On this episode of The Life of Phys Podcast, I sit down with William Botka a Montréal-based photographer, outdoor enthusiast, and adventure seeker who finds stories in every detail.

William refuses to limit himself to one genre, instead exploring the world through street photography, wildlife imagery, and sports documentation. Whether playing with the contrast of shadows on city streets, capturing the hidden worlds of animals at our feet, or documenting the raw determination of athletes, his lens always finds the story.

His work has been published in multiple issues of Ducks Unlimited Canada, commissioned by several Quebec wildlife reserves, and he also served as the official photographer for the Écomuseum Zoo in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue.

In this episode, Will and I discuss:

• His journey as a photographer based in Montréal

• Why he refuses to be pinned to one genre

• The art of street, wildlife, and sports photography

• The importance of storytelling through the lens

• His published work in Ducks Unlimited Canada and projects with Quebec wildlife reserves

• What inspires him to keep seeking adventure and chasing details

  
  

This conversation with Will is a reminder that photography is less about the genre and more about the stories we choose to tell.

Visit William:

Instagram:@william.botka

Threads:@william.botka

Website:www.williambotka.com

YouTube:@Will_B_Photos_MTL

Visit The Show: 

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@life.of.phys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@life.of.phys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lifeofphys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Web: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thelifeofphys.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Support The Show:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merch ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Affiliate Links⁠

On this episode of The Life of Phys Podcast, I sit down with Michael Colas, a photographer, podcast host, and father based in Queens, New York.

Michael’s work and voice reflect the balance of creativity, storytelling, and family life. Through his photography, he captures the world around him with honesty and depth, while his podcasting provides a platform for conversations that connect and inspire.

As a father, Michael also shares how parenthood influences his perspective, adding richness and empathy to both his creative work and daily life.

In this episode, Michael and I discuss:

• His journey as a photographer in Queens, New York

• Why he started podcasting and the stories he seeks to share

• How fatherhood shapes his creativity and perspective

• The challenges and rewards of balancing art, voice, and family

• His vision for using photography and podcasting to build community

  
  

This episode with Michael C is a thoughtful conversation about art, family, and finding your voice as both a creative and a parent.

Visit Michael:

Instagram:@viewsfromthetrap_

Threads:@viewsfromthetrap_

YouTube:@viewsfromthetrap

Visit The Show: 

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@life.of.phys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@life.of.phys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lifeofphys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Web: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thelifeofphys.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Support The Show:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merch ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Affiliate Links⁠

On this episode of The Life of Phys Podcast, I sit down with Ryan HK, a Calgary, Alberta–based photographer with over 20 years of experience behind the camera.

Ryan’s story is one of resilience and creativity. A cancer survivor, he brings both strength and vulnerability into his work and his life. Specializing in corporate photography and portraiture, Ryan is also deeply fascinated by the science of lighting, using it to craft images that are as precise as they are powerful.

Beyond the technical side, Ryan is open about his mental health journey, and we dive into why building a positive, supportive community is the way forward, not just for photographers, but for creatives everywhere.

In this episode, Ryan and I discuss:

• His 20+ year career in photography

• Lessons learned as a cancer survivor and creative professional

• Why he loves the science and art of lighting

• His approach to corporate and portrait photography

• The importance of mental health and open conversations

• Why community-building matters for the future of creativity

  
  

This episode with Ryan HK is both inspiring and insightful, a reminder that photography is about more than images; it’s about resilience, connection, and lifting others up.

Visit Ryan;

Instagram:@ryanhk_

Threads:@ryanhk_

Web: www.ryanhk.com

Visit The Show: 

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@life.of.phys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@life.of.phys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lifeofphys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Web: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thelifeofphys.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Support The Show:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merch ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Affiliate Links⁠

On this episode of The Life of Phys Podcast, I sit down with Michael Taylor, a creative and business owner based in Seattle, Washington.

Mike’s journey blends artistry and entrepreneurship, showing how creativity can drive not only personal fulfillment but also professional success. As a business owner, he has learned to balance vision and strategy, while as a creative, he continues to explore storytelling, innovation, and the power of community.

In this episode, Mike and I discuss:

• His path as a creative professional and entrepreneur in Seattle

• How to balance art, business, and innovation

• The unique opportunities and challenges of building in Seattle

• Why community and creativity go hand-in-hand

• Lessons he’s learned about resilience, growth, and leadership

  
  

This conversation with Mike is a thoughtful exploration of what it means to live at the intersection of creativity and business.

Mike's books are available here:

Beautiful (if slightly out of focus)

Tears For Gaza

Visit Mike:

Instagram: @mk.photomedia

Threads: @mk.photomedia

Visit The Show: 

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@life.of.phys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@life.of.phys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lifeofphys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Web: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thelifeofphys.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Support The Show:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merch ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Affiliate Links⁠

On this episode of The Life of Phys Podcast, I sit down with Roxanna Ortiz, an Emmy Award–winning photojournalist based in Seattle, Washington.

Roxanna’s career has been defined by her passion for visual storytelling, but also by the challenges that come with standing out in a competitive industry. We dive into her Emmy win, the backlash she received for it, and how she continues to push forward with both current and future projects.

She also shares details on the gear she uses (with some changes on the horizon), her thoughts on the state of the photography and videography community, and the unique pitfalls female creators face on social media. Together, we also explore the importance of the Community Over Competition movement and what it means for the future of creative industries.

In this episode, Roxanna and I discuss:

• Her journey as a Seattle-based Emmy Award–winning photojournalist

• What the Emmy win meant to her, and the backlash that came with it

• Current and future creative projects she’s pursuing

• The gear she relies on and what’s changing soon

• Her thoughts on the photography/videography community today

• The challenges of social media for female creators

• Why she supports the Community Over Competition movement

  
  

This episode with Roxanna Ortiz is an inspiring and honest look at the realities of photojournalism, the highs and lows of recognition, and why building supportive communities is more powerful than competition.

Visit Xanna:

Instagram:@xanna.photo

Threads:@xanna.photo

Instagram:@rawplus.media

Threads:@rawplus.media

Web:www.rawplusseattle.com

Visit The Show: 

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@life.of.phys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@life.of.phys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lifeofphys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Web: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thelifeofphys.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Support The Show:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merch ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Affiliate Links⁠

On this episode of The Life of Phys Podcast, I sit down with Alfonso Villalón, a talented photographer based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Alfonso shares insights into his current and future projects, the gear he uses, and his perspective on the state of today’s photography community. We also dive into an honest discussion about the pitfalls of social media, how it affects photographers, and the challenges of navigating creativity in the digital age.

In this episode, Alfonso and I discuss:

• His journey as a Vancouver-based photographer

• Updates on his current and upcoming projects

• The gear he relies on for his photography

• His thoughts on the photography community today

• The opportunities and pitfalls of social media for photographers

  
  

This episode with Alfonso Villalón is an authentic and thoughtful look at creativity, community, and the realities of being a photographer in a rapidly changing world.

Visit Alfonso:

Instagram:@alvulario

Threads:@alvulario

Visit The Show: 

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@life.of.phys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@life.of.phys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lifeofphys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Web: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thelifeofphys.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Support The Show:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merch ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Affiliate Links⁠