Our Creative Commune

#weddingphotography #weddingvideography #filmphotography #creativepodcast #weddingindustry #ourcreativecommune

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Beating Burnout: Finding Joy When You're Sick of Weddings Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

After a much-needed holiday break, the gang is back behind the mics and feeling refreshed... mostly. Join Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee as they catch up on a wild few weeks of work, life, and misadventure.

Liam kicks things off with tales from a three-day wedding in Spain, complete with tuxedos in the ocean, an aggressive jellyfish, a competitive bucking bronco incident, and an unexpected visit from the local police. Meanwhile, Pete shares his less-than-glamorous story of surviving "Vomitus Maximus" after a beautiful wedding in the Scottish Highlands.

This leads to a candid discussion on the biggest challenges facing wedding creatives today: Is the rise of "editorial" photography making it harder to capture authentic moments? And why are clients increasingly choosing phone-based content creators over traditional videographers?

Finally, we get real about the big one: burnout. Deep in the thick of wedding season, we share our personal struggles and tangible advice on how to manage the pressure, rediscover your creative spark, and find the joy in your work again when you feel like you have nothing left to give. If you're feeling the strain, this is the chat you need to hear.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro & Catching Up

01:09 - Why We've Stopped Filming the Podcast

02:28 - Liam's Wild 3-Day Wedding in Spain (Tuxedos in the Sea, Jellyfish & a Bucking Bronco)

07:50 - Liam's Drone Incident & a Visit from the Police

09:37 - Pete & Laura's Scottish Wedding Adventure

11:19 - Pete's Unfortunate Bout of "Vomitus Maximus" (Food Poisoning)

14:37 - Getting Soaked by a Champagne Spray

15:44 - The Big Discussion: Is the "Editorial" Photography Trend Killing the Vibe?

24:13 - The Rise of Content Creators vs. Traditional Videographers

27:20 - Main Topic: How to Beat Creative Burnout This Wedding Season

28:02 - Laura's Secret to Avoiding Burnout: Getting Ahead

34:05 - Letting Go of Perfectionism & The 80/20 Rule

39:24 - The Real Reason We Get Anxious Before a Wedding

46:18 - Our Top Tips for Burnout: Nature, Hobbies & Asking for Help

52:36 - Sparking Joy: Trying New Lenses & Techniques

57:47 - Highs and Lows of the Week

Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy

Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school

Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune

#weddingphotography #weddingvideography #filmphotography #creativepodcast #weddingindustry #ourcreativecommune

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How I Got Scammed Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

Join Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee for a special "postcard" episode, recorded live from next to their tents during their wholesome (and feral) camping holiday! Swapping the studio for a field, the team gets real about the highs and lows of the creative life in the middle of a busy August.

In this episode, we chat about our recent travels, from a stunning but stormy cruise through the Norwegian fjords to an epic 14-hour drive to the Isle of Skye for a single elopement. We then dive into some all-too-relatable industry frustrations, including the awkward dance of dealing with difficult wedding bands and a deep dive into the dos, don'ts, and disasters of hiring second shooters.

The conversation then takes a serious and personal turn as Liam shares the full, cautionary story of being scammed out of £4,500 by a fake marketing "expert." It’s an open and honest account of how easily it can happen and the emotional toll it takes, serving as a must-listen for any freelancer or small business owner. We wrap it all up by sharing the simple joys that have made our trip unforgettable, from barbecues to a magical night watching shooting stars.

Timestamps

00:00 - Intro

00:31 - A Postcard from a Field: The Feral Camping Holiday Begins

03:32 - The Pre-Holiday Work Grind

05:02 - Cruising and Seasickness in Norway

07:52 - A 14-Hour Drive for a 3-Hour Elopement

11:03 - The Importance of Taking a Break in Peak Season

12:55 - Industry Rant: When Wedding Bands Are "Cheeky F*cks"

18:23 - Industry Deep Dive: The Woes of a Bad Second Shooter

28:26 - The Full Story of a £4,500 Scam

43:50 - Highs & Lows of the Week

49:26 - Outro: Time for a Barbecue

Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy

Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school

Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune

#weddingphotography #weddingvideography #filmphotography #creativepodcast #weddingindustry #ourcreativecommune

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Debating "Deranged" Film Trends & A £4,500 Cautionary Tale Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

Driving through the night fuelled by nothing but caffeine and desperation? Or wondering if a popular wedding trend is all it's cracked up to be? This week - that's us!

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune

Join Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee for a debrief on the delightful chaos of being a wedding creative. We recount our most stressful travel nightmares—from car breakdowns in rural France to nearly missing ceremonies by minutes. We also share stories from our latest weddings, including one on a boat and another where we experimented with a "video-first, photos-second" approach.

What's going on in the wedding industry this week? Wer deep dive into the recent drama surrounding a planner's critique of film photography. Is it an overpriced, "deranged" trend, or a beautiful art form? We break down the controversy, discuss the power of creative freedom, and explore why you should always "shoot what you want."

Plus, we share our highs and lows, featuring wholesome jam-making, a last-minute elopement to Skye, and a serious warning about an online scam that cost one of us thousands. Tune in for a packed episode full of laughs, rants, and a few hard-won lessons.

Timestamps:

00:35 The reality of post-wedding burnout.

03:45 Our most bonkers wedding travel stories (breakdowns in France, marathon drives across Europe).

08:50 The stress of nearly missing a wedding.

13:26 What we've been shooting: A pub, a boat, and a "no-photos" wedding.

24:04 THE BIG DEBATE: Is film photography an overpriced, "deranged" trend?

31:32 Our take: Why you should shoot what you want and embrace creative freedom.

38:51 Highs & Lows: Wholesome moments, elopements, and getting scammed out of £4,500.

Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy

Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school

Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune

#weddingphotography #weddingvideography #filmphotography #creativepodcast #weddingindustry #ourcreativecommune

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Crying on the Inside Like a Winner Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

Ever felt like you're just one wedding away from snapping?

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the intense mental and physical toll of being a wedding creative.

We dive deep into the chaos of a 500-guest, multi-day wedding and the logistical nightmare of shooting solo in a massive venue. It's a candid chat about the pre-wedding anxiety, the pressure we put on ourselves to constantly do more, and the art of "crying on the inside like a winner" while keeping a smile on for our clients.

We also explore:

The delicate dance between photographers and videographers on a wedding day.
Why the wedding market in Scotland seems to be thriving while others are struggling.
The search for the perfect side hustle (and the reality of drone work).
Our personal highs and lows, from emotional school leavers' assemblies to a stress-induced twitchy eye that just won't quit.

If you’ve ever felt the burnout creeping in, this one’s for you.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune

Timestamps:

(00:44) - The Chaos of a 500-Guest Wedding

(04:55) - The Nightmare Logistics of a Huge Wedding Venue

(07:10) - "Crying on the Inside": The Real Mental Load of a Wedding Creative

(12:02) - Is Our Pre-Wedding Anxiety Getting Worse Over Time?

(13:51) - Photographer vs. Videographer: Who's In Charge on the Day?

(18.00) - Are We Asking too much of Ourselves?

(22:12) - A Rainy 8-Hour Elopement Shoot in Edinburgh

(26:45) - The "North-South Divide": Why is the Scottish Wedding Market Booming?

(31:12) - Weird Scottish Laws, Side Hustles & a Drone Business Reality Check

(38:39) - Our Highs & Lows of the Week

From navigating 100+ group shots to flying drones through fireworks at 11 pm, we share the stories that don't make it to the wedding album. If you're a creative feeling the strain, let us know your experiences in the comments below!

Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy

Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school

Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune

#weddingphotography #weddingvideography #burnout #creativebusiness #photographytips

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Why Hasn't Wedding Photography Pricing Changed in 20 Years? Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Liam is from his epic month away! In this episode, he recounts his insane month of travel, from shooting weddings in Spain and the Austrian Alps to starting a brand new career as a driving instructor. We share stories of driving down stairs in a hire car, cameras overheating at altitude, and the joy of a ceremonial beer keg tapping.

Then, we get into a huge industry debate: hybrid shooting. With so many photographers now offering video, we discuss the pros and cons, and the dilemma it creates for dedicated videographers who rely on photographer referrals. Is the industry in a price war, and who will pull the trigger first?

We also touch on the rise of wedding content creators, the truth about film photography, and a global survey that reveals just how much (or how little) photographers are charging in 2025.

Join Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee for an episode packed with travel stories, industry insights, and our usual weekly highs and lows!

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune

Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy

Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school

Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune

TIMESTAMPS:

 00:00 - Intro & Why Is Everyone So Tired?

 03:58 - Where Has Liam Been? A Whirlwind Month Begins

 05:19 - Wedding Story: Driving Down a Flight of Stairs in Spain

 07:46 - The Travel Nightmare: From Spain to Austria via the Autobahn

 09:12 - Wedding Story: Lederhosen & Beer Kegs in the Austrian Alps 

10:50 - Technical Woes: When Your Cameras Overheat 

13:23 - The New Side Hustle: Training to be a Driving Instructor 

24:49 - Industry Talk: The Rise of Wedding Content Creators 

29:10 - The Future of Filmmaking? (Stormzy Film & The "28 Days Later" Sequel)

 33:35 - Is Hybrid Shooting the Future? The Big Debate

 39:11 - The Photographer vs. Videographer Dilemma 

42:40 - Is Film Photography Just a Gimmick? 

45:15 - Why Are Wedding Photography Prices So Low in the UK?

 56:00 - The Realities of Pricing and "Charging Your Worth" 

1:06:00 - Highs and Lows of the Week

#weddingphotography #weddingvideography #creativepodcast #hybridshooting #weddingindustry #photographybusinesscoach

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Hybrid Shooting?! Lewis Fackrell reveals all Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

Is it possible to be a photographer AND a videographer at the same time, on your own, at a wedding? In this episode, we chat one of the photographers doing just that. The lovely Lewis Fackrell walks us through his complete hybrid shooting workflow. Are we won over?

From his one-camera setup and "PVP" method, to his post-production process and business strategy, Lewis shares the secrets that have allowed him to offer photo and video packages to his couples. If you want to hear how to add an extra video service to your photography business, this is absolutely for you - or if you’re just curious about how it's possible like we were.

We also catch up on what we’ve been up to these past couple of weeks. Bee casually shares a story about a near-death experience involving a bathroom cabinet! New fear unlocked.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune

Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy

Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school

Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune

Lewis Fackrell's Website & Course: https://www.lewisfackrell.co.uk

Lewis's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lewis_fackrell_photography/

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 - Welcome & The Most Hectic Travel Schedule Ever

06:05 - Pete's Impromptu Hybrid Shooting Experience in Italy

13:05 - Introducing Our Guest: Lewis Fackrell

14:24 - How Lewis Balances a Full Calendar with a Young Family

23:10 - The "Why": What Made Lewis Start Hybrid Shooting?

26:30 - Lewis's Minimalist Gear Setup for Hybrid Work

29:49 - THE BIG QUESTION: How Do You Actually Shoot Hybrid?

31:05 - Handling "Pinch Points": The Reveal, Aisle Walk & Ceremony

41:30 - The First Kiss & The Confetti Shot: Photo or Video?

44:35 - Does the Quality of Photos or Video Get Compromised?

48:45 - The Ideal Number of Photos to Take at a Wedding

54:13 - The Post-Production Workflow for Photo & Video

1:01:42 - The Business of Hybrid: Pricing & Attracting Clients

1:05:36 - All About Lewis's Hybrid Photography Course

1:11:10 - Highs and Lows of the Week!

1:12:37 - Bee's Terrifying Near-Death Experience

1:17:52 - A Week of Wins & Booking a 2027 Wedding!

#weddingphotography #hybridshooter #weddingvideography #learnphotography #creativebusiness #podcast #ourcreativecommune

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The Great Booking Decline Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

This week, the we're all feeling the burn after a packed schedule of weddings and a big birthday celebration. We pull back the curtain on the reality of being a wedding creative in 2024, discussing the booking decline that everyone is feeling but nobody wants to talk about.

This leads to a huge announcement from Liam about a major career change after more than two decades in the industry.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune

We also dive into:

Incredible destination wedding stories from Lake Como and Cyprus.
The shocking tale of a planner who tricked suppliers into working her wedding for free.
Using ChatGPT to analyse and improve your creative business.
Are full-length portraits and straight horizons a thing of the past?
The eternal struggle of photographers and videographers staying out of each other's shots.

If you're a wedding creative feeling the pressure, or just love a good, honest chat about the ups and downs of running a small business, this one's for you.

Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy

Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school

Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Hungover Birthday Banter

04:14 - Our Recent Weddings: Oli Foxley's Tumble

07:31 - Destination Wedding Debrief: Pete in Lake Como

12:08 - Destination Wedding Debrief: Liam in Cyprus

20:37 - The Big Topic: Why Are Wedding Bookings Down?

25:14 - Liam's New Career

30:12 - Can AI Save Our Business?

36:37 - The Photographer Who Charged £300 For One Photo

49:50 - The Styled Shoot That Was a Real Wedding?!

57:46 - The Curse of Tripods: Photographers vs. Videographers

01:09:10 - Our Highs & Lows

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Pervy Callers, Annoying Content Creators, and Tax Nightmares May 26, 2025

Show notes

This week on Our Creative Commune, Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee dive into a whirlwind of topics! We brace ourselves as Google Gemini's AI delivers some hilariously harsh feedback on our podcasting style (are we really that insular?). Then, it's war stories from the wedding front lines: Liam shares his ordeal of shooting a wedding post-dodgy-fish-and-chips, and Pete recounts battling a painful eye infection mid-shoot.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune

We tackle the big debate: how are content creators impacting the wedding industry, and are they really taking work from pros? Plus, a crucial heads-up on the UK's "Making Tax Digital" changes that all freelancers need to know.

As always, we share our highs and lows, and issue an important alert about a "pervy caller" targeting photographers. Tune in for candid chat, essential industry insights, and a good few laughs!

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Intro & Makeshift Studio

02:01 Remembering Past Podcast Adventures Abroad

03:40 AI Feedback on Our Podcast (Spoiler: We're Keeping it Real)

05:20 What We've Been Up To: Wedding Recaps & Mishaps

05:26 Liam's "Tracy Island" Wedding & Food Poisoning Woes

09:02 Working While Sick: Styes, Vomit & The Show Must Go On!

15:01 Laura & Pete Shoot a Wedding Together (Photo & Video Dynamic)

17:52 TOPIC 1: Content Creators at Weddings - Impact & How to Cope

21:57 Strategy: Educating Clients or Communicating with Creators?

26:52 The "Educate Your Clients" Debate - Is It Our Place?

32:18 TOPIC 2: New UK/EU Travel Deal - Hope for Destination Weddings?

36:53 TOPIC 3: Making Tax Digital - Essential Info for Creatives

41:17 Our Dream (Unprofitable) Cafe Business Idea!

42:17 TOPIC 4: Gallery Delivery Times & Modern Client Expectations

46:03 The Power of the "Next Day" Social Media Preview

51:12 GEAR CHAT: New Fuji X-Half & DJI Mavic 4 Pro

53:33 COMMUNITY ALERT: "Pervy Caller" Targeting Photographers

55:30 Our Highs & Lows of the Week!

01:03:20 Outro & Upcoming Adventures

Keywords: Wedding Photography, Wedding Videography, Content Creators, Making Tax Digital, AI Feedback, Freelance Business, Podcast, UK Weddings, Working Whilst Ill, Pervy Caller Alert

Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy

Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school

Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune