
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

Sep 16, 2020 • 1h 8min
178: Cole Thompson - Discovering Your Vision in Landscape Photography
Hey everyone!
Welcome to episode 178 of the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen podcast.
For this week's episode of the podcast I finally got the opportunity to sit down and have a conversation with one of my favorite black and white photographers and someone whom I have always admired, Cole Thompson.
Cole has a totally unique philosophical approach to photography which is often misunderstood by many people. It is something he refers to as photographic celibacy and I think it has tremendous merit.
Cole and I discuss some interesting topics this week, including:
How he got his start in photography,
Why he has chosen black and white as his medium,
External validation of our photography and its impact on our creative vision,
How to develop a personal vision in your photography,
The influence of praise,
... and more!
Over on Patreon this week, Cole and I explore the question, "Do you need to go to great locations to get great photographs?"
I hope you enjoy our conversations!
Here are the people that Cole recommended listeners check out:
1. Edward Weston's Daybooks.
2. Hamidah Glascow & The Center for Fine Art Photography.
I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. Join the discussion over on Nature Photographer's Network! We have weekly discussions about each episode of the podcast. It's also free! We also have an Instagram page and a Facebook page for updates.
Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week.

Sep 9, 2020 • 1h 2min
177: Marc Muench - Lessons Learned from Teaching Landscape Photography
Welcome to episode 177 of the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen podcast.
For this week's episode of the podcast I was able to sit down and chat with none other than Marc Muench.
Marc is an internationally renowned landscape photographer with eleven book titles to his name. Marc is a third-generation landscape photographer following in the family tradition started by his grandfather Josef and then his father David. Marc currently runs photography classes and workshops around the world with his company Muench Workshops.
Marc and I discuss some interesting topics, including:
How he got his start in landscape photography,
How his relationship with his father influenced his photography,
Teaching photography and what he has learned as a result of teaching,
Creating his own legacy as a photographer,
How Marc built his workshop brand and has maintained fidelity to the brand over the years,
Marc's new e-book titled, "The Art of Luminosity,"
... and more!
Over on Patreon this week, Marc and I discuss his views on what characteristics good workshop students have and how he has seen students do amazing things.
I hope you enjoy our conversations!
Here are the people that Marc recommended for the podcast:
1. Lisa LaPointe.
2. Kevin Pepper.
3. Knapp & Ella Hudson.
I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. Join the discussion over on Nature Photographer's Network! We have weekly discussions about each episode of the podcast. It's also free! We also have an Instagram page and a Facebook page for updates.
Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week.
As a reminder, you can also support the podcast by shopping at B+H for your photography gear using our Affiliate Link.

Sep 2, 2020 • 1h 4min
176: Jerad Armijo - Harnessing Landscape Photography to Manage Depression | Chromesthesia
Welcome to episode 176 of the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen podcast.
This week's episode features a photographer living in Portland, Oregon - Jerad Armijo.
Jerad possesses a rare condition known as chromesthesia which he uses to augment his landscape photography experiences and processes to create images that are unique to him. Jerad also has found photography to be a great tool to process and manage depression and life events.
Jerad and I discuss some interesting topics, including:
How he got his start in landscape photography,
Jerad's use of photography as a tool to manage his depression,
Jerad's chromesthesia and how it changes the way he sees the landscape as a photographer,
Photographic celibacy,
... and more!
Be sure to support the podcast over on Patreon - 140 of your peers have and it has been great connecting with our fans in that way.
Speaking of Patreon, wanted to let you know about a special offer I have on Patreon. Right now, you can pledge for a full year at a time and save 15% on your Patreon membership. I think it is a great way to support me and the podcast, and it saves you a little money in the process.
I hope you enjoy our conversations!
Here are the people that Jerad recommended for the podcast:
1. Tara Workman.
2. Sam Austin.
3. Ross Schram von Haupt.
Other items mentioned on the show:
1. My YouTube Channel.
I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. Join the discussion over on Nature Photographer's Network! We have weekly discussions about each episode of the podcast. It's also free! We also have an Instagram page and a Facebook page for updates.
Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week.
As a reminder, you can also support the podcast by shopping at B+H for your photography gear using our Affiliate Link.

Aug 26, 2020 • 1h 22min
175: Felix Inden - Balancing Full-Time Work with Part-Time Professional Landscape Photography
Welcome to episode 175 of the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen podcast.
This week's episode features a photographer from Germany. His multi-cultural background and laid-back attitude lend to a fantastic body of amazing imagery.
Welcome Felix Inden to the show.
Felix was born in Spain, raised in Chile and Germany, and has a healthy obsession with photographing above the arctic circle. Felix also has a massive following on Instagram, where he showcases his wonderful photography from those places.
Felix and I discuss some interesting topics, including:
How he got his start in landscape photography,
Balancing a full-time job with part-time professional photography,
Stories of photographing above the arctic circle in Lofoten, the Faroe Islands, etc.,
His views and thoughts as an international photographer,
Global Elite Photographer
Building his following on Instagram,
... and more!
Over on Patreon this week, Felix and I talk about the challenges and rewards of creating video content for a new YouTube channel.
Speaking of Patreon, wanted to let you know about a special offer I have on Patreon. Right now, you can pledge for a full year at a time and save 15% on your Patreon membership. I think it is a great way to support me and the podcast, and it saves you a little money in the process. Thanks to those of you that have already done this, including Drew Harbaugh, Sarah Marino & Ron Coscorossa, Jeanie Sumrall-Ajero, John Dodson, and Jeffrey Anderson. You're awesome. I've already taken these pledges and reinvested them into the show by purchasing a transcription service, which you can see at the end of each episode's show notes here on the blog. While not 100% accurate, it is pretty slick. Listeners can read & search through it interactively on the widget. The player highlights what word is playing, and you can click to play from any word in the episode. I will soon release a link that allows you to search the entire history of the podcast for keywords as well. Have fun with it!
I hope you enjoy our conversations!
Here are the people that Felix recommended for the podcast:
1. Kilian Schönberger
2. Tobias Hägg
3. Stian Klo
4. Arild Heitmann
5. Bruno Pisani
I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. Join the discussion over on Nature Photographer's Network! We have weekly discussions about each episode of the podcast. It's also free! We also have an Instagram page and a Facebook page for updates.
Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week!
As a reminder, you can also support the podcast by shopping at B+H for your photography gear using our Affiliate Link.

Aug 19, 2020 • 1h 39min
174: Brie Stockwell - Setting Goals to Improve your Landscape Photography
Welcome to episode 174 of the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen podcast.
This week's episode features a photographer new to the scene who has been absorbing as much as she possible can in 2020 to become a better photographer - Brie Stockwell.
Brie challenged herself with what she calls an "impossible goal" to exhibit 10 of her best images in 2020 (what a year to pick). Through this challenge, Brie has learned a lot about herself which has opened several doors in her life.
Brie and I discuss some interesting topics, including:
Brie's impossible goal to exhibit 10 of her best images in 2020,
Setting goals and the mindset needed to complete them,
Other benefits to goal setting for both her and I in our lives as photographers,
Learning photography, what has worked,
The role of encouragement in landscape photography,
... and more!
Over on Patreon this week, Brie and I discuss the role of life coaching, what she is gaining from it, and how you might benefit from it as well as a photographer.
I hope you enjoy our conversations!
Here are the people that Brie recommended for the podcast:
1. Brooke Castillo.
2. George McCane.
Other items mentioned on the show:
1. Newfoundland 2021 Workshop with Dani Lefrancois.
I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. Join the discussion over on Nature Photographer's Network! We have weekly discussions about each episode of the podcast. It's also free! We also have an Instagram page and a Facebook page for updates.
Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week
As a reminder, you can also support the podcast by shopping at B+H for your photography gear using our Affiliate Link.

Aug 12, 2020 • 1h 29min
173: David Brookover - Using Landscape Photography to Understand Culture
Welcome to episode 173 of the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen podcast.
This week's episode features a photographer who has owned their own gallery in Jackson Hole, Wyoming since 2001 - David Brookover.
David's gallery is filled with custom-framed platinum palladium prints from his extensive travels throughout the world as a fine art landscape photographer. David got his start as a photographer while studying acupuncture in Japan back in 1986, where he was immersed in the Japanese culture which had a significant influence on his work as a photographer.
David and I discuss some interesting topics, including:
How David used photography as a way to understand a new place and culture,
Transitioning from a full-time job to full-time photography,
Platinum Palladium printing and his print-making process,
The secret to longevity in the craft of landscape photography
... and more!
I hope you enjoy our conversation. To hear more and to support the show, head over to Patreon.com/fstopandlisten
Here are the photographers that David recommended for the podcast:
1. Clyde Butcher.
2. Keith Carter.
3. Jake Davis.
4. Sally Mann.
5. Kenro Izu.
Other items mentioned on the show:
1. Columbia River Gorge workshop from Gary Randall and Chris Byrne.
I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. Join the discussion over on Nature Photographer's Network! We have weekly discussions about each episode of the podcast. It's also free! We also have an Instagram page and a Facebook page for updates.
Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week.
As a reminder, you can also support the podcast by shopping at B+H for your photography gear using our Affiliate Link.

Aug 5, 2020 • 1h 37min
172: Elisabeth Brentano - Wanderlust in the American West
Welcome to episode 172 of the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen podcast.
This week's episode features a photographer and videographer who has found a niche in combining her passions for story telling, writing, and photography to make a living in the landscape photography arena.
Elisabeth Brentano started her career in the entertainment news space and transitioned to writing blogs for travel and food. It was in that space that she fell in love with photography. She is also very passionate about conservation issues and created a wonderful documentary film, called "In the Shadow of Lions" where she examines the balance between social media, conservation, and tourism as it relates to big cats in Africa.
Elisabeth and I discuss some interesting topics, including:
How she found herself in the landscape photography space.
How her editing style has evolved over time.
The impacts of social media on creativity and relationship building.
Her documentary film, "In the Shadow of Lions."
... and more!
Over on Patreon this week, join Elisabeth and I for a bonus discussion while financially supporting the podcast. We discuss her approach to gaining more authentic engagement on social media through vulnerability and honesty.
I hope you enjoy our conversations!
Here are the photographers that Elisabeth recommended for the podcast:
1. Melissa Groo.
2. Savannah Cummins.
3. Benjamin Everitt.
4. Joe Haeberle.
Other items mentioned on the show:
1. 60-day Trial to Nature Photographer's Network.
2. My YouTube Channel.
I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. Join the discussion over on Nature Photographer's Network! We have weekly discussions about each episode of the podcast. It's also free! We also have an Instagram page and a Facebook page for updates.
Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week.
As a reminder, you can also support the podcast by shopping at B+H for your photography gear using our Affiliate Link.

Jul 29, 2020 • 1h 26min
171: William Neill - Reflecting on 40 Years of Landscape Photography
Welcome to episode 171 of the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen podcast.
This week's episode features a photographer who probably does not need much introduction as he is widely considered one of the most accomplished modern landscape and nature photographers.
William Neill got his roots and upbringing in landscape photography while living in the Yosemite Valley and working in Ansel Adams' gallery beginning in 1980 and began writing columns for Outdoor Photographer Magazine in 1986. Suffice to say, he has a lifetime's worth of incredible photographic product and has a wealth of knowledge and perspective, which we attempted to tap into on the podcast.
William and I discuss some interesting topics, including:
How he got his beginning in photography and writing for Outdoor Photographer Magazine.
What it was like learning from the greats in landscape photography like Ansel Adams.
Various media formats to consume and learn about landscape photography such as OnLandscape, NPN, and LensWork.
William's secret for staying creative over many years in this field.
His new book, Light on the Landscape.
... and more!
Over on Patreon this week, William shares his advice on how to best grow as a photographer and we discuss his approach to portfolio development.
I hope you enjoy our conversations!
Here are the photographers that William recommended for the podcast:
1. John Wawrzonek.
2. Joseph Holmes.
3. Lewis Kemper.
4. Charlie Cramer.
5. Bruce Percy.
6. John Sexton.
Other items mentioned on the show:
1. Nature First Photography.
2. My YouTube Channel.
3. William's portfolio development courses (discussed on Patreon).
I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. Join the discussion over on Nature Photographer's Network! We have weekly discussions about each episode of the podcast. It's also free! We also have an Instagram page and a Facebook page for updates.
Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week.
As a reminder, you can also support the podcast by shopping at B+H for your photography gear using our Affiliate Link.

Jul 22, 2020 • 1h 14min
170: Joseph Roybal - Harnessing the Power of Mentorship and Relationships in Landscape Photography
Welcome to episode 170 of the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen podcast.
This week's episode features a photographer living in Denver Colorado.
Joseph Roybal focuses on landscape photography and successfully partners with a variety of product brands by marrying his photographic skills with his people skills to make a living in the craft of photography. Joseph and I met at Out of Yosemite where he was representing Breakthrough Filters as a professional photographer.
Joseph and I discuss some interesting topics, including:
The importance and value of mentorship.
The importance and value of relationships.
How to cultivate relationships in the landscape photography field.
Balancing the demands of work, relationships, and photography.
Growth through landscape photography.
... and more!
Over on Patreon this week, Joseph and I discuss photo resolutions needed for printing and our various workflows for preparing a file for printing. You too can gain access to this and 100+ other bonus episodes by supporting the show on Patreon.
I hope you enjoy our conversations!
Here is the person that Joseph recommended for the podcast:
1. Kelly Calvillo.
Other items mentioned on the show:
1. Arc Panel.
2. My YouTube Channel.
3. Nature Photographer's Network.
I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. Join the discussion over on Nature Photographer's Network! We have weekly discussions about each episode of the podcast. It's also free! We also have an Instagram page and a Facebook page for updates.
Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week.
As a reminder, you can also support the podcast by shopping at B+H for your photography gear using our Affiliate Link.

Jul 15, 2020 • 1h 8min
169: Margaret Soraya - The Power of Solitude in Landscape Photography
Welcome to episode 169 of the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen podcast.
This week's episode features a landscape photographer living in the highlands of Scotland.
Margaret Soraya is immensely talented and focused on harnessing the power of solitude to produce stunning work in nature’s quiet places. She has a wonderful body of images showcasing these quiet places and her soothing photography of ocean waves evokes mystery and wonder.
Margaret spends a great deal of time photographing on the various islands of Scotland, often alone, and draws power from the solitude found there.
Margaret and I discuss some interesting topics, including:
Her solo travels in her van.
Mindfulness in landscape photography.
Introversion in landscape photography.
The healing power of solitude and how it promotes creativity.
Losing your way in life and finding it again.
Her journey of re-creating herself.
The benefits of focusing on non-competitiveness and being non-judgmental in landscape photography.
... and more!
Over on Patreon this week, Margaret and I discuss a Japanese concept known as "ikigai" which literally means where aptitude and passion meet. Margaret has used this concept to help guide her through this new exciting time in her life as a full-time landscape photographer.
Here is the person that Margaret recommended for the podcast:
1. Paul Sanders.
Other items mentioned on the show:
1. Dani Lefrancois Newfoundland 2021 workshop.
2. My YouTube Channel.
I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. Join the discussion over on Nature Photographer's Network! We have weekly discussions about each episode of the podcast. It's also free! We also have an Instagram page and a Facebook page for updates.
Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week.