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In this episode, we break down a powerful question: If we had to start our creative careers again from zero… what would we actually do differently?

We rewind all the way back to the beginning and walk through it step-by-step. From staying broad early on to discover what you actually enjoy shooting, to niching down once you find your lane. We talk about building a portfolio with work you truly want to be hired for, not work that simply pays, and why gear and money shouldn’t be your focus in the early stages.

We also discuss making a “good enough” website instead of spending months perfecting it, and how your energy is far better spent creating strong projects. Once the portfolio is live? Outreach begins. From direct emails and networking to documenting your journey online, not for virality, but as a personal scrapbook of progress.

We dive into what we’d aim for in the first 3-6 months, how to slowly level up clients, when to start becoming selective, and why real progress often takes at least three years of consistent work.

We also break down what we’d completely ignore if starting again: obsessing over camera gear, locking yourself into rigid technical “rules”, and chasing trends in the hope of going viral.

This episode is practical, grounded, and honest, especially for beginners trying to figure out what actually matters.

Cameron's socials:

3D YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@UCzspZD6dpsO4RrZQ9GMI-dA

Gaming YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@camincontrol

Cameron's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cameron_hall96/

Cameron's website - https://tinygrade.com

Matt's Socials:

Matt's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt.pearsonn

Matt's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/matt.pearsonn/

Matt's website - https://www.mattpearson.co.uk

CHAPTERS

00:00 - Intro

08:33 - Staring over, what would we do differently?

12:48 - Build the RIGHT portfolio

17:23 - Make a simple website

20:25 - Start Outreach & Making Content

24:40 - Document the journey

43:30 - Finding Better Clients

50:45 - What would we ignore?

55:50 - Chasing trends: when to do it

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In this episode, Matt breaks down his recent Nike trail campaign shoot, travelling through Milan, boarding a branded train past Lake Como, and hiking in the mountains to capture Nike’s outdoor range in real conditions.

But the bigger conversation goes beyond the scenery.

We talk about what it really means to stop holding back in your career. Early on, you have to be bold, you reach out, you introduce yourself, you create opportunities. Later in your career, referrals and reputation start to do the heavy lifting. But somewhere along the way, many creatives lose that edge. So we ask: are we playing it too safe? Should we be more intentional, more direct, and more “ballsy” about who we want to work with?

We also unpack networking on set. Why collecting everyone’s contact details isn’t the goal, and how natural, meaningful interactions are far more powerful long-term.

Finally, we dive into something rarely discussed: creative longevity. Backpacks with wheels, posture on set, hydration, range of motion, standing desks, optimising your workspace, because if you want to build a long career, your body has to keep up with your ambition.

Cameron's socials:

3D YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@UCzspZD6dpsO4RrZQ9GMI-dA

Gaming YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@camincontrol

Cameron's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cameron_hall96/

Matt's Socials:

Matt's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt.pearsonn

Matt's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/matt.pearsonn/

CHAPTERS

00:00 - Intro

16:26 - Stop holding back, ask for opportunities

25:50 - Staying Healthy as a Creative

36:10 - Optimising your workspace

STAY CONNECTED WITH US!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lateinvoices/

⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠: https://linktr.ee/lateinvoices?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3LHl6iPM84u6L0oBsPWrYb?si=9TzClF-5RZm7GmodEFgElQ

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This week we tackle a topic every creative struggles with at some point: being busy vs actually being effective.

We discuss how creativity is vulnerable by nature. Making real work means risking judgement, which makes it tempting to hide behind “safe” tasks, emails, admin, tweaking, reorganising. Instead of producing the thing that actually matters. We also talk about the power of personal projects and why simply booking a shoot date in the calendar forces commitment and momentum.

Another big theme is over-caring. After a certain point, obsessing over details, perfection, or what others think can actually slow you down and reduce the quality of your output. There’s a tipping point where caring becomes diminishing returns.

Finally, we dive into trusting your own creative taste. In a world full of opinions, metrics, and feedback, it’s easy to lose touch with what you actually like. But your taste is your compass and learning to trust it is one of the most important skills a creative can develop.

Cameron has started his 3D portfolio with the clear intention of attracting client work for 3D modelling, and using ChatGPT to identify work he likes and how he can push his portfolio in that direction.

Matt shares a mystery Nike gift box ahead of an upcoming shoot in Milan and the Alps, but the heart of this episode quickly moves into something deeper: how easy it is to fill our days with movement that looks like progress, while avoiding the uncomfortable work that actually moves us forward.

This episode is about focus, courage, momentum, and learning to create from your own internal standard instead of external noise.

Cameron's socials:

3D YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@UCzspZD6dpsO4RrZQ9GMI-dA

Gaming YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@camincontrol

Cameron's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cameron_hall96/

Matt's Socials:

Matt's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt.pearsonn

Matt's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/matt.pearsonn/

CHAPTERS

00:00 - Intro

06:07 - Busy Work VS Effective Work

17:45 - Fear of Creation

18:55 - Value of Personal Work

22:22 - Caring too much

29:21 - Trusting Your Taste

STAY CONNECTED WITH US!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lateinvoices/

⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠: https://linktr.ee/lateinvoices?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3LHl6iPM84u6L0oBsPWrYb?si=9TzClF-5RZm7GmodEFgElQ