The Paris Chong Show

Leica Gallery Curator Paris Chong. Hosts a talk show delivered by video + podcast talking with her artsy-fartsy friends...and don't forget Disco, her second son.

  1. Mitch Stringer, Photographer and Fellow Podcaster Talks MLB, Travel and Photo Books

    MAR 4

    Mitch Stringer, Photographer and Fellow Podcaster Talks MLB, Travel and Photo Books

    Paris Chong welcomes photographer and fellow podcaster, Mitch Stringer! The episode kicks off with a fun story about how the two met in New York City at the Leica 100-year anniversary event—a chaotic yet memorable block party where Mitch briefly served as the opening act for a swarming crowd, immediately followed by Jason Momoa. They quickly dive into their shared experience as podcast hosts, discussing the journey of building an audience, with Mitch having reached over 55 episodes and Paris's show now transitioning to a monthly format. Mitch Stringer, a Leica enthusiast and professional photographer based in Baltimore, details his life behind the lens, highlighting his diverse gear choices: Sony for the fast-paced action of Major League Baseball and his Leicas (Q3, SL3, M11) for his artistic passion projects in portraiture, street, and travel photography. The conversation shifts to the ultimate artistic goal of having a published work. Mitch, who has already published a book on Cuba, shares insights from his experience and talks about his next project: a book dedicated to African wildlife. The chat expands to cover Mitch’s extensive travel, including an upcoming two-week trip across Morocco focused on capturing the people, history, and architecture—a stark contrast to his wife's preference for less adventurous sightseeing in places like Italy and rural England. They also touch on the lighter side of life with candid talk about Mitch's three children and multiple pets, the addictive nature of Instagram, and humorous, relatable moments of aging, like receiving a startling promotion from a crematory. The episode concludes with a nod to acclaimed photographers like Greg Gorman and Art Wolf, whose work continues to inspire Mitch's photographic vision. Show Notes: www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/mitch-stringer-photographer-and-fellow-podcaster-talks-mlb-travel-and-art-books Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:16 Meet Mitch Stringer 01:08 Leica Party Origin Story 02:45 Podcast Guests and Instagram 07:18 Podcast Metrics and Media Roots 12:15 Baseball Photography and Gear 15:42 Travel Tales and Photo Books 23:22 Dogs and Loss 24:30 Cremation Mail Shock 25:59 AAA and Keeping It Together 26:37 Next Book African Wildlife 29:21 Mentors and Great Portraits 32:17 Zoom Face Critique and Tattoos 37:30 Advice for Young Photographers 🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/ 📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

    43 min
  2. Ray Barbee on Skateboarding, Photography, and a Life of Gratitude

    FEB 4

    Ray Barbee on Skateboarding, Photography, and a Life of Gratitude

    Paris Chong sits down with her good friend, the multi-talented Ray Barbee, to discuss his new book, “The Joy is Capturing the Journey.” Ray, renowned for his legendary career as a professional skateboarder and a gifted photographer, explains how the book's title reflects his passion for documenting his blessed life and the sheer fun he finds in the process, from shooting to printing in the darkroom. The conversation also touches on his enduring career in skateboarding, including his long-standing sponsorships with brands like Vans and Crooked Skateboards, and a look back at his most significant skateboarding injury—a broken scaphoid bone that kept his wrist in a cast for nine months. Ray shares details about his family and musical roots, noting that his two sons are both skateboarders, with Max recently earning a full-ride football scholarship. He recalls growing up with jazz and soul music in the house, thanks to his parents, but notes that MTV introduced him to rock and roll, sparking his desire to play guitar. He shares a charming story of performing an air-broom guitar solo to AC/DC’s "For Those About to Rock" at a fifth-grade talent show. This early passion for music, combined with a fortuitous gift of an old-school skateboard, laid the foundation for his professional life. The discussion highlights the beautiful connection between Ray's skateboarding and photography styles, describing both as an improvisational act of "documenting moments" and "being surprised by something and hitting it... in the moment." An accomplished musician as well, Ray discusses how technology allows him to be a "one-man band" using a pedal to turn his guitar into a bass. Wrapping up, he mentions his newly released EP, “Little Postcard,” and his upcoming plans to support both the book and the album with a photo exhibition and performance at the Moments Festival in Spain. Ray attributes his famously cheerful demeanor to his faith, quoting the proverb, "A happy heart makes the face cheerful," and expressing deep gratitude for his journey. Show Notes: www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/ray-barbee-on-skateboarding-photography-and-a-life-of-gratitude Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:34 Meet Ray Barbie: Skateboarder and Photographer 00:46 Ray Barbie's New Book 02:33 The Joy of Skateboarding 05:16 Family and Parenting 08:08 Growing Up with Music 18:48 Discovering Skateboarding 24:43 From Skateboarding to Street Photography 25:50 The Parallels Between Music and Photography 26:17 Skateboarding and Rhythm 26:59 Desiree and Photography 27:36 Transitioning to Podcasts 30:37 Faith and Spirituality 38:29 Seeking Truth and Finding Peace 48:44 Upcoming Projects and Travels 51:19 Conclusion and Farewell 🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/ 📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

    52 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Leica Gallery Curator Paris Chong. Hosts a talk show delivered by video + podcast talking with her artsy-fartsy friends...and don't forget Disco, her second son.

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