There are shoots where everything clicks.

The light is magic. The client is chill. The work feels effortless.

This episode isn’t about those.

Instead, we’re going into the plumbing.

Literally.

From overflowing toilets in luxury villas to Fortune 500 invoice purgatory, from last-minute gear fails to moments that remind you why you ever picked up a camera in the first place — this one’s for every photographer (and creative) who’s quietly asked themselves:

Turns out? It is.

But maybe that’s not a bad thing.

Because hidden under the chaos, the duct tape, and the missed payments…

there’s still something worth fighting for. And sometimes, the most honest thing you can say is:

And maybe that’s the most romantic thing you’ll ever say about your career.

🧰 Mentioned in this episode:

• Client disasters (featuring two Kyles, mushroom water, and sewage)
• Scope creep and hostage negotiation skills
• Invoice limbo with billion-dollar brands
• A failed choir shoot and a thousand-dollar mistake
• The shoot that broke your heart in the best way possible
• Why the photos are just the receipt

📬 Stay connected

If this episode made you feel seen, stolen from, or slightly less alone—

subscribe to The Terrible Newsletter:

👉 terriblephotographer.com

You’ll get Field Notes, updates, and the occasional nudge to keep going.

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If you’re enjoying the podcast, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

It helps more misfit creatives find their way here.

And honestly, it just feels good to know someone’s listening.

Credits

Music in this episode is licensed through Epidemic Sound and Artlist.io.
Episode Photo by Gryffyn

What happens when the thing you made in the dark suddenly ends up in the spotlight? This week, Patrick gets personal about the strange pressure of being “featured,” and why attention might be the most creatively dangerous drug of all.

From a viral photo in the dunes to the slow collapse of chasing relevance, this episode dives into the algorithm’s indifference to honesty, the myth of momentum, and what Johnny Cash’s American Recordings can still teach us about making art that matters.

This is for the ones who still believe in disappearing. In pausing. In letting the light hit you… without immediately bottling it.

Includes a clip from “The Beast in Me” by Johnny Cash (used with reverence, not profit).

All other music licensed via Artist.io.

Episode photograph by Casey Horner — Instagram: @mischievous_penguins.

"I thought the work would save me. I was grossly mistaken."

What happens when a stranger on Clubhouse calls you a technician instead of an artist? Patrick breaks down the brutal midnight conversation that cracked open everything he thought he knew about his photography career. From the golden handcuffs of corporate work to the humbling reality of freelancing for $650, this episode is about dismantling the fantasy of what creative success looks like.

No metaphors. No inspiration porn. Just the uncomfortable truth about technical skill versus authentic voice, and why sometimes the thing you think defines you is actually limiting you.

Part one of a two-part series on creative deconstruction and what comes after.

In this episode:

• A photo campaign that felt more like forgery
• The invisible shift from artist to technician
• Why being trusted isn’t the same as being seen
• The quiet way burnout creeps in
• What I learned after walking away

Light Leak: A Creative Check-In

Are you being hired for your vision, or just your ability to mimic someone else’s?

Grab The Darkroom – a free guide to creative clarity and finding your artistic voice

terriblephotographer.com/darkroom-download

Music licensed via Artlist.io

Audio excerpt from Conan O’Brien’s farewell message on The Tonight Show (2010). Used under fair use for commentary and inspiration. All rights belong to NBC/Universal.

Subscribe, support, or scream into the void at: terriblephotographer.com

Email me: patrick@terriblephotographer.com – I’m always interested to hear your thoughts, ideas, and read hate mail. I respond to every message.

Follow: @patrickfore & @terriblephotographer