The Paris Chong Show

Greg Gorman Talks New Book Projects and Why Only John Waters Trusts Him To Photograph His Corpse

Celebrated photographer Greg Gorman sits down with Paris Chong to discuss his current work, which includes an unannounced two-volume set of books dedicated to David Bowie and Grace Jones, both of whom he photographed for many years. He also shares that he, Matthew Ralston, and Herb Ritts are planning an upcoming project and book with Fahey Klein Gallery, stemming from their time in the "School of LA". Gorman, who is represented by Fahey Klein, details his busy schedule, which includes teaching at SVA in New York and running portraiture workshops in Maine and Aspen, Colorado. Gorman offers a candid critique of the photography industry, explaining that he made a conscious choice to step back from commercial work around 2006/2007, feeling he had "been there, done that". He attributes this change to the rise of digital and AI, which allowed producers to hire "Greg Gorman lookalikes" for a fraction of the price and use editing to mimic his style. His focus throughout his career has been on creating a "connected portrait"—getting inside the person's head to capture "a sense of the soul of who that individual was". He is the only person John Waters trusts to photograph his corpse, famously joking that Gorman would know he'd "need proper time for hair and makeup". Beyond his iconic black and white photography—known for its harsh lighting, strong highlights, hard shadows, and sculptured look—Gorman recounts the legendary status of his eclectic Hollywood dinner parties. He describes mixing guests like Bette Midler, David Bowie, and John Waters with "a hustler from Santa Monica Boulevard" and the popular, but unexpected, presence of Heidi Fleiss. Gorman also shares his history with Studio 54 and his connection to the late photographer Francesco Scavullo. Show Notes: www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/greg-gorman-talks-new-book-projects-and-why-only-john-waters-trusts-him-to-photograph-his-corpse Chapters: 00:00 Show Intro and Guest 00:43 New Books Bowie and Grace 01:57 John Waters Quote Talk 03:13 Leica Versus Sony Gear 05:38 Travel Wine and Workshops 07:46 Portrait Philosophy and Industry 19:22 Factory Days Memories 19:56 Studio 54 First Night 20:10 Francesco Scavullo Fan Talk 22:06 Favorite Photographers Ethics 23:58 Legacy Foundation Iconic Warhol 28:56 Travel Festivals Workshops Farewell 🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/ 📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

One Thing That Makes a Photographer Stand Out | Show Clip

Mitch Stringer and gallery owner Paris Chong discuss the key to a successful career in photography: having a unique vision and style that makes your work stand out, not just technical skill. Paris shares details about her upcoming "Leica Emerging" show, which will feature eight young artists under 30. The two also exchange stories about Los Angeles, including Mitch's time living near LACMA and Paris's past show "Walking in LA," before sharing Mitch's social media and website information. Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Mitch Stringer https://youtu.be/uAlK3neOJ2k https://www.theparischongshow.com 🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/ 📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com #photoadvice #leica #podcast

The Secret to Photographing Someone at Their Best | Show Clip

Paris Chong and Mitch Stringer talk about the 'secret' to good photography, naming master photographers like Greg Gorman and Manfred Bauman who make everyone look their best. Paris opens up about her personal shyness and her unique experience with nude photography by Sylvie Blum. The conversation takes a relatable turn, discussing how endless Zoom calls have made everyone their own worst critic. Finally, they share stories about their tattoos, with Mitch showing off his peacock and dog 'Rookie' tattoos, and Paris planning to get a tribute to her dog, Disco. Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Mitch Stringer https://youtu.be/uAlK3neOJ2k https://www.theparischongshow.com 🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/ 📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com #phototips #photographers #podcast

The Prettiest Invitation From A Crematorium | Show Clip

Paris Chong recounts a deeply unnerving experience after receiving a "prettiest invitation" from a crematory and shares a lighter moment of relief thanks to AAA coming to her rescue during a car key incident. The discussion then shifts to Mitch Stringer's new creative venture: gathering images for a captivating new book focused on African wildlife, touching upon his travels and the incredible experience of seeing gorillas in Uganda. Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Mitch Stringer https://youtu.be/uAlK3neOJ2k https://www.theparischongshow.com 🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/ 📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com #crematory #photography #podcast

Navigating the Rabbit Hole of Algorithms | Show Clip

Paris Chong and Mitch Stringer dive into the world of social media, discussing how COVID-19 forced Paris onto Instagram and how Mitch uses the platform as a pure photographic outlet. They explore the challenges of social media algorithms and the potential of new, photography-focused platforms like Iris, created by Alan Shaller. Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Mitch Stringer https://youtu.be/uAlK3neOJ2k https://www.theparischongshow.com 🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/ 📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com #instagram #photography #podcast