Ready for something a bit different that might make you rethink having people - or even yourself - in the frame? I'm joined by Sara Kushner, and we talk about how she got started putting herself in the frame, why her work can't be classified as glorified selfies, and what emotional, logistical, and technical aspects you want to consider if you're thinking about trying out self-portraiture.

Even if you have no interest in putting yourself in front of the camera, you're still going to hear wisdom that will be useful when you are behind the camera.

(PS: I had the delightful experience of meeting Sara at the Winter Women's Photography Conference in Estes Park, Colorado in early February. She's just as charming in person as she is online!)

Episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2upzRyM4fHQ&list=PLaUQ33Eh9FrrOXCUorA4Co5JrOKDbhNZJ&index=1&t=69s

Sara Kushner is an environmental self-portrait photographer on a mission to make life a bit more playful. Through her lens, she celebrates the beauty of self-expression, body acceptance, and authenticity, inviting others to see the world in a new light. Her whimsical, vibrant self-portraits reflect her deep commitment to joy and her appreciation of the natural spaces in which she creates. Sara hopes her work will inspire others to embrace their true selves beyond societal expectations, while appreciating and celebrating the unparalleled beauty found in nature.

BONUS: Discount code on Sara's limited edition prints: PIXELS5

Connect with Sara:

http://sarakushner.com

http://sarakushner.com/shop

http://instagram.com/sara_at_play

http://zesty-nutrition.com

Did you find this video valuable? Here's how you can help!

Every like, comment, subscribe, and share helps this channel grow and benefit photographers everywhere. You can also show your appreciation and support by buying me a chai ☕️ (http://buymeacoffee.com/bethbuelow) or purchasing a YT Super Thanks (click/tap the three dots near the Like button for the option). All proceeds go to my video editor 😂 Thank you so much! 💙

Socials:

Website: http://www.bethbuelowphotography.com

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

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bethbuelow.bsky.social

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbuelow/

Acknowledgements:

Inspired Creator Grants: http://www.naturephotographyclasses.com/inspired-creator

Video Editor Alex Armitage: http://www.alexarmitage.com

Music Composed by musicdoctor: https://audiojungle.net/user/musicdoctor/portfolio

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When it comes to improving our photography, we often focus on a few areas: our creative vision, our technical and processing skills, and our gear. Those are all important, but they’re missing a critical element: YOU.

In this conversation with Alister Benn, we talk about what it means to bring yourself to your photography, his evolution into creating autobiographical images, and what role story and context play in how we present our work. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2Uc69DhHLFk

Alister Benn is a renowned landscape photographer, educator, and author, celebrated for his innovative approach to night photography and expressive, minimalist landscapes. His work often emphasizes mood, emotion, and the intimate connection between the natural world and human experience.

Through his artistic and educational endeavors, Alister Benn has inspired photographers around the globe to connect deeply with their craft and the natural world.

CONNECT WITH ALISTER

http://expressive.photography/

http://www.youtube.com/@Alister_Benn

http://www.instagram.com/alister_benn/

Printed Book, Out of Darkness: https://expressive.photography/out-of-darkness-home/

eBooks: https://expressive.photography/education/

Workshops: https://expressive.photography/workshops/

Socials:

http://www.bethbuelowphotography.com

https://www.instagram.com/bethbuelowphoto

https://www.facebook.com/bethbuelowphotography

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbuelow/

Acknowledgements:

Inspired Creator Grants: http://www.naturephotographyclasses.com/inspired-creator

Sound Editor Alex Armitage: http://www.alexarmitage.com

Music Composed by musicdoctor: https://audiojungle.net/user/musicdoctor/portfolio

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have a million ways to plan out every aspect of our photography time, but my guest today invites us to leave room for the unexpected and in doing so, to be open to what pulls at our eyes and hearts.

Wendy Bagnall is a photographic artist who lives in England. The natural landscape is the inspiration behind her work, which is an interpretation of what she sees. Wendy’s approach is unrestrictive and often with an abstract quality, augmenting the light, texture and topography of the landscape, creating pieces that aim to evoke an emotional connection with the viewer.

http://www.wendybagnall.com

https://www.instagram.com/wendybagnall_/

Resources recommended by Wendy

https://www.seantucker.photography/the-meaning-in-the-making (be sure to subscribe to Sean's outstanding YT channel, too! https://www.youtube.com/c/seantuckerphoto )

Rachael Talibart: https://www.instagram.com/rachaeltalibart/

Valda Bailey: https://www.instagram.com/valda_bailey_art/

Vivian Maier: https://www.vivianmaier.com/

Ellis O'Conner: https://www.instagram.com/ellisoconnor/

Did you find this video valuable? Here's how you can help!

Every like, comment, subscribe, and share helps this channel grow and benefit photographers everywhere. You can also show your appreciation and support by buying me a chai ☕️ (http://buymeacoffee.com/bethbuelow) or purchasing a YT Super Thanks (click/tap the three dots near the Like button for the option). All proceeds go to my video editor 😂 Thank you so much! 💙

Socials:

Website: http://www.bethbuelowphotography.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethbuelowphotography

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbuelow/

Acknowledgements:

Inspired Creator Grants: http://www.naturephotographyclasses.com/inspired-creator

Video Editor Alex Armitage: http://www.alexarmitage.com

Music Composed by musicdoctor: https://audiojungle.net/user/musicdoctor/portfolio

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Pach's decades of experience and adventures shine through in his thoughts on what it means to be creative, practicing mindfulness, the appeal—and sometimes challenges—of astrophotography, and forming relationships with whatever we point our camera at.

Mike Pach, owner of 3 Peaks Photography & Design, is an internationally known, award-winning photographer, speaker and author with more than 40 years of experience in photography. He is on the board of DarkSky Colorado, the founder of the Colorado Photography Learning Group and has been teaching photography and Photoshop classes since 2007. Mike is the author of "Colorado Springs Then and Now," and he conducts night-sky photography workshops. He is a former aerospace engineer with a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Louis University and an MBA from Maryville University. Mike is also an ambassador for Move Shoot Move, is a NiSi reseller and has a retail website called AdventureCam Photo (http://adventurecamphoto.com) 

Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/B0Bs4QAXjwI?si=GMKJQ21erMTaNGPh

Recommended App:

PhotoPills: https://www.photopills.com/

Connect with Mike:

Main Website: https://3peaksphoto.com/

Workshops: https://3peaksphoto.com/westcliffeworkshops/ and https://3peaksphoto.com/paintminesworkshops/

Book: https://3peaksphoto.com/cos150/

Same Tree Different Day (365-day project): https://3peaksphoto.com/stdd/

Classes (next round begins Jan 2025): https://3peaksphoto.com/classes/photography-class/

Colorado Photography Learning Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cplg1

Every like, comment, subscribe, and share helps this channel grow and benefit photographers everywhere. You can also show your appreciation and support by buying me a chai ☕️: http://buymeacoffee.com/bethbuelow Thank you so much! 💙

Socials:

http://www.bethbuelowphotography.com

https://www.instagram.com/bethbuelowphoto

Acknowledgements:

Inspired Creator Grants: http://www.naturephotographyclasses.com/inspired-creator

Video Editor Alex Armitage: http://www.alexarmitage.com

Music Composed by musicdoctor: https://audiojungle.net/user/musicdoctor/portfolio

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What makes someone a photographer, and who decides? Shanda Akin has experienced a journey from the air force to the arts and has lots to share about how we see ourselves as photographers. Her love of learning is our good fortune, as we talk about valuable lessons she’s picking up in her pursuit of a Master of Arts in Photography, how we can make sublime images, and the power of projects to spark our creativity.

Learn more about the Women’s Winter Photography Conference, hosted by the Outdoor Photo Alliance, February 6-9, 2025, in Estes Park, Colorado. You can get $100 off your registration fee by entering PIXELS100 at checkout: https://www.outdoorphotoalliance.com

Resources Mentioned + More Shanda!

Heather Evans Smith : https://www.heatherevanssmith.com

Tom Chambers: https://www.tomchambersphoto.com

David Maisel: https://davidmaisel.com

Todd Hido: http://www.toddhido.com

Michael Kenna: https://www.michaelkenna.com

Another great YouTube channel is Linda Nickell's Happiness Hour. She's interviewed Shanda a couple of times: https://youtu.be/8QW59eY3U_M?si=YnuNscZ_3OmqsGvS and https://youtu.be/Rqcmrk82D8Q?si=FxlS6Njc5oRxse_O

Socials:

Website: http://www.bethbuelowphotography.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethbuelowphotography

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbuelow/

Acknowledgements:

Inspired Creator Grants: http://www.naturephotographyclasses.com/inspired-creator

Video Editor Alex Armitage: http://www.alexarmitage.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cole Thompson joins me for a wide-ranging and engaging conversation. You’re going to hear his thoughts on why ego is the enemy of vision, the value of seizing the moment, and the stories behind a few of his favorite images. And of course, we talk about his well-known and sometimes controversial practice of photographic celibacy.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Connect with Cole:

Website: http://ColethompsonPhotography.com

The Cole & John Show: https://www.youtube.com/@UC0gOteOpenP5j3CXrEmJFjA

Instagram: http://instagram.com/colepthompson

Socials:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PixelsHeartandArt

Website: http://www.bethbuelowphotography.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethbuelowphotography

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbuelow/

Acknowledgements:

Inspired Creator Grants: http://www.naturephotographyclasses.com/inspired-creator

Video Editor Alex Armitage: http://www.alexarmitage.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is there such a thing as loving photography too much? If we asked my guest today, the answer would definitely be NO! Her enthusiasm is inspiring, and so is her honest sharing about her path as a photographer.

I’m pleased to welcome Martha Montiel to the conversation. She shares how her style has evolved over the years, what she’s learned from having world-class mentors, and why it’s beneficial to explore different genres of photography in the spirit of staying creatively energized and learning what types of subjects you enjoy.

Learn more about the Women’s Winter Photography Conference, hosted by the Outdoor Photo Alliance, February 6-9, 2025, in Estes Park, Colorado. You can get $100 off your registration fee by entering PIXELS100 at checkout: https://www.outdoorphotoalliance.com

Connect with Martha:

http://www.marthamontielphotography.com

http://www.outdoorphotoalliance.com

https://www.facebook.com/Marthamontielphotography/

https://www.instagram.com/marthamontielphotography/

Socials:

https://www.youtube.com/@PixelsHeartandArt

http://www.bethbuelowphotography.com

https://www.instagram.com/bethbuelowphoto

https://www.facebook.com/bethbuelowphotography

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbuelow/

Acknowledgements:

Inspired Creator Grants: http://www.naturephotographyclasses.com/inspired-creator

Video Editor: Alex Armitage: http://www.alexarmitage.com

View this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2wWCb91KKw&list=PLaUQ33Eh9FrrOXCUorA4Co5JrOKDbhNZJ&index=1

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's talk about a word we sometimes avoid when talking about our photography: PLAY. I embrace the concept even as I use every other word to describe the process. What's up with that?! Here's why play should be taken seriously and a few ideas to help shift our mindset. By the end, I hope you'll agree with me: play is the way!

In the YouTube version of this podcast, I share images throughout that represent my photographic play: https://youtu.be/pQw_d2MkVD4

Socials:

https://www.youtube.com/@PixelsHeartandArt

Website: http://www.bethbuelowphotography.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethbuelowphotography

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbuelow/

Acknowledgements:

A special thanks to Inspired Creator Grants for their support of this channel: http://www.naturephotographyclasses.com/inspired-creator

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you bring together an engineering mind with a creative heart and insatiable curiosity, the result is the amazing work of Jeanie Sumrall-Ajero. Through our conversation, you are going to experience her as the embodiment of a spirit of play, experimentation, and thoughtfulness. We talk about how her multi-disciplinary background informs her photography, the role of community in connection and inspiration, and how we can respond when we feel fear or hesitation as we find our creative way in the world.

Jeanie also shares info about the Women’s Winter Photography Conference being hosted by the Outdoor Photo Alliance, February 6-9, 2025, in Estes Park, Colorado. You can get $100 off your registration fee by entering PIXELS100 at checkout: https://www.outdoorphotoalliance.com/womens-photography-conference

About Jeanie:

Jeanie’s background is as varied as the photos that she takes. She’s worked as a software engineer, a massage therapist, an English teacher in Vietnam, a photo restoration artist (which is how she learned Photoshop) and most recently ran a small software business with her husband in the crafting world. Since 2017 Jeanie has put that same creative passion into her photography. Her mission in life is to inspire others on their creative journeys through documenting her own photographic explorations. She lives in the Rocky Mountain foothills in northern Colorado and volunteers her time as a photographer for Larimer County Natural Resources.

http://www.thedigitaljeanie.com

https://www.facebook.com/thedigitaljeanie

Jeanie Recommends:

Sherri Mabe

sherrimabeimages.com

instagram.com/starlitwaltz

Watch this episode on YouTube: youtu.be/qPqN3mqDDgo

Socials:

https://www.youtube.com/@PixelsHeartandArt

bethbuelowphotography.com

instagram.com/bethbuelowphoto

facebook.com/bethbuelowphotography

linkedin.com/in/bethbuelow/

Acknowledgements:

Inspired Creator Grants: naturephotographyclasses.com/inspired-creator

Video Editor: Alex Armitage: alexarmitage.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you ready to ask yourself some big questions in the spirit of being a more expressive photographer? Guy Tal is my guest, and he's going to inspire you to think more deeply about your relationship to photography and creativity. The word “existential” comes up more than once, so I hope you’re game to take a fascinating philosophical journey with us. We talk about photographic promiscuity, the role of ethics in our work, and how to become more open to the world around us.

Guy Tal is a professional writer and photographic artist living in Utah. He is the author of several books, a blogger, and an educator. In his photographs, he aims to express emotions and moods rather than to document or commemorate the appearances of places or events.

To find links to resources and images referenced in this episode, visit https://www.bethbuelowphotography.com/pixels-episodes/philosophical-approach-photography-guy-tal

Guy's books, including "Be Extraordinary": https://guytal.com/books

Socials:

https://www.youtube.com/@PixelsHeartandArt

http://www.bethbuelowphotography.com

https://www.instagram.com/bethbuelowphoto

https://www.facebook.com/bethbuelowphotography

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbuelow/

Acknowledgements:

Inspired Creator Grants: Inspired Creator (http://www.naturephotographyclasses.com/inspired-creator)

Video Editor: Alex Armitage (http://www.alexarmitage.com)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.