Podcast Summary – The Heart & Hustle Podcast

Episode 462: "Styled Shoots Are Cheating" – We Discuss Photography Industry HOT Takes

Hosts: Evie McLeod & Lindsey Roman
Date: December 9, 2025

Overview

In this spicy and candid episode, Evie and Lindsey tackle some of the most polarizing “hot takes” from the photography industry—ranging from the ethics of styled shoots, preset usage, griping about AI editing, and the value (or pitfalls) of education as a next step for photographers. With their trademark real talk and humor, they deconstruct commonplace attitudes, share personal stories, and offer actionable, honest advice for both new and seasoned creative entrepreneurs.

Key Discussion Points & Notable Insights

1. Hot Take: "Styled Shoots Are Cheating"

[04:39 – 15:04]

• What Are Styled Shoots?

  • Lindsey and Evie break down the controversy: styled shoots can be seen as “cheating” either because they present an unrealistic standard for real clients or because photographers use them to build a portfolio without real event experience.
  • Evie: “Obviously there is a piece… where people share styled shoots and straight up lie and pretend it's a real wedding. I feel like that is universally frowned upon.” [05:57]

• Is It Really Cheating?

  • Both hosts agree: styled shoots aren’t cheating. They’re a strategic and creative tool.
  • Lindsey: “I don't see a problem with them. I think they are a great strategy to get the work that you want to book.” [07:54]
  • Evie: “There's something so powerful about being able to play and be creative without the pressure of a paid situation.” [12:22]

• Caveats:

  • Caution for beginners: Don't let a portfolio of styled shoots misrepresent your actual wedding experience or technical ability.
  • Honest communication and incremental pricing are encouraged.
  • Lindsey: "If you're only shooting styled shoots and showing perfect galleries, but you've only done a couple weddings, just be careful with your pricing and what you're promising." [13:18]

2. Hot Take: "If You Buy Presets, You're Not a Real Photographer"

[15:09 – 24:06]

• Rundown:

  • Buying and using presets is common in the industry, not a sign of incompetence.
  • Both hosts learned editing by tweaking purchased packs (Mastin Labs and India Earl mentioned as their starter kits).
  • The mark of a skilled photographer: understanding Lightroom deeply so you can adapt and tweak those presets.

• Memorable Quotes:

  • Lindsey: “In order to use a preset and actually edit it to your work, you have to know how to edit, you have to know how to tweak it… you have to learn Lightroom.” [16:47]
  • Evie: “Presets are a phenomenal hand up… but you definitely still have to learn the ins and outs of Lightroom.” [17:30]

3. Hot Take: "AI Editing Means You Should Charge Less; It's Not Fine Art"

[24:06 – 29:59]

• Debate:

  • Some believe using AI editors like Imagine or Aftershoot reduces the artistry (and should lower your prices).
  • Lindsey and Evie strongly disagree—the technical prowess in photography is not diminished by leveraging efficient workflows.

• Advances in AI vs. Presets:

  • Nuanced take: Buying an AI editing “profile” is potentially more advanced than simply using presets—especially when it comes to time-saving and consistency.
  • Still, both emphasize that understanding editing fundamentals is critical, no matter your post-production tools.

• Quotes:

  • Lindsey: “Any technology advancement… it could be argued that it's cheating. But my time is valuable. I’m not about to sit here for weeks on end in front of a computer hand editing every single photo from scratch.” [22:46]
  • Evie: “Learn Lightroom as much as you can… Get used to understanding what the tones and things do and you'll be great.” [29:42]

4. Hot Take: "Using Other Photographers’ Photos for Inspo Is Wrong"

[32:33 – 41:38]

• Clarification:

  • The context is creating inspo boards for styled shoots, marketing, or vendor communication.
  • Both hosts insist crediting the original photographer is best practice, but acknowledge how hard it is to trace Pinterest photos to their sources.

• Possible Alternatives:

  • If credit isn’t feasible, at a minimum be transparent that it’s not your own work. Deliberate impersonation is unethical.

• Funny Real Talk:

  • Evie: "The amount of work that it takes to like, go freakin’ find the original photographer to tag and credit—it’s so much!" [34:45]
  • Lindsey: “This is a hot take to the hot take… I would love to just be able to say, ‘photos from Pinterest’—I’m not gonna lie.” [37:09]

5. Hot Take: "Photographers Market Too Much to Other Photographers"

[42:02 – 44:05]

• The Trap:

  • Many photographers accidentally end up creating educational or humorous content aimed at peers instead of potential clients.
  • This often happens due to social media algorithms and peer engagement.

• Advice:

  • Only create “for photographers” content if you are actively selling education or products to that audience.

• Quote:

  • Lindsey: “You should not be creating photography content like that unless you are an educator of some sort.” [43:30]

6. Hot Take: "Education is a Crutch for Burnt Out Photographers"

[44:08 – 51:56]

• The Pipeline:

  • Many photographers, as they grow or tire of client work, pivot to teaching, often as a perceived “next step.”

• Honest Assessment:

  • The hosts admit this is common, but warn it’s not a path for everyone—nor an easy way to "make money in your sleep".
  • It only makes sense if you genuinely want to help others, not just escape burnout.

• Final Thoughts:

  • There are other ways to scale or diversify outside of education.
  • Evie: “If you get into education, it should purely be because you genuinely have a heart to help other people. If you’re just doing it for the money, then you SHOULD NOT be doing it.” [51:53]
  • Evie: “The perspective that [education] is the only pipeline for a photographer—I wish that was broken.” [51:59]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Lindsey, on early weddings: “I remember one of my first weddings… it was at a train station… 20 guests… tragic, visually… I’m so ready to opt out of this episode.” [10:05]
• Evie, on Pinterest: “The amount of work that it takes to like, go freaking find the original photographer… I literally have to reverse image search… it’s so much!” [34:45]
• On the inevitable education pipeline: “Everyone and their mother—us included!—uses education as the next step… I feel like the natural next step people think of is: ‘Oh, I have done this thing. Now I will teach this thing.’” [44:33]

Flow & Tone

The episode stays energetic and conversational, blending spicy hot takes with thoughtful nuance. Both hosts balance playful jabs (including some self-deprecating laughs about their early photography days) with practical advice and a healthy dose of humility about their own journeys.

Suggested Timestamps

• Styled Shoots Are Cheating: 04:39–15:04
• Presets and “Real” Photography: 15:09–24:06
• AI Editing and Pricing: 24:06–29:59
• Borrowing Inspo Photos: 32:33–41:38
• Marketing to Other Photographers: 42:02–44:05
• Education as a Crutch: 44:08–51:56

Final Thoughts

This episode is a must-listen for photographers and creative entrepreneurs curious about the unspoken rules of industry culture. Evie and Lindsey offer empowering, permission-giving encouragement to do what works best for you—without buying into shame or gatekeeping—while also urging honesty and self-awareness in both portfolio-building and business evolution.

Useful for:

• New and aspiring photographers
• Those considering education or expanding their offerings
• Creative entrepreneurs seeking validation or fresh perspective on industry “rules”
• Anyone frustrated or confused by “Instagram discourse” on photography best practices

Ready for more? Join the Heart and Hustle community on Facebook and follow the group DM on Instagram to share your own hot takes and industry experiences!