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The Nerdy Photographer Podcast

Nerdy Photographer
The Nerdy Photographer Podcast
Latest episode

201 episodes

  • The Nerdy Photographer Podcast

    168 - Photographing What's Real: Film, Trust, and Truth

    04/16/2026 | 1h 1 mins.
    In an industry often driven by trends, shot lists, and repeatable formulas, wedding photographer John Dolan has built a career by doing the opposite: showing up with an open mind, a few film cameras, and a deep respect for what actually unfolds on a wedding day.

    In this episode of The Nerdy Photographer Podcast, John and I dig into what it really means to be "true" to a couple's experience. Rather than manufacturing moments or chasing perfection, John approaches weddings as a blank slate, allowing the day to reveal itself organically. That philosophy carries through every aspect of his work, from how he interacts with couples to his continued commitment to shooting film in an overwhelmingly digital world.
    If you're a wedding photographer feeling burned out by formulas, overwhelmed by the pressure to perform for social media, or simply curious about a more honest, grounded approach to storytelling, this episode offers a refreshing reminder: you don't need to invent meaning - sometimes your job is just to notice it.

    Episode Promos

    This episode includes promos for the following:

    Siteground Web Hosting - https://siteground.com/go.nerdy
    Stylecloud Website Templates - https://stylecloud.co/ref/380/
    Luminar NEO Image Editing Software - https://nerdyphotographer.com/recommends/luminar
    Aftershoot AI Culling, Editing, and Retouching - https://aftershoot.com/?ref=nerdyphoto
    Support The Nerdy Photographer

    Want to help The Nerdy Photographer Podcast? Here are a few simple (and mostly free) ways you can do that:
    Subscribe to the podcast and tell your friends (and enemies!)
    Sign up for the newsletter - https://nerdyphotographer.com/newsletter
    Buy a print from the print shop - https://art.caseyfphoto.com
    Follow on Instagram - https://instagram.com/thenerdyphoto
    Follow on Threads - https://threads.net/@thenerdyphoto
    Follow on BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/thenerdyphoto.bsky.social
    Follow in Tiktok - https://tiktok.com/@thenerdyphoto
    Get some Nerdy Photographer merchandise - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/nerdy-photographer
    If you're feeling extra generous, check out our support page - https://nerdyphotographer.com/support-nerdy-photographer/
    About My Guest
    John Dolan is a long time photographer. You can learn more about his book, The Perfect Imperfect on his website - https://www.johndolan.com/book-shop/p/the-perfect-imperfect-book-2nd-edition
    About The Podcast

    The Nerdy Photographer Podcast is written and produced by Casey Fatchett. Casey is a professional photographer in the New York City / Northern New Jersey with more than 20 years of experience. He just wants to help people and make them laugh. You can view Casey's wedding work at https://fatchett.com or his non-wedding work at https://caseyfatchettphotography.com 
     
    If you have any questions or comments about this episode or any other episodes, OR if you would like to ask a photography related question or have ideas for a topic for a future episode, please reach out to us at https://nerdyphotographer.com/contact
  • The Nerdy Photographer Podcast

    167 - Is Photography Still a Viable Career? The Shifting State of the Industry

    04/02/2026 | 1h 13 mins.
    The photography industry isn't "dying."

    But it is changing, and it is doing so QUICKLY.

    In this episode of The Nerdy Photographer Podcast, we talk with industry icon, Joe McNally, and take an honest look at the seismic shifts happening in photography right now: technology, AI, oversaturation, social media economics, shifting client expectations, and what it actually takes to get started today.

    The industry isn't collapsing. It's restructuring.




    Episode Promos


    Adorama - https://nerdyphotographer.com/recommends/adorama/
    Stylecloud Website Templates - https://stylecloud.co/ref/380/
    On1 Photo Editing Software - https://nerdyphotographer.com/recommends/on1/
    Siteground Web Hosting - https://siteground.com/go/nerdy
    Support The Nerdy Photographer

    Want to help The Nerdy Photographer Podcast? Here are a few simple (and mostly free) ways you can do that:
    Subscribe to the podcast!
    Tell your friends about the podcast
    Sign up for the newsletter - https://nerdyphotographer.com/newsletter
    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@CaseyFatchett
    Buy a print from the print shop - https://art.caseyfphoto.com
    Follow on Instagram - https://instagram.com/thenerdyphoto
    Follow on Threads - https://threads.net/@thenerdyphoto
    Follow on BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/thenerdyphoto.bsky.social
    Follow in Tiktok - https://tiktok.com/@thenerdyphoto
    Get some Nerdy Photographer merchandise - https://nerdyphoto.dashery.com
    If you're feeling extra generous, check out our support page - https://nerdyphotographer.com/support-nerdy-photographer/
    About My Guest


    Joe McNally is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning photographer whose prolific career includes assignments in nearly 70 countries. McNally is often described as: Authentic, articulate, an exceptional technical photographer whose varied skill set means he is called upon often for the "unusual" or "challenging" job. But no job is too big or too small for McNally because he loves photographing anything or anyone interesting in front of his lens. Joe McNally is also known world-wide for his unmatched visual creativeness and extraordinary imagination. He is calm under pressure and excels in the field whether it is a portrait of a celebrity or corporate CEO to an unwieldy fashion shoot with a crew of 60.

    Joe McNally's credit list includes FIVE covers of the National Geographic, (amongst an overall 15 coverages for the magazine), SEVEN Covers of Life Magazine and FOUR successful Olympic coverages. McNally has also climbed the Empire State Building 4x and the Burj Khalifa tower 2x. A proud Nikon Ambassador, he is the rare photographer to make the bridge between photojournalism and commercial photography and has the distinct ability to come away with a photograph no matter the twist or turns he might encounter on assignment.

    You can find Joe on Instagram @joemcnallyphoto or check out his new community for photographers https://betterpictureswithjoe.com (use promo code 26POD to save!)
    About The Podcast

    The Nerdy Photographer Podcast is written and produced by Casey Fatchett. Casey is a professional photographer in the New York City / Northern New Jersey with more than 20 years of experience. He just wants to help people and make them laugh. You can view Casey's wedding work at https://fatchett.com or his non-wedding work at https://caseyfatchettphotography.com 
     
    If you have any questions or comments about this episode or any other episodes, OR if you would like to ask a photography related question or have ideas for a topic for a future episode, please reach out to us at https://nerdyphotographer.com/contact
  • The Nerdy Photographer Podcast

    166 - Casting Light and Shadow: Photography as a Modern Form of Magic

    03/19/2026 | 1h 8 mins.
    Is photography a form of magic? In this episode of The Nerdy Photographer, we explore how art transforms the unseen into something tangible. From photographing witch-centric and paranormal businesses to using intuition, ritual, and atmosphere in the creative process, this conversation dives deep into the mystical side of photography.
    If you believe art is more than just technique, this episode is for you.
    Why This Conversation Matters
    At a time when photography is often reduced to trends, algorithms, and performance metrics, this episode is a reminder that art still has the power to be mysterious, personal, and transformative.
    Photography doesn't just show us what is. At its best, it invites us to consider what might be.
    Episode Promos
    This episode contains promos for:
    On1 Photo Raw - https://nerdyphotographer.com/recommends/on1/
    Siteground Web Hosting - https://aftershoot.com/?ref=nerdyphoto
    StyleCloud WP Website Themes - https://stylecloud.co/ref/380/
    Adorama - https://nerdyphotographer.com/recommends/adorama
    Support The Nerdy Photographer
    Want to help The Nerdy Photographer Podcast? Here are a few simple (and mostly free) ways you can do that:
    Subscribe and tell your friends - sharing is caring!
    Sign up for the newsletter - https://nerdyphotographer.com/newsletter
    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@CaseyFatchett
    Buy a print from the print shop - https://art.caseyfphoto.com
    Follow on Instagram - https://instagram.com/thenerdyphoto
    Follow on Threads - https://threads.net/@thenerdyphoto
    Follow on BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/thenerdyphoto.bsky.social
    Follow in Tiktok - https://tiktok.com/@thenerdyphoto
    Get some Nerdy Photographer merchandise - https://nerdyphoto.dashery.com
    If you're feeling extra generous, check out our support page - https://nerdyphotographer.com/support-nerdy-photographer/
    About My Guest
    A lifelong photographer, Justine J. Kenahan started her photography journey as a teen and focused her studies in college on art and communication. While balancing a career in advertising, she created Piquant Photo as a freelance business in order to fulfill her dream of being a professional artist. She is motivated by capturing the authenticity of her subjects and telling visual stories of truth, magic, passion, and personal power. Her work often explores the intersections of fashion and identity, as well as women-centric motifs and metaphysical themes.
    Justine has taught workshops, worked with brands and influencers, and has been featured in various publications and galleries locally and nationally.
    Outside of photography, Justine shares her life with her husband, young daughter, and beloved dog. She enjoys boating, food, and catching up on TV shows.
    You can learn more about Justine and view her work at https://piquantphoto.com & https://inhermagic.com
    About The Podcast

    The Nerdy Photographer Podcast is written and produced by Casey Fatchett. Casey is a professional photographer in the New York City / Northern New Jersey with more than 20 years of experience. He just wants to help people and make them laugh. You can view Casey's wedding work at https://fatchett.com or his non-wedding work at https://caseyfatchettphotography.com 
     
    If you have any questions or comments about this episode or any other episodes, OR if you would like to ask a photography related question or have ideas for a topic for a future episode, please reach out to us at https://nerdyphotographer.com/contact
  • The Nerdy Photographer Podcast

    165 - Wired Differently: Building a Freelance Photography Career While Neurodivergent

    03/05/2026 | 1h 13 mins.
    What does it really mean to be a neurodivergent freelancer in photography? In this episode of The Nerdy Photographer, we talk openly about ADHD, autism, burnout, structure, creativity, and building a freelance career that works with your brain - not against it.
    If traditional advice has never worked for you, this conversation might finally make sense.

    What We Talk About in This Episode

    This interview covers the real-world realities of neurodivergent freelancing, including:

    Managing energy, attention, and overwhelm
    Creating structure without rigidity
    Navigating client communication and expectations
    Redefining success outside traditional productivity models
    Letting go of comparison and "shoulds"

    Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, this conversation encourages photographers to design careers that reflect how they actually function.

    Redefining Professionalism

    Being professional doesn't mean masking. It doesn't mean burning yourself out to meet arbitrary standards. And it doesn't mean copying how others work.

    For neurodivergent photographers, sustainability often comes from self-awareness, boundaries, and permission to work differently.

    This episode is a reminder that there is no single way to be a "real" photographer - or a successful freelancer.

    Episode Promos

    This episode contains promos for:

    On1 Photo Raw - https://nerdyphotographer.com/recommends/on1/
    Siteground Web Hosting - https://siteground.com/go/nerdy
    StyleCloud WP Website Themes - https://stylecloud.co/ref/380/
    Adorama - https://nerdyphotographer.com/recommends/adorama
    Support The Nerdy Photographer

    Want to help The Nerdy Photographer Podcast? Here are a few simple (and mostly free) ways you can do that:
    Subscribe to the podcast!
    Tell your friends about the podcast
    Sign up for the newsletter - https://nerdyphotographer.com/newsletter
    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@CaseyFatchett
    Buy a print from the print shop - https://art.caseyfphoto.com
    Follow on Instagram - https://instagram.com/thenerdyphoto
    Follow on Threads - https://threads.net/@thenerdyphoto
    Follow on BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/thenerdyphoto.bsky.social
    Follow in Tiktok - https://tiktok.com/@thenerdyphoto
    Get some Nerdy Photographer merchandise - https://nerdyphoto.dashery.com
    If you're feeling extra generous, check out our support page - https://nerdyphotographer.com/support-nerdy-photographer/
    About My Guest


    Aly Hansen is a wedding photographer who specializes in film photography and a true documentary approach.

    You can view Aly's work on her website - https://alyhansenphoto.com - or on Instagram https://instagram.com/alyhansenweddings
    About The Podcast

    The Nerdy Photographer Podcast is written and produced by Casey Fatchett. Casey is a professional photographer in the New York City / Northern New Jersey with more than 20 years of experience. He just wants to help people and make them laugh. You can view Casey's wedding work at https://fatchett.com or his non-wedding work at https://caseyfatchettphotography.com 
     
    If you have any questions or comments about this episode or any other episodes, OR if you would like to ask a photography related question or have ideas for a topic for a future episode, please reach out to us at https://nerdyphotographer.com/contact
  • The Nerdy Photographer Podcast

    164 - Beyond Hot Takes: Rethinking Dialogue and Discourse in the Photo Industry

    02/19/2026 | 1h 24 mins.
    The photography world is louder than ever - but are we actually listening? In this episode of The Nerdy Photographer, we explore why thoughtful conversation matters, how hot takes hurt creativity, and what the future of meaningful dialogue in photography should look like.
    If you care about photography as an art form, not just content, this conversation is essential.
    Slow down the noise
    Think deeper about images
    Elevate the conversation
    Thoughtful Conversations Shape Better Work
    Meaningful dialogue allows photographers to:
    Develop stronger visual literacy

    Understand historical and cultural context

    Learn from disagreement without hostility

    Create work rooted in intention rather than reaction

    This episode encourages photographers to move beyond surface-level debates and embrace conversations that are informed, empathetic, and expansive.
    Looking Toward the Future
    As the industry evolves—through technology, AI, and changing cultural landscapes—the way photographers communicate will matter more than ever. The future of photography isn't just technical. It's philosophical.
    If we want better images, better communities, and better careers, we need better conversations.
    Episode Promos
    This episode includes promos for the following:
    Adorama
    Stylecloud Website Templates
    On1 Photo Editing Software
    BackBlaze Cloud Data Backup
    Support The Nerdy Photographer
    Want to help The Nerdy Photographer Podcast? Here are a few simple (and mostly free) ways you can do that:
    Subscribe to the podcast!
    Tell your friends about the podcast
    Sign up for the newsletter - https://nerdyphotographer.com/newsletter
    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@CaseyFatchett
    Buy a print from the print shop - https://caseyfatchettphotography.pic-time.com/art
    Follow on Instagram - https://instagram.com/thenerdyphoto
    Follow on Threads - https://threads.net/@thenerdyphoto
    Follow on BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/thenerdyphoto.bsky.social
    Follow in Tiktok - https://tiktok.com/@thenerdyphoto
    Get some Nerdy Photographer merchandise - https://nerdyphoto.dashery.com
    If you're feeling extra generous, check out our support page - https://nerdyphotographer.com/support-nerdy-photographer/
    About My Guest 

    Ibarionex Perello is a photographer, writer and educator. He is also the host/producer of The Candid Frame photography podcast. He has over 40 years in the photographic industry including time as a magazine editor, and author. He currently works as a special projects photographer for the Huntington Library in Southern California.

    You can listen to Ibarionex on his podcast – thecandidframe.com – or on Instagram – @ibarionex
    About The Podcast

    The Nerdy Photographer Podcast is written and produced by Casey Fatchett. Casey is a professional photographer in the New York City / Northern New Jersey with more than 20 years of experience. He just wants to help people and make them laugh. You can view Casey's wedding work at https://fatchett.com or his non-wedding work at https://caseyfatchettphotography.com 
     
    If you have any questions or comments about this episode or any other episodes, OR if you would like to ask a photography related question or have ideas for a topic for a future episode, please reach out to us at https://nerdyphotographer.com/contact

More Arts podcasts

About The Nerdy Photographer Podcast

Host Casey Fatchett brings an often humorous look at the photography industry, offering advice, telling stories, and interviewing working photographers - all while going on adventures with the crew of the starship Fibonacci. He's also sure to include just a little bit of useless information in every episode.
Podcast website

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