B&H Photography Podcast

For Gabriela, photography is about more than capturing a polished final image. It's about becoming part of a place, building trust with the people around her, and recognizing the everyday moments that quietly connect our lives. In this week's podcast, she discusses moving from commercial photography into street portraiture, learning to approach people with confidence and respect, and allowing time and genuine connection to shape her work. Highlights from Gabriela's candid conversation include her approach to blending into a scene, the portrait she created after days of connecting with a woman in Nepal, and her love for photographing ordinary routines that might otherwise pass undocumented. The conversation also takes an honest look at the realities behind a creative life. Gabriela explains how she moved from hiding behind the camera to sharing more of herself online, why creators need to develop their own voices across different platforms, and how organization, business knowledge, financial awareness, and firm boundaries have helped her build a lasting freelance career. Ultimately, Gabriella's story is a reminder that finding your voice requires knowing who you are, creating for yourself first, and surrounding yourself with people who genuinely want to see you succeed. If you've enjoyed this podcast, please follow us @bhpodcastnetwork and be on the lookout for more inspiring conversations in our new format. Guest: Gabriela Gabrielaa Episode Timeline 0:00: Introducing Gabriela: Finding yourself as an artist and creative. 2:21: The growing importance of behind-the-scenes storytelling. 3:31: Moving from commercial photography to street portraiture. 4:44: Building confidence and helping people feel comfortable in front of the camera. 8:46: Slowing down, observing, and finding photographs within a single place. 11:10: Building trust to create a memorable portrait in Nepal. 12:25: Why meaningful photography takes time. 15:19: Translating the sounds and sensations of the street into photographs. 16:05: Collaborating with musicians and putting visuals to sound. 21:14: Concert photography, spontaneity, and the possibilities of creative control. 22:18: How collaboration and community helped Gabriela's career flourish. 24:06: Knowing who you are and allowing the right community to find you. 25:13: Creative boundaries and knowing when to walk away. 26:04: Turning manifestation into action through planning and persistence. 28:09: How social media affects the creative process. 30:09: Moving from behind the camera to becoming more visible. 35:55: Inspiration, influence, and why every artist brings a different perspective. 37:20: Art school, online education, and the value of real-world experience. 40:31: Bringing tactile collage and physical inspiration back into the process. 43:18: Why photographers need to understand marketing and business. 49:55: Removing the stigma around day jobs and creative side careers. 51:11: Working across photography, directing, set design, acting, and modeling. 53:31: Ongoing personal projects, including "Bag Lady." 54:44: Photographing bicycles around the world. 59:02: Self-publishing, creative networks, and friends who help you grow. 1:00:31: Returning to Latin America, reconnecting with her roots, and making intentional work. 1:02:20: Rest, boundaries, and bringing a sense of peace back into the creative process. 1:03:22: Final thoughts on community, personal responsibility, and continued growth. Guest Bio Gabriela Gabrielaa is a prominent Colombian-American photographer known for her work in portraiture, street photography, and lifestyle photography. Based in New York City, her photography captures the dynamism of urban life, showcasing both the complexities and the beauty of the world around her. Since picking up a camera at the age of 11, Gabriela has committed herself to creating powerful visual narratives that explore themes of identity, culture, and the spaces we inhabit. Over the past 10 years, she has developed a distinctive artistic style that resonates with a global audience, establishing her as a compelling voice in the world of photography. Gabriela collaborates with brands such as Sony, Red Bull, and Governors Ball. Additionally, she is a producer, curator, and community builder, bridging traditional and digital art practices. Stay Connected: Stephen Wilkes Website: https://stephenwilkes.com/ Stephen Wilkes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenwilkes Stephen Wilkes Epson Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHyeJQQVgds America in Detail at Holden Luntz Gallery: https://www.holdenluntz.com/magazine/exhibitions/stephen-wilkes-america-in-detail-jl-modern-gallery/ B&H Podcast Network Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhpodcastnetwork/ B&H Podcast Network Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BHPodcastNetwork Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Technical Producer/Video Editor: Peter Maziarz Executive Producer: Dana Glidden

For those who believe the world of elite fashion photography is not within reach—we've got a story for you! In this week's podcast, we explore the career trajectory and core values fueling the rise of fashion & beauty specialist Enrique Vega. Hailing from a small town in Mexico, Enrique built essential skills by assisting a local wedding and event photographer, then set his sights on New York City. After knocking on the door of his sole professional contact, he worked his way from unpaid intern to first assistant—building the kind of confidence that only comes from proving yourself, one shoot at a time, in a setting he compares to "a military school of photography." Enrique's chat with Derek ranges from the realities of breaking into fashion photography as an outsider while combating the dreaded "imposter syndrome" to his belief that endurance and resilience, rather than talent and execution, are what separates photographers who make it in New York. From there, the discussion shifts to the collapse of print media and what comes after magazines, how Enrique is folding AI into his workflow without losing the human element that makes his portraits shine, and the inevitable tightrope between staying an artist and running a business. Ever passionate about his photographs, Enrique sums things up with this candid sentiment: "All the work that I did from the heart, whichever way I wanted to, not because I wanted to be trendy, not because I wanted validation—just what I love—is what has opened many doors for me. It's the work that still lives in my portfolio and people love. The images that actually got me work." If you've enjoyed this podcast, please follow us @bhpodcastnetwork and be on the lookout for more inspiring conversations in our new format. Guest: Enrique Vega Episode Timeline: 0:00: Enrique Vega's Path to Shooting High End Fashion 0:41: Podcasting can help you know yourself from the outside. 3:35: The best part about interviewing people, plus Enrique's early interest in radio and media. 7:25: Enrique's first job in Mexico, assisting a wedding and Quinceañera photographer. 11:48: From intern to first assistant in NYC, plus showing the confidence to do a good job. 16:28: The story of the Archer—pursue the unreachable & aim for the stars. 18:02: The issue of fashion magazines & the world beyond print publications. 23:58: The value of personal human interaction in a digital era. 26:51: Resilience is at the core of success as a photographer in New York. 31:47: Dealing with struggles, constant evolution & industry burn out. 33:22: Riding the evolutionary wave, plus how Enrique uses AI. 46:28: Striking a balance between being an artist and a businessperson 52:22: The human element & finding the person behind the creative. 56:22: Enrique's advice for aspiring photographers: "Talent & execution are not enough." 1:04:00: Final thoughts: "Your success is my success. If I help you, we grow together." Guest Bio: Enrique Vega is a Mexican-born, New York City-based fashion photographer and director, whose fashion and beauty work has been published in the most prestigious fashion magazines worldwide and featured in TV shows like America's Next Top Model. He began his career in photography at age 17 as an assistant to a local photographer in Mexico. After completing a degree in Communication Sciences at the Autonomous University of Baja, California, he continued his studies in portraiture at the Academy of Visual Arts in Mexico City, Spéos School of Photography in Paris, the School of Visual Arts, and the International Center of Photography in New York City. His work is part of the Art + Commerce / Vogue italy / PhotoVogue Collection. In 2019, he was awarded "Photographer of the Year" by the Fashion Group International Mexico for his experience, creativity, and perseverance in fashion photography, both inside and outside the country. He also was the winner of the Kelly Cutroune photo contest organized by TALENTHOUSE to be part of an elite team of photographers working on Mercedez Benz Fashion Week in New York. Most recently, he has added teaching fashion photography to his repertoire. Stay Connected: Enrique Vega Website: https://www.enrique-vega.com/ Enrique Vega Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enriquevegaphoto/ Enrique Vega Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/enriquevegastudio Enrique Vega YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@enriquevegaphoto Enrique Vega LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/enriquevegastudio/ B&H Podcast Network Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhpodcastnetwork/ B&H Podcast Network Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BHPodcastNetwork Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Technical Producer/Video Editor: Peter Maziarz Executive Producer: Dana Glidden

New York City is often considered the center of the universe, especially for photographers and other creative types. Leaving the Big Apple after you've established yourself there can mean "saying goodbye to these chapters of a previous life," according to today's guest. Derek's chat with Sony Artisan Nancy Borowick on this week's podcast is all about looking beyond the environment that launched her professional life and making pivots to balance a successful career with the responsibilities of a growing family, amid other life changes. As Derek aptly notes, "Pivot means more adapt than it means change. And you can turn out a different end product and it's coming from a different place. But at the end of the day, you're still building the same connections." Nancy and Derek also discuss the value of mentorship, the essential role of human connections, challenges to building community as an outsider in a new setting, and Nancy's recent expansion into family & event photography. Reflecting on the jumble of life and career decisions she's made to this point, Nancy admits, "It calms me to be able to look at all the pivots and all the different chances that I've taken and seen that it's all kind of worked out in the end in some capacity. Like, when you're just starting out, and I was saying yes to everything that came my way because, one, I needed to make money, but also, someone wants to hire me to take photographs?!?" "I thought it was going to be a hobby," she adds. "I didn't realize I could make it into a career. And, little by little this door opened this thing, and this door opened this other thing, and I left New York, and I said goodbye to a lot, but then new doors opened." If you've enjoyed this podcast, please follow us @bhpodcastnetwork and be on the lookout for more inspiring conversations in our new format. Guest: Nancy Borowick Episode Timeline: 0:00: Nancy Borowick: Photography Mentors & Career Pivots. 1:36: Derek stalks Nancy enroute to the recording session. 6:12: Leaving New York for the US Virgin Islands. 10:45: Balancing a career with kids and family. 13:08: Mixing photojournalism & local news stories with family & event shoots. 15:14: Making human connections & being a part of other people's joy. 18:10: Connecting to the local community as an outsider 21:35: Building Nancy's new business: Love City Photos 29:55: A pivot means adapt more than it means change 35:34: The photographic curse behind some of Derek's portraits. 38:40: Nancy's portrait assignment from a B&H Event Space photo walk. 42:04: Photography mentorship & finding the person you want to be. 50:28: The importance of making time for yourself. 58:46: Nancy's advice for finding a mentor. Guest Bio: Nancy Borowick is an internationally renowned photographer, author, teacher and speaker, bringing her personal story to universities, hospitals, oncology units and community groups world across the globe. Nancy is a Sony Artisan of Imagery and proud member of the Sony Alpha Female community. She is a graduate of the International Center of Photography and has exhibited her work in more than 100 cities. Her photos have appeared in newspapers and magazines worldwide, and she has worked regularly with the New York Times since 2013. These intimate stories of people and places have garnered major accolades and awards, including World Press Photo, Pictures of the Year International, and The Arnold Newman Prize. In 2019, Nancy was invited to become a Kickstarter Thought Leader. Most recently, Nancy received the Humanitarian Award from the organization Women That Soar for her photography and recent monograph, The Family Imprint. Nancy currently resides on the island of St. John, USVI with her husband, and two sons. Stay Connected: Nancy Borowick Website: https://www.nancyborowick.com/ Nancy Borowick Love City Website: https://www.lovecityphoto.com/ Nancy Borowick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancyborowick B&H Podcast Network Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhpodcastnetwork/ B&H Podcast Network Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BHPodcastNetwork Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Technical Producer/Video Editor: Peter Maziarz Executive Producer: Dana Glidden

After an extended hiatus, we're stoked to announce that the B&H Photography Podcast is back online with an impressive visual identity and a vibrant new studio space for hosting in-person guests. In this Welcome Back prequel, host Derek Fahsbender elaborates on some of the moving parts involved in our transition from audio-only to a fully-fledged video podcast. He also introduces the show's new technical producer Peter Maziarz, who adds his insights from behind the mixing board. As Derek notes, our recent process in rebooting the podcast is not so different than "a typical day in the life of a photographer—figuring things out." He also shares a deeply personal perspective on his evolution as a photographer by asking, "How has it made me a better person? How does life imitate art and art imitate life? And the two interconnect in a way that as I'm getting better as a photographer, I'm hopefully getting better as a person, and seeing the world in a different light." Take a tour of our new studio space in the photos posted here. And for regular updates and inspiring chats in our new format, follow us on social media @bhpodcastnetwork. Guest: Derek Fahsbender & Peter Maziarz Episode Timeline: 0:19: Taking the leap from audio-only to a video podcast. 1:40: Challenges to building a rapport with guests without visual cues. 3:10: Updating the vision of the original B&H podcast pioneers. 5:42: The ultimate vibe check with our upcoming line-up of guests 9:13: Teasing our first podcast guest—Austin Bell and his Shooting Hoops project. 10:44: How Derek got involved with the podcast & introducing Peter Maziarz. 13:01: Derek's take on a new frontier and a collaborative vision. 15:09: A show with the support of B&H as an industry leader. 16:09: Derek's parting words: "Just go out there, do it, figure it out as you go." Guest Bios: Derek Fahsbender is a photographer based in New York City. As Senior Producer for the B&H Event Space team, Derek works with a wide range of tech brands, as well as freelance creatives, and brand ambassadors, to develop content for educational programming. He also serves as host/moderator for the B&H Event Space's live events. Derek is an official Fujifilm Creator, Logitech Ambassador, Oberwerth Ambassador, plus host of the B&H Photography Podcast, part of the B&H Podcast Network. Peter Maziarz is the producer of the B&H Podcast Network and the B&H Photography Podcast. He designed the network's brand new studio and has spent five years at B&H, following several years in video production. He's building the show he'd want to listen to: real conversations with industry leading creatives. Stay Connected: B&H Podcast Network Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhpodcastnetwork/ B&H Podcast Network Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BHPodcastNetwork

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