by Skip Cohen

When Chamira Young and I relaunched Beyond Technique last year, we wanted to focus on more than just capturing great images, or running a successful business in photography. Each guest has shared a lot of great insight, but the pandemic created a new challenge - artists have had to ramp up their usual marketing skills and find better ways to reach out to their communities.

Cindy Harter Sims joined us in this episode, and she's all about inspiration and especially relationship building. She's no stranger to the SCU spotlight and has repeatedly shared great content and the ideas she's implemented to secure her business. But with the pandemic, she did something unique - she reached out to her community and asked for help.

Relationship building over the years has been a significant building block to Cindy's business and her role within the industry. In fact, it's how I met her many years ago at a Skip's Summer School conference. Cindy doesn't collect business cards - she directly participates with and supports the people in her growing network.

Please take the time to listen to this podcast. Cindy held nothing back as she discussed her quest to keep her business alive and, at the same time, continue to give back to her community. She's busy, even doing newborn and infant photography, all while staying true to the rules of physical distancing and safety.

And click on any of the favorite images I grabbed from Cindy's website to visit her galleries!

Beyond Technique is brought to you by:
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Programs like Beyond Technique can't happen without great industry support. Platypod believes in education and helping artists find new perspectives, not only with their cameras but their overall skill sets in marketing and business too.

If you haven't visited the Platypod website, take a scroll through the blog and Instagram pages. Artists from around the world are sharing their creativity every day.

And if you're stuck with ideas to expand your own creativity, wander into the Platypod store.  You'll find some unique kits like the new Ultra Essentials Kit, now on sale. 
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A big thanks to Photofocus for always sharing great content to help photographers grow their technology, marketing, and business skills.  Photofocus also hosts some of the very best podcasts in photography! They're just a click away.

Click on any image above to listen to the podcast on Photofocus.com or iTunes.

by Skip Cohen

When Chamira and I started this series, we had no idea the diversity of the topics we'd talk about with each new guest. In this new episode, Sherry Hagerman joined us to talk about one of the most important challenges facing every artist - continuing education.

Sherry's no rookie for understanding the importance of education, networking, and building a solid skill set. We've known each other for over ten years, first meeting when she was an attendee at the summer program I used to do, Skip's Summer School. She believes in education and walks the talk on her never-ending quest to expand her own skills. She's also no stranger to the SCU blog with guest posts, an episode of "Why?" and multiple spotlight images.

Chamira, Sherry, and I talked a lot about education, and especially the changes for 2020 with the ClickCon show in Chicago. Originally scheduled to kick off August 9, due to the pandemic, it was postponed until August 2021, but that changes little in the ClickCon teams approach to great education.

ClickCon Nation launches on August 9 and will be a monthly series of online educational programs featuring some of the finest artists and educators in the industry. Click on the banner below to link to the ClickCon Facebook page, and start following the news as more details become available.

And see more of Sherry's images by visiting the Allusion Photography website. Just click on any of her photographs in this post.

Programs like "Beyond Technique" don't happen without great industry support from companies who believe in the craft, like Platypod. Just like their strength in giving artists a different perspective, we're hopefully doing the same thing with each podcast. ​
  
If you haven't visited the Platypod website, take a scroll through the blog and Instagram pages. Artists from around the world are sharing their creativity.

And if you're stuck with what to get Dad for Father's Day, (or yourself) - wander into the Platypod store.  You'll find some unique kits like the new Ultra Essentials Kit, now on sale. Just click on the banner to the right.
 
A big thanks to Photofocus for always sharing great content to help photographers grow their skills in technology, marketing, and business. Photofocus also hosts some of the very best podcasts in photography! They're just a click away.

by Skip Cohen

Working together with Photofocus, ​we started this series six years ago. I had no idea how many talented artists and content-rich interviews we'd be sharing. 

Author, photographer, educator and podcaster, Larry Becker joins Chamira and me, and the timing couldn't be more relevant. Even before the pandemic, we were all meeting and appearing more in online forums. Well, the pandemic changed everything, and now your real estate in cyberspace has incredible value, but only if you use it right. 

Larry's new book, Great on Camera, was just recently published. It was in the works long before the coronavirus was an issue, but to have it available now is perfect. We're all spending more time on camera, and just like the quality of your website headshot as a photographer, you need to present the best possible image.

In this new podcast, Larry shares a lot of good insight into his career, and especially the importance of capturing a great first impression and holding it! Larry's love for the craft and helping photographers and business owners is unbeatable. 

Now's the time to take advantage of fine-tuning your skills and make the most out of the downtime. Listen to the podcast and then pick up Larry's book, so you always look great on camera.

I grabbed two of Larry's videos from his YouTube channel to share below. Visit his YouTube channel for more videos and learning how you can raise the bar on your presentation style.

by Skip Cohen
 
With all but one episode of "Beyond Technique," we've always had a guest. However, this time around, Chamira Young and I wanted to host a very different kind of conversation. We tried to pack as many ideas as we could in our 30-40 minute window to help you think about being proactive in your business right now.

The pandemic has left us all with the look and feel of a deer caught in your headlights. But as the reality of the new norm of social distancing and anxiety sets in, too many artists have taken the directive of "shelter in place" to mean everything in their lives, including their business, marketing, and skillset.

So, Chamira and I took a shot at packing in a dozen or so ideas for you to consider doing during this downtime. They're not unique, and they clearly take up time...but time is what we've all got. There's an ongoing argument between the media, the CDC, the politicians and "doom and gloomers" over whose crystal ball is more accurate in how long this is going to last. It doesn't matter; we've all got to do everything to protect ourselves and our families for an extended period of time.

The silver-lining in these difficult times is there's so much you can be doing to raise the bar on your skill set, stay involved in your community, build a better blog, plan your marketing programs for when things get better, and the list goes on and on.

Just remember one crucial thing - you're not alone. We're all in this together, and this has always been an industry where we watch each other's backs and share ideas.

​Beyond Technique brings you a different perspective each month about business, imaging and sometimes even life. It's a lot like Platypod's goal to keep giving photographers a different perspective and more creative tools to their skillset.​ 
 
From the Ultra and Max Platypods to great accessories like the new goosenecks and multi-accessory kit, they never slow down on developing new products.

Right now the Max-Macro Bundle is one of their very best sellers and is on sale. Fine-tuning your skillset in macro and closeup photography is ideal during the downtime at home.
 
As always a BIG thanks to Photofocus.com for sharing great content to help photographers grow their skills in technology, marketing, and business, Photofocus also hosts some of the very best podcasts in photography! They're just a click away.

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Click on the banner above to listen to the podcast on Photofocus or iTunes!

​In March 2017, Chamira Young and I started co-hosting podcasts together. We've presented over one hundred episodes of great conversations with some of the most talented and passionate artists and educators in imaging. Last summer, we relaunched Beyond Technique with the intent that it would be just that - beyond the normal parameters of photography and even business.

Steve Brazill joined us this week for a completely new direction and well past what all of you consider technique. He's known as the "Razz" on KCAL FM in California, but that's only one hat he wears so well. In addition to being a well-respected radio personality, he's a LIVE music photographer and hosts what's become one of my favorite podcasts Behind the Shot. 

Steve shared so much great information with us that we decided just to let the clock run longer than usual because music photography is unique. From relationship-building to knowing the rules, Steve pulled no punches in sharing his experiences over the years as an artist. Like so many of us, his love for photography started with photographing his family.

Steve's no stranger to SCU. He joined me for an episode of "Why?" last October with the image on the right. Until he told the backstory, I was convinced it was Mick Jagger!  
 
Steve's galleries are a kick to scroll through. I grabbed screenshots of a few favorite images. Click on any one of them to visit his website and to put Behind the Shot on your radar - click on the banner below.

​When Chamira Young and I relaunched this series last summer, we wanted to bring you topics out of the ordinary with guests who are extraordinary. Even though we love the podcasts we've done in the past, we wanted "Beyond Technique" to be different. Inspiration, new ideas, and sharing unique concepts while stepping away from the technique of capturing images was our goal.  

Thanks to Platypod, the "Beyond Technique" series is bringing you a different perspective each month about business and life. In fact, it's a lot like Platypod's goal - giving photographers a different perspective and adding more creative tools to their skillset.

Suzette Allen joins us in the December episode, with a topic perfect for wrapping up 2019 and even better to kick off the new year!

Most of you know her as one of the industry's leading educators. She's a photographer, artist, educator, author, blogger, and a great friend to so many people in the industry. The story of how she got started isn't very different from most of yours. What changed was a horrific accident that became an incredible journey of hope, focus, dedication, and spirituality. 

I've known Suzette for a long time, but what I appreciate the most about our conversation on this podcast is her ability to stay candid, open, and honest about what she went through. She holds nothing back, which is a big part of what makes her such a great instructor and friend!

I grabbed screenshots of some of my favorite images from her galleries. Click on any one of them to visit her website, blogs, and make sure she's on your radar! She and her husband Jonny are both LUMIX Ambassadors, and you'll find them both at a long list of workshops and convention programs throughout the year. And, check out her YouTube channel. There are 400 different videos covering a long list of topics, each there to help you raise the bar on the quality of your images and the support you give your clients.

​We're proud to have Platypod as an SCU partner. Their products are giving photographers the ability to be more creative and capture images from a different perspective. From the Ultra and Max Platypods to great accessories like the new goosenecks and multi-accessory kit, they never slow down on developing new products.

And a big thanks to Photofocus.com. Always sharing great content to help photographers grow their skills in technology, marketing, and business, Photofocus also hosts some of the very best podcasts in photography! They're just a click away.

by Skip Cohen
 
Gareth Rockliffe is a good buddy, and he's currently on the road in New England. I caught up to him on a text the other day, and just for the fun of it, he sent me the image above. I love the power in this image and the way Gareth's choice of black and white, composition and technique, pull you into the photograph.

There's another piece of the backstory that's special for me personally. I lived in Boston for many years, and this is captured up north in the Rockport area at Lanes Cove, Cape Ann, MA. I asked Gareth for the "gearbox" and exposure triad, and he sent me the text below:

​I love the "old school" comment. Going "old school" is like those favorite recipes we have for so many different things we enjoy, especially in classic cooking! "Old school" always works!

Gareth is no stranger to SCU. Check out his July podcast on "Beyond Technique." He shared a lot of great insight into the spirituality of life and imaging. 

​And his website is just a click away.

by Skip Cohen​

Throughout our careers, if we're lucky, there are projects here and there that become unique and very special. The Beyond Technique podcast is one of those for me. There are hundreds of podcasts featuring artists talking about their style and technique, but with Chamira Young's help, we've gone beyond that...beyond the technique of the craft.

The series was put on hold for a few months, but it's back with a vengeance, relaunching in August. It's now here full time with a new episode each month, thanks to Platypod! And, coincidentally our guest this month is also one of their Ambassadors, Jay P. Morgan.

But, while Podcast is mentioned briefly, this new podcast is about education, mentoring, and Jay P's growth to becoming one of the leading educators in professional imaging. You'll find his Slanted Lens series jam-packed with videos to help you raise the bar on the quality of your work. Even better is meeting him at a conference. If you see him on the speaking platform, run, don't walk to grab a seat.
 
Jay P is a talented artist, educator, writer, and filmmaker. He shared a lot of wisdom on this podcast. Click on any of Jay P's images below to visit his website. It wasn't easy narrowing down my favorites to share in this post. And, if you want to get a feel for Jay P's role as a leading educator, watch the one-minute video below and then subscribe to The Slanted Lens! 

It's a kick to have him join us on Beyond Technique!

If you haven't checked out Platypod lately, visit their website, follow their Facebook page and especially put their Instagram page on your radar. There are always new products coming, and each one is designed to help photographers and videographers expand their creativity. Platypod doesn't just manufacture some of the best-designed accessory products in imaging - they provide solutions to different challenges to help you raise the bar on the quality of your work!

In January 2018 we kicked off the year with a great podcast series, sharing insight into the business and marketing of photography with some of the most respected artists in the world. The sponsor for the series, while liking the concept, decided they wanted to do something different on their own in 2019, and the series was put on the back-burner.

Working together with my co-host Chamira Young, we decided recently it was time to bring back the series and "Beyond Technique" is off the back-burner.  And the heats turned up to HIGH with great guests and insights that go well beyond the business of photography.

This week Kevin Kuster joined us with some incredible insight into how his career has progressed and the importance of giving back. "Watt's of Love" is changing people's lives, and in the process Kevin Kuster's ability to be a phenomenal storyteller is in the spotlight.  As I said in my intro on the podcast - "He's changing the world one light at a time!"

by Skip Cohen

The Beyond Technique podcast became a favorite right from the start when we launched the first one in January 2018. When the focus on business changed with the sponsor earlier this year, we put the series on the back burner. A few weeks ago we decided to bring it back and crank up the volume!

This first new episode is especially relevant because the topic is so unique. It all started with a friendship with fine art and landscape photographer, Gareth Rockliffe. He's no stranger to SCU having been part of the Photodex series Building Your Business in 2015 and an episode of "Why?" two years ago. Catching up on a phone call last month, he mentioned an idea he's had about the spirituality of the craft as it blends in with the way we live our lives.

"We start our lives in "P" mode, and as we get older, we spend the rest of our lives trying to get out of it!"

Now, take a second and think about that statement. As kids, we're pretty much put through the process of learning to color within the lines. We're taught to appreciate/respect the "system," and do things in ways that are expected of us. As we get older, we start to pursue other interests, ideas, and ways to live our lives. 
 
Gareth is a talented artist, writer, and shared a lot of wisdom on this new podcast. And, I hope as the conversation did with Chamira and me, he's about to get you thinking about how to enrich your life and take more time to step out of "P" mode! 

Click on any of Gareth's images below to visit his website. I pulled a few of my favorites to share in this post. His galleries are stunning and no image is ever captured in "P" mode or for that matter the way he lives his life. What a kick to have him join us on Beyond Technique!

A BIG thanks to Photofocus for the platform for both Beyond Technique and Mind Your Own Business! Check out both series along with the InFocus Interview Show. You'll never be disappointed.

​At the start of each Beyond Technique podcast, my co-host, Chamira Young, always shares the same opening line..."Welcome to Beyond Technique, a podcast empowering photographers to bring their businesses to the next level."  I've been thinking about that statement and defining the next level.

As artists, all of you are working to raise the bar on your skill set and the quality of images you capture and present, but there are so many choices in goals for the next level, and that's what I appreciate about the team at PhotoShelter. They're helping you present your images in the best way possible, but their dedication doesn't stop there - the next level for one photographer might be to build stronger brand awareness, while another needs to diversify or share better content. All along the way the PhotoShelter team is there to help, right down to live phone support with the best customer service team in the industry!

Adam Mowery joins us in this new podcast, and he's an artist constantly striving to hit that next level. His passion couldn't be easier to understand - it's all about life. There are a couple of lines in his bio I want to share:

Adam is an adventurer, creative thinker, and constantly pushes life to the limits. He will never be caught "status quo."  To Adam, creativity is a lifestyle not just a means to an end. 
  
One look at Adam's galleries and you're immediately hit with his love for the outdoors, people and photography. His images capture the look of fine art, lifestyle and here and there even a whimsical moment. Obviously, there's nothing Adam can't photograph, but his images are mostly about his passion for the outdoors and people.
 
Lots of people are doing podcasts these days, but we couldn't be prouder of the quality of artists sharing their insight into their journey in imaging. A BIG thanks to Adam for sneaking in the time to join us on this new episode of Beyond Technique, and sharing a lot of great insight into relationship building, pursuing your dreams, diversity in imaging and lessons he's learned along the way.

Visit Adam's galleries with a click on any image in this post, and make sure you look at his collection of tear sheets. It's one thing to capture great lifestyle and adventure images, but another to see the diversity in how they're used in editorial and advertising.  

And, we always love to thank the team at PhotoShelter. Every day they set a standard for the services and products they offer each client. They never slow down in their dedication to the artists they support and their focus on customer service. 

With each new podcast in the Beyond Technique series, our guests have shared some remarkably candid insight into their life as a photographer.  For my co-host, Chamira Young and me it's been an incredible experience as each photographer has given us a tiny peek into their life as an artist. It's all thanks to PhotoShelter and their never-ending quest to help photographers raise the bar on the quality of their presentations and their business. 

Julie Dermansky joined us on this podcast. Although there's nothing, Julie probably can't photograph, her passion is story-telling and capturing the reality of life. She shares her thoughts on how she connects with her subjects, captures the emotion they're feeling at the time and builds each relationship. 

Years ago I attended an awards ceremony where the legendary portrait photographer, Monte Zucker, received recognition for his work. On the same platform, that day were several photojournalists who had captured images from 9/11.  I remember Monte paying tribute to the photojournalists by saying, "I have the best job in the world. I capture the fantasy of life, the way it should be. But you guys capture life the way it is."

Well, Julie captures life the way it is and has developed a style where she builds relationships and uses her camera to tell each story. Her images tug at our heartstrings and create awareness for life most often outside the one many of us live.
 
A huge thanks to Julie for joining us on this podcast. You'll notice when you look at her galleries she spends a great deal of time traveling from one crisis to another. However, she also manages to capture the beauty of wherever she is and the personality of her subjects.  She's developed the ability to tell each story in a way her subjects appreciate. Check out Julie's PhotoShelter galleries with a click on any of the images in this post. 

Thanks to the team at PhotoShelter, the services and products they offer each client, and their incredible focus on customer service, Julie, along with her peers are presenting their work in a way that leaves each of us wanting to see more!  

​Sports photographer, Brad Mangin was our guest for this eleventh podcast in the Beyond Technique series. Without question, PhotoShelter is home to some of the most talented and diverse artists in photography. We all know the expression, time flies when you're having fun. Well, each podcast seems to go by in a flash as each guest shares so much insight into their careers and the challenges of being in business today. 

Just like the artists who have joined us on Beyond Technique, PhotoShelter never compromises on the tools they provide for outstanding presentations. Living in an Internet world, each photographer we've interviewed has stressed how much they depend on their website and how the team at PhotoShelter has never let them down.

Brad Mangin was a kick to interview because he was so candid about his love for sports, the importance of the relationships he built over the years and even a few of the frustrations of dealing with the publication world today. 

What I enjoyed the most, besides getting to know Brad, was wandering through his portfolio. Although baseball is obviously one of his greatest passions, there's nothing he can't photograph. And, if you take the time to wander through his portfolio, it's like taking a walk through a sports Hall of Fame and following the history of so many iconic moments.

I pulled a few of my favorites, but they represent the tip of the iceberg in a lifetime career of one of the finest sports photographers in our industry. Every image of Brad's captures the emotion and action of each game.  

Interested in seeing more of Brad's work? Click on any of his photographs in this post to visit his website, blog and store. You won't be disappointed in any of the images he shares. And, follow him on Instagram as he regularly shares great images!

A big thanks to Brad for joining us.  And, a big thanks to PhotoShelter for the services and products they offer each client, and their incredible focus on customer service.  

This is our tenth podcast in the Beyond Technique series and what a kick it's been working with PhotoShelter and these artists. Each artist has shared so much insight into their journey along with their passion for imaging and people. 

Jeremy Horner joins Chamira Young and me on podcast number ten. We caught up to him while he was visiting his parents in the UK. Jeremy is all about people and different cultures. I picked a few of my favorite images from his galleries, but it wasn't easy! You'll see what I mean if you click on any of his photographs in this post.

It became very obvious early in the conversation that a big part of Jeremy's success is about relationship building. It's a topic we talked a lot about, and it's so important in capturing great images, especially when you're outside your element in other countries.
 
A BIG thanks to Jeremy for making time for the Beyond Technique podcast. You'll notice when you look at his galleries he spends a great deal of his time traveling all over the world. And, thanks to the team at PhotoShelter for the services and products they offer each client, and their incredible focus on customer service.  Jeremy's a big fan of what PhotoShelter has done to keep his presentation always looking its very best. 

Chamira Young and I have had a lot of fun interviewing some of the most respected artists in professional photography, all thanks to the support of PhotoShelter.  Each artist has had a different story to share along with a lot of insight into ideas to help you build stronger brand awareness for your own business.

Jamey Price joins us on podcast number eight. He's the first motorsports photographer we've had on as a guest, and as you'll hear in the podcast, so much of his success goes well beyond his skill set. He's a storyteller with his coverage of a race, but at the same time, he's a relationship builder.  He's also an incredibly patient and fun artist to talk to. You'll pick up on his style in the interview, but I've had several conversations with Jamey following this podcast, and he couldn't be more sincere in his love for the craft.

Just a couple of weeks ago, one of Jamey's favorite images was featured on "Why?" It's just a click away if you'd like to hear the backstory on one of his most remarkable images.  

A BIG thanks to Jamey for taking the time out of his crazy schedule and joining us on "Beyond Technique," and PhotoShelter for the services and products they offer each client. Jamey's a big fan of the PhotoShelter team and has visited their offices. The PhotoShelter team makes it so easy to show your images the way they deserve to be seen! 

It's not easy picking a few favorites from Jamey's galleries. He's made it a point to be diverse in his ability to capture the images that best tell whatever story he's working on. Check out two interesting categories on his website, "Published Work" and "Outside." Click on any of his images above and you'll see what I mean!

Working together with PhotoShelter in January, Chamira Young and I launched "Beyond Technique" a podcast that's quickly becoming extraordinary.  What's making these podcasts so worth listening to is the insight being shared by each guest. Each photographer has shared different aspects of their journey to date, and always with relevant topics to think about. 

​Todd Spoth joined us on this new episode. While Todd is all about people, one scroll through his galleries and you'll see a variety of work. On his website, he's described as...a photographer and multimedia producer based out of Houston, Texas, USA. He specializes in editorial, corporate, and advertising photography with an emphasis on creative portraiture. One look at Todd's work, and it's obvious how much he enjoys what he's doing.

In this new episode, Todd shares a lot of great insight into relationship building, paying attention to the details of your business, education, networking and how PhotoShelter has helped raised the bar on how he shows his work. 

Pay close attention to the layout and how clean his site is. Your website today is the equivalent of a bricks and mortar location just a few years ago, but with the potential reach of a magazine or newspaper.  Your site is all about the services and products you offer, and the PhotoShelter team makes it so easy to have an excellent presentation.

Click on any one of Todd's images in this post to link to his website and see more of his work.  

Just click on either link below...

On January 17, Chamira Young and I launched "Beyond Technique" an extraordinary podcast series thanks to PhotoShelter. We know there are hundreds of places you can find support to build your technique and skill set, but what about a great resource for growing your business? 

Christina Peters joins us on this new podcast, with a perfect topic, photographing food.

​Even though you might not have food photography at the core of your business, it comes up so often. Wedding photographers for example regularly need food shots as a critical part of the details of storytelling for the album. Then there are those of you who get requests from clients who need images of food, table settings etc. You do the best you can, but it's not your expertise. Well, Christina is just the person to give you a little help!

Check out her website with a click on any of her images in this post. Her diversity is remarkable and includes everything from food and beverages to environmental portraits of chefs, farm animals and macro. If it's related to being on the kitchen table, odds are Christina has captured it!

Not only will you see stunning images in her galleries, but pay attention to the layout and how clean her site is. She's very open in this interview about how she wanted her work to be presented, and It's all thanks to PhotoShelter. Today more than ever, your website has the same power of a bricks and mortar retail store but with far greater reach. The PhotoShelter team makes it easy to accomplish.
 
Check out Christina's FoodPhotographyClub. Here's your chance to fine tune your skills, so whether you're formally a food photographer or not, your clients will be getting the very best results! And, definitely take a scroll over to PhotoShelter and check out the free trial and limited time special offer.