Summer School - A Photography + Creative Podcast

Latest Episodes:

What I Wish I Knew About Light as a Beginner May 07, 2025

Show notes

Hi all! Today is another solo episode, and I’m diving into one of my favorite topics—light. I’m sharing how my approach to lighting has changed since the early days of playing it safe with backlight and open shade, and why I now lean into the boldness of direct sun, deep shadows, and flash. This topic has really been on my mind lately, and I hope you enjoy listening along!

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Grab the Godox ML60II bi HERE

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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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Film, Travel, and Destination Weddings with Tucker House Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

Hi everyone! In this episode, I’m sitting down with the amazing Tucker House to chat about his journey from learning photography in a high school darkroom to traveling the world shooting weddings. Hear about how he got started, how he built a travel-heavy photography business, what it’s really like shooting both film and digital on a wedding day, and his best advice for photographers who want to start experimenting with film. Tucker also shares how he books destination weddings, plus how staying curious and saying yes to opportunities has shaped his whole career.

Meet Tucker

Tucker House is a destination wedding and documentary photographer with a passion for capturing authentic, elevated stories around the world. Originally from Northern Oregon, Tucker’s work focuses on blending the presence of nature and background with the timeless feel of film and the rawness of real moments. Known for ditching stiff posing in favor of genuine connection, Tucker believes great photography is about how it feels, not just how it looks. Life is messy, raw, and imperfect—and Tucker’s goal is to capture the essence of it, not orchestrate something fake.

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 Tucker:

Instagram: @tuckerhousephoto

Website: tuckerhousephoto.com

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)

My Pricing Guide

Falling Back in Love with Digital Photography Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I’m chatting about something I didn’t see coming—falling in love with digital photography again. After going all-in on film for a while, I’ve been feeling creatively recharged by experimenting with digital. From playing with lens filters to diving into double exposures, this is your reminder that digital doesn’t have to feel boring! I’m sharing what sparked this shift, why editing is still one of my favorite parts, and how to reconnect with your digital work in a fresh, inspired way. Whether you’re team film, team digital, or somewhere in between, this one’s for you.

Want to try the lens filter I was talking about? Here's the link: LENS FILTER

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

Shop My Products:

Become a Member of Summer School

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

My Pricing Guide

Practical Ways to Use ChatGPT in Your Workflow: A Conversation with Kari Tello Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

Hi friends! In this episode, Kari and I are covering all things ChatGPT and how we love using it as a tool to help run our businesses. We share a bunch of awesome ways it supports us — how it saves time, helps us stay creative, and keeps things running smoothly.

We’ll walk you through easy ways to get started, real prompts we use all the time, and what it does really well (plus a few things we wish it did better). From writing client emails to planning timelines and generating content ideas — this tool has become a game-changer for both our photography and education work.

Meet Kari:

Kari Tello is a travel wedding photographer based on the West Coast, shooting both film and digital. She’s all about capturing honest moments and creating a laid-back experience for her couples. Kari also uses tools like ChatGPT to streamline her business and keep things running smoothly—so she can spend more time doing what she loves, both behind the camera and outside of work. - She used ChatGPT to write this. HA

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 Kari:

Instagram: @karishootsfilm Website: karitellophoto.com

(Kari is launching something cool very soon - give her a follow to stay tuned for that!!)

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

Shop My Products:

Become a Member of Summer School

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

My Pricing Guide

Shooting Film in a Digital World: A Conversation with Autumn Jordan Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

Hi everyone! Today I had the honor of chatting with the incredibly talented Autumn Jordan—a New York and Vermont-based film and Super8 photographer with over 15 years of experience. Autumn shares her creative journey, from long hours in the college darkroom to becoming a sought-after wedding photographer known for her emotionally rich, film-first approach. We dive deep into the art and technical side of film photography—discussing hybrid workflows, the importance of building strong relationships with pro labs, and her favorite film cameras (including some dream gear).

Meet Autumn:

Autumn Jordan is a photographer based in New York and Vermont, working primarily on film and Super8, traveling worldwide. Through her 15 years of experience, Autumn has honed her craft with a delicate intensity—capturing the quiet moments that matter, and the memories that will stretch across generations. An artist first and foremost, her photos spotlight the intangible magic of being alive and the tender warmth of connection. Autumn graduated from Bennington College with a BFA in Film Photography in 2014, and her heart has grown with the medium since she picked up her first film camera over a decade ago.

Want to learn more from Autumn? Subscribe to Summer School to get access to her class + an exclusive podcast episode, and so much more amazing content.

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Connect with Autumn:

Instagram: @atmnjrdn Website: autumn-jordan.com

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

Shop My Products:

Become a Member of Summer School

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

My Pricing Guide

Photography Then vs. Now: A Conversation with Vanessa Joy Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

Hiii! Today I’m so excited to sit down with a true photography legend, and someone I’ve looked up to for a long time now—Vanessa Joy. We dive into how the wedding industry has evolved over the last couple decades, from shifting trends to the rise of direct flash, and how she’s stayed inspired through it all. We also chat about the balance between business and creativity, staying relevant without losing your personal style, and why she’s so passionate about printed photos. Vanessa is also an incredible educator, with some free stuff available online as well, so be sure to go check her out!

Meet Vanessa:

Since 2002, Vanessa Joy has been photographing weddings, portraits and corporate branding primarily in the Austin, NJ and NYC areas. She is a Canon Explorer of Light and trusted by brands like Hilton Grand Vacations, Bravo, Profoto, Lexar and more. Through online education and resources, she helps photographers elevate their craft. Find her at VanessaJoy.com and on YouTube.com/vanessajoy.

Connect with Vanessa:

Instagram: @vanessajoy Youtube: @vanessajoy Website: vanessajoy.com

Photography Business Mastermind: www.breatheyourpassion.com

Safari Prints (all proceeds go to charity!!): www.safariwildlifeandlandscape.com

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

Lessons from Attending a Photography Conference Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

Hi friends! In today’s episode, I’m recapping my time at WPPI, sharing life and business updates, and chatting about the biggest things I took away from the week. I’m diving into what made this conference so impactful—and how it’s fueling what’s next for Summer School. Plus, a little reminder to bring the weird camera next time. Let's dive in.

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

Building Genuine Brand Connections with Miles Witt Boyer Mar 20, 2025

Show notes

Hi!! Today I'm joined by a repeat guest, and an amazing photographer and human being - Miles Witt Boyer. Tune in as we chat about all things building genuine brand relationships. We dive into how to spot authentic partnerships, why in-person networking is more valuable than ever, and how to make real connections with brands that align with your values.

Meet Miles

Miles Witt Boyer is a Bentonville, Arkansas based wedding photographer with an absolute love for the authentic. He's a big believer in the art behind what we do, chasing unique light and composition with a cinematic style woven into the stories of his images. Miles is a total people person, loves working along side brands as an ambassador for companies like Fujifilm, Imagen, Oberweth, and Moment and has a huge passion for education and encouraging photographers to be successful and brave with their work.

Connect with Miles:

Website : www.mileswittboyer.com

Instagram : instagram.com/mileswittboyer

Imagen : https://imagen-ai.com/homepage-lp/?ref=mileswittboyer

Pictime : https://mileswittboyer.pic-time.com/referral

Pixellu Code : mileswittboyer

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

Moment Camera Store : https://partner.shopmoment.com/c/3073164/770347/11129

Abide Presets : https://www.gpresets.com/product/abidepresets/

Holdfast Gear code : mileswittboyer

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

All Things AI with Taylor Nixon from Narrative Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

Hey friends! Today’s episode is a fun one—I’m sitting down with Taylor Nixon from Narrative to chat all about AI in photography, upcoming events, and how technology is changing the way we work. We recorded this on a whim because there’s so much happening in March, and I wanted you all to be the first to know!

Meet Taylor

Taylor is Narrative's Photographer Relationship Manager, looking after the fantastic photographers Narrative works with. Coming from Photography/Videographer, while also making films, Taylor's led by connecting and uplifting the creative community! Narrative is all about helping photographers cull and edit more efficiently while still keeping full creative control—and if you’ve ever spent way too much time sorting through thousands of photos, you know how game-changing that is.

Real quick... I wanted to let you know that Narrative and I are hosting a photographer community networking event in LA, THIS FRIDAY the 14th, that you don't want to miss. Tickets and info below!

Get your ticket here

Try out NARRATIVE

Connect with Taylor + Narrative:

Instagram: @narrativeapp @taylornixonfilm

Connect with Me:

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

SUBSCRIBE HERE

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

Life Updates: Summer School Launch & Shooting a 3-Day Wedding with a Newborn Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

Hi everyone! In today's episode, it’s just me, giving life updates and sharing about my wild last few days—including traveling for our first wedding since Georgia was born, and the official launch of Summer School! It has been so amazing to see this new community grow, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. I’m also sharing what it was like managing a three-day wedding with a two-month-old, the highs and lows of flying with baby gear and film, plus the unexpected reality of pumping during a wedding day. Also, I wanted to let you know that narrative and I are hosting a photographer community networking event in LA that you don't want to miss!!

Get your ticket here

Connect with Me:

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

SUBSCRIBE HERE

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