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. Glen E. Friedman Authenticity in Skateboarding, Punk, and Hip Hop Photography

    MAR 31

    Glen E. Friedman Authenticity in Skateboarding, Punk, and Hip Hop Photography

    Discover how skate, punk, and hip hop culture got its visual identity through the lens of someone who lived the scene, not just observed it. This episode explores the gritty, genuine artistry of Glen E. Friedman and how his raw approach redefined music and skate photography. Through firsthand experience and street-level authenticity, Glen E. Friedman photographed legends before fame touched their names. From backyard pools in Dogtown with the Z Boys to punk icons like Ian McKay and Henry Rollins, Glen documented history as it happened. His relentless DIY ethic led him to publish books like "F**k You Heroes" and defend his photos in court, setting standards for creative ownership and self-reliance. Rock with Glenn burningflags.cominstagram.com/glenefriedmanBooks on AmazonListen now to uncover the importance of staying true to your vision and owning your story. Subscribe to Lenses & Lyrics for more stories where music and photography intersect. Photo of Glen on cover from unknown source (via Wikipedia) 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.

    5 min
  2. Crafting Emotional Stories with Jared Mark Fincher

    MAR 25

    Crafting Emotional Stories with Jared Mark Fincher

    What happens when a seasoned musician steps behind the camera? Discover how rhythm, connection, and creativity from one art form shape another in this vibrant episode of Lenses & Lyrics. Scott sits down with Jared Mark Fincher - a talented filmmaker, and lifelong musician who brings his passion for sound to every visual story he crafts. From childhood piano lessons and church bands to cinematic wedding films, Jared Mark Fincher shares how his musical roots continue to influence his approach to photography and filmmaking. Explore the crossover between leading in music and leading behind the lens, the importance of sound in storytelling, and how creative experiences in both worlds shape genuine connections with people. "You can miss a couple notes in there and play the wrong note and baby, it's just jazz."Rock with Jared jaredmarkfincher.comPhotographic CollectiveYouTube channelinstagram.com/jaredmarkfincherArtlist MusicbedRode Wireless GODJI MicZoom recorderThe tour (00:00) - Crafting Emotional Stories with Jared Mark Fincher (04:14) - Church and Finding a Voice (07:36) - Leading People Through Story (12:49) - Audio Matters More Than Video (20:38) - Rhythm and Editing to Music (31:10) - Jazz and Final Wrap 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.

    33 min

  3. FEB 20

    AI Is Changing Photography & Music for Everyone

    What if anyone with a computer could create lifelike photos or write music - no camera or guitar required? AI is rewriting the creative playbook for both photographers and musicians, and change isn’t coming, it's here. This episode of Lenses & Lyrics explores how AI is transforming both photography and music - from making it possible for anyone to generate lifelike images with a prompt, to composing full-fledged songs at the click of a button. "You need to adopt and adapt with AI. Use it." The tour (00:00) - AI Is Changing Photography & Music for Everyone (02:40) - Where AI Hits Hardest: Product, Real Estate & Automated Campaigns (03:34) - The Music Crossover: Prompting AI to Write Songs (04:28) - Adapt or Get Left Behind: Using AI in Your Creative Workflow (05:23) - Setting Up the Gemini Song Experiment (Genres + Lyrics On Screen) (05:54) - Gemini Songs 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.

    8 min

  4. FEB 10

    Crossing Creative Boundaries with Celebrities as Photographers

    Who says creativity belongs in a single box? This episode reveals how celebrities from music, sports, and acting swap the spotlight for the shutter, uncovering a world where the person behind the camera wields just as much artistry as the person in front. Some of the world's most recognizable faces are picking up cameras and expressing their vision as credentialed photographers. Musicians like Benson Boone, Method Man, Seal, and Moby, athletes and actors including Randy Johnson, Drew Carey, Leonard Nimoy, Jeff Bridges, Gary Oldman, Henry Winkler, Drew Barrymore, and Ben Folds. From sideline sports photos and haunting landscapes to fine art portraits and quirky nature finds, this episode shows how creative boundaries are made to be crossed, and how famous hands behind the lens tell their own stories. 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.

    8 min
  5. Balancing the Beat & Photography with Ash

    12/29/2025

    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

  6. 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

  7. 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
  8. 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
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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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