On this entertaining episode of Local Talent, Jason interviews Nathan Schultz, the brains and lens behind Schultz Photography, a local business specializing in high-quality images of rallies, races, cars, and bikes. Before launching his business, entrepreneur Nathan served 12 years in the U.S. Army and was eventually medically retired. He needed a new challenge and enrolled in a photography program to pursue his long-time passion for capturing moments and emotions on film. A chance opportunity to shoot a race with his photography mentor led him to believe that he could make a living out of his hobby.

Jason and Nathan explore the threats that photography is facing as an industry today, from wannabe photographers offering cut-price services to clients disrespecting the value of a photographer’s work by expecting to pay in “exposure” rather than in dollars. Nathan also reveals some of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into shooting and editing the perfect image, and how he decides how much to charge for his work. Listen out for other great entrepreneurial insights from Jason and Nathan, including whether education is important for entrepreneurs and how your perspective on valuing money and free time shifts as you get older.

If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe to the show and to leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. You can also head over to Nathan’s Instagram account and show your support for his business by following him and liking your favorite photos.


Timestamps

[0:34] Nathan introduces himself and talks about his passion for photography and motorbikes
[3:14] Going to school to study photography
[4:44] Jason’s experience of paying his own way through school
[5:22] Being in the right place at the right time
[8:12] The evolution of Nathan’s photography career, and how it affected his personal life
[10:17] How important is education when you’re an entrepreneur?
[12:02] Nathan discusses his competition
[13:42] Is technology a threat to Nathan’s livelihood?
[17:05] How Nathan assesses the value of his work
[20:20] The problem of guaranteeing images to clients
[22:27] Is an image worth more because it took hours to edit?
[25:00] It’s so easy to talk down to artists
[27:26] Idea-jacking in the photography business, and how Nathan fights back against it
[29:25] Where Nathan’s passion comes from, and what he obsesses over
[32:14] What should happen to all of Nathan’s unpublished photos?
[35:39] “It’s amazing how perspective changes as you get older”
[40:13] Photography is still Nathan’s hobby, as well as his business
[41:25] Does Nathan live life through his lens?
[43:35] Photography and emotion
[46:31] Nathan’s parting words of wisdom for listeners