Best Michael Mowbray Podcasts (2024)

1
A senior portrait chat with Nathan Loker 51:50

1M ago51:50

51:50

Southern Illinois photographer Nathan Loker is known for his dramatic senior portrait lighting, love of YooHoo, meat rubs, resemblance to Lil Sweet, and dedication to his family/life/work balance. Join us for our fun chat with Nathan! Photo Happy Hour is brought to you by MoLight, Seniors Unlocked, and Carl's Coaching Corner. Your Hosts: Michael Mo…

1
The Power of Collaborations 53:41

2M ago53:41

53:41

Most of us are single-operators, solo entrepreneurs. Which makes it difficult to expand the reach of our marketing. But here's a thought: have you reached out to other single operations like yourself? Folks who are in a different business, but targeting many of the same people? Clothing stores. Pet boutiques. Salons. Car dealerships. The list goes …

1
Is the future here? 58:29

4M ago58:29

58:29

Will the new global shutter Sony A9III set the photography world spinning? Dan is one of the first pros to get his hands on one, and it looks like it is a gamechanger. As in, all of the rules just changed, especially with off-camera flash. Learn more about this major new camera and what it might mean for the future. And find out what made Michael c…

1
Sales are Fundymental 50:35

5M ago50:35

50:35

It's been a while since we had a special guest, and this episode's guest is extra special: Andrew Funderburg -- or just plain "Fundy", the man behind Fundy Designer. If you are not familiar with Fundy Designer, you are in for a treat. It's one of the best and easiest ways to get your sales to skyrocket. Listen in and learn about the latest from Fun…

1
Kicking off 2024 the right way 43:24

6M ago43:24

43:24

As we kick off 2024, we cover diverse topics like ImagingUSA, SYNC, email marketing, annual planning, and cheese curds. Good stuff. Photo Happy Hour is brought to you by MoLight, Seniors Unlocked, and Carl's Coaching Corner. Your Hosts: Michael Mowbray, M. Photog., Cr., owns Beautiful Portraits by Michael in DeForest (Madison), Wisconsin, and MoLig…

1
How to be successful (despite yourself) 47:10

7M ago47:10

47:10

As we wind down the year, we put together a far-ranging episode with tips on how to succeed despite whatever personal failings you might have (LOL). From web tips, to what you can learn from the folks in Las Vegas, there's plenty of insight and nonsense to go around. Photo Happy Hour is brought to you by MoLight, Seniors Unlocked, and Carl's Coachi…

1
Tricks or Treats? Talking about fire, volume, gear, and more. 56:16

9M ago56:16

56:16

As is our habit of late, we cover a lot of territory in this episode. We weigh in on the latest trend of lighting seniors and athletes on fire. We crossover and chat about volume photography. And of course, we talk about some gear stuff, too. Lots of stuff for everyone, so grab your bucket for a load of tricks and treats. Photo Happy Hour is brough…

1
Family portrait tips and tricks 51:35

10M ago51:35

51:35

Family portraiture can be a very lucrative segment of the photography industry. However, many photographers struggle with family portraits. Each of us approaches family portraits from slightly different angles, yet we have all been successful with the family portrait side of the business. Hear our inside tips and tricks, and perhaps we will share t…

1
AI: Friend, foe, or somewhere in-between 57:29

11M ago57:29

57:29

Everyone is talking about it. We talked about it before, but a lot has changed since the last time we broached the subject of AI. In this episode we chat about which AI tools we are using, and how different AI tools have helped our businesses. Photo Happy Hour is brought to you by MoLight, Seniors Unlocked, and Carl's Coaching Corner. Your Hosts: M…

1
A chat about home studios and more with our buddy, Angela Navarette 45:15

1y ago45:15

45:15

What's the most important tool your home studio should be equipped with? It's...nope...you need to listen and pick up this and many more great tips from our chat with Angela Navarette. Angela is an award-winning master photographer based in the Dallas suburbs. You can learn more about her work at https://angelanavarette.com/ Photo Happy Hour is bro…

1
Keeping up with rising costs, and Michael's sketchy tax tips 55:45

1y ago55:45

55:45

Since when did a quick trip through the fast food drive-thru start costing $25 or more? Costs are rising everywhere...have you adjusted your pricing to keep up? We share some thoughts on this, and Michael shares a few sketchy tax tips that might help you out. :) Photo Happy Hour is brought to you by MoLight, Seniors Unlocked, and Carl's Coaching Co…

1
Lures catch more people than they do fish, and you can't smoke an 8x10 1:01:10

1y ago1:01:10

1:01:10

With a title like that, do you really need an elaborate episode description? We think not. We cover a lot of ground in this one, so pop in your earbuds, grab a gummie, and enjoy. Photo Happy Hour is brought to you by MoLight, Seniors Unlocked, and Carl's Coaching Corner. Check out our YouTube version of the podcast, and please subscribe! Your Hosts…

1
Injuries, Mezcal, drywall, and a puppy. 48:19

1+ y ago48:19

48:19

We're all over the map -- literally -- in this episode. From Michigan to Mexico, we cover the gamut and give some updates on our ongoing (and debilitating) projects. And as always, we dispense a little wisdom along the way. Just a little wisdom, but like "just a little" mezcal, it can pack a punch. Photo Happy Hour is brought to you by MoLight, Sen…

1
Awards, New Digs, and Flaming Cheese 1:02:06

1+ y ago1:02:06

1:02:06

If you like variety, this episode has it! We cover a lot of ground, including some fun conference shenanigans as well as several prestigious awards bestowed upon us. We may not cover how to calculate the inverse square law, but we have a lot silliness this week. Photo Happy Hour is brought to you by MoLight, Seniors Unlocked, and Carl's Coaching Co…

1
Tips to start off the new year 55:03

1+ y ago55:03

55:03

It's 2023 already, just in case you didn't realize it. But there's definitely still time to make some changes, implement new ideas, refine some old ones, and make this a great year for your photography business. In this episode we give you some tips as well as a lot of other random thoughts. It's a great start to season 4! Photo Happy Hour is broug…

1
Reinvention 41:23

1+ y ago41:23

41:23

All three of us have undergone some level of reinvention this year. How about you? Planning any changes for 2023? Why wait? In this episode, we talk about how we reinvent ourselves constantly -- in both big and small ways. Photo Happy Hour is brought to you by MoLight, Seniors Unlocked, and Carl's Coaching Corner. Check out our YouTube version of t…

1
Where is the current trying to take you to? 9:16

2y ago9:16

9:16

Are the currents swirling around you trying to pull you in a direction? You can resist and be like a rock in a stream, letting everything flow around you. Or, you can let go and go with the flow of the current. This week I am relating my own personal story of learning to let go and let the current guide me in my photography career. Monday Morning C…

1
Why can't clients listen? 50:46

2y ago50:46

50:46

We put it all in writing, in brochures and on the website. We go through everything in person and on the phone. We have YouTube videos walking clients through all the steps. Yet we still get clients who misunderstand how things work, or are surprised by our pricing. How and why does this happen? We chat about the reasons why and offer some ideas on…

1
The Experience Business 14:53

2y ago14:53

14:53

What business are you in? You might say that you have a photography business. Or maybe you refine that to say that you create custom portrait art. Or you specialize in corporate headshots. Would it upset the apple cart if I told you that you really should be in the experience business? Especially if you want repeat customers or wish to grow through…

1
Is AI creating "art"? 46:48

2y ago46:48

46:48

This week we jump into the deep end and wade into chemical-laden toxic pool that is the topic of Artificial Intelligence: Creating art from words being input into an app. Is it art? Whose art is it? Is it cool? Is it ethical? Is it the best thing since Photoshop? We tackle as many angles of this as we can. Join in the fun and check out this hot epi…

1
How to quote and win new projects 17:27

2y ago17:27

17:27

This week I’m talking about providing quotes for business projects that are maybe a little out of the norm of your everyday work. Many people struggle with these. Hopefully, I can help the entire process much easier for you. Monday Morning Cup of Mo is proudly sponsored by MoLight, America's Top-Rated Godox Retailer. Learn more at www.gomolight.com…

1
Sportraits -- Sports Portraits 46:25

2y ago46:25

46:25

One successful product we have used to help grow our sales and differentiate us as artists in the marketplace is the "sportrait": Unique artwork based around a client's sports activities. Ranging from single-image composites, to montages, to painted images, we cover all of the ways that sportraits can help your photography business. Photo Happy Hou…

1
Tips for Surviving Inflation and Recession 10:14

2y ago10:14

10:14

Inflation and fear of a recession are on the rise. It's a dilemma. Let’s face it. Professional photography is a luxury item for most people. Do you have to have the biggest and best senior portraits in order to survive? No. Not at all. Is there value in high-quality professional photography? Absolutely. So what are some strategies that you can foll…

1
How do I overpower the sun? 14:15

2y ago14:15

14:15

Here’s a common question I get: How do I overpower the sun? What most people really want to find out is how to balance with the sun; they want to be able to hold the blue sky while using flash to fill in shadows and create a pleasing portrait. So let’s use that as our guiding premise for today. We’re going to talk about what you need to know and do…

1
Dressing clients for photo success 47:24

2y ago47:24

47:24

"Dress for success" is an old idiom that has some merit. But what about when a client shows up wearing unflattering or ill-fitting clothing? Or a mishmash of conflicting colors and patterns for a family portrait? This week we chat about how to guide clients to wearing the right outfits to ensure your success. Photo Happy Hour is brought to you by M…

1
Light Quality: talking about softness, specularity and diffusion 53:45

2y ago53:45

53:45

We get a little technical this week as we explore the topic of light quality and really dig into the definition of hard and soft light, and the role that diffusion and specularity play. Note: Our online recording service flipped to record Michael's audio from his crappy streaming camera instead of his awesome new Rode microphone, so please excuse h…

1
Please stop killing your speedlights 13:27

2y ago13:27

13:27

Today I am talking about speedlights, which are great tools when used right. But often, folks expect more out of them than they can deliver. So I’m going to run through the good, the bad, and oooooh, you shouldn’t do that with speedlights. In Godox and MoLight news...If you need a new speedlight, be sure to check out the Godox V860III and the V1 at…

1
Light Quality: the confusion about diffusion and specularity 13:25

2y ago13:25

13:25

I find that folks are often confused regarding the concepts of SOFTNESS and SPECULARITY when describing the quality of light. This is most often rooted in a misunderstanding of what role DIFFUSION plays in creating softness (it doesn’t...surprise!). Intrigued? Listen now. In MoLight news, all proprietary MoLight-branded softboxes are on sale. For a…

1
Workflow 45:22

2y ago45:22

45:22

One of the most common complaints we see, especially from newer photographers, is how much time they spend in front of the computer, up until the wee hours of the morning, editing, retouching, etc. We often talk about getting it "right in camera," which can save a lot of time. This week we talk about what you do after the session; do you have an ef…

1
Softboxes and other modifiers 13:13

2y ago13:13

13:13

Here’s a question: how many softboxes and other modifiers do you own? Here’s the follow-up question: can you ever have enough modifiers? Personally, I have dozens. Small softboxes. Large softboxes. Beauty dishes. Long-throw reflectors. Umbrellas. Grids and snoots. And on and on. Of course, you would expect that because I am kind of a lighting guy. …

1
Should we charge clients for storing their photos? 12:43

2y ago12:43

12:43

If you're like me, you probably have spent thousands of dollars to archive and store photos. In my case, it's tens of thousands of dollars. Which begs the question: Should we charge our customers an archiving fee for storing their photos? If they don’t want to pay it, they sign off on it, and we are no longer obligated to store their photos, come w…

1
The Great Reset: What has changed over the past two years? 45:22

2+ y ago45:22

45:22

Our podcast launched at the start of the pandemic two years ago. We reflect over the past two years on what has changed in our own businesses as well as the industry in general. Photo Happy Hour is brought to you by MoLight, Seniors Unlocked, and Carl's Coaching Corner. Check out our YouTube version of the podcast, and please subscribe! Your Hosts:…

1
Knocking off the rust 11:35

2+ y ago11:35

11:35

As we emerge from the slow season like bears exiting hibernation, what can you do to shake off the rust and return to being the well-oiled photography machine that you are? The obvious answer is never to let the rust set in by staying active throughout the winter. But that’s often not an option for folks who don’t have a studio space or a style tha…

1
Should you be a specialist, or a generalist, in your photography? 54:20

2+ y ago54:20

54:20

Specialize? Or generalize? It's a huge question for many photographers, especially when they are starting out. The three of us all have taken different approaches, yet we've all been successful. In this episode, we share our thoughts and tips on this important decision, and even throw around a few $13 words here and there. Photo Happy Hour is broug…

1
Which flash should I buy? 9:45

2+ y ago9:45

9:45

One of the most common questions I receive is, “What flash should I buy?” It’s also one of the most common questions I see in lighting groups on Facebook. The answer will vary person by person and will depend on your specific needs, what you photograph, how you photograph, and so on. I semi-joking titled this episode “What flash you should buy, and…

1
The Power of No. Setting boundaries in your business. 12:57

2+ y ago12:57

12:57

Do you ever feel like customers take advantage of you? Or people in general? Do you feel like you sometimes or even often get the short end of the stick? It can be frustrating. My original concept for this episode was to chat about policies for your business. But as I thought more deeply about it, it is more about establishing and maintaining bound…

1
The 5 Steps for Turning Failure into Success 16:09

2+ y ago16:09

16:09

Last week I presented the concept of turning failure into success and how we need to be the concierge for our respective businesses. While we can do our best to avoid screwing up, it will happen eventually. The important thing is how we respond to screwing up, how we address it and make it right, to delight our customers. Today I’m going to walk th…

1
Caring for your gear 47:36

2+ y ago47:36

47:36

Breaking, damaging, ruining, or just messing up gear can get pretty expensive, both in out-of-pocket costs to replace or repair, and lost opportunities because your equipment wasn't working or available. This week we give some tips on how to care for your gear and prevent damage in the first place. And we came up with an excellent concept for new p…

1
Turning failure into success 12:50

2+ y ago12:50

12:50

Did you ever screw something up? I mean, like royally screw something up, especially in your business? It happens to everyone. Even with the best intentions we’re not perfect. Something will slip through the cracks, or we’ll make a poor judgment call, or whatever. Point is, we all make mistakes. But it is how we deal with those mistakes that can ma…

1
Pricing 46:52

2+ y ago46:52

46:52

What holds photographers back from pricing their work appropriately? This week, we do an in-depth discussion on pricing to help photographers struggling to make a living in our industry. Photo Happy Hour is brought to you by MoLight, Seniors Unlocked, and Carl's Coaching Corner. Be sure to check out our YouTube version of the podcast, and please su…

1
Pricing - The Race to the Bottom 16:35

2+ y ago16:35

16:35

If you have been listening to my series of podcasts, you might be noticing a trend: I’m often taking on the problems I see in the industry. I try to educate everyone on what these issues are, and hopefully provide some insight and ideas on how to fix the problems. Today I am taking on pricing, or what I call the race to the bottom of the barrel. In…

1
What it's like to sit in the judge's chair 53:56

2+ y ago53:56

53:56

This week we give you a little peek behind the curtain and let you know what it's like to sit in the judge's chair. Since Carl and Michael are both IPC jurors, and Dan has heard us complain enough that he can serve as an honorary juror, we thought it would be interesting to share some insight on what it is like to judge print competitions. Here's a…

1
The Myth of High Speed Sync 12:50

2+ y ago12:50

12:50

I want to tackle one of the biggest banes of my existence: misinformation or just plain bad information being shared constantly in photography forums. I sometimes feel like I spend more time correcting bad information than I do sharing and teaching the good stuff. Post a question or an issue in a Facebook group and watch as you get twenty different…

1
The Cordless Studio 10:07

2+ y ago10:07

10:07

Wouldn’t be great if you could cut out all of the cords in your studio and work untethered to anything? No power cords, with the freedom to put your lights wherever you want. And not have to worry about where to plug them in, or if you have a cord running across the set, or if the toddler you’re photographing is going to trip over or even chew on a…

1
Goals 40:41

2+ y ago40:41

40:41

How can you get where you want to go without first picking a destination and then creating a map to get there? This week we talk about the importance of goals and give some great tips along the way. Thank you to our new sponsor, Professional Photographers of Iowa. Learn more about their upcoming conference with fabulous speakers: www.ppiowa.com Pho…

1
Condescending men with cameras 12:14

2+ y ago12:14

12:14

This week’s topic will likely become controversial and in reality it really shouldn’t be. But it will be. So here goes: Guys -- quit talking down to women. I see this. all. The. Time. It’s rude. It’s cringey. It’s demeaning. It hurts our industry and society as a whole. And you know, while you are at it, quit talking down to everybody. Period. I wa…

1
Lighting with purpose 12:33

2+ y ago12:33

12:33

One of the most common mistakes I see newer photographers make – and let’s be frank, I see some quote/unquote experienced photographers make the same mistake – is that they do not place their main light with an exacting purpose. Maybe they just always place their key light in the same spot every time out of habit. Or because they saw someone else d…

1
How is photography like cooking? 45:17

2+ y ago45:17

45:17

Start with a good base. Add a little of this, a little of that, mix it all together and throw it in the oven at 350 for 30 minutes, or in the camera at f5.6 for 1/160th. When you think about it, photography is a lot like cooking. Sometimes you follow a recipe to a T. Sometimes you just wing it. All of us like to cook so we have some fun with this c…

1
Finding the U in your photography 14:43

2+ y ago14:43

14:43

Today’s we’re talking about finding the U in your photography. How can you do that? And why is it important? It’s something that every photographer struggles with when they are starting out. Truth be told, many continue to struggle with finding themselves in their photography years or even decades down the road. In Godox and MoLight news, learn mor…

1
Side Hustles 13:04

2+ y ago13:04

13:04

Here’s a question: how did your start your photography business. Did you start part time while working a full time job? Maybe you’re doing that right now, and photography is your side hustle. That’s what we’re talking about today. Side hustles. Maybe photography is your side hustle. Or it started as a side hustle. Or you’ve started a side hustle to…

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Michael Mowbray Podcasts

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