How I’d Learn Photography in 2025 (If I Were Starting from Scratch) - Moments of Mood, 2.6
Welcome back to another episode of Moments of Mood, and this week I break down how I would actually learn photography if I were starting over today. Not from theory — from experience. I reflect on my own path, critique the broken systems of education, and offer a mindset-first, meaning-driven approach to building your photography from the ground up.
You won’t find a checklist of gear. You’ll find an invitation to slow down, tune in, and start making images that reflect something honest.
***Want to watch the 6-hour FREE photography course video that follows this episode? Yes, that's right, I have given away the first 6 hours of my photography course FREE for you to watch on YouTube!***
Watch it here: https://youtu.be/PZ-ePEf26vA
Some things I touch upon:
Why traditional education fails most creativesHow to build your artistic identity, not just technical skillThe importance of books, long-form learning, and mentorshipWhat to ignore (gear hype, comparison, validation traps)What to lean into (honesty, curiosity, community)If this resonates, I guide photographers through this process every day. Not with a blueprint, a practice. Not a course, a path. If you want to find more, click on the link below under 'Learn With Me' to find out more about my highly tailored and individualized mentorship program.
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Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work.
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay
Learn with me
https://mattjacobphotography.com/voice-alchemy
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https://mattjacobphotography.com/newsletter
Website:
www.mattjacobphotography.com
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IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay
The MOOD Podcast
In The MOOD Podcast, Matt Jacob, renowned cultural portrait photographer, dives deep into the world of photography and the visual arts, with guests from all around the creative industry, across all parts of the globe, sharing inspiring stories and experiences that will leave you wanting more. With years of experience and a passion for storytelling, Matt has become a master of capturing lesser-told human stories through his photography, and teams up with other special artists from around the world to showcase insights, experiences and opinions within the diverse and sometimes controversial photography world.
You can watch these podcasts on his Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay.
You can also follow Matt's work on his Instagram @mattyj_ay and his website: https://mattjacobphotography.com.
- No. of episodes: 113
- Latest episode: 2025-07-11
- Arts Visual Arts Education Self-Improvement
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