Is there such a thing as loving photography too much? If we asked my guest today, the answer would definitely be NO! Her enthusiasm is inspiring, and so is her honest sharing about her path as a photographer. I’m pleased to welcome Martha Montiel to the conversation. She shares how her style has evolved over the years, what she’s learned from having world-class mentors, and why it’s beneficial to explore different genres of photography in the spirit of staying creatively energized and...

Let's talk about a word we sometimes avoid when talking about our photography: PLAY. I embrace the concept even as I use every other word to describe the process. What's up with that?! Here's why play should be taken seriously and a few ideas to help shift our mindset. By the end, I hope you'll agree with me: play is the way! In the YouTube version of this podcast, I share images throughout that represent my photographic play: https://youtu.be/pQw_d2MkVD4 Socials: Website:...

When you bring together an engineering mind with a creative heart and insatiable curiosity, the result is the amazing work of Jeanie Sumrall-Ajero. Through our conversation, you are going to experience her as the embodiment of a spirit of play, experimentation, and thoughtfulness. We talk about how her multi-disciplinary background informs her photography, the role of community in connection and inspiration, and how we can respond when we feel fear or hesitation as we find our creative way in...

Are you ready to ask yourself some big questions in the spirit of being a more expressive photographer? Guy Tal is my guest, and he's going to inspire you to think more deeply about your relationship to photography and creativity. The word “existential” comes up more than once, so I hope you’re game to take a fascinating philosophical journey with us. We talk about photographic promiscuity, the role of ethics in our work, and how to become more open to the world around us. Guy Tal is a...

Mindfulness might be something of a buzzword, but when it comes to our photography, it’s worth the effort to make it a practice, and my guest today gives us some useful tips on how to do that. In this episode, I’m speaking with photographer Beth Young. As you might expect when you get two Beths together, we had a great time, talking about embracing slow photography, finding order in chaos, how constraints help us expand our creativity, and making sure social media isn’t the boss of us....

It's interesting that, as someone who appreciates control, I've chosen both a photography approach (abstracts, intentional camera movement) and an artistic medium (alcohol inks) that require a willingness to lose control. Wisdom from Rick Rubin and "The Creative Act" gets us in the frame of mind to loosen our grip and trust the process. Part 2 in a series exploring creativity cross-training. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4sTp-8FfPqs?si=flqGL1OQ85GrkMV3 Part 1, "I'm having an affair":...

Almost every single person I’ve interviewed for this channel has had one question for me: "Have you talked to Sarah Marino yet?" Well, with this episode, I can now say yes, I’ve talked with Sarah Marino! And she’s as thoughtful and generous as ever with her insights. We talk about nature first principles, reciprocity with our subjects, reasons to keep our worst photos, how her photography has evolved over the past 13 years, and so much more. See the images referenced in this episode at...

We all hear music differently, and some of us SEE music and translate that to visual art. Jerad Armijo's otherworldly photography is a visual diary of his lived experiences, partly informed by the sounds that bring colors to his imagination. We talk about his experience of chromesthesia, as well as lessons from his early mentors that give us valuable information about how we can start to define our own style. Note: There is a brief mention of suicidal thoughts and depression around the 4:30...

Photographer Brie Stockwell has an energetic personality with a serene visual style. We talk about that paradox, along with finding inner peace amidst chaos, the importance of interpreting and experiencing photographs from different perspectives, and the need to detach from external opinions and focus on one's own creative vision. Brie shares her journey as a photographer and the importance of embracing vulnerability and imperfection throughout the creative process. View images referenced in...

Love always happens when you're not looking for it. Let's explore how to become better photographers by putting down our cameras and being swept away by creative play. This is the first in a series of episodes about creativity cross-training. Mentioned: Kristy Swanson: https://www.kristyswansonart.com/ John Barclay Pixels episode:    • What Makes Your Heart Sing? | John Ba...   Resources: My alcohol inks tutorial playlist:    • Alcohol Inks   My cyanotype tutorial playlist:    • Cyanotype  ...

In this episode, I’m joined by TJ Thorne. TJ has an open, curious, and playful approach to photography that comes out clearly in this conversation. We discuss comfort zones, expectations, and experimentation; balancing business and creativity and the challenges of monetizing artistic work; and moving away from popular trends to find your personal visual voice. About TJ Thorne TJ Thorne is an Oregon-based Fine Art Landscape and Nature Photographer. The inspiration for his work is found in the...

Of the photographers I've followed over the years, Stephanie Johnson has been on the most transformative journey. Our conversation explores the significance of imagination and curiosity in the creative process, using our cameras and post-processing as tools to achieve our vision. My favorite part of this chat was Stephanie sharing her insights on the importance of giving oneself permission to play and expand creative boundaries. Stephanie Johnson is a self-taught creative photographer, who...

What makes an image "art" is more than just the observable elements; it's about evoking emotion. How can we expand our creative vocabulary to include the emotional response to images we see? And what role does social media play in helping us to do that? I make a case for practicing meaningful engagement and offer a challenge to help us all express ourselves more fully. Images referenced in this episode will be available soon at...

In this episode, I’m joined by Pamela Sherlock in a lively and thought-provoking discussion about curating our own work, representation in photography, stretching ourselves with self-portraiture, and the value of being part of a community of artists as a way to sustain and expand our creative energy. Pamela is a photographer with a master’s degree in theology. Some of the questions her work asks are: what are our responsibilities to our location? How does the landscape we see daily affect us?...

Just because we're in a fabulous location doesn't mean we'll produce fabulous photos. I share my experience, along with three lessons learned, from time in the forest during a Creative Exploration workshop with TJ Thorne. Coming to you while on vacation in "Up North" Michigan! Images referenced in this episode will be available soon at https://www.bethbuelowphotography.com/pixels-episodes/gorgeous-location-terrible-photos-and-3-lessons-learned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

Join me in a lively conversation with John Barclay where I find myself feeling so inspired that I lose track of time! John shares his insights and thoughts into emphasizing the importance of using photography to make your heart sing. We discuss a myriad of topics from inspiration, creative ruts, how to inspire yourself through your own work, and much more. About John John Barclay is an award-winning freelance photographer based in Bucks County, PA. John is a passionate photographer,...

In today's episode I am joined by Angie McMonigal, a fine art and commercial architecture photographer based in Chicago. Angie strives to bring a detailed, thoughtful perspective to her work, whether for clients or through the workshops she leads. Having grown up surrounded by nature yet fascinated by the big city she's called home for more than two decades, she brings the meditative calm of her upbringing to a terrain that's always transforming. Drawing from her education in the...

Could you be placing limitations on your artistic expression without fully realizing it? I share three different experiences that challenged my thinking and provide a way to work through artistic blocks that might be holding us back. There's wisdom from Stephanie Johnson, Georgia O'Keeffe, and as the title references, literal fire 🔥. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this conversation, photographer Matt Payne discusses his current direction and vision in landscape photography, emphasizing the importance of exploring smaller scenes and engaging in conversation with nature. He shares his experience and lessons learned from his through hike, highlighting the physical and mental challenges he faced. Matt also reflects on the challenges he encountered on his artistic journey, including the struggle to find his own voice and the temptation to emulate others....

Join us as we dive into an inspiring conversation with photographer Tara Workman about her artistic journey and the transformative shifts in her photography. Tara underscores the power of trusting oneself and embracing curiosity, urging us to maintain a beginner's mindset throughout our creative endeavors. View the images we discuss at https://bethbuelowphotography.com/pixels-episodes/trusting-vision-tara-workman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some hints of how we can find more ease and flow in our photography come from an unexpected place: improv. Here we explore how the principles of improv can be applied to photography. We'll look at five basic improv principles and explain how they can make a difference in how we see the world and approach our photography. We'll cover 'yes and', 'make the other person look good', 'forward the action', 'be average', and 'dare to fail'. The Office "Improv":    • Improv  - The Office US   See the...

Join us on an enlightening journey with Colleen Miniuk as she redefines success and discovers fulfillment beyond societal norms. Colleen shares her transformation from an overachiever to an advocate for living authentically, emphasizing the importance of experiences over achievements. Delve into Colleen's profound connection with water and how it sparked her passion for photography. Her story serves as a poignant reminder to embrace uncertainty and find meaning in life's unexpected...

Beth Buelow of the Pixels Podcast is joined by Nic Stover in a discussion of the evolution of an artist and the difference between being a photographer and an artist. They explore two pivotal moments in Nic's artistic exploration: his visit to Santorini, Greece, and his experience at Horseshoe Bend. The conversation emphasizes the importance of authenticity in photography and the value of being present in the natural environment. Nic also talks about his transition to full-time photography...