Our Creative Commune

We'd love it if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it really helps other creatives find us. You can also send us a message on Instagram with your thoughts on this week's topics.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Navigating Rejection & Industry Shifts in Wedding Photography & Videography Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

Join Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee for our regular chat all about the world of wedding photography and videography.

This week, we’re re-introducing ourselves for new listeners before tackling the big issues: the frustrating rise of client ghosting and rejection, navigating the popular "editorial" photo trend (is it all it's cracked up to be?), and debating radical portfolio strategies to stand out.

We’re also sharing stories of demanding client inquiries, the tricky landscape of destination weddings post-Brexit, and indulge in some serious gear lust (hello, autofocus anamorphic lenses!). Plus, hear a little more about the British Wedding Film Festival awards launch, and catch up on our personal highs and lows, featuring fantasy book addictions, DIY disasters, and Hadrian's Wall adventures.

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

Keywords: Wedding Photography, Wedding Videography, Creative Business, Client Ghosting, Editorial Photography, Portfolio Strategy, Wedding Industry Trends, Destination Weddings, Canon R6, Anamorphic Lens, Fuji, Videography Awards, Small Business Challenges.

Timestamps:

* (01:46) Re-Introductions: Who are Pete, Laura, Liam & Bee?

* (08:34) Editing Styles: Shifting back to a lighter, airier look?

* (10:33) Portfolio Panic: Should we delete half our website to stand out?

* (11:52) The Ghosting Epidemic: Why are clients disappearing & how do we cope with rejection?

* (18:11) Editorial Wedding Trend: Debating the style and educating clients (Martha May article mention).

* (23:33) Finding Your Ideal Client: They still exist!

* (30:34) Gear Talk!: Anamorphic lens lust, RF primes, Canon R6 vs R6 MkII, Fuji dreams & Bee's unique photo project...

* (39:57) Nightmare Inquiries: Dealing with demanding clients and unreasonable requests.

* (47:24) Destination Wedding Dilemmas: Navigating the risks post-Brexit (especially Greece).

* (55:39) Industry News: Videography Summit buzz & Our NEW Videography Awards launch!

* (59:55) Highs & Lows: Hadrian's Wall hikes, fantasy book addictions, Peter Kay, DIY injuries, and more!

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Awards Launch! Plus: AI Assistants, TikTok Trauma & Property Photography Pain Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee are back for another catch-up. This week, we're excited to officially announce the launch of the British Wedding Film Festival – hear all about the idea behind it, why we think the industry needs it, and what makes it different. Liam shares the highs and lows (aching legs and Lightroom battles!) of his new property photography side hustle.

We also dive into takeaways from a recent videographer retreat:

Using AI like ChatGPT as a 'personal assistant' (inspired by Arran Kenny's method) – useful hack or too much?
The TikTok debate – do we really need to be there, even if the clients are?

Plus, we discuss that scary Italy visa story, get some clarity on using music legally on Instagram business accounts, and of course, share our personal highs and lows – featuring Bee's surprising AI astrocartography results, a wet legging incident, and Pete getting schooled by a kid at table tennis.

It's the usual mix of wedding industry chat, creative business insights, and friendly banter. Pull up a chair and join the commune!

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

Keywords: Wedding Photography, Wedding Videography, Creative Business, AI, ChatGPT, TikTok, Social Media Marketing, Side Hustle, Property Photography, British Wedding Film Festival, Wedding Awards, UK Wedding Industry, Working Abroad, Instagram Music Rules.

Timestamps:

Liam's new property photography side hustle & the joys of re-learning Lightroom (03-15 - 08:32)

Takeaways from Roo Stain’s videographer retreat (08:34 - 11:25)

Using AI like ChatGPT for productivity (Arran Kenny's method) & Bee's astrocartography adventures (11:25 - 19:02)

The TikTok debate for wedding pros - is it essential? (19:03 - 26:55)

BIG NEWS: Launching the British Wedding Film Festival! (27:45 - 39:57)

Concerns and discussion around working abroad (Italy/US visa stories) (39:57 - 44:31)

Clarification on using music on Instagram Business accounts (Meta Sound Collection) (45:22 - 47:13)

Highs & Lows of the week (Anniversaries, TV series recommendations, embarrassing moments & more!) (47:14 - 1:00:28)

Links:

British Wedding Film Festival: https://www.britishweddingfilmfestival.com/

AI Tools: ChatGPT (https://chatgpt.com/), Claude (https://claude.ai/)

TV Recommendation: Adolescence (Netflix)

Book Recommendation: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Salmon Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

This week we chat about the struggle with destination weddings, pension pots and using music on Instagram. Check out the episode 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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rants Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

Join us for a catch up after Liam's adventure in Rio. Be sure to check out our Youtube channel if you'd like to see our faces: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune

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

Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hanging out with Kelly Clarke Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

This week we are joined for coffee and cake by our lovely friend (and super talented photographer) Kelly Clarke, queen of the side hustle and holiday aficionado. Be sure to check out our Youtube channel if you'd like to see our faces: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune

Check out Kelly's work: https://kellyclarke.co.uk/

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

Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dictaphone Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

This week we chat about AI stealing our faces and clients who never download their images, be sure to check out our Youtube channel if you'd like to see our faces: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune

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

Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our 100th Episode! Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

Join us to celebrate our 100th episode. A huge thank you to all our lovely listeners, we can't quite believe we're still going! This week we decided to film the episode, so be sure to check that out over on Youtube if you'd like to see our faces: https://youtu.be/v7R2g0HEaj8

Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cheese Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

Happy new year! This week we chat about shooting winter weddings, car woes and cheese (so much cheese).

Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Merry Christmas! Dec 23, 2024

Show notes

Join us for a look back at 2024 and some plans for the year ahead. We'd like to wish all of our lovely listeners and fabulous and restful Christmas and New Year!

Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune