Shutter Nonsense: A Nature Photography Podcast

In this most recent episode of Shutter Nonsense, hosts Michael and Jeffrey sit down with special guest, landscape photographer Ben Horne, for a thoughtful conversation about how the way we see our own photographs changes over time. What starts as excitement or disappointment in the moment often shifts months or years later, sometimes in ways we never expect.

Ben shares stories from a recent trip to Zion, walks through his film and large-format workflow, and reflects on what it’s like to revisit older work with fresh eyes. Together, they talk openly about creative doubt, the tension between technical perfection and emotional impact, and why some images only reveal their value long after they were made. This episode is an honest discussion about growth, patience, and learning to trust the photographic process.

Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Highlights

How photographers’ perceptions of their own work evolve over time

Revisiting older images and seeing them differently years later

Creative doubt and its role in long-term growth

Balancing technical perfection with emotional impact

Film photography, large format workflow, and slowing down

Why some images take time to reveal their value

Related Links

Ben Horne’s Website:  https://www.benhorne.com/

Learn more about Michael's photography: www.michaelrung.com

Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com

Is photography better kept as a passion, or does turning it into a business change the relationship entirely?

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey dig into the real-world tradeoffs between photography as a hobby and photography as a source of income. The discussion explores what monetization actually looks like for landscape photographers, why prints and education tend to be the most common paths, and how financial pressure can quietly influence creativity, subject choice, and long-term enjoyment of the craft.

The episode also looks beyond gear and images to the less visible side of the business: financial readiness, safety nets, diversification of income, and the mental and emotional weight of being “always on.” Whether photography is something you love on the weekends or something you are trying to build into a career, this episode offers an honest framework for thinking through the decision with intention.

Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Highlights

Hobby vs business: what it really means to monetize photography

Common income paths for landscape photographers, including prints and education

Why portraits and events often become the first step into paid photography

The reality of saturation and competition in nature photography

The hidden workload behind monetization and being constantly “on”

Financial readiness beyond gear: savings, insurance, and unexpected expenses

Why timing matters when considering full-time photography

How monetization can influence creativity and subject choice

Balancing personal passion with work that is more marketable

When paid photography starts to pull energy away from what you love

How teaching and selling work can deepen connection with an audience

The importance of diversified income streams for long-term stability

 

Relevant Links:

https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/post/struggling 

Learn more about Michael's photography: www.michaelrung.com

Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com

In Episode 19 of Shutter Nonsense, hosts Michael and Jeffrey dig into how photography trips shape us far beyond the images we bring home. Travel can spark creativity and excitement, but it also introduces uncertainty, pressure, and the challenge of balancing expectations with reality.

We talk about what happens when you photograph unfamiliar places, how travel can help reconnect you with your original motivation for picking up a camera, and why growth often comes from being uncomfortable. Along the way, we share personal travel stories, discuss planning versus spontaneity, explore solo versus group travel dynamics, and reflect on how revisiting familiar locations compares to chasing something new.

This episode is less about destinations and more about intention, awareness, and the long-term impact photography trips can have on your creative life. Whether you travel often or only occasionally, this conversation is about making those trips more meaningful.

Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Highlights:

Why photography trips often change how we think about photography, not just what we photograph

The creative benefits and mental challenges of working in unfamiliar locations

How travel can help reconnect you with your original motivation for picking up a camera

Planning versus spontaneity, and why both matter on photography-focused trips

Solo travel compared to group trips, and how each shapes the experience differently

Balancing photography goals with simply being present while traveling

The role of repeat visits versus constantly chasing new destinations

How deeper connections to places can influence conservation awareness and advocacy

Practical advice for photographers planning their first trip centered around photography

Relevant Links:

Learn more about Michael's photography: www.michaelrung.com

Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, hosts Michael and Jeffrey explore the often-overlooked power of local photography and why shooting close to home can make you a stronger, more fulfilled nature photographer.

Traveling for your nature photography is inspiring and iconic, but local landscapes offer something just as valuable: repetition, familiarity, and the chance to truly learn a place. We talk about how photographing nearby locations can sharpen your skills, deepen your connection to the land, and help you stay creatively energized without constantly chasing new destinations.

We also dig into the realities of balancing local and travel photography, how to work through location fatigue, and why your audience often connects just as much with meaningful local work as they do with bucket-list locations.

This episode is part practical advice, part creative mindset, and part honest reflection on what keeps photography enjoyable long-term.

Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Highlights Include:

Why local photography is one of the best ways to improve technical skills

How familiarity with a place leads to stronger compositions and better timing

The mental and creative benefits of shooting close to home

Scouting and building fitness without always bringing a camera

Planning vs spontaneity when working locally

How to avoid burnout and location fatigue

Balancing local projects with travel photography

Audience reactions to iconic travel shots vs meaningful local images

 

Relevant Links:

Michael’s App: https://www.photopackpro.com

2026 Workshops: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/landscape-photography-workshops 

Learn more about Michael's photography: www.michaelrung.com
Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com

In Episode 17 of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey dive deep into the business side of selling photographic prints. From pricing and production choices to fulfillment and customer service, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to make print sales work sustainably.

They discuss how to think about pricing beyond just cost, the pros and cons of printing your own work versus using a professional lab, and how different sales channels like online stores and art fairs shape your strategy. The episode also explores presentation, shipping, refunds, replacements, and the ongoing debate around limited edition prints.

If you are a photographer who sells prints or is thinking about adding print sales to your business, this episode is packed with real-world insights and practical considerations.

Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

 

Highlights Include:

• Pricing photographic prints realistically
• Self-printing vs third-party labs
• Selling online vs art fairs
• Presentation and display choices
• Shipping and fulfillment workflows
• Customer service, refunds, and replacements
• Limited edition prints and whether they make sense

 

Related Links:

Red River Paper (affiliate link)

NMFA

Shiny Prints (affiliate link)

Matt Payne's print lab reviews

Learn more about Michael's photography: www.michaelrung.com
Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com