Skateboard photographer and filmmaker Fred Mortagne, better known to many as French Fred, joins the show to talk about what it was like growing up in Lyon France, the early European skate scene, and developing a still photography aesthetic that would set him apart in an ever growing industry.  Like many people that have been on this podcast, Fred fell in love with skateboarding at an early age and was creatively inspired by the scene around him.  He realized that no one was really capturing the French skateboard community and he set out to make skateboard films of what was going on around him in Lyon.  He was quickly recognized by companies like 411 and Etnies, and soon found himself traveling to the states and around the world to shoot the thing he loved the most.  Although many might know Fred's skateboard films like Menikmati,  it's his ability to capture skateboarding so uniquely in a still photograph that made me want to talk to him the most.  Through his years of filming, Fred carried a still camera with him as well and would use small windows of time to shoot a very personal side of skateboarding that he felt wasn't represented and probably wasn't very commercial.  After many years of dedication himself to that vision, Fred has compiled a body of work that is timeless, unique, and visually stunning.  During our conversation, we discuss what it's like to spend years developing a personal project, remaining true to your vision as an artist, and his beautiful book Attraper Au Vol.   To Check out Fred's Work Visit:  http://frenchfred.com Or check him out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/frenchfred/ To Learn More About Visual Revolutionary Visit: http://www.visualrevolutionary.com And Follow on Instagram at:https://www.instagram.com/visualrevolutionary/  

Legendary skate photographer Grant Brittain returns to the show for the first installment of Visual Revolutionary Shorts to discuss managing and monetizing a photography archive, and if there is such thing as retirement from photography and the skateboard industry. Make sure to check out Grant's original episode to hear his whole story, but during this conversation we talk about the general disorder his slide and print archive is in, still dressing like a young skater in your 60s, and not waiting too late to start organizing your archive.  Check out Grant's work at http://www.jgrantbrittain.com  To Learn More About Visual Revolutionary Visit: http://www.visualrevolutionary.com And Follow on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/visualrevolutionary/  

Photographer and Creative Live Host Kenna Klosterman joins the podcast to share her inspirational story of walking away from an unfulfilled life full of depression and anxiety in the corporate world, to living her dream as a working photographer, Cuba travel guide,  and host of a company helping to unlock the creative in us all.  Kenna grew up in LA, found photography at an early age, and knew instantly that she wanted to pursue the art form.  Yet after graduating from Berkley and deciding to work as an assistant for two photographers who were constantly struggling to pay the bills, Kenna decided to try and pursue a more financially rewarding life with an MBA from the prestigious Wharton School.  After graduating, she began to chase a career from one corporation to the next, wondering why she could not seem to find happiness and sinking more and more into a state of depression.  After deciding to take time to travel the world with her friends, Kenna found a new company called creative live that was offering free photography classes that would alter the course of her life and finally help her begin to make the changes she had been dreaming about all along.  During our conversation we talk about being willing to chase your dreams, dealing with depression and the meditation practice that helped her through some of the hardest times, and always cultivating personal projects throughout your career.   To Learn More About Kenna Visit: https://www.kennakphoto.com Check her out on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/kennaklosterman/ Learn More About Visual Revolutionary At: http://www.visualrevolutionary.com And Follow Us on Instagram At: https://www.instagram.com/visualrevolutionary/    

Hasselblad ambassador and award winning commercial and advertising photographer Blair Bunting joins us on this episode of the podcast to talk about everything from the importance of our legacy as photographers, to mental health, to what it's like working with some of the biggest brands in the world.  Although his father introduced him to photography at an early age, it would take the loss of a close friend in high school, and the depression that set in afterwards, that would finally send Blair back to the camera as a tool to re-connect with the social world and with himself.  He became fascinated with the ability to show others the world through his eyes, and knew the future would revolve around the art of photography.  Choosing to study business and sociology in college instead of an arts degree, Blair bet on the idea that he would need a background in understanding business practices and the people around him and chose to teach himself photography.  Before long however, he received an opportunity of a lifetime to become mentored by a master and was able to get a crash course in the world of lighting and photography.  Before he was even done with college, Blair would already have representation and a client base that many established pros would be jealous of.  Blair has gone on to to shoot advertising campaigns all over the world and has become known for a signature look and an ability well beyond his years.  During our conversation we get the chance to talk about what it's like to be an ambassador for such a well respected legacy brand like Hasselblad, the challenges of dealing with anxiety and panic on commercial shoots, and the advice he gives to others on leaving a legacy and respecting the ones that came first.   To Learn More About Blair Bunting Visit: https://www.blairbunting.com To Learn More About Visual Revolutionary Visit: http://www.visualrevolutionary.com Follow Visual Revolutionary on Instagram At: https://www.instagram.com/visualrevolutionary/  

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by renowned commercial photographer and director Michael Grecco. Although best known for his iconic celebrity portraits, Michael has a body of work that spans everything from fine art to filmmaking, and has had the opportunity to work with some of the biggest named clients in the world. He's given back to the photography community as well, with multiple books and talks on lighting technique, copyright protection, business strategies, and more. During our conversation Michael tells us about growing up outside of New York City in the 70s and his early creative inspiration from childhood trips to the Museum of Modern Art and the International Center of Photography. After learning how to develop film at a summer camp program, Michael was hooked. He knew that one day he wanted to be a professional photographer. Although he chased the world of photojournalism in Boston at first, Michael soon realized that his early artistic heroes had helped him create an eye that was better suited for creating photos than just capturing them. He soon found himself in LA, working with People magazine and, before long, creating a look and lighting style that would kick-start a legendary career. Through it all, Michael has continued to evolve as an artist and share with others what years in the business has taught him. We get to discuss some of those ideas during this show, like how to protect your copyrights, what it's like to work in the world of celebrity photography, the way in which the photography business seems to be changing, and the advice he gives to those crazy enough to want to try and make it their career. To Learn More About Michael Grecco Visit: http://www.michaelgrecco.com To Learn More About Visual Revolutionary Visit: http://www.visualrevolutionary.com And Follow the show on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/visualrevolutionary/

KC Armstrong joins the podcast for this episode to talk about growing up in Alberta in the shadows of the Canadian Rockies, establishing himself as a sought after photographer in Toronto, and slowly breaking into the LA scene as a celebrity shooter.  KC's life was that of the normal 70s/80s suburban kid.  Getting lost on skateboards and BMX bikes, and venturing into the mountains to snowboard whenever he got the chance.  But the world of punk rock, and the creative sub culture it bought with it, would soon change his outlook on life  and send him in a trajectory of playing in bands and finally finding a true passion for photography.  After several years of working at a grocery store after high school, and wondering what would be next in his life, KC decided to enroll at the Alberta College of Art and Design and began carving out a path that would lead him to a move to Toronto and the beginnings of a commercial photography client base.  Over the years KC has worked with everyone from top professional athletes, to celebrities, to personal projects like his current "Skate Legends" series that showcases beautiful portraits of very familiar faces from the world of skateboarding.  During our conversation we get the chance to explore where he thinks the current state of the photography business is headed, the trials of breaking into the small world of LA celebrity shooters, spreading the word to others to not give away your copyrights, and always raising the bar on your future ambitions.   To Learn More About KC Armstrong Visit: https://www.kcarmstrong.net Visit Visual Revolutionary At: http://www.visualrevolutionary.com or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/visualrevolutionary/

Action Sports, lifestyle, and advertising photographer Dave Lehl joins us on this episode of the podcast to talk about his current life on the road in his new fifth wheel home, and the evolution of his work and client base.  Although best known for his cutting edge snowboard photography for editorial clients like Transworld and Future magazine, and as the team photographer for Rome Snowboards, Dave has continued to evolve his look and reach as a photographer and incorporate the worlds of all sports. Dave talks about growing up in Pueblo, Colorado and his constant missions into the mountains with his family to explore on dirt bikes, snowboards, and skateboards.  It was that early lifestyle that would keep Dave in the mountains even though his original dream was shooting fashion in New York.  It was the mountains that Dave understood and it was his ability to translate that into an image that began to finally get him traction as a photographer.  Dave has since gone on to work with some of the biggest editorial and advertising clients in the world, and created a style that has set him apart from others.  During our conversation we talk about constantly growing as an artist, the benefits of assisting seasoned professionals in your early career, what it feels like to question your decision to be a photographer, and how he continues to attract a new commercial client base.  So enjoy this conversation with Dave Lehl.   To Learn More About Dave Lehl Visit: https://www.davelehl.com  

On this episode of the podcast we sit down with renowned photographer Jill Greenberg to talk about what most would consider to be a very successful career in photography, all while remaining true to herself and her ideals as an artist.  Although best known for creating a very recognizable look with her "End Times" series in 2005, Jill has a career that stretches over decades and involves shoots with some of the biggest name celebrities, musicians, politicians, and other social influencers. Jill has been credited with helping to usher in multiple new looks that have been replicated by many. She was born in Montreal, but moved to Detroit at an early age where she would begin to develop her artistic path while attending Cranbrook Elementary School, studying everything from photography to animation.  Jill continued to pursue her artistic passion as she grew up, but was encouraged by one of her professors to focus on photography.  After graduating from Rhode Island School of Design, Jill began to carve out her own niche in the competitive world of photography.  During our conversation I get the chance to ask Jill how she built her career and how she's remained relevant in a world becoming more and more saturated with imagery.  We discuss what it's like being "pigeon holed" by one look, how her career was effected by some of the controversy she found herself involved in, and the advice she gives to others coming up in the world of photography.   To Learn More About Jill Greenberg Visit: https://www.jillgreenberg.com

National Geographic Photographer, Filmmaker, and founding partner of 3 Strings Productions Andy Mann tells us about growing up on a farm in rural Virginia, learning to shit in the woods, getting his first guitar, and his early attempts at taking pictures.  His vagabond lifestyle of playing music and climbing provide the foundation of an inspiring story that culminates into his current status of shooting for one of the most respected photo agencies in the world.   To Learn More About Andy Mann Visit: http://www.andymann.com To Learn More About 3 Strings Productions Visit: http://www.3stringspro.com  

Photographer and Documentarian Michael Christopher Brown joins us on the show today for a heartfelt conversation about what it means to truly be present to humanity, and if we are able to do that at the same time as looking through a viewfinder.  Many of you might know Michael from his most recent book "Libyan Sugar" and his amazing ability to capture the wide range of human emotions in conflict zones from Benghazi to the Congo.  He's a regular contributing photographer to some of the most prestigious outlets in the world like Time, National Geographic, and The New York Times, and has covered some of the most historical events of the last 20 years.  During the time many would refer to as the Arab Spring, Michael went to Libya to experience the uprising and to document what would happen when people decided to take back the power.  It was there that Michael would be faced with many near death experiences, including a well documented mortar attack that killed one of his good friends and colleagues.  It was those moments, in the long run, that would make Michael question what it was he was doing there and what it meant to be a photographer and fellow human being.  During this conversation, I get the chance to explore those topics with Michael and talk about facing your own traumatic experiences after returning home from a conflict zone, finding true meaning and happiness within the chaos, and the advice he gives to others who want to travel the world and document the human existence.  So join us as we explore some of what it means to be a person and a photographer.   To Learn More About Micheal Visit: http://michaelchristopherbrown.com To Buy his book "Libyan Sugar" Visit: https://twinpalms.com/books-artists/libyan-sugar/