Photography Chat with Merlin

It was very nice to share some time with @ashleysenja tonight on the chat. We talked about how she got started with photography, her time at Nikon, and what inspires her. Her cat Sir Theodore graced us with his majestic presence. We got into a really interesting conversation about fatness and how that plays in her work. That conversation spun into the perception of fat people in society and how there needs to be more empowerment for fat people so we can work towards dismantling the stigma. I talked a little bit about how I view the chat and what drives me to continue it and then we called it an evening. It was a very productive chat, thank you for hanging out with us.

Follow Ashley at https://www.instagram.com/ashleysenja/

Photography Chat is a weekly Instagram Live @merlindb hosts every Thursday at 5pmPST/8pmEST

Give me a follow if you want to see the episodes live https://www.instagram.com/merlindb/

It’s been way too long since @nicolemunoz94 and I have hung out so it was awesome to catch up with her on the chat tonight. We talked about her career in acting and about the movie industry. We got into what inspired her to start photography and some of her adventures on the path to learning in school and what has kept her going since. She shared some of her favorite cameras and some of the work she has done. Then we ended with a trip down memory lane to a ridiculous idea we had for a photo company doing professional headshots for your junk. Nicole shares a bit more below.

“Hi 👋 My name is Nicole Munoz, I am an actor based in Vancouver. Though I love being in front of the camera, I find myself behind it during my downtime. I picked up a disposable camera years back for a personal project of leaving the house more often and haven't put it down yet. My style is undetermined, I take photos to remember. Most of my pictures are shot on disposables, though many now are taken with my FujiX100F, my handy, dandy, pretty much always on auto, perfectly sized camera. My first big girl camera. We are attached at the hip.”

Follow Nicole at https://www.instagram.com/nicolemunoz94/

Photography Chat is a weekly Instagram Live @merlindb hosts every Thursday at 5pmPST/8pmEST

Give me a follow if you want to see the episodes live https://www.instagram.com/merlindb/

Jamie is a really interesting dude. Hailing from East Texas we talked about how Spike Jonze influenced him to get into photography. His humble beginnings shooting for the yearbook in his school and how that experience brought him into later teaching photography at that same school. Jamie has a couple of zines that you can pick up on his website and lots of photography videos on his YouTube. He is also planning on building a community darkroom in his tiny town so stay tuned for more on that. Thanks, Jamie for hanging out with me, you’re a rad dude! Here is a bit more about Jamie in his own words.

“Jamie Maldonado is a photographer based in East Texas creating fine art portraiture primarily in analog formats. He documents his process as a creator on his YouTube channel, and his work can be seen on his Instagram (jamiemphoto), portfolio website (www.jamiemphoto.com), or on the aforementioned YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/jamiemaldonado). A photographer since 1997, he holds a Master of Arts Degree in Studio Art, loves dogs, and tries to print at least one zine a year.”

Follow Jamie at https://www.instagram.com/jamiemphoto/

Photography Chat is a weekly Instagram Live @merlindb hosts every Thursday at 5pmPST/8pmEST

Give me a follow if you want to see the episodes live https://www.instagram.com/merlindb/

Another rad chat is in the can, had an epic time with Dan. We talked about our mutual love of instant film and Polaroid. He talked about his upcoming book and some other projects he has in mind. We shared our experiences in the film community and how powerful it is when people share with each other. Stay tuned to his feed for the release of his book! Here's a little blurb from Dan to you.

‘Dan is a self-taught photographer from Florida now residing in Philadelphia. He is currently finishing up a book consisting of mutant Polaroid landscapes. By utilizing several different formats, Dan focuses on capturing the transient moments that make up the human condition.’

Follow Dan at https://www.instagram.com/ifeellikedan/

Photography Chat is a weekly Instagram Live @merlindb hosts every Thursday at 5pmPST/8pmEST

Give me a follow if you want to see the episodes live https://www.instagram.com/merlindb/

It was great to chat it out with Dave, he is one of my fav folks and I have mad love for him. He shared some of his fav photo books with us and then we got into photography in the pandemic and talked about the things we appreciate about the photo communities that we are part of. Also, a big shout out to the winner of his book giveaway @film_diary_of_a_redhead and @ifeellikedan I know you two will be stoked on the books. Here is a little more about Dave.

“Dave Rollans photographer in the North Bay Area. Specializing in long exposure star trails, action sports flash photography and portraiture. Die-hard print advocate, I think printing your photo changes your relationship with it.”

Follow Dave at https://www.instagram.com/cinedar/

Photography Chat is a weekly Instagram Live @merlindb hosts every Thursday at 5pmPST/8pmEST

Give me a follow if you want to see the episodes live https://www.instagram.com/merlindb/

The season opener for the chat was a blast. I really enjoyed chatting it out with @max.maurophoto about his practice and his new book. We talked about childhood, how he got started with photography. We got a little bit into the pandemic, cause it's still happening. We share a mutual love for large format photography which was rad to learn and he shared a few of his favorite photo memories. It was so great to spend some time with you all and Max, such a great way to kick off the new year! Here's a little more about Max.

‘Blurb: My name is Max, I'm 28 years old and I currently reside in Queens, NYC. I'm a photographer and drag artist who, for years, has been making images documenting my queer family and nightlife on film with intimate portraits that allow them to be candid with the camera. My recent work "Until Night Comes" portrays these individuals, as well as queer sex workers, during the height of the pandemic in 2020 and early 2021. A quote from my new book - “Until Night Comes” is a documentation of my queer nightlife community, and the ways in which we adapted and evolved during such a difficult time. I began to safely travel to the homes of my friends and family to photograph them in their own spaces. I wanted to capture their power, as well as their vulnerabilities."’

Follow Max at https://www.instagram.com/max.maurophoto/

Photography Chat is a weekly Instagram Live @merlindb hosts every Thursday at 5pmPST/8pmEST

Give me a follow if you want to see the episodes live https://www.instagram.com/merlindb/

Well that was a lot of fun for an impromptu chat to wrap up the year. I was joined by @retro_photo_york and @johnnythebandit and we talked about the price of film, covid, long exposures and the art of making tasteful dick pics. Thank you for all of the colorful commentaries to everyone who was tuned in and fingers crossed that @the.instantgram will make some sweet Bushdick merch. Happy New Year everyone, stay safe and I’ll see you soon.

Follow Micheal at https://www.instagram.com/retro_photo_york/

Follow John at https://www.instagram.com/johnnythebandit/

Photography Chat is a weekly Instagram Live @merlindb hosts every Thursday at 5pmPST/8pmEST

Give me a follow if you want to see the episodes live https://www.instagram.com/merlindb/

Lucy is a real gem, I really enjoyed chatting with her. We talked about how she got started in photography and how music and movies are a big inspiration to her and then we got into her YouTube channel. Lucy is an awesome ambassador in the Photographic community and is helping to create a safe inclusive space for people who are interested in getting into film photography. Check her out on YouTube and hit up her profile to see some awesome photos! Here's a lovely little note from Lucy to you.

"Hey, I’m Lucy

I'm a 29-year-old Australian film photographer and host of the YouTube channel “Lucy Lumen’s analog adventures”

I run the channel with the help of my partner who videos my adventures and also makes all the music too. We complement each other perfectly with our strengths in different areas and love being creative together.

I’m a devoted 35mm film shooter, love point and shoots, and keeping things simple.

Through the YouTube channel, I am hoping to bring a refreshing energy to the film community and play a role in making it accessible and fun to everyone!

Love Lucy xx"

Follow Lucy at https://www.instagram.com/lucy_lumen/

Check her out on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDRFbE1xnJtTCiRFdSKPdLQ

Photography Chat is a weekly Instagram Live @merlindb hosts every Thursday at 5pmPST/8pmEST

Give me a follow if you want to see the episodes live https://www.instagram.com/merlindb/

Tim Ryugo is an absolute legend and such a sweet human. It was a blast chatting with Tim about how he got started in the film industry 40 odd years ago and what his journey has been like to the present day. He got to talking about giving back to the community and it choked him up a bit which was honestly beautiful to see someone that has so much passion and is so open to sharing their knowledge with people. Really looking forward to chatting with Tim more in the future, and if you’re looking for some film and have an interesting project maybe tag him in something :)

Follow Tim at https://www.instagram.com/timryugo_kodakprofessional/

Photography Chat is a weekly Instagram Live @merlindb hosts every Thursday at 5pmPST/8pmEST

Give me a follow if you want to see the episodes live https://www.instagram.com/merlindb/

This guy, Chris Koehn is a man of many talents and a few of them involve cameras of various kinds. We've known each other since the early 2000's when we both worked in a call center asking people if they turned it off and then back on again. Then we ended up at a computer store in Vancouver where he had to apologize to Sluggo Boyce because our idiot techs deleted all his internets. He's worked in news media, makes wicked awesome photos, and is an excellent road trip pal. He recently bought a church in the middle of nowhere that he is going to make a home for his tribe. You're in for some silly stories, laughs, and to pick his brain about night photography, grumbles of photo bro's, and whatever else comes up. Chris and I rambled our way through all sorts of things. We both have brain injuries so we kind of wander in our conversations. But if you sit through the recording I am sure there are a few gems in there for sure. We talk about both our creative practices throughout the time we’ve both been creating. Road trips, family times, and random bantering. We also decided we’re going to make a book next year so watch out for Dinktown, an East Kootenay introspective coming out in 2023. Thank you to everyone who tuned in and for those of you listening or watching now. Appreciate and love you.

Follow Chris at https://www.instagram.com/terracanadensis/

Photography Chat is a weekly Instagram Live @merlindb hosts every Thursday at 5pmPST/8pmEST

Give me a follow if you want to see the episodes live https://www.instagram.com/merlindb/