Wedding season is kicking off! Join Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee as they shake off the winter slumber (and recover from some intense DIY projects) and dive back into the world of weddings. This week, we tackle the hot topic: is 35mm film making a comeback? We discuss a client request, the pros and cons of shooting film today, the costs, the nostalgia factor, and whether digital can truly replicate the look. Plus, is Liam finally gearing up to actually try it!

We contrast the analogue love with the rise of AI editing and culling tools – are they helpful or hindering authenticity? We also get real about the business side: handling unexpected cancellations, the ethics of contracts and refunds (including a tricky divorce scenario), and the changing landscape of referrals in industry groups. Hear about recent weddings in Scotland and the Lakes, dealing with tricky lighting, and our usual highs and lows. Grab a coffee and enjoy!

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune

Timestamps:

(0:00) Intro & DIY Madness: Liam's plumbing adventures, Pete & Laura's new carpet/desk saga.

(5:52) Wedding Season Begins!: Liam shoots a photographer's wedding in Scotland (The Byre at Inchyra), Pete films a local Lake District wedding. We chat portraits, marquees & avoiding downtime.

(17:23) Is 35mm Film Back?!: Exploring the trend, the appeal (nostalgia vs digital), the costs, the logistics, and whether we should offer it. Liam volunteers as tribute to try it in Spain!

(27:38) Camera Nerd Corner: Reminiscing about old film cameras (Contax 645, Mamiya) & finding undeveloped rolls!

(29:42) Film vs. AI: The contrast! Discussing AI culling fails and new AI retouching tools – helpful or harmful to authenticity?

(34:43) Business Real Talk: Handling a last-minute cancellation, contract ethics, deposit debates, and a tough scenario involving divorce & album refunds.

(46:09) Shooting Challenges: How would you handle a church ceremony lit entirely pink?!

(51:20) Referral Rant: Why are referrals drying up in big groups? The shift to WhatsApp cliques, and referral etiquette.

(59:58) Highs & Lows: Running obsessions, DIY triumphs, pre-wedding nerves, expensive flights & listener love!

Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy

Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school

Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune

liamandbee.com

lawsonfilms.co.uk

lawsonphotography.co.uk

We'd love it if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it really helps other creatives find us. You can also send us a message on Instagram with your thoughts on this week's topics.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee for our regular chat all about the world of wedding photography and videography.

This week, we’re re-introducing ourselves for new listeners before tackling the big issues: the frustrating rise of client ghosting and rejection, navigating the popular "editorial" photo trend (is it all it's cracked up to be?), and debating radical portfolio strategies to stand out.

We’re also sharing stories of demanding client inquiries, the tricky landscape of destination weddings post-Brexit, and indulge in some serious gear lust (hello, autofocus anamorphic lenses!). Plus, hear a little more about the British Wedding Film Festival awards launch, and catch up on our personal highs and lows, featuring fantasy book addictions, DIY disasters, and Hadrian's Wall adventures.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune

Keywords: Wedding Photography, Wedding Videography, Creative Business, Client Ghosting, Editorial Photography, Portfolio Strategy, Wedding Industry Trends, Destination Weddings, Canon R6, Anamorphic Lens, Fuji, Videography Awards, Small Business Challenges.

Timestamps:

* (01:46) Re-Introductions: Who are Pete, Laura, Liam & Bee?

* (08:34) Editing Styles: Shifting back to a lighter, airier look?

* (10:33) Portfolio Panic: Should we delete half our website to stand out?

* (11:52) The Ghosting Epidemic: Why are clients disappearing & how do we cope with rejection?

* (18:11) Editorial Wedding Trend: Debating the style and educating clients (Martha May article mention).

* (23:33) Finding Your Ideal Client: They still exist!

* (30:34) Gear Talk!: Anamorphic lens lust, RF primes, Canon R6 vs R6 MkII, Fuji dreams & Bee's unique photo project...

* (39:57) Nightmare Inquiries: Dealing with demanding clients and unreasonable requests.

* (47:24) Destination Wedding Dilemmas: Navigating the risks post-Brexit (especially Greece).

* (55:39) Industry News: Videography Summit buzz & Our NEW Videography Awards launch!

* (59:55) Highs & Lows: Hadrian's Wall hikes, fantasy book addictions, Peter Kay, DIY injuries, and more!

Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy

Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school

Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune

liamandbee.com

lawsonfilms.co.uk

lawsonphotography.co.uk

We'd love it if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it really helps other creatives find us. You can also send us a message on Instagram with your thoughts on this week's topics.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee are back for another catch-up. This week, we're excited to officially announce the launch of the British Wedding Film Festival – hear all about the idea behind it, why we think the industry needs it, and what makes it different. Liam shares the highs and lows (aching legs and Lightroom battles!) of his new property photography side hustle.

We also dive into takeaways from a recent videographer retreat:

• Using AI like ChatGPT as a 'personal assistant' (inspired by Arran Kenny's method) – useful hack or too much?
• The TikTok debate – do we really need to be there, even if the clients are?

Plus, we discuss that scary Italy visa story, get some clarity on using music legally on Instagram business accounts, and of course, share our personal highs and lows – featuring Bee's surprising AI astrocartography results, a wet legging incident, and Pete getting schooled by a kid at table tennis.

It's the usual mix of wedding industry chat, creative business insights, and friendly banter. Pull up a chair and join the commune!

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune

Keywords: Wedding Photography, Wedding Videography, Creative Business, AI, ChatGPT, TikTok, Social Media Marketing, Side Hustle, Property Photography, British Wedding Film Festival, Wedding Awards, UK Wedding Industry, Working Abroad, Instagram Music Rules.

Timestamps:

Liam's new property photography side hustle & the joys of re-learning Lightroom (03-15 - 08:32)

Takeaways from Roo Stain’s videographer retreat (08:34 - 11:25)

Using AI like ChatGPT for productivity (Arran Kenny's method) & Bee's astrocartography adventures (11:25 - 19:02)

The TikTok debate for wedding pros - is it essential? (19:03 - 26:55)

BIG NEWS: Launching the British Wedding Film Festival! (27:45 - 39:57)

Concerns and discussion around working abroad (Italy/US visa stories) (39:57 - 44:31)

Clarification on using music on Instagram Business accounts (Meta Sound Collection) (45:22 - 47:13)

Highs & Lows of the week (Anniversaries, TV series recommendations, embarrassing moments & more!) (47:14 - 1:00:28)

Links:

British Wedding Film Festival: https://www.britishweddingfilmfestival.com/

AI Tools: ChatGPT (https://chatgpt.com/), Claude (https://claude.ai/)

TV Recommendation: Adolescence (Netflix)

Book Recommendation: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy

Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school

Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune

liamandbee.com

lawsonfilms.co.uk

lawsonphotography.co.uk

We'd love it if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it really helps other creatives find us. You can also send us a message on Instagram with your thoughts on this week's topics.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.