Special List #24: Why “Good Enough” Practice Photos Are Costing You Patients with Andrew Jowett

Patients decide whether they trust your practice before they ever walk in the door — and they do it from the images on your website and your social feed.Andrew Jowett owns MedCreative and has spent more than a decade shooting photo and video for brands, moving into the dental world in 2019. He joins Cameron, Dr. Souyias, and Dr. Seda to talk about what separates a practice that looks inviting from one that looks dated, and why that gap matters more than most dentists think.He breaks down the difference between a hobbyist with a good camera and someone with a real eye, why “good enough” visuals are a liability in a market built on differentiation, and how he fills a frame so a still photo feels like a living, working office instead of two people holding charts.The conversation gets into the craft — reading and shaping natural light, winning over the camera-shy doctor, and learning enough clinical language to direct a shoot — plus the one line Andrew won't cross: no faking a result in Photoshop, because patients sniff it out instantly.GuestAndrew Jowett is the owner of MedCreative, a photography and video studio that tells brand stories for dental practices across the country, based in the Port Huron, Michigan area. He started in newspaper journalism — where he learned to put camera-shy subjects at ease — before moving into commercial and freelance work around 2016 and into the dental space in 2019. Today he shoots practice branding and, increasingly, ongoing social-media content built to perform on video-first platforms.He grew up around two family trades that shaped his eye and his standards: dental hygiene (his mom) and funeral service (his dad).Learn more about Andrew's work at medcreative.comFollow Andrew on Instagram @nivenlife Questions answered by this episode:How do professional photos affect a dental practice's patient trust?Is it worth hiring a professional photographer for a dental office?What's the difference between a hobbyist and a professional dental photographer?How do you make a dental office look inviting in photos?How can a dental practice get comfortable, natural-looking team photos?How do you photograph a camera-shy dentist?Should dental practices invest in video for social media?How much social media content does a dental practice actually need?How often should a dental office update its website photos?How do you create dental social media content that stops the scroll?About The Special ListsThe Special Lists, presented by Referral Lab, is the podcast for dentists and dental specialists. Running a dental practice isn't easy, and if you're in private practice, it can sometimes feel like you're on an island. That's why finding your people—those who've been in your shoes and can share real, lived experience—changes the game.Referral Lab was built specifically for dental specialists, helping you track, manage, and convert every referral. It's about improving case acceptance, boosting team performance, and strengthening relationships with referring providers so your whole practice runs smarter.This spirit of connection fuels The Special Lists podcast. Hosted by the team behind Referral Lab, we bring you wisdom from practice owners and dental professionals, sharing the wins, mistakes, and lessons that shape how they run their businesses today.Got a question for us? Send us a message at speciallists.com (with two L's)Transform your referral workflow with Referral Lab, the purpose-built platform for dental specialists to track, manage and convert every referral.Request a demo at referrallab.ioHostsCameron FullCo-Founder of Referral LabCameron Full, co-founder of Referral Lab, is a strategic problem-solver with expertise in business management and digital solutions. He combines leadership, creativity, and technology to drive success across various industries.Connect with Cameron on LinkedInJason Souyias, DDSPeriodontist and Co-Founder of Referral LabDr. Jason Souyias is a periodontist, educator, and co-founder of Referral Lab software. He teaches dentists and hygienists, including as a Pikos Institute faculty member. In his Port Huron private practice, he's known for excellent patient communication and experience. He's passionate about his work and dedicated to helping other dentists.More about Port Huron, Michigan periodontist Dr. Jason SouyiasMichael Seda, DMD, MSPeriodontist and Co-Developer of Referral LabA clinician and entrepreneur, Dr. Seda brings 19 years of private practice experience to his periodontal and implant surgery practice in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Seda's education spans several disciplines, including a degree in Psychobiology from the University of California, Los Angeles, a Doctorate degree from Harvard University (DMD), and a Master's degree in Periodontics and Oral Medicine from Columbia University.More about Bay Area periodontist Dr. Michael SedaFollow Dr. Seda on Instagram @sedaperioCo-hosts: Cameron Full, Jason Souyias, DDS & Michael Seda, DDSProducer: Eva Sheie @ The AxisAssistant Producer: Mary Ellen ClarksonEngineering: Cameron LairdTheme music: Papa Funk, spring gangCover Art: Dan ChildsThe Special Lists is a production of The Axis.