The Photographer Mindset

It’s the start of 2026, and Aaron is following Seth's episode with a solo episode of his own reflecting on the win, challenges, and takeaways of 2025 for him.Expect to hear Aaron dive into the art of slowing down, the importance of listening to your body, and how a year of "settling in" brought clarity and peace. He shares insights on balancing creativity with consistency, the joy of fostering meaningful relationships, and why happiness truly comes from within. Plus, Aaron opens up about the challenges of running injuries, the lessons learned from back surgery, and how rekindling his love for music became a full-circle moment. This episode is packed with honesty, humor, and a whole lot of life lessons.Expect to Learn:How embracing stillness and being present can lead to deeper self-awareness and fulfillmentThe importance of recognizing and addressing physical red flags before they escalate into bigger issuesWhy true happiness isn’t outsourced to external validationInsights on maintaining steady work, fostering client relationships, and finding joy in creative endeavorsHow fostering close relationships and spending time with loved ones can be the most rewarding investment of timeSponsors:Thanks to WhiteWall for being our lead sponsor this episode! They're the top choice for photographers who want the highest-quality prints: https://www.whitewall.com/Our Links:Join our subreddit where you can share stories and ask questions:https://www.reddit.com/r/photographermindset/Subscribe to TPM's Youtube page and watch full length episodes: https://www.youtube.com/thephotographermindset/Make a donation via PayPal for any amount you feel is equal to the value you receive from our podcast episodes! Donations help with the fees related to hosting the show: https://paypal.me/podcasttpm?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_USThanks for listening!Go get shooting, go get editing, and stay focused.@sethmacey@mantis_photography@thephotographermindsetSupport the show

It’s the start of 2026, and I’m (Seth) kicking things off with a solo episode reflecting on the highs, lows, and lessons of 2025.Expect to learn how I balanced the artistic mind with the business mind, why stepping away from social media made me a more fulfilled creator, the surprising productivity of stillness and boredom, and how I found deeper meaning in my video work. I’ll also share lessons from running injuries, the joy of teaching my niece and nephew about nature, and why my dog learning to swim became an unexpected highlight of 2025 along with much, much more....Expect to Learn:Why you should set three challenging goals each year that have a 50% chance of failureHow to identify and finish incomplete tasks or projects to reduce mental clutterWhy eliminating social media can improve your creative outputHow dedicating 20-30 minutes to complete stillness will help you come up with solutions to problemsHow to apply the "3-2-1 system" to structure your day for ultimate productivity and eliminate the non-essentialSponsors:Thanks to WhiteWall for being our lead sponsor this episode! They're the top choice for photographers who want the highest-quality prints! https://www.whitewall.com/Our Links:Join our subreddit where you can share stories and ask questions:https://www.reddit.com/r/photographermindset/Subscribe to TPM's Youtube page and watch full length episodes: https://www.youtube.com/thephotographermindset/Make a donation via PayPal for any amount you feel is equal to the value you receive from our podcast episodes! Donations help with the fees related to hosting the show: https://paypal.me/podcasttpm?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_USThanks for listening!Go get shooting, go get editing, and stay focused.@sethmacey@mantis_photography@thephotographermindsetSupport the show

Ian Jones (@iansjones) is a Pittsburgh-based commercial photographer and creative strategist known for crafting bold, story-driven visuals for brands and businesses, with a focus on content that connects, performs, and stands out.Expect to Learn: How to tactfully ask potential clients about their current marketing effortsThe importance of educating clients about what they’re missing from or overpaying to social/marketing agenciesHow to create mock-up ads or showcase relevant portfolio work that demonstrates your capabilitiesHow being a local creator can give you an edge over large marketing agenciesHow explaining your process can help win over clients who may feel jaded by previous experiences.Ian's Website: https://www.isjdesigns.com/Sponsors:Thanks to WhiteWall for being our lead sponsor this episode! They're the top choice for photographers who want the highest-quality prints! Use the code TPM2025 at checkout for 15% off: https://www.whitewall.com/Our Links:Join our subreddit where you can share stories and ask questions:https://www.reddit.com/r/photographermindset/Subscribe to TPM's Youtube page and watch full length episodes: https://www.youtube.com/thephotographermindset/Make a donation via PayPal for any amount you feel is equal to the value you receive from our podcast episodes! Donations help with the fees related to hosting the show: https://paypal.me/podcasttpm?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_USThanks for listening!Go get shooting, go get editing, and stay focused.@sethmacey@mantis_photography@thephotographermindsetSupport the show

In this episode, Seth and Aaron catch up on life’s recent challenges and wins. Aaron shares his journey through back surgery recovery, while Seth reflects on creative growth and pricing strategies. They also dive into a unique collaboration where Aaron’s 10-year-old son lent his voice to a video project for Seth, showcasing the power of collaboration and authenticity.Expect to Learn:How small, consistent efforts lead to meaningful progress over timehow to approach creative teamwork with professionalism and authenticityWhy taking time to look back on your progress helps you stay motivatedHow to navigate setbacks and use them as opportunities for growthSponsors:Thanks to WhiteWall for being our lead sponsor this episode! They're the top choice for photographers who want the highest-quality prints! https://www.whitewall.com/Thanks also to the National Park Foundation for sponsoring today’s episode. Enter the Share the Experience photo contest for a chance to win $10,000 and prizes from Celestron, Historic Hotels of America, and YETI. The grand prize winner’s photo could be featured on the America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass. Deadline to submit is December 31st 2025! Submit your best shots now at sharetheexperience.org/tpmOur Links:Join our subreddit where you can share stories and ask questions:https://www.reddit.com/r/photographermindset/Subscribe to TPM's Youtube page and watch full length episodes: https://www.youtube.com/thephotographermindset/Make a donation via PayPal for any amount you feel is equal to the value you receive from our podcast episodes! Donations help with the fees related to hosting the show: https://paypal.me/podcasttpm?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_USThanks for listening!Go get shooting, go get editing, and stay focused.@sethmacey@mantis_photography@thephotographermindsetSupport the show

What happens when your body forces you to stop? Aaron shares the story of his sudden back injury, the decision to undergo emergency surgery, and the mindset needed to face recovery. From ignoring warning signs to embracing a full reset, we explore the balance between pushing through and knowing when to pull back. What does it take to rebuild stronger, and how can setbacks become opportunities for growth?Expect to Learn:How to differentiate between pushing through discomfort and addressing underlying issuesHow to set boundaries and step back from commitments when prioritizing yourself and recoveryHow to mentally navigate setbacks and reframe challenges as opportunitiesWhy having a strong support system is crucial during tough times and how to lean on them without guiltSponsors:Thanks to WhiteWall for being our lead sponsor this episode! They're the top choice for photographers who want high-quality prints! Order by December 16th 2025 to receive your print(s) before Christmas! : https://www.whitewall.com/Thanks also to the National Park Foundation for sponsoring today’s episode. Enter the Share the Experience photo contest for a chance to win $10,000 and prizes from Celestron, Historic Hotels of America, and YETI. The grand prize winner’s photo could be featured on the America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass. Deadline to submit is December 31st 2025! Submit your best shots now at sharetheexperience.org/tpmOur Links:Join our subreddit where you can share stories and ask questions:https://www.reddit.com/r/photographermindset/Subscribe to TPM's Youtube page and watch full length episodes: https://www.youtube.com/thephotographermindset/Make a donation via PayPal for any amount you feel is equal to the value you receive from our podcast episodes! Donations help with the fees related to hosting the show: https://paypal.me/podcasttpm?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_USThanks for listening!Go get shooting, go get editing, and stay focused.@sethmacey@mantis_photography@thephotographermindsetSupport the show