In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of speaking with photographer and filmmaker Jesse Driftwood. Jesse began his career by filming weddings for a few friends. With such a low margin of error, wedding photography is the ultimate trial by fire for any creator and equipped Jesse with the skills to tell the stories that were unfolding in front of him. Over the next 8 years of wedding photography, Jesse became a husband, father and also began telling his own stories on Instagram. Often known for his Instagram stories, Jesse has an uncanny ability to create compelling and short-form content about his life and those around him. As one of the most humble creators we’ve met, Jesse stresses the importance of having a pragmatic approach to measuring success as a creator. We're living in a time where consistent content is a precedent to growing your personal brand and following, yet Jesse highlights the trappings of this lifestyle and ways to stay grounded. Enjoy!

This episode of The Darkroom Podcast was made possible by our new podcast partners, Epidemic Sound. The team at Epidemic is helping us bring on some of their amazing creators as guests for the show so this week we’re excited to kick it off with creative director and design educator, Matthew Encina. Matthew is the former creative director at Blind where he worked with clients like Xbox and Coldplay and is now the Chief Content Officer at The Futur, a design education company. We get into Matthew’s first childhood moments of interacting with the design world and how an innate curiosity has led him to be the creator he is today. His work has been featured in Rolling Stone, The Wall Street Journal, MTV and many more. Matthew gives his advice for anyone looking to not only learn a new skill but to maximize the retention of any online or in person learning. As an extremely organized person, we get into the ways in which Matt organizes his life, work, and state of mind. Enjoy the episode!   For a free month of Epidemic Sound, click the link here.   For more on Matthew’s Background, see the show notes below:    Matthew Encina Social handle (IG, twitter, Youtube): @matthewencina Websites: matthewencina.com   The Futur: Social: @thefuturishere  Website: thefutur.com Channel: YouTube.com/thefuturishere   20 year journey of my career, from high school till now: Part 1: https://youtu.be/QowXUHYEzT8 Part 2: https://youtu.be/1YWB-ybZKPw

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we spoke with photographer Jack Harding. We dive into Jack’s story from picking up a camera just five years ago to where he is today. Back in 2016, Jack was working in a Swedish bank, spending his salary to travel to Norway on the weekends with fellow photographers. Since then, Jack has shot for some of the most iconic brands in the world including Audi, Helly Hansen, Adobe and many more. We get into the ways Jack pitches himself to brands and how you can position yourself to shoot the work you want in your portfolio. Jack gives his advice for anyone looking to get into travel/lifestyle photography and how you can turn that weekend passion into a thriving business. Last year alone, Jack traveled to 20 countries for both personal and commercial work. With so many options on how to begin or expand your photography skills, Dane and Jack dive into the concept of workshops, both choosing the right one and getting the most out of it. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we spoke with photographer and Co-founder of Street Dreams Mag, Steven Irby. Steven has been documenting the BLM Protests in NYC, balancing his time both on the ground and in conversations with brands/communities on how to move forward from this moment. The last couple weeks have highlighted our unprecedented ability to capture and distribute media from our phones and cameras. Steve lends his perspective on the role photographers and videographers play in fueling a movement like this and the power their media has to both gain and dismantle solidarity. Steve shares his personal experience in contracting work, having lived the ever apparent imbalance and innate biases non-white visual creators face. While much of the media we intake today reinforces divisive positions, we’d like to take a step towards consensus and have an open dialogue on how we move forward together.

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we spoke with GNARBOX CEO, Tim Feess. GNARBOX builds rugged backup devices for professional photographers and filmmakers, creating the most reliable and secure process for backing up files. Creators ranging from professional photographers to production crews use the GNARBOX to streamline their file management while they’re in the field, on the go or in the studio. The concept of GNARBOX was born when Tim and his Co-founder Will Africano wanted to find a way to simplify the uploading and management of their GoPro videos. With almost no hardware or software experience, Tim and Will prototyped the first version of GNARBOX with a lean team, launching a massively successful Kickstarter. GNARBOX now has its eyes on both the production world and related industries that have the same pain point of getting files off devices, processed and uploaded online. This includes developing an SDK that will allow enterprise customers to customize their data management workflow by deploying custom applications to the GNARBOX hardware. We get to hear Tim’s perspective on the future of work post COVID-19, and the hardware/software needs of a modern workforce. In a world where travel is difficult and remote work has become more prevalent, the need for a fast and secure file management device has never been more needed. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we spoke with freelance photographer and creative Jeremy Cohen. You may know Jeremy from his viral TikTok series, Quarantine Cutie, where he tapes his phone number to a drone and flies it to a woman he saw dancing on her rooftop. After his dating TikTok series went viral, Jeremy found his work on the cover of New York Magazine and landed him on multiple news outlets like Time and ABC. Jeremy lives by the simple mantra of work hard and be kind, which has generated consistent referral clients throughout his career. We hear how Jeremy first got into the world of photography, how he never stopped being curious and always put himself in uncomfortable positions to fuel his personal growth. Leveraging his recent virality, Jeremy partnered with us at Darkroom to raise money for Invisible Hands, a group of volunteers that deliver groceries and supplies to the elderly, disabled and immunocompromised during COVID-19. After just a weekend we raised $9000 and are extremely grateful to everyone who bought a print or helped share the cause!

In the final episode of our Creators in Isolation series, we spoke with three of our favorite creators: photographer Jessica Zollman, designer and author Dani Dipirro and Co-founder of Diversify Photo Andrea Wise. Jessica talks through losing her full-time job and how her future plans of going back to freelancing and moving to Portland had become a present and hasty reality. After a brief time of processing the sweeping effects of Covid-19, Jessica is finding ways to stay creative and sane. Andrea gives insight into building Diversify Photo, a community that equips Art Buyers, Creative Directors, and Photo Directors with the resources to discover photographers of color available for work. She touches on the changes she has seen within the Diversify community and her advice for creatives to stay agile, viewing this crisis as a creative challenge. Dani's brand, Positively Present, is a much needed perspective in a time where constraints like social distancing have been emotionaly draining for many of us. In these often uninspiring times, Dani has doubleddown on creating as her outlet for what she is experiencing. Dani's work has always been highly personal and has become a raw and leading vocie for those who want to stay positive in this crisis. We took away a lot from listening to these three creators and hope their stories can be helpful in these trying times.   

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we spoke to three of our favorite creators: Chris Burkard, Alex Strohl and Alen Palander to get their perspective on how artists can adapt to the current pandemic. Since COVID-19 has pushed us all into isolation, there has been an influx of news on how the creative community should deal with this pandemic. We wanted this episode to stand out from that noise and be highly actionable for anyone listening. After chatting with Chris, Alex and Alen, it’s clear that no matter the stage of your career, everyone is deeply effected by this crisis. Many of you have lost gigs, brand work and may even find it hard to stay motivated when all we have is time, we feel that too. We hope this episode helps provide you with some clarity on what you can do to continue growing through this crisis and come out of it stronger. We’re always here if you need to talk, so please feel free to reach out to us whenever. Enjoy!

In the last month, the world and the global economy have been hit with the impacts of the Corona Virus. Driving small businesses to close, thousands of people to lose their jobs and left millions with uncertainty on how they are going to get through this crisis. We’ve seen creators and freelancers feeling these effects so deeply that we wanted to provide some advice in such a chaotic moment. Today we’re bringing you stories from three of the top creators we know: Chris Poplawski, Jessica Kobeissi, and Garrett King to talk through what creators can do to mitigate their losses and prepare themselves for what’s to come. The only way we get out of this crisis is by working together, sharing stories on creative ways to generate income, building and refining new skills and ultimately coming out from all of this stronger. These times can feel isolating but you’re not alone, and we’re always here if you’d like to share and talk through your story with us.

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we spoke with lifestyle and adventure photographer Spencer Backman about his recent 1200 mile walk down the California coastline. Spencer found himself in a similar situation as many of us do, working hard with a seemingly great life on paper but feeling empty at the same time. He had a great relationship and job but realized he needed a shock that would change everything to fill this unexplainable void.  Spencer decided that thing was to make a 1200 mile walk through the California coast. Over 98 days he walked over 6 million feet, capturing the landscapes around him. Spencer put his experience all together in The Twelve Hundred Mile Walk Book that’s now sold out. Throughout his journey, Spencer battled conditions like landslides that deviated him from his course, a lack of food and dealt with unmapped terrain. We're excited to bring you his story!   

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we got a chance to chat with YouTuber and photographer Jessica Kobeissi in the Epidemic Sound Studio.  Even as a teenager, Jessica was building community and exploring her artistic talents through PaintShop Pro and Neopets. With a massive following on Neopets, Jessica was inspired to build her own website, teaching herself how to code. She began releasing design tutorials and even ran advertising through her website as a 15 year old. Jessica got her first camera soon after, inspired by other artists on Facebook and began shooting portrait work from day 1 in her backyard. Since then, she has amassed over 1.6 million subscribers on YouTube where she helps her viewers grow their skills while bringing the photography community closer.  With a heavy focus on portraiture work, Jessica gives her advice for any artists looking to find their speciality and begin standing out in our saturated world of content. Jessica brings such a unique energy and perspective to any discussion so we're excited to share this episode with you!   

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we got the chance to talk with storyteller and photographer Vanessa Rivera. Starting her creative career just two years ago, Vanessa has found an incredibly unique way to tell stories by creating surreal edits of herself, her husband Anthony and their 3 kids. As her career began taking off, we hear how Vanessa shifted into a full-time creative, taking her family all around the world and convincing her husband to leave his job. Inspired by the works of Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein, Vanessa begins her creative process by sketching the shot with her husband, leading them down a path to bring that idea to life. Her edits make any artist question their photoshop skills and quickly caught the attention of Adobe. After Vanessa submitted concepts to the Adobe team, she found that her image was chosen as the splash screen for Photoshop 2020. Vanessa lives her life with the same spontaneity that her images exude and we're excited to share her story, enjoy!  

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast, Dane Deaner gets a chance to sit down with New York based photographer Brandon Woelfel. Known for his whimsical and luminescent style, Brandon’s portraiture work could be recognized anywhere. We hear how Brandon steadily grew both his skills in photography and the audience that began surrounding his work. He’s currently focusing most of his energy on shooting for brands and gives his perspective on the ways other creators can monetize. In early 2020 Brandon is releasing his new photobook, Ultraviolet, a compilation of both his photos and the process that went into each shot. We get to hear Brandon’s perspective on the opportunities he sees for the next generation of creators and what platforms like TikTok add to that narrative. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we spoke to travel and lifestyle photographer Andrew Kearns. Coming off two workshops with Moment and Alex Strohl, Andrew dives into what it was like to be in front of the camera. We get into Andrew's past before photography and how online poker funded his music aspirations. Just a few years back, Andrew went on a hike that led him down a path to meeting some of his favorite photographers and now friends. We also talk through some of the ups and downs that Andrew has faced and is overcoming as a full-time creator. 

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we did a roundtable with Dane and the Darkroom founders Theo Chapman and Anders Bill. In a world where seeking attention is often pursued more than paying attention, we run through the risks that poses to the creative process and the trappings of that desire. We also dive into what we think the life of a creator will be in 2020 with platforms like TikTok and the technological promises of Augmented Reality. TikTok has opened up new frontiers of content creation and we argue that it is one of the most creative social media platforms. From industry news out of Adobe and Instagram to personal goals we’ve set for ourselves, we’re excited to share the beginning of a new chapter in The Darkroom Podcast. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we spoke with legendary photojournalist and entrepreneur Christopher Michel. Chris has a knack for the extreme, traveling and documenting places like the North & South Poles, Everest, and even the edge of space. We get to the root of how Chris views motivation, pushing to motivate himself and others through purpose rather than financial incentives. After 7 years of active duty in the Navy and 16 years of service, Chris developed a deep understanding of the problems facing many of our service members. This lead him to found Affinity Labs and Military.com, which aim to provide social and financial benefits to groups like firefighters, nurses, policemen and those in the military. After not picking up a camera until after his military career, Chris is making up for lost time and believes that memories are the true currency of our lives. His most recent project called New Heroes, in partnership with Leica, highlights 30 scientists in emerging fields. By telling the stories of these scientists who have dedicated their lives to solving the incredibly difficult challenges that threaten our existence, Chris is changing the narrative on who we define as our heroes. From traveling 70,000 feet above the Earth in a U2 spy plane to bringing back stories from the edge of Earth, this episode is for anyone with a thirst for adventure.

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we spoke with New York Times bestselling author and anonymous poet Atticus. Known for his short form poetry, Atticus has been writing under his pseudonym while capturing the hearts and minds of his over 1 million followers. His third book, The Truth About Magic, is set to release on September 10th and is the final chapter in his trilogy. Atticus first began writing after a serendipitous run in with notorious actor Michael Manson in France and was inspired by his openness to share his love of poetry. Behind the mask, Atticus feels like he can write freely and vulnerably without the baggage that comes along with fame. Atticus has grown his work to expand into new fields, launching his own red wine called Lost Poet with the founders of wine subscription company Winc and a short form podcast coming out September 1st. Atticus now travels the world reading his poetry to his thousands of fans and continues to write as inspiration comes.

On this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we chatted with entrepreneur, seed investor and CPO of Adobe, Scott Belsky. As the former founder and CEO of Behance, Belsky built one of the largest platforms for showcasing creative work and has spent most of his career building tools to empower content creators.  Before being acquired by Adobe in 2012, we hear how Belksy and his team navigated and ultimately organized the once messy world of design.  We dive deep into Belsky’s vision for the future of design and how Adobe will usher in the era of augmented reality with imaginative initiatives like Project Aero, a powerful AR authoring tool for designers to make immersive content.  Building the tools that will define the roles of designers and creators of the future is a heavy task but one that Belsky thoughtfully embraces and seems to deeply enjoy. In a time when we are all inundated with screens and notifications, Belsky believes that disconnecting can be a real advantage and one that he practices regularly.  As an early investor in Uber, Warby Parker, Pinterest, Sweetgreen and Periscope, Belsky has an eye for transformative technologies and businesses that will lead us into the future. We’re excited to share this episode and recommend it for anyone looking to maximize their creative output.

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we spoke to Heidi Luerra, CEO and Founder of RAW Artists, the largest indie arts organization in the world. For the last 10 years RAW has brought the creative community together by organizing showcases in 70+ cities, helping 200,000 artists in fashion, music, and the visual arts gain exposure. As an artist herself, Heidi felt the personal struggle of getting her work out to the world. After trying to build momentum behind her fashion line in the early 2000’s, Heidi decided to throw an event to showcase not only her work but of other artists in LA. Nearly 750 people showed up to Heidi’s first event and the idea for RAW was born. We get to hear how Heidi thinks through her creative process and how she has built a team to support a global network of showcases thrown every week. Heidi is coming off her first book, The Work of Art, A No-Nonsense Field Guide for Creative Entrepreneurs, where she highlights what it takes for artists to turn their creative work into a thriving business. Head to https://rawartists.org/ to see if there is a RAW event near you and https://www.heidiluerra.com/preorder/pre-order to find Heidi’s book!

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we spoke to the CEO of Hipcamp Alyssa Ravasio. Having founded the company in 2013, Alyssa and her team set out to make camping easier and more accessible. With over 40 employees, Alyssa has grown Hipcamp to over 300,000 camping spots, vineyards, parks and more. We get to hear about Alyssa’s experience as a female founder and how she leads her team with emotional openness and transparency. On a mission to get more people outside, Hipcamp believes that connecting people with nature makes better, happier humans.  We get to hear from Alyssa how creating Hipcamp has been a pressure cooker for human development, pushing herself and team to face their own flaws and insecurities. Self-care is a core value at Hipcamp and their incredible work has pushed thousands of people to get outside and do the same. Join the movement and get outside with Hipcamp!

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we spoke to the CEO and Co-founder of Epidemic Sound, Oscar Höglund. Over the last 10 years, Oscar and the team at Epidemic have set out to soundtrack the world, pioneering a new era of music licensing for all types of content creators, studios and storytellers. Epidemic tracks are now listened to over 250 million hours each month and are the go to platform for people like Peter McKinnon and companies like Netflix.  In a notoriously self-serving industry, Epidemic is changing the narrative on how to support creatives while sustaining a steady flow of world-class content. With over 500 hit tracks on music streaming services, we hear how Epidemic is leveraging the power of AI and data analytics to stay ahead of ever-changing music trends and thus offering invaluable insights to their creators. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Oscar and his founding team have taken their humble beginnings in Scandinavia and scaled their technology to change the world of sound within content creation. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we spoke to the creator and director of Chef’s Table, David Gelb, at his production studio Supper Club. We jump back into David’s early passions for theatre and acting in high school and how his father’s life in the classical music world became a steady inspiration for him. Having built a small team of friends to go shoot with in high school and college, David has a knack for finding and building talent, allowing him to work on a multitude of projects including Supper Club’s latest non-fiction programming deal with Disney. David stepped into the spotlight in 2011 with his documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi; highlighting the story of the “world’s greatest sushi chef” Jiro Ono at his 10 person restaurant located in a Tokyo subway station. We hear how David took a camera and shot almost the entire movie by himself with a translator at his side and ultimately how his production methodology would set the stage for Chef’s Table. We get a unique chance to hear about Anthony Bourdain’s impact on David’s work and how both Street Food and Chef’s Table are a homage to Bourdain’s legacy. As Netflix’s first documentary series, Chef’s Table has been a massive hit for the streaming platform and has now become the longest running original series after its renewal for seasons 7 and 8. David’s raw passion and ability for storytelling has brought foreign cultures and cuisine to the homes of millions and we’re excited to see what’s to come. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we spoke to photographer, creative director and Co-founder of Street Dreams Magazine Steven “Sweatpants” Irby. We get into the early days of Steven’s life from picking up a camera in his 20’s to his first encounters with his Co-founders Eric Veloso and Michael Cobarrubia. These creators have turned their love of street photography into a renowned print publication now rounding the corner on their 15th edition. Within each release, Steve, Eric and Michael select a handful of the most talented street photographers, showcasing the authentic metropolitan areas in every corner of the globe. We talk about what makes a great piece of street photography not only so difficult to shoot but its importance in breaking social barriers in diverse cities. Now also a creative agency, Street Dreams takes on work from some of the biggest companies in the world to bring their aesthetic and vision to the table. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we caught up with renowned travel and commercial photographer Finn Beales while he was back at home in Wales. Shooting for over 10 years, Finn shares his breadth of knowledge in the space and how he has developed an incredible body of work. We talk through building his “72hrs in…” series, highlighting the cultures, people and scenes he encounters on his travels in places like Rwanda all the way to the Pacific Northwest. Having gotten his start on the other side of photography, building and designing websites for clients, we walk through what it took for Finn to break into the space then and what it takes to do the same today. We dive into the history of how shared stories are the very building blocks of our humanity and seed our ability to coexist. As one of the great visual storytellers, Finn has now built a team around him and has found a way to continue his personal growth throughout the years. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we spoke with legendary French photographer Alex Strohl. We hear about the first time Alex picked up a camera to what it took to build a personal brand followed by millions. We talk through the story arc that Alex has crafted for himself, one built on patience for bigger things and a steady taste for travel. Alex draws much of his inspiration for his images outside the realm of photography, often in books that have helped enhance the depth of his work. Now based in his newly built home in Whitefish, Montana, we caught Alex as he just added a set of workshops to help photographers gain technical skills and ultimately take tangible actions in their professional career. As an infinitely curious person, Alex has never stopped learning new skills from others and gives his advice on how to do the same. We took a lot from this episode and hope you do too! Enjoy! Website: https://www.strohl.works

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of speaking to Joel Flory, CEO & Co-founder of VSCO. We get a chance to hear Joel’s story from the beginning, growing up near Oakland and eventually becoming a wedding photographer with his wife for nearly a decade. After realizing that he wanted to start something new, Joel and his Co-founder Greg set out to build something that would help them as artists. Through many iterations, VSCO was born and would help millions of people express their creativity in an entirely new way. Joel walks through his choice of not building in public likes and comments as a feature and how that created a culture where work was judged on its meaning and value to the viewer rather than an arbitrary number.  In building anything new at VSCO, the team stresses that the creator and community always have to win, and that ultimately our creative differences must be celebrated. Joel and his 100+ person team at VSCO are now focused on creating what’s next for who’s next and are in an endless pursuit to find new forms of expression.

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we spoke with lifestyle and commercial photographer Quin Schrock. Quin’s life is far from the ordinary, after leaving life as an accountant, he set out to Peru not knowing what was in store for him. Without a camera in hand other than his phone, Quin traveled across the world when he eventually met a new friend who set out with him on a road trip across the country. Over the last couple years Quin has lived, worked and traveled in his van. While only breaking into the commercial scene recently, Quin has shot for brands like Apple, GoPro, Sony, Adobe and many more. We get into what success is for Quin and how his triumphs and failures can be a model for any artist trying to break into the space.

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure to speak with the Staff Photographer for Bon Appétit Magazine Alex Lau. Having traveled the world for his shoots, Alex’s work has been featured on the cover and in the pages of Bon Appétit’s most impressive editions showcasing some of the most sought after cuisines. We get to hear about how Alex hustled his way into his current and former jobs: taking multiple buses, trains and yes… even hiding his belongings under toilets to catch an interview. Alex tells us what it is like to be around (and to eat) some of the most popular foods and how he was able to break into the space. As an artist, Alex could be working with any top clients in the industry but he explains why working at Bon Appétit is such a unique opportunity.

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of speaking to the incredibly talented duo Daniel Rueda and Anna Devís. The two met and studied architecture together at Polytechnic University of Valencia and are now full-time freelancing photographers. As a team, they have found an incredibly unique style that blurs the worlds of architecture, surrealism and photography into one. Using the environment and buildings around them as their canvases, Daniel and Anna have been able to travel the world working for an array of clientele. We walk through their creative process from getting a client in the door to delivering a single yet stunning work of art.  They lend their advice for anyone out there that is looking to define their own style. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Romeo Okwara, a Leica photographer and the starting Defensive End for the Detroit Lions. Growing up in North Carolina and with family in Nigeria, Romeo’s love for travel developed at a young age. His interests in the creative space started with a passion for architecture and design, only growing stronger when he picked up a camera in college. We talk through his development as an artist and how his eye for the beautiful moments in everyday life has led him into his portraiture and lifestyle work, specifically documenting the lives of a group of firemen at FDNY Rescue 2 in Brooklyn over the last 2 years. We get a unique chance to hear how Romeo balances his life as an athlete in the NFL and his aspirations as an artist. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of speaking with Adam Senatori, a commercial photographer, videographer and pilot. Growing up in a creative home, Adam had an early passion for the art of flight and began traveling the world as a pilot. With years of flying under his belt, Adam went full time as a content creator, hitting the road for over 250 days of the year. From being one of the first featured photographers on Instagram to battling a saturated and competitive creative field, Adam has experienced the peaks and valleys that come with being a full time freelancer. We talk through the early days of building a portfolio to battling the ever-changing algorithms on social media. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of speaking with New York based entrepreneur and creative Andy McCune. You may know Andy as the Co-founder of Unfold, one of the hottest growing design and storytelling apps, or as the founder of Earth, a millennial-focused travel media company. Andy’s work and passions have landed him and his Co-founder Alfonso Cobo on the coveted Forbes 30 Under 30 list and an array of publications. We walk through what it was like to drop out of college just a year into his studies and how he transformed his mindset into becoming an infinite learner. We also hear about Andy’s experience in scaling an eCommerce business and how that has helped him scale his current ventures. Being comfortable with the uncomfortable is a common topic of this show and Andy embodies everything that comes with that disposition. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of speaking to Shaaz Jung, a naturalist, big cat tracker, wildlife photographer, and National Geographic cinematographer. For the last decade, Shaaz has built and managed multiple wildlife conservation and ecotourism camps in South India and East Africa, leveraging his art to preserve the animals and the forests he grew up in. Shaaz began his pursuit in conservationism by tracking and studying leopards, allowing him to develop a breathtaking body of work that now captivates an array of wildlife. Shaaz’s photography can only be described by his own unique genre called environmental surrealism, using shadows, light and the elements around him to highlight the animals he captures. In partnership with National Geographic, Shaaz’s story and those of the animals he grew up with will be shared around the world.

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we spoke to photographer and venture capitalist Bijan Sabet. Bijan is Co-founder and General Partner at Spark Capital where he has become an early stage investor in some of the most impactful technology companies including Tumblr, Oculus, and Twitter.  As a film photographer, Bijan’s street and landscape work covers a breadth of subjects as he travels the world with a camera in hand. We get a chance to hear Bijan’s unique perspective on the creative industry and how he believes content creators are some of the best entrepreneurs who make their vision come to life everyday. We walk through what Bijan looks for in early stage investments including the stark divide between missionary and mercenary entrepreneurs and where he sees the role of the creator in a platform dependent world.

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of speaking with the founder and sole designer of the brand Positively Present amassing an avid following of over 350,000 people. Dani walks us through how she took her negative disposition and turned her pursuit of positivity into an impactful brand. Building Positively Present over the last ten years, Dani has launched multiple books, a blog and countless pieces of art that have been featured in Forbes, Glamour, Teen Vogue and many other publications. Dani talks us through her internal dilemma of leaving her job to go full-time as a freelancer and gives her advice for any designer or artist thinking of doing the same. Dani’s art is now hanging in countless homes and offices around the world, spreading awareness for mental health and mindfulness.

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we tell the founding story behind Darkroom and how it came to be the platform it is today. We get into our first days of building the product and the surprising parallels that exist between founding a company and being a full-time artist. We talk about the creative industry at large: its pitfalls, low-hanging opportunities and its future role in our ever-changing economy.  The conversation dives deep into the importance of checking your mental health while optimizing personal growth as a creator. Growing collectively as a creative community is not always easy but we stress why we think it’s so important to the space and how the growing role of creators will be amplified by skill sharing. We’re humbled by all of you who listen and share this show and our platform, thanks for letting us grow with you!

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of speaking with legendary freelance photographer Joe Greer. Residing in New York, we caught Joe right as he was coming off his first music tour with the iconic Soul and R&B artist Leon Bridges. We jump into how Joe has created a moving body of work that reflects his growth as an artist and how he’s constantly redefining his limits. Joe offers his perspective on how to break into different areas of photography and how to embrace the uncomfortability that comes along with that change. We get a unique glimpse into how Joe tries to see the world through a frame even without his camera: studying the light, emotion and movements of subjects around him. Now handling all client work on his own, Joe walks us through the abyss of commercial photography and how he goes about pitching his vision to clients. We took away so much from this episode, and hope you do too!

On this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of speaking with Zakary Walters, Ed Sheeran’s full-time photographer. As a trained graphic designer, Zakary spent over 3.5 years in the field in both London and New York before picking up a camera for his friend Ed. Zakary talks through how his photography is not so different from his other artistic talents and how he handles the pressures of documenting the legendary life and concerts of Ed Sheeran. Having to adapt to a steep learning curve, Zak recalls the first time walking on stage in front of tens of thousands of people to capture Ed with his fans. We get into the dynamics of touring as a photographer, what it looks like to push out content as quickly as he does and what the future holds for him. Enjoy the episode!

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure to speak with Charlotte Savely also known as Charlotte Little Wolf. Born in England and traveling around the world as a child, Charlotte fell in love with the outdoors and became accustomed to an ever-changing scenery. Charlotte is now signed with Sony and has worked for some of the most recognized brands like Canada Goose, Adobe, Nike, REI and many more. We talk through her path to becoming a full time artist and how finding a place to call home can be difficult with her current lifestyle. With workshops coming up in 2019, we get an inside glimpse as to how Charlotte thinks about teaching the skills she has mastered over the years. As a true visual storyteller, Charlotte’s work has the power to take you on her adventures. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the absolute pleasure to speak with Lukas Dryja and Tyler Rooney, the Co-founders of Format. For the last 10 years Format has empowered tens of thousands of creators around the world to build their online portfolio with ease. Since inception, Lukas and Tyler have self-funded Format, giving them and their team of 50 full creative autonomy to adapt to an ever-changing industry. With simplicity and design at the center of Format’s technology, they have been able to continually innovate on their product to meet the demands of their creators.  We touch on the ups and downs of their founding story, how they built a team with transparency and the role of the creator in the near future. We are also excited to announce that Darkroom is officially partnering with Format to bring our eCommerce solutions to their creative base and together help shift the industry to a creator first mentality. Enjoy!  

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of speaking with travel and commercial photographer Forrest Smith. For the last six months Forrest has gone full-time as a freelance photographer based in New York City, working for clients like Canada Goose, Adobe, Teva and many more. We talk through his progression as an artist and what social media has done for him from both a positive and negative outlook. While Forrest has a massive following on social media, he recently found himself shaping his work around engagement and has now rather focused his efforts on his creative vision above all else. He offers his advice for any artist who has struggled with the same and how he plans to stick out in a busy and competitive space.

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of speaking to legendary photographer and director Tyson Wheatley. You may know him as the host of the Tinker Podcast or from his incredible photography. We talk through a lineup of topics in the space from the evolution of Instagram to landing brand work in today’s industry. After working 11 years at CNN as a journalist and executive editor, Tyson worked shortly at Instagram in San Fransisco. As an artist who has been in the space for years, Tyson shows how having a wide range of experiences in photography translates to confidence and ultimately work that speaks for itself.

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of speaking with legendary lifestyle and adventure photographer Garrett King also known as Short Stache. Raised in Texas and now residing in Southern California, Garrett is as ambitious and creative as they come. He’s now a full-time artist whose unique style and timeless imagery have paved the way for him to travel across the world shooting for a variety of clients. We talk through what it takes to become a storyteller for both his personal brand and for anyone who hires him. Garrett talks about how he releases his own creativity through experimentation and how to stand out amongst the noise.

On this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of speaking with landscape and travel photographer Thomas Heaton. Thomas travels all around the world documenting his work and sharing it with his audience on YouTube. Thomas is constantly trying to show other artists how to not only capture amazing content, but how to choose gear and make a living off their work. He offers his perspective on the current state of social media and shares what it is like to have an audience that relies on him for consistency.

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of speaking with Benjamin Hardman, an infamous freelance photographer based in Iceland. Benjamin’s work captures all the beauty of Arctic winter climates from aerial views of Icelandic river beds to the most resilient wildlife. We talk through his journey into commercial work with early clients like 66 North who helped propel him into a successful career with a strong personal brand. Benjamin walks us through his work on glaciers, portraying their fragility as a way to aid in our collective fight against climate change. Benjamin’s work and experience offers a chilling perspective on Earth’s most volatile yet deteriorating climates.

In this episode of the Darkroom podcast we spoke with Emily Nathan, founder and author of Tiny Atlas Quarterly, a photography-led magazine and creative agency. Sourcing work from dozens of artists, Emily has put together a new book called My Tiny Atlas, showcasing some of the most beautiful travel destinations in the world. Her relentless work at Tiny Atlas Quarterly has garnered nearly 7,000,000 submissions to the #mytinyatlas feed, receiving press from people at places like Vogue and Refinery29. We also talk through what it takes to be a successful commercial photographer and the hustle that comes along with that lifestyle. Emily gives us a glimpse as to how she views her own work and its affects on how it influences travel for so many people. 

On this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of sitting down with travel and wedding photographer, Chris Poplawski. Chris walked us through his early brand work, his progression as an artist and how he generates deal flow. Chris now travels the world with his partner and girlfriend Meagan Bourne as they capture breathtaking landscapes and couples in love. Chris also offers his advice for any artist looking to get their personal or commercial photography career started and what it takes to sustain that lifestyle.

On this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we got the chance to speak with Alen Palander. After moving from Iraq as a boy, Alen lived in Canada where he started shooting as a form of passive income while in University. As a photographer and creative director, Alen has traveled the world building his personal portfolio and doing work for some of the most iconic brands like Mercedes. We talk through Alen’s perspective on photography in today’s mobile and ever changing world and how artists should be weary of trying to replicate a lifestyle they see online. 

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we spoke with Jessica Zollman (@jayzombie), an LA based creator represented by Tinker Street. Jay was Instagram’s 5th employee and managed the community of the social media giant through their acquisition by Facebook. She now works as the Visual Coordinator for Go Get Em Tiger, a new Coffee subscription and store based in LA. We got to hear about her obsession with zombies and their underlying parallel to human crisis, working in LA as a freelancer and how to stay sane as an artist.  Through her personal journey, Jay offers her advice on how to avoid burning out as an artist and how to rediscover your love for creating. 

On this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we were lucky enough to sit down with Pete Souza, Chief Official White House Photographer for US Presidents Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan. Pete is coming off his second major book release in two years with his most recent titled Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents, juxtaposing the Obama and Trump administrations. We dove deep into Pete's personal background from when he first picked up a camera in college to stepping into the White House. Pete offers his advise for any artist that dreams of capturing history or documenting the news, lending an authentic eye in a time when it's most needed.  

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we got the opportunity to speak with Ori Guttin, Co-founder and CEO of ViewBug, the world's largest photo contest platform. Artists on the ViewBug platform submit their work to be evaluated by judges which are often some of the best photographers in the world, with the chance to win gear, cameras and other prizes. While ViewBug began as a way for photographers to showcase their work and challenge themselves, it has evolved into a learning platform where any photographer can go from novice to professional. Ori walks us through his daily routine of surfing in the morning in sunny San Diego and talks through what it takes to stand out as a photographer in this day and age. 

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the chance to chat with Lee Morris, CEO and Co-founder of Fstoppers, one of the largest and most active online communities for creative professionals. Morris and his Co-founder Patrick Hall started Fstoppers in 2010, leveraging video tutorials and other visual content to help budding photographers learn new skills. As a photographer himself, Morris was shooting 30 weddings a year when he began thinking about what he wanted to do with his free time.  Hear more about how Morris and Hall scaled Fstoppers to one of the largest online creative communities with 50+ writers and and millions of visitors a month.

This week on The Darkroom Podcast we got to chat with Jaxson Pohlman, a full-time photographer who spends his time between Southern California and Kansas. In the last three years, Jaxson has become a leading voice in the astro photography space, landing himself an official sponsorship with Adobe to help them release some of their latest Creative Cloud tools. We talk through his transition to becoming a full-time creator, highlighting the dichotomy between sustainability and autonomy. With his first workshops under his belt, Jaxson has become both a teacher and infinite learner, looking to spread his knowledge in the space (full pun) to others.

On this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we spoke with the legendary Chris Burkard about how he operates and continues to push himself to new limits. We got a chance to see and hear how Chris built an amazing team around him and how he leverages their talents. Being approachable is not only a part of who Chris is, it's also what helps him create such amazing deal-flow with his commercial work, largely for brands who are looking for artists with his sphere of influence. With so much success, Chris still finds space for personal growth in the uncomfortable and offers his advice for anyone seeking the same.

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we spoke with Joshua Kissi and Karen Okonkwo, the Co-founders of TONL, a stock photography company whose mission is to capture diverse people and deliver their stories around the world. Karen is a Nigerian-American social entrepreneur and previous founder of companies in the event planning and online business realm. Joshua is a Ghanaian-American photographer and entrepreneur who previously founded infamous creative agency, Street Etiquette, in NYC. Both Inc 30 Under 30 founders, Joshua and Karen are reshaping the way brands use diverse imagery, partnering with companies like Google to bring their vision to life.

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we chatted with Marc Barros, CEO and Founder of Moment, one of the most well known mobile photography gear companies in the world. Moment, raising over $6 million in funding, offers both an add-on app to their photography lenses and is now offering new photo trips with some of the world’s most renowned photographers. Marc talks through his early life of founding his first camera company in college, Contour, which he ran for 10 years. His approach to business and team building is one of radical transparency, from how much money is left in the bank to what was talked about at the last board meeting. As a father of three and CEO, we were lucky he could spare some time to share his story.

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we are extremely excited to bring you Alfonso Cobo, CEO of Unfold, the fastest growing app for creating and sharing stories. We talk through Alfonso’s childhood growing up in the Canary Islands and his early struggles with traditional education. We hear how Alfonso eventually found his way to Parsons School of Design where he aced his courses and began making strides to what he thought was going to be a career in architecture. That was until a school project showcasing his portfolio led him to develop Unfold. Since its inception, Unfold has brought in millions of users who have created tens of millions of stories while maintaining an overwhelming pace of 100,000 downloads a day. At just 25, Alfonso and his Co-founder Andy McCune, 23, have big dreams of what Unfold will become.

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we bring you Brendan North, a fine art photographer and poet who moved to LA just two years ago, turning a borrowed camera into a global audience of over 1 million people. Brendan’s portraiture work has allowed him to shoot for some of the top celebrities and models in LA including Usher and Atticus the Poet. Spending his time driving for Lyft and hustling for shoots, Brendan talks through his early days in LA. Through his rise to fame, Brendan lends a critical eye to his numerical “success” and has some parting words for anyone trying to define their own art in an age of both saturation and replication.

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of speaking with the CCO & Chairman of Havas North America and infamous photographer Jason Peterson. We explored his past, from growing up as a guitarist in his own punk rock band to hustling his way to his first job at an ad agency. Jason is now ushering in a new age of content creation with the expansion of his latest initiative, The Annex, a multi-city creative space that is home to some of the world's best YouTubers, Twitch Streamers, and content creators. In 2017, The Annex pulled in over $25 million in revenue, functioning both as its own ad agency for brands who want to stay on the cutting edge of all things social media and as an event space for artists like Chance the Rapper to throw a birthday bash.

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast our host Dane Deaner spoke to Peter Dering, CEO of Peak Design, one of the most renowned photography gear companies in the world. We talk through Peter's early passions as a civil engineer and a hiking trip that led him to build one of the most influential photography products. As an entrepreneur and photographer, Peter has been able to crowdfund over $17 million for Peak Design. Peter explains how he has infused his lifelong interest in green technology into Peak Design by offsetting their Carbon output generated by each product.