Lenses & Lyrics - A Photography and Music Podcast

Scott Wyden Kivowitz
  • 5.0 (5)
  • VISUAL ARTS

Stories of photographers who capture music — and once played it. Lenses & Lyrics explores the unique connection between music and photography. Hosted by Scott Wyden Kivowitz, the podcast features conversations with photographers who are or were musicians, sharing how their passion for music shaped their photographic journey. From capturing bands on stage to behind-the-scenes moments, guests reveal the stories behind the images — and the soundtrack that inspired them. Musicians will also join the conversation, offering their perspective on the photographers who documented their careers. Whether in the pit or on the stage, Lenses & Lyrics brings to light the crossover between sound and image, where every frame tells a story. This is Lenses & Lyrics. The crossover stories of music and photography.

  1. Balancing the Beat & Photography with Ash

    6D AGO

    Balancing the Beat & Photography with Ash

    What happens when your love for music literally shapes the way you frame the world? On this episode of Lenses & Lyrics, meet someone who’s spun tracks, engineered albums, and tells musical stories through every photo. This week, Scott Wyden Kivowitz sits down with Ash, a DJ, music engineer, producer, and concert photographer whose journey maps the rhythm between sound and vision. From DJing and producing in the studio to photographing live music events, Ash shares the twists and turns of building a creative career out of passion, and the necessity of staying nimble. You'll hear about learning production at Full Sail, owning a studio, pivoting during the pandemic, and eventually finding an outlet in concert photography. Ash opens up about seeing live music through a photographer’s eye, why house and alternative hip hop fuel editing marathons, and offers candid advice for those seeking to photograph shows, even if the music isn’t their thing. "If I'm hearing a song that is making me vibe, I'm more inspired in that moment, more than ever to go and get the shot that I'm thinking of."Rock with Ash ashthephotog.comasherpleasemakemusic.comAsh on SoundCloudinstagram.com/ash.the.photo.gthreads.com/@ash.the.photo.gThe BTS NewsletterFull SailThe tour (00:00) - Balancing the Beat & Photography with Ash (05:20) - Challenges and Adaptations (11:04) - Photography and New Beginnings (22:52) - Connecting with the Artist's Vision (25:18) - Defining Moments in Concert Photography (29:54) - The Open Mic Experience (32:54) - Gear and Techniques for Concert Photography This episode of Lenses & Lyrics is brought to you by Imagen, Pic-Time and Flodesk. Work smarter not harder with the best photo selection, photo editing and email marketing tools available for your photography businesses.

    43 min

  2. 11/18/2025

    A Well Orchestrated Musical Performance at a Photo Session

    Picture this: you’re capturing a beautiful portraits, and out of nowhere, a full marching band fills the scene with unexpected energy. When photography and music collide, magic happens — and sometimes, it’s totally unplanned. In this short but memorable episode, Scott Wyden Kivowitz shares an incredible story from a recent proposal session at Princeton University. What began as a romantic engagement session in a sentimental campus spot quickly transformed when the Princeton University marching band made a surprise appearance. The spontaneous soundtrack turned a special day into a completely one-of-a-kind experience — blending music, love, and photography in perfect harmony. Want more real-life stories where photography meets music? Subscribe, follow, and share Lenses & Lyrics so you never miss an episode that brings the creative worlds together! This episode of Lenses & Lyrics is brought to you by Imagen, Pic-Time and Flodesk. Work smarter not harder with the best photo selection, photo editing and email marketing tools available for your photography businesses.

    6 min

  3. 10/31/2025

    I'm Inspired By The Monumental Interiors of Musical Instruments

    Ever wondered what the inside of a grand piano or violin looks like? This episode is your backstage pass to a breathtaking world where music meets architectural wonder, hidden inside the very instruments that create the sounds we love. The spotlight is on Charles Brooks, a professional cellist turned visionary photographer. I unpack Brooks's remarkable series "Architecture in Music," which uses advanced macro photography to unveil the awe-inspiring structures inside musical instruments. What looks like concert halls or ancient cathedrals are, in fact, the intricate inner workings of instruments like cellos, pianos, and guitars. Discover how Brooks’s unique background in music profoundly shapes his visual storytelling, and why seeing these hidden worlds might forever change how you listen to music. Rock with Charles instagram.com/charlescellistarchitectureinmusic.comcharlesbrooks.info This episode of Lenses & Lyrics is brought to you by Imagen, Pic-Time and Flodesk. Work smarter not harder with the best photo selection, photo editing and email marketing tools available for your photography businesses.

    6 min
  4. How Music Influences Photography Storytelling with Garret Torres

    10/24/2025

    How Music Influences Photography Storytelling with Garret Torres

    What happens when wedding photography collides with death metal, skate tapes, and heartfelt father-daughter dance songs? In this episode, I sit down with Garret Torres, a New Jersey-based wedding photographer and musician whose creative life is powered by passion and a drive for authentic expression. Garret blends storytelling and artistry to create photos that remind people why they love the people they love. When he’s not photographing weddings, he’s making music and exploring creative ways to express emotion through sound and imagery. From recording songs as a kid to building a wedding photography business, Garret opens up about the interplay between his artistic worlds. Hear how Garret’s approach to music shapes the way he tells stories with photographs, why he uses a pseudonym for his musical releases, and the reason live heavy metal inspires him during wedding receptions. Plus, get practical advice for musicians venturing into photography, and learn how personal experiences translate into intentional creative practice. “I'm very much an album listener…that's kind of how I want my wedding clients to consume their photos. Not as singles, but as each little moment as its own song.”Rock with Garret gtphotonj.cominstagram.com/gtphotonjinstagram.com/iamdondawsonDon Dawson on SpotifyDon Dawson on Apple MusicFoxy ShazamMedeski Martin & WoodFace YourselfThe tour (00:00) - How Music Influences Photography Storytelling with Garret Torres (01:43) - The Origin of Don Dawson (02:46) - Early Musical Influences (06:34) - Balancing Music and Photography (07:42) - Involvement in Music and Photography Communities (10:53) - Musical Inspirations and Photography (19:27) - Hypothetical Scenarios and Advice This episode of Lenses & Lyrics is brought to you by Imagen, Pic-Time and Flodesk. Work smarter not harder with the best photo selection, photo editing and email marketing tools available for your photography businesses.

    32 min
  5. From Orchestra Pits to Wedding Aisles with Benny Chiu

    10/10/2025

    From Orchestra Pits to Wedding Aisles with Benny Chiu

    What happens when a passion for music meets a love of photography? This episode uncovers how melodies and moments intertwine, sparking unexpected creativity behind the lens. I sit down with Benny Chiu, photographer, former violinist and drummer, and night owl, for a candid conversation about how musical roots shape visual storytelling. Benny shares his journey from playing violin and drums to capturing emotions through the camera. He reveals how growing up musically informed his collaborative approach to wedding photography, how song and rhythm influence his edits and client slideshows, and why improvisation isn’t just for the stage. Discover why Benny relates his photography style to crossover artists like Vanessa Mae, and get actionable insights into merging your own artistic passions. "...one of my favorite things to capture wedding days are actually the open dancing."Rock with Benny bycphotography.cominstagram.com/bycphotographyAnimotoFundy Designer's Social Design AppSocial Templates Co.Artists: Vanessa Mae, Lindsey Stirling, Cursive, Sigur RósThe tour (00:00) - From Orchestra Pits to Wedding Aisles with Benny Chiu (03:25) - Exploring Musical Preferences and Influences (09:20) - Transition from Music to Photography (13:07) - Modern Tools and Client Engagement (15:45) - The Orchestra and Teamwork in Music (17:13) - Music Preferences During Editing (18:51) - Photographing Musicians and Inspirations (26:57) - Advice for Musicians Transitioning to Photography This episode of Lenses & Lyrics is brought to you by Imagen, Pic-Time and Flodesk. Work smarter not harder with the best photo selection, photo editing and email marketing tools available for your photography businesses.

    29 min
  6. Prisms, Photos, Power Chords, and the Artistic Crossover with Sam Hurd

    09/22/2025

    Prisms, Photos, Power Chords, and the Artistic Crossover with Sam Hurd

    Can a childhood crush on a violinist lead to photographing a wedding? What if your passion for music and gear isn’t just a hobby, but the secret ingredient to your creative success? I sit down with photographer and  musician Sam Hurd, whose journey from orchestra kid to wedding photographer is surprising to some and inspiring to many. Sam Hurd is a photographer who believes that true artistry comes from trust. Based in Washington DC (with availability worldwide), Sam’s work isn’t about awards, it’s about capturing moments with creativity and authenticity. His portraits and wedding galleries stand out for their emotional clarity and visual poetry. Sam Hurd reveals how his musical background shaped his photographic style, from recording metal bands in college to applying audio production skills to wedding day videos. Hear the origins of Sam’s fascination with prisms, why he swaps out wedding dance floor hits for heavy metal in his earbuds, and what he’s learned documenting press events for celebrities like Billy Joel and Dolly Parton. Whether you're into gear talk, performance anxiety, or creative inspiration, this episode offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at balancing multiple passions and turning them into art. "I like the contrast of just ridiculously hard metal in my ears while people are like visibly dancing to Shout because it just makes it fun for me.”Rock with Sam samhurdphotography.cominstagram.com/iamthesamyoutube.com/samhurdphotoPrisms on SpotifyPrisms on Apple MusicPic-TimeColorwareDJI Mic 2Insta360 X5OSMO Pocket 3 Cool Edit Pro (now Adobe Audition)The tour (00:00) - From Instruments to Images: A Photographer's Odyssey (03:44) - Transition to Guitar and Self-Taught Journey (09:31) - From Music to Photography (11:46) - The Prism Band and Photography Connection (15:31) - First Professional Photography Job (20:07) - Performing Music and Its Influence on Photography (26:10) - The Importance of Audio in Videography (35:26) - Hot Seat Questions This episode of Lenses & Lyrics is brought to you by Imagen, Pic-Time and Flodesk. Work smarter not harder with the best photo selection, photo editing and email marketing tools available for your photography businesses.

    45 min

  7. 08/29/2025

    Lessons Learned from a Snowy Street Sing-Along with Five for Fighting

    Ever wondered how a snowy night, a missed concert, and an unexpected street performance could transform a musician’s life? In this heartfelt episode, hear a story where passion for music overcomes locked doors and cold weather. This episode has a story with a pub in Cambridge, Massachusetts,  John Ondrasik from Five for Fighting, and a guitar. “While I’m not a singer and I typically would not sing in front of other people, I did on the street in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with John from Five for Fighting and it changed my life.”If you’ve ever found yourself on the outside looking in, or if music and photography speak to your soul, don’t miss this episode. Subscribe to Lenses & Lyrics and share your own stories where music or art has changed your life. This episode of Lenses & Lyrics is brought to you by Imagen, Pic-Time and Flodesk. Work smarter not harder with the best photo selection, photo editing and email marketing tools available for your photography businesses.

    7 min

  8. 08/21/2025

    Finding Joy in Music Without the Pressure to Perform

    Ever felt the itch to perform, only to be held back by self-doubt or expectations? What if you didn’t have to prove anything to anyone and could simply enjoy your craft, just for you? Fresh off a beach vacation, I reflect on being invited on stage by a musician friend, and why I chose to stay in the crowd. Revisiting my days at Berklee College of Music, I explore how even top musicians like John Mayer don’t always follow the expected path, and how stepping back from pressure can help you rediscover pure enjoyment in your passion projects, whether it’s music, photography, or any creative pursuit. “I enjoy the lack of pressure. I enjoy doing it for me. So if you’re a photographer, if you’re a videographer and you play music and you’ve got that urge to play more, just remember, there’s no pressure. If you want to do it for you, do it for you.”Additional Resources Mentioned: Ultimate GuitarSmartless with John MayerBerklee College of MusicIf this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow creative who might need a reminder: you don’t have to perform for anyone but yourself. Subscribe to Lenses & Lyrics for more conversations about balancing passion and pressure. This episode of Lenses & Lyrics is brought to you by Imagen, Pic-Time and Flodesk. Work smarter not harder with the best photo selection, photo editing and email marketing tools available for your photography businesses.

    7 min
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About

Stories of photographers who capture music — and once played it. Lenses & Lyrics explores the unique connection between music and photography. Hosted by Scott Wyden Kivowitz, the podcast features conversations with photographers who are or were musicians, sharing how their passion for music shaped their photographic journey. From capturing bands on stage to behind-the-scenes moments, guests reveal the stories behind the images — and the soundtrack that inspired them. Musicians will also join the conversation, offering their perspective on the photographers who documented their careers. Whether in the pit or on the stage, Lenses & Lyrics brings to light the crossover between sound and image, where every frame tells a story. This is Lenses & Lyrics. The crossover stories of music and photography.

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