The Truth About “Perfect” Wedding Photos - Gabe McClintock

This episode feels like sitting across the table from us at the end of a long year... coffee going cold, passports still dusty, calendars already filling back up.Jared and I walk through the heart of our Arkansas Wedding Photographer blog and use it as a launch point to reminisce on 2025: the travel, the work, the moments that surprised us, and the ones that quietly shaped who we’re becoming. But more than that, this conversation is about something bigger... how we’re actively painting a picture of who we are in real time, without letting either success or complacency steal our creativity and joy.We talk honestly about resisting autopilot, protecting curiosity, and choosing intention over rinse-and-repeat.Along the way, we keep coming back to a few questions that feel especially important right now:“Can we not rinse and repeat our whole year?”“Can we celebrate the good things?”“Sometimes it’s important to reset the WHY.”This episode is part reflection, part permission slip, and part reminder that growth doesn’t have to mean losing yourself. Whether you’re a photographer, creative, or just someone trying to build a meaningful life alongside meaningful work—this one’s for you.LINKS & RESOURCES📖 Read the blog we’re unpacking in this episode:https://www.mileswittboyer.com/blog/arkansas-wedding-photographer📸 Follow along on Instagram:https://instagram.com/mileswittboyer🎓 Join PHOTOCO + go deeper with us:https://www.mileswittboyer.com/photoSEE YOU IN PERSON📍 IMAGING USA — NashvilleCatch Miles in Nashville on January 10–11, 2026, including PHOTOCO happenings around the city during IMAGING USA.📍 WPPI — Las VegasMiles will be speaking on stage at WPPI in March, diving deeper into creativity, longevity, and building a career that still feels like yours.If you’ve been feeling the pull to slow down, zoom out, and ask better questions—press play.

In this episode of the Photographic Collective Podcast, Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher sit down with legendary destination wedding and elopement photographer Gabe McClintock for a conversation that feels like a reset button for your creative brain.They unpack why so many high level artists feel like imposters, why Gabe thrives in friction and chaos, and how he earns the kind of trust that lets him meet couples on the day of and create images that feel calm inside the mayhem. From shooting wide open in massive environments to hiking into wild places like Iceland volcanoes, Gabe breaks down what actually matters: emotion over perfection, focus over trends, and art that comes from doing the hard thing on purpose.If you feel buried under trends, presets, posing prompts, or “how to be everything to everyone” pressure, this episode is your permission slip to simplify and get back to the work that feels like you.THEMES FROM THIS EPISODE• Why “imposter syndrome” shows up in almost every respected artist• Gabe’s take on photography as a craft vs a “creative identity”• The technical choice that gives Gabe’s work that ethereal, painterly feel (and why it matters)• Trust as the true currency of destination work• How sales skills translate into confident direction and client buy in• Why chaos and friction can create the most honest images• Iceland volcano story: what went right, what went terrifying, and why he’d still do it again• The trap of social media noise, presets, trend chasing, and copying• Gabe’s simplest advice for photographers trying to find their voice: mute the noise and shoot what makes you feel something• A real conversation about staying focused in your lane for the long gameGabe McClintock is a Calgary, Canada based destination wedding and elopement photographer known for cinematic, emotional imagery that feels calm even in the most chaotic environments. With 15+ years of experience photographing couples around the world, Gabe has become one of the most influential voices in modern adventure wedding photography, recognized for his ability to create unforced, unscripted work rooted in trust, atmosphere, and honest connection. https://www.gabemcclintock.com/

On this one Jared and I sat down with our friend Ryan Teague from Feather and Finch Photography all the way on the Gold Coast of Australia. Ryan is one of those rare photographers who has been wildly “successful” on paper, shooting 120 plus weddings a year, and still had the courage to ask if any of it actually lined up with the life he wanted.We talk about falling in and out of love with photography, what it does to your heart to be a dad to a son with special needs, why surfing every sunrise might be a better business plan than your current workflow, and how much more powerful your work becomes when you stop trying to impress the internet and start trying to really serve the people in front of your lens.If you have ever looked at your own work and thought “this came too easy, is it really worth what I am charging” or felt that quiet little pull to slow down and be more present, this episode is going to hit you in the best way.In this episode we get into:The 120 weddings a year seasonHow Ryan built a fast growing brand on the Gold Coast, what it felt like when the work was almost too easy, and why that started to mess with his sense of value.Falling out of love and finding it againThe honest side of running your own business for years, the seasons where you could not care less about picking up a camera, and the small shifts that brought him back.Rethinking “candid” and “documentary”Ryan talks about how couples use these words, what they actually expect on the wedding day, and how he now has very specific conversations up front so the experience matches the marketing.Empathy first, ego secondWe talk about the difference between being the entertainer at the center of the room and being the quiet presence that makes the room feel safe, and why he is willing to sacrifice a perfect frame if it means his couple stays grounded.Meditative portraits and quiet framesHow music, stillness, and silence shape the way Ryan shoots portraits, why he chases “quiet” images, and what it looks like to invite a couple into a slower, more intentional moment on their wedding day.Parenting, disability, and a very different true northRyan shares how being a dad to a ten year old with cerebral palsy and autism has completely changed his priorities and made it very hard to care about the little vanity games we all get sucked into in this industry.Designing a slower life on purposeSunrise surf sessions, short office days, training, and building a rhythm that actually supports his health and his family instead of constantly demanding more from them.Aftercast preview inside PHOTOCOIn the Aftercast for members we dig into the actual questions Ryan asks his couples, how he prepares them for a more meditative experience, and how he is thinking about storytelling over an entire wedding day as his style shifts.Listen to more episodes and read the show notesPhotographic Collective Podcast homehttps://www.mileswittboyer.com/podcastJoin PHOTOCO and get the Aftercast with RyanPhotographic Collective membership and training platformhttps://www.mileswittboyer.com/photoLearn more about the Photographic Collective communityhttps://www.mileswittboyer.com/photographic-collectiveFeather and Finch Photographyhttps://www.featherandfinchphotography.com.auFeather and Finch on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/featherandfinchphotographyMiles Witt BoyerWebsitehttps://www.mileswittboyer.comInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/mileswittboyerJared Mark FincherWebsitehttps://www.jaredmarkfincher.comInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/jaredmarkfincherIf you are new around here, the Photographic Collective Podcast is basically Jared and me sitting down with people we really respect and pulling on the threads that actually matter. Creativity, business, family, burnout, ego, money, all of it.PHOTOCO membership and Aftercast accesshttps://www.mileswittboyer.com/photo

Episode DescriptionJared and I sat down with Jeff Chang from The Apartment and it felt like talking shop with an old friend who still wakes up excited to make pictures. We dig into how to protect the art, why composition is really about proportion, and how trust with your couples unlocks the best frames. If you are tired of rinse and repeat, this one is a reset. PHOTOCO members get an Aftercast where Jeff lays out simple steps to last a full career without losing joy. Join us at mileswittboyer.com/photo for the Aftercast and all the perks.GuestJeff Chang of The ApartmentWhat we coverThe artist struggle and how to keep your work fresh after nearly two decadesComposition as proportion and the bento box way to see a frameWhy connection comes first and direction works better after thatPartnership in the field and how a trusted teammate lifts everythingBurnout myths and the habits that make room for joyChasing trends with taste including direct flash and when to move onJoin PHOTOCO for the Aftercast with JeffMembers get a bonus episode with Jeff’s practical roadmap for longevity, portfolio evolution, and upgrades to client experience. Grab access at mileswittboyer.com/photo and listen today.LinksPHOTOCO membership and Aftercast access: mileswittboyer.com/photoHow we use AI to buy back time with Imagen AI: https://imagen-ai.com/?ref=mileswittboyerSubscribe and review on Apple and SpotifyMembership info any time: mileswittboyer.com/photoPeople first wins. When couples feel known, the photos breatheProportion matters. Let parts of the frame rest and place your subjects with intentionThe right shot looks different for every couple. Build a toolkit and pivot fastA good partner doubles your eyes and calms the roomJoy sticks around when you protect time for the art and keep the business simpleStart with connection. Take two minutes off camera and remind your couple what this day meansGuide with a steady flow. Gentle prompts keep energy up and nerves downBuild your nine pack. Three prompts for movement, three for stillness, three for close connectionScout for proportion. Find light and lines first, then place people where the frame already singsTag team. If you work with a partner, trade two minute windows to chase a bold ideaThe Apartment origin story and why simple names stick when they come from real lifeThe bento box metaphor you will never unseeWhy in person meetings book higher than Zoom and how that trust shows up in the workThe real way to avoid burnout and keep loving the craftWelcome and why this one mattersThe Apartment originComposition as proportionTrust before directionPartnership on a wedding dayLongevity and protecting the artAftercast inviteIf this conversation fired you up, come sit with us inside PHOTOCO. The Aftercast with Jeff is loaded with step by step ideas you can put to work on your next wedding. Join now at mileswittboyer.com/photo. Bring your questions to the next live call, grab the bonus resources, and keep the momentum going.wedding photography podcast, Jeff Chang, The Apartment Photo, luxury wedding photography, fine art wedding photography, composition tips, client experience, photography longevity, creative burnout, Northwest Arkansas wedding photographer, Imagen AI workflow

Jenny Day from Jenny Pearl Photography joins Miles and Jared for a conversation that hits every photographer in the sweet spot. From growing up off the grid in Montana to building a sought-after wedding brand in Utah, Jenny shares how curiosity became her greatest tool, why she refuses to live in one visual box, and how moms and new photographers can build real momentum with simple systems and brave creativity. We dig into lighting beyond golden hour, clean color and skin tones, time blocking, Patreon education, and turning imposter syndrome into a challenge that actually fuels growth. Stay to the end for the Aftercast preview where Jenny walks through starter camera settings and business basics.WHAT YOU’LL LEARN• Curiosity as a superpower to keep your work fresh• Lighting beyond golden hour (harsh light, shadows, uneven light)• Composition prompts that move you past “safe” poses• Systems that buy your time back (HoneyBook, editing flow)• Education with receipts (monthly styled shoots, BTS, full edits)• Mindset shifts to turn comparison into a useful challenge• A client intake that tailors the experience to every coupleCONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS• Off-grid beginnings and learning tech with ChatGPT• Variety over niche and a monthly concept engine• Canon R5 color and skin tones, plus DSLR backup workflow• Word of mouth + consistent Instagram as growth engines• Editing faster and overthinking less with Imagen AI• The exact pre-wedding questions Jenny asks to customize direction and timeline• Managing travel, parenting, and business with time blocking• Choosing fewer, higher-level weddings while expanding educationTACTICAL TAKEAWAYS• Build a monthly creative theme for yourself or your community• Schedule your brain: deep work by day, light cull/polish while you unwind• Use a couple questionnaire to clarify direction, priorities, and style• Practice hard lighting on low-stakes shoots so wedding-day stress drops• Treat envy as data: reverse-engineer what you admire and train that skillIMPORTANT LINKS• PHOTOCO Aftercast (extended episode with Jenny’s camera settings and starter systems): join inside the Photographic Collective https://www.mileswittboyer.com/photo• Imagen AI (Miles’s referral): https://imagen-ai.com/?ref=mileswittboyer• Miles Witt Boyer site: https://www.mileswittboyer.comCHAPTERS00:00 Welcome and why Jenny’s color stops Jared in his tracks06:40 Off-grid beginnings and learning tech with ChatGPT15:22 Variety over niche and the monthly concept engine23:10 Lighting in the real world31:45 Systems for moms and makers39:20 Tools that help: HoneyBook and Imagen47:05 Client intake that personalizes the whole day54:50 Turning comparison into a challenge59:20 Aftercast previewLove this one? Jump into the PHOTOCO Aftercast for Jenny’s step-by-step settings and starter systems, then use the Imagen link to win back your editing time. Subscribe, rate, and share with a friend who needs a creative push today.

This week's episode brought to you by IMAGEN Ai.This week, Miles and Jared sit down with Michelle Harris, luxury destination wedding photographer, Sigma ambassador, and powerhouse educator behind M Harris Studios, Laila Chanel Studios, and the 2K+ M Harris Hustlers community.From founding multiple brands to raising her daughters as a single mom and teaching thousands of photographers worldwide, Michelle has become a voice of confidence, community, and unapologetic hustle in an industry that often confuses success with perfection.In this conversation, Michelle opens up about the lessons she’s learned building associate teams in D.C. and Atlanta, creating systems for sustainable growth, and redefining what “hustle” really means. You’ll hear the heart behind her education, the real story of how her Master the City workshops started, and how she built a business that genuinely serves people while raising a family.Plus, Michelle shares practical steps for managing clients, creating emotional connection, and running consultations that book—and the mindset shifts that make it all possible.🎧 AFTERCAST BONUS: PHOTOCO members get an exclusive session with Michelle, “How Not to Get Ghosted: How to Book Weddings During a Consultation” — available only inside the PHOTOCO membership community.👉 Join at mileswittboyer.com/photo to unlock the Aftercast and get weekly education, resources, and coaching with Miles, Jared, and the PHOTOCO team.Systems Over Stress: Michelle’s repeatable workflows for posing, lighting, and editing keep her creativity sharp and her brand consistent.Education as Legacy: Teaching was never a “pivot” for her—it was a promise. She built her workshops because no one looked like her in education spaces when she began.Scaling with Heart: How she grew two associate teams across states while maintaining personal relationships with every client and community member.Confidence Is Contagious: Why her energy in client calls and workshops comes from genuine purpose, not performance.The Power of Community: How the M Harris Hustlers became more than a Facebook group—it’s an ecosystem of accountability and growth.Creative Motherhood: How being a mom fuels her work ethic and keeps her grounded.Client Care that Converts: Her signature approach—spending real time, humanizing the process, and becoming the advocate her brides didn’t know they needed.Southern Wedding Culture: Michelle shares how moving to Atlanta doubled her diversity in clients and gave her new perspective on style, flash, and culture in weddings.Rest Before Risk: Learning to pause, reflect, and let her children remind her to shut the laptop once in a while.Michelle HarrisWebsite: mharrisstudios.comInstagram: @mharris_studiosAssociate Brand: Laila Chanel StudiosCommunity: M Harris HustlersEducation & Workshops: Master the CityPHOTOCOJoin PHOTOCO + Aftercast: mileswittboyer.com/photoInstagram: @photographiccollectiveHostsMiles Witt Boyer: @mileswittboyerJared Mark Fincher: @jaredmarkfincherJoin the PHOTOCO community to access Michelle’s full Aftercast episode, “How Not to Get Ghosted — How to Book Weddings During a Consultation.” You’ll get direct insight into her real consultation framework, pricing psychology, and the exact steps that turn conversations into bookings.👉 Join PHOTOCO for exclusive podcast extras, monthly live calls, and the full Aftercast library.

Preston Luke went from small-town senior photographer to creator, educator, and creative director with an audience of 1M+ across Instagram and TikTok. In this conversation, Preston breaks down the practical steps behind turning your photo brand into a creator business—while staying sane and protecting your love for the craft.We cover:The photographer → creator pivot (and why he paused client work to open new doors)Content systems, editing help, and posting cadence that fueled rapid growthPitching and delivering for brand partners (Nikon, Adobe, SanDisk, Best Buy)Building a business that goes beyond sessions: presets, workshops, and Slate StudiosThe senior-model team engine he built across 30+ school districtsMental health, a 250-lb weight-loss journey, and taking a strategic break when growth got heavyConfidence vs. imposter syndrome (and why “showing up” as the brand matters)🎧 Stick around to the end for how Preston prices seniors at the high end, the full year-round senior playbook, and why delayed posting keeps him present on shoots.💬 AFTERCAST: Members get Preston’s tactical deep-dive on building a luxury senior offer, annual calendar, and pricing strategy. Join PHOTOCO below.—Hosted by Miles Witt Boyer & Jared Mark Fincher on the Photographic Collective Podcast.Preston LukeWebsite: prestonluke.com Preston LukeInstagram: @iamprestonluke InstagramPresets (Desktop & Mobile bundle): prestonluke.com/shop/p/preston-luke-presets-desktop-mobile Preston LukeDesktop Presets (individual): prestonluke.com/shop/p/preston-luke-desktop-presets Preston LukeEvents / Workshops: prestonluke.com/events-1 Preston Luke“Club Content” workshop preview (IG): instagram.com/p/C3-e2Z1OkuE/ InstagramSlate Studios (Preston’s all-white natural-light space)Instagram: @sl8studios InstagramBooking (via IG bio link): slatestudios.as.me (linked from @sl8studios bio) InstagramWhy “SLATE” (origin story reel): instagram.com/p/C_RfxrBsYpW/ InstagramPHOTOCO / Aftercast AccessJoin PHOTOCO (membership + Aftercast access): mileswittboyer.com/photo Miles Witt Boyer Photographic CollectiveSubscribe to the Photographic Collective PodcastApple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/photographic-collective-podcast-with-miles-witt-boyer/id1586170715 Apple PodcastsSpotify: open.spotify.com/show/7iYqQmxuNvgkkkxfnkOfOl SpotifyHostsMiles Witt Boyer (IG): @mileswittboyer InstagramJared Mark Fincher (IG): @jaredmarkfincher Instagram

We love conversations like this. Staci Brucks sat down with Jared and me and let us into the real story. Five years ago she was working in cardiac rehab. Today she’s a fast-rising wedding photographer with a gift for connection and a presence online that feels honest and fun. We talk about how she found her voice, why consistency beats perfection, the realities of destination work, packing smart, and how simple behind-the-scenes clips can build trust with the right clients.Staci’s approach is all heart and all hustle. If you’ve been stuck second-guessing your work or overthinking your marketing, this one will feel like a reset.Join PHOTOCO to hear the exclusive AFTERCAST with Staci where we dig into her workflow, social strategy, and the little systems that keep her business moving: www.mileswittboyer.com/photoFollow Staci:Instagram: @stacibrucksphotoWebsite: stacibrucksphoto.comFollow your hosts:Miles on Instagram: @mileswittboyerJared on Instagram: @jaredmarkfincherWatch the video episode and more:YouTube: The Photographic Collective

In this episode of The Photographic Collective Podcast, Miles and Jared sit down with LA-based photographer and educator Summer Grace. Known for her film and digital artistry, as well as her growing influence in education, Summer shares a raw, authentic look into her journey of balancing business, motherhood, and creative fulfillment.The conversation touches on her shift from shooting a heavy wedding load to focusing more on Summer School, her educational platform, while raising her daughter Georgia alongside her husband Jake. Summer opens up about the tension between business and art, why success is not defined by six-figure income metrics, and how she finds balance by prioritizing sustainability, creativity, and family.Listeners will hear candid insights on avoiding burnout, defining personal success, resisting trends, motherhood as a creative discipline, and embracing business as an art form.Success is Personal: Summer redefines success as living to work (loving what you do so it doesn’t feel like work), rather than working to live. For her, success blends creativity, financial sustainability, and family balance.Business as Art: She views business not as separate from creativity but as a complementary art form. Running a strong business allows her the freedom to be a better artist and parent.Resisting Trends: Summer emphasizes staying true to personal style and brand rather than conforming to industry fads.Education with Integrity: Instead of teaching “get rich quick” six-figure formulas, she focuses on holistic growth—helping photographers create art they’re proud of and a life they love.Motherhood & Discipline: Parenthood has made her more disciplined and efficient, valuing her time more deeply while still embracing imperfection.Creative Renewal: Some of her best work comes from self-initiated, unpaid projects. She encourages artists to carve out time for shoots that are purely creative.✅ Key TakeawaysSuccess is Personal: Summer redefines success as living to work (loving what you do so it doesn’t feel like work), rather than working to live. For her, success blends creativity, financial sustainability, and family balance.Business as Art: She views business not as separate from creativity but as a complementary art form. Running a strong business allows her the freedom to be a better artist and parent.Resisting Trends: Summer emphasizes staying true to personal style and brand rather than conforming to industry fads.Education with Integrity: Instead of teaching “get rich quick” six-figure formulas, she focuses on holistic growth—helping photographers create art they’re proud of and a life they love.Motherhood & Discipline: Parenthood has made her more disciplined and efficient, valuing her time more deeply while still embracing imperfection.Creative Renewal: Some of her best work comes from self-initiated, unpaid projects. She encourages artists to carve out time for shoots that are purely creative.Stay connected with the hosts and exclusive content:Listen & SubscribeDive deeper into creative entrepreneurship and photography by listening to The Photographic Collective Podcast Instagram+6Apple Podcasts+6YouTube+6.Unlock the AftercastAccess exclusive Behind-the-Scenes content, extended lessons, and bonus material—like the conversation with Summer Grace—by enrolling in PhotoCO, the members-only platform: [ mileswittboyer.com/photo ]Apple Podcasts+10Miles Witt Boyer Photographic Collective+10Miles Witt Boyer Photographic Collective+10.Follow the CreatorsMiles Witt Boyer (Host & Educator): [@mileswittboyer]YouTube+1Instagram+8Instagram+8Apple Podcasts+8Jared Mark Fincher (Co-host & Creative Director): [@jaredmarkfincher]Miles Witt Boyer Photographic Collective+4Instagram+4YouTube+4

Join Miles Witt Boyer and Jared Mark Fincher on the Photographic Collective Podcast for a deep dive with acclaimed photographer and educator Tom Wright. In this conversation, Tom unpacks how to design a streamlined photography workflow that protects your creativity, enhances your client experience, and fuels long-term business growth. Whether you’re shooting weddings, portraits, or commercial projects, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to refine your process, market your brand, and deliver images that resonate long after delivery day.Follow & Connect:📸 Tom Wright — Instagram📸 Miles Witt Boyer — Instagram📸 Jared Mark Fincher — InstagramDON'T MISS THE EXCLUSIVE CONTENT - IN THE AFTERCAST. Tom, gives step by step information on how to build the perfect backup workflow, what systems need to be built to create redundancy for peace of mind, and how to protect our creativity with structure.Join The Photographic Collective:The Photographic Collective is a growing community for photographers who want to level up their craft, grow their business, and connect with like-minded creatives. As a member, you’ll gain access to quarterly courses, exclusive podcast extras, monthly live call-ins, and our signature business training protocols. Whether you’re just starting your journey or scaling a thriving studio, The Collective gives you the tools, knowledge, and support to create a business that serves your life — not the other way around.🎯 Sign up now at mileswittboyer.com/photo and become part of a network committed to inspiring, educating, and empowering photographers around the world.