Build and Bloom Photography Podcast With Jessica Whitaker
Jessica Whitaker
Recent Episodes
In this episode, I’m sharing a personal life update, giving photography and branding advice, and answering your most-asked questions in a candid AMA-style Q&A. From marketing tips to finding your style and packing for photo trips, I'm diving in!
Links:
- My branding course: https://www.lightscamerabrand.com/
- SEO Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2gSAW8GOG5XXpjdWcdyRLE?si=BC8ERE0BSaOizOYoX_o5XA
- How to find inspo episode *didn't realize I had already done this lol*: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0eDTZB0IlebDQIU82Sf3EC?si=H7AkLdE0R5SUbzOeQ8HeAQ
Timestamps:
1:16 Life update
4:37 What’s a piece of photography advice you used to give but no longer stand by?
16:05 What’s something people get wrong about personal branding?
20:07 What’s one thing you wish all photographers knew about marketing?
23:09 Upcoming trips
28:51 What’s something you miss about NYC now that you’re in Seattle?
37:37 Where do you like to shop for your clothes?
47:06 How do you find your personal style in photography?
50:55 What was Antarctica like?
54:17 How do you pack your gear when you travel?
What's Next:
- Follow me on Insta: https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker
- Join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker
- Business Basics: https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics
Feeling creatively stuck or overwhelmed by too much scrolling? In this episode, we’re stepping away from the algorithm and exploring how to find inspiration for photography offline.
I’m sharing why Pinterest can’t be your starting point and how volunteering might be the most powerful way to reconnect with your spark.
You’ll also hear a Q&A on creative jealousy, finding your voice, and how to tell the difference between trends and true alignment. Whether you’re new to photography or rediscovering your style, this conversation will help you create from a place that’s original—by design.
Business Basics Course: https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics
Lights, Camera, Brand Photography Branding Course: https://www.lightscamerabrand.com/
Unplug from your phone episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2EIe18ddba23Q3QUFbPVmo?si=CDShZlXoR-GmqY9DesTe3Q
Timestamps:
0:00 Business Basics
0:41 Intro
11:50 Where NOT to look
27:52 Shopping for inspiration
38:25 Volunteer
44:22 Q&A: Have you ever felt jealous of someone else's creativity?
53:09 Inspo vs trends
58:53 What’s something you wish someone told you when you were figuring out your style?
1:00:03 Outro
What's Next:
- Follow me on Insta: https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker
- Join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker
- Business Basics: https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics
In this Build and Bloom photography podcast episode, join me (@JessicaWhitaker) and Eden Strader (@EdenStrader) as she teaches us how to alternatively market our photography businesses.
Follow Eden: https://www.instagram.com/edenstrader/
Eden's website for freebies: https://edenstrader.com/
Eden’s podcast “That’s My Personal Business”
WHAT’S NEXT:
- Join The B+B Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker/
- Join the discord: https://discord.gg/QwQa8g5R
- Follow Jessica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicawhitaker
- Follow the Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildandbloom/
This podcast has been made possible by:
Have you ever wanted to get into concert photography? Today on the Build and Bloom Photography Podcast I have Madison Truscan on and she is sharing the exact steps for breaking into the industry. Madison has photographed artists in concert like Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan. Madison is also going to share how to work for an online magazine, publication, newspaper or zine and how volunteering for a publication can add an extra layer of professionalism that increases your chance of attending a show.
Madison Truscan is a multi-faceted Dallas-based creative, with a focus on concert photography, music journalism, and podcast hosting. She is wholeheartedly passionate about all forms of photography and being authentic on the Internet.
Instagram: @madisonfromdallas
Website: www.madisontruscanphotography.com
Some of the questions I ask are:
- How did you get into concert photography?
- How do you recommend someone break into the industry
- What have been some of the most memorable career moments for you?
- How do you handle being a woman in a male dominated space
People she mentioned: @digitalsmeg
Magazines mentioned: Good Guys Press and The Encore @thisistheencore
Other Build and Bloom podcast episode on concert photography:
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
4:05 How did you get into concert photography?
10:40 First experience with concert photography
13:37 First concert she photographed
16:41 In between steps from first concert to snowball effect
17:03 How to contact artists to photograph their concert
19:21 How to break into the industry
25:33 How to get in contact with local artists
27:55 Most memorable career moments
28:07 Photographing Taylor Swift’s eras tour
33:06 What is working for a magazine?
40:35 Being a woman in concert photography
42:35 Safety tips for girls
44:56 Big-picture goals
47:25 How do you get paid for tours?
50:39 Getting sign to an agency
51:21 Outro
What's Next:
Follow me on Insta: https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker
- Join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker
What if you could book dream clients without having to post on Instagram every day?
In this episode, I’m breaking down how blogging can help you book more photography clients consistently—and the best part? Once a blog post is done, it’s DONE. This is a long-term marketing strategy that works for you while you sleep.
Instagram is great for visibility, but your blog is where the real magic happens. It’s where clients find you through Google, get to know your work, and book you directly—without the extra hoops. Plus, your website is the strongest reflection of your brand (and if you’re struggling with that, check out LightsCameraBrand.com).
Here’s what I cover:
What SEO actually is and how it helps clients find you Why blogging individual sessions beats having one gallery page
Real examples of how my posts from 6 years ago still bring in inquiries today
The tools I use to make blogging easy
How to make blog posts SEO-friendly without being techy or spending hours on them
If you’re ready to stop stressing about social media and start thinking long-term, this episode is for you.
Download the free blog tool guide: https://jessicawhitaker.myflodesk.com/blog
Business Basics Course: https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics
Lights, Camera, Brand Photography Branding Course: https://www.lightscamerabrand.com/
Narrative Blog Tool: https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/photography-blog-tool
10% off Squarespace: https://squarespace.com/jessicawhitaker
Email list episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5DIZ8DJ7065fsrr8zxvNLT?si=4TcDTziyRROEGosC37okZQ
SEO episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0SwLmqwyiGwRfdJ2EwggE4?si=ZOJ9GjzzSqyrwQCGC6yw0Q
What's Next:
Follow me on Insta: https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker
Join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker