THE LIGHT BETWEEN

In this episode, we dive into the real journey behind pursuing your photography dreams, beyond the highlight reels and motivational clichés. I share my own experiences with rejection, persistence, and the unexpected paths that opened up along the way. We explore how taking small, aligned actions can build self-trust, why it’s important to zoom out for perspective, and how to recognize when a path is no longer serving you. I believe luck is something you can create. You don’t have to wait for luck or the right moment. Big breaks happen, but you can create your own luck and own doors to new opportunities. You’ll also get practical, actionable tips for reaching out to new opportunities and expanding what you believe is possible for yourself. Whether you’re feeling stuck or ready for your next breakthrough, this episode is here to help you move forward with intention and courage.I hope it helps you wherever you are on your photography journey. AlannaxLearn more about my mentorship program: https://alannaoneil.com/mentorshipWould you like to work together? Send me a note, I’d love to hear from you — [email protected]’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Alanna’s Substack at alannaoneil.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Light Between, you’ll discover how embracing presence, patience, and curiosity can transform not just your travel photography but the way you experience the world. I’ll share practical tips and personal stories that show how slowing down and paying attention to subtle moments and overlooked details can help you create more meaningful, memorable images. Developing your peripheral vision is key to capturing richer travel photos. Inspired by Anthony Bourdain’s open, respectful approach to travel, we’ll talk about letting go of expectations and being receptive to the unexpected, skills that can enrich both your photography and your life. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just exploring your own neighborhood, this episode will help you see beyond the obvious, find deeper stories in every scene, and approach each encounter as a chance to learn, connect, and grow.I hope you enjoy this short but sweet episode!Join the waitlist for my holistic photography program: https://alannaoneil.com/vvc-waitlistI’d appreciate your support to help raise funds for WWF(World Wildlife Fund) for the 2026 Paris Marathon: https://www.justgiving.com/page/alanna-oneil-777Alanna’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Alanna’s Substack at alannaoneil.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Light Between, I explore the difference between self-judgment and soulful critique, and how learning to reflect on your photography with curiosity rather than harshness can transform both your creative growth and your relationship with your work. I share a gentle framework for reviewing photos that balances technical skill with personal expression, starting with intention, separating craft from emotion, engaging the senses, and using experimentation as a tool for learning rather than self-criticism. I explore the importance of visual literacy, presence, and why photography is an extension of your lived experience, not something to be measured against perfection or comparison. This episode is an invitation to soften your inner critic, trust your evolving voice, and remember that every image is part of your unique creative story as you move forward with more grace, awareness, and confidence.I hope you enjoy it!Thanks for listening!Join the waitlist for my holistic photography program: https://alannaoneil.com/vvc-waitlistI’d appreciate your support to help raise funds for WWF(World Wildlife Fund) for the 2026 Paris Marathon: https://www.justgiving.com/page/alanna-oneil-777 Get full access to Alanna’s Substack at alannaoneil.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode of The Light Between, I explore a question I’m asked all the time:How do you truly improve as a photographer?My answer has very little to do with your camera and everything to do with your capacity to observe, to feel, to be present, and to let the world around you shape your inner world.I share how photography becomes a meditation when we slow down enough to actually see: the way light sculpts a scene, the subtle details we usually rush past, the quiet wisdom found in stillness. From a golden beam of sunlight breaking through the clouds on a rainy walk to a tiny sparrow, these moments remind us that beauty is always happening around us, waiting to be witnessed.Photography is not just about framing a subject. It’s about becoming an active participant in the world. When we tune into the light, the layers, the movement, and the emotional weather within us, we begin to create from a deeper, more grounded place. This is an invitation to slow down and come back to the basics of observation and presence. I hope you enjoy it!Thanks for listening!Join the waitlist for my holistic photography program: https://alannaoneil.com/vvc-waitlistI’d appreciate your support to help raise funds for WWF(World Wildlife Fund) for the 2026 Paris Marathon: https://www.justgiving.com/page/alanna-oneil-777Alanna’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Alanna’s Substack at alannaoneil.substack.com/subscribe

I hope you are well!In this episode of The Light Between, we explore the idea of “getting it right in camera,” both in photography and in life. I chat about what you should ideally “get right” in camera and why. Also, I reflect on how photography teaches us to meet the moment as it is, to trust our instincts, and to find beauty in imperfection, even when things don’t go as planned. From exposure and composition to light and shadow, every element —both in our images and in our lives —plays a role in shaping the bigger picture. In the end, it’s not about getting it perfect, but about learning to see with patience, presence, and heart.Thanks for listening!Join the waitlist for my holistic photography program: https://alannaoneil.com/vvc-waitlistI’d appreciate your support to help raise funds for WWF(World Wildlife Fund) for the 2026 Paris Marathon: https://www.justgiving.com/page/alanna-oneil-777 Get full access to Alanna’s Substack at alannaoneil.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Light Between, I explore what it means to find inspiration in the ordinary—the everyday light, moments, and details that often go unnoticed—and how patience and presence are key to photography. We’ll chat about those seasons when photography feels flat or routine and how, instead of chasing new destinations or dramatic scenes, we can reignite our vision by slowing down, observing patiently, and connecting deeply with what’s right in front of us. Through stories, gentle exercises, and practical tips, I’ll share how light, movement, and repetition can help you rediscover beauty in your familiar surroundings, train your eye to observe, and bring more presence and soul into your work. This episode is an invitation to see your world and yourself with fresh eyes.Thanks for listening!Join the waitlist for my holistic photography program: https://alannaoneil.com/vvc-waitlistI’d appreciate your support to help raise funds for WWF(World Wildlife Fund) for the 2026 Paris Marathon: https://www.justgiving.com/page/alanna-oneil-777Alanna’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Alanna’s Substack at alannaoneil.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we’ll discuss the pressure to niche and what happens when we let that pressure shape our creative voice too soon. So many photographers feel torn between what sells and what feels true, but sometimes the real challenge is in allowing yourself to explore without a label. I share thoughts on how your style and subject matter can evolve naturally when you stop trying to fit into a box and start paying attention to what genuinely lights you up. This conversation is an invitation to trust the season you’re in and remember that your work doesn’t need to be one thing to be meaningful.I also share lessons I’ve learned from shooting across different genres and how you can define your photography truths to stay aligned with your visual voice.Thanks for listening!Join the waitlist for my holistic photography program: https://alannaoneil.com/vvc-waitlistI’d appreciate your support to help raise funds for WWF(World Wildlife Fund) for the 2026 Paris Marathon: https://www.justgiving.com/page/alanna-oneil-777Alanna’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Alanna’s Substack at alannaoneil.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Light Between, we explore what it truly means to be your own lighthouse, to navigate uncertainty, trust your intuition, and create from your center.We’ll explore how to let go of the need for validation, reconnect with your creative voice, and create for yourself rather than for approval.This episode is an invitation to return to your own inner compass, nurture your creative energy, and remember that what’s meant for you will always find its way when you stay grounded in your own light.Thanks for listening!Join the waitlist for my holistic photography program: https://alannaoneil.com/vvc-waitlistI'd appreciate your support to help raise funds for WWF(World Wildlife Fund) for the 2026 Paris Marathon: https://www.justgiving.com/page/alanna-oneil-777To join my photography newsletter: https://alannaoneil.com/ Get full access to Alanna’s Substack at alannaoneil.substack.com/subscribe

This episode of The Light Between explores the question every photographer faces: “Is this photo actually any good?” We’ll explore how to move beyond self-doubt and the need for external validation, encouraging a mindset shift from judgment to curiosity. The episode dives into what really makes a photograph “good,” not just technical perfection, but the story, emotion, and authenticity it conveys.Listeners are guided to ask reflective questions about their work, focusing on what resonates with them personally instead of merely adhering to photographic rules. This episode empowers photographers to define their own standards of “good,” balancing traditional principles with intuition and personal expression. It’s time to take your creative power back. Define what “good” is to you and your visual voice.Sign up for the waitlist for my holistic photography program, Visual Voices Collective, if you’d like to hone your visual voice and improve your skills. https://alannaoneil.com/https://www.instagram.com/alannaoneilphoto/ Get full access to Alanna’s Substack at alannaoneil.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we’re exploring the art of visual storytelling in photography. I’ll discuss how to move beyond merely taking pictures to creating photographs that connect, evoke emotion, and transport the viewer. We’ll dive into my framework for building a visual story, the importance of presence and intuition, and how asking “who, what, where, and when” can shape your narrative. I’ll also share why not every photo needs a story, how beauty alone can be powerful, and why a sequence of images, much like pages in a book, can tell a deeper, more layered story. Whether you’re shooting for yourself or a client, this episode is an invitation to slow down, look closer, and see your work as part of something larger, a story only you can tell.Alanna’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Alanna’s Substack at alannaoneil.substack.com/subscribe