After Dark Photography Podcast
by Kristine Richer
The amount of detail modern digital cameras can capture of the night sky is AMAZING. But what exactly goes into creating nightscape images? Listen in as Kristine Richer, artist, mother, educator, and CEO takes you on a journey into the dark with your camera. As a new mom Kristine found herself without a creative outlet, gone were the laid-back weekends of chasing waterfalls and sunsets with her dog and camera. So she did what any totally sane new mom would do and stayed up all night photographing the stars instead of sleeping. Now Kristine has taught over ten thousand students how to photograph the Milky Way and has created a dedicated community of slightly crazy, night-obsessed photographers just like her. In the After Dark Photography podcast Kristine brings together the artistic right brain and technical left brain by exploring creativity, art, and inspiration in photography, as well as the technique, gear, and strategy necessary to elevate your craft and get started in night photog
Episodes
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Episode 62: What 1,000+ Milky Way Questions Taught Me
What if your technical photography questions are not really about settings, equipment, or editing? After reviewing seven years of student Q&A transcripts, Kristine uncovers four deeper questions involving permission, self-worth, trust, and artistic legitimacy, and explains how recognizing them…
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Episode 61: The 2026 Milky Way Season
The photographers who come home with photos they love? They didn't just show up. They planned. In this episode, I'm walking you through the 2026 Milky Way season, month by month, including what to prioritize, when to practice, and how to set yourself up for the images you actually want to create....
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Episode 60: Conversations with Kristine: The Art World
What does it really mean to be an artist today? In this eye-opening solo episode, let’s peel back the curtain on the often-unspoken systems of the art world. From art school degrees and gallery representation to grants, residencies, and direct-to-collector sales, I will offer an honest…
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Episode 59: Conversations with Kristine: Creativity & Change
What happens when creativity doesn’t feel the same anymore? When the places that once sparked inspiration now carry the weight of memory and change?In this first episode of a new series, Conversations with Kristine, we dive into the evolving nature of creativity, what it means when your creative...
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Episode 58: Creativity, Connection, and Resilience
Introduction This episode explores how creativity—particularly photography—can serve as a powerful tool for building resilience, processing difficult emotions, and reconnecting with ourselves and our communities. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by current events or simply seeking more…
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Episode 57: Photoshop and Artificial Intelligence
In today's episode, I'm diving deep into a topic that's been coming up constantly in my photography communities - artificial intelligence and its role in night photography. Whether you're excited about AI's potential or concerned about its impact on our craft, I'll help you understand what's…
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Episode 56: Unlocking Creativity & Navigating Grief
In this episode, I dive deep into the impact of creativity on navigating grief. Sharing personal stories and insights into the grieving process, I discuss how creative outlets like photography and gardening can serve as anchors during tough times. We'll explore the healing power of nature, the...
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Episode 55: My Favourite Milky Way Lighting
Understanding and effectively utilizing light is key in capturing stunning images of the Milky Way. By exploring the contrast and harmony between natural and artificial light sources, photographers can hone their skill and express their artistic vision in the night sky. Whether using consistent...
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Episode 54: How to Build an Image
A photo is just a 2D representation of the physical world, isn’t it? This is something I hear a lot in the fine art world and given the history of photography and how widespread and easily accessible the medium is now I’m not surprised. In this episode I’m peeling back the layers of how I build…
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Episode 53: She’s Back! Start Photographing the Milky Way
March! Here in Nova Scotia the birds are out, the snow is melting, and my brain is sloughing off the layers that have built up over the winter. It is also the return of the Milky Way core being visible in the night sky! In the hours before dawn you can look to the southeast and see the Galactic...
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Episode 52: What it takes to "Make It"
The photography industry has undergone significant changes due to technology and social media. Photographers are now seen as personal brands. The ugly truth is that to be a working photographer you will not just be taking photos, there is so much more to it, that’s what this episode is all about....
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Episode 51: Top 10 Website Mistakes
As a photographer looking to build or improve your website, wouldn’t you like to know the 10 biggest mistakes photographers make when creating their websites? In this episode I explain why in the age of social media we need a website, avoiding perfectionism paralysis, and driving traffic to the...
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Episode 50: Creating a Body of Work
In our latest episode we focus on the importance of a central theme or intention. A cohesive body of work not only enhances artistic expression but also opens doors for exhibitions and sales. It's a journey that allows for profound exploration of ideas. A body of work allows photographers to...
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Episode 49: Capturing Clarity and Overcoming Overwhelm in Photography
Overwhelm and feeling stuck are common experiences that can hinder productivity and well-being. By questioning the reality of demands, examining thoughts and stories, and shifting language and thoughts, it is possible to overcome overwhelm. Similarly, acknowledging and accepting feeling stuck,...
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Winter Sky Photography
Despite the cold weather, there are still plenty of opportunities for night sky photography in winter. Planning and researching based on your location is important, and software like Stellarium can help you figure out where and when to see different celestial objects. We talk about opportunities...
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2024 Year Goals
Today, I want to talk about my goals and plans for the year 2024. I believe that setting intentions and being intentional are key to achieving our desired outcomes. One of the frameworks I follow for goal setting is the SMART framework. It helps me stay focused and accountable. I like to plan my...
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Year in Review: 2023
In this episode, I take a deep dive into my year, reflecting on my goals, accomplishments, and the lessons I've learned along the way. Join me as I share my experiences, challenges, and the impact I've had on others. Episode Highlights: Setting Goals and Achieving Them- Throughout the year, I set...
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Back to Basics: Part 4 Exposure
This is what we've been waiting for. How it all comes together and gets us our final image. The first step in that is understanding our ISO and how that is the same and different with digital cameras (vs ASA films speeds of yore) and how it contributes to our overall exposure. As promised, here…
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Back to Basics: Shutter Speed (Part 3 of 4)
Part 3 should be a breeze after getting through Part 2: Aperture. I do this on purpose actually, give you the setting and control that takes some mind wrangling to wrap our heads around and then let you breeze through this episode that is all about our Shutter Speed. Shutter Speed is synonymous...
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Back to Basics: Part 2 Aperture
The next step in our world domination, I mean camera mastery is to understand how our lens controls the amount of light getting recorded and the actual way the photo looks beyond exposure. That comes down to three factors: Aperture Focus Point Focal Length This episode will walk you through...
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Back to Basics: Part 1 Our Camera
This is the first in a 4-part series on mastering your camera. As we’re going into my free training: Your First Milky Way Photo I wanted to get everyone on the same page and up and running with your gear. No matter if you regularly use it, or if your camera is quietly crying in a corner gathering...
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Episode 41: 4 Key Lessons After a Break
I took a break, just over 2 months off of social media and here with you on the podcast. It’s hard to believe that it’s only been that long, given everything that has happened in that time. Including an amazing conference, being evacuated due to forest fires, flash floods and more. This podcast…
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Cosmic Chronicles: May 2023
You can also watch the video version of this on my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3RqS1rOlxY
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The Power of Signal
Hooooboy – are you ready for a really important conversation about night photography? Yes, I’m about to get very technical, and this could be one of the most important episodes you ever listen to on the theory of light and signal as it pertains to Milky Way photography. Not convinced? Ok, how…
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How to be a Milky Way Master
What does it take to be a Master Milky Way photographer? Well, it takes going that first step out your door and getting started. But if we’re being transparent here that is 100% true, it’s not really helpful. What is helpful, is knowing where you are at in your journey and the steps you need to...
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If I Was Starting Over
Are you just getting started in night photography? This episode is mostly gear based, but looks a little wider as well at what you need to know to get started. I have a lot of links to gear mentioned in the podcast, so I’ll keep this short here, and if you want all of the links to everything I…
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Cosmic Chronicles: April 2023
You can also watch the video version of this on my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTKiOCYhrkk
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Building Your Dream Photography Business: A Roadmap to Success
This is the first episode that I did for the secret podcast experience, the "From Passion to Profit Bootcamp" and there was such resounding feedback on the metrics and scale of where people are at as photographers that I decided to post it here on our regular podcast feed for everyone to enjoy…
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Unlocking Success: Your 4 Biggest Struggles
Are you a nightscape photographer looking to improve your skills and take your photography to the next level? In this episode, we explore the four biggest struggles/mistakes that nightscape photographers and enthusiasts face, and provide practical tips and solutions to overcome these challenges…
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Cosmic Chronicles: March 2023
You can also watch the video version of this on my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onQywTNVG-Y
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Passion or Profit? You Decide!
Do you ever feel like your love for photography could be more than just a hobby? What if you could make a living doing something you're passionate about? In this episode of my podcast, we're going to talk about "going pro" Now, I know the word "monetize" can sound a bit intimidating, but hear me...
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Photo Printing 101
My friend, I don’t want to alarm you, but we are entering a digital dark age. No, I am not talking about our soon to be AI overlords (though I am trying to be nice to them so I’m in their good graces when they take over). I am talking about something much more relevant to us as photographers. And...
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Why I Want You To Fail
What if I told you that the key to success could be found in your failures? As a recovering perfectionist, that is a hard pill to swallow for me, but over the years I can see how my very “failures” have contributed to my success now. This episode is about why I want you to fail, and how you can…
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Cosmic Chronicles: February 2023
You can also watch the video version of this on my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=447SHDMqeKE
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Constraints and Creativity in Nightscape Photography
Astrophotography is different from any other genre of photography. Portraits, Products, Landscapes, Food, Sports - what do they all have in common? They are photographing something that exists here on earth. And you could correctly make the argument in landscape-astrophotography (or nightscapes)...
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Photographing the Winter Night Sky and Orion
Hello Winter, shall we just stay inside and be warm under the covers? Or do we brave going out to shoot the night sky in the cold (for those of us in the north). If we do, what is there to even shoot? Well, you are in luck. Winter skies generally have less humidity in them and are clearer and you...
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Moonlight Monetization: How to Make Money as a Photographer
Welcome January, it’s nice to have you here with your cold winds, short days and long nights. Oh and resolutions, “word of the year”, goals and so on. I’m not one for resolutions, but I do use the start of a fresh calendar year to plan out my next 12 months. Which in turn gives me a bunch of...
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Cosmic Chronicles, January 2023
You can also watch the video version of this on my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXsIOkLDXyc
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What's Holding You Back
What do you think it takes to get to the next level - in your photography, your life, your business? I can tell you when I made the leap to quit corporate creative and work in my business full time it wasn’t because I had a new business model, or because of the new marketing tactics that I…
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12 Days of Christmas
Welcome to the 12 days of Christmas. I’m putting on my #kristinetheenabler Santa hat and giving you my best recommendations for gear this year. Feel free to send this episode to a loved one who might be buying you gifts this year! Links for the things I mentioned in the episode are on my website!
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Year in Review - 2022
Let’s get this out of the way. This is not an episode about New Year’s Resolutions. In fact, I don’t make any and don’t recommend you do either (though, you do you, if that’s your thing). This is an episode about this past year, and the upcoming year. Why? Because to know where we are going, we...
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The Benefits of Slow Photography
Have you ever had a time when you needed to get something done and you just couldn’t do it? You knew that was the next step to get you farther along, and you were excited about it, but still, you found that you were getting distracted instead. If I’m being honest, this happens to me in busy times...
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Part 2 of 2: Editing our Night Images
Part 2 of our Editing Night Photos series and it is time to get technical. One of the biggest mistakes I see people making when they open Photoshop actually happens before they even get to the program. It’s how we actually think about Photoshop and what it can do for our images. Photoshop is not...
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Part 1 of 2: Editing our Night Images
Photography is a mix of the technical and the creative, and it will come as no surprise that it is the same with editing. And so following that logic I decided to break up my first editing episodes here on the podcast into two parts. This first episode explores the creative side of editing. Night...
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Uncovering Your Unique Ideas
Isn’t creative genius reserved for people who have something special? At least that’s what society has often made artists out to be. Take a look in popular culture and you’ll see this idea perpetuated over and over again, like there is some gatekeeper to being a good artist and creative. In…
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Story Spotlight: Close to Home
Welcome to another story spotlight episode. In this podcast I invite you on a road trip with me, just down the way and off the highway - of all places. I talk about 3 images I created all near a similar spot and how the one that wasn’t planned became one of the most impactful images I’ve ever...
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How Your Brain Sabotages Your Creativity
Last week I did a crazy thing and live streamed a photoshoot of the Milky Way - yes in real time - in front of almost 500 students! I had no idea if I would actually be able to pull it off, but you know the saying - you can’t win the game if you don’t play it. So I decided to go all in and do it....
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How to Become a Better Photographer
There are a variety of reasons to listen to a podcast, but I’m making an educated guess that you are here to learn more about photography. And that is what today’s episode is all about. Learning something new as an adult is very different from how we learned in the traditional schooling system....
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Things that Go Bump in the Night
We are hardwired to be afraid of the dark, at least in some capacity. From an evolutionary standpoint it makes sense, given the things that preyed on humans over our evolution. But that doesn’t mean we need to let that fear run unchecked now when we spend time outside at night. I remember as a...
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The Secret to Better Night Foregrounds
Night photos don’t have to be lifeless and dark, in fact there is a ton of light available at night/ You just have to understand how to control or create the light and how it will influence the final image. In this episode we deep dive into light so that you will understand the best way to bring...
About this show
The amount of detail modern digital cameras can capture of the night sky is AMAZING. But what exactly goes into creating nightscape images? Listen in as Kristine Richer, artist, mother, educator, and CEO takes you on a journey into the dark with your camera. As a new mom Kristine found herself without a creative outlet, gone were the laid-back weekends of chasing waterfalls and sunsets with her dog and camera. So she did what any totally sane new mom would do and stayed up all night photographing the stars instead of sleeping. Now Kristine has taught over ten thousand students how to photograph the Milky Way and has created a dedicated community of slightly crazy, night-obsessed photographers just like her. In the After Dark Photography podcast Kristine brings together the artistic right brain and technical left brain by exploring creativity, art, and inspiration in photography, as well as the technique, gear, and strategy necessary to elevate your craft and get started in night photog
Hosted by
Kristine Richer