Say Cheese!

Monika Frías: Why True Creativity Means Breaking the Rules

Sometimes, the hardest thing as a creative isn’t learning the technical skills — it’s unlearning everything you were told about how life should look.In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Monika Frías (@latxina) to talk about what it really means to be an artist in a world full of rules, expectations, and “programming.”Monika shares her deeply personal journey of choosing freedom over formulas:Leaving behind what didn’t serve her and starting fresh with just a suitcaseWhy she refuses to let photography define who she is How doing “too many things”, weddings, videography, DJing, planning, actually makes her more creativeThe thrill of starting something new when you have no idea what you’re doingAnd why skipping the “rules” can lead you closer to the kind of art — and life — you’ve always wantedThis episode is raw, real, and deeply relatable for any photographer or creative who’s ever felt stuck in someone else’s version of success.If you’ve been questioning your path or craving the courage to create on your own terms — this conversation will light a fire in you.

Our First 3 Months With a Baby as Photographers (The Honest Truth)

Becoming parents while running a full-time photography business has been the most life-changing (and honestly, challenging) chapter of our lives. In this episode of Say Cheese, we open up about everything from pregnancy struggles, birth stories, and postpartum recovery to what it really looks like balancing newborn life with destination weddings, editing, and building a business.This isn’t a highlight reel, it’s the real, unfiltered truth about the transition from photographers to parents.What you’ll hear in this episode:- Our honest pregnancy + birth experience (including 60 hours of labor)- How we prepared our photography business for time off- Breastfeeding, pumping, and navigating postpartum recovery- Balancing newborn life with wedding season- What parenthood is teaching us about creativity, identity, and resilienceTimestamps00:00 – Becoming parents while running a photography business04:32 – Pregnancy struggles and birth story (60 hours of labor)12:48 – Preparing our photography business for time off19:55 – Postpartum recovery: breastfeeding, pumping, and healing28:40 – Balancing newborn life with destination weddings36:12 – Editing, travel, and sleep deprivation45:30 – How parenthood shifts identity and creativity52:47 – Lessons we’re taking into photography and lifeIf you’re a photographer, creative, or parent juggling business and family—you’ll relate to this one.

Quiet Luxury, Creative Freedom, and the Honeymoon Mindset with Jeff (The Apartment Photo)

After nearly two decades as a wedding photographer, Jeff Chan (@theapartmentphoto) is rethinking everything — from how he books clients, to how he uses social media, to what authenticity actually means.In this episode, hosted by Lilly Red (@elisabettalillyred), Jeff opens up about his decision to only take on “heck yes” weddings in 2025, why he’s obsessed with the idea of becoming a “SKU of one,” and how he’s reframing Instagram as a creative tool instead of a constant stressor.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How to identify and book only the right clients for youWhy being a “SKU of one” is the ultimate business advantageThe surprising truth about authenticity on social mediaHow Instagram’s trial reels can reach the right audienceWhy creating from abundance changes everything🎧 Listen now and get inspired to build your photography business with more intention, creativity, and joy.Links & Resources:Jeff Chan – InstagramElisabetta Lilly Red – InstagramLilly Red Academy - https://lillyredacademy.com/Book Recommendation – Don’t Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen

Photography Nearly Broke Us...What Saved Our Careers with Jana Williams

What happens when your body aches, the industry shifts, and social media feels like a full-time job… but you still love wedding photography?In this raw conversation with Jana Williams, we dig into the truth about staying in this industry past 40 — the burnout, the social media pressure, and the mindset shifts that can make (or break) your career.We cover:The real reason most photographers burn out before 40How to evolve your career to stay relevant (without chasing every trend)The energy, mindset, and brand shifts that keep you shooting for decadesWhy personal growth, not just skill, is the secret to longevityIf you’re a photographer wondering, “Can I actually do this for the long haul?” — this episode is for you.

The Career Change That Made Jordan Voth One of the Top Wedding Photographers

What does it take to leave a stable corporate job and build a photography career that lasts?In this episode of Say Cheese, we sit down with Jordan Voth, a former accountant turned full-time wedding and lifestyle photographer, who has spent nearly a decade photographing intimate weddings, luxury celebrations, and lifestyle sessions across the U.S. (and beyond).Jordan shares:How he transitioned from a corporate accounting job to full-time photographyThe strategies he uses to avoid burnout, balance travel, and stay creativeWhy diversifying your work (weddings, families, lifestyle) can actually strengthen your brandHow photographers can use BTS content, reels, and content creators to grow in 2025The shifts happening in the wedding industry (smaller weddings, tighter budgets) and how to pivotWhether you’re dreaming of going full-time, looking to scale your business, or just want to hear how one of the industry’s most respected photographers is adapting to 2025, this episode is packed with insight.Listen now and subscribe to Say Cheese for more conversations with the photographers and creatives shaping the wedding industry.