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!

The Plus, Minus and Equals of Growth and Connection // (#024)

When you think about what people or places have moved your career forward the most (regardless of whether you consider yourself a visual creator or not) what comes to mind as common traits? Has it been the upstart entrepreneur who shook you out of the “we’ve always done it this way” way of seeing the world? the wise-sage type whose time-tested ideas and messages resonated just right with what you were seeking? Or just a simple meetup over a cold beverage with a colleague where you hash out pros and cons of a creative project you’re working on. You might be seeing where I’m going with this... When you really break it down, I think there is a brilliantly effective and simple (but sure as shit not easy) way to give yourself a leg up in your career or building your skills – Three words: Plus, Minus, and Equals.

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Hello and welcome to the Photo Forward Podcast, the weekly show where we explore the stories behind some of the greatest photographers and visual storytellers the world over. From their photographic origin stories, to finding work-life balance as creative professionals, to how to actually make a living as a photographer, cinematographer, or multimedia creator — we uncover what makes them tick and their shutters click. I’m your host, Ben Brewer.

So, this is an episode I’ve been wanting to share for such a long time. Like seriously probably a solid year when I heard about this concept for interpersonal connections and growth that clicked in such a profound way for me when I was able to tie it back to places in time of my own creative journey.

Alright, so what is this Plus, Minus, Equals concept and why does it matter? 

Put simply, a key way to ensure you’re growing in your career (or really ANY area of your life you could apply this principle to) is deliberately creating connections with people way ABOVE your level, way BELOW your level, and RIGHT AROUND your level of (insert skill or proficiency here). You might hear all that and think, “Well, duh? Of course you want to have a variety of folks in your circle”. Well, obviously yes, but think RIGHT NOW to your closest connections in a particular space (say your department, one of your hobbies/passions outside the office, or even just close friends). And tell me honestly how many of those circles truly contain a variety of skill levels? Chances are pretty slim that’s a damn near homogenous group. 

If you’re one of the many photographers listening to this episode, for example,  do you really have any newbies or photo students in your close contacts? Or vice versa, how many world-class, awarded photographers could you honestly say is a connection you could call upon? If you have trouble answering either of those questions, trust me, you are so far from the only one. As we settle into our careers (creative disciplines, media or otherwise) we aggressively run the risk of our networks and connections becoming calcified into “people like me” who “think and do things like I think and do” (The brilliant marketing mind Seth Godin has a word for that – CULTURE)

Okay, I say that a bit tongue in cheek, but it’s true. The farther along in our career and and personal lives we get, we fall into ruts of what we do and who we spend time with the most (not all in a bad way, but far more often and even a little insidiously, in a mindless, unintentional way).

So, let’s break down the three elements of the Plus, Minus, Equals philosophy of connections and how it can make such a difference in your own growth and development.

PLUS:

While the word gets bandied about way too damn much for anyone’s liking and has nearly lost the gravity and importance that it used to have, PLUS in this model of connection and growth is really referring to the concept of Mentorship – or at the very least, learning from individuals in your field who have objectively created and achieved more than where you’re currently at (no shade here, it’s just a fact that you’re always going to be outpaced and out-achieved by plenty of people. Just the same way you’ll outpace and out achieve plenty of folks in turn, but more on that later).

In my mind, the key benefit of connecting and communicating with folks above your weightclass as it were in your field or in the particular skill you’re looking to grow in is this: hard learned lessons minus the struggle. As the old saying goes : “Only a fool learns from their own mistakes. A wise man learns from the mistakes of others”.

Now there’s nothing quite like the teacher that is failure/struggle/pain/etc., but connection with an advanced figure in your field is a damn close second. And more often than not, can help you illuminate the “unknown unknowns” and pitfalls one couldn’t possibly see coming. The trite analogy would be the idea of summiting Mount Everest. Instead of learning lessons yourself (cough, frostbite, cough), wouldn’t you rather start on a solid foundation of learning from those who had come before in place of reinventing the wheel so to speak. 

Realistically however, each of these kinds of connection do come with a handful of pitfalls and the PLUS category of individuals can be one of the most sneakily detrimental to growth if you’re not careful.

Put simply, you’re going to get rejected, shot down, and ignored by folks farther along in career or skill level. A LOT. And there’s nothing inherently wrong with that (they’re leading busy, accomplished lives and most won’t have the time to connect on a cold email/phonecall with a junior person they may never have met). On top of that, if you as the reacher-outer don’t approach it in the right way, you’re going to set off all kinds of alarms in the mind and inbox of the PLUS you’re trying to connect with – Hot take, if you use the word “mentor” or “mentorship” explicitly or throw out a phrase like “pick your brain”, you’re going to have a BAD TIME. 

Second, another pitfall of connecting with PLUS folks is objectivity. And what I mean by objectivity is this – The tendency in all sorts of industries or skills is to view the folks at the proverbial “mountaintop” as larger than life. As such, the real thing to avoid is any and all kinds of HERO WORSHIP. You can see through that kind of insincerity a mile away. If the kind of person you’re reaching out to needs you to butter them up to build a rapport and to open the door to learn from them, they are NOT the kind of person you want to learn and grow from. We’re all multifaceted beings and to distill them down to the pinnacle of their career or skill is not only super reductive to them as an individual, but once you lose that objectivity, how are you going to be able to think critically about the lessons and insights you might get? 

So where do you go from there with the PLUS folks on your connection quest? Make a list of 20 people in your industry or skill that you would want to connect with and, for each, nail down EXACTLY what the scope of that learning would be – specific and relevant enough that they’ll be able to understand why you reached out to them in particular. Better yet, do you have any mutual connections who might be able to reach out and make a no-pressure introduction? From there, if you’re fortunate enough for one or two folks to respond, you can try to build that relationship OVER TIME. 

(and just as a cheeky aside, there’s a really big part of the photo forward podcast that grew out of a need for more PLUS folks in my circles through interviewing brilliant visual creators, through the magic of technology, all around the globe that I may never have the chance to meet in person)

MINUS:

Alright, now that we’ve cleared out the hero worship and fawning over the greats, let’s move on to what I think is arguably the most important group to build connections with – the MINUS folks. Like I mentioned on the PLUS group, there’s nothing inherently negative or problematic with talking about a MINUS population who aren’t as skilled or far along as you. Just facts. So why would you want to grow connections with those who are objectively less skilled than you? 

In my mind, the true benefit of building these kinds of cross-skilled relationships is both a little counterintuitive, but super obvious when you spell it out. TEACHING (or as it’s been coined referring to teaching folks only slightly behind where you are “The Protege effect”. One of the most brilliantly simple and effective quotes that typifies this is the old (possibly) Albert Einstein adage “If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.” What makes a teacher a teacher is their ability to understand complex topics in such detail and with such alacrity that they can translate that domain-specific knowledge into lectures with students who know relatively far less. And not bore them to tears in the process.

Once you yourself cease to be in the group of complete newbies on a topic or in a career field, you really do owe it to the world to give back to the collective knowledge and growth of the “next generation” in your area. I wouldn’t be anywhere close to the achievements I’ve gotten without learning from those above me, so to actively neglect that to those less far along than you is hard to describe as anything less than unwise (if you’re being generous) or (let’s call a fucking spade a spade) selfish and gatekeeping. 

So what could possibly go wrong with getting a deep understanding of your skills and teaching the up-and-comers? Well, in my mind, there’s really only one potential downside to over-indexing in the MINUS group of folks for connection and growth. It’s definitely possible to extend yourself too far in this direction and end up spending a disproportionate amount of time being the PLUS for new folks in your field that you end up not keeping pace with the EQUALS or learning your own lessons. If you’re constantly teaching, your’re probably not spending enough time building your own experience and run the risk of stagnating a bit in your own endeavors.

Now when we get to action steps, this can be a bit trickier because so many of these interactions require a bit more serendipity and responding to MINUS folks that reach out to you personally. But it doesn’t have to be quite so passive! How you might ask can you manifest these connections into existence? This is where the beauty of Web 2.0 comes into play. If you have a lesson to share, there’s pretty much an unlimited number of ways to get that out into the world through blogs, LinkedIn posts or *wink wink* just start a podcast and put out episodes like this. And more than anything, don’t feel like you have to be a know it all to know enough to teach – You don’t have to have read the entire book, you just need to be a chapter ahead of the students.

EQUALS:

Last but certainly not least we’re left with the final group in this connection and growth concept – the one we always think of first when you think of networking and skillbuilding your EQUALS. While it’s kind of a duhh section to include in the episode (“Yeah Ben, real fuggin insightful to suggest that you should CONNECT with people who are CLOSE in skill level to you. Eye Roll.”). But stay with me here. I think there’s gotta be particular reasons WHY you’re collaborating with and with WHOM you’re working with to make these EQUALS connections actually valuable. From my experience over the last decade as a photographer and cinematographer, I think when it comes down to it, there are three big factors that transform a good EQUALS connection to a great one – Aligned Values, Productive Collaboration, and Candid Communication (oddly enough, as I write this out it’s really hard not to super impose these onto what it takes to make a healthy and successful romantic relationship or partnership. *accidental mind blown*

Now, your EQUALS connections don’t have to have all three of these characteristics or even excel in a single one of these (there are tons of people and connections that are extremely valuable without needing to “optimize” your growth and development to death and prune out people that don’t hit these themes). But I’ve found that a mindful approach to who you’re close with and defining why you’re close with them (think Napoleon Hill: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with”). Speaking specifically in the field of photography/visual media, finding people with Aligned Values ensures you’ve got a shared language for your work and similar motivations and goals that you’re reaching towards. EQUALS folks that you can actually have Productive Collaboration with ensures that you can sustain working together over days/weeks/and months together and not just falling into the trap of the creative jerk-off that can be talking about projects and bouncing ideas off of each other and not actually MAKING ANYTHING and taking it to the next level of growth. And deeply connected to that, if you can’t really, and I do mean REALLY, honestly share your input, ideas, and world with an EQUALS connection, you don’t actually have one. If you feel like you can only be real with them if it’s what they want to hear or you’re only giving them positive feedback on their work, change that shit quickly. You shouldn’t feel like you need to cut them out of your life entirely, but there does need to be a “come to jesus moment” where you get real with each other and come up with a plan to fix that. (Or maybe you notice that you’re the one who’s only getting positive feedback and praise from your EQUALS and YOU need to have your own wake-up call and reflect on why that is). As the great executive coach Jerry Colonna breaks it down: “How am I complicit in the creation of the conditions in my life, that I claim to not want.”

Again this is sort of a category I don’t need to beat a dead horse on when it comes to identifying practical next steps for you the listener to grow your EQUALS group. Honestly, like I mentioned before, it’s almost more about building (and then pruning) your existing connections to deliver the desired outcomes, creative collaboration, growth and problem-solving you want. 

So with all of the demands on your time in our busy world, when you think about creating the connections and relationships to grow, just remember: Find your PLUSSES, Teach your MINUSES and collaborate with your EQUALS.

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Thanks everyone for listening to today’s episode on the PLUS, MINUS, and EQUALS of connection and relationship building. As we’ve talked about on a lot of recent episodes, I want to make this year a lot more collaborative on the Photo Forward podcast and incorporate a lot more Q&A or AMA style elements. In so many of my recent Zoom chats and interviews with photographers I’ve been getting some brilliant, spontaneous questions that come up in our conversations and it made me realize just how strong the “curse of knowledge” is in our industry – We get really skilled at certain things and come to assume that “everyone must know that” and then as a consequence, do a really awful (or negligent) job of explaining that elsewhere. So! If you’ve got a question or anything you want to ask on the show that I’ll respond to AMA-style, I’ve set up a page at photoforward.media/connect or send an email or voice message to connect@photoforward.media. I’d LOVE to make this a weekly element in each show after the main interview, so whatever is on your mind creatively, photographically, nagging career questions, etc., send them over at photoforward.media/connect or connect@photoforward.media. Cannot wait to hear what’s on your mind and bring some more value to all of you listening.

Enjoying listening to the Photo Forward Podcast? Want to hear more thought-provoking, engaging discussions about photography, creativity or freelance business? Well, this is where you come in. We want to get the word out as wide as possible about Photo Forward and reach as many listeners as possible. And the best way to do that is through reviews and recommendations on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you consume your podcasts. If you want to support more engaging and intimate conversations with photographers, cinematographers, and storytellers the world over, head on over to the Photo Forward page and drop a review to let me know how you all are enjoying the show, or even just a rating. It means a ton to growing the show and I personally read through each and every review to make this show the best damn visual storytelling podcast out there.

Thanks for listening everyone, and as always, keep seeing, keep thinking, and keep putting your best Photo Forward. Catch you all on the next one.

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Reading Material to Shape your Visual Creativity (and Life) // (#021)

Hey Photo Forward listeners —  It is the winter (slightly post-holiday) season! A time to step back, reflect on the year behind us (what goddamn wild one…) and look forward to the future and how your photographic work can and should evolve. And yeah, there’s that whole giving of gifts thing…

And as my present to you all, the podcast is back delivering weekly episodes on photography, creativity, and making a living as a visual storyteller. Yes, finally at long last after taking a while away from the podcast during 2021 following the unrest in the Twin Cities and examining how to make the show more inclusive, the Photo Forward Podcast is back and will be better than ever. We’ve got some incredible interviews lined up for the coming months and experimenting with new content on the show (Q&A segments/episodes are going to be HUGE), but more on that after the bulk of todays show. Thank you all so much for your patience. 

So, without further ado, let’s get into this week’s episode on my curated list of five of the best pieces of reading material for you, the photographer, or the visual storyteller in your life. (With a bonus item on the list that should just flat out be required material for every fucking human that’s sufficiently old enough to read it)

Hello and welcome to the Photo Forward Podcast, the weekly show where we explore the stories behind some of the greatest photographers and visual storytellers the world over. From their photographic origin stories, to finding work-life balance as creative professionals, to how to actually make a living as a photographer, cinematographer, or multimedia creator — we uncover what makes them tick and their shutters click. I’m your host, Ben Brewer.

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#1 “The War of Art” by Stephen Pressfield

So, as you’ll probably figure out as we go through today’s list of books for visual creators there’s going to be three major “themes” if you will in the content – headspace, principles, and history. Personally, as a photographer those are the most critical aspects of personal and professional development that you can *focus* on. Before we can externally create what matters to the world in photos, video, multimedia, etc. you’ve got to start with yourself. Put simply, there are no visual creators that create high quality work over a sustained period of time that haven’t done the work of getting their mind right – tackling limiting beliefs, revealing unconscious assumptions, and breaking probably most insidious of all, valuing your work as your worth. 

There’s a lot more to discuss on mindset and worth that I’ll definitely be getting into on future solo episodes of the podcast (and honestly would love to talk on specific Q&As that people have on the topic as well), but we’d be here all damn day. But what we do have time for is going through what I believe to be one of the most important books any creator can read (early and often) – The War of Art by Stephen Pressfield.

From the metaphorical “Resistance” that so perfectly captures the psychological foe of creating work consistently to a few pull-no-punches wake up calls scattered throughout the book, The War of Art is in no uncertain terms a creative kick in the ass. Equal parts artists owner’s manual and meditation, Pressfield’s tough love novel is all about identifying and tackling the internal and external enemies of creative ambition. As Pressfield says, “We can’t control the level of talent we’ve been given. We have no control over the nature of our gift. What we can control is our self-motivation, our self-discipline, our self-validation, and our self-reinforcement. We can control how hard and how smart we work.” While the book might only be a scant 160 pages, every line will hit home like a sack of bricks for any creator (whether or not you’re ready to hear it)

#2 “The EOS Life” by Gino Wickman

So, after starting with the psychological, we’re going to take a hard left into the entrepreneurial (with a side of life and lifestyle design). This is the newest book on the list, but with ideas and principles that have been time-tested for decades in the world of business. Now stay with me here, because I know you’re all going to collectively bristle at that. No, this isn’t some old hokey Napoleon Hill “Think and Grow Rich” or “The Secret” visualization bullshit. This is real systems and practices to create a work and personal life that hums in number two on today’s list – “The EOS Life” by Gino Wickman.

Now, the author’s name might be familiar to some of ya’ll who have dabbled in business classes  in the past 20 years or so for his (honestly pretty unique for its time) business structure handbook “Traction” initially published back in 2007. 

Just as an aside, back in the day I worked at a small video production company (recently out of the glow of the plucky startup phase) that was dealing with some structural issues and we eventually implemented The EOS (Entrepreneurs Operating System) process. And pardon my French, but I fucking haaaaated it. From repetitious meeting formats to delegated “rocks” for individual quarterly goals, it all felt so rote and thoroughly depriving us employees of any creative spirit. 

Well, much like the angsty teenager grows up and realizes that their parents aren’t completely full of shit and actually had some good ideas… Yeah, re-reading Traction and re-contextualizing the EOS system with another decade of work experience under my belt totally blew my mind. In the same way that “Extreme Ownership” by former Navy Seal Jocko Willink (which could have easily made the list as well) forces the reader to understand that discipline in principles leads to freedom in actions — with a dash of coming to grips that you’re truly the only one responsible for the choices you make and the state of your life). In that same way, implementing a system and a structure to your business, and hell, your life as a whole allows you the artist, you the entrepreneur to be infinitely more creative in the work that you produce – Placing the time and energy on the most important things and not constantly re-inventing the wheel of making work work.

All that is a long-winded way of leading up to the *actual* book that’s being recommended (though reading through Traction for background isn’t an awful idea)... WHEW. Essentially, Wickman’s recent book seeks to take the ideas from the Entrepreneurial Operating System and apply it to your life as a whole (work and all, half of our life is spent at work, so we ought to make damn well sure it fits into our concept of an ideal life.) Put simply, The EOS Life boils it down to this : 1) Doing What You Love , 2) With People You Love, 3) Making a Huge Difference 4) Being Compensated Appropriately , 5) With Time for Other Passions

Now who couldn’t get behind creating a life like that?  

#3 “Vivian Maier Developed: The Untold Story of the Photographer Nanny” by Ann Marks

Although as I’m writing this out, it seems borderline trite to say, understanding the history of photography is critical to becoming an educated, effective modern day photographer. I’m a firm believer in the old adage that you can’t truly know where you are going until you know where you’ve been. In a world of technological advancements, cutting-edge cameras, and a barrage of visual information, learning from the masters of our industry has never been more important. 

There are few more brilliant visual creators to learn from in the 20th Century than the subject of the 3rd book on today’s list, presented in a brand new definitive biography that unlocks her remarkable story, a nanny who lived a secret life as a world-class photographer, – Vivian Maier: Developed by Ann Marks

While many photographers have heard the name Vivian Maier before, understanding the depths of her life and prolific photographic production is such a perfect example of reading beyond the surface level of Instagram and social media image-making. The 2021 biography shows the reader both her masterful images (with nearly 400 photos placed for the first time in the context of her life) as well as the capacity for photography as therapy – expressing herself through photography, crafting a private portfolio of images full of emotion, authenticity, and humanity.

As Washington Post journalist Marion Winik says in her review of “Vivian Maier, Developed” “Considering that hardly a thing was known about Maier when [Ann] Marks began her project, her achievement in documenting Maier’s peregrinations and troubles with such clarity and feeling is remarkable. Dogged and creative original research enabled her to track down and interview people who knew Maier at every phase of her life. Marks studied archives to identify the buildings where Maier had set her photographs, then used phone books and census records to zero in on the people depicted… Marks believes that although she never sought recognition in her lifetime, Maier would have thoroughly enjoyed the unexpected way her posthumous story has unfolded. “It’s a one-in-a-million ending — another beginning, really — to an already remarkable life,” Marks declares. “If she had read the account in a newspaper, Vivian would have loved the particulars. … She would have absorbed every juicy detail and stood on the sidelines with her camera, intent on capturing it all.” 

“Vivian Maier Developed” is a photographic character study worthy of your reading eyes. 

#4 “Thinking Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman

As many of you might know by now, despite my entire career being based in photography and visual storytelling, my formal education and college degree are in something far, far, farrrr more granular and (spoiler alert) neuroscientific – Biological Chemistry with a focus in neuroscience to be precise. That all being said, I do recognize that this next book miiiiight not be for everyone as it leans somewhat heavy on scientific research and studies – but I do promise that if you can get through some of the heavier technical explanations, this is a book full of gold in terms of understanding the systems and processes of human thought and action (and how it applies to everyone you engage with as a visual creator – “Thinking Fast and Slow” by Nobel Prize winning economist Daniel Kahneman.

Without spoiling too much of the core argument that Kahneman makes in the book – in impressive detail the neurological, psychological and behavioral systems that underpin the theory – there are essentially two, dichotomous modes of thought that we’re able to engage with as we humans go about our lives: System 1 and System 2. While System 1 is fast, instinctive, and emotional; System 2 is the slow, deliberate, and logical system of thought. 

One of the fascinating outcroppings of the 2 Systems of thought that Kahneman dives into is the need to question our (regularly false) intuitions and keep a healthy mindfulness of all of our deep seated biases. While the entire book (all 400 plus pages in all) is full of mental models and analyses of behavior, my personal favorite chapters are towards the end in the sections revolving around the “Two Selves” we all live with – An “experiencing” self and a “remembering” self (and the latter usually wins out over the former). Think about the last time you took a lengthy vacation that went practically perfectly, but if on the last day things went poorly, you’ll tend tend to remember the vacation as negative. Your memory of the event overrides your experience of it. As Kahneman says “Confusing experience with the memory of it is a compelling cognitive illusion—and it is the substitution that makes us believe a past experience can be ruined. The experiencing self does not have a voice.”

Another section of the book that I’m drawn to particularly as a photographer deals with risk and a narrowness of thought surrounding it. For those listeners who are working photographers/cinematographers/etc., think back to a recent assignment of yours, when did you make the most creative, unique, or eye-catching images during the course of the shoot? If you’re like most folks, chances are pretty good those didn’t come until after you’d captured the “safe” shots to CYA and then moved onto taking those creative risks during the course of the assignment to get the creative or special images. Put simply, outsized outcomes in the photographic world only come from taking some necessary creative risk. Naturally as humans, most of us are so averse to risk that we actively work to avoid gambles. Kahneman explains that, since some gambles are clearly on our side (they can’t all be against us) so by avoiding them, we lose money/positive results/etc. One way that we can decrease that natural risk aversion is to think broadly rather than narrowly, looking at our combine set of wins over many small gambles. Thinking narrowly, looking only at short term losses will trap and paralyze us,  but thinking broadly one of those System 2 tasks that takes work despite us being wired by the fast System 1 to think irrationally economically and pass by risks in our favor. 

A book so deeply encompassing I honestly don’t know how reviewers can even begin to get across the breadth of examples contained inside of it – “Thinking Fast and Slow” for me has always been the Users Manual for choice, decision-making, and everyday judgement to consistently return to when I need a dose of first-principles to fall back on.  

#5 “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Number five on the list of books to inspire and challenge you as a visual creator is one that has had a profound impact on my life and perspective on the world – a book originally intended for children and yet I’ve gone back and re-read it almost every year as an adult. Don’t mistake the playful handmade drawings and watercolors sprinkled throughout – this book deals with some hard grown-up themes and ideas, but with a certain lightness and alacrity that we could all stand to bring into our own daily struggles – The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

Basing its reality in the creativity and imagination of children, The Little Prince is a fantastical story of a pilot (the narrator) who, after crashing in the Sahara desert, meets a young boy and is recounted with his story of the Little Prince’s travels across the stars. Tackling themes of loneliness, love, loss and what it means to grow up, the book in beautiful parable form the struggles of life and human nature. 

For those that haven’t read the book yet, I refuse to go on about any more of the detail inside of it because I think it’s honestly that special of a book that I couldn’t dream of spoiling it. But one of the most beautiful lines in the piece that I have tacked up on my wall because it’s a constant reminder as a photographer that not all the beauty we capture is taken in through photos into our cameras – ​​”And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” 

Put simply, The Little Prince is hands-down one of the most magical books I’ve ever read and as far as I’m concerned should be required reading for all as we navigate our way into the unfamiliar territory that life presents us with as we enter the real world.

BONUS “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck” by Mark Manson

Okay, I know I said there were only going to be five books on this list, but I’ll leave this one here as a bonus to all of you who made it through this far. 

One of the biggest challenges I believe we face as professional (or nearly professional) visual creators is getting in our own way – emotionally, professionally, or relationally. The last book on my curated list for photographers and creators is the stark, no-punches-pulled antidote to our collective self-bullshit – “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck” by Mark Manson.

Especially in a field as tumultuous and challenging as ours as creators, we’ve often been told to keep a perfectly chipper attitude or “fake it until you make it”. In his delightfully subversive and irreverent 2016 book, Manson argues the opposite: "Fuck positivity," he says. "Let's be honest; sometimes things are fucked up and we have to live with it." 

Seeing the world and ourselves as we are, not in the delusional rose-colored-glasses of how we’d ideally like it to be, he argues is the way to finding real empowerment in creating your own life. "Not everybody can be extraordinary--there are winners and losers in society, and some of it is not fair or your fault." Once we can embrace our fears, faults, and uncertainties--once we stop running from and avoiding, and start confronting painful truths--we can begin to find the courage and confidence we desperately seek.

Again, another piece of reading material I couldn’t possibly do justice to with a micro-review here on this curated list, but for another kick-in-the-ass, it’s hard to do better than “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck” by Mark Manson.

That is it for today and thanks everyone for listening to this episode on the top books for visual storytellers and creatives of all stripes. As we’ve talked about on a lot of recent episodes, I want to make this year a lot more collaborative on the Photo Forward podcast and incorporate a lot more Q&A or AMA style elements. In so many of my recent Zoom chats and interviews with photographers I’ve been getting some brilliant, spontaneous questions that come up in our conversations and it made me realize just how strong the “curse of knowledge” is in our industry – We get really skilled at certain things and come to assume that “everyone must know that” and then as a consequence, do a really awful (or negligent) job of explaining that elsewhere. So! If you’ve got a question or anything you want to ask on the show that I’ll respond to AMA-style, I’ve set up a page at photoforward.media/connect or send an email or voice message to connect@photoforward.media. I’d LOVE to make this a weekly element in each show after the main interview, so whatever is on your mind creatively, photographically, nagging career questions, etc., send them over at photoforward.media/connect or connect@photoforward.media. Cannot wait to hear what’s on your mind and bring some more value to all of you listening.

Enjoying listening to the Photo Forward Podcast? Want to hear more thought-provoking, engaging discussions about photography, creativity or freelance business? Well, this is where you come in. We want to get the word out as wide as possible about Photo Forward and reach as many listeners as possible. And the best way to do that is through reviews and recommendations on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you consume your podcasts. If you want to support more engaging and intimate conversations with photographers, cinematographers, and storytellers the world over, head on over to the Photo Forward page and drop a review to let me know how you all are enjoying the show, or even just a rating. It means a ton to growing the show and I personally read through each and every review to make this show the best damn visual storytelling podcast out there.

Thanks for listening everyone, and as always, keep seeing, keep thinking, and keep putting your best Photo Forward. Catch you all on the next one.

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Photo Impairment Effect // (#003)

Photography and neuroscience. To quote the Sound of Music: “These are a few of my favorite things” It seems pretty crazy, but the science is out there: Your phone is ruining your memory… but don’t worry, thinking like a photojournalist when you take pictures can change all that.

Do this for me: Close your eyes and think back to the last big family event, birthday, party, going out with friends, you pick — Just as long as you pulled out your phone and took pictures. How much do you remember about it? — The people you were there with, how much time you spent where, what you ate or drank while you were there, or even, what was your favorite part of it?

Alright, now open your eyes.

Did it feel like things just weren’t as clear, like you just couldn’t quite remember all of those details? Well, it’s not just you. Thanks to some really novel neuroscience research, we now know why that is. It’s been dubbed the “photo impairment effect” and chances are, if you’re one of the billions of people around the world constantly documenting your life on your smartphone, you’ve probably experienced it.

Let’s look at the science behind what’s going on:

So, you might think that taking photos would positively affect your memory because it focuses your attention… hence increasing how memorable the event was for you. But counterintuitively, you’ll often pay less attention when you take photos, depending on the external device of the camera to “remember” for you. Essentially the research out there suggests that people are much less likely to remember information if they expect to have future access to it — like on their camera, computer, or the 400 pound gorilla that is social media.

One of these great little pieces of research is one from 2014 by psychologist Linda Henkel that dives right into this issue and presents some results that, as a photojournalist, we’ve known for years as a way to mediate this photo impairment effect. In the study, participants were asked to walk through an art museum exhibit and were instructed to either A) Just walk through and observe the artwork, B) Take mostly general photos of the artwork and the space or C) Take photos of specific parts of the artwork (like faces, swords/helmets, etc.) in the exhibit.

Take for example, the stunning piece of art that is “The Night Watch” by Rembrandt — one of the true masters of light, shadow, and immense levels of detail.

The piece is a sight to behold — standing nearly 12 feet tall by 15 feet wide and housed at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. But back to the study… For example, participants in Group A would simply take in the piece in its entirety, and Group B would take photos without any real objective. Where this gets interesting is for Group C who were tasked with focusing on details of their pieces of art (and works like the Rembrandt feature an astounding level of life-like details to focus on).

So, when those three groups were tested afterwards, which one do you think recalled the artwork the best? Well you might be surprised to find out, but Group A that simply just walked through and observed the artwork was able to recall details of the museum exhibit the best!

Although photographing the artwork as a whole, without an objective, hurt participants’ memory for visual details about the objects (Group B), being tasked with honing in on one aspect of an object (Group C) mitigated the lost memory not only for the part they zoomed in on but also for parts that weren’t focused on.

Even though they took extra time and attention angling the camera and adjusting the lens so as to capture the best photo they could, regardless, the act of photographing the art did still have the consequence of participants dismissing the object from memory.

And, chances are, you’ve probably felt this very same thing. And when you think about it, it kind of sucks. So let’s fix that.

When I’m out on assignment, whether it’s a crowded public event or an ongoing feature project, as a photojournalist, I’m always looking for details in the environment, fleeting moments in people’s faces, and dramatic lighting that elegantly captures the scene. Basically, as photojournalists, we constantly live in that third research group that’s tasked to focus on photographing details of the scene. And as a result, we’re able to remember a great more about those assignments/events/projects/etc. when keeping those goals and objectives in mind.

Here’s a great example of that from last year photographing the UW Diversity and Inclusion Graduation Recognition ceremony. With such an open-ended assignment as “event coverage,” it could have been easy to get a bunch of general-purpose shots that tried to document the event. But what separates “coverage” from “visual storytelling” is focus on those details, moments, and expressions that make the audience of your photography feel something.

So, when you’re out photographing your next birthday party, halloween costume or family get-together: think like a photojournalist, focus on the details, focus on the moments, focus on the light. Your future-self thinking back on those fond memories will thank you.

What do you all think about the Photo Impairment Effect — Have you felt that same lack of memory, even after taking a ton of pictures? Let me know in the comments! If you all liked this or want to read more articles like this, let me know!

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PHOTOS FROM THE EPISODE //

QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY // What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments!

SHOW NOTES //

RUTHIE HAUGE // Photojournalism; Everywhere (#013)

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When you hear the word “photojournalist” – What comes to mind? A warzone or conflict photographer? A sports shooter lugging a few supertelephoto lenses around the sidelines of a professional sporting event? Or maybe it’s the fly on the wall, spending countless hours following a singular subject, telling a singular, poignant story with images? Well, in my mind, it’s ALL of that and NONE of that. Let me explain

These tropes exist for a reason, they are often true. But today’s episode gets at the heart of photojournalism– applying our craft of using photos and videos to tell the most authentic, human story possible, visually. Photojournalism is everywhere and today’s guest shares her mindset and outlook as a photojournalist and editorial photographer AND how that’s helped her position herself as an expert in her craft, no matter her location.

Ruthie Hauge’s roots are in photojournalism and art. She received a scholarship to attend Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, where she majored in photography and minored in drawing. She was hired as a Staff Photographer by Sun-Times Media in Illinois where she worked for almost 7 years and earning 18 State and National Photojournalism awards. In the summer of 2012, Ruthie gave up her staff position to focus on her business and her new role as Mom. According to her bio, Before a long day of photography Ruthie's pre-game ritual includes 8+ hours of sleep, a burger, a playlist of Hall & Oates, and an iced white chocolate mocha. On assignment, Ruthie is usually doing whatever is necessary to get the best possible photo, whether it be sloshing through a ditch, balancing on the roof of a skyscraper, flying in a blimp or standing in a bathtub and She loves EVERY minute of it. Ruthie goes above and beyond for her clients while also capturing as much personality, life and storytelling in her images as possible.

In today’s episode, Ruthie and I dive in on treating your creative work as a business, how to get connected in new locations and building your tribe, and the importance of finding a partner who shares your values and complements your skills. So, without any further ado, my interview with Ruthie Hauge.

PHOTOS FROM THE EPISODE: COMING SOON

QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments!

SHOW NOTES: COMING SOON

Introducing "Push|Pull" – A New Photo Forward Segment (#012)

“Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.”

Hey everyone and welcome to the Photo Forward podcast, where we dive in deep each week on the art of visual storytelling, exploring the stories behind some of the greatest photographers in the world. From their origin stories to finding balance as creative professionals, to how to actually make a living as a photographer, videographer, or multimedia creator – I’m your host, Ben Brewer

So, this is a special little in-between-isode, introducing a new ongoing series on this show. Now, one of the biggest reasons I’m undertaking this show was...well...thinking about my own work. Let me explain.

When I started out in the field of photography and photojournalism, interning at whatever newspaper would take me, whatever freelance outlet I could get my grubby little photographer hands on… I was so fuckin’ lost. (Not to say that feeling has subsided over the years to where I’m at today, but it’s certainly evolved in different ways)

I say “fuckin’ lost” because, as a photographer just starting out, I was missing FOUR big things:

• Exposure to the world of professional photographers (This was 2008, after all)

• Foresight about what pitfalls and mistakes to avoid

• Critique of my work

• And a true, honest-to-god coach and mentor

So, part of what Photo Forward sets out to do, and what I think the format has excelled at is really the first two – sharing the visual storytelling community and enlightening the photographic world… in the words of Otto Von Bismarck “Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.”

But where we really haven’t gone yet are those critical last two points, critique and coaching. Arguable the most impactful way I’ve grown as a photojournalist. That’s why I’m so excited to share a new feature on Photo Forward, a segment I’m calling “Push|Pull” (All you film buffs out there will appreciate that reference)

"Push|Pull" is a periodic Q/A or AMA (ask me anything) style segment where I’m going to do real, unscripted critique and coaching taped podcast episodes with YOU Photo forward listeners.

Want an honest critique of your portfolio or recent photo project you’ve been workshopping? Or maybe you’ve got questions about your photography career and where you want to grow as a visual creator? Or maybe you’re a freelancer feeling a bit isolated from the photo community and just want to shoot the shit with a fellow visual storyteller and talk shop for a bit. Wherever you the audience want to take "Push|Pull", Let’s go there.

So here’s how this is going to work in real life: Because I want to give everyone a fair shot at getting featured on "Push|Pull" and to have their questions answered, we’re going to run this through Instagram. Start by following my Instagram page at BBrewerPhoto. And, when I go live (instagram story?) on Instagram Stories and start talking about "Push|Pull", just send me a Direct Message with your Skype ID or email. The first THREE people who send me their deets on each IG story will get to be the lucky few for that Month’s "Push|Pull" episode (as long as you agree to have us record our conversation. Duh.)

And that’s really all there is to it! It’s kind of an experiment for this show, but I know it’s got the potential to help out a lot of photographers who might be feeling a similar kind of “fucking lost” that I’ve been through over the years.

So, to recap, make sure you’re following @BBrewerPhoto on Instagram and keep your eyes peeled for IG stories on "Push|Pull", and when they come up, hit me up with a DM to get coaching!

Anyways, that is all for today my Photo Forward people. I hope you are as excited about this expansion to the show as I am creating it. We’re gonna do some awesome shit, I know it. So, as always: Keep seeing, keep shooting, and keep putting your Best Photo Forward. See you all soon.

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SMART Goals for Creatives // (#011)

Hey Photo Forward listeners — WE ARE BACK. Yes, finally at long last after a brief hiatus of me moving to Minneapolis-St.Paul, the Photo Forward Podcast is back and better than ever. We’ve got some incredible interviews lined up for the coming months and experimenting with new content on the show. Thank you all so much for your patience. So, without further ado, let’s get into this week’s episode on the beauty of SMART goals for creatives.

Probably the majority of you all listening this right now would classify yourselves as creatives of one sort of another. And if that’s the case and you self-identify that way like I do, you’ve probably been fed a similar popular wisdom throughout your lives — creatives (photographers/artists/writers/you name it) produce their best work when they are free, unencumbered and left to their own devices, following their creative spirit… while businesspeople/entrepreneurs and the like need structure and analytical thinking to thrive. Well, quite frankly...we’ve all been fed the same lie. It’s time to get SMART and set some goals.

Hey everyone and welcome to the Photo Forward podcast, where we dive in deep each week on the art of visual storytelling, exploring the stories behind some of the greatest photographers in the world. From creative inspiration, to finding balance as a creative professional, to how to actually make a living as a photographer, videographer, or multimedia creator – I’m your host, Ben Brewer.

When you hear “goal-setting” or “tracking your performance”, you probably want to lace up your shoes and run, having flashbacks to meaningless professional development classes or filling out TPS reports at a past nightmare job… But stay with me here.

I want to pull back the curtain on a concept from the realm of project management and personal development that I all but guarantee will help focus the planning, creation, and exposition of your creative work–whether it’s for your overall growth as a creator or on a specific photo or video project. They’re called SMART goals. And no, it has nothing to do with the intelligence of your ideas or their execution.

An acronym coined back in the early 80’s by management consultant George T. Doran, the letters of SMART goals correspond to: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and (probably the biggest crutch to executing creative work) Time-Bound.

The best creative work needs to keep this shit in mind from beginning to end. Obviously things might change throughout the course of creation, but it’s important to not let inattention waste quality creativity. Let’s break down what each of those mean. Say I’m pitching a photography project to an editor. I better damn well exactly know the Who, What, When, Where, and Why (that priority matters, read some of Simon Sinek’s work for some perfect examples of the importance of “Starting with Why”. Is it a solo project or will it require a crew to fulfill your creative vision? What is it? When are you going to start it (but seriously, WHAT DAY)? Where are your shoot locations / Where are you going to edit and post-produce the work? And last but clearly not least, WHY should this work exist? In other words, be Specific.

Now, if you’re working on a piece of long-term project, it can be super, super easy to fall into the, well, HUMAN, trap of not spacing one’s content creation out appropriately or arguably worse yet, not keeping track of how a project is progressing. I can actually hear my inner monologue working on the script for this episode going: “I wrote SOME of it tonight. I got SOME of my ideas down. That’s a successful day of writing, right?” Think about the last creative project you worked on that DIDN’T pan out as well as you’d hoped. Did you keep track of how MUCH you were producing along the way? Did you write X words, take X photos, sketch X drawings this month like you said you would? Now obviously, things happen. Life has a funny habit of getting in the way of finishing projects. But knowing how MUCH you should produce does wonders for keeping a Specific project on track — The goal has to be Measurable.

Now, we’ve nailed down what the first part of SMART goals stands for. But take a good hard look in the mirror for this next one. Do you have the skills to reach your goals or deliver on your creative projects? What good is a Specific and Measurable goal, say creating photography work on a compelling subject three times a week...that you want to see published this year in National Geographic... if you’ve only been a working photographer for a few months? All the busting ass in the world can’t make up for the fact that skill and mastery take time. Making world-class work in your first months as a photographer simply isn’t an ATTAINABLE goal. Your goals, projects and personal development as a creative need to INSPIRE you to action, not demotivate you to getting stuck in the status quo.

So, for the penultimate letter in SMART goals, we’re looking at essentially the meta-goal of your creative project – RELEVANT – does it make SENSE for you to be working now on THIS. You may be able to create a beautifully cinematic demo reel of your travel videography, but if your bread and butter (economically speaking) as a creator is your portraiture or corporate work, it MIGHT not make sense for you to commit time and energy into editing that reel. There are an infinite number of endeavors we CAN spend our time on, so we as creators need to be highly mindful on the RELEVANCE of the work we’re producing. As an aside, I struggle with this constantly as a freelance photojournalist; Even spending time on this podcast seems at times like it isn’t my “ONE BIG THING” that I need to be spending time on, but I know that the long-tail outcomes of producing and interviewing brilliant creative minds justifies the time it takes — i.e. Creating a visual storytelling podcast is RELEVANT to my goals to thrive as a freelance creator because it’s a learning opportunity and a means to reach a wider audience with my work.

And last, you guessed it, Time-Bound. Now, practically all of us can think back to an experience in high school or college where you were given a big essay or project due in a few weeks. And probably some of you were what we call “forward-thinking” or “organized” and got ahead on the project and whittled away at milestones or drafts along the way, making the last few days before the due date simple. Or were you were more like myself and maybe...neglected...to work on projects as much as you ought to and left the bulk of the project for those last few days before it was due? Well, I’ve got good news for you. Regardless of which group you might fall into, what’s important here is that sneaky little due date. That’s really the most basic example of a Time-Bound goal. So on your creative projects, whether it’s a daily goal, weekly or monthly one, or even a big audacious five-year one, keeping the project bound by time makes sure it gets done.

The real beauty of SMART goals isn’t just by following one or another, it’s how they mesh together. The art comes together when you combine Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. SMART goals get projects started, they keep content on track, and they get you results on your creative work. So, now time to get working and get SMART.

What part of SMART goals do you guys struggle with the most? I’d love to hear more by connecting on Facebook or Instagram @BBrewerPhoto or email podcast@photoforward.media.

Enjoying listening to the Photo Forward Podcast? Want to hear more thought-provoking, creative visual storytellers? Well, this is where you come in. We want to get the word out as wide as possible about Photo Forward and reach as many listeners as possible. And the best way to do that is through reviews and recommendations on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you consume your podcasts. If you want to support more engaging and intimate conversations with photographers, videographers, and storytellers the world over, head on over the Photo Forward page and drop a review or even a rating. It means a ton to growing the show and I personally read through each and every review to make this show the best damn visual storytelling podcast out there.

This has been another episode of Photo Forward, produced and edited by me, your host Ben Brewer. Music featured in this episode was licensed through the AMAZING music site – Artlist.io. All the original, royalty-free music you could ever want to use in your creative projects for a super reasonable price. For an extra two months FREE, check it out and follow the link www.artlist.io/Ben-8800

And, as always, keep seeing, keep shooting, and keep putting your best Photo Forward. See you all next week.

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Photo Forward is MOVING (A Quick Announcement)

Hello everyone and welcome to the Photo Forward Podcast, I’m your host Ben Brewer. Today, as you might have gathered from the title and a bit of irregularity in the schedule recently is more an announcement and some housekeeping than one of our usual deep-dive interviews with photographers, videographers and visual creators.

So, as some of you might have known, for the past 6 years, I’ve been based out of Madison, Wisconsin. And as much as I’ve loved living in the Cheesehead state, sometimes it’s simply the right set of life circumstances at the right moment to make a leap of faith and relocate geographically. So, spoiler alert: I’ve moved!

I’ve made the decision to move back across the border to my home state of Minnesota to continue to grow my freelance work and if I’m being honest, take some steps to grow personally.

So what does that mean for Photo Forward. In short, it’s going to be pretty much business as usual. The Podcast will continue with a renewed focus on bringing on exciting, creative, and inspiring guests...with one caveat. As you all I’m sure are aware: Moving on its own is a long, stressful, and time-consuming process — and adding in relocating a business and home office doesn’t make it much simpler. So for all of you that have been Jonesing for new Photo Forward episodes this last month, I wanted to apologize for the lack of updated content. This podcast project has meant a hell of a lot to me this past year and your support and listenership has been a huge driving force along the way.

So, in short: New Photo Forward episodes are ON THEIR WAY, but you’ll have to be a bit patient. I’ll be giving plenty of updates (be sure to follow @BBrewerPhoto on the socials) as we “re-launch” the podcast in my new state. I can’t wait to keep producing the series and look forward to having you (and all your friends) along for the ride in 2019 and beyond.

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

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ACKERMAN + GRUBER // Dynamic Duo (#008)

In past episodes of Photo Forward, we’ve looked at a ton of different topics in visual storytelling — from creating a long term documentary project to how to pitch that work to editors in the wider world. And in all of those stories, it’s been typically centered around solo operators, freelancers, and individuals. Well today is breaking that mold ENTIRELY.

Crafting a successful freelance photography career is NO SMALL FEAT. From accounting to marketing to insurance and everything in between… It’s ALL on YOU. Now imagine adding an extra personal wrinkle: Your photography partner is also your LIFE PARTNER. That’s the story for today’s amazing guests – Jenn Ackermann and Tim Gruber.

Jenn Ackerman and Tim Gruber are a husband and wife team based in Minneapolis, MN. You will almost always find them working side by side, which has been the case since grad school. They enjoy the collaborative nature of being a tight-knit team and pushing each other to create images that sing. Their goal on every assignment is simple - evoke emotion and authenticity in every image they make to advertising, corporate and editorial clients. They pride themselves in being storytellers and work to create a narrative in every photo they take.

Their work has been honored by the Communication Arts Photography Annual and Advertising Annual 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, American Photography 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 PDN Photo Annual, Review Santa Fe Center Project Competition, Photolucida’s Critical Mass, Inge Morath Award, Magnum Expression Award, POYi, and many others. Their most recent documentary film won an Emmy and they were named a McKnight Fellow and to PDN's 30 Photographers to Watch.

In today’s interview, Jenn, Tim and I tackled a ton on the nature of crafting AUTHENTIC visual storytelling work, getting through those “scary” times building a creative business, and how crucially important open communication is for growing a collaborative partnership.

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QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY // What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments!

SHOW NOTES // Coming Soon!

ANDY MANIS // One Picture, One Story (#006)

“It’s what’s between the ears that makes the picture. Not what’s in front of the eyes.”

Hello everyone and welcome to the Photo Forward Podcast, where we explore the stories behind some of the greatest visual storytellers in the world. From their photographic origins, to finding work-life balance as creative professionals, to how to actually make a living as a photographer, videographer, or multimedia creator — we uncover what makes them tick and their shutters click. I’m your host, Ben Brewer.

Associated Press. The A. P. If you follow the editorial, photojournalism or news photography world, you already know that organization is a heavy hitter. (For those of you that don’t, the AP is a global news agency and wire service with over two hundred bureaus in over a hundred companies. And a hefty stack of Pulitzers to boot since their founding around 100 years ago.) And so, if you as a photographer could put AP contributor or stringer in your bio, that carried a hell of a lot of weight.

But the world has changed since the heydays of wire service photography and newsgathering. As newspapers struggle to reinvent their business model in the digital world, that pushes organizations like the AP, Reuters, AFP and more to cut back on the number and regularity of contributor content.

But you’re thinking, “Yeah, that’s a great sob story, Ben. Why should I care? My photography work is totally different.” Everybody thinks they’re immune to the democratization of visuals, but the truth is, we’re all vulnerable. If you don’t intentionally reinvent yourself and adapt to our new visual world, you’ll get left behind all the same. That’s why I brought on today’s guest, AP Photographer and all-around great guy.

Andy Manis started his freelance business in 1995 and has been going strong ever since. Manis began his career in photography in 1980. He has held positions as a college staff photographer, staff photographer at newspapers, a photo editor for a wire service and an educator. Some of Andy’s clients include the University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin State Journal, Getty Images, The Associated Press, The New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today among many others. Manis lives in Madison with his wife and step-daughter where they love to cook and enjoy the outdoors.

In today’s episode Andy and I break down how adapting your freelance work to the changing state of photography is critical, why sometimes, the best marketing tactic is just making face-to-face connections, and the importance of telling a unique story, even in a single photo. We even get into a bit of the nuts and bolts of taking care of yourself as a freelancer and some tips Andy has for avoiding burnout.

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PHOTOS FROM THE EPISODE: COMING SOON

QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments!

SHOW NOTES: COMING SOON