ASMP Experts & Masters

This is part 2 of Tom’s interview with  J. Sybylla Smith, an educator, curator, and incredible photography consultant, providing collaborations on editing, sequencing, marketing, and writing artistic statements so artists can apply for grants or exhibition proposals. She also consults with educational institutions in order to develop programming and more dynamic partnerships. Sybylla writes and lectures on visual culture, gender equity and photography, and the creative practice, with a focus on equality. With such a diverse background, there’s plenty to hear in this one! In this episode, Tom Kennedy, ASMP’s Executive Director, and Photography Consultant J. Sybylla Smith talk about… * Enabling photographers to be creative in new ways while living in the current situation * Being able to power past the limitations that fear might impose * We can only go one day at a time! * How the present moment will affect the institutions and where the artist fits in * It’s always collaborative, there is no individual success * Amplifying the reality that there are no borders separating us right now * Start talking outside to other professions to collaborate * Here’s how to reach Sybylla and work with her right now Links to resources: Billy Collins [https://www.amazon.com/Billy-Collins/e/B001LHV6DQ] Hail The Dark Lioness [https://www.amazon.com/Zanele-Muholi-Somnyama-Ngonyama-Lioness/dp/1597114243] Check out Sybylla’s work on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jsybylla/?hl=en]or on her website: https://www.jsybyllasmith.com/ [https://www.jsybyllasmith.com/] Send us your comments and suggestions: communications@ASMP.org [communications@ASMP.org] To donate to the ASMP archives go to: https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/ [https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/] Support the show [https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation-donations/] (https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation-donations/)

Today, Tom has the pleasure of interviewing J. Sybylla Smith, an educator, curator, and incredible photography consultant, providing collaborations on editing, sequencing, marketing, and writing artistic statements so artists can apply for grants or exhibition proposals. She also consults with educational institutions in order to develop programming and more dynamic partnerships. Sybylla writes and lectures on visual culture, gender equity and photography, and the creative practice, with a focus on equality. With such a diverse background, there’s plenty to hear in this one! In this episode, Tom Kennedy, ASMP’s Executive Director, and Photography Consultant J. Sybylla Smith talk about… * What propelled Sybylla to use photography as an outlet of expression * How Sybylla’s creativity in her social work career led her to photography * Identifying the things that are of value that Sybylla wants to work on * Smartphones and technology have made photography more accessible * Cross over between personal history and world history as a curator * Multimedia trends reverberate into academics and visual arts over time * The real key to making impactful work and how to see the possibilities * Sybylla’s techniques to holding up a mirror to photographers * The biggest barriers to self-awareness in the world right now * Opportunities that are coming forth in these unprecedented times * In our current situation, we need the reality and the hope Links to resources: New York Times [https://www.nytimes.com/] Digital Silver Imaging [https://digitalsilverimaging.com/] Check out Sybylla’s work at her website: https://www.jsybyllasmith.com/ [https://www.jsybyllasmith.com/] Send us your comments and suggestions: communications@ASMP.org [communications@ASMP.org] To donate to the ASMP archives go to: https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/ [https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/] Support the show [https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation-donations/] (https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation-donations/)

Tom’s guest today, Erika Larsen, is a photographer known for extended essays that document various cultures from a variety of perspectives. Erika is well-known around the world for her work with National Geographic, Time Magazine, and other globally-recognized companies. She has specialized in immersive photography in order to tap into the world’s oldest profession, storytelling. Erika believes that good photographers have the ability to freeze time, and she has let that fuel her throughout her long and impressive career. In this episode, Tom Kennedy, ASMP National Board Member, and photographer rep Erika Larsen talk about… * How Erika got started in the field of photography * Cutting out a lot of the noise that comes with having a plethora of tools * Storytelling is the oldest profession that the world knows * Developing a relationship with the earth and what it means to be human * Staying present and focused while photographing when the world is so loud * Erika has spent a lifetime finetuning her photography skills through experience * Overcoming the initial challenge of gaining acceptance into different cultures * Everyone in this world holds a certain knowledge that is unique to them * Getting people to open up and convey the essence of their own story * Keeping track of where you are in the evolution of each story * What catches Erika’s attention when she is in the moment of taking a photograph * Achieving a stillness and what that does for different people * Having a great support system when life takes you all over the world * Making an impact on the world and how to do it * What the person next to you says can or can’t happen doesn’t exist Links to resources: National Geographic [https://www.nationalgeographic.com/] Time Magazine [https://time.com/] Send us your comments and suggestions: communications@ASMP.org [communications@ASMP.org] To donate to the ASMP archives go to: https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/ [https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/] Support the show [https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation-donations/] (https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation-donations/)

Today’s special guest is Heather Elder, a photography rep that has worked with some of the most well-known photographers in recent memory. Heather has spent years sharing thoughts and secrets of the photography industry through her blog, Notes From a Rep’s Journal, and her podcast, Dear Art Producer. After 25 years, she still figures out ways to innovate and adapt to the industry as it changes with the times. Heather brings years of wisdom and experience to the table, so pay attention! In this episode, Gabriella Marks, ASMP National Board Member, and photography rep Heather Elder talk about… * What doesn’t an artist representative do? * Creating a sense of community in an industry that lacks one * The importance of clear communication throughout the entire process * Walking the line between following up and not being a stalker * Start with the creative call and work from there * Advice for beginners on how to approach creative treatment * Breaking down estimates and approaching the job * What can be said about you that cannot be said about anyone else? * How photographers are integrating motion into what they do * Using ASMP’s heritage to look forward into the future * Persistence is key if you want to work with Heather Links to resources: Keep up with Heather’s work on her website: https://www.heatherelder.com/ [https://www.heatherelder.com/] Send us your comments and suggestions: communications@ASMP.org [communications@ASMP.org] To donate to the ASMP archives go to: https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/ [https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/] Support the show [https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation-donations/] (https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation-donations/)

Eric Meola is an incredibly talented commercial photographer out of New York City. He has spent his career attempting to make his work distinctive, photographing things like the incredible weather of The Great Plains and Bruce Springsteen on the rise. Eric began his commercial photography career after he graduated from Syracuse University, going from his first job as a photography assistant to Time Magazine. Throughout his career, Eric has been able to balance doing commercial work, which brings in money, and his personal work, which is much more important in the long run. In this episode, Tom Kennedy, ASMP’s Executive Director, and photographer Eric Meola talk about… * How Eric began his commercial career from Syracuse University * Keeping a balance between commercial and editorial * Forces that drive photographers to make their work distinctive * Things learned from outside assignments and making mistakes * Different sources of inspiration that have helped open Eric’s eyes * Approaching the challenge of filming the weather of The Great Plains * Achieving clarity and precision in the moment during all the chaos of the storms * Preparation for chasing storms across such a massive land area * Physical and mental challenges when chasing storms for long periods of time * Staying careful and aware of the environment when photographing a storm * How the process of editing and publishing changes between books * Importance of being on press during the publishing process for the photographer * The positives and negatives that can be taken from The Great Plains * Making a statement about yourself with your portfolio * Ways that the photography market has changed since Eric started his career * Getting outside of your comfort zone to realize what you might be good at Links to resources: Eric Meola’s Website: http://www.ericmeola.photography/ [http://www.ericmeola.photography/] Books by Eric Meola: Fierce Beauty [https://www.amazon.com/Fierce-Beauty-Storms-Great-Plains/dp/1864708387] The Last Place on Earth: India [https://www.amazon.in/Last-Place-Earth-Amundsens-Exploration/dp/0375754741] Streets of Fire: Bruce Springsteen in Photographs and Lyrics 1977-1979 [https://www.amazon.com/Streets-Fire-Springsteen-Photographs-1977-1979/dp/0062133454/ref=sr_1_7?qid=1583787026&refinements=p_27%3AEric+Meola&s=books&sr=1-7] Born to Run The Unseen Photos [https://www.amazon.com/Born-Run-Unseen-Eric-Meola/dp/1933784091/ref=sr_1_5?qid=1583787026&refinements=p_27%3AEric+Meola&s=books&sr=1-5] Last Places on Earth [https://www.amazon.com/Last-Places-Earth-Eric-Meola/dp/1932026150/ref=sr_1_8?qid=1583787026&refinements=p_27%3AEric+Meola&s=books&sr=1-8] Send us your comments and suggestions: communications@ASMP.org [communications@ASMP.org] To donate to the ASMP archives go to: https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/ [https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/] Support the show [https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation-donations/] (https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation-donations/)