Focused AF

Everybody wants to know how to grow an associate team - but what if you're on the other end of that coin? What if you simply wish to photograph gorgeous weddings on the weekends for other studios? As a veteran associate lead photographer of Pearl Paper Studio for over the past 11 years, Stephen Capone is everything a studio needs an associate photographer to be: talented, dependable, and the consummate team player. The career path of being a full-time associate photographer is not for everyone. For the 2+ years we've had this podcast, Stephen's been clawing at our door for a chance to share his stories, as well as what it's like to work for the most amazing bosses on the planet :). Today's drink is the Cinnamon-Ginger Pear Gin & Tonic - .5 oz pear syrup - 1 oz gin - 1 oz tonic - Garnish with sliced ginger & cinnamon stick

When people see you at the top of your game, they oftentimes don't see the blood, sweat, and tears that go into building a profitable business. It's a common theme that you hear with success stories - this concept is neither new (nor inspirational, for that matter). However for better or worse, it's all absolutely 100% true. On one of our recent lives, a viewer/listener wanted to know about some of the specific mistakes that we've made along the way. What were some of the struggles/mistakes we've faced in our wedding photography careers, and how did we overcome them? Today's drink is an Aperol Margarita. - 1 oz tequila - 1 oz aperol - 1 oz triple sec .75 oz lime juice .5 oz simple syrup

One of the best things your favorite podcast cohosts have ever done for our businesses was attend conferences, both here at home and abroad. Hands down, it's one of the quickest ways to level up your skills, build your portfolio, and grow your professional network - all the key ingredients to running a successful business. This is why we've invited Christopher Stiles & Jennifer Zapatka of The Lens & Light Summit to talk about their conference, and how/why they decided to bring this incredible experience to their own backyard.

If you think that trying to make a living through wedding photography is hard, try being a musician! The Essential Jason Nelson joins us in the studio and shares how he's been able to niche down, leverage social media, and create a thriving brand that most of us can only dream of. You can check him out here: https://www.instagram.com/essentialjasonnelson In honor of our special guests, this drink is the "Careless Whisper" Ingredients For cocktail: 2 oz vodka 4 oz fresh watermelon juice 1/2 oz mint syrup pinch of salt For mint salt: 4 mint mints leaves 1 teaspoon salt For mint syrup: 1 bunch of mint 1 cup of sugar 1 cup of water Instructions In a small saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil, stirring until all sugar dissolved. Remove from stove, add mint and allow to steep. Once syrup has cooled, strain. For mint salt: Place mint on cutting board and sprinkle with salt, using a sharp knife finely mince mint leaves and salt. Sprinkle on fresh watermelon. For cocktail: In a ice shaker filled with ice add vodka, watermelon juice and mint syrup. Shake until well chilled, strain into glass, Garnish with fresh watermelon and mint salt.

Contrary to popular opinion, there's more to wedding planning than just the fun, creative parts and building the dream team that will bring a vision to life; there are also countless hours of firefighting, budgeting, and coordination that goes on behind the scenes to make all these things happen - all the while keeping a big smile on your face. That is what we talk about with Amanda Hudes from Smiling Through Chaos on today's episode! You can check her out here: https://www.smilingthroughchaos.com/ https://instagram.com/smilingthroughchaos

In this day in age of countless online resources and tools at our fingertips, do engaged couples still need a wedding planner? And if you're a wedding creative, what are wedding planners looking for when they're building their creative team to help bring their clients' vision to life? Kelly Seca of Gifted Events joins us in the studio on this episode to give us a peek into the life and work of a wedding planner who serves high-end, luxury clientele here in the NYC area and abroad. You can check out Gifted Events here: https://www.giftedeventsnj.com/ And follow them on IG here: https://www.instagram.com/giftedeventsnj/

"Some people are so consumed and pre-occupied with their product, that they forget the EXPERIENCE is a part of that product." Our good friend Ben Davis dropping GOLD on this episode with the Focused AF crew. Learn how he attracts and serve his high-end luxury clients, while juggling his VERY busy family life. You can check him and his wife out here: https://yameanstudiosfilms.com/