On this episode of Backdrop, we meet Lance Beck, the Director of Marketing at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, Oregon and discuss the challenges marine education and conservation organizations face in the digital landscape. We’ll talk about visual assets on their popular social media channels and the unique complexities that come with being a non-profit. Plus, we’ll talk about sea otters and how their most popular social media post is of an octopus taking a bath—sort of.

Starbucks Photo Producer Aaron Bear sits down and talks with William about the coffee company’s photo and video needs, what he looks for in a portfolio and how their mobile app has increased their demand for content. He also discusses the company’s culture and how they support their employee’s extracurricular creative endeavors like the documentary Aaron produced and directed called Finding Kim.

Official Manufacturing Company, or OMFGco for short, started small and, well, has kind of stayed that way. But not for lack of success. Principals Jeremy Pelley and Fritz Mesenbrink have made a conscientious effort to produce smart, well-thought out design work—whether graphic or interior spaces—that stands the test of time. They are both avid photographers with an eye for the analog process. They discuss how photography has influenced them and their award-winning work.

A few years back creative director Troy Nebeker heard the word no one wants to hear uttered in a doctor's office—"cancer." When the diagnosis barged into his family he turned to his only respite at the time—his paddleboard. While out on the water one fateful day he had a big idea. Through his surf and paddlesports photography, Troy created something that not only buoyed his family's spirits, but hundreds of other families facing that dreaded word. Troy's story is a story about sea change—literally.

From humble beginnings, the video department at Seattle eclectic public radio station KEXP.org grew from one handheld Mini-DV camera to over 1.5 million subscribers on their YouTube channel. Producer/editor/camera operator Justin Wilmore discusses how it all began, how they keep their content relevant and what's in store for the future.

Founder/principal and salesperson Jake Shivery and Arthur Ruckle discuss the beginnings of the all-analog camera store in the St. John's neighborhood of Portland, Oregon as well as the resurgence of film cameras and all things analog.