Open Shutter Live

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...

In this episode, I sit down with Sharad, originally from India, he came to Canada as an international student—and found his creative calling through the lens of a camera. What began as a casual hobby became a powerful storytelling tool as he documented his life abroad. Photography opened doors, leading him to a mentor in videography and sparking a career that’s taken him through corporate events,...

Originally from India, Avijit “Knotty” Singh moved to Toronto in 2017 to study public relations. A photography course at school sparked a passion that soon took flight—literally. Now an aviator and photographer, Knotty captures breathtaking perspectives of Toronto from the sky, blending the thrill of flying with the art of storytelling through his lens. What began as a hobby soon gained traction:...

Originally from India, Kunal moved to Toronto and began exploring the city—and his creativity—through photography. Starting with just a Google Pixel, he quickly found inspiration during a trip to Banff with friends, which sparked his deeper passion for capturing the world around him. He eventually upgraded to Sony gear and hasn’t looked back. In this episode, Kunal shares:How photography helped hi...

Born in Nigeria, Josh moved to Alberta in 2012. Though he holds a degree in accounting, during the pandemic, he taught himself photography, and when sports returned, his passion evolved into storytelling through content creation. Josh followed his heart into sports media where he is now the Social Media Lead for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, helping lead one of the CFL’s largest and most dynamic c...

Meet Sujith, one half of the dynamic duo behind @theblurfocus on Instagram. Inspired by his partner’s love for portraits and color, Sujith reignited his own passion for photography — with a distinct focus on monochrome. His signature? Mastering light and contrast to craft striking, emotion-free images that let the viewer interpret the story. Active in the Toronto photography scene, Sujith draws in...

Originally from India, Arpan’s creative journey began with a simple desire to capture moments — even before he had the technical skills to do so. Overwhelmed by the many possibilities, he dabbled in everything, slowly honing his interests and discovering a deeper passion for photography. A friend introduced him to Instagram, and Arpan was immediately hooked. Through the platform, he connected with...

Jon is a passionate photographer who explores all styles—from landscapes to sports to street photography—placing no limits on his creativity. His work is deeply rooted in tech and crypto, attending major events like Collision and Futurist to document unique moments through his lens.🎭 The Human ElementWith an incredible eye for composition, Jon brings a unique perspective to every shot. While he d...

Meet Taha, a photographer, content creator, and YouTuber based in Toronto. Originally from Lebanon, he moved to Canada 2.5 years ago, leaving behind his career as a software engineer to follow his true passion—storytelling through photography and video.📸 Why Fuji? Taha’s creative journey took off when he purchased his first Fujifilm camera, diving deep into the exposure triangle and the art of co...

Start Where You Are. Use What You Have. Do What You Can. This is one of Elana's mottos which has helped her throughout her career. Elana found photography through film school which led her to working with various theatre groups where she flourished capturing cinematic BTS moments showing the human side of various performances. Through her portrait photography, she focuses on having the subject be...

Nikhil is a Events, Sports, and E-Shoots Photographer based out of Kitchener, Ontario. Nikhil's journey from picking up his first camera from Facebook Marketplace to shooting the local basketball team, KW Titans, led him recently to work with the Raptors 905 in the G League. He credits his work ethic, curiosity, and passion for capturing unique images that last. Understanding his skills had led hi...

Bob is a true outdoor athlete, being a runner, mountain biker, skier, and rock climber just to name a few of his passions. Another passion is photography in where he is able to capture truly unique places. Bob shares his insights, what he's willing to do for a photo, and how his start with film made him a better photographer. He tries to not let gear get in the way, he rather just get the shot any...

Darren McNabb recently retired from his real estate business and is now an avid photographer shooting everything from local landscapes to epic adventures around the world. Darren explains why his love for his previous business was starting to fade and knew it was the right time to transition into retirement. Even after retiring, he stresses the importance of having a purpose in your life, having t...

Jordan is a Toronto based Portrait, Event, and Headshot Photographer whose speciality is knowing how to use light to create unique images that clients love. Jordan recalls his experience of going to photography school, how he leveraged YouTube to gain knowledge, the power of mentorship, and what he does to prospect clients and gain business. If you're looking to make your side hustle full time...