Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The PHYS Podcast
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ep 122 - Ryan J Leone On NYC Photography, Film, Digital & Finding Your Own Way | 13 Oct 2026 | 01:03:12 | |
New York City has been photographed a million different ways. So how do you make something that actually feels like your own? On this episode of The PHYS Podcast, I sit down with Ryan J Leone, a New York City photographer and filmmaker working across film and digital photography, commercial projects, editorial assignments, events, and behind-the-scenes content. Photography in New York is a different animal. There's inspiration on every corner, but there's also no shortage of people with cameras trying to make their mark. Finding your own style, building relationships, getting paid for your work, and keeping that excitement you had when you first picked up a camera isn't always easy. Ryan works across different sides of the industry, from the slower, more deliberate process of shooting film to the demands of digital photography and commercial production. It's a world where you need to be creative, adaptable, and ready to figure things out when the plan goes sideways. One thing I appreciate about Ryan's approach is that he shares more than just the finished product. Through his behind-the-scenes content and photography tips, he gives people a look at the work that goes into making photographs. The decisions, the techniques, the equipment, and the stuff that doesn't always make it onto Instagram. We get into photography, filmmaking, the differences between film and digital, working with clients, and what it takes to build a creative career in a city that never really slows down. But what interests me most is the person behind the camera. What keeps someone creating? How do you find your own voice when you're surrounded by so much incredible work? And how do you make a living doing something you love without losing the part that made you fall in love with it in the first place? In This Episode:
There's a lot of noise in photography these days. New cameras, new technology, social media algorithms, and endless opinions about what you should be shooting and how you should be doing it. It's easy to forget why you started. Sometimes you just need to grab a camera, get outside, meet some interesting people, and make photographs. Because at the end of the day, nobody else sees the world quite the way you do. Visit Ryan J Leone: Threads Web Orchid House Studios: Visit The Show: Support The Show: Affiliate Link: | |||
| Ep 121 - Noel McIntyre - The Photograph Is Only the Beginning | 06 Oct 2026 | 01:18:13 | |
Noel McIntyre has one hell of a résumé. But that’s not really why I wanted to talk to him. Noel is an award-winning photographer and filmmaker based in Mullingar, Ireland, whose work crosses documentary, reportage, street photography, filmmaking and sport. He’s been named IPPVA Irish Reportage Photographer of the Year three years in a row, his work has been selected for multiple Leica Mastershots, and in 2026 he placed third in the World Sports Photography Awards. His documentary work around Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann became a bestselling book and is now held by institutions including Trinity College Dublin, Oxford’s Bodleian Library and Cambridge University Library. Then there’s “Frenzy.” In 2025, the photograph was selected for Ireland’s Higher Level Leaving Certificate Art examination, where students were asked to critically discuss Noel’s work alongside some pretty ridiculous company, including Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. That’s all incredibly impressive. But I wanted to know about Noel McIntyre, the photographer. What makes him stop and raise the camera? How does he know when there’s actually a story in front of him? How do you photograph real people without taking away the thing that made the moment interesting in the first place? And after years of shooting, creating films, winning awards and building a career, what still makes him want to pick up a camera and go make something? That’s where this conversation goes. We get into documentary photography, street photography, reportage, filmmaking, Leica cameras, visual storytelling, Irish culture, creative instinct, approaching people, building a body of work, and why the best photographs are rarely just about what’s happening inside the frame. Noel has the awards and the résumé. I was more interested in the human being behind all of it. This is my conversation with Noel McIntyre on The P.H.Y.S Podcast. Visit Noel McIntyre: Instagram Threads Visit The Show: Support The Show: | |||
| Ep 120 - Pale Blue Wave: Photographing Strangers, Human Connection & Just Doing the Work. | 23 Sep 2026 | 00:47:59 | |
On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, Tyson Martin sits down with Ryan Daniel, better known as Pale Blue Wave, a Portland-based street photographer, portrait photographer, filmmaker, and visual storyteller known for approaching complete strangers and documenting the people and stories he encounters. Ryan’s journey into photography began after years of chronic pain, hip surgery, depression, and a long recovery that changed the way he saw the world. As he slowly began walking again, he found himself noticing the small things around him differently. Eventually, picking up a camera gave him a way to capture those moments and reconnect with life. That experience evolved into Pale Blue Wave, a street portrait project built around spontaneous human connection. Ryan walks the streets of Portland, Oregon, approaches people he has never met, creates their portrait, and often spends 30–40 minutes simply talking and listening. Those encounters become photographs, short films, social media videos, and increasingly long-form documentary stories. In this conversation, Ryan and Tyson talk about street photography, portrait photography, creativity, mental health, chronic pain, overcoming fear, approaching strangers, documentary filmmaking, social media, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, viral videos, and the realities of trying to build a life as a full-time creator. Ryan also shares the story behind the name Pale Blue Wave, inspired partly by Carl Sagan’s Pale Blue Dot, and why he sees life as moving between riding the top of the wave and occasionally getting smashed into the rocks. They discuss Ryan’s viral portrait of Portland artist Red Van Grove, what happens when millions of people suddenly see your work, the dangers of becoming obsessed with followers and analytics, and why long-form storytelling has become increasingly important to him. But underneath all of it is a much simpler philosophy: You either do the work, or you don’t do the work. You can be nervous. You can feel awkward. You can be afraid of rejection. You can still walk up to someone and ask to make their portrait. For Ryan, photography isn’t only about creating images. It’s about being present, documenting ordinary people, preserving a piece of Portland history, and creating something that might still mean something hundreds of years from now. This is a conversation about photography. But more importantly, it’s about creativity, resilience, human connection, and having the courage to start. In This Episode: • How Pale Blue Wave began The P.H.Y.S Podcast explores photography, creativity, mental health, storytelling, and the people behind the images. Visit Pale Blue Wave: Visit The Show: Support The Show: | |||
| Ep 119 - Wayne Simpson: Creating Powerful Portraits Through Story, Emotion & Connection | 09 Sep 2026 | 00:58:02 | |
On this episode of The PHYS Podcast, I sit down with Wayne Simpson, an Ojibwe photographer from Aamjiwnaang First Nation, based in Elora, Ontario. Wayne is known for his dramatic portrait photography and atmospheric landscape work. His portraits have a cinematic, almost mythic quality—images that immediately make you wonder about the person in front of the camera and the story behind their face. But those photographs don't begin with lighting or camera settings. They begin with connection. Wayne actively seeks out many of the people he photographs, takes the time to build relationships with them, and uses photography to explore character, emotion and the stories we carry. We talk about Wayne's journey from working as a graphic designer in Calgary to becoming a full-time professional photographer, how he developed his distinctive visual style, and what he's learned about creating photographs that actually make people feel something. We also explore his Ojibwe identity, creativity, portraiture, landscape photography, visual storytelling, working with people, and the importance of finding your own voice as a photographer. As an educator, Wayne leads portrait and landscape photography workshops across Canada, from Banff National Park to Prince Edward Island, and contributes to the OFFBEAT photography community. His award-winning photography has appeared in Canadian Geographic, Outdoor Photography Canada, Outdoor Photography Magazine, Canadian Rockies Annual, Legion Magazine, Nature Photographers Network, Dark Beauty, and numerous books around the world. In This Episode:
At its core, this conversation gets into something I believe deeply: The camera is only the tool. The photograph comes from the connection. Visit Wayne: Web Buy Wayne's Book: Visit The Show: Support The Show: | |||
| Ep 118 - Brie Stockwell: Photography, Creative Confidence & Building a Sustainable Creative Life | 26 Aug 2026 | 01:13:00 | |
What happens when photography becomes more than making beautiful images and becomes a way to better understand yourself, your creativity, and how you see the world? On this episode of The PHYS Podcast, host Tyson Martin sits down with Brie Stockwell, a nature and landscape photographer, creative coach, and podcast host whose work explores the quiet beauty of wild places. Brie is drawn to deserts, dunes, soft light, subtle colour, infrared black-and-white photography, and the small details we often overlook. Her approach to landscape photography is rooted in slowing down, paying attention, and developing a deeper relationship with the natural world. In 2019, Brie made the decision to take her photography seriously as a creative practice. That commitment eventually led to a self-organized solo exhibition in 2021, a turning point that changed not only her photography, but also her confidence, creative identity, and vision for what was possible. Her work has since earned significant recognition. Brie was named Grand Prize winner of the 21st Annual New Mexico Magazine Photo Contest, with additional work published in Lens Journal and featured in multiple volumes of the Natural Landscape Photography Awards books. But this conversation goes far beyond photography. Alongside her work behind the camera, Brie is a life coach for creative professionals, working with photographers, artists, and designers to help them navigate creative confidence, intuition, personal growth, and the challenges of building a sustainable and meaningful creative life. She is also the host of Wild Women in Photography, a podcast exploring the lived experiences of women photographers, creative identity, and finding your voice behind the camera, as well as The Complete Creative, where she explores creativity, intuition, and what it means to create a life around the work that matters to you. In this episode, we talk about landscape and nature photography, infrared photography, finding your photographic voice, creative confidence, overcoming self-doubt, coaching creatives, connecting with nature, building a sustainable creative practice, and learning to trust your own way of seeing. Because sometimes becoming a better photographer isn't really about the camera. It's about becoming more comfortable with who you are, what you see, and what you have to say. Visit Brie Web Creative Mind Coach Visit The Show: Support The Show: | |||
| Ep 117 - Ben Girardi On Adventure, Action Sports Photography & Storytelling in the Mountains | 12 Aug 2026 | 00:47:39 | |
What does it take to create photographs that make people feel like they're standing in the middle of the adventure? In this episode of The PHYS Podcast, Tyson Martin sits down with award-winning adventure and action sports photographer Ben Girardi to explore a career built on documenting movement, wild landscapes, and authentic human connection. Originally from upstate New York and now based in Pemberton, British Columbia, Ben shares how snowboarding first sparked his passion for photography, why moving west changed the direction of his life, and how becoming immersed in the sports he photographs allows him to tell more honest and compelling stories. Recognized as one of Lürzer's Archive 200 Best Photographers Worldwide (2025/26), a Red Bull Illume Semi-Finalist, and an award recipient from the International Color Awards and Flow Photo Contest, Ben has established himself as one of Canada's leading outdoor and adventure photographers. In this episode, we discuss: • Growing up in upstate New York and discovering photography through snowboarding Whether you're a photographer, filmmaker, outdoor enthusiast, mountain biker, snowboarder, skier, or someone inspired by stories of creativity and exploration, this conversation offers an inside look at the mindset behind meaningful visual storytelling. Visit Ben: Web Visit The Show: Support The Show: | |||
| Ep 116 - Peter Andrew Lusztyk on Creativity, Commercial Photography & Seeing the Extraordinary | 29 Jul 2026 | 01:05:43 | |
What if great photography isn't about finding extraordinary subjects, but learning to see the extraordinary in the everyday? On this episode I sit down with acclaimed Canadian photographer Peter Andrew Lusztyk, an award-winning editorial and commercial photographer whose work transforms overlooked objects and ordinary moments into striking works of art. Freelancing since 2009, Peter has built an internationally recognized career creating photography for leading publications and global brands while earning multiple honours, including AACE Photographer of the Year. His work is celebrated for its precision, craftsmanship, and ability to challenge how we see the world around us. Driven by a simple philosophy -"I try to make things that are amazing. That's really the goal." Peter shares how curiosity, observation, and relentless attention to detail have shaped both his creative process and his career behind the camera. In this episode, we discuss: • Finding beauty in ordinary and overlooked subjects Whether you're a photographer, filmmaker, visual artist, designer, or simply someone who appreciates creativity, this conversation offers an inspiring look at the mindset behind creating meaningful images that leave a lasting impression. Visit Peter: Visit The Show: Support The Show: | |||
| Ep 115 - Travis W. Keyes On Cinematic Storytelling & Why Authenticity Always Wins | 15 Jul 2026 | 00:48:54 | |
What makes a photograph unforgettable? For filmmaker, photographer, and creative director Travis W. Keyes, it's rarely the perfectly posed moment. It's everything in between, the quiet expressions, genuine emotion, unexpected connection, and the stories that unfold when people simply allow themselves to be seen. In this episode of The PHYS Podcast, host Tyson Martin sits down with Travis to explore a creative journey that has taken him from film and television production to becoming one of New York City's most respected cinematic portrait photographers and filmmakers. Together, they discuss how photography became a path toward healing, why storytelling will always outlast trends, and how building meaningful relationships has shaped every chapter of his career. This is a conversation about slowing down, paying attention, and creating work that leaves people feeling something long after they've put the camera down. In this episode, we discuss: • The power of cinematic storytelling in photography and film Visit Travis: Instagram: @twkeyes Threads: @twkeyes Web: www.traviswkeyes.com Visit The Show: Support The Show: | |||
| Ep 114 - Kofi Yeboah On Creativity, Culture & Building Meaningful Work | 01 Jul 2026 | 00:55:46 | |
What does it take to create work that truly means something? In this episode of The PHYS Podcast, Tyson Martin sits down with Ontario-based creative director, photographer, and filmmaker Kofi Yeboah for a conversation about creativity, culture, purpose, and the lifelong pursuit of meaningful storytelling. Kofi shares how his experiences have shaped the way he approaches photography and filmmaking, why creating with intention matters more than chasing trends, and how developing your own perspective can become your greatest creative strength. Together, they explore the importance of building a body of work that reflects who you are, embracing your unique voice, and creating images that connect with people on a deeper, more human level. This isn't a conversation about camera gear or technical perfection. It's about the stories we choose to tell, the responsibility that comes with documenting the world around us, and the power of creativity to inspire connection, empathy, and understanding. Whether you're a photographer, filmmaker, artist, or simply someone searching for a more intentional creative life, this episode offers an honest look at what it means to create work with purpose. In this episode, we discuss: • Building a meaningful body of creative work Visit Kofi: Instagram: @imkofiyeboah Threads: @imkofiyeboah YouTube: @KofiYeboah Visit The Show: Support The Show: | |||
| Ep 113 - The Long Way Home: Spencer Harding on Adventure, Photography & the Stories Found Between | 24 Jun 2026 | 00:59:23 | |
What draws someone to spend their life chasing forgotten roads, sleeping under the stars, riding strange bicycles, and documenting the world through a camera? For Tucson-based photographer, writer, and bike touring advocate Spencer Harding, those pursuits have become a way of life. A longtime contributing editor and writer for The Radavist, Spencer is widely recognized throughout the cycling and bikepacking communities for his distinctive film photography, adventurous spirit, and passion for unconventional bicycles. From the fixed-gear boom of early-2000s Los Angeles to riding a self-built tall bike across the country, Spencer has spent years exploring the world at a slower pace and finding stories in places most people pass by. In this episode I sit down with Spencer as he shares his journey from discovering photography and bike culture to becoming one of the most respected visual storytellers in the cycling world. We discuss how adventure influences creativity, the lessons learned through bike touring, the enduring appeal of film photography, and why curiosity remains one of the most powerful tools a storyteller can possess. In This Episode We Discuss: • Spencer's journey into photography and cycling culture Visit Spencer: Instagram: @spencerjharding Visit The Show: Support The Show: | |||
| Ep 112 - Niikai Wells: Visual Storytelling, Healing & Photography That Matters | 17 Jun 2026 | 00:49:57 | |
What if a single photograph could tell an entire story? For New York-based documentary and portrait photographer Niikai Wells, that's the goal every time he presses the shutter. On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with military veteran, photographer, and visual storyteller Niikai Wells for a conversation about photography, healing, creativity, and the power of human connection. Niikai's journey into photography began during one of the most challenging periods of his life. While navigating PTSD and searching for a way to reconnect with himself and the world around him, he picked up a camera. What started as a therapeutic outlet soon evolved into a lifelong pursuit of documenting authentic human experiences and telling stories that resonate across cultures and generations. At the center of his work is a simple belief: great photography isn't just about what something looks like, it's about what it means. In This Episode: • Photography as a tool for healing and personal growth • Navigating PTSD through creativity • Documentary and street photography • The foundations of visual storytelling • Building meaningful photographic narratives • The creation of the Visual Storytelling Club • Mentorship and learning from industry veterans • Finding your voice as a photographer • Creating photographs that stand the test of time • Human connection and the responsibility of storytelling Visit Niikai: Instagram: @niikaiwells Threads: @niikaiwells Web: www.niikaiwells.com Visit The Show: Support The Show: | |||
| Ep 111 - Trent Mitchell: Award-Winning Photography, Australian Lustre & The Art of Seeing Differently | 10 Jun 2026 | 00:55:53 | |
In this episode I sit down with Trent Mitchell, one of Australia's most respected photographers, authors, and visual storytellers. For more than two decades, Trent has been creating work that explores the relationship between people, landscape, culture, and the environments we shape and that shape us. Whether working in black and white or color, film or digital, his photography reveals the beauty, complexity, humor, and contradictions of the modern world with a style that is instantly recognizable. His work has earned international acclaim, including winning the prestigious Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize, recognition from the International Photography Awards, Sony World Photography Awards, Head On, Australian Life Photography Awards, and exhibitions spanning Australia and Europe. In 2025, his celebrated project Australian Lustre was showcased in a solo exhibition at the Australian Embassy in Paris. In This Episode We Discuss: • Landscape photography and environmental storytelling Books by Trent Mitchell: • Australian Lustre Visit Trent: Instagram: @trentmitchelleditions Visit The Show: Support The Show: | |||
| Ep 110 - Shayd Johnson: Adventure Photography, Storytelling, Conservation & Life on British Columbia's Sunshine Coast | 03 Jun 2026 | 01:18:01 | |
In this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with commercial and editorial photographer Shayd Johnson, a visual storyteller based on British Columbia's Sunshine Coast whose work is rooted in authentic connection, environmental storytelling, and a deep respect for the natural world. Over the years, Shayd has traveled by air, land, and sea documenting the diverse landscapes and communities that make British Columbia one of the most extraordinary places on Earth. From flying above the Monashee Mountains to photographing along the rugged coastline of Ucluelet and participating in First Nations ceremonies on Northern Vancouver Island, his work reflects a profound connection to culture, place, and environmental stewardship. At the heart of Shayd's photography is curiosity. In This Episode: • Building a career in commercial and editorial photography • Life on British Columbia's Sunshine Coast • Adventure and travel photography across Western Canada • Storytelling through authentic imagery • Photographing British Columbia's landscapes and communities • Environmental conservation and stewardship • Living in an isolated cabin during winter • Finding inspiration through solitude and reflection • Documenting remote communities and cultural experiences • Why human connection is at the center of great photography Visit Shayd: Instagram: @shayd_johnson Web: www.xshaydx.com Visit The Show: | |||
| Ep 109 - Andy Mumford: Travel, Exploration & The Art of Seeing the World | 31 May 2026 | 01:04:21 | |
In this episode I sit down with photographer, educator, filmmaker, and writer Andy Mumford. Originally from the United Kingdom and now based in Lisbon, Portugal, Andy has spent years exploring some of the world's most remarkable landscapes, building a career that combines travel, photography, education, and storytelling. Growing up, Andy traveled extensively throughout Europe with his family. Those early experiences sparked a curiosity about the world that would eventually shape both his creative life and career. Today, that same curiosity continues to guide his photography, taking him to remote landscapes, unfamiliar cultures, and places that challenge the way he sees the world. In This Episode: • How childhood travel inspired a life of exploration • Building a career as a photographer, educator, and filmmaker • Travel photography and landscape storytelling • The importance of slowing down in a fast-paced world • Finding connection with landscapes and unfamiliar places • Photography workshops and teaching others to see creatively • Life in Lisbon and working around the world • Collaborating with Fujifilm, DJI, Capture One, and Squarespace • Creativity, curiosity, and personal growth • Why photography is about more than making images Visit Andy: Instagram: @andymumfordphotography Web: www.andymumford.com Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 108 - Izzy Lidsky On Ski Photography, Action Sports Storytelling, Film Photography & Life Behind the Lens | 28 May 2026 | 00:55:56 | |
What started in a high school darkroom shooting 35mm and medium format film eventually evolved into a career documenting the people, places, and culture that define outdoor adventure. Around the same time she discovered photography, Izzy watched her first ski film and instantly fell in love with action sports storytelling—a passion that continues to shape her work today. Based in Bend, Oregon, Izzy works as a freelance photographer and staff writer for POWDER Magazine, her work explores the human side of skiing, mountain biking, and outdoor culture, capturing the experiences, communities, and landscapes that make these sports so meaningful. Over the years, her work has appeared alongside some of the most respected names in outdoor media, including Red Bull Media House, Teton Gravity Research, FREESKIER Magazine, Sweet Protection, Outdoor Research, Hyperlite, Ripton Co., Curious Creatures, Trails Magazine, and Jackson Hole Snowboarder Magazine. In This Episode: • Discovering photography through film and the darkroom • Falling in love with ski films and action sports culture • Building a career as both a photographer and writer • Working with athletes, brands, and publications • Life as a staff writer for POWDER Magazine • Visual storytelling in skiing and mountain biking • The realities of freelancing in the outdoor industry • Finding your creative voice and perspective • The importance of authenticity in adventure storytelling • Why passion remains at the center of meaningful work Visit Izzy: Instagram: @izzylidsky Threads: @izzylidsky Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 107 - Natalie Carriere: Adventure Photography, Outdoor Storytelling & Life Behind the Lens | 27 May 2026 | 01:05:50 | |
In this episode I sit down with adventure, lifestyle, and extreme sports photographer Natalie Carriere. Natalie specializes in creating powerful visual stories for athletes, brands, events, and outdoor organizations, working in some of the most demanding environments imaginable. From remote alpine productions and backcountry expeditions to major sporting events and commercial campaigns, her photography is built on a deep understanding of movement, environment, and authentic human experience. What makes Natalie's perspective unique is that she doesn't just photograph adventure, she lives it. As a skier, snowboarder, and mountain biker, she spends much of her time in the same environments she documents. That firsthand experience allows her to anticipate moments, understand the athletes she works with, and create imagery that feels genuine, dynamic, and deeply connected to the outdoors. In This Episode: • Building a career in adventure and commercial photography • Photographing athletes in fast-paced outdoor environments • Storytelling through movement, light, and landscape • Working with brands, events, and production teams • The realities of remote shoots and alpine productions • Creativity under pressure and adapting to changing conditions • The connection between being an athlete and a photographer • Developing a professional workflow from concept to delivery • Finding your visual voice in a competitive industry • Why authentic storytelling matters more than ever Visit Natalie: Instagram: @nataliecarriere Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 106 - Megan Costello: Surf Culture, Storytelling & Life on the North Shore | 20 May 2026 | 01:12:02 | |
In this episode I sit down with photographer, filmmaker, writer, and creative director Megan Costello, a visual storyteller whose work captures the intersection of surf culture, adventure, creativity, and human connection. Based on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, Megan has built an impressive career documenting the people, places, and cultures that exist around the ocean. Through both photography and filmmaking, she has created powerful visual stories that take audiences into the worlds of big-wave surfing, travel, women's surf and skate culture, and life lived close to the water. Her work has been commissioned by global brands including Quiksilver, Billabong, SisstrEvolution, and SKECHERS, while her editorial photography and writing have appeared in publications such as The New York Times, Vogue, Surfer Magazine, Outside Magazine, The Inertia In This Episode • Megan's journey into photography and filmmaking • Building a career as a visual storyteller • Documenting big-wave surfing in Hawaii and Australia • Women in surf and skate culture • Life on Oahu's North Shore • Founding Avalanche Vocals Productions • Working with brands like Quiksilver, Billabong, SisstrEvolution, and SKECHERS • Editorial storytelling for major publications • Creativity, travel, and finding inspiration • The importance of human connection in photography and film Featured Publications & Clients • The New York Times • Vogue • Surfer Magazine • Outside Magazine • The Inertia • Quiksilver • Billabong • SisstrEvolution • SKECHERS Visit Megan Instagram: @megancostellophoto Sunnwaves Creative Instagram: @sunnwaveshq Web: www.sunnwavescreative.com Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 105 - Kimberley Kufaas: Vancouver Island, Ancestry & Stories Rooted in Place | 13 May 2026 | 01:12:10 | |
Kimberley Kufaas: Vancouver Island, Ancestry & Stories Rooted in Place In this episode I sit down with Vancouver Island photographer and storyteller Kimberley Kufaas. With more than a decade behind the lens, Kimberley has built a body of work shaped by the rugged landscapes, changing weather, and deep sense of place that define Canada's West Coast. Born and raised on the northern tip of Vancouver Island, her photography is influenced by her First Nations roots in Kwakiutl territory, along with her Métis and Scandinavian heritage. Whether photographing windswept beaches, storm-driven coastlines, outdoor adventures, or intimate human moments, Kimberley's work is grounded in authenticity. Her images embrace the beauty of imperfect conditions and celebrate the stories that emerge when people allow themselves to be fully present. Blending lifestyle, adventure, and documentary influences, she creates photographs that feel honest, emotional, and deeply connected to the environments where they are made. In This Episode: • Growing up on Vancouver Island's rugged northern coast • How Kwakiutl, Métis, and Scandinavian heritage influence her work • The role of culture and ancestry in visual storytelling • Finding inspiration in the landscapes of the West Coast • Lifestyle and adventure photography rooted in authenticity • Embracing unpredictable weather and imperfect conditions • Capturing real emotion and meaningful human connection • The importance of place in shaping creative perspective • Building a career through storytelling and trust Visit Kimberley: Instagram: @westcoastlife Threads: @westcoastlife Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 104 - Nolis Anderson: Leaving Medicine, Following Creativity & Trusting the Path | 06 May 2026 | 01:11:38 | |
What happens when you walk away from a successful career to follow a creative calling? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Chicago-based photographer Nolis Anderson, a visual storyteller whose work explores culture, identity, community, and the human experience. Before becoming a full-time photographer, Nolis earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Chicago State University and built a career in medicine. From the outside, it looked like a stable and successful path. But deep down, he knew something was missing. Faced with a difficult decision, Nolis chose to leave the security of his profession behind and pursue photography full-time. Over the last decade, that leap of faith has evolved into an extraordinary career. His documentary and editorial work has earned recognition from some of the world's most respected brands and publications, including Nike, Apple, The New York Times, and Rolling Stone. In This Episode: • Leaving a career in medicine to pursue photography • Taking creative risks and trusting the unknown • Building a successful career in documentary and editorial photography • Working with Nike, Apple, The New York Times, and Rolling Stone • Documenting culture, identity, and community • Photographing Barack Obama's farewell speech in Chicago • The importance of storytelling through photography • Finding purpose through creative work • Staying grounded while building a professional career Featured Clients & Publications: • Nike • Apple • The New York Times • Rolling Stone Visit Nolis: Instagram: @nolis Threads: @nolis Studio: Instagram: @southfacingwindows Threads: @southfacingwindows Web: www.southfacingwindows.com Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 103 - Dan Tamarkin On Leica History, Collecting Cameras, and the Culture of Photography | 29 Apr 2026 | 01:30:59 | |
To launch this new era, I sit down with Dan Tamarkin, owner of Tamarkin Camera and the Rangefinder Gallery in Chicago, one of the most respected Leica-focused galleries and camera showrooms in the world. Photography has been part of Dan's life from the very beginning. His father, Stan Tamarkin, founded Tamarkin Camera in 1971 from their family home in New Haven, Connecticut. After taking over the family business in 2010, Dan relocated the company to Chicago, where he expanded it into both Tamarkin Camera and the Rangefinder Gallery, creating a destination for photographers, collectors, and Leica enthusiasts from around the world. But Dan's story extends far beyond cameras. Trained as a writer and linguistic ethnographer at the University of Illinois Chicago, he has also worked as a theatrical lighting designer, educator, performer, and storyteller. Those experiences shaped a lifelong fascination with light, shadow, observation, and the ways visual stories connect people. In This Episode: • The launch of The P.H.Y.S Podcast • Growing up inside the Tamarkin Camera family business • The history and culture of Leica cameras • Taking over and evolving a family legacy • Building Tamarkin Camera and the Rangefinder Gallery in Chicago • Collecting cameras versus using cameras • Why physical galleries still matter in a digital world • Film photography, digital photography, and the Leica experience • Building community through photography • Why photography continues to connect generations Visit Dan: Instagram: @tamarkin_camera Threads: @tamarkin_camera Web: www.tamarkin.com YouTube: @TamarkinCamera Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 102 - Caleb Knueven: Skateboarding, Filmmaking & The Pull of Analog Photography | 22 Apr 2026 | 01:04:14 | |
How many creative careers begin with a skateboard and a video camera? Like many kids growing up around skateboarding, Caleb initially wanted to be the one landing tricks. But around the age of twelve, he realized something important: while some of his friends were progressing faster on their boards, he had discovered another way to contribute to the culture. He picked up a video camera. Officially, it was supposed to be for filming his younger brother's soccer games. In reality, it quickly became a tool for making skate videos with friends, documenting sessions, and learning how stories could be told through moving images. Those early skate edits sparked something much bigger. That path eventually led him to the University of Kansas, where he studied film and theatre before discovering a passion for visual effects. That passion opened the door to Los Angeles and a position with Stargate Studios, where he worked in VFX and gained experience as an On-Set VFX Supervisor. In This Episode: • How skateboarding led Caleb into filmmaking • Creating skate videos as a teenager • Learning storytelling through short films • Studying film and theatre at the University of Kansas • Working in visual effects and filmmaking in Los Angeles • Life at Stargate Studios and working as an On-Set VFX Supervisor • Discovering analog photography and film cameras • Building the Bad Flashes YouTube channel • The relationship between tools, creativity, and storytelling • Why curiosity remains the foundation of creative growth Visit Caleb: Instagram: @calebknueven Threads: @calebknueven Web: www.calebknueven.com YouTube: @BadFlashes Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 101 - Jillian Brown: Resilience, Wilderness & The Healing Power of Nature | 15 Apr 2026 | 01:07:26 | |
What happens when the wilderness becomes more than a place to explore? What happens when it becomes a place to heal? Jillian's story is one of perseverance, courage, and transformation. Raised on a small island in Northwestern Ontario, she grew up surrounded by wildlife, forests, and water. After receiving her first camera as a young girl, she began documenting the natural world around her, unknowingly laying the foundation for a lifelong relationship with photography and storytelling. Following an abusive relationship, Jillian found herself homeless and living in a tent while navigating the challenges of PTSD. During one of the most difficult chapters of her life, she returned to the place that had always grounded her: nature. Since then, Jillian has pushed herself into some of the most challenging environments imaginable. She became the first Canadian woman to paddle across America and completed a world-first expedition paddling a tandem sea kayak down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. In This Episode: • Growing up on an island in Northwestern Ontario • Discovering photography through nature and wildlife • Moving to British Columbia in search of adventure • Finding healing through nature during difficult times • Living with PTSD and rebuilding through the outdoors • Becoming the first Canadian woman to paddle across America • Completing a world-first Grand Canyon expedition • Photography as a tool for connection and storytelling • The relationship between mental health and the natural world • Inspiring others to reconnect with nature and themselves Visit Jillian: Instagram: @jillianbrownphotography Threads: @jillianbrownphotography Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 100 - Scott Evans, Cinematic Storytelling & 100 Conversations About Photography | 08 Apr 2026 | 01:13:13 | |
Episode 100 of The P.H.Y.S Podcast is more than a milestone. It's a celebration of a simple belief that started this entire journey: For this special milestone episode, I sit down with photographer, filmmaker, and art director Scott Evans. Based in California's Bay Area and originally from Santa Cruz, Scott's work blends cinematic storytelling with portrait and fashion photography, creating images that feel both timeless and deeply atmospheric. After studying photography and earning a degree in English from the University of California, Santa Barbara, Scott spent several years in Portland, Oregon, refining both his creative voice and his understanding of storytelling. Today, his work reflects a lifelong fascination with cinema, narrative, and the emotional power of visual imagery. Influenced by filmmakers, westerns, and photographic legends such as Helmut Newton, Irving Penn, and Richard Avedon, Scott approaches photography as world-building. His images invite viewers into moments where imagination and reality intersect, creating photographs that feel like frames pulled from an unwritten film. In This Episode: • Celebrating 100 episodes of The P.H.Y.S Podcast • Scott's journey from Santa Cruz to the Bay Area creative community • The influence of cinema on his photography • Fashion and portrait photography as storytelling tools • Inspiration from Helmut Newton, Irving Penn, and Richard Avedon • Why Scott chooses the Leica M system • The value of slowing down and pre-visualizing photographs • Building a creative career through persistence and curiosity • Creating images that blend atmosphere, emotion, and narrative Visit Scott: Instagram: @sf.evans Threads: @sf.evans Web: www.sfevans.com Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 99 - Liz Rosa: Movement, Timeless Beauty & Creating With Intention | 01 Apr 2026 | 00:52:19 | |
What gives a photograph a sense of timelessness? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Vancouver-based multidisciplinary artist and photographer Liz Rosa, whose work blends movement, emotion, and elegance into imagery that feels both contemporary and timeless. Working across both digital and analog photography, Liz has developed a distinctive visual language inspired by old-world aesthetics, the natural world, and the expressive power of movement. Her photographs often feel cinematic and poetic, balancing modern fashion and portraiture with a deeper sense of emotion and story. Movement plays a central role in the way she sees, directs, and creates. Drawing from her own love of dance and physical expression, she approaches photography as something fluid and alive, creating images that feel natural rather than posed, emotional rather than performative. Her work often explores themes of femininity, beauty, connection, and presence, resulting in photographs that feel authentic and enduring. In This Episode: • Liz's journey as a multidisciplinary artist and photographer • Working between analog film and digital photography • How dance and movement influence her creative process • Finding inspiration through nature and old-world aesthetics • Building a visual language rooted in emotion and authenticity • Collaborating with conscious brands and creatives • Creating timeless imagery in a fast-moving digital world • Fashion, portraiture, and visual storytelling • Developing a sustainable and meaningful creative practice Featured Publications: • Vogue UK • Elle • L'Officiel • Marie Claire • Schön! Magazine • Contributor Magazine • Nasty Magazine • Mother Muse Visit Liz: Instagram: @lizrosa Threads: @lizrosa Web: www.lizrosa.com Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 98 - Hailey Elise: Professional Mountain Bike Athlete and Action Sports Photographer | 25 Mar 2026 | 01:02:01 | |
On Episode 98 of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Hailey Elise, a professional mountain bike athlete, photographer, and filmmaker whose life is built around adventure, creativity, and the outdoors. Raised in the mountains surrounding Vancouver, British Columbia, Hailey developed a deep connection to nature, exploration, and pushing her limits. That passion eventually led her to Whistler, where mountain biking and visual storytelling became the foundation of her career. What makes Hailey's perspective unique is that she lives the stories she documents. As both a professional athlete and an award-winning photographer, she understands the terrain, timing, commitment, and risk behind every image she creates. Her work has been recognized through competitions including Deep Summer, Red Bull Illume, and Dirt Diaries, which she won in 2025. Before entering the world of action sports photography, Hailey spent her university years shooting fashion photography and running a fashion blog. Over time, her passion shifted toward the mountains, the bike community, and the outdoor spaces that continue to inspire her work today. In This Episode: • Growing up in the mountains of British Columbia • Finding photography through fashion and creative storytelling • Transitioning into mountain bike and adventure photography • Living and creating in Whistler • Winning Dirt Diaries 2025 • Competing in Deep Summer and Red Bull Illume • The unique perspective of being both athlete and photographer • The importance of collaboration in creative work • Adventure, creativity, and lifelong growth Visit Hailey: Instagram: @haileyelisee Web: www.haileyelise.ca 2025 Dirt Diaries Winning Film Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 97 - Ben Horton: National Geographic, Conservation & Photography That Creates Change | 18 Mar 2026 | 00:57:26 | |
Can a photograph change the world? For Ben Horton, that question isn't theoretical. It's something he's spent his entire career proving. For more than sixteen years, Ben has worked with National Geographic, creating stories across Mongolia, Nepal, Thailand, China, Haiti, the Canadian Arctic, and remote coastlines throughout the Pacific and Central America. His work exists at the intersection of exploration, environmental conservation, documentary storytelling, and commercial production. But what makes Ben's career remarkable isn't simply where he's traveled. It's the impact his work has created. Early in his career, Ben led a photojournalism investigation on Cocos Island that exposed illegal shark poaching operations and traced the trade across international markets. The project was presented directly to the President of Costa Rica and contributed to the expansion of protected marine areas and national parks, helping safeguard critical ocean ecosystems. In This Episode: • Building a career with National Geographic • Using photography to create real-world conservation impact • The Cocos Island shark poaching investigation • Documenting climate change in the Arctic • Searching for Genghis Khan's tomb in Mongolia • Hosting National Geographic's Extreme China • Producing major commercial campaigns and editorial projects • Balancing commercial work with meaningful storytelling • Why immersion is essential to creating powerful photographs • The responsibility of documenting places and stories that matter Featured Recognition & Projects: • National Geographic Explorer • National Geographic Magazine • Extreme China • Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 2025 • Baja Bound • The Art of the Unseen Visit Ben: Instagram: @benhortonphoto Web: www.benhorton.biz Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 96 - Ryan Aanderud: Street Photography, Community & The Power of Showing Up | 11 Mar 2026 | 01:28:10 | |
What if photography isn't really about photographs? What if it's about the relationships we build along the way? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Portland, Oregon–based street photographer Ryan Aanderud, whose work is a powerful reminder that photography can be an act of service, connection, and community. Like many photographers, Ryan has carried a camera for most of his life. But over time, photography became something much bigger than making images. Today, his work exists at the intersection of street photography and community care. When Ryan heads out with his Leica Q2 Monochrom, he's carrying more than a camera. Alongside it are food, clothing, first aid supplies, Narcan, and printed photographs that he returns to the people who trusted him enough to step in front of his lens. His approach is rooted in respect and genuine human connection. Working exclusively with a 28mm lens means getting physically close to his subjects, a process that demands honesty, trust, and vulnerability from everyone involved. The result is powerful black-and-white photography that highlights the dignity, humanity, and stories of people who are too often overlooked. In This Episode: • Ryan's journey into street photography • How photography became a form of community service • Building trust with the people he photographs • Why human connection matters more than the image itself • Working exclusively with a 28mm lens and the Leica Q2 Monochrom • Returning prints to the people who share their stories • Carrying food, clothing, medical supplies, and Narcan alongside his camera • The relationship between empathy and photography • Using creativity to give back to the community Visit Ryan: Instagram: @portrait_project.17 Web: www.1studio7.com Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 95 - Daniel Alberdeston: Surf Photography, Wave Riding & Chasing Moments | 04 Mar 2026 | 00:53:03 | |
What keeps photographers coming back to the ocean? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with photographer, traveler, and wave chaser Daniel Alberdeston for a conversation about photography, bodyboarding, travel, and the pursuit of moments that can't be repeated. Daniel's story is one that many photographers will relate to. At the center of it all has always been a camera. From disposable film cameras to modern digital systems, photography has been a constant companion throughout his life. But for Daniel, the camera has never been about the equipment itself. It's always been about preserving moments before they disappear. Anyone who has spent time photographing the ocean understands the challenge. The conditions are constantly changing. Light shifts. Waves come and go. Timing becomes everything. Success often depends on patience, preparation, and a deep respect for the environment you're working within. Daniel's work has been featured by brands and publications throughout the surf world, including Wave Riding Vehicles, WAXD Magazine, and Session Magazine Issue No. 10. In This Episode: • Growing up with a camera always close at hand • The connection between bodyboarding and photography • Finding a creative home in surf photography • The challenges of photographing in and around the ocean • Travel, exploration, and chasing waves around the world • Working with Wave Riding Vehicles, WAXD Magazine, and Session Magazine • Using SPL Water Housings to capture unique perspectives • Patience, timing, and preparation in surf photography • Why the ocean continues to inspire creativity Visit Daniel: Instagram: @daniel.alberdeston.photography Threads: @daniel.alberdeston.photography Web: www.danielalberdestonphotography.com Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 94 - Afonso Salcedo: Cinematic Storytelling, Human Connection & The Art of Seeing People | 25 Feb 2026 | 00:53:48 | |
What happens when twenty years of cinematic storytelling meets the real, unscripted human experience? In this episode of The Life of Phys Podcast, Tyson sits down with Los Angeles–based portrait and documentary photographer Afonso Salcedo. Before stepping into still photography, Afonso spent two decades as a Lighting and Compositing Artist at Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, helping craft the emotional atmosphere behind films like Toy Story 3, WALL-E, Encanto, and Moana 2. Today, he brings that same cinematic mindset into the world of portraiture and documentary storytelling. In this conversation, we explore the transition from Hollywood to still photography, how cinematic lighting shapes emotional storytelling, and why connection matters more than perfection. Afonso shares powerful insights on building trust with subjects, creating intentional portraits, and documenting real stories, from the 545-mile AIDS/LifeCycle journey to recovery efforts in Haiti and life across Portugal. This episode is about presence, craft, curiosity, and the deeper purpose behind photography. If you’ve ever wondered how light, storytelling, and human connection intersect, this conversation will change how you see both your work and the people in front of your lens. In this episode, we discuss:
This episode is a reminder that photography is not just about capturing people. It is about revealing them. Visit Afonso: Instagram: @afonso.salcedo Threads: @afonso.salcedo Web: www.afonso.me Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 93 - Jens Ochlich: Americana, Identity & Two Years of The Life of Phys Podcast | 18 Feb 2026 | 00:58:07 | |
What happens when photography becomes a bridge between the life you imagined and the life you eventually find yourself living? Born and raised in West Germany and now living in California for more than sixteen years, Jens brings a unique perspective shaped by two very different worlds. Growing up surrounded by centuries of history, architecture, and tradition, he developed a deep appreciation for permanence and the passage of time. That perspective would later collide with the constantly evolving landscapes of Southern California. Rather than focusing on famous landmarks or iconic destinations, Jens is drawn to the edges of cities—the overlooked spaces where development meets wilderness, where order meets chaos, and where traces of human presence quietly accumulate over time. His photography documents these transitional environments with remarkable attention and sensitivity. Sun-bleached streets, forgotten objects, abandoned spaces, classic American cars, and fragments of everyday life become visual evidence of a culture constantly reinventing itself. In This Episode: • Celebrating two years of The Life of Phys Podcast • Jens' journey from West Germany to California • How place shapes identity and creative vision • Photographing the edges of cities and transitional spaces • The relationship between memory, nostalgia, and storytelling • Exploring Americana through photography • Why classic American cars remain central to his work • Finding beauty in overlooked environments • Photography as a bridge between past and present Visit Jens: Instagram: @jens_ochlich Web: www.autobahn66.com Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 92 - Nick Spector: Street Photography, Self-Publishing & The Value of Returning | 11 Feb 2026 | 01:13:31 | |
What happens when you return to the same place, not to find something new, but to see it differently? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Toronto-based photographer Nick Spector for a conversation about street photography, creative growth, and the power of staying committed to the process. While Nick's professional work spans fashion, portraiture, documentary, corporate, and wedding photography, it's on the street where his most personal work lives. After more than a decade as a semi-professional photographer, street photography has become a space for exploration, reflection, and creative challenge, a practice rooted in observation, patience, and learning to see more clearly over time. For Nick, street photography isn't about chasing decisive moments or collecting images. It's about paying attention, embracing uncertainty, and allowing curiosity to guide the work. His photographs have been exhibited in Toronto and internationally, including participation in the inaugural Montreal Street Photography Festival. His work has also appeared in Find Rangers Magazine and Low Quality Film Society's Black & White and Street editions. In This Episode: • How street photography became Nick's most personal creative practice • The value of observation, patience, and slowing down • Self-publishing his first zine, Only Child • The making of Sketchbook: Japan • Returning to familiar places with a new perspective • Creative growth through repetition and consistency • Street photography as a tool for self-discovery • Building meaningful work outside of client assignments • Why process matters more than outcomes Featured Projects: • Only Child (2025) • Sketchbook: Japan (2026) • Montreal Street Photography Festival • Find Rangers Magazine • Low Quality Film Society Visit Nick: Instagram: @nickspector Threads: @nickspector Buy Only Child Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 91 - Matt Day: Documentary Photography, Creativity & The Stories Closest to Home | 04 Feb 2026 | 01:43:18 | |
What if the most meaningful photographs aren't waiting somewhere far away? What if they're already right in front of you? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with photographer and YouTuber Matt Day, whose black-and-white documentary photography has inspired a global community of photographers to slow down, pay attention, and find meaning in everyday life. Matt and I connected instantly through shared passions, skateboarding, creativity, storytelling, and the realities of navigating loss. What began as a podcast interview quickly became something deeper: an honest conversation about life, photography, and the long road of creative practice. For more than two decades, Matt has built a life around visual storytelling. Based in Chillicothe, Ohio, his work focuses on documenting family, community, familiar places, and the quiet moments that often go unnoticed. His photographs aren't driven by trends, algorithms, or the pursuit of attention. They're rooted in observation, patience, and a genuine appreciation for the ordinary. In This Episode: • Matt's journey from professional photography to personal documentary work • Finding meaning in everyday life and familiar places • How skateboarding helped shape his creative perspective • Building a life around photography without chasing trends • The role of family and community in his work • Film photography and the value of slowing down • Publishing photo books including Friend of Mine and Surveyor • Creativity, grief, and navigating life's challenges • Why the strongest stories are often found close to home Visit Matt: Instagram: @mattdayphoto Threads: @mattdayphoto Web: www.mattdayphoto.com Buy Surveyor Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 90 - Krystle Wright: Adventure Photography, Risk & Pursuing Extraordinary Stories | 28 Jan 2026 | 01:16:24 | |
What does it take to create photographs in places where most people would never dare to stand? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Krystle Wright, an Australian adventure photographer and director whose work has redefined what is possible in action and adventure storytelling. Her images and films have been featured in National Geographic, Outside Magazine, GQ, The Times, Red Bull, and The Huffington Post. She has also appeared on the National Geographic series Photographer and was named the winner of the prestigious 2023 Red Bull Illume, one of the highest honors in action and adventure photography. But beyond the awards and assignments, Krystle's work is rooted in preparation, trust, resilience, and a deep understanding of the environments and people she photographs. Whether suspended from a cliff, flying in a helicopter, or documenting athletes in remote landscapes, she approaches every story with equal parts courage and intention. In this conversation, we explore adventure photography, risk, creativity, and what it takes to consistently operate at the highest level. In This Episode: • Krystle's journey into adventure photography and filmmaking • Photographing athletes in some of the world's most extreme environments • The psychology of risk and decision-making under pressure • Building trust with athletes and expedition teams • What winning the 2023 Red Bull Illume meant to her career • Lessons learned from working across seven continents and 55+ countries • The relationship between fear, preparation, and performance • Storytelling through both still photography and film • The sacrifices and rewards of pursuing extraordinary stories Featured Recognition: • Winner – Red Bull Illume (2023) • National Geographic Photographer Series • National Geographic • Outside Magazine • GQ • The Times • Red Bull Visit Krystal: Instagram: @krystaljwright Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 89 - Amy Horowitz On Street Photography, Human Connection, and Her Photobook A Walk in the Park. | 21 Jan 2026 | 00:58:22 | |
Amy Horowitz is a New York City–based street photographer whose work transforms everyday public spaces into powerful, human stories. Any Studied at the International Center of Photography (ICP), Amy has emerged as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary street and documentary photography, with her work exhibited and awarded internationally across major photography festivals and institutions. In 2025, she released her debut photobook, A Walk in the Park?, published by Schilt Publishing, a long-form portrait project created in and around Washington Square Park in New York City. The book explores young adulthood, identity, vulnerability, and presence through quiet, deeply observed portraits made over time. The project has received widespread international recognition, including honors from LensCulture, Head On Photo Festival, Paris International Street Photography Awards, Women Street Photographers, Brussels Street Photography Festival, and many more. In this episode of The Life of Phys Podcast, we talk about:
This is an honest, thoughtful conversation about building work slowly, paying attention, and using photography to better understand people, public space, and ourselves. If you’re interested in street photography, documentary photography, photobooks, portrait projects, or long-term creative work, this episode offers deep insight into both the artistic and human side of the process. Visit Amy: Instagram: @dont_smile_nyc Threads: @dont_smile_nyc Web: www.amyhorowitzphotography.com Buy Amy's Book: A Walk In The Park? Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 88 - Dennys Ilic: Celebrity Portraits, Creative Longevity & The Art of Honest Photography | 14 Jan 2026 | 00:58:21 | |
What makes a portrait truly memorable? Is it the fame of the person in front of the camera—or the honesty revealed in the moment? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Los Angeles-based photographer and former cinematographer Dennys Ilic, a world-class portrait artist whose work bridges Hollywood, cinema, and deeply human storytelling. Before becoming one of the most sought-after portrait photographers in the entertainment industry, Dennys built a career behind the motion picture camera. His cinematography work includes the multi-award-winning film Face to Face and the distinction of shooting the first digital feature film in India. Over the past two decades, he has brought that cinematic eye into photography, creating portraits that feel both intimate and unforgettable. Dennys is known for his soulful, edgy portraits of some of the most recognizable names in the world, including Daniel Radcliffe, Jason Momoa, Halle Berry, Viola Davis, Keanu Reeves, Ryan Reynolds, Glenn Close, Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, Rosario Dawson, Laurence Fishburne, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Hart, and many others. For five years, he photographed Daniel Radcliffe for Warner Bros., creating imagery used across hundreds of publications worldwide during and beyond the Harry Potter era. In This Episode: • Dennys' transition from cinematography to portrait photography • What makes a truly honest portrait • Photographing some of the world's most recognizable celebrities • His years working with Daniel Radcliffe and Warner Bros. • Building trust with subjects in front of the camera • Protecting artistic vision within commercial assignments • Lessons learned from decades in creative industries • Photography, storytelling, and human connection • Building a career designed to last Visit Dennys: Instagram: @dennydenn Threads: @dennydenn Web: www.dennysilic.com Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 87 - Brandon Talbot: Creativity, Consistency & Playing the Long Game | 07 Jan 2026 | 01:07:12 | |
What does it take to keep showing up for your creative work year after year? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with photographer, videographer, and YouTuber Brandon Talbot, a creator who has spent years openly sharing his photography journey while, as he likes to say, making "incredibly adequate videos for the internet." Before photography became a central part of his life, Brandon built an impressive background as a professional volleyball player, NASM Master Trainer, and jiu-jitsu competitor. The lessons he learned through athletics—discipline, resilience, consistency, and long-term thinking—continue to shape the way he approaches creativity today. Known for his honesty, curiosity, and willingness to share both successes and struggles, Brandon has built a community around the idea that growth isn't about perfection. It's about showing up, learning, and continuing to move forward. Brandon is also open about living with depression, and throughout this conversation we explore the relationship between creativity, identity, mental health, and the challenges of maintaining momentum during difficult seasons of life. Rather than focusing on quick results, Brandon advocates for a sustainable approach built around patience, curiosity, and a commitment to the process. In This Episode: • Brandon's transition from professional athletics to photography and filmmaking • How sports shaped his creative mindset • Developing a growth mindset through photography • Living with depression while maintaining a creative practice • The importance of discipline, consistency, and patience • Falling in love with prints and physical media • Building long-term projects rather than chasing quick wins • The role of curiosity in creative growth • Learning to trust the process and play the long game Visit Brandon: Instagram: @brandontalbot_ Threads: @brandontalbot_ YouTube: @brandontalbotcc Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 86 - Bryanna Bradley: Surf Photography, Resilience & Chasing the Work That Feels True | 04 Jan 2026 | 01:01:49 | |
What happens when photography becomes part of the healing process? On this episode of The PHYS Podcast, I sit down with Bryanna Bradley, a Tofino-based surf and outdoor photographer whose work captures the raw beauty, emotion, and human connection found both in and out of the water. Professionally trained as a photojournalist, Bryanna has built a career rooted in documentary storytelling while evolving into the worlds of surf, outdoor, and wedding photography. No matter the subject, her approach remains the same: create honest images that reflect genuine moments, authentic emotion, and the relationships that connect people to each other and the natural world. Bryanna's creative journey is also one of resilience and transformation. Following a traumatic brain injury, she embarked on a life-changing journey along the Continental Divide Trail, an experience that fundamentally changed her relationship with photography, nature, and purpose. That chapter ultimately led her to Tofino, British Columbia, where she found a home in the cold-water surf community and a renewed connection to storytelling. Her story is featured in the film Let Me Chase This Dream, documenting her path through recovery, self-discovery, and the pursuit of a creative life built on authenticity and intention. In This Episode: • Bryanna's journey from photojournalism to surf and outdoor photography • How a traumatic brain injury changed her perspective on life and creativity • Hiking the Continental Divide Trail and finding a new sense of purpose • Discovering cold-water surf photography in Tofino, British Columbia • The role of nature in healing and personal growth • Documentary storytelling beyond traditional journalism • Capturing authentic moments through emotion and connection • The story behind Let Me Chase This Dream • Why meaningful work begins with honesty and presence Visit Bryanna: Instagram: @bryannabradleyphotography Threads: @bryannabradleyphotography Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 85 - JuanCarlos Gonzalez: Photojournalism, Community & Storytelling With Intention | 01 Jan 2026 | 00:57:03 | |
What does it mean to photograph people and places with care? JuanCarlos Gonzalez is a Puerto Rican photojournalist and visual storyteller whose work is rooted in authenticity, human connection, and a deep sense of place. Based in Plymouth, Vermont, his work across portraiture, documentary photography, events, and landscapes, creating images that bridge cultures, celebrate resilience, and honor the stories that often go unnoticed. His thoughtful approach to storytelling has earned international recognition, including being named one of Leica's 100 Photographers in 2025. Raised in the coastal town of Maunabo, Puerto Rico, JuanCarlos discovered photography through newspapers and magazines. Those early encounters with visual storytelling sparked a lifelong curiosity about people, communities, and the power of photography to document both history and everyday life. His work has been featured in Leica Fotografie International, Vogue Italia, The Boston Globe, National Geographic, and numerous cultural institutions throughout the United States and beyond. In This Episode: • Growing up in Puerto Rico and discovering photography through magazines and newspapers • Being named one of Leica's 100 Photographers in 2025 • Building a career rooted in documentary storytelling and human connection • The creation of Vermont Female Farmers • Photography as a tool for preserving culture and lived experience • The role of community in meaningful visual storytelling • Leading arts initiatives through IBA Boston • Upcoming projects exploring climate change and agriculture in Puerto Rico • Photographing people and places with respect, care, and intention Featured Recognition: • Leica 100 Photographers (2025) • Leica Fotografie International (LFI) • Vogue Italia • National Geographic • The Boston Globe • Library of Congress Permanent Collection Visit JuanCarlos: Instagram: @juankasfoto Threads: @juankasfoto Web: www.juankasfoto.com Book: Vermont Female Farmers Web: www.vermontfemalefarmers.com Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 84 - Raheem Nelson Returns: Honest Storytelling, Patience & The Long Road of Creative Growth | 26 Dec 2025 | 00:36:12 | |
What happens when you stop chasing photographs and start paying attention to the moments unfolding right in front of you? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I welcome back Raheem Nelson for a conversation about creativity, patience, and the ongoing process of developing a photographic voice. Since his first appearance on the podcast, Raheem has continued to evolve as a photographer by focusing on what matters most: showing up consistently, trusting the process, and allowing his work to develop naturally over time. Known for his thoughtful approach to storytelling, Raheem creates photographs that feel lived-in rather than manufactured. His images are rooted in observation, emotion, and a deep respect for the people, places, and moments he documents. Rather than chasing trends or quick results, he has committed himself to long-term projects and a more intentional creative practice. In a culture driven by speed and constant visibility, Raheem's work offers a different perspective—one centered on patience, presence, and the belief that meaningful photography is built slowly through attention and care. In This Episode: • Raheem's creative evolution since his first appearance on the show • Developing a deeper relationship with photography over time • The value of patience and consistency in creative work • Long-term documentary projects and personal storytelling • Navigating self-doubt and creative uncertainty • Why slowing down often leads to stronger photographs • Building a process rooted in curiosity and observation • Resisting external pressure and comparison • Creating meaningful work beyond metrics and validation Visit Raheem: Instagram Photo: raheemnelsonphoto Threads Photo: @raheemnelsonphoto Instagram Art: raheemnelsonart Threads Art: @raheemnelsonart Instagram Fashion: raheemnelsonstyle Threads Fashion: @raheemnelsonstyle YouTube: @RaheemNelson Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 83 - Jonathan Pitts-Wiley Returns: Patience, Presence & The Evolution of Seeing | 25 Dec 2025 | 01:21:24 | |
What if growth as a photographer has less to do with making better images and more to do with learning how to see? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I welcome back Jonathan Pitts-Wiley for a thoughtful conversation about creative growth, long-term commitment, and the quiet discipline required to build meaningful work over time. Since his first appearance on the podcast, Jonathan has continued refining both his photographic voice and his relationship with the creative process. Rather than focusing on immediate results, recognition, or external validation, his work has become increasingly rooted in consistency, curiosity, and a deeper awareness of the world around him. His approach reflects an understanding that photography is not simply about producing images. It's about observation, presence, and developing the patience to allow ideas, projects, and perspectives to evolve naturally. In this follow-up conversation, we explore what has changed since we last spoke, from creative mindset and personal growth to the realities of sustaining a meaningful photographic practice in an increasingly fast-paced world. Together, we discuss long-term projects, uncertainty, creative resilience, and the value of trusting a process that often unfolds slowly and quietly. In This Episode: • Jonathan's creative evolution since his first appearance on the show Visit Jonathan: Instagram:@jpittswiley Threads:@jpittswiley Vanta Guild: Instagram:@thevantaguild Mixed Magic Theatre: Instagram:@mmt560 Web:www.mmtri.org Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 82 - Larry Everage Returns: Documentary Photography, Culture & The Power of Staying Grounded | 24 Dec 2025 | 00:35:57 | |
What does it take to create meaningful work in a world constantly demanding attention? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I welcome back photographer Larry Everage for a conversation about growth, authenticity, and the responsibility that comes with documenting culture. Since his first appearance on the podcast, Larry has continued to build a body of work rooted in patience, trust, and long-term storytelling. Whether documenting everyday life in New Orleans or working alongside some of the most influential figures in music and culture, his approach remains the same: show up, build relationships, and let the story unfold naturally. Larry's photography exists at the intersection of documentary storytelling and cultural history. His work is known for its honesty, restraint, and deep respect for the people and communities he photographs. That perspective has allowed him to create meaningful images both in his personal documentary projects and while working within culturally significant spaces alongside artists such as Wu-Tang Clan. In this follow-up conversation, we explore what has evolved since we last spoke, creatively, professionally, and personally. We discuss the importance of trust, the challenges of maintaining authenticity in a fast-moving industry, and why some of the most important work happens away from the spotlight. In this episode, we discuss: • Larry's creative evolution since his first appearance on the show • The importance of patience and trust in documentary photography • Working within culturally significant spaces and communities • Photographing artists while maintaining authenticity and respect • Lessons learned from documenting music and culture • Sustaining long-term photography projects • Balancing cultural relevance with personal integrity • Why meaningful work is built through consistency and connection • The role of photography in preserving history and community Visit Larry: Instagram: @larryeverage Threads: @larryeverage Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 81 - Michael Taylor Returns: Patience, Process & The Long Road of Creative Growth | 23 Dec 2025 | 00:30:07 | |
What happens when you stop chasing photographs and start paying attention to the process itself? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I welcome back photographer Michael Taylor for a thoughtful conversation about creativity, patience, and the evolution that happens when you commit to the work for the long haul. Since his first appearance on the podcast, Michael has continued to refine not only his photography, but his relationship with creativity itself. His approach has become less about results and recognition and more about presence, consistency, and showing up with curiosity day after day. In a culture that often celebrates speed, visibility, and constant output, Michael's work offers a different perspective. One rooted in patience, observation, and the understanding that meaningful photographs—and meaningful creative lives are built over time. Together, we explore what has changed since our first conversation, how long-term projects continue to shape his vision, and why learning to trust the quiet moments between photographs can be one of the most important lessons a creative person learns. In This Episode: • How Michael's creative perspective has evolved over time • The value of patience and consistency in photography • Long-term projects and building meaningful work slowly • Navigating self-doubt and creative uncertainty • Learning to trust the process rather than the outcome • The importance of slowing down in a fast-paced world • Finding purpose beyond external validation • Photography as a practice of awareness and presence • Why the quiet moments often matter most This is a conversation about growth, persistence, and developing a deeper relationship with your creative work. Whether you're a photographer, artist, writer, or someone navigating your own creative journey, Michael's perspective is a reminder that lasting work is rarely built overnight. It is built through patience, intention, and a willingness to keep showing up. Visit Mike: Instagram: @mk.photomedia Threads: @mk.photomedia Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 80 - Ben Tobin Returns: Long-Term Projects, Community & Photographing Home | 22 Dec 2025 | 01:17:20 | |
What happens when you stop searching for photographs somewhere else and begin paying closer attention to where you already are? I welcome back photographer Ben Tobin for a deeper conversation about place, presence, and the power of long-term storytelling. Based in Spokane, Washington, Ben has continued to develop a body of work rooted in community, documenting the people, neighborhoods, and everyday moments that often go unnoticed. His photography isn't about chasing destinations or trends. It's about commitment, observation, and building a deeper relationship with the place he calls home. Since his first appearance on the podcast, Ben's approach has evolved through patience and consistency. His work explores the quiet details, overlooked spaces, and subtle human connections that reveal the true character of a community over time. In a world that often celebrates constant movement, Ben's photography reminds us that meaningful stories can be found right outside our front door. In this conversation, we explore creativity, documentary photography, community, and the value of slowing down enough to truly see what's around us. In This Episode: • Ben's continued journey documenting Spokane, Washington • The importance of photographing where you live • How long-term projects shape both creativity and perspective • Building trust with your environment and community • Finding meaningful stories in everyday moments • Resisting creative pressure and comparison • The role of patience and consistency in documentary photography • Why local storytelling matters now more than ever • Photography as a practice of presence and connection This is a conversation about community, observation, and the rewards of committing to a place over time. Whether you're a photographer, storyteller, or creative looking for deeper meaning in your work, Ben's perspective is a powerful reminder that extraordinary stories often exist in the places we know best. Visit Ben: Instagram:@cave_mfg Threads:@cave_mfg Instagram:@capturing_spokane Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 79 - Kyle McDougall: Documentary Photography, Place & The Stories Hidden in the Landscape | 10 Dec 2025 | 01:04:48 | |
What can a forgotten town, an empty road, or a quiet landscape reveal about who we are? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with documentary and landscape photographer Kyle McDougall, whose work explores the intersections of place, history, memory, and time. Originally from Ontario, Canada and now based in the United Kingdom, Kyle has built a reputation for thoughtful, long-form photographic storytelling. His images focus on rural environments, overlooked communities, and landscapes shaped by generations of human presence, inviting viewers to slow down and look deeper. Before dedicating himself fully to photography, Kyle worked as a cinematographer and editor in the outdoor television industry before transitioning into commercial and documentary filmmaking. In 2017, he made the decision to focus entirely on photography, committing himself to long-term projects and a more intentional approach to visual storytelling. His debut monograph, An American Mile, released in 2023, is the result of five years spent documenting small towns and forgotten landscapes throughout the American Southwest. The work offers a deeply personal look at places many people pass through but few take the time to truly see. Alongside his photographic projects, Kyle has built a global audience through his YouTube channel, where he shares his creative process, thoughts on photography, and insights into building a meaningful artistic practice. In This Episode: • Kyle's journey from filmmaking to documentary photography • The making of An American Mile • Why overlooked places often tell the most compelling stories • The discipline and patience behind long-term projects • Photography, memory, and the passage of time • Building a photography career through storytelling and YouTube • His current work documenting the Slate Landscapes of North Wales • Exploring the lost Royal Air Force airfields of World War II • Learning to slow down and observe the world more deeply Visit Kyle: Instagram: @kyle__mcdougall Threads: @kyle__mcdougall Web: www.kylemcdougallphoto.com Book: An American Mile Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 78 - Rachael Galipo: Adventure, Creativity & Seeing Life From Both Sides of the Lens | 03 Dec 2025 | 01:04:24 | |
What happens when you're equally comfortable behind the camera and in front of it? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Rachael Galipo, a photographer, model, and director whose work is fueled by curiosity, adventure, and genuine human connection. Rachael has built a creative career by embracing multiple perspectives. Whether she's photographing athletes in remote landscapes, directing tourism campaigns, modeling for global brands, or documenting personal projects on large format film, she approaches every experience with a sense of play, presence, and purpose. Her adventures have taken her across the rugged landscapes of Chile, into the canyons of Colombia documenting climbers forging new routes, and on multi-week road trips creating tourism campaigns with teams brought together through a shared love of storytelling and exploration. As a model, Rachael has worked with brands including Mobil 1, The North Face, Visit Utah, and Picklr. As a photographer, she creates images rooted in vulnerability, authenticity, and connection. Moving between both roles has given her a unique understanding of storytelling and the collaborative process that brings creative visions to life. Away from commercial assignments, Rachael spends her time outdoors and pursuing personal projects, often working with a large format film camera passed down from her uncle. For her, photography is about slowing down, being present, and reconnecting with the foundations of the craft. In This Episode: • Rachael's journey as a photographer, model, and director • Photographing adventure stories in Chile and Colombia • Working with brands including The North Face, Mobil 1, and Visit Utah • How modeling influences her approach to photography • The value of vulnerability and human connection in storytelling • Shooting with large format film and slowing down the creative process • Balancing commercial work with personal passion projects • Finding joy, curiosity, and play through creativity Visit Rachael: Instagram: @rachael.galipo Threads: @rachael.galipo Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 77 - Danielle L. & Caroline Goldstein: Photography, Storytelling & The Art of Transience | 26 Nov 2025 | 01:06:27 | |
What happens when photography and writing come together to tell a story neither medium could tell alone? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Danielle L. Goldstein and Caroline Goldstein, two creatives whose collaboration beautifully bridges photography and storytelling. Based in New York City, Danielle L. Goldstein is a photographer whose work has been exhibited in galleries around the world and featured in numerous photography publications. Her photographs are held in the permanent collection of the Museum of the City of New York. Guided by intuition, observation, and emotional honesty, Danielle creates images that invite viewers to pause, reflect, and connect with the fleeting moments that define our lives. Joining her is Caroline Goldstein, writer, editor, and author of The Wayside (published under Caroline Wolff). A graduate of New York University's MFA Fiction program and former creative writing instructor, Caroline brings a literary perspective rooted in precision, emotion, and thoughtful narrative craft. Together, they created Transience, Danielle's debut monograph. More than a photography book, Transience is a collaboration where photographs and words exist in conversation with one another. Danielle shapes the visual language while Caroline gives voice to the imagery, creating a body of work that explores memory, impermanence, place, longing, and the moments that quietly shape our lives. In This Episode: • The creative partnership behind Transience • How photography and writing strengthen one another • Exploring memory, impermanence, and human connection through art • Building a shared visual and literary language • The role of observation and intuition in the creative process • Why storytelling matters across different artistic mediums • Creating meaningful work in a fast-moving world • The intersection of photography, literature, and personal narrative Visit Danielle: Instagram: @dgold911 Threads: @dgold911 Web: www.daniellelgoldstein.com Book: Transience Visit Caroline: Instagram: @cari_lara Book: The Wayside Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 76 - Joe Wakefield: Mountain Bike Photography, Community & Documenting MTB Culture from Within | 20 Nov 2025 | 01:06:27 | |
What happens when you stop photographing a culture from the outside and become part of it? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Joe Wakefield, an award-winning mountain bike and events photographer based in Squamish, British Columbia, whose work has become synonymous with the energy, creativity, and community that define mountain biking in the Sea to Sky corridor. Originally from England, Joe made the move to British Columbia in search of adventure, opportunity, and connection. What he found was something much deeper, a community built around shared experiences, progression, creativity, and a passion for life on two wheels. Whether he's photographing local trail builders, grassroots events, backcountry adventures, or world-class competitions, Joe approaches every story as a participant rather than an observer. His intimate understanding of the sport allows him to create photographs that feel authentic, honest, and deeply connected to the people he photographs. His work has earned international recognition through awards and competitions including Crankworx Deep Summer, the Sony World Photography Awards, International Photography Awards, One Eyeland Awards, HIPA, and recognition as one of the Top 35 Photographers in Canada by the 35 Awards. In This Episode: • Joe's journey from England to Squamish, British Columbia • Finding belonging through mountain biking and photography • Documenting the culture and community behind the sport • Capturing movement, emotion, and environment in a single image • Photographing grassroots events, trail builders, and elite athletes • The evolution of mountain bike photography • Why authenticity matters in storytelling • Building relationships within the riding community • Creativity, progression, and finding purpose through visual storytelling Featured Recognition: • Crankworx Deep Summer • Sony World Photography Awards • International Photography Awards • One Eyeland Awards • HIPA Shortlist • 35 Awards – Top 35 Photographers in Canada Visit Joe: Instagram: @joewakefield Threads: @joewakefield Web: www.jbwphotos.ca Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 75 - Mirae Campbell: Adventure Photography, Authentic Storytelling & Building a Purpose-Driven Creative Life | 12 Nov 2025 | 01:12:07 | |
What makes a photograph feel alive? For Mirae Campbell, it's not just about the action, the location, or even the light. It's about connection. On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with adventure and action sports photographer Mirae Campbell, a visual storyteller whose work captures the authentic moments that often happen between the headlines, between the tricks, and between the adventures. Based in Squamish, British Columbia, Mirae has built a career documenting the people, places, and experiences that define life in the mountains, forests, oceans, and communities of the Pacific Northwest. A self-taught photographer, adventurer, and creative entrepreneur, Mirae's journey is a testament to what can happen when passion, persistence, and curiosity come together. Her work has attracted collaborations with some of the world's most recognized brands, including Burton Snowboards, Red Bull, Tourism Whistler, tentree, and many others. Yet despite her impressive portfolio, Mirae remains grounded in what matters most: people, relationships, and authentic storytelling. Whether she's photographing athletes deep in the backcountry, documenting life along the coast, or capturing quiet moments within a community, her images reflect a deep appreciation for human connection and the natural world. In This Episode: • Mirae's journey as a self-taught photographer and storyteller • Growing up surrounded by nature and adventure in British Columbia • How surfing and snowboarding continue to influence her creativity • Building a career in adventure and action sports photography • Working with brands like Red Bull, Burton, Tourism Whistler, and tentree • The mentors who helped shape her creative path • Why human connection is at the center of her photography • Finding balance between commercial work and personal storytelling • Creating a purpose-driven life through creativity Mirae's story is a powerful reminder that success is often built one authentic connection at a time. Visit Mirae: Instagram: @miraecampbell Web: www.miraecampbell.com Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 74 - Ryne Hancock: New Orleans, Street Photography & Preserving Culture Through Community | 11 Nov 2025 | 00:53:16 | |
What does it mean to photograph a place you truly belong to? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Ryne Hancock, a New Orleans-based photographer, DJ at WTUL, and visual storyteller whose work is deeply rooted in community, culture, and presence. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Ryne found his way to New Orleans and discovered a city whose rhythm, traditions, and people would profoundly shape both his life and his photography. Through his projects shared on @rynewashere and @shotsbyryne, he documents second line parades, neighborhood gatherings, local traditions, and the everyday moments that give New Orleans its unmistakable heartbeat. For Ryne, photography is not about observing from a distance. It's about participation. It's about showing up. It's about earning trust and documenting culture with care, respect, and understanding. His images offer a powerful look at the people and traditions that continue to define one of America's most culturally rich cities. Rather than chasing spectacle, Ryne focuses on authenticity, preserving moments that reveal the spirit, resilience, and beauty of community life. In this conversation, we explore photography, music, identity, belonging, and the responsibility that comes with documenting culture from within. In This Episode: • Ryne's journey from Memphis to New Orleans • Photographing second lines and neighborhood traditions • The responsibility of documenting culture with respect • How community shapes meaningful photography • The connection between music, movement, and visual storytelling • Working as a DJ at WTUL and its influence on creativity • The importance of presence and participation • Finding belonging through photography • Preserving culture for future generations Whether you're a photographer, artist, musician, or someone fascinated by the stories that live within neighborhoods and communities, Ryne's perspective offers a powerful reminder that the most meaningful images often come from genuine connection. Visit Ryne: Instagram: @rynewashere Threads: @rynewashere Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||
| Ep 73 - Brett Devloo (TBK) & Hippie Mike: Skateboarding, Resilience, Community & Finding Your Line | 07 Nov 2025 | 00:57:49 | |
What happens when life presents obstacles most people would see as impossible? For Brett Devloo, known to many as "TBK – The Blind Kid," the answer has never been to stop. It's been to keep moving forward. On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Brett Devloo and Hippie Mike for a powerful conversation about resilience, skateboarding, creativity, community, and the people who help us discover what's possible. Brett is a visually impaired musician, songwriter, professional skateboarder, and motivational speaker from Aldergrove, British Columbia. His story is one of determination, courage, and refusing to let limitations define his future. Through music, skateboarding, and public speaking, Brett has built a life centered around possibility rather than restriction. His journey is now being documented in the upcoming film Blind Corners, a project that explores what it means to pursue your dreams when the world constantly underestimates what you're capable of achieving. Joining Brett is Hippie Mike, a lifelong skateboarder, mentor, community builder, and owner of HMI Skate Park in Hope, British Columbia. For decades, Mike has dedicated himself to creating spaces where people feel welcomed, supported, and encouraged to grow. Through skateboarding, coaching, and mentorship, he has impacted countless lives, including helping guide and support some of Canada's most respected skateboarders, including Andy Anderson. In This Episode: • Brett's journey as a visually impaired skateboarder, musician, and speaker • The story behind the upcoming documentary Blind Corners • Overcoming obstacles and refusing to accept limitations • How skateboarding became a vehicle for confidence and self-expression • Hippie Mike's role in building community through skateboarding • The importance of mentorship and creating safe spaces • The impact of HMI Skate Park on generations of skaters • Finding identity through creativity and movement • Why community can change the course of a life Visit Brett: Instagram: @tbktheblindkid Facebook: TBK - The Blind Kid Documentary: BLIND CORNER – THE TBKHMI STORY Visit Hippie Mike: Instagram: Visit The Show: Show Partner: Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Save on Harlowe Lighting The P.H.Y.S Podcast exists because of listeners like you. Every contribution helps us continue sharing meaningful stories from photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world. | |||