Summer School - A Photography + Creative Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Mastering Flash Photography with Laura Shepherd Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

Hi everyone! In this episode, I’m chatting with Laura Shepherd about her journey into photography and the role that off camera flash has played in transforming her work. We cover learning flash through trial and error, favorite gear, stepping outside your niche to stay inspired, and finding balance between business, family, and creativity.

Meet Laura:

Laura is a Portland based wedding and elopement photographer. She is the photographer who everyone describes as 'chill' but is always ready to laugh, cry, and party with you! With a love for everything romantic, editorial, and emotional, becoming a wedding photographer came easy to her. Laura is ready to translate your love into a visual editorial that you and your partner can cherish forever... while always having a good time!

Subscribe to Summer School to get access to exclusive podcast episodes, classes, an amazing community of photographers + educators, and tons more amazing content.

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Laura's "Master Guide to Off-Camera Flash" is on sale through October 1st for 40% off! Get it HERE

Connect with Laura:

Instagram + TikTok: @laurashepherdimages

Website: www.laurashepherdimages.com

Connect with Me:

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Show Notes: the-summerschool.com

Instagram: @summergrace.photo @the_summerschool

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The Vendor Table: Honest Wedding Photography Conversations Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

Hi everyone! This week on Summer School, I’m joined by the team behind The Vendor Table podcast - wedding photographers Michael Cassara and Lauren O’Brien. With years of experience and hundreds of weddings between them, Michael and Lauren know the industry inside and out.

Together, they’ve built The Vendor Table into a go-to space for honest conversations, pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like to work in weddings. In our chat, we talk about their journeys as photographers, why they decided to start the podcast, and how they’re using their voices to bring more connection, authenticity, and perspective to both couples and vendors alike.

Meet Michael and Lauren:

Mike Cassara & Lauren O’Brien are award-winning wedding photographers based in Long Island, New York. With acombined 20+ years of experience and over 800 weddings captured, they bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the industry.

In January 2023, they launched "The Vendor Table" Podcast, a show that highlights the chaos, thrill, and humor of being full-time wedding photographers. Their goal is to share their
experiences, provide tips and tricks for aspiring photographers and wedding vendors, as well as offer valuable advice to couples planning their weddings.

Since its premiere in March 2023, they have recorded 120 full-length episodes and released 300+ Reels/TikTok videos. Their influence in the industry has also led them to be Summit Speakers at the WPPI 2025 Conference, where they shared their expertise with fellow photographers and creatives.

With a combined 185,000+ followers on Instagram and TikTok, their content continues to engage and inspire a growing community of wedding professionals and engaged couples alike.

Subscribe to Summer School to get access to exclusive podcast episodes, classes, an amazing community of photographers + educators, and tons more amazing content.

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Connect with Michael and Lauren:

Website: www.thevendortable.com | www.michaelcassara.me | www.laurenobrienphoto.com

Instagram (and all platforms): @thevendortablepod | @michaelcassaraphoto | @laurenobrienphoto

Connect with Me:

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Show Notes: the-summerschool.com

Instagram: @summergrace.photo @the_summerschool

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Finding Your Style and Staying Inspired in Photography with Brandon Woelfel Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

Hey everyone! Today I’m joined by the amazing Brandon Woelfel - a photographer known for his colorful, dreamy portraits and his ability to turn ordinary spaces into something magical. We dive into his creative journey from backyard experiments to global brand campaigns.

Meet Brandon:

Brandon Woelfel is a freelance creative portrait photographer and Nikon Creator based in Brooklyn, New York. He enjoys using light and color to transform ordinary spaces into something magical. His favorite aspect of photography is collaborating with small groups of people, sharing a vision to create something unique while having a great time in the process.

Subscribe to Summer School to get access to exclusive podcast episodes, classes, an amazing community of photographers + educators, and tons more amazing content.

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Connect with Brandon:

TikTok: @brandon_woelfel
YouTube: Brandon Woelfel
Instagram: @brandonwoelfel @bran.wolf

Connect with Me:

Subscribe to our emails for updates on all things Summer School!

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Show Notes: the-summerschool.com

Instagram: @summergrace.photo @the_summerschool

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My Summer Grace x G-Presets (discount code: SUMMERSCHOOL)

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How Community Can Transform Your Photography Career with James Wolf Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

This week I’m joined by Nashville-based photographer James Wolf. We chat about his journey from Minnesota to running a thriving business in Tennessee, his cinematic approach to photography, and how community has shaped his career. James shares about the importance of styled shoots and retreats, why asking for help matters, and the importance of staying true to your artistic vision.

Meet James:

James Wolf is a Nashville based destination wedding photographer with a semi-documentary style that is cinematic-inspired and organic at its core. Originally from Minnesota, James moved to Nashville, TN in 2021 and began to seriously pursue photography a few years later, with 2025 being his first official year as a full-time photographer. James has also worked in the coffee industry for nearly ten years which has resulted in a caffeine-addiction masked by his love for coffee. Being the high-energy extrovert that he is, James loves to make friends everywhere he goes - whether that be a coffee shop, the grocery store, or a completely different city. He enjoys using his free time to spend with friends and hosting dinners and parties. With a passion for people and documenting the stories they carry in a romance-focused and artistic approach, James is eager continue to learn and grow and see where his photography journey takes him.

Subscribe to Summer School to get access to exclusive podcast episodes, classes, an amazing community of photographers + educators, and tons more amazing content.

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Connect with James

His website launches soon, along with his own clothing line, so stay tuned for that :)

Pinterest: jameswolfphotography

Instagram: @jameswolfphotography

TikTok: @jameswolfphotography

Facebook: jameswolfphotography

Connect with Me:

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Show Notes: the-summerschool.com

Instagram: @summergrace.photo @the_summerschool

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Summer School Merch

The Importance of Taking Photos in Your Daily Life with Jason Vinson Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

This week I’m joined by Jason Vinson - photographer, educator, and all-around creative risk-taker. We chat about his personal approach to lighting, why failure is essential to growth, and how his personal projects documenting family life have shaped his storytelling.

Meet Jason:

Jason Vinson is a husband, father, and wedding and documentary photographer, based out of Northwest Arkansas. He has a passion for creatively documenting real moments, as well as taking epic and unique portraits. He has been ranked as the #1 Fearless Photographer in North America and Top 3 in the World for 2021. He is also ranked as one of the Top 100 Fearless Photographers of all time. He is a multi award winning photographer through Junebug Weddings, Worlds Best Wedding Photos, ISPWP, Masters of Wedding Photography, Documentary Family Awards, and more. Jason also is an ambassador for brands such as Stella Pro Lights, Flashpoint, Magmod, Aftershoot, DreambooksPro, Holdfast, DVLOP, and more. In addition to his photography work, Jason spends countless hours educating the photography community. He has been a speaker, instructor, writer, and content creator for establishments such as WPPI, Portrait Masters, Rangefinder, PPA, Fstoppers, and many more.

Subscribe to Summer School to get access to exclusive podcast episodes, classes, an amazing community of photographers + educators, and tons more amazing content.

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Connect with Jason:

Website: www.vinsonimages.com

Youtube: @JasonVinson183

Instagram: @vinsonimages_jason

Workshops, conferences, etc. are coming up - follow Jason on instagram to stay in the loop!

Connect with Me:

Subscribe to our emails for updates on all things Summer School!

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Show Notes: the-summerschool.com

Instagram: @summergrace.photo @the_summerschool

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My Summer Grace x G-Presets (discount code: SUMMERSCHOOL)

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Double Exposures, Photo Quilting, and Carving Your Own Unique Path: With Oak and Iron Photo Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with Bianca and Kyle of Oak and Iron to talk about their creative approach to photography, and carving your own unique path in the wedding industry.

Meet Bianca and Kyle:

Oak and Iron Photo is a husband-and-wife photography duo based in Central Florida. They specialize in weddings and portraiture all over the U.S. with a laid-back, offbeat approach. These dark lords of the industry are known for their double exposures, artistic compositions, and overall good vibes.

Subscribe to Summer School to get access to exclusive podcast episodes, classes, an amazing community of photographers + educators, and tons more amazing content.

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Connect with Bianca and Kyle:

Instagram: @oakandironphoto

Website: www.oakandironphoto.com

Youtube: @oakandironworld (be on the lookout for new BTS vlog vids!)

TikTok: @pastramionrye

Connect with Me:

Subscribe to our emails for updates on all things Summer School! SUBSCRIBE HERE

Show Notes: the-summerschool.com

Instagram: @summergrace.photo @the_summerschool

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My Summer Grace x G-Presets (discount code: SUMMERSCHOOL)

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Fashion and Editorial Photography: A Chat with Rita Buša Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

This week I’m joined by the amazing Rita - a photographer known for her bold colors, creative use of light, and fearless approach to experimentation. We dive into her unexpected start in Norway, how she carved out her unique style, and the creative techniques that she uses in her work.

Meet Rita:

My name is Rita, and I'm a photographer based in the small coastal city of Ålesund, Norway. I'm slowly carving out my path towards fashion photography. I'm drawn to character, color and storytelling. I share bits of my process, lessons and growth on my social media for others, one shoot at a time.

Subscribe to Summer School to get access to exclusive podcast episodes, classes, an amazing community of photographers + educators, and tons more amazing content.

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Connect with Rita:

Instagram: @ps_ritabusa

Website: www.ritabusa.com

Connect with Me:

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Show Notes: the-summerschool.com

Instagram: @summergrace.photo @the_summerschool

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My Summer Grace x G-Presets (discount code: SUMMERSCHOOL)

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How to Break Into Editorial Wedding Photography with Lucia Wallace Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

Hi everyone! I had the best time chatting with the incredibly talented Lucia Wallace. She’s funny, down-to-earth, and takes amazing pictures. If you’re not already following her, you’re missing out. We talked all about what editorial photography actually is, how she blends it with a documentary style, and how creative shoots have helped her grow and stay inspired. We also got into direction, storytelling, and the role all of that plays in building intentional, standout work.

Meet Lucia

Lucia Wallace is an editorial photographer based in Charlotte, North Carolina, specializing in sessions that feel cinematic, creative, and grandiose. Since 2018, she has been styling and capturing visual stories - ranging from fashion collections to weddings. Lucia brings a harmonious balance of editorial and documentary, leaving her clients feeling like living works of art.

Subscribe to Summer School to get access to exclusive podcast episodes, classes, an amazing community of photographers + educators, and tons more amazing content.

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Connect with Lucia:

Website: luciawallacephoto.com

Instagram: @luciawallacephoto

Connect with Me:

Subscribe to our emails for updates on all things Summer School! SUBSCRIBE HERE

Show Notes: the-summerschool.com

Instagram: @summergrace.photo @the_summerschool

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My Summer Grace x G-Presets (discount code: SUMMERSCHOOL)

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What You Need to Know to Shoot Your First Wedding Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

If you're about to shoot your first wedding, this episode is packed with everything you need to know. I'm sharing the lessons I learned the hard way - like what gear to bring, camera settings, how to plan ahead, and why backups are a must. I hope this episode helps you walk into your next wedding feeling prepared, calm, and ready to do your thing.

Subscribe to Summer School to get access to exclusive podcast episodes, classes, an amazing community of photographers + educators, and tons more amazing content.

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Connect with Me:

Subscribe to our emails for updates on all things Summer School!

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Show Notes: the-summerschool.com

Instagram: @summergrace.photo @the_summerschool

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My Summer Grace x G-Presets (discount code: SUMMERSCHOOL)

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Photography Hot Takes from Threads Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Hi! It's another solo episode, and this time I'll be diving into some hot takes straight from Threads. I’m sharing my honest reactions, what I agree with, and where I think we’re getting it wrong (or right).

Subscribe to Summer School to get access to exclusive podcast episodes, classes, an amazing community of photographers + educators, and tons more amazing content.

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Connect with Me:

Subscribe to our emails for updates on all things Summer School!

SUBSCRIBE HERE

Show Notes: the-summerschool.com

Instagram: @summergrace.photo @the_summerschool

Shop My Products:

Become a Member of Summer School

My Summer Grace x G-Presets (discount code: SUMMERSCHOOL)

My Pricing Guide