Isaac Johnston teaches how to remove the barriers to working as a full time creator. Known for his resourceful spirit and signature style, he covers tactics and strategies for how to go from a hobby creator to a full time freelancer. If you have been waiting for the right moment to start, this course provides the steps to go from your day job to your dream career.
Meet Isaac: a full-time freelance photographer who specializes in adventure photography. He quit his job a couple years ago to pursue his dream, and hasn't looked back since.
It's important to know some of the problems you'll face as a fulltime freelancer: income, scheduling, self-doubt. Isaac covers some of the problems he faced to give you a realistic expectation of what you can expect.
Choosing gear that you can use forever. Which drone to buy? Which lens to use? Isaac looks for the gear that gets our of his way so he can focus on one thing: creating.
It's important to think about whether or not your hobby should become your profession, and if you have reached that point. Isaac lays out a couple steps to help you decide if you are ready to become a full-time freelancer.
Showing your work daily is an immensely helpful routine in the creative process. It helps craft your own story, improve your craft, and strengthens your sharing muscle.
Becoming a full-time freelancer is not an easy process. So it's imperative that you build a network of support around you: family, friends, loved ones. Isaac shares how the people surrounding him made it possible for him to make the jump to freelance.
The fear of failure is very real, but also something you can avoid. Mindset is incredibly important as you make this journey, and Isaac lays out steps to help you keep a positive mindset as you achieve your dreams.
Every creator has something unique to bring to the table. When approaching brands or clients, you need to know what your unique value is so you can harness it and win the job.
Backing up, organizing files, getting ready to edit. It's a boring part of the photography process but it's crucial to master if you want to become a professional.
Once you've been talking with a brand, it's time to send them your proposal. A good proposal can make you stand out and secure the job. Isaac shows you a real-world example of a proposal he uses.
You don't need to have a huge social following to increase your exposure. Treat social media like its social. This is where a friendly approach meets strategic planning. Isaac shares his tips on giving your work more exposure in ways outside of follower counts.
Meeting other creatives is one of the best parts of the job for Isaac. He shares his philosophy about reaching out to other creatives on the internet in non-creepy ways.
Story is king. In this day and age it's ever so important to be able to tell a story well. Isaac shares his tips on how to make better stories. Hint: do more interesting thigns!
Being comfortable on-camera is an invaluable skill in todays culture. Isaac shows you some of his tips to acting comfortable and natural on camera, and how he makes his Instagram stories look so professional.
Isaac talks pitching, negotiating rates, and sealing deals while on a a walk with Cara Gibbs, a freelance design + lifestyle writer. Their back and forth style conversation gives insight into how brands are thinking in this post-covid world.
What You'll Learn
Solve for the problems that “prevent” photographers from going freelance
Developing an audience outside of social media
Gear – what matters and what doesn’t to get started
How to deal with the mental game of being a professional creator
After every single episode in this workshop I already had something new to work on and the tools to do it too. Isaac's engaging challenges and questions pushed me to dig deep and better discover who I am as a storyteller and a photographer.
E-mails was the desensitizing way of communicating until Isaac told us what to write
Mania Dabrowska
For the first time I was able to write a straight to the point email to a brand and not feel weird right after. Having the opportunity of seeing the actual email or DM messaged that Isaac shows it to us in the course, has made the whole difference. Seeing the way he speaks to a brand and what to do in steps after it is about the most useful skill that you will gain after this course. It feels like you are seeing next to him and having a 1-1 conversation with honesty and realness.
How to Become a Freelance Photographer - Review
David Tronnes
Quality workshop as always!! Gets right to the point and has incredibly useful information. One of the absolute best investments I can make to progress my photography.
After every single episode in this workshop I already had something new to work on and the tools to do it too. Isaac's engaging challenges and questions pushed me to dig deep and better discover who I am as a storyteller and a photographer.
E-mails was the desensitizing way of communicating until Isaac told us what to write
For the first time I was able to write a straight to the point email to a brand and not feel weird right after. Having the opportunity of seeing the actual email or DM messaged that Isaac shows it to us in the course, has made the whole difference. Seeing the way he speaks to a brand and what to do in steps after it is about the most useful skill that you will gain after this course. It feels like you are seeing next to him and having a 1-1 conversation with honesty and realness.
Quality workshop as always!! Gets right to the point and has incredibly useful information. One of the absolute best investments I can make to progress my photography.
David Tronnes
July 19, 2021
Sebastian Mittermeier
June 24, 2021
Lot's to learn
Just finished the workshop and I really enjoyed it. I recently started my photography career and ran into a lot of the same problems Isaac is talking about. Especially how to talk to brands and how to come up with ideas was really helpful.
Sebastian Mittermeier
June 24, 2021
Asieh Harati
February 25, 2021
Honest advice from an adventure photographer who went through career transition
I think a lot of us are mulling over the idea of transitioning to become a photographer. It's not easy. There are lots of fears and hesitations. It's a change that could affect our life. I'm at this decision branch for the second time in my life, and I still fear. Isaac shares with us how he overcame those very same hurdles and fears. He is genuine, practical and proves that you don't need expensive gear to start or even continue to become good enough. The pitch deck example, the starting up a conversation with a prospective client, the way to deal with blockers, all are real. I cannot wait to put them in place and start my first pitch. Thanks Isaac for sharing your journey!
Asieh Harati
February 25, 2021
Kari Anderson
February 21, 2021
Everyone should take this workshop
I have some experience as an instructor. I know bad teaching videos and annoying instructors... this is the opposite of that. Each segment is a little gem of knowledge and Isaac has a genuine enthusiasm for this subject. Best money I've spent in awhile.
Kari Anderson
February 21, 2021
Matthew Wetzler
February 3, 2021
Well worth the time and investment...
Even as someone who has been using photography as my primary income source for the last several years, and prior to that being a full-time graphic designer hiring commercial photographers I've already got a good grasp on things such as workflow and approaching a given photoshoot. But there are still aspects of being a freelancer such as selling yourself and your unique approach to clients, as well as continually creating work and avoiding burnout to allow yourself to go after the work you want to be doing. And of course, the ever-present fear of failure. This workshop covers all of those topics in an extremely approachable and more importantly actionable manner.
Matthew Wetzler
February 3, 2021
Jessie Sears
January 6, 2021
SO HELPFUL
This course was extremely valuable for me and it was exactly what I needed at this time in my life!
Jessie Sears
January 6, 2021
Immediately Applicable
Connor James
After every single episode in this workshop I already had something new to work on and the tools to do it too. Isaac's engaging challenges and questions pushed me to dig deep and better discover who I am as a storyteller and a photographer.
How to Become a Freelance Photographer - Review
David Tronnes
Quality workshop as always!! Gets right to the point and has incredibly useful information. One of the absolute best investments I can make to progress my photography.
E-mails was the desensitizing way of communicating until Isaac told us what to write
Mania Dabrowska
For the first time I was able to write a straight to the point email to a brand and not feel weird right after. Having the opportunity of seeing the actual email or DM messaged that Isaac shows it to us in the course, has made the whole difference. Seeing the way he speaks to a brand and what to do in steps after it is about the most useful skill that you will gain after this course. It feels like you are seeing next to him and having a 1-1 conversation with honesty and realness.
Lot's to learn
Sebastian Mittermeier
Just finished the workshop and I really enjoyed it. I recently started my photography career and ran into a lot of the same problems Isaac is talking about. Especially how to talk to brands and how to come up with ideas was really helpful.
Honest advice from an adventure photographer who went through career transition
Asieh Harati
I think a lot of us are mulling over the idea of transitioning to become a photographer. It's not easy. There are lots of fears and hesitations. It's a change that could affect our life. I'm at this decision branch for the second time in my life, and I still fear. Isaac shares with us how he overcame those very same hurdles and fears. He is genuine, practical and proves that you don't need expensive gear to start or even continue to become good enough. The pitch deck example, the starting up a conversation with a prospective client, the way to deal with blockers, all are real. I cannot wait to put them in place and start my first pitch. Thanks Isaac for sharing your journey!
Everyone should take this workshop
Kari Anderson
I have some experience as an instructor. I know bad teaching videos and annoying instructors... this is the opposite of that. Each segment is a little gem of knowledge and Isaac has a genuine enthusiasm for this subject. Best money I've spent in awhile.
Well worth the time and investment...
Matthew Wetzler
Even as someone who has been using photography as my primary income source for the last several years, and prior to that being a full-time graphic designer hiring commercial photographers I've already got a good grasp on things such as workflow and approaching a given photoshoot. But there are still aspects of being a freelancer such as selling yourself and your unique approach to clients, as well as continually creating work and avoiding burnout to allow yourself to go after the work you want to be doing. And of course, the ever-present fear of failure. This workshop covers all of those topics in an extremely approachable and more importantly actionable manner.
SO HELPFUL
Jessie Sears
This course was extremely valuable for me and it was exactly what I needed at this time in my life!
Valuable knowledge from a professional
Zach Hand
The information given throughout this workshop was tremendously helpful. The best part about this specific one was how Isaac was so straight forward with his approach, with him even showing an exact conversation he had with a brand he was approaching. It’s easy enough for someone to say how to do something, but it’s much better for me personally to be able to see how someone went about doing so. This was exactly that. I saw his approach with a company, and I now can use similar tactics to approach companies that I would like to connect with. All in all great content, and lots learned! Would highly recommend this workshop.
Practical yet fun
Ryan Johnson
Great workshop and worth the time/money. Isaac is an easy to watch presenter and the various modules were each concise and practical. Time well spent!
Inspirational
Matthew Franklin
Isaac is such an encouraging and joyful voice and personality. He was very encouraging while also providing real, helpful resources and tactics to help someone like me hopefully take my passion a step up toward making it a career. Thank you!
Makes you want to go for it!
Roy Mosterd
A practical yet valuable workshop
Drew Silvers
"How to Become a Freelance Photographer" was my first photography workshop. There were key takeaways throughout the entire course. Isaac did a great job of expanding on simple concepts that easily get overlooked. He created tangible tips and tricks for his audience to expand upon. THANK YOU for sharing your priceless insight into the world of freelancing. I can't wait to test out your "Pitch Deck Kit" with my future clients!
Isaac grew up on a farm near Glacier National Park in Montana and from a young age worked as a stock hand and guide in the Great Bear Wilderness. He didn’t know at the time that his life was different, just that he loved the excitement of showing people the wild spaces of the world.