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. Subscribe here Connect with Me: Subscribe to our emails for updates on all things Summer School! SUBSCRIBE HERE Show Notes: the-s...
Jul 24, 2025•35 min•Ep. 93
In this episode, I’m reflecting on how my approach to Instagram has evolved, what I’ve learned about showing up consistently without burning out, and how I’ve started to enjoy it again. Some things have really changed the way I think about social media altogether, and I'm excited to share some of my revelations with you! Subscribe to Summer School to get access to exclusive podcast episodes, classes, an amazing community of photographers + educators, and tons more amazing content. Subscribe here...
Jul 15, 2025•27 min•Ep. 92
Today, I sat down with Andrew Keher to talk all about personal branding, and what it really looks like to stand out in today’s wedding photography world. We unpacked the idea of the “forest of noise,” and how to evolve with a changing industry. Meet Andrew: Andrew Keher is a wedding photographer turned content creator and aspiring photography mentor, known for his deadpan humour and mildly unhinged approach to helping creatives show up online. In 2024, after nearly going out of business, he rebu...
Jul 08, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 91
In this episode, I’m catching you up on a wild week of teaching in Utah, and accidentally landing a full bridal shoot. I’m also sharing how I fell in love with the new Godox Lux Master flash, and giving you all the fun life updates as always! Subscribe to Summer School to get access to exclusive podcast episodes, classes, an amazing community of photographers + educators, and tons more amazing content. Subscribe here Connect with Me: Subscribe to our emails for updates on all things Summer Schoo...
Jul 01, 2025•22 min•Ep. 90
In this episode, I'm recapping my trip to New York City for the Build Conference - one of the biggest creative events of the year. I’m sharing what the experience was really like, the gear that caught my eye, and why conferences like this matter. Click HERE to save your spot on the SLC field trip. Subscribe to Summer School to get access to exclusive podcast episodes, classes, an amazing community of photographers + educators, and tons more amazing content. Subscribe here Connect with Me: Subscr...
Jun 24, 2025•26 min•Ep. 89
In this episode, I’m joined by luxury wedding photographer Chris J. Evans. We talk about his unexpected start in weddings, what it’s really like transitioning into high-end events, and how personality plays a huge role in your work. Chris opens up about the burnout that came with high-volume weddings, his shift into the luxury space, and why real-life connections still matter more than ever. We also chat about systems, outsourcing, and his passion for education. Subscribe to Summer School to get...
Jun 17, 2025•46 min•Ep. 88
In this episode, I sat down with Layni Becker—one of the most visually distinct photographers I know. Her work is moody, nostalgic, and wildly cinematic in the best way. We talked about how her love of movies shaped her eye for storytelling, how music drives her creative vision, and why doing free work helped her find her signature style. Laney also shared all the details on Camp Cinematic, the retreat she is co-hosting this fall in Mendocino, CA. Meet Layni: Layni is a Colorado based photograph...
Jun 10, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 87
In this episode, I chat with Lindsay Coulter about what it actually takes to build a profitable photography business without burning out. We dive into raising your prices, leaving the average market grind, and what it means to create a business that actually supports your life — not the other way around. Meet Lindsay: Lindsay Coulter is a Waterloo, Ontario based photographer with over a decade of experience. She has photographed hundreds of weddings and thousands of portrait sessions across Nort...
Jun 03, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 85
In today’s episode, I’m joined by the wildly creative and completely unfiltered Joshua Huggett — a wedding photographer who’s carved out a thriving business by doing the exact opposite of what most people think they should do. We talk about showing up as yourself, why he intentionally keeps his Instagram following small, and how ditching second shooters actually made his work better. Who is Joshua: Joshua Huggett is a wedding photographer from Adelaide, South Australia who specialises in making ...
May 27, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 85
In this episode, I’m breaking down what I’d do differently if I were starting from scratch as a wedding photographer. We’re talking about skipping the logo obsession, building a portfolio that actually books, how to tap into your network on purpose , and why showing up in real life matters more than posting online. If you’re trying to land those first few clients—or pivot your business in a fresh direction—this episode is for you. Start your free 7-day trial of HoneyBook here: TRY HONEYBOOK Subs...
May 20, 2025•26 min•Ep. 84
In this episode, I’m diving into some super helpful new HoneyBook features that have been leveling up my client workflow. We’re talking all things AI — especially HoneyBook’s new AI Note Taker (aka my favorite new assistant). It quietly joins your calls, takes notes for you , and sends everything straight to your dashboard. No more multitasking or forgetting what someone said two weeks ago. I’ll walk you through exactly how I’ve been using it — plus a few other smart tools — to save time, stay o...
May 13, 2025•30 min•Ep. 83
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! Want to try the best CRM out there? Start your free 7-day trial of HoneyBook here: TRY HONEYBOOK Grab the Godox ML60II bi HE...
May 07, 2025•27 min•Ep. 82
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...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 81
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...
Apr 22, 2025•21 min•Ep. 80
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 — th...
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 79
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...
Apr 08, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 78
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 incr...
Apr 02, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 77
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....
Mar 25, 2025•32 min•Ep. 76
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 i...
Mar 20, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 75
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 ...
Mar 11, 2025•44 min•Ep. 73
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 ...
Mar 05, 2025•43 min•Ep. 73
Alright... I’ve got some HUGE news to share. I’m beyond excited to announce that Summer School is evolving into an actual, literal school—and I want you to be a part of this new adventure. Join me as I break down the new subscription platform—complete with exclusive podcasts, classes, digital products, and community features designed to elevate your creative journey and help you connect with others. I’ll cover how you can access the platform on both app and browser, and all that will be included...
Feb 25, 2025•19 min•Ep. 72
Hi everyone! Today we're talking about all things advice. You all submitted questions for me on Instagram, and I'll be going through a bunch of them, giving you my two cents and feedback. Also, I'm spilling the beans on our new Summer School subscription platform launching March 1st, which will include exclusive podcasts, classes, and more. I hope you enjoy this episode :) Connect with Me: Subscribe to our emails for updates on all things Summer School! SUBSCRIBE HERE Show Notes: the-summerschoo...
Feb 18, 2025•43 min•Ep. 71
It's finally here - Part 3 of Hot Takes with Summer and Jake! We're diving back into more Hot Takes, tackling a fresh round of your wild opinions and our honest reactions. From luxury wedding photographers, the film versus digital debate, and Taylor Swift...it was a fun one! We hope you enjoy it :) 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: Beco...
Feb 13, 2025•51 min•Ep. 70
Hi everyone! In this episode we're hitting a HOT topic. Today I sit down with Jess from Authenica to explore the hottest wedding trends for 2025. We chat about how couples are moving away from traditional styles and embracing authenticity in every detail—from decor and photography to overall vibe. Jess shares her insider insights on which trends are making waves and which ones are fading out, offering a fresh perspective for wedding professionals and enthusiasts alike. Meet Jess: A master of all...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 69
Hi friends! It's just me this time, and we’re talking about how to make the most of those quieter months when business slows down. Now's a great time to prepare, refresh your portfolio, and tackle that ever-growing admin pile. I’ll also be catching you up on my life, where my head is at going into this year, and what I’ve been up to lately! Connect with Me: Subscribe to our emails for updates on all things Summer School! SUBSCRIBE HERE Show Notes: the-summerschool.com Instagram: @summergrace.pho...
Jan 28, 2025•21 min•Ep. 68
Hey friends! In this episode, I’m hanging out with Angela Shae of Social Templates to break down all the latest social media changes—from TikTok’s brief U.S. disappearance to Instagram’s newest features. We’re sharing all the tips on diversifying your presence. Plus, Angela spills on personal branding tricks and staying nimble in this fast-paced digital world. If you want a quick rundown on rocking socials in 2025, this chat is for you. Meet Angela: After over a decade spent working as a wedding...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 67
Hi again! In this episode, I’m chatting with Charleston-based photographer Alex Blake about how she built a booming senior and brand photography biz. We talk about her journey from Georgia to the coast, overcoming the challenges of a new market, and finding unique ways to connect with local seniors. Alex also shares how she balances parents’ expectations, manages a growing team, and hosts her immersive retreat, Photo Camp . If you’re looking to carve out a niche, stand out in a crowded market, o...
Jan 07, 2025•47 min•Ep. 65
Hey everyone! I’m so excited to share about my recent conversation with the incredibly talented East Coast wedding photographer, Hannah Rosser. Together, we explore the ups and downs of building a sustainable creative business, as she shares her unexpected venture into destination weddings, the personal challenges that made her step back and refocus. She also shares tips on everything from setting up workflows, staying organized with Notion, and email templates to carving out time for self-care....
Dec 31, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 64
Hi friends! Today I had the best time chatting with Hannah Kutner about bringing a cinematic feel to your photography. Hannah shares how embracing a filmmaker’s mindset—focusing on authentic narratives and meaningful details—completely transformed her everyday work into something truly special. We cover practical tips for building sessions around your clients’ personal stories and how to transition into more immersive, storytelling-style shoots. If you’re feeling stuck or just looking for a more...
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 63
