Explore every episode of the podcast The MOOD Podcast
Dive into the complete episode list for The MOOD Podcast. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Title
Pub. Date
Duration
What If a Photographer’s Fear of Failure Isn’t Fear at All? Psychologist Zahra Ciardi Explains
22 oct. 2026
01:08:03
I'm joined again by Zahra Ciardi, a registered psychologist and the founder of Ascendant Bali, for a second conversation about the psychology behind photography and creativity. We talk about what happens when a photographer's identity becomes fused with their work, and why that turns making, editing, sharing and feedback into a constant threat. We also talk about how to hold a sense of self that is clear but flexible. Zahra explains the difference between creating from the wound and creating from wholeness, why healing can mean grieving the emotional charge your photographs once carried, and how to train attention, presence and boredom tolerance when the world runs on 6-second focus.
If criticism of your photography feels like a verdict on who you are, this conversation may helps you how to separate yourself from your work so you can create it, finish it and share it again.
Other things we discussed:
The chameleon effect: borrowing pieces of everyone around you when your sense of self is empty
Non-attachment, and being the blue sky behind the rainbows and the rain
What gives a photograph its charge
The Body Keeps the Score, and small ways to practise presence
Shame, the defectiveness schema and the 3 ways we cope: surrender, avoidance and overcompensation
MDR, schema therapy, compassion focused therapy and internal family systems
The question Zahra would ask to open the door to all of this inner work
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Q&A: Why Your Photos Might Feel Stagnant (And How to Fix It) - Moments of Mood, 4.2
15 oct. 2026
00:51:28
This is a Q&A with questions sent in by photographers from my community. I answer whether your audience needs to understand your photography, if a project shot in a few days can have real depth, how to deal with perfectionism, the small steps behind my own work that nobody saw, and what to do when your work feels stagnant.
If your photography feels stuck or you can’t say what it’s about, some of these answers might help.
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Why Photobooks Will Outlast the Internet - Matthew Genitempo (Part 2)
08 oct. 2026
01:11:21
THIS IS PART 2 OF A 2 PART CONVERSATION WITH MATTHEW GENITEMPO.
In Part 2 of my conversation with photographer and publisher Matthew Genitempo, we go deep into his photobooks Mother of Dogs and Dogbreath, and into Trespasser, the small press he runs with Bryan Schutmaat and Cody Haltom. We talk about making Mother of Dogs on lockdown walks, why its pages are held together with packing tape, and the 3 smashed pennies on the cover. Then we turn to Dogbreath: photographing teenagers in the heat, and Dove, the boy whose words narrate a photobook he never appears in. Matthew also shares what he has learned about self-publishing, how Trespasser decides which books to make, and why he keeps his photography close to his chest until it is ready.
In the second half of our chat you might just learn how to stop forcing your photography projects and let them find their own shape, and how to get a photobook into the world when no publisher is waiting for you.
Other things we discussed:
Why lockdown was a gift for him and his wife Ada
How Trespasser started between friends
Portfolio reviews, and shifting your expectations about book deals
Why the photobook world is more reachable than it looks
Pacing a photobook so people slow down
The dead internet theory and the future of photobooks
His 1 piece of advice for emerging photographers
Listen to part one here: https://youtu.be/5io0kDgrdcs
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
If You Still Question Your Photography, You Are Not Alone, So Does Matthew Genitempo (Part 1)
01 oct. 2026
01:04:53
THIS IS PART 1 OF A 2 PART CONVERSATION WITH MATTHEW GENITEMPO.
I sat down with photographer Matthew Genitempo, the graphic designer turned photographer and publisher behind the photobooks Jasper, Mother of Dogs and Dogbreath.
In part one we go deep into Jasper, the photobook he made largely in the forests of the Ozarks as his MFA thesis at the University of Hartford: the critique that told him to stay in one place, the Frank Stanford poems that shaped how he saw the landscape, the men who had cut themselves off from society, and how throwing out his shot lists and learning to shoot a slow large format camera fast changed his photography.
If you're a photographer who keeps getting in your own way, your work feels scattered, or your most carefully planned pictures keep coming back flat, Matthew shows what can happen when you stop forcing it, dropping the idea of what your photography should be and trusting it to find its own way.
Other things we discussed:
Why the photographs that interest him most are the ones he doesn't remember taking
Moving from graphic design into photography
What Fugazi taught him about doing things his own way
The 5-minute critique that told him to keep going
The story behind the mysterious animal photograph everyone asks about
Why he sees Jasper as fiction rather than documentary
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Andrea Modica's answer to the question every photographer asks eventually: what's the point? E134
24 sept. 2026
01:00:39
I sat down with Andrea Modica, the ‘Italian Story’ photographer (as well many other books) who has made every photograph since 1980 with an 8x10 view camera and prints all her work herself. Andrea studied with Richard Benson at Yale, teaches photography at Drexel University, and has just published ‘Italian Story’ with L'Artiere, 40 personal years of large format photographs made in and about Italy.
We talked about what makes a good photograph and why complexity matters more than beauty, how the 8x10 camera changes both the pictures and the way people behave in front of it, why she hands her editing and sequencing to people like Larry Fink, who curated her book 'As We Wait', and why she believes photography is a profession that is largely about failure.
Other things we discussed:
Why she left painting and sculpture for the rules of the large format camera
Loading film holders as a grounding ritual inside a process full of unknowns
Doing everything by hand, from developing by inspection to platinum printing, and why she never hires assistants
Teaching analog photography to 18 and 20 year olds who want it
Editing Italian Story from hundreds of negatives down to about 70 photographs
The personal stories inside the book that the viewer will never know
Larry Fink's foreword to As We Wait: sensual love aligned with darkness
Why the print still matters in a world of screens and AI
The myth of the suffering artist, and why trauma alone isn't complex
Living inside the confusion of unfinished work
Andrea has 2 exhibitions showing in New York: Catholic Girl at AMR Art DUMBO, Brooklyn, until 22 October 2026, and Italian Story at the Alice Austen House, Staten Island, until February 2027. Andrea will also be signing books at the L'Artiere table at Paris Photo on Saturday 14 November at 4pm.
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Your Worst Thoughts Arrive Dressed as Your Best Ideas - Moments of Mood, 4.1
17 sept. 2026
00:18:42
In this week’s Moments of Mood episode, you’ll learn why I believe meditation is the most direct route to a photographic voice that is unmistakably yours, and exactly what it does to your attention, your creativity and the way you see.
I make the full case for meditation as a photography practice. I share my own history with depression, anxiety, loneliness and cancer, the years of therapies and frameworks that never stuck, and how Sam Harris's Waking Up finally gave me a tool I could use anywhere, in any state. I break down what the research says about a meditating brain: the Harvard study showing our minds wander almost half the time we're awake, the 8-week programmes that change grey matter density, and the studies linking open, receptive meditation directly to divergent thinking, the mode where new photography ideas come from. Then I explain why your voice cannot be built, only noticed, and why that makes attention the whole discipline.
Other things I talk about:
The 10-breath test most photographers will fail
Why meditation is not about emptying your mind or ignoring your thoughts
How to tell a useful idea from noise wearing an idea's clothing
Being present as a photographic skill nobody teaches
The honest caveats: what meditation will not do for your photographs
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Richard Sharum On 600 Deaths And His New Book 'American Homicide', E132
10 sept. 2026
01:51:27
In this week’s podcast episode you'll learn why the photographs you're most proud of are probably the ones hiding you, and what a documentary photographer who has stood at 600 deaths says it actually costs to make work that changes something.
I sat down with Richard Sharum, the American documentary photographer behind Campesino Cuba, Spina Americana and the forthcoming American Homicide, all published by GOST Books, to talk about photography as an act of empathy, why he believes the photo industry has abandoned the general public, and what happened to him after a year embedded with 4 homicide squads and 8 prisons. We go from his childhood in a mixed-race, low-income Texas neighbourhood to the night police framed him at 16, the week in a children's cancer ward that raised over $1,000,000, the Magnum editor who threw out 45 of his 50 best Cuba photographs, and the depression that stopped him shooting for a while. Richard is direct about team mirror versus team window, about why he refuses to go to Paris Photo, and about the sacrifice he tells every student to expect before they pick up a camera for documentary work.
Other things we discussed:
Why he says photography was invented too early in our evolution
Hurricane Katrina, 7 months after everyone left
Cancer as an equaliser: a $10,000,000 house next to a trailer park
Objectivity is a fallacy; photographing like jazz
The grocery store practice for connection
Childhood photos of victims and murderers in the same book
The image is the receipt, not the experience
The famous photographer who admitted lying for access
How a documentary photographer actually earns money
Of Thee I Sing: the American trilogy and American Avenue (2028)
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Work Does Not Speak For Itself - Moments of Mood, 4.0
03 sept. 2026
00:12:59
In this week’s Moments of Mood episode, you'll learn the 4 questions curators, juries, and publishers silently ask about every photography project, and how to answer them in 100 words so your work actually gets seen.
I take apart the idea that photography speaks for itself, starting with the Vivian Maier story everyone gets backwards, and share what Shana Lopes, photography curator at SFMOMA, told me she actually needs to hear from an artist: why she has to defend every acquisition in front of a committee, her test of whether she can write about a project, and why "I just thought it looked good" ends the conversation. Then I get into the difference between explaining an image and articulating a body of work, and why keeping the mystery in your pictures means taking it out of your artist statement.
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Why Should Anyone Care About Your Photography? Shana Lopes, E130
27 août 2026
00:58:25
Learn exactly what an SFMOMA photography curator looks for, what she passes over, and how to get your work seen without an MFA, a gallery, or a 6-paragraph artist statement.
I sat down with Shana Lopes, Assistant Curator of Photography at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), to find out how photography actually enters a museum collection. Shana has worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Center for Creative Photography, holds a PhD in the history of photography, and has spent over 7 years at SFMOMA curating exhibitions, acquiring work, and reviewing portfolios.
We talked about how a curator decides which photographs get remembered, why she needs to be able to write about your work before she can acquire it, the one question every photography project has to answer, and the practical advice she gives emerging photographers trying to get exhibited, published, or noticed.
Other things we discussed:
What a curator actually does day to day, from wall texts to installation choreography
Why she thinks about exhibition layouts musically
Curating photobooks versus curating walls, and why she reads books from the back
Trends in museum photography, and whether documentary is disappearing
How to write an artist statement a jury will actually read
Portfolio reviews: what to bring, what not to say, and when to come back
Why an MFA isn't necessary but a community is
AI, analog revival, and the art schools closing in San Francisco
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Stop Explaining Your Photographs - Moments of Mood, 3.9
20 août 2026
00:14:39
In this Moments of Mood episode, I get into the question of whether we as photographers should explain our images or let them try and ‘speak for themselves’, why the readings you want to correct are actually a map to your photographic voice, and the two gaps every photograph has to cross, from Garry Winogrand's famous riddle to a passage in 'Art & Fear' by David Bayles and Ted Orland that reframes the distance between what you intended, what you made, and what people see.
Other things I mention:
The moment someone misreads your photo and the correction rises up in your chest
Why you're the one person who can't see your own work cold
Repeated "wrong" readings as a pattern, not noise
What happens if both gaps close completely, and whether a perfect photograph would be worth looking at
Explaining an image versus articulating a body of work, and why timing is the difference
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Why Your Photos Are Boring - Photographer David Chancellor Explains..., E128
13 août 2026
01:18:09
On this episode, I sat down with David Chancellor, the award-winning documentary photographer behind ‘Hunters’, ‘Handle Like Eggs’, and the Taylor Wessing Prize-winning portrait ‘Huntress with Buck’, for a conversation about the moral grey areas of documentary photography, trophy hunting, wildlife conservation. David has spent decades photographing human-wildlife coexistence across Africa, sleeping beside trophy hunters for weeks at a time, documenting leopard hunting in Namibia that was later stopped, and turning the personal cost of that work, including the collapse of his marriage, into his most intimate project.
We talked about how beauty gets people to look at what they'd rather turn away from, why access matters more than gear, how a photographer builds trust over years instead of parachuting in, and his current project rewilding the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the National Center for Wildlife.
Watch this conversation and you'll understand how just one photograph can open a dialogue that could end an questionable pastime, and what it costs the person holding the camera.
Other things we discussed:
Getting fired from foreign exchange dealing and talking his way into photography school with "below average" work
The lion breeder who learned to see light and made the phone call behind the Taylor Wessing photo
If it pays, it stays: the brutal economics of wildlife conservation
The gamekeeper in Scotland whose hands kill deer and delivered his own son
Whether he has gone numb after decades of watching animals die
Photographing the birth, death, and compensation politics of community conservation in Kenya
David Attenborough, his front door key, and the cost of a legendary life
Film versus digital, the Mamiya 7, and why he shoots one consistent format
AI, authenticity, and what photography loses when everything becomes content
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
One Photograph Is All You Get Now, and Why That's Good News for Photographers - Moments of Mood, 3.8
06 août 2026
00:10:34
Attention has collapsed, and every photographer feels it. In this Moments of Mood episode, I make the case that this might be the best thing to happen to serious photography in a generation. You'll learn why the photographers who matter from here on won't be the ones who make the most, they'll be the ones who compress the best: one photograph dense enough to stop a stranger mid-scroll and earn the second look. I break down what has actually broken in visual culture (the capacity to stay, not the capacity to look), why posting more is a hiding place, and how a single ambassador image is the doorway that gets your photobook, sequence, and body of work found. ___________________________
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Odette England Answers Every Photographer's Worst Fear, E126
30 juil. 2026
01:38:53
Odette Englandmakes her photographs and then damages them, and this conversation is about why that is the most honest thing she has ever done with her voice.
Odette is an Australian artist, writer and photography professor at Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University, whose latest book Isn't X Beautiful is an autobiographical reckoning with family, memory and the limits of what a photograph can hold.
We talk about growing up on a 200 acre dairy farm in rural South Australia where her father made Polaroid portraits of newborn calves for their birth certificates and her mother typed captions into family albums, and how those 2 modes of picture keeping shaped everything she has made since. We go into her definition of beauty, which is broken, rusty and forlorn rather than pretty, the year she asked her elderly parents to walk their lost farm with her negatives strapped to the soles of their shoes, why she believes photography is drenched in want, and what writing gives her that photography cannot.
Odette talks openly about doubt, about being the least confident person in her own practice, about the drawers of failed work she now calls her box of potentials, and about the daily sentence habit that turned into something she never intended. We finish inside the critique room, on the questions she asks photographers who bring her work they cannot yet explain.
Other things we discussed:
Being refused entry to her school darkroom because she was a girl
Being the only woman in her class
Why the letter X sits at the centre of her book, and why the title ends in an exclamation mark
The 170 English words for the act of seeing
The folly of memory, wrong captions, and choosing to remember the fiction
Her image-based retelling of Susan Sontag's On Photography
Why she thinks moving forward is not always the right next step
What she sees in students of every age that worries her most
Find Odette on her website and Instagram: https://www.odetteengland.com https://www.instagram.com/odetteengland ___________________________________________________
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
How To Find Your Voice Without Building a Signature Style - Moments of Mood, 3.7
23 juil. 2026
00:16:49
In this Moments of Mood episode I sit with a single photograph from my own archive, one I made by accident in under ten seconds, and use it to unpack an idea Cristina Mittermeiergave me: that the photographer is not a messenger but a membrane, a semi-permeable skin whose job is to let a conversation pass between the subject and the stranger who will one day stand in front of the print. I look at why the pressure to have a signature style is muting your photography, why your creative voice is not a possession you transmit but the shape of what you let through, and how ego, not lack of talent, is what fragments an emerging photographer's work.
There's a version of your portfolio where every frame is competent, consistent, technically strong, and somehow says nothing, and if you already know which images I mean, this episode is about why that happens and what your voice actually is instead.
I also get into the book launch that turned Cristina from marine biologist into one of the most seen photographers alive, why technically flawless photographs can be strangely silent, the unnamed photographer whose prints sell the man rather than the animal, the division of labor between vanishing inside the frame and showing up loudly outside it, why a style can be copied by a preset pack while permeability cannot, and a one-frame practice to try this week.
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Trent Davis Bailey: Every Photographer Hits The Wrong Notes Before Finding Their Voice, E124
16 juil. 2026
01:47:33
Trent Davis Bailey spent 7 years photographing a remote farming valley in Colorado, convinced he was making documentary work. He wasn't. The pictures knew before he did: he was searching for the family he'd lost to a twenty-year estrangement, and by the end of The North Fork he had found his aunt, his cousins, and the woman who became his wife. Then he turned the camera toward something far harder. His new photobook Son Pictures, published by Chose Commune, reckons with the crash of United Flight 232, the disaster that killed his mother when he was 3 years old, through his own photographs, family snapshots, newspaper archives, and the eerily premonitory artworks his mother made as a girl, including a drawing of a plane falling from the sky, made decades before she boarded one.
This is a conversation for any photographer who has ever suspected their work is about something they haven't admitted yet. We follow how a photography project becomes a mirror, how a photobook gets edited and sequenced when your heart is too close to the pictures, and how grief, memory and image-making feed each other over a decade of work.
Other things we discussed:
Being tied to a tree for his first ever photographs, and why he's glad the negatives were destroyed
The camera as a passport for a shy kid, and photography as a search for belonging
Why he hides many of his subjects' faces, and the 4-foot constraint that shaped The North Fork
Editing 60 pictures down to 46 with Trespasser, and handing his grief to the right publisher
Rebecca Solnit's essay, walking as a way of seeing, and why "capture" is the wrong word for photography
Watching a Hollywood reenactment of the crash at 7 years old, and how cinema colonises memory
Becoming a father, and the New York Times op-ed that revealed what Son Pictures was really about
Humor as an antidote to grief, and protecting play inside the heaviest work
Robert Adams, reusing photographs across books, and what follows a decade-long project
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
The One Skill That Actually Makes Photography Beautiful (It's Not Composition) - Moments of Mood, 3.6
09 juil. 2026
00:22:32
In this episode you'll discover why beauty in photography is made by your attention, not found in your subjects, and how reading your own form reveals the photographic voice you've been searching for elsewhere.
In this Moments of Mood, I sit with one idea from my recent conversation with photographer and writer Tim Carpenter: that beauty in a photograph is form, not subject matter. Drawing on Robert Adams' book ‘Beauty in Photography’ and Tim's book ‘To Photograph Is to Learn How to Die’, I unpack what form actually is, why we have a bodily response to it, and how the way you meet the world is pressed invisibly into every frame you make. If you're an emerging photographer struggling to find your voice or make cohesive work, this one reframes where beauty, and your signature, actually live.
Other things we discussed:
Why photographs of beautiful subjects can still feel empty
Tim Carpenter's confession about being subject matter driven early in his career
Robert Adams on form as an answer to the fear that life is chaos
Why the most moving photographs hold together barely, not perfectly
How your body decides the photograph before you do
Mindfulness and attention as trainable photographic skills
A practical assignment for photographing the most ordinary place in your life
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
The Inner Voice That Stops You Taking the Photo And Lies to Every Photographer, with Rory King - E122
02 juil. 2026
01:20:30
If you have ever felt technically capable but creatively lost, this conversation shows you how one photographer turned a decade of pictures, and the hardest years of his life, into a body of work that is unmistakably his own.
In this episode I sit down with Rory King, an Australian photographer who works in black and white, prints by hand in the darkroom, and turned 10 years of images into his photobook 'Gumsucker', published by Charcoal Press after he won the 2023 Charcoal Publishing Prize at the Chico Review. We talk about how photography found him, the darkroom as an emotional practice, his mental health struggles that nearly ended his life, and what it actually takes to find your own photographic voice.
Other things we discussed:
Why he refuses to scan film and prints everything by hand
Photographing the same friends for over 10 years
Handing close to 2,000 scans to his publisher and not seeing Gumsucker until years later
The bushrangers and Ned Kelly project he first presented at Chico
Whether the photography and publishing world is elitist and gatekept
How to share your work and find community
The role of family, friends, and sad music in his recovery
Momentum, and why taking the picture matters more than the picture itself
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
What Koudelka's Photos Show Photographers About Finding Their Voice in the Age of AI - Moments of Mood, 3.5
25 juin 2026
00:16:24
In this solo episode of Moments of Mood, you'll learn why the flood of AI images is about to make real, human photography more valuable, not less, and how to find the voice that's unmistakably yours.
I break down what AI really means for emerging photographers, starting with VSCO's "your eye can't be generated" campaign and the paradox that the same company also builds the AI tools and sells the reassurance back to you.
Drawing on Josef Koudelka's legendary photographs, the "revenge of the humanities," and his own work in a disappearing place, I argue that the crisis was/is never AI, it was handing the verdict on your work to everything outside yourself, and that scarcity, taste, and lived experience are about to become a photographer's most valuable assets.
Other touch points in this commentary:
Why your photography voice feels fragmented, and the real reason behind it
The 2am fear that your eye might be "ordinary"
Why a machine can render anything but can't be the witness
What an AI company founder says about the value of the humanities
The single reflection to find the one photograph that's truly yours
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Why Photographer Ridwan Didot Asks Every Artist "What's Wrong With You?", E120
18 juin 2026
01:20:28
In this episode you'll learn how to tell whether your photography is actually art, why chasing technical perfection is holding your work back, and how to develop a photographic voice that's unmistakably your own.
This week Matt chats with Ridwan Didot, a fine art documentary and wedding photographer from Indonesia who runs the studio Native Visual and approaches commercial work with the eye and patience of a documentarian.
We get into one of the oldest debates in photography, whether there's such a thing as photography that is art and photography that isn't, and where that line actually sits. Ridwan shares why a photograph that still works in 50 years matters more than one that just looks good today, how 6 years photographing his own grandparents trained his eye more than any client job, and why he believes copying another photographer, or even copying your own past work, is genuinely impossible.
This is a conversation about intention, sensitivity, function over aesthetics, and the slow work of finding a creative voice that's truly yours.
Other things we discussed:
Why your mother's old family photos might teach you more than any workshop
The "demolition" theory of creativity: learning to construct a photo so you can destroy it
What Rick Rubin's The Creative Act gets right about making work without needing approval
How Diane Arbus reframed the relationship between the subject and the photograph
Why insecurity, used honestly, can be a tool rather than a weakness
Alfred Adler, the "neutral position", and how psychology shapes the photographer
The Photographer's Playbook and the danger of photographing feelings badly
Why the love and care you put into a frame is visible in the final image
The one question Ridwan asks every artist he meets
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Your Body Decides the Photograph Before You Do - Photographer Tim Carpenter, E119
11 juin 2026
01:40:41
Matt sits down with photographer, writer, and educator Tim Carpenter, author of 'To Photograph Is to Learn How to Die' and photobooks such as 'Local Objects', 'Little' and 'Christmas Day, Bucks Pond Road', for a deep conversation on the philosophy beneath the photographic image.
In this episode you will learn a way to understand why the form of a photograph, not its subject, is where its meaning and beauty actually live, and how working with a camera can teach you to make peace with a world that will never bend to your wishes.
We explore the 'broken self' and the gap between the real and the ideal, why form is everything that is not in front of the camera, the difference between the depicted and the detected, how the body and the camera move through the world as a single instrument, why beauty in a photograph is a fleeting moment of equilibrium, and how a photographer can build a meaningful body of work and a real audience without chasing scale.
Other things we discussed:
Why great art resists interpretation, and the ethics of meeting a subject as something singular
The exposure test that reveals whether you truly care about form
How Tim moved from being subject-matter driven to understanding structure
Reading his own emotional distance in the photographs of Local Objects
The pinned butterfly problem in portrait photography
What Robert Adams wrote in a two-page handwritten letter
Why Susan Sontag and Roland Barthes may not help working photographers
The anti-solipsism machine, and how the camera refuses your projections
The loss behind Bucks Pond Road and the books that became a loose trilogy
Why you do not need a big audience to make work that matters
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Matt talks with psychologist Zahra Ciardi, founder of Ascendant Bali, to explore the inner life of the creative person: why so many photographers feel their work isn't truly theirs, the limiting beliefs that keep artists stuck, and how to put your work into the world without being ruled by validation.
By the end of this episode you'll understand why your photography stops feeling like yours, and what it takes to create from your true self instead of your need to be seen.
Zahra works in trauma recovery and peak performance, and she breaks down the psychology of high achievers, the anatomy of avoidance, the inner critic, and how childhood shapes the way we create as adults.
Other things discussed:
The "bus" model of the self and why the inner critic ends up driving
Highly sensitive people and why creatives feel everything so intensely
Over-diagnosis, self-diagnosis, and the bigger problem of under-treatment
Self-neutrality as the realistic first step before self-love
Graded exposure for photographers afraid to share their work
Using social media intentionally instead of being used by it
Whether healing costs you your creative edge
How childhood memory is stored in the body, not just the mind
The single values exercise Zahra says works every time
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Cristina Mittermeier Explains Why Being A Good Photographer Isn't Enough Anymore, E117
28 mai 2026
01:44:27
Cristina Mittermeier is a National Geographic photographer, co-founder of SeaLegacy, and author of "Hope." Her work has been featured in National Geographic's series "Photographer" and in publications around the world. Cristinais the photographer who coined the term "conservation photography," co-founded SeaLegacy, and made the starving polar bear image seen by an estimated 2.5 billion people.
In this episode Matt and Cristina discuss how to find your photographic voice that actually means something, why a point of view separates an artist from a craftsman, and the one principle Cristina has built her life around: to show up.
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
The One Question That Helped Rich-Joseph Facun Find His Photographic Voice, E116
14 mai 2026
01:26:13
In this episode, Matt sits down with Rich-Joseph Facun, a celebrated American documentary photographer, former photojournalist of 15 years, and founder of the independent publishing imprint Liars Corner.
In this conversation we discuss his three monographs: Black Diamonds, Little Cities, and 1804, the ethics of street and portrait photography, photographing strangers in Trump-era Appalachia, walking away from photojournalism, finding your photographic voice, and why the global photo book industry urgently needs more marginalised and Indigenous voices.
Other things we discussed:
Street portraiture, approaching strangers, and consent in documentary photography
Growing up in a Southern Baptist military family and door-to-door evangelism as training for portrait work
Photographing Trump-supporting Appalachia as a person of colour with a trans child
The viral portrait of a stranger with a damaged forehead tattoo crying on the street
Quitting photojournalism after 15 years and the identity crisis that followed
Why he stopped using Rembrandt lighting and the decisive moment in his portrait work
How to find your photographic voice after mastering the craft
Self-publishing a photo book vs pitching to independent publishers
The making of Black Diamonds, Little Cities, and 1804
Launching Liars Corner as an Indigenous-owned photo book imprint in Appalachia
Elitism, gatekeeping, and barriers to entry inside the global photo book publishing industry
Mentoring emerging documentary photographers and funding their first monographs
Why awards, accolades, and staff photographer positions stopped mattering
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Pricing, Prestige & The Business Of Photography - Miriam Schulman, E115
29 avr. 2026
00:56:38
In this episode, Matt sits down with Miriam Schulman, professional artist, art business coach, host of the Inspiration Place podcast, and bestselling author of Artpreneur (HarperCollins). Miriam left Wall Street after 9/11 to build a six-figure art business and now teaches photographers, painters, and visual artists how to price their work, sell art online, attract collectors, and build a sustainable photography business without relying on social media. In this conversation we cover photography pricing strategies, how to sell prints at higher prices, the psychology behind luxury art buyers, why charm pricing kills photography sales, how photographers can find art collectors, the truth about Instagram engagement rates for artists, AI's impact on professional photography, and how to transition from hobbyist photographer to full-time professional.
So if you are learning how to make money as a photographer, how to price photography prints, or how to build a photography business in 2026, this episode delivers the frameworks Miriam uses with her six-figure photography and art coaching clients.
Other things we discussed:
How to price photography prints using prestige pricing instead of charm pricing
The belief triad every photographer needs to sell high-ticket prints
Signal excavation: how photographers find their unique artistic voice
How to build an email list as a photographer (and why it beats Instagram)
The $40 champagne pricing study and what it means for photography sales
AI and photography: why photographers face more risk than painters
LinkedIn for photographers: the most underused platform for selling art
How to use local press and PR to sell photography prints
The five biggest mistakes photographers make when pricing their work
How to identify a production problem vs a pricing problem in your photography business
Why marketing matters most when you believe your photography matters
The wishy-washy pricing mistake that loses photographers paid bookings
Find Miriam and everything she offers on her website: https://www.schulmanart.com/ _______________________________________
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
The Psychological Trap Quietly Destroying Your Photography - Moments of Mood 3.4
22 avr. 2026
00:14:51
In this Moments of Mood episode of The MOOD Podcast, Matt returns after a road accident left him physically immobilised for several weeks, unable to photograph, travel, or work, and uses that enforced stillness to examine one of the quietest but most destructive reflexes in modern photography: the need for proof. What happens to your photography, and to you as a photographer, when the images you make never leave the hard drive? When the algorithm stops rewarding your work? When self-doubt creeps in because no one has seen the photograph yet?
Matt draws on a recent conversation with fellow photographer Pie Aerts, a decade-long meditation practice, and the uncomfortable weeks spent away from the camera, to ask whether photography is a destination we're trying to arrive at, or a pilgrimage we're already walking without realising it.
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Mark Power - 14 Years Photographing America, The Democracy of Photography & Why Stillness Matters More Than The Decisive Moment, E114
15 avr. 2026
01:32:28
In this episode, Matt sits down with Magnum photographer Mark Power for a wide-ranging conversation about long-term documentary photography, creative process, and what it means to spend 14 years photographing America as a foreigner. Mark discusses the origins of his landmark five-volume series 'Good Morning, America', why he's drawn to photographing the ordinary and overlooked rather than the spectacular, and how a woman quietly crying at a Don McCullin exhibition changed the trajectory of his entire career. From nearly quitting photography to becoming one of the most respected members of Magnum Photos, Mark shares honest reflections on self-doubt, creative longevity, and the discipline of looking slowly in a fast world.
Other things we discussed:
Why photography is more democratic than painting and what that means for artists today
The moment Mark's father finally validated his career, just before his death
How the Postcards from America project at Magnum evolved into a decade-long obsession
Why Mark believes the most exciting subjects make the worst photographs
His thoughts on the word "storytelling" and why he thinks it's lost all meaning
The stillness and silence he deliberately pursues in every image
Walking into a room of his heroes at Chico Review and expecting nobody to know his name
Why he spends far more time looking at photographs than making them
Editing and sequencing five books as a work in progress without knowing the ending
What's next: photographing Brighton by bus pass and an ambitious new project in China
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Chico Review, part 2 - What a Portfolio Review Taught Me About My Photography (That 10 Years Didn't)
10 avr. 2026
02:50:01
Listen to part one here Watch part one here ________________________
In Part 2 of this special Chico Review 2026 episode, Matt continues documenting his week inside one of photography's most respected portfolio review events. Featuring conversations with Odette England, Daniel Arnold, Tim Carpenter, Matthew Genitempo, Jesse Lenz, and Lindokuhle Sobekwa — plus fellow attendees pushing the edges of documentary, photobook, and fine art photography.
Notable topics:
What Jesse Lenz actually looks for as a publisher — and why finished work is a turn-off
Daniel Arnold on 13 years protecting his creative spark and why he dreads making books
Tim Carpenter's review philosophy: never say good picture or bad picture
Odette England on slow processing and what makes her eyes change during a review
Matt Genitempo's approach to giving reviews and spotting talent
The broken economic models of editorial, photobooks, and commercial photography
"Commercial documentary" as a survival strategy for photojournalists
How feedback on "poetry vs narrative" shifted one attendee's entire practice
A photographer who enrolled in photojournalism school at 48 after surviving cancer
Grief, bookmaking as chemistry lab, and dismantling perfectionism
Closing reflection on ego death, creative identity, and thinking about a project like music
Why the shutter is only 10% of the work — and what happens after
Practical advice for future Chico attendees: go deep, not wideListen to part one here
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
The Chico Review destroyed my confidence. Then built it back...
THIS IS PART 1 OF A 2 PART FEATURE ON CHICO REVIEW 2026 - SEE PART 2 NEXT WEEK.
I arrived at the Chico Review 2026 thinking my work was ready. 10 formal reviews, 25 reviewers and speakers, publishers, curators, photographers and more — I was scrapping half of it by the end of day one. This is the first installment of 2, about my honest experience on what happened, what I learned, and why I'd do it all again without hesitation.
In this video:
What the Chico Review actually is (and who it's for)
My 10 portfolio reviews: the breakthroughs, the brutal moments, and the one that made me cry
Why cohesion matters more than individual images
How the week changed my approach to sequencing, editing, and book-making
What my project looks like now vs. what I brought to the table on day 1.
About the Chico Review: The Chico Review is an annual photography portfolio review held in Chico Hot Springs, Montana. 80 photographers. Reviewers from Magnum, L'Artier, TIS Books, Deadbeat Club, Tresspasser, SFMOMA, The New Yorker, and many more. 6 days of formal reviews, informal conversations, and everything in between. It's one of the most respected portfolio review events in the world — and one of the most humbling.
If you're a photographer questioning your work, your direction, or whether feedback is worth seeking — this one's for you.
PART 2 DROPS NEXT WEEK — subscribe so you don't miss it. And for more deep, reflective photography conversations in the meantime, subscribe to The MOOD Podcast 🎙️
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Every Photo Is a Crime Scene - Brad Zellar on How He Reads Photography and Inspects an Image, E111
19 mars 2026
01:47:02
In this episode of The MOOD Podcast, I sit down with writer Brad Zellar, whose deep relationship to photography, photo books, storytelling, and visual culture makes this one of the most thought-provoking conversations I’ve had on the show. We talk about the future of photography, why obsession matters more than concept, the role of text in photo books, what makes an image unforgettable, how portfolio reviewers really think, and why the internet may be training a generation not to care about art in the same way.
Other things we discussed:
Brad’s childhood in a small working-class town and the library that changed his life
The photo books that first opened up the world for him
Why boredom, curiosity, and challenge shaped his creative mind
His collaborations with Alec Soth and how words and images can work together
What he looks for in photography portfolio reviews and artist statements
Why some photo projects feel alive and others feel forced
The difference between a strong print and a strong book edit
Why poetry rarely works inside photo books
The collapse of journalism and why Brad is more hopeful about photography than writing
The danger of fake online community and what in-person culture still gives us
Why print, books, and real-world encounters still matter more than ever
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Before You Improve Your Photography, Read Yourself First - Moments of Mood, 3.3
11 mars 2026
00:16:24
In this episode of Moments of Mood, I explore why self-awareness is the missing foundation behind meaningful photography. After spending a few days at a silent retreat in Bali, I began reflecting on something I’ve seen repeatedly in my own work, in conversations on the MOOD Podcast, and in our book club discussions. Many photographers spend years learning techniques, buying gear, and consuming endless education, yet still feel creatively stuck. The issue is rarely technical knowledge. More often, it’s a lack of self-awareness.
In this episode I explain how meditation and mindfulness changed the way I understand my own creative process. I talk about the difference between traction and distraction, why many forms of self-development can quietly pull us off course, and how photography often becomes a mirror of the person behind the camera.
Better photography doesn’t begin with better gear or more information. It begins with understanding what governs your attention. When you learn to observe your own patterns, impulses, and motivations more clearly, your work becomes more coherent, more intentional, and more authentic. Without that awareness, even the best technical knowledge rarely translates into meaningful work.
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
“25 Years With National Geographic” Joe McNally on What Photography Lost (And What It Gained) - E110
04 mars 2026
01:09:56
Joe McNally, legendary professional photographer best known for his work with National Geographic, Life, and major commercial clients, and for his mastery of lighting and flash, joins me on the show to discuss an array of topics.
We go deep on the future of photography, how the industry has changed from magazines to the digital era, what AI is really doing to trust in images, why craft is the foundation of art, and what separates a hobbyist from a working photographer through reproducible results, storytelling, and ethical responsibility.
Other things we discussed:
Why a truly great photograph can change you foreve
The camera as a “visa” and the privilege, access, and responsibility of photographing people
The collapse of durable editorial outlets and why modern campaigns disappear fast
How smartphone photography and in-house content have impacted rates and rights
Building a personal photography voice instead of copying lighting setups
Tenacity, failure tolerance, and why awards are “temporary”
What makes an image “good” and how to stop viewers mid-scroll with emotion
Research, rapport, and making subjects feel safe in portrait photography
Mentorship, gatekeeping, and why photography skills should be passed on
Food for the table vs food for the soul, and how photographers stay alive creatively
The isolation of the modern photography workflow and the loss of communal learning spaces
Find Joe on the following platforms: Website: https://joemcnally.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joemcnallyphoto Online Teaching Platform: https://betterpictureswithjoe.com
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
The Mindset of a Hasselblad Master Photographer - Tina Signesdottir, E109
19 févr. 2026
01:20:06
Tina Signesdottir is a Norwegian fine art portrait photographer and Hasselblad Master, known for natural light portraits with rare emotional intimacy. In her first ever podcast appearance, Tina speaks candidly about the origins of her work, the role photography played in survival and self-expression, and what it actually takes to build images that feel real in a world flooded with content.
We go deep on photographing with honesty, why relationship and trust are the invisible foundations of portraiture, and how Tina thinks about awards, rejection, and the pressure that follows recognition. Tina also shares how she directs people into stillness, why she avoids performance in front of the camera, and what she believes photographers must protect if they want a lasting voice.
Other topics we discussed:
Hasselblad Masters 2018 and what winning changed (and did not change)
Natural light portrait photography and “tracing” window light
Finding your photographic voice versus chasing style
Competitions, judging, and what makes an image stop a panel
Rejection, resilience, and the “it factor” in a saturated industry
Medium format cameras and why gear is never the starting point
Social media, authenticity, and the danger of creating for likes
Commercial photography, client comfort, and building trust fast
Photography as escape, healing, and creative obsession
Find Tina on her website and Instagram: https://www.tinasignesdottir.com https://www.instagram.com/tinasignesdottir/ ______________________________________________________
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Your Story Isn’t Needed - Pie Aerts Finds Meaning Within The Pressure Machine Of Photography, E108
04 févr. 2026
01:38:11
In this episode, I sit down with photographer Pie Aerts to unpack the philosophies, struggles, and decisions that have shaped his work over the last decade. Pie is a documentary and wildlife photographer whose practice sits at the intersection of human presence, conservation, and long-form storytelling. He is also the founder of Prints for Wildlife, a platform that has raised over $2.5 million for conservation initiatives worldwide.
Our conversation focuses on how Pie thinks about photography beyond aesthetics. We talk about self-doubt, ethics, money, responsibility, and what it actually takes to stay committed to a story over many years. A central thread is his 6-year project in southern Chile (titled COIRÓN), documenting the lives of the Puesteros, and how that work has evolved from an idea into a deeply personal body of work.
My discussion with Pie was reflective for photographers who are thinking long-term, questioning their motives, and trying to balance meaning with sustainability.
Other stuff we talk about:
Pie Aerts’ background in documentary and wildlife photography
His six-year long-term project with the Puesteros of Chile
Ethical responsibility, power, and care in long-form photography
Self-doubt, anxiety, and uncertainty as part of creative life
Why deep, meaningful photography rarely pays on its own
Building expeditions and community as a funding engine
Authenticity, AI, and the future of photography.
During the part where we discuss his project 'COIRÓN', Pie shares details about his current Kickstarter campaign to fund the publication of his upcoming photobook COIRÓN on the Puesteros, produced with GOST Books. The book is scheduled for release in 2026, alongside a feature-length film developed from the same long-term project. Find kickstarter link below for you to support the project.
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Finding Contentment, Craft, And Community In Photography - Answering Your Questions! Moments of Mood, 3.2
21 janv. 2026
01:07:15
What if your best work starts with a quiet cup and a clear mind? We kick off the year with an honest, unscripted 'Ask Me Anything' episode that explores how small rituals, sharper definitions, and a steadier inner compass can change both your art and your days. From an early morning espresso and two loyal dogs to the decision to ignore empty metrics, I trace a path from presence to better pictures, and hopefully a calmer life behind the lens.
I talk about instinct, happiness, success, and the quieter realities of building a life around photography. We also move through what it actually takes to get better without burning out, why alignment matters more than attention, and the long game of creating work and communities that genuinely care.
I hope it helps, and thanks for all of you who sent in questions.
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Why Most Photographers Never Begin - Wesley Verhoeve, E107
07 janv. 2026
01:05:52
In this episode of The MOOD Podcast, I sit down with photographer, writer, and mentor Wesley Verhoeve for a grounded conversation about photography process, confidence, and learning how to make meaningful work without waiting for permission.
We talk about why so many photographers struggle with self-doubt, why overthinking stalls creative progress, and how showing your work and sharing your process can demystify photography and make growth feel possible again. Wesley reflects on his approach to learning photography through participation, not perfection, and explains how confidence is built by doing, not by being 'ready'.
We also explore the philosophy and process behind Wesley’s photo books 'NOTICE' and 'NOTICE Journal Vol. 1', including how routine, attention, and slowing down shaped both bodies of work.
In this conversation, we cover:
Why process matters more than talent in photography
Why photographers often hate their own work
How overthinking blocks creative momentum
Where to start when photography feels overwhelming
Showing your work as a way to build confidence
The role of community, feedback, and shared growth in photography
Making photo books and long-term personal projects
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
The year didn’t teach us to shoot faster. It taught us to go deeper. We close out 2025 by stitching together the most resonant moments from a season of hard questions and honest answers: why “quick fix” education fails creatives, how pricing for profit transforms freelancers into owners, and where empathy turns a portrait from performance into truth.
Art stays at the centre. We explore ambiguity as a strength, and you’ll hear how long-form projects and photo books benefit from time and distance, how technique and tone evolve across a decade, and why music, language, and psychological safety can unlock authentic portraits. We examine the record-making power of photojournalism and face its mental health tolls with tools that actually help: self-care rituals, supportive networks, and realistic recovery in hostile environments.
Threaded through everything is a humbling sense of place—grief and hope living side by side, and nature reminding us the story isn’t finished. If you’ve felt the pull to slow down, to price honestly, to build community, and to let your work breathe, please take stock and listen.
Subscribe, share with a friend who needs depth over dopamine, and leave a review telling us where you’ll choose craft over shortcuts in the new year. _____________________________________
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Why The Only Reason You Should Be a Photographer is Obsession - Jesse Lenz: E106
24 déc. 2025
01:51:09
In this episode - the last guest episode of 2025 - I sit down with photographer, publisher, and curator Jesse Lenz for one of the most expansive and honest conversations I’ve had on the show - fitting to end the year with such a nice gift-wrapped present.
What begins as a discussion about photography and photobooks quickly becomes a deeper exploration of obsession, taste, community, and what it actually means to build a life of artistry that lasts. Jesse speaks candidly about art not as a career path, but as something closer to devotion; something you shape your life around rather than extract from.
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Nobody cares about your photography. We don’t need more of 'any old' photographers. Yet survival as culture and society with soul is completely dependent on work that matters.
In this episode of Moments of Mood, I explore why indifference is the default in modern photography, what it actually means for someone to care about your work, why chasing attention is often the fastest way to lose meaning, and the deeper responsibility artists have in a world drowning in content.
Listen if you're interested in:
Being tired of chasing validation and wonder why no-none sees or takes notice of your work
Why nobody is waiting to care about your photography, but how you can create from a deeper place that invites care.
What “caring” really means in art and visual storytelling
Why meaning matters more than visibility
How photobooks create depth in a disposable image culture
The 5 conditions that make people genuinely care about photography
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
The Photographer Who Puts Humanity on Trial: Nick Brandt on Sentience, Power, and Responsibility, E105
10 déc. 2025
01:22:59
British photographer and environmental storyteller Nick Brandt joins the show for a raw, expansive conversation on art, climate collapse, sentience, and the role of photography in an age defined by distraction and decline. Across projects such as Inherit the Dust, This Empty World, The Day May Break, and his latest chapter The Echo of Our Voices, Brandt builds constructed realities that merge portraiture, environmental narrative, and human resilience. This conversation moves through philosophy, ethics, creative fear, the collapse of attention, and the emotional cost of a lifetime spent documenting loss.
We discuss:
Nick's core philosophy.
Why the project 'The Day May Break' exists.
How historical worldviews shaped modern cruelty.
Climate change as human injustice.
The tension between beauty and devastation.
The conceptual and emotional logic behind 'The Echo of Our Voices'.
The collapsing photobook and print ecosystem.
AI as an existential threat.
Why Nick refuses to create purely for audiences.
The impact of social media on photography as a whole.
This episode is sponsored by Strata Editions - use discount code 'MOOD' for 10% discount on their store - visit strata-editions.com to shop and see their collections.
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
The Collapse of the American Dream - Photography as Witness: Bryan Schutmaat, E104
26 nov. 2025
01:35:03
Bryan Schutmaat is a photographer, publisher, and quiet poet of the American West. Known for books such as Grays the Mountain Sends, Good Goddamn, and Sons of the Living, Bryan’s work explores the uneasy tension between land and people, myth and memory, endurance and hope. He is also co-founder of Trespasser Books, a small but powerful imprint shaping the future of modern photobooks.
In This Conversation We Explore
Why photography feels so lonely and how community changes everything
Building meaningful creative connections in a solitary craft
The making of Sons of the Living and the stories behind the images
Navigating narrative, ambiguity, and emotional truth in photography
Why photobooks still matter and how sequencing shapes meaning
The philosophy behind Trespasser and independent publishing
Curiosity, discipline, and the struggle to stay creatively alive
The American dream, the American West, and the reality between them
How to make work that does something rather than pretending it does
The inner journey of becoming an artist with a distinct point of view
This episode is sponsored by Strata Editions - use discount code 'MOOD' for 10% discount on their store - visit strata-editions.com to shop and see their collections.
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
What Can We Trust About The Past And Why It Still Shapes Our Work: Kent Andreasen, EP103
12 nov. 2025
01:11:50
Kent Andreasen, a Cape Town-based photographer and filmmaker, joins me to talk about his new photobook Memory Bank (published by Witty Books), which tells the story over a decade shaped by doubt, discipline, and a complicated relationship with memory.
Our chat together moves from South Africa’s creative landscape to therapy, trauma, and to this book that feels like a fever dream stitched into sequence.
We discussed:
The real story behind the attack that inspired Memory Bank
How trauma transforms into art
The tension between truth and memory in photography
This episode is sponsored by Strata Editions - use discount code MOOD for 10% discount on their store - visit strata-editions.com to shop and see their collections.
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
How Photography Helped Him Survive Not Belonging Anywhere: Marshall To, EO102
05 nov. 2025
01:03:44
”What if the stories that shape us are the ones we can't remember?"
Marshall To, a photographer whose photobook 'Blank Notes' explores ancestry, memory, and identity through a deeply personal lens, grew up in rural Canada, the son of Chinese immigrants and a Taoist family who ran a small restaurant. His family believed the physical and spiritual worlds overlapped - that we live among spirits of our ancestors, those waiting for rebirth, and those still wandering, restless and vengeful.
In Taoist tradition, during the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, the Gates of Hell open - releasing the 'Hungry Ghosts' back into our world to seek food and remembrance. Families burn paper offerings, pray for protection, and leave food for the dead. It’s both a celebration and a warning: walk gently, because the ghosts are hungry.
In his debut monograph, Blank Notes, published by Charcoal Press, Marshall explores the space where the natural and supernatural meet - where photography becomes ritual, and images serve as offerings to both the living and the dead. His work blurs culture, memory, and the unseen, inviting us to question how the spiritual and the physical intertwine in our everyday lives.
What we discussed:
The origin story behind Blank Notes
Grief, Taoist ritual, and ancestral storytelling
Making art from illness, memory, and dual identity
The power of “noticing” in photography and cooking
Creative process behind sequencing a photobook
How to honour invisible subjects through visual storytelling
Why Marshall believes creativity is compulsion, not choice
The intersection of food, art, and healing
Pre-orders and signings with Charcoal Press at Paris dates: I arrive in Paris November 10th and I'm there until the 17th
This episode is sponsored by Strata Editions - use discount code MOOD for 10% discount on their store - visit strata-editions.com to shop and see their collections.
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Why Photography Works Better When You Stop Faking It - Phil Sharp, E101
29 oct. 2025
01:19:33
Phil Sharp, an award winning British portrait photographer, talks about the human core of portrait photography and why music, language, and time can turn performance into truth. We challenge received wisdom about headshots, explore photography books and business, look ahead to portraits in an AI world, and attempt to dismantle the myth that great images come from gear, tricks, or perfectly controlled sets. Phil's work relies on a deeper element: the moment a person stops performing.
What's discussed in this episode:
Portraiture as human connection, not just technique
Creating safe space with empathy and careful language
Using music to trigger sincere emotion
Balancing performance and authenticity in front of camera
Session pacing, energy, and knowing when to stop
Pricing, packages, and word-of-mouth workflow
Books, prints, and the pros and cons of publishing
AI’s impact and why presence still matters
Finding voice over style through repetition and reflection
I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with Phil - a long time fan of his, it was good to have a conversation about photography as human connection, not necessary technical domination.
Subscribe to the MOOD Podcast for more conversations with the world’s leading creative thinkers.
This episode is sponsored by Strata Editions - use discount code MOOD for 10% discount on their store - visit strata-editions.com to shop and see their collections.
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Do you need a massive following to build a sustainable creative career? Moments of Mood 3.0
15 oct. 2025
00:28:27
Welcome to another episode of Moments of Mood, this time about how to monetise - even just a little bit - the wonderful parts of us that are creative.
Turning your creative passion into a sustainable career possible, it's probable if you know where to focus and how to work smart. In this episode of Moments of Mood, I explore how to make money as a creative professional without selling out your soul, and in the meantime dispelling the myth of the 'starving artist'. Whether you’re a photographer, designer, filmmaker, or writer, this video breaks down real strategies to monetize your art, diversify your income streams, and build a creative business that lasts.
Learn how to:
Build multiple creative career income streams
Develop a brand and portfolio that attract real clients
Balance art, money, and meaning without burnout
Build a portfolio career for artists that gives you freedom and stability
Take your creativity from passion to plan — and get paid doing what you love
References from this episode:
My conversation with Chris Do https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QrdCEH5TXA&t=37
Amie McNee https://amiemcnee.substack.com
University of Zurich Study – “Happiness in the Arts: International Evidence on Artists’ Job Satisfaction” https://www.bsfrey.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/happiness-in-the-arts-international-evidence-on-artists-job-satisfaction.pdf
University of Warwick Study – Follow-up on Creative Job Satisfaction https://theartcareerproject.com/link-between-happiness-art/ - Nesta UK Report – “Creativity vs Robots” https://www.nesta.org.uk/report/creativity-vs-robots/
Nesta UK Working Paper – “Creative Occupations and Subjective Wellbeing” (Fujiwara, Cornwall, Dolan) https://www.nesta.org.uk/documents/412/creative_employment_and_subjective_wellbeing_1509_1.pdf
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Is Creativity Enough? Chris Do's advice for creatives, content, and The Futur - E100
08 oct. 2025
01:10:08
“If you don’t value yourself, why should anyone else?”
Chris Do is an Emmy-award-winning designer, founder of The Futur, and one of the most sought-after creative educators on the planet. With his huge audience and decades of experience building creative businesses, Chris helps designers, artists, and entrepreneurs master the business of creativity and the self-brand.
In this episode, we explore the psychology of pricing, the future of content, and how creatives can build meaningful, profitable careers without selling out.
What we talk about:
How to price your creative work with confidence
The mindset shift that changed everything for Chris
Why the algorithm rewards authenticity
The real reason most creatives burn out
How to turn content into clients
AI, abundance, and staying relevant
Why storytelling is your most powerful business tool
How to move from freelancer to entrepreneur
Building your audience one post at a time
Subscribe to the MOOD Podcast for more conversations with the world’s leading creative thinkers.
Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work.
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
How to Stay Relevant as a Photographer in the Age of AI , Moments of Mood 2.9
24 sept. 2025
00:33:24
What happens when the world is flooded with AI images, tools, and “perfect” feeds?
In this episode of Moments of MOOD, I sit down to talk about what it really means to stay human in your work — and why your voice, your presence, and your lived experience are the ultimate creative edge.
This isn’t a doom-scroll about AI taking our jobs. It’s an invitation. To look at what makes your art irreplaceable. To build a brand that AI can’t copy. To practice until your perspective becomes unmistakable.
If you’ve been feeling the anxiety of this “AI flood,” this episode is a reminder: your humanity is the moat.
Keep showing up. Keep telling stories. And keep making art that only you can make. _________________________
References in the video:
Things that changed everything for me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyQ5i28TD38&t=1s
My Core Brand Narrative Process https://mattjacobphotography.com/core-brand-narrative-process
MIT study on brain vs. ChatGPT https://arxiv.org/pdf/2506.08872 _________________________
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Ami Vitale's Vision to Use Photography for Real-World Impact, E099
10 sept. 2025
01:09:17
Step into the world of Ami Vitale, National Geographic photographer, filmmaker, and founder of Vital Impacts, as she shares her journey from covering conflict zones to telling the most urgent conservation stories of our time.
In this conversation on the MOOD Podcast, Ami reveals why hope and action matter more than despair, the ethical responsibilities of storytelling, and how photographers can shape narratives that inspire real change.
She discusses her 17-year project documenting the northern white rhino’s fight for survival, the role of AI in creativity, and how grants, mentorship, and authentic voices are reshaping the future of photography.
If you’re a creator, conservationist, or simply someone who believes in the power of stories to change the world, this episode will leave you rethinking your role in shaping the future.
👉 Subscribe to the MOOD Podcast for more conversations with the world’s leading creative thinkers.
(00:00) Intro (02:06) Finding Hope Amid Global Despair (07:11) Why People Don’t Care About Environmental Crises (12:22) Embracing Discomfort to Reconnect With the World (15:17) Balancing Photography With Responsibility to Communities (18:10) The Ethics of Storytelling (23:13) Documenting Tourism’s Impact on Rural Landscapes (24:28) Pitching the Northern White Rhino Story (28:06) How Grants & Vital Impacts Support Emerging Photographers (36:30) Why Authenticity in Storytelling Beats AI-Generated Work (40:02) From War Zones to Conservation Photography (45:22) Including Local Communities in Wildlife Conservation Stories (48:17) Environmental Storytelling (50:40) How Media Narratives Shape Fear & Engagement (53:29) The Northern White Rhino Conservation Effort Explained (1:02:01) Ami’s Creative Process: Balancing Planning & Spontaneity (1:05:01) Redefining Success: From Front Covers to Supporting Others
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
The Secret Behind Joel Grimes’ Iconic Photography Style, E098
03 sept. 2025
01:12:03
Joel Grimes doesn’t just take photographs, he creates illusions that make the impossible feel real.
In this episode, we dive deep into the mind of a true master, exploring how he uses light, shadow, and imagination to redefine what photography can be.
From his early experiments with lighting to the techniques behind his most iconic images, Joel takes us behind the scenes of a creative process that blends art, science, and pure intuition.
Whether you’re an aspiring photographer, a creator chasing your own signature style, or simply someone who loves the magic behind incredible imagery, this episode will change the way you think about capturing the world.
Prepare to see photography in a completely new light and discover the secrets that have made Joel Grimes an icon in the world of visual storytelling.
(00:00) Intro (01:59) Why Joel Grimes is Called an “Illusionist” (06:01) Composites: Balancing Artistry and Commercial Work (13:23) How Gatekeepers and Purists Respond to Composites (20:01) Building Resilience Against Criticism in Photography (23:26) Why Learning Rejection is Key for Photographers (26:25) Photography in the Age of AI and Social Media (38:33) Techniques for Creating Larger-Than-Life Portraits (47:35) Behind Joel’s Navajo “Portrait of a Nation” Project (54:00) The Role of Books in a Photographer’s Career and Legacy (58:01) What Teaching Photography Taught Joel Grimes (01:04:34) What’s Next After 40+ Years in Photography (01:07:26) Joel Grimes’ One Core Principle for New Photographers
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
The Reality of Finding Your Voice as a Photographer - Ed Sykes, E097
19 août 2025
01:27:27
Ed Sykes has lived many chapters through photography — from the chaos of war zones and the rush of front-page news to the polished world of fashion editorials.
Yet, recognition and success didn’t bring the fulfillment he was searching for.
In this conversation, Ed explains how he moved away from chasing approval and found a practice rooted in landscapes, climate, and experimental processes.
Today, his work goes beyond capturing images.
He scorches film with blowtorches, dissolves prints in water, and even uses seaweed in the darkroom, allowing the natural world to shape the art itself.
This episode is about reinvention, resilience, and creating work that feels truly authentic.
If you’re struggling to find your voice as an artist, this one’s for you.
(00:00) Introduction (02:20) Finding Your “Voice” As A Photographer (10:41) Why Ed Chose Journalistic Photography (17:22) The Business Side of Photography (20:07) The Importance of Discipline (22:59) Life at ‘The Independent’ (25:55) Ed’s Journey as a Global Photojournalist (33:28) Ed’s Pursuit of Finding Purpose (39:04) Transitioning to Fashion and Editorials (46:41) Why Ed Chose to Leave Fashion (51:04) Exploring Environmental Consciousness (53:41) Finding Stability as a Photographer (59:07) How to Earn a Living as a Photographer (01:08:07) Ed’s ‘Voice’ as a Photographer (01:12:19) Ed Sykes’ Most Exciting Projects (01:14:40) The Creatives Dilemma (01:25:46) The Next Era of Photography
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.
Ask Me Anything: Everything You Wanted to Know About Life & Photography - Moments of Mood, 2.8
12 août 2025
00:44:38
I’m answering your questions about photography, creativity, and what keeps me motivated in this AMA.
We dive into the real stuff. What inspires me, the struggles I’ve faced, and how I’ve grown as both a photographer and a person.
No filters, just honest thoughts and insights. _________________________
(00:00) Intro (01:42) Favorite genres of music or video games? (03:46) Favorite Tiramisu Recipe? (04:47) How do you stay connected to your purpose when no one's watching? (09:57) How did you first get into photography? (11:46) How did you first take interest in art? (13:27) Do you believe artists are born or made? (16:34) What inspires you? (20:40) What are your travel plans? (22:45) What does success mean to you these days? (26:36) What's one belief you've outgrown that shaped you creatively? (30:36) Are you rich? (35:02) What do you think about humanity? (37:57) How’s your adventure going? (41:38) Do you ever get into an editing slump?
_________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.