WILL DESHAZER // The Art of Visual Style (#029)

EPISODE EMBED

You can find the transcript of this episode here. Transcripts of all episodes can be found here.

When you’re scrolling through Instagram, what makes you stop? For some folks, it might be eye-catching colors, for others it’s unique locales or engaging video. For me and for a lot of other people out there, the answer to that is simply this – Style. Visual Style. You see a creator’s work on the platform, like the photo/project, enough so that you swipe over to their profile page and it All. Just. Clicks. It’s like you can experience their personality, their humanity itself seeping through the screen in every image, video, or story they’re posting. Whether it’s a high school sports match or an in-depth documentary project, the work FEELS like it was all created consistently and has the same heart behind it. That versatility to create across genres combined with a creative consistency can be the holy grail for editorial photographers and today’s guest exemplifies that.

William Deshazer an editorial and commercial photographer based out of Nashville, TN. He's a regular contributor to The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. He worked in newspapers for 12 years before going out on his own and held staff positions at the Concord Monitor, The Commercial Appeal, and the Chicago Tribune.

He grew up in Louisville, KY and it will always be his home. Because of that he's partial to bourbon, horses, and baseball bats.

When not working he enjoys exploring Nashville with his wife, playing the guitar, buying records, or planning my next big trip.

Some of his wealth of Clients include: AARP, Best Buy, The Boston Globe, CNN, Hyatt Hotels, European Pressphoto Agency, ESPN Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Louisville Magazine, Maker's Mark, NPR, O, The Oprah Magazine, The New York Times, Runner's World Magazine, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, TripAdvisor, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post,

In today’s episode with William Deshazer, he and I get into the process and progress of creating a unique visual brand as a photographer, building and maintaining relationships in your geographic area, and the ability to turn down work that turns you off to focus your time, energy and soul on the people and projects that you know you need to work on.

So, as always — Keep seeing, keep shooting, and keep putting your best Photo Forward. LATER!

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PHOTOS FROM THE EPISODE //

SHOW NOTES // COMING SOON

PHOTOGRAPHERS MENTIONED //

QUESTIONS? // What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments!

ADAM GLANZMAN // A Freelancer's Clarity of Mind (#023)

Do you as a photographer ever feel like you’re just not connecting with the right clients? Or that you keep getting assignments/work that just doesn’t light you up or bring you any creative joy to work on? Well, you are so very far from the only one. But it is avoidable, by honing your creative style and making work that draws people in. Put simply, Post eye-catching photos, get eye-catching assignments, put up a generic portfolio – get generic work. Pulling from the world of marketing, there’s a great principle that all photographers can take a cue from and it boils down to this. It’s effective to be better, it’s intriguing to be different, but the best creators of all meld these two facets into their work and are both better and different – That’s what catches the eyes of the public, editors, and art directors and gets you hired.

Adam Glanzman is an independent freelance photographer based in Boston and is available for photography and motion work worldwide. He was a Staff Photographer at Northeastern University in Boston where he worked for four years before leaving to expand his own photography business.

Adam's work has been recognized by Pictures of the Year International (POYi), the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA), the Boston Press Photographers Association (BPPA), the University Photographers Association of America (UPAA), and College Photographer of the Year (CPOY). He was also selected to attend Eddie Adams XXIX.

In today’s episode with Adam Glanzman, he and I go through the development process for his eye-catching style, break down how he made the transition from staff to full-time freelance, and walk through one of his memorable personal projects and how that translated to future paid work assignments. Alright, time for me to get out of the way and let you guys into today’s conversation with freelance photographer. Adam Glanzman.

So, as always — Keep seeing, keep shooting, and keep putting your best Photo Forward. LATER!

LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS // LISTEN ON SPOTIFY // WATCH ON YOUTUBE

SHOW NOTES // COMING SOON

PHOTOGRAPHERS MENTIONED //

QUESTIONS? // What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments!

CHRIS MCDUFFIE // A Tapestry of Art for a Visual Voice (#021)

One of the core questions I’m always looking to find answers to on this show is “What makes a brilliant visual creator?” Is it the grasp of technical aspects like lighting, composition, and moment? Or a personal skill or special gift of connecting with individuals in your images? There’s obviously a nearly infinite number of talented photographers out there, so what gives certain shooters a true “visual voice”. Well, today’s guest is such a brilliant example of forging that visual voice, that photographic identity, that brand... by melding artistic influences to create as Aristotle so brilliantly said “A Whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.”

Chris McDuffie, born and raised in St. Paul, MN, is the founder and visionary behind Chris McDuffie Photography. Chris became interested in photography while studying Business and Marketing Education at the University of Minnesota, which ultimately led his entrepreneurial spirit to start his own photography business shortly after graduation. He’s since been fortunate to land jobs with companies including: Activision, Cargill, Fairview, North Memorial Hospital, Minnesota Timberwolves, Target, TCF, ESPN, Nike, Bumble, GQ, and the New York Times. WHEW. Chris has been recognized by the MN Fashion Awards in 2015, and the Beautiful Humans Award in 2017.

Since beginning his company, it has been his mission to bring creativity, honesty, and humor to both consumers and commercial clients. Being a life-long artist, his creative taste and aesthetic eye has been shaped by a rich tapestry of music, galleries, and theater in the Twin Cities. When not engrossed in work, Chris loves to spend time with his illustrious wife, Vanessa.

In today’s episode, Chris and I had such a perfect back and forth about creative inspiration, what it means to constantly re-examine and hone your craft, and so critically building genuine relationships and networks across skills, across genres, and across creative styles to uplift the whole creative community. Time for me to get out of the way and into today’s beautiful episode with commercial and editorial photographer Chris McDuffie.

So, as always — Keep seeing, keep shooting, and keep putting your best Photo Forward. LATER!

LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS // LISTEN ON SPOTIFY // WATCH ON YOUTUBE

SHOW NOTES // COMING SOON

PHOTOGRAPHERS MENTIONED // COMING SOON

QUESTIONS? // What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments!