The Photo Diaries Podcast opens up a secret diary about the world of the photography industry.
We’ll bring you inspiring interviews with industry professionals, as well as stories, and tips to help propel you through your photography journey- whether you’re just starting out, or a seasoned pro.
I share my experience as a commercial photographer of over 2 decades, a photo-based artist, & photography mentor.
Episode 17: How to build an image library for your brand
In this episode I talk about something I’ve very passionate about – brand imaging.
I cover how to curate a library of images that builds trust by showing who we are, what we do, and insight to our values. Sharing this type of imagery into your communications can really elevate your brand – giving you a professional edge and brand cohesion.
We cover off on all of the elements you need to capture your brand, including:
personal branding images
storytelling images and
product and lifestyle images
This episode is great for business owners that want to lift their game and professionalise their brand imagery and presence. It’s also really great for any photographers wanting to get into brand photography and need some ideas and tools for their toolkit!
Links
Adobe Stock images > https://stock.adobe.com/
Wirestock > https://wirestock.io/
Shutterstock images > https://www.shutterstock.com/
Check out the brand photography I did for The Seed Cycle > https://theseedcycle.com.au/
Don’t forget to go and download my free “Photo Comps Mega List” over at https://www.gracecosta.com/
Don’t forget to go and download my free “Photo Comps Mega List” over at https://www.gracecosta.com/photo-comps-mega-list/
Grace x
Connect with Grace:
https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/
https://www.gracecosta.com/blog/
https://www.facebook.com/gracecostaphotographer/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-costa-829b2837/
9b2837/Show notes: How to build an image library for your brand
In this episode I talk about something I’ve very passionate about – brand imaging.
I cover how to curate a library of images that builds trust by showing who we are, what we do, and insight to our values. Sharing this type of imagery into your communications can really elevate your brand – giving you a professional edge and brand cohesion.
We cover off on all of the elements you need to capture your brand, including:
personal branding images
storytelling images and
product and lifestyle images
This episode is great for business owners that want to lift their game and professionalise their brand imagery and presence. It’s also really great for any photographers wanting to get into brand photography and need some ideas and tools for their toolkit!
Links
Adobe Stock images > https://stock.adobe.com/
Wirestock > https://wirestock.io/
Shutterstock images > https://www.shutterstock.com/
Check out the brand photography I did for The Seed Cycle > https://theseedcycle.com.au/
Episode 16: Finding meaning in your creative work with Ferne Millen
Ferne Millen is a multidisciplinary commercial photographer and creative artist whose main focus is on storytelling through photography and installation. Ferne lives in beautiful Jan Juc on the surfcoast of Victoria on Wadawurrung country and from a young age her love of culture and the land was nurtured by her parents who took her and her siblings to many national parks to enjoy the natural world.
She has a deep connection to country and the First Nations people that have become a strong focus of her work. We explore this and much more in our chat this episode.
We explore:
> her work with local indigenous community and how that work came about
> the blend of corporate community objectives and creative exploration
> entering photo awards and leveraging images for new opportunities
> storytelling and being true to your voice
Links
Don’t forget to go and download my free “Photo Comps Mega List” over at https://www.gracecosta.com/photo-comps-mega-list/
Grace x
Connect with Grace:
https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/
https://www.gracecosta.com/blog/
https://www.facebook.com/gracecostaphotographer/
Episode 14: Fashion, beauty, editorial and advertising photography with Stef King
Have you ever had fantasies of being a fashion and advertising photographer? Photographing brands like Apple, Disney as well as models and celebrities. Sounds pretty cool huh? Imagine your work up on billboards? Well, you’re going to love my chat with the fabulous Stef King, a successful fashion, beauty, editorial and advertising photographer from Perth, Western Australia. Her work regularly appears in local and international magazines, advertisements and media campaigns.
We’ve been friends for a while now and I’m thrilled she was able to join us and share her insights in developing her impressive career.
We cover:
> Ways to get started in the industry
> The difference between editorial and advertising photography
> Image usage and licence rules
> Engaging a Producer to assist with pricing, licencing, client liaison, organising permits, travel etc
> Mastering studio flash techniques
> How to work with a Creative or Art Director
> Inside her recent shoot for Disney
> Working in bright sunny conditions
> How to you market your business in Perth to reach a broader audience
> The importance of personal creative work
Links
Stef King website: https://stefking.com.au/ Stef King instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stefkingphoto/
Stef King Studio instagram:https://www.instagram.com/stefkingstudio Stef King
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stef-king-383a2262/ Learn with Stef https://learnwithstefking.substack.com/p/welcome Getty Images (content licence agreement): https://www.gettyimages.com.au/eula Christina Force photography mentor and representation: https://christinaforce.net/ Until next time friends, thanks for hanging out!
Grace x
Connect with Grace:
https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/
https://www.gracecosta.com/blog/
https://www.facebook.com/gracecostaphotographer/
Episode 13: Building a successful Family Portrait Studio with Heartstory
Have you heard of Heartstory? This amazing family photography power couple, Katie and Jeremy, have gone from strength to strength since joining forces in 2009. And trust me, you will be inspired by their story.
As they’ve grown, they’ve reflected on what’s really important to them, in how they want to live and enjoy their life, and that reflection has helped shape how they operate their beautiful and super successful business!
These guys have some seriously well functioning schedules and kick arse workflows. I am so grateful for their generosity in sharing their secrets and hope you get a lot out of this episode. They really are something to aspire to.
We cover:
> How they divide roles between them to escalate the business
> How their business practice evolved over time to attract new business
> How many marketing pipelines is enough?
> How effective are Facebook ads and social media marketing campaigns
> Do you actually need to incentivise past clients to come back to you
> Design your business hours around your needs
> Controlling your business so it doesn’t control you, and lead to burnout
> How to respect your own time so that clients will too
> Being true to yourself, your passion and your interests – not taking on work because you feel obligated
> How to keep things fresh when you’ve been working in the family portrait space for a LONG time!
Links
Heartstory website: https://heartstoryphotography.com.au/ Heartstory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartstoryphotography Heartstory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heartstory/ Katie K website: https://www.katiek.com.au/ Katie K Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekatiekway/ Jeremy Byrnes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremymark1/
Tave studio management solution: https://hello.tave.com/Acuity scheduling
automation: https://www.acuityscheduling.com/ Asana collaboration tool: https://asana.com/ Slack productivity platform: https://www.slack.com/ Xero accounting software: www.xero.com Photo Mechanic digital image organisation: https://home.camerabits.com/ Proselect: https://www.prostudiosoftware.com/
Until next time friends, thanks for hanging out!
Grace x
Connect with Grace:
https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/
https://www.gracecosta.com/blog/
Episode 12: If you want to become a better photographer, listen to this
In this episode I share really useful ways to help you become a stronger photographer, both technically and creatively. These tips allow you to select one or two things at a time to try out and take action on to improve your photography journey.
As always send me a DM on instagram if you’d like to continue the discussion over there.
We cover:
>Getting your work critiqued on a regular basis
>Looking in new places to open your eyes
>Try new things
>Books and Youtube
>Workshops & Trainings (Professional Development)
>Watching Documentaries
Links
Creative Live
https://www.creativelive.com/Udemy https://www.udemy.com/courses/photography-and-video/ Refocus Retreat https://www.refocusretreat.com.au/ Depth of Field Conference https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/promotion/14708/depth-of-field-conference.html Adobe Max https://www.adobe.com/au/max.html HeadOn Photo Festival https://headon.org.au/festival/ Bill Cuningham New York https://vimeo.com/ondemand/billcunninghamny Annie Leibovitz
Abstract
Vivian Maier https://www.vivianmaier.com/film-finding-vivian-maier/
Until next time friends, thanks for hanging out!
Grace x
Connect with Grace:
Sign Up to the mailing list to receive “The Mega List of Photo Comp”
https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/
https://www.gracecosta.com/blog/
Episode 11: Visibility Marketing to grow your reach and expand your audience with Anna Scott,
Get your notepads ready friends! So much quality visibility and marketing advice is coming your way in this episode.
We speak to my friend Anna Scott, Visibility Coach & Brand Strategist extraordinaire about how to become a visible force in your industry – whatever that industry may be.
This content goes beyond the photography industry and I’m sure other creative small businesses will also find it invaluable.
We cover:
>How to share the messages about you and your business ion a targeted way
>Methods and channels to becoming more visible online
>Burrowing down to find and sell your uniqueness
>Leveraging your networks for collaboration opportunities
>The benefits of magazine coverage verses guest starring on blog
>Hype pillars
>and so much more visibility, marketing and PR gold!
Links
Anna Scott website: https://www.annascott.com.au/ Anna Scott Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annascott.pr/ Anna Scott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-j-scott/ How To Become A Visible Force In Your Industry (Free Masterclass) – https://www.visibleforce.com.au/sign-up Be Your Own Hype Woman (Digital Course)- https://www.visibleforce.com.au/join-us-now
Until next time friends, thanks for hanging out!
Grace x
Connect with Grace:
https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/
https://www.gracecosta.com/blog/
Episode 10: Communicating with clients, boundaries, contracts and more with Trish from Oath and Stone
Do I have a treat for you! In this episode I catch up with my good friend and business buddy, Trish Johnstone from Graphic Design studio, Oath and Stone.
Over the last few years, I’ve admired and observed her ability to nurture relationships. I’ve invited her for a chat to give us some insight on how she confidently communicates with clients, manages her relationships, develops client briefs, sets boundaries all leading to more referrals.
Her insights go way beyond design and I think many small and medium size businesses could all find relevance to adapt to corporate, creative and service delivery environments.
We cover:
> The evolution of her business – initially focussing on the wedding industry – to evolving to a full service studio for small and medium sized businesses
> Getting to know your clients before starting to work with them
> Finding your ideal client and keeping them happy
> Effective two-way communication
> Setting boundaries with clients
> Clear communication
> How to continue to nurture the client relationship through continued and regular engagement to get you on the referral pathway
Links
Oath and Stone Website – https://www.oathandstone.com.au/ Oath and Stone LinkedIn – https://au.linkedin.com/company/oath-stone Oath and Stone Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/oathandstonedesigns/ Oath and Stone Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/oathandstonedesigns
Until next time friends, thanks for hanging out!
Grace x
Connect with Grace:
https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/
https://www.gracecosta.com/blog/
Episode 9: How to generate new leads through email marketing with Mary-Anne Amies from Wise Up Marketing
In this episode I speak with Mary-Anne Amies from Wise Up Marketing. They’re a Sydney based full service marketing agency established by Mary-Anne in 2010, and I gotta tell you, she is very passionate about digital marketing.
I’ve been really keen to review my existing email marketing strategy and in this episode, Mary-Anne offers up some great ideas on leveraging your email list to build a relationship and trust with your clients.
We cover:
> Why is Email Marketing relevant to photographer
> What sort of emails should we be sending – Marketing Emails, Email Flows to Nurture Leads, Email Flows etc
> How do we increase our mailing list?
>What does it take for a photographer to work with a marketing agency?
> And she gives us a couple of great business book recommendations
If like me, you can’t get enough of Mary-Anne and want to hear more of her awesome tips, sign up for Wise Up Marketing’s Two Hoots newsletter. We’ve got all her deets below as well as links to our book recommendations.
Links
Wise Up Marketing website – https://wiseupmarketing.com.au Wise Up Marketing Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wiseup_marketing/ Wise Up Marketing LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/wise-up-marketing-solutions/ Mary-Anne Amies Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/maryanneamies/ Mary-Anne Amies LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryanneamies Mary-Anne’s Podcast, Marketing with Confidence https://marketingwithconfidence.podbean.com/ Profit First by Mike Michalowicz – https://amzn.to/3kA0Q9z Get Rich, Lucky Bitch! by Denise Duffield-Thomas – https://amzn.to/3HuaV0K Chill Chill and Prosper by Denise Duffield Thomas https://amzn.to/3WvijgQ Melissa Browne More money for shoes https://amzn.to/3WvijgQ Until next time friends, thanks for hanging out!
Grace x
Connect with Grace:
Sign Up to the mailing list to receive “The Mega List of Photo Comp”
https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/
https://www.gracecosta.com/blog/
Episode 8: Finding ideas for your creative work
Happy 2023 friends! I’m thrilled you are enjoying The Photo Diaries and I’ve loved getting all your feedback.
Do you struggle to find ideas? You are not alone! In this episode I provide some ideas about where to seek out inspiration and get your creative juices flowing.
Inspiration is literally all around you, all of the time and we cover:
> Visiting galleries and exhibitions
> Books and magazines
> Photography blogs
> Movies and video
> And why instagram and social media are not likely to motivate you into action
And if you need more incentive, here’s my favourite quote from Austin Kleon’s Steal Like an Artist
“Go make stuff. The manifesto is this: Draw the art you want to see, start the business you want to run, play the music you want to hear, write the books you want to read, build the products you want to use-do the work you want to see done.” – Austin Kleon.
Books I recommend from my personal library you can purchase on Amazon
Annie Leibovitz At Work – https://amzn.to/3H3Y5X4
Elliot Erwitt Snaps – https://amzn.to/3W7Gstv
National Photographic Portrait Prize catalogs
Mary Ellen Mark on the Portrait and the Moment – https://amzn.to/3GCealg
The Contact Sheet by Steve Crist – https://amzn.to/3kg9vOo
Steal Like an Artist Austin Kleon – https://amzn.to/3COFSKu
Show Your Work Austin Kleon – https://amzn.to/3XewB6B
Keep Going Austin Kleon – https://amzn.to/3GHPoAb
Links
Cressida Campbell NGA exhibition 24 Sep 2022 – 19 Feb 2023 https://nga.gov.au/exhibitions/cressida-campbell/ Centre for Contemporary Photography (Fitzroy, Victoria) https://ccp.org.au/ PhotoAccess (Griffith, ACT) https://www.photoaccess.org.au/ Magnum blog https://www.magnumphotos.com/ photographersPhoto Collective https://photocollective.com.au/ Australian Women in Photography https://www.auswip.com.au/
British Journal of Photography https://www.1854.photography/HeadOn Photo
Festival https://headon.org.au/ Austin Kleon Instagram https://www.instagram.com/austinkleon/
Until next time friends!
Grace x
Connect with Grace:
https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/
Episode 7: How I built my career as a photographic artist
I know many of you are keen to build your career as a photographic artist and spend time making your fine art pieces, so in this episode I share how I did it.
Like we discussed in episode six, building your creative practice and setting personal projects were key. I put myself out there – building my artist CV, getting frank feedback, collaborating with other artists – until such time that I started paying attention to my personal story. It was really then, when I connected with myself, that my art really started to connect with an audience and build momentum.
Links
> Full Horse series https://www.gracecosta.com/horse-gallery-australia/
> Her Canberra article about the Horse exhibition at the Nishi Gallery in Canberra https://hercanberra.com.au/city/horse-grace-costa/
> Horse series behind the scenes
> The first shoot from my horse series: https://bluethumb.com.au/grace-costa/Artwork/pepe-horse-series
> My TedxCanberra talk – Connecting to your creative truth through personal story – https://www.ted.com/talks/grace_costa_connecting_to_your_creative_truth_through_personal_story_jan_2018?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare
> Video of horse blooming shoot:
> QT Hotel exhibition https://hercanberra.com.au/city/qt-canberra-biggest-melbourne-cup-bash-ever/
Until next time friends!
Grace x
Connect with Grace:
https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/
Episode 6: The Value of Personal Projects and how to get started
In this episode we talk about personal projects and why they’re so important to building your portfolio and photography career.
It can be daunting trying to get started, so we talk through some tangible ways to get the ball rolling around how to build a project series, setting deadlines and getting an accountability buddy.
And if you need even more reason to get inspired, I also talk about my Horse project that launched me as an artist. This project tapped into work that was personal to me and connected with my heart and lead to a sellout show and invitations participate in other exhibitions, appear on radio shows, magazine features and even a Tedx Canberra talk!
And, if you’ve been thinking about it and putting it off, I set you a challenge to take on your own personal project!
Looking for inspiration for your next project:
British Journal of Photography https://www.1854.photography/
Society six https://society6.com/
Lens Culture https://www.lensculture.com/
Photo Collective https://photocollective.com.au/
Links
>Start to Finish: How to Sell Your Artwork on Society6 https://blog.society6.com/start-to-finish-how-to-sell-your-artwork-on-society6/
>7 reasons you should be entering photo competitions
>>Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/s1-e3-7-reasons-you-should-be-entering-photo-competitions/id1654810861?i=1000587100773
>>Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6VLvUSqxCYE2Pwar6poHbr
>My TedxCanberra talk – Connecting to your creative truth through personal story – https://www.ted.com/talks/grace_costa_connecting_to_your_creative_truth_through_personal_story_jan_2018?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare
Until next time friends!
Grace x
Connect with Grace:
https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/
Episode 5: My editing process
In this episode I give you an inside road to my professional editing process – ensuring you deliver only the best to your clients!
I’ll step you through Adobe Lightroom – the industry standard – and I’ll touch on Adobe Photoshop too.
We’ll cover:
Maximising your efficiency using import options Folder naming conventions How to cull or pick and rejectBulk deleting rejected content to maximise your hard drive storageBatch editing using features like the healing brush and clone toolHow to easily export your images into Photoshop for some next level editing loveMetadata – what the heck is it?My Top 10 culling challenge to only deliver the VERY bestExporting covering my personal settings in file naming, resolution and colour spaceSharing content with your client
Until next time friends!
Grace x
Connect with Grace:
https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/
Episode 4: Optimising your website with Jess Panozzo, Feel Good Creative
In this episode we chat with Jess Panozzo, website designer and developer extraordinaire, of Feel Good Creative.
We cover so much! Including:
What to prioritise on your landing pageHow to manage various service offeringsWhat your bio should cover verses what to put in your ‘About me’ pageDrawing out what sets you apart from your competitionReflecting your authentic self on your siteAutomation workflows to feed into your client management system/client relationship management (CRM) tools like DubsadoImage optimisation for desktop and mobileSEO and accessibilitySpecs for your web developerCan you have too many pagesShould you include a bio video on your siteGoogle Business ProfileSquarespace and Shopify
Links
Feel Good Creative website – https://feelgoodcreative.com.au Feel Good Creative Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/feelgoodcreative.au /Feel Good Creative Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/feelgoodcreative.au Jess on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-panozzo-496958207 Dubsado, Client Management – https://www.dubsado.com/ Google Business Profile – https://www.google.com/intl/en_au/business/
Until next time friends!
Grace x
Connect with Grace:
https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/
Episode 3: 7 reasons you should be entering photo competitions
In this episode I give you seven undeniably good reasons why you should be entering photo comps.
Tune in to hear why the below reasons will make you a better photographer:
—>We also touch on tapping into photography project based Facebook groups and collaborating with another photographer as an accountability buddy
—>Printing your images for presentation and learning about papers.
—>Sharing details of your awards and wins to your website, LinkedIn, Facebook etc
—>Great if you ever want to exhibit as an artist
—>Plus the publicity that can come with being a finalist
And technically not one of my 7 reasons, but you can win money, and other amazing prizes!
Photography Competitions
HeadOn Photo Awards – https://www.headon.org.au/Moran-Prize – https://moranarts.org.au/moran-prizes/National-Photographic-Portrait-Prize – https://www.portrait.gov.au/nppp-details.php/Australian-Photography-Awards – https://www.australianphotographyawards.com.au/Olive-Cotton-Award-for-Photographic-Portraiture – https://gallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/prizes-awards/olive-cotton-award The Epson Pano Awards – https://thepanoawards.com/She-Shoots-Film – https://www.sheshootsfilm.photography/Sony-world-photography-awards – https://www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards Australian Photographic Awards – https://australianphotographicprize.com.au/Life-Framer –
https://www.life-framer.com/competitions/Bowness- Prize https://www.mga.org.au/bowness-prize
Until next time friends!
Grace x
Connect with Grace:
https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/
Episode 2: How to shoot an event like a pro
In this episode, I take you through all the tips on how to shoot an event like a pro!
I cover shooting weddings – how to blend into the background and not to be a noisy, distracting racket!
We talk about conferences and what to get from your client to ensure you deliver what they want, and how to make sure you’re not delivering bland content.
Then we move onto social events, awards nights and building your confidence to get the shot.
All the things you want to ask a pro about events but too shy to ask!
Until next time friends!
Grace x
Connect with Grace:
https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/
In this episode I’m going to set you up for success for the new year – decluttering your digital files. And ensuring to avoid the dreaded ‘scratch disc full’ message for as long as possible!
Here’s a summary of what we cover:
– Your desktop
—> Trash bin
—> Refreshing your wallpaper
– Mobile phone
– Hard Drive
—> Health check
—> Network Attached Storage (NAS)
– Adobe Lightroom
—> Identity plates
– Google Drive, Dropbox and other cloud storage
Links
Until next time friends!
Grace x
Connect with Grace:
https://www.instagram.com/gracecostaphotographer/
Keep in the loop for exhibition and event invitations, photography workshops and new releases of artwork.
Keep in the loop for exhibition and event invitations, photography workshops and new releases of artwork.
I respectfully acknowledge the Ngunnawal People as the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which my photography studio is located in Canberra.
© GRACE COSTA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. SITE BY LEMON CRUSH
