We Are Photographers

Simon Jackson is a storyteller, photographer, filmmaker, speaker, author, and advocate for wildlife and nature. Both a movie and a children’s book have been made based on Simon’s story. At 13 he had a passion for bears and belief that he could change the world. For two decades Simon built the six million-strong Spirit Bear Youth Coalition to help save Canada’s rare Kermode or spirit bear and helped create the largest land protection measure in North American history. Together with his wife Jill Cooper, Simon continues to promote nature literacy among young people through the non-profit Ghost Bear Institute and their latest initiative Nature Labs.

I recorded this episode sitting at a picnic table with Simon in the stunning Mt. Robson Provincial Park in Canada. Simon and Jill lived there in a tent for months as they patiently and meticulously created multimedia content for Nature Labs - a virtual high school textbook for science, art, social studies and English curriculum using nature as a lens. We talk about how Simon became passionate about bears at age seven and why he believes you can’t teach without telling a story. Simon takes us behind the scenes of documenting Mt. Robson’s dominant grizzly bear named Chocolate, who is Nature Labs’ main character and in fact a metaphor for what we have and what we stand to lose.

This is We Are Photographers with Simon Jackson and this is his story.

Melina Hammer is an award-winning food photographer, book author, stylist, chef, and mastermind behind Catbird Cottage. After years working with the New York Times, Eating Well, Blue Apron, and others, she now curates and prepares seasonal menus for guests at the destination bed & breakfast she runs with her husband, located in New York’s Hudson Valley. At the Catbird, she grows an heirloom kitchen garden and forages wild foods, curating of-the-moment seasonal menus for guests. Her first cookbook, KID CHEF is an Amazon bestseller, and she is working on her new cookbook due out spring 2022.

In this episode, Melina shares her extensive process of writing a cookbook including framing the narrative, creating the recipes, styling, cooking, testing and photographing. Hear about her first career as a metalsmith and evolution into food photography. Melina gives you tips on transforming foods that aren’t naturally visually appealing into gorgeous drool-worthy images that will make your audience hungry. Explore her early experiences working with the NYTimes, learning by doing in a trial-by-fire way. We dive into trusting both the creative and entrepreneurial process that will leave you inspired.

This is We Are Photographers with Melina Hammer and this is her story.

Connect with Melina Hammer: melinaphotos.com | IG @melinahammer| catbirdcottage.com

At CreativeLive we believe there is a creator in all of us. If you’re looking to get fresh perspectives, inspiration or skills to boost your hobbies, business or life head over to creativelive.com and check out The Creator Pass, our subscription that gives you anytime on demand access to over 1900 classes taught by the world’s top creators and entrepreneurs.

Connect with your CreativeLive community: creativelive.com | IG @creativelive | TW @creativelive | YT @creativelive | FB @creativelive

Connect with your host Kenna Klosterman: IG @kennaklosterman | TW @kennakphoto

Subscribe, rate & review We Are Photographers wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! We’d love to hear from you.

Idara Ekpoh is a Nigerian-American Portrait Photographer whose art is centered around celebrating Black women and their stories. She focuses on creating captivating visual experiences through her dreamlike & cinematic portraits. She has been able to utilize photography as a medium to not only tell her own story through self-portraiture, but to empower and bring visibility to the voices and stories of those within her community.

As photographers we often don’t like to be on the “other” side of the camera. Idara inspires us with her 30+ week Self Portrait Sunday series that took off during the pandemic. Find out how the vulnerability of making self portraits can not only get your creativity flowing but also heal and build self confidence. Idara shares her process in both capturing the true essence of her subjects, as well as honing her post-processing style. We talk about storytelling - whether that’s through a still of an individual’s face or through the moments you can edit together with cinematography. Idara is a brilliant example of how passion projects create space for paid opportunities.

This is We Are Photographers with Idara Ekpoh and this is her story.

Connect with Idara Ekpoh: IdaraEkpoh.com | Instagram | Twitter

At CreativeLive we believe there is a creator in all of us. If you’re looking to get fresh perspectives, inspiration or skills to boost your hobbies, business or life head over to creativelive.com and check out The Creator Pass, our subscription that gives you anytime on demand access to over 1900+ classes taught by the world’s top creators and entrepreneurs.

Connect with your CreativeLive community: creativelive.com | IG @creativelive | TW @creativelive | YT @creativelive | FB @creativelive

Connect with your host Kenna Klosterman: IG @kennaklosterman | TW @kennakphoto

Subscribe, rate & review We Are Photographers wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! We’d love to hear from you.

Fashion photographer Lindsay Adler has risen to the top of her industry as both a photographer and educator. Based in New York City, her fashion editorials have appeared in numerous fashion and photography publications including Marie Claire, Elle Magazine, Harper's Bazaar, L'Officiel, and dozens more. As a photographic educator, she is one of the most sought after speakers internationally, teaching on the industry's largest platforms and most prestigious events, having been named one of the top 10 best fashion photographers in the world. Lindsay has worked with some of the top brands in the photographic and related industries such as Canon, Adobe, Grey, Edelman, A&E, NBC, and Microsoft. A clean, bold, and graphic style has become the hallmark of her work, whether shooting advertising campaigns, designer look books, jewelry, hair campaigns, fashion editorials, or professional athletes. Lindsay is renowned for her creativity and collaborating with designers and stylists in order to create fresh looks. An author of five books, she is always working on new ways to share her passions and knowledge with others.

In this very special 100th episode of the podcast, Lindsay and I talk about evolution as photographers, educators, artists and humans. Lindsay shares how as a recovering perfectionist she creates with purpose versus producing for producing’s sake. Lindsay shares why she loves to teach and what she learns from her students. Find out what photographers inspire Lindsay, the importance of collaboration, slowing down to appreciate the little things and the importance of creative restraints.

This is We Are Photographers with Lindsay Adler and this is her story.

Connect with Lindsay Adler: Website | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

At CreativeLive we believe there is a creator in all of us. If you’re looking to get fresh perspectives, inspiration or skills to boost your hobbies, business or life head over to creativelive.com and check out The Creator Pass, our subscription that gives you anytime on demand access to over 1600+ classes taught by the world’s top creators and entrepreneurs.

Connect with your CreativeLive community: creativelive.com | IG @creativelive | TW @creativelive | YT @creativelive | FB @creativelive

Connect with your host Kenna Klosterman: IG @kennaklosterman | TW @kennakphoto

Subscribe, rate & review We Are Photographers wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! We’d love to hear from you.

Rashida Zagon is a photographer, creative director & storyteller based in New York City. Specializing in portrait photography she captures natural movement bringing to life the most authentic energy of each subject. Through human connection Rashida brings intimacy and light to still shots, exposing the simple joys of everyday life by capturing those behind the scenes moments. Her intention is to make great connections with people and brands, treating each of her clients with specialized attention to bring their vision to life.

Born in Antigua with entrepreneurial parents and a creative flair, Rashida moved to Maine at 8 years old and used her first camera to start a business in high school taking senior portraits. She moved to NYC after high school, assisted other photographers and found her superpower in holding space and connecting with subjects. That comfort level allows people to truly be seen for who they are in her portrait shoots. We explore her recent series Protected that went viral and what that’s meant for her personally, her community and career. Find out about the inspiring photography empowerment program she is creating for kids in Brooklyn.

This is We Are Photographers with Rashida Zagon and this is her story.

Connect with Rashida Zagon: rashidaz.com | Instagram | Twitter

At CreativeLive we believe there is a creator in all of us. If you’re looking to get fresh perspectives, inspiration or skills to boost your hobbies, business or life head over to creativelive.com and check out The Creator Pass, our subscription that gives you anytime on demand access to over 1900 classes taught by the world’s top creators and entrepreneurs.

Connect with your CreativeLive community: creativelive.com | IG @creativelive | TW @creativelive | YT @creativelive | FB @creativelive

Connect with your host Kenna Klosterman: IG @kennaklosterman | TW @kennakphoto

Subscribe, rate & review We Are Photographers wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! We’d love to hear from you.