TWiP Talks

Hit photography podcast network This Week in Photo joins the SmugMug family.

The most important voice in photo podcasting joins the most influential brand in photography. 

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – (Oct 25, 2022) – SmugMug, the world’s most influential name in photography, has announced two strategic additions to their expanding family of brands: This Week in Photo (TWiP), the beloved photography podcast network and media powerhouse; and its Editor in Chief, professional photographer, and industry influencer Frederick Van Johnson, who joins SmugMug to lead content and new media while continuing to grow and evolve This Week in Photo. 

“It’s an ideal match,” says SmugMug+Flickr VP of Marketing Scott Kinzie. “Our purpose at SmugMug is building a better world through the power of photography, and This Week in Photo has been inspiring, educating, and connecting photographers for more than a decade. Naturally, we’re massive fans of [Johnson’s] work.”

“Frankly, it’s time for TWiP to evolve,” Johnson adds. “I’ve built a wonderful podcast and community of photographers, but I believe TWiP can reach many more photographers, produce more amazing content, and expand the dialogue around photography — and its impact on our world. I just had to find the right team to work with, and SmugMug is the obvious choice because of its unprecedented brand recognition and reach into the photography industry.’

SmugMug is well known for working tirelessly to increase the influence and impact of photography worldwide. From its acquisition of Flickr in 2018 to its award-winning series SmugMug Films, the brand is showing no signs of slowing down.

“We’re among very few truly photographer-centric brands worldwide,” says Kinzie. “We’re always looking for opportunities to support these cornerstones of the photographic community, so when we realized Frederick shared our vision for the future of photography, it became clear that this relationship was great not only for photographers but also for the art of photography itself.” 

This Week in Photo, or “TWiP” as it’s known affectionately by fans, is an accessible media powerhouse with regular podcasts, blogs, and an active community covering the many facets of our industry. Since 2008, professional photographer and marketer Frederick Van Johnson has honed the TWiP brand and network, which now boasts weekly photo critiques, interviews, courses, tech reviews, and more.

Johnson is uniquely situated to start meaningful conversations in the photography community and has seen a lot of change over the years. From his transformative tour of duty, serving as a decorated combat photojournalist with the United States Air Force, to marketing and product work with industry giants like Adobe, Yahoo!, and Apple. 

“A decade ago, it was all about gear and the latest tech,” he says. “They also wanted to know how to build a portfolio or gallery with the tools of the time. People still love their gear, but today we’re increasingly seeing folks get into business, trying to make a go of it as a pro photographer. I've long admired SmugMug's commitment to empowering photographers since signing up in 2004. I’m stoked to join them in their mission of getting more photographers informed, inspired, and entertained—it’s the opportunity of a lifetime.”

https://www.smugmug.com/community/this-week-in-photo

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About SmugMug

Photographers around the world trust SmugMug with more than just their photos. They trust SmugMug with their memories, their passion, and their businesses.

In this interview, my friend, host, and content creator Nicki Sun joins the podcast. She's a full-time Nerd, a professional hype-woman, and blinding light in the tech industry.

We had a delightfully meandering conversation covering artificial intelligence, online courses, feet(!), freezing embryos, and more! You may want to listen to this episode twice!

About Nicki Sun

Nicki is an on-camera personality and freelance producer, director, cinematographer, editor, content strategist, and editor passionate about people, filmmaking, and technology. She was recently selected by Samsung to shoot a mini-documentary during COVID, which marked her directorial debut, and has launched TechNicki Speaking (a play off of ‘technically speaking’), as a tech and filmmaking channel, resource and website catered to beginning content creators, while also spotlighting women and filmmakers of color.

Nicki Sun

Connect with Nicki

Podcast: https://messysexyme.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/technickispeakingWebsite: https://www.technickispeaking.comPersonal site: http://www.nickisun.com

Nicki on Social Media

https://www.tiktok.com/@nickisunhttps://instagram.com/nickisunhttps://instagram.com/technickispeakinghttps://facebook.com/technickispeakinghttps://twitter.com/nickisun

Support Nicki on Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/nickisun

Derrick Story

Derrick Story is a photographer, writer, podcaster, and educator. He publishes his weekly podcast via www.thedigitalstory.com and everywhere podcasts are consumed. You can learn about his workshops and online classes at www.thenimblephotographer.com. And if you like analog photography, you’ve got to see TheFilmCameraShop - https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheFilmCameraShop - it’s a blast.

Course Description: Digitizing Family Memories is a series of four online classes that included class notes and access to the conversations by other class members associated with the videos. You will learn different methods for scanning prints and negatives, organizing them, and preserving them for you and future generations.

In this interview, CreativeLive's multi-talented Kenna Klosterman and I discuss photography education, finding your niche, and her intriguing “mindful adventures” trips. We also chat about gear acquisition syndrome, known as GAS, and how to combat it.

Kenna Klosterman / by Peter Hurley

Kenna Klosterman is a travel photographer, global tour & retreat leader, podcaster, international MC, educator, and culture explorer. You also may know her as the Host of CreativeLive, the world's leading education platform for creatives and creative entrepreneurs

Hear stories from behind the lens and behind the lives of your favorite photographers, filmmakers and industry game-changers on her weekly CreativeLive podcast We Are Photographers.

Kenna also leads boutique photography tours and mindfulness retreats to countries including Cuba, Kenya, Tanzania, Bhutan, Nepal, Bali, Morocco, and Costa Rica. She's proud to give back by volunteering as a Tour Leader & Photo Educator for The Giving Lens.

Web: kennakphoto.comPodcast: creativelive.com/podcastInstagram: @kennaklostermanTwitter: @kennakphotoFaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/kennakphoto

Jefferson Graham of photowalkstv.com joins the show to discuss the newly released iPhone 14 Pro Max! Are the new features worth the upgrade? Is iPhone finally ready to be taken seriously by pro photographers? Are the new Dynamic Island and always-on Home Screen enough for you to pull out your Apple Pay… again?

iPhone 13 Pro Max: Ready for pro work? With Jefferson Graham

Jefferson Graham

Jefferson Graham hosts the travel photography series “PhotowalksTV with Jefferson Graham,” which streams for free on YouTube and Tubi. He's a former USA TODAY tech columnist, host, and podcaster, where he fronted the “Talking Tech” series for over 2,000 episodes until 2021. He's also a photographer, video maker, and long-time jazz guitarist.

Graham is a working portrait photographer in the Manhattan Beach, California area and the author of nine books, including the recent Video Nation, a DIY Guide to Planning, Shooting and Sharing Great Video, as well as tomes on the infomercial king Ron Popeil, the TV legend Aaron Spelling and history of Sin City, Vegas: Live and In Person.

He has written and/or photographed for many publications, including Rolling Stone, People, Us Weekly, the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register, Easy Reader, Esquire, and TV Guide.

Jeff's photography can be seen on his http://www.jeffersongraham.net website. His guitar channel, featuring classics from the Great American Songbook, is on YouTube.

Photowalks: http://www.photowalkstv.comWebsite: http://www.jeffersongraham.netTwitter: https://twitter.com/jeffersongrahamInstagram: https://instagram.com/jeffersongrahamYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/PhotowalksTV

In this week's episode, I sit down with New York City-based celebrity portrait photographer Jesse Dittmar. We discuss the psychology and mindset behind preparation and pre-visualization for high-profile jobs. We also discuss his experiences shooting controversial figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci and Roger Stone.

About Jesse Dittmar

Jesse Dittmar is a portrait photographer working with publications such as The New York Times and The Washington Post and brands like Apple and Hulu. The New Yorker, People, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, and New York Magazine have all published his work.

He has photographed the most accomplished figures of the 21st century, including Denzel Washington, Tom Brady, Serena Williams, Tom Hanks, Patti Smith, David Letterman, the Star Wars cast, and hundreds more. Typically using black and white film, Jesse's photographs invoke a sense that one is standing in front of the subject.

He humanizes our most renowned figures and photographs those who are not famous in an equalizing manner. His portraits are iconic in their simplicity and intimacy.

https://jessedittmar.comhttps://www.instagram.com/jessedittmar

In this interview, I speak with veteran music photographer, filmmaker, and public speaker Jay Blakesberg. Over the past several decades, Jay has had the opportunity to photograph a veritable whos-who in the music industry.

©Jay Blakesberg

We talk about his latest book chronicling a lifetime of music. The book, assembled by his daughter, is a retrospective of never-before-seen images of the superstars that created the soundtracks of many of our childhoods.

Jay is a San Francisco-based photographer, filmmaker, and public speaker whose work has been featured in Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, Relix, and numerous other magazines. He has worked with countless musical artists, including Neil Young, Radiohead, Phish, Joni Mitchell, The Flaming Lips, Tom Waits, the Rolling Stones, Carlos Santana, and the Grateful Dead, to name just a few. Blakesberg first started documenting life with a camera in 1978 at age 16. RetroBlakesberg is his 16th coffee table book.

Check out @Retroblakesberg – the Instagram account Jay's daughter, Ricki, curated that uses Jay's work to form a compelling story of how rock ‘n’ roll, fashion, and cultural trends have evolved– as well as the looks and concepts that have remained popular as we move farther and farther away from the analog existence of Jay’s youth, and into the high-tech interconnectedness of Ricki’s generation.

Jay's book: https://www.blakesberg.comJay on Instagram: @Retroblakesberg

In this episode, I sit down with Alastair Jolly and Anton Lorimer — the amazing (and surprisingly small) team behind SmugMug Films!

We discuss the “how” and “why” behind the project. As well as some of the challenges involved with producing award-winning films featuring world-class photographers in some of the most exotic locations on the planet. We also dive into some of the tools they employ to get the job done — on time and on budget.

Anton Lorimer, in his own words…

Anton Lorimer

“I’m incredibly thankful to have the ability to create something from scratch. Each of the films I create is unique. They reflect the people and subjects I chase and document worldwide. And although the environments and stories may vary, there is always a constant passion. Passion for what they do, who they are, or what they value. I try to capture that.

My style incorporates a cinematic feel with a sense of movement, pace, and unique perspective. This approach enhances the story by creating a feeling, a mood, or an experience.”

Alastair Jolly, in his own words…

Alastair Jolly

“I have been in the photography industry for over 20 years. Although I specialized in social and commercial photography throughout my professional career, I have always managed to find time to capture imagery for my own enjoyment and creativity. I find my creativity pulls me in different directions frequently while photographing.

I am as happy photographing long-exposure sea and cityscapes as I am in the middle of a vast landscape or, indeed, on a Photowalk around a city. Now with my roles at SmugMug & Flickr, I am very fortunate to travel frequently, work with the best photographers in the world, and always find time for just me and my camera.”

Check out SmugMug films:http://www.smugmug.com/films

https://youtu.be/kH-rfAA2qN4

Connect with Mike Mezeul II:

https://prints.mikemezphotography.comhttps://www.flickr.com/people/mikemezphoto

SmugMug Films Trailer

https://youtu.be/M1V9cELsK-E

Photographer and Director Scott McDermott grew up in Switzerland, backpacked through the American West, and trekked the Himalayas before spending the last 20+ years as a commercial photographer in New York City. After initially shooting sports, Scott's work eventually shifted toward the athletes themselves and portraiture. This led to photographing many of the best creative minds in Hollywood, the music industry, and the worlds of business and government.

©Scott McDermott

Along with his advertising work for global brands and major magazines, Scott has created several personal projects, including his “Scar Stories” portrait series, the highly acclaimed "Mandela Day” project (capturing the hands and faces of many of those who support Nelson Mandela's message.) and a series of portraits accompanying the film "Pop Culture" about the fatherhood experience. His work has been shown at solo and group exhibits and is held in many collections internationally.

Scott is also a director on various projects through his production company Magenin Films. He recently directed a feature documentary, "Danica: DRIVEN" that follows racing driver Danica Patrick in the lead-up to her final race before retirement. The film was selected for ten film festivals and has won several awards.

Scott is an International Cinematographers Guild Local 600 member as a still photographer.

CLIENT LIST

Abbott Healthcare, Abbvie, ABC, Absolut, Acer, Adidas, Amazon, AT&T, Bank of America, Bausch & Lomb, BlackRock, Bravo TV, CBS, Champion, CW-X, Dell, Deutsche Bank, DIRECTV, Discovery Channel, Disney, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Head & Shoulders, HBO, iPayment, JetBlue, Kaplan, Mandela Day/ 46664, Marlboro Racing, Matrix Hair, Miramax, NBC, Nike, NYRR, Old Spice, Paramount+, Peacock, Penguin, Playboy, Polo RLX, Rodale Books, Sears, Starbucks, Swiss RE, Time Warner, USA Network, Simon & Schuster, Sinvin, Spike TV, SYFY, Tanqueray Gin, Target, Universal, USA Boxing, AARP, Backpacker, Entertainment Weekly, Figure, Haute Living, Hemispheres, Hers Muscle & Fitness, Golf, Golf Digest, Home, Men's Fitness, Men's Health, Men's Journal, Moving Pictures, MovieMaker, Outdoor Life, Outside, Player, Runners World, Ski, Skiing, Time, Time Out NY, Unlimited, Shape.

LINKS

Main site: www.ScottMcDermott.comDomestika Course: https://www.domestika.org/en/courses/3838-professional-lighting-for-studio-photography/scott_mcdermottInsta: @ScottMcDermott_Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scott.mcdermott.33Tumblr: https://scottmcdphoto.tumblr.comMotion work: https://www.mageninfilms.comBook: https://www.apenguinsquest.com

Michael Aboya, also known as Aboya.8, is a fine art and fashion photographer based in Ghana, West Africa. This is a story about his journey to the 8, a journey that never ends, a story that will always be told long after he’s gone. At 19 years of age, his passion for arts and photography became very real.

Michael Aboya

At that time, he was studying software programming, a subject he had no particular interest in, but his parents wanted him to be a programmer. The journey and story began when he lost his father to cancer in August 2016, and this drove him to realize that one day he will also die; but does he die knowing he pursued his dreams or wasted his life? These were the questions Michael kept asking himself.

Then, he started to pursue his dreams of becoming a professional photographer. He stopped studying computer programming and used the little savings and funds he had to buy a Canon T3 camera with a Canon EF 70mm – 300mm lens. In early 2017, he started working as a full-time photographer, dedicated to learning and, most importantly, becoming a better version of himself. Today, as a visual artist working with photography, his purpose is to tell stories that inspire, empower and connect with the viewer.

His images explore emotions, love, and strength through composition, lighting, and subject matter. As he looks to the future, he looks forward to continuing the exploration of our humanity for many years to come.

Over this period, Michael has received six awards for outstanding visual storytelling and composition and made some inspiring achievements.

Best eyes Photography Award 2018, Best sound Photography Award 2018, Best horse rider Photography 2018, Best portrait for humanity 2020 By Agora Awards, He is the author Of the best photograph in the world 2019 “Songs OF Freedom” – Agora Awards 2019 in Spain, Barcelona. And photographer of the year 2022 (People’s Choice Award) in his home Country Ghana.

Michael became an Adobe Lightroom Ambassador 2021 and an Adobe Lightroom Classic Splash Screen Artist 2022; his works and story have been featured in many popular media outlets such as Forbes, BBC, Sony Alpha Photographers, and many more.

Website: https://aboya8.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aboya.8Twitter: https://twitter.com/Aboya_8