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In Episode 55 of Photography is Nothing, Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken sit down for a wide-ranging conversation with legendary photographer and painter Adger Cowans. At 90 years old, Cowans reflects on a lifetime of making art, following his intuition, and finding meaning in the world around him. Cowans studied photography at Ohio University, assisted Gordon Parks, and built a remarkable career spanning fine art, photojournalism, and motion picture photography. He is also a founding member of the Kamoinge Workshop, the influential collective founded by Black photographers to support one another and expand the possibilities of their work. But this conversation goes far beyond photography. Cowans shares his deeply personal philosophy of creativity, describing the artist as a translator of spirit and emotion. He talks about the importance of courage, the challenges of rejection, the difference between making images with film and digital cameras, and why artists must learn to trust their own vision rather than create work simply to please others. The conversation also explores his love of jazz, his experiences with legendary musicians, the importance of community, and the energy that connects people through art and life. Throughout it all, Cowans offers an inspiring perspective on creativity, purpose, and the freedom that comes from defining your own path. In this episode: Adger Cowans on a lifetime of photography and paintingCreativity, spirituality, emotion, and trusting your intuitionHis experiences assisting Gordon Parks and learning from photography's greatsFilm, darkroom printing, digital photography, and the changing nature of the mediumOvercoming rejection and finding the courage to make your own workThe Kamoinge Workshop and the importance of community among Black photographersJazz, artistic expression, and the energy shared between artists and audiencesAging, staying creative, and continuing to explore new possibilitiesWhy you must believe in yourself and define your own destiny Join us for this inspiring conversation with Adger Cowans. If something in this episode resonates with you, share it with a photographer, artist, or creative person who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Photography is Nothing for more conversations about photography and life. Find Adger Website: https://www.adgercowans.com/ Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happylifelessons/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.  Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner. #PhotographyIsNothing #AdgerCowans #Photography #KamoingeWorkshop #GordonParks #CreativeLife #PhotographyPodcast

In Episode 54 of Photography is Nothing, Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken explore the remarkable photography of Adger Cowans, a pioneering photographer whose work spans street photography, documentary photography, portraiture, jazz, fine art, and more than 30 motion picture sets. From his early days in Columbus, Ohio, to assisting Gordon Parks in New York City, Cowans built an extraordinary career documenting everyday life, capturing cultural icons, and finding beauty in unexpected places. We look at some of his most compelling images, including his evocative street photographs, expressive portraits, experiments with light and abstraction, and behind-the-scenes photographs of legendary actors and filmmakers. Cowans was also a founding member of the Kamoinge Workshop in 1963. The group continues to this day and is dedicated to supporting Black photographers providing a more well-rounded look at the experiences of Black Americans. Cowans has a spiritual approach to making art. His work is a reminder that photography can be about more than documenting events — it can be about expressing how we experience the world. This episode is an introduction to Cowans and his work ahead of our upcoming conversation with him. In this episode: Adger Cowans' early life and photographic beginningsHis time assisting the legendary Gordon ParksCowans' work in street photography, everyday life, and fine artPhotographing Hollywood film sets, actors, jazz musicians, and cultural figuresHis abstract work with light as the subjectThe relationship between photography, painting, and artistic expressionBuilding a creative life and continuing to explore new possibilities over time *CORRECTION* - Zach said "Serpico" as one of Adger's credits, but the film he photographed starring Al Pacino was "The Panic in Needle Park." Photography is Nothing is a video podcast hosted by photographer Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken, exploring photography, creativity, and life. Subscribe to Photography is Nothing for more conversations about the photographers, ideas, and experiences that shape how we see. Find Adger Website: https://www.adgercowans.com/ Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happylifelessons/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.  Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner. #PhotographyIsNothing #AdgerCowans #Photography #StreetPhotography #DocumentaryPhotography #PhotographyHistory #GordonParks

Zach & Courtney take the family to New York City for the first time. Over the past few years, Zach has been working regularly in New York, but the rest of the family (Courtney included) had yet to visit the city. In this episode, we talk about experiencing New York with our five kids. We visit spots like Times Square, Battery Park, Chinatown, the 9/11 Memorial, Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History, and more!  This show is packed with photos from Zach, video clips from Courtney, and some images by the kids, too. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Photographing what’s in front of your camera 2:27 - Zach has been leaving his family behind 4:34 - Driving into New York on September 11th 10:26 - Visiting Times Square at night 16:37 - Central Park felt the most “New York” 21:22 - Starting our first day in Battery Park 23:54 - Visiting the 9/11 Memorial 27:39 - Every city has more than you expect 30:04 - Chinatown, NYC 33:13 - Accepting exhaustion 34:12 - Bichon owners meetup 35:39 - Courtney says let the kids pull us forward 39:25 - Kids love climbing rocks in Central Park 45:03 - Courtney’s birthday in New York 46:25 - Visiting the American Museum of Natural History 1:01:02 - Back to Central Park & Belvedere Castle 1:03:06 - Popular spots in Central Park 1:04:49 - 5th Avenue 1:06:03 - Takeaways from visiting New York City for the first time. Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_ About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.  Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

In this interview with Australian photographic artist Tajette O’Halloran, we talk about the inspiration behind her projects like In Australia, The Quarry, and Regional Rituals. She talks about her difficult upbringing in the Northern Rivers area, and how that put her on a path to tell the stories of adolescence.  We also talk about parenting, incorporating our kids into our art, and her practice of incorporating both film & digital into her work. Based in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia, Tajette’s photography ranges from documentary to portraiture to conceptual. The common thread is examining adolescence and identity; both her own and others’. Tajette’s projects include In Australia, where she revisits her hometown and creates scenes reminiscent of her youth, and the ongoing The Quarry, a series of portraits of young people at a local swimming spot. Her most recent project is Regional Rituals, commissioned by Powerhouse, a museum in Sydney, Australia. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Introduction to photographer Tajette O’Halloran 1:52 - Tajette’s photo series In Australia  10:35 - How In Australia started 13:59 - Tajette’s narrative approach to In Australia 17:08 - Growing up in Lismore, NSW, Australia 17:55 - Regional Rituals, a new photo series 22:36 - Tajette knew as a kid her childhood wasn’t typical 26:02 - Processing difficulty though photography 29:01 - Tajette’s photos remind Zach of Sally Mann 34:18 - Mixing black & white and color in a series 36:55 - How COVID affected photographers 40:26 - Tajette’s Earth and Water photos feel like parenthood 43:48 - Does Tajette feel like she’s rejecting mainstream society? 46:48 - Growing up in a mix of cultures in Lismore, Australia 48:40 - How Regional Rituals came to be 54:54 - The Quarry is an ongoing series of portraiture Find Tajette Website: https://www.tajetteohalloran.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tajette.ohalloran Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_ About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.  Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Tajette O’Halloran is a photographic artist based in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia. Her work ranges from documentary to portraiture to conceptual. The common thread is examining adolescence and identity; both her own and others’. Tajette’s projects include In Australia, where she revisits her hometown and creates scenes reminiscent of her youth, and the ongoing The Quarry, a series of portraits of young people at a local swimming spot. Her most recent project is Regional Rituals, commissioned by Powerhouse, a museum in Sydney, Australia. This episode is an introduction to Tajette’s work leading up to our interview with her next week. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Meet photographer Tajette O’Halloran 3:30 - În Australia - Tajette examines her adolescence  5:15 - The photo that first caught Zach’s attention 14:00 - The Quarry - An ongoing series of portraits and observations 17:23 - Earth & Water - photographing childhood 23:20 - When are you a part of the story? 24:53 - Regional Rituals - Project commissioned by Powerhouse Museum Find Tajette Website: https://www.tajetteohalloran.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tajette.ohalloran Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_ About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.  Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

In this 50TH episode, Zach & Courtney talk about what they’ve learned so far from running a photography business, starting a podcast, raising 5 kids, homeschooling, and just being generally busy making things for 20 years. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Grow or die 1:40 - Starting a business 4:31 - Courtney & Zach had the same idea 5:57 - Starting a life after college 12:46 - We had abandoned our intuition 17:04 - Starting our own business worked 23:50 - You have to do other things to support the Big Thing 25:40 - Would Zach recommend this lifestyle? 33:04 - Dealing with ego death 40:35 - Getting back to the original vision 45:45 - Choosing joy 49:53 - Unexpected skills Zach has learned 54:42 - Learn to photograph the everyday & make it interesting 57:00 - Courtney is here to go beneath the surface 1:03:56 - Learn and change and grow or die Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_ About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.  Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Episode 49 - In this episode Zach & Courtney talk about how football and photography came up together since the late 1800s. We can see how as the technology advanced, the style of photography changed as well. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Film becomes the subject of the photo. 3:49 - The oldest football photo I could find. Old division football. 5:06 - Earliest football photos were mostly posed & portraits. 7:29 - Early action photos, college and professional football. 11:10 - A photo from the first football game at University of Oregon - 1905. 13:12 - 📷 Neil Leifer “The Greatest Game Ever Played” - 1958 NFL Championship . 16:00 - Neil Leifer’s contact sheet from the 1958 NFL Championship. 18:20 - 📷 Neil Leifer 1962 - Close up wide angle of game action. 21:31 - LIFE Magazine photos of the first Super Bowl. 1967. 27:20 - Walter Iooss, Jr. and manual focus on a telephoto lens. 29:14 - 📷 Walter Iooss, Jr. - Joe Namath, Poolside, Galt Ocean Mile Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 1969. 33:52 - How camera technology changed in the second half of the 20th century . 35:02 - 📷 Michael Zagaris behind the scenes photos of the 49ers. 37:43 - The portraits of Walter Iooss Jr. make athletes look heroic. 41:23 - 📷 Walter Iooss, Jr. - “The Catch” 49ers vs. Cowboys. 1982. 42:29 - How camera tech of today affects sports photography. 47:37 - How to set yourself apart as a sports photographer in 2026. 49:39 - Documentary photography always has value. Photos by Magnum photographers. Buy, Sell or Trade with MPB: https://shorturl.at/Szqs2 Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_ About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.  Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

US Copyright laws exist to protect artists and their art. Zach & Courtney take copyright seriously and have retained the copyright for all of Zach’s photography since the beginning of their business. In this episode of Photography is Nothing, Zach & Courtney talk about famous court cases involving photographers protecting their copyright as a means to teach how these laws benefit photographers and other artists. Cases discussed include: Photographer Carol Highsmith suing Getty images for a billion dollars for selling 18K of her photos.Photojournalist Daniel Morel sues AFP & Getty for selling his images of the 2010 Haitian earthquakeThe famous “monkey selfie” case with photographer David Slater. Who owns a photo taken by an animal?Architecture photographer Scott Hargis wins perhaps the largest copyright settlement ever. The conversation moves well beyond the lawsuits and gets into topics like: Registered works vs un-registered worksPublic domainFair UseAlways get a contract, even when no money is exchanging handsGetty Images sells photos that are public domain (free to everyone) **NOTE** Zach & Courtney are not attorneys and nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.  Index 0:00 - A monkey took the photo 4:29 - Why we always retain copyright ownership 9:10 - Carol Highsmith sues Getty 15:22 - Royalty Free vs Rights Managed 20:39 - When you create something, you own the copyright 21:51 - Photographer Scott Hargis’s big win 28:02 - Why register copyrights 30:56 - Setting a precedent that we pursue infringement 37:20 - Daniel Morel sues AFP & Getty 41:26 - David Slater and the Monkey Selfie dispute 55:15 - A little bit about model releases Buy, Sell or Trade with MPB: https://shorturl.at/Szqs2 Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happylifelessons/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.  Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Zach & Courtney interview Christopher Morris, a documentary photographer who has covered war, politics, and fashion since 1981. In this interview, Morris talks about being mistaken for a CIA agent, living with the consequences of witnessing atrocities firsthand, working to make sure his vast archive lives on, and more. Christopher Morris got his start with the Black Star agency covering conflicts in the Philippines, Panama, the Persian Gulf War, Yugoslavia, Chechnya, Yemen, Iraq, and more.  Largely leaving war photography behind in the early 2000s, Morris covered the Bush and Obama administrations for Time Magazine. He left Black Star in 2001 and was one of the founding members of VII Photo Agency. In recent years, Morris has photographed for fashion magazines & brands, worked as the personal photographer for Princess Charlene of Monaco, and continued to take breaking news & editorial assignments around the world. Index 0:00 - Interview with Christopher Morris 3:50 - TIME said stop photographing Republicans in black & white 7:25 - Going through 40 years of photo archives 16:47 - Chris was hired by the Princess of Monaco 18:40 - Keeping your copyright  22:30 - Stephen Shore as an influence 25:58 - 1981 on the New York Subway 28:22 - What he learned from Susan Meiselas 30:50 - Don’t stay in hotels as a documentary photographer 33:09 - Taking photos behind the handler’s back in Saudi Arabia 37:56 - Are photojournalists capitalizing on suffering? 44:16 - Winning awards for war photography 47:49 - The toll it takes on the family of a war photographer 58:05 - Taking portraits & maintaining journalistic integrity 1:03:14 - The influence of W. Eugene Smith’s Country Doctor 1:23:22 - How does a conflict photographer get to the front lines? 1:37:27 - Getting the best seat in the house without a pass 1:42:04 - How Morris got to the front lines in Iraq 1:47:14 - When photographing the government means you’re one of them  1:57:30 - PTSD: No one asked if he needed help 2:02:18 - Israel has killed over 200 journalists in Gaza 2:04:50 - Planning a visit to see the archives in person Buy, Sell or Trade with MPB: https://shorturl.at/Szqs2 Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happylifelessons/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.  Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Christopher Morris is a documentary photographer who has covered wars, politics, and fashion since 1981. In this episode, Courtney & Zach introduce Morris’s photography ahead of next week’s interview with the photographer. Christopher Morris got his start with the Black Star agency covering conflicts in the Philippines, Panama, the Persian Gulf War, Yugoslavia, Chechnya, Yemen, Iraq, and more.  Largely leaving war photography behind in the early 2000s, Morris covered the Bush and Obama administrations for Time Magazine. He left Black Star in 2001 and was one of the founding members of VII Photo Agency. In recent years, Morris has photographed for fashion magazines & brands, worked as the personal photographer for Princess Charlene of Monaco, and continued to take breaking news & editorial assignments around the world. Index 0:31 - The Photography Christopher Morris 6:36 - How Christopher Morris got started in photography 10:35 - Photographing the conflict in Chechnya - 1990s 18:25 - Documenting American politics in the early 2000s 23:15 - Books by Christopher Morris: My America and Americans 29:24 - Archiving decades of film photos 32:00 - Moscow in the 1990s 34:01 - Fashion photography paired with war and politics 40:00 - New York City subway in 1981 41:31 - How Christopher Morris’s photos have influenced Zach 43:25 - How do you decide to be a war photographer Buy, Sell or Trade with MPB: https://shorturl.at/Szqs2 Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happylifelessons/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.  Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Episode 45 • Kiliii Yüyan Zach & Courtney interview Kiliii Yüyan, National Geographic photographer, Explorer, and speaker. Kiliii’s work focuses on indigenous communities around the world with special attention to environmental issues. Indigenous Photography Kiliii is himself of Chinese and Nanai/Hèzhé descent and speaks often of how his own background informs his photography with Indigenous people of the world. He spends extended periods with each group of people that he photographs, building relationships and serving as an active member of the communities. Kiliii has photographed Indigenous communities and environments across the globe, such as Mongolia, Palau, and the Navajo Nation. His immersive approach is apparent in all aspects of his work, from the unusual scenes he's able to capture, to the descriptions he writes for each photograph. Kiliii is clearly well versed in the cultures he's documenting. Backstory Yüyan took up photography only in his 30's, when as a traditional kayak builder he began photographing his work. As a visual artist, photography came naturally, and he was photographing for National Geographic in just about 3 years. An award winning photographer, Killiii has also earned 3 covers for National Geographic and his work has also been featured in TIME, Vogue, and WIRED. Yüyan is a keynote speaker through Changemaker Talent with appearances at TEDx, and NatGeo Live, among others. Current Work In February 2026, Kiliii published a new book: Guardians of Life: Indigenous Knowledge, Indigenous Science, and Restoring the Planet. Guardians of Life features a decade of of his photos and includes contributions from two dozen Indigenous authors. Yüyan is currently working on project in the arctic, photographing Greenland sharks under the ice. He's famously known for his encounters with polar bears, sharks, and other wildlife where he captures stunning images under intense pressure. Index 0:00 - Intro: Indigenous communities are the best conservationists 0:52 - Introducing photographer Kiliii Yüyan 3:41 - Three years to becoming a National Geographic photographer 5:28 - Combining aesthetics and storytelling 9:03 - Becoming a part of the community you’re photographing 11:24 - How Kiliii finds the stories he tells 17:44 - The business of documentary photography: grants, speaking engagements, and more 32:35 - Bringing indigenous heritage to documentary photography 39:50 - A natural skill for storytelling 42:59 - Pushing past your discomfort to find success 46:12 - New book: Guardians of Life 53:22 - Indigenous conservation: Treating land as a museum vs a home  59:05 - Kiliii explains “solutions journalism” 1:06:20 - Book publisher Braided River’s unique approach 1:10:26 - Documentary photography is for kids, too Buy, Sell or Trade with MPB: https://shorturl.at/Szqs2 Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happylifelessons/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.  Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Zach & Courtney introduce you to the work of Kiliii Yüyan, National Geographic photographer. Kiliii’s work focuses on indigenous communities around the world with special attention to environmental issues. This week we talk about Kiliii’s background and some of his best known work so you’ll be familiar with his photography and approach before our next episode, an in-depth interview with Yüyan. In February 2026, Kiliii published a new book: Guardians of Life: Indigenous Knowledge, Indigenous Science, and Restoring the Planet.  “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Making the cover of National Geographic 0:48 - Meet Kiliii Yüyan 6:04 - The impartial observer is a myth 8:46 - Project: People of the Whale 30:05 - Project: We are Here 40:42 - Guardians of Life book Buy, Sell or Trade with MPB: https://shorturl.at/Szqs2 Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happylifelessons/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons

Zach & Courtney talk about supporting their kids taking photos. Zach has always been open to letting kids use his professional cameras, even if it made him nervous at first.  ICYMI, Zach & Courtney ARE married! They have 5 kids together, who have free rein with cameras whenever they ask.  In this episode, Zach & Courtney talk about how they work to support their kids’ creativity and individual styles without putting their own personal preferences and aesthetics onto the kids’ photography. Episode 43 “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Intro: Keeping opinions to yourself. 1:09 - We’re married 5:23 - All 5 of our kids like to take photos (sometimes) 9:05 - Letting kids use professional cameras 12:32 - The kids like to use the smaller, mirrorless camera 14:06 - Zach doesn’t teach photography lessons (unless asked) 17:05 - How I set up cameras for kids 18:31 - Take photos of whatever you think is interesting 23:56 - Louisa takes headshots for the cast of her play 28:42 - Kids learn from what they see me do 35:05 - Helping kids feel comfortable being themselves 40:31 - Zach & Courtney’s viral video: kids using Instax cameras 45:01 - Courtney’s view on “high art” 51:44 - Street photography photo contest Buy, Sell or Trade with MPB: https://shorturl.at/Szqs2 Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happylifelessons/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.  Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Episode 42 - Zach & Courtney go through the best photos of the 2026 World Cup so far. And by “best” they mean the photos they like the most. There are a lot of great storylines that have unfolded early in the tournament and Zach & Courtney get into their favorite photos of these stories and moments. Photos include Cape Verde goalie Vozinha, watch parties around the world, Lumumba Vea, and a great photo of Ronaldo that was posted to his account without first obtaining permission from the photographer. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Intro: Your eyes see things from different angles. Duh. 2:25 - How the World Cup is affecting us in the USA 9:04 - Tourists experiencing American food and culture. 13:42 - Soccer fans around the world watching the World Cup 26:16 - Norway’s Viking-themed team photo 30:20 - David Ramos photo of Messi celebrating Argentina’s 2022 World Cup win 32:45 - The story of Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, aka Lumumba Vea 35:06 - The World Cup photography of Kohjiro Kinno 39:21 - Favorite photos of Vozinha 42:58 - Ronaldo’s photo that was used without permission 48:47 - Talking about copyright 53:35 - How can a photographer tell it’s their photo? Buy, Sell or Trade with MPB: https://shorturl.at/Szqs2 Larry Fink: Hands On / A Passionate Life of Looking Get your copy: https://amzn.to/4fWXPuN Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_ About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.  Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Episode 41 - Zach & Courtney have talked about Larry Fink on multiple occasions, so wanted to have an episode dedicated to him. The photography of Larry Fink was documentary in nature and full of social & class commentary. His most famous series, Social Graces, put images of Manhattan socialites of the 70s & 80s alongside images of the Sabatine family living in rural Pennsylvania.  He also photographed social activism of the 60s & 70s, boxing in the 80s & 90s, the famous Vanity Fair Oscar parties in the early 2000s, and behind the scenes at fashion shows. Fink once said, “The only revolution we have is within,” which became an important quote in the McCracken/Dobson household. We talk about that in depth in this episode. After our initial talk (clip from Photography is Nothing episode 05), Zach talks through one of his favorite photo books:  Larry Fink: Hands On / A Passionate Life of Looking. The book touches on every point of Fink’s career. Zach talks in depth about some of his favorite images and provides details about the stories and series they’re from. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Intro: Change the world by changing yourself 1:15 - Larry Fink and the Sabatine Family 5:31 - Courtney’s favorite quote from Larry Fink 8:02 - Larry Fink’s self portrait is an entire universe  12:19 - How we missed meeting Larry Fink 14:07 - The internal revolution manifests externally 18:15 - Photo book - Larry Fink: Hands On / A Passionate Life of Looking Buy, Sell or Trade with MPB: https://shorturl.at/Szqs2 Larry Fink: Hands On / A Passionate Life of Looking Get your copy: https://amzn.to/4fWXPuN Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_ About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.  Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.