This Conversation with Jed Taufer

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This Conversation Classic: Teri Fode - How to Keep a Client for Life Dec 28, 2020

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As 2020 comes to a close, the last This Conversation episode for the year is a classic podcast from the "early days". This episode featuring Teri Fode was originally released on April 23, 2018. Teri Fode is an award-winning photographer specializing in fashion-inspired teen and senior portraits that also grow into family portraits, boudoir and headshot opportunities. She has created a successful luxury brand in her market, having started 13 years ago by growing from a small in-home production studio using the client's home for sales and consults into a boutique-style brand. She is passionate about offering an unforgettable experience and has grown her business with a high client-return base. Teri is also the creator of VoiceYourBrand.com, teaching photographers how to market their own brands on purpose and with intention using actionable systems and strategies.

This Conversation Classic: Brooke Shaden - On Growth and Going Dark Dec 21, 2020

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As 2020 comes to a close, This Conversation will be featuring two classic episode from the "early days". This episode featuring Brooke Shaden was originally released on January 8, 2018. Brooke explores the darkness and light in people, and her work looks at that juxtaposition. As a self-portrait artist, she photographs herself and becomes the characters of dreams inspired by a childhood of intense imagination and fear. Being the creator and the actor, Brooke controls her darkness and confronts those fears.
After studying films for years in college, she realized her love of storytelling was universal. She started photography then in 2008, excited to create in solitude and take on character roles herself. Brooke works from a place of theme, often gravitating toward death and rebirth or beauty and decay.
Ultimately, her process is more discovery than creation. She follows her curiosity into the unknown to see whom her characters might become. Brooke believes the greatest gift an artist has is the ability to channel fears, hopes and experience into a representation of one's potential.
While her images come from a personal place of exploration, the goal in creating is not only to satisfy herself; her greatest wish is to show others a part of themselves. Art is a mirror for the creator and the observer .
Brooke's passion is storytelling, and her life is engulfed in it. From creating self-portraits and writing to international adventures and motivational speeches, she wants to live a thousand lives in one. She keeps her curiosity burning to live a truly interesting story.
Self Description: Intensely anxious, powerful little creative soul.
Favorite Memory: Flying into the sky before she lost her wings at the age of 5.
Greatest Achievement: Starting The Light Space, a photography school for survivors of human trafficking in India and now Thailand.
Greatest Fear: Whales.
Favorite Book: Dune by Frank Herbert.

Darren McBurnett - Uncommon Grit Dec 14, 2020

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Darren McBurnett “McB” (SEAL) Ret. is a combat veteran, professional photographer, author, corporate speaker, and ambassador. His 24-year SEAL career included numerous combat zone deployments for which he earned 53 individual, unit, and campaign honors, including a Bronze Star. During his time as a military free fall instructor, he taught himself photography. His professional portfolio now includes images for NIKE, National Geographic, Fox and Friends, Rolling Stone, and the movie “Act of Valor.” He is the first Navy SEAL to have photographed the rigorous Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL training, which lead to the creation of his book Uncommon Grit.

Be sure to check out McB on Instagram @mcteams3842

Peter Hurley - Walking the Walk Dec 07, 2020

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Peter Hurley’s haphazard way of moving through life has had him cruising the seven seas on a sailboat while training for the Olympics, thrown him in front of a camera modeling for the likes of Polo, Hanes, Wrangler, and Abercrombie, and had him recognized as the premier headshot photographer in the world after having over 30,000 faces 3 feet in front of his lens. His prowess as a lensman fueled his desire to educate. He has spoken at Google, Apple, Microsoft, and TEDx on the subject of how to be your most photogenic self. His unique ideas on the subject have propelled his YouTube videos to over 8 million views. Canon took notice and brought Peter under their wing by honoring him as one of their coveted Explorers of Light.

When he’s not taking pictures, Peter spends much of his time educating as the founder of the Headshot Crew, a photographer network that is now home to the largest and most talented group of headshot specialists in the world. Although he never anticipated adding author to his list of accolades, his book, The Headshot, jumped to the bestseller list in photography immediately after its highly anticipated release. While he still believes that the twists and turns of his life continue to make it a most interesting journey, he couldn’t be more grateful to have picked up a camera along the way. He calls New York City his home where he lives with his beautiful wife and precious twin daughters.

Clay Blackmore - Batting 1.000 Nov 30, 2020

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Clay Blackmore was blessed to have worked with a photographic legend in Monte Zucker and one of the things he learned was how to bat 1.000 with his clients. Clay is an enthusiastic leader in the photographic industry. Not only is he revered for his development of innovative lighting and portrait techniques, but he is highly sought after as an instructor and considered one of the most passionate photographers working in the country today.

Clay meticulously developed his photographic, teaching, and business skills during his 25-year association with Monte Zucker, first as an assistant, then as a co-educator and business partner. His clientele has included celebrities such as Tiger Woods, Forest Whitaker, Jenna Elfman, Maria Sharapova, and many of Washington D.C.’s top families.

Clay is a champion of innovation and growth in the photography industry, pushing the boundaries of storytelling with the latest innovations in technology. In addition to his mastery of lighting and classic portraiture, Clay was among the first to test and evaluate new products for photography and HD-DSLR cinematography.

As a Distinguished Canon Print Master, Clay has been part of the Canon team for over 20 years. In 2018, he received the Tom McDonald Award from the Professional Photographers of America for supporting photographic education. He is also part of the Westcott Pro Team, a member of the elite Cameracraftsmen of America. His Rockville, Maryland, studio supports a team of passionate photographers and filmmakers working with the most cutting-edge technologies in the field.

In addition, Clay is active in ministry and his local community, volunteering his time to help others through photography. He believes that the best way to teach is by example. “Confidence comes from success, and success comes from practice,” he says.

David Campli - Business Gets Personal Nov 23, 2020

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Campli photography was born in 1990 to become a leader in the neighborhood. Today the studio handles family portraits, weddings, seniors and commercial accounts. The studio is a brick and mortar operation with client service at the forefront. With a staff of 3 in the studio, and 3 additional part time photographers, this busy place is still the place on main street to stop by for a coffee and good conversation. Even with a mask.

David is the man behind the vision. Though he is the head photographer, his vision stretches far beyond the scope of a lens. David not only has years of experience behind the camera, but also as a business owner. His technical training makes the camera an extension of his personality. Working with people young and old, individuals and large groups, are what he enjoys the most about portrait photography. He is a family man at heart, holding those values true in his work. His ideals give his images a certain aura of authenticity. From his home to his studio, family is what fuels his art form.

Lance Sullivan - Be You Nov 19, 2020

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From Lance: This is where I’m supposed to talk about myself, let you know who I am and what I love. I am a father, and I’m a daydreamer with my head in the clouds! I love homemade popcorn, sunshine, flip flops, white sand beneath my feet and my mountain bike. Old Volkswagens, cars & hotrods bring a huge smile to my face. I love watches, Vans shoes, hoodies and as I get older, I love last minute adventures with no plan - thanks to my family and friends. I love a good movie, and a great book, especially if its a book on being human, good self care or self development. There is nothing so great as a good cup of coffee, and I love a fantastic breakfast on a day off with my family. And finally - I love helping others in their business. I am passionate about a great start up!

Aaron Bean - Community is Built Not Found Nov 16, 2020

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It’s great when your passion becomes your career but if you don’t fuel that passion, eventually it’s just going to die. Your community is very similar in that it’s built, not found. It needs to be constructed and nurtured and cared for…not merely discovered or stumbled upon. This episode features Chicagoland videographer, Aaron Bean. Aaron describes himself like this: I love Jesus, live concerts, playing drums, coffee, and anything that puts joy in people’s lives. I shoot Wedding Photography and Cinematography. I love telling stories through photos and videos. I’m fun, energetic, and passionate about capturing people’s stories. I want to show off how fun you are, how beautiful you are, and how important your story is. You can find out more about Aaron here.

Marcus Bell - Reinvigorated Nov 02, 2020

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Marcus Bell is a multi-award winning and highly acclaimed photographer. Best known for his wedding photography, Marcus’ original passion for the grandeur of landscapes and story-telling of documentary photography saw Marcus defy scope and created something that had never been done before; placing couples in expansive, dramatic landscapes, shooting breathtaking frames that experimented with the element of scale (a style now dubbed “weddingscapes”). Pushing the boundaries with fearless originality, his documentarian approach together with his iconic landscape shots went global, propelling Marcus into the international space. American Photo Magazine listed Marcus as one of the top 10 wedding photographers in the world. In Australia he was the youngest photographer ever to be awarded the title “Grand Master” by the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP), the highest photography accolade in the country. He has been honoured with a Fellowship in the United Kingdom and granted his Masters with WPPI in America. Marcus is an international speaker and author of “ Masters Guide to Wedding Photography”. Marcus’ natural ability to capture the spirit and character of the people and places he photographs is very much influenced by his own life experiences, moments that have shaped who he is as a person. His work is powerful, dramatic, emotive and speaks to human connections – connections to nature, to each other and to our own histories and human spirit.

The full extent of Marcus’ work goes way beyond wedding photography, inviting you to move beyond sometimes superficial person to person connections and explore connectedness through the feelings invoked by the natural beauty of the world in which we exist.

Zabrina Deng - Persevering Oct 26, 2020

Show notes

Zabrina Deng’s episode is called “Persevering” because that’s the word that comes to her mind when thinking about how she wants her kids perceive her. She wants them to see that she fought and continued to grind through difficult times.

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