Jai Long, a serial entrepreneur, wedding photographer, and educator, shares his journey from being a photographer to becoming an educator and building a successful education business. We dive deep into how Jai makes ambitious goals and becomes passionate and determined to achieve them. Jai's transparency with his employees and his focus on building a legacy for them is also something that makes an incredible leader. Our conversation explores the importance of building a strong community and culture within a business. He emphasizes the need to create products that can be sold repeatedly, rather than focusing on low-value tasks. Jai also talks about his newest course Metamorphosis with Cara Mia, designed to bring back creativity to shooting weddings. Check out Jai Long https://jailong.co Interested in Metamorphosis? https://jointhemetamorphosis.com/course Are you on Second Society yet? Join the thousands of wedding filmmakers & photographers. www.SecondSociety.io Sign up for a Free Account or Use code PODCAST30 for 30% off Pro Monthly Memberships! Download our Guide to becoming the Top 1% of lead and second shooters. https://bit.ly/top_secondsociety Find the best wedding inquiry guides, welcome guides, email templates and more from Destination Wedding & Elopement Photographer Stephanie Marie. https://bit.ly/43UaNkS 00:00 From Photographer to Educator 13:00 Building a Community and Overcoming Challenges 24:49 Transparency and Building a Legacy 26:18 Building a Strong Community and Culture 27:43 Transparency and Trust in the Workplace 29:38 Prioritizing Employee Well-being 33:21 The Misconception of Passive Income 52:47 Increasing Income through Higher Value Tasks 55:02 Standing Out in a Saturated Market 57:00 The Power of Partnerships 01:10:54 Protecting Intellectual Property in Partnerships

Second Society is rebranding after a year and a half. We went through a journey of finding the right designer and faced challenges with our initial branding and want to give you all the WHAT NOT TO DO's when rebranding your company! After 9 months we eventually found a designer who understood our vision and created a brand that marries luxury boutique vibes with a side of adventure. Are you on Second Society yet? Join the thousands of wedding filmmakers & photographers www.SecondSociety.io Sign up for a Free Account or Use code PODCAST30 for 30% off Pro Monthly Memberships! Download our Guide to becoming the Top 1% of lead and second shooters. https://bit.ly/top_secondsociety Find the best wedding inquiry guides, welcome guides, email templates and more from Destination Wedding & Elopement Photographer Stephanie Marie. https://bit.ly/43UaNkS 00:00 Introduction and the Importance of Rebranding 01:15 The Journey of Rebranding Second Society 04:30 Initial Branding and the Need for a Rebrand 06:21 Marrying Luxury Boutique Vibes with Adventure 09:09 Challenges with Previous Designers 10:37 Finding the Right Designer for a Successful Rebrand 11:35 Highlighting Artists on the Second Society Platform 13:25 Introducing the Community App for Photographers and Videographers 15:42 Conclusion and Future Plans

Daniel shares his ethos of being a human first, photographer second, and wedding photographer third. He emphasizes the importance of shooting details like portraits and capturing the essence of the subject. Daniel also talks about his shift from shooting posed and perfect photos to embracing a more artistic and authentic style. He discusses the importance of being confident in one's unique style and finding clients who appreciate and resonate with that style. Daniel also talks about the need to break free from societal expectations and focus on one's own vision and passion. Check out Daniel Kim https://danielkimphoto.com/ Are you on Second Society yet? Join the thousands of wedding filmmakers & photographers. www.SecondSociety.io Sign up for a Free Account or Use code PODCAST30 for 30% off Pro Monthly Memberships! Download our Guide to becoming the Top 1% of lead and second shooters. https://bit.ly/top_secondsociety Find the best wedding inquiry guides, welcome guides, email templates and more from Destination Wedding & Elopement Photographer Stephanie Marie. https://bit.ly/43UaNkS 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage 03:14 Embracing Authenticity: From Posed to Artistic Wedding Photography 13:35 From Fear to Possibility: Transforming the Creative Process 16:30 Shooting Details Like Portraits: Unleashing Creativity in Wedding Photography 23:20 The Importance of Being a Human First in Photography 23:47 Discovering a New Approach to Wedding Photography 25:14 Gaining Confidence in Your Work 26:13 The Impactful Question That Changed Everything 29:40 Embracing Your Uniqueness and Attracting the Right Clients 30:38 The Value of Shooting for Free 34:04 Setting Your Own Price Based on Uniqueness 36:01 Creating a Positive Experience for Couples 38:21 The Importance of Capturing the Experience 44:08 Believing in Abundance in the Industry 46:34 Taking Responsibility for Success

As Top Shooter on Second Society, Jake Kazakevich shares the exact blueprint on how he's made upwards of $30,000 in the past year on Second Society. His main focus has always been investing in building relationships and networking which has led to valuable opportunities in the wedding industry, even when the gigs didn't pay well. Check out Jake's Wedding Films http://wildhouseweddings.com Are you on Second Society yet? Join the thousands of wedding filmmakers & photographers www.SecondSociety.io Sign up for a Free Account or Use code PODCAST30 for 30% off Pro Monthly Memberships! Download our Guide to becoming the Top 1% of lead and second shooters. https://bit.ly/47XgT4h Find the best wedding inquiry guides, welcome guides, email templates and more from Destination Wedding & Elopement Photographer Stephanie Marie. https://bit.ly/43UaNkS Introduction and Background 02:11 The Influence of Music on Video Editing 04:40 The Journey of Continuous Learning 07:05 Job Opportunities on Second Society 09:28 The Value of Collaborating with Photographers on Second Society 11:55 The Benefits of Building Relationships within the Second Society Community 13:56 High-Paying Gigs 15:09 Building a Network 15:44 The Return on Relationship Investment 16:13 The Worth of Platforms 17:26 The Impact of High-Quality Footage on a Portfolio 17:41 Navigating the Competitive Landscape 18:51 Delivering Excellent Results for More Opportunities

Josh Helton from A Little Long Distance seems to have broken every rule in the rule book when it comes to be a top wedding videographer in the industry. He's been able to tap into creative storytelling unlike any other filmmaker I know and has achieved national recognition for his brand. His success has allowed him to tap into a work life balance that I think so many of us desire and yet have a hard time actually achieving. I hope this podcast is an inspiration to look deep inside and find what makes you truly you. Find how you can add indescribable value to your couples enabling your name and brand to take you where you want to go. For Josh, that's a 36 acre farm outside of Nashville and plenty of time with his family. Our conversation highlights the value of staying true to oneself and creating films that reflect personal values and priorities. Check out Josh's work http://alittlelongdistance.com Are you on Second Society yet? Join the thousands of wedding filmmakers & photographers. www.SecondSociety.io Sign up for a Free Account or Use code PODCAST30 for 30% off Pro memberships! Download our Guide to becoming the Top 1% of lead and second shooters. https://bit.ly/top_secondsociety Find the best wedding inquiry guides, welcome guides, email templates and more from Destination Wedding & Elopement Photographer Stephanie Marie. https://bit.ly/43UaNkS 00:00 Introduction and Overview 05:27 The Power of Storytelling in Wedding Films 14:24 Balancing Work and Personal Life in the Wedding Industry 29:25 The Appeal of a Slower Lifestyle and Open Spaces 35:25 Work-Life Balance and Priorities

Zack Schomp an incredible wedding photographer in Northern California shares his journey from music to photography and his experience as a second shooter. He emphasizes the importance of choosing happiness and creativity over money and trends in the wedding industry. Zack has had the pleasure of working alongside world renowned photographers like Nirav Patel & Gretchen Gause. With his extensive experience, he discusses the love he finds in being a second shooter and the importance of being responsive and finding unique shots. He shares insights on progressing from a second shooter to a lead shooter and navigating the luxury wedding market; however, finds so much joy in working as a team and seeing the whole collection of a wedding a huge joy. 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:20 Transitioning from Music to Photography 03:37 Challenges Faced During the Pandemic 04:57 The Importance of Choosing Happiness and Creativity 06:23 The Role of a Second Shooter 07:58 Finding Joy in Being Part of a Team 09:25 Choosing Happiness and Creativity Over External Factors 11:23 Being Present and Responding in the Moment 12:46 Taking Unique Shots as a Second Shooter 15:37 Overcoming Awkwardness as a Second Shooter 20:30 Favorite Wedding Experience 21:46 Process of Booking Clients 24:07 Pursuing Creativity and Happiness 25:04 Conclusion

In this episode, David emphasizes the value of friendship and the role it plays in successful second shooting. The conversation also delves into creating a portfolio as a second shooter and building a sustainable career in the industry. We share insights on finding purpose beyond money and success, investing in savings, and outsourcing to manage time effectively. Learn how to build a sustainable wedding business here! https://bit.ly/49YcEaK Are you on Second Society yet? Join the thousands of wedding filmmakers & photographers. www.SecondSociety.io Sign up for a Free Account or Use code PODCAST30 for 30% off Pro memberships! Download our Guide to becoming the Top 1% of lead and second shooters. https://bit.ly/top_secondsociety Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast 01:18 The Importance of Second Shooters 05:40 Developing Skills as a Second Shooter 08:24 The Role of Friendship in Second Shooting 09:22 Matching Style and Dressing the Part 13:42 Creating a Portfolio as a Second Shooter 20:22 Finding Purpose Beyond Money and Success 28:50 Investing in Savings and Personal Growth 31:41 Outsourcing and Time Management 35:04 Trusting in God's Plan and Prioritizing Family 36:57 Overview of the Profitable Filmmaker Course 39:50 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

In this episode, Kelly and Taylor from the Level Up podcast discuss the transition from the mainstream wedding market to the luxury market. We also talk about The Road To Luxury Workshop A 3 day FREE Workshop for Wedding Filmmakers and Photographers Sign up Here! https://thelevelupco.com/workshop-secondsociety Takeaways Transitioning to the luxury market requires a shift in strategy and understanding of client expectations. Presenting yourself professionally on the wedding day, including attire and demeanor, is crucial in the luxury market. Curating your Instagram presence and showcasing your best work helps attract high-end clients. Building relationships with wedding planners is essential for success in the luxury market. Connecting with clients and telling their story can be achieved even without extensive pre-wedding consultations. Join the thousands of wedding photographers and videographers who have already joined our community! www.SecondSociety.io Use code PODCAST30 for 30% off Pro memberships! Download our Free Guide to becoming the Top 1% of lead and second shooters. https://bit.ly/top_secondsociety Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:21 Difference Between Mainstream and Luxury Market 08:20 Benefits of the Luxury Market 13:47 Challenges and Strategies in the Luxury Market 25:21 Curating an Instagram Presence 27:45 Building Relationships with Wedding Planners 32:14 Connecting with Clients on the Wedding Day 38:12 Telling the Story in the Luxury Market 39:11 Free Workshop March 12-14

Irma Garcia, a wedding videographer from Newport Rhode Island, shares her journey and experiences in the industry. She discusses starting her business in 2019 and the challenges she faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Irma also talks about managing a team and the importance of balancing creativity with logistical tasks. She highlights how Second Society helped her find a reliable second shooter for a wedding and build a relationship with other filmmakers. Irma emphasizes the value of the platform and the trust it provides in finding the right fit for collaborations. She expresses excitement for the future of Second Society and its potential to become a staple in the industry. Some takeaways from the Episode! 1. Starting a wedding videography business requires perseverance and continuous learning. 2. Managing a team can be challenging, but finding the right balance between creativity and logistics is crucial. 3. Second Society provides a reliable platform for finding second shooters and building relationships with other filmmakers. 4. Filling out a detailed profile on Second Society increases trust and improves the chances of finding the right fit! Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:22 Starting a Wedding Videography Business 02:21 Challenges and Successes in 2020 and 2021 03:20 Managing a Team and Balancing Creativity 04:16 Finding a Second Shooter on Second Society 06:35 The Benefits of Second Society 08:02 The Importance of Filling Out a Profile 09:26 Building Trust and Finding the Right Fit 10:52 Excitement for the Future of Second Society 11:11 Conclusion Join the thousands of wedding photographers and videographers who have already joined our community! www.SecondSociety.io Use code PODCAST50 for 50% off Pro memberships! Download our Free Guide to becoming the Top 1% of lead and second shooters. Download Guide Check out Irma's Work www.EarthandSun.Co Instagram: @earthandsun.co

In this episode, Brandon Johnson, a videographer and educator, shares his journey in the wedding industry and how he built a strong social media presence. He discusses the importance of consistency and authenticity in building a following. Brandon also talks about overcoming fear and imposter syndrome when sharing educational content. He emphasizes the value of providing value to even just ONE person. Additionally, he shares his future plans, including creating his own course and expanding his clothing brand, Creative Beings. Takeaways 1. Consistency and authenticity are key in building a strong social media presence. 2. Overcome fear and imposter syndrome by focusing on providing value to even just one person. 3. Negativity and criticism are inevitable, but don't let them discourage you. 4. Avoid analysis paralysis and be open to taking on new opportunities. 5. Dream big and be open to new possibilities in your career. 6. Consider starting a side project or business that aligns with your passion. Join the thousands of wedding photographers and videographers who have already joined our community! www.SecondSociety.io Use code PODCAST50 for 50% off Pro memberships! Download our Free Guide to becoming the Top 1% of lead and second shooters. https://bit.ly/47XgT4h Check out Brandon's Work: @novafilm.co https://novafilmco.com https://www.creativebeingsco.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 06:07 Entering the Education Space 10:02 Overcoming Fear and Imposter Syndrome 14:20 Dealing with Negativity and Criticism 20:43 Avoiding Analysis Paralysis 24:30 Future Plans and Dreams 28:32 Creative Beings Clothing Line 31:48 Education Classes and Resources 32:48 Closing Remarks