It may sound counter intuitive but Jonas believes and explains in this episode the only way to stand out as an individual is to shoot like you… no one else can see the way you do. The difficult part is having the guts to move away from copying or emulating your wedding photography heroes and trust yourself to shoot the way you see.
Jonas doesn't suggest that every photo from every wedding needs to be innovative, new and groundbreaking but you must develop your own style. Only then will you attract the right clients for you, only then will you really be getting paid for doing what you love. Only then will you stand out from the crowd and only then, can you demand the prices that everyone would like to demand for their photography.
Here's some of what we cover:
I was a little thrown at the beginning of this interview with Jonas once I learned he had a personal blog with almost 200,000 subscribers before starting his wedding photography business. From this point, it was apparent that most of you won't be or won't have been in the same position when starting your business.The main aim of these interviews is to discover ways that photographers can improve their business through the experiences of the guest. I'm guessing you didn't start your business with 200,00 fans?
What is your big takeaway?
Once thrown, it felt to me like I was scrambling to keep the conversation going while trying to uncover some actionable content for you and your business. I'd love to read your feedback in the comments below – what is your big take away from this episode and is there anything you'll likely be implementing in your business following what Jonas had to say?
What have you implemented so far?
When starting this podcast, my aim was to uncover actionable content from each guest in every episode so you can improve your business. I didn't expect I would make so many changes in my business as a result.
So far, I have altered my price list, changed my packages to include wedding albums, rejigged my approach to Facebook, I'm in the process of redesigning our stationery and I'm concentrating more on my photography style.
What I'd REALLY love to know though, is what have you actually implemented since becoming a listener to the podcast? If you're feeling ‘gutsy' enough, use the voicemail tab to the right of the page and let me know. If you're happy to, I'll share your recording on a future episode of the podcast.
iTunes ratings, reviews and Shout-Outs
A couple of great ratings and reviews in iTunes from a couple of awesome listeners this week! Thanks to Teowai from Australia and Josh from Michigan in the States. It's a great help having your reviews and helps others discover the podcast.
If you have the time and are happy to leave an honest rating and review, head over to iTunes.
Also, a few shout-outs to photographers/listeners that have made contact via email or social media this week:
Bronwyn of www.petclix.com.au
Dean of www.deanbyfordphotography.co.uk
Robert of www.roberthock.com.au
and Evelyn – great to have you listening!
I also mentioned Matt from RMW Photo and the very sad shoot he was involved in where he photographed a dying Dad's wish to have his father daughter dance. You can find that article here.
If you'd like to get in touch, ask a question or make a suggestion for the show, you can email me andrew@photobizx.com, find me on twitter https://twitter.com/andrewhellmich or on Facebook at https://photobizx.com/facebook – I'd love to hear from you.
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Jonas Peterson's website – http://jonaspeterson.com
Jonas on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/jonaspetersonphotography
Framed Network – http://framednetwork.com
Jeffrey Smart (Artist) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Smart
Todd Hunter McGraw – http://toddhuntermcgaw.com.au
Dan O'day – http://danodayphotography.com.au
VSCO photoshop/lightroom plugin – http://vsco.co
That's it for me this week, hope everything is going well for you. I'd love for you to leave a comment below to let me know what you took away from this interview.
Speak soon
Andrew
Having attended his first workshop in late 2011, definitely a great chap to listen to. His honest approach and his explanation of why he does things, as well as how that works for him is key I think.
I also find him very approachable, which is always great for someone who is so busy. Cheers for getting him on the pod cast! (first time listener here).
Jack.
Hi Jack, thanks for commenting and glad you enjoyed the interview with Jonas.
I’ve been surprised over and over at just how approachable anyone in the industry is – no matter how well known. All you have to do is summon the courage to ask.
With the workshop you did, was it mainly focused on business or shooting and have you changed much in your business since attending?
No dramas 🙂 Yep! 2011 me wouldnt have thought so many people were approachable.. I guess usually the questions I had to ask were quite left field so it always made me think if they were worth asking or not (they were).
It was focused around the business, and the art but also about yourself. Producing work that is a reflection of you, in an industry where if your business is you, your work is an extension of you.
Shooting or learning how to shoot from others actually doesn’t interest me much (same goes with editing.. unless of course studying a technical skill like lighting etc). I really love to meet people, chat about different approaches, find out what they are really about. I thoroughly enjoyed the work shop and made some good friends I am still in touch with now.
The workshop essentially gave me the push I needed to keep honing my work craft/work and that the results will flow from there. I have always been one to go out and shoot a lot of personal work, especially in the realm of film. So if anything it gave me even more motivation to go out and work on that aspect of my skills.
Sounds like a great workshop and different from a lot that I have attended where the focus is to teach others to do like the presenter does. Love that you shoot a lot of personal work – I think that is one of the biggest challenges as a pro photographer but one that is so important to self growth and expression. Sounds like you have things sorted.
Great interview. Definitely at the top of his game. Looks like he had already built up a good sized following before ever becoming a photographer. Sort of like a head start in drag racing. Very smart, indeed.
Hi Joey – yeah, having the big following definitely helped when Jonas kicked off his wedding photography career but I expect he would be in a similar position today without the head-start.
Thanks for the shout out. Great pronounciation on my name.
I love how Jonas talks about seeking inspiration from places different rather than looking at other people’s images. I get inspired by locations and clothing. Looking at other people’s images can be depressing sometimes because they look so awesome and I have so far to go to get there
Hey Teowai – no probs with the shout out!
I’ve heard a number of photographers say they don’t like looking at other work in the same genre for the same reason you mention. I guess the trick is to not get into the comparison game and follow your own journey. It can be difficult though, especially with so many good photographers around and the amount of photos we see every day.
Keep shooting and you’ll definitely get to where you want to be.
I’m absolutely amazed by Jonas Peterson and his work. Thanks for the great interview!! The most important message that I feel Jonas radiates is to go within and quit looking outside for sources of inspiration. Even though he got a boost with his success, I still think he would have easily climbed to the top through his persistent individualistic approach to photography. That is his message and I’m hopefully now starting to get it and apply it in my own work.
Hi Sherry, great to have you listening… and commenting. I agree with your sentiments about Jonas rising to the top and think I referred to them in the following episode with Mimika.
Love that you’re using the podcast interviews to help you in your business and photography, that’s awesome!
Another great interview Andrew and I loved Jonas’ candidness and honesty about his approach to his business and photography and although I am not too familiar with his work, what I have seen, I can certainly see his strength of conviction and confidence in his images which is very refreshing. He really does walk the talk!!! I heard Jonas mention that he didn’t start getting into photography until he was around 36yrs and so I was wondering how he learnt the craft so well to go on to being the world renown photographer that he is today. Did he have a mentor? What advice can he give someone just learning the craft??? Thanks Andrew and Jonas 🙂
Hi Pauline, glad you enjoyed the interview – have a look at the ‘portfolio’ tab on Jonas’ website to see a grew collection of his work.
From what I understand, he shot like crazy in the lead up to turning pro and basically lived with a camera in hand. I’m sure he was very good with his camera skills before going full time at the age of 36 and has continued to progress since then.
My takeaway from the chat was to improve you need to shoot lots and take inspiration from outside of the genre you’re shooting in – look to art, fashion, magazines, galleries etc – and not at other photographers doing what you do. That, and trust in yourself.
Another fantastic interview Andrew! Jonas reminded me that its never to late to start. We all have different paths and even though yes he did have a big following already, Its all down to self belief and really hard work. I cant believe he shoots around 50-60 weddings per year, what a trooper ! My biggest takeaway was similar to others that … stop looking at other wedding photographers for inspiration and look to other parts of this vast industry. I sometimes get a bit down after seeing so many stunning wedding images, my own self belief goes out the window. Its great to hear im not the only one and its simple, just look elsewhere. Thanks again Andrew.
Really enjoyed the interview with Jonas. I especially liked hearing about how he doesn’t follow other photographers work, and simply concentrates on shooting how he see’s things… if only we could all do that eh !
Also great to hear someone else singing the praises of Canon’s 35mm 1.4L … I just LOVE that lens !
Great interview as always Andrew 🙂
John
Hi John, thanks for adding your comments and great to hear you enjoyed the interview. I too like the idea of not looking at other photographers work but I truly wonder where I would be now without all the influence I’ve had from other photographers as I’ve come up through the ranks.
I’ve learn’t so much be seeing the work of the photographers that went before me.
I think the problem today though, is just how easy it is to see EVERYONE else’s work and that’s why so much of it is looking the same. Ten years ago, to see the work of someone you admired, you had to attend their workshop or see their photography on display. With the internet now, everything is at our fingertips all the time.
Thoroughly enjoyed the interview with Jonas Peterson — he seems to be a truly “cerebral” photographer, one who may not be able to define his style in words (other than to say that it’s documentary) but in seeing his work and in listening to him describe his business philosophy, it seems that there’s a lot of thought and deliberate planning that goes not just into his photography but into his business as well. I thought that it was brilliant of him to parlay his blogging success and translate it into a relatively seamless entry into the world of wedding photography. My biggest takeaway from this interview though is the advice to look at other sources in visual media for inspiration in photography. I think it’s true that after looking at other photographers’ work so much, you tend to develop a relatively myopic view of wedding photography as an art and a craft, and the big challenge then becomes how you can distinguish your work from the rest of the pack, as this business is just so, so competitive. Great stuff.
Nothing to add to your comments Rhona – well said and thank you for leaving your thoughts.
Looking forward to reading more from you in the future.
[…] Jonas, I liked for his straightforward approach to photography, in general, and his confidence in his work and what he likes for himself as an artist. I think he is naturally gifted but taking your camera everywhere and taking millions of pics is really sound advice to anyone wanting to improve their camera skills. I try and take as much as I can and have started carrying my camera gear in my car and get out when the location “takes” me as much as I can. My main take-away here was to look at as much art as I can, whether it is paintings, photographs, books, magazines, cards, whatever, as each has its place with colour, texture, light etc etc. I try not to compare my work (which is hard sometimes, but other times not so, as my work DOESN’T compare…it just doesn’t! I like to look at Ben’s work as I really admire his style and his “eye” for capturing the decisive moment and hope I can channel some of that in my work I think all this will help me to find my own style which is what I am searching for at the moment. We will see! :- […]
…Jonas, what an amazing photographer! Love his approach to weddings. As a new wedding photographer in the market great to hear his insight!
Hey Phillip – thanks for adding your comments and agreed, Jonas is an amazing talent and definitely someone to draw inspiration from. Glad to hear you enjoyed the interview.
Thanks Andrew- your podcasts are great, love Jonas he’s a rock star!! So true about following your own style and not copying others. Great Interview 🙂
No worries Lucy – great to hear you enjoyed the interview and thanks for leaving your comments 🙂
With the simplicity of checking EVERYONE’S work these days, it’s tough not to get caught up “imitating” or “following” other photographers. Being true to yourself and how you see a scene, I’m sure though, is the key to being a better photographer yourself.
That was really good. A lot of good points. Looking for inspiration from other formats than wedding photogprahy is very sound advice. I´ve watched through many of Jonas weddings earlier – a true storyteller. I´d be interested to know what happened to the original blog with all those followers. Was it turned into jonaspeterson.com or was the site taken down? Is it still available but not updated perhaps?
Hi Daniel, thanks for commenting and great to hear you enjoyed the interview with Jonas.
I messaged Jonas and his original blog does still exist although it’s entirely in Swedish: saintkildaroad.blogspot.com
Hey thanks – appreciate that, I´ll check it out. I do understand swedish ;)…
No worries Daniel – I was unsure if you’d be able to understand Swedish or not. You’ll have to let me know what the blog is like.
I have followed Jonas for a while and great to hear a insight into his work. Keep up the great work!!
Thanks Anthony, glad you enjoyed the interview.
This interview was different for me. For some reason, I felt intimidated by him, even though you’ve had other big money photographers on… I just couldn’t warm to him, although, I am blown away by his work ethic/load etc…
Maybe you had that feeling because I was a little nervous at the beginning of this interview and you were sensing that?
Maybe too, it’s the idea that Jonas seems 100% confident in what he’s doing, what he’s charging and why he shoots the way he does. To have the confidence to not even look at what other photographers are doing is testament to the fact that he trusts himself to be doing things right and the way he wants. I expect most photographers would like to be in the same position and is aiming to be there someday.
Love Jonas’s approach to Wedding Photography, he really is a beacon in a sea of sameness. His approach to storytelling and using photography that way is second to none. Just tiny little details that build up a blog post so well. I bet his albums are amazing.
I agree with not looking at other peoples work is the way forward, but I do notice on a lot of photographers blogs the majority of comments are from other photographers. It’s something I’ve been thinking about around actually writing blogs and SEO purposes (slight tangent) In that everywhere says write your blog for your clients, and not other photographers. Whereas you’ll get the most SEO juice and shares from blogs that are written for photographers!
Hi Chris – it’s funny you mention not looking at other photographers work, I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately. I find that I have to look or see other photographers work in the process of finding great guests for the podcast.
In saying that, I get, I’m not sure what – frustrated, annoyed, sick of – seeing other photographers work all the time and feeling like I’m being “sold to”. I know it’s somewhat unavoidable with social media but it would be great to be able to take a break from other photographers work and just concentrate on creating images from within myself.
I was enjoying Instagram and still do but it started out as a cool place to share photos and now it too has become another platform to sell photography.
I know that doesn’t answer your question so…
I think it can be tempting to write for other photographers but in my opinion, that would be a mistake unless you had some reason to have other photographers come to your site. I.e. workshops, book sales, selling actions or presets etc.
Although comments are something that search engines will reward, they will also be looking at things like shares and time spent on a page.
By putting out good, relevant and helpful content, your prospective couples will read, like and use it to help plan their wedding or portrait session. They will spend time on your posts even though they may not comment. You will be rewarded for that.
To get good links back to your post, include links to and useful content about other services in your area – tell them about your posts and they will link to them.
I honestly don’t think you can go wrong by putting out great content for YOUR prospective clients. If they’re not photographers, don’t write for photographers.
What an interresting interview! I must say that I am a big fan of Jonas’s work. It does moves me. Again : great job to Andrew.
A question for Jonas : by doing 50 to 60 wedding per year do you have a private life? I do want to do destination weddings but I have the feeling that over 20 weddings per year that think that by being oversea so much I wouldn’t be able to share much time with my friends and family, isn’t it?
Thank you so much to tell us Your story.
Kindest regards,
Anaïs
In short; don’t do it. Shooting 50+ weddings three years straight is one of the things I regret most. I did nothing but work, travel and edit and my personal life suffered badly.
Thank you for your honnesty and advice I really appreciate and never will photograph that many weddings!
[…] Jonas Peterson interview on Photo Biz X – https://photobizx.com/25 […]
I’ve been a massive fan of Jonas for the past 4-5 years, very happy to have found this amazing interview. Very inspiring!
Jonas is an incredibly talented photographer and amazing person – glad you found and enjoyed the interview Matt. Hope you can find another episode or two that pique your interest.
Hi Andrew,
Maybe I am the first listener from Belgium writing a comment on your site, but probably not 🙂
I discovered your podcast a few weeks ago and I am loving all that great content that you and the photographers you are interviewing are sharing with us. Massive great tips and tricks!
What inspires me the most is that often the greatest and most succesful photographers today don’t always have 25 years of experience under their belt, and that you can be very succesful after a couple of years even if you start at a later age!
I am close to 45, in the prime of my life.It is my goal to become a very succesful wedding and portret photographer and your podcasts are certainly guiding me in the good direction.
I just listened to the 25th podcast in my car driving to work and I am always looking forward to drive back home, so I can continue listening!
Thanks. Keep up this great work!
Kurt
http://www.onetwoshoot.com
Hi Kurt – thanks for adding your comments and great to have you listening… all the way from Belgium!
I think you may be the first from Belgium to leave a comment on the show 🙂
I agree, today you don’t need to have 20 years of experience as a photographer to be successful but you do need to be different, stand out, and be able to market yourself or your work. There is definitely hope, no matter your age.
Good news, because I too am approaching my prime 😉
I’d love to hear about your business growth and success, stay in touch.
Speak soon
Andrew
P.S Do you enjoy cycling like many of your countrymen? I’d love to visit Belgium someday and see some of the “Spring Classics” and try the frites and beer.
Hello Andrew,
Thanks for your reaction. I do enjoy cycling now and then but I am afraid to enjoy the beer and fries even more 🙂
I will stay in touch.
Kurt
Great interview Andrew! Hearing about Jonas’ blog following and how he started was very unique. It really does go to show that there are as many approaches to making a business successful as there are people. This episode demonstrates yet another way to be successful in this business. Thanks for all the hard work. These are so valuable!
Thanks Jamie – I found Jonas a real interesting guy to talk to. Not only was he very generous with his knowledge and his time, he was very supportive of the podcast even at such an early stage.
There’s no denying Jonas’ talent for photography nor the head start he had with an incredibly supportive audience from his blog. Together, these aspects make a great combination for a successful business and life as a photographer.