f/22 - Photographer Interviews by VSCO

S2.E11 – Caziah Franklin on Brand Work, the Outdoors, and Knowing Your Why

In this episode of f/22, Greg Lutze and Zach Hodges sit down with photographer Caziah Franklin in Nashville. He moved to Tennessee to drum, took summer lessons at Trevecca, and enrolled at Belmont. His first time behind a camera was a Canon Rebel T6i borrowed from his school's yearbook adviser for a summer at Lake Arlington in Texas, but he didn't really pick one up until COVID. A trip to Israel in 2020 and a Fuji X100F gave him his first published photos. In 2021 he deleted every social app for six months. He felt God telling him to log off, and he could see he'd been chasing virality instead of the work. He spent that stretch at a local outdoor shop in Nashville, got into climbing and cycling, and started leading trips in Moab. When he came back online, he posted what he was learning instead of what he'd done. His first paid work was brand consulting, and campaigns came after. He also spent time vetting the creators who pitched outdoor brands, which is where he learned that the people who get hired already use the gear. About a year and a half of free and traded work early on turned into his largest retainers. He talks through gifting, passion, and calling as three separate things, why not every skill needs to be monetized, a mentor's question about flipping houses versus keeping renters, and the test he runs on his own why. This episode explores What brands look for before they answer your pitch Six months offline and what came back with him Turning free and traded work into long-term retainers Treating clients like renters instead of flipped houses Keeping your gifting, passion, and calling separate Testing whether your why holds up Follow Caziah: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caziahfranklin/ Substack: https://caziahfranklin.substack.com/ YouTube: Caziah Franklin (channel URL to confirm) Chapters: 00:00 Cold open 00:58 Welcome Caziah Franklin 02:03 From drummer to a borrowed Rebel T6i 04:42 An Israel trip and his first published photos 05:58 Family support and the Belmont pivot 08:32 Six months offline in 2021 10:36 Summer camp in Texas and finding his why 13:25 First brand shoot and brand consulting 16:35 Gifting, passion, and calling 23:17 Free work, product, and investing in yourself 27:46 Flipping houses versus having renters 31:17 Planting seeds and what comes next 34:41 Advice for photographers coming up Big thanks to Harlowe Lights for the lighting of this episode, and Shure Mics for the audio. Hashtags: #CaziahFranklin #OutdoorPhotography #CommercialPhotography #NashvillePhotographer #AdventurePhotography #BrandPhotography #Fujifilm #PhotographyBusiness #F22Series #VSCO

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S2.E10 – Madison Rensing on Photographing Artists, Saying No, and Knowing What You're Worth

In this episode of f/22, Greg Lutze and Zach Hodges sit down with photographer Madison Rensing in Nashville. Her first camera was a cheap pink Canon she got around nine, used for photographing cereal and climbing the tree in her backyard. Her mom later found a used Nikon on Facebook Marketplace for a hundred bucks, and she teared up when she got it. Summers visiting a cousin in Alaska turned into landscape work, and driving thirty minutes into downtown St. Louis turned into portraits of her friends. The turn came from two photographers she knew only through Instagram. Trevor and Alex met her for coffee at 7am, looked at her work, and told her that if she wanted to do this for the rest of her life, she could. She calls it the light bulb. One of them hired her to shoot his wedding, and that was the first proof she could pay her own way with a camera. After a year of community college she moved to Nashville and landed in a room full of songwriters. She shot digital for about a year, then found a $20 Minolta at McKay's, a local thrift camera and book store, and converted to film for good. A friend handed her a Yashica Mat 124G, and about two years ago she moved into Contax. Clients started asking for the film work specifically. Now artists send her their unreleased music, and she puts headphones on and writes down what she sees. She works with people who are not models and have to be in front of a camera anyway, so she builds the shoot around making them feel safe. That approach runs straight into the hardest part of the job, which is deciding what to charge a friend, whether a label-backed artist pays a different rate, and how to say yes below your number without deciding your work is worth less. This episode explores Turning a hobby into a career on the strength of one conversation What a $20 thrift store camera changes about how you work Building visuals from a song nobody else has heard yet Directing artists who have never modeled in their lives What to charge when the client is a friend Keeping your price and your worth separate Follow Madison: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madisonrensingphotos/ Website: https://madisonrensing.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Cold open 00:37 Welcome to f/22 in Nashville 02:14 Shooting musicians and artists 03:47 A pink Canon at nine and a $100 Nikon 04:35 Alaska summers and shooting friends near St. Louis 08:06 Trevor and Alex find her on Instagram 09:43 You could do this for the rest of your life 11:41 Building a portfolio and shooting her first wedding 13:28 Moving to Nashville and landing in a creative community 17:55 A $20 Minolta at McKay's 20:13 A Yashica Mat and then the Contax 21:45 Pinterest boards instead of shot lists 23:36 Getting the music before it comes out 26:20 Making people who are not models comfortable 27:46 Caring about people while still paying the bills 30:27 Why she does not want to shoot video 34:51 Tours, personal projects, and 2026 38:38 Value yourself more than you think 44:11 Confidence that wavers 46:53 Turning your value into a number 51:52 Where to find Madison Big thanks to Harlowe Lights for the lighting of this episode, and Shure Mics for the audio. Hashtags: #MadisonRensing #FilmPhotography #MusicPhotography #NashvillePhotographer #35mm #MediumFormat #PortraitPhotography #ShootFilm #F22Series #VSCO

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S2.E9 – Take More Bad Photos: Joe Greer on Film, Street, and Staying a Kid in the Candy Shop

In this episode of f/22, Greg Lutze and Zach Hodges sit down with photographer Joe Greer in Nashville. As a broke college student he saved for a month to buy an iPhone 4 just to get on Instagram, then spent every free hour shooting the Pacific Northwest. A curator job at VSCO followed, ten months he still calls his art school, spent studying Alex Webb and William Eggleston and sorting tens of thousands of photographs a day. Then a Portland church cut his position right before Christmas in 2016, and going freelance meant seven months without a single reply. New York broke it open. Armed with a Leica M6, he got hooked on street photography and kept posting it even as it cost him followers. That way of seeing became his calling card, and brands including Leica, Bandit Running, and Gatorade started hiring him for exactly it while his agent Ernesto handled the business. He walks through NYC I Love You, built from 150 undeveloped rolls when COVID emptied the streets, and India Volume 1, the 156 photos drawn from seven years of trips and designed by Mouthwash Studios. He breaks down critical focus over zone focus, why he takes far more bad photos than good ones, and why he refuses to stay in one lane. No off switch, no plan to retire, and every frame he has ever shared was edited in VSCO. This episode explores Building your own photo education from books, documentaries, and the greats Turning personal work into the thing brands hire you for What a rep actually does, and why giving up 20% is worth it Walking onto a commercial set without a shot list Critical focus versus zone focus, and what a real hit rate takes Why bad photos and refusing to niche down keep a career alive Follow Joe: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ioegreer/ Website: https://www.ioe.photography/ Chapters: 00:00 A Florida Kid, an iPhone, and the Leica That Changed Everything 01:40 From Florida to shooting the Pacific Northwest on an iPhone 02:21 Discovering #VSCOcam and falling for photography 04:35 Getting hired at VSCO, his art school 06:53 How curating thousands of photos sharpened his eye 08:13 Teaching yourself from photo books and the greats 10:10 Two desert-island books, Meyerowitz and Robert Frank 11:36 Hunger, hardship, and the drive to go pro 12:47 Let go before Christmas, the leap to freelance 13:53 Moving to NYC and getting hooked on the streets 14:55 The wedding-gift Canon and buying a Leica M6 16:20 Getting repped, what a photo agent actually does 18:48 Turning a street eye into commercial work 22:02 Why he shoots without a shot list 24:49 Taking the risk when street photography wasn't cool 27:06 Books over likes, what makes a great photograph 28:44 NYC I Love You, a love letter on 150 rolls of film 29:56 India, the Google trip that started seven years of work 31:37 The XPan, black and white, and The Art of Devotion 33:01 Sequencing the book and letting go of favorites 35:23 The secret to a high hit rate, critical focus 37:51 Zone focus versus critical focus, explained 39:29 Take more bad photos 42:35 Advice, consistency, sharing, and press publish 45:13 Don't niche down, photograph what you love 47:38 No off switch, no retirement 48:44 Where to find Joe, and why it's all edited in VSCO Big thanks to Harlowe Lights for the lighting of this episode, and Shure Mics for the audio. #JoeGreer #StreetPhotography #FilmPhotography #LeicaM6 #35mm #PhotoBooks #IndiaPhotography #ShootFilm #F22Series #VSCO

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S2.E8 – 24 Years of Weddings with Susan Stripling, Canon Explorer of Light

In this episode of f/22, Zach Hodges sits down in Las Vegas with Susan Stripling, a wedding photographer of 24 years who has never had another job. She lives in New York, she is a Canon Explorer of Light and an Adorama ambassador, and she is a grand master at Icon. Ask how she is holding up after 24 years and the answer is caffeine and duct tape. Susan is blunt about what the accolades actually do. Inside the industry they build relationships and they build a résumé. To a couple choosing a photographer they do nothing, because a prospective client cannot tell an Icon Grand Master from a mom who voted you best photographer in Jersey City. Much of the conversation is about the business behind the pictures. She runs the studio out of one system, answers every inquiry herself, tracks every referral source, and pulls reports at the end of each year to see where the work came from and where it went. She raises prices in itty-bitty increments, sometimes holding the number and dropping the coverage from ten hours to eight, then waits a couple of bookings to see what it does before moving again. Price yourself too far above your referral sources and the referrals stop. She is also honest about what wears on her. She gets bored. She gets burnt out. The venue looks the same and the timeline looks the same. What resets her is not a business fix, it is remembering that she has been there a hundred times and her clients have been there once. Her burnout at work tracks her burnout at home, so she goes and fills the rest of her life first. Her advice for photographers starting out comes in two pieces, and the second one is the part most people skip. This episode explores Why awards build a résumé inside the industry and mean nothing to a prospective client Running a wedding business end to end, from the first inquiry to year-end reporting Raising prices in itty-bitty increments without pricing yourself out of your referrals What changed for photographers starting out now, and why the job takes two skill sets A theater background, theatrically motivated light, and the editorial flash resurgence Getting bored at a venue you have shot a hundred times, and what actually fixes it Why she started scuba diving and refuses to monetize the pictures Thanks to Harlow Lighting for lighting in this episode. Follow Susan: susanstripling.com Chapters: 00:00 Cold open 00:41 Welcome back to f/22 with Susan Stripling 02:07 Whether the awards actually help her business 03:11 Held together by caffeine and duct tape 04:15 A theater background and nodding to modern style 05:44 Word of mouth then, a marketing monster now 06:27 One system running the whole studio 07:53 Letting go of her own editing 08:41 A complicated relationship with AI 09:28 Moving prices in itty bitty increments 10:49 Getting bored at the venue you have shot 100 times 12:50 It's not personal, it's just business Big thanks to Harlowe Lights for the lighting of this episode, and Shure Mics for the audio. Hashtags: #SusanStripling #WeddingPhotography #WeddingPhotographer #NewYorkPhotographer #PhotographyBusiness #PhotographyPricing #EditorialLighting #F22Series #VSCO

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S2.E7 – Jeremy Cowart on Purposeful Photography, Embracing Risk, and Using AI Without Losing the Art

In this episode of f/22, Greg Lutze and Zach Hodges sit down with world-renowned photographer and artist Jeremy Cowart at his studio in Franklin, Tennessee, to talk about a career built on chasing ideas, embracing risk, and using creativity to help people. Jeremy traces his unlikely path from painter to graphic designer to celebrity photographer. The journey started with a three-megapixel point-and-shoot and a Hollywood agent who called out of nowhere in 2005. He's candid about faking his way through his first big shoot (10 sets to light for Prison Break, having never used a light before), the imposter syndrome underneath it, and why he's always been drawn to the possibility of failure. The conversation moves through his signature techniques, the multi-light LED wall rig, custom Capture One code, 60-second shoots, and the stop-motion approach he stumbled into on a Star Trek shoot. It all leads to the work he says matters most, his "If You're Breathing" project, where he makes art alongside people in extreme need and funds their stories through merch. Along the way, Jeremy gets honest about money, the feast-or-famine reality of a creative career, the surprising story of being hired by a global brand specifically to use AI, and why, after 20+ years, obsessive learning is what keeps him relevant. This episode explores - How to break into paid work (and landing a rep) - Why embracing risk and failure beats waiting until you're "ready" - Building a signature style and a clear creative perspective - The truth about money and feast-or-famine income - Using AI as a tool without losing the art - Why social impact work can be the most fulfilling work of all Jeremy Cowart Website: https://www.jeremycowart.com/ Big thanks to @harlowecreators for beautiful lighting for this episode. Chapters: 00:00 "I Faked My Way Through My First Big Gig" 00:36 Welcome Back to f/22, Franklin, Tennessee 01:40 From Painter to Photographer 03:02 A 3-Megapixel Canon & Shooting Musician Friends 04:46 "I Got a D in Photography" 06:30 How He Started Getting Paid Work 08:04 Landing a Hollywood Agent in 2005 10:12 Imposter Syndrome & Faking the Prison Break Shoot 14:56 The "If You're Breathing" Project 18:07 Projecting a Mother's Words Into Her Daughter's Eye 20:23 Building the Projection & LED Wall Setup 24:22 The 60-Second Photo Shoots 27:26 Discovering Stop Motion on a Star Trek Shoot 29:15 Why Social Impact Work Matters Most 33:42 The Financial Reality, Feast or Famine 35:21 Obsessively Learn, The Carpenter Analogy 38:24 Talking AI, the Good and the Bad 43:04 Hired to Use AI for a Global Brand 45:10 Keep It About the Work, Not the Gear 47:33 Where to Find Jeremy #JeremyCowart #PhotographyCareer #CelebrityPhotographer #PortraitPhotography #CreativeEntrepreneur #PhotographyBusiness #AIandPhotography #SocialImpact #F22Series #VSCO #PhotographyCommunity

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S2.E6 – From Photos to Profit: David Godinez on Pricing, Video, and the Real Work

In this episode of f/22, Greg Lutze sits down with Bay Area photographer and filmmaker David Godinez in San Francisco to talk about the realities of turning photography into a career. David shares how he got started, why photography is just his starting point, and how his work has evolved into video and post-production. The conversation focuses on the often-overlooked side of the craft: business. From pricing your work to shifting your mindset, David breaks down what it actually takes to go from hobbyist to professional. 📌 This episode explores: • The mindset shift from artist to business owner • Why pricing your work is so difficult (and so important) • How to approach the transition into video • When to hire vs. learn new skills • Building a sustainable creative career Follow David: David Godinez Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidrgoda/ Website: https://www.davidgodinez.com/ ⸻ Chapters: 00:00 “You’re Not an Artist, You’re a Business” 00:23 Introduction in San Francisco 01:02 How David Got Into Photography 02:13 Why Photography Is Just the Starting Point 02:16 Early Days of Video & YouTube 03:26 The Shift from Photo to Video 04:47 Should Photographers Take on Video? 05:40 Learning by Hiring People Better Than You 06:22 The Hard Transition to Going Pro 06:36 Why Most Photographers Undervalue Their Work 07:07 Artist vs. Business Mindset 08:03 Why Business Skills Aren’t Taught 08:30 Learning Through Community 09:08 The Reality of Pricing & Overhead 09:29 Why Pricing Transparency Matters 10:31 The Problem with Undercutting 10:54 The “Oakland Strong” Documentary 12:17 From Local Project to Film Festival Run 13:21 Where to Find David’s Work ⸻ Hashtags: #PhotographyBusiness #FreelancePhotographer #PhotographyCareer #CreativeEntrepreneur #Videography #F22Series #VSCO #PhotographyCommunity

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S2.E5 – Pablo Circa & Essi Westerman on Creating Their First Gallery Show

In this episode of f/22, Zach Hodges sits down with Oakland photographers Pablo Circa and Essi Westerman at VSCO headquarters to talk about creating their very first gallery exhibition: Street Stories: Oakland in Focus. What started as an idea during a lonely season turned into a community-powered show featuring 42 photographers and dozens of handwritten “written portraits” collected from people across Oakland. Pablo and Essi break down the full journey—from concept and open call to curation, printing, framing, and opening night overwhelm. They share what it actually takes to make a group exhibition happen, how they narrowed 100+ submissions down to 42 images, and why they chose feeling over technical perfection. They also reflect on collaboration as “jazz,” building something rooted in love for their city, and creating space for Oakland to be seen beyond the headlines. 📌 This episode explores: • How to create your first photography gallery show • Turning a creative idea into a physical exhibition • Curating 100+ submissions down to a cohesive body of work • Pairing photographs with handwritten community stories • Building connection through art and collaboration Follow Pablo & Essi: Pablo Circa Website: https://www.pablocirca.com/ Essi Westerman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essiwesterman/ ———————— Chapters: 00:00 Introducing Street Stories: Oakland in Focus 02:25 The Idea Behind Their First Gallery 05:10 From Injury to Photography 08:54 Building the Concept 12:11 “Follow the Feeling” 15:27 The Open Call & 100+ Submissions 18:02 Curating by Intuition, Not Technical Perfection 22:55 Adding Handwritten Community Stories 29:00 Opening Night in Oakland 34:05 Collaboration as Jazz 36:20 What They’d Do Differently ———————— Hashtags: #PhotographyExhibition #GalleryShow #Oakland #StreetPhotography #PhotoCommunity #Curation #FirstExhibition #F22Series

S2.E4 – Lauren Marcelle on Large Format Film, Portraiture, and Community

In this episode of f/22, Zach Hodges sits down with film portrait photographer Lauren Marcelle at Bild Expo in New York City. Lauren shares her journey from shooting Polaroid as a kid to working in 4x5 and 8x10 large format film. She talks about why slowing down matters, what it takes to make a single meaningful frame, and why portraiture gives her something street and landscape photography never could: real human connection. They also dive into Cameras & Coffee, the community meetup she helped bring from the Bay Area to NYC, and why “just showing up” might be the most important step any creative can take. 📌 This episode explores: • Falling back in love with film • The discipline of large format photography • Finding your niche after years of experimentation • Creating space for connection through portraiture • Building intentional creative community Follow Lauren: Website: https://www.laurenmarcellephotography.com/ VSCO: https://vsco.co/laurenmarcellephoto/gallery Chapters: 00:00 Slowing Down with Large Format 00:37 Lauren’s Film Photography Journey 02:12 Cameras & Coffee Origins 03:32 What to Expect at a Meetup 04:20 Overcoming Social Anxiety 05:10 Why Community Matters 06:44 Shooting 8x10 Portraits 08:02 The Magic of One Frame 09:08 Finding Her Focus in Portraiture 11:05 Where to See Lauren’s Work Hashtags: #LargeFormatPhotography #FilmPhotography #PortraitPhotography #8x10 #Polaroid #PhotographyCommunity #CamerasAndCoffee #F22Series

S2.E3 – Brandon Ruffin on Technology, Emotion, and Crafting Images in a Computational Era

In this episode of f/22, VSCO co-founder Greg Lutze http://vsco.co/greg/gallery sits down with Bay Area photographer, filmmaker, and Google computational research creative Brandon Ruffin http://vsco.co/ruffdraft/gallery to explore how identity, narrative, and technology intersect in modern image-making. Known for his powerful storytelling and community work through Cameras & Coffee Club, Brandon opens up about the emotional core of photography, how our lived experiences shape what we see, and why every photograph carries a point of view. From his Leica M11-D campaign to his upcoming book Migration Patterns, Brandon shares thoughtful insights on personal projects, creative identity, AI’s role in artistry, and the ways photography can connect us to our family histories, our communities, and ourselves. Whether you’re a new photographer or deep into your creative journey, this conversation offers a grounded, inspiring look at what it means to create with intention in an era shaped by both humanity and computation. Chapters 00:00 — Storytelling, POV, and the artist’s role 01:16 — Brandon’s background, identity, and approach to photography 06:49 — Inside the Leica M11-D campaign & emotional image-making 13:14 — Migration Patterns: family history, memory, and personal projects 26:15 — Social media, “the banger shot,” and rediscovering play in photography 31:18 — Photobooks, sequencing, and trusting the editing process 36:18 — Photography as poetry: narrative, symbolism, and emotional truth 38:00 — AI, creativity, and human-centered tools for artists 41:05 — Hot takes & advice for emerging photographers 47:36 — Building community, collaboration, and sustaining a creative life #vscocam #photography #photographer #photographytips #portraitphotography #storytelling #filmphotography #artandtechnology #computationalphotography #creativecommunity #photographypodcast #vsco

S2.E2 – Karna Roa on a Viral Wedding Photo and 17 Years of Photography Lessons

With nearly two decades of experience behind the camera, Karna Roa has photographed weddings around the world — from the vineyards of California to ceremonies in Tokyo and Morocco. In this episode of f/22, she shares how shooting weddings taught her every aspect of photography, how education through PPA (Professional Photographers of America) shaped her growth, and what she learned from the viral wildfire photo that briefly put her in the spotlight. 📌 In this interview you’ll learn: Why weddings are the best training ground for any photographer How to build a sustainable career in a demanding industry What it’s like to have a photo go viral overnight The importance of lighting, preparation, and adaptability How community, education, and mentorship can elevate your craft Chapters: 00:00 – Why weddings make you a better photographer 00:18 – Meet Karna Roa, award-winning wedding photographer 01:03 – Getting started at age 15 02:29 – Building a full-time career and traveling the world 03:23 – Highlights from 17 years of weddings 04:17 – The wildfire wedding and viral photo moment 10:35 – Lessons in lighting and storytelling 11:18 – Staying passionate and emotionally connected 12:36 – Making a long-term creative career sustainable 13:00 – What is PPA and why it matters 16:33 – Earning degrees and recognition through PPA 18:28 – Growth through education and mentorship 19:00 – Leading the Wine Country chapter of PPA 20:09 – Advice for new and aspiring wedding photographers 21:33 – The power of networking and relationships 22:06 – Closing thoughts and where to find Karna’s work #VSCO #VSCOcam #streetphotography #Photography #ProfessionalPhotographer #PhotographyTips #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer

S2.E1 – Greg Lutze on Street Photography, Nostalgia, and Authentic Images

Greg Lutze, co-founder of VSCO and passionate street photographer, has spent his career blending design, photography, and creativity. In this episode of f/22, Greg opens up about his path from early graphic design work to photography, the origins of VSCO Film, and his ongoing love for capturing life as it really is. 📌 In this interview you’ll learn: How Greg went from design to photography (and back again) The true origin story of VSCO and its presets Why collaboration is the secret ingredient in creative success Greg’s philosophy of street photography in the age of social media How his new preset (V9) captures timeless film aesthetics Why delight, curiosity, and persistence matter more than numbers ⠀ Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just starting out, Greg’s story is packed with insight, nostalgia, and inspiration. Chapters: 00:00 – Intro & Greg’s creative beginnings 01:06 – Early design, music, and first band photos 02:22 – Seattle days & creative community 05:00 – Learning by doing vs. technical perfection 06:11 – Nostalgia and seeing time in photos 08:09 – Finding his photographic style 09:41 – Design work & the path toward VSCO 12:16 – Film is dying? The spark for VSCO Film 13:37 – Collaborating to make VSCO real 16:09 – Why collaboration is everything 18:11 – Building VSCO presets & app together 19:04 – Greg’s love for street photography 20:59 – Snapshot or art? Reframing criticism 22:24 – Developing the new WE9 preset 24:10 – The process of creating presets with intent 26:09 – Making work that stands the test of time 27:07 – Presets as a “three listen album” 29:23 – Community, inspiration, and creativity today 31:15 – Advice for new photographers 33:04 – Joy, curiosity, and delight in photography 34:53 – Closing thoughts & where to find Greg’s work #VSCO #VSCOcam #streetphotography #Photography #ProfessionalPhotographer #PhotographyTips

S1.E10 – Tom Sanders on Finding Your Niche in Photography

From photographing World War II veterans to building a career in longevity and celebrity photography, Tom Sanders has carved out a unique niche in the industry. In this episode of f/22, Tom shares the story of how a college assignment led to two published books, long-term client relationships, and a thriving photography business. 📌 In this interview you’ll learn: How a chance encounter with a WWII veteran shaped Tom’s career path Why finding a niche can be the most powerful move for a photographer Practical marketing strategies for freelancers that actually work Why today’s photographers should also be filmmakers How personal projects can lead directly to paid opportunities Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your photography business, Tom’s story is packed with inspiration and actionable advice. 00:00 — Intro & Tom’s background 00:55 — Family history: Ernest Hemingway portrait & photography roots 03:02 — First WWII veteran portrait & impact of the project 05:00 — Moving to LA & building a portfolio through veterans 06:14 — The importance of personal projects 07:20 — First big client: Belmont Village & published book 08:10 — Celebrity photography in LA & early big breaks 09:42 — Finding a niche: longevity photography 12:28 — Teaching at Savannah College of Art and Design 13:06 — How photographers actually get consistent work 15:14 — Why photographers today must also be filmmakers 16:23 — Practical marketing: social, ads, cold calls, and promos 20:03 — Email strategy & building client lists 22:03 — Networking, keeping in touch, and the snowball effect 23:05 — Creating personal work to attract clients 25:14 — Balancing business ownership & creativity 26:56 — Money transparency & client work breakdown 28:20 — Why LinkedIn is Tom’s most powerful tool 31:25 — Advice for young photographers starting out 33:11 — Why every photographer should shoot motion 35:07 — Renting your own equipment back to clients 35:49 — Where to find Tom’s work #vscocam #photography #photographer #photographertips #commercialphotography #portraitphotography #celebrityphotography #freelancephotographer #photographybusiness #creativeentrepreneur #photographypodcast #wwiiveterans #personalprojects

S1.E9.2 – Martine Severin on the Business of Commercial Photography

In Part 2 of our interview, Martine Severin pulls back the curtain on the business and strategy of commercial photography. From test shoots and building a team to networking, portfolio reviews, and landing clients, she shares candid insights from 13 years in the industry. 📌 In Part 2, you’ll learn: Why commercial photography is a “tightly choreographed dance” How to show production value and prove you can lead a team The long game of relationships, outreach, and portfolio reviews Why being a decent human is as important as your photography Whether you’re ready to move beyond weddings or want to understand how to thrive in commercial photography, this conversation is packed with wisdom. 00:29 — Building a portfolio through styled shoots 02:19 — Working with modeling agencies & creating lookbooks 04:52 — Showing production value & working with a team 06:20 — Outreach & marketing (24 emails a week) 08:25 — Portfolio reviews & the importance of feedback 10:13 — Building relationships that lead to work 11:02 — The long game: 13 years of growth 11:20 — Advice for aspiring commercial photographers 12:20 — Finding your voice & keeping at it 13:28 — Networking (or just meeting people) 14:20 — Be a decent human — why character matters 15:08 — Closing thoughts & where to find Martine’s work #vscocam #photography #photographer #photographytips #commercialphotography #photographycareer #photographyjourney #portraitphotography #creativebusiness #photographypodcast #emergingphotographer

S1.E9.1 – Martine Severin on Building a Photography Career from Scratch

From growing up in Haiti to becoming one of Vogue’s top emerging photographers, Martine Severin shares her unlikely journey into photography. In this episode of f/22, Martine talks about falling in love with photography as a child, the role of weddings as a training ground, and the long road to building a professional portfolio. 📌 In Part 1, you’ll learn: How Martine discovered photography as a way to connect across distance Why weddings can be an incredible training ground for any photographer The power of consistency in blogging, posting, and showing up Practical steps for creating a portfolio that leads to commercial work If you’re just starting out or thinking about going pro, this part of Martine’s story is full of inspiration and real-world lessons. 00:00 — Intro & Martine’s Background 01:06 — Falling in love with photography as a child 03:22 — Growing up in Haiti & connecting through photos 05:05 — From street photography to Vogue’s “Top Emerging Photographers” 06:16 — Why weddings are the best training ground 07:57 — The early days of blogging & street style photography 09:38 — The power of consistency (posting every week) 10:49 — Balancing grad school with photography 12:34 — Moving to London & committing to photography full time 13:50 — The importance of taking small steps 15:14 — Wedding photography vs. commercial photography #vscocam #photography #photographer #photographytips #photographycareer #photographyjourney #portraitphotography #weddingphotography #streetphotography #emergingphotographer #voguephotographer #photographypodcast

S1.E8 – Kris Kuganathan on Golden Hour & Night Photography in the City

In this episode of f/22, host Zach Hodges follows along cityscape, landscape, portrait, and concert photographer Kris Kuganathan for a golden hour and night photoshoot through the urban scenes of Downtown Los Angeles. From capturing striking portraits to timing light trails, Kris shares his tips on lighting, composition, and storytelling to inspire your own creativity. 0:28 — Intro 0:51 — About Kris Kuganathan 1:34 — Kris’s Photography Style 2:10 — Shooting Golden Hour Portraits in the Street 2:31 — Using Composition for Storytelling With a Set of Photos 5:09 — Kris’s Approach to Exposure, Shadows, & Highlights 7:14 — Importance of Knowing a Camera’s Dual Native ISO 8:26 — Golden Hour Tip 8:47 — Reflecting on Kris’s Favorite Photo Captured With a Telephoto Lens 11:14 — Using Urban Elements as Natural Frames 13:10 — Waiting for the Perfect Shot to Capture Long Exposure 14:17 — Shooting Reflections & Starbursts 15:40 — Outro #vscocam #photography #photographer #photographertips #photographycareer #portraitphotography #cityscapephotography #photographypodcast

S1.E7 – John Baloy on Going from Auto Electrician to Full-Time Portrait Photographer

From self-taught beginnings to a decision to pursue photography full time, join Zach Hodges in this episode of f/22 as he sits down with portrait photographer and visual artist John Baloy to discuss his creative journey. Known for his artistic portraits, John reveals how he leans into his distinct editing style and eye for photography to bring some of his most memorable work to life. Whether you’re an aspiring photographer or seasoned artist, John’s story offers inspiration and practical insights that you can apply to your own craft. 0:05 — Intro 0:28 — About John Baloy 1:17 — Start of John’s Career as a Full-Time Photographer 4:30 — How John Captured His Favorite Portrait Photography 12:00 — Making of John’s We The Creators Preset on VSCO (WE2) 12:21 — Approach to Editing & Color Grading Photos 17:17 — Finding Inspiration From Nature in Photography 18:41 — Balancing Commercial Work & Artistic Vision 22:52 — Shooting on Film to Retain Highlights in Photos 24:12 — John’s Camera Gear (Pentax 67 & Fuji XH1) 25:42 — Battling Creative Burnout as a Photographer 27:50 — Building Community Over Following Commercial Standards 30:39 — Advice for Younger Self & Emerging Creatives 33:07 — Outro #vscocam #photography #photographer #photographertips #photographycareer #photographyjourney #portraitphotography #photographypodcast

S1.E6 – Branden May on Mastering Light, Shadow, & Composition in Street Photography

In this episode of f/22, Zach from the VSCO team sits down with Atlanta photographer Branden May to discuss his street and architecture photography work. From his unique light and shadow techniques to creative influences, Branden shares valuable photography insights around finding your style, gaining exposure, overcoming self-doubt, and more. 0:00 — Intro 1:08 — About Branden May 1:35 — Start of Branden’s Photography Career 2:23 — Meaning Behind Branden’s Photography Alias “Bamtog” 3:13 — Finding Inspiration From Photographers Like Fan Ho 3:54 — Developing a Unique Photography Style 6:06 — How Branden Captured His Favorite Street & Architecture Photography 16:03 — Best Time to Shoot Shadows in Street & Architecture Photography 17:18 — Location Scouting For Street & Architecture Photography 19:31 — Branden’s Favorite Camera Gear (Nikon & Canon) 21:50 — Auto vs. Manual Camera Modes 22:55 — Editing Shadows, Highlights, & Colors on VSCO & Lightroom 24:05 — Using VSCO, Galleries, & More to Get Exposure For Photography 28:28 — Dealing With Imposter Syndrome as a Photographer 29:11 — Advice For Aspiring Photographers 30:12 — Outro #vscocam #photography #photographer #photographertips #photographycareer #photographyjourney #streetphotography #streetphotographer #atlantaphotographer #photographypodcast

S1.E5 – Omeez Jones on Going from Self-Taught to Working with Apple

In this episode of f/22, Zach from the VSCO team is joined by Bay Area photographer, videographer, and marketer Omeez Jones. Discover an insightful conversation where Omeez shares his journey from starting as a self-taught photographer to becoming a sought-after name working with notable clients such as Kevin Durant and Apple. Learn what it takes to break into photography, get your work in galleries, work with top-tier brands, and more to help elevate your photography career. 0:00 — Intro 0:36 — About Omeez Jones 2:26 — Start of Omeez’s Photography Career 3:33 — Favorite Photography Clients & Projects 4:12 — Building a Network to Secure Major Photography Clients 5:32 — Omeez’s Photo Editing Workflow on VSCO 6:46 — Tips From a Gallery Owner for Getting Work Shown in a Gallery 7:42 — Impact of Community on Omeez’s Photography Journey 8:58 — Tips for Getting Photography Exposure With Brands 10:16 — How Omeez Captures Wide-Angle Shots in Photography 10:48 — Advice for Aspiring Photographers 12:21 — Challenges of Getting Started in Photography 13:21 — Photography Rule Omeez Likes to Break 14:00 — Unpopular Opinion Around Film & Digital Photography 14:35 — Biggest Myth About Being a Professional Photographer 15:29 — Outro #vscocam #photography #photographer #photographertips #photographycareer #photographyjourney #photographyportfolio #careeradvice #sportsphotographer #sportsphotography #bayareaphotographer

S1.E4 – Liza Gershman on the Path to Photography Success

In Part 2 of this f/22 episode, Zach from the VSCO team continues discussing multi-disciplinary creator Liza Gershman’s success as a seasoned photographer who has worked with major brands such as Williams Sonoma and Restoration Hardware. With 20 years of experience across diverse genres, Liza offers invaluable advice on maintaining quality work, building strong networking relationships, getting hired for photography jobs, and more. Dive into a conversation filled with practical tips and insightful wisdom to inspire your next steps in photography. Watch Part 1 of Liza’s f/22 interview to learn about getting your photography exhibited in art galleries. 0:00 — Intro 1:19 — Liza’s Reflection on Her 20-Year Photography Career 3:55 — Staying Relevant Throughout a Lifelong Photography Career 8:09 — Learnings From Wedding Photography, Mentors, & Darkroom Experience 10:25 — Career Advice for Emerging Photographers 13:40 — Quality Photography Work vs. Quality Network 19:19 — Value of Professional Portfolio Reviews (Palm Springs Photo Festival, NYCFotoWorks, PPA) 21:18 — Finding Inspiration From Different Mediums of Art 23:28 — Networking Tips for Maintaining Contacts, Social Media, & More 32:45 — Advice on Navigating Failure & Earning Respect as a Photographer 36:06 — Importance of Tenacity & Perseverance 38:27 — Outro #vscocam #photography #photographer #photographertips #photographycareer #photographyjourney #photographyportfolio #careeradvice

S1.E3 – Liza Gershman on Getting Your Photography into Galleries Like SCOPE

In Part 1 of this f/22 episode, Zach from the VSCO team sits down with multi-disciplinary creator Liza Gershman to explore the VSCO Gallery at SCOPE Art Show during Miami Art Week. Liza offers a behind-the-scenes look at the SCOPE Art Show experience, the process of curating a gallery, and the power of collaboration and networking in the creative industry. Whether you’re starting your journey or a seasoned photographer, get inspired by Liza’s 20-year career insights and creative spirit as you consider exhibiting your work in an art show. Learn more about VSCO’s Gallery, The Modern Contrast of the American Identity, at SCOPE Art Show - https://www.vsco.co/scope. 0:00 — Intro 1:10 — About Liza Gershman 2:47 — Miami Art Week, SCOPE Art Show, & Miami Art Basel Overview 3:55 — Designing VSCO’s Gallery at SCOPE Art Show 5:53 — SCOPE Art Show Attendees (Buyers, Gallery Owners, Collectors, Students) 7:17 — Process of Creating VSCO’s Gallery at SCOPE Art Show 8:32 — Partnering With Level Frames, Bay Photo Lab, & Nørdikka Collective 13:50 — Curating Photographs From the VSCO Community For the Exhibit 16:21 — Preview of VSCO’s Gallery, “The Modern Contrast of the American Identity” 17:10 — About the Photography Exhibited in VSCO’s Gallery 20:45 — Feedback From Attendees of VSCO’s Gallery 22:22 — Opportunities For Photographers After SCOPE Art Show Discover the additional photographers featured in VSCO’s Gallery at SCOPE Art Show: Tom Sanders – https://vsco.co/tomsandersphoto/gallery Jake Myers – https://vsco.co/jakemyers/gallery Will Foerster – https://vsco.co/willfoerster/gallery Emily Jahr – https://vsco.co/emilyjahrco/gallery Weston Applegate – https://vsco.co/westonapplegate/gallery Kyla Rys – https://vsco.co/kylarysphoto/gallery Martine Séverin – https://vsco.co/martineseverin/gallery Dulce Bautista – https://vsco.co/dulcebautistafotos/gallery Special thanks to Level Frames, Bay Photo Lab, and Nørdikka Collective for being supporting partners of the exhibit. #VSCO #VSCOcam #photography #professionalphotographer #photographytips #artgallery #artexhibit #miamiartweek #artbaselmiamibeach #scopeartshow #artshows