Shoot Wisely the Creators Podcast with Amir Ebrahimi

Today I'm joined by Pascal, founder of Pascal's Printing in Los Angeles—a photographer, printer, snowboarder, and one of the people helping keep photographic culture alive in a very real and tangible way. We live in a time when millions of images are made every day, but most of them never leave our phones, hard drives, or social media feeds. They exist as digital files, viewed for a mome...

 From Toronto to Textiles: The Artistic Journey of Candace Kaye.  Join us in this inspiring episode as Candace K shares her creative evolution from a dancer in Toronto to a celebrated textile and mural artist. Discover how her entrepreneurial mindset and passion for art transformed her into a leader in bespoke interior textiles, blending traditional handcrafting with modern design. Main Topics Can...

Documenting 2020: A Personal Reflection on Los Angeles and Life This solo episode explores Amir Ebrahimi’s deeply personal journey through 2020, a year marked by tragedy, chaos, and profound change. Through vivid storytelling, Amir shares his experiences documenting downtown LA’s transformation amidst societal upheaval and his own evolving life as a new father. Main Topics Covered:   The emotional...

In this episode of Shoot Wisely, I sit down with Enrico Busto of Busto & Sun in Topanga, California workshop to talk about the journey from stability to craftsmanship, and what it really means to build a life around passion and purpose. Born in Italy and raised by a mother who worked as a seamstress, Enrico grew up surrounded by creativity and handmade work. Before becoming a hat maker, he spe...

Mara O’Hara isn’t easy to define. She’s a tattoo artist, actor, model, and creative who’s built a life around transformation and storytelling. With multiple feature films already under her belt and three more in production this year alone Mara moves between worlds effortlessly, from film sets to tattoo studios, from action scenes to deeply personal conversations. In this episode of Shoot Wisely ,...

The Creative Journey of Automotive Photographer Jonathan Harper Discover how Jonathan Harper’s childhood fascination with cars grew into a thriving career in automotive photography, blending film and digital work to capture the essence of car culture. In this episode, he shares his insights on shooting techniques, building a personal brand, and the stories behind his upcoming Porsche-centric book....

Exploring the Art and Future of AI with REO Dive into a thought-provoking conversation with REO, an innovative artist blending traditional skills with cutting-edge AI technology. We explore his background, views on digital art, NFTs, and the ethical implications of AI in creativity. Whether you're an artist, tech enthusiast, or curious mind, this episode offers insights into the evolving land...

Shoot Wisely Podcast — A conversation with Aidan de Cadenet & Lukas Dong In this special in-person episode of Shoot Wisely , I sit down with filmmaker Aidan de Cadenet and director Lukas Dong to talk about the making of their short film The Alfa . What makes this conversation unique is the setting. The episode was recorded at Aidan’s home , with the very car that inspired the film the legendar...

In this episode, Tony Concep shares his journey as an artist rooted in street culture, his career in marketing, and his dedication to reconnecting African art with the African diaspora. We explore the power of community, the influence of technology like AI in creative work, and the importance of cultural reclamation. Key Topics: Tony's unique artistic style inspired by New Orleans, hip hop, a...

The Power of Community and Culture in the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride. Join us for an insightful discussion with Don Leonhardt and Luke Barr as they share the emotional and logistical journey behind organizing the Los Angeles edition of the DGR. Discover how this event combines style, community, and a cause to combat men's health issues, mental health, and cancer. In this episode: The...

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY & BUILDING A LASTING BRAND Navigating Creativity and Business as a Modern Photographer with Samantha Jacob Discover how Samantha Jacob, a versatile photographer based in Miami, leverages different cities' energies, combines creative pursuits with business growth, and adapts her marketing strategies in this insightful episode. Whether you're starting out or scaling...

Exploring the Art of Making Music and Community Building with Justus West.   In this episode, guitarist and producer Justus shares insights into his musical journey, the challenges of mastering guitar, and the importance of community among creatives. Discover how his diverse experiences—from playing with top artists to building spaces for artists in LA shape his perspective on music and collaborat...

Exploring Photography, Cars, and  Cultures with Bart Kuykens. D elve into the world of visual storytelling, automotive passion, and cultural insights with renowned photographer Bart Kuykens. This episode uncovers his approach to photography, car culture, and the significance of authenticity in art. Main Topics: Bart's journey from modeling and casting to professional photography The art of sh...

How to Embrace Your Creative Journey: Insights from Tony Menias Discover how Tony Menias transformed his life from medicine to photography, faced challenges, and found inspiration. Perfect for aspiring creatives seeking guidance. In the world of creativity, every journey is unique. When I caught up with Tony Minyus, a photographer who made a bold leap from the medical field to follow his passion,...

Episode 01 — Bellamy Hunt (Japan Camera Hunter) In the debut episode of the Shoot Wisely podcast, I sit down with Bellamy Hunt — better known as Japan Camera Hunter — inside his Tokyo office in 2019 for a rare and personal conversation. We talk about his move from England to Tokyo, what it really takes to adapt to life in Japan as a foreigner, and how he built one of the most respected names in th...

Episode 02 — Mark de Clive-Lowe (Heritage 2) In Episode 02 of the Shoot Wisely podcast, I sit down with Mark de Clive-Lowe to discuss the release of his album Heritage II . We talk about the vision behind Heritage II , the intention driving the project, and the creative journey from concept to completion. Mark shares how the album reflects lineage, identity, and the merging of tradition with forwa...

Episode 03 — Jamel Shabazz In Episode 03 of the Shoot Wisely podcast, I sit down with legendary NYC street photographer Jamel Shabazz for a powerful and honest conversation about photography, community, and purpose. We talk about his photographic process, how he approached young people in the neighborhoods he documented, and why respect and relationship-building were central to his work. Jamel sha...

Episode 04 — Suitcase Joe (Anonymous Skid Row Photographer) In Episode 04 of the Shoot Wisely podcast, I sit down with Suitcase Joe — an unidentified photographer documenting life in Los Angeles’ Skid Row. Choosing to remain anonymous to protect both his identity and the people he photographs, Suitcase Joe shares how and why he began documenting Skid Row. Recorded shortly after the 2020 lockdown,...

Episode 05 — John S. Couch ( The Art of Creative Rebellion ) In Episode 05 of the Shoot Wisely podcast, I sit down with writer and former Apple creative executive John S. Couch to discuss his book The Art of Creative Rebellion . We explore the ideas behind creative rebellion — what it means to challenge convention, rethink systems, and build cultures that empower imagination rather than suppress i...

Episode 06 — Jake Ricker (Documenting the Golden Gate Bridge on film) In Episode 06 of the Shoot Wisely podcast, I sit down with photographer Jake Ricker to discuss his multi-year project documenting the Golden Gate Bridge entirely on film — and the book that emerged from it. Jake shares what drew him to photograph one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, and why he chose to approach i...

Episode 07 — Khary Mason, retired Homicide Detective turned Photographer.  In Episode 07 of the Shoot Wisely podcast, I sit down with retired homicide detective Khary Mason to discuss how photography and writing became tools for processing more than 20 years on the force. After decades of investigating violent crime, Khary found himself carrying the weight of the stories, scenes, and human consequ...

Episode 08 — Tony Mendias Street/Travel Photographer In Episode 08 of the Shoot Wisely podcast, I sit down with photographer Tony Mendias to talk about his decision to leave the medical field and pursue a career in photography — a leap that eventually took him traveling the world in pursuit of his passion. Tony shares what it was like walking away from a stable, respected profession to follow a cr...

Episode 09 — Andrew D. Bernstein In Episode 09 of the Shoot Wisely podcast, I sit down with legendary NBA photographer Andrew D. Bernstein to talk about a career spent documenting basketball history from courtside. We discuss his close friendship and working relationship with Kobe Bryant and the process of creating the book The Mamba Mentality — a project built on years of trust, access, and share...

Episode 10 — Thanasis Petrakis, UFC/NBA Videographer  In Episode 10 of the Shoot Wisely podcast, I sit down with videographer Thanasis Petrakis to talk about capturing some of the most iconic moments in modern sports history. Thanasis shares what it was like being behind the lens during the explosive clash between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor inside the Ultimate Fighting Championship — o...

Episode 11 — Shoot Wisely Host Amir Ebrahimi In Episode 11 of the Shoot Wisely podcast, I step out from behind the questions and into the guest seat to reflect on the journey of building and running the podcast. This episode is a candid look at the rewards and challenges of creating something consistently — from booking guests and preparing conversations to navigating technical hiccups and the pre...