Build and Bloom Photography Podcast With Jessica Whitaker

Latest Episodes:

How to Use Studio Lighting (With Camera Settings) for Portrait Photographers Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

I am going to teach you how to learn studio lighting made easy for absolute beginners. I avoided learning artificial light in my portrait and wedding photography because it was always presented as super technical, complicated, and expensive. If you are a photographer who is starting from scratch with off-camera flash, my tutorial will teach you everything you need to know in about 20 minutes so that at your next photoshoot, you can start using studio lights immediately. It's truly just a few simple settings. Sure, you can get way more technical and go deep. The reality is, most of us are natural light photographers who want to transition to or incorporate artificial light into our business so we can expand our offerings and not be limited by weather. I asked in my Build and Bloom photography community what the main thing holding photographers back from learning lighting & the two answers were: it seems too technical and too expensive. You're in luck, because I hate spending more money than absolutely necessary on photography gear, and I've got two incredible budget-friendly equipment options for you. So let's knock down that gate and get to learning so you can make more money in your photography.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eh8Pl7wU9IRead the corresponding blog post: https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/blog/how-to-use-studio-lights-in-portrait-photographyGear mentioned: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/4597758

Backdrop setup(s): https://amzn.to/3VnQ1tC✅ Shop used gear here on KEH - they've got tons of lights and accessories! : https://tidd.ly/4fWk4yO My backdrop guide: https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/my-personal-and-recommended-collection-of-photography-studio-background-paperJoin the free Build + Bloom photography Facebook group for photo questions and business support ↪️ https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker/ Model in demo: https://www.instagram.com/pj_au_Timestamps:0:00 Why Studio Lighting Matters and Why It Feels So Complicated3:20 Paper Backdrops3:55 How Much Does It Cost to Get Started?4:32 Gear Differences: Paul C. Buff vs. Geekoto5:15 Umbrella Modifiers & Softboxes6:06 Connecting Your Lights to Your Camera and Transmitter Types7:36 High-Speed Sync7:45 What Type of Studio Light Should You Buy?8:03 Studio Light Price Comparison8:36 Why Is Geekoto More Affordable?8:48 My Lighting Setup and What It Cost Me9:58 How Many Lights Do I Need to Buy?11:00 Studio Light Settings11:55 Setting Up Your Studio Lights12:43 Camera Settings for Artificial Light13:44 Why the Model Lamp Isn't a Continuous Light14:01 Can You Mix Lighting Brands?14:45 Using Reflectors With Studio Lighting16:34 One-Light Setup With a Reflector17:46 Live Studio Lighting Tutorial18:31 Two-Light Setup Demo19:08 Two-Light Setup With a Reflector20:22 One-Light Setup From Behind20:58 Two-Light Setup at an Angle22:32 An Inclusive, Beginner-Friendly Photography Community22:57 Free Photography Tutorials That Aren't Fluff♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ #studiolighting #femalephotographer #beginnerphotography Free Lightroom preset download 🍊 https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/freegiftAmazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/jessicawhitakerShopmy: https://shopmy.us/shop/jessicawhitaker?tab=collections Business inquiries only -- jessica@gb-dm.comInstagram -- http://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker🎙 Build and Bloom Podcasthttp://www.jessicawhitaker.co/⭐️ The 8 essential steps to make your photography business legal & legit ↪️ https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics*Disclosure: Links included in this description may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.*

Everything You Need to Know About TMS Therapy for Depression, Anxiety, & PTSD | My Experience 1 Year Later Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

One year after starting Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy, this is my honest TMS experience. I tried TMS therapy for my chronic, treatment-resistant depression, severe anxiety, and PTSD, and it completely changed my life. This controversial depression treatment isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but after hitting rock bottom last summer, completing 52 total treatments by October, and returning for maintenance sessions in February, it gave me my life back. In this episode, I’m answering common TMS therapy questions, sharing my raw week-by-week PHQ-9 scores so you can see the real ups and downs of my mental health recovery, and discussing whether TMS is worth it. If you’ve ever wondered if TMS therapy works for severe anxiety or trauma recovery, I hope sharing my journey brings you clarity and hope.

📱 Connect With Me & Ask Questions:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicawhitaker (Best place to DM me with your questions!)

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessica_whitaker

⚠️ Before we dive in: nothing about this episode is sponsored. My insurance covered my treatment, and I am only sharing this because it radically changed my life after 15 years of struggling. That being said, mental health is deeply personal; TMS therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Just because it worked for me does not guarantee it will look the same for you. I am not a doctor. Please do your own research and talk to a professional, like your doctor or psychiatrist, to see what is right for you.

📍 Resources Mentioned:

Where I Went for Treatment: Eastside TMS in Renton, WA (greater Seattle area) → https://www.eastsidetmswellness.com/

The Machine Used for My Treatment: Magstim → https://www.magstim.com/

Episode Chapters:

0:00 - Podcast Intro

1:15 - Welcome & My Honest Review of TMS Therapy

2:45 - My Mental Health Journey: Living with Chronic Depression, Severe Anxiety, & PTSD

3:33 - What is TMS Therapy? (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Explained)

4:19 - The Magstim Machine Used for My Treatment

4:31 - Finding a Clinic: Going to Eastside TMS in Renton, WA

4:37 - How Many Sessions Total? My 52-Treatment Timeline

5:15 - The Time Commitment: Weekly TMS Appointment Schedule

5:38 - What is a PHQ-9 Score? Measuring Clinical Depression

6:15 - Cost of TMS Therapy & Insurance Coverage Restrictions

8:01 - Does TMS Therapy Hurt? Myth vs. Reality

8:45 - Managing Anxiety & Fear About the Mapping Process

9:09 - Side Effects I Experienced (Headaches, Nausea, & Twitching)

9:43 - Different Types of TMS Machines & Technologies

10:10 - How Long is One Session? (Theta Burst 3-Minute Protocol)

10:18 - Why TMS Might Be Painful: What You Need to Know About Motor Threshold

11:50 - TMS Memory Loss: Addressing the Rumors & ECT vs. TMS

12:35 - When Did I Feel a Difference? My Day 3 & Day 10 Break-Throughs

13:34 - How I Knew TMS Therapy Was Working (The Photoshoot Realization)

15:00 - Do the Results Last? How Often Do You Go Back for Treatment?

16:43 - What TMS Maintenance & Tune-Ups Look Like After Grief

17:25 - The TMS "Dip" Explained: What to Expect Around Day 15-20

18:12 - Am I Still on Depression Medication? (TMS vs. Antidepressants)

20:15 - Tracking My Progress: My Real PHQ-9 Scores Week-by-Week

21:56 - A Detailed Look at My Final PHQ-9 Assessment Form

23:45 - Send Me Your Questions! Future Mental Health Q&A

Business inquiries only -- jessica@gb-dm.com

Original by Design: How To Find Inspiration for Photography Offline May 08, 2025

Show notes

Feeling creatively stuck or overwhelmed by too much scrolling? In this episode, we’re stepping away from the algorithm and exploring how to find inspiration for photography offline.

I’m sharing why Pinterest can’t be your starting point and how volunteering might be the most powerful way to reconnect with your spark.

You’ll also hear a Q&A on creative jealousy, finding your voice, and how to tell the difference between trends and true alignment. Whether you’re new to photography or rediscovering your style, this conversation will help you create from a place that’s original—by design.

Business Basics Course: ⁠⁠https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics⁠⁠

Lights, Camera, Brand Photography Branding Course: ⁠⁠https://www.lightscamerabrand.com/⁠⁠

Unplug from your phone episode: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/2EIe18ddba23Q3QUFbPVmo?si=CDShZlXoR-GmqY9DesTe3Q

Timestamps:

0:00 Business Basics

0:41 Intro

11:50 Where NOT to look

27:52 Shopping for inspiration

38:25 Volunteer

44:22 Q&A: Have you ever felt jealous of someone else's creativity?

53:09 Inspo vs trends

58:53 What’s something you wish someone told you when you were figuring out your style?

1:00:03 Outro

What's Next:

Follow me on Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the Facebook group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Business Basics: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics⁠⁠

How To Break Into Concert Photography with Madison Truscan Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever wanted to get into concert photography? Today on the Build and Bloom Photography Podcast I have Madison Truscan on and she is sharing the exact steps for breaking into the industry. Madison has photographed artists in concert like Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan. Madison is also going to share how to work for an online magazine, publication, newspaper or zine and how volunteering for a publication can add an extra layer of professionalism that increases your chance of attending a show.

Madison Truscan is a multi-faceted Dallas-based creative, with a focus on concert photography, music journalism, and podcast hosting. She is wholeheartedly passionate about all forms of photography and being authentic on the Internet.

Instagram: @madisonfromdallas

Website: www.madisontruscanphotography.com

Some of the questions I ask are:

How did you get into concert photography?
How do you recommend someone break into the industry
What have been some of the most memorable career moments for you?
How do you handle being a woman in a male dominated space

People she mentioned: @digitalsmeg

Magazines mentioned: Good Guys Press and The Encore @thisistheencore

Other Build and Bloom podcast episode on concert photography:

Tour Photography Process with Nesrin Danan

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

4:05 How did you get into concert photography?

10:40 First experience with concert photography

13:37 First concert she photographed

16:41 In between steps from first concert to snowball effect

17:03 How to contact artists to photograph their concert

19:21 How to break into the industry

25:33 How to get in contact with local artists

27:55 Most memorable career moments

28:07 Photographing Taylor Swift’s eras tour

33:06 What is working for a magazine?

40:35 Being a woman in concert photography

42:35 Safety tips for girls

44:56 Big-picture goals

47:25 How do you get paid for tours?

50:39 Getting sign to an agency

51:21 Outro

What's Next:

Follow me on Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the Facebook group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The No-Social Strategy: Book Photography Clients Through Blogging & SEO Apr 17, 2025

Show notes

What if you could book dream clients without having to post on Instagram every day?

In this episode, I’m breaking down how blogging can help you book more photography clients consistently—and the best part? Once a blog post is done, it’s DONE. This is a long-term marketing strategy that works for you while you sleep.

Instagram is great for visibility, but your blog is where the real magic happens. It’s where clients find you through Google, get to know your work, and book you directly—without the extra hoops. Plus, your website is the strongest reflection of your brand (and if you’re struggling with that, check out LightsCameraBrand.com).

Here’s what I cover:

What SEO actually is and how it helps clients find you Why blogging individual sessions beats having one gallery page
Real examples of how my posts from 6 years ago still bring in inquiries today
The tools I use to make blogging easy
How to make blog posts SEO-friendly without being techy or spending hours on them

If you’re ready to stop stressing about social media and start thinking long-term, this episode is for you.

Download the free blog tool guide: https://jessicawhitaker.myflodesk.com/blog

Business Basics Course: ⁠⁠https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics⁠⁠

Lights, Camera, Brand Photography Branding Course: ⁠⁠https://www.lightscamerabrand.com/⁠

Narrative Blog Tool: https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/photography-blog-tool

10% off Squarespace: https://squarespace.com/jessicawhitaker

Email list episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5DIZ8DJ7065fsrr8zxvNLT?si=4TcDTziyRROEGosC37okZQ

SEO episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0SwLmqwyiGwRfdJ2EwggE4?si=ZOJ9GjzzSqyrwQCGC6yw0Q

What's Next:

Follow me on Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the Facebook group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Pricing for Photographers: 3 Ways to Align Your Rates with Your Value Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

Thinking about raising your prices but not sure if you're really ready? In this episode, I’m walking you through three key things you need in place before you raise your rates—so you can do it confidently, without second-guessing your worth or undercharging for your time and talent.

We’ll cover:

How to actually know your worth (hint: it’s more than a gut feeling)
Why simplifying your packages can increase your value
The small tweaks that turn your client experience into something unforgettable

If scaling your photography business is on your mind, this episode is your roadmap to doing it with confidence and clarity. And if you want the full list of all six things to consider before raising your prices, grab the freebie linked below!

👉 Download the full guide: https://jessicawhitaker.myflodesk.com/brandpricing

Business Basics Course: ⁠https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics⁠

Lights, Camera, Brand Photography Branding Course: ⁠https://www.lightscamerabrand.com/⁠

Other tools mentioned:

Cost of doing business/budget spreadsheet: https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/photography-budget-spreadsheet
Free posing tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/jessicawhitaker

What's Next:

Follow me on Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Join the Facebook group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Starting Fast Will Only Set You Back in Your Photography Business Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

Before you invest in that high-ticket mastermind or coaching program promising $10K clients right out the gate—listen to this episode.

We’re pulling back the curtain on the hype and talking about what actually builds a sustainable photography business. Because while marketing might land you one big win, it’s your skills, systems, and humility that determine whether you can keep going.

In this episode, I break down:

Why slow, intentional growth sets you up for long-term success
The value of second shooting, assisting, and real-world experience
How to spot educators who are great at marketing—but missing the depth in technical or posing skills
The danger of comparison culture and rushing into high-price points too soon
And the powerful shift that happens when you quiet your ego and commit to mastery

If you’ve ever felt behind because you’re not charging luxury prices yet—or pressured to “level up” before you’re ready—this conversation will ground you. Success doesn’t come from skipping steps. It comes from doing the work that no one sees.

Business Basics Course: https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics

Lights, Camera, Brand Photography Branding Course: https://www.lightscamerabrand.com/

Associate Photography episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0FwtJK3SIBgfyIFvYXs6nx?si=FggOxtQaTVKn9Yejb84L9g

Unplug from your phone episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2EIe18ddba23Q3QUFbPVmo?si=CDShZlXoR-GmqY9DesTe3Q

What's Next:

Follow me on Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠
Join the Facebook group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠
Business Basics: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics⁠⁠

WPPI Recap Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

I'm back from Vegas and here is what I learned from WPPI.

Lights, Camera Brand: ⁠https://www.lightscamerabrand.com/⁠

Honeybook: ⁠⁠https://share.honeybook.com/Jessicaw⁠⁠

Aftershoot: ⁠⁠https://aftershoot.com/jessica-whitaker/⁠⁠⁠

What's Next:

Follow me on Insta: ⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠
Join the Facebook group: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠
Business Basics: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics⁠⁠

The Photographer's Ultimate Guide to Networking at Your Next Event Mar 20, 2025

Show notes

Hi from WPPI in Las Vegas! In 2025, I set a goal to attend more networking events, and I’ve already learned so much just by observing how people show up in these spaces. At the start of February, I attended a Women in Business conference here in Seattle and picked up some game-changing networking tips. With WPPI around the corner, I want to share my best strategies to help you make a lasting impression—whether you're heading to WPPI or any other conference this year!

Lights, Camera Brand: https://www.lightscamerabrand.com/

Honeybook: ⁠https://share.honeybook.com/Jessicaw⁠

Aftershoot: ⁠https://aftershoot.com/jessica-whitaker/⁠⁠

What's Next:

Follow me on Insta: ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker⁠⁠
Join the Facebook group: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker⁠⁠
Business Basics: ⁠⁠https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics⁠⁠

How To Plan a Successful Collaboration (Trade for Print) Photoshoot Mar 14, 2025

Show notes

Trade-for-print (TFP) shoots can be an excellent way to build your portfolio, collaborate with models, and refine your creative style. However, without a structured approach, TFP shoots can quickly become frustrating, unorganized, and a waste of time. Many photographers experience flaky models, last-minute cancellations, or misunderstandings about how many images will be delivered.

The key to a successful TFP shoot is treating it just as professionally as a paid session—with clear expectations, organized communication, and structured boundaries.

In this photography podcast episode, I will share the exact step-by-step system I use to run TFP shoots efficiently and professionally, so you can get high-quality results without dealing with unreliable people.

This episode will cover:

Why I never post model calls on Instagram (and where I find reliable models instead)
How to set clear expectations upfront to avoid misunderstandings
How over-communicating prevents cancellations and gets models to take the shoot seriously
How to structure a TFP workflow from model booking to final image delivery
How to avoid last-minute cancellations and no-shows
The boundaries I set to prevent burnout and protect my time

By following these steps, you will eliminate stress, work with dependable models, and create stunning images without frustration.

Honeybook: https://share.honeybook.com/Jessicaw

https://aftershoot.com/jessica-whitaker/⁠

What's Next: