The Darkroom Podcast

@LostInTheForrest | Find Your Creative Vision with Forrest Smith

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of speaking with travel and commercial photographer Forrest Smith. For the last six months Forrest has gone full-time as a freelance photographer based in New York City, working for clients like Canada Goose, Adobe, Teva and many more. We talk through his progression as an artist and what social media has done for him from both a positive and negative outlook. While Forrest has a massive following on social media, he recently found himself shaping his work around engagement and has now rather focused his efforts on his creative vision above all else. He offers his advice for any artist who has struggled with the same and how he plans to stick out in a busy and competitive space.

@TWheat | Let Your Work Speak For Itself with Tyson Wheatley

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of speaking to legendary photographer and director Tyson Wheatley. You may know him as the host of the Tinker Podcast or from his incredible photography. We talk through a lineup of topics in the space from the evolution of Instagram to landing brand work in today’s industry. After working 11 years at CNN as a journalist and executive editor, Tyson worked shortly at Instagram in San Fransisco. As an artist who has been in the space for years, Tyson shows how having a wide range of experiences in photography translates to confidence and ultimately work that speaks for itself.

@ShortStache | Become a Storyteller with Garrett King

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of speaking with legendary lifestyle and adventure photographer Garrett King also known as Short Stache. Raised in Texas and now residing in Southern California, Garrett is as ambitious and creative as they come. He’s now a full-time artist whose unique style and timeless imagery have paved the way for him to travel across the world shooting for a variety of clients. We talk through what it takes to become a storyteller for both his personal brand and for anyone who hires him. Garrett talks about how he releases his own creativity through experimentation and how to stand out amongst the noise.

@HeatonThomas | Doing What You Love With Thomas Heaton

On this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of speaking with landscape and travel photographer Thomas Heaton. Thomas travels all around the world documenting his work and sharing it with his audience on YouTube. Thomas is constantly trying to show other artists how to not only capture amazing content, but how to choose gear and make a living off their work. He offers his perspective on the current state of social media and shares what it is like to have an audience that relies on him for consistency.

@BenjaminHardman | Preserving Iceland with Benjamin Hardman

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of speaking with Benjamin Hardman, an infamous freelance photographer based in Iceland. Benjamin’s work captures all the beauty of Arctic winter climates from aerial views of Icelandic river beds to the most resilient wildlife. We talk through his journey into commercial work with early clients like 66 North who helped propel him into a successful career with a strong personal brand. Benjamin walks us through his work on glaciers, portraying their fragility as a way to aid in our collective fight against climate change. Benjamin’s work and experience offers a chilling perspective on Earth’s most volatile yet deteriorating climates.

@TinyAtlasQuarterly | Influencing Travel with Tiny Atlas Founder Emily Nathan

In this episode of the Darkroom podcast we spoke with Emily Nathan, founder and author of Tiny Atlas Quarterly, a photography-led magazine and creative agency. Sourcing work from dozens of artists, Emily has put together a new book called My Tiny Atlas, showcasing some of the most beautiful travel destinations in the world. Her relentless work at Tiny Atlas Quarterly has garnered nearly 7,000,000 submissions to the #mytinyatlas feed, receiving press from people at places like Vogue and Refinery29. We also talk through what it takes to be a successful commercial photographer and the hustle that comes along with that lifestyle. Emily gives us a glimpse as to how she views her own work and its affects on how it influences travel for so many people. 

@ChrisRoams | Becoming an Infinite Learner with Chris Poplawski

On this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we had the pleasure of sitting down with travel and wedding photographer, Chris Poplawski. Chris walked us through his early brand work, his progression as an artist and how he generates deal flow. Chris now travels the world with his partner and girlfriend Meagan Bourne as they capture breathtaking landscapes and couples in love. Chris also offers his advice for any artist looking to get their personal or commercial photography career started and what it takes to sustain that lifestyle.

@AlenPalander | Pursuing Art Instead of Fame with Alen Palander

On this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we got the chance to speak with Alen Palander. After moving from Iraq as a boy, Alen lived in Canada where he started shooting as a form of passive income while in University. As a photographer and creative director, Alen has traveled the world building his personal portfolio and doing work for some of the most iconic brands like Mercedes. We talk through Alen’s perspective on photography in today’s mobile and ever changing world and how artists should be weary of trying to replicate a lifestyle they see online. 

@JayZombie | Maintaining Your Sanity as an Artist with Jessica Zollman

In this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we spoke with Jessica Zollman (@jayzombie), an LA based creator represented by Tinker Street. Jay was Instagram’s 5th employee and managed the community of the social media giant through their acquisition by Facebook. She now works as the Visual Coordinator for Go Get Em Tiger, a new Coffee subscription and store based in LA. We got to hear about her obsession with zombies and their underlying parallel to human crisis, working in LA as a freelancer and how to stay sane as an artist.  Through her personal journey, Jay offers her advice on how to avoid burning out as an artist and how to rediscover your love for creating. 

@PeteSouza | Documenting Obama with Official White House Photographer Pete Souza

On this episode of The Darkroom Podcast we were lucky enough to sit down with Pete Souza, Chief Official White House Photographer for US Presidents Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan. Pete is coming off his second major book release in two years with his most recent titled Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents, juxtaposing the Obama and Trump administrations. We dove deep into Pete's personal background from when he first picked up a camera in college to stepping into the White House. Pete offers his advise for any artist that dreams of capturing history or documenting the news, lending an authentic eye in a time when it's most needed.