How to Practice Photography and Community Accelerated Growth with John Kenny

The Beginner Photography Podcast

#561 John Kenny is a dedicated photographer based in rural England who shares his journey from picking up a camera for a family trip to building a portrait and headshot business. The conversation highlights John’s transition from landscape to portrait and headshot photography, underlining the importance of hands-on learning, continual practice, and client communication.

KEY TOPICS COVERED

Getting Started and Early Learning - John’s experiences underscore the importance of learning manual settings, understanding light, and learning from mistakes rather than relying solely on equipment.
Building a Photography Business - The pivot from landscapes to portraits taught John that technical skill must be paired with people skills, client feedback, and creative planning for portrait success.
Community and Growth - Engaging with photography communities, drawing inspiration from other creatives, and pursuing personal projects help accelerate development and confidence.

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS & CONCEPTS

Manual Mode: Complete control over camera settings for creative results.
Previsualization: Planning an image before capturing it, crucial for impactful photos.

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS

How did your photography motivations change with experience?
What role has community played in your learning?
Which personal project would challenge you most?

RESOURCES:
Visit John Kenny's Website - https://www.johnkennyphotography.com/
Follow John Kenny on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnkenny_photography/
The Great British Photography Challenge (BBC) - https://tv.apple.com/us/show/the-great-british-photography-challenge/

Connect with Raymond!

Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

More description

KEY TOPICS COVERED

Getting Started and Early Learning - John’s experiences underscore the importance of learning manual settings, understanding light, and learning from mistakes rather than relying solely on equipment.
Building a Photography Business - The pivot from landscapes to portraits taught John that technical skill must be paired with people skills, client feedback, and creative planning for portrait success.
Community and Growth - Engaging with photography communities, drawing inspiration from other creatives, and pursuing personal projects help accelerate development and confidence.

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS & CONCEPTS

Manual Mode: Complete control over camera settings for creative results.
Previsualization: Planning an image before capturing it, crucial for impactful photos.

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS

How did your photography motivations change with experience?
What role has community played in your learning?
Which personal project would challenge you most?

Connect with Raymond!

Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

2025-05-08 45 min Transcript

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