EP 70 - photography hot takes with summer and jake: part 3

Hey everyone! It's finally here - Part 3 of Hot Takes with Summer and Jake! We're diving back into more Hot Takes, tackling a fresh round of your wild opinions and our honest reactions. From luxury wedding photographers, the film versus digital debate, and Taylor Swift...it was a fun one! We hope you enjoy it :)

 

Hot Take: "Followers should not be the goal on social media for photographers."

Jake and I totally agree—it's not all about the numbers. Instead of obsessing over follower counts, we believe that building genuine engagement and a true community is what really matters. It's about connecting with people who resonate with your work, which in turn supports your creative and business goals.

Hot Take: "Taylor Swift is not that good."

This one definitely stirs the pot! While Jake, drawing on his musician perspective, points out that Taylor is incredibly well-marketed, he also believes that her music might be overhyped for some tastes. It’s a reminder that art is super subjective—what works for one person might not work for another.

Hot Take: "Digital photography and digital music are the worst versions of their predecessors."

We tackled this hot take with a lot of nuance. Sure, there’s something undeniably nostalgic about analog, but digital tech has opened up a world of new creative possibilities. Both forms have their unique charm and challenges, so it’s really about appreciating what each medium brings to the table.

Hot Take: "You have to be somewhat Type A to work in the high-end luxury wedding world."

When it comes to luxury weddings, organization and leadership are key. We agreed that being detail-oriented and having a bit of that Type A drive is so important for managing teams, delivering top-notch service, and ensuring every client feels like a VIP.

Hot Take: "A lot of top industry photographers aren’t as skilled as people think they are."

In today’s visibility-driven market, sometimes strong marketing and business acumen overshadow raw talent. While some high-profile photographers get a lot of attention, there are plenty of underrated artists who are just as skilled. It’s a call to look beyond the surface and value true artistic excellence.

Hot Take: "If you're having a black-tie dress code, you need to be having a black-tie event."

We’re totally on board with this one. When an event is set to be formal, the entire experience should match that level of sophistication. A proper dress code sets the tone, and when everything aligns, the event feels much more cohesive and elegant.

Wrapping Up

Thanks for joining us on this deep dive into some hot takes from our community. These hot takes give us fresh perspectives on how we view our industry and inspire us to keep pushing for authenticity and excellence. I love hearing your thoughts, so keep those hot takes coming!

Catch you soon :)

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EP 71 - advice column: you asked i answered

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EP 69 - wedding trends 2025: what’s in and what’s out with jess from authenica