Open Shutter Live

Burhan joins me on this episode of Open Shutter, a successful wedding photography business owner. He tells the story of when going to university, he needed to buy a Macbook, whose owner, was a wedding photographer. This chance encounter led Burhan to shift his photography from urban/roof topping to wedding photography. He explains how he found his own creative voice in the industry through self education and practice instead of the usual route of being a second shooter.

GJ is a Toronto based fashion and commercial photographer serving a number of clients and agencies.

Jesse Frybort returns to the podcast fresh off an inspiring trip to Scotland that reignited his passion for photography. In this episode, he shares stories from his travels, capturing the beauty of the Scottish landscape, and his excitement about returning home to witness and photograph the northern lights—a bucket list moment for him.

Samantha Hurley is a seasoned fine art photographer who is also an accomplished portrait and product photographer over the past decade. Being obsessed with the craft, Samantha explains why you need to be invested in the process over results and in times of creative rut, you just need to keep going. Her diverse portfolio spans across various mediums, from paint to film and digital, with exhibitions showcased in galleries across Toronto, the GTA, and the US.

In this episode of *Open Shutter*, I’m joined by Ben Carmichael, owner of the media agency Shot By Ben. We dive into the transition from shooting photos for fun to working with clients, exploring the balance between passion and profession. Ben's journey started unexpectedly—while studying to become an athletic therapist, he taught himself sports photography by capturing college basketball games. After offering his work to the athletic department, his career began to take off, leading him to collaborate with larger clients and brands.We also discuss the importance of stepping away to avoid burnout. Recently, Ben took a break to reset out West, prioritizing personal growth and creative freedom. He shares how he's now focused on expanding his skills as a photographer, videographer, and artist, while steering clear of being confined to one niche. This episode offers great insights for creatives striving to turn their passion into a sustainable career without losing the joy along the way.A big thank you to Ben for chatting, you can see his work belowhttps://www.instagram.com/shot_byben/https://www.shotbyben.ca/linksFollow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/

Join us for an insightful conversation with Akbar Shah, a world traveler whose journeys have taken him to the farthest corners of the globe. After relocating to Canada to begin a new chapter in life, Akbar discovered his passion for photography, which soon evolved from a hobby into a thriving commercial pursuit. In this episode, Akbar shares his experiences navigating different photography niches—portrait, landscape, food, architecture—and emphasizes the importance of focusing on creative vision rather than falling into the trap of "Gear Acquisition Syndrome."

In this episode, Emily Blocksdorf joins us to share the story behind her career shift into brand photography and marketing. She dives into the key lessons she's learned along the way, her strategies for connecting with clients, and how she consistently delivers exceptional, standout work. Emily also opens up about the steps she's taking to avoid burnout in this demanding industry. Whether you're curious about brand marketing, improving client communication, or building a standout brand, this episode has something for you.

In this episode of Open Shutter, Jonathan Norville, originally from St. Lucia and now living in London, Ontari, joins the podcast to share his journey as both an academic and a creative. Jonathan has a passion for photography, cycling, and woodworking, even building his own bikes from scratch.

Welcome back to another episode of Open Shutter as I welcome content creator Nika Zbasnik!

Travel photographer Calvin Lau opens up the fall schedule of Open Shutter!