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In this episode, I sit down with my good friend Matthew Jordan Smith — celebrity photographer, author of Aretha Cool, and master storyteller — to dive into the powerful connection between personal projects, photography's future, and staying true to your vision in an AI-driven world.

You will discover:

- How Matthew turned a promise to Aretha Franklin into a celebrated book
- The impact of AI on the authenticity of photography
- Why printed photos and physical books matter more than ever
- How to stay creatively inspired, even without a big city around you
- Advice for photographers balancing art, career, and personal fulfillment

This conversation is a masterclass on passion, perseverance, and finding your voice as a creative. Drop your thoughts in the comments — and if you enjoyed it, don't forget to subscribe, like, and share with a friend!

You can learn more about Matthew at thisweekinphoto.com.

In this episode, I sit down with my good friend Matthew Jordan Smith — celebrity photographer, author of Aretha Cool, and master storyteller — to dive into the powerful connection between personal projects, photography's future, and staying true to your vision in an AI-driven world.

You will discover:

- How Matthew turned a promise to Aretha Franklin into a celebrated book
- The impact of AI on the authenticity of photography
- Why printed photos and physical books matter more than ever
- How to stay creatively inspired, even without a big city around you
- Advice for photographers balancing art, career, and personal fulfillment

This conversation is a masterclass on passion, perseverance, and finding your voice as a creative. Drop your thoughts in the comments — and if you enjoyed it, don't forget to subscribe, like, and share with a friend!

You can learn more about Matthew at thisweekinphoto.com.

Matthew Jordan Smith: The Power of Personal Projects, Persistence, and Print

On May 8th, I'll be hosting a special event celebrating the vibrant voices shaping the future of photography!

I’ll be joined by Genesis Falls for a powerful livestream featuring the work and impact of Black Women Photographers (BWP) — a global community founded by Polly Irungu, championing over 2,100 Black and African women creatives. Since 2020, BWP has been breaking barriers, offering grants, education, and exposure to photographers who deserve the spotlight.

Big thanks to our partners at SmugMug and Flickr, who share a passion for elevating creativity and storytelling across the globe!

✨ What’s on deck:

- The story behind this year's theme: The Spaces We Occupy
- Behind-the-scenes look at the judging process and grant prizes
- Featuring 10 standout runner-up photos
- Announcing the $5,000 grant winner LIVE! 🎉

You’ll meet amazing photographers, get inspired, and find out how to follow and support their work beyond today’s broadcast.

👉 Hit that Follow button and join us on Flickr, SmugMug, and TWiP for more inspiring events like this!

Spotlighting Black Women Photographers | BWP × Flickr Grant Celebration

Thanks for joining our exclusive live broadcast. Feel free to share your questions and interact with other participants in the chat.

Flickr + Black Women Photographers Grant

Sign up for the grant here:
https://blackwomenphotographers.com/smugmug-flickr

Genesis Falls on Flickr's $5000 Grant for Black Women Photographers

In this episode, I sit down with the talented Genesis Falls to explore her fascinating journey through the world of photography. We dive deep into Genesis's recent accolades, including her prestigious recognition through the Flickr and Black Women Photographers Grant Award, and discuss how community support has been crucial for women of color in the industry.

Genesis shares her refreshingly intentional approach to film photography, explaining the technical constraints that shape her creative process and the unique workflow differences between analog and digital. We go behind the scenes of her award-winning project "Children at Play," where she reveals her methods for capturing those authentic, unscripted moments that define her work.

The conversation takes practical turns as we discuss the commitment required for film processing, the importance of celebrating fellow artists' successes, and Genesis's forthcoming projects focusing on artists of color. She offers valuable insights for emerging photographers that cut through the typical advice noise.

Join us for this honest, technically-rich conversation about visual storytelling, representation in photography, and the distinctive emotional connection that comes with shooting on film. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this episode delivers both inspiration and practical takeaways for photographers at any level.

Genesis' Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/geno_tatted

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Applications will close on April 14, 2025. Please apply and spread the word before the deadline!

https://blackwomenphotographers.com/smugmug-flickr

This grant is open to Black women and non-binary photographers who are members – new and old – of Black Women Photographers and Flickr.

The grant recipient will be selected by BWP founder Polly Irungu, previous grant winner, and BWP member Genesis Falls, Flickr Community’s MacKenzie Joslin, and This Week in Photo’s Frederick Van Johnson.

Chapters

00:00 Catching Up: Life Updates and Travel Thoughts
03:00 Travel Experiences: Perspectives on Different Cultures
06:02 Childhood Memories: Growing Up with Roaches
08:55 Life as a Game: Cheat Codes and Success
12:02 Photography Talk: Film vs. Digital
14:59 The Blackwell Photographers Group: Understanding the Community
18:04 Future Projects: What's Next for Genesis Falls
22:13 Genesis Falls: Journey to Recognition
29:52 Empowering Communities: The Role of Black Women Photographers
33:43 The Art of Film Photography: Intentionality and Process
48:53 Children at Play: Capturing Moments and Stories
53:07 The Commitment of Film Processing
55:11 The Joy of Recognition in Photography
57:17 Photography as a Bookmark of Memories
01:00:04 Advice for Aspiring Photographers
01:01:47 Upcoming Projects and Artistic Exploration

Genesis Falls on Film Photography, Authenticity and Representation

Ever wonder what happens when adventure photography meets automotive documentation? Devan Ence shoots both fly fishing and classic Fords, and his approach to risk vs reward might surprise you.

From submerged cameras to slammed Broncos — buckle up! This episode covers it all.

🎯 QUICK LINKS:

00:00 - Intro and background
02:00 - From fishing to photography
05:00 - Documentary approach to water photography
09:00 - Camera gear survival stories
14:00 - Conservation projects
19:00 - Automotive photography techniques
22:00 - The Bronco build project
26:00 - Balancing different photography niches
29:00 - Upcoming projects and magazine work

🔧 GEAR MENTIONED:

• Camera bodies (multiple, some now sleeping with the fishes)
• Wide angle lenses for automotive work
• Underwater protection systems

📸 CONNECT WITH DEVAN:

• Outdoor/Fishing: @ENCEMEDIA
• Automotive: @DEVANENCE
• Website: encemedia.com

📚 PUBLICATIONS:

• F-Series Builders Guide
• Tread Magazine

💡 PRO TIP: Looking to protect your gear around water? Skip to 09:00 for Devan's practical insights on risk management vs getting the shot.

📱 FOLLOW TWiP:

• Instagram: @thisweekinphoto
• Twitter: @thisweekinphoto
• Facebook: @thisweekinphoto

#TWiP #PhotographyTips #AdventurePhotography #AutomotivePhotography #Photography

From Fish to Fords: The Photographer Who Risks EVERYTHING

Here’s another clip from my interview with wedding photographer Troy Miller. He shares a story about a totally random encounter he had at Yosemite - one that basically rewired his career trajectory.

He even made a metal sign of the quote… because… Troy. 🛠️

The whole discussion is up at thisweekinphoto.com if you want to check it out. We cover his usual stuff about creativity and whatnot, but also dig into why he thinks we all need to slow down (rich coming from a guy who makes metal signs of quotes, but he makes some solid points)!

Check it out at thisweekinphoto.com. Worth a listen while you're pretending to work.

https://thisweekinphoto.com/i-was-a-storyteller-with-troy-miller/

This RANDOM STRANGER in Yosemite Changed EVERYTHING! 🤯 | Troy Miller Interview

This was an excerpt from my conversation with Rob Grimm about Flickr's 2024 Year in Review. Get the full monte at http://www.thisweekinphoto.com

Post-Pandemic Photo BOOM: 30% SURGE in Street Photography?! #Photography #ybs-2024 #ybs2024 #flickr

Check out our full discussion as we discuss other shocking details in Flickr's 2024 Year in Review report.

Full monte at http://www.thisweekinphoto.com

CANON DOMINATED Camera Market in 2024?! #Photography #ybs-2024 #ybs2024 #flickr