The Candid Frame: Conversations on Photography

When photographer Dimitri Staszewski began his Close to the Bayou project, he was drawn to the layered and deeply personal relationship between people and place in southern Louisiana. His photographs explore the impact of land loss, environmental change, and cultural resilience, capturing stories that exist at the intersection of identity, heritage, and survival. Rather than portraying the region solely through the lens of crisis, Dimitri embraces its complexity—revealing beauty, strength, and an ongoing dialogue between past and present. At its heart, the story also reflects an intimate exploration of mortality, acknowledging how lives and traditions are shaped by both loss and continuity. His work asks us to consider how landscapes shape lives and how photography can honor both fragility and endurance. Close to the Bayou is a testament to the power of visual storytelling to preserve memory and amplify voices in communities too often misrepresented or overlooked. Resources: Dimitri Staszewski Close to the Bayou Altadena Photographers Support Ibarionex & The Candid Frame Websites Sponsors Charcoal Book Club Frames Magazine Education Resources: Momenta Photographic Workshops Candid Frame Resources Download the free Candid Frame app for your favorite smart device. Click here to download it for . Click here to download Contribute a one-time donation to the show thru Buy Me a Coffee Support the work at The Candid Frame by contributing to our Patreon effort. You can do this by visiting or the website and clicking on the Patreon button. You can also provide a one-time donation via . You can follow Ibarionex on and .

When multi-media artist Javiera Estrada speaks about her work, it’s not just about aesthetics or technique—it’s about transformation. Born in Acapulco, Mexico and raised in the United States after emigrating in 1989, Estrada brings a rich cultural memory of vibrant color, ritual, and mysticism into everything she creates. Whether working with photography, photograms, textiles, or mixed media, her art bridges the seen and unseen—merging earthly material with spiritual inquiry. Her work doesn’t divide the physical and metaphysical, the beautiful and the chaotic—it unifies them. Philosophically, Estrada rejects the idea of separation. Artistically, she explores this through layered, immersive processes that slow time and call her deeper into presence. From sculptural explorations of the female body in communion with nature, to cosmic fields of ink and color that evoke the prima materia of existence, her pieces are meditations on unity, consciousness, and becoming. Estrada describes her process as both frenzied and laborious, embracing mess and unknowing as necessary steps to uncover what lies beneath the surface. In a world defined by speed and distraction, her work is an invitation to move differently—to let intuition guide and to give the sacred a place in the mundane. It’s bold, beautiful, and deeply human. Resources: Javiera Estrada Instagram Altadena Photographers Support Ibarionex & The Candid Frame Websites Sponsors Charcoal Book Club Frames Magazine Education Resources: Momenta Photographic Workshops Candid Frame Resources Download the free Candid Frame app for your favorite smart device Contribute a One-Time Donation   Support the Show Monthly on Patreon You can also support the show via . Follow Ibarionex on and .

When photographer Justin Black first picked up a camera, he was drawn not just to the art of image-making but to the power of photography as a tool for exploration, conservation, and connection. Over the years, that passion has evolved into a remarkable career that bridges fine art, environmental advocacy, and education. As a co-founder of Visionary Wild and former executive director of the International League of Conservation Photographers, Justin has helped shape how we think about the relationship between photography and the natural world. In our conversation, we explore Justin’s journey from working alongside legendary photographer Galen Rowell to leading transformative workshops in some of the world’s most extraordinary landscapes. Through his work, Justin invites others not just to see more clearly—but to care more deeply. Resources: Justin Black Visionary Wild International League of Conservation Photographers Support Ibarionex & The Candid Frame Websites Sponsors Charcoal Book Club Frames Magazine Education Resources Momenta Photographic Workshops Candid Frame Resources Download the free Candid Frame app for your favorite smart device: Contribute a one-time donation to the show through Buy Me a Coffee Support The Candid Frame by contributing to our Patreon effort. Visit or click the Patreon button on the website. You can also provide a one-time donation via . Follow Ibarionex on and .

When filmmaker Ilie Mitaru first discovered Serbest Salih’s Instagram feed, he was struck by the power of the photographs—vivid, intimate images made by children from displaced and marginalized communities across Turkey. These weren’t typical snapshots. They revealed a bold visual instinct and emotional clarity that defied the children’s limited experience behind the camera. Ilie saw not just compelling photographs, but a powerful story of self-expression—one that urgently needed telling. That story became First Frames, a film that shifts focus away from trauma and instead highlights the playful, curious, and complex inner lives of its young image-makers. Rather than treating the children as passive subjects, Ilie embraced their perspective—amplifying their imaginations and voices. The result is a vibrant, deeply human portrait told through the children’s own lenses, reminding us that some of the most resonant stories come from those who are so often overlooked. Resources: Ilie Mitaru First Frames Film Serbest Salih’s Instagram Altadena Photographers Support Ibarionex & The Candid Frame Websites Sponsors Charcoal Book Club Frames Magazine Education Resources: Momenta Photographic Workshops Candid Frame Resources Download the free Candid Frame app for your favorite smart device. Click here to download it for . Click here to download Contribute a one-time donation to the show thru Buy Me a Coffee Support the work at The Candid Frame by contributing to our Patreon effort.  You can do this by visiting or the website and clicking on the Patreon button. You can also provide a one-time donation via . You can follow Ibarionex on and .

Jasmine Benjamin, a California native, embodies the laid-back spirit of Northern California where she was born and the dynamic energy of Hollywood, where her work thrives. With a career spanning 17 plus years as a stylist, consultant, and creative director, she has established herself as a key figure in culture. Her latest project, CITY OF ANGELS: “A book about L.A. style”, is her first coffee table book, capturing the essence of contemporary LA style through 120 plus portraits of local luminaries. Set for release in Spring 2025 by Italian publisher Damiani, the book showcases Jasmine’s talent as a photographer, creative director and curator. Jasmine’s career began while she was studying at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles. In 2002, she turned an internship at Interscope Records into an opportunity to shape the visual identity of the label’s artists. In 2005, she styled her first influential indie band, J*Davey, before moving to New York City in 2007, where she immersed herself in the fashion world for five years. With an eye for both contemporary trends and fashion history, Jasmine continues to shape pop culture with her unique, forward-thinking approach. Her work has earned recognition from Vogue, GQ, i-D, Billboard, and in 2016, she was named i-D Magazine’s “Top Stylist.” Resources: Jasmine Benjamin City of Angels: A Book of L.A. Style Altadena Photographers Support Ibarionex & The Candid Frame Websites Sponsors Charcoal Book Club Frames Magazine Education Resources: Momenta Photographic Workshops Candid Frame Resources Download the free Candid Frame app for your favorite smart device. Click here to download it for . Click here to download Contribute a one-time donation to the show thru Buy Me a Coffee Support the work at The Candid Frame by contributing to our Patreon effort.  You can do this by visiting or the website and clicking on the Patreon button. You can also provide a one-time donation via . You can follow Ibarionex on and .

In this conversation, photographer Matthew Finley shares his journey of using photography to express intimate emotions through gesture and line. Growing up queer in an unaccepting environment, Finley discusses how his art serves as a safe space for vulnerability and connection. He reflects on the transformative power of storytelling and explores themes of identity, relationships, and acceptance. His project, 'An Impossibly Normal Life,' aims to foster hope within the queer community. Finley's insights reveal how personal narratives can resonate deeply with viewers.

Founder and Publisher Daniel Power started powerHouse Books in 1995, and was joined by Craig Cohen in 1996. The early years had Power and Cohen tag-teaming on a few books at a time, raising the bar each season when, in 1998, PowerHouse Books had its first best-seller, Women Before 10 A.M. by Véronique Vial. Power and Cohen followed up on that success in 1999 with the critically acclaimed cult monographs X-Ray by François Nars and Life is Paradise by Francesco Clemente and Vincent Katz. In 2000, Cohen became a partner in the company, assuming the title of Vice President and Associate Publisher, serving as Executive Publisher between 2008 and 2019. He quickly signed up for the next company bestseller, Back in the Days by Jamel Shabazz, and in the same year, he developed a packaging deal with Capitol Records to produce the Beastie Boys Anthology: The Sounds of Science. With the publishing program growing rapidly, Power and Cohen hired Sara Rosen, who served as Publicity Director from 2000 to 2009. Since then, the company has redefined the cultural landscape of the illustrated book, becoming the only U.S. independent publishing company to do so. He collaborated with photographer Larry Fink on the latter’s posthumous retrospective monograph, Larry Fink: Hands On / A Passionate Life of Looking. Resources: Powerhouse Books Larry Fink: Hands On / A Passionate Life of Looking Larry Fink Altadena Photographers Support Ibarionex & The Candid Frame Websites Photo Workshops & Webinars Breaking Out of a Rut: Tips for Creating Breakthroughs in Your Photography Sponsors Charcoal Book Club Frames Magazine Education Resources: Momenta Photographic Workshops Candid Frame Resources Download the free Candid Frame app for your favorite smart device. Click here to download it for . Click here to download Contribute a one-time donation to the show thru Buy Me a Coffee Support the work at The Candid Frame by contributing to our Patreon effort.  You can do this by visiting or the website and clicking on the Patreon button. You can also provide a one-time donation via . You can follow Ibarionex on and .

Jeffery Saddoris, a talented artist, writer, and podcaster, joins his friend Ibarionex for a candid discussion about creativity and resilience. They delve into the emotional complexities of photography during personal loss and the healing power it brings. Jeffery reflects on overcoming recent life challenges, including rebuilding after a fire, and the importance of community support in navigating adversity. Their conversation highlights the evolution of podcasting technology and the significance of maintaining artistic integrity while adapting to change.

It has been a little more than a month since the Eaton Fires devastated areas in Southern California, including the Palisades and Ibarionex’s home of Altadena. The show remains in hiatus as Ibarionex and his family contend with being displaced. In this episode, Ibarionex provides an update on the status of his and his family’s journey to recover and rebuild. Since recording the audio, the Perello family has secured housing for the coming year. Once settled, we hope to return to conducting and releasing interviews for a new season of the show. They welcome financial support of any kind o meet their short-term and and long-term needs. You provide support via: Websites Photo Workshops & Webinars Breaking Out of a Rut: Tips for Creating Breakthroughs in Your Photography Sponsors Charcoal Book Club Frames Magazine Education Resources: Momenta Photographic Workshops Candid Frame Resources Download the free Candid Frame app for your favorite smart device. Click here to download it for . Click here to download Contribute a one-time donation to the show thru Buy Me a Coffee Support the work at The Candid Frame by contributing to our Patreon effort.  You can do this by visiting or the website and clicking on the Patreon button. You can also provide a one-time donation via . You can follow Ibarionex on and .

A gripping account of surviving the Eaton Fire reveals the chaos of evacuation and the emotional toll of losing a home. The host shares the journey of resilience, emphasizing community support and the importance of self-reflection in uncertain times. Personal growth over two decades is highlighted, as well as the significance of a cherished camera in recovery efforts. Listeners are encouraged to contribute to fundraising efforts, showcasing a powerful narrative of hope and rebuilding after disaster.