The MOOD Podcast

Chico Review 2026 - part 1: Why Feedback Beats 10,000 Followers


Listen Later

The Chico Review destroyed my confidence. Then built it back...

THIS IS PART 1 OF A 2 PART FEATURE ON CHICO REVIEW 2026 - SEE PART 2 NEXT WEEK.

I arrived at the Chico Review 2026 thinking my work was ready. 10 formal reviews, 25 reviewers and speakers, publishers, curators, photographers and more — I was scrapping half of it by the end of day one. This is the first installment of 2, about my honest experience on what happened, what I learned, and why I'd do it all again without hesitation.

In this video:

  • What the Chico Review actually is (and who it's for)
  • My 10 portfolio reviews: the breakthroughs, the brutal moments, and the one that made me cry
  • Why cohesion matters more than individual images
  • How the week changed my approach to sequencing, editing, and book-making
  • What my project looks like now vs. what I brought to the table on day 1.


About the Chico Review:
The Chico Review is an annual photography portfolio review held in Chico Hot Springs, Montana. 80 photographers. Reviewers from Magnum, L'Artier, TIS Books, Deadbeat Club, Tresspasser, SFMOMA, The New Yorker, and many more. 6 days of formal reviews, informal conversations, and everything in between. It's one of the most respected portfolio review events in the world — and one of the most humbling.

If you're a photographer questioning your work, your direction, or whether feedback is worth seeking — this one's for you.

PART 2 DROPS NEXT WEEK — subscribe so you don't miss it. And for more deep, reflective photography conversations in the meantime, subscribe to The MOOD Podcast 🎙️

---
📸 https://mattjacob.co
🎙️ https://themoodpodcast.com
📷 @mattyj_ay
📷 @the_moodpodcast

Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!

Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work.

YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay

Learn with me
https://mattjacob.co/learn

My Newsletter
https://www.mattjacob.co/archive

Website:
https://themoodpodcast.com

Socials:
IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The MOOD PodcastBy Matt Jacob

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

44 ratings


More shows like The MOOD Podcast

View all
This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

91,297 Listeners

Criminal by Vox Media Podcast Network

Criminal

37,595 Listeners

The Candid Frame: Conversations on Photography by Ibarionex R. Perello

The Candid Frame: Conversations on Photography

665 Listeners

FroKnowsPhoto Photography Podcasts by FroKnowsPhoto

FroKnowsPhoto Photography Podcasts

699 Listeners

B&H Photography Podcast by B&H Photo & Video

B&H Photography Podcast

2,019 Listeners

Making Sense with Sam Harris by Sam Harris

Making Sense with Sam Harris

26,380 Listeners

Street Photography Magazine Podcast by Street Photography Magazine Podcast

Street Photography Magazine Podcast

57 Listeners

A Small Voice: Conversations with photographers and filmmakers by Ben Smith

A Small Voice: Conversations with photographers and filmmakers

160 Listeners

Heavyweight by Pushkin Industries

Heavyweight

17,649 Listeners

F-Stop Collaborate and Listen by Matt Payne

F-Stop Collaborate and Listen

295 Listeners

This is Love by Vox Media Podcast Network

This is Love

9,394 Listeners

The Photowalk by Neale James

The Photowalk

124 Listeners

Interesting Times with Ross Douthat by New York Times Opinion

Interesting Times with Ross Douthat

7,244 Listeners

FRAMES Photography Podcast by FRAMES Magazine

FRAMES Photography Podcast

100 Listeners

The PetaPixel Photography Podcast by PetaPixel

The PetaPixel Photography Podcast

95 Listeners