Episodes

This episode is a huge deal for me. Today on Behind the Shot I get to talk with Chris Rainier, and Chris is the first working National Geographic photographer I have had on the show. As I am writing this, a few days before recording with Chris, I am nervous. Chris Rainier is the best of the best. His new book MASK is something every photographer should check out, but more on that later. Chris is a National Geographic Society EXPLORER and documentary photographer/filmmaker, and he is highly resp...

Listen to these numbers, or I guess read them makes more sense… over 35 years as a staff and contract photographer for Sports Illustrated, with over 100 Sports Illustrated covers. That is the resume of Peter Read Miller. Peter has been photographing athletes, events and the sporting life for more than 40 years, and Sports Illustrated is just the tip of the arrow (the arrow reference will come back again in a second). Peter Read Miller’s editorial clients have included: Time, Life, People, Money...

I have been sitting here trying to write this post about my guest and can’t figure out where to start. Do I start with the fact he’s America’s Most Celebrated Wedding Photographer? Or maybe I start with the many TV appearances, or the books… or maybe the awards and accolades. When you have a guest like Denis Reggie, just getting the first sentence typed out is tough, very tough. Denis Reggie is arguable the best wedding photographer on the planet, and that’s not me saying that, it’s American Ph...

When it comes to photography podcasts, The Candid Frame is one of the best there is. It is constantly on a a list somewhere, like the new list from PHLEARN of “The Best Podcasts for Photographers“. The reason for that, or at least the reason I believe that is the case, is because of it’s host Ibarionex Perello. Ibarionex is many things, an L.A. photographer specializing in people and street photography, an educator and author, but for many his name is synonymous with photography podcasting. The...

Photoshop guru Aaron Nace was born on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai, which in and of itself is a reason to get to know him. Kauai is one of my favorite places, and in fact I was there just about two months before writing this. Try to imagine what it might be like to grow up on an island of forests, waterfalls, and wild chickens – lots of chickens. This environment sets a stage for childhood adventures and imagination, and the young Aaron set out to build forts deep in the jungle, explore the clif...

Back in August the Photoshop World Conference hit Las Vegas again for a week of fun, games, workshops and classes. I am really glad I went this year. For the last few years Photoshop World had called Mandalay Bay home, and this year that changed to The Mirage. The event center there is much more fitting for Photoshop World, with the classes and expo area much closer together. Starting with the Orientation, presented by Larry Becker this year was a blast. The Keynote was an unexpected special e...

My first introduction to Juan Pons was on The Digital Photo Experience podcast, with Rick Sammon. I listened to that show regularly, partly because I could hear the passion for the craft that both hosts had. Fast forward to today and my podcasting has come full circle. Instead of listening to these two guys on a show, I’ve had Rick on Behind the Shot four times, and finally Juan is on the show. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Juan’s passion is photographing our worlds magnificent wild...

I first heard about Andy Day back in April of 2019. Periodically I am a guest on my friend Don Komarechka’s Photo Geek Weekly podcast, and we covered a story Andy had written for Fstoppers – and let me say, please check out Don’s podcast, it’s fantastic. Knowing Andy was finally going to be on Behind the Shot I decided to look back to see what I had in my notes about him from that show. The story titled “Five Reasons Why You’ll Never Earn Good Money as a Photographer”, and here is what I wrote a...

Let me warn you, this is a printer review, but a lot more than that. I intended this show to be about 30-45 minutes, but yeah, didn’t work out that way. Even after finishing the sessions I did, I tried to edit it down, but in watching it back I just felt the info was useful. If it helped me, then I thought it might help you too, so I am leaving everything in, To help, I am including time stamps below so that you can directly jump to any of the four segments you want to see. I hope you enjoy the ...

Saying that David Dewhurst has been at photography for most of his life is an understatement. By the age of 15 he was he was already a working pro, getting to paid by national magazines to shoot what he loved – motorcycles. While that was a lesson on it’s own, David loved photography so much that he pursued a formal education as well. He attended a three year course on Industrial and Commercial photography at Blackpool College of Technology in norther England, and that’s where he learned the su...

This is our third of a continuing series in conjunction with Red River Paper. Red River Paper’s Education program helps photography students by providing high quality photo papers to photography education programs around the U.S. On each of these special shows my guest will be a photography student from one of the Red River Paper Education partner schools. Tied to each of these education episodes we will also do a limited time social media based giveaway of 10 Red River Paper Sample packs, wit...

This show is the start of a contest to win a 6 week online course, from Trey Ratcliff and Lauren Bath, on “How to Build Influence”, the ultimate e-course for future influencers. See the rules here or in the links below. I am often asked what my favorite episode of Behind the Shot is, which is not an easy thing to answer. I have truly enjoyed each and every show, and I have had the honor of getting to ask questions, that I really want to know the answers to, of some of my heroes. There is one epi...

I have to admit, I am at a loss for words – something my family would be happy about, but something that’s not great in this situation. This is a “pinch me” situation for me. I first heard of Scott Bourne on Leo Laporte’s MacBreak Weekly. He was a regular on the tech podcast, and as far as I knew that his main gig – a tech person. Periodically someone would mention his photography, but I was new to photography at the time and it just really never sunk in. Years later when I got into photography...

I have had to describe Rick Sammon to people on a number of occasions, and it seems to get progressively harder the more I get to know him. This will Rick’s forth time on Behind the Shot, which is more than any other guest. The next closest is Don Komarechka with 3 times. Why do I enjoy having Rick on so much? Let’s see, Rick is a legend. Every time I met him, or talk with him, I am amazed at how much he enjoys what he does, his photography, educating photographers from amateurs to pros, and li...

I’ve been doing Behind the Shot for a few years now, and I am constantly being introduced to artists that just blow be away. Kelly Robitaille is one of those artists. After my recent “Pixel Alchemy” show with Renee Robyn, who is hands down one of the most talented people I know, Renee suggested I get Kelly on the show. Renee has suggested guests to me before, and she’s never been wrong. The first time was Anya Anti, another amazing digital artist, so when Renee names someone I listen. Kelly Rob...

I first met Colin Smith a few years ago at WPPI in Las Vegas. We were both at an after hours party and starting about podcasting and YouTube. Colin’s PhotoshopCAFE page has over 143,000 subscribers that watch his Photoshop and Lightroom tutorials, which are honestly some of the best you’ll find. Mixed in with those lesson you’ll find his done photography. A best-selling author, and award-winning digital, Colin is known as a pioneer of HDR photography and aerial drone photography. Colin is found...

On this episode it’s the return of one of my most popular guests, Don Komarechka. Don is a nature, macro and landscape photographer from in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, and this will be his third appearance on Behind the Shot. In his first appearance we covered the topic Don is probably best know for, his snowflake photography. Yeah, you read that correctly… actual Snowflakes. You can see that show here: The Art of Snowflakes. For the second show he was on we decided to focus on a more common styl...

I can’t believe this is actually happening. Renee Robyn is finally on Behind the Shot. Since most people already know who Renee is, I could probably stop here and call a day. I wouldn’t need to write anything long, or detailed, or praise her talent at all, and the odds are good you’d still understand how cool this is. But here’s the thing…. I want to write about Renee. The reason I am so excited about having Renee on the show is because I almost had her on once before. In fact, a few years ago...

Last week in Las Vegas was WPPI 2019, and I had the chance to check out some new software, some new hardware, and to make some new friends. If you have never been to WPPI, it’s a conference in Las Vegas focusing on Wedding & Portrait Photography. Before you say something like “I don’t do Weddings or Portraits” let me explain. While it focuses on those two specialties, the conference and Expo offer something for virtually any photographer. I’m a concert photographer and yet I always learn somethi...

Marco Larousse is a fine art, street, and documentary photographer based out of Hamburg, Germany. With over 30 years of experience his work encompasses the subtle touch only a a seasoned pro can capture, and I find a common thread in much of his work always reminds me that Marco is an accredited journalist. In many way, photojournalism is the art of telling a story based on a single moment in time, and that is where Marco crafts his work. Marco is a member of FREELENS, a professional organizati...

This is our second of a continuing series in conjunction with Red River Paper. Red River Paper’s Education program helps photography students by providing high quality photo papers to photography education programs around the U.S. On each of these special shows my guest will be a photography student from one of the Red River Paper Education partner schools. Tied to each of these education episodes we will also do a limited time social media based giveaway of 10 Red River Paper Sample packs, wi...

When I first saw Ian Spanier’s portfolio I immediately noticed one thing… he has a complete understanding of light. Ian began taking photographs at six years old, and that early start lead him to majoring in photography in college. He ended up working in publishing as an editor, but making pictures never left him. Having only known 35mm, he taught himself medium and large format as well as lighting. Today Ian is a respected and published artist. His first full book of published work, “Playboy, ...

I am sitting here writing this and struggling with how to describe Moose Peterson, and the odds are you already know of Moose, or at least of his work. Still, it’s Moose Peterson, a wildlife, nature, landscape and aviation photographer that is about as good as they get. Moose’s lifelong passion is photographing the life history of our endangered wildlife and wild places. Since 1981 he and his wife Sharon have dedicated their lives to that pursuit. In fact, educating the public about our wild he...

For the last year or so the word Platypod has surfaced again and again in posts I see online. I think the first time I heard the name was through Scott Kelby on Twitter, and then after that is was Photo Joseph, Gilmar Smith, and Rick Sammon. Truth be told I had no idea what a Platypod was at the time – although the name stuck with me. (Side Note: If your product has a name that is as immediately rememberable as Platypod is you are off to a great start) I had meant to look this mysterious produ...