Originally from India, Kunal moved to Toronto and began exploring the city—and his creativity—through photography. Starting with just a Google Pixel, he quickly found inspiration during a trip to Banff with friends, which sparked his deeper passion for capturing the world around him. He eventually upgraded to Sony gear and hasn’t looked back.In this episode, Kunal shares:How photography helped him discover CanadaHis growing interest in videography, starting with CapCut and moving toward DaVinci ResolveWhat he’s learning as a second shooter at weddings and cultural events like GarbaWhy he’s still figuring out whether content creation is a full-time path—or a lifelong passion alongside his career in mechanical engineeringKunal surrounds himself with creative friends who push him forward. He’s always experimenting with editing styles using tools like CapCut and Snapseed, and he’s eager to explore Western Canada and connect with more creators along the way.Whether it’s a baby shower, a quiet street, or a family moment, Kunal is all about documenting real life through his lens.You can follow Kunal belowhttps://www.instagram.com/kj_maniya/Follow Open Shutter for future showshttps://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/

Born in Nigeria, Josh moved to Alberta in 2012. Though he holds a degree in accounting, during the pandemic, he taught himself photography, and when sports returned, his passion evolved into storytelling through content creation.Josh followed his heart into sports media where he is now the Social Media Lead for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, helping lead one of the CFL’s largest and most dynamic content teams.In this episode, Josh shares:- The real story behind Lazyboy Media — and why he’s anything but lazy- What it’s like grinding behind the scenes of pro football content- How he channels fan emotions, especially when the team isn’t winning- His minimalist, emotion-first creative style- Why having a “why” is everything for creatorsJosh is always networking, always learning—and his biggest advice? Prioritize your mental health and your work will benefit as a result.You can follow Josh below:https://www.instagram.com/lazyboy.media/Follow Open Shutter for future shows!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)

Meet Sujith, one half of the dynamic duo behind @theblurfocus on Instagram. Inspired by his partner’s love for portraits and color, Sujith reignited his own passion for photography — with a distinct focus on monochrome. His signature? Mastering light and contrast to craft striking, emotion-free images that let the viewer interpret the story.Active in the Toronto photography scene, Sujith draws inspiration from the city and its creators. You’ll often find him documenting his commute with camera in hand, exploring new streets to see the city in fresh ways. He’s also been experimenting with film — especially after a deeply creative trip to Peru, which he recommends to all photographers looking to grow.In this episode, Sujith shares his journey, his philosophy of "less is more," and why intention matters more than volume. He also opens up about stepping out of his comfort zone, approaching strangers, and the possibility of launching his own YouTube channel.📸 **His advice to new photographers?** Shoot a lot. Learn. Then slow down. Be intentional. And always believe you can do better.🎞️ This summer, Sujith is working on a film-based project capturing Toronto through an analog lens. As AI changes the creative landscape, he reminds us that soul and storytelling will always set your work apart.

Originally from India, Arpan’s creative journey began with a simple desire to capture moments — even before he had the technical skills to do so. Overwhelmed by the many possibilities, he dabbled in everything, slowly honing his interests and discovering a deeper passion for photography.A friend introduced him to Instagram, and Arpan was immediately hooked. Through the platform, he connected with a vibrant community of photographers and creatives who fueled his learning and inspired his craft.Now based in Toronto, Arpan is known for his minimalistic style and unique edits — turning even the city’s most popular spots into fresh visual stories. Whether he’s capturing the Toronto Air Show or exploring the East Coast in places like Peggy’s Cove and the Cabot Trail, Arpan brings vision and experimentation to everything he shoots.He’s a community-builder, a lifelong learner, and a creator with a hunger to grow — especially in lighting, storytelling, and filmmaking.Tune in to hear how Arpan turned curiosity into craft, and why he believes gear shouldn’t limit creativity.You can follow Arpan herehttps://www.instagram.com/archyfy/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/Thanks for watching/listening - like and susbscribe:)

Jon is a passionate photographer who explores all styles—from landscapes to sports to street photography—placing no limits on his creativity. His work is deeply rooted in tech and crypto, attending major events like Collision and Futurist to document unique moments through his lens.🎭 The Human ElementWith an incredible eye for composition, Jon brings a unique perspective to every shot. While he doesn’t actively seek out portraits, he enjoys capturing them when the opportunity arises.📷 From Film to Web3Jon first experimented with film photography using a simple point-and-shoot, but his journey has since expanded into digital innovation, including Web3 and NFTs.🚀 Always GrowingJon is dedicated to improving his craft every day, inspiring fellow creators with his passion and relentless pursuit of excellence.You can follow Jon belowhttps://www.instagram.com/joncapturess/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcementshttps://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/

Meet Taha, a photographer, content creator, and YouTuber based in Toronto. Originally from Lebanon, he moved to Canada 2.5 years ago, leaving behind his career as a software engineer to follow his true passion—storytelling through photography and video.📸 Why Fuji?Taha’s creative journey took off when he purchased his first Fujifilm camera, diving deep into the exposure triangle and the art of composition. He fell in love with the Fuji brand and found a welcoming community that continues to inspire him.🎬 The Truth About Full-Time Content CreationIn 2022, Taha took the leap into full-time creativity. While the world of content creation seems glamorous, he shares the challenges and realities that come with it. His family is supportive now, but it wasn’t always easy—especially when the idea of making a living as a creator was unfamiliar to them.📷 Gear vs. SkillTaha believes in maximizing your tools before upgrading. For him, gear should never limit creativity—it’s all about how you compose the shot. Taha shares how he uses colour and emotion in his work to make the viewer feel something. ✅ Productivity HackManaging daily tasks as a creator can be overwhelming. Taha shares his favourite productivity hack to stay on top of his to-do list and keep creating.A thank you to Taha for coming on and shedding light on the realities of being a full time creator and why it' s not as glamorous as you think it is. You can follow Taha belowhttps://www.instagram.com/snapsbytaha/Follow Open Shutter for future shows!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)

Start Where You Are. Use What You Have. Do What You Can.

This is one of Elana's mottos which has helped her throughout her career. Elana found photography through film school which led her to working with various theatre groups where she flourished capturing cinematic BTS moments showing the human side of various performances. Through her portrait photography, she focuses on having the subject be seen which she credits to her relationship building and trust. Having had social anxiety, Elana shares how playing a card game helped her push through and grow. She understands the power of networking: build relationships, not transactions. Your reputation enters the room before you do.Persistence is key to getting hired, but so is protecting your passion, body, and mental health. Keep doing what lights you up. Misconception? Not just anyone can do this. It takes skill, dedication, and heart. From working with theatre groups to film sets, to the National Film Board and maybe one day working on Broadway, a big thank you to Elana for coming on and sharing her story. You can follow Elana belowhttps://www.instagram.com/elana_emer/https://www.elanaemer.com/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)

Nikhil is a Events, Sports, and E-Shoots Photographer based out of Kitchener, Ontario. Nikhil's journey from picking up his first camera from Facebook Marketplace to shooting the local basketball team, KW Titans, led him recently to work with the Raptors 905 in the G League. He credits his work ethic, curiosity, and passion for capturing unique images that last. Understanding his skills had led him to carve out a place in the competitive marketplace that is sports photography. Nik shares his experience working with both the 905 and how his persistence landed him a gig working with Volkswagen Canada. Despite these amazing opportunities, Nik understands the importance of creating for yourself, to experiment, and challenging yourself to become better at your craft. You can follow Nikhil belowhttps://www.instagram.com/clickzbynik/Thanks for watching/listening, follow Open Shutter for future show announcementshttps://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)

Bob is a true outdoor athlete, being a runner, mountain biker, skier, and rock climber just to name a few of his passions. Another passion is photography in where he is able to capture truly unique places. Bob shares his insights, what he's willing to do for a photo, and how his start with film made him a better photographer. He tries to not let gear get in the way, he rather just get the shot any which way he can, believing there is no true mic drop moment. Bob mentions that running doesn't get easier, you just faster, is a great metaphor for any endeavour, that with consistent practice, discipline, and attitude, you can achieve anything. You can follow Bob's adventureshttps://www.instagram.com/bobmcgrath71/Thanks for watching/listening, follow Open Shutter for future show announcementshttps://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/

Darren McNabb recently retired from his real estate business and is now an avid photographer shooting everything from local landscapes to epic adventures around the world. Darren explains why his love for his previous business was starting to fade and knew it was the right time to transition into retirement. Even after retiring, he stresses the importance of having a purpose in your life, having the opportunity to learn new skills and meet people. As Darren says, you need to get a reason out of bed in the morning. Darren knew that he always had an artistic side but had never accessed that part of him until he started taking photos on his travels. He is now expanding his skills into macro, fine art, and abstract photography. It's a fascinating conversation on someone whose life didn't stop once he get out of the workforce. You just need to start and never know where it's going take you. You can check out Darren belowhttps://www.instagram.com/darrenmcnabbphotography/https://www.darrenmcnabbphotography.com/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcementshttps://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/Thanks for watching/listening - please like and subscribe:)