Okay y’all, buckle up because this episode is a spicy one. I brought on Australian wedding photographer Josh Huggett, and let me just say… this is not a kid-friendly episode, so maybe save it for after daycare drop-off. We’re diving into real talk on styled shoots, building a team, drinking at weddings (yep, we go there), and the actual truth about what it’s like shooting 70+ weddings a year. Josh doesn’t hold back, and I honestly loved every second of it. You’re gonna laugh, you’re gonna take notes, and you might end up rethinking how you run your biz. Let’s get into it!
Listen to the full podcast on Spotify or watch the episode on YouTube!
How Josh Got Into Weddings (Even Though He Hated the Idea at First)
Cassidy: How did you get into photography? Was there a moment when you were like, “Okay yeah, this is it for me”?
Josh: I never wanted to shoot weddings. I thought weddings were just stuck-up people in white buildings. But then my auntie volunteered me to shoot a wedding in the Flinders Ranges, basically like a mini Grand Canyon in Australia. It was super chill. They did a grounding ceremony, I had a Canon 80D with a kit lens, and I realized weddings didn’t have to be boring. That one wedding changed everything!
Real Talk on Styled Shoots (You Knew It Was Coming)
Cassidy: Alright, let’s get into it. Real talk on styled shoots, what’s the tea?
Josh: Styled shoots are a waste of money. There, I said it. Especially the ones set up by stylists or venues, they teach you nothing. You’re just taking pretty photos of something someone else already arranged. It’s not real. It doesn’t train you for the chaos of actual wedding days.
Cassidy: Okay but… what if someone wants to elevate their portfolio? Like, they’re only booking barn weddings and want to book fancier ones?
Josh: Sure, just don’t lie about it. Don’t pretend you were hired to shoot a castle wedding in Italy when it was a styled shoot in Ohio. Be real with your couples. And also, just shoot your regular weddings in a way that reflects the style you want. Romanticize it. Get creative. You don’t need to pay for a styled shoot to make beautiful work!
Outsourcing, Editing, and What Josh Actually Does Now
Cassidy: Okay, shifting gears. You shoot like 70 weddings a year. How are you still sane?
Josh: Outsourcing. Everything. I’ve got editors, video people, admin help, I barely do anything besides shoot now. I’ve got this whole automated system with 57 email steps. I used to do everything myself and I was drowning. Now? I shoot, send the files off, and have sneak peeks ready before I go to bed.
Cassidy: That’s honestly the dream!
Josh: It is. And it’s cheaper than people think. I pay my editor in Bangladesh more than a doctor gets paid there, and he’s better at editing than I ever was. I just want to shoot. That’s where the fun is!
Real Talk on Styled Shoots (Again, But Make It Ethical)
Cassidy: Okay circling back, because this is the Real Talk on Styled Shoots episode, do you think there’s ever a time when styled shoots are good?
Josh: Totally. Styled shoots can be great marketing for vendors. Venues get new content. Florists get nice photos. But for photographers? You need to show what you can do in real conditions. Anyone can take a nice photo of something that’s perfectly styled in golden hour. The real skill is taking banger photos at a chaotic wedding with bad lighting and weird timelines.
Drinking at Weddings (Yes, We Went There)
Cassidy: So… you drink beer at weddings?
Josh: Constantly. America needs to loosen the f*ck up. In Australia and the UK, couples expect you to have a drink. You become part of the party, not just a vendor hiding in the corner. I’m always under the legal limit, I drive myself home, but having a beer in hand? It changes the whole vibe.
Cassidy: That’s such a hot take. But honestly, it tracks with your brand. You’re there to hang out with your couples. You want them to be comfortable.
Josh: Exactly. When your couple sees you as a friend, not just a vendor, the photos are so much better. We get the weirdest, funniest shots because people are relaxed and being themselves. That’s what I love.
Hot Takes Rapid Fire: Photography Edition
Cassidy: Quick hot takes to wrap it up.
Cassidy: Photography is 80% vibe, 20% skill?
Josh: Nah, it’s 95% vibe. As long as your settings are decent, no one cares. Only other photographers notice if you’re not wide open.
Cassidy: AI is killing creativity?
Josh: Nope. AI is a tool. It gives us more time to be creative. It’s like the calculator. Use it or get left behind.
Final Thoughts & Where to Find Josh
Cassidy: Any final words for the photographers listening?
Josh: Calm down. Loosen up. Outsource your editing. Stop lying about styled shoots. And maybe have a beer.
Cassidy: Loosen the f*ck up, America, there it is!
Josh: There it is!
Want More from Josh?
Josh is the creator of Togg Talk, a workshop leader in Australia, and the founder of the Candid Co. He’s also hilarious, spicy, and wildly helpful if you’re a photographer trying to grow without burning out. Go follow him on Instagram and check out his podcast if you want more unfiltered insight like this!
Show Notes:
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