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In this week’s photography podcast, we are talking about something kinda hilarious and also something 100% meant for the introverted over thinkers of the photography world: How are you supposed to act when you’re shooting a wedding? Or worse, what if you act weird at a wedding?

Want to know some awkward things I've done at weddings? Of course you do!

• Snapped at My Husband Once During a Cake Cutting
• Told a Bride a Photo Wasn’t Possible Because I Misunderstood Her
• Called the Bride the Wrong Name. Eek!
• Last Weekend? Called the Groom the Wrong Name
• Fell into a Sewer Opening
• Got Caught in Insane Traffic and The Venue Had No Service
• Wore a White Maxi Dress with Pink Flowers
• And honestly? That’s Just the Tip of the Iceberg!

Want to know this episode in one quote? Wonderful! You know I've got you!


Shooting is like anything - sometimes, you’re going to be a bit of an awkward weirdo. Other times? People just aren’t going to 100% get you. A bride’s aunt will almost definitely not have the same feelings about wedding photography that a bride does but that doesn’t mean one perspective is right or wrong, it’s that different people have different personalities and different goals. And that’s beautiful! Every photographer is going to bring their own energy into the wedding day and, honestly some of the things we do ARE weird. It’s the nature of the job. Just own it! And have fun!

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NEW EPISODES EVERY TUESDAY

Welcome to Your Photographer Mom where we just want to make stuff and hang out. Love learning about photography, taking on creative projects, and listening to unedited tutorials, pep talks, and thoughts of a photography dinosaur? Hooray! You are in the right place! Each episode is hosted by Lissa Chandler, a Northwest Arkansas photographer who's been shooting professional since 2011.

Your Photographer Mom sometimes airs every Tuesday but definitely takes unexpected breaks here and there. We're running on vibes for this podcast, not strict schedules!

Want to be a guest on the podcast? Contact me here!

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LINKS TO ALL THE THINGS!

Photography Website | Opal and June | Education + Books | Photographer Merch | Instagram

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Hellooooo from 2026! We are jumping in after a two year break with a little pep talk + info dump. The subject? Why I Don't Approach Client Work with Features in Mind

This started as a blog post, hopped into a "Oh yeah! I can upload this as a podcast!" and the rest is history. Here's a little of what I'm chatting about today!

• Where I've Been
• Why I'm Not Interested in Magazine Features (Specifically for Client Work)
• Do Magazine Features Really Matter?
• What Matters? Real People. Real Moments. Real Personalities.

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NEW EPISODES EVERY TUESDAY (MAYBE)

Welcome to Your Photographer Mom where we just want to make stuff and hang out. Love learning about photography, taking on creative projects, and listening to unedited tutorials, pep talks, and thoughts of a photography dinosaur? Hooray! You are in the right place! Each episode is hosted by Lissa Chandler, a Northwest Arkansas photographer who's been shooting professional since 2011.

Your Photographer Mom sometimes airs every Tuesday. It's a work in progress, y'know?

Want to be a guest on the podcast? Contact me here!

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LINKS TO ALL THE THINGS!

Photography Website | Opal and June | Photographer Merch | Instagram

Support the show

Can you believe we've been doing this for six months? Me either! And this morning? We are talking about one of my very favorite creative photography subjects: What's The Point of Styled Shoots Within Wedding and Portrait Photography?

Here's a few of our topics!

• Using Styled Shoots for Creative Expression
• Networking with Other Wedding Vendors
• Learning To Do Stuff On Your Own
• Not Taking it Personally When People Say "No"
• Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Collaborations
• Don't Be Afraid to Post
• What's Something You Want to Shoot?

Want to know this episode in one quote? Wonderful! You know I've got you!


Occasionally, styled shoots can have a bad reputation. I think there’s lots of reasons for this - one of them being that they’re really just a creative expression that doesn’t really have a monetary value - but, with styled shoots, there is so much creative freedom. While I don’t think you should only be shooting styled shoots all the time, styled shoots are an amazing way to elevate your work, showcase new ideas in your portfolio, and just give you a bit of a breather to shoot whatever you feel like shooting.

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NEW EPISODES EVERY TUESDAY

Your Photographer Mom definitely airs every Tuesday. And if there's an interview on Tuesday? We're airing a photography tutorial on Wednesday, too! While we won't have two episodes every week, we'll have two episodes a lot of weeks. It's going to be a blast!

Want to be a guest on the podcast? Contact me here!

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LINKS TO ALL THE THINGS!

Photography Website | Opal and June | Education + Books | Photographer Merch | Instagram

Support the show

Episode 046: What if I Keep Getting Told No Within My Photography Business?

Today, we are talking about something every photographer (and creative!) has to face within their creative journey. Being told no. Because honestly? If you are putting yourself out there as a photographer, you're going to be told no. Your favorite photographer? They've been told no. Your photographer mom? She's been told no SO many times she couldn't even count.

So! Let's talk about it! What if I Keep Getting Told No Within My Photography Business?

Here's a Few of Our Topics!

• Everyone Gets Told No
• Sometimes, We Just Need to Reframe Our Question
• We All Have Growth To Do
• Know Someone Successful? They've Been Told No
• Don't Be Afraid to Put Yourself Out There!

Want to Know This Episode in One Quote? I've Got You!

As creatives (and photographers!) one of the hardest things about photography is this: We are all going to be told no. It doesn’t matter what this “no” is. Maybe it’s a “no” to teaching at a conference. Maybe it’s a “no” by your favorite photography publication. Maybe your favorite photograph doesn’t make the finals in a photo competition. Maybe your dream client ghosts you. Being told no is hard. But you know what’s great about being told no? The growth that comes with it!

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Hooray! We are now a twice a week podcast!

NEW PHOTOGRAPHER INTERVIEWS EVERY TUESDAY
NEW PHOTOGRAPHY TUTORIALS EVERY WEDNESDAY

Want to be a guest on the podcast? Contact me here!

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LINKS TO ALL THE THINGS!

Photography Website | Opal and June | Education + Books | Photographer Merch | Instagram

Support the show

Episode 050: What Are Five Must Have Tips for Wedding Photographers?

On episode fifty of Your Photographer Mom (what?!), we are going to my photography roots: Wedding Photography. I absolutely love wedding photography so much and, as a wedding photographer in Arkansas, know there's a ton of info about how to photograph weddings out there. So today? We are talking about five must have tips for all wedding photographers.

This list probably isn't what you expect (we're not talking lenses or camera bodies or seconds or timelines!) but, from my wedding photographer heart to yours, I hope you freaking love it!

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Those Five Tips?

1. Family Photos: Go Big to Small
2. Compliment Literally Everyone
3. Incorporate Organic Detail Photos Throughout The Day
4. Zoom In and Zoom Out
5. Have Fun! And Don't Be Afraid To Chat!

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Want To Know This Episode in One Quote? I've Got You!

"I started photographing weddings in 2011 and, since then, the wedding industry has gone through lots of changes, twists, and turns. While trends and aesthetics change over time, one thing never seems to: people want to have amazing wedding days. Like, they want to love their people, celebrate their new life stage, and just remember it as a totally awesome day. "

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Hooray! We are now a twice a week podcast!

NEW PHOTOGRAPHER INTERVIEWS EVERY TUESDAY
NEW PHOTOGRAPHY TUTORIALS EVERY WEDNESDAY

Want to be a guest on the podcast? Contact me here!

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LINKS TO ALL THE THINGS!

Photography Website | Opal and June | Education + Books | Photographer Merch | Instagram

Support the show

How Do I Know When To Reschedule My Photoshoots?

In this week's photography podcast, we're talking about something that impacts photographers everywhere: when to reschedule.

Here's a quick summary!

• Come Up With Policies Beforehand
• Know What Works for You Won't Be What Works for Everyone
• Does Weather Impact Your Photos?
• Policies Make Rescheduling Easier for You + Your Clients, Too!
• Have Open Reschedule Dates in Your Calendar
• Think About Having "Off" Months or Months Where You Only Shoot Inside

Wanna know this episode in one quote? I got you!

"When you have a shoot here and there, rescheduling honestly isn’t a big deal every once in a while. If you have a packed calendar, though, it can get really jam packed really fast if you have a week of bad weather. Ask yourself: Do you like the idea of shooting indoors? How do you feel about shooting in cloudy weather? Most importantly, would you rather be flexible with dates or flexible with weather?

Remember! There is no one right way to do anything or everything. When you’re actively shooting a full calendar, it can help to make decisions before the day of a session. If you always reschedule if there’s a 50% chance of rain, you’ll know that you want to reschedule on a rainy day."

NEW EPISODES EVERY TUESDAY

Want to be a guest on the podcast? Contact me here!

LINKS TO ALL THE THINGS!

Photography Website | Opal and June | Education + Books | Photographer Merch | Instagram

Support the show

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Morning! Today, we've got a cross post from my Print on Demand podcast, Lissa Talks Print on Demand. Super excited to share this with you!


Here's What We're Talking About!

• Don't Overthink It
• Shoot By a Window
• Use Styling Items From Your House
• Don't Overcomplicate Images
• Using Sheets as Backdrops

Want To Know This Episode in One Quote? Wonderful!

"When learning product photography, it’s best to start really simple. Use even light, simple backdrops, and don’t use filters that change product colors. Upping the exposure on a photo is fine; moving the tint feature to green might make your customers unhappy. Once you know more, you can do more. But when you start? Keep those photos simple!"


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NEXT PRINT ON DEMAND EPISODE: JULY 8th!

Season Two Air Dates: July 8th to October 7th

*Marked explicit in case there are swears! I don't think there are any on this one, though!

Mockup Photos | Your Photographer Mom Podcast | Photography Website | Instagram

Opal and June Mocks: Use the code LISSATALKSPOD for 20% off!

And best of all? Three free mocks!

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Are you the girliest photographer ever? Hooray! My side business, Opal and June, was made for you!

At Opal and June, we have the most fun tees for photographers. And beyond that? We have so much more! We have tees for art history lovers, history girls, teachers, artists, animal lovers, and everything you can imagine. Go grab yourself a tee or grab a gift for a loved one!

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Episode 036: What's Mockup Photography?

In this week's photography podcast, we're talking about something I freaking love. What's that? Mockup Photography! I discovered mockup photography in 2022 and, two years later, I'm sharing all about it with y'all, too!

Here's a Few of Our Topics!

What's Mockup Photography?
Creating a Vibe in Your Mockup Photos
Repeating Props + Themes + Models
Working with Models for Mockups
Building Your Shop Will Take Time!
Should You Sell Photos as Print on Demand Items?

Want To Know This Episode in One Quote? You Know I Got You!

"In 2023, I got totally obsessed with mockup photography. I was obsessed with flatlay mockups, folded mockups, hanging mockups, and model mockups. Basically, I became obsessed with all of it and I like to laugh and say I locked myself away in 2023 and basically just saw my family + my mockup daughter and taught myself to shoot all the products. While I don’t really recommend mockup photography for casual photographers, I do recommend selling mockup photography to two types of photographers: New photographers or photographers that are totally tenacious + up for learning.

Not sure what a mockup is? They’re pretty new to me, too! And today? I’m spilling all about them. "

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NEW EPISODES EVERY TUESDAY

Your Photographer Mom definitely airs every Tuesday. And if there's an interview on Tuesday? We're airing a photography tutorial on Wednesday, too! While we won't have two episodes every week, we'll have two episodes a lot of weeks. It's going to be a blast!

Want to be a guest on the podcast? Contact me here!

--------

LINKS TO ALL THE THINGS!

Photography Website | Opal and June | Education + Books | Photographer Merch | Instagram

Support the show