A Pizza Drive-Thru Conversation That Launched a 20-Year Sports Media Career

A Pizza Drive-Thru Conversation That Launched a 20-Year Sports Media Career

Episode Snapshot: From Hoover video class to MLB live experience * College access gaps and the value of Kent State’s TV2 * Freelance work, internships, and the first break in Cleveland * A chance pizza-window conversation that changed everything * What unpaid internships really teach * Learning the “why” behind buttons and storytelling * Professionalism under pressure and crew culture * Growing from producer to department leader * Hiring for potential, passion, and communication * Spotting future leaders through team-first behavior * Mentorship, program legacy, and broadcast collaboration New here? Start to learn photography and visual storytelling at zoomwithourfeet.com. [https://www.zoomwithourfeet.com/] What You’ll Learn: * How opportunity actually shows up (and why most people miss it) * Why mentorship beats credentials every time * What hiring managers notice when no one’s watching * How leaders surface long before they get titles * Why team-first thinking keeps creative careers alive Why It Matters: Creative careers are rarely straight lines. Nick’s story is a reminder that longevity comes from trust, attitude, and being ready when opportunity appears—not from titles or tech. About This Guest: Nick Gambone didn’t follow a straight path into sports media—he worked his way in by showing up, learning fast, and earning trust. From early hands-on video work to leading live in-game experiences for the Cleveland Guardians, Nick’s career reflects what happens when opportunity meets preparation, curiosity, and team-first thinking. > “I don’t hire on perfection. I hire on potential and hustle.” — Nick Gambone | Director In-Game Experience, Cleveland Guardians EXPLORE MORE: Check out our other great ZWOF podcast Episodes! [https://www.zoomwithourfeet.com/podcast] Grab my new Mastering Composition [https://www.zoomwithourfeet.com/photography-classes/overview] eBook! Link and follow for more great #learnphotography content: IG: @tvcommandomedia [https://www.instagram.com/stories/tvcommandomedia/] | FB @ZoomWithOurFeet  [https://www.facebook.com/zoomwithourfeet/]

Teaching Media Arts With Grit, Humor, And Heart

In this episode of the Zoom With Our Feet Podcast, TMac talks with media arts teacher and former radio producer Bernie Van Tilburg about how teaching, storytelling, and real-world media skills help students learn photography, video, and creative production the right way. * radio beginnings and learning timing under pressure * why teaching sharpened empathy and communication * building a modern media arts program with Adobe, VFX, and live production * teaching three editing ecosystems with shared fundamentals * sequencing projects from scenes to complete stories * student tech gaps: phones vs real computers and file discipline * teamwork, communication, and career-ready creative skills * career advice: eagerness over ego, grit over glamor You can see his students' fantastic work at cvccwork.edu slash mediaarts Looking for gear or a cool photography t-shirt? You can trick out your kit and your wardrobe in the ZoomwithOur Feet shop. Use our affiliate links from SmallRig, Adorama, and Printeak. Remember, anytime you make a purchase using our links, we may get a small commission that doesn't affect the price of your item. Be sure to take a peek at the other great guests we've had on the Zoom pod at zoomwithourfeet.com slash podcast or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify EXPLORE MORE: Check out our other great ZWOF podcast Episodes! [https://www.zoomwithourfeet.com/podcast] Grab my new Mastering Composition [https://www.zoomwithourfeet.com/photography-classes/overview] eBook! Link and follow for more great #learnphotography content: IG: @tvcommandomedia [https://www.instagram.com/stories/tvcommandomedia/] | FB @ZoomWithOurFeet  [https://www.facebook.com/zoomwithourfeet/]

Lessons From Film To Full-Scale Studio

We trace Todd’s path from a basement darkroom to a thriving production company, focusing on film-era discipline, business choices, and the power of relationships. We share practical systems for shooting, hiring, and staying resilient while moving into documentaries and nonprofit storytelling. • origin story from school darkroom to ad agency lead • manual exposure discipline and SAKI workflow • translating product lighting to automotive shoots • forming an LLC, studio acquisition, and negotiation • evolving from stills to video and hybrid sets • building a team, internships, and studio rental • short form content, nonprofit films, TV pitch development • marketing by SEO, decks, and word of mouth • navigating canceled jobs and cash flow realities • creative purpose on big sets and solo shoots • five-year aim toward legacy documentary stories • hiring for humility, using proper channels, EQ in management Use our affiliate links from Small Rig, Adorama, and Printeak. Remember, anytime you purchase using our links, we get a small commission that doesn't affect the price of your item. EXPLORE MORE: Check out our other great ZWOF podcast Episodes! [https://www.zoomwithourfeet.com/podcast] Grab my new Mastering Composition [https://www.zoomwithourfeet.com/photography-classes/overview] eBook! Link and follow for more great #learnphotography content: IG: @tvcommandomedia [https://www.instagram.com/stories/tvcommandomedia/] | FB @ZoomWithOurFeet  [https://www.facebook.com/zoomwithourfeet/]

Seeing Light Like a National Geographic Photographer: Jason Edwards on Long-Term Storytelling

National Geographic photographer Jason Edwards joins the ZoomPod to talk about a career built on light, patience, and discipline—first on Kodachrome, now in the digital field. Episode Snapshot: National Geographic photographer Jason Edwards has spent decades learning how to see light before pressing the shutter—and how to turn individual frames into long-term visual stories. In this episode, Jason breaks down lessons from shooting transparency film, applying that discipline to modern digital workflows, and building bodies of work that last longer than trends. If you’re trying to learn photography beyond gear and shortcuts, this conversation resets your priorities.  What You’ll Learn: * Applying film-era discipline to digital capture * Building stories using a core idea with supporting “spokes” * Lens choices that hold up in real field conditions * How early wildlife and zoo experience shaped his eye * The making of Icebergs to Iguanas * Luck vs. preparation in award-winning images * Sustaining passion, fitness, and craft over decades * Why being kinder to yourself improves your work * Practical ways to share your photography locally About This Guest: > “Photography is about more than just capturing beautiful pictures. My images come from stories larger than the individual frame.” — Jason Edwards, National Geographic Channel's Pure Photography Through commissioned work and as the face of National Geographic Channel’s Pure Photography, Jason Edwards has taken his storytelling to dozens of countries and every continent. His work has appeared in hundreds of publications, including National Geographic Magazine, BBC Wildlife, Australian Geographic, Sports Illustrated, Condé Nast Traveler, and The New Yorker. Jason is also an author of science education books, and his imagery has been used everywhere from environmental campaigns to Hollywood productions. Guest Bonafides * Website: https://www.jasonedwards.co/en-us [https://www.jasonedwards.co/en-us] * IG: https://www.instagram.com/jasonedwardsng/ [https://www.instagram.com/jasonedwardsng/] * FB: https://www.facebook.com/jasonedwardsng [https://www.facebook.com/jasonedwardsng] * National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/expeditions/experts/jason-edwards/ [https://www.nationalgeographic.com/expeditions/experts/jason-edwards/] * Other: https://www.conservationphotographers.org/u/edwards/about [https://www.conservationphotographers.org/u/edwards/about] EXPLORE MORE: Check out our other great ZWOF podcast Episodes! [https://www.zoomwithourfeet.com/podcast] Grab my new Mastering Composition [https://www.zoomwithourfeet.com/photography-classes/overview] eBook! Link and follow for more great #learnphotography content: IG: @tvcommandomedia [https://www.instagram.com/stories/tvcommandomedia/] | FB @ZoomWithOurFeet  [https://www.facebook.com/zoomwithourfeet/]

Sports Photography That Serves the Brand: Claire Komerak on Design, Discipline, and Big Moments

Claire Komerak joins the ZoomPod to break down how design thinking and photography work together, from college sidelines to national broadcasts and championship moments. Episode Snapshot In this episode of the ZoomPod, Claire Komerak traces her path from disposable cameras and yearbook sidelines to shaping TCU’s visual identity, designing promos for CBS Sports, and photographing an MLS Championship with the Columbus Crew. Claire shows how design instincts sharpen photographic decisions—and how intentional visuals sell both the story and the feeling behind a moment. What You’ll Learn: How color and brand choices reinforce team identity * Moving from sport mode to manual with mirrorless cameras * A crash course in leadership and visual consistency at TCU * CBS Sports promo workflows, specs, and delivery expectations * Building proof-of-partnership through shot lists and trust * Compact Sony kit choices and real-world lens strategy * Handling stadium light, smoke, and peak fan emotion * Lessons for aspiring photographers on curiosity, grit, and growth About This Guest: Claire Komerak is a staff sports photographer for the Columbus Crew, and broadcast graphic designed for CBS Sports. Her work spans collegiate athletics, professional sports, and broadcast media. Her background in design informs how she builds images that align with brand goals while still capturing authentic emotion in live sports environments. Guest Bonafides * Website: Portfolio [https://www.clairekomarekphoto.com/portfolio/sports?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafmOAIvM3r6fksPyY8E91h-6fb6nPs3lU7goxd0lISOc77OVYSaFdOe6HS9IA_aem_iv_prVyKrKPLLxd1Nqs7eA] * IG: @clairekomarek [https://www.instagram.com/clairekomarek/?hl=en] * FB: https://www.facebook.com/ClaireKomarekPhoto/ [https://www.facebook.com/ClaireKomarekPhoto/] EXPLORE MORE: Check out our other great ZWOF podcast Episodes! [https://www.zoomwithourfeet.com/podcast] Grab my new Mastering Composition [https://www.zoomwithourfeet.com/photography-classes/overview] eBook! Link and follow for more great #learnphotography content: IG: @tvcommandomedia [https://www.instagram.com/stories/tvcommandomedia/] | FB @ZoomWithOurFeet  [https://www.facebook.com/zoomwithourfeet/]