The Paris Chong Show

Matthew Rolston discusses his creative process and the evolution of his career from editorial and advertising photography to music videos and personal fine art projects. He shares his philosophy on working with on-camera talent, emphasizing that performance and magic in front of the camera are paramount, regardless of the individual's personality. Rolston also delves into his conceptual art pr...

Paris hosts renowned photographer Matthew Rolston, delving into his illustrious career that began in editorial photography with Interview Magazine and Rolling Stone . Rolston shares anecdotes about working with iconic figures like Michael Jackson and Madonna, revealing his conceptual approach to celebrity portraits, such as his Marlene Dietrich-inspired shoot with Madonna and Michael Jackson's...

Brian Bowen Smith discusses his artistic approach, stating that his shows emerge organically rather than from a pre-planned strategy. He expresses his interest in mixed media and color photography, noting that his color works must be so visually overwhelming that the viewer focuses solely on the vibrancy rather than the subject. He also touches upon his nude photography, aiming for an aesthetic th...

Brian Bowen Smith explains his philosophy on generosity and karma, stating that he doesn't do good deeds to receive something in return, but rather because it feels good to help others, even in small ways. He shares a poignant anecdote about hugging a crying stranger who later revealed how desperately she needed that embrace, leading him to ponder if his simple act of kindness might have avert...

Brian Bowen Smith discusses the origin of his book "DriveBys”, a project inspired by receiving one of the first Leica M10 Monochrom cameras during the COVID-19 pandemic. He explains how the camera's lack of color allowed him to focus solely on composition. The project began with a spontaneous photoshoot of a neighbor's daughter in a vintage dress, captured from his 1958 Ford F-100 tru...

Brian Bowen Smith discusses his unexpected move to California in the nineties, influenced by his director friend Evan Stone, whom he met while skating under the Brooklyn Bridge. Brian, who studied acting at the William Esper Studio, recounts his past acting gigs, including playing Jennifer Aniston's boyfriend (an NYU soccer player who stole her stuff) on *Friends* and a photographer on *The Mornin...

Brian Bowen Smith, also known as BBS, joins Paris Chong for Episode 31. In this captivating episode, Brian discusses his illustrious career as a photographer, touching upon his "Angel show", held during COVID with Stephan Sco and Brandon Boyd. He opens up about the crucial role his wife, Shea, plays in managing his life and career, a partnership that has thrived for over 35 years. Brian attributes...

Ema McKie and Mark de Paola introduce Ema's daughter, Ona, who also appears in their film "A Stab at Heaven." Ona shares her thoughts on being in the movie and having creative parents, providing a heartwarming counterpoint to the film's heavier themes of loss and grief. Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Mark de Paola https://youtu.be/uH3PRc212Ko https://www.theparischongshow.com 🎵 Music by...

Mark de Paola offers invaluable advice for aspiring photographers, emphasizing the importance of bravery and finding one's unique artistic vision. He encourages artists to delve deep into their own stories and intentions, much like a film director, to create work that is truly authentic and impactful. He highlights how this "bravery" is evident in the work of acclaimed directors like...

Photographer and director Mark de Paola discusses his frequent shooting schedule and how essential photography is to his well-being. He shares anecdotes about his close relationship with fellow photographer Sylvie Blum, highlighting her prolific work and their shared history, including his role in helping her stepson get into art school. Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Mark de Paola https...

Join photographer and director Mark de Paola as he discusses his unique approach to art, emphasizing bravery and individuality. He shares insights into his creative process, his respect for women in his work, and anecdotes about photographing iconic figures like Henry Fonda and Sammy Davis Jr. Mark also highlights his popular photography classes at Leica, where he encourages students to develop th...

Paris Chong sits down with acclaimed photographer and director Mark de Paola to discuss his diverse career and upcoming projects. Mark, known for his fashion photography and commercial directing, reveals he is currently focusing on motion pictures, with two films, *A Stab at Heaven* (starring Ema McKie) and *Better Than Dead*, in development for release, plus a third big film. He also shares insig...

Desiree Astorga and Paris Chong discuss their preference for smaller, more intimate music venues over large crowds, with Desiree recounting her experience shooting a NoFX show at the San Pedro Pier and the challenges and gratitude of being credentialed for major events like the X Games. Desiree also mentions a new photo series she's planning, called "Dynamo Series," which will feature women, inclu...

Desiree Astorga explains that she met NFL players through her chiropractor and built relationships with them, enabling her to photograph them at games, practices, and even their homes, eventually leading to credentialing with ESPN. She emphasizes that these relationships are built on friendship, not "groupie" behavior, and that she helps them with charity events while they support her endeavors. S...

Paris Chong and Desiree Astorga discuss Desiree's past and current work, including her background in social media and TV, her photography of bands and Ray Barbie, and her desire to make money from her photography by holding shows and potentially collaborating with Skullcandy for her podcast. Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Desiree Astorga https://youtu.be/WwnUyzLmq_o https://www.theparisc...

Paris Chong and Desiree Astorga discuss Desiree's podcast, "The Desiree Show," which started as a radio show and is now transitioning to a podcast format, including video. Desiree mentions her past radio stations, World Tune Radio and Dash Radio, and talks about her extensive show preparation, unlike Paris Chong who prefers to improvise. They also touch on the challenges and discomforts of being o...

Paris interviews Desiree Astorga, a talented photographer known for her work in sports, particularly skateboarding. Desiree shares the intriguing story of her last name, which isn't her birth name, and the humorous discovery that her family's Italian heritage was a fabrication. She discusses her Belgian mother's background as an Olympic diver and her own athletic upbringing, which led to her passi...

Paris and Bil discuss the unique draw of Leica cameras, with Paris noting their cult-like appeal and Bil sharing his personal obsession, including owning multiple models and trading them. Bil emphasizes his desire for a personal Leica to pass down to his children, particularly his son Dorian, who is already interested in photography and shooting film. They touch upon the resurgence of film photogr...

Bil Brown and Paris Chong discuss the limitations and potential dangers of AI, with Bil asserting that AI cannot be a true artist as it lacks the ability to create or think independently, only compute based on existing data. He plans for the revived "Black and Gray" magazine to explore the "negative spaces" where AI cannot reach, focusing on what it means to be human in a world...

Bil Brown explains how his magazine work led him to a 15-year career as an agent, primarily for Amazon Fashion, where he managed over 600 photographers, stylists, and digitechs across multiple studios in several states. However, this relationship ended when he discovered Amazon was using his talent to train their AI, leading them to propose a "collab agreement" where he would pay them to...

Bil Brown discusses the upcoming revival of his "Black and Gray" magazine, where he plans to feature both established and emerging artists, with Matt Mercury joining as an associate publisher. He then shares his varied professional background, from avant-garde poetry at the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics to accidentally becoming a photographer, even meeting Robert Frank throu...

Paris sits down with her friend, artist, and talented, Bil Brown. They kick off the conversation with a lighthearted discussion about Bil's long hair and a humorous, unexpected suggestion of a live haircut. Bil shares a funny anecdote about his last haircut being during the pandemic and a Jim Morrison quote about bad haircuts. Paris then reminisces about how she first met Bil years ago at a conven...

Mona Kuhn discusses her multilingual upbringing, learning German, Portuguese, and English. Born in Sao Paulo to German parents, she initially spoke German at home, then learned Portuguese in school. Her transition to the US at 18 necessitated truly learning English, which she did by immersing herself in a dorm setting. This multilingual background influenced her experiences and her son's upbringin...

Mona Kuhn discusses her recent artistic shift towards multimedia projects, specifically her "Kings Road" series. She explains that after years of focusing on traditional photography and print making, she felt the need to explore new avenues post-pandemic. This led her to create a 12-minute film composed of still photographs that are projected onto multiple walls, creating an immersive experience....

Mona Kuhn discusses the origins of her interest in nude photography during her college years at Ohio State. She explains that the idea of photographing the human body felt natural and obvious to her, driven by a group of friends experimenting with art and expression. They utilized a warehouse space, allowing for free exploration and the body became their primary subject matter. Kuhn and her friend...