The Female Photographer Podcast

What if capturing family photos wasn’t about posing perfectly—but about laughing, connecting, and truly being yourselves?In this episode, I’m joined by family photographer Aisling O’Brien, whose work is all about capturing emotive photography—full of colour, life, and energy. Aisling has a beautiful gift for telling stories through her images, and what better storyline is there than the love and connection within your family?This interview felt more like a fun chat between friends—we laughed, shared stories, and Aisling opened up about her unique approach to photography and how she captures the connection between families. Spoiler: it’s not how you might think!Her philosophy is deeply rooted in the values she and her husband bring into their natural approach to parenting: connection, respect, love, freedom, and a whole lot of laughter. These same values help her build trust quickly with kids (and adults), creating a relaxed atmosphere where real moments unfold.If you’ve ever worried about being camera shy or not knowing what to do in front of the lens, you’ll love hearing about her gentle direction, fun sessions, and the surprising ways she brings out authentic love, joy, and laughter.Her work gives families something priceless—a tangible way to relive and remember the beautiful times they share with their loved ones.✨ Learn more about Aisling’s work: aobphotography.co.nz

Ever printed a photo only to be disappointed by the colors, sharpness, or overall look? In this episode, we’re talking all things printing with award-winning photographer and print expert Rachael Smith from Rāhera Creative! 🎉Rachael is not only an incredible fine art photographer but also the President of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography. She’s passionate about helping photographers get stunning prints—whether through a professional print house or printing at home.We dive into: ✅ Rachael’s journey into photography and printing ✨ ✅ The importance of photography communities for growth 📸 ✅ How to prepare digital files for printing—color space, resolution, file type & more 🖥️ ✅ How to choose the right paper for your images 📝 ✅ Printing at home—best printers, settings, and maintenance 🖨️ ✅ Common printing mistakes and how to fix them 🚫If you’re ready to turn your digital images into stunning works of art, this episode is a must-listen! 🎧Links & Resources: 📷 Get your ticket to the New Zealand Photo Show → https://nzphotoshow.co.nz/?mc_cid=3461586333&mc_eid=c5a630bffb 🌍 Explore Rachael’s photos and services → www.raheracreative.com 📩 Contact Rachael via email → [email protected] 📸 Follow Rachael on Instagram → @raheracreative 👍 Like Rāhera Creative on Facebook → Rahera Creative📽️ Watch Rachael and her photography friends “In Pursuit of Giants” → https://youtu.be/0ahtpkGF-8k?si=viBN7G9U9Vxb_OFU🎙️ Loved this episode? Share it with a fellow photographer & leave us a review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐#Photography #Printing #PhotographyTips #FineArtPrinting #PhotographerCommunity

AI is revolutionizing photography at an insane speed—so fast that some photographers barely pick up their cameras anymore! But what does this mean for the future of photography? Will AI-generated images replace traditional photos?In this episode, we dive deep into: 📸 The mind-blowing AI tools that go way beyond Photoshop 🤯 How some commercial photographers are creating entire shoots without a camera ⚡ The advantages and disadvantages of AI in photography ❓ The big legal and ethical questions: Who owns AI-generated images? 💰 Why you should charge the same for AI work as you do for photography—your skill is still valuable!Click this link to get the list of AI tools that I recommend: https://www.femalephotographersociety.com/ai-toolsPhotography is changing fast—are you keeping up? Tune in now to find out what’s coming next and how you can stay ahead of the game! 🎙️✨📩 Let’s continue the conversation! DM me on Instagram or join our community inside the Female Photographer Society.

How to Capture Stunning Pet Photos – Tips from Pro Photographer Kirsten Hough🐶📸 Have you ever wanted to take jaw-dropping photos of pets but struggled to get them to sit still or look at the camera? Or maybe you’re dreaming of turning your passion for pet photography into a thriving business?In this episode, I sit down with Kirsten Hough, an incredible pet photographer, to dive into the world of capturing pets at their best. Kirsten shares her expert techniques for taking stunning pet portraits, from getting the perfect expression to working with different animal personalities. Plus, she spills her best business secrets for building a successful pet photography brand!What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✨ How to take amazing pet photos, even if they won’t sit still ✨ The biggest mistakes new pet photographers make (and how to avoid them) ✨ How to connect with pets to capture their unique personalities ✨ Tips for launching and growing a successful pet photography business ✨ Tips on entering photography awards ✨ Kirsten’s top tips for standing out in the competitive photography worldWhether you’re a hobbyist looking to improve your pet photography or a photographer thinking about turning pro, this episode is packed with golden nuggets you won’t want to miss!Connect with Kirsten Hough:📸 https://wortandflea.co.nz/ 📸 @wortandflea 📸 facebook.com/wortandfleaResources Mentioned:📷 https://scene.sonyanz.com/events🎧 Listen now and learn how to capture pets like a pro!👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow pet lovers and photographers!

Ever look back on a year and feel like you didn’t take any truly great photos, or maybe you didn't even get your camera out at all? You’re not alone! In this episode, I’m diving into why goal setting is a game-changer for anyone who wants to improve their photography and how it can help you stay inspired, improve your skills, and finally capture those share-worthy images. I’ll walk you through simple, actionable ways to set photography goals that actually stick—so you don’t find yourself in the same creative rut year after year.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:📸 Why goal setting is essential for your growth as a photographer. 📸 How to set goals that push you creatively (without feeling overwhelming). 📸 Fun project ideas to help you stay inspired all year long. 📸 How to break big goals into simple, actionable steps. 📸 Tips for tracking your progress and staying accountable. 📸 How to overcome perfectionism, procrastination, and creative slumps.Resources & Links: ✨ Connect with me on Instagram: @femalephotographersociety ✨ Join my photography community: www.femalephotographersociety.comJoin the Conversation:What’s your biggest photography goal this year? Send me a DM or tag me in your goal-setting post—I’d love to cheer you on! 💛👉 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review. It helps more photographers like you find the show!

The Long Road to Photography Success with Sarahlee CobbHave you ever felt like success in photography is taking way longer than you expected? You’re not alone! In today’s episode, I’m joined by the incredible Sarahlee Cobb, an award-winning photographer who proves that persistence is the key to making it in this industry.Sarahlee holds a Diploma in Contemporary Photography, has been recognized as the Auckland and Northland Photographer of the Year (2024), and runs her own portrait studio in Whangārei. But her journey wasn’t instant—she’s put in years of dedication, learning, and refining her craft to build a thriving photography business.In this episode, we dive into: 📸 Why success in photography takes time—and how to stay motivated 📸 The biggest challenges Sarahlee faced on her journey and how she overcame them 📸 The power of persistence, consistency, and believing in yourself 📸 How to push past self-doubt and keep going, even when progress feels slow 📸 Practical advice for photographers who want to turn their passion into a careerIf you’ve ever felt like giving up or questioned whether you’ll ever “make it,” this episode is for you!🎧 Listen now and get inspired to keep going!📍 Connect with Sarahlee Cobb: @sarahleestudio on Instagram and facebookWeb: https://www.sarahleestudio.co.nz/✨ If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow photographer who needs a little motivation!