Picking up a camera is often the start of a life-changing journey. And when it's combined with a focus on community building, the determination to lead by example, and shrewd entrepreneurial skills—this basic action can have a ripple effect with the potential to change countless lives.

In today's show, we speak with creative community trailblazer CJ Wolfe, who has built a passion for pictures and infectious team spirit into a multifaceted brand that encompasses rental studios, a creative agency, and a non-profit organization with a mission to educate and inspire disenfranchised youth.

Listen in and discover how CJ tapped the determination and leadership skills instilled in him as a student athlete to build a thriving business from the ground up. As an advocate of the 10,000-hour rule, he put in the time and focused on studying the industry and its varied tools and processes, to propel both himself and his community to the next level.

When asked what advice he'd give to young photographers just starting out, CJ notes: "…have your third eye open to what's going on around you, and how you can fit that into your story, into your art, into your creativity with your camera. Because nowadays, photographers, you're just not a photographer. Like, there's so much more to that now."

Guest: CJ Wolfe

Episode Timeline:

• 2:55: CJ's first camera, his pictures of fellow athletes, and learning camera settings on the fly.
• 6:29: The skills CJ learned from sports that have helped him build his business.
• 10:37: The challenges involved in establishing a 600-square-foot photo studio and rental business.
• 16:55: Building the business by studying the industry and the needed tools and trusting that process.
• 20:52: Establishing the CJ Wolfe Foundation as a non-profit organization and building the staff.
• 24:57: Earning people's trust, changing the perception of the neighborhood, and looking to establish studios in other cities.
• 31:23: Looking ahead to another five years and having more impact, plus CJ's plans to get back to his own photography.
• 33:59: CJ's advice for photographers who are just starting out: Always be open to learning new things about storytelling and marketing.
• 36:55: CJ's upcoming plans related to upcoming photo activations and major events going on in Philadelphia.

Guest Bio:

CJ Wolfe first picked up a camera in 2018, while pursuing college studies as a student-athlete. Since that time, he's become a staple within Philadelphia's creative community, influencing sports, music, and lifestyle through his creativity behind the scenes and, most importantly, behind the camera. Early on, CJ recognized a major gap in his hometown—a lack of safe, inspiring spaces for photographers to refine their craft, showcase their talents, and build professional networks. Responding to that need, in 2020, he founded Immortal Vision Studio, which quickly grew into a trusted rental powerhouse for photo and video production. Now operating two boutique studios totaling 6,000 square feet and booking over 2,000 appointments a year, this homegrown business has become a cornerstone of the city's creative community. Additionally, in 2023, CJ founded Immortal Vision Agency as a creative firm producing high-impact content for brands and businesses, while simultaneously elevating local talent to the world stage. Working together with his team, CJ has produced work for Red Bull, Footlocker, Ethika, ASAP Ferg, Lil Baby, Meek Mill, and Allen Iverson to name just a few.

Stay Connected:

CJ Wolfe Website: https://www.cjxwolfe.com/ CJ Wolfe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cjxwolfe/ CJ Wolfe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-wolfe CJ Wolfe Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/scott-beardslee

Immortal Vision Studio Website: https://www.immortalvisionstudio.com/ Immortal Vision Studio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/immortalvisionstudio/ Immortal Vision Studio Youtube: https://www.www.youtube.com/@immortalvisionstudio/ Immortal Vision Studio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immortalvisionstudio

CJ Wolfe podcast segment at B&H's Bild Expo: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/bild-2025-recap-with-cj-wolfe-maria-clinton-benjamin-von-wong

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

In case you didn't already know, 2025 marks 10 years since we started the B&H Photography Podcast, making today's show our tenth annual Photo Gear of the Year episode! A lot of cameras have come down the pike since that first recap, along with a veritable roller coaster of marketing strategies and photographic trends.

To follow up on a trend discussed last year, we start out with a nod to point-and-shoots, a craze that, according to Kevin, has "become fever pitch." To expand on this theme, we look back in time to when digital point-and-shoots were losing ground to the ubiquitous camera phone, leading to Mike's theory that the current digicam trend is "real nostalgia for mid-aughts frivolity." We also point to a multi-tiered strategy among manufacturers, allowing them to cater to different user bases—from vloggers to professionals to hybrid shooters to the all-important enthusiast market.

This lighthearted banter leads into our main course, focused on new releases from Canon, FUJIFILM, Godox, Hasselblad, Leica, Nikon, OM SYSTEM, Panasonic, Peak Design, Ricoh Pentax, Sigma, and Sony.

Finally, in addition to predictions for 2026, we wrap things up with Kevin's picks for travel-friendly photo accessories to catch his eye this year. Stay to the end to learn about Peak Design's latest travel bags and tripods, plus the innovative modular design behind a new flash system from Godox.

Guest: Kevin Rickert

Episode Timeline

• 2:50: Kevin looks back at recent camera trends, and identifies separate tiers for vlogging, high resolution cameras, hybrid cameras, and the nostalgia for old point & shoots.
• 9:11: Canon releases: R50 V, R6 Mark III, Powershot V1… plus a nod to the older G7 X Mark III
• 18:00: FUJIFILM releases: X-half digital camera, X-E5, X-T30 III, GFX100RF, Instax Wide EVO
• 33:10: Hasselblad release: X2D II 100C
• 37:37: Leica releases: M EV1, Q3 Monochrome, SL3-S, SL3 Reporter

43:30: Episode break

• 43:52: Nikon releases: ZR 6K, Z5 II, and a Z6 III firmware update
• 54:22: OM SYSTEMS releases: OM-3, OM-5 MK II
• 57:38: Panasonic releases: S1R II, S1 II, S1 IIE
• 1:02:48: Ricoh release: GR IV
• 1:05:40: Sigma release: BF Mirrorless
• 1:09:48: Sony releases: RX1R III, FX3A, FX2, a7 V
• 1:23:50: Kevin's recommendation for a better editing workflow when travelling with an Apple iPad Pro
• 1:26:06: Peak Design releases: Roller Pro Carry-On & Pro Carbon Fiber Tripods with Ball Head
• 1:28:45: Godox release: iT-32 TTL Mini Flash system
• 1:30:12: Revisiting the current point and-shoot craze and the digicam look
• 1:34:52: Kevin's upcoming travel plans, and thinking ahead for the total eclipse in mid-August 2026
• 1:39:00: Kevin, Derek, and Mike share their predictions for 2026

Guest Bio:

Kevin Rickert is B&H Photo's Senior Sales Trainer for Photography and Lighting. It's Kevin's job to keep in touch with camera and lens manufacturers and get details about all the latest releases and updates. His role is to make sure the world-renowned B&H staff has all the information to answer your who, what, why, and other questions that you may ask, so they can satisfy all your wants and needs.

Born and raised in New York, Kevin is an intrepid street photographer, an avid traveler, and a baseball fan with 23 years in electronic retail, the last 11 of which have been spent as a sales trainer at B&H.

Stay Connected:

• B&H Photo Video Website: https://www.bhphotovideo.com
• B&H Photography Podcast landing page: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts
• B&H Photography Podcast on B&H Photo's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BandH/podcasts
• B&H Photo Video Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhphoto
• B&H Photo Video Twitter: https://twitter.com/bhphoto

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

Join Deanna as she welcomes professional side-quester, storyteller, and video editor, Mylene Mae (@mylenesmind). Mylene shares her personal journey, including how she pivoted from working in STEM and got started in video, as well as her learning process and the struggles of digesting long-form content. They discuss the importance betting on yourself, staying curious, and forgetting the metrics and finding the fun in content creation.

Credits:

• Host & Creative Producer: Deanna Testa
• Creative Producer: Elena Maidebura
• Creative Editor: Larissa Mattei
• 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

In Episode 7, host Deanna Testa sits down with the vibrant and hilarious, Tolú Ekundare (@tolukundare) to spill the tea on what it takes to grow as a modern creator. Tolú shares how she landed two big Netflix shows, the challenges of getting started in the podcasting space, and how she continues to build her own brand while staying her most authentic self.

Credits:

• Host & Creative Producer: Deanna Testa
• Creative Producer: Elena Maidebura
• Creative Editor: Larissa Mattei
• 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

In this episode, we sit down with New York-based photographer and content creator Brandon Woelfel (@brandonwoelfel) to discuss his personal journey as well as the growing pains of being modern creator and photographer. Brandon shares how fine art led him to taking photos, adapting to the ever-changing social media landscape, gaining confidence in one's own work, educating in the space, and even leveraging AI.

Whether you're a photographer, filmmaker, TikTok star, podcaster, or just starting your creative journey, this conversation is full of insight, motivation, and practical advice you can use right now. Episodes drop every other Thursday. Hit subscribe and join the B&H Creators community for more unfiltered conversations with creators shaping today's culture.

Guest Bio: Brandon Woelfel

Brandon Woelfel is known for his dreamy portrait photography. His creative use of lighting and color lend a unique sense of intimacy to his portraits that makes his work instantly recognizable. He's also the author of two photo books, Ultraviolet and Luminescence.

Credits:

• Host & Creative Producer: Deanna Testa
• Creative Producer: Elena Maidebura
• Creative Editor: Larissa Mattei
• 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