How to Know What Kind of Photographer You Want to Be

Storytelling Online w/ @cuenca.creative

This week on the podcast I’m sitting down with Ean Cuenca (@cuenca.creative) and this conversation is SO good if you’ve ever felt stuck, overlooked, or confused about showing up online. Ean shares how he approaches social media as storytelling instead of just posting… and how that shift completely changes the way people connect with your work. We talk about what people get wrong about content, why chasing bookings without building relationships first doesn’t work, and what it actually looks like to create connection through a screen. This isn’t about hacks or trends. It’s about intention, people, and telling stories that make someone feel something. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing “everything right” but it’s not converting, this episode will give you a fresh perspective and a more grounded way to approach your content. We also get into what Ean is planning for his guided shoot at Photo Camp :) You can follow along with Ean at @cuenca.creative _______ 🎉MENTORSHIPS If you’re craving direction in your photo business, want real, honest guidance, or just wanna hang with me in person—my 1:1 mentorships are open (in person or virtual)! https://www.alexblakeeducation.com/services [https://www.alexblakeeducation.com/services] LET’S CONNECT 🫶 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexblakephotographyhttps://www.instagram.com/alexblakephoto [https://www.instagram.com/alexblakephoto] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/Alexblakephoto [https://www.tiktok.com/Alexblakephoto] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexblakephotography [https://www.facebook.com/alexblakephotography] STUFF I SWEAR BY 🫡 My Gear, Bible Stuff, + Life Faves: https://www.amazon.com/shop/alexblakeotto [https://www.amazon.com/shop/alexblakeotto] Pass Gallery – 1 Month Free: https://alexblakephotography.passgallery.com/referral [https://alexblakephotography.passgallery.com/referral] AI Editing (30-Day Free Trial): https://aftershoot.com/friends/?ref=alexotto [https://aftershoot.com/friends/?ref=alexotto] HoneyBook Discount (Get organized!): https://share.honeybook.com/alex89263 [https://share.honeybook.com/alex89263] Merch, Presets, & More: https://www.alexblakeeducation.com/ [https://www.alexblakeeducation.com/] PHOTO CAMP INFO 🌊⛺️  https://www.photocampinfo.com [https://www.photocampinfo.com]

networking: why, how, + encouragement

This episode is all about networking… but not in the weird or forced “hand out business cards” kind of way. I’m sitting down with Noella, who somehow knows EVERYONE lol. When she came to Charleston, we grabbed lunch and she already knew so many of my photographer friends. Then at WPPI, it felt like every person we ran into knew her too. So I had to ask… how?? In this episode, we’re breaking down what networking actually looks like in the photography world, what people get wrong about it, and how to build real relationships that don’t feel fake or transactional. We talk about what to do when you walk into a conference or retreat and don’t know anyone, how to follow up after meeting people, and how to actually turn those first interactions into genuine friendships. We also get into why this matters more than you think. Not just for your business, but for your experience in this industry as a whole. If you’ve ever wanted to put yourself out there more but didn’t really know how to do it in a way that feels natural, this one’s for you :) Connect with Noella: @noellaandres _______ 🎉MENTORSHIPS If you’re craving direction in your photo business, want real, honest guidance, or just wanna hang with me in person—my 1:1 mentorships are open (in person or virtual)! https://www.alexblakeeducation.com/services [https://www.alexblakeeducation.com/services] LET’S CONNECT 🫶 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexblakephotographyhttps://www.instagram.com/alexblakephoto [https://www.instagram.com/alexblakephoto] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/Alexblakephoto [https://www.tiktok.com/Alexblakephoto] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexblakephotography [https://www.facebook.com/alexblakephotography] STUFF I SWEAR BY 🫡 My Gear, Bible Stuff, + Life Faves: https://www.amazon.com/shop/alexblakeotto [https://www.amazon.com/shop/alexblakeotto] Pass Gallery – 1 Month Free: https://alexblakephotography.passgallery.com/referral [https://alexblakephotography.passgallery.com/referral] AI Editing (30-Day Free Trial): https://aftershoot.com/friends/?ref=alexotto [https://aftershoot.com/friends/?ref=alexotto] HoneyBook Discount (Get organized!): https://share.honeybook.com/alex89263 [https://share.honeybook.com/alex89263] Merch, Presets, & More: https://www.alexblakeeducation.com/ [https://www.alexblakeeducation.com/] PHOTO CAMP INFO 🌊⛺️  https://www.photocampinfo.com [https://www.photocampinfo.com]

seniors to weddings: growth, pricing, and + what changes everything

What does it really take to pivot and grow a photography business? In this episode, I’m sitting down with @paigesmithphoto, who attended the very first Photo Camp, and it’s honestly so special to see how far she’s come since then. We’re talking about what her business looked like back when she came to that first camp, when she was primarily shooting seniors, and how that has evolved into building a wedding photography business. We chat bookings, automations, pricing, creativity, and community. If you’re in a season of growth, pivoting your niche, or trying to figure out your next step, this conversation will give ya some encouragement :) LET’S CONNECT 🫶 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexblakephotographyhttps://www.instagram.com/alexblakephoto [https://www.instagram.com/alexblakephoto] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/Alexblakephoto [https://www.tiktok.com/Alexblakephoto] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexblakephotography [https://www.facebook.com/alexblakephotography] STUFF I SWEAR BY 🫡 My Gear, Bible Stuff, + Life Faves: https://www.amazon.com/shop/alexblakeotto [https://www.amazon.com/shop/alexblakeotto] Pass Gallery – 1 Month Free: https://alexblakephotography.passgallery.com/referral [https://alexblakephotography.passgallery.com/referral] AI Editing (30-Day Free Trial): https://aftershoot.com/friends/?ref=alexotto [https://aftershoot.com/friends/?ref=alexotto] HoneyBook Discount (Get organized!): https://share.honeybook.com/alex89263 [https://share.honeybook.com/alex89263] Merch, Presets, & More: https://www.alexblakeeducation.com/ [https://www.alexblakeeducation.com/] PHOTO CAMP INFO 🌊⛺️  https://www.photocampinfo.com [https://www.photocampinfo.com]

How to Know What Kind of Photographer You Want to Be

If you’ve ever felt like you’re supposed to have your “niche” figured out already… this one’s for you. In this episode, I’m talking all about how to actually figure out what kind of photographer you want to be. Not based on what’s trending, what other people are doing, or what looks good online, but what genuinely fits you! I’m sharing a bit of my own journey, what it looked like when I was shooting everything, and how I started to recognize what I actually enjoyed (and what I didn’t). We’ll walk through the difference between being good at something vs wanting to build a business around it, signs you might be finding your lane, and a few questions you can ask yourself if you’re feeling stuck. If you’re in that phase of trying everything, second guessing yourself, or feeling behind… you’re not. You’re right where you’re supposed to be. Rate and review the pod pls!!!! _______ https://www.alexblakeeducation.com/ [https://www.alexblakeeducation.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexblakephotographyhttps://www.instagram.com/alexblakephoto [https://www.instagram.com/alexblakephoto] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/Alexblakephoto [https://www.tiktok.com/Alexblakephoto] STUFF I SWEAR BY 🫡 My Gear, Bible Stuff, + Life Faves: https://www.amazon.com/shop/alexblakeotto [https://www.amazon.com/shop/alexblakeotto] Pass Gallery – 1 Month Free: https://alexblakephotography.passgallery.com/referral [https://alexblakephotography.passgallery.com/referral] AI Editing (30-Day Free Trial): https://aftershoot.com/friends/?ref=alexotto [https://aftershoot.com/friends/?ref=alexotto] HoneyBook Discount (Get organized!): https://share.honeybook.com/alex89263 [https://share.honeybook.com/alex89263] PHOTO CAMP INFO 🌊⛺️  https://www.photocampinfo.com [https://www.photocampinfo.com]

Money, LLC vs S-Corp, + Paying Yourself (ft @kickstartaccounting)

LETS TALK MONEYYY!! CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Danielle Hayden, joins the show to talk about what it actually looks like to pay yourself consistently, set healthier boundaries, and build a business that supports your life instead of burning you out. We chat about why money feels so emotional for creatives, when to move on to being an S Corp instead of LLC, and the small, realistic shifts that can help you feel more confident with your numbers without living in spreadsheets. If you love what you do but feel stuck financially, this episode is for you. _______ 🎉MENTORSHIPS If you’re craving direction in your photo business, want real, honest guidance, or just wanna hang with me in person—my 1:1 mentorships are open (in person or virtual)! https://www.alexblakeeducation.com/services [https://www.alexblakeeducation.com/services] LET’S CONNECT 🫶 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexblakephotographyhttps://www.instagram.com/alexblakephoto [https://www.instagram.com/alexblakephoto] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/Alexblakephoto [https://www.tiktok.com/Alexblakephoto] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexblakephotography [https://www.facebook.com/alexblakephotography] STUFF I SWEAR BY 🫡 y Gear, Bible Stuff, + Life Faves: https://www.amazon.com/shop/alexblakeotto [https://www.amazon.com/shop/alexblakeotto] Pass Gallery – 1 Month Free: https://alexblakephotography.passgallery.com/referral [https://alexblakephotography.passgallery.com/referral] AI Editing (30-Day Free Trial): https://aftershoot.com/friends/?ref=alexotto [https://aftershoot.com/friends/?ref=alexotto] HoneyBook Discount (Get organized!): https://share.honeybook.com/alex89263 [https://share.honeybook.com/alex89263] Merch, Presets, & More: https://www.alexblakeeducation.com/ [https://www.alexblakeeducation.com/] PHOTO CAMP INFO 🌊⛺️  https://www.photocampinfo.com [https://www.photocampinfo.com]