Episódios

  • The Great Acceleration: Human-Altered Industrial Landscapes, with Edward Burtynsky

    The Great Acceleration: Human-Altered Industrial Landscapes, with Edward Burtynsky
    Jul 3 2025
    Industrial expansion has left an indelible mark on our natural world, fundamentally altering landscapes and ecosystems for the sake of material progress and modern convenience. This transformation has created an environmental challenge of unprecedented scale. In today’s show, we’ll connect the dots between the raw materials that make up our planet and the industrial forces visually altering our contemporary landscape in a chat with a photographer who’s documented these profound global changes firsthand for the past 50 years. Applying visual principals rooted in abstract expressionist painting, Edward Burtynsky has explored a wide range of photographic tools in his image making—from large format film to high-res digital cameras mounted to the most sophisticated of drones. Included among our many discussion topics are his distinctive approach to translating a 3-D landscape to the flat plane of a photograph; his various methods for capturing aerials using either a helicopter, fixed wing aircraft, or various types of drones; and the early business epiphany that led him to open a photo lab as an income stream, rather than work as a camera for hire. As Burtynsky shares during our chat, about the connection between nature and industry: “You know, materials are an incredibly key part of modern society. And yet we need to go to sources in nature, where these materials are found. And I'm just reconnecting a reality that we still live in a material world, and our cities are built of molecules that came from somewhere, and I’m taking you to those places that are vast and huge.” Guest: Edward Burtynsky Episode Timeline: 2:58: Burtynsky’s early interest in abstract expressionist painting combined with the magic and rituals of composing images with a large format camera5:28: Planning for aerial views, the shift from using a minerals map in the past to Google Earth today, plus Burtynsky’s shooting preferences between a helicopter and a drone and shooting open air.10:22: Burtynsky’s approach to translating a 3-D landscape to the flat plane of a photograph.17:17: The planning and research behind Burtynsky’s work vs the need to pivot in the field.19:45: Adapting to technology over a 50-year career, and how it’s shaped Burtynsky’s process—from large format film to high end digital on a drone.23:16: Episode Break23:59: Burtynsky talks about permissions to access mines and industrial sites and how this has changed over time.31:44: A wrong turn on the highway in 1981 and the photos that led Burtynsky to an epiphany about human-altered landscapes. 35:48: Burtynsky talks about forming his photo lab Toronto Image Works as a ballast to provide income in printing for other photographers while pursuing personal fine art photo projects.43:38: Burtynsky’s retrospective exhibit at the ICP in New York, his thoughts about the future of technology, plus recent collaborations with a young artist working in Artificial Intelligence. Guest Bio: Edward Burtynsky has spent more than 40 years bearing witness to the impact human industry on our planet. Regarded as one of the world’s most accomplished contemporary photographers, Burtynsky’s work is included in the collections of more than 80 museums worldwide and featured in major exhibitions around the globe. Born in St. Catharines, Ontario in 1955, Burtynsky’s early exposure to a nearby General Motors plant and ships navigating the Welland Canal in his hometown captured his imagination, helping to formulate his ideas about the scale of human creation he would later capture in photographs. These images explore the collective impact we as a species have on the surface of this planet. A select list of Burtynsky’s many distinctions include the inaugural TED Prize, the title of Officer of the Order of Canada, the International Center of Photography’s Infinity Award for Art, a Royal Photographic Society Honorary Fellowship, and the World Photography Organization’s Outstanding Contribution to Photography Award. Burtynsky currently holds nine honorary doctorate degrees, and in addition to his work in photography, he was a key production figure in the award-winning documentary film trilogy Manufactured Landscapes, Watermark, and ANTHROPOCENE: The Human Epoch. All three films continue to play in festivals around the world. Stay Connected: WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeLinktree - Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens
    Exibir mais Exibir menos
    53 minutos
  • A Master Class in Photo Book Publishing, with Mary Virginia Swanson & Rick Smolan

    A Master Class in Photo Book Publishing, with Mary Virginia Swanson & Rick Smolan
    Jun 19 2025
    Every photographer dreams of publishing a book of their photographs. But what exactly does that entail? In today’s show, we’re going to peek behind the scenes of this complex and daunting process in a chat with two complementary figures who’ve spent their respective careers helping to redefine what a photo book can be. Starting with three basic questions—Why a book? Why now? And what is the role of a book in your career at this time?—our discussion expands to cover a broad range of concerns. From distinguishing between the many different publishing models available today, to insights on sponsorship and publishing contracts, to tips about marketing and getting people onboard with your project, you’ll come away with inventive strategies for publishing your work in book form. We’ve envisioned this show as an impromptu master class, so get ready to take some notes! Guests: Mary Virginia Swanson & Rick Smolan Episode Timeline: 4:45: Mary Virginia Swanson’s basic advice to photographers interested in publishing their photographs in book form, plus the different publishing models available today.10:22: Rick’s start as a freelance photographer and the story behind his shift in roles to launch the Day in the Life book series.15:04: The importance of sponsorship or in-kind donations, plus innovative strategies for negotiating such deals.23:04: The two different categories of photo books: greatest hits with the photographer as subject and a book that has a separate subject and overarching story.27:55: Tips for going on press, advice about publishing contracts, and suggestions for buying back a book before it gets remaindered.34:54: The issue of vanity presses, and the matter of requiring a subvention from authors to help cover the publisher’s costs.43:03: Publicity and marketing: You are the best salesperson for your book. Tips for getting your book seen and heard about, from magazines to podcasts. 49:08: Episode Break 50:02: Should you create a full mock-up version of a book or just show a publisher a selection of photos?59:22: Benefits to working with a literary agent when seeking to publish a photo book.1:01:44: Slicing up the pie by hiring freelaners or finding a partner to share in the work.1:07:38: The importance of publishing deadlines and many important markers tied to a calendar, plus the cover photo and book blurbs.1:14:22: Swanson and Smolan on their picks for memorable photo books.1:25:19: Parting advice about getting other people excited about your project. Guest Bios: Mary Virginia Swanson has spent her career helping artists find the strengths in their work, identify receptive audiences, and present their personal vision in an informed, professional manner. Her broad background as a photo educator, author, entrepreneur and advisor spans areas of exhibiting, collecting, licensing, and marketing photographs. A few career highlights include working with Ansel Adams to manage education offerings at the Friends of Photography in California, heading Special Projects for Magnum Photos in New York, and founding and directing Swanstock as a unique licensing agency for fine art photographers. Swanson is the recipient of many awards, including the Society for Photographic Education’s Honored Educator Award and the FOCUS Award for Lifetime Achievement in Photography from the Griffin Museum in Boston to name just two. In 2011, Swanson co-authored Publish Your Photography Book with Darius Himes, which is now in its third edition. Currently, Swanson works independently from her home base in Tucson, offering classes, workshops and consulting services to artists and arts organizations, serving as an advisor for multiple nonprofits, and giving back through other community-minded activities. Rick Smolan is both a photographer and an entrepreneur. A former contributor to Time, Life, and National Geographic, he is perhaps best known as creator of the Day in the Life book series, plus subsequent book projects of massive scope. As CEO of the multi-modal company Against All Odds Productions, Smolan designs and executes crowd-sourced, global projects that combine compelling storytelling with state-of-the-art technology. These projects capture the human face of emerging topics while engaging a wide range of media platforms to result in books, TV specials, social media apps, exhibitions, and hundreds of millions of media impressions. One such project, based on Smolan’s 1977 National Geographic cover story about Robyn Davidson’s solo travels across the outback has enjoyed continued life in multiple books, plus the feature film Tracks, with Adam Driver cast in the role of Smolan. Other recent projects include The Human Face of Big Data, which looks at how all our devices are creating a planetary nervous system, and The Good Fight: America's Ongoing Struggle for Justice, which became one of Amazon's top 100 books within a week of its release. Stay Connected: Mary Virginia Swanson ...
    Exibir mais Exibir menos
    1 hora e 37 minutos
  • The Beauty & Impact of Polar Photography, with Acacia Johnson & Jonas Paurell

    The Beauty & Impact of Polar Photography, with Acacia Johnson & Jonas Paurell
    Jun 4 2025
    In a world of perpetual motion, there exists a realm of profound stillness—where light doesn’t simply illuminate, it transforms. Far from home amid Earth’s frozen tundras, time itself seems suspended in crystalline air. In today’s podcast, we’ll visit these places where time hangs in the balance, and we’ll explore the intrepid mix of endurance, patience, and vision it takes to make pictures there. Joining us for this conversation are polar photography specialists Acacia Johnson and Jonas Paurell. From making distinctions between Arctic and Antarctic regions, to learning about the unique challenges involved with photographing there, our polar experts share many valuable insights. In addition to tips about packing and safeguarding camera gear in cold weather climates, we also discuss the importance of managing expectations during such trips, especially when faced with a long wait to see wildlife amid the barren stillness. As Alaskan photographer Acacia Johnson puts it, “… I think going into a trip with kind of a sense of exploration, like the joy of the trip is that you don't know, and it's completely unique to your experience. And whatever you do see is kind of a gift.” Guests: Acacia Johnson & Jonas Paurell Episode Timeline: 3:37: Acacia Johnson’s upbringing in the wilds of Alaska and leaving the area for photo studies at the Rhode Island School of Design in the lower 48.7:35: Jonas Paurell’s youth in Sweden and the impact his first trek to Scandinavian Arctic regions had on his soul.14:08: The differences between Arctic and Antarctic polar landscapes, plus Acacia’s experiences during a winter in Arctic Bay, with no sun for four months.29:13: Different approaches to storytelling about the Arctic based on subject matter, and capturing an emotion in images that does justice to the landscape.37:31: The logistics of getting to Arctic and Antarctic locations, and expenses involved with working and living there.43:19: The Jubilee Expedition Jonas organized to celebrate the 150th anniversary of a legendary Swedish polar expedition to Svalbard. 51:20: Episode Break 51:38: Preparations for a polar expedition and the camera gear Acacia and Jonas pack.1:00:31: Using a large format camera on polar expeditions, plus managing gear in extreme cold conditions.1:06:42: Managing expectations for travelers, misconceptions when planning trips, plus different types of vessels used during expeditions to polar regions.1:16:42: Cultivating an authentic connection to place when photographing polar regions. 1:21:29: The changing ethics of photographing in polar regions, plus findings from Jonas’s Jubilee Expedition Guest Bios: Acacia Johnson is a photographer, writer, and a 2023 National Geographic Explorer based in Anchorage, Alaska. Drawn to painterly light and otherworldly landscapes, her work focuses on the environment, conservation, and connections between people and place. Over the past 10 years, she has made more than fifty expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica as a photographer and a guide—always seeking to inspire wonder and compassion for these remote regions during a time of rapid change. Her photographs have been exhibited internationally and have been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, National Geographic and TIME magazines, among other publications. In 2021, Acacia was awarded the Canon Female Photojournalist Grant, and in 2022 she received the ICP Infinity Award for Documentary Practices and Photojournalism. Jonas Paurell is an explorer, conservation photographer, photo educator, and speaker from Gothenburg, Sweden. One of his most ambitious projects is a 25-year documentation of the Arctic. Through ski expeditions and icebreaker voyages, he has captured both the resilience and vulnerability of Arctic landscapes, emphasizing the fragility of the region and the urgent need for preservation. In 2022, Jonas launched The Jubilee Expedition, recreating the historic Swedish Polar Expedition of 1872 to highlight this region’s rapid melting and the far-reaching impacts of climate change. Jonas is also founder of Terra Photography Expeditions, which offers immersive workshops in both Arctic regions and South American rainforests, helping photographers deepen their connection with nature while refining their craft. Additionally, before dedicating his life to photography, Jonas served as a human rights lawyer for the United Nations. Stay Connected: Acacia Johnson WebsiteInstagramFacebookX Jonas Paurell WebsiteTerra Photography ExpeditionInstagramFacebookYouTube Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens
    Exibir mais Exibir menos
    1 hora e 47 minutos
  • The Alchemy of Urban Street Portraits, with Jamel Shabazz

    The Alchemy of Urban Street Portraits, with Jamel Shabazz
    May 22 2025

    When it comes to his iconic street portraits, Jamel Shabazz is all about building relationships and spreading joy. Yet, beyond the rich tapestry created with both the neighbors and strangers, friends and rivals he’s encountered across New York’s five boroughs, Jamel’s most meaningful role might be that of a street teacher, touching the lives of the people in front of his lens and inviting them to mark their place in history.

    In today’s podcast, we learn from the master while tracing his career path, from early observational learning at the side of his father—a professional photographer in his own right—to his first street portraits of classmates and friends. Jamel also shares how his singular vision was shaped by outside forces, including three years overseas in the Army and 20 years as a New York City corrections officer.

    Incredibly, Jamel was able to take his camera along inside, and he describes the fine line he walked in our chat. “So, it was illegal,” he admits, “but I was known to have done it throughout my entire career. As time went on, I became known as that photographer within the department that photographed everybody. You know, the brass, the officers. And I gave everybody the photographs. So, yes, I killed them with kindness.”

    Guest: Jamel Shabazz

    Guest Bio: Jamel Shabazz is a documentary, fashion, and street photographer from Brooklyn, who has spent more than four decades capturing the cultural shifts and struggles of New York City through iconic photographs. His pictures have been exhibited worldwide, are permanently housed in prestigious institutions, and currently featured in nine monographs, along with more than three dozen other photo books. A recipient of the 2018 Gordon Parks Award and the Gordon Parks Foundation/Steidl book prize in 2022, Jamel is also dedicated to education, having instructed young students through programs at the Studio Museum in Harlem, the Schomburg Center, and the Bronx Museum. As a member of the Kamoinge photo collective and a board member of En Foco, Jamel’s artistic mission remains centered on preserving urban history and culture through powerful, intimate portraits.

    Stay Connected:

    • Jamel Shabazz Website
    • Jamel Shabazz Instagram
    • Jamel Shabazz Facebook
    • Jamel Shabazz Wikipedia

    Host: Derek Fahsbender
    Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman
    Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein
    Executive Producer: Richard Stevens
    Exibir mais Exibir menos
    1 hora e 23 minutos
  • Reshape Your Skills Throughout Your Photo Career, with Aaron Anderson & Chris Orwig

    Reshape Your Skills Throughout Your Photo Career, with Aaron Anderson & Chris Orwig
    May 8 2025

    At first glance, photographers Chris Orwig and Aaron Anderson seem an unlikely pairing—with the natural light and high key palette of Chris’s portraits forming a sharp contrast to the cinematic lighting and film noir aura featured in Aaron’s work. Yet, their heartfelt discussion about creative reinvention in today’s podcast celebrates the notion that opposites attract. Adding to our core topic of reshaping skills at every stage of your career, we’ll also delve into keeping abreast of creative trends and remaining relevant as a creator in an increasingly competitive commercial marketplace.

    Beginning with the premise that it’s the teacher who learns the most in the room, Chris and Aaron describe their respective career paths, highlighting the importance of trusting the process that leads to creative growth. As Aaron points out, “that's when I think a lot of the magic happens, because you're learning to trust the part of you that is creating. And it's a really fun thing to see that come to life, because the more you can trust that part of yourself, the more consistently you can create images that feel like you, and that look like the voice that you want to have out in the world.”

    Guests: Chris Orwig & Aaron Anderson

    Stay Connected:

    Aaron Anderson

    • Aaron Anderson Visuals Website
    • Aaron Anderson Visuals on Instagram
    • Aaron Anderson Visuals on Facebook
    • Aaron Anderson Visuals on YouTube
    • Aaron Anderson Visuals on X
    • Aaron Anderson Fujifilm Creators page
    • Start with Why book

    Chris Orwig

    • Chris Orwig Website
    • Chris Orwig on Instagram
    • Chris Orwig on Facebook
    • Chris Orwig on YouTube
    • Chris Orwig on X
    • Chris Orwig Sony Ambassador page

    Host: Derek Fahsbender

    Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman

    Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein

    Executive Producer: Richard Stevens
    Exibir mais Exibir menos
    1 hora e 12 minutos
  • High-Octane Motor Sports Photography, with Camden Thrasher & Jamey Price

    High-Octane Motor Sports Photography, with Camden Thrasher & Jamey Price
    Apr 24 2025
    Nothing beats the thundering energy and human drama that unfolds across the surface of an automotive racetrack. Photographers who specialize in this adrenaline-fueled niche are best served by nerves of steel and the high endurance to lug multiple cameras and the long lenses needed to freeze the action. In today’s show, we plunge headfirst into what it takes to cover the many facets of auto racing with two of the finest professionals in the field, photographers Camden Thrasher and Jamey Price. From stories of unexpected hurdles to access when scouting an unfamiliar course to the mix of visual stimulation and extreme exhaustion that accompanies a 24-hour endurance race, our chat is full of real-world insights. We also discuss the gear these photographers rely on and the wear and tear that comes with hard core use. And for listeners who’ve always wanted to try their hand at motor sports photography, Jamey Price shares some parting advice. “You don't build a portfolio by getting credentials,” he says. “You build a portfolio by going to races as a fan, bringing your camera, and making cool pictures from fan areas. Tell stories, do something different.” Guests: Camden Thrasher & Jamey Price Episode Timeline: 3:46: Jamey’s start as a jockey and making comparisons between photographing horse racing and motorsports8:29: Camden’s early start attending auto races, then discovering photography through exploring his father’s film camera as a cool mechanical device.10:25: Both photographers share their trajectory from starting out as a motor sports photographer to making it into a career.18:04: A race day timeline and the many variables involved in motor sports photography.27:28: Camaraderie & competition between photographers working the circuit, etiquette when shooting, and the importance of individual style.37:24: The thrill of endurance racing and how photographing these 24-hour-long races differs from other types of motor sporting events.43:38: Episode Break45:10: Camden and Jamey’s go-to camera gear, the long lenses they lug, plus how often they use manual focus, especially when panning through people or trees.54:50: Getting otherworldly visuals when faced with adverse weather conditions or unique atmospheric effects, despite the physical challenges. 59:15: Wear and tear on camera gear due to the unfriendly environment at the track, plus using broken gear or common objects for creative visual effects.1:056:08: Camera settings and creative techniques when panning, plus accounting for variables of relative distance combined with motion and speed to achieve a desired result.1:16:27: Camden & Jamey discuss the use of their motor sports photos and licensing their images to clients.1:24:13: Parting advice to fans interested in becoming a credentialed motor sport photographer—bring your camera to a race as a fan, and start making pictures! Guest Bios: Camden Thrasher is a motor sports photographer with a distinctive ability to capture unique scenes of fast action. Growing up in Vancouver, Washington, it was the sound of engines from a nearby racetrack that first drew him to motor sports. After becoming a fixture at the track with his camera during high school, Camden studied automotive design and engineering in college, expecting to work as an engineer or on a pit crew. But the money he was making as a side hustle with his camera convinced him to stick with photography, and he hasn’t looked back since. Using a unique slow shutter speed method, perfected over many exposures, Camden revels in showcasing the abstract qualities of gleaming metal, bright lights, and dynamic action that are hallmarks of this sport. Now based out of Atlanta, Georgia, Camden’s work has been commissioned by top racing teams and featured in a wide range of media, from print magazines to automotive branding campaigns. Jamey Price is an automotive photographer based in Charlotte, North Carolina, whose motor sports work has taken him to more than 25 countries, and across most of the continental US. Jamey's photography career began while he was competing as a thoroughbred horse racing jockey and exercise rider. During this time, he completed more than 50 races, notching 11 wins in the saddle. His life in horse racing was eventually compiled into the self-published book Chasing: Racing Life in England & Ireland. Yet, in 2011, Jamey’s photography career switched from horses to horse-power. Since he began chasing race cars, his images have been published worldwide in magazines, distributed by sports imagery wire services, and featured by top commercial clients. Additionally, Jamey is a LEXAR Elite Artist, since 2014. Stay Connected: Camden Thrasher WebsiteCamden Thrasher Instagram Camden Thrasher Facebook Camden Thrasher Flickr Camden Thrasher on B&H Explora Jamey Price WebsiteJamey Price InstagramJamey Price TwitterJamey Price YouTubeJamey Price TikTok Jamey Price Lexar -------- Host: Derek ...
    Exibir mais Exibir menos
    1 hora e 37 minutos
  • Photo Industry Tips from High-End Assistants, with Mike Foley & Alex Savidis

    Photo Industry Tips from High-End Assistants, with Mike Foley & Alex Savidis
    Apr 10 2025
    As any established photographer will tell you, forging a career can be a long and arduous journey, with no instruction manual to guide you through the process. The lofty world of top-notch pros is often shrouded in mystery and full of things they don’t teach in photo school. In today’s show, we get to peek behind the scenes of this complex, and often chaotic environment in a chat with two colleagues who’ve found a way to balance their freelance careers as independent creators with lucrative work assisting in a high-profile photo studio. Listen in, to learn how a casual job application through LinkedIn landed Mike Foley an interview, ultimately resulting in a salaried role as first assistant to a world-class portrait photographer. While technical mastery counts for a lot, we discuss the critical importance of soft skills like personality and work ethic to success in such environments. We also distinguish between salaried full-time work and more common freelance roles, and the juggling required to coordinate the complex planning involved. As freelance lighting assistant (and longtime café owner) Alex Savidis admits, “the juggle becomes quite hard at times, but I think it's a necessity, especially when you're trying to pursue something that you're passionate about. You can't just become a successful photographer overnight. It takes years to build up to that.” Guests: Mike Foley & Alex Savidis Episode Timeline: 2:57: Mike Foley describes heirloom portraiture as his bespoke brand of portrait with the ability to last a lifetime.5:10: The backstory to Mike getting hired as a photo assistant for a world class portrait photographer.11:25: The personality and skill set needed to work in a high-end photo studio, Alex’s take on being added to the team, plus the various roles within the studio.17:30: The role of a B-cam operator to capture the finer details of a video shoots, plus an overview of a typical shoot day.23:05: Mike talks about the video work in his portfolio as a differentiating factor in his getting the assisting job.28:23: The work structure and expectations for photo assistants, from freelance to salaried positions, plus discussion about length of tenure. 34:50: Episode Break 35:55: Memorable stories from the studio—from the largest two-day shoot with a crew of 150, to the core personnel involved in work-a-day shoots.42:28: NDA’s and the etiquette of what an assistant is able to share when dealing with high-end clients.46:30: The growing acceptance of photographers who do freelance work and juggle regular 9-5 jobs with photo assignments. 52:07: Learning outcomes from working in a world class portrait studio, and the mindset to hold yourself to a higher standard.57:49: Mike and Alex share advice for budding photographers based on what they’ve learned from working in a world-class photo studio. Guest Bios: Mike Foley is a New York City-based photographer specializing in heirloom portraiture and editorial photography. After starting out photographing weddings and small events, Mike quickly grew into commercial work, providing clients with timeless images they can use to elevate their visual presence and define their brand. His approach behind the camera is warm and humanistic, allowing his subjects the space to be themselves. In addition to his own photo services, Mike is currently content manager and digital designer for an internationally renowned portrait photographer. On set, he serves as first assistant and B-camera operator, while also providing on-set and post-production support behind the scenes for clients like Balenciaga, New York Magazine, and many more. Australian native Alex Savidis is passionate about storytelling through both still and moving imagery. Based in New York since 2020, he pushes creative boundaries by merging elements from his street and landscape photography into his portraiture & wedding work, weaving memories into art. For the past year and a half, Alex has also worked as lighting assistant and B cam operator in the same high-profile portrait studio as Mike, catering to world-renowned clients and political leaders. On B cam, it’s his job to focus on finer details and provide viewers with a deeper, more intimate perspective on a given subject, capturing nuances that enhance the storytelling. Additionally, when he’s not juggling camera gear or fine-tuning lights, you can find Alex behind the counter of the café Regular NYC in southern Manhattan, an establishment he founded in early 2024. Stay Connected: Mike Foley Website: https://mikephotographs.com/ Mike Foley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_mikephotographs/Mike Foley Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaeljamesphotos/ Mike Foley Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-foley-3095a7126 Alex Savidis Website: https://www.alexsavidis.com/Alex Savidis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex.savidis/Alex Savidis Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/...
    Exibir mais Exibir menos
    1 hora e 9 minutos
  • Podcast: Creative Innovation & Visual Voodoo, with Chase Jarvis

    Podcast: Creative Innovation & Visual Voodoo, with Chase Jarvis
    Mar 27 2025

    Above Photograph © Chase Jarvis

    We’ve all heard the saying “The best camera is the one that’s with you.” But do you know how this catch phrase ended up as a mantra of the mobile economy? In today’s show, we speak with Chase Jarvis, the man behind Best Camera—the wildly successful photo sharing app that predated Instagram—to get an inside look at his wild ride.

    A born entrepreneur and self-made photographer with a hunger that always worked against the grain, Chase’s meteoric rise in action sports/lifestyle photography dovetailed with the dawn of the sharing economy, leading him to a moonshot idea. The ensuing saga of Best Camera’s viral success, subsequent demise, and Chase’s quick pivot into his next visionary business model—Creative Live—is both a cautionary tale and a redemption story. All told, you’ll gain fascinating insights into the nexus of creative innovation and big business at the highest levels.

    When asked about his biggest take away from Best Camera given the benefit of hindsight, Chase doesn’t miss a beat, responding, “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.”

    Guest: Chase Jarvis

    Episode Timeline:

    3:44: How Chase’s mastery of sports and the gift of his grandfather’s camera gear led to a passion for teaching himself photography.

    9:33: Channeling real-world examples from his grandfather and father into early pictures, along with library books about the masters’ and photographic techniques.

    15:35: The development of Chase’s early entrepreneurial spirit and how his second-grade teacher stifled these efforts.

    22:50: Bucking trends and connecting with the uniqueness you bring to your images as a creative style.

    26:32: Embracing social media and the sharing community early on and the ability to see around the corner as an entrepreneur.

    35:53: Chase’s fast track to commercial success, technological innovation, and developing the Best Camera App.

    46:20: Episode Break

    47:48: The lessons learned from the Best Camera failure and how Chase channeled these lessons into the success of the first livestreaming learning platform, Creative Live.

    52:24: Making the pivot from the first live photo feed to building Creative Live as a way to answer questions the questions asked by a massive global audience.

    1:00:51: Creative Live’s pioneering approach to a freemium business model, plus offering access as a core company value.

    1:05:29: The most popular offerings at Creative Live: the fundamentals, the business of classes, and the big name thought leaders.

    1:12:38: Chase’s views on the current—and future—landscape in social media, creativity, and AI, plus advice for getting comfortable being uncomfortable.

    1:20:43: What success means to Chase, and the message in his recent book Never Play it Safe: A Practical Guide to Freedom, Creativity and a Life You Love.


    Guest Bio:

    Chase Jarvis is an award-winning artist, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and one of the most influential photographers of the past 20 years, whose diverse portfolio spans from advertising campaigns for Apple, Nike, and Red Bull to collaborations with athletes like Serena Williams and icons such as Lady Gaga and Sir Richard Branson. As an early adopter of social media and the sharing economy, Chase created Best Camera (the first photo-sharing app) in 2009 and co-founded the online education platform CreativeLive in 2010. Chase has spoken on six continents and advised Fortune 100 companies, with invitations to both the Obama White House and Buckingham Palace. Based in Seattle with his wife Kate and their dog Bodhi, he hosts the widely successful Chase Jarvis LIVE podcast (over 50 million downloads) while serving on several nonprofit boards.


    Stay Connected:
    Chase Jarvis Website: https://chasejarvis.com/
    Chase Jarvis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasejarvis
    Chase Jarvis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chasejarvis
    Chase Jarvis Twitter: https://x.com/chasejarvis
    Chase Jarvis YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChaseJarvis
    Chase Jarvis Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chase_Jarvis
    Chase Jarvis Best Camera App: https://chasejarvis.com/project/the-best-camera/
    Chase Jarvis Creative Live: https://www.creativelive.com/instructor/chase-jarvis
    Chase Jarvis Never Play It Safe book: https://chasejarvis.com/never-play-it-safe/

    End Credits:

    Host: Derek Fahsbender

    Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman

    Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein

    Executive Producer: Richard Stevens
    Exibir mais Exibir menos
    1 hora e 24 minutos