John Bunn: Getting Unstuck From the Middle Market — Work, Brand & Network

Aaron Anderson shoots six-figure commercial days for brands like Sony PlayStation and YETI, and in this one-on-one with Miles he pulls back the curtain on a side of the industry most of our audience never sees — then gets real about the cost of it. It's part masterclass on high-end commercial work, part honest conversation about burnout, guilt, and giving yourself grace as a creative.The first half is the deep breath a lot of photographers need right now on AI. Aaron doesn't see it as his competition, and he explains why: when a client wanted a different scene outside a window, he had AI writing prompts for AI and it wasn't even close — so he walked outside with the same lens, ISO, and aperture, shot the woods, comped in a reflection, and that file got approved. His take is refreshingly clear: if a client wants to replace him with AI, he never wanted them as a client anyway. And he's watching a movement back toward the real — real people, real product, real light — in one of his busiest years yet.We also get into how a commercial set actually runs: adapting the scene to the client's vision instead of the other way around, running things like a film set with delineated roles, tech scouts and lighting diagrams, and why the era of the "difficult" photographer is over — you can't afford to be anything but kind.Then Aaron goes somewhere vulnerable. He opens up about the guilt and shame he wrestles with, how he treats every finish line like a starting line and burns himself out doing it, and the mantra he's had to learn: "I'm not accidental." This life wasn't luck — it was years of sacrifice from him and his wife Joy — and part of honoring that is learning it's okay to be tired, and okay to take care of the instrument. Because in this scenario, he IS the instrument.WHAT YOU'LL LEARNWhy AI isn't competition for high-end commercial work — and where the real value still livesThe window-reflection story: when going outside to shoot beats any promptHow authenticity became a selling point in the AI eraHow a commercial set really runs: roles, tech scouts, lighting diagrams, and controlWhy kindness and communication matter more than talent for getting hiredThe difference between fatigue and burnout — and why one has to be mournedHow to give yourself grace, protect your mental capacity, and still show up as a parentWhether you shoot weddings, portraits, or brands, this one will steady your nerves about where the industry is headed and challenge how you care for yourself inside it.This episode is brought to you by PhotoCo — the community, education, and coaching space built to help photographers grow businesses that actually last. Come join us: www.joinphotoco.comCONNECT WITH AARON ANDERSONWebsite: https://andersonvisuals.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronandersonvisualsCONNECT WITH PHOTOCOWebsite: https://www.joinphotoco.com

Seventeen years in, shooting as many as 40–50 weddings a year, and Janelle Elise still walks into every room with a giant smile. In an industry where people are famously burned out by year ten and quick to get cynical, that's not an accident — it's a philosophy. This one is a warm, honest conversation about what actually keeps a wedding photography career alive for the long haul.Janelle's whole approach comes back to one idea: people over photos. Beautiful images are the baseline now, not the differentiator — throw a rock at a wedding and you'll hit eleven talented photographers. What clients actually remember is how you made them feel. She shares how her dad shaped that in her ("this is the biggest day of their life, and you get to be part of it — what an honor"), why she'll show up joyful for a couple even on her hardest days, and how making people feel genuinely seen is the thing that refills her tank.We also get into the practical side: why she sets attainable, baby-step goals instead of audacious ones that give you an easy out, why fast turnaround matters so much (it's the number one client complaint about photographers), and her rule to always under-promise and over-deliver. Then there's humility — treating the wedding day like a team sport, grabbing the lighter to help light candles, bustling a dress, fighting quietly behind the scenes for the shot her couple will treasure most.If you've ever worried about staying relevant as trends shift, Janelle's answer is refreshingly simple: the only thing that has to stay relevant is the couple, and how well you serve them.WHAT YOU'LL LEARNWhy "people over photos" is what makes a career timeless as trends changeHow to avoid the year-ten burnout with real work-life balanceSetting attainable, baby-step goals instead of audacious ones you'll bail onWhy fast turnaround is the #1 thing clients care about — and how to over-deliver on itHow humility and a team-first mindset with other vendors elevates the whole dayGoing to battle behind the scenes for your couples (and why kindness gets the "yes")Why the algorithm doesn't book weddings — relationships and referrals doWhether you shoot weddings, portraits, or brands, Janelle will remind you that the humans in front of your lens are the whole point.This episode is brought to you by PhotoCo — the community, education, and coaching space built to help photographers grow businesses that actually last. Come join us: www.joinphotoco.comCONNECT WITH JANELLE ELISEWebsite: https://www.janelleelise.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/janelle.elise.photo

John Bunn started shooting weddings in 2007 to dig his way out of $400k of student loan debt, and 600+ weddings later he's one of the most connected educators in the industry, the guy who's quietly worked with more photographers than almost anyone alive. In this episode we get into the heart behind that: why he's built everything on relationships over time instead of chasing influencer status, and the framework he uses to help creatives get unstuck. John's whole philosophy comes down to three things you have to be good at: your work, your brand, and your network. Most people obsess over the work and between year 18 and 19 they're getting maybe half a percent better — while their brand and network sit neglected. John breaks down why all three have to move together, and how leaning into brand and network is what actually propels you out of the middle market.The part that'll stick with a lot of you: the trifecta. Serving couples you genuinely love, getting paid what you deserve, and creating work that feeds your soul. Most photographers believe they have to give one up. John makes the case that you can have all three — and walks through exactly how to define where you're headed, dissect your best and worst weddings for their real attributes, and steadily feed the top 20–30% of the work you actually want.We also get John's origin story as a lifelong "gatherer" who never wanted anyone to feel alone in a room, how a grieving family asking for footage of a groom who'd passed changed how he saw the work, and how he went from video-only to building a six-figure photo business in under two years by practicing exactly what he preaches.WHAT YOU'LL LEARNThe Work, Brand, Network framework and why focusing on just one keeps you stuckHow to get "unstuck from the middle market" without chasing trendsWhy you can serve couples you love, get paid well, AND make soul-feeding workHow to define your destination and reverse-engineer your dream weddingsThe exercise of dissecting your best and worst weddings to find your ideal clientWhy relationships and network beat influence and follower countsHow to emulate the artists you admire, then elevate into your own styleWhether you shoot photo, video, or both, John will leave you thinking less about the algorithm and more about the life and business you actually want to build.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEThe Shifting Focus Experience — John's two-day, photographer-focused workshop in Tulsa (Oct 27–28), with keynotes, breakout sessions, photo walks, and a full styled wedding shoot. Capped at 100 attendees: https://john-bunn.com/the-shifting-focus-experienceThis episode is brought to you by PhotoCo, the community, education, and coaching space built to help photographers grow businesses that actually last. Come join us: www.joinphotoco.comCONNECT WITH JOHN BUNNPodcast & Education: https://john-bunn.comShifting Focus Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnbunn_Wedding Work: https://www.instagram.com/johnbunnfilmsCONNECT WITH PHOTOCOWebsite: https://www.joinphotoco.com

Chris J. Evans photographs some of the most over-the-top luxury and destination weddings in the world.  Maui to Malta to Lake Como and in this episode he pulls back the curtain on the biggest shift the wedding industry has seen in years: Gen Z is here, and they want something completely different.Chris gets honest about the year his fifteen-year growth streak stalled, the 15 strikeouts in a row that forced him to change, and the single messaging tweak that flipped it back to 15 bookings in a row. We dig into why these couples care less about the polished, romantic "your love story" imagery and more about the collective story of their people — the party, the tribe, the peak-energy gathering of everyone they love.From there it turns into a masterclass on something bigger than photography: how to become the vendor every planner wants in the room. Chris shares how he builds planner relationships that last, why taking work off the planner's plate is the whole game, and the tiny two-second acts of service, wiping down a wet bench, handing umbrellas to the moms in the front row that have booked him entire clients. It all comes back to one idea he lives by, borrowed from the Ritz Carlton: we are ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen.If you're a few years into your business and confident behind the camera but still fighting the fear of "missing the shot," this one will reframe how you think about your real job on a wedding day.WHAT YOU'LL LEARNWhy 65–70% of Chris's couples are now Gen Z, and how their expectations differ from millennial clientsThe messaging and imagery shift that took him from 15 losses to 15 bookings in a rowWhy the day has moved from an 80/20 to a 90/10 workflow — and what that means for how you shootHow to build wedding planner relationships that actually last (and why 99% of his bookings come through them)The hospitality mindset that makes you unforgettable and books you more workHow to get past the insecurity of "missing the shot" and lead with presence insteadWhy Gen Z wants real over perfect, grain, nostalgia, imperfect, and rad and how to lean into itWhether you shoot weddings, brands, or families, Chris will leave you thinking differently about the experience you create,  not just the images you deliver.This episode is brought to you by PhotoCo,  the community, education, and coaching space built to help photographers grow businesses that actually last. Come join us: www.joinphotoco.comCONNECT WITH CHRIS J. EVANSWebsite: https://chrisjevans.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisjevansphoto

Brady Puryear, the founder and CEO of Blacksmith Print Co. and a wedding photographer with 700+ weddings under his belt, joins Miles and Jared for a conversation that goes way deeper than albums. After 12 years behind the camera, Brady built one of the most beloved album companies in the industry on a single radical idea: caring about people is a great business strategy.In this episode, Brady breaks down the In-N-Out vs. McDonald's playbook, why the company that pays more, charges less, and refuses to cut corners still out-earns the competition three to one per location. He shares how to build core values that actually drive decisions (not just marketing fluff), why he's built a "rabid fan base" while being almost completely inactive on social media, and the leadership superpower behind it all: never assuming he's the smartest person in the room.The guys also get into the danger of chasing vanity metrics, why isolation is poison for creatives, and the question every business owner needs to sit with: is your ladder leaned against the right building?What you'll learn:Why caring and generosity are legitimate business strategies, not soft extrasThe In-N-Out vs. McDonald's case study on quality, pricing, and profitHow to build core values that survive a financial hitWhy you can hit six figures before you hit 500 followersThe power of saying no, deciding what you won't do and won't be good atHow to find mentors worth listening to (and the ones to ignore)Whether you're a wedding photographer, a studio owner, or anyone building a business with soul, this is a conversation about choosing quality, leading well, and making sure success doesn't cost you the things that mattered most.Want more from Brady? He's an active member inside PhotoCo, where you can ask him these exact questions and get his wisdom firsthand. Join the community at www.joinphotoco.com.Connect with BradyInstagram: @blacksmithprintcoWebsite: blacksmithprintco.com

Producer, creative director, and owner of The Hybrid Collective, Carrie Moe joins Miles and Jared for a conversation about what separates photographers who thrive from those stuck in a cycle of "there aren't enough inquiries" and "the market dried up." With a background producing creative campaigns for major brands and years curating one of the most respected stages in the wedding industry, Carrie has a rare vantage point on what actually moves a photography business forward.Carrie unpacks why your time is your most valuable currency, how to treat yourself like a luxury brand without losing your soul, and why the photographers who go all-in on a distinct artistic voice are the ones who get paid. She and the guys dig into the resilience it takes to up-level your pricing, the discipline of putting less (not more) on your portfolio, and why getting a coach and finding your community is the fastest way off the couch and into a thriving business.Plus: the resurgence of film in a new generation, why "perfect" was never the goal, how collaboration across a creative team makes the work stronger, and a rapid-fire breakdown of exactly what conferences look for when they pick a main-stage speaker.What you'll learn:Why your time — not your gear — is your most valuable assetHow to up-level your pricing and position yourself in a higher tierThe discipline of a "pro athlete" mindset: training, strategy, and restWhy every "yes" to the wrong client is a "no" to the right oneHow film and a collaborative creative process make the work strongerExactly what conferences look for when curating main-stage speakersWhether you shoot weddings, families, brands, or commercial work, this episode is a masterclass in valuing yourself, casting vision, and building a business that's both profitable and meaningful.Join us at The Hybrid Collective — November 8–11, 2026, in Middleburg, Virginia. Want more?Go behind the scenes of every episode inside PhotoCo, where you'll find exclusive bonus conversations, extended interviews, educational resources, and a growing community of photographers committed to building stronger businesses and more meaningful careers.Join the community at www.joinphotoco.comConnect with Carrie MoeInstagram: @thehybridcoWebsite & Conference Tickets: thehybridco.comUse code BOYER for $275 off.

Family and newborn photographer and educator Elena S Blair joins The Photographic Collective Podcast to unpack how she's built a thriving photography business that's both profitable and deeply personal. With over 300 students coached and years of speaking at events like WPPI, Elena makes the case that systems and soul aren't opposites the right systems are exactly what give you back the time to stay present with clients, family, and the work you love.In this conversation, Elena, Miles, and Jared dig into why "community over competition" isn't just a slogan, how to find your signature style and the courage to go all-in on it, and why most photographers who feel stuck are really just out of time, not talent. Elena also gets honest about handling online negativity, protecting your energy, and why being unapologetically yourself is the best marketing strategy there is.What you'll learn:Why systems protect the heart of your business instead of stripping it awayHow to identify and commit to your signature style — and why it's scarier (and more rewarding) than blending inThe real difference between a struggling photographer and a profitable oneBuilding a calm, repeatable business instead of running on "panic marketing"How to find your people and build a community that pulls you forwardHandling trolls, criticism, and self-doubt when your work means something to youWhether you shoot families, weddings, or brands, this episode is a reminder that you can grow a real, sustainable business without sacrificing the art or the life you got into this for.Want more? Go behind the episode inside PhotoCo, where we're sharing exclusive content with Elena you won't hear anywhere else. Join the community at www.joinphotoco.com.Connect with Elena:Instagram: @elenasblair_photographyWebsite: elenasblair.comPodcast: The Empowered Photographer

How do you build a wedding photography business that actually lasts?How do you create wedding albums couples will treasure for generations instead of galleries that disappear into cloud storage and forgotten hard drives?And how do you stop reacting to chaos in your business long enough to actually build something intentional?This week on the PHOTOCO Podcast, we sat down with Nathan Desh for one of the most practical and perspective-shifting conversations we’ve had in a long time.We talked about wedding photography storytelling, album design, second shooting, business systems, long-term thinking, creativity, legacy, client experience, and why photographers need to stop trying to skip straight to chapter 10.Nathan shares how he went from shooting weddings for a few hundred dollars while working as an electrician… to photographing more than 850 weddings… to building platforms like Storybook and Shoot With Me that are helping photographers all over the industry.But honestly… this episode became about way more than photography.This conversation is really about building a meaningful life and business with intentionality.We unpack:• How to build a photography business with long-term vision• Why wedding albums still matter in 2026• How to become a better wedding storyteller• The biggest mistakes photographers make with second shooting• Why most photographers struggle to create consistent leads• How to work backwards from your goals instead of living reactively• Why photographers need to think beyond Instagram trends• How to create a wedding photography experience couples actually remember• The difference between “pretty photos” and meaningful images• Why solving problems is one of the most important skills in businessNathan also shares incredible insight into how couples actually experience their wedding photos over time… and why the images photographers love most are often NOT the images that matter most to clients years later.If you’re a wedding photographer trying to:book more weddingsbuild a stronger photography brandimprove your client experiencecreate better wedding albumsbecome a better second shooterbuild systems that scalethink more strategically about your photography businessor simply create work that actually means something……this episode is for you.KEY MOMENTS:00:00 Nathan’s unexpected journey into wedding photography08:12 Learning creativity through experimentation15:47 Why albums completely change the way you shoot weddings24:31 The problem with modern wedding photography trends31:04 How to work backwards from long-term goals42:26 Building better client experiences through storytelling51:08 Why second shooting is broken for most photographers58:44 The creation of Shoot With Me1:06:19 Why problem solvers win in business and lifeQUOTES FROM THE EPISODE:“You have to start with the end outcome and work backward from there.”“The photos couples value most are usually different than the photos photographers think are the coolest.”“I would rather fail trying than regret never taking action.”“The goal isn’t just beautiful images. It’s helping people remember what their wedding day actually felt like.”MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Shoot With MeStorybook AlbumsJoin PHOTOCO HereFollow:Miles Witt Boyer InstagramJared Mark Fincher InstagramThe PHOTOCO Podcast is hosted by Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher and is focused on wedding photography, creative business, storytelling, marketing, mindset, client experience, artistic growth, and building a meaningful career in the photography industry.

There are photographers who create pretty images.And then there are artists who create work that actually feels something.This week on the podcast, we sit down with Esther Kay to talk about intentionality, motherhood, vulnerability, artistry, confidence, and what it really means to build work that makes your heart skip a beat.https://www.estherkaystudio.com/What started as a conversation about photography quickly turned into something much deeper.We talk about:• Why Esther believes women often forget who they are after motherhood• The pressure women face in business and creativity• Building a brand that feels magnetic without chasing trends• The importance of surrounding yourself with people who sharpen you• Why education changed everything for her career• The difference between creating art and simply providing a service• How vulnerability creates trust with clients• Why intentionality matters more than perfection• The importance of creating work YOU love instead of work that simply performs onlineOne of the most powerful moments in the episode comes when Esther says:“If that art that I’m creating doesn’t feed my soul, I’m not creating art. I’m just providing service.”This conversation felt honest, refreshing, empowering, and deeply human.Whether you are a photographer, artist, entrepreneur, parent, or simply someone trying to figure out how to create a life that actually feels aligned, this episode is going to hit home.!! PHOTOCO !!Want deeper conversations like this every single month?Inside PHOTOCO we host:• Full podcast aftercasts• Monthly coaching calls• Live community calls• Exclusive trainings• Business education• Marketing strategy• Client experience frameworks• Editing workflows• Creative developmentJoin the community here:www.mileswittboyer.com/photoKEY TAKEAWAYS1. Intentionality changes everythingEsther repeatedly talks about how every part of her business and artistry is intentional.The lighting.The posing.The relationships.The people she surrounds herself with.The way she makes clients feel.Nothing is accidental.2. Great artists stay studentsOne of the biggest themes of the episode is that Esther still invests heavily into learning.Workshops.Conferences.One on ones.Genres outside her niche.She believes creators stop growing the moment they stop learning.3. You do not need everyone to love your workThis was one of the strongest moments of the conversation.Esther talks about how photographers often chase validation instead of building work they genuinely love.“The right people will be attracted to it.”That line alone is worth listening to this episode.4. Vulnerability creates connectionEsther’s work is deeply emotional because she allows herself to be human first.Her clients trust her because she shows up honestly as herself.Not polished.Not perfect.Real.5. Powerful matters more than prettyThis might be the heartbeat of the entire episode.Esther is not simply trying to create flattering images.She wants women to feel powerful again.That changes everything about the way she photographs.

This episode is a little different… because it’s not polished, it’s not scripted, and honestly, it’s not trying to be either.What you’re about to hear is a live conversation from the stage at WPPI 2026 with one of the most respected creative minds in our industry, Fer Juaristi.Fer has been photographing weddings for over 20 years, and what makes him different isn’t just his work… it’s the way he sees the world.This conversation goes way beyond photography. It’s about curiosity. It’s about resisting the pressure to conform. It’s about building a life and a career that actually feels like yours.We talk about:Why chasing money is the fastest way to lose your creativityHow curiosity becomes your greatest competitive advantageThe danger of consuming too much from within the industryWhat it actually looks like to build a sustainable creative lifeWhy slowing down might be the most important thing you do this yearAnd maybe the most important idea from the entire conversation:You are a photographer long before you ever pick up a camera. Aftercast (PHOTOCO Exclusive):Inside PHOTOCO, we go deeper into this conversation with a private Aftercast episode where Miles breaks this down into real, actionable steps.We unpack:How to stay creative when every wedding starts to feel the sameThe difference between reacting vs. intentionally creatingWhy most photographers lose their best images without realizing itHow to build a creative process that actually evolves your workAnd most importantly…How to stay curious when the industry is constantly pulling you toward sameness.Key Takeaways from This Episode:You don’t “turn on” creativity at weddings… you either live curious or you don’tWhat you consume shapes what you createConfidence is not required to create meaningful workCreativity requires space, margin, and permission to failSpeed is killing more photographers than competition ever willIf you don’t define success for yourself, the industry will do it for youWhat We Talked About in the Aftercast (Sneak Peek):In the Aftercast, Miles expands on Fer’s ideas and brings structure to them:Why intentionality is the new luxury in wedding photographyHow to shift from shooting moments → to building imagesThe concept of “creative security” and how to create it on wedding daysWhy personal projects are the missing piece in most photographers’ growthThe real reason photographers plateau after 5–10 yearsIf this episode sparked something in you, the Aftercast is where it gets practical.Join PHOTOCO (The Photographic Collective):If you want more than just inspiration… if you want real growth, structure, and community, PHOTOCO is where that happens.Inside PHOTOCO, you’ll get:Full Aftercast episodes (like this one) breaking down every podcast25+ in-depth trainings on weddings, business, and creativityMonthly live coaching callsAccess to a community of photographers who actually care about getting betterReal workflows, systems, and conversations that move your work forwardThis is where photographers go when they’re ready to stop guessing.👉 Join PHOTOCO: https://www.photoco.com👉 Explore more: https://www.mileswittboyer.comConnect with Us:Follow Miles: https://www.instagram.com/mileswittboyerFollow the Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/photographiccollectiveFinal Thought:You can chase trends.You can chase validation.You can chase what everyone else is doing.Or…You can fall in love with the process.Because if you do that…everything else has a way of falling into place.If this episode hit home, share it with someone who needs it.