Interview with Cate & Julie | The Real Wilde Podcast | August 2024
I sat down with Cate and Julie from The Real Wild Podcast back in August. We talked about photography, making the transition from hobbyist to professional, and even threw in some fun cow talk!
I've transcribed a couple of excerpts from our chat below. Be sure to check out The Real Wild Podcast and give them a follow!
Note: The following excerpts have been edited and revised for clarity and conciseness. While maintaining the original meaning, unnecessary fillers and repetition have been removed to enhance readability. This means that I removed instances of me saying “like”, “you know”, and “all the fun stuff”.
Excerpt One
Cate (00:12): Welcome to the Real Wild Podcast! I'm Cate.
Julie (00:44): And I'm Julie. Today, we have a special guest—Jaye Ashes from Jaye, an artist and photographer.
Cate (00:53): Hi, Jaye! Welcome! How are you?
Jaye (00:56): Hey, I'm good! How are you?
Cate (01:02): We're thrilled to have you here on the podcast! So, I know you're in the process of transitioning from being a hobbyist to running a business as a photographer. How's that going so far?
Jaye (01:18): It's been interesting! I'm really just getting started. I'm embracing the discomfort and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone.
Cate (01:37): Yeah, it can be really uncomfortable taking that leap. It’s scary sometimes, right? What’s been the biggest challenge or limiting belief you’ve had to deal with?
Jaye (01:52): I think the biggest challenge is recognizing that my work is worth charging for and pitching as a legitimate service. That’s been a bit of a mental hurdle, but it's also kind of exciting.
Julie (02:18): So, Jaye, what area of photography are you focusing on? What do you want to be known for in your business?
Jaye (02:33): I’m focusing on three areas. The first is micro weddings and engagements. I’m an introvert, so I tend to thrive in smaller, more intimate settings. The second area is standard portraiture, especially for clients who want professional headshots or model test shoots for comp cards. And finally, my personal favorite—creative concept shoots. I collaborate with clients to create something truly unique that reflects their vision or tells a story. We develop mood boards, pick color palettes, and plan all the details like wardrobe and makeup. It’s a really immersive process, and then we get to have fun on shoot day. That’s definitely where my passion lies. The other two areas are more practical, and I enjoy doing them too, but creative shoots are what excite me the most.
Cate (04:12): That makes so much sense. I can relate to that. In my own photography business, I transitioned to more creative projects too because I started getting burnt out with the more formulaic stuff, like standard poses and styling. Doing creative sessions has been so much more fun, so I totally understand your excitement for that.
Jaye (04:44): Exactly. I’m not a family portrait photographer. There are so many talented people who specialize in that, but it’s just not my thing. I don’t want to offer a service I’m not passionate about. I’d rather focus on what really drives me and excites me creatively.
Cate (05:21): Totally! I feel the same way. I’ve really niched down in what I do, too. You wouldn’t catch me doing a wedding—it sounds terrifying! Way too many people for me.
Jaye (05:40): I hear you! I’m definitely not a large wedding photographer either. I’ve done some second shooting for big weddings, but I’ve realized I’d rather focus on smaller, more intimate ceremonies. I’ve done a few micro weddings for friends, and I found them really enjoyable because they’re more relaxed. I also have more time to connect with the couple and capture the moments they’re looking for.
Excerpt Two
Cate (28:41): So, for the Western concept, are you thinking something like a disco cowgirl vibe, or do you have something else in mind?
Jaye (28:51): It depends on what my friend is comfortable with and interested in. I don't want to force an idea on someone or dictate how the shoot will go. All of my photo shoots are collaborative. I want the person I’m photographing to have input because it’s their likeness in the photos, and I want them to feel comfortable and excited about the art we’re creating. The best way to achieve that is through collaboration.
Cate (29:36): That's always fun.
Julie (29:37): Do clients ever come to you with ideas, like wanting to create a specific scene, even if it’s not a theme you’re currently working on? How do you approach that?
Jaye (30:03): Oh, absolutely! I never want to lock anyone into a particular theme because everyone is unique. Actually, my friend Jessie sparked this idea for me. She mentioned wanting to do a photo shoot that emulated a goddess or deity, but she wasn’t sure how to execute it. I told her we could work together to figure it out. I have the photography skills, and I’m obsessed about details, colors, and making everything cohesive. I thought to myself, there must be other people out there with unique ideas who may not know how to bring them to life. Maybe they’re artists in other disciplines who want their ideas captured in a different medium. I can offer that. I can create themes, but I want to tailor each shoot to the individual and help them tell their story.
Cate (31:48): That’s so cool! There’s so much potential for creativity with that approach: endless possibilities.
Julie (32:01): It would be amazing if you had a couple eloping and they went for a theatrical theme; like dressing up in old-time wedding attire, complete with a cummerbund. They could take photos at the courthouse, and maybe even at Bonanzaville in Fargo for an old-timey session. That would be so unique!
Cate (32:34): That would be pretty cool.
Jaye (32:35): Yeah, definitely. The ideas are endless. If someone has a vision, I’ll find a way to make it happen.
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