Open Shutter Live

Kevin from Uncaged Photography joins the program to talk about the creative path that led him behind the camera. While his main profession is working as a personal trainer, photography has grown from a curiosity into a deep passion since he first picked up a camera back in 2010.The name behind his Instagram handle has an unexpected origin story. Kevin has long been interested in cosplay, and one o...

Giovanni McLeish started shooting cars alongside his boss, two enthusiasts chasing chrome reflections and clean body lines, quickly evolved into something deeper. Giovanni carved his path through car event photography and portrait work, embracing a jack-of-all-trades mindset while steadily refining his craft. Now, he’s intentionally narrowing his focus into the event and portrait space, where stor...

Ti-An DeMartines is a painter, photographer, yoga teacher, and manager at a vocational college. A graduate of York University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Ti-An’s artistic spark was lit early by her father, a hobbyist photographer whose images quietly shaped her eye. Today, she considers herself a travel photographer at heart, chasing landscapes, cityscapes, and wildlife with a sense of curiosity...

Creativity sometimes arrives disguised as catastrophe. Toronto-based photographer and creative director, Morgan Kitchen, joins the podcast with a story that bends in an unexpected direction. Originally from Savannah, Georgia, Morgan moved to Toronto in 2020, chasing new chapters and colder winters. He began in front of the lens as a model. Then life swerved. After being hit by a car and sidelined...

So Kim considers herself new to the industry, having picked up a camera in 2024, but she’s already making waves. She credits her outgoing nature and genuine love for connecting with people as the key to getting her foot in the door, building relationships that led to opportunities across photo and video events. Originally a Psychology major, So pivoted into content creation after realizing she’s a...

Jordan MacDonald is a photographer and videographer from Ottawa whose work has put him rink-side with professional hockey organizations, including the Ottawa Senators. But his story does not begin under arena lights. It starts in an 11th grade videography class, where a short film earned his group a perfect score and quietly flipped a switch. That moment led him to pick up a Sony camera, dive into...

We’re live from Seattle with Tariq, an iPhone photography enthusiast who finds beauty in the everyday moments most people pass by. Originally from Vancouver and an accountant by trade, Tariq is stepping into an exciting new chapter of life. Recently engaged and creatively reenergized, he’s redefining what photography means to him. Tariq lives by a simple but powerful mantra: **Passion. Vision. Opp...

To kick off the year, I’m joined by Konstantinos Kollias, founder of The One Word Brand, for a conversation that feels perfectly timed for fresh starts and new directions. Kostas breaks down how defining your brand in a single word is not a gimmick but a clarifying force that can reshape how you show up, create, and make decisions. At a time when everyone is setting resolutions and chasing clarity...

Street photographer Sean Danny joins the show to share his unique perspective and philosophy on the craft. Though his professional life is in learning and development—mentoring colleagues and guiding growth—Sean keeps photography as his personal outlet for creative expression, separate from his day job. He’s most at home photographing Queen Street West, a neighbourhood that inspires much of his wo...

Jeff De Haan is the other half of Mrs. Lightologist, Joanna (who recently joined us on the podcast). Like his wife, Jeff is drawn to street photography—though he admits he’s still finding his rhythm behind the lens. By day, he works as a courier, giving him a unique perspective on the city and endless inspiration for moments worth capturing. In this episode, Jeff opens up about imposter syndrome,...

Luke Grant is a Toronto-based street photographer who first picked up a camera out of necessity—and discovered a form of therapy. Working night shifts at a cancer centre with nobody around, left him craving human interaction, so he borrowed his wife’s camera and started wandering the streets, capturing life as it unfolded. Influenced by legends like Joel Meyerowitz and Alex Webb, Luke seeks to fre...

Joanna de Haan is a passionate Toronto street photographer with a love for capturing people and telling their stories. What began with taking photos of her son soon became a way of seeing the world differentlythrough faces, families, and fleeting moments that connect us all. Now, Joanna spends her time out in the community, meeting people where they are and documenting their memories with care and...

James Ding’s journey with photography began 20 years ago in Ottawa, experimenting with different styles and approaches. But it wasn’t until he started volunteering with non-profit events that he stumbled into what would become his true passion: street photography. Now based in downtown Toronto, James sees the city as a living stage. His commute isn’t just a routine — it’s an opportunity to catch f...

Sean Smith is a podcaster, YouTuber, and street photographer whose philosophy is all about shooting with intention. He encourages photographers not to be “fair weather shooters,” but to embrace challenging conditions—because that’s often where the best photo opportunities appear. In this episode, Sean talks about how he strives to stand out in today’s crowded creative space, the photographers who...

I’m joined by Coach Pam — a fitness and health coach specializing in helping women over 35 lose weight while still enjoying the foods they love. Originally from Taiwan, Pam began her career in the hospitality industry before venturing into entrepreneurship. She opens up about the challenges of running her own business, what it takes to deliver real results for her clients, and the importance of av...

Michael got his start shooting in the fast-paced world of roller derby and over the next decade, he dabbled across different niches and styles. During the pandemic, he began connecting with peers to gain knowledge and sharpen his skills. That curiosity led him to discover his true eye for photography. Today, Michael focuses on working with couples, using platforms such as Pinterest to get inspirat...

Andrew Mussington returns to the pod! Known for his striking fitness and portrait photography, Andrew brings a distinct style shaped by his expert use of off-camera flash—allowing him to craft bold, dynamic images in any setting. But he’s not one to stay in one lane. Constantly evolving, Andrew is always exploring new creative territory, whether it's black and white images or in the videograph...

In this episode of Open Shutter, we’re coming to you live from Chicago with street photographer and storyteller, Carmen Razo. Carmen’s journey began in the world of model photography, but she quickly realized that posed perfection wasn’t her path. It was a photo walk that opened the door to the chaotic, unpredictable beauty of street photography—and she hasn’t looked back since. We dive into what...

In this episode of *Open Shutter, I sit down with photographer Nicholas Hyatt, whose creative journey took an unconventional path. With no formal photography background, Nicholas began his career working at a pawn shop, leveraging his expertise in gemmology. But it wasn’t long before a yearning for creative fulfillment led him to pick up a Leica M3 and start shooting. Nicholas shares how a simple...

Joel is a multi talented creative, focusing on both photography and filmmaking. Originally from South Africa, Joel and his family moved to Canada. His family settled in Alberta while Joel made his way to Toronto for film school, recently wrapped directing his first short film. Joel speaks candidly about what it means to be a first-time director—emphasizing preparation, trusting your intuition, and...

I sit down with fellow YouTuber Conrad Culley, someone I met at a creator meetup just a few weeks ago. Conrad is early in his YouTube journey, and this conversation is all about growth, learning, and showing up. Originally a student in Mohawk College’s advertising program, Conrad’s focus now is on building momentum: connecting with other creatives, learning as much as he can, and honing his storyt...

I'm joined by cinematographer and DP, Nik Pilecki, whose unconventional path into the film world is as inspiring as it is insightful. Nik began his career as an optometrist—but in his late twenties, he picked up a Canon T2i to shoot music videos and never looked back. What followed was a relentless pursuit of visual storytelling, backed by strong communication, sales savvy, and a deep commitment t...

In this episode, I sit down with Ryan, a Toronto-based portrait and event photographer who’s always chasing the human element in his work. Whether it's a quiet moment between friends or the chaos of a live music set, Ryan's lens finds truth in the everyday. With a signature style that blends high-contrast, grunge vibes, and punk energy, he’s not afraid of the dark tones—emotionally or visu...

We are live from Chicago once again as Caitlyn returns to the pod and a lot has shifted in her world. While her work still captures movement and emotion, her focus has expanded—now rooted in purpose and community. From working with nonprofit and labor organizations to documenting protests and local events, Caitlyn's photography has become a tool for connection and change. She shares how her ro...

On this episode, I'm joined by Andrew — a passionate photographer, conservationist, and storyteller who sees the world through a nature-loving lens. With a background in Conservation Biology from the University of Toronto, Andrew brings a deep respect for the environment into every frame he captures. We explore his love for spontaneous photo walks, hiking adventures, and the art of pet photogr...