What The Focal? A Photography Podcast By Non-Photographers

Join us this week on WTF to hear Melissa talk about how she has used her business to empower the women around her. She talks about how she was always drawn to creative fields, but never found the perfect fit until she discovered photography, where she now focuses on maternity and newborn photography. Melissa gives us an important reminder to make sure that what you are doing for your career makes your heart happy and to do what you are passionate about, not what will bring you the most amount of money. She also takes time to explain her unconventional ways of marketing herself, which is no marketing, Melissa just shows up everyday and is 100% authentic to who she is and she trusts that will bring her clients that want to work with her because of who she is as an artist and a person. ________ Check out Melissa’s Focal website here: https://www.rainbowsandhotfudge.com/ Ready to get a website done? Come chat with us! https://www.bookfocal.com/website

This week, WTF is joined by our second overseas guest, Brenton Cox, to talk about the emotional power that photography holds in a person's life. Brenton explains how he sought out and took different opportunities to learn from other talented artists in his community to progress his career early on and gain different perspectives that influenced his own style of photography. It is never a dull moment with Brenton, whether that’s on this podcast or while he is out with his couples. He reminds us to always be there for our couples and to make sure that they are having fun and that you’re creating moments that are authentic and memorable in the best ways. Brenton also talks a bit about his experience with commercial photography and how it differs to wedding photography, and gives some inspiring ways to take advantage of the landscapes around you for your next couple's shoots. Check out Brenton’s Focal website here: https://www.brentoncoxphotography.com/ Ready to get a website done? Come chat with us! https://www.bookfocal.com/website

We are joined this week on WTF with Nathalie Monique, who has to be one of the busiest career jugglers that Focal has come to know. Nathalie sat down with us to talk about how she has managed to balance two full-time careers and how she has had to learn to say no to some things because of that. She talks further about how she went about securing an amazing opportunity for herself to shadow Lindsay Coulter and encourages everyone listening to just shoot your shot and not to let anything hold you back. Nathalie takes us all the way back to the beginning of her career and talks about the importance of starting as a second or even a third shooter at weddings and speaks on the differences in responsibilities between being a second shooter vs. being a first shooter. Nathalie also leaves us with the reminder to always do things that set your soul on fire and never to settle for anything less.

This week on WTF we are joined by our long-awaited guest, Taylor Jackson! On this special holiday edition, tune in to hear Sierra grill Taylor on everything you would need to know to start your photography business. They talk all things portfolios, websites, networking yourself, and what gear you may need. Taylor goes on to talk about all the ways that Ai is taking over and making the photography industry better and creating lower barriers of entry into the industry. We end this episode off with some of Taylor’s amazing tips around finding your ideal client, finding what makes you happy, and what Taylor suggests every photographer should have on their wish list this holiday season.

On this week's episode of WTF, we are joined by Keith Reilly, who sits down to talk to us about building a successful word-of-mouth business. He also gives us some insight into what it is like to balance two full-time careers, and how passions such as his for theater can have such a large impact on photography. Keith opens up about his struggle at the beginning of his career of finding his place and what sets him apart as a photographer, and how he has learned overtime that taking photos can be an easier thing to learn than the skill of creating a great experience and memory for your clients. ______ WTF is what happens when you have a non-photographer interview some of the best in the biz! You get real, down to earth advice that anyone can understand and put into practice. Join host Sierra Murguly on What the Focal as she explores the ins and outs of running a photography business with ZERO experience by asking the questions pros never get asked. Through sheer curiosity, you’ll hear stories that will have your sides splitting with laughter, feeling inspired to think of your art in new ways, and being part of a community where you belong.

Joined by our first ever overseas guest, Josh Huggett comes on to WTF to talk about the many differences he has noticed between Canadian and Australian photographers. Tune in to hear Josh try really hard not to swear, to hear us debate if formal photography lessons are worth the time, and to never forget that it is not just about the photos, but the memories you create around the photos. This week, we also dive deep into what the hustle could look like if you are trying to get a successful business off the ground quickly, why you should reinvest as much as you can into your business, and what it means to work hard on your business until it works hard for you. ______ WTF is what happens when you have a non-photographer interview some of the best in the biz! You get real, down to earth advice that anyone can understand and put into practice. Join host Sierra Murguly on What the Focal as she explores the ins and outs of running a photography business with ZERO experience by asking the questions pros never get asked. Through sheer curiosity, you’ll hear stories that will have your sides splitting with laughter, feeling inspired to think of your art in new ways, and being part of a community where you belong.

This week, we say WTF with the beautiful Nicole Ashely who talks about her desire to use her teaching platform to help create a photography community that is welcoming and open. She speaks on the struggle of having to wear so many hats as a solo entrepreneur and how she found workshops to be the best tool to gain the knowledge needed to run your own business and find a community on the way. Join us while we get a little too comfortable talking about Nicole’s journey, her memorable moments, and how she has created an amazing career that allows her to balance her creativity, family, and friends. Check out Nicole’s Focal website here: https://www.nicoleashley.ca/ Ready to get a website done? Come chat with us! https://www.bookfocal.com/partners/nicole-ashley

Joined by one of our favourite New Yorkers, on this week’s episode of What The Focal? we sit down with Gary Huynh to talk about the nitty-gritty aspects of running your own photography business. Gary dives deep into how he fosters lasting customer relationships, how to build a word-of-mouth business from the ground up, and how to thrive as an introvert in an extroverted industry. Not to mention, we discuss ways to face feelings of imposter syndrome and reframe them so that they don’t hold you back. Check out Gary's Focal website here: https://www.garyhuynhphotography.com/ Ready to get a website done? Come chat with us! https://www.bookfocal.com/website ______ WTF is what happens when you have a non-photographer interview some of the best in the biz! You get real, down to earth advice that anyone can understand and put into practice. Join host Sierra Murguly on What the Focal as she explores the ins and outs of running a photography business with ZERO experience by asking the questions pros never get asked. Through sheer curiosity, you’ll hear stories that will have your sides splitting with laughter, feeling inspired to think of your art in new ways and being part of a community where you belong.

Building a photography business is hard enough - how about one that gives back to mother nature and practices sustainability! This week on WTF, we're joined by Las Vegas based Wedding Photographer, Eugene Kim. Tune in to hear Eugene share how his love for travel and nature inspires him to bring aspects of landscape photography to his weddings. Plus, we talk about the importance of community and surrounding yourself with like-minded people when building a business. Ready to get a website done? Come chat with us! https://www.bookfocal.com/website Plus check out Eugene's Focal website here: https://www.eugenekim.photography/ ______ WTF is what happens when you have a non-photographer interview some of the best in the biz! You get real, down to earth advice that anyone can understand and put into practice. Join host Sierra Murguly on What the Focal as she explores the ins and outs of running a photography business with ZERO experience by asking the questions pros never get asked. Through sheer curiosity, you’ll hear stories that will have your sides splitting with laughter, feeling inspired to think of your art in new ways and being part of a community where you belong.

The dynamic photography duo, JJ and Alison, join us to talk about their amazing and hectic career balancing photography shoots between Utah and Hawaii. Tune in to hear them talk more about picking up and moving locations as a photographer, what it is like to make your high school sweetheart your business partner, and discussions around braving the pandemic and getting through slow times. Ready to get a website done? Come chat with us! https://www.bookfocal.com/website Plus check out JJ & Alison's Focal website here: https://www.palmsandlace.com/  ______ WTF is what happens when you have a non-photographer interview some of the best in the biz! You get real, down to earth advice that anyone can understand and put into practice.  Join host Sierra Murguly on What the Focal as she explores the ins and outs of running a photography business with ZERO experience by asking the questions pros never get asked. Through sheer curiosity, you’ll hear stories that will have your sides splitting with laughter, feeling inspired to think of your art in new ways and being part of a community where you belong.

On Episode 2 of What The Focal we get gritty with Lindsay Coulter! https://www.instagram.com/lcoulterphoto/ Named 1 of the Most Inspiring Wedding Photographers in Canada, Lindsay shares her story and advice about growing a business one step at a time. Her JUST DO IT attitude inspires AUDACITY and will have you jumping out of your seat to GET SHIT DONE! Plus, we get super off topic on things like climate change, the impact of photography on people’s lives & even sprinkle in some Kardashian references! Ready to get a website done? Save over $1140 on the all-in-one solution Website & Backend Focal System courtesy of Lindsay! Plus sign up BEFORE Oct 31st and get a logo designed to compliment your new site ($350 value). https://www.bookfocal.com/lindsay Plus check out her Focal website here: https://www.lindsaycoulterphoto.com/ ____ WTF is what happens when you have two non-photographers interview some of the best in the biz! You get real, down to earth advice that anyone can understand and put into practice. Join hosts Sierra Murguly and Kirsty Tait on What the Focal as they explore the ins and outs of running a photography business with ZERO experience by asking the questions pros never get asked. Through sheer curiosity, you’ll hear stories that will have your sides splitting with laughter, inspired to think of your art in new ways and feeling part of a community where you belong.

In the first-ever episode of What the Focal, join hosts Sierra & Kirsty as they quiz their boss on what made him start Focal. Hear Lachlan talk about side hustling before Focal, slinging RVs and designing hanging clothes racks. Only to be engrossed by how hard it is to get photographers to take his money!