#561 John Kenny is a dedicated photographer based in rural England who shares his journey from picking up a camera for a family trip to building a portrait and headshot business. The conversation highlights John’s transition from landscape to portrait and headshot photography, underlining the importance of hands-on learning, continual practice, and client communication.

KEY TOPICS COVERED

1. Getting Started and Early Learning - John’s experiences underscore the importance of learning manual settings, understanding light, and learning from mistakes rather than relying solely on equipment.
2. Building a Photography Business - The pivot from landscapes to portraits taught John that technical skill must be paired with people skills, client feedback, and creative planning for portrait success.
3. Community and Growth - Engaging with photography communities, drawing inspiration from other creatives, and pursuing personal projects help accelerate development and confidence.

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS & CONCEPTS

• Manual Mode: Complete control over camera settings for creative results.
• Previsualization: Planning an image before capturing it, crucial for impactful photos.

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. How did your photography motivations change with experience?
2. What role has community played in your learning?
3. Which personal project would challenge you most?

RESOURCES:
Visit John Kenny's Website - https://www.johnkennyphotography.com/
Follow John Kenny on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnkenny_photography/
The Great British Photography Challenge (BBC) - https://tv.apple.com/us/show/the-great-british-photography-challenge/

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Download your free copy of
46 Creative Photo Ideas to Get You Out of a Rut
at https://creativeimageideas.com/

Connect with Raymond!

• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Get your Photo Questions Answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#560 In this special “Workshop Episode” of the podcast, I, Raymond Hatfield, share my thoughts and experiences fresh off hosting our very first in-person workshop in Chicago. After nine years of connecting with listeners online, I finally brought together members of our community for a full day focused on photography, education, and camaraderie. This episode is a personal reflection on how meaningful it was to see faces behind the names, and why getting together in person can be a game-changer for learning and growth.

KEY TOPICS COVERED

1. The Power of In-Person Workshops - Bringing listeners together in Chicago broke down the walls of digital connection. Everyone experienced firsthand how learning alongside others, asking questions in real time, and building bonds can accelerate growth in ways online learning rarely can. I saw people relax, open up, and walk away with real friendships and new confidence.
2. Foundational Skills: Light, Composition, and Camera Settings - I designed the content to help both beginners and experienced photographers by focusing on the essentials—how to use your camera, how to “see” light, and how to compose compelling images. I shared personal images, good and bad, to spark discussion, and guided everyone through hands-on practice, including a photo walk with a model.
3. Streamlining Editing with Imagen AI - I talked about my early struggles with editing and how it almost made me quit at the start. Now, with tools like Imagen AI—which learns your editing style and speeds up post-processing—I can spend more time doing what I love: shooting. The workshop gave attendees hands-on exposure to this workflow, empowering them to consider new tech solutions to old challenges.

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS & CONCEPTS

• “Getting it Right in Camera”: For me (and now for Kim!), this means achieving the look I want straight out of the camera, not just aiming for the “perfect” exposure meter reading. It’s about matching your image to your style and not being afraid to shoot for your own vision.
• Quality of Light: Quality isn’t just about how bright the light is; it’s about its softness, direction, and how it shapes your subject. Understanding and controlling these qualities, even when using flashes or dealing with tough outdoor light, can level up any photo.

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. How have your experiences learning photography in person differed from learning online?
2. What does “getting it right in camera” mean for your own style, and how do you apply this when shooting?
3. Can you share a breakthrough moment you’ve had with light or composition?
4. What’s your biggest editing headache, and could something like Imagen AI help you enjoy photography more?

RESOURCES:
Check out Imagen AI - beginnerphotopod.com/imagen
See Behind-the-Scenes Workshop Photos - https://adobe.ly/44oOIxe

Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com

Connect with Raymond!

• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Get your Photo Questions Answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#558 In this episode of the podcast, I wanted to shake things up by sharing five practical photo assignments that can help you build your skills no matter where you are in your photography journey. My goal was to get you out of passive learning mode and encourage you to actually take action—because in photography, ideas mean little without execution. Throughout the episode, I weave in personal stories and lessons learned from both my professional work and family life, emphasizing that constraints (like shooting with only 12 photos or at high noon) aren’t your enemy—they’re your creative fuel.

Key themes include being intentional with every shot, appreciating and mastering different types of light (even the ones we usually try to avoid), developing an efficient editing workflow, and learning to tell complete stories with your images. My hope is that by giving you these specific assignments, you’ll find not only growth in your technical skills, but also gain confidence and a deeper understanding of your personal style. I also encourage you to reflect on your process and results so you can identify what truly matters to you as a photographer. There were no guest speakers in this episode—just me sharing practical advice and my own experiences to help you get the most out of your camera and creativity.

THE 5 SKILL BUILDER SHOOTS

1. The One-Hour Story
2. High-Noon Portrait
3. 5-Minute Editing Baton
4. Same Subject, Four Moods
5. The 24-Frame Roll

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS & CONCEPTS

• Three-Act Structure in Storytelling: Borrowed from filmmaking, this divides a photographic story into a beginning (context), middle (action), and end (resolution), guiding the photographer to create a cohesive narrative in a series of images.

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. How does imposing creative constraints (like a shot limit) shift your approach to photography?
2. After trying one of these assignments, what did you learn about your personal style or decision-making process?
3. Can you identify an image you captured with intention? What elements made it stand out?

RESOURCES:
Download The 5 Skill Builder Shoots Kit- beginnerphotopod.com/skills
Recommended Reflectors - https://amzn.to/3GnD0J3

Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com

Connect with Raymond!

• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Get your Photo Questions Answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!