Into the Unknown with Seth Macey
Seth Macey is as versatile a creator as they come. With a portfolio that spans landscape, wildlife and commercial photography, Seth utilizes a diverse range of equipment to capture stunning images no matter the subject. An Ontario resident, Seth embodies a vision of environmental coexistence while working to bring a sense of thoughtful contemplation to the world of photography through The Photographer Mindset Podcast, which he cohosts with Aaron Mannes. An accomplished videographer, brand ambassador and competition judge, Seth pushes himself to new heights each year. Escape with Seth Into the Unknown as he shares the secrets behind personal and professional fulfillment as a professional photographer.
Photo Credit: Seth Macey
So, first things first, you have a lot on your plate. Between your work as a photographer and videographer, podcast host, retreat guide, and brand ambassador, you keep yourself busy. How do you bridge the gap between passion for your craft and duty to your career?
To start, I think it's essential to differentiate between being "busy" and being "productive." Despite juggling all those you mentioned, I consider myself highly productive even when my day isn't packed to the brim with tasks. Before diving into any work, which sometimes may not commence until noon or 1:00 pm, I prioritize self-care activities like savouring my coffee, getting in a good workout, stretching, or spending quality time with my dog. For me, dedicating time to these activities sets a positive tone for the day and undoubtedly allows me to be more efficient during my focused working hours.
To me “time” is the most valuable currency on earth and paradoxically sometimes the most undervalued. Time management and prioritization is something I’m always trying to get better at. On Monday mornings, I outline my tasks for the week in a dedicated journal encompassing all aspects of my professional engagements. I've realized that the tasks that spontaneously come to mind first are usually the most critical and at the forefront of my brain. I make a point to prioritize those tasks first to release some cognitive pressure. I mark tasks with a checkmark as I go. It’s a simple and effective technique that provides a small dopamine boost and visualizes my progress.
Keeping tasks documented in my notebook is crucial to keeping me on track. By writing things down, I avoid the trap of mental clutter and can efficiently monitor progress. Regarding the balance between passion and duty, I adhere to the principle that tasks or projects that contribute revenue or income take precedence. For example, posting to Instagram won’t rank as highly on my list as something like securing sponsorships for the podcast. For me, the latter is better at propelling my career forward.
I find fulfillment in ensuring that my work contributes something. For instance, the podcast contributes knowledge, ideas, and information to a wide audience. Similarly, creating content, such as wildlife videos on YouTube, not only entertains but also educates and inspires viewers towards wildlife conservation and moments of happiness. Aligning my professional endeavours with meaningful outcomes sustains my passion and prevents burnout, while also fostering career growth.
Embracing the entrepreneurial journey as a photographer, podcaster, and more has been an enlightening path of self-discovery. The absence of a prescribed roadmap in the creative industry allows for unparalleled creative freedom and innovation. Rather than fixating on rigid long-term goals, I adopt a more fluid approach grounded in curiosity and enjoyment. This mindset not only fuels continuous growth but also enables me to navigate unforeseen opportunities with a sense of excitement and adaptability.
You have one of the most diverse portfolios I have seen, capturing everything from polar bears to cottage country. What about photography as a career do you think pushes people to explore different facets of the creative spectrum?
Photo Credit: Seth Macey
Photography is an amazing vessel for creative expression and helps us discover who we really are through our art. Witnessing what individuals are attracted to in the photography world is also really cool. For example, introverts may seek solace in solo wildlife photography, while extroverts are drawn to capturing the celebratory spirit of weddings. It also seems like photography favours those who are naturally curious and who have an itch to explore and try new things. It takes a special kind of person to delve into various genres and to constantly be a rookie. By experimenting with editing techniques and trying multiple different genres of photography, we can refine our skills but also learn more about ourselves and what does and doesn’t make us tick. Taking risks and venturing into unfamiliar territories for me is remarkably fulfilling. It offers insights that I can apply in various facets of life.
I think your camera is also a backstage pass to the world. It acts as a catalyst for individuals to seek out new adventures and experiences they otherwise may not have. For me it worked that way. I wanted to capture awesome things and the consequence was living a life of more adventure. I’ve seen people, me included, leverage their photography and videography skills as a form of currency, bartering for unique opportunities and experiences they wouldn't have encountered otherwise.
For me, photography has opened the door to form new connections and friendships countless times over. Through social media, I've been fortunate enough to make virtual friends as diverse and enriching as those in real life.
As a podcast host, you have the opportunity to delve into what makes photographers tick. What have you discovered about your own work through your discussions with other creatives?
I have the privilege of learning every single week when we do a podcast recording with a photographer guest. I will always consider myself a student with something to learn from anyone I speak to. Sometimes, it’s what do to, sometimes it’s what not to do. I’ll share three things I’ve learned and the common denominators amongst our successful guests on the show that have improved my quality of life or my approach as a creator, photographer, and podcast host.
1. Keep Going:
Many of the photographers we've hosted on the show are undoubtedly revered and idolized within the photography industry. Their excellence stems not solely from innate talent but from the sheer dedication, time, and repetition invested in honing their craft. It's about the relentless pursuit of improvement, experimenting, learning from mistakes, and most importantly, pushing forwards. While we witness creators excelling online, what remains unseen is the countless hours of struggle, learning curves, and unwavering commitment to the often mundane tasks essential to becoming better. It's natural that we focus more on our individual lives rather than meticulously tracking everyone else's journey.
The notion of "overnight" success is often a façade, masking years or even decades of relentless effort. The truth is progress towards our goals demands steadfast perseverance and unwavering faith in the process. I firmly believe that consistent daily efforts to enhance my skills or business will ultimately lead me to my desired destination. I make sure to enjoy that process as well. Whether something takes me a decade while others achieve that same thing in half the time is inconsequential to me. I'm focused on running my own race, striving to improve incrementally each day, and uncovering my true potential, rather than measuring myself against others.
Photo Credit: Seth Macey
2. Not One Single Person Has It All figured Out:
The most successful photographers featured on the podcast demonstrate a remarkable level of humility, whether overtly or subtly. Their insatiable thirst for continuous learning is palpable. Moreover, they exhibit the ability to set aside their egos and comfortably admit, “I don’t know” or “I don’t have all the answers.” By embracing this mindset, they dismantle the protective walls that ego often constructs to safeguard one's sense of self-worth. It's perfectly acceptable not to possess all-encompassing knowledge or excel in every aspect required of a professional photographer. No individual can master every aspect of the craft.
It's equally important to acknowledge that everyone faces personal struggles and areas for improvement. Embracing these challenges or shortcomings adds depth and meaning to life. They serve as opportunities for growth, hurdles to overcome, and avenues to build confidence. Recognizing that no one is flawless and that each person grapples with their own set of obstacles fosters resilience and propels personal development. Life's journey becomes more engaging when we confront our limitations and strive to evolve.
3. The Audience is Important but Create for Yourself
If you're not happy sharing the work you've created, what's the point? Personally, I ventured into photography to unleash my self-expression and creativity in a way that aligns with who I am. These aspects form the foundation of my creative journey. When we become overly fixated on social media algorithms, it's easy to lose ourselves without even realizing it. We start creating solely for the sake of attention, validation, and approval from others, even if it doesn't truly resonate with our creative essence. I've encountered numerous creators with significant follower counts who feel trapped or adrift in this digital realm. When we prioritize feeding the machine over feeding our own souls, we starve.
While strategic growth on social media and tailoring content for engagement can indeed open doors, it's crucial to strike a balance between creating work that satisfies you personally and that performs well online. The goal is to craft content that resonates with your audience while staying true to your creative vision. For instance, my podcast co-host, Aaron, has successfully produced viral reels that blend humour and wildlife photography, a perfect fusion of satisfying his creative urges and entertaining the audience. It's about finding that sweet spot where you create content that people love while remaining true to yourself.
If you had to choose between creating art for yourself or catering solely to trends, always prioritize creating for your own fulfillment. Authentic passion shines through in your work, captivating the audience's attention naturally. Your art should be a reflection of your innermost creativity and desires. Authenticity like this doesn’t go unnoticed by those who appreciate genuine artistry.
Looking at this shot in particular, what is your process from conception to final edit, and how do you mentally prep to capture the outcome you envision?
Photo Credit: Seth Macey
I often find it challenging to articulate my thought process behind an image, but I'll give it my best shot. For me, the act of capturing a picture and envisioning its editing in Lightroom occur almost simultaneously in my mind. Let me explain. When I'm out in the field snapping a shot, I'm already visualizing precisely how that image will appear once edited and brought to life when it's printed or published. From the moment I’m about to press the shutter, this entire process happens rapidly, almost instinctively, and leads to the decisive click of the shutter. In the case of this particular image, featuring a wild polar bear nestled among wheat grass after a cozy nap, I immediately envisioned a warm, golden-hour aesthetic.
While many are accustomed to seeing polar bears depicted in snowy, wintry landscapes, typical of their natural habitat, people often overlook the fact that these magnificent creatures endure warmer climates while awaiting the freezing of sea ice. With this shot, I aimed to convey a simple yet powerful narrative or gently remind viewers of this reality through an edit that exudes warmth and softness. The bear's expression, characterized by a groggy demeanor upon awakening, coupled with the subtle exposure of its massive paws, offers insight into its world. The foreground of pebbles provides a glimpse into the bedding material these polar bears favour. Additionally, I intentionally included a blurred, two-layered background of trees, one row orange and one row green, to evoke the essence summer turning to autumn, the season in which the photograph was taken.
In my view, it's the meticulous attention to small details that culminate in creating a truly captivating image.
You have a pretty firm grasp on the realities of social media as a tool for photographers. What do you think is paramount to surviving the social media experience, and how can photographers get the most out of sharing content while still exploring their creative passions?
First and foremost, steer clear of the "death scroll" trap and be mindful of when you find yourself falling into that pattern. The dreaded death scroll occurs when you mindlessly browse through Instagram or TikTok, endlessly consuming content without purpose. Cultivating a habit of setting intentions before diving into a social media app is crucial. For instance, say to yourself, "I'm opening Instagram to seek inspiration" or "I'm logging onto Instagram to engage with the community through comments and DMs." Having a clear intent keeps you focused and saves you from wasting precious time. And if you're just scrolling for entertainment, be honest with yourself about it. Building this habit not only benefits your social media usage but also proves valuable in other aspects of life.
Photo Credit: Seth Macey
Next, it's essential to remind yourself that everyone has their share of challenges. The influencer showcasing a seemingly perfect life on social media might have had a rough morning, and the business coach celebrating financial success may be dealing with personal struggles behind the scenes. Remember, people tend to share only the highlights, not their lowest moments. While their achievements can serve as motivation, it's vital to recognize that no one's life is devoid of difficulties. I personally wouldn't trade places with anyone because this journey is mine to navigate, embracing the highs with joy and facing the lows with grace.
Moreover, sharing your work on social media can be rewarding, validating, and offer numerous opportunities. However, many photographers fall into the trap of equating photography and their business solely with their Instagram profile. These platforms are tools that can be leveraged uniquely to advance your career if that aligns with your goals. They shouldn't define your entire strategy. I know successful photographers earning six figures annually who aren't active on social media; they focus on growing their business offline. If social media complements your overarching strategy, fantastic! Just remember not to rely on it entirely. Define realistic expectations for your social media presence and allocate time accordingly. Achieving a million followers is a significant commitment—it's essentially a full-time job. Align your goals with the effort you're willing to invest in these platforms.
Photo Credits: Seth Macey
Thank you so much to Seth for taking the time to share both his insights and his photography. If you enjoyed this interview as much as I did, please check out more of Seth’s work on his website, Instagram, and Facebook page. You can also listen to his podcast here or here, as well as on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts.
