Big Photo Hunt: A Photography Podcast

Ken Deckinger
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Visual Arts
  • Updated Monthly

A photography podcast for beginner and amateur photographers who want to take better photos and grow their skills. Hosted by Ken Deckinger, each episode shares tips, stories, and inspiration from the Big Photo Hunt community. A photography podcast for beginner and amateur photographers who want to improve their photos, grow their skills, and get inspired. Each episode features photography tips, techniques, and real stories from the Big Photo Hunt community. Hosted by Ken Deckinger, this podcast covers street photography, travel photography, editing advice, and creative inspiration, all designed to help you take better photos and enjoy the journey.

  1. 5d ago

    Why Manual Mode Makes You a Better Photographer with Mariah Adams

    What does it actually take to get better at photography and how do you find a style that's truly your own? In this episode, I sit down with Mariah Adams, a Sacramento-based street photographer and one of the original members of the Big Photo Hunt, who's been making images for nearly a decade.  Mariah's path started with her grandmother's camera and grew into a genuine creative obsession, and she's refreshingly honest about how she learned by shooting constantly, experimenting, and never being afraid to fail. We talk about why putting your camera in manual mode and leaving it there is one of the fastest ways to truly understand photography, how learning the relationship between your settings and your image - depth of field, light, all of it - changes everything, and why your "bad" photos are some of the most valuable frames you'll ever take.  Mariah also shares why street photography became her genre of choice, how she learned to show the world through her own perspective, and what keeps her reaching for her camera almost every single day. We also get into her gear journey, the playful creative experiments she loves, and what it's like to grow alongside a photography community from week one. We also explore: Why shooting in manual mode accelerates your learningHow aperture, shutter speed, and depth of field shape an imageWhy bad photos are essential to growing as a photographerFinding your style through street photographyStaying motivated and keeping the drive to shootHow a grandparent's influence can shape a lifelong creative pathLearning to see and shoot the world through your own perspectiveIf you're a beginner or self-taught photographer trying to build real skills, find your style, and stay inspired, Mariah's story and practical, no-nonsense advice will give you ideas you can put into practice the moment you pick up your camera. Show Notes:  Mariah Adams Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahannphotog/ Welcome to the Big Photo Hunt, arguably the worlds friendliest photography community. Some more stuff for you: The Big Photo Hunt is the world's friendliest photography community.Ken Deckinger created a YouTube channel for learnings and tips.And of course, the Big Photo Hunt is on Instagram.

    34 min

  2. Feb 14

    Black & White Photography: When It Works Best with Rebecca Kowalsky

    When should a photo live in color, and when is it stronger in monochrome? In this episode, I sit down with Rebecca Kowalsky, a Jerusalem-based photographer and YouTuber whose practical teaching style and rapid channel growth have inspired thousands of photographers around the world. We dig into one of the biggest creative decisions every photographer faces: choosing between black and white or color. Rebecca shares clear, real-world guidance on how to think about contrast, emotion, storytelling and distraction inside the frame. We talk about why committing to a choice matters, why fewer images often tell a stronger story, and how harsh midday light can become your secret weapon instead of something to avoid. We also explore: How removing color can simplify compositionWhy high-contrast scenes are perfect for monochromeThe danger of posting too many photosBuilding a cohesive photo essayPractical ways to train your eyeGrowing a photography YouTube channel from zeroFinding inspiration at any stage of your journeyIf you are trying to level up your photography, make more intentional images, and understand what actually makes a frame powerful, this conversation will give you ideas you can try immediately. Show Notes: Rebecca Kowalsky: https://imagesthroughtime.com Rebecca Kowalsky Instagram Rebecca Kowalsky YouTube Welcome to the Big Photo Hunt, arguably the worlds friendliest photography community. Some more stuff for you: The Big Photo Hunt is the world's friendliest photography community.Ken Deckinger created a YouTube channel for learnings and tips.And of course, the Big Photo Hunt is on Instagram.

    28 min

  3. 12/23/2025

    Street Photography in Seattle: Photo Walks, Pike Place & the Beauty of Chaos

    In this episode of the Big Photo Hunt Podcast, host Ken Deckinger sits down with Seattle-based street photographer Tyler Tang to talk about street photography, photo walks and why embracing chaos often leads to more meaningful images. With the Big Photo Hunt’s first-ever photowalk heading to Seattle, Tyler shares practical insights on where to shoot street photography in Seattle, including Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, Capitol Hill, Chinatown and the waterfront. He explains what makes Seattle such a unique city for photographers - especially in overcast, gray conditions - and how to find compelling images beyond the obvious tourist scenes. The conversation goes deeper into the street photography mindset, covering topics like snapshot-style shooting, letting go of perfection and learning to trust instinct over rigid composition rules. Tyler discusses his influences, including legendary Japanese photographer Daido Moriyama, and how adopting a more intuitive, spontaneous approach transformed his work. Show Notes: Tyler Tang: https://www.ttangfilms.me/ Tyler Tang Instagram Tyler Tang YouTube Welcome to the Big Photo Hunt, arguably the worlds friendliest photography community. Some more stuff for you: The Big Photo Hunt is the world's friendliest photography community.Ken Deckinger created a YouTube channel for learnings and tips.And of course, the Big Photo Hunt is on Instagram.

    27 min

  4. 11/11/2025

    Meet the 22-Year-Old Photographer with a White House Press Pass

    Jonah Elkowitz is just 22 but his camera has already taken him inside the White House, Congress, and some of the most sought after media environments in Washington D.C. In this episode, we dive into his journey from a high-school class to capturing presidents, world leaders and major political events for outlets like Politico, Forbes, and the New York Post. We talk about how Jonah went from student photo assignments to earning a coveted White House hard pass, what it’s really like shooting at the State of the Union and the lessons he’s learned about ambition, persistence and finding your voice as a young photojournalist. If you’ve ever wondered how to break into political photography, or you just love hearing how determination turns into access, this episode will inspire you to grab your camera and get a little patriotic while you're at it. Show Notes: Instagram: @jonah.elkowitz Website: jonahelkowitz.com Welcome to the Big Photo Hunt, arguably the worlds friendliest photography community. Some more stuff for you: The Big Photo Hunt is the world's friendliest photography community.Ken Deckinger created a YouTube channel for learnings and tips.And of course, the Big Photo Hunt is on Instagram.

    36 min

  5. 09/30/2025

    Finding Your Creative Voice (What Photographers Can Learn from Garrison Starr)

    In this episode of the Big Photo Hunt Podcast, Ken Deckinger sits down with Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Garrison Starr to talk about creativity, authenticity and how photographers can find their artistic voice.  From growing up in the South and facing rejection to building a career in Los Angeles, Garrison shares raw stories of resilience, faith and the healing power of music.  Whether you’re a photographer, musician or any kind of creative, this conversation is filled with inspiration on staying true to yourself and making art that matters. Show Notes: Garrison Starr on Instagram: @garrisonstarr Garrison Starr on YouTube: @GarrisonStarr Website: garrisonstarr.com Welcome to the Big Photo Hunt, arguably the worlds friendliest photography community. Some more stuff for you: The Big Photo Hunt is the world's friendliest photography community.Ken Deckinger created a YouTube channel for learnings and tips.And of course, the Big Photo Hunt is on Instagram.

    31 min

  6. 08/26/2025

    Van Life Photography Tips for Travel Photographers

    In this episode I’m joined by van-life photography couple and Big Photo Hunt members Coni Gajardo and Aidan Breaux. We dive into how living in their van and traveling across North America has shaped their photography, the highs and lows of life on the road, and the creative opportunities that constant movement brings behind the lens. From living in my driveway (yes, really) to photographing elk outside their window, chasing the Northern Lights in Canada, and spending three months shooting on the beaches of Baja — their van-life journey is equal parts inspiring and eye-opening. If you’re curious about nomadic photography, van-life as a lifestyle or what it’s like to let go and explore, Coni and Aidan’s story is one you won’t want to miss. Show Notes: Instagram: @outdoors.mantra YouTube: @OutdoorsMantra Website: outdoorsmantra.com Van-Life Build: Ford Transit Van Build Blog Prints: Photo Prints Welcome to the Big Photo Hunt, arguably the worlds friendliest photography community. Some more stuff for you: The Big Photo Hunt is the world's friendliest photography community.Ken Deckinger created a YouTube channel for learnings and tips.And of course, the Big Photo Hunt is on Instagram.

    35 min

  7. 07/22/2025

    Sports Photography Secrets with Allan Henry (Atlas Packs)

    Allan Henry has photographed over 600 major sporting events, including the PGA Tour, NBA, and MLB, and even earned Sports Illustrated’s Photo of the Year. Today though, he’s not just behind the camera. He’s also behind the gear as the Co-Founder of Atlas Packs, a high-performance camera backpack brand trusted by professional photographers and adventurers. In this episode, Allan shares how he and his partner’s frustration with traditional camera bags led them to launch Atlas Packs. We talk about the new Atlas One line, building products with intention, and why community feedback shapes every design decision he makes. Allan also explains why he never shoots just for fun, how he “cheats” using the Sony A9 III, and what truly separates professionals from amateurs. If you’ve ever debated gear versus instinct or wondered what it takes to build a business for photographers, this episode is packed with sharp insights, hard truths, and a few laughs too. Show Notes: Instagram: @atlaspacks YouTube: @atlaspacks Website: Atlas Packs & Atlas One Atlas Packs Carryology Review  Welcome to the Big Photo Hunt, arguably the worlds friendliest photography community. Some more stuff for you: The Big Photo Hunt is the world's friendliest photography community.Ken Deckinger created a YouTube channel for learnings and tips.And of course, the Big Photo Hunt is on Instagram.

    29 min

  8. 06/03/2025

    Street & Travel Photography in Norway with The Justine Files

    Justine, from The Justine Files on YouTube, is a Canadian photographer and content creator. While researching photography in Norway for a trip I’m considering, I came across her videos—and after watching a few, I knew I wanted to talk with her. In this episode, we talk about where photographers find inspiration during creative lulls, her travel photography tips for shooting in Norway (spoiler alert: my idea for a three-week trip might be overkill), and what it’s like to organize a photo walk with strangers in a foreign country. If you’ve ever felt stuck—or wondered what it’s like to photograph somewhere rugged, remote and wildly photogenic—this one’s for you. Show Notes: Instagram: @justine.files YouTube: @JustineFiles Substack: Justine Photography in Norway Norway Photography Locations Welcome to the Big Photo Hunt, arguably the worlds friendliest photography community. Some more stuff for you: The Big Photo Hunt is the world's friendliest photography community.Ken Deckinger created a YouTube channel for learnings and tips.And of course, the Big Photo Hunt is on Instagram.

    34 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

A photography podcast for beginner and amateur photographers who want to take better photos and grow their skills. Hosted by Ken Deckinger, each episode shares tips, stories, and inspiration from the Big Photo Hunt community. A photography podcast for beginner and amateur photographers who want to improve their photos, grow their skills, and get inspired. Each episode features photography tips, techniques, and real stories from the Big Photo Hunt community. Hosted by Ken Deckinger, this podcast covers street photography, travel photography, editing advice, and creative inspiration, all designed to help you take better photos and enjoy the journey.

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