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Meredith Adelaide of meredithadelaide.com utilises Instagram (at the moment) to share her work with the world and her 30,000+ followers. At a time when financial security seems to be the farthest thing from her mind, this interview skirts the edges when it comes to talking about the business of photography.
At the same time, the approach Meredith takes to life, photography, social media and creativity might be the bright beacon of freedom you've been searching for in regard to your photography business. You just might come away with a plan to forget making a living from photography and focus on making a life.
I hope you find this interview as challenging and thought provoking as I did. Most of what Meredith is doing with her life goes against what most guests would suggest is a good idea to build a successful business. Yet, it sounds envious, as you'll hear.
I've been following Meredith for a while now on Instagram and I'm still not sure how best to describe her… photographer, model, film maker, musician, self portrait artist or professional collaborator.
It might be less risky or less restrictive for me to introduce her simply as an artist. And to be honest, I had no idea how she made a living doing what she does when going into this interview. Probably not the best start to a photography podcast about the business of being a photographer.
Still, I was excited to learn more about someone I see who is constantly creating work that both challenges and inspires me.
Here’s some of what we cover in this interview:
What’s on Offer for Premium Members
If you’re a premium member, you should have received an email with links to your version of this episode where you can hear lots more content and we dive deeper into some of the earlier topics plus some new ones that I pushed for and include:
If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interview with Meredith, get access to an amazing back catalogue of interviews and ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.
I’m not trying to make a living. I’m just trying to live and trying to make a life – Meredith Adelaide
Plus, access to a members only Secret Facebook Group where you can connect with other members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take what you hear in each episode and put it into action. You will not find more friendly, more motivated and caring photographers online.
What is your big takeaway?
Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything away from what Meredith shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below, let me know what your takeaways were, what you plan to implement in your business as a result of what you heard in todays episode.
I'm calling myself an art vagrant at this point, which is a nice way of saying homeless but it’s by choice – Meredith Adelaide
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Meredith or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them below.
iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs
Each week I check for any new iTunes reviews and it's always a buzz to receive these… for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they really are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome!
Secondly, iTunes is the biggest search engine when it comes to podcasts and it's your reviews and ratings that help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners means more interviews and ultimately a better show.
If you have left a review in the past, thank you!
If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes and you can leave some honest feedback and a rating which will help both me and the show and I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name.
Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast and email me your key words or keyword phrase and where you'd like me to link to.
Here is a recent review for The Photography Xperiment Podcast:
Ignore this at your peril
In iTunes by Chris Gillett who specialises in Houston corporate headshots on November 13, 2016
Hellmich's podcasts are the only podcasts that make me money. Some podcasts are fine to listen to whilst you fold the laundry, but both of Hellmich's help you get paid. I will not be at peace until I can finally buy him a beer in person. Subscribe now to avoid disappointment, yours and mine.
The NEW Photography Xperiment Podcast is live and available
Following the success and support shown by listeners after the experimental format of the recent interviews, the new Photo Xperiment Podcast has been launched and is available on this site and in iTunes now.
Interviews are underway and I'll be looking for new guests, not restricted to wedding and portrait photographers. If you have someone you think would be a good fit, let me know in the comment area below or email me, andrew@photobizx.com.
The idea behind these interviews is to get into the headspace of the photographer and find what makes them tick, what drives them, their thought process, philosophy on shooting and how they achieve what they do with their photography. So yeah, a little technique type content too.
These interviews will not focus on the business of photography – that'll be preserved solely for the weekly and unchanging format of the PhotoBizX podcast.
You have to keep putting out work in order to get more work because people see that you’re working – Meredith Adelaide
To hear these interviews in your podcast app, you will need to subscribe to the podcast – these interviews will not be delivered automatically if you're subscribed to PhotoBizX. Open your favourite podcast app and search “Photography Xperiment Podcast” or enter the feed URL, https://photobizx.com/feed/xperiment/ into the search field of your podcast app.
The Black Friday Special is available NOW!
Black Friday is fast approaching and you'll have this week only to grab a 12 Month PhotoBizX Premium membership for USD$120!
The best price you'll ever see for the membership… ever.
As with any Premium Membership, you'll get access to the full back catalogue of interviews including those with guests like; Fer Juaristi, Jonas Peterson, Sue Bryce, Ryan Brenizer, Yervant, Jerry Ghionis, Nordica Photography, Gabe McClintock, Peter Hurley, Two Mann Studios, Jen Huang plus others.
In addition you'll receive an invite to the most helpful and supportive Secret Facebook Group for members only with your membership.
Click here to get the deal: Black Friday PhotoBizX Membership Special
Nathan Elson presets are available and 50% off right now
Nathan Elson was interviewed for episode 134 of the podcast and it was his photography that caught my eye Instagram that led to the interview enquiry.
Since then, Nathan has been recording some great behind the scenes video of his lighting set ups and sharing more about the way he works. In addition, he's released a set of LightRoom Presets to get the same or similar look to what he's getting.
You can download the presets here: https://www.nathanelson.com/presets/
On the same page, you'll see exactly what they can do to a “straight out of camera” RAW file with a very cool slider on each image.
Currently, the presets are available for $12 as a 50% off intro special.
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Meredith Adelaide on Instagram
Meredith Adelaide as Adelaide_Calyx on IG
The Kindness of Strangers: Penniless Across America by Mike McIntyre
100 Strangers Project – featuring “Adam the Poetic Ex Con” by Andrew Hellmich
Matt Druin's How To Video's – Back Up Strategies for Photographers and Lightroom Catalog Efficiency
Thank you!
Thanks again for listening to the show and thanks to Meredith for coming on and sharing her thoughts, views on photography, creativity, life, business and living.
Everything that I create has to do with my personal experience – Meredith Adelaide
If you have any suggestions, comments or questions about this episode, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post, and if you liked the episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post!
That’s it for me this week, hope everything is going well for you in life and business!
Thanks and speak soon
Andrew
I love this! So. Much.
Because I get so stressed out about what I should do to make my business profitable and I still mostly don’t succeed in financial terms after all these years. I am not a business person but an artist. To hear somebody else explain her life this way is so inspiring. Meredith is fabulous and she has created a life that works for her. It is refreshing and encouraging!
So good to read your comments Siegrid… I was worried about heading too far from the beaten path with this interview.
I was inspired, amazed, interested even shocked to hear the way Meredith is living her life, focussed more on creativity and living than profit and business. Good to know I’m not alone and hope the interview helps with how you decide to chase your art.
Wow Meridith is living her dream, great interview with someone very different to your “normal”guest?
Meredith was different from your average guest. Expecting to see and hear great things from her! Also, I was struck by Andrew’s story of running into the guy newly out of prison. What a great story. That guy had some wisdom to impart, and I have received it through Andrew. Thanks!
She sure is Amanda and to be honest, my initial intention was to interview Meredith for the Photography Xperiment Podcast but after an early conversation we had, I thought it was important for PBX listeners to hear another aspect on photography and business rarely covered by me. I’m glad I did and I’m happy to read you enjoyed it too.
Adam the ex-con was definitely an interesting character. If you want to see what he looks like, here’s a link: Adam the ex-con