S2 E24: How to Get Your Pitch Accepted with Vanessa Dewson

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Today on the podcast, we're joined by Vanessa Dewson, a Canadian photographer, passionate traveler, and our very own Genius Womxn community member.

Vanessa began teaching photography at the Ottawa School of Art in 2013. In 2015, she founded Focus on Photography Tours to combine her passions of photography, teaching, and travel. She is now pursuing writing to be able to share the stories she has collected along the way. We're very lucky to have Vanessa as part of our community. Her drive, compassion, and support of our members has been incredible to witness. 

In today's episode, we'll dig into the process of getting your stories out there into the world.  Since taking our class and joining our membership, Vanessa has been on a roll with stories published in places like Shondaland, Intrepid Magazine, and more.

I had so much fun speaking to Vanessa! She shares a lot of the fears and hesitations many of us face on this path, but she also shares her incredible accomplishments since she made a decision to act and pursue her creative purpose. I hope you enjoy this episode.

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“I started pitching in early January and I finally got my first yes! I think it was last week. I got two in the same week and it was pretty exciting. And then I got another one this week, so I feel pretty much on cloud nine right now.”

Would rather watch it? Take a peek at the video recording of our chat below!

What you’ll learn in this episode:

  • [04:43] Vanessa shares her early aspirations as a creative that lead her to film school

  • [07:44] Exploring photography by working as a wedding and newborn photographer

  • [10:30] Vanessa shares how following sparks of joy has lead her on her current path

  • [12:16] Making the shift to travel photography and writing 

  • [14:19] Learning to overcome fear in order to grow to the next level of your career

  • [15:53] Why having a big social media following doesn’t matter when it comes to pitching

  • [20:15] Vanessa’s experience sending her first pitches 

  • [27:43] Vanessa shares three recent pitches that have been accepted

  • [32:08] The value of community as a source of support and motivation to keep pitching

  • [35:20] The myth that we must figure it all out on our own

  • [39:36] Advice for anyone just starting out in the travel media industry

  • [40:57] The first step is always taking action

  • [42:02] More information about Storytellers In Action

Featured on the show:

  1. Follow Vanessa on Instagram | @vanessadewson

  2. Check out Vanessa’s website at vanessadewson.com

  3. Focus on Photography Tours

  4. Vanessa’s Shondaland article: Capturing the Simple Beauty of Nature in Photos

  5. Our travel media class is now enrolling! Get more info and join us by Fri, Apr 30 here.

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