Dalton Johnson - Are Photographers Viewing “Free Work” the Wrong Way?

Dalton Johnson (@storiesbydalton) is a photographer, adventurer, and journalist who has collaborated with renowned brands such as Patagonia, Big Agnes, and Rivian.In this episode, Dalton shares his own experiences in an effort to help photographers understand how they can leverage free work as a tool for growth, the importance of persistence in marketing their craft, and the cyclical process of building a thriving creative career. He breaks down actionable strategies for repeatedly turning passion projects into paid opportunities and shares insights into crafting effective pitches, balancing art with personal fulfillment, and creating work that connects deeply with both clients and audiences.Expect to Learn:Why free work is a powerful tool to build a portfolio and create ROIThe never ending cyclical process of having an idea, creating a body of work, and marketing itWhy engaging with multiple companies daily, will lead to meaningful client relationshipsPractical methods to market creative projectsHelpful tips on creating effective pitchesDalton's links:Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@storiesbydaltonWebsite: https://dalton-johnson.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daltonjohnsonmedia/Sponsor:Thanks to Tamron for being our lead sponsor this episode! Explore the 18-300mm all-in-one zoom lens for Fujifilm and Sony APS-C Mirrorless cameras and soon for Nikon Z and Canon RF mounted cameras. Right now, enjoy $100 off on this lens! You can visit www.tamron-americas.com or your local Tamron authorized dealer. Our Links:Join our subreddit where you can share stories and ask questions:https://www.reddit.com/r/photographermindset/Subscribe to TPM's Youtube page and watch full length episodes: https://www.youtube.com/thephotographermindset/Make a donation via PayPal for any amount you feel is equal to the value you receive from our podcast episodes! Donations help with the fees related to hosting the show:https://paypal.me/podcasttpm?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_USThanks for listening!Go get shooting, go get editing, and stay focused.@sethmacey@mantis_photography@thephotographermindsetSupport the show