Summary Daniel is joined by Tony Baker this week. Tony recently launched his new coaching and mentorship program, aimed at helping creative professionals of all stripes understand their value, and how to incorporate that knowledge in their purpose and goals. This is part one of this two part conversation, they discuss the need for authentic connect…

Summary The guest for this episode is Monica Baddar. If that name sounds familiar, you might be remembering Monica from Episode 3 of the Flash Drive Files, the miniseries podcast from our friends at VeryBusy.io that drops in this feed. Monica was kind enough to record for both podcasts over the summer, so full disclosure this episode was recorded a…

Peter Matthews talks with Scott Richardson about how he manages the special operations and line support teams for South Metro Fire Rescue, which covers over 300 square miles of diverse terrain in Colorado with myriad of unique response scenarios. Under Richardson’s command is the department’s technical rescue resources, wildland and ARFF crews, dis…

Takeaways Paula Watts has a degree in advertising photography from Brooks. She transitioned from general advertising photography to specializing in beauty. Defining a personal style can be challenging for photographers. Building a relationship with retouchers is crucial for successful post-production. Meeting deadlines is a priority in Paula's work…

Summary In this episode of the e-commerce content creation podcast, host Daniel Jester speaks with Paul Massingill, senior manager of studio operations at David Yurman. They discuss the critical role of studio operations in e-commerce, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, organization, and effective communication within creative teams. The co…

Summary In this episode, Daniel interviews Alex Davidovich from Squareshot, discussing the evolution of content creation in eCommerce, they explore the shift from in-house studios to somethign more like agency models, the importance of productizing services, and the implementation of value-based pricing to enhance client relationships. Alex shares …

Peter Matthews talks with Daniel DeYear, a recently retired deputy chief from Dallas Fire-Rescue, about his work involving LODD investigations in Texas and how it relates to the often contentious discussions on firefighter safety and fire service culture. DeYear outlines a 144-day period in which his team investigated nearly 20 firefighter deaths –…

Summary In this episode of the E-commerce Content Creation Podcast, Daniel Jester shares his takeaways from the Henry Stewart event in Los Angeles, discussing key sessions on building creative communities, future-proofing studios, and the crucial role of sample operations. He highlights the need for better communication between creative teams and l…

Summary Welcome back to another episode of The E-commerce Content Creation podcast. Our guest today is a special treat, Hanna Sofia, a Canada based multidisciplinary artist joins Daniel to talk about problem solving when you have that vision, but you need to solve some technical problems to get there. Listen, it’s a bit of a stretch, but we are cre…

Peter Matthews talks with Gilt Edge, TN, Fire Chief Brandon Fletcher about the challenges facing today’s volunteer fire service, plus an innovative program to help retain existing members. Fletcher outlines some of the top factors that are impacting the rolls and operations of departments today, including a dive into volunteer-focused leadership, p…

Summary In this episode of the E-commerce Content Creation Podcast, host Daniel Jester speaks with Joe Lamb, former Director of Technology and Platforms for Nike, about the intricacies of content production in e-commerce. They discuss the importance of building a robust content production system, future-proofing studios against disasters, and the s…

Takeaways Photography can be a form of escapism and creating a world different from reality. Post-production and retouching are important aspects of photography, and each photographer has their own process and style. File management and communication with clients are crucial for a successful photography business. It is crucial to back up and protec…

Summary Jordan Petsy, a former photography manager at Kendra Scott, shares her career journey and recent move to New York. She discusses the challenges of managing product photography for a large assortment of jewelry and the lack of technology and systems in place at the time. Jordan also talks about her current focus on working with smaller, miss…

Peter Matthews talks with Daniel Byrne, Laura Konor and Ben Shearer about new approaches to Community Risk Reduction (CRR) and fire prevention in 2024, and what has changed with public outreach since COVID-19. Byrne is an assistant chief with the Burton, SC, Fire District, Kondor is fire safety coordinator for the North Charleston, SC, Fire Departm…

Summary In this episode Daniel starts off by sharing a cautionary tale about a legendary brand that has fallen on hard times, followed by an interview with Everard Williams Jr. Head of the photo and imaging department at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Ca.By Daniel Jester

Takeaways Miscommunication and lack of understanding about photography processes are common challenges within brands. The shift towards agencies and commercial studios can provide more support and creative freedom for photographers. Technology has made photography more accessible, but expertise and specialization are still important. Advocacy and c…

Peter Matthews talks with Capt. Ragan Underwood from the St. George, LA, Fire Department about a close call he had during a training burn where he was caught the flow path and was trapped in the home when the incident commander radioed for crews to leave the structure. Underwood, a veteran instructor and member of the Insight Training cadre, was ta…

Peter Matthews talks with Brian Gettemeier, a captain with the Cottleville Fire Protection District in St. Charles County, MO, about fires in warehouses, including sprawling ecommerce facilities that are being built in communities large and small. Gettemeier began instructing and writing on the topic of the dangers and challenges on warehouse fires…

Peter Matthews talks with Capt. Sean Eagen from the Buffalo, NY, Fire Department about his role as a company officer and commander, plus how today’s busy fire service can stay motivated through tough times. Eagen shares leadership advice and crew management ideas, including the ability to communicate with groups across multiple platforms. Eagen, co…

Peter Matthews talks with Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company Chief James “Jay” Jester about how to survive the promotion to company officer. They talk about the common and surprising challenges news officers face and how to prepare for the new rank, where their responsibility grows as they supervise crews. Jester shares how officers, whether from vo…

Peter Matthews talks with Reading, PA, firefighter Jesiah Newsome about the importance of keeping training both motivational and inspiring, especially for younger firefighters. They also discuss how a big hurdle in today’s training is the ego of instructors, and how they can lead to negative experiences. Newsome explains the need to create a positi…

Takeaways The creative job market is experiencing both busy and slow periods, with some creative teams being dismantled due to layoffs. There is a need to change the way we think about and value creative teams in the industry. Daniel Jester plans to offer a podcast playbook ebook and consulting services for those interested in starting a podcast. H…

Takeaways The relationship between photographers and retouchers is crucial for creating cohesive brand imagery. Clear communication and transparency are key in the creative process. Having a trusted retouching team can help navigate tight timelines and limited budgets. Collaboration and mutual respect are essential for producing high-quality photog…

Peter Matthews talks with Chad Costa about his capstone research on the impact of single-role paramedics in fire-based EMS systems. Costa, an assistant chief with the Petaluma, CA, Fire Department talks about the pros and cons of the highly debated topic to help fire departments manage responses as EMS call volumes soar. They discuss how single-rol…

Peter Matthews talks with Western Berks, PA, Fire Commissioner Jared Renshaw about this work to educate fire chiefs about their role in politics and how they can successfully navigate city hall. Renshaw, who has served in departments on the East and West coasts, has been writing and teaching on the topic of fire service politics, helping leaders na…

Peter Matthews talks with Robert “Butch” Cobb and Paul Drennan, both retired deputy chiefs from Jersey City, NJ, about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the importance of peer support teams. Cobb, a veteran of the Vietnam War, opens up about a moment that triggered flashbacks of his time in Vietnam, and how it led his life into a spiral unt…

Takeaways Flash sale sites like Haute Look played a significant role in shaping the modern e-commerce creative production industry. The early days of e-commerce product photography involved high-volume shooting and the need for a balance between speed and quality. Consistency in imagery, including background color and lighting, became a crucial asp…

Takeaways The creative job market is experiencing both busy and slow periods, with some creative teams being dismantled due to layoffs. There is a need to change the way we think about and value creative teams in the industry. Daniel Jester plans to offer a podcast playbook ebook and consulting services for those interested in starting a podcast. H…

Peter Matthews talks with former Minnesota fire chiefs Ken Prillaman and Jerry Streich about their mission trips to Africa and later, Kenya, as part of this year’s International Firefighters Day coverage. Prillaman and Streich traveled multiple times to Liberia in West Africa. Prillaman shares how the citizens he protected in Brooklyn Park, MN, con…

Takeaways Visual storytelling through photography is crucial for brands to effectively communicate their message. High-quality photography can help brands stand out in a crowded market. Having a clear brand identity and brand guidelines is essential for successful photography. Understanding the target demographic and their preferences is key in cre…

Peter Matthews talks with Harrisburg, PA, Battalion Chief Brian Bastinelli about how firefighters and officers can show up for the job every day, and provides insight into his helmet camera videos posted on YouTube. Coming from a busy fire department, Bastinelli began capturing helmet camera videos to use for internal training and began editing the…

Takeaways Fair compensation and licensing are crucial for photographers in the e-commerce industry. Freelance photographers working in e-commerce studios often face challenges with usage and licensing. The conversation around fair compensation and licensing in the creative industry needs to continue. Creative Supper Club is a networking event that …

Peter Matthews talks with former Fire Chief Jerry Streich about his work to help fire departments grow through the use of organizational development, plus a discussion on the recruitment and retention (R&R) programs he’s been involved with, including his upcoming Firehouse Station Design Conference program, “How Station Design Can Enhance Recruitme…

Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews talks with Craig Haigh, retired Hanover Park, IL, fire chief who continues to teach and consult on various fire service topics. From coordinating regional response policies with small- and mid-size departments, to having the honest conversations about when departments need to transition to staffing and opera…

By Daniel T Jester

Peter Matthews talks Capt. Gary Coney from Chicago Squad 2 and retired Chicago Fire Commissioner Bob Hoff about the rollout of the new Responder Intervention Team (RIT) Chief course being offered by the Illinois Fire Service Institute on the new episode of The Firehouse Yak. This is the first hands-on course for chief officers that digs into mayday…

By Daniel T Jester

Summary In this episode of the E-commerce Content Creation Podcast, host Daniel Jester brings a personal touch by inviting three of his students and teaching assistants from his product photography class at Art Center College of Design. The episode offers a rare glimpse into the educational journey and aspirations of budding photographers within th…

Peter Matthews talks with recently promoted Nashville Fire Department Assistant Chief/Chief of Training Moses Jefferies IV about his new role in training and the evolution of training in a young department and growing city, plus his “TIC for leadership” mindset. As the city of Nashville grows, building construction, operating guidelines and trainin…

Summary In this episode, Daniel discusses the upcoming Henry Stewart Photo Studio Operations event and highlights the theme of change in the event agenda. He explores the potential impact of AI and 3D in creative content production, emphasizing the power of 3D to transform the industry. Daniel reviews several sessions from the event, including disc…

Summary In this episode, Daniel Jester and Dan Urbano discuss their experiences teaching photography classes and the challenges they faced. They reflect on the importance of understanding the needs and knowledge levels of their students and adjusting their teaching accordingly. They also discuss the focus of their classes, including the importance …

Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews is joined by AJ Kehl, who currently serves as fire chief of the Misawa Air Base in Japan. Kehl, a Master Seargent, is an author and speaker who has worked in 75 countries. Kehl, talks about how military-trained firefighters manage their duties as both military soldiers and firefighters and how they manage tr…

Chapters 00:00 Introduction and LinkedIn 03:06 Niche Down in Photography 08:30 Defining the Niche 10:10 Choosing the Niche 14:45 Finding Clients in the Niche 17:43 Underrepresentation of Men in Portfolios 19:23 The Value of E-commerce Photography 25:23 Photography as a Job vs. Creative Fulfillment 28:08 The Anxiety of Shooting 29:37 The Emotional H…

Credits Produced and Hosted by: Daniel Jester - www.danieltjester.comBy Daniel Jester

Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews sits down with Marc Aloan, who was recently promoted to battalion chief with the West Columbia, SC, Fire Department. Aloan, a champion of firefighting culture and tradition, talks about the transition from company officer to chief and shares what he has learned over the last couple months. The two talk about…

Credits Produced and Hosted by: Daniel Jester - www.danieltjester.comBy Daniel Jester

Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews brings on Capt. Jake Henderson from the Fort Worth, TX, Fire Department, who is currently assigned to Quint 24 on the city's east side. Henderson, a second-generation firefighter, runs coffee_with_the_captain, an Instagram account where he shares thought-provoking shares passages from books aimed to inspire …

Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews talks with Pearland, TX, Assistant Fire Chief Jacob Johnson about mentoring in the fire service. Johnson has been blazing the path to re-introduce mentoring to all ranks within the fire service and he shares his views on the best way to mentor, and how mentees can seek trusted coaches. Whether you are a vete…

Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews is joined by Edward Tracey, the captain of Rescue 11 at the Rochester, NY, Fire Department. Tracey, with 30 years in the fire service, has written for Firehouse and spoken at their events on topics including firefighter training. On this podcast, Tracey goes in-depth on this two recent articles about micro-l…

Credits Produced and Hosted by: Daniel Jester - www.danieltjester.comBy Daniel Jester