How to Turn Photography Into a Full-Time Career (Without Losing Your Passion)

What NOT to Do When Running a Podcast Studio (Lessons w/ Logan Lepper)

In this episode of Beyond the Studio, I sit down with Logan Lepper, a podcast studio owner here in Austin, to talk about the hard lessons we’ve learned running creative studios. If you’re thinking about starting a podcast studio, growing your studio business, or you’re already in the middle of it—this episode is packed with real-world insight. We get into: * The biggest mistakes podcast studio owners make * Why trying to do everything can hold your business back * Pricing, invoicing, and getting paid upfront (learned the hard way) * How to attract better clients instead of chasing every opportunity * The shift from “artist” to business owner * And what actually helped Logan scale his studio Whether you’re running a photography studio, video production business, or building out a podcast studio, these are lessons that can save you time, money, and a lot of frustration. 🎙 About the Podcast: Beyond the Studio is all about what it really takes to run a creative studio—from podcasting to photography to video production. 🔍 Keywords / Topics Covered: podcast studio business, how to start a podcast studio, podcast studio setup, running a podcast studio, podcast production business, creative studio business, studio owner tips, podcast studio mistakes, video production business tips, entrepreneur lessons, content creation business 👍 If you got value from this, consider subscribing for more behind-the-scenes insight into running a creative business. 00:00 Intro 02:42 Logan Lepper Returns + Episode Setup 03:45 Biggest Mistake: Billing & Getting Paid Upfront 05:20 Getting Burned by Clients (Hard Lesson) 07:49 Nightmare Client Story (What NOT to Do) 09:23 Setting Prices & Managing Client Expectations 12:08 Vetting Clients & Charging What You’re Worth 13:07 Discounts, Pricing Strategy & Studio Positioning 15:32 Studio Build Costs (Everything Is More Expensive) 17:51 When Your Studio Takes Over Your Life 20:43 Writing Down Goals & Business Growth 23:18 The Turning Point: Niching Down 25:29 The “Artist Trap” (Trying to Do Too Much) 27:44 Ideal Clients & Defining Your Niche 31:40 Growing a Business & Hiring a Team 32:47 Shifting to CEO Mindset 34:28 Launching a Podcast Product (Mic Stand Business) 36:43 Designing a Product That Stands Out 37:11 Final Thoughts

Podcast Mic vs Lavalier Mic — What Actually Sounds Better?

Podcast Mic vs Lavalier Mic — what actually sounds better for podcasting?In this video, I test three different microphone setups inside a real podcast studio: a lav mic, a Rode PodMic, and a boom mic. If you're a podcaster, studio owner, or podcast producer trying to decide what gear makes sense for your setup, this side-by-side audio comparison will help you hear the real differences — without overcomplicating things.We’ll talk about:• Why podcast mics often sound more “full” and professional• When lavalier mics are perfectly acceptable (and even practical)• Why boom mics aren’t always ideal for podcast isolation• Simple audio tips like using a high-pass filter to reduce low-end boominess• And most importantly — why gear shouldn’t stop you from starting a podcastMy goal with this channel is to help creators and studio owners build better setups without getting stuck chasing expensive equipment.Gear used in this video:RODE Podmic USB: https://amzn.to/3ME6NkcHollyland Lark M2S: https://amzn.to/40iWl4PDeity boom mic: https://amzn.to/3MTwbmfIf you run a podcast studio, produce shows for clients, or are just getting started, subscribe for more studio tips, gear tests, and real-world production advice.#PodcastStudio #PodcastAudio #PodcastGear #PodMic #LavalierMic #PodcastProducer

How to Turn Photography Into a Full-Time Career (Without Losing Your Passion)

What if turning your photography or videography hobby into a business actually fuels your passion instead of killing it? In this episode of Beyond the Studio, Brent Pierce breaks down the common myth that going professional drains creativity. Drawing from his own journey of turning videography from a weekend hobby into a full-time career, Brent shares why structure, accountability, and monetization didn’t ruin the fun — they made it better. You’ll hear: * Why fear is what really holds creatives back * How turning your hobby into a business creates clarity and structure * Why getting paid can actually make you better at your craft * How making your passion your main hustle can light a fire under you * Why taking the leap to full-time freelance is often less risky than you think If you’re a photographer, videographer, or creative who’s been stuck treating your passion like a side hustle — this episode is for you. Sometimes the spark doesn’t disappear when you go pro. Sometimes it turns into a wildfire.

Before You Film Your Podcast….Listen to This (Podcasting for Beginners)

Starting a podcast? Feeling overwhelmed by cameras, lighting, editing, and everything that comes with “doing video”? In this episode of Beyond the Studio, Brent Pierce breaks down the single biggest mistake new podcasters make: trying to run before they can even crawl. Brent shares the same advice he gives every beginner who wants to jump straight into video production — start small. Begin with audio. Learn the fundamentals. Build consistency. Give yourself permission to suck in the beginning and grow through the early awkward episodes. You’ll learn: * Why audio-only is the best way to start * How fake “hurdles” (like buying gear) keep you from actually recording * Why you should set a simple goal of 10 episodes * How progress compounds as you gain experience * When it actually makes sense to add video If you’ve been stuck planning instead of recording, this episode will get you out of your head and into action — using nothing more than your phone and a cheap mic. Keywords: how to start a podcast, podcasting for beginners, podcast basics, how to podcast, how to film a podcast, how to launch a podcast, beginner podcast tips, podcasting setup tutorial, podcast equipment guide, audio podcast tips, video podcast tips, start a podcast with no experience, how to record a podcast, simple podcast setup, podcast gear for beginners, how to grow a podcast, podcast production tips, podcast workflow, podcast editing tips, how to start an audio podcast, podcasting made easy, how to plan a podcast, podcast tips for beginners, how to start a podcast at home, podcasting on a budget, podcast microphone setup

How to Price Your Photography Studio (Without Underselling Yourself)

In this episode, Brent Pierce — owner of a 2,800-square-foot photography, video, and podcast studio in the Austin, Texas area — breaks down what it really takes to price your studio rental services. Learn how location, competition, and studio size all play a major role in your pricing strategy. Brent shares his real-world experience starting at $95/hour and how he adjusted over time to reflect market demand, overhead costs, and client feedback. You’ll also hear practical advice on: * How to research studio rental pricing in your market * Why you should avoid being the “cheapest in town” * Factoring in utilities, cleaning, and other overhead * Creating membership or package pricing for loyal clients * Building a community through consistent renters Whether you’re running a photography studio, content studio, or podcast space, this episode gives you actionable insight to price your studio confidently — and profitably. Keywords: studio pricing, studio rental, photography studio, content studio, video studio, podcast studio, rental rates, pricing strategy, Austin, creative business, studio membership, pricing tips.