Episode 32 - Zach & Courtney talk about one of their favorite trips: Moab, Utah! They visit Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, and more!

Zach used to photograph weddings and that’s how he ended up in Moab 3 years in a row. Courtney & Henry went, too, on the second year. On this episode they discuss their highlights from the trip, which (in addition to the parks, of course) included staying at Whispering Oaks Ranch in the La Sal Mountains.

Zach & Courtney talk about the trip, life lessons they learned, and the photos Zach took along the way.

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson 

Index

0:00 - Intro: Does Google own my photo now??

3:19 - How we started booking weddings in Moab

5:46 - Driving to Moab via Denver

7:55 - Every road in Moab felt like different terrain

10:18 - Some background on Arches, Canyonlands and Moab

17:44 - Getting married under Double Arch in Arches National Park

19:31 - Courtney & Henry visit Moab for the first time with Zach

24:23 - Favorite breakfast: Jailhouse Cafe

25:31 - Best fish tacos ever: Miguel’s Baja Grill

27:30 - Carrying a toddler through the National Parks

32:16 - It looks like you’re closer to the cliff’s edge than you are

36:14 - Moab wedding number 2

39:26 - Visiting Canyonlands National Park

42:10 - Finding the Petroglyphs

46:30 - A third wedding in Moab at Whispering Oaks Ranch

49:17 - A final photo at night on the La Sal Mountains

Find Zach

Website: https://zachdobson.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Find Courtney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast

Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. 

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Fair Use Statement

This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Episode 31 - Zach & Courtney talk about a trip to Hoeft State Park located on the beautiful shores of Lake Huron in Rogers City, Michigan. They stayed in a 1929 Sears Roebuck house just 100 yards from the beach, visited 40 Mile Point Lighthouse and Rogers City Marina, and took in a super early morning sunrise.

Zach & Courtney talk about the trip, life lessons they learned, and the photos Zach took along the way.

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson 

Index

0:00 - Intro: Adventures lead to personal growth

0:55 - Visiting Lake Huron in Michigan

2:32 - How to find an amazing cabin in Michigan

10:55 - Courtney loves the Edmund Fitzgerald

15:03 - All about the cabin at Hoeft State Park

18:20 - Kids don’t care if the water is cold

22:57 - Visiting Rogers City and the Marina

24:10 - Zach’s favorite photo at the marina

26:26 - Going fishing inland Michigan

28:06 - Packing food for a whole trip

29:30 - Why it’s important for families to have adventures

31:36 - Our teen insisted on seeing the sunrise over Lake Huron

33:50 - Visiting the 40 Mile Point Lighthouse

40:27 - Telling a story in a photo

41:10 - Taking a family photo during our adventures

Find Zach

Website: https://zachdobson.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Find Courtney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast

Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. 

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Fair Use Statement

This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Episode 30 - Zach & Courtney talk about a favorite family trip: A roadtrip through the Florida Keys! In 2018, Courtney, Zach, and (then) 4 kids, drove nearly 3,000 miles from Indianapolis, IN to Key West, FL (and back, of course).

On this episode we talk about the experience, including our favorite spots, things we learned, and the photos Zach took along the way.

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson 

Index

0:00 - Intro - He stitched two mattresses together to make a giant bed

0:49 - Going on a Florida Keys Roadtrip

1:44 - Planning to escape the Midwest in winter

3:44 - Racing to beat a snow storm

7:03 - Driving into the Keys from Miami is supposed to be quick

8:48 - Are the Florida Keys kid-friendly?

10:25 - There are very few natural beaches in the Keys

11:10 - Plan to stay in motels in the Florida Keys

15:18 - Zach had never seen water this color

15:44 - Visiting Key West as a family

24:10 - Ernest Hemingway’s house in Key West

25:28 - Kids are learning their own way

28:12 - Easter Mass in Key West

29:29 - Southernmost Point of the Continental US

30:13 - Bahia Honda State Park

31:03 - Marathon and Islamorada

33:15 - The story behind my favorite Florida Keys photo

35:15 - John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

38:04 - We need a bigger car than a Chevy Suburban

Find Zach

Website: https://zachdobson.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Find Courtney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast

Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. 

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Fair Use Statement

This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Zach & Courtney talk about Zach’s six selections for all-time best basketball photos. Plus, they take a look at the photography of Walter Iooss, Jr., who has photographed professional sports in 7 different decades!

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson 

Index

0:00 - Intro - Zach didn’t know he once worked for Atlantic Records

2:16 - What is the criteria for best basketball photos of all time?

7:33 - Some of the most famous/infamous photos of basketball in Indiana

9:57 - Wilt Chamberlain photographed by Paul Vathis. 1962.

14:32 - 16 year-old Kareem Abdul-Jabber photographed by Richard Avedon. 1963.

20:41 - The Big Three. Miami Heat. Photographed by Morry Gash. 2010.

22:39 - NC State Championship. Photographed by Malcom Emmons. 1983.

32:46 - Dennis Rodman photographed by Sam Forencich. 1997.

35:20 - Michael Jordan game-winning shot photographed by Fernando Medina. 1998.

44:57 - The basketball photography of Walter Iooss, Jr.

58:30 - Kobe Bryant photographed by Walter Iooss, Jr.

Find Zach

Website: https://zachdobson.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Find Courtney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast

Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. 

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Fair Use Statement

This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Episode 28 - Zach & Courtney take a look through Zach’s archive of basketball photography from around the state of Indiana.

Indiana is of course the best state in the country for basketball. In this episode, Zach & Courtney talk about their own experiences with the sport as well as go in-depth on Zach’s photos and his approach to photographing basketball.

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson 

Index

0:00 - Zach & Courtney each played one season of basketball

0:56 - Getting the NBA Finals patch on the Pacers jersey

3:44 - In 49 states it’s just basketball, but this is Indiana

4:51 - The largest high school gyms in the country are in Indiana

6:54 - What it was like in the 90’s

9:58 - Zach’s basketball photography

10:19 - Practicing free throws

11:19 - Player intros in black & white

14:19 - Photographing basketball above the rim

16:50 - The crowd jeers during free throws

18:58 - Why take photos from low angles

20:01 - Zach is in the Indiana High School Basketball Hall of Fame 

21:39 - Inspiration from a photo of Babe Ruth

22:47 - Photographing basketball behind the scenes

24:57 - Why photographing with a wide lens is better

26:03 - Photographers photographing photographers

27:02 - Photographing the scale of the games 

28:29 - Basketball is THE entertainment in small towns

30:38 - Trey Lyles before he played in the NBA

31:26 - Zach’s favorite cheerleader photo

32:32 - Courtney says the physical closeness of sports is important for boys

34:21 - A detail photo from a small town gym

34:50 - A look of confusion from the head coach 

35:50 - The Wigwam in Anderson, Indiana

37:11 - The Indianapolis Indians are approved by the Miami tribe

39:24 - Photographing for the Indiana Pacers

41:25 - Basketball is the good part of Indiana

Find Zach

Website: https://zachdobson.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Find Courtney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast

Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. 

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Fair Use Statement

This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Zach & Courtney take the family to the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Indianapolis, IN. They talk about the experience while looking through Zach’s documentary photography from the event. 

Courtney tells Zach what she learned about Irish photographer Jane Shackleton (1843-1909) and they go through some of her photos together.

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson 

Index

0:00 - Courtney wants to talk with Irish people

0:56 - Zach, Courtney, and family at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade

2:40 - Where do you get a St. Patrick’s Day suit?

4:49 - How do you get access to photograph a parade?

8:15 - Photographing the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Indianapolis

23:36 - Making sure to get a family photo at every event

24:46 - Courtney’s advice to parents with small kids

32:26 - The best Irish TV shows

35:43 - Must Know Photographer: Jane Shackleton

44:33 - Slideshows were the social media of the 20th century

47:01 - Talking through our favorite Jane Shackleton photos

52:04 - It’s not always easy to find historical women photographers

Find Zach

Website: https://zachdobson.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Find Courtney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast

Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. 

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Fair Use Statement

This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Episode 26 - Photographers are a passionate bunch and always have hot takes about our beliefs and convictions surrounding our art. And this goes all the way to the beginning of photography with the original hot take: Is photography art?

Zach and Courtney discuss some of the biggest hot takes throughout the history of photography.

In this episode we talk about current & historical photography hot takes like…

• Photography isn’t art
• Photography should only reflect reality
• Color photography isn’t art
• Film is better than digital
• Plus Zach & Courtney give their own personal photography hot takes.

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson 

Index

0:00 - They said my high school photography was better

0:48 - Photography hot takes: past & present

1:40 - When should photographers volunteer their time

5:21 - Photography is not art

7:11 - Henry Peach Robinson wrote the book on Pictorialism

12:44 - Eugene Atget showed how documentary photography could be art

17:01 - Edward Steichen - The Flatiron (1904)

18:09 - Ansel Adams hated pictorialism

20:03 - f64 was a group of photographers advocating for realism

26:00 - Color photography is vulgar

27:03 - Don’t colorize black & white photos

34:10 - Film is better than digital

40:14 - Street photography hot take: wait to share your photos

43:38 - Zach says photographers are content creators

51:11 - Courtney cares who is behind the camera

54:46 - The internet preferred Zach’s high school photography

Find Zach

Website: https://zachdobson.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Find Courtney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast

Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. 

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Fair Use Statement

This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Episode 25 - Bringing you the best action and documentary photography from the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games! 

Zach scoured the internet to find the greatest photos of the Olympics so he and Courtney could discuss the making, the meaning, and the impact they’ve had on our view of the games.

In this episode we talk about… 

• Women showing up in numbers and making fantastic photos at the 2026 Olympics
• Tech used by Getty including remote cameras, thermal images, composites, and an old Graflex camera.
• Photos that set a scene and draw us in with excellent composition
• Great moments caught on camera that will come to define these Olympic Games
• Some of Zach’s favorite photographers from this Olympics: Kohjiro Kinno, Florence Pernet, Pauline Ballet, and Gabbie Bhaskar.

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson 

Index

0:00 - Athletes being photographed by the best photographers in the world

1:57 - Great women photographers at the 2026 Olympics

5:13 - 2026 Olympics photos with great composition

16:34 - Photography helps define the most important moments of the Olympics

25:24 - Photographers capturing the same moment from different angles. 

29:14 - Photography tech used at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games

30:11 - Remote cameras

32:00 - Thermal cameras at the Olympics

33:47 - Getty’s vintage Graflex camera with modern upgrades

34:51 - Composite photos from Getty photographers

38:06 - Kohjiro Kinno

39:52 - Florence Pernet

41:32 - Gabbie Bhaskar

43:44 - Pauline Ballet

46:29 - Wow! 25 episodes! Thanks for watching.

Find Zach

Website: https://zachdobson.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Find Courtney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast

Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. 

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Fair Use Statement

This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Episode 24 - There is typically lots of fashion & editorial photography that surrounds the Olympics. For this year’s 2026 Winter Olympics, Zach & Courtney found three cool photoshoots, but feel like there should be a lot more!

In this episode we talk about… 

• Win Tam’s high-fashion photos of Team China for VogueMan China
• French photographer Mathieu Forget photographing Italian Olympians in a 5-star Milan hotel
• Newel Odin’s sleek, modern images of Team France

We also take an historical look at Olympics editorial photoshoots by Annie Leibovitz, Bruce Weber, and Ryan McGinley and compare them to what we’re seeing today. 

PLUS, Courtney talks about how the Olympics are neither the time nor place for public wedding proposals and Zach gets up in arms about how photographers need to be credited correctly for their work.

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson 

Index

0:00 - Where are the photoshoots? Are major publications commissioning less work?

0:45 - Olympic fashion photography

1:58 - Win Tam’s photos for VogueMan China

8:13 - Mathieu Forget photographs Olympians in a 5-star hotel

13:51 - Nawel Odin photographs the French Olympic bobsled & luge team

17:39 - It seems like magazines are doing fewer photoshoots for the Olympics

20:59 - Where are the editorial photoshoots by women?

23:16 - Annie Leibovitz’s 1996 Olympic photoshoot for Vanity Fair

30:59 - Where are the big photoshoots of Olympians?

33:00 - Too much coverage of Breezy Johnson’s engagement

38:11 - The right way to give photo credits to photographers

Find Zach

Website: https://zachdobson.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Find Courtney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast

Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. 

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Fair Use Statement

This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Episode 23 - What focal length lens do you use for backstage photography? Do you ever use “silent shutter” mode? Do you use fixed focal length? Do you have insurance on all your cameras & gear?

What do people who are actually from working class areas of England think of Martin Parr’s documentation of New Brighton?

In this episode, we answer questions and read comments from viewers and talk about retiring the Mystery Zine. We also address some of the most common questions we’ve received in the 4 years of printing our quarterly magazine. 

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson 

Index

0:00 - What happens when your camera gear damages property?

0:16 - Want to learn about photography? Ask us your questions!

3:05 - What do people think of Martin Parr’s The Last Resort?

9:30 - Should I use “silent shutter” mode on a DSLR?

11:16 - What is “rolling shutter effect”?

14:08 - What focal length to use when you’re close to people?

18:25 - Film vs Digital

21:06 - How important is the camera lens?

23:19 - Should I use the same brand camera & lens?

24:53 - Camera & general liability insurance for photographers

28:00 - What happens if I damage on a photoshoot (a story)

29:47 - Is a laptop or desktop better for photographers?

32:22 - What the sigma?

35:01 - How to start publishing a photography zine

Find the Mystery Zine

https://zachdobson.bigcartel.com/product/mystery-zine-17

Find Zach

Website: https://zachdobson.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Find Courtney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast

Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. 

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Fair Use Statement

This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.