f/22 - Photographer Interviews by VSCO

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Hosted by Zach Hodges from the VSCO team, f/22 is a series where all things photography are brought into focus through conversations with photographers.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    S2.E4 – Lauren Marcelle on Large Format Film, Portraiture, and Community

    In this episode of f/22, Zach Hodges sits down with film portrait photographer Lauren Marcelle at Bild Expo in New York City. Lauren shares her journey from shooting Polaroid as a kid to working in 4x5 and 8x10 large format film. She talks about why slowing down matters, what it takes to make a single meaningful frame, and why portraiture gives her something street and landscape photography never could: real human connection. They also dive into Cameras & Coffee, the community meetup she helped bring from the Bay Area to NYC, and why “just showing up” might be the most important step any creative can take. 📌 This episode explores: • Falling back in love with film • The discipline of large format photography • Finding your niche after years of experimentation • Creating space for connection through portraiture • Building intentional creative community Follow Lauren: Website: https://www.laurenmarcellephotography.com/ VSCO: https://vsco.co/laurenmarcellephoto/gallery Chapters: 00:00 Slowing Down with Large Format 00:37 Lauren’s Film Photography Journey 02:12 Cameras & Coffee Origins 03:32 What to Expect at a Meetup 04:20 Overcoming Social Anxiety 05:10 Why Community Matters 06:44 Shooting 8x10 Portraits 08:02 The Magic of One Frame 09:08 Finding Her Focus in Portraiture 11:05 Where to See Lauren’s Work Hashtags: #LargeFormatPhotography #FilmPhotography #PortraitPhotography #8x10 #Polaroid #PhotographyCommunity #CamerasAndCoffee #F22Series

    12 min

  2. 13/12/2025

    S2.E3 – Brandon Ruffin on Technology, Emotion, and Crafting Images in a Computational Era

    In this episode of f/22, VSCO co-founder Greg Lutze http://vsco.co/greg/gallery sits down with Bay Area photographer, filmmaker, and Google computational research creative Brandon Ruffin http://vsco.co/ruffdraft/gallery to explore how identity, narrative, and technology intersect in modern image-making. Known for his powerful storytelling and community work through Cameras & Coffee Club, Brandon opens up about the emotional core of photography, how our lived experiences shape what we see, and why every photograph carries a point of view. From his Leica M11-D campaign to his upcoming book Migration Patterns, Brandon shares thoughtful insights on personal projects, creative identity, AI’s role in artistry, and the ways photography can connect us to our family histories, our communities, and ourselves. Whether you’re a new photographer or deep into your creative journey, this conversation offers a grounded, inspiring look at what it means to create with intention in an era shaped by both humanity and computation. Chapters 00:00 — Storytelling, POV, and the artist’s role 01:16 — Brandon’s background, identity, and approach to photography 06:49 — Inside the Leica M11-D campaign & emotional image-making 13:14 — Migration Patterns: family history, memory, and personal projects 26:15 — Social media, “the banger shot,” and rediscovering play in photography 31:18 — Photobooks, sequencing, and trusting the editing process 36:18 — Photography as poetry: narrative, symbolism, and emotional truth 38:00 — AI, creativity, and human-centered tools for artists 41:05 — Hot takes & advice for emerging photographers 47:36 — Building community, collaboration, and sustaining a creative life #vscocam #photography #photographer #photographytips #portraitphotography #storytelling #filmphotography #artandtechnology #computationalphotography #creativecommunity #photographypodcast #vsco

    51 min

  3. 12/12/2025

    S2.E2 – Karna Roa on a Viral Wedding Photo and 17 Years of Photography Lessons

    With nearly two decades of experience behind the camera, Karna Roa has photographed weddings around the world — from the vineyards of California to ceremonies in Tokyo and Morocco. In this episode of f/22, she shares how shooting weddings taught her every aspect of photography, how education through PPA (Professional Photographers of America) shaped her growth, and what she learned from the viral wildfire photo that briefly put her in the spotlight. 📌 In this interview you’ll learn: Why weddings are the best training ground for any photographerHow to build a sustainable career in a demanding industryWhat it’s like to have a photo go viral overnightThe importance of lighting, preparation, and adaptabilityHow community, education, and mentorship can elevate your craft Chapters: 00:00 – Why weddings make you a better photographer 00:18 – Meet Karna Roa, award-winning wedding photographer 01:03 – Getting started at age 15 02:29 – Building a full-time career and traveling the world 03:23 – Highlights from 17 years of weddings 04:17 – The wildfire wedding and viral photo moment 10:35 – Lessons in lighting and storytelling 11:18 – Staying passionate and emotionally connected 12:36 – Making a long-term creative career sustainable 13:00 – What is PPA and why it matters 16:33 – Earning degrees and recognition through PPA 18:28 – Growth through education and mentorship 19:00 – Leading the Wine Country chapter of PPA 20:09 – Advice for new and aspiring wedding photographers 21:33 – The power of networking and relationships 22:06 – Closing thoughts and where to find Karna’s work #VSCO #VSCOcam #streetphotography #Photography #ProfessionalPhotographer #PhotographyTips #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer

    22 min

  4. 12/12/2025

    S2.E1 – Greg Lutze on Street Photography, Nostalgia, and Authentic Images

    Greg Lutze, co-founder of VSCO and passionate street photographer, has spent his career blending design, photography, and creativity. In this episode of f/22, Greg opens up about his path from early graphic design work to photography, the origins of VSCO Film, and his ongoing love for capturing life as it really is. 📌 In this interview you’ll learn: How Greg went from design to photography (and back again)The true origin story of VSCO and its presetsWhy collaboration is the secret ingredient in creative successGreg’s philosophy of street photography in the age of social mediaHow his new preset (V9) captures timeless film aestheticsWhy delight, curiosity, and persistence matter more than numbers ⠀ Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just starting out, Greg’s story is packed with insight, nostalgia, and inspiration. Chapters: 00:00 – Intro & Greg’s creative beginnings 01:06 – Early design, music, and first band photos 02:22 – Seattle days & creative community 05:00 – Learning by doing vs. technical perfection 06:11 – Nostalgia and seeing time in photos 08:09 – Finding his photographic style 09:41 – Design work & the path toward VSCO 12:16 – Film is dying? The spark for VSCO Film 13:37 – Collaborating to make VSCO real 16:09 – Why collaboration is everything 18:11 – Building VSCO presets & app together 19:04 – Greg’s love for street photography 20:59 – Snapshot or art? Reframing criticism 22:24 – Developing the new WE9 preset 24:10 – The process of creating presets with intent 26:09 – Making work that stands the test of time 27:07 – Presets as a “three listen album” 29:23 – Community, inspiration, and creativity today 31:15 – Advice for new photographers 33:04 – Joy, curiosity, and delight in photography 34:53 – Closing thoughts & where to find Greg’s work #VSCO #VSCOcam #streetphotography #Photography #ProfessionalPhotographer #PhotographyTips

    36 min

  5. 12/12/2025

    S1.E10 – Tom Sanders on Finding Your Niche in Photography

    From photographing World War II veterans to building a career in longevity and celebrity photography, Tom Sanders has carved out a unique niche in the industry. In this episode of f/22, Tom shares the story of how a college assignment led to two published books, long-term client relationships, and a thriving photography business. 📌 In this interview you’ll learn:  How a chance encounter with a WWII veteran shaped Tom’s career pathWhy finding a niche can be the most powerful move for a photographerPractical marketing strategies for freelancers that actually workWhy today’s photographers should also be filmmakersHow personal projects can lead directly to paid opportunities Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your photography business, Tom’s story is packed with inspiration and actionable advice. 00:00 — Intro & Tom’s background 00:55 — Family history: Ernest Hemingway portrait & photography roots 03:02 — First WWII veteran portrait & impact of the project 05:00 — Moving to LA & building a portfolio through veterans 06:14 — The importance of personal projects 07:20 — First big client: Belmont Village & published book 08:10 — Celebrity photography in LA & early big breaks 09:42 — Finding a niche: longevity photography 12:28 — Teaching at Savannah College of Art and Design 13:06 — How photographers actually get consistent work 15:14 — Why photographers today must also be filmmakers 16:23 — Practical marketing: social, ads, cold calls, and promos 20:03 — Email strategy & building client lists 22:03 — Networking, keeping in touch, and the snowball effect 23:05 — Creating personal work to attract clients 25:14 — Balancing business ownership & creativity 26:56 — Money transparency & client work breakdown 28:20 — Why LinkedIn is Tom’s most powerful tool 31:25 — Advice for young photographers starting out 33:11 — Why every photographer should shoot motion 35:07 — Renting your own equipment back to clients 35:49 — Where to find Tom’s work #vscocam #photography #photographer #photographertips #commercialphotography #portraitphotography #celebrityphotography #freelancephotographer #photographybusiness #creativeentrepreneur #photographypodcast #wwiiveterans #personalprojects

    36 min

  6. 12/12/2025

    S1.E9.2 – Martine Severin on the Business of Commercial Photography

    In Part 2 of our interview, Martine Severin pulls back the curtain on the business and strategy of commercial photography. From test shoots and building a team to networking, portfolio reviews, and landing clients, she shares candid insights from 13 years in the industry. 📌 In Part 2, you’ll learn:  Why commercial photography is a “tightly choreographed dance”How to show production value and prove you can lead a teamThe long game of relationships, outreach, and portfolio reviewsWhy being a decent human is as important as your photography Whether you’re ready to move beyond weddings or want to understand how to thrive in commercial photography, this conversation is packed with wisdom. 00:29 — Building a portfolio through styled shoots 02:19 — Working with modeling agencies & creating lookbooks 04:52 — Showing production value & working with a team 06:20 — Outreach & marketing (24 emails a week) 08:25 — Portfolio reviews & the importance of feedback 10:13 — Building relationships that lead to work 11:02 — The long game: 13 years of growth 11:20 — Advice for aspiring commercial photographers 12:20 — Finding your voice & keeping at it 13:28 — Networking (or just meeting people) 14:20 — Be a decent human — why character matters 15:08 — Closing thoughts & where to find Martine’s work #vscocam #photography #photographer #photographytips #commercialphotography #photographycareer #photographyjourney #portraitphotography #creativebusiness #photographypodcast #emergingphotographer

    22 min

  7. 12/12/2025

    S1.E9.1 – Martine Severin on Building a Photography Career from Scratch

    From growing up in Haiti to becoming one of Vogue’s top emerging photographers, Martine Severin shares her unlikely journey into photography. In this episode of f/22, Martine talks about falling in love with photography as a child, the role of weddings as a training ground, and the long road to building a professional portfolio. 📌 In Part 1, you’ll learn:  How Martine discovered photography as a way to connect across distanceWhy weddings can be an incredible training ground for any photographerThe power of consistency in blogging, posting, and showing upPractical steps for creating a portfolio that leads to commercial work If you’re just starting out or thinking about going pro, this part of Martine’s story is full of inspiration and real-world lessons. 00:00 — Intro & Martine’s Background 01:06 — Falling in love with photography as a child 03:22 — Growing up in Haiti & connecting through photos 05:05 — From street photography to Vogue’s “Top Emerging Photographers” 06:16 — Why weddings are the best training ground 07:57 — The early days of blogging & street style photography 09:38 — The power of consistency (posting every week) 10:49 — Balancing grad school with photography 12:34 — Moving to London & committing to photography full time 13:50 — The importance of taking small steps 15:14 — Wedding photography vs. commercial photography #vscocam #photography #photographer #photographytips #photographycareer #photographyjourney #portraitphotography #weddingphotography #streetphotography #emergingphotographer #voguephotographer #photographypodcast

    16 min

  8. 12/12/2025

    S1.E8 – Kris Kuganathan on Golden Hour & Night Photography in the City

    In this episode of f/22, host Zach Hodges follows along cityscape, landscape, portrait, and concert photographer Kris Kuganathan for a golden hour and night photoshoot through the urban scenes of Downtown Los Angeles. From capturing striking portraits to timing light trails, Kris shares his tips on lighting, composition, and storytelling to inspire your own creativity. 0:28 — Intro 0:51 — About Kris Kuganathan 1:34 — Kris’s Photography Style 2:10 — Shooting Golden Hour Portraits in the Street 2:31 — Using Composition for Storytelling With a Set of Photos 5:09 — Kris’s Approach to Exposure, Shadows, & Highlights 7:14 — Importance of Knowing a Camera’s Dual Native ISO 8:26 — Golden Hour Tip 8:47 — Reflecting on Kris’s Favorite Photo Captured With a Telephoto Lens 11:14 — Using Urban Elements as Natural Frames 13:10 — Waiting for the Perfect Shot to Capture Long Exposure 14:17 — Shooting Reflections & Starbursts 15:40 — Outro #vscocam #photography #photographer #photographertips #photographycareer #portraitphotography #cityscapephotography #photographypodcast

    18 min
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Hosted by Zach Hodges from the VSCO team, f/22 is a series where all things photography are brought into focus through conversations with photographers.

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