an established photographer and shadow them either as a second or a third. I started as a third. So maybe start there. Start there good.

SPEAKER_02

Yay. Okay, I'm gonna go into the next point. I totally derailed that, but it was worth it. I enjoyed hearing that. I don't think I've ever heard you talk about that before. So, next thing that I want you to think about with your free portfolio building shoots, challenge yourself with lighting. And Alex and I kind of already touched on this. On a wedding day, you're gonna get a million different kinds of lighting scenarios, and you need to know how to work it. You cannot just slap a preset on in Lightroom later and fix all of your problems if you cannot take a good photo in camera. Only shooting golden hour and perfect soft light is, you know, there are certain scenarios like shoots where you can recommend that, you know, this location has the best light, this time has the best light, but you're not always gonna have that. So real clients happen in sometimes midday sun, which can be really beautiful if you know how to do it. Indoor natural light by a window, cloudy, flat light. Sometimes you're inside and you have cloudy happening outside, dark reception venues, which Alex is really good at shooting at because one of her main venues that she shoots at often is dark. It's dark.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, it's dark. I am on the vendor list and have been um a top like established photographer at Sparrow Creek Ranch, which is in Graham, Texas, which is like a little dude ranch type of cow town little area, like in the middle of nowhere, Texas. Depending on how it was so cute, depending on how you look at it. And I've been shooting there for years, and it was certainly a learning curve. And then I have like established myself there so well and gotten so comfortable with that setting that I continue to get booked there. And I actually have six weddings this year in Graham at that venue because brides are seeing my photos from there and like wanting the same, which is a huge honor. I'm not trying to toot my horn at all, but I'm what I'm trying to say was it was definitely a learning curve. Where I'm most comfortable in sun, oh, let me check the clock. Sun sets at 7:30, let's shoot at 645. Yeah. But I'm shooting at 8 p.m. inside of like in a dark, pretty orange and like dimly lit bar and venue. So um it definitely is about learning and learning your camera and how that how your camera behaves, but also like how you can manipulate it and how that works with your editing style too, is really important.

SPEAKER_02

And I've shadowed you enough. And I'm every time we go to that venue and I'm second shooting for you, I'm always in awe of like how you are seeking out the best light. Like, because the lighting scenario is not ideal. If we're inside, you are always like, even if it's like, wait, we have to move this trash can in order to get this shot by the window. Yes, we do. Yes, we do. And so finding the best light. And I think that's why like this venue trusts you so much, and brides that see your photos at this venue trust you so much, because you're not trying to get like, I don't know what it's it's funny how I'm totally getting off. It's funny how like our natural eye is drawn to certain things and we can still capture those, but oftentimes the really pretty pictures in these dimly lit barns or whatever. Um we had to like work hard to get close to the good light. And sometimes people are like, ew, why are we shooting in this spot? And it's like, wait, let me show you. When I take the picture, it looks like this, and you can't tell. Anyways, that's just like a brag on you because I've just watched you like in action, trusting those instincts that you've been building for years, and especially at this venue. I love you.

SPEAKER_01

Thank you for saying that. But I think that like it also like how you're receiving it. Of course, you're receiving it from like a photographer's perspective. It means so much to you say that. But like, even from like the bride and the bride's family who don't have the photographer experience, like it exudes confidence and experience of like, don't worry, like if this is the most important spot, like I can make this work. Yes. But it took the learning, the learning lab, the learning lab, the lab, the learning. It took all those experiences to get to that point of being like, okay, I'm not stressed and I don't feel under pressure in this scenario because I've had the practice and the experience. And just like what you said is so important for people that are learning, like you learned that from me and saw that from me. And if you tried to do it the first time by yourself, I believe, you know, you could have accomplished it, you, Grace, could have accomplished it because you amazed me in that way. But as like a first-time photographer, that's really hard. So learning it from someone else is like so important. So not only just the free shoots and lighting scenarios, but maybe some free assisting as well is kind of like what I'm getting to with um this building your portfolio topic for sure. Um, no, that's so good.

SPEAKER_02

Another thing, expect your editing style to change. I yes. I don't know. I look at your work, Alex, and I'm like right now. You're going through this right now. No, big, big shift. And it's hard because, you know, I booked two weddings before I kind of made this shift in editing. And you have to like reassure people like I'm I'm not like drastically changing anything, but definitely my approach is changing. I'm leaning more into film inspired. So a little more grain, a little more movement, but I still want to make sure I'm getting like frame-worthy portraits, just like normal, no fluff standing and smiling things that I've kind of been doing for years. But I am incorporating a lot more uh in my editing style. And I feel like my editing style has changed like three or four times over several years. And I'm not ashamed to say that because I don't know. If you do it, I don't know, if you do it confidently and you're like, this is not in a tacky way, but like this is my art and I want to keep loving what I'm doing. Uh if I if I keep doing it the way I am, I'm gonna feel like stuffy and just I don't know. And and that's part of me like needing change to create a person to.

SPEAKER_01

Sorry, I'm gonna have to cut that. I have seen people like change their editing based on like. Friends, which I think is a lot different than like kind of finding what you're like comfortable in and kind of more like your niche. I have a friend that really had that super dark and moody, like 2018 editing style. And I remember like when she shifted, she actually changed to more of like bright and airy. Happy. She changed to like this bright and airy style, but she was offering both. And so you could book a session with her and you could choose your editing style, which I thought was kind of cuckoo bananas. Yeah. But it like really worked out for her because she was scared to lose her clientele that like preferred that dark and moody. But then she kind of felt like the shift was going towards that more like bright and airy at that time. This was like pre-2020. Yeah. So she like did that. And I thought it was really cool. And then now she's just shifted to kind of offering like one more like brighter, true to color, like editing style. Um, and I think that's been great. But I think as your photography evolves, your editing style has to, like it has to. Like you've been putting more of an emphasis on um more of like the film style, but you've also been shooting more film. So it makes sense for like your editing style to go that way. Um, I feel like mine has kind of gone from softer to bolder. And I also used to kind of like edit with like a bunch of yellow tone, and I'm kind of like getting away. I still love, you know, I love like golden glowy.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, but it's it is very true, true tone. I still get very true tone. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

And so I am trying to like go that direction as well for sure. But I'm like my photography style has evolved. So of course the editing style has to change with it. Yeah. It just comes with like the evolution of what you're doing. Totally makes sense. But expect it to change throughout, and you'll find what you're comfortable in and what is like true to your style for sure. So try like I just uh kind of announced my shift into Jack on the podcast today. I think we have we have more podcasts with Jack than without. Really, we do.

SPEAKER_02

Um, I posted some things that I had re-edited from a wedding like three years ago to try out some new editing styles. And I posted them in that Brian, who's like a friend of mine, she reached out to me. She was like, OMG, I love this. And so I do have a few people that are asking, like, hey, can you like, I mean, you don't have to do it for free. I am because I'm trialing things out, but like she wanted like a dozen photos, or I just offered like a dozen photos to re-edit, and I'm sending those to her and she loves them. She's like, I want to frame these. Um, she doesn't love her photos I did before any less, but just like the new style, like I introduced it and I she just liked it.

SPEAKER_01

So what you said about like offering those edits to your client is like what I worry about because I'm like, the first wedding that I shot was like a friend of mine, and I always wonder, I'm like, should I re-edit them? Because like the style has changed so much and my images have changed so much. And I always wonder if like my past clients look onto my like newer images and they're like, why didn't we get that version? And I always want to say, like, thank you for trusting me in the beginning. Because I wouldn't have made it here without I would have made it here like without having you in the beginning. So I I really think that's really sweet and cool that you offered it to your past client. And I'm glad that she loved it. But it's like you have so much emotion behind your images back then. Like, of course she didn't love them any less.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah to re-edit. Yeah, because even though that's not how it edit now, it's still so you're very attached to it. Um yeah, I I totally get that. So also your first free clients are future marketing. I want to get into this a little bit um as we kind of land this plane. Yes. Your first free shoots are reviews waiting to happen and referrals waiting to happen. So you need to take care of them just as much as you would a $350 lifestyle session or a $3,000 wedding. So be sure to take care of them. Serve them well, deliver their gallery thoughtfully, um, and then ask for reviews and referrals. I think beginner photographers feel awkward asking for this because, like, oh, I'm just starting. What good thing could anyone possibly have to say about my business or their experience? But you shouldn't feel weird about asking those things. If you have Google Business set up, which if you listened to the first file and our first year files, you probably should have your Google Business set up. Alex talking about business things.

SPEAKER_01

That's like painful for me. Like, I could do a whole episode on just the Google aspect of it all of having all of that set up and how important that is. I know we already discussed it, but it should be just as easy as sending a link. You should never feel awkward for that at all. And honestly, especially since you're doing it for free, it's the least they can do. Absolutely. It's the least they can do. You can say, like, instead of money, I'm just asking for reviews. So maybe you can even like set the expectation. You could set the expectation of that from the beginning of I'm not asking for any money because I'm trying to build my portfolio, but a review or a referral would mean everything. And so then you don't have to feel awkward afterwards, but maybe setting that expectation to start.

SPEAKER_02

Yes. And you're educating them at that point too. So in the future, if they do pay you for a session, maybe they go and leave another review, or maybe they encourage their friends to leave a review because I mean, I I feel like Google reviews are the most underrated way to support a small business. Totally. And people just don't think to do it. Like they just need the education. So a Google review, it really is as simple as sending them a link. Um, an Instagram comment, tagging you in a post, a testimonial, something that you can plaster on your website eventually, just asking a quick Google form, like tagging you, just anything, any sort of outreach to say, like, hey, will you please let at least me privately know how your experience was and be, you know, kind of specific with some questions or leave it open-ended and just let them encourage you. Even one review can help establish early credibility. So, like, I really encourage getting your business set up on Google so you can send a link for a Google review because Instagram is not a it's not a business strategy. So you want to help SEO as much as possible. And I think that this like applies to every industry. Obviously, we're talking about photographers. Um, and it's not just for wedding photography. This is for any service-based business or a small creative business or a big creative business in almost every creative industry. People start cheap or free, they get better and then they build proof of concept. But I think the key is serving people well, even when you're learning and you're just starting out. So those first clients do become your referral network, yeah, your hype team, your your proof that you know what you're doing. And I, I mean, I think Alex and I could both attest to that. Like people that we've, you know, started photographing in the beginning. Um, they've just like watched us grow and blossom. Occasionally they'll throw out like a, oh my gosh, I'm so proud of you. And like, yeah. Yeah. So it's really encouraging. Um, if you take care of them, then they will take care of you.

SPEAKER_01

And I bet most of them listen to this podcast too, which is really sweet. Yes. Like, you were with me, but um, my her, I say my friend, Jessica. She's simply just like a bride from gosh, it was pre-kids, pre-anything. So I'm like, it was five or six years ago, probably together. And uh, she just comments on everything. And I'm pretty sure she lives in California now, and she has been my like one of my biggest supporters, and I love her so much. And I guarantee she's I know she's not a creative entrepreneur, and I guarantee she listens to this podcast and still gives support. But yeah, it's sweet. She has referred me and just like continued to support me. But even without the referrals, engaging with my social media and keeping in touch and continuing to like show support just through social media, like I said, has meant so much to me. And I literally, when you're talking about that, she was the first person that popped into my head. But I have so many like that who continue to, you're the best and we love you, and uh they just never end. It's so sweet. It's the best part, it's the best part about what we do is the connections with the people for sure.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, for sure. So all that to say. Yeah, uh, all that to say.

SPEAKER_01

I really got down some rabbit holes on this one. So apologies. However, I hope it was helpful. Like I said, I do wish that I had something like this in the very beginning because mine was more like who needs photos when it's like in reality, especially nowadays. Like it's everybody wants photos. So hone in on what you want and find those people for sure. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02

And I think the purpose of these free shoots and portfolio building shoots, they should be moving you closer to work that you actually want to be known for. They should be moving the needle forward in your business, not distracting you from what you want to be doing or taking up too much time and muddying things up. So hopefully that whole episode brings you a lot of clarity and lights a fire under you a little bit to get out and shoot more in practice, regardless of how long you've been doing photography. If it's three months or two years or 10 years, you always have something to learn and you can try new things. You can try new things.

SPEAKER_01

Learning lab, learning lab, learning lab, learning lab. It's a learning lab. It's like one of those YouTube episodes like the kids watch. Learning lab with Alex and Grace. You're in the learning lab with Alex and Grace. Your free shoots are a learning lab. Can you see like the YouTube screen of like the Miss Frizzle type of like science?

SPEAKER_02

We need to replace our intro for this episode with Learning Lab.

SPEAKER_01

Okay, I'm good. Actually, Grace has like a music background, and I have the opposite of one. And I'm going, let me put together a jingle for us.

SPEAKER_02

Insane, absolutely insane content. So good. Well, I'm so excited for the next episode, too. We're gonna be getting into websites. Yay! So we will put you guys on the next episode.