The Dave Grenier Podcast

Send Dave a Text!Going analog isn’t about rejecting technology. It’s about making room for slower, more tactile, more human work in a life that’s already full of screens, deadlines, and digital noise.Article: https://www.grenierdave.com/blog/going-analogShow Notes: 00:00 I’m the Machine01:30 Letting It Be Imperfect03:00 The Notebook That Waited04:30 Too Much Digital Input06:00 Less Noise, More Intention07:30 Returning to Tactile Work09:00 Process Over Speed10:30 Hobbies That Slow Me Down13:30 Writing on a Typewriter15:00 Showing the Red Marks16:30 Feeding My MachineProduced by:124 Productions

Send Dave a Text!I run through 10 client work questions that come up nonstop for photo and video pros: scope creep, revisions, contracts, pricing, raw files, licensing, and delivery. Use this as a checklist before your next project so expectations stay clear and you stay paid.Show Notes: 00:00: The $3,700 reality check 00:21 What this episode covers 01:00 Q1 Scope creep (without sounding rude) 03:03 Q2 Revisions (rounds & what happens after) 06:10 Q3 Simple contract essentials (not legal advice) 19:15 Q4 Pricing “quick” jobs with vague asks 20:57 Q5 Slow feedback, slipping timelines 22:24 Q6 Too many note givers, no decider 23:36 Q7 Raw footage and project files 25:59 Q8 Rights and licensing basics (US context) 27:06 Q9 File naming and version control 28:42 Q10 Deliverables and exports (no confusion) 29:48 WrapVideo Version:https://youtu.be/Uc08PxPpN-cBlog Article: http://grenierdave.com/blog/most-asked-questions-about-client-workProduced by:124 Productions

Send Dave a Text!Client relations is not flashy, but it is the thing that keeps your business alive. In this episode, I go over how to set expectations early, use pre-production to prevent revision chaos, and build trust by learning your client’s world so you can actually solve the right problem.Show Notes: 00:00 Intro: solving pain points01:36 Flashy is not the job07:42 Set expectations early09:30 Be a partner, not a problem12:15 Get it in writing13:23 Real example: paddling event15:31 Word of mouth and showing up20:24 Learn the client’s language20:52 Brand rules matter22:09 Reliable and clear winsVideo Version: https://youtu.be/BMfSScMTqGQBlog Article:https://www.grenierdave.com/blog/client-relations-is-the-unsexy-advantageProduced by:124 Productions

Send Dave a Text!I walk through the gear that earned a spot in my bag, from the early budget setups to the pieces I rely on now, and the real reasons each upgrade happened. The goal is not to buy more gear, it’s to build a core kit that solves problems, fits your workflow, and still delivers for clients.Show Notes: 00:00 Debt and gear reality check00:16 The rule: buy gear when it solves a problem02:39 My “core kit” lens philosophy07:22 Entry level rigging that’s actually solid09:46 Don’t cheap out on risk: drones and insurance12:05 Cheaper gear tradeoffs and workarounds14:30 Lighting journey: umbrellas to real lights28:22 Client perception vs results32:39 Gear recommendations for beginnersVideo Version: https://youtu.be/n1MHSe94oU8Blog Article:https://www.grenierdave.com/blog/gear-that-actually-mattersProduced by:124 Productions

Send Dave a Text!Before I buy anything, I try to slow down and ask: does this solve a real problem, or does it just make me feel better? In this one I share the mindset I use, plus a couple real examples from my own gear choices, including one upgrade I’m glad I made and one purchase I definitely didn’t need. Show Notes: 00:00 Solve a problem 00:12 The “nice to have” trap 02:03 GAS is real 02:45 When upgrading actually makes sense 04:34 The 30 minute limit problem 06:26 The gimbal mistake 10:27 Spend on skill first 12:00 Redundancy is the pro move 13:20 WrapVideo Version: https://youtu.be/IYx1jjDoUVUBlog Article:https://www.grenierdave.com/blog/stop-buying-gear-start-solving-problemsProduced by:124 Productions

Send Dave a Text!I’m joined by singer-songwriter Megan Britt to talk about the real path behind releasing music, from early influences to finding songwriting community in Nashville. We also get into creative habits, pressure, and how to stay grounded when you’re trying to build something that lasts.Here are Megan's Socials: https://linktr.ee/megangbrittShow Notes: 00:00 Intro and context00:01:28 First album and the long build00:03:26 Vanderbilt songwriting class and community00:09:02 Releasing music and managing expectations00:12:30 Process, habits, and what keeps you creating00:17:24 “Write it down” and making space for more00:21:26 Social media, visibility, and staying sane00:33:01 WrapProduced by:124 Productions

Send Dave a Text!In this episode, I have a conversation with Keanen, a drone repair expert who is one of the founders of Denshi Repair. This episode is a wide-ranging conversation that starts with the brutal reality of drone repair costs and turns into what it takes to build a community-first repair business that actually helps people. We also get into DJI warranties, thermal and multispectral use cases, search-and-rescue realities, and the human side of building a life after the military. Denshi's Website: https://denshirepair.comShow Notes:00:00:00 Drone repair costs00:03:12 Warranty, Refresh00:05:49 Reddit trust00:29:47 Repair vision00:52:43 Search and rescue00:57:17 Thermal basics01:01:13 Multispectral01:52:42 Where to find him01:53:58 WrapProduced by:124 Productions

Send Dave a Text!Jason Lu from Flyby Robotics joins me to talk about a Made-in-America, NDAA-compliant drone built to match the DJI Matrice 300 class. We get into payload needs, onboard compute, SDK ecosystem, and what it takes to build something serious for industry.00:00 Intro00:00:08 Matrice 300 class drone, Made in America00:01:14 Payload and onboard compute power00:01:14 DJI dominance and why this conversation matters00:06:38 Support, repairs, and long-term ownership00:07:35 SDK and third-party payload ecosystem00:13:19 Pricing expectations and roadmap00:26:48 WrapProduced by:124 Productions

Send Dave a Text!I sat down with D.Will, my first-ever podcast guest, to talk about what actually makes a portfolio hireable, not just “nice to look at.” We get into a real multi-day shooting workflow, client delivery habits, and the business side of building something sustainable. If you're interested in the events with Untapped check out their social platforms: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UntappedHipHopTVInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/untappedhiphopShow Notes:00:00:00 Intro00:02:07 A “hireable” portfolio00:11:28 Day one: shooting on site 00:23:36 Editing workflow00:23:57 Contact sheets00:27:23 Finding your lane00:32:52 San Bernardino & local identity00:40:02 Business planning01:02:10 Where to find Untapped01:02:50 WrapProduced by:124 Productions

Send Dave a Text!Before you put a drone in the air in the US, there are five things you need to know so you don’t accidentally do something unsafe or illegal. I walk through the TRUST certificate, airspace classes and airport rules, temporary flight restrictions and authorizations, local takeoff and landing regulations, public perception, and when you need Part 107.Everything You Need to Get Your Part 107 Drone Certificate:https://youtu.be/xU6jhLy3tccWhat You Need to Know About METARs and TAFs:https://youtu.be/FIlEz5TFVc4 Airspace Classification & Sectional Charts: https://youtu.be/FIXhm43OolwShow Notes:0:00 Introduction0:16 TRUST Certificate1:27 Airspace Classification3:22 Local Regulations4:41 Railroad Tracks5:16 Public Sentiment6:26 Part 107Produced by:124 Productions

Send Dave a Text!If you’re trying to get started as a working photographer, I’d keep it simple: grab an APS-C camera with an 18–55 kit lens, and if you can, add a 70–300 so you’ve got real range without spending full-frame money. Then I walk through what actually matters when you’re choosing a system, like buying from legit retailers, RAW vs JPEG, 4K and frame rates, batteries and SD cards, and why investing in lenses will take you further than chasing new camera bodies.Show Notes:00:00 Intro00:09 The simple starter kit01:05 Buy from legit retailers01:46 Brand choice and what to compare03:22 APS-C vs full frame04:17 RAW vs JPEG06:02 4K and frame rates06:51 Batteries and SD cards08:40 Lens mounts and why lenses matter most10:59 Only buy gear that solves a problem11:13 Sign-offProduced by:124 Productions

Send Dave a Text!A photographer with 30 years of experience shared that heavily edited work on social media has them feeling insufficient, frustrated, and ready to quit, and that’s more common than people admit. In this episode I talk about why comparison hits so hard, why you don’t need to edit like everyone else to be “legit,” and the weird little reset that helped me fall in love with shooting again: auto mode plus a prime lens so all that’s left is composition.Show Notes:00:06 The question: feeling “not good enough”01:33 Why social media compounds it02:42 “No edits, all in-camera” claims03:09 You don’t have to love editing03:54 My own creative rut04:41 Confession: I shot in auto05:19 Prime lens reset and why it worked06:08 Wrap and sign-offProduced by:124 Productions

Send Dave a Text!In this episode I share five practical tips that will actually move the needle if you’re new to photography, starting with skills first and gear second. We’ll talk about building your “photographer’s eye” through consistency, changing perspective, zooming with your feet, and experimenting with different styles so you can find what you actually enjoy.Show Notes: 00:00 Start00:09 Gear Acquisition Syndrome02:48 Perspective Matters03:44 Consistency Makes a Photographer's Eye08:34 "Zooming" With Your Feet10:59 Experiment14:26 Get it "In-Camera"15:51 You Will FailProduced by:124 Productions

Send Dave a Text!I heard a great rebrand question on Ask Drone U, and I wanted to add my two cents from a branding perspective. Here are the three fundamentals I’d focus on first: know exactly what your business is, know who you serve and the problem you solve, and leave room for growth so your name can scale with you.Show Notes: 00:00 Ask Drone U rebrand question00:59 Branding vs SEO02:19 The 3 branding fundamentals03:01 Leave room for growth04:35 Name generic, earn SEO with content05:19 What’s nextProduced by:124 Productions

Send Dave a Text!A friend told me her dream is to shoot for National Geographic, but she doesn’t think she has it in her, and that hit close to home. In this kickoff episode, I share how I walked away from creativity for years, what pulled me back in, and the simple challenge I want you to do today: take photos for you, with whatever camera you already have.Show Notes: 00:00 The NatGeo Dream01:20 Start Anyway02:53 My Origin Story04:59 Getting Back Into It07:42 Start Simple Today08:23 Old Camera, Big Feeling13:02 Your Turn14:05 EndProduced by:124 Productions