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In this episode, I sit down with photographer Pie Aerts to unpack the philosophies, struggles, and decisions that have shaped his work over the last decade. Pie is a documentary and wildlife photographer whose practice sits at the intersection of human presence, conservation, and long-form storytelling. He is also the founder of Prints for Wildlife, a platform that has raised over $2.5 million for conservation initiatives worldwide. Our conversation focuses on how Pie thinks about photography beyond aesthetics. We talk about self-doubt, ethics, money, responsibility, and what it actually takes to stay committed to a story over many years. A central thread is his 6-year project in southern Chile (titled COIRÓN), documenting the lives of the Puesteros, and how that work has evolved from an idea into a deeply personal body of work. My discussion with Pie was reflective for photographers who are thinking long-term, questioning their motives, and trying to balance meaning with sustainability. Other stuff we talk about: Pie Aerts’ background in documentary and wildlife photographyHis six-year long-term project with the Puesteros of ChileEthical responsibility, power, and care in long-form photographySelf-doubt, anxiety, and uncertainty as part of creative lifeWhy deep, meaningful photography rarely pays on its ownBuilding expeditions and community as a funding engineAuthenticity, AI, and the future of photography.During the part where we discuss his project 'COIRÓN', Pie shares details about his current Kickstarter campaign to fund the publication of his upcoming photobook COIRÓN on the Puesteros, produced with GOST Books. The book is scheduled for release in 2026, alongside a feature-length film developed from the same long-term project. Find kickstarter link below for you to support the project. Links for Pie and his work: Kickstarter Page here Instagram: @because.people.matter Website: pieaerts.com __________________________ Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation! Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work. YouTube: www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay Learn with me https://mattjacobphotography.com/voice-alchemy My Newsletter https://mattjacobphotography.com/newsletter Website: www.mattjacobphotography.com Socials: IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay

What if your best work starts with a quiet cup and a clear mind? We kick off the year with an honest, unscripted 'Ask Me Anything' episode that explores how small rituals, sharper definitions, and a steadier inner compass can change both your art and your days. From an early morning espresso and two loyal dogs to the decision to ignore empty metrics, I trace a path from presence to better pictures, and hopefully a calmer life behind the lens. I talk about instinct, happiness, success, and the quieter realities of building a life around photography. We also move through what it actually takes to get better without burning out, why alignment matters more than attention, and the long game of creating work and communities that genuinely care. I hope it helps, and thanks for all of you who sent in questions. Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation! Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work. YouTube: www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay Learn with me https://mattjacobphotography.com/voice-alchemy My Newsletter https://mattjacobphotography.com/newsletter Website: www.mattjacobphotography.com Socials: IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay

In this episode of The MOOD Podcast, I sit down with photographer, writer, and mentor Wesley Verhoeve for a grounded conversation about photography process, confidence, and learning how to make meaningful work without waiting for permission.  We talk about why so many photographers struggle with self-doubt, why overthinking stalls creative progress, and how showing your work and sharing your process can demystify photography and make growth feel possible again. Wesley reflects on his approach to learning photography through participation, not perfection, and explains how confidence is built by doing, not by being 'ready'.  We also explore the philosophy and process behind Wesley’s photo books 'NOTICE' and 'NOTICE Journal Vol. 1', including how routine, attention, and slowing down shaped both bodies of work. In this conversation, we cover: Why process matters more than talent in photographyWhy photographers often hate their own workHow overthinking blocks creative momentumWhere to start when photography feels overwhelmingShowing your work as a way to build confidenceThe role of community, feedback, and shared growth in photographyMaking photo books and long-term personal projects Follow Wesley and his  work: Website: wesley.co Instagram: @wesley His Books: wesley.co/shop __________________________________ Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation! Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work. YouTube: www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay Learn with me https://mattjacobphotography.com/voice-alchemy My Newsletter https://mattjacobphotography.com/newsletter Website: www.mattjacobphotography.com Socials: IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay

The year didn’t teach us to shoot faster. It taught us to go deeper. We close out 2025 by stitching together the most resonant moments from a season of hard questions and honest answers: why “quick fix” education fails creatives, how pricing for profit transforms freelancers into owners, and where empathy turns a portrait from performance into truth. Art stays at the centre. We explore ambiguity as a strength, and you’ll hear how long-form projects and photo books benefit from time and distance, how technique and tone evolve across a decade, and why music, language, and psychological safety can unlock authentic portraits. We examine the record-making power of photojournalism and face its mental health tolls with tools that actually help: self-care rituals, supportive networks, and realistic recovery in hostile environments. Threaded through everything is a humbling sense of place—grief and hope living side by side, and nature reminding us the story isn’t finished. If you’ve felt the pull to slow down, to price honestly, to build community, and to let your work breathe, please take stock and listen. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs depth over dopamine, and leave a review telling us where you’ll choose craft over shortcuts in the new year. _____________________________________ Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation! Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work. YouTube: www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay Learn with me https://mattjacobphotography.com/voice-alchemy My Newsletter https://mattjacobphotography.com/newsletter Website: www.mattjacobphotography.com Socials: IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay

In this episode - the last guest episode of 2025 - I sit down with photographer, publisher, and curator Jesse Lenz for one of the most expansive and honest conversations I’ve had on the show - fitting to end the year with such a nice gift-wrapped present.  What begins as a discussion about photography and photobooks quickly becomes a deeper exploration of obsession, taste, community, and what it actually means to build a life of artistry that lasts. Jesse speaks candidly about art not as a career path, but as something closer to devotion; something you shape your life around rather than extract from. Here's what we talk about: Why art is an addictionDiscovering photobooksWhy most projects failEditing and sequencing of artMaking work for yourself before others Charcoal Press and publishing workChico ReviewLongevity over visibilityFollow Jesse and his incredible work: Website: www.jesselenz.com Instagram: @jesselenz Charcoal Book Club: www.charcoalbookclub.com Charcoal Press: www.charcoalpress.com Chico Review: www.chicoreview.com _____________________________________________ Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation! Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work. YouTube: www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay Learn with me https://mattjacobphotography.com/voice-alchemy My Newsletter https://mattjacobphotography.com/newsletter Website: www.mattjacobphotography.com Socials: IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay

Nobody cares about your photography. We don’t need more of 'any old' photographers. Yet survival as culture and society with soul is completely dependent on work that matters. In this episode of Moments of Mood, I explore why indifference is the default in modern photography, what it actually means for someone to care about your work, why chasing attention is often the fastest way to lose meaning, and the deeper responsibility artists have in a world drowning in content. Listen if you're interested in: Being tired of chasing validation and wonder why no-none sees or takes notice of your workWhy nobody is waiting to care about your photography, but how you can create from a deeper place that invites care.What “caring” really means in art and visual storytellingWhy meaning matters more than visibilityHow photobooks create depth in a disposable image cultureThe 5 conditions that make people genuinely care about photographyWhy slow, intentional work outlasts viral success____________________________ Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation! Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work. YouTube: www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay Learn with me https://mattjacobphotography.com/voice-alchemy My Newsletter https://mattjacobphotography.com/newsletter Website: www.mattjacobphotography.com Socials: IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay

British photographer and environmental storyteller Nick Brandt joins the show for a raw, expansive conversation on art, climate collapse, sentience, and the role of photography in an age defined by distraction and decline. Across projects such as Inherit the Dust, This Empty World, The Day May Break, and his latest chapter The Echo of Our Voices, Brandt builds constructed realities that merge portraiture, environmental narrative, and human resilience. This conversation moves through philosophy, ethics, creative fear, the collapse of attention, and the emotional cost of a lifetime spent documenting loss. We discuss: Nick's core philosophy.Why the project 'The Day May Break' exists.How historical worldviews shaped modern cruelty.Climate change as human injustice.The tension between beauty and devastation.The conceptual and emotional logic behind 'The Echo of Our Voices'.The collapsing photobook and print ecosystem.AI as an existential threat.Why Nick refuses to create purely for audiences.The impact of social media on photography as a whole.Medium format film vs digital.Advice for emerging photographers. Follow Nick and his incredible work: Website: www.nickbrandt.com Instagram: @nickbrandtphotography This episode is sponsored by Strata Editions - use discount code 'MOOD' for 10% discount on their store - visit strata-editions.com to shop and see their collections. _____________________________________ Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation! Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work. YouTube: www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay Learn with me https://mattjacobphotography.com/voice-alchemy My Newsletter https://mattjacobphotography.com/newsletter Website: www.mattjacobphotography.com Socials: IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay

Bryan Schutmaat  is a photographer, publisher, and quiet poet of the American West. Known for books such as Grays the Mountain Sends, Good Goddamn, and Sons of the Living, Bryan’s work explores the uneasy tension between land and people, myth and memory, endurance and hope. He is also co-founder of Trespasser Books, a small but powerful imprint shaping the future of modern photobooks. In This Conversation We Explore Why photography feels so lonely and how community changes everythingBuilding meaningful creative connections in a solitary craftThe making of Sons of the Living and the stories behind the imagesNavigating narrative, ambiguity, and emotional truth in photographyWhy photobooks still matter and how sequencing shapes meaningThe philosophy behind Trespasser and independent publishingCuriosity, discipline, and the struggle to stay creatively aliveThe American dream, the American West, and the reality between themHow to make work that does something rather than pretending it doesThe inner journey of becoming an artist with a distinct point of viewFollow Bryan and his incredible work: Website: www.bryanschutmaat.co Instagram: @bryanschutmaat This episode is sponsored by Strata Editions - use discount code 'MOOD' for 10% discount on their store - visit strata-editions.com to shop and see their collections. _______________________________________ Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation! Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work. YouTube: www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay Learn with me https://mattjacobphotography.com/voice-alchemy My Newsletter https://mattjacobphotography.com/newsletter Website: www.mattjacobphotography.com Socials: IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay

Kent Andreasen, a Cape Town-based photographer and filmmaker, joins me to talk about his new photobook Memory Bank (published by Witty Books), which tells the story over a decade shaped by doubt, discipline, and a complicated relationship with memory.  Our chat together moves from South Africa’s creative landscape to therapy, trauma, and to this book that feels like a fever dream stitched into sequence. We discussed: The real story behind the attack that inspired Memory BankHow trauma transforms into artThe tension between truth and memory in photographySouth Africa’s complex creative landscapeFinding authenticity in commercial workHow AI is challenging what it means to “see”Why photography is still a tool for healingOrder Memory Bank at the Witty Books website here: https://witty-books.com/Memory-Bank-Kent-Andreasen Follow Kent and his work: Website: www.kentandreasen.com Instagram: @kentandreasen This episode is sponsored by Strata Editions - use discount code MOOD for 10% discount on their store - visit strata-editions.com to shop and see their collections. ______________________________ Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation! Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work. YouTube: www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay Learn with me https://mattjacobphotography.com/voice-alchemy My Newsletter https://mattjacobphotography.com/newsletter Website: www.mattjacobphotography.com Socials: IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay

”What if the stories that shape us are the ones we can't remember?" Marshall To, a photographer whose photobook 'Blank Notes' explores ancestry, memory, and identity through a deeply personal lens, grew up in rural Canada, the son of Chinese immigrants and a Taoist family who ran a small restaurant. His family believed the physical and spiritual worlds overlapped - that we live among spirits of our ancestors, those waiting for rebirth, and those still wandering, restless and vengeful. In Taoist tradition, during the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, the Gates of Hell open - releasing the 'Hungry Ghosts' back into our world to seek food and remembrance. Families burn paper offerings, pray for protection, and leave food for the dead. It’s both a celebration and a warning: walk gently, because the ghosts are hungry. In his debut monograph, Blank Notes, published by Charcoal Press, Marshall explores the space where the natural and supernatural meet - where photography becomes ritual, and images serve as offerings to both the living and the dead. His work blurs culture, memory, and the unseen, inviting us to question how the spiritual and the physical intertwine in our everyday lives. What we discussed: The origin story behind Blank NotesGrief, Taoist ritual, and ancestral storytellingMaking art from illness, memory, and dual identityThe power of “noticing” in photography and cookingCreative process behind sequencing a photobookHow to honour invisible subjects through visual storytellingWhy Marshall believes creativity is compulsion, not choiceThe intersection of food, art, and healingPre-orders and signings with Charcoal Press at Paris dates: I arrive in Paris November 10th and I'm there until the 17th Follow Marhsall and his work: Website: www.marshalljamesto.com Instagram: @marshalljamesto ___________________________________________ This episode is sponsored by Strata Editions - use discount code MOOD for 10% discount on their store - visit strata-editions.com to shop and see their collections. ______________________ Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation! Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work. YouTube: www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay Learn with me https://mattjacobphotography.com/voice-alchemy My Newsletter https://mattjacobphotography.com/newsletter Website: www.mattjacobphotography.com Socials: IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay

Phil Sharp, an award winning British portrait photographer, talks about the human core of portrait photography and why music, language, and time can turn performance into truth. We challenge received wisdom about headshots, explore photography books and business, look ahead to portraits in an AI world, and attempt to dismantle the myth that great images come from gear, tricks, or perfectly controlled sets. Phil's work relies on a deeper element: the moment a person stops performing. What's discussed in this episode: Portraiture as human connection, not just techniqueCreating safe space with empathy and careful languageUsing music to trigger sincere emotionBalancing performance and authenticity in front of cameraSession pacing, energy, and knowing when to stopPricing, packages, and word-of-mouth workflowBooks, prints, and the pros and cons of publishingAI’s impact and why presence still mattersFinding voice over style through repetition and reflectionI thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with Phil - a long time fan of his, it was good to have a conversation about photography as human connection, not necessary technical domination. Subscribe to the MOOD Podcast for more conversations with the world’s leading creative thinkers. Follow Phil and his work: Website: www.philsharp-photo.com Instagram: @philsharp ___________________________________________ This episode is sponsored by Strata Editions - use discount code MOOD for 10% discount on their store - visit strata-editions.com to shop and see their collections. ___________________________________________ Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation! Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work. YouTube: www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay Learn with me https://mattjacobphotography.com/voice-alchemy My Newsletter https://mattjacobphotography.com/newsletter Website: www.mattjacobphotography.com Socials: IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay

Welcome to another episode of Moments of Mood, this time about how to monetise - even just a little bit - the wonderful parts of us that are creative.  Turning your creative passion into a sustainable career possible, it's probable if you know where to focus and how to work smart. In this episode of Moments of Mood, I explore how to make money as a creative professional without selling out your soul, and in the meantime dispelling the myth of the 'starving artist'. Whether you’re a photographer, designer, filmmaker, or writer, this video breaks down real strategies to monetize your art, diversify your income streams, and build a creative business that lasts. Learn how to: Build multiple creative career income streamsDevelop a brand and portfolio that attract real clientsBalance art, money, and meaning without burnoutBuild a portfolio career for artists that gives you freedom and stabilityTake your creativity from passion to plan — and get paid doing what you love References from this episode: My conversation with Chris Do https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QrdCEH5TXA&t=37Amie McNee https://amiemcnee.substack.comUniversity of Zurich Study – “Happiness in the Arts: International Evidence on Artists’ Job Satisfaction” https://www.bsfrey.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/happiness-in-the-arts-international-evidence-on-artists-job-satisfaction.pdfUniversity of Warwick Study – Follow-up on Creative Job Satisfaction https://theartcareerproject.com/link-between-happiness-art/ - Nesta UK Report – “Creativity vs Robots” https://www.nesta.org.uk/report/creativity-vs-robots/Nesta UK Working Paper – “Creative Occupations and Subjective Wellbeing” (Fujiwara, Cornwall, Dolan) https://www.nesta.org.uk/documents/412/creative_employment_and_subjective_wellbeing_1509_1.pdf__________________________________________________________ Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation! Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work. YouTube: www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay Learn with me https://mattjacobphotography.com/voice-alchemy My Newsletter https://mattjacobphotography.com/newsletter Website: www.mattjacobphotography.com Socials: IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay

“If you don’t value yourself, why should anyone else?” Chris Do is an Emmy-award-winning designer, founder of The Futur, and one of the most sought-after creative educators on the planet. With his huge audience and decades of experience building creative businesses, Chris helps designers, artists, and entrepreneurs master the business of creativity and the self-brand.  In this episode, we explore the psychology of pricing, the future of content, and how creatives can build meaningful, profitable careers without selling out. What we talk about: How to price your creative work with confidenceThe mindset shift that changed everything for ChrisWhy the algorithm rewards authenticityThe real reason most creatives burn outHow to turn content into clientsAI, abundance, and staying relevantWhy storytelling is your most powerful business toolHow to move from freelancer to entrepreneurBuilding your audience one post at a timeSubscribe to the MOOD Podcast for more conversations with the world’s leading creative thinkers. Follow Chris and his work: Website: www.thefutur.com Instagram: @thechrisdo YouTube: @ChrisDo _________________________________ Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation! Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work. YouTube: www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay Learn with me https://mattjacobphotography.com/voice-alchemy My Newsletter https://mattjacobphotography.com/newsletter Website: www.mattjacobphotography.com Socials: IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouT Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation! Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work. YouTube: www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay Learn with me https://mattjacobphotography.com/voice-alchemy My Newsletter https://mattjacobphotography.com/newsletter Website: www.mattjacobphotography.com Socials: IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay

What happens when the world is flooded with AI images, tools, and “perfect” feeds? In this episode of Moments of MOOD, I sit down to talk about what it really means to stay human in your work — and why your voice, your presence, and your lived experience are the ultimate creative edge. This isn’t a doom-scroll about AI taking our jobs. It’s an invitation. To look at what makes your art irreplaceable. To build a brand that AI can’t copy. To practice until your perspective becomes unmistakable. If you’ve been feeling the anxiety of this “AI flood,” this episode is a reminder: your humanity is the moat.  Keep showing up. Keep telling stories. And keep making art that only you can make. _________________________ References in the video: Things that changed everything for me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyQ5i28TD38&t=1s My Core Brand Narrative Process https://mattjacobphotography.com/core-brand-narrative-process MIT study on brain vs. ChatGPT https://arxiv.org/pdf/2506.08872 _________________________ Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation! Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work. YouTube: www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay Learn with me https://mattjacobphotography.com/voice-alchemy My Newsletter https://mattjacobphotography.com/newsletter Website: www.mattjacobphotography.com Socials: IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay

Step into the world of Ami Vitale, National Geographic photographer, filmmaker, and founder of Vital Impacts, as she shares her journey from covering conflict zones to telling the most urgent conservation stories of our time. In this conversation on the MOOD Podcast, Ami reveals why hope and action matter more than despair, the ethical responsibilities of storytelling, and how photographers can shape narratives that inspire real change. She discusses her 17-year project documenting the northern white rhino’s fight for survival, the role of AI in creativity, and how grants, mentorship, and authentic voices are reshaping the future of photography. If you’re a creator, conservationist, or simply someone who believes in the power of stories to change the world, this episode will leave you rethinking your role in shaping the future. 👉 Subscribe to the MOOD Podcast for more conversations with the world’s leading creative thinkers. Follow Ami Vitale Instagram: https://www.amivitale.com/ Website: https://www.instagram.com/amivitale/ _________________________ (00:00) Intro (02:06) Finding Hope Amid Global Despair   (07:11) Why People Don’t Care About Environmental Crises   (12:22) Embracing Discomfort to Reconnect With the World   (15:17) Balancing Photography With Responsibility to Communities   (18:10) The Ethics of Storytelling  (23:13) Documenting Tourism’s Impact on Rural Landscapes   (24:28) Pitching the Northern White Rhino Story   (28:06) How Grants & Vital Impacts Support Emerging Photographers   (36:30) Why Authenticity in Storytelling Beats AI-Generated Work   (40:02) From War Zones to Conservation Photography   (45:22) Including Local Communities in Wildlife Conservation Stories   (48:17) Environmental Storytelling   (50:40) How Media Narratives Shape Fear & Engagement   (53:29) The Northern White Rhino Conservation Effort Explained   (1:02:01) Ami’s Creative Process: Balancing Planning & Spontaneity   (1:05:01) Redefining Success: From Front Covers to Supporting Others   Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation! Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work. YouTube: www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay Learn with me https://mattjacobphotography.com/voice-alchemy My Newsletter https://mattjacobphotography.com/newsletter Website: www.mattjacobphotography.com Socials: IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay