Ti-An DeMartines is a painter, photographer, yoga teacher, and manager at a vocational college. A graduate of York University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Ti-An’s artistic spark was lit early by her father, a hobbyist photographer whose images quietly shaped her eye. Today, she considers herself a travel photographer at heart, chasing landscapes, cityscapes, and wildlife with a sense of curiosity that feels both grounded and adventurous.The Canadian Rockies call to her again and again. The challenge, the scale, the unpredictability. Mountains that refuse to be captured easily. And that is exactly why she returns.What makes Ti-An’s process especially compelling is her embrace of imperfection. Blurry frames. Almost-missed shots. Even dash cam footage. Where others might delete, she lingers. She transforms these imperfect photographs into paintings, finding poetry in the flaws and texture in the unexpected. For her, art is deeply personal and emotional, which is why she has consciously chosen not to pursue it full time. Protecting creativity, she believes, sometimes means keeping it sacred.You can often find her sharing her work at local markets, connecting directly with people who are drawn to her pieces. In this conversation, she offers practical advice for artists looking to get their work seen and sold, while also speaking honestly about balance, sustainability, and staying true to your own rhythm.Yoga plays a central role in that rhythm. It is her reset button. A way to step away from the pressure to produce while simultaneously creating space for ideas to surface. In fact, she is intentionally trying to be bored more often, carving out quiet pockets where inspiration can wander in unannounced.This is a thoughtful conversation about boundaries, creativity, imperfection, and the courage to define success on your own terms.You can follow Ti-An herehttps://www.instagram.com/tiandemartines/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)

Creativity sometimes arrives disguised as catastrophe.Toronto-based photographer and creative director, Morgan Kitchen, joins the podcast with a story that bends in an unexpected direction. Originally from Savannah, Georgia, Morgan moved to Toronto in 2020, chasing new chapters and colder winters.He began in front of the lens as a model. Then life swerved. After being hit by a car and sidelined with injuries, he found himself grounded, still, and staring at time. Instead of waiting for momentum to return, he picked up a camera. The original plan was tactical. Learn the mechanics. Understand the angles. Become better in front of the lens by mastering what happens behind it.But the camera had other ideas.What started as rehab curiosity turned into creative ignition. Once Morgan stepped into photography, there was no reverse gear. His personal projects pulse with intention. He shoots the kind of work he wants to see in the world, not just what the algorithm wants. That self-trust shows. His confidence is not loud, but it is steady. He commits to ideas, stretches his skill set, and executes with clarity.In this episode, we explore:• The power of networking and putting yourself in rooms that stretch you• Believing in your ability to the fullest and executing on ideas• Building a freelance career without burning yourself out• Creating balance so ambition does not outpace familyIf you are a freelance photographer, videographer, or someone hovering at the edge of creative risk, this conversation is for you.

You can follow Morgan herehttps://www.instagram.com/morgan.xyz/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)

So Kim considers herself new to the industry, having picked up a camera in 2024, but she’s already making waves. She credits her outgoing nature and genuine love for connecting with people as the key to getting her foot in the door, building relationships that led to opportunities across photo and video events.Originally a Psychology major, So pivoted into content creation after realizing she’s a creative at heart. Since then, she’s worked across the hockey world, collaborating with leagues and organizations on everything from content creation to community initiatives and sponsorships. This wide exposure has allowed her to explore multiple roles and understand how the pieces come together behind the scenes.So thrives in creative environments, loves learning the craft, and is constantly pushing herself beyond her comfort zone. Her journey is a reminder that it’s never too late to start, and that curiosity, connection, and courage can open doors faster than you think. 🏒📸You can check out So's socials belowhttps://www.instagram.com/sojungkim.jpg/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)

Jordan MacDonald is a photographer and videographer from Ottawa whose work has put him rink-side with professional hockey organizations, including the Ottawa Senators.But his story does not begin under arena lights. It starts in an 11th grade videography class, where a short film earned his group a perfect score and quietly flipped a switch. That moment led him to pick up a Sony camera, dive into photography, and begin a journey built on curiosity, repetition, and progress over perfection.In this episode, Jordan opens up about losing his creative spark when videography became a business, and how volunteering as a photographer helped him rediscover why he started in the first place. Growing up in a hockey family and living the sport his entire life shaped both his work ethic and his eye, and that passion shows in every frame he captures.Jordan shares his goals of shooting NHL, OHL, and PWHL games, along with aspirations to photograph Team Canada Soccer and live concerts. He also talks honestly about the skills he is still working to improve, and offers grounded advice that applies far beyond photography.If you want a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of working in professional and amateur sports, and a reminder that progress beats perfection every time, this episode is for you.You can check out Jordan's work herehttps://www.instagram.com/takenbyjmac/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)

We’re live from Seattle with Tariq, an iPhone photography enthusiast who finds beauty in the everyday moments most people pass by. Originally from Vancouver and an accountant by trade, Tariq is stepping into an exciting new chapter of life. Recently engaged and creatively reenergized, he’s redefining what photography means to him.Tariq lives by a simple but powerful mantra: **Passion. Vision. Opportunity.** It’s his North Star, guiding him through both the highs and the hard pauses of life and creativity. Since posting his very first photo on July 25, 2019, that mindset has helped him stay grounded while continuing to grow.In this episode, Tariq opens up about burnout, losing his creative drive, and how he found his way back. He shares one of his favorite quotes, *“Do it. Do it scared,”* and explains how embracing fear became part of his creative fuel.We also talk about what’s next: branching out into TikTok, showing up to more in-person meetups, and focusing on real connection over metrics. Tariq breaks down how he actively seeks knowledge to sharpen his craft, keep photography fun, and push himself into new creative territory.This is a conversation about patience, momentum, and trusting the process when passion meets opportunity.

You can follow Tariq here

https://www.instagram.com/takenbytariq/

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To kick off the year, I’m joined by Konstantinos Kollias, founder of The One Word Brand, for a conversation that feels perfectly timed for fresh starts and new directions.Kostas breaks down how defining your brand in a single word is not a gimmick but a clarifying force that can reshape how you show up, create, and make decisions. At a time when everyone is setting resolutions and chasing clarity, this episode offers a simpler, more intentional compass.We explore what it really means to find your uniqueness, how identity is formed and refined, the art of redaction in a noisy world, staying authentic in the accelerating chaos of AI, and why the future belongs to creators who know exactly who they are.If you’re entering the year looking for focus, alignment, or a way to cut through the fog, this conversation might be the nudge you didn’t know you needed.Follow Kostas here:https://www.instagram.com/brandtree/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)

Street photographer Sean Danny joins the show to share his unique perspective and philosophy on the craft. Though his professional life is in learning and development—mentoring colleagues and guiding growth—Sean keeps photography as his personal outlet for creative expression, separate from his day job.He’s most at home photographing Queen Street West, a neighbourhood that inspires much of his work. Known for his play with shadows and contrast, Sean isn’t afraid to bend or even break the “rules” of photography, which gives his images a distinct edge.In this conversation, Sean opens up about a valuable lesson he picked up in Tokyo on critiquing your own work, how he finds balance in a chaotic world, and what drives him to keep shooting with passion and consistency.You can find Sean's work belowhttps://www.instagram.com/deception_sean/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)

Jeff De Haan is the other half of Mrs. Lightologist, Joanna (who recently joined us on the podcast). Like his wife, Jeff is drawn to street photography—though he admits he’s still finding his rhythm behind the lens. By day, he works as a courier, giving him a unique perspective on the city and endless inspiration for moments worth capturing.In this episode, Jeff opens up about imposter syndrome, comparison, and what it means to feel “enough” in a noisy world. He credits Joanna for encouraging him through the tough times and pushing him to follow his curiosity. Always eager to step outside his comfort zone, Jeff is learning to approach people, trust his instincts, and create work that feels true to his voice.You can follow Jeff herehttps://www.instagram.com/mr.lightologist/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)

Luke Grant is a Toronto-based street photographer who first picked up a camera out of necessity—and discovered a form of therapy. Working night shifts at a cancer centre with nobody around, left him craving human interaction, so he borrowed his wife’s camera and started wandering the streets, capturing life as it unfolded.Influenced by legends like Joel Meyerowitz and Alex Webb, Luke seeks to freeze human emotion and connection in a single frame. With his wife’s encouragement, he began documenting downtown Toronto, developing a deep love for the city’s rhythm and character.One of his biggest inspirations is Eduardo Ortiz. On a whim, Luke reached out to him for advice, proving that sometimes all it takes is the courage to ask. Now, Luke is honing the art of layering—crafting complex, narrative-rich photographs that weave together multiple moments in a single shot.If you’re passionate about street photography, storytelling, or the human condition, this episode will resonate with you.You can see Luke's work herehttps://www.instagram.com/lukegrantxstreet/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)

Joanna de Haan is a passionate Toronto street photographer with a love for capturing people and telling their stories. What began with taking photos of her son soon became a way of seeing the world differentlythrough faces, families, and fleeting moments that connect us all.Now, Joanna spends her time out in the community, meeting people where they are and documenting their memories with care and authenticity. She believes in shining the spotlight on others rather than herself, a philosophy that shapes both her art and her approach to life.In this conversation, Joanna talks about the value of community—crediting groups like those led by Bryan Brock for helping her grow as a photographer. She also shares thoughtful advice: be gentle with yourself, keep showing up, and remember to have fun.We also dive into how Joanna manages imposter syndrome, her perspective on AI in photography, and why documenting history is so important in today's noisy world. You can see Joanna's work belowhttps://www.instagram.com/mrs.lightologist/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)