B&H Photography Podcast

Sports photography hinges on freezing peak action—transforming a high-speed blur into a dramatic portrayal of human effort. When you combine that with the unyielding drive of elite athletes on the world stage, the pressure to nail the shot provides an incredible adrenaline rush. In today's podcast, we discuss the unique challenges of documenting history in the making and unpacking stories from the Winter Games with renowned sports photographer Jean Fruth, recently back from her first Olympics. From a hectic scramble on arrival in Milan—getting to the arena and gearing up as her first game was already in progress—to the detailed planning and creative insights she brought to every second of the ensuing competition, Jean shares her front row seat at the Games. We also follow her behind the scenes and learn how she negotiated a special request for access and her diplomatic response that transformed an unqualified maybe into a yes. As she notes during our chat, "My Olympics was an intense women's hockey Olympics. It was—I have a chance to make something special, something different. I have two and three games per day. I'm here for almost three weeks. I have a chance to make all kinds of pictures. So, I'm not going to play it safe." Episode Timeline: 2:24: Jean's shift from baseball to hockey to promote women's sports, plus her path to photographing hockey at her first Olympics. 13:11: The high-pressure logistics behind Jean's arrival in Milan with her first game already in progress. 21:52: Photographing day two and connecting with her photography heroes. 24:30: Jean's creative approach to photographing hockey at the Games, plus the challenge of shooting through plexiglass. 28:07: Chasing the story behind Women's Olympic hockey games and the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). 30:02: The ask to shoot behind-the-scenes and Jean's approach to dealing with a maybe. 35:06: Episode Break 35:51: Jean talks about her gear and the tools available to photographers in the media center. 44:21: Lugging her gear to a prime Opening Ceremonies vantage point despite wrong directions, plus the pizza delivery service that sustained her during overnight editing sessions. 50:57: Derek and Jean talk lighting, camera settings, and using a preset to pan with action shots. 54:26: The challenges of shooting through plexiglass, plus getting creative with different elements to keep it interesting—from panning techniques to playing with colors. 1:01:24: The dream moments at the end of the competition, and how Jean hustled to capture both the view from above and a central position for the team shot with medals. 1:04:25: Jean's biggest take away from the Olympics—the collaborative aspect of performing at the highest level. It felt good to be nervous and then overcome it. 1:07:14: Jean's parting advice—you belong here, having confidence in yourself, and being prepared to shift. Guest Bio: Jean Fruth does more than take pictures of sports; she tells stories of vibrant personalities and local cultures. As a Sony Artisan of Imagery, Jean has covered nearly every sport, though baseball remains her specialty. After helping to build the archive of the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, she co-founded the Grassroots Baseball non-profit in 2019 to celebrate the amateur game worldwide. Jean is also a filmmaker and the author of three books. Her latest project See Her Be Her includes a documentary film, a book, and a non-profit aimed at shining an overdue spotlight on women athletes, or "unsung sheroes," as she calls them. Jean's work is regularly featured in prestige media and has been exhibited in major institutions from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum to the Smithsonian to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Most recently, she was honored with the 2025 United Nations International Photographic Council Achievement Award. For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

One of the most polarizing questions in the mind of any photographer is "Should—or shouldn't I—get an agent?" The role of an agent in a photographer's career is often misunderstood, leading hungry creatives to think that securing representation is their number one key to success. In truth, the relationship between a photographer and agent is far more nuanced than simply booking more assignments. In today's podcast, we take a deep dive into this complex alliance in a discussion with two generations of top agents, whose combined careers span from the film-era to the latest in media buys. Listen in for a behind-the-scenes look at the many details involved, from the four P's Jennifer (JP) Perlmutter looks for in a photographer's work to Michael Ash's skill in editing a portfolio to allow a photographer's individual vision and passion to shine. Our experts also shed light on critical topics such as branding, while making distinctions between a physical and emotional brand. Get fresh insights about standing out in an oversaturated marketplace and the matter of seeing ahead of the curve on trends. As JP notes, "You don't have to hop on the current trend. You don't need to create the new trend. You need to create what's true to you, what's true to your vision, and then know that there are enough people out there—that there is your niche. There are the people who are going to love what you're doing." Guests: Jennifer Perlmutter & Michael Ash Episode Timeline: 3:16: Is there a difference between the terms agent and rep? 4:11: Michael Ash on his start as an agent in late 1970's New York. 7:46: Jennifer Perlmutter talks about her beginnings at the dawn of social media. 12:25: Having a good eye for talent, plus the qualifications and skillsets needed to be a rep. 16:54: Producing as part of an agent's role, plus a peek inside relationships between photographers and a rep. 20:16: Navigating connections between clients, photographers, and reps—plus contracts. 27:34: An agent's role in protecting a photographer's interests, plus their skill in editing and curating the work. 35:46: JP describes the Four P's—what she looks for in a photographer's work. 43:14: Episode Break 44:36: To brand or not to brand, plus distinctions between physical and emotional branding. 47:28: How do you stand out in an oversaturated marketplace and hone a unique vision? 53:29: The current trend for nostalgia and harkening back to the analog world. 57:56: Michael and JP discuss today's advertising marketplace and usage rates. 1:01:08: The matter of taste vs analytics in today's commercial marketplace. 1:04:21: How do you see ahead of the curve or know which trends are worth jumping on? Where do we go from here? 1:11:14: Apostrophe's mentorship program, advice for young creatives, and some thoughts on AI. Guest Bios: Michael Ash is a photographers' agent and creative consultant who began representing photographers in 1979, after failing to get drafted into Major League Baseball. Born in Brownsville, Brooklyn, and raised on the streets of New York, Michael founded and led a successful agency in New York City from 1979 to 2016, focused on guiding the careers of more than 40 photographers from around the globe. He introduced this international talent to the world of commercial photography through representation, creative direction, and mentorship. Michael is an expert in contract negotiation, editorial curation, and client development. Most importantly, he has a lifelong dedication to nurturing artistic vision and unique creativity. Jennifer "JP" Perlmutter is currently a senior photo and motion rep at Apostrophe, with nearly two decades of experience representing and producing for photographers and directors across commercial and editorial realms. A 2006 graduate of Emerson College, where she studied advertising and visual arts, JP fell in love with photography early on and built a career at the intersection of creativity and commerce. She's known for her collaborative approach, sharp production insight, and deep commitment to artist development, especially when it comes to mentoring emerging talent. Possessing a robust skill set that includes artist representation, marketing strategy, photography, print production, social media and more, JP has built meaningful connections between artists, agencies, and brands, helping creatives collaborate authentically and thrive. She's passionate about championing visual storytellers and creating space for new voices in an ever-evolving industry. Stay Connected: Michael Ash on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelash_original/ Michael Ash on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelash2/ Jennifer Perlmutter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jnperl/ Jennifer Perlmutter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jperlmutter/ Apostrophe Reps Website: https://apostrophe.is/ Apostrophe Reps on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apostrophereps/ Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Dana Glidden

It takes a lot of guts to engage with a stranger on the street, ask probing questions about their struggles, and come away with a portrait and a story as a record of the human connection that was made. Now, imagine repeating this process countless times over 15 years under the moniker Humans of New York (HONY) and watching what started as a passion project take the world by storm. In today's show, we're privileged to chat with this 21st century archivist of everyday citizens and their lived experiences. Listen in as HONY's creator, Brandon Stanton, shares how he transformed street photography into a practice of deep human connection—moving beyond candid pictures to create a unique space where strangers can reveal their most authentic selves. Some key discussion points include: the art of active listening, the power of vulnerability, and how finding someone's struggle unlocks their genius. Brandon also reflects on building a creative practice through daily discipline and navigating the tension between social media algorithms and meaningful art. Stay to the end for a peek behind the scenes of Brandon's recent blockbuster installation that brought ordinary New Yorkers' stories into the hallowed space of Grand Central Terminal. At its core, this is a life lesson in the evolution of authentic storytelling in an increasingly digital world, creating scarcity in an age of abundance—not through better images or words, but through genuine human interaction that can't be replicated in the digital realm. Guest: Brandon Stanton Episode Timeline: 2:38: The first portrait Brandon made of two random strangers he encountered in a Chicago subway car. 7:48: Absorbing rejection when asking people for a picture so to get as broad a representation of the general public as possible. 15:20: The art of stopping someone on the street to capture a photograph and a story, and the evolution of Brandon's creative process. 22:45: Capturing moments of authenticity, the profundity of a person's struggles, the granularity of lived experience, plus the evolution of finding people to approach. 31:57: The mindset and habits Brandon established early on that enables him to create his art. 36:40: Brandon's evolution in capturing people's stories—from reconstructing stories from memory to notetaking in real time to crafting a story from audio recordings. 40:22: Episode Break 41:46: Starting Humans of New York as an antidote to being fired from his full-time job 43:05: The therapeutic aspect of talking to people, and Brandon's process of listening with his entire body to become a vessel for other peoples' stories. 50:22: The role of philanthropy, doing good for others on a grand scale, and Brandon's determination to do the best work possible. 54:15: Brandon talks about the impact of social media and its effects on human behavior. 1:06:31: The Dear New York installation at Grand Central Terminal, and Brandon's belief that the only scarcity in art is through real life. 1:14:37: Focusing on Humans of New York as a solo endeavor vs working with more than 100 collaborators to pull off Dear New York at Grand Central Terminal. 1:20:00: Brandon talks about how he keeps grounded, plus shares his favorite question—How do you keep score with yourself? Guest Bio: Brandon Stanton is the writer and photographer behind Humans of New York, a storytelling platform with over 30-million followers. He's also the creator of Dear New York, an immersive art installation in NYC's Grand Central Station during November 2025 and a companion book. Over the past 15 years, Brandon has photographed and interviewed over ten thousand people in forty different countries around the world. During this time, he's helped raise over $20 million dollars in support of various causes and individuals who have been featured in his work. Brandon is also the author of four #1 New York Times bestselling books, which have sold millions of copies around the world: Humans of New York in 2013, Humans of New York: Stories in 2015, Humans in 2020, Tanqueray in 2022, and, most recently, Dear New York, in 2025. In addition to the books, Brandon has given over 100 keynote speeches on the power of connection and has facilitated executive-level workshops for some of the world's most respected companies, aimed at increasing team cohesion. He currently lives in New York City with his wife and three children. Stay Connected: Brandon Stanton Website: https://brandonstanton.com/ Humans of New York Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansofny/ Humans of New York Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/humansofnewyork/ Humans of New York Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humans_of_New_York Dear New York Website: https://dearnewyork.com/ Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

Paul Mobley and Ian Spanier have much in common: from starting their respective careers in New York City before relocating to the West Coast, to their knack for forging a human bond with portrait subjects, to an unrelenting drive to generate ambitious commercial assignments while being equally dedicated to complex personal projects. In today's podcast, Paul and Ian compare notes on their photographic journeys from coast to coast, while discussing their shared inspiration for 20th century portrait masters such as Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, and in Ian's case, Harry Benson. A few of the key points covered: Secrets to becoming invaluable as a photo assistant; how no one can ever out hustle a New York photographer; and while great gear is important for reliability, what's more essential is to engage with your subject and shoot for feeling And, when it comes to surviving as an artist amid the latest media challenges, Paul adds a heartening note to the end of our chat: "You know, if we go back to what we started talking about: these pictures are made with our hearts and our minds, AI can never replace that. And if people want to hire us, they really want to know what's inside of us, so for that reason alone, I'm not worried." Guests: Paul Mobley & Ian Spanier Episode Timeline: 3:50: Paul's decision to move from Detroit to New York City after college and his early years as a photo assistant. 7:44: Ian's early photo journey through high school, college, and working as a photo editor in the publishing industry. 10:28: The influence of 20th century master portraitists such as Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, and Harry Benson. 15:28: Comparing the photo industry vibes of New York and Los Angeles. 22:11: The business of being a professional photographer: 10% taking pictures, 90% putting out fires and taking care of business. 28:40: The importance of gear in developing a style—equipment is secondary to what comes out of your heart, your mind, and your eye. 36:44: Episode Break 37:20: Preparation for a portrait shoot, getting the keywords for what a client needs and getting in front of a portrait subject. 43:32: Top challenge—Getting around the gatekeepers to get time with your subject. 49:35: The famous subjects at the top of Paul and Ian's bucket lists. 56:11: Personal projects and what this work lends to Paul and Ian's output. 1:01:44: Staying relevant in today's commercial marketplace, the value of past work, and the influence of hybrid media to getting new jobs. 1:06:38: The question of generative AI in today's creative economy—it's all about adapting, but AI can never replace what's in our hearts and our minds. Guest Bios: Paul Mobley is the quintessential portrait photographer, with a career that bridges high-profile commercial work and deeply human documentary projects. After formal photo training in college and years assisting top image-makers, he developed a clean, direct style rooted in precision and genuine engagement with his subjects. Paul's commercial portfolio includes celebrities, athletes, and major brands, yet his approach remains consistent across both commercial and personal projects: Build trust, find authenticity, and create portraits that capture the soul of his subjects by combining technical clarity with emotional depth. Additionally, he is widely recognized for his long-form documentary books, projects that have taken him across the United States to photograph ordinary people—farmers, centenarians, firefighters, and community heroes—whose stories often go unseen. Paul splits his time between New York and Los Angeles, where he lives with his wife, Suzanne, and their rescued shar-pei, Jessie. In his spare time, he loves traveling, especially to Mexico, sampling tequila; and visiting Michigan to eat his mother's Italian cooking. In March 2026, Paul will be the first photographer ever to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree by his alma mater, The College of Creative Studies in Detroit. Website: https://www.paulmobleystudio.com/ Ian Spanier began making photos at age six, with a point-and-shoot camera received from his parents. A photo major in college, he started out in publishing, where he worked as a photo editor for 13 years, but making pictures never left him. He taught himself to shoot with medium and large formats, in addition to learning lighting techniques. These methods did the trick because Ian has since established a long and distinguished client list within editorial, corporate and entertainment industries. He has also published several books, including Playboy, A Guide to Cigars, Arturo Fuente: From 1912, Local Heroes: America's Volunteer Fire Fighters and, most recently, Cigars: A Biography, featuring nearly two decades of his work in the cigar industry. Ian is a brand ambassador for Westcott Lighting, Spider Holster, Tether Tools, ThinkTank, Evoto AI, and several other brands. Additionally, he regularly lectures and creates video content for Canon, B&H Photo, and PP of A. Previously a New York resident, Ian now lives with his family in sunny California, although his work still takes him around the world. Website: https://www.ianspanier.com/ Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

"Wow, this is your job? I didn't know that was a job! That's amazing. Can I have this job?" That offhand epiphany neatly sums up the enviable career path of wildlife, adventure, and travel photographer Chelsea Mayer. From an early start with her mom's camera to her selection for an Ambassador mentorship, before becoming a partner photographer, with Girls Who Click, all the way through to her certifications as a 100-ton boat captain and professional divemaster, the course Chelsea plotted has made her undeniably qualified for a thriving career. In today's show, we do a deep dive into the steps she's taken to keep her career moving forward and the vital role of mentors who've kept her motivated and focused on details that count. And on the flip side, Chelsea talks about common fears and obstacles creatives must overcome to land a dream job like her current role with National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions. "There are so many different paths to get a job in photography or adjacent to photography," Chelsea points out. Yet, as her story make crystal clear, "How do you know that you want to do it if you didn't know it exists? Guest: Chelsea Mayer Episode Timeline: 2:15: Chelsea's early interest in photography and filmmaking, then adding structure through formal education. 5:31: From a casual whale watching trip to finding a photo job on the boat. 8:26: Chelsea's involvement with the organization Girls Who Click—from ambassador to partner. 13:18: Chelsea talks about uncertainty and roadblocks in building her photo career. 15:29: Pivoting to a new opportunity to sell limited edition fine art prints due constant travel in her current job. 18:49: Overcoming a fear of public speaking in a new role at National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions. 22:04: Chelsea's gear for whale watching expeditions and underwater work. 24:48: Chelsea's disarming approach to teaching, the inspiration she draws from the outside world, and finding focus in photographing for fine art prints. 30:46: Chelsea describes a magical underwater experience with a Mola Mola. 32:48: Breaking through walls and asserting herself in a male dominated field. 36:01: Chelsea's aspirations for the future: owning a boat and teaching photography in Antarctica. 37:24: Advice for other young photographers: become undeniably qualified. Guest Bio: Chelsea Mayer is a photographer and cinematographer specializing in wildlife, adventure, and portrait photography. A California native, she attended UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television, earning a BA in film production. After spending a few years working on films, Chelsea turned her sights seaward to work as a wildlife photographer and social media manager for local whale watching boats. In 2022, she joined National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions as a certified photo instructor, captain, and naturalist, traveling along the Pacific coast from Alaska to Baja, and to Scotland. Chelsea is a US Coast Guard-licensed 100-ton Captain, a professionally certified Divemaster, a certified naturalist for a number of organizations, and a Partner Photographer with Girls Who Click, a nonprofit mentorship organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of female nature photographers. When not on expedition or pursuing photo projects, Chelsea works as a dive supervisor, camera assistant, and safety diver for natural history film productions. Stay Connected: Chelsea Mayer Website: https://www.chelseamayerphotography.com/ Chelsea Mayer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseamayerphotography/ Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

Photographs preserve what daily life cannot—moments that would otherwise fade into obscurity. In today's show, we explore this topic through a nexus of American culture, popular folklore, and photographic archives in a chat with Alan Govenar and Adam Forgash, two photographers and visual historians who are passionate about unearthing and preserving forgotten stories. Coming from different backgrounds, Alan's formal training and experience with the non-profit Documentary Arts complements Adam's hands-on skills hunting for treasures and selling vintage photographica at New York's Chelsea Flea Market. A few of the points they discuss include: the central role of the community photographer in twentieth-century life, the cultural significance of Route 66 as a favored connection point, the painstaking process of resurrecting century-old portraits from damaged glass plates, and much more. As Adam notes about these rescued portraits now titled "Faces of the Mother Road," "I've had these kinds of collections over the last 30 years and kind of let them go, but this one, I knew there was something special about it. So, as soon as I realized what I was looking at, I stopped. I put it in climate control storage. I got archival paper to put it in. I started a numbering system. "It feels pretty good," he adds, "to get more serious about my craft, realizing that I am a photo historian, even though I don't have a degree." Guests: Alan Govenar & Adam Forgash Episode Timeline: 3:07: Alan Govenar's early connections to photography and his introduction to Stoney, the hunchbacked tattoo artist who jumpstarted his photo career. 8:33: The role various media has played in Alan's work as an interdisciplinary artist and how changes to media has influenced his storytelling. 11:37: Adam Forgash describes New York's Chelsea Flea Market and the treasure trove of 8,000 glass negatives he discovered there. 16:18: A peek into the Texas African American Photography Archive, and the era of the community photographer. 22:02: Storytelling within a historical context and a photographer's accountability in reverse engineering a story from vestiges of the past. 27:01: Adam's accidental discovery of a second half to SJ Tyler's archive and tracking down information about the photographer. 30:49: Connecting the story of SJ Tyler's portrait studio to an exhibit celebrating the centennial of Route 66. 32:28: Episode Break 33:47: Making distinctions between Alan's formal education in folklore and Adam's schooling at the hands of New York's Chelsea flea market crowd. 40:23: Adam's approach to beginning this project, and how SJ Tyler's collection differed from past archives he's worked on. 42:52: Connections between Tyler's photographs and the significance of travel on Route 66, plus Adam's relationship to Tulsa. 44:26: Placing photographic stories in a wider historical context and their connection to the communities being served. 49:54: Funding and sponsorship for large photographic projects and the benefits to working with a registered non-profit as a pass-through organization. Guest Bios: Alan Govenar is an acclaimed photographer, filmmaker, writer and folklorist. A 2010 Guggenheim Fellow and the author of more than 40 books, Alan is also founder and president of the organization Documentary Arts, which he created to spotlight marginalized voices and cultures, through projects such as the Texas African American Photography Archive. As a filmmaker, Alan has produced and directed documentaries in association with NOVA, ARTE, and PBS. And as a playwright, he has written and produced musicals that have been performed from New York City to major venues across Europe. This year marks some major milestones in Alan's career, with a photography retrospective at the Center for Photography at Woodstock, a new documentary film premiering at New York's Cinema Village, and the publication of three new books, including Kinship & Community, released by Aperture. Adam Forgash is a photographer, filmmaker, photo history specialist, and proud former Oklahoman. In 2023, while foraging for visual treasures at New York's famed Chelsea Flea Market, Adam happened upon the archive of the undiscovered portrait photographer Sidney J Tyler. From 1913 to 1943, Tyler operated a photo studio in Afton, Oklahoma, making portraits of everyday subjects as they passed through the region, during a break in their travels along Route 66, otherwise known as the "Mother Road". This once-lost visual history of northeast Oklahoma features working-class people of all races and communities, including the famed Tuskegee airmen. After two years of intensive research into Tyler's archive, Adam's project, now titled Faces of the Mother Road: The Lost Portraits of S.J. Tyler - A Route 66 Story, is poised to make a lasting impact on Oklahoma's visual and historical narrative, just in time for the centennial of Route 66 in 2026. Stay Connected: Alan Govenar Documentary Arts Website: https://www.docarts.com/ Adam Forgash Website: https://adamforgash.com/ Adam Forgash Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamforgash/ Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

News reporting has got to be one of the toughest markets for a visual journalist to crack. But the whirlwind of 24/7 news cycles and the pressures of telling human stories in rural news deserts have not deterred today's guest, Keren Carrión, a photojournalist and short form video producer currently working on the NPR visuals team. Follow along as we chart Keren's evolution from stills to documentary video stories to vertical social media clips that can be absorbed in two minutes or less. We also learn about the many opportunities for feedback and career advancement she's explored, and the mix of internships and mentorship programs that have been central to her career success. When asked about parting advice for current students she notes, "I think it's really important to have a visual voice. And the only way to find that is to keep shooting. Yeah. And I will also say meet with as many people as possible, be mentored, go to portfolio reviews - figure out how to elevate that voice." Guest: Keren Carrión Episode Timeline: 2:28: Keren's early photo experiences, pairing pictures with stories for her high school paper. 5:05: Adding video to the mix in college and how this has influenced her storytelling. 10:40: Keren's advice to college students: Seek out networking and internship opportunities. 12:17: Momenta Workshops and other non-profit mentorship programs, and how these opportunities can shape creative vision and skills. 20:20: Working with Report for America in Texas, covering under-reported stories and rural news deserts. 26:22: The evolution of news media and Keren's work at NPR to create short form videos for distribution across social media platforms. 31:12: Keren's current gear, from iPhones to Sony mirrorless cameras, for shooting vertical videos 35:32: Non-traditional news reporting and how user-generated content is now shared by larger news organizations. 38:28: Keren's future aspirations to evolve with the industry and learn new skills as platforms and audiences change. 39:56: More advice for the next generation: Keep shooting to find and elevate your visual voice. Guest Bio: Keren Carrión is a photojournalist and a short-form video producer currently working on the NPR visuals team. Originally from Puerto Rico, Keren graduated from George Washington University in 2019 with a BFA in Photojournalism. Prior to her current role, she spent two years as a photojournalist for KERA News, NPR's affiliate station in Dallas through Report for America. She has also worked with CNN as a video editor in Atlanta, and interned with Univision, USA Today, The Hill, and the New York Times Student Journalism Institute. Additionally, Keren is an alumna of the Eddie Adams Workshop and Momenta Photo Workshop's Project Puerto Rico. When Keren isn't working, she's probably sitting in the window seat of an airplane, heading to a new destination. If not, you can always find her with a camera in hand — or petting the nearest dog. Stay Connected: Keren Carrión Website: https://www.kerencarrion.com Keren Carrión Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerencarrionphoto Keren Carrión on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keren-carrion Keren Carrión at Report for America: https://www.reportforamerica.org/members/keren-carrion/ Keren Carrión at NPR: https://www.npr.org/people/1213266959/keren-carrion Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

Although they cater to different senses, photography and music share much in common. In both these arts, timing, rhythm, and mood are key. It's been a while since we've mixed photography and music on the show, so we're particularly excited about today's chat with two photographers who share a passion for documenting musicians and their fans—in particular, devotes of punk and indie rock. From early memories of being truly moved by music to practical tips about photo access, image rights and restrictions, plus the complexities of organizing your work for a book, the conversation doesn't miss a beat. So, turn up the volume as Bootsy Holler reminisces about dropping into the Seattle music scene in the early 1990's to capture the raw energy of her favorite bands, now compiled in the book Making It: An Intimate Documentary about the Seattle Indie, Rock and Punk Scene. And Chris Ortiz describes how the house parties he captured at a punk commune in Kansas served as the foundation for his skills as a music photographer with a keen eye for differentiating himself in the photo pit. As Chris points out when it comes to preparing for a show. "It goes back to knowing that music and knowing the band, and being able to sit back and say, Yes, I am a fan of the band, but I also am professional, so this is what I'm going to look for when the band comes out." Guests: Bootsy Holler & Chris Ortiz Episode Timeline: 3:20: Bootsy Holler recalls her early days dropping into the Seattle music scene, photographing garage bands and dive bars. 9:41: Chris Ortiz talks about his start in photography, and his time photographing house parties at a punk rock commune in Lawrence, Kansas. 12:01: The difference between documenting live music and making portraits of musicians, where you need to develop a rapport with your subjects. 17:32: A tip of the hat to Chris as a longtime podcast superfan, plus what he's learned from listening to our 10-year archive of shows. 20:20: Bootsy's early stylistic influences and its effect on her art and music photography. 25:54: The earliest memory of being truly moved by music and the songs Bootsy and Chris were listening to when they truly got it. 31:56: Applying the inner feels of music to photographing a concert and connecting with the rhythm to grab key moments. 39:00: Negotiating access, shooting from the photo pit vs the side of the stage, plus differentiating your pictures from other photographers' work. 48:00: Episode Break 48:56: Chris talks more about current dynamics for gaining access when shooting music and concerts. 53:44: Current limits on concert photo usage and restrictions on contracts offered by some artists and entertainment companies. 58:28: Legal parameters related to pictures in Bootsy's book, plus the difference between concert pictures and portrait situations. 1:02:26: Bootsy's nine-year process of assembling a book, working with a designer for big picture decisions, plus leaving room to break the rules. 1:08:09: Finding publishers, choosing between options, plus the importance of owning the rights to your images. 1:10:20: Bootsy and Chris name the band at the top of their bucket lists to photograph. Guest Bios: Bootsy Holler has spent 30 years capturing the essential personality and emotions of her subjects. Best known for her work as a portraitist, Bootsy's journey began with intimate depictions of herself and friends at the center of Seattle's pivotal music scene during the early 1990s. These formative years at both ends of the lens cemented her style as well as the methodology behind her empathic and journalistic approach. Bootsy's work has been recognized by the Society of Photographic Journalism and twice selected for the Critical Mass Top 50. Her photos have been exhibited and published internationally and are included in the permanent collection of the Grammy Museum. In 2019 she published the monograph, TREASURES: objects I've known all my life. Most recently, her book Making It: An Intimate Documentary about the Seattle Indie, Rock and Punk Scene, was released by Damiani books. Stay Connected: Website: https://bootsyholler.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bootsyholler/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shop.BootsyHoller/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BootsyHoller Chris Ortiz has enjoyed a relationship with photography since age six, when he learned the basics from his stepfather. He's specialized in music and documentary subjects since 1998, shooting with both digital and medium format black and white film. After earning a bachelor's degree in art history, Chris obtained an MFA in photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Select documentary projects include Portraits of Latinx Identity, and We Are All We Have Tonight, featuring portraits and personal narratives from punk rock enthusiasts, describing each subject's connection to the scene. Additionally, Chris works as news editor for the Prescott Daily Courier, covering area news and events. Stay Connected: Website: https://www.chris-ortiz.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fastboyent/ Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

"Inspiration doesn't have an age gap… Maybe you've heard it 100 times before, but this time it hits differently. Or this time, it's where it sinks in and you have that 'aha' moment." That's just one takeaway from our spirited conversation with Grace Mc Nally. From soaking up a passion for photography through an early mentorship program at NYC Salt to her decision to forgo college and continue learning on the job, Grace has forged an impressive path as a creative renaissance woman with a passion for community. As podcast host Derek Fahsbender notes about this chat, "Great advice is all around you. Experience is all around you. But if you're not soaking it in, if you're not learning from it, then it's not going to make you a better photographer. It's not going to make you a better person. You really have to take it and internalize it." So, sit back and be a sponge for some inspired creative insights! Guest: Grace Mc Nally Episode Timeline: 2:28: Grace's photographic beginnings, her father's influence as a full-time professional, plus discovering the NYC Salt mentorship program. 6:08: Studying photography on the job, plus the influence of mentors like Mark Mann and the program at D&AD Shift NY. 13:40: How Grace's vision has changed through various mentorship programs, how her early self-portraits compare with recent projects to serve others, plus the creative challenges that come with doing paid work. 21:09: Grace's work in art direction and discovering the value of being a photographer in a different stage of production. 23:02: The main inspiration for how Grace sees and its relationship to Irish culture. 24:58: The gear she works with—from her earliest experiments with the iPod Touch to current work with her iPhone and her Canon R6 MK II. 29:30: More on free work vs paid jobs. How do you find your value as a photographer? 34:25: Thoughts about having diverse skill sets, compartmentalizing and creating labels, and Grace's vision for her career moving forward. 38:15: Grace's most instrumental piece of advice for photographers just starting out—Don't stop shooting and don't delete your work! 40:57: Grace's current self-portrait series in the Irish landscape and other future projects. Guest Bio: Grace Mc Nally is a creative renaissance woman with a passion for community. Born & raised in Queens, New York by two creative & crafty Irish Immigrants, Grace has a diverse skill set, with more than 7 years of experience running her creative production house Allegro Photo Industries. During this time, she's trained under celebrity photographer Mark Mann, won a Scholastic Golden Key, worked as an Art Director at Area 23, spoken at the 2023 D&AD Awards, created content for Meta, captured icons like Chaka Khan, Lil Wayne, and Drake, been interviewed by Vice, and cast talent for Roblox. Grace also plays video games & football, produces an immigrant-centered cooking show, makes zines, directs music videos, performs spoken word, collects manga, colors with children, and teaches photography to teens at NYC Salt, where she was a student herself from 2016 to 2020. Stay Connected: Website: https://www.gracemcnally.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grmcn/ Allegro Photo Industries: https://allegrophotoindustries.myportfolio.com/ NYC Salt: https://www.nycsalt.org/at-salt/2024/5/15/grace-mcnally-the-creative-directors-journeycreativity-hard-work-and-stunning-results Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

How often do you think beyond the photos you make to consider the larger purpose they serve—both for yourself and, ideally, for a wider audience? In today's show, we explore this idea while connecting the dots between picture making, process, and purpose. Our guides for this conversation are nature/landscape photographer and mountaineer Matt Payne, and street photographer, portraitist, and YouTube storyteller Sean Tucker. While Matt and Sean have widely different photographic specialties, they share much in common, from educational backgrounds in psychology to a profound commitment in using photography to find purpose in life. Taking Matt's 567-mile through-hike of the Colorado Trail as a jumping off point, we explore how balancing such a mammoth feat of endurance with a creative pursuit led him to look inward and see the world around him anew. Beyond the how of making pictures, we discuss the all-important why's of photography—from being more intentional in your image making to forging connections between learning and failure in order to grow creatively. By the end of this chat you'll gain valuable insights about living and working with intention in world oversaturated by social media—where digital fatigue is a valid concern, and AI looms on the horizon. As Sean Tucker notes, "We've been given this gift that can also be a poisoned chalice. And we each need to decide for ourselves how we want to use it, beyond the addictive qualities. We need to take some responsibility and say, 'how much do I want this in my life so that it's useful? And where do I need to draw a line?'" Guests: Matt Payne & Sean Tucker Episode Timeline: 4:01: Matt talks about why he first started taking photos as an avid mountaineer, plus Sean describes his start and the first camera he had as a little boy. 8:52: Jung's concept of two halves to creativity—the morning and the afternoon of life—plus Sean's crisis point in his journey to making meaningful work. 15:06: Matt describes our modern addiction to dopamine and ways to become comfortable with introducing discomfort in your life. Plus, he looks back on his decision to focus full time on his photography two years after quitting his day job. 21:14: Knowing how you are wired and finding the place where your deep joy and the world's deep hunger meet to pump purpose into the universe. 26:36: Matt's 567-mile endurance hike of the Colorado Trail and how he balanced this with photography and creativity. 32:24: How to make sense of all the visual noise around you to become more intentional with your photography. 40:38: Episode Break 41:38: Find the magic by looking inward and asking yourself why you make the photos you do. 45:39: Sean's simple camera set up, which is infinitely better than gear that great photographers had access to 40 years ago. Plus, the creative tension between making a mess and maintaining consistency to progress in your work. 50:37: Sean describes the nuances that define his style of street photography and discovering a connection to Edward Hopper's paintings. 54:22: How to deal with creative slumps, places to look to for inspiration, plus making the space for new inspiration to come. 1:00:25: Making connections between learning and failure so to grow, plus digital fatigue and the desire to return to a pre-screentime era as an antidote to social media and AI. 1:10:06: How to remain relevant in today's saturated marketplace, and parting advice for using technology to promote your unique creative vision—make the work you want to see more of in the world. Guest Bios: Matt Payne is a nature/landscape photographer based in Durango, Colorado. After connecting with nature first as a climber and mountaineer, his relationship shifted to photography. Nature has an innate beauty that doesn't need to be exaggerated, so he strives to capture landscapes in ways that are truthful and ethical. In 2017, Matt launched the podcast F-Stop Collaborate and Listen as a way to dive into meaningful conversations with other photographers and industry leaders about photography, ethics, and the challenges of rapid environmental change. He is also co-founder of Nature First Photography, an organization to help increase ethical awareness in nature photography and the Natural Landscape Photography Awards to celebrate nature photographers who dedicate themselves to photographing and editing their work in a realistic fashion. Having already summited all 100 of Colorado's Centennial Peaks, in 2023 Matt completed a 567-mile hike across the Colorado Trail for his current project, The Colorado Way: a Book of Mountains Trails and Growth. Featuring over 140 images and 25 essays, this book blends photography, storytelling, psychology, and wilderness to reflect on what it means to live with intention, resilience, and awe. Stay Connected: Website: https://www.mattpaynephotography.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattpaynephoto/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattPaynePhotography/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MattPayne/ Sean Tucker is a photographer, filmmaker, author, speaker, and storyteller. Born in the UK, Sean spent most of his formative years in Africa, where he served as a youth pastor in South Africa during his 20s. Although that role is now behind him, Sean still carries a fascination with psychology and spirituality, which he brings to discussions around creativity. As a photographer and filmmaker, he's been fortunate to tell visual stories for individuals, NGOs, and multinational corporations across more than 20 countries. He's also helped organizations set up in-house studios and trained them to tell their own compelling visual stories. More recently, Sean built a large following online, both on YouTube and Instagram, where he talks about the "why" behind the things we make, seeking to inspire people on their own creative journeys. In 2021, Sean published the book, The Meaning in the Making to further share his philosophy for living a creative life. Stay Connected: Website: https://www.seantucker.photography/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seantuck/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seantuckerphoto/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@seantuck/ Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

Above Photograph © Patience Ojionuka How do you transition from being simply "a friend with a camera" to landing paid gigs with top fashion brands? All while juggling a budding photo career and the rigors of post graduate study, along with sharing insider tips to inspire your community on the side. We answer these questions and more in this, our second episode of Next Frame, a monthly podcast series shining a light on rising creative talents. Today's guest is Patience Ojionuka, a trendsetting creative known for multitasking between enviable photo assignments and working towards a PhD in psychology. We get the low down on her experiences in the power of pitching and the magic of sharing on social media. "There's always projects happening, and I think that is the biggest thing I learned," she explains. "There's nothing more powerful than sharing your work." Patience also admits, "I was waiting for the perfect time to start, which reminder to anybody listening, the perfect time to start is right now. I just posted it, and it got a reaction that I just wasn't expecting. And that could happen to you. That could happen to anyone." Guest: Patience Ojionuka Episode Timeline: 2:07: Patience Ojionuka's start in photography as an undergraduate doing senior portraits and school events. 4:09: Figuring out how to make photography fit into her life, plus getting past the stigma that part time artists don't have a stake in the industry. 6:20: Connecting with ASMP's Bridge Mentorship Program, how this changed her life, plus finding time, space, and resources to create at Shotti's LR2 Studio. 13:32: A love for lighting and the viral lighting tutorials Patience posts on TikTok. 17:19: How Patience has evolved as a photographer both technically and as a tastemaker. 19:56: A memorable assignment and the value of being kind and personable in a tough industry. 22:53: Learning the power of pitching and sharing your work on social media. 26:13: Patience's current social media strategy, plus the Instagram reel that changed her life. 29:16: Drawing inspiration from outside the photography world and merging the different parts of her brain. 32:58: The most important thing that Patience has learned from mentoring and aims to impart to others. 35:21: Where Patience aspires to be as a photographer five years from now, plus news about a recent project for Teen Vogue. Guest Bio: Patience Ojionuka is a queer, Houston-raised, NYC-based photographer and psychology PhD student. Specializing in fashion and portraiture, Patience has worked on and assisted in projects for Teen Vogue, Wall Street Journal, Self Magazine, Who What Wear, Allure, and has had clients such as Tinder, Lex App, and National University. Outside the studio, you can find her singing a cappella, editing videos, or probably inappropriately doing doctoral homework at a party. Stay Connected: Patience Ojionuka Website: https://patienceojionuka.com Patience Ojionuka Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patienceojionuka/ Patience Ojionuka LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patience-o-051531212 Patience Ojionuka YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@patienceojionuka/ Patience Ojionuka TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patienceojionuka LR2 Studio: https://www.lr2.studio/about ASMP's Bridge Mentorship Program: https://www.asmp.org/newyork/the-bridge-program/ Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

We're kicking off the B&H Creators Green Room with the very talented Shuang Hu. Shuang is a renowned actress, writer, director, producer, and viral content creator with over 12 million followers. Tune in to learn about her creative journey, inspiration, and what it takes to grow as a modern creator. Guest Bio: Shuang Hu is a talented Chinese-Australian actress, writer, director, producer, and content creator who has gained over 12 million followers since starting her online content in March 2020. Her YouTube channel, THEONESHU, was listed as one of the top 50 most viewed US channels by Tubefilter.com, and her most viral short-form video has received over 298 million views. Shuang has appeared in various TV shows, films, and plays. She also co-wrote, co-created, produced, and starred in Amazon Prime's first original feature film, "Five Blind Dates," launched in February 2024, and she aims to continue sharing engaging stories across different platforms. Stay Connected TikTok Instagram YouTube Credits Host & Creative Producer: Deanna Tesa Creative Producer: Elena Maidebura Creative Editor: Larissa Mattei Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens Click here to Subscribe