The Outspoken Artist

This AfterHours episode of The Outspoken Artist was recorded during the Imaging USA 2026 After Party, the night after Evoto AI released its AI headshot generator and the community reaction hit full volume. I sat down with Mark Wallace and Kersten Luts for a real conversation. No agenda. No talking points. Just three people who care deeply about photography, education, and the direction this indust...

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From photo student to legal leader, Thomas Maddrey’s path has taken him through nearly every creative corridor of the industry. As Chief Legal Officer and Head of National Content & Education at the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), he now champions the rights of artists navigating copyright law, contracts, and emerging tech like generative AI.This episode breaks down the dual mi...

Filmmaker and creator Josh Yeo (Make. Art. Now) joins the podcast at Bild Expo 2025 to talk about storytelling, fatherhood, and embracing emotional honesty through creative work. From building his YouTube channel with a cinematic, introspective style to challenging the trend-driven model of content creation, Josh shares how authenticity has shaped every part of his journey. We explore the personal...

EP# 071 — Francisco Joel Hernandez joins us live from Bild Expo 2025 for a short but striking conversation packed with gear talk, creative origin stories, and the heart behind his editorial style. Though only the first 8 minutes were captured due to technical issues, this mini-episode still delivers. Francisco shares his thoughts on the just-released Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 Pro, opens up about how phot...

At Bild Expo 2025, commercial and product photographer Jillian Lenser brings the laughs, the lessons, and the leadership. From photographing pantsless thigh straps in the “dark e-com days” to stepping into her role as VP of ASMP NY, Jillian shares her journey of growth, advocacy, and creative purpose. We explore the evolution of ASMP, her approach to lighting and intentional brand alignment, and h...

From rebuilding a six-figure business in a brand-new city to elevating portraits into immersive experiences, Ray Alvarez opens up live at Bild Expo 2025 about the hustle, heart, and vision behind his work. He shares what it took to leave NYC for Orlando, how he and his wife K. Alvarez craft each shoot as a creative duo, and why humility and client care remain his north star. Ray gets candid about...

Recorded at Bild Expo 2025, this high-energy conversation with Sony Artisan and world-class educator Scott Robert Lim explores everything from early mirrorless adoption to the deep value of mentorship. Scott breaks down the beauty-driven mindset behind his style, why AI will challenge creatives to level up, and how personal transformation fuels powerful art. We dive into his journey from college d...

He’s back—and this time with stories that stretch far beyond the headshot world. In this lively episode recorded at ShutterFest 2025, Peter Hurley shares 24 years of work with the Vilcek Foundation, the high-stakes Baryshnikov shoot that followed Annie Leibovitz, and what happens when you trade the studio for environmental portraits of Michelin-star chefs. From unexpected creative turns to persona...

From the expo floor of ShutterFest 2025, author, business owner, and speaker Katrina Cross shares how she’s helping creatives think differently about income and sustainability. We talk about her new book 101 Side Hustles, the myths of “passive” income, and how to choose the right supplemental paths that align with your core creative work. Katrina brings clarity, humor, and hard-earned wisdom to th...

Photographer Veronica Benson joins us live at ShutterFest 2025 for an inspiring look at her evolving creative voice—from shooting in Peru to making her mark on the U.S. photography scene. We talk style shifts, cultural identity, and how Veronica balances family life and artistic growth while staying true to her roots. This conversation is conducted entirely in Spanish. Also available on YouTube an...

EP 065 of the Outspoken Artist Podcast features a powerhouse conversation with Sal Cincotta—entrepreneur, photographer, and founder of ShutterFest. Recorded on-location at ShutterFest 2025, this episode digs into the grit and guts it takes to build a truly original creative event. We explore the origin story of ShutterFest, its iconic “Rent-a-Human” model program, and why a late-night, hands-on cu...

Charlie Kaufman—founder of Click Backdrops and longtime industry innovator—joins us live at ShutterFest 2025 for a smart, funny, and no-holds-barred conversation about studio work, personal service, AI in photography, and why staying artist-owned still matters. He dives into Click’s origin story, how their premium backdrops became a go-to across the U.S., and how the new ProFold line is changing t...

Photographer and creative director Alissa Cincotta brings bold energy and clarity to every project—and every conversation. From the floor of ShutterFest 2025, she opens up about trusting her instincts, stepping into leadership, and the real work of building something lasting in a shifting industry. Also available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow this link for full episodes, bonus...

Photographer and educator Ning Wong has spent 15 years navigating the creative highs and hurdles of building a career around human connection. Recorded on the floor of ShutterFest 2025, this conversation captures his energy, humor, and unfiltered advice for artists who want to build something of their own—without losing themselves along the way. Available on all major podcast platforms and YouTube...

What happens when a creative leap turns into a calling? In this AfterHours episode from ShutterFest 2025, Chinonye Omeife shares how a spontaneous camera purchase at Walmart sparked a photography journey filled with curiosity, mentorship, and bold experimentation. Still early in his creative path, Chinonye reflects on exploring new genres, breaking through gear anxiety, and how one mentor’s push t...

What does it mean to take creative control of your own narrative—personally and professionally? In this AfterHours conversation recorded at ShutterFest 2025, Anthony Rodriguez Monge opens up about embracing self-determination, Latin identity, and what photographers owe to the communities they document. This is Episode 060 of The Outspoken Artist podcast. Follow this link for full episodes, behind-...

In the very first full Spanish-language episode of The Outspoken Artist, host Jean Carlo sits down with Peruvian photographer and educator Veronica Benson—live from ShutterFest 2025.Veronica opens up about her journey immigrating to the U.S., co-founding a photography business with her husband Justin, and later helping launch the innovative post-production tool AfterShoot. What started as a tool t...

In this inspiring ShutterFest 2025 edition, Katrina Cross shares how her Detroit-based boudoir business became a mission of empowerment. From launching the “I Am Worthy” movement to educating photographers on confidence, connection, and the power of print, Katrina’s story blends personal transformation with professional impact. We explore her post-divorce pivot, her passion for printed albums, and...

In this behind-the-scenes Expo episode from ShutterFest 2025, Jean Carlo chats with Alissa Cincotta—photographer, creative director, and the driving force behind one of the most dynamic photo events in the country. Alissa opens up about launching a beauty brand for women over 50, crafting a luxury client experience, and how ShutterFest continues to evolve in a post-pandemic world. From wild early...

In this heartfelt Expo episode from ShutterFest 2025, Jean Carlo sits down with photographer and educator Ning Wong to talk legacy, learning, and the power of reinvention. Ning shares how discovering his late grandfather’s vintage cameras unknowingly launched his creative journey, and why he now runs two brands—Ning Wong Studios and Red Belt Creative—to serve both wedding clients and corporate par...

Andre Brown returns for a deeper AfterHours conversation recorded at ShutterFest 2025. From building Bokeh Academy to launching a ’90s-inspired merch line, Andre shares how authenticity, humility, and creative service have guided his evolution from mentee to mentor—and now conference founder. We talk about image-making that wins awards and tells the truth, what it means to represent others in the...

From the Bagel Capital of the World to the creative chaos of ShutterFest 2025, Melissa Harden brings Midwest warmth and bold originality to this AfterHours conversation. Best known for her senior portraits and event work, Melissa opens up about her new path into funeral photography—a deeply human niche aimed at preserving connection and memory. We talk about photographing other photographers, the...

What does it take to leave corporate America and build a creative business on your own terms? In this AfterHours episode from ShutterFest 2025, Carl Chandler—known professionally as Chandler—shares the leap from a career in the U.S. Army and corporate world to running Bravo 4 Studio full-time. We talk about client trust, referrals, and how precision from his sniper training still informs his portr...

How do you grow a photography business by putting service before sales? In this AfterHours session from ShutterFest 2025, Leroy Tademy shares how he built a successful volume and school photography brand from scratch—starting with local sports teams and expanding through word of mouth and trust. From making his own parachute dress to building meaningful community connections, Leroy’s story is full...