Fifteen years ago, I walked away from a full-time career in marketing—complete with a steady paycheck, benefits, and a 401K—to pursue photography. There were no guarantees it would work, only a willingness to accept uncertainty and learn along the way.

In this episode, I reflect on the lessons that have kept James Patrick Photography in business for 15 years. From starting out in Tucson to building a focused career in sports, fitness, and editorial photography, to relocating to Phoenix and opening The Hive Studios, this episode breaks down what actually creates sustainability in a creative business.

I share what I learned about proactive versus reactive marketing, why guiding clients is a critical part of the work, and how consistency and preparation matter more than talent alone. We also talk about the growth that came from launching FITposium, writing two best-selling books, and earning ADDY Awards—always with gratitude for the clients, collaborators, and community that made it possible.

If you're a photographer, creative, or entrepreneur looking to build something that lasts, this episode offers practical insight, perspective, and encouragement drawn from real experience.

Resources mentioned:
Read the full 15-year anniversary blog
Learn more about The Hive Studios
Connect with James Patrick Photography

Posing doesn't have to feel awkward, forced, or inconsistent.

In this episode, James Patrick breaks down 8 practical posing tips he's used across more than 800 magazine covers to help photographers confidently direct real clients, not professional models.

You'll learn how to create structure at the start of a shoot, guide clients into flattering body angles, fix posture and hands, use props intentionally, and capture natural expressions that feel authentic and powerful.

These are real, on-set cues and micro-adjustments you can start using immediately to improve your client experience and elevate your images.

If you've ever struggled with posing direction or felt unsure leading people in front of the camera, this episode gives you a clear, repeatable system that works across branding, headshots, lifestyle, and editorial photography.

👉 Download the free Magazine Cover Posing Guide at jamespatrick.com/posing

• Why posing is a photographer skill, not a client problem

• How structure at the start of a shoot builds confidence

• The most reliable foundational pose for any client

• Simple cues that instantly improve posture and presence

• How to eliminate awkward hands without overthinking

• When and how to use props to improve posing

• Techniques to capture natural, authentic expressions

• Why confident direction improves both images and referrals

1. Start With Structure
Why leading early removes uncertainty and sets the tone for the shoot.

2. The 3/4 Power Stance
A universally flattering pose that creates shape, confidence, and dimension.

3. Chin Forward and Slightly Down
The single micro-adjustment that sharpens the jawline and energizes the eyes.

4. Shift the Weight
How weight placement creates either softness or strength in a pose.

5. Relaxed Shoulders, Tall Posture
Cues that improve posture without adding tension.

6. Give the Hands a Job
Simple fixes to eliminate stiff, awkward hands.

7. Use Props With Purpose
How light prop interaction improves comfort and flow.

8. Break the Expression
Capturing the in-between moments that feel natural and human.

• Free Magazine Cover Posing Guide for Photographers
  👉 https://jamespatrick.com/posing/

James Patrick is a professional photographer, creative director, and educator with more than two decades of experience behind the lens. He has photographed over 800 magazine covers and helps photographers build both their craft and their careers through education, mentorship, and real-world insight.

Are your photography rates leaving you busy, booked, and broke? In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick breaks down exactly how photographers can calculate sustainable rates that cover their cost of doing business, desired income, and all the hidden hours spent editing, marketing, and running their business.

Learn step-by-step formulas to figure out your true hourly rate, price your shoots correctly, and turn every session into profit through usage, upsells, and add-on services. Whether you're a portrait, commercial, editorial, or lifestyle photographer, this episode gives you practical tools to stop undercharging, attract the right clients, and grow a profitable photography business.

Stop guessing your rates—start calculating them the right way.

Connect with James Patrick at JamesPatrick.com

The recent Vanity Fair portraits by Christopher Anderson sparked an unprecedented reaction across the creative world. Some called them powerful. Others called them "bad photos."

In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick breaks down why that criticism reveals more about viewer expectations than photographic quality. From extreme close-ups and intentional lighting choices to the role of honesty, narrative, and authorship, this conversation explores what actually defines a successful photograph.

We unpack why photography is a form of storytelling, why not every image is meant to flatter, and why some of the most important photographs in history are uncomfortable to look at. The episode also examines what this moment says about AI, creative intent, and the ethical decisions that still separate human-made work from generated imagery.

This is not political commentary. It's photographic commentary.

https://jamespatrick.com/

Photographers… this may shock you — but not everyone is going to like your work. And sometimes, the loudest critics are other photographers.

In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick breaks down why criticism from other creatives often has nothing to do with your talent and everything to do with ego, insecurity, and misplaced comparison.

You'll learn how to tell the difference between constructive feedback and noise, why other photographers don't get to decide your value, and how to stay focused on what actually matters — creating work you're proud of and serving the clients who hire you.

If you've ever dealt with trolls, drive-by comments, or industry shade, this episode is your reminder that community beats competition, ego doesn't pay the bills, and not everyone is supposed to like your work.

https://jamespatrick.com/

In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick takes a direct, professional look at one of the most polarizing conversations in the photography world: ethical pricing. After a viral post claimed that "$2,000 for 100 photos is unethical," the industry erupted into yet another round of pricing debates, judgment, and misinformation.

James breaks down why these arguments happen—and more importantly, why they're built on a limited, inaccurate understanding of how photography pricing, usage, licensing, and value-based business models actually work.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why "dollars per photo" is the wrong way to price your work

• How usage, reach, and client impact determine true value

• How experience, overhead, and production level shape sustainable pricing

• Why shaming photographers for their rates is the real unethical behavior

• A clear framework for building a profitable, sustainable photography business

• How commercial photography pricing differs from family, portrait, and lifestyle work

• How understanding licensing transforms your earning potential

Perfect for:
Photographers, creative entrepreneurs, commercial shooters, brand photographers, content creators, and anyone looking to strengthen their business, pricing strategy, and professional mindset.

If you've ever struggled with what to charge—or felt pressure from internet strangers telling you your rates are wrong—this episode will give you the clarity and confidence you've been missing.

https://jamespatrick.com/

In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick dives into one of the biggest questions photographers asked after his viral video: "What do you do when the client is the difficult one?"

After more than 20 years, hundreds of shoots, and more personalities than he can count, James breaks down the real root of "bad clients," why a vague contract is more dangerous than a tough personality, and how to protect your work, your energy, and your business with clear boundaries.

You'll learn:
• Why your contract is your #1 line of defense
• What MUST be included in every scope and deliverables list
• How to enforce boundaries without being rude
• Why "no" is often the most professional answer
• How to navigate change orders, unreasonable requests, and toxic behavior
• And how to move on without letting difficult clients drain your creativity

If you've ever had a shoot derailed, a client push past limits, or a project go off the rails — this episode gives you the tools to stay in control, stay confident, and stay creative.

Most breakdowns come from vague agreements, not personality clashes.
How tightening your contract eliminates 90% of conflict before it ever starts.

The exact items that belong in a scope of work — deliverables, looks, locations, edits, usage terms, fees, timelines, and change orders.

How "please refer to the terms and conditions" resets expectations with professionalism and clarity.

Why "no" is not rude — it's a boundary.
How to decline requests, deny scope creep, and keep the project on track.

Red flags, communication breakdowns, and when to walk away.

You can't be a creative and a punching bag at the same time.
Client satisfaction matters — but so does your wellbeing.

https://jamespatrick.com/

In this episode, I break down exactly how I landed a dream project—not through luck, connections, or waiting to "get discovered," but by creating the kind of work I wanted to be hired for. I share the full strategy behind building a spec portfolio, crafting content marketing around it, and ultimately generating a wave of viral visibility that positioned me as the go-to creator for that exact style of work.

If you've ever felt stuck waiting for the "right" clients to find you, this is the blueprint for taking control of your opportunities and building demand around your passion.

https://jamespatrick.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jpatrickphoto/