Ever feel the pressure to keep pushing in your creative journey? In this reflective and candid episode, we dive into the highs and lows of photography, balancing passion with practicality, and knowing when to hit pause. From experimenting with viral reels to pondering the philosophy of stepping away, we share personal stories and insights. Whether you're chasing your next big idea or just trying to enjoy the ride, this episode is packed with relatable moments and a reminder to always do your best, whatever that looks like today.

Expect to Learn:

• A new idea for a case study that you can use to show your value to potential clients
• When to push forward, and when to step back to maintain a healthy relationship with your craft
• How reflecting on your creative journey can help you appreciate progress, set new goals, and stay motivated for the future
• How to keep your work fresh and exciting without overwhelming yourself.

Sponsors:

Thanks to WhiteWall for being our lead sponsor this episode! They're the top choice for photographers who want high-quality prints! BLACK FRIDAY site wide sale of 15% OFF from November 3rd until December 1st 2025: https://www.whitewall.com/

Thanks also to the National Park Foundation for sponsoring today’s episode. Enter the Share the Experience photo contest for a chance to win $10,000 and prizes from Celestron, Historic Hotels of America, and YETI. The grand prize winner’s photo could be featured on the America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass. Deadline to submit is December 31st 2025!

Submit your best shots now at sharetheexperience.org/tpm

Our Links:

Join our subreddit where you can share stories and ask questions:
https://www.reddit.com/r/photographermindset/

Subscribe to TPM's Youtube page and watch full length episodes: https://www.youtube.com/thephotographermindset/

Make a donation via PayPal for any amount you feel is equal to the value you receive from our podcast episodes! Donations help with the fees related to hosting the show: https://paypal.me/podcasttpm?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_US


Thanks for listening!
Go get shooting, go get editing, and stay focused.

@sethmacey
@mantis_photography
@thephotographermindset

Support the show

Think your photos are untouchable? Think again. In this episode, we’re diving headfirst into critiquing each other’s work—no filters, no mercy. From egrets with questionable neck textures to waterfalls that just needed a better sky, we’re breaking down the good, the meh, and the downright confusing. Along the way, we’ll share stories of the emotional rollercoaster of editing, and why some photos that take zero effort still get all the love. Oh, and did we mention Richard Pond? Yeah, you’ll never unsee it. Head to YouTube to see the images referenced in the episode.

Expect to Learn:

• How personal attachment to a photo can influence your perception of its quality
• Why photos that are effortless still often resonate with audiences
• Practical editing advice, like knowing when to stop tweaking before you overdo it
• How to analyze photos with a critical eye
• How the context behind a photo can add depth, even if the shot isn’t perfect.

Sponsors:

Thanks to Tamron for sponsoring this episode! Check out the 18-300mm compact, all-in-one zoom lens for creators. Get sharp shots from wide landscapes to close-ups with a 16.6x zoom, fast VXD autofocus, and a 5.9" minimum focusing distance. Available for Sony E, FUJIFILM X, and now Nikon Z, and Canon RF mounts. Save for a limited time on select mounts! Explore here at www.tamron-americas.com

Thanks to the National Park Foundation for sponsoring today’s episode. Enter the Share the Experience photo contest for a chance to win $10,000 and prizes from Celestron, Historic Hotels of America, and YETI. The grand prize winner’s photo could be featured on the America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass.

Submit your best shots now at sharetheexperience.org/tpm

Our Links:

Join our subreddit where you can share stories and ask questions:
https://www.reddit.com/r/photographermindset/

Subscribe to TPM's Youtube page and watch full length episodes: https://www.youtube.com/thephotographermindset/

Make a donation via PayPal for any amount you feel is equal to the value you receive from our podcast episodes! Donations help with the fees related to hosting the show: https://paypal.me/podcasttpm?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_US


Thanks for listening!
Go get shooting, go get editing, and stay focused.

@sethmacey
@mantis_photography
@thephotographermindset

Support the show

Ready to become the worst photographer ever, artistically speaking? We've got your back. In this spicy and sarcastic follow-up to our business edition, we're diving into all the ways you can fail spectacularly from a creative standpoint. We're talking about staying in your lane, shooting without a plan, and the vital importance of copying others without adding your own flair. Of course, we’re actually here to help you do the exact opposite and sharpen your artistic skills.

Expect to Learn:

• Why you should never try new things like video or drone work if you're already good at photos
• Why shooting on rapid-fire with zero intent is the fastest way to better images
• How to perfectly replicate other artists' work without the burden of developing your own unique style
• That the more effort you put into getting a shot, the better the photo is, and how angry you should get when no one else understands that.
• Why you should constantly compare your work to the top 0.1% of photographers online and quit when you don’t measure up.

Sponsors:

Thanks to Tamron for sponsoring this episode! Check out the 18-300mm compact, all-in-one zoom lens for creators. Get sharp shots from wide landscapes to close-ups with a 16.6x zoom, fast VXD autofocus, and a 5.9" minimum focusing distance. Available for Sony E, FUJIFILM X, and now Nikon Z, and Canon RF mounts. Save for a limited time on select mounts! Explore here at www.tamron-americas.com

Thanks to the National Park Foundation for sponsoring today’s episode. Enter the Share the Experience photo contest for a chance to win $10,000 and prizes from Celestron, Historic Hotels of America, and YETI. The grand prize winner’s photo could be featured on the America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass.

Submit your best shots now at sharetheexperience.org/tpm

Our Links:

Join our subreddit where you can share stories and ask questions:
https://www.reddit.com/r/photographermindset/

Subscribe to TPM's Youtube page and watch full length episodes: https://www.youtube.com/thephotographermindset/

Make a donation via PayPal for any amount you feel is equal to the value you receive from our podcast episodes! Donations help with the fees related to hosting the show: https://paypal.me/podcasttpm?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_US


Thanks for listening!
Go get shooting, go get editing, and stay focused.

@sethmacey
@mantis_photography
@thephotographermindset

Support the show