Most people don’t talk about this part of the creative process.

The moment where you seriously consider quitting.

Not because you don’t love photography…

But because of how people treat you when you put your work out there.

In this episode, I sit down with Jessa Scott — a photographer who went through exactly that.

After being torn apart online when she was just starting out, Jessa hit a point where walking away from photography felt like the easiest option.

And honestly… a lot of people do.

But instead of quitting, she kept going.

And what happened next is what makes this conversation worth listening to.

Now she’s consistently booking clients, building real momentum, and showing up with a completely different level of confidence.

We get into:

• What actually happened when she posted her work and got attacked
• How that experience affected her confidence (and how long it stuck around)
• The turning point that stopped her from quitting
• What she focused on instead of chasing perfection
• How she started getting real client work
• The difference between helpful feedback and the kind that just tears you down
• What she’d say to someone who’s right on the edge of giving up

This one matters.

Because if you’ve ever felt like you’re not good enough…

or like everyone else has it figured out except you…

you’re not alone in that.

And you’re definitely not the only one who’s thought about quitting.

https://podcast.humbletogsclub.com

https://www.instagram.com/glow_with_jessa/
https://hauteglowphotographywithjessa.mypixieset.com/

Humble Togs Club is my private community for photographers who actually support each other and help each other improve.

No egos. No gatekeeping. Just real growth.

https://www.humbletogsclub.com

Website: https://www.kurtsneddon.com
Humble Togs Club: https://www.humbletogsclub.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bykurtsneddon
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bykurtsneddon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byKurtSneddon/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bykurtsneddon/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humbletogsclub

Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you’re listening — it genuinely helps more photographers find this and feel a little less alone in their journey.

Nobody likes talking about their mistakes.

Most people hide from them. Or feel shame about the idea of failing.

But if you’ve been doing photography (or living as a human lol) for any amount of time… you’ve made them.

Bad shoots. Missed moments. Edits that didn’t land.

Situations where you walked away thinking, “That could’ve gone a lot better.”

In this episode, I sit down with Erin Brooks to talk about the side of photography most people try to hide.

The mistakes.

Not the highlight reel. Not the polished portfolio.

The stuff that actually shapes you.

Because Erin. like me, doesn’t pretend she got everything right from the start.

She shares the moments that didn’t go to plan… what went wrong… and what she did next.

And that’s the part most people skip.

We get into:

• The early mistakes that shook her confidence
• What it feels like when a shoot doesn’t go how you hoped
• How she handled those moments instead of walking away
• The difference between “failing” and actually learning
• What changed in her approach after things went wrong
• Why making mistakes is part of getting better (whether you like it or not)
• How to keep going when your confidence takes a hit

This episode is a good reset.

Because if you’re in a phase where things aren’t clicking…
or you feel like you’re behind…

or like you should be better than you are right now…

that’s not a sign to stop.

It’s part of what you need to do every day, to learn, grow and get that little bit better every day.

Without failure, growth isn't possible.

https://podcast.humbletogsclub.com

https://www.instagram.com/erinbrooksphotographer/
https://www.erinbrooksphotographer.com/

Humble Togs Club is my private community for photographers who support each other and grow together.

No ego. No gatekeeping. Just real progress.

https://www.humbletogsclub.com

Website: https://www.kurtsneddon.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bykurtsneddon
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bykurtsneddon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byKurtSneddon/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bykurtsneddon/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humbletogsclub

Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you’re listening — it helps more photographers find this and realise they’re not the only ones figuring it out as they go.

You don’t need to have it all figured out to start getting paid as a photographer.

In this episode, I sit down with Sam Hamilton—someone who’s right in the beginning of building her photography journey. No polished brand. No perfect niche. No “I’ve got it all dialled in” story.

Just real progress and an idea to approach some hotel chains she wanted to vacation at, with the offer of creating branding content for their social media.

Sam shares how she went from shooting for fun to landing her first hotel client, getting asked back for more work, and starting to explore different types of photography—from travel and small business content to sports photography (which she's really enjoying).

We also get into the stuff most people don’t talk about:

• Starting to figure out lighting (especially indoors)
• Dealing with noise (from High ISO) and editing time
• Not knowing what gear you actually need
• Trying different niches without locking yourself in
• Building a photography business alongside a full-time job

This is what it actually looks like when you’re starting out—and doing it anyway.

• Why waiting until you feel “ready” is holding you back
• How real client work accelerates your learning
• The truth about gear (and what actually matters)
• A smarter way to figure out your niche
• How to start building momentum without burning out
• How to ignore "ego-bros" online who tell you you shouldn't charge money for your photography. They're just insecure and jealous. Trying to take it out on a world who's overtaking them.

Sam is a Chicago-based photographer who started with travel photography and is now building a photography business alongside her full-time role as a data analyst.

After landing her first hotel collaboration, she’s continued to grow through real-world experience—experimenting across different types of shoots while figuring out what she enjoys most.

To follow Sam Ham on instagram, go to:
https://www.instagram.com/samhamphotography/

Follow Kurt at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bykurtsneddon
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bykurtsneddon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byKurtSneddon/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bykurtsneddon/

YouTube (Humble Togs Club): https://www.youtube.com/@humbletogsclub

If you’re tired of toxic photography groups and want real support while you figure this stuff out…

👉 Join Humble Togs Club:
https://www.humbletogsclub.com

No gatekeeping. No ego. Just photographers (and me - Kurt Sneddon) helping each other get better - without the BS.

Where photographers share the journey, not just the highlight reel.

In this episode of The Humble Togs Podcast, Kurt sits down with Humble Togs Club member Kate Mitchell — a headshot and branding photographer who’s built her business through persistence, honesty, and pushing through self-doubt.

Kate shares her journey from picking up a camera as a kid, to running a successful legal business, to eventually stepping into photography full-time after a major life reset.

But this episode isn’t about a perfect success story.

It’s about what actually happens behind the scenes:

• The hesitation to put your work out there
• The fear of being judged by other photographers
• The pressure to feel “ready” before you start showing up

Kurt and Kate dig into:

• What “branding photography” really means (and why the label doesn’t matter as much as people think)
• The difference between planning everything vs shooting instinctively
• Why connection with your client matters more than technical perfection
• Real stories from shoots — including difficult clients, awkward moments, and things going wrong

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is Kate’s recent breakthrough:

After years of holding back, she finally committed to posting her work consistently — despite the fear.

And that shift is already changing everything.

This episode is a reminder that most photographers aren’t stuck because they lack skill…

They’re stuck because they’re afraid to be seen.

And we're here to change that.

• Confidence vs competence
• Fear of criticism in photography communities
• Constructive feedback vs judgment
• Simplicity in shooting and style
• Building momentum through action

If you’re tired of toxic photography groups and want a place where you can actually grow:

👉 Join Humble Togs Club
https://www.humbletogsclub.com

A community where photographers help — not humiliate.

If you loved this episode:

• Leave a review
• Follow the podcast
• Share it with another photographer who needs to hear it!
  
  Find Kate Mitchell at:
  https://katemitchellphotography.com.au/
  https://www.instagram.com/katemitchphotos/
  https://www.facebook.com/katemitchellphotography/
  
  Follow Kurt at:
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bykurtsneddon
  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bykurtsneddon
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byKurtSneddon/
  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bykurtsneddon/

  YouTube (Humble Togs Club): https://www.youtube.com/@humbletogsclub
  
  
  

At what point do you actually become a “real” photographer?

Because for a lot of creatives… that moment never comes.

There’s always another level.

Another photographer you come across that makes you feel like you’re not quite there yet.

Even at the top.

Think about names like Annie Leibovitz or Roger Deakins — do they feel like they’ve “made it”? Or are they still chasing something better?

Welcome back to The Humble Togs Podcast — where photographers of all experience levels share the journey, not just the highlight reel.

In this episode, I dig into something almost every photographer wrestles with: imposter syndrome.

Not the fluffy version.

The real version.

The one that sticks around… even after years (or decades) of doing the work.

I’m joined by Matt Wilson, a photographer and member of Humble Togs Club who works behind the scenes at The Daily Show alongside names like Trevor Noah, Jon Stewart, and Michael Che.

And even in rooms like that…

That voice still shows up.

• “I’m not really a photographer yet”
• “I just got lucky”
• “Do I belong here?”

We break down where that voice actually comes from — and why it gets louder the more you compare yourself to what you see online.

• Why imposter syndrome is way more normal than you think
• How social media quietly distorts your sense of progress
• The truth about “model portfolios” vs real, paid client work
• Why chasing a specific style or niche can stall your growth
• What actually builds confidence over time (hint: it’s not validation)

We also get into the reality of building a photography career — from early TFP shoots to finding your footing working with real people, real clients, and real expectations.

Because the goal isn’t to one day feel like a “real photographer.”

That’s a moving target.

The shift is this:

If you're showing up, and committed to improving (and failing!) every day, you already are one.

Imposter syndrome doesn’t go away.

So stop trying to beat it.

Learn to work alongside it. Make friends with it.

Acknowledge it's there.

… then get back to shooting.

To follow Matt go to:
https://www.instagram.com/pbsthephotographer

Follow Kurt at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bykurtsneddon
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bykurtsneddon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byKurtSneddon/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bykurtsneddon/

YouTube (Humble Togs Club): https://www.youtube.com/@humbletogsclub

Join the club at
👉 www.humbletogsclub.com

Most “constructive criticism” in photography… isn’t constructive at all.

Welcome to the very first episode of The Humble Togs Podcast — where photographers of all experience levels share the journey, not just the highlight reel.

This podcast exists for a reason.

Because a lot of photographers (especially beginner photographers) have had the same experience…

You post your work, ask for “constructive criticism”… and walk away feeling worse than when you started.

So before we go any further — if you’re here to genuinely learn, grow, and be part of a space where photographers actually support each other… you’re in the right place.

And if you’re one of those photo bros who just like tearing people down in the comments… you can probably keep scrolling.

In this first episode, Kurt Sneddon breaks down what’s really going on with photography criticism — why so much of it misses the mark, and how something that’s meant to help can quietly chip away at your confidence.

Because the truth is… a lot of feedback in photography isn’t actually constructive.

It’s vague. It’s ego-driven.

And it often says more about the person giving it than the work itself.

You’ll hear:

• why most photography feedback isn’t as helpful as it sounds
• the difference between real constructive criticism and disguised judgment
• how bad critique culture affects confidence, creativity, and growth
• what useful, supportive feedback actually looks like in practice

If you’ve ever shared your work and walked away second-guessing yourself — feeling like maybe you’re not as good as you thought, or like you don’t belong — this episode will hit close to home.

And more importantly, it’ll help you reframe what’s actually happening.

Because it’s not that you can’t handle criticism.

It’s that a lot of what’s out there… isn’t worth listening to.

This isn’t just a podcast about photography.

It’s about creating a space where people can actually grow without feeling like they’re going to get torn down for trying.

If that sounds like something you’ve been looking for — welcome.

You can feel at home here.

Follow Kurt at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bykurtsneddon
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bykurtsneddon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byKurtSneddon/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bykurtsneddon/

YouTube (Humble Togs Club): https://www.youtube.com/@humbletogsclub

To join Humble Togs Club, go to www.humbletogsclub.com