I Love Your Stories- Conversations with Artists and Creatives with Hava Gurevich

Photographer Jeff Pfaller joins host Hava Gurevich to talk about dark sky photography and rare natural phenomena—aurora, the Milky Way, comets, eclipses, and more. Jeff shares how he moved from writing and advertising into photographing what cameras can reveal beyond human night vision, why he cares less about technical perfection than capturing the feeling of being there, and what it’s like to chase events where so much can go wrong. They discuss planning versus unpredictability, learning to embrace imperfect conditions, guiding trips for photographers and non-photographers alike, doing art fairs, and Jeff’s evolving definition of success—finding fulfilment in making the work, with selling as a way to keep doing more.

Website
https://jeffpfaller.com/  
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/pfallerj

*Shownotes*

Jeff explains what “dark sky” means and how it relates to night conditions and environments without sunlight.

How long exposures allow cameras to capture light and detail beyond what the human eye can see at night.

Jeff’s background in writing and advertising, and how storytelling shaped his approach to photography.

His early struggle to capture the feeling of travel experiences in photos rather than just documenting places.

The moment he first photographed the Milky Way and became fascinated by what exists beyond normal perception.

His experience seeing Yosemite’s firefall and the emotional impact of witnessing rare natural events.

Why he focuses on capturing how a moment feels instead of technical perfection or photo-realism.

The challenges of photographing rare phenomena such as eclipses, comets, and unpredictable weather conditions.

The importance of embracing imperfect or unexpected conditions and finding beauty in them.

Planning ahead by scouting locations in daylight and using apps to predict where celestial objects will appear.

His perspective on gear and why he believes smartphones can be powerful tools for night photography.

Balancing photography with a full-time remote role as a UX writer at Mozilla.

Selling prints and wall art online, along with guided trips as a way to share experiences with others.

Encouraging people to experience moments with their eyes first rather than focusing only on the photograph.

The value of guided trips and witnessing others experience rare natural events for the first time.

His focus on family, sharing these experiences with his children, and creating meaningful memories together.

Why he chose art fairs as a way to connect with people and build relationships in person.

Lessons from art fairs, including humility, rejection, and the importance of personal connection.

How photography can trigger personal memories and emotions in viewers.

His evolving definition of success, focusing on enjoyment of the creative process rather than outcomes.

Viewing sales as a way to continue creating rather than as the primary measure of success.

His journey from writing novels and scripts to making art for personal fulfillment.

How people can find his work online and meet him at art fairs in the Midwest.

Photographer and author Gary Zuercher joins host Hava Gurevich to share the story behind his signature series, The Glow of Paris: The Bridges of Paris at Night.  What began as an accidental overexposed photograph of the Alexander III Bridge became a five-year, winter-only project to photograph every bridge in Paris at night, followed by a year of historical research. Gary discusses the technique that shaped the work, the solitude of photographing along the Seine in winter, the book’s publication and awards, major exhibitions in Paris, and the chance encounter in Mexico City that first brought him to Paris and eventually to his wife. The conversation also explores his dual career in business and photography, how he defines success, and why he believes photographers should experience shooting and developing film in a darkroom.

Gary Zuercher
https://www.parisbridges.com/

The Glow of Paris Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXoyu1A_mQ4

SHOWNOTES
How an accidentally overexposed photograph of the Alexander III Bridge sparked the Paris Bridges Project

Using overexposure and under-development to create luminous nighttime images

The “two beautiful mistakes” that shaped the project

Photographing every bridge in Paris at night over five years

Spending an additional year researching the history of each bridge for the book

Early experiences with photography through a Boy Scouts merit badge and a basement darkroom

Studying at Ohio State University and the Parsons School of Design in Paris

The chance meeting in a Mexico City airport that led to Paris and meeting his future wife

Why the project was shot only in winter

Photographing alone at night along the Seine

Publishing The Glow of Paris in English and French

Winning a gold medal at the annual New York Book Convention

The work entering permanent collections including the Library of Congress

Major exhibitions in Paris, including the Hôtel de Ville and public outdoor displays

Defining success as an artist versus success in business

Advice for photographers to learn film and darkroom techniques alongside digital

Artist, curator, and writer Lindsay Peyton joins host Hava Gurevich for a wide-ranging conversation about what it takes to build a lasting life in the arts. Lindsay shares her path from a
creatively rich childhood into painting and photography, her time studying photojournalism, and the many hats she’s worn along the way—teaching, curating, running galleries, doing PR for
artists, and returning to graduate school later in life. They talk about the realities of sustaining an
art career, including the invisible business and promotional work behind getting art seen, how
creativity moves across disciplines, and Lindsay’s perspective on AI as a tool for writing and
beyond.

Lindsay's website:  https://www.lindsaypeytonart.com/ 
Lindsay's IG account: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypeytonart

In part two of Hava Gurevich’s conversation with Michael “Misha” Gurevich, they explore the idea that creativity isn’t optional—it’s a core human need. Misha shares how an existential crisis during the dot-com era led him from software development in San Francisco to meditation and creative exploration in Fairfield, Iowa, including discovering morning pages through The Artist’s Way and building a writing tool called Ilys. They discuss creativity as process over outcome, the role of play, how expectations block flow, and how “permission” opens the gates for expression. Misha also describes how he practices play through riding an electric unicycle, training to become a kiteboarding instructor, and preparing for a 1,800 km kiteboarding
expedition in Brazil—using these activities as real-world flow training.

www.instagram.com/michaelgurevich777/   
Discover Ilys: https://www.ilys.com/

Memorable quotes

• “Creativity isn’t optional… a core human need, right after food and sex.”
   
• “I was living the dream… until I had an existential crisis when my grandfather died and I began asking questions.”
   
• “I really felt a deep, meaningful internal shift… when I allowed myself to do that with no outcome other than just having the experience.”

  
  

• “The only requirement for it to be successful is that you just do it.”

  
  

• “You have to let go of the need to create in order to actually create.”

  
  

• “There’s this level of mental overseer that’s looking and judging…”

  
  

• “We might not recognize it when it comes up… it won’t be until later… to look at the mess that we’ve made and inside that mess where are the gems.”

  
  

• “Any supermarket is as spiritual as any holy temple.”

In this crossover Halloween episode, host Hava Gurevich sits down with photographer, podcaster, and former nurse practitioner Carmen Davailus. They talk about creativity, vulnerability in sharing art, how people connect emotionally with images, and what it means to step into your voice later in life. Carmen reflects on her journey from 40 years in healthcare to photography and storytelling, and shares a powerful full-circle moment when she reconnected with the family of her first neonatal patient after 40 years. Hava discusses patterns in art, personal growth, and how creativity ties together different parts of life. Together, they explore passion, meaning, and why it’s never too late to say thank you or share a story.
https://www.carmensfineart.com/  
https://www.instagram.com/carmensfineart/  
Carmen's podcast: The Art of a Meaningful Life: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLytsm2Q-CHzaUIxZbrUkZbivL0p1-xa-l&si=cTmvlLtgX9nxYzHz

In this episode, host Hava Gurevich talks with wildlife photographer, teacher, scientist, and software engineer Rosalind Phillips, who has spent her life “exploring the connections between art, science, and education.” Rosalind shares stories from growing up in Inwood in upper Manhattan near the Cloisters, attending a progressive school based on John Dewey’s laboratory school, and spending summers at a Quaker camp in Vermont, where her deep love of nature took root.

She recalls getting her first camera as a child from her amateur-photographer father, becoming a national leader in using computers in the classroom, and the hummingbird nest photograph that re-ignited her passion for photography in 1992. Rosalind talks about her project-based teaching, her move into software engineering after serious illness, three decades on the art fair circuit in Olympia and Seattle, her philosophy of intent in photography, and the belief that “every living creature…deserves the same respect that we give other human beings.” She also speaks candidly about navigating racism, building long-term relationships with collectors, and her current passions: astrophotography, abstract nature work, and her annual Juneteenth images.

https://www.instagram.com/rosalind.philips/   
https://rosalindphilipsphotography.com/shop-art/

In this episode of I Love Your Stories, host Hava Gurevich talks with multidisciplinary artist and educator Andrea Cote, who works across printmaking, sculpture, video, and performance. Andrea shares how early collaborations with women artists shaped her creative path, how modelling for other artists transformed her understanding of herself, and how motherhood changed her art and sense of purpose. The conversation moves through her teaching journey, community-based projects, and what it means to find flow, resilience, and connection through art.

Andrea Cote is an artist and educator whose practice includes printmaking, sculpture, performance, and video.
Her work often uses her own body as subject and instrument, inviting viewers to find connection through traces of lived experience.
Andrea teaches across all ages and abilities, currently at Suffolk Community College, and leads community-based projects throughout eastern Long Island.

Website: andreacote.com

Instagram: @AndreaCoteArt

Hava Gurevich sits down with her longtime friend, photographer, author, and educator Henry Horenstein, who has taught generations of photographers and published over 40 books. In this conversation, Henry reflects on his early days studying under Minor White, Harry Callahan, and Aaron Siskind, and how the 1970s marked a turning point for photography as an art form. He shares stories from his life — from working at Polaroid and teaching at RISD to creating his newest self-published book, Miles and Miles of Texas. With humour and honesty, Henry discusses the importance of following your passion, defining success on your own terms, and doing what you love for as long as you can.

Topics Covered:

• Studying at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) after being expelled from college in Chicago

• Mentorship under Minor White, Harry Callahan, and Aaron Siskind
  
  
• Early days of photography education and the limited career paths in the 1970s

• Working at Polaroid in PR and communications and meeting Ansel Adams
  
  
• Transition to teaching photography at RISD
  
  
• The rise of photography as an accepted art form

• Reflections on his memoir Shoot What You Love
  
  
• Creating and self-publishing Miles and Miles of Texas
  
  
• Why he prefers self-publishing for creative control

• Advice to artists on publishing: “Do it yourself.”

  
  

• His philosophy on success: “Doing what you love for as long as you can.”

  
  

• Upcoming events and book tour details, including Rizzoli Bookstore, NYC and Texas Book Festival
  
  

Find Henry online:
 📸 Website: henryhorenstein.com
 📧 Email: [email protected]
 📕 Book: Miles and Miles of Texas — available on his website and (soon) on Amazon

✨ Memorable Quotes (verbatim from transcript)

• 
  “The best advice is shoot what you love.”

  
  

• “I see myself as a historian with a camera.”

  
  

• “You’ve got to be you. It’s the most obvious lesson in the world, but it’s one a lot of students have trouble with.”

  
  

• “For me, success is just getting to do it.”

  
  

• “You don’t make money on what you do, you make heart.”

  
  

• “Doing what you love for as long as you can — that’s success.”

  
  

• “If it comes, great. If it doesn’t come, great. It’s not following your own — that’s the only failure.”

What happens when you follow your creative vision without knowing where it will lead? In this episode of I Love Your Stories, host Hava Gurevich speaks with Ukrainian-born conceptual portrait artist Anya Anti. Known for her surreal, meticulously crafted images of women, Anya shares her artistic journey—from discovering Photoshop before picking up her first DSLR, to moving to New York with nothing but two suitcases and a dream. She opens up about the viral self-portrait that emerged during her darkest times, the painstaking process behind her photographs, and how she is navigating the challenges posed by AI-generated art.

Discover Anya online:
website: https://anya-anti.com/         
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anya_anti_art

Show Notes
Guest: Anya Anti – Ukrainian-born conceptual photographer specialising in surreal female portraiture.
Early Creativity: Began with painting and crafts, later discovering Photoshop and digital photography around 2008–2009.
Artistic Breakthrough: A pivotal manipulated portrait posted in 2011 defined her genre of surreal, storytelling portraiture.
Moving to the U.S.: In 2014, Anya moved to New York with her husband, no job, no apartment, and faced cultural and language challenges.
Self-Portraiture: Began exploring self-portraits after struggling to find models, leading to her viral piece “Butterflies in My Stomach”
, symbolising anxiety and rebirth.
Signature Style: Real-world locations, handcrafted props, and hours of digital
compositing—avoiding background swaps to keep the surreal believable.
Creative Milestones: Speaking at events like WMAX and creating the climate change
project “Two and a Half Seconds” in Iceland.
AI Challenges: Anya discusses the frustration of having her work mistaken for AI-generated images and reflects on how technology is reshaping art.
Staying Creative: Despite doubts and obstacles, Anya remains dedicated to her craft,
embracing select AI tools as complements—not replacements—for her process.

In this episode of I Love Your Stories, host Hava Gurevich speaks with Edi Matsumoto, a Japanese-born artist who transitioned from a 30-year career in healthcare to a full-time career in art. Edi recounts her early encounter with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, her nursing career in the U.S., and the pivotal moment when her husband rescued an old sketch of hers from the trash, encouraging her to pursue art classes.

What began as weekend classes turned into a Master’s in Fine Arts and eventually a flourishing art practice. After retiring early from medicine, Edi leaned into business mentoring and discovered her niche: anthropomorphised otter paintings. This playful and deeply appealing work has led to her gallery, Edi Matsumoto Art and Design, in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

She discusses the challenges of opening a gallery, the importance of mentors and business education, and the Japanese concept of Ikigai—finding joy, purpose, and service at the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, and what people need. Edi also talks about her upcoming book Otter Therapy, which pairs her otter artwork with humor and lighthearted wisdom.

The conversation touches on creativity, overcoming self-doubt in selling art, living authentically, and inspiring others to rediscover their creative passions.

• Guest: Edi Matsumoto – artist, gallery owner, mentor, and author
• Host: Hava Gurevich
• Key Topics Covered:
  • From healthcare to art: Edi’s journey from nurse practitioner to full-time artist.
  • The Paris sketch that sparked her career, saved from the trash by her husband.
  • The role of mentors and business coaching in shaping her success.
  • Discovering her niche with otter paintings and how it grew into Otter Therapy.
  • Opening her gallery in Carmel-by-the-Sea and building community through events.
  • Ikigai: blending love, skill, need, and income into a joyful life purpose.
  • Overcoming the discomfort of “selling” by reframing it as service.
  • Inspiring others to reclaim their creativity and live authentically.
• Links:
  • Gallery: [Edi Matsumoto Art and Design, Carmel-by-the-Sea] (Mission Street)
  • Website: eddiematsumoto.com

  • Book: Otter Therapy: 50 Whimsical Whisker Moments for the Soul (launching October, available on Amazon)