More Than Photos

What makes a photograph last? Reni Maria has spent years thinking about that question, both through her own work as a documentary wedding photographer and as the founder of Counterpart Photos, a collective celebrating some of the most distinct voices in wedding photography today.In this conversation, we talk about learning to notice, trusting your instincts, finding your own way of seeing, and why Reni isn’t necessarily looking for beautiful photographs. She’s looking for photographs that surprise her.We also explore what weddings look like when you stop trying to manufacture moments, why Reni believes fewer photographs can sometimes tell a better story, and the responsibility we have as photographers to decide which images deserve to survive.Reni takes us inside the thinking behind Counterpart, including why she places contemporary wedding photography alongside photographs from Magnum archives and generations past. It opens up a much bigger conversation about weddings as historical documents and the role our photographs may play long after the trends, clothes, and aesthetics of today have passed.And ultimately, we come back to the photographer. Who are you? What do you notice? What photographs actually feel like you? Because as Reni says, “People should book you for how you see the world. Not because you take beautiful photographs.”THEMESArtistic voice and originalityDocumentary wedding photographyThe art of noticingTrusting your instinctsCuration and editingFewer, stronger photographsCounterpart PhotosWedding photography as historyTimelessness vs. trendsFinding yourself in your photographsCreating work beyond InstagramCHAPTERS00:00 – Meeting Reni and the life behind her photography06:28 – Photography as a practice of noticing13:52 – Culture, travel, and letting weddings surprise you18:30 – Recognizing meaning instead of manufacturing it22:51 – Finding a way of photographing that feels like you27:21 – How Reni recognizes distinct photographic voices33:50 – The story behind Counterpart Photos43:19 – Why fewer photographs may matter more48:05 – You are the photographer AND the editor55:18 – Getting booked for how you see the world58:15 – Wedding photography in the larger frame of history01:02:42 – What actually makes a photograph timeless?01:06:46 – How to find yourself in your own photographsConnect with ReniWebsite: https://www.renimaria.comCounterpart Photos: https://www.counterpartphotos.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/renimariaphotosCounterpart Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counterpartphotos/Connect with Brad & JenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradandjen/Education: https://www.instagram.com/bradandjeneducation/KEYWORDSCounterpart Photos, wedding photography, documentary wedding photography, wedding photographer, artistic voice, photography curation, timeless photography, photography inspiration, wedding photography trends, documentary photography, editing, photography portfolio, creative growth, photography mentorship, wedding photography history, photographer creativity

What does it actually look like to raise three kids, homeschool, run a business, work from home, and still have a life?We’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look at what’s worked for us, what hasn’t, and what we’ve learned after nearly 10 years of parenting while running our business. We talk childcare, routines, quiet time, Sunday planning, outsourcing, marriage, decision fatigue, and why we’ve stopped looking for the schedule that will finally “figure it all out.”Chapters:00:00 Recording from the Trader Joe’s parking lot02:11 The biggest lesson: flexibility07:02 What we thought parenting + business would look like09:26 Can you actually “do it all?”14:11 Why there’s no perfect schedule16:38 Creating rhythms that reduce decisions21:00 Our Sunday meeting + defining a successful week25:31 Boundaries between work and family26:15 How we use childcare27:51 How we divide work when the kids are home30:16 Outsourcing inside the business31:40 Why we hired a family assistant34:00 Protecting your marriage while working together35:03 Extra grace required39:47 Good doesn’t always mean right42:09 Building the family you actually want43:00 You’re not alone in figuring this outConnect with us:Instagram: @bradandjeneducation @bradandjenlearn.bradandjen.comKeywords:working parents, working from home with kids, work life balance, parenting and business, homeschooling, homeschool parents, entrepreneur parents, working mom, family business, childcare, family routines, time management, marriage and business, family rhythms, raising kids, creative entrepreneur

What if the biggest opportunities in your business don't come because you're finally "ready"… but because you've spent years preparing before they ever arrived?This week we're joined by Kellie and Caitlin of Fulton Events for one of our favorite conversations to date. On the surface, it's the story of three years that changed everything. But underneath, it's a conversation about believing in a future before anyone else can see it. About making decisions before there's proof they'll pay off. About saying "yes" when the opportunity feels just a little bigger than you're ready for.Over the course of just 3 years—while raising three young kids—they transformed their business through intentional relationships, strategic investments, countless uncomfortable decisions, and a willingness to build the business they wanted long before they actually needed it.If you've ever wondered whether the work you're doing today is actually leading somewhere… this conversation is a reminder that growth rarely looks dramatic while you're living it.It looks like showing up.Again.And again.And again.Chapters00:00 – Meet Kellie & Caitlin of Fulton Events04:15 – Building belief before there was proof11:42 – Why three years changed everything20:31 – Preparing for the business you want29:18 – Saying yes before you're ready37:40 – Relationships that change your trajectory46:52 – Every next level starts with one step55:26 – The unseen work behind extraordinary growth1:05:14 – Advice for creatives chasing their next chapterIn This EpisodeBuilding the business before you need itBelief before proofStrategic business growthMaking bold decisionsPreparing for opportunityRelationship marketingReputation and referralsLeadership and team buildingEntrepreneurshipCreative businessWedding industryFulton EventsKeywordsBusiness growth, entrepreneurship, creative business, wedding planner, Fulton Events, business strategy, leadership, relationships, networking, mindset, entrepreneurship podcast, photographer education, business development, creative entrepreneur, premium clients, business mindset, reputation, marketing, long-term growth, intentional business.

This week Brad & Jen sit down with Emilie White, a French wedding and editorial photographer whose life has stretched across seven countries, two careers, and a constant pull toward something more than the photography itself.Before she ever picked up a camera professionally, Emilie spent 7 years in law, working in international law and intellectual property across Paris, Ireland, and the Middle East. When she and her husband left Oman, she traded a comfortable expat life for a shoebox apartment in the south of France, a newborn, and a leap into photography with no formal training and no safety net.What unfolds is an honest look at the long, winding road to becoming an artist: years of imposter syndrome, the slow work of finding her voice, and the grief that shaped her eye.Emilie opens up about losing her father at 15, the family hardships that pushed her work through darker and lighter seasons, and why she believes you have to feed your soul and then trust it to surface in your work when you least expect it.Together, we explore patience, preparation, curation, parenthood, and the discipline of holding your ego loosely while building a career the industry calls successful.We also explore:Trading a seven-year law career for photography with a newborn in towLiving across seven countries and how it taught her to read any roomThe accolades that signaled she was on the right path (and why she keeps them in perspective)Working under pressure when a portrait window shrinks to three minutesWhy preparation, not acceptance, is what makes the hard moments workUsing film cameras to spark curiosity and disarm a tough crowdBuilding teams around strengths and treating hires as investments, not expensesWhy curation is the hardest part, and the one thing she will not hand to AIMaking images that gain value with age, not just attentionHow motherhood reshaped what she shoots and how she protects her timeKeeping her ego in check while her work lands in Vogue, Harper's, and BridesConnect with EmilieWebsite: https://emiliewhite.com/ Instagram: @emiliewhitephotographyConnect with Us Join Purpose & Profit – A Roadmap to 10k Weddings Apply for the Mastermind Program - High level 1:1 creative coaching & community.Chapters(00:00) Welcome and a life across seven countries(08:32) From law school to photography(11:40) Imposter syndrome and owning the artist title(14:15) Shooting a designer's wedding and early validation(18:32) Finding her voice through editing and curation(24:15) Grief, dark seasons, and how life shapes the work(27:14) Patience, process, and time to be bored(30:43) Three-minute portraits and preparation over acceptance(39:46) Cameras as tools to read and disarm a room(44:51) Building teams around strengths(50:10) Why curation is the hardest part(59:00) Empathy in the edit: don't forget the elders(01:03:43) The couple behind the curation: Greer and Dimitri(01:06:16) Accolades, ego, and staying grounded(01:10:38) How motherhood reshaped her work(01:16:14) Movies, inspiration, and what's next

This week Brad and Jen sit down with Perry Vaile, a destination and editorial wedding photographer, historian, educator, and creative whose life stretches far beyond the wedding industry.What begins as a conversation about Perry’s mountain home in North Carolina quickly turns into something much bigger: ambition, success, identity, community, social media, and what it means to build a life that doesn’t depend on your work to fulfill you.Perry shares the story of building a 15-year photography career, the moments she felt like she had finally “made it,” and how her relationship to success has evolved over time. From photographing a Victoria’s Secret supermodel’s wedding to intentionally removing social media from her phone, she offers a refreshing perspective on staying connected to what matters while working in an industry built on visibility and comparison.Together, we explore boundaries, hobbies, community, family, creativity, and the challenge of building a successful career without sacrificing the life around it.We also explore:• Living a “split life” between the mountains and the city, and why each pace feeds the other• Buying land on instinct and building a home designed to last generations• The two moments Perry felt like she had “made it”• Finding the confidence to stand up for her work on a make-or-break deadline• Entering a world of wealth without attaching her worth to it• Why real memories matter more than staged perfection• Removing social media from her phone and creating healthier boundaries• Archery, needlepoint, gardening, reading, and building a life outside the industry• Creating local community on purpose• Holding success open-handedly and defining it on your own terms• Working smarter, protecting rest, and avoiding burnout• Why “going quiet” may be the biggest risk for photographers todayConnect with PerryWebsite: https://perryvaile.com/Instagram: @perryvaileConnect with UsJoin Purpose & Profit – A Roadmap to 10k WeddingsApply for the Mastermind Program - High level 1:1 creative coaching & community.Chapters(00:00) Welcome and the seven-weekend stretch ahead(01:00) A split life between the mountains and Raleigh(03:30) Buying the land and building a forever home(08:45) The long view: who do you want to be at 70?(14:00) Fifteen years in and the moments she “made it”(22:00) Chutzpah, film deadlines, and confidence(24:00) Wealth, worth, and belonging in luxury spaces(27:00) The historian’s approach to photography(32:00) Redefining success and holding it loosely(40:00) Protecting the craft from the industry(42:00) Social media boundaries and bricking the phone(48:00) Hobbies, books, and building community(56:00) Perspective, gratitude, and figure-out-able problems(59:00) Working smarter and protecting rest(01:13:00) What matters now and why going quiet is risky(01:20:00) Books, recommendations, and what’s nextKeywords: wedding photography, destination wedding photographer, boundaries, work-life balance, redefining success, building community, photographer mindset, burnout, rest and margin, intentional living, historic preservation, film photography, photographer education

AI is changing the way we work, create, and communicate, but what if the most important response isn’t learning how to use AI better? What if it’s becoming more human?In this episode, Jen shares 3 simple skills she’s intentionally investing in during an AI era. Skills she believes they’reare becoming increasingly rare, and therefore increasingly valuable.Books MentionedTheo of Golden - Allen LeviBird by Bird - Anne LamottKey TakeawayWhen everyone else is relying on automation, your ability to think deeply, communicate clearly, and connect genuinely may become your greatest advantage. The future may belong to those who remain unapologetically human.Episode Chapters(00:00) Why this conversation matters(02:00) How Brad & Jen use AI in their business(03:10) Skill #1(06:45) Skill #2(08:45) Skill #3(10:15) Why Skill #3 matter more than ever(13:00) Building your human superpowersLinks & ResourcesPurpose & Profit: https://learn.bradandjen.com/purpose-and-profit-courseKeywordsAI and creativity, photography business, storytelling, discovery calls, writing, reading fiction, human connection, creative growth, wedding photography, communication skills, entrepreneurship, artist development, purpose and profit.

Previews. Sneak peeks. Whatever you call them… this conversation keeps coming back around.In this episode, we unpack why so many photographers feel stuck in the tension between artistry and expectation and why the question “should I do previews or not?” might actually be the wrong place to start.Instead of giving a formula, we invite you into a different way of thinking. One rooted in ownership, clarity, and building a business from your own philosophy...not just reacting to industry pressure. If you’ve ever felt torn between what’s expected and what feels aligned, this episode will help you rethink how you make decisions… not just about previews, but about everything.What You’ll Learn in This Episode- Why the previews debate isn’t actually about previews- The hidden pressure photographers feel (and how it shapes decisions)- The difference between reacting vs. building from conviction- What previews are really doing for your clients and your business- How to think through tradeoffs without defaulting to industry norms- The power of communicating your philosophy to your clients- How to redefine previews in a way that feels aligned to youLinks & Ways to ConnectApply for the Mastermind Program:https://learn.bradandjen.com/mastermind-coachingJoin Purpose & Profit – A Roadmap to 10k Weddings:https://learn.bradandjen.com/purpose-and-profit-courseInstagram: @bradandjeneducation @bradandjenEpisode Chapters(00:00) The DM that sparked the conversation(01:30) The pressure photographers feel around previews(03:40) Why “should I do previews?” is the wrong question(05:00) Building conviction vs. outsourcing decisions(07:10) The parenting story (and decision-making framework)(10:30) Why previews exist (and what they actually do)(13:50) The tension: connection vs. artistic integrity(15:30) Two different approaches that both work(18:50) Questions to ask instead of defaulting to trends(20:10) The tradeoffs of both paths(22:10) Finding your own way (and redefining previews)Quotes Worth Remembering:“Don’t just ask what works. Ask what you believe—and build from there.”“Neither option is wrong… but neither is free.”Keywords:wedding photography, sneak peeks, previews, photography business, client experience, artistic integrity, decision making, photography marketing, creative business, wedding photographers

This week on the podcast we’re joined by Roma Vera , whose films have become some of the most recognizable and influential in the wedding world.In this conversation, we talk about originality, creative discipline, and what it takes to build work that still feels fresh after 16 years. Roma and Vera share their journey from a small town in Siberia to Moscow to Spain, the surprising influences behind their style, and the creative “policies” they’ve developed to avoid copying, repeating themselves, or getting stuck.We dig into how they create such expressive films, how they work with couples who aren’t naturally outgoing, and why they focus so much on the moments happening “behind the corner” instead of only the obvious highlights. We also talk about copycats, editing, burnout, building teams across the world, and the pressure of staying original when your work is being emulated everywhere.What We Cover:How they built one of the most recognizable styles in wedding filmmakingWhy they avoid looking at other filmmakers for inspirationThe creative rules that keep them from repeating themselvesHow they get couples to loosen up without over-directingWhat they do when a couple isn’t naturally expressiveThe pressure of being copied and staying originalWhy editing is painful, uncertain, and essential to great workHow they’ve built teams across Europe and the USWhat success, longevity, and reinvention look like after 16 yearsConnect with Roma Vera:Website: https://romavera.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romavera_films/Connect with Us:NEW Inquiry Process Email Templates: https://learn.bradandjen.com/inquiry-process-email-templates-for-photographersJoin Purpose & Profit – A Roadmap to 10k Weddings:https://learn.bradandjen.com/purpose-and-profit-courseApply for the Mastermind Program:https://learn.bradandjen.com/mastermind-coachingInstagram: @bradandjeneducation @bradandjenChapters:(00:00) Meeting Roma Vera(04:00) From Siberia to Spain(07:30) The early moments that shaped their style(11:00) Inspiration beyond the wedding industry(20:00) Finding humor and unexpected moments(24:00) Why they don’t follow other filmmakers(30:00) How they direct without over-directing(35:00) Working with quieter couples(39:00) Their dream wedding weekends(43:00) Building teams across Europe and the US(49:00) Why editing feels like suffering(58:00) Burnout, inspiration, and staying creative(01:01:00) Being copied and staying original(01:09:00) What success looks like nowKeywords:wedding filmmaking, wedding videography, creative discipline, originality, editing process, storytelling, destination weddings, wedding films, documentary filmmaking, artistic voice, creativity, burnout, wedding filmmakers, business growth

This week on the podcast, we’re joined by photographer Tejas, whose work has quietly become some of the most thoughtful and distinctive in the wedding and documentary space.In this conversation, we talk about the long arc of becoming an artist, the discipline of creating before sharing, and how to build a body of work that actually means something. Tejas shares how he discovered photography in high school, the years he spent studying the craft, and the personal projects that continue shaping the way he sees the world.We dig into the tension between service and artistry, why personal work matters for creative growth, and how reflection, curiosity, and relationships have shaped his approach to both photography and life. From documenting a deeply personal project between India and Pakistan to developing systems for archiving and revisiting his work, Tejas reminds us that meaningful work takes time.What We Cover:Why many artists need years of creating before they’re ready to shareHow studying film and darkroom work shaped his approach to craftWhy revisiting old work is key to developing your voiceThe role of personal projects in stronger client workThe story behind his India–Pakistan documentary projectConnect with Tejas:Website: https://weddingsbytejas.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tejasphotos/Connect with Us:Join Purpose & Profit – A Roadmap to 10k Weddings:https://learn.bradandjen.com/purpose-and-profit-courseApply for the Mastermind Program:https://learn.bradandjen.com/mastermind-coachingInstagram: @bradandjeneducation @bradandjenChapters:(00:00) Introduction to Tejas(04:00) Discovering photography and early training(10:00) Learning the craft and artistic foundations(15:00) Finding your voice through reflection(23:00) Service vs. artistry in weddings(33:00) Systems, film, and workflow(42:00) India–Pakistan documentary project(55:00) The purpose of meaningful art(01:01:00) Mentorship and lifelong learningKeywords:wedding photography, documentary photography, creative process, artistic voice, personal projects, photography education, film photography, creative growth, storytelling, intentional creativity

This week on the podcast we’re joined by husband-and-wife photography team Andrew and Mashaida, the creatives behind Mashaida. Known for their deeply relational approach to weddings, their work is rooted in a simple belief: great photographs are the byproduct of great relationships.In this conversation, we talk about building a photography business around people rather than algorithms, cultivating real relationships with clients and planners, and why curiosity may be one of the most underrated skills in business.Andrew and Mashaida share their unlikely start — from photographing their first wedding for free after answering a Craigslist ad — to building a career defined by connection, service, and long-term relationships. Along the way, they unpack how spending real time with clients transforms the work, why networking should never feel transactional, and how their belief that strong marriages can change the world shaped the heart of their brand.If you’ve ever wondered how to stand out in a crowded industry without chasing trends, this conversation will remind you that the most powerful differentiator might simply be caring more about people.What We Cover:How Andrew and Mashaida built their business from a $120 first wedding to a globally recognized brandWhy great photography is often just the byproduct of great relationshipsThe story behind their first Craigslist clients and the relationship philosophy that followedWhy spending real time with couples (not just questionnaires) transforms the workThe myth that luxury clients don’t want relationships with their vendorsHow curiosity and meaningful conversation build stronger connections with clientsThe difference between networking to “use people” vs. building genuine relationshipsWhy social media should be a tool for connection, not the center of your marketing strategyHow service — not status — creates long-term success in the wedding industryConnect with Andrew & Mashaida:Website: https://mashaida.co/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mashaida.co/Connect with Us:Apply for the Mastermind Program: https://learn.bradandjen.com/mastermind-coachingJoin Purpose & Profit - A Roadmap to 10k Weddings:https://learn.bradandjen.com/purpose-and-profit-courseInstagram: @bradandjeneducation @bradandjenFix Your Pricing Guide:Pricing Guide Template:https://learn.bradandjen.com/brad-and-jen-pricing-guideKeywords:wedding photography business, client experience, relationship marketing, luxury wedding photography, photography branding, networking for creatives, curiosity in business, storytelling photography, documentary wedding photography, relationship-based business, photographer client connection, creative entrepreneurship

Hey everyone! This week on the podcast we’re doing something a little different — an AMA episode pulled straight from your DMs.What We Cover:• Why low-budget inquiries aren’t the real issue• The shift from “How do I stop this?” to “How do I attract differently?”• Common positioning patterns that attract general-market budgets• The continuity gap between social, website, pricing guide, and discovery call• Discovery call mindset: booking vs. genuine curiosity• How early pricing anchors affect conversions• Questions to ask when you sense a red flag on a call• Writing personality-infused copy that still speaks to higher budgets• Navigating business + parenthood identity tension• Staying couple-first while working with planners• Defining your “ceiling and floor” for social media• Building sustainable rhythms onlineConnect with Us:Apply for the Mastermind Program:https://learn.bradandjen.com/mastermind-coachingJoin Purpose & Profit – A Roadmap to 10k Weddings:https://learn.bradandjen.com/purpose-and-profit-courseInstagram:@bradandjeneducation@bradandjenFix Your Pricing Guide:Pricing Guide Template – Built to Convert:https://learn.bradandjen.com/brad-and-jen-pricing-guideFree Download:5 Mistakes Costing You Bookings:http://learn.bradandjen.com/freebie-5-reasons-you-re-not-bookingKeywords:wedding photography business, attracting higher-budget clients, converting discovery calls, photography pricing strategy, inquiry conversion, luxury positioning for photographers, social media strategy for creatives, photography marketing mindset, planner relationships, writing personality-driven copy, creative entrepreneurship, burnout prevention for photographers, sustainable photography business

In this episode of More Than Photos, Brad & Jen sit down with UK-based wedding photographer Daniel Knight Harris for a wide-ranging conversation on creative longevity, intentional business decisions, and building a career that supports real life. Drawing from his background in music and commercial photography, Daniel shares why weddings offer a rare gift of creative freedom and how slowing down, setting boundaries, and protecting energy have reshaped both his work and his family life.Key TakeawaysCreative-first decisions lead to healthier, longer careersSlowing processes can increase meaning and clarity for clientsProtecting energy matters as much as protecting incomeTools that require more intention can reconnect you to the craftLinksDaniel Knight Harris: https://www.danielknightharris.com/Daniel Knight Harris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielknightharris Learn More about Brad & Jen:Brad and Jen Website: learn.bradandjen.comPurpose and Profit Course: https://learn.bradandjen.com/purpose-and-profit-course Chapters(00:00) Introduction & Daniel’s path into photography(04:30) From music and commercial work to weddings(10:15) Creative freedom in weddings vs. commercial spaces(15:40) Energy, boundaries, and avoiding burnout(20:10) Redefining what “thriving” actually means(26:00) Slowing down workflows and client expectations(32:30) Why giving less can strengthen the final product(38:45) Tools, film, and reengaging with the craft(45:10) Family rhythms, life rules, and work weeks(51:30) Saying no, trusting the process, and creative confidence(58:30) What success looks like in this season of lifeKeywordscreative longevity, wedding photography, slow photography, creative burnout, sustainable business, film photography, client experience, creative boundaries, photography podcast, More Than Photos, Daniel Knight Harris

Photographer Daniel Kim joins More Than Photos for a thoughtful conversation on creativity, burnout, and the long road of building a sustainable career. Daniel reflects on early ambition, seasons of overwork, and the disciplines like rest, journaling, budgeting, and saying no, that have helped him create without losing himself. This episode is an honest look at what it takes to make meaningful work without running your life at full throttle.Key TakeawaysBurnout often comes from living in a constant state of urgency, not just working hardCreativity thrives with margin, not pressureRest is not a reward, it’s a disciplineJournaling helps clarify identity beyond output and productivityFinancial rhythms (budgeting, simplicity) directly affect creative freedomA sustainable career is built slowly, with intention and self-awarenessSuccess doesn’t require red-lining your lifeLinksDaniel Kim Photography https://danielkimphoto.com/Daniel Kim on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/danielkimphoto/Rick Rubin’s book https://amzn.to/49gBIMcLearn More about Brad & Jen:Brad and Jen Website: learn.bradandjen.comPurpose and Profit Course: https://learn.bradandjen.com/purpose-and-profit-course Chapters(00:00) Introduction & meeting Daniel Kim(03:45) Early ambition and learning the photography grind(09:30) When creativity starts to feel like pressure(15:10) Burnout, exhaustion, and the cost of constant output(22:40) Why rest is essential for creative longevity(29:15) Journaling, self-awareness, and identity beyond work(36:50) Budgeting, simplicity, and creative freedom(44:20) Redefining success and building a sustainable career(51:30) Encouragement for creatives feeling tired or stuckKeywordscreativity, burnout, photography podcast, creative burnout, sustainable creativity, rest and work, creative discipline, journaling for creatives, photography career, artistic identity, More Than Photos, Daniel Kim