Brady Puryear, the founder and CEO of Blacksmith Print Co. and a wedding photographer with 700+ weddings under his belt, joins Miles and Jared for a conversation that goes way deeper than albums. After 12 years behind the camera, Brady built one of the most beloved album companies in the industry on a single radical idea: caring about people is a great business strategy.

In this episode, Brady breaks down the In-N-Out vs. McDonald's playbook, why the company that pays more, charges less, and refuses to cut corners still out-earns the competition three to one per location. He shares how to build core values that actually drive decisions (not just marketing fluff), why he's built a "rabid fan base" while being almost completely inactive on social media, and the leadership superpower behind it all: never assuming he's the smartest person in the room.

The guys also get into the danger of chasing vanity metrics, why isolation is poison for creatives, and the question every business owner needs to sit with: is your ladder leaned against the right building?

What you'll learn:

• Why caring and generosity are legitimate business strategies, not soft extras
• The In-N-Out vs. McDonald's case study on quality, pricing, and profit
• How to build core values that survive a financial hit
• Why you can hit six figures before you hit 500 followers
• The power of saying no, deciding what you won't do and won't be good at
• How to find mentors worth listening to (and the ones to ignore)

Whether you're a wedding photographer, a studio owner, or anyone building a business with soul, this is a conversation about choosing quality, leading well, and making sure success doesn't cost you the things that mattered most.

Want more from Brady?
He's an active member inside PhotoCo, where you can ask him these exact questions and get his wisdom firsthand.
Join the community at www.joinphotoco.com.

Connect with Brady
Instagram: @blacksmithprintco
Website: blacksmithprintco.com

Producer, creative director, and owner of The Hybrid Collective, Carrie Moe joins Miles and Jared for a conversation about what separates photographers who thrive from those stuck in a cycle of "there aren't enough inquiries" and "the market dried up." With a background producing creative campaigns for major brands and years curating one of the most respected stages in the wedding industry, Carrie has a rare vantage point on what actually moves a photography business forward.

Carrie unpacks why your time is your most valuable currency, how to treat yourself like a luxury brand without losing your soul, and why the photographers who go all-in on a distinct artistic voice are the ones who get paid. She and the guys dig into the resilience it takes to up-level your pricing, the discipline of putting less (not more) on your portfolio, and why getting a coach and finding your community is the fastest way off the couch and into a thriving business.

Plus: the resurgence of film in a new generation, why "perfect" was never the goal, how collaboration across a creative team makes the work stronger, and a rapid-fire breakdown of exactly what conferences look for when they pick a main-stage speaker.

What you'll learn:

• Why your time — not your gear — is your most valuable asset
• How to up-level your pricing and position yourself in a higher tier
• The discipline of a "pro athlete" mindset: training, strategy, and rest
• Why every "yes" to the wrong client is a "no" to the right one
• How film and a collaborative creative process make the work stronger
• Exactly what conferences look for when curating main-stage speakers

Whether you shoot weddings, families, brands, or commercial work, this episode is a masterclass in valuing yourself, casting vision, and building a business that's both profitable and meaningful.

Join us at The Hybrid Collective — November 8–11, 2026, in Middleburg, Virginia.

Want more?

Go behind the scenes of every episode inside PhotoCo, where you'll find exclusive bonus conversations, extended interviews, educational resources, and a growing community of photographers committed to building stronger businesses and more meaningful careers.

Join the community at www.joinphotoco.com

Connect with Carrie Moe
Instagram: @thehybridco
Website & Conference Tickets: thehybridco.com
Use code BOYER for $275 off.

Family and newborn photographer and educator Elena S Blair joins The Photographic Collective Podcast to unpack how she's built a thriving photography business that's both profitable and deeply personal. With over 300 students coached and years of speaking at events like WPPI, Elena makes the case that systems and soul aren't opposites the right systems are exactly what give you back the time to stay present with clients, family, and the work you love.

In this conversation, Elena, Miles, and Jared dig into why "community over competition" isn't just a slogan, how to find your signature style and the courage to go all-in on it, and why most photographers who feel stuck are really just out of time, not talent. Elena also gets honest about handling online negativity, protecting your energy, and why being unapologetically yourself is the best marketing strategy there is.

What you'll learn:

• Why systems protect the heart of your business instead of stripping it away
• How to identify and commit to your signature style — and why it's scarier (and more rewarding) than blending in
• The real difference between a struggling photographer and a profitable one
• Building a calm, repeatable business instead of running on "panic marketing"
• How to find your people and build a community that pulls you forward
• Handling trolls, criticism, and self-doubt when your work means something to you

Whether you shoot families, weddings, or brands, this episode is a reminder that you can grow a real, sustainable business without sacrificing the art or the life you got into this for.

Want more? Go behind the episode inside PhotoCo, where we're sharing exclusive content with Elena you won't hear anywhere else. Join the community at www.joinphotoco.com.

Connect with Elena:

• Instagram: @elenasblair_photography
• Website: elenasblair.com
• Podcast: The Empowered Photographer