In this episode of the Foto Podcast, we’re joined by photographer and longform journalist Elliot Ross, whose thoughtful work bridges storytelling, ecology, culture, and human rights across the American West. From growing up on a remote farm in Colorado to assisting legends like Annie Leibovitz and Mark Seliger in New York, Elliot’s journey has taken him from the fashion world to remote caves, wheat harvests, indigenous communities, and ecological restoration zones.

We discuss his powerful projects, such as A Question of Balance and Geography of Hope, which explore issues of water access, climate change, and the cultural histories intertwined with land and community. Elliot opens up about what it means to live a photographic life, how his camera connects him to people and place, and why he believes photography still matters in a world full of noise.

This episode is a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation on photography, advocacy, and the quiet richness that comes from paying close attention to the world around us.

Connect with Elliot

Web - elliotstudio.com

Instagram - instagram.com/elliotstudio

Foto - @elliotstudio

Thanks to our Sponsors! State Film Lab and MUSEA.

In this episode of the Foto Podcast, we’re joined by New York photographer Angela Cappetta. A lifelong documentarian, Angela Cappetta's work captures the depth and nuance of everyday life with bold honesty and vibrant storytelling. Angela shares the journey from her earliest photos as a child to her years working under icons like Mary Ellen Mark and Arthur Elgort to her celebrated long-term project documenting a family on the Lower East Side.

We discuss her first book, her love for flash photography, and why editing is one of the most emotional and essential parts of the creative process. Angela also opens up about the hustle of life as an artist, the grind of grant writing, what she’s learned from the publishing world, and how weddings became one of the richest visual playgrounds in her career.

This conversation is packed with wisdom, humor, and truth bombs about photography, storytelling, and the reality of being an artist for the long haul.

🔗 Resources & Links:

* 📸 See Angela’s Work: angelacappetta.com

* 📷 Follow Angela on Foto: @angelacappetta

* 📬 Follow Angela on Substack: Angela Cappetta

* 📷 Instagram: @angelacappetta_

* 📚 Buy her book: Glendalis

* 📥 Download Foto now on the App Store or Google Play – no ads, no videos, no crop, and a chronological feed that celebrates real photography.

In this episode of the Foto Podcast, we sit down with Michael Wriston, a Baltimore-based street portrait and long-exposure photographer whose work captures the soul of the city—one person, one building, one streetlight at a time. Michael shares how photography became a grounding force in his life during military night shifts and how it evolved into a way of deeply connecting with the world around him.

We talk about the energy of late-night wandering, what it means to photograph lived-in neighborhoods, and the stories told by forgotten buildings and hand-painted signs. Michael’s work is all about seeing the beauty in what others overlook—and documenting it with empathy, curiosity, and respect.

Whether photographing strangers on their stoops or exploring alleys at 2 a.m., Michael brings a calm, authentic presence to his work that shines through in every frame.

🔗 Resources & Links:

• 📸 See Michael’s Work: michaelwriston.com

• 🖼️ Follow Michael on Foto: @mwriston

• 📷 Follow Michael on Substack: Ten Minute Exposure

• 📚 Mentioned in the episode: Wide Angle Youth Media, Baltimore Photo Space

➡️ Download Foto on the App Store or Google Play — no ads, no videos, no crop, and a real chronological feed. Foto is photography how it should be—focused, intentional, and built around community.

In this episode of the Foto Podcast, documentary photojournalist Justin Hamel shares the incredible stories behind his work on the U.S.–Mexico border. From his early days exploring abandoned buildings in Pennsylvania to documenting the realities of migration, law enforcement, and energy production in Texas, Justin’s photography is grounded in empathy, persistence, and a commitment to truth.

We talk about everything from how a devastating spinal cord injury reshaped his life and, work to the human cost of border policies, the rise in migrant deaths in the desert, and his long-term projects like Almost America, Camino de los Muertos, and Post Office Murals. It’s an honest, moving conversation about storytelling, advocacy, and the power of showing up with a camera.

Resources & Links:

• justinmhamel.com

• Buy Prints

• Follow Justin on Foto

• Follow Justin on Instagram

The Foto Substack and Podcast is a community-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode, we sit down with Nick Gervin, a documentary photographer from Portland, Maine, whose raw and unfiltered work captures the unseen side of city life. Nick shares his journey from overcoming two traumatic brain injuries to using photography as a tool for recovery and self-expression. We dive deep into his decade-long project, Portlanders, his thoughts on documentary photography, the role of flash in his work, and how skateboarding shaped his visual style. Plus, we talk about his latest project, Mainers, where he’s expanding his lens beyond the city to capture the essence of his home state.

If you love honest, compelling storytelling through photography, this episode is for you.

Resources & Links:

📸 Follow Nick Gervin: NickGervin.com | Instagram | Foto - nick_gervin

📖 Check out his book: Portlanders

📷 Try Foto! Download Foto now on the Apple App Store and Google Play – no ads, no cropping, and a chronological feed that puts photography first!

🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your fellow photographers!

Foto is a community-supported organization. To receive new posts and podcast episodes and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode, Michael Howard sits down with renowned large-format photographer and 2024 Guggenheim Fellow Lisa Elmaleh. Lisa shares her journey into large-format photography, her decision to trade Brooklyn for a remote cabin in West Virginia, and her powerful work documenting life along the U.S.-Mexico border. She opens up about the challenges migrants face, the humanity behind immigration, and how she builds trust through her thoughtful, slow photographic process. This is an inspiring conversation about art, empathy, and resilience.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: This podcast was recorded in early January 2025. On the 20th of January 2025, thousands of people were devastated, that the legal path to asylum closed without further recourse due to executive order "Securing our Borders". The CBP One phone app is no longer functional. Thousands of people have nowhere to go because they cannot return due to cartel violence and other reasons, and many people will be in limbo indefinitely until something changes.

🔗 Visit Lisa's Website - https://lisaelmaleh.com

🔗 Check out Lisa's upcoming workshops - https://lisaelmaleh.com/workshops

🔗 Deep Time Press Zine of Tierra Prometida - https://deeptimepress.com/Promised-Land-Tierra-Prometida-Lisa-Elmaleh

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In this episode, we dive deep into the growing discussion about AI and its impact on photography. We cover the potential benefits of AI in visual recognition and image labeling, the ethical concerns surrounding AI-generated images, and the complexities of ensuring creators' rights and consent. With real-world examples and thoughtful analysis, we explore the technical and philosophical nuances of AI in image creation, how different groups view its role, and the ongoing legal and technical challenges. Join the conversation about the future of AI in photography and what it means for creators and users alike.

Margaret Warren - imagesnippets.com

00:00 Introduction to AI in Photography

00:35 The Evolution and Scope of AI

01:10 Machine Techniques and Computer Vision

03:44 The Rise of Generative AI

04:36 Ethical Concerns and Copyright Issues

07:29 User Reactions and Digital Source Types

09:21 AI in Everyday Photography

11:32 Challenges in Identifying AI-Generated Images

23:32 Legal and Regulatory Landscape

45:43 Future Directions and Final Thoughts

Daniels' Website - https://shifter.media/

Daniel Milnor, the Creative Ambassador for Blurb, delves into his journey from a photographer to his role at Blurb over 13 years. He discusses his unexpected entry into photography and his transition from traditional photography practices to embracing modern challenges and opportunities, such as AI and digital technology. The conversation spans topics from the impact of AI on the creative industry, ethical considerations, the value of unique work and storytelling, and the evolving models for creators in a rapidly changing technological landscape. Milnor also shares his views on the importance of curiosity, originality, and building personal ecosystems outside of traditional platforms like social media.

00:00 Introduction to Dan Milnor

00:50 Journey into Photography

02:35 AI and the Photography Industry

12:01 The Future of Photography and Creativity

16:57 The Role of Story and Unique Work

31:49 Curiosity and Inspiration

33:13 Where to Find Dan Milnor

Welcome to the Foto Podcast! I’m thrilled to introduce Margaret Warren as a tech advisor here at Foto.

Margaret has an incredible background in metadata, digital innovation, and image management, and today, we’re diving into how her expertise is shaping Foto’s future.

We’ll be discussing everything from the role of metadata in preserving image context and discoverability to the importance of user control over data privacy and location settings. Margaret will also share insights on how these features can help build richer, more meaningful connections and support a thoughtful, engaging platform experience.

Connect with Margaret in the following places:Visit Image Snippets - ImageSnippets is a Linked Data Annotation System

Follow her Substack

Follow her on Foto (@mmz)

Listen to the Foto Podcast on Apple and Spotify.

Subscribe to the Foto Podcast here on Substack by clicking the button below.

This Foto Podcast Episode is an update from Michael Howard on where Foto development stands as of April 2024. Michael discusses Foto's different funding strategies over the next 6-8 months and what new features will be released in the next 1-2 months.

Subscribe to the Foto Podcast on Apple and Spotify.

Foto Site - https://fotoapp.co

Foto Substack - https://fotoapp.substack.com