This is part 2 of Tom’s interview with  J. Sybylla Smith, an educator, curator, and incredible photography consultant, providing collaborations on editing, sequencing, marketing, and writing artistic statements so artists can apply for grants or exhibition proposals. She also consults with educational institutions in order to develop programming and more dynamic partnerships. Sybylla writes and lectures on visual culture, gender equity and photography, and the creative practice, with a focus on equality. With such a diverse background, there’s plenty to hear in this one! 

In this episode, Tom Kennedy, ASMP’s Executive Director, and Photography Consultant J. Sybylla Smith talk about…

• Enabling photographers to be creative in new ways while living in the current situation
• Being able to power past the limitations that fear might impose
• We can only go one day at a time!
• How the present moment will affect the institutions and where the artist fits in
• It’s always collaborative, there is no individual success
• Amplifying the reality that there are no borders separating us right now
• Start talking outside to other professions to collaborate
• Here’s how to reach Sybylla and work with her right now

Links to resources:

Billy Collins

Hail The Dark Lioness

Check out Sybylla’s work on Instagram or on her website: https://www.jsybyllasmith.com/

Send us your comments and suggestions: [email protected]

To donate to the ASMP archives go to:  https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/

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Today, Tom has the pleasure of interviewing J. Sybylla Smith, an educator, curator, and incredible photography consultant, providing collaborations on editing, sequencing, marketing, and writing artistic statements so artists can apply for grants or exhibition proposals. She also consults with educational institutions in order to develop programming and more dynamic partnerships. Sybylla writes and lectures on visual culture, gender equity and photography, and the creative practice, with a focus on equality. With such a diverse background, there’s plenty to hear in this one! 

In this episode, Tom Kennedy, ASMP’s Executive Director, and Photography Consultant J. Sybylla Smith talk about…

• What propelled Sybylla to use photography as an outlet of expression
• How Sybylla’s creativity in her social work career led her to photography
• Identifying the things that are of value that Sybylla wants to work on
• Smartphones and technology have made photography more accessible
• Cross over between personal history and world history as a curator
• Multimedia trends reverberate into academics and visual arts over time
• The real key to making impactful work and how to see the possibilities
• Sybylla’s techniques to holding up a mirror to photographers
• The biggest barriers to self-awareness in the world right now
• Opportunities that are coming forth in these unprecedented times
• In our current situation, we need the reality and the hope

Links to resources:

New York Times

Digital Silver Imaging

Check out Sybylla’s work at her website: https://www.jsybyllasmith.com/

Send us your comments and suggestions: [email protected]

To donate to the ASMP archives go to:  https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/

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Tom’s guest today, Erika Larsen, is a photographer known for extended essays that document various cultures from a variety of perspectives. Erika is well-known around the world for her work with National Geographic, Time Magazine, and other globally-recognized companies. She has specialized in immersive photography in order to tap into the world’s oldest profession, storytelling. Erika believes that good photographers have the ability to freeze time, and she has let that fuel her throughout her long and impressive career. 

In this episode, Tom Kennedy, ASMP National Board Member, and photographer rep Erika Larsen talk about…

• How Erika got started in the field of photography
• Cutting out a lot of the noise that comes with having a plethora of tools
• Storytelling is the oldest profession that the world knows
• Developing a relationship with the earth and what it means to be human
• Staying present and focused while photographing when the world is so loud
• Erika has spent a lifetime finetuning her photography skills through experience
• Overcoming the initial challenge of gaining acceptance into different cultures
• Everyone in this world holds a certain knowledge that is unique to them
• Getting people to open up and convey the essence of their own story
• Keeping track of where you are in the evolution of each story
• What catches Erika’s attention when she is in the moment of taking a photograph
• Achieving a stillness and what that does for different people
• Having a great support system when life takes you all over the world
• Making an impact on the world and how to do it
• What the person next to you says can or can’t happen doesn’t exist

Links to resources:

National Geographic

Time Magazine

Send us your comments and suggestions: [email protected]

To donate to the ASMP archives go to:  https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/

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Today’s special guest is Heather Elder, a photography rep that has worked with some of the most well-known photographers in recent memory. Heather has spent years sharing thoughts and secrets of the photography industry through her blog, Notes From a Rep’s Journal, and her podcast, Dear Art Producer. After 25 years, she still figures out ways to innovate and adapt to the industry as it changes with the times. Heather brings years of wisdom and experience to the table, so pay attention!

In this episode, Gabriella Marks, ASMP National Board Member, and photography rep Heather Elder talk about…

• What doesn’t an artist representative do?
• Creating a sense of community in an industry that lacks one
• The importance of clear communication throughout the entire process
• Walking the line between following up and not being a stalker
• Start with the creative call and work from there
• Advice for beginners on how to approach creative treatment
• Breaking down estimates and approaching the job
• What can be said about you that cannot be said about anyone else?
• How photographers are integrating motion into what they do
• Using ASMP’s heritage to look forward into the future
• Persistence is key if you want to work with Heather

Links to resources:

Keep up with Heather’s work on her website: https://www.heatherelder.com/

Send us your comments and suggestions: [email protected]

To donate to the ASMP archives go to:  https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/

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Eric Meola is an incredibly talented commercial photographer out of New York City. He has spent his career attempting to make his work distinctive, photographing things like the incredible weather of The Great Plains and Bruce Springsteen on the rise. Eric began his commercial photography career after he graduated from Syracuse University, going from his first job as a photography assistant to Time Magazine. Throughout his career, Eric has been able to balance doing commercial work, which brings in money, and his personal work, which is much more important in the long run. 

In this episode, Tom Kennedy, ASMP’s Executive Director, and photographer Eric Meola talk about…

• How Eric began his commercial career from Syracuse University
• Keeping a balance between commercial and editorial
• Forces that drive photographers to make their work distinctive
• Things learned from outside assignments and making mistakes
• Different sources of inspiration that have helped open Eric’s eyes
• Approaching the challenge of filming the weather of The Great Plains
• Achieving clarity and precision in the moment during all the chaos of the storms
• Preparation for chasing storms across such a massive land area
• Physical and mental challenges when chasing storms for long periods of time
• Staying careful and aware of the environment when photographing a storm
• How the process of editing and publishing changes between books
• Importance of being on press during the publishing process for the photographer
• The positives and negatives that can be taken from The Great Plains
• Making a statement about yourself with your portfolio
• Ways that the photography market has changed since Eric started his career
• Getting outside of your comfort zone to realize what you might be good at

Links to resources:

Eric Meola’s Website:  http://www.ericmeola.photography/

Books by Eric Meola:

Fierce Beauty

The Last Place on Earth: India

Streets of Fire: Bruce Springsteen in Photographs and Lyrics 1977-1979

Born to Run The Unseen Photos

Last Places on Earth

Send us your comments and suggestions: [email protected]

To donate to the ASMP archives go to:  https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/

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Robert Seale is a commercial photographer and long-time ASMP member based out of Houston. Throughout his career, he has been able to stay versatile and prolific, while providing his services to advertising agencies, corporate reports, and a host of editorial publications. Robert has made a name for himself with his exceptional technical ability, graphic eye, lighting skills, and his execution speed as a visual problem solver. From his start as a college newspaper photographer, Robert has spent years establishing himself as one of the premier names in the commercial photography industry.

In this episode, Tom Kennedy, ASMP’s Executive Director, and Robert Seale talk about…

• Getting into photography and influences that Robert had
• Transitioning from newspaper to sports magazines
• Preparation for photographing an athlete without the athlete
• Deciding to go out on his own as a commercial photographer
• Looking into the creative process that goes into getting a great shot
• Educating clients about the photography that they are looking for
• How Robert finds people that he really likes to work with
• Advising young photographers on which skills to hone in on
• The evolution from film to digital and how it has changed photography
• Importance of Instagram for displaying your portfolio to the new world
• Changes going on now that are creating more avenues for photography services
• The two factors that go into charging appropriately
• Things to know if entering the photography industry right now
• Staying critical and re-evaluating your process as time goes on

Links to resources:

Robert Seale's website: https://www.robertseale.com/

Robert Seale's Instagram: @robertsealephoto

Send us your comments and suggestions: [email protected]

To donate to the ASMP archives go to:  https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/

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Tom’s guest today, Lou Jones, is a long-time Boston freelance photographer. Lou received his degree in physics and you could say he was well on his way to becoming a rocket scientist, until he found his way to the art of photography. Since then, he has spent his career blending the commercial and editorial sectors. Through personal and long-term projects, Lou is working to effect change in how the world views different social issues.

In this episode, Tom and Lou talk about…

• Considering photography as a career choice from a start in physics
• Starting to build his own sense and skills as a photographer
• Perseverance through racism and other early obstacles
• Blending the commercial and editorial sectors
• Learning to navigate cold calls to make your way into the room
• Reaching a broader audience through the use of social media
• Using personal projects as a means to attract clients
• How social components of photography have changed over time
• Working to effect thinking about the realities of Africa
• Biggest challenges facing the team with the effort to cover all of Africa
• What brings Lou joy being a photographer
• Sustaining creativity after amassing such a large amount of experience
• Engaging the public in the value of work that photographers do
• Serious advice for anyone looking to become a great professional photographer

Links to resources:

Lou Jones’ website: https://www.fotojones.com/

Lou Jones’ Pan Africa Project:  https://panafricaproject.org/about-the-panafricaproject/

Lou Jones’ Instagram: @loujonesstudio

To donate to the ASMP archives go to:  https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/

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ASMP member photographer, and past Chief White House photographer to President Barack Obama, Pete Souza, speaks with ASMP Executive Director Tom Kennedy.   Pete went to K-State where he started his photography journey with the school’s newspaper. After quite a journey, he found himself as the White House photographer for both President Ronald Reagan and President Barack Obama. In this episode, Tom and Pete talk about Pete’s time at the school paper, to teaching, to the Sun Times, to National Geographic, the Oval Office and everything that came in between.  

In this episode, we talk about…

• Pete’s inspirations that set him on his photography journey
• Transitioning from the Chanute Tribune to the Chicago Sun-Times
• Finding his way to Washington to work for Ronald Reagan
• Looking for those moments that really showed what the president was like
• Putting pictures into the media ecosystem in different eras
• Traveling around the world with Reagan vs. Obama
• Learning experiences that came from working at National Geographic
• Being on the ground in Afghanistan before the troops arrived
• Building a rapport with Barack Obama in D.C.
• Maintaining professional emotions during very significant historical moments
• Understanding the importance of having visual documentation of the presidency
• Juggling the responsibilities of running the office and being the president’s photographer
• Addressing the challenge of painting the proper picture of Obama’s 8-year presidency
• Working on the Shade Project and how people are responding to it
• Advice for new photographers from Pete’s years of experience

Links to resources:

National Geographic

Keep up with Pete’s work on Instagram and check out his book, Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents

To donate to the ASMP archives go to:  https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/

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This is a very busy and exciting time in Washington for the ASMP. Here to tell us all about what’s going on is Gabriela Marks, ASMP National Board member. Today’s episode is a short update on the latest news from Capitol Hill. A vote was passed recently in the House to strengthen the copyright system, now onto the Senate. Stay tuned to hear just what that means for the ASMP.

In this episode, we talk about…

• Having the same impact in the Senate as in the House
• Modifications to the Case Act that opposition has proposed
• Where the Case Act was born
• Opponents of strengthening the copyright system
• Common distortions of the results of the Case Act
• Fears of corporate infringement that the Case Act could alleviate
• Why we need to update the copyright system as it is
• What people can do right now to bring attention to this issue

Links to resources:

To donate to the ASMP archives go to https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/

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The calling cards of any archive are preservation and access. Tom’s guest today is Grayson Dantzic. Grayson is an ASMP Board Member in the New York chapter, a photographer, and an archivist. As an archivist, he has been working with Tom to organize and assess the value of ASMP’s archives as a representation of the history of photography over the past 75 years. Grayson’s goal is to raise awareness about the roots of photography and the ASMP in order to shed light on the rich stories behind the people that have shared history through photography.

In this episode, we talk about…

• Grayson’s journey to photography and photo archiving
• Raising awareness about the roots of photography
• How passionate the early founders were for what they were trying to do
• Comparing the media saturation of today to the founding times
• Putting together a rich tapestry of the history of ASMP
• Surprising takeaways from looking at the archives
• Connecting resources between different archives
• Compensating for the loss of the human connective piece in photography
• Building the archives from the ground up
• Opportunities that are waiting in the archives
• Establishing connections with different research and preservation institutions
• Envisioning the desired digital archive presence and pool for resources

Links to resources:
Life Magazine

To donate to the ASMP archives go to:  https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/

To learn more about archivist and photographer Grayson Dantzic go to his website:  https://www.graysondantzic.com/

To read about the Smithsonian traveling exhibition of Jerry Dantzic photographs of Billie Holiday that Grayson curated go to: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/new-smithsonian-traveling-exhibition-shows-rarely-seen-photos-billie-holidays

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