
F-Stop Collaborate and Listen
This photography podcast takes you well beyond camera gear each week with weekly interviews and panel discussions with professional photographers, industry insiders, enthusiasts, and hobbyists alike. Our candid but laid-back conversations deeply explore the craft of photography and psychological drivers relating to creativity, motivation, inspiration, and workflow. We also discuss social media, photography business practices, marketing, sales, and hot topics impacting photographers from all genres, with a particular focus on landscape, nature, and wildlife photography. The show is hosted by Matt Payne, a professional full-time nature photographer and the co-founder of the internationally renowned photography competition, the Natural Landscape Photography Awards. Matt is also a mountaineer, climbing the highest 100 mountains in Colorado. Matt leverages skills he gained in pursuit of his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology to dig deeply into the hearts and minds of his passionate guests, revealing secrets and inspiration in every episode.
Latest episodes

Jan 20, 2025 • 1h 8min
405: Richard Young - How to Express Your Vision
In this engaging conversation, Richard Young shares his journey from being an electrician in the UK to becoming a full-time photographer and workshop leader in New Zealand. He discusses the unique landscape of New Zealand, the differences in landscape photography between New Zealand and the US, and the challenges of running photography tours. Richard emphasizes the importance of expressive photography, the relationship between style and vision, and the need for intentionality in capturing the landscape. He also reflects on his evolving approach to photography and the significance of finding meaning in one's work. In this conversation, Richard Young discusses the deep connection between photography and nature, emphasizing the importance of immersing oneself in the landscape. He advocates for the significance of printed portfolios as a means of artistic expression and connection with viewers. Richard shares insights on crafting cohesive portfolios, refining one's best work, and balancing commercial intent with personal artistic vision. He also highlights the value of feedback in the creative process and introduces upcoming retreats focused on style and composition.
Resources Mentioned on the Podcast:
Support the Podcast on Patreon or PayPal
Richard Young's eBooks
Craig Potton
Art Wolfe

Jan 13, 2025 • 1h 30min
404: Francesco Carovillano - Lessons Learned from the Barbizon Painters
Francesco Carovillano shares his journey as a landscape photographer, discussing his transition from commercial work to personal projects, particularly focusing on his book 'Fontainebleau Intimate Landscape.' He reflects on the importance of finding creative freedom in photography, the influence of social media, and the lessons learned from the Barbizon painters who fought to accept landscape art. Through his experiences, Francesco emphasizes the significance of personal expression and the limitless potential of deeply exploring a single location. In this conversation, Matt Payne and Francesco delve into the evolution of photography as an art form, discussing the historical context of intimate landscapes and the philosophical debates surrounding artistic interpretation versus documentary representation.
Watch on YouTube
Resources Mentioned
Francesco's book: Fontainebleau - Intimate Landscape
Francesco's camera kit: Canon R5 and the Canon 100-500
Guy Tal's latest book: Be Extraordinary
Natural Landscape Photography Awards Volume 4 Book
Support the podcast on Patreon

Jan 6, 2025 • 1h 22min
403 - Marsel van Oosten - The War Over What's Real
This week, our guest is the award-winning Marsel van Oosten, who is celebrated for his mesmerizing wildlife photography featuring snow monkeys and the golden snub-nosed monkey, as well as his unique and inspiring landscape photography. Marsel shares his transformative journey from a career in advertising to becoming a revered wildlife photographer. He discusses how his graphic design background influences his stunning visuals, the evolving impact of artificial intelligence on the art of photography, and the essential role of human connection in capturing authentic moments. Together, Matt and Marsel explore the ethical implications of AI in the creative process and underscore the irreplaceable value of real-life experiences in the pursuit of remarkable photography.
Watch on YouTube (if you prefer)
Resources Mentioned on the Podcast:
Marsel's book Mother (affiliate link)
Support the podcast on Patreon or PayPal
Petapixel article on Kittya Pawlowski
Ignacio Palacios

Dec 30, 2024 • 37min
402: Print on Demand Demystified
Ken Li, co-founder of Lumaprints, shares insights into revolutionizing print-on-demand services for photographers and artists. He discusses how Lumaprints offers high-quality, affordable print fulfillment through automation and versatile options. The conversation highlights the pros and cons of the services, including quality control and risk reduction. They explore effective marketing strategies like SEO and multi-platform selling. Ken emphasizes the importance of customer support and ongoing platform integration, making print sales easier and more efficient for creatives.

Dec 23, 2024 • 58min
401: Madeleine Lenagh - Photograph for Yourself!
As photographers, we often find ourselves at a crossroads between creating for income and passion. In this episode of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," I had the pleasure of speaking with the incredibly talented Madeleine Lenagh, who shared her unique journey in creating her evocative photography book, "Perpetual Motion." Our conversation delved into her commitment to the project, the creative process, and the myriad challenges she faced.
Watch on YouTube
Resources Mentioned
Madeleine Lenagh's book Perpetual Motion
Support the Podcast on Patreon
Pitch Your Podcast Idea
Theo Bosboom
Elvis Dallie
Paulien Bunskoek

Dec 16, 2024 • 1h 46min
400: Adam Gibbs, Ben Horne, and Nick Carver - Navigating the Landscape of YouTube Photography
In this special 400th episode of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen,” host Matt Payne brings together renowned landscape photographers Adam Gibbs, Ben Horne, and Nick Carver to discuss their unique approaches to YouTube content creation and the complexities of balancing passion with financial sustainability. The conversation highlights the importance of authenticity and storytelling, the challenges posed by YouTube’s algorithm, and the imperative to keep photography enjoyable rather than a burdensome job. While they acknowledge the benefits of YouTube in reaching a global audience and securing new opportunities, the guests also share their strategies for managing video production without compromising their love for photography. The episode underscores the need for a dedicated audience over mere view counts and the critical role of maintaining a harmonious relationship with one’s craft.
Watch on YouTube instead.
Resources Mentioned:
Elements Photography Magazine - use the code FSTOP15 for 15% off
Support the podcast on Patreon!
Adam Gibbs' new Book - Land and Light - use the code LAND&LIGHT25 for 25% off

Dec 9, 2024 • 1h 42min
399: Mads Peter Iversen - Navigating AI's Impact on Photography
In this episode of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," host Matt Payne engages with Danish landscape photographer Mads Peter Iversen in a detailed discussion about the intersection of traditional photography and digital art, particularly the impact of AI-generated images on the photography community. Mads shares insights into his personal journey from portrait to landscape photography, his business approach, and his critique of Instagram's evolving focus away from photographers’ needs. Both express concerns about the spread of fake images on social media and the undervaluation of creativity due to technological advancements, while also emphasizing the importance of intent, honesty, and personal satisfaction in the art of photography. The episode concludes with practical tips and reflections on their passion for capturing both iconic and original landscapes.
Don't miss an episode.
Resources Mentioned on the Podcast
Elements Photo Magazine (Use the code FSTOP15 for 15% off)
Natural Landscape Photography Awards
Mads Peter Iversen Photoshop Tutorials
Mads Peter Iversen eBooks
Watch the podcast on YouTube
Support the podcast on Patreon
Photographers Recommended on the Podcast
Enrico Fossati
James Popsys
Nigel Danson
Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove

Dec 2, 2024 • 1h 8min
398: Stephanie Johnson - Breaking Free From Creative Restraints in Photography
In this episode of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," host Matt Payne engages with photographer Stephanie Johnson, who delves into her journey from seeking external validation to embracing an authentic creative process driven by personal passion. Stephanie sheds light on her evolution in Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) and her shift from results-driven to process-driven artistry, encouraging creative freedom and expression. They discuss the balance between financial sustainability and internal motivations in creative pursuits, along with Stephanie's teaching philosophy, her inspirations, and her work on the ICM Photography Magazine. Highlighting the importance of artistic experimentation and the personal joy found in creation, both share insights on letting go of expectations to enhance the creative experience.
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Resources Mentioned on the Podcast
Elements Photography Magazine (use the code FSTOP 15 for 15% off)
Stephanie Johnson's website
ICM Photography Magazine
David DuChemin's book "A Beautiful Anarchy"
Support the podcast on Patreon
Photographers Mentioned on the Podcast
Bill Ward
Glenys Garnett
Charles Needle
Anne Belmont

Nov 25, 2024 • 1h 4min
397: Dave Showalter - Living River - The Promise of the Mighty Colorado
In the latest episode of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," host Matt Payne delves into the passion and perseverance required in the field of conservation photography with guest Dave Showalter. The conversation starts with the exploration of perseverance—a crucial trait for photographers. Many individuals face frustrations when trying to discover their unique voice and vision, often encountering rejections and funding challenges, particularly in conservation work. Showalter recounts his experience of long-term dedication, underscoring the necessity of pushing through setbacks and rejections. He even shares practical tips from his personal journey, like opting to sleep in his truck to save costs.
Explore practical strategies for organizing and executing impactful conservation projects, which can transform your approach to storytelling and advocacy in photography. Join us for a discussion that will surely inspire you to get out there and make meaningful photographs!
Don't miss an episode! Sign up for our weekly mailing list!
Resources Mentioned on the Podcast
Elements Photo Magazine
Dave Showalter’s Book - Living River
Support the podcast on Patreon
Western Rivers Action Network
Platte Basin Time Lapse
The Land Desk Blog by Jonathan Thompson
Matt's Colorado Trail Podcast episode
Tribal Water Center
Kerrin Burke Lahr's Svalbard images and stories
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin (Affiliate Link)
Photographers Recommended
Michael Forsberg
Amy Gulick
Clay Bolt
Alan Murabayashi

Nov 18, 2024 • 1h 1min
396: Tracey Halladay - How an Organ Donation and Photography Saved Me
In the latest episode of the "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen" podcast, sponsored by Elements Magazine, host Matt Payne sits down with the remarkably resilient Tracey Halladay. Tracey’s story is an extraordinary journey through life-changing health challenges and a profound evolution in her visual art. Episode 396 offers listeners an inside look at how Tracey's perspective on life and photography was transformed by a life-saving kidney transplant.
Don't miss an episode! Sign up for our weekly mailing list!
Watch on YouTube
Resources Mentioned:
Elements Magazine
Support the Podcast on Patreon
Lee Nordbye's podcast episode
Offbeat Photography Community
OnLandscape Magazine
Nature Vision Magazine
Support Tracey's sister Tara to get her transplant
Photographer's Recommended:
Dara Ojo
Monika Deviat
Wayne Simpson
Dana Pitts
Tim Osborne
Kris Andres