B&H Photography Podcast

Photographs preserve what daily life cannot—moments that would otherwise fade into obscurity. In today's show, we explore this topic through a nexus of American culture, popular folklore, and photographic archives in a chat with Alan Govenar and Adam Forgash, two photographers and visual historians who are passionate about unearthing and preserving forgotten stories. Coming from different backgrounds, Alan's formal training and experience with the non-profit Documentary Arts complements Adam's hands-on skills hunting for treasures and selling vintage photographica at New York's Chelsea Flea Market. A few of the points they discuss include: the central role of the community photographer in twentieth-century life, the cultural significance of Route 66 as a favored connection point, the painstaking process of resurrecting century-old portraits from damaged glass plates, and much more. As Adam notes about these rescued portraits now titled "Faces of the Mother Road," "I've had these kinds of collections over the last 30 years and kind of let them go, but this one, I knew there was something special about it. So, as soon as I realized what I was looking at, I stopped. I put it in climate control storage. I got archival paper to put it in. I started a numbering system. "It feels pretty good," he adds, "to get more serious about my craft, realizing that I am a photo historian, even though I don't have a degree." Guests: Alan Govenar & Adam Forgash Episode Timeline: 3:07: Alan Govenar's early connections to photography and his introduction to Stoney, the hunchbacked tattoo artist who jumpstarted his photo career. 8:33: The role various media has played in Alan's work as an interdisciplinary artist and how changes to media has influenced his storytelling. 11:37: Adam Forgash describes New York's Chelsea Flea Market and the treasure trove of 8,000 glass negatives he discovered there. 16:18: A peek into the Texas African American Photography Archive, and the era of the community photographer. 22:02: Storytelling within a historical context and a photographer's accountability in reverse engineering a story from vestiges of the past. 27:01: Adam's accidental discovery of a second half to SJ Tyler's archive and tracking down information about the photographer. 30:49: Connecting the story of SJ Tyler's portrait studio to an exhibit celebrating the centennial of Route 66. 32:28: Episode Break 33:47: Making distinctions between Alan's formal education in folklore and Adam's schooling at the hands of New York's Chelsea flea market crowd. 40:23: Adam's approach to beginning this project, and how SJ Tyler's collection differed from past archives he's worked on. 42:52: Connections between Tyler's photographs and the significance of travel on Route 66, plus Adam's relationship to Tulsa. 44:26: Placing photographic stories in a wider historical context and their connection to the communities being served. 49:54: Funding and sponsorship for large photographic projects and the benefits to working with a registered non-profit as a pass-through organization. Guest Bios: Alan Govenar is an acclaimed photographer, filmmaker, writer and folklorist. A 2010 Guggenheim Fellow and the author of more than 40 books, Alan is also founder and president of the organization Documentary Arts, which he created to spotlight marginalized voices and cultures, through projects such as the Texas African American Photography Archive. As a filmmaker, Alan has produced and directed documentaries in association with NOVA, ARTE, and PBS. And as a playwright, he has written and produced musicals that have been performed from New York City to major venues across Europe. This year marks some major milestones in Alan's career, with a photography retrospective at the Center for Photography at Woodstock, a new documentary film premiering at New York's Cinema Village, and the publication of three new books, including Kinship & Community, released by Aperture. Adam Forgash is a photographer, filmmaker, photo history specialist, and proud former Oklahoman. In 2023, while foraging for visual treasures at New York's famed Chelsea Flea Market, Adam happened upon the archive of the undiscovered portrait photographer Sidney J Tyler. From 1913 to 1943, Tyler operated a photo studio in Afton, Oklahoma, making portraits of everyday subjects as they passed through the region, during a break in their travels along Route 66, otherwise known as the "Mother Road". This once-lost visual history of northeast Oklahoma features working-class people of all races and communities, including the famed Tuskegee airmen. After two years of intensive research into Tyler's archive, Adam's project, now titled Faces of the Mother Road: The Lost Portraits of S.J. Tyler - A Route 66 Story, is poised to make a lasting impact on Oklahoma's visual and historical narrative, just in time for the centennial of Route 66 in 2026. Stay Connected: Alan Govenar Documentary Arts Website: https://www.docarts.com/ Adam Forgash Website: https://adamforgash.com/ Adam Forgash Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamforgash/ Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

In Episode 7, host Deanna Testa sits down with the vibrant and hilarious, Tolú Ekundare (@tolukundare) to spill the tea on what it takes to grow as a modern creator. Tolú shares how she landed two big Netflix shows, the challenges of getting started in the podcasting space, and how she continues to build her own brand while staying her most authentic self. Credits: Host & Creative Producer: Deanna Testa Creative Producer: Elena Maidebura Creative Editor: Larissa Mattei Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

Keren Carrión, a photojournalist on NPR's visuals team, shares her journey from still photography to impactful video storytelling. She discusses the challenges of reporting in rural areas and emphasizes the importance of internships and mentorships in her career. Keren offers valuable advice for aspiring journalists, highlighting the need for a unique visual voice and continuous practice. Her insights into creating engaging short-form content for platforms like Instagram reveal how she connects with younger audiences while remaining committed to authentic storytelling.

Brandon Woelfel, a dreamy portrait photographer and content creator known for his striking use of color and lighting, shares insights into his creative journey. He discusses transitioning from fine art to photography and how Instagram shaped his career. Brandon addresses adapting to social media changes, balancing audience expectations with personal creativity, and the importance of community connection through live workshops. He also explores leveraging AI in his workflow to enhance, not replace, creativity while offering practical advice for fellow creators.

Bootsy Holler and Chris Ortiz, photographers renowned for capturing the indie and punk scenes, delve into the vibrant intersection of music and photography. Bootsy shares tales from her Seattle days, immersing in the raw energy of garage bands, while Chris reflects on learning within a punk commune. They discuss the nuances of documentary work versus staged portraits, and the strategic importance of timing and position in capturing standout images. Both emphasize the value of owning image rights and navigating modern access challenges in the industry.

Welcome to the fifth episode of the B&H Creators Green Room Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with viral street photography creator David Guerroro to discuss what it takes to grow as a modern creator. David shares how he got started in content creation, tips for building an audience, the importance of believing in yourself, photographing strangers, and advice for going viral. Whether you're a photographer, filmmaker, TikTok star, podcaster, or just starting out, this conversation is full of motivation, insight, and practical advice you can use right now. Hit Subscribe and join the B&H Creators community for more unfiltered conversations with the creators shaping today's culture. Guest Bio: David Guerrero Title: Street Photographer & Content Creator Through authentic storytelling and viral content, David Guerrero from Texas has built a global audience inspired by the connection between photography and humanity. David is best known for his signature approach of stopping strangers with, "Hi, excuse me? You look cool — can I take your photo?" His candid portraits have earned him following of more than 4 million people and over 1 billion views across platforms, showcasing the beauty of people around the world. Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dgphotoholic?igsh=c2M0eHRvNG5md2N4 Credits: Host & Creative Producer: Deanna Testa Creative Producer: Elena Maidebura Creative Editor: Larissa Mattei Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

Grace McNally, a creative photographer and founder of Allegro Photo Industries, shares her journey in photography and art direction. She reflects on the impact of her father's legacy and her mentorship at NYC Salt. Grace discusses evolving from self-portraiture to community-focused projects, highlighting the joy of directing music videos without the pressure of payment. She emphasizes learning through experience, the value of adaptability in gear, and the importance of embracing creative freedom. Her insights inspire listeners to keep shooting and cherish their artistic journey.

In this episode, we sit down with viral ice cream creator Dylan Lemay to spill the tea on what it really takes to grow as a modern creator. Dylan shares how his content creation journey began, how he built his audience, and the importance of balancing life on and off social media. We also discuss his ultimate tips for going viral in 2025 and get a peak of the ice cream business behind the scenes. Whether you're a photographer, filmmaker, TikTok star, podcaster, or just starting out, this conversation is full of motivation, insight, and practical advice you can use right now. Guest Bio: Dylan Lemay Title: Content Creator Dylan Lemay, aka the Ice Cream Guy, is a creator and storyteller who blends food, interactive experiences, and creative video, taking you behind the counter to make the world's most iconic treats. Stay Connected: TikTok Instagram Credits: Host & Creative Producer: Deanna Testa Creative Producer: Elena Maidebura Creative Editor: Larissa Mattei Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

How often do you think beyond the photos you make to consider the larger purpose they serve—both for yourself and, ideally, for a wider audience? In today's show, we explore this idea while connecting the dots between picture making, process, and purpose. Our guides for this conversation are nature/landscape photographer and mountaineer Matt Payne, and street photographer, portraitist, and YouTube storyteller Sean Tucker. While Matt and Sean have widely different photographic specialties, they share much in common, from educational backgrounds in psychology to a profound commitment in using photography to find purpose in life. Taking Matt's 567-mile through-hike of the Colorado Trail as a jumping off point, we explore how balancing such a mammoth feat of endurance with a creative pursuit led him to look inward and see the world around him anew. Beyond the how of making pictures, we discuss the all-important why's of photography—from being more intentional in your image making to forging connections between learning and failure in order to grow creatively. By the end of this chat you'll gain valuable insights about living and working with intention in world oversaturated by social media—where digital fatigue is a valid concern, and AI looms on the horizon. As Sean Tucker notes, "We've been given this gift that can also be a poisoned chalice. And we each need to decide for ourselves how we want to use it, beyond the addictive qualities. We need to take some responsibility and say, 'how much do I want this in my life so that it's useful? And where do I need to draw a line?'" Guests: Matt Payne & Sean Tucker Episode Timeline: 4:01: Matt talks about why he first started taking photos as an avid mountaineer, plus Sean describes his start and the first camera he had as a little boy. 8:52: Jung's concept of two halves to creativity—the morning and the afternoon of life—plus Sean's crisis point in his journey to making meaningful work. 15:06: Matt describes our modern addiction to dopamine and ways to become comfortable with introducing discomfort in your life. Plus, he looks back on his decision to focus full time on his photography two years after quitting his day job. 21:14: Knowing how you are wired and finding the place where your deep joy and the world's deep hunger meet to pump purpose into the universe. 26:36: Matt's 567-mile endurance hike of the Colorado Trail and how he balanced this with photography and creativity. 32:24: How to make sense of all the visual noise around you to become more intentional with your photography. 40:38: Episode Break 41:38: Find the magic by looking inward and asking yourself why you make the photos you do. 45:39: Sean's simple camera set up, which is infinitely better than gear that great photographers had access to 40 years ago. Plus, the creative tension between making a mess and maintaining consistency to progress in your work. 50:37: Sean describes the nuances that define his style of street photography and discovering a connection to Edward Hopper's paintings. 54:22: How to deal with creative slumps, places to look to for inspiration, plus making the space for new inspiration to come. 1:00:25: Making connections between learning and failure so to grow, plus digital fatigue and the desire to return to a pre-screentime era as an antidote to social media and AI. 1:10:06: How to remain relevant in today's saturated marketplace, and parting advice for using technology to promote your unique creative vision—make the work you want to see more of in the world. Guest Bios: Matt Payne is a nature/landscape photographer based in Durango, Colorado. After connecting with nature first as a climber and mountaineer, his relationship shifted to photography. Nature has an innate beauty that doesn't need to be exaggerated, so he strives to capture landscapes in ways that are truthful and ethical. In 2017, Matt launched the podcast F-Stop Collaborate and Listen as a way to dive into meaningful conversations with other photographers and industry leaders about photography, ethics, and the challenges of rapid environmental change. He is also co-founder of Nature First Photography, an organization to help increase ethical awareness in nature photography and the Natural Landscape Photography Awards to celebrate nature photographers who dedicate themselves to photographing and editing their work in a realistic fashion. Having already summited all 100 of Colorado's Centennial Peaks, in 2023 Matt completed a 567-mile hike across the Colorado Trail for his current project, The Colorado Way: a Book of Mountains Trails and Growth. Featuring over 140 images and 25 essays, this book blends photography, storytelling, psychology, and wilderness to reflect on what it means to live with intention, resilience, and awe. Stay Connected: Website: https://www.mattpaynephotography.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattpaynephoto/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattPaynePhotography/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MattPayne/ Sean Tucker is a photographer, filmmaker, author, speaker, and storyteller. Born in the UK, Sean spent most of his formative years in Africa, where he served as a youth pastor in South Africa during his 20s. Although that role is now behind him, Sean still carries a fascination with psychology and spirituality, which he brings to discussions around creativity. As a photographer and filmmaker, he's been fortunate to tell visual stories for individuals, NGOs, and multinational corporations across more than 20 countries. He's also helped organizations set up in-house studios and trained them to tell their own compelling visual stories. More recently, Sean built a large following online, both on YouTube and Instagram, where he talks about the "why" behind the things we make, seeking to inspire people on their own creative journeys. In 2021, Sean published the book, The Meaning in the Making to further share his philosophy for living a creative life. Stay Connected: Website: https://www.seantucker.photography/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seantuck/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seantuckerphoto/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@seantuck/ Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

In this episode we sit down with talented viral creator and musician Peet Montzingo to spill the tea on what it really takes to grow as a modern creator. Peet shares how he got started, how ADHD impacted his journey, the power of family, and his ultimate tips to going viral. Whether you're a photographer, filmmaker, TikTok star, podcaster, or just starting your creative journey, this conversation is full of motivation, insight, and practical advice. Hit Subscribe and join the B&H Creators community for more unfiltered conversations with the creators shaping today's culture. Guest Bio: Peet Montzingo Title: Creative Director, Producer, and Creator A multi-faceted artist with a curious and kind heart, whose talents span creating original content, music, literature, and so much more. Through his fascination with mysteries of the world to his deep bond with his family, Peet skyrocketed to fame, boasting millions of followers who find themselves deeply engaged and supportive of his endeavors. Peet often raises awareness for dwarfism with a lighthearted and charming presence, shining a loving light on his mother and siblings, all of whom are little people. Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3Y9XZfRwSQ/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@peetmontzingo?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PeetMontzingo Credits: Host & Creative Producer: Deanna Testa Creative Producer: Elena Maidebura Creative Editor: Larissa Mattei Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens