Summer School - A Photography + Creative Podcast
Summer School - A Photography + Creative Podcast

Summer School - A Photography + Creative Podcast

Summer Grace

Overview
Episodes

Details

Welcome to Summer School, the podcast where we explore the world of creativity, entrepreneurship, and beyond. While I may be a wedding photographer by trade, my goal for this podcast is to break free from creative constraints and invite a wide range of guests to join us in thought-provoking conversations. Expect to hear from professionals in various fields – from educators to accountants, musicians to artists, and business owners of all kinds. My aim is to dive deep into the experiences, inspirations, and the nitty gritty of being an entrepreneur. Tune in today, hit subscribe and leave a review if you love what you hear. Summer Grace Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summergrace.photo/ Summer School Show Notes: https://www.the-summerschool.com/summer-school-show-notes

Recent Episodes

10 Things Photographers Should Do in the Off Season
FEB 9, 2026
10 Things Photographers Should Do in the Off Season
In this episode, I’m sharing 10 things I’d focus on as a photographer during the off season to set myself up for a strong busy season. From updating your website and portfolio to getting more intentional with marketing, systems, and relationships, this episode is all about using slower months with purpose. If your calendar feels quieter right now, this is a reminder that the off season can be a really valuable time when you lean into it.Connect with Me:Join us at ⁠⁠Summer Camp⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a Member of Summer School⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WPPI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get 20% off your ticket using code SUMMER26Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to our emails for updates on all things Summer School!Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@summergrace.photo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@the_summerschool⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Shop My Products:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Summer Grace x G-Presets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discount code: SUMMERSCHOOL)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pricing Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Summer Camp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (2026)*Summer School is powered by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Narrative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — the AI culling and editing tool I use that supports my workflow without replacing my creativity. Try Narrative for free today using the link above!
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27 MIN
Cinematic Photography, Social Media, and Finding Your Style with Joshua Mannila
FEB 3, 2026
Cinematic Photography, Social Media, and Finding Your Style with Joshua Mannila
Hey everyone! This week on the podcast I’m joined by Joshua Mannila, a Portland-based photographer known for his cinematic, moody style.We talk about starting young, growing through social media, being known for a specific look, and giving yourself permission to evolve creatively. Joshua also shares practical advice on posting consistently, capturing BTS, and not letting engagement dictate your confidence as an artist.Meet Joshua: Joshua Mannila is a portrait and couples photographer based in Oregon. His work blends cinema-inspired themes with a modern, editorial style to create images that feel like movie stills. He’s known for using landscapes and light to build the mood and story within each frame. Beyond client work, Joshua also hosts styled shoots and retreats that bring photographers together to create.Connect with Me:Join us at ⁠Summer Camp⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a Member of Summer School⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WPPI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get 20% off your ticket using code SUMMER26Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to our emails for updates on all things Summer School!Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@summergrace.photo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@the_summerschool⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Shop My Products:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Summer Grace x G-Presets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discount code: SUMMERSCHOOL)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pricing Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Summer Camp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (2026)*Summer School is powered by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Narrative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — the AI culling and editing tool I use that supports my workflow without replacing my creativity. Try Narrative for free today using the link above!Connect with Joshua: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.joshuamannila.com/Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joshuamannila/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshuamannila
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61 MIN
Building Community as a Photographer with Alex Nena
JAN 27, 2026
Building Community as a Photographer with Alex Nena
In this episode, I sat down with Alex Nena, and we’re unpacking what community actually looks like in the photography industry. We talk about building real connections, navigating comparison, and why having people around you matters both personally and professionally. It’s an honest conversation about growth, support, and not trying to do everything on your own.Meet Alex: Alex Nena is a vintage- inspired wedding and elopement photographer based in California. Her work blends old world and modern elegance together capturing weddings that feel both intimate and cinematic. She is known for mostly for her low light capabilities and vintage look. Beyond her client work she is passionate about giving back to the photo community believing that knowledge is meant to be shared and creative growth thrives in community. Connect with Me:Join us at Summer Camp!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a Member of Summer School⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WPPI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get 20% off your ticket using code SUMMER26Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to our emails for updates on all things Summer School!Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@summergrace.photo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@the_summerschool⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Shop My Products:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Summer Grace x G-Presets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discount code: SUMMERSCHOOL)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pricing Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Summer Camp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (2026)*Summer School is powered by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Narrative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — the AI culling and editing tool I use that supports my workflow without replacing my creativity. Try Narrative for free today using the link above!Connect with Alex: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://byalexnena.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byalexnena/?hl=en
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61 MIN
Building a Sustainable Wedding Photography Business with Susan Stripling
JAN 20, 2026
Building a Sustainable Wedding Photography Business with Susan Stripling
Hi friends! In this episode I’m sitting down with Susan Stripling to talk about what it actually takes to build a sustainable wedding photography business. Susan has been in this industry for over two decades, and her perspective on longevity, business, and staying relevant is grounded and honest. We talk about treating photography like a real business from the beginning, balancing creativity with structure, and why sustainability matters more than quick growth. Meet Susan: Susan Stripling has been photographing weddings, portraits, and theater for almost twenty-five years. Susan's work has been published in Inside Weddings, Martha Stewart Weddings, Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, Modern Bride, Town and Country Weddings, the New York Times, New York Post, Rangerfinder, and PDN. She's won multiple awards at the prestigious Wedding and Portrait Photographers International 16x20 print competition and holds the prestigious Grand Master Status at WPPI as well.She has been named one of the top ten wedding photographers in the world by American Photo Magazine. She is a Canon Explorer of Light and the founder of The Wedding School.In her spare time, Susan is a voracious reader, obsessive new scuba diver, sourdough enthusiast, lover of all horror movies, and inexplicably sleeps with the lights on.Connect with Me:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a Member of Summer School⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WPPI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get 20% off your ticket using code SUMMER26Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to our emails for updates on all things Summer School!Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@summergrace.photo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@the_summerschool⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Shop My Products:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Summer Grace x G-Presets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discount code: SUMMERSCHOOL)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pricing Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Summer Camp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (2026)*Summer School is powered by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Narrative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — the AI culling and editing tool I use that supports my workflow without replacing my creativity. Try Narrative for free today using the link above!Connect with Susan: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://susanstripling.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanstriplingphotography/
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57 MIN
What It Really Looks Like to Grow a Business as a Mom with Hannah Faye
JAN 13, 2026
What It Really Looks Like to Grow a Business as a Mom with Hannah Faye
In this episode, I talk with Hannah Faye about building and scaling a photography business while raising three kids under five. We get into systems, outsourcing, workflow tools, and how she’s structured her business to support her life instead of compete with it. Hannah shares what’s actually helped her grow, what she’s stopped doing, and why community has mattered more than anything. Meet Hannah:Hannah Frederick is a Washington-based wedding photographer, mother of three, and wife who has built and scaled a thriving photography business while welcoming three babies in just over three years. She knows firsthand what it’s like to send client emails while breastfeeding, juggle nap schedules with timelines, and grow a dream business without losing herself—or her peace—in the process.As the founder of a growing associate team, Hannah is deeply passionate about encouraging and empowering women in business, especially mothers who are navigating both ambition and family life. She believes wholeheartedly that it is possible to run a successful, sustainable business without sacrificing family time, presence, or joy.Hannah is living proof that motherhood and entrepreneurship can coexist beautifully—and she truly believes that mothers make the very best businesswomen.Connect with Me:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a Member of Summer School⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WPPI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get 20% off your ticket using code SUMMER26Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to our emails for updates on all things Summer School!Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@summergrace.photo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@the_summerschool⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Shop My Products:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Summer Grace x G-Presets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discount code: SUMMERSCHOOL)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pricing Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Summer Camp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (2026)*Summer School is powered by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Narrative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — the AI culling and editing tool I use that supports my workflow without replacing my creativity. Try Narrative for free today using the link above!Connect with Hannah: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hannahfayephoto.com/Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hannahfayephoto/?hl=enBook a mentorship with Hannah here: https://www.hannahfayephoto.com/coaching
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65 MIN