WARNING: Listening to this episode of the show could cause you to pee in your pants from sheer laughter. Besides being extremely talented photojournalistic wedding photographers, today’s guests, Pepper Nix and Mitch Burt, are a riot. They really could take their act on the road. Except, it’s not an act. They are genuinely easy going and very, very funny. They are great examples of how not to take life too seriously.  Today they each talk about how they got into professional photography. Mitch by way of USCs film school then a switch to a neurobiology graduate course. Pepper is a proud art school college drop out. (Her photography professors told her she didn’t have what it took to make it as a professional photographer. Now she’s internationally renown, award-winning wedding photographer who’s shot celebrity weddings.)

They also share with us how they got hitched and what it’s like being in business together, then becoming “friendly” competitors. This is an interview that will greatly entertain and inspire you. You’ll also learn tips on how to keep your 2-year-old from getting pink-eye.

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Next week I speak with Alex de Jong from the Netherlands. You may not have heard of him, but after this interview, I guarantee you’ll be inspired by him. The story of a terminally ill and blind photographer and how he hasn’t let his blindness prevent him from creating his art.

Every now and then I get a show where the conversation flows so naturally and is so engrossing, I lose track of time and don’t want to stop. Today’s interview with Anna Kuperberg was such an interview (thus the hour+ long episode). But, don’t let the length scare you. I have no doubt you’ll savor every second of this wonderful interview, in fact, you’ll probably be wanting more.

Anna covers the whole gamut. Born to Polish parents (it was her first language) who emigrated to Houston, TX, then moved to Auburn, AL when she was very young. Eventually moving to the St. Louis, MO area where she attended college. Anna was voted this year by American Photo as one of the top ten wedding photographers in the world, and is by far one of the most successful photographers in the San Francisca Bay Area. Anna talks about what it was like getting a degree in photography but not learning the business side. (That was something she had to learn on her own, which she’s glad she did). We have a wonderful discussion about improvisational jazz as an analogy for photography, which leads to a fun tangent about my stint as a swing dancer (don’t worry, I tie it back into the interview quite nicely). We talk about living in the south, why immigrants make terrific photographers, how she improves her craft, using social media effectively, how the switch to digital has affected her work and business, and her take on the use of Photoshop and other such tools. (You may be surprised at the information she shares). From the funny anecdotes to the insightful advice, this is an interview that will inspire you.

Next week we have a Thanksgiving Day special. Another thoroughly engrossing conversation with a real “rock star” photographer, Gabrielle Geiselman, photographer for such groups as Alice Cooper, Rob Zombie, and Marilyn Manson. You definitely do not want to miss what Gabrielle has to say.

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A little over two years ago, Scott Hayne was running a small courier business that lost a major contract forcing  him into “unemployment.” His wife Adina lost her job as well.  Yet, Scott had a gift for photography, and in the midst of those job losses, they took a leap of faith and invested $10,000 in camera gear and other equipment to start their photography business. Well, their investment paid off. This year at the Annual Senior Portrait Artist event, he was named both Senior Portrait Artist of the Year and Top New Artist of the Year. Scott and Adina seem to be doing everything right. They’ve gathered over 2,500 Facebook friends (half of which are clients or potential clients), have a decent Twitter following, and his meteoric rise to success has prompted other photographers to ask, “How’d you do it?” So, they started their “No Rules “Workshop” to share the what worked and didn’t work for them.

In this interview, Scott and Adina tell us how it all began, the scary start of borrowing the money to start the business, how Facebook has benefited their business, how they went from 4 weddings to 37 in one year, finding one’s “style,” and what it’s like working together as a husband and wife team. In today’s trying economic times, it’s encouraging stories like this that remind you anything is possible!

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Next week we have a very special treat. Uber-successful commercial photog and industry thought-leader Doub Menuez graces the FSB airwaves. You absolutely WON’T want to miss it!

Contest Winners

We also announce the winners of the “Find our ad in RangeFinder Magazine” contest. Congrats to Lydia Takeoka, Rich Mattingly, Patrick Farrington, and George Williams. If you want to bypass the contest winner announcement, the interview starts at 5:36.

How many of you would be willing to cut 25% of your revenue so that you could  have a better life for yourself? Today we’ll speak with a couple that did just that—two giants in the world of teen and family portraiture, Kent and Sarah Smith. About 7 years ago at a time when their studio was grossing over $900,000 a year, $250K of that was from weddings. When they were forced to leave a great vacation in Italy in order to get home in time to shoot Saturday weddings, two weddings that involved a lot of stress, it was then and there they decided to quit weddings cold turkey. They’ve since made up that revenue with just their portrait business and life is so much better for them because of it.

Kent and Sarah share with us stories from their 25+ years in the business. A lot of you do same-day slide shows at your weddings. Hah! Kent was doing slide shows at the weddings back in 1982 when he was literally using slides! He’d shoot the weddings on slide film, then develop them in the back of his van and project them later that evening. They comment on leadership, the use (over-use) of Photoshop, we talk about the movie Braveheart, getting paid what you’re worth, and how to keep the passion of your art when running a business has turned your love photography into a “job.” And I get to get back on my soap box about the exploitation of teens in sexually explicit advertising. This is one of those episodes that covers the whole gamut. Don’t miss out.

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Next week we have on the show wedding photographer, savvy businessman, and music aficionado Fred Egan.

At a relatively young age, and in just five short years, Chris and Katie Humphreys have become rising stars in the world of wedding photography. They are speakers at Pictage, give webinars for liveBooks, are writing for ProPhotoResource.com, and all around genuine people. Theirs is another inspiring story of two people who kind of fell into photography and bloomed. After failing miserably as a camp counselor for little kids, Chris (who was a music major of all things) asked the camp owners if there was another job he could do. There was: taking photos. He fell in love with photography. He sought a job at the college paper as a photographer, and one fateful day, in a very funny way, he met David Jay (who at the time had recently started his own wedding photography business, and is now world renown instructor and CEO of ShowItFast). David hired Chris as an assistant, and soon encouraged him to “leave the nest.” He later “dragged” his then girlfriend Katie into the business, and the rest as they say is history.

In this fun interview, Chris and Katie fill in the details of how they got started and how they met. They share how the differences in their personalities actually helps them in their business and staying sane as married couples who work together.

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Next week we have another married couple, this time at the other end of the age spectrum, Kent and Sarah Smith, 20+ year veterans and leaders in the world of family and senior portraiture.
CHRIS AND KATIE IN ACTION

We’ve had the pleasure of producing for Chris and Katie this video that shows them in action at both a wedding and an engagement shoot.

This week we continue our tribute to the ONE conference with a re-run of episode 54 with Zack Arias. Zack gives a very personal account of the consequences running a studio can have on a marriage. Zack is an editorial and press photographer specializing in the music industry. In five years he’s photographed over 350 bands and indie artists in the fields of rock and hip-hip (including Big Boi, half of the hip-hop team Outkast). He’s funny, insightful, an insanely talented photographer (check out his One Light DVD and workshop), and an all around great guy (don’t let the tattoo’s and ZZ Top-style beard scare you).  Enjoy!

Stay tuned every week as we have some terrific new interviews upcoming, including: Parker Pfister, Trevor Brucki, Kevin Swan, Marc Silber, Piper Carter, Chris and Katie Humphrey, and the mother/daughter team of SPA, Kia Bondurant and Sana Antisdel.

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A TRIPLE DOSE OF TLD

If you’re a fan of the show, today is your lucky day. We have not one, not two, but THREE episodes for your viewing enjoyment:

• Ep. 7: Team A continues filming in Robert Evans’ studio. Meanwhile, Team B is granted access to another famous studio, Westlake Studios, where such artists as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and No Doubt have recorded albums. The fun and mayhem continue.
• Episode 8: As the night drags on, some members of Team A get antsy as Dane, DJ, and Becker go on a practical joke rampage (not even the executive producer of the show can escape their antics). Meanwhile, after their food fight in Carl’s Jr. and recording in the world famous Westlake Studios, Team B hits the streets of Hollywood.
• Episode 9: It’s the penultimate episode. Both teams shoot their PSA, Team A starts shoot a SECOND video (in addition to their PSA), and finally, the editing begins. Special guest appearances by Rachel and Andrew Niesen of LaCour, Skip Cohen (president of WPPI/RangeFinder Publishin) and his side kick, Molly the Wonder Dog, and Arlene Evans (WPPI Ops manager).

THIS WEEK’S DRAWING WINNERS

Every week we pick a name from those who left comments on a “Longest Day” episode to win a free Triple Scoop Music song (a $60 value). Now we’re picking TWO winners. This week’s winner are Mitch Hong of I Do Photography in Capetown, South African, and Mike Steelman located I think in somewhere near Monterey, CA. Congratulations gentlemen.

LEAVE A COMMENT IN ITUNES FOR CHANCE TO WIN DVD SET OF SHOW!

It’s official, we will be producing a DVD set of the series which will include all the episodes, the team videos, deleted scenes, and a bonus feature: the photographer’s summit meeting held the following morning.  Please take a moment to leave a comment about the show in iTunes,  and at the end of the 10-episode run, we’ll conduct a drawing for FIVE free Triple Scoop Music songs from those who’ve left comments in the iTunes store. (That’s five people will each win a song). In addition, one lucky winner will win a the GRAND PRIZE.  Click here to access the show’s iTunes page.

FREEBIE TO WPPI 2010

Remember, if you post the video on your blog AND link that post back to WPPI, you’ll get a freebie pass to WPPI 2010. You must fill out the “freebie” form at the top of this blog to qualify. To get the embed code, click on the second icon in the bottom right-hand portion of the player. Then click on the “Embed” tab to access the code.

SPECIAL SPONSOR DISCOUNTS

In this episode of the show, there is a 5-digit discount code in the end sponsor credits. If you use that code with these participating sponsors, you can get some great discounts.

• Microsoft Expression Media 2:  Use the code for a 50% savings on the “Better Together” software bundle of Capture One 4 and Microsoft Expression Media 2 (a $100 savings). Available for both Windows and Mac, Capture One 4 and Microsoft Expression Media 2 provide photographers with an accelerated, intuitive, and flexible RAW processing workflow solution. Excellent color and tonal values, easy photo asset management. Better Together… Click here.
• Triple Scoop Music: enter the 5-digit code at check out and get 10% off world class music. Log on to TripleScoopMusic.com.
• Photographer’s Edit: For a limited time, Photographer’s Edit is excited to offer “The Longest Day” viewers a one-time 15% discount on its processing services! Photographer’s Edit specializes in the processing of weddings, and we think you’ll love our Effortless approach. Click here.
• Loktah: In celebration of launching our new products, Loktah is going to offer something very special for all “The Longest Day” viewers.  Loktah will be offering a 15% off coupon which will be good for anything in our online store, which includes our new album/image portfolio boxes, photo-folios, and double and single dvd/cd cases. Just look for the discount code while watching “The Longest Day”.  Our new products are still 100% eco-friendly and you and your clients will find them to be a beautiful and unique way to present your product.
  

Please take some time to visit the sites of our sponsors.

Microsoft Expression Media 2 • WPPI • Asuka Book • Kubota Image Tools • Triple Scoop Music
Photographer’s Edit • Loktah • Mike Colón Photographers

NOW, ON WITH THE SHOWS

Episode 7

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Episode 8

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Episode 9

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Last year, Jeff and Julia Woods of Portrait Life hosted the first annual ONE Conference: a unique seminar geared towards small studios where one or more of the owners are married. It is designed to deal with and face the issues associated with keeping a healthy marriage, while at the same time running a small (or large) studio. Registration has opened up again for this year’s conference, and in honor of that, I’m replaying the special episode we recorded last August with guests Jeff and Julia Woods, Jen and Steve Bebb, and Dane Sanders. It’s a must-listen episode if you’re married (or thinking about it) and run a small studio.

Next week, I continue the ONE series with a re-run of our interview with music industry photographer (and now fellow Atlantian) Zack Arias.

We have a slew of great interviews lined up for you, with wedding, portrait, and commercial photographers, including: Parker Pfister, Trevor Brucki, Kevin Swan, Marc Silber, Piper Carter, Chris and Katie Humphrey, and the mother/daughter team of SPA, Kia Bondurant and Sana Antisdel. And I hope to grab some interviews while at WPPI too. Are you ready to be inspired!

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David Beckstead is a super star in the world of professional wedding photography. He has shot weddings and teaches all over the world, from Greece to Asia. He was named by American Photo as one of the Top 10 Wedding Photographers in the world. He can command top rates and his work is an inspiration to many. Oh, did I mention he has NO formal photography training? His career in photography started out of a 12 year stint as a forest fire fighter. He was given an opportunity to be flown around the country photographing forest fires, but the deal fell through. It was then that he decided to pursue his passion for art. The first three years in business were hard, but once he figured out the business aspect of it, the rest, as they say is history.

From forest fires to family matters, David Beckstead reveals it all. He even gives us his secret for a 17 year marriage that is just as exciting now as it was at the beginning. He calls it his 80/20 rule. You HAVE to hear it!

Today’s musical outro is “Father Figure” by Shotgun Radio courtesy of Triple Scoop Music.

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Next week, we have commercial photographer, and the youngest person to be named both a Nikon and Hasselblad Master, Chase Jarvis. (Chase is the guy Nikon had test drive the video making capabilities of of the Nikon D90 when it first came out.)

The inaugural episode of F-Stop Beyond had two guests: Jasmine Star and today’s guest, Dane Sanders. But, back then, we only had him on for about ten minutes. Since Dane was a guest for the very first show, it seems apropos to have him on this first episode of the show on the F-Stop Beyond: EXPERIENCE website (www.fstopbeyond.tv).

Dane has been a leader and visionary in the wedding and portrait photography world for a number of years now. He was a trailblazer of photography video podcasts with his Simple Photo Minute (later to become Dane’s Photo Minute); he created what was affectionately referred to as “YouTube for Photographers” with his CutFrameTV (now part of PhotographyMentor.com); and he’s the author of the very well received book Fast Track Photographer. This episode is chocked full of amazing info. Dane shares about his thoughts on the controversy of selling the photograPHER vs. the photograPHY. He also talks about the challenges he faced as the leader of Team A for the reality TV show “The Longest Day” (premiering here on the F-Stop Beyond Experience shortly); his take on social networking and the terrible faux pas he did adding his wife Tami to Twitter without her permission (note to husbands. Don’t do that!); and speaking of Tami, we get to learn about “the Tami Factor.” He even shares about how he feels about the loss of his dad at a very young age. A moving interview you don’t want to miss. There’s just too much to write here. You gotta listen.

(Note: 33 minutes into the interview, we switch from Skype-to-Skype to Skype-to-phone, so there’s a noticeable change in how Dane sounds).

Today’s musical outro is “To Show You My Love” by Mike Schmid courtesy of Triple Scoop Music.

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Next week, we have the one…the only…David Beckstead.

He is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology who worked a little in the design world. She’s a Yale Law School graduate whose love for exclamation marks prompted her to give up her legal career. In a relatively short amount of time, Justin and Mary Marantz have grown a very successful wedding and portrait studio in the New England area. This week they share with us details of their personal and professional lives that will bring a smile to your face, and maybe even a tear or two. We learn about Mary’s humble beginnings and how her childhood helped give her an appreciation for all she has now. They give us some great advice on balancing business with married life. And speaking of married life, we learn how they met in the first place. And pershaps my favorite part of the interview is surprising Mary with a deeply philosophical question about Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I love this job! Enjoy!

This week’s musical outro is “I’ll Always Be Around” by Zach Romanoff courtesy of Triple Scoop Music.

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Next week we bring back “Fast Track Photographer” author Dane Sanders. You won’t want to miss this one!

I only had to visit their website for a little bit before I knew Matt and Krystal would be great guests. You’ll notice that today’s show is all about being silly and having fun.

In today’s episode, we actually don’t talk about faith (or a lack of it) at all. Instead, we talk about their career path into photography. He was an electrical engineer, and she was in the U.S. army for nine years. Today, they are PPA Master Photographers (well, as of January ‘09 anyway), instructors, and successful wedding and portrait photographers. We learn how they hooked up on a blind date after a mutual friend lied to both of them. (Luckily, they liked each other enough for a second date). And Matt gives us his take on the state of photography today. That ironically, because of digital technology, bad photography today is worse than it’s ever been, but good photography is better than it’s every been. (Quite a quandary).  Oh, and only with the Radlinskis would we have the first ever F-Stop Beyond drinking game. Listen and play along (NOTE: I am in no way endorsing drunkenness, so no complaining e-mails please!

Today’s musical outro is “Alone Tonight” by Castella courtesy of Triple Scoop Music.

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Next week we have both an inspirational and touching interview with Justin and Mary Marantz.

Beware. Today’s podcast is totally bitchin’! That’s right. I said bitchin’! If that introduction takes you aback, imagine the brides who come to Chenin Boutwell’s home page and read a similar warning. What I love about Chenin and Doug Boutwell is that they are true to themselves right through to the copy on their website. Fun. Pointed. A little rough around the edges. But always, “totally rad!” Today, the Boutwells talk about being truly “you,” unapologetically. We hear how Chenin turned her back on a potential legal career to pursue her passion of photography. We learn why Doug left the greatest universtity in the world (go Bears!) to be closer to his high school sweetheart (yes, that would be Chenin). And how he made the transition out of the wedding photography business to focus on what he truly loves: actions (while dabbling in fashion photography). And we get the inside scoop on their pending foray into parenthood. Are you ready for a bitchin’ interview?
Today’s musical outro is “Amplify the Sun” by Echofission, courtesy of Triple Scoop Music.

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Next week we have another “rad” couple—PPA Master Photographers-elect, Matt and Krystal Radlinsky. This one’s a hoot as we introduce the first official F-Stop Beyond drinking game. Tune in.

I continue my discussion with Kevin right where we left off, explaining how he had a female roommate while he dated his (girlfriend at the time) wife.  He goes on to share about managing married life, giving back, and the one thing he wants everyone to know about him. Don’t miss it.

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Special thanks to Joshua Smith of Cinematic Bride for manning the camera as my associate producer on this episode.

When I mention the name Madison County, for many of you, the first thing that probably comes to mind are the classic covered bridges and the best selling book and critically acclaimed movie. Well, Madison County is also home to today’s guest, star portrait photographer and speaker, Lori Nordstrom. The film buff in me gets to chat a while with Lori about her famous county and the controversy of a romance movie about infidelity filmed in such a conservative midwest county. The discussion about the movie leads to discussions about Lori’s small “Mayberry” town and how she ended up moving from Texas to Winterset, IA.  Lori also shares with us how she balances running a successful portrait studio and raising kids. She opens up about her own divorce and gives our listeners some sage advice about the importance of assigning responsibilities in a marriage in order to set expectations. If you’re in this business with a spouse, even if your spouse doesn’t directly work with you in the business, I encourage you to listen to Lori’s story and be inspired by what she’s learned in life.

In tribute to the romance of the covered bridges of Madison County, and as a nod to the book and movie about the famous county, today’s musical outro is “Love Letters” by Kirsten Vogelsang courtesy of Triple Scoop Music.

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Next week, Jay Lawrence Goldman and I talk movies and music. It’s one of the most fun interviews I’ve had. Don’t miss it!

Mike Larson was working in the photo department of a Long’s Drugstore when he was first getting into photography. Now, he’s an internationally renown wedding and portrait photographer, speaker, instructor, and a WPPI “Young Gun.”  What does it take to go from Long’s Drugs lackey, to photographer superstar? In this free for all episode, Mike shares his passion and his heart. We spend a good amount of time talking about his love for surfing and how eventually how that relates to photography. He tells us about the time when he was so burnt out on weddings and turned his lens towards surf and sports photography, then how he made his way back to weddings. The lessons he learned along the way have greatly improved his business and his brand, not the least of which is having a balance between fulfillment in your job, and making a living.

With as many destination weddings as he does, and with his busy teaching schedule, I ask him how his business affects his marriage to his beautiful wife of three years, Rachel. He gets really personal and open about the challenges they faced, including getting out from under a lot of debt. We cover the whole gamut in this one. And yes, I do ask him about the origin of the photography stunt he’s famous for: tossing and spinning his Canon in the air above the bridal party to take a series of snap shots. Crazy man!

The musical outro for this week’s episode is “Surfin’ Party” by The Digbees, courtesy of Triple Scoop Music.

Embeddable PlayerNext week, we have a very funny and heart-felt interview with Ann Hamilton.