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Trevor Dayley of www.magnetmod.com and www.trevordayley.com posted something interesting on Instagram recently – it was titled

“If I Were the Devil Trying to Ruin a Photographer’s Career.”

He told me (and I can see) it blew up—and in rolled the DMs, shares and comments.

Turns out a lot of photographers are feeling what he put into words: Doubt. Burnout. That nagging feeling you’re falling behind, even when you’re doing good work.

He says it sparked some honest conversations.

To give you a little more background… Trevor was a full-time wedding photographer. Has been shooting professionally for about 15 years and has photographed over 500 weddings.

He was voted one of the Top 100 Wedding Photographers by SLR Lounge — take one look at his work and you'll see why.

He now has a job at MagMod, where he works with photographers to help them create better images and run stronger businesses.

In this interview, Trevor shares how to build a thriving photography business without the social media grind.

Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:

• The mindset shift that helped Trevor stop chasing likes and start defining success on his own terms
• How cutting back on weddings opened the door to more creativity, freedom, and genuinely better client experiences
• Why showing vulnerability online builds stronger trust and deeper connections — with both clients and other photographers
• Trevor’s refreshingly simple, no-pressure approach to mastering off-camera flash while shooting real weddings
• The power of small, supportive peer groups (like Trevor’s “Breakfast Club”) to keep you accountable and growing fast
• How he builds new referral networks from scratch every time he moves to a new area — without any awkward self-promotion
• Why being real and consistent online will always attract more loyal clients than any perfectly curated feed
• The gratitude habit that turns vendors, venues, and past clients into long-term advocates for your business
• The YouTube educators Trevor recommends for levelling up your lighting, posing, and creativity
• How focusing on relationships and community leads to the kind of success social media metrics can never match

What’s on Offer for Premium Members

If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, a fantastic back catalogue of interviews, and have ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet. Plus, special member-only interviews.

I think photographers need to stop worrying about the vanity metrics that when I say that, I'm referring mainly to, like subscribers, like the stuff that people see, like, oh, you know, he has 100,000 subscribers, and I only have 1000 for example. – Trevor Dayley

You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group, where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. The group also has FB live video tutorials, role-play, and special live interviews. You will not find more friendly, motivated, caring and sharing photographers online. Seriously, that's not all.

Anything you can do to serve and help other people, it's going to turn around and it's going to help you in the future. – Trevor Dayley

In addition to everything above, you'll get access to instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, make you accountable, and build friendships with other pro photographers with motives similar to yours – to build a more successful photography business.

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything from what Trevor shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, leave your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business based on what you heard in today's episode.

I would literally have a list of all the wedding coordinators out there in my area, and I would make sure to follow their stuff, and then I would comment whenever I see a post pop up, don't let one go by without commenting or liking it or both. – Trevor Dayley

If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Trevor, or a way to thank her for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.

iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs

I check for any new iTunes or Google reviews each week, and it's always a buzz to receive these… for several reasons. Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome! Secondly, iTunes and Google are the most significant podcast search engines, and your reviews and ratings help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and, ultimately, a better show.

The thing that people love to hear the most is their name and so when I'm shooting a bridal party…I will still say, “Hey, Stephanie, can you scoot in just a little bit?” “Hey Tom, can you move over just low?” So the moment I hear their names, when I arrive at that wedding and they're all getting ready, and I go around and say, “Okay, what are you guys' names?” I will remember those names, and I will use them as much as I can. And it is crazy. How, at the end of the night, how many people will say, “Trevor, you were the most amazing photographer today.” And it's like they haven't even seen a photo that I shot yet, right? But it's because of that experience that you were calling them their name throughout the wedding day and throughout the night…that's what generates business, is that friendship that you're creating with people. And that's why I love photography so much. – Trevor Dayley

If you have left a review in the past, thank you! If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes or https://photobizx.com/google. You can leave some honest feedback and a rating, which will help me and the show. I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name. Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast. Email me your keywords or phrases and where you'd like me to link them.

Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy, and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has impacted you and your photography business.​

Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:

Trevor Dayley Website

MagMod Website

Trevor Dayley on Instagram

MagMod on Facebook

MagMod on Instagram

SLR Lounge | Photography Tutorials on YouTube

FJH Photography on YouTube

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown

How to Win Friends & Influence People

Gratitude is one of those things that I think so often we fail to express as often as we should. And when we express that gratitude to people, it goes a long ways. – Trevor Dayley

Thank you!

Big thanks to Trevor for such an open and honest chat. In this interview, he shares the mindset shifts, habits, and relationship-building strategies that have helped him create a more meaningful, balanced, and successful photography career — one not defined by algorithms or hustle, but by connection, creativity, and purpose.

From simplifying flash to strengthening community, there’s a lot here that’ll make you rethink what real success looks like in this industry. I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway — what’s one thing you’re inspired to change after hearing Trevor’s story?

My biggest advice to people is find a network of friends, of, you know, two or three friends, and it could just be people locally, or it could be somebody on social media. – Trevor Dayley

That’s it for me this week; I hope everything is going well for you in life and business!

Thanks for listening—speak soon,
Andrew

Trevor, a few years ago, on his visit to Sydney, Australia!

The post 638: Trevor Dayley – Building a Thriving Photography Business Without the Social Media Grind appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.