Going analog isn’t about rejecting technology. It’s about making room for slower, more tactile, more human work in a life that’s already full of screens, deadlines, and digital noise.

Article: https://www.grenierdave.com/blog/going-analog

Show Notes:
00:00 I’m the Machine
01:30 Letting It Be Imperfect
03:00 The Notebook That Waited
04:30 Too Much Digital Input
06:00 Less Noise, More Intention
07:30 Returning to Tactile Work
09:00 Process Over Speed
10:30 Hobbies That Slow Me Down
13:30 Writing on a Typewriter
15:00 Showing the Red Marks
16:30 Feeding My Machine

Produced by:
124 Productions

I run through 10 client work questions that come up nonstop for photo and video pros: scope creep, revisions, contracts, pricing, raw files, licensing, and delivery. Use this as a checklist before your next project so expectations stay clear and you stay paid.

Show Notes: 
00:00: The $3,700 reality check
00:21 What this episode covers
01:00 Q1 Scope creep (without sounding rude)
03:03 Q2 Revisions (rounds & what happens after)
06:10 Q3 Simple contract essentials (not legal advice)
19:15 Q4 Pricing “quick” jobs with vague asks
20:57 Q5 Slow feedback, slipping timelines
22:24 Q6 Too many note givers, no decider
23:36 Q7 Raw footage and project files
25:59 Q8 Rights and licensing basics (US context)
27:06 Q9 File naming and version control
28:42 Q10 Deliverables and exports (no confusion)
29:48 Wrap

Video Version:

https://youtu.be/Uc08PxPpN-c

Blog Article: http://grenierdave.com/blog/most-asked-questions-about-client-work

Produced by:
124 Productions

Client relations is not flashy, but it is the thing that keeps your business alive. In this episode, I go over how to set expectations early, use pre-production to prevent revision chaos, and build trust by learning your client’s world so you can actually solve the right problem.

Show Notes:
00:00 Intro: solving pain points
01:36 Flashy is not the job
07:42 Set expectations early
09:30 Be a partner, not a problem
12:15 Get it in writing
13:23 Real example: paddling event
15:31 Word of mouth and showing up
20:24 Learn the client’s language
20:52 Brand rules matter
22:09 Reliable and clear wins

Video Version:
https://youtu.be/BMfSScMTqGQ

Blog Article:
https://www.grenierdave.com/blog/client-relations-is-the-unsexy-advantage

Produced by:
124 Productions

I walk through the gear that earned a spot in my bag, from the early budget setups to the pieces I rely on now, and the real reasons each upgrade happened. The goal is not to buy more gear, it’s to build a core kit that solves problems, fits your workflow, and still delivers for clients.

Show Notes: 

00:00 Debt and gear reality check
00:16 The rule: buy gear when it solves a problem
02:39 My “core kit” lens philosophy
07:22 Entry level rigging that’s actually solid
09:46 Don’t cheap out on risk: drones and insurance
12:05 Cheaper gear tradeoffs and workarounds
14:30 Lighting journey: umbrellas to real lights
28:22 Client perception vs results
32:39 Gear recommendations for beginners

Video Version: 

https://youtu.be/n1MHSe94oU8

Blog Article:
https://www.grenierdave.com/blog/gear-that-actually-matters

Produced by:
124 Productions

Before I buy anything, I try to slow down and ask: does this solve a real problem, or does it just make me feel better? In this one I share the mindset I use, plus a couple real examples from my own gear choices, including one upgrade I’m glad I made and one purchase I definitely didn’t need. 

Show Notes: 

00:00 Solve a problem
 00:12 The “nice to have” trap
 02:03 GAS is real
 02:45 When upgrading actually makes sense
 04:34 The 30 minute limit problem
 06:26 The gimbal mistake
 10:27 Spend on skill first
 12:00 Redundancy is the pro move
 13:20 Wrap

Video Version:
https://youtu.be/IYx1jjDoUVU

Blog Article:
https://www.grenierdave.com/blog/stop-buying-gear-start-solving-problems

Produced by:
124 Productions

I’m joined by singer-songwriter Megan Britt to talk about the real path behind releasing music, from early influences to finding songwriting community in Nashville. We also get into creative habits, pressure, and how to stay grounded when you’re trying to build something that lasts.

Here are Megan's Socials:
https://linktr.ee/megangbritt

Show Notes: 

00:00 Intro and context
00:01:28 First album and the long build
00:03:26 Vanderbilt songwriting class and community
00:09:02 Releasing music and managing expectations
00:12:30 Process, habits, and what keeps you creating
00:17:24 “Write it down” and making space for more
00:21:26 Social media, visibility, and staying sane
00:33:01 Wrap

Produced by:
124 Productions

In this episode, I have a conversation with Keanen, a drone repair expert who is one of the founders of Denshi Repair. This episode is a wide-ranging conversation that starts with the brutal reality of drone repair costs and turns into what it takes to build a community-first repair business that actually helps people. We also get into DJI warranties, thermal and multispectral use cases, search-and-rescue realities, and the human side of building a life after the military. 

Denshi's Website: https://denshirepair.com

Show Notes:
00:00:00 Drone repair costs
00:03:12 Warranty, Refresh
00:05:49 Reddit trust
00:29:47 Repair vision
00:52:43 Search and rescue
00:57:17 Thermal basics
01:01:13 Multispectral
01:52:42 Where to find him
01:53:58 Wrap

Produced by:
124 Productions

Jason Lu from Flyby Robotics joins me to talk about a Made-in-America, NDAA-compliant drone built to match the DJI Matrice 300 class. We get into payload needs, onboard compute, SDK ecosystem, and what it takes to build something serious for industry.

00:00 Intro
00:00:08 Matrice 300 class drone, Made in America
00:01:14 Payload and onboard compute power
00:01:14 DJI dominance and why this conversation matters
00:06:38 Support, repairs, and long-term ownership
00:07:35 SDK and third-party payload ecosystem
00:13:19 Pricing expectations and roadmap
00:26:48 Wrap

Produced by:
124 Productions

I sat down with D.Will, my first-ever podcast guest, to talk about what actually makes a portfolio hireable, not just “nice to look at.” We get into a real multi-day shooting workflow, client delivery habits, and the business side of building something sustainable. 

If you're interested in the events with Untapped check out their social platforms: 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UntappedHipHopTV

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untappedhiphop

Show Notes:

00:00:00 Intro
00:02:07 A “hireable” portfolio
00:11:28 Day one: shooting on site 
00:23:36 Editing workflow
00:23:57 Contact sheets
00:27:23 Finding your lane
00:32:52 San Bernardino & local identity
00:40:02 Business planning
01:02:10 Where to find Untapped
01:02:50 Wrap

Produced by:
124 Productions

Before you put a drone in the air in the US, there are five things you need to know so you don’t accidentally do something unsafe or illegal. I walk through the TRUST certificate, airspace classes and airport rules, temporary flight restrictions and authorizations, local takeoff and landing regulations, public perception, and when you need Part 107.

Everything You Need to Get Your Part 107 Drone Certificate:
https://youtu.be/xU6jhLy3tcc

What You Need to Know About METARs and TAFs:
https://youtu.be/FIlEz5TFVc4

Airspace Classification & Sectional Charts:
https://youtu.be/FIXhm43Oolw

Show Notes:
0:00 Introduction
0:16 TRUST Certificate
1:27 Airspace Classification
3:22 Local Regulations
4:41 Railroad Tracks
5:16 Public Sentiment
6:26 Part 107

Produced by:
124 Productions

If you’re trying to get started as a working photographer, I’d keep it simple: grab an APS-C camera with an 18–55 kit lens, and if you can, add a 70–300 so you’ve got real range without spending full-frame money. Then I walk through what actually matters when you’re choosing a system, like buying from legit retailers, RAW vs JPEG, 4K and frame rates, batteries and SD cards, and why investing in lenses will take you further than chasing new camera bodies.

Show Notes:
00:00 Intro
00:09 The simple starter kit
01:05 Buy from legit retailers
01:46 Brand choice and what to compare
03:22 APS-C vs full frame
04:17 RAW vs JPEG
06:02 4K and frame rates
06:51 Batteries and SD cards
08:40 Lens mounts and why lenses matter most
10:59 Only buy gear that solves a problem
11:13 Sign-off

Produced by:
124 Productions

A photographer with 30 years of experience shared that heavily edited work on social media has them feeling insufficient, frustrated, and ready to quit, and that’s more common than people admit. In this episode I talk about why comparison hits so hard, why you don’t need to edit like everyone else to be “legit,” and the weird little reset that helped me fall in love with shooting again: auto mode plus a prime lens so all that’s left is composition.

Show Notes:

00:06 The question: feeling “not good enough”
01:33 Why social media compounds it
02:42 “No edits, all in-camera” claims
03:09 You don’t have to love editing
03:54 My own creative rut
04:41 Confession: I shot in auto
05:19 Prime lens reset and why it worked
06:08 Wrap and sign-off

Produced by:
124 Productions

In this episode I share five practical tips that will actually move the needle if you’re new to photography, starting with skills first and gear second. We’ll talk about building your “photographer’s eye” through consistency, changing perspective, zooming with your feet, and experimenting with different styles so you can find what you actually enjoy.

Show Notes: 

00:00 Start
00:09 Gear Acquisition Syndrome
02:48 Perspective Matters
03:44 Consistency Makes a Photographer's Eye
08:34 "Zooming" With Your Feet
10:59 Experiment
14:26 Get it "In-Camera"
15:51 You Will Fail

Produced by:
124 Productions

I heard a great rebrand question on Ask Drone U, and I wanted to add my two cents from a branding perspective. Here are the three fundamentals I’d focus on first: know exactly what your business is, know who you serve and the problem you solve, and leave room for growth so your name can scale with you.

Show Notes: 

00:00 Ask Drone U rebrand question
00:59 Branding vs SEO
02:19 The 3 branding fundamentals
03:01 Leave room for growth
04:35 Name generic, earn SEO with content
05:19 What’s next

Produced by:
124 Productions

A friend told me her dream is to shoot for National Geographic, but she doesn’t think she has it in her, and that hit close to home. In this kickoff episode, I share how I walked away from creativity for years, what pulled me back in, and the simple challenge I want you to do today: take photos for you, with whatever camera you already have.

Show Notes:
00:00 The NatGeo Dream
01:20 Start Anyway
02:53 My Origin Story
04:59 Getting Back Into It
07:42 Start Simple Today
08:23 Old Camera, Big Feeling
13:02 Your Turn
14:05 End

Produced by:
124 Productions