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. Band Photography Grit and Guts with Emily Hartmann

    3D AGO ·  VIDEO

    Band Photography Grit and Guts with Emily Hartmann

    What happens when a love for concerts collides with a passion for capturing moments? Discover how one photographer blurs the lines between fan and documentarian, turning chaotic energy into unforgettable imagery, sometimes even at the risk of injury. This week, Emily Hartmann joins the show. A seasoned band photographer hailing from Long Island, Emily Hartmann made her name by simply showing up, camera in hand. From DIY photo passes as a teenager to professional shoots at rock festivals, Emily Hartmann's journey is all about access, authenticity, and sometimes choosing to enjoy the mosh pit with her own eyes. She shares candid stories about technical missteps, the unique bond she builds in the pit, and why every member of a band, especially drummers, deserve their moment in the spotlight. Whether discussing gear essentials, imposter syndrome, or how photographing bands shapes her experience as a music fan, Emily Hartmann proves you don’t need to separate artistry from fun. "I just started like cold emailing bands and I was like, hey, please let me come photograph. You get some that bite."Rock with Emily emilyhartmann.cominstagram.com/photosxbyeminstagram.com/reels/DWhPhECEdsRJupio Tri-ChargeJupio USB-C Chargable BatteriesThe tour (00:00) - Emily Hartmann (02:11) - From Shows to Photo Passes (07:44) - Mistakes and Gear Essentials (11:02) - Fisheye Style and Pit Stories (15:02) - Hunting for the Photo (16:50) - Silent Shows? (18:30) - Scene Community and Fan Moments (27:48) - Style Genre and What’s Next This episode of Lenses & Lyrics is brought to you by Pic-Time and Flodesk. Work smarter not harder with the best photo selection, photo editing and email marketing tools available for your photography businesses.

    31 min

  2. APR 20 ·  VIDEO

    How Musicianship Shapes the Photographer’s Eye

    Step inside the world where music and photography intertwine, and every moment hits a unique note. Journey through the emotional journey of photographing proposals from staking out the perfect spot and reading the cadence of nervous footsteps, to documenting the life-changing "yes." Discover how each proposal unfolds like a song: with verses, bridges, and soaring choruses, all captured through the dual love for melodies and imagery. "Every proposal has a beat. It starts as a slow, steady pulse, and as a photographer, I have to find that rhythm before the couple even arrives." Like what you hear? Subscribe to Lenses & Lyrics for more stories where music and photography meet, and share this episode with a fellow creative who appreciates the beauty in every beat and photograph. This episode of Lenses & Lyrics is brought to you by 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
  3. Glen E. Friedman Authenticity in Skateboarding, Punk, and Hip Hop Photography

    MAR 31 ·  VIDEO

    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 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
  4. Crafting Emotional Stories with Jared Mark Fincher

    MAR 25 ·  VIDEO

    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 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

  5. FEB 20 ·  VIDEO

    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 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

  6. FEB 10 ·  VIDEO

    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 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
  7. Balancing the Beat & Photography with Ash

    12/29/2025 ·  VIDEO

    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 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

  8. 11/18/2025 ·  VIDEO

    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 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
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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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