Turning Neurodiversity Into A Photography Superpower | With Elle Paradisis

Turning Neurodiversity Into A Photography Superpower | With Elle Paradisis

TURNING NEURODIVERSITY INTO A PHOTOGRAPHY SUPERPOWER | WITH ELLE PARADISIS What happens when the thing that once made you feel different… becomes your greatest strength? In this episode of The Humble Togs Podcast, Kurt sits down with photographer Elle Paradisis to talk about late-diagnosed autism and ADHD, creativity, rejection sensitivity, confidence, and building a photography business around genuine understanding instead of performance. Elle shares her journey from feeling misunderstood growing up… to discovering a powerful niche photographing autistic families in a way that makes them feel safe, seen, and understood. This is a deeply honest conversation about: * neurodiversity and creativity * family expectations around “real careers” * learning photography later in life * fear of rejection and failure * creating emotionally connected family portraits * building trust with children on the spectrum * why empathy matters more than perfection * and how supportive communities can completely change someone’s confidence We talk about what actually makes a successful photography business — and why connection, patience, and emotional intelligence often matter far more than technical perfection. If you’ve ever felt “different,” struggled with confidence, or wondered whether there’s really a place for you in photography… this episode is for you. Follow Elle Paradisis: Website: https://www.ellementalfocusphotography.com.au/ [https://www.ellementalfocusphotography.com.au/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellementalfocusphotography/ [https://www.instagram.com/ellementalfocusphotography/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellementalfocus [https://www.tiktok.com/@ellementalfocus] Listen & Follow The Humble Togs Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/humble-togs-podcast/id1891909472 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/humble-togs-podcast/id1891909472] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2t5Wd1Dl06JH7IgpTBRdWO [https://open.spotify.com/show/2t5Wd1Dl06JH7IgpTBRdWO] Universal Podcast Link: https://podcast.humbletogsclub.com [https://podcast.humbletogsclub.com] Follow Kurt Sneddon: Website: https://www.kurtsneddon.com [https://www.kurtsneddon.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bykurtsneddon [https://www.instagram.com/bykurtsneddon] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bykurtsneddon [https://www.tiktok.com/@bykurtsneddon] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byKurtSneddon/ [https://www.facebook.com/byKurtSneddon/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bykurtsneddon/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bykurtsneddon/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humbletogsclub [https://www.youtube.com/@humbletogsclub] 📸 Join Humble Togs Club: https://www.humbletogsclub.com [https://www.humbletogsclub.com]

She Built a Photography Business While Raising Kids and Studying Full-Time | With Katelynn Parker

Katelynn didn’t start with a thoroughly laid out business plan. She started with a camera, an online class, and a bit of curiosity. While living in Japan as a "military wife", she began learning photography by practicing on friends and their kids. From there, she built a real client base shooting family sessions and military graduations… eventually growing a thriving business in Joshua Tree — a place she originally thought wouldn’t work at all! She almost sold her camera gear at one point and was ready to give up! In this episode, we get into what it actually looks like to build a photography business in real life — not the polished version. We talk about: * balancing photography with raising kids and studying full-time * building a client base whilst constantly have to relocate the family * why connection matters more than “perfect” photos * the mistakes that made her better * and the reality that most of us are just figuring it out as we go If you’ve ever felt like you don’t have a clear plan or you’re behind where you should be… this one’s for you. Also check out Katelynn's blog about what changed for her when she met me on TikTok: https://www.bykatelynnparker.com/blog/how-a-random-tiktok-live-became-a-whole-new-creative-chapter [https://www.bykatelynnparker.com/blog/how-a-random-tiktok-live-became-a-whole-new-creative-chapter] ---------------------------------------- 🔗 KATELYNN’S LINKS * Website: https://www.bykatelynnparker.com/ [https://www.bykatelynnparker.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katelynnparkerphotography_/ [https://www.instagram.com/katelynnparkerphotography_/] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@katelynnparkerphoto [https://www.tiktok.com/@katelynnparkerphoto] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/120823098578700/ [https://www.facebook.com/120823098578700/] ---------------------------------------- 🔗 KURT SNEDDON'S LINKS * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bykurtsneddon [https://www.instagram.com/bykurtsneddon] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bykurtsneddon [https://www.tiktok.com/@bykurtsneddon] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byKurtSneddon/ [https://www.facebook.com/byKurtSneddon/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bykurtsneddon/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bykurtsneddon/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humbletogsclub [https://www.youtube.com/@humbletogsclub] ---------------------------------------- 🎧 Listen to more episodes wherever you get you podcasts or click here: https://podcast.humbletogsclub.com/ [https://podcast.humbletogsclub.com/] If this episode hits home, there’s a community built around exactly this kind of conversation inside Humble Togs Club. Join the Club here: https://www.humbletogsclub.com/ [https://www.humbletogsclub.com/] Please leave a review or a comment. That means a lot too as we begin to get the podcast off the ground!

She Almost Quit Photography After Getting Bullied Online... Now She's Booked Up | With Jessa Scott

Most people don’t talk about this part of the creative process. The moment where you seriously consider quitting. Not because you don’t love photography… But because of how people treat you when you put your work out there. In this episode, I sit down with Jessa Scott — a photographer who went through exactly that. After being torn apart online when she was just starting out, Jessa hit a point where walking away from photography felt like the easiest option. And honestly… a lot of people do. But instead of quitting, she kept going. And what happened next is what makes this conversation worth listening to. Now she’s consistently booking clients, building real momentum, and showing up with a completely different level of confidence. We get into: * What actually happened when she posted her work and got attacked * How that experience affected her confidence (and how long it stuck around) * The turning point that stopped her from quitting * What she focused on instead of chasing perfection * How she started getting real client work * The difference between helpful feedback and the kind that just tears you down * What she’d say to someone who’s right on the edge of giving up This one matters. Because if you’ve ever felt like you’re not good enough… or like everyone else has it figured out except you… you’re not alone in that. And you’re definitely not the only one who’s thought about quitting. ---------------------------------------- LISTEN TO MORE: https://podcast.humbletogsclub.com [https://podcast.humbletogsclub.com] ---------------------------------------- CONNECT WITH JESSA: https://www.instagram.com/glow_with_jessa/ [https://www.instagram.com/glow_with_jessa/] https://hauteglowphotographywithjessa.mypixieset.com/ [https://hauteglowphotographywithjessa.mypixieset.com/] ---------------------------------------- JOIN HUMBLE TOGS CLUB: Humble Togs Club is my private community for photographers who actually support each other and help each other improve. No egos. No gatekeeping. Just real growth. https://www.humbletogsclub.com [https://www.humbletogsclub.com] ---------------------------------------- FOLLOW KURT SNEDDON: Website: https://www.kurtsneddon.com [https://www.kurtsneddon.com] Humble Togs Club: https://www.humbletogsclub.com [https://www.humbletogsclub.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bykurtsneddon [https://www.instagram.com/bykurtsneddon] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bykurtsneddon [https://www.tiktok.com/@bykurtsneddon] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byKurtSneddon/ [https://www.facebook.com/byKurtSneddon/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bykurtsneddon/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bykurtsneddon/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humbletogsclub [https://www.youtube.com/@humbletogsclub] ---------------------------------------- ENJOYING THE PODCAST? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you’re listening — it genuinely helps more photographers find this and feel a little less alone in their journey.

Failing Forward: The Mistakes That Actually Made Us Better | With Erin Brooks

Nobody likes talking about their mistakes. Most people hide from them. Or feel shame about the idea of failing. But if you’ve been doing photography (or living as a human lol) for any amount of time… you’ve made them. Bad shoots. Missed moments. Edits that didn’t land. Situations where you walked away thinking, “That could’ve gone a lot better.” In this episode, I sit down with Erin Brooks to talk about the side of photography most people try to hide. The mistakes. Not the highlight reel. Not the polished portfolio. The stuff that actually shapes you. Because Erin. like me, doesn’t pretend she got everything right from the start. She shares the moments that didn’t go to plan… what went wrong… and what she did next. And that’s the part most people skip. We get into: * The early mistakes that shook her confidence * What it feels like when a shoot doesn’t go how you hoped * How she handled those moments instead of walking away * The difference between “failing” and actually learning * What changed in her approach after things went wrong * Why making mistakes is part of getting better (whether you like it or not) * How to keep going when your confidence takes a hit This episode is a good reset. Because if you’re in a phase where things aren’t clicking… or you feel like you’re behind… or like you should be better than you are right now… that’s not a sign to stop. It’s part of what you need to do every day, to learn, grow and get that little bit better every day. Without failure, growth isn't possible. ---------------------------------------- LISTEN TO MORE: https://podcast.humbletogsclub.com [https://podcast.humbletogsclub.com] ---------------------------------------- CONNECT WITH ERIN: https://www.instagram.com/erinbrooksphotographer/ [https://www.instagram.com/erinbrooksphotographer/] https://www.erinbrooksphotographer.com/ [https://www.erinbrooksphotographer.com/] ---------------------------------------- JOIN HUMBLE TOGS CLUB: Humble Togs Club is my private community for photographers who support each other and grow together. No ego. No gatekeeping. Just real progress. https://www.humbletogsclub.com [https://www.humbletogsclub.com] ---------------------------------------- FOLLOW KURT SNEDDON: Website: https://www.kurtsneddon.com [https://www.kurtsneddon.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bykurtsneddon [https://www.instagram.com/bykurtsneddon] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bykurtsneddon [https://www.tiktok.com/@bykurtsneddon] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byKurtSneddon/ [https://www.facebook.com/byKurtSneddon/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bykurtsneddon/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bykurtsneddon/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humbletogsclub [https://www.youtube.com/@humbletogsclub] ---------------------------------------- ENJOYING THE PODCAST? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you’re listening — it helps more photographers find this and realise they’re not the only ones figuring it out as they go.

How She Turned a Vacation Into Real Client Work (Without Having It All Figured Out) | With Sam Ham

You don’t need to have it all figured out to start getting paid as a photographer. In this episode, I sit down with Sam Hamilton—someone who’s right in the beginning of building her photography journey. No polished brand. No perfect niche. No “I’ve got it all dialled in” story. Just real progress and an idea to approach some hotel chains she wanted to vacation at, with the offer of creating branding content for their social media. Sam shares how she went from shooting for fun to landing her first hotel client, getting asked back for more work, and starting to explore different types of photography—from travel and small business content to sports photography (which she's really enjoying). We also get into the stuff most people don’t talk about: * Starting to figure out lighting (especially indoors) * Dealing with noise (from High ISO) and editing time * Not knowing what gear you actually need * Trying different niches without locking yourself in * Building a photography business alongside a full-time job This is what it actually looks like when you’re starting out—and doing it anyway. ---------------------------------------- 🔑 WHAT YOU’LL TAKE AWAY * Why waiting until you feel “ready” is holding you back * How real client work accelerates your learning * The truth about gear (and what actually matters) * A smarter way to figure out your niche * How to start building momentum without burning out * How to ignore "ego-bros" online who tell you you shouldn't charge money for your photography. They're just insecure and jealous. Trying to take it out on a world who's overtaking them. ---------------------------------------- 👤 ABOUT SAM HAM Sam is a Chicago-based photographer who started with travel photography and is now building a photography business alongside her full-time role as a data analyst. After landing her first hotel collaboration, she’s continued to grow through real-world experience—experimenting across different types of shoots while figuring out what she enjoys most. To follow Sam Ham on instagram, go to: https://www.instagram.com/samhamphotography/ [https://www.instagram.com/samhamphotography/] Follow Kurt at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bykurtsneddon [https://www.instagram.com/bykurtsneddon] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bykurtsneddon [https://www.tiktok.com/@bykurtsneddon] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byKurtSneddon/ [https://www.facebook.com/byKurtSneddon/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bykurtsneddon/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bykurtsneddon/] YouTube (Humble Togs Club): https://www.youtube.com/@humbletogsclub [https://www.youtube.com/@humbletogsclub] ---------------------------------------- 📣 JOIN THE COMMUNITY If you’re tired of toxic photography groups and want real support while you figure this stuff out… 👉 Join Humble Togs Club: https://www.humbletogsclub.com [https://www.humbletogsclub.com] No gatekeeping. No ego. Just photographers (and me - Kurt Sneddon) helping each other get better - without the BS. ---------------------------------------- 🎧 THE HUMBLE TOGS PODCAST Where photographers share the journey, not just the highlight reel.