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APR 1

Greg Gorman Talks New Book Projects and Why Only John Waters Trusts Him To Photograph His Corpse

Celebrated photographer Greg Gorman sits down with Paris Chong to discuss his current work, which includes an unannounced two-volume set of books dedicated to David Bowie and Grace Jones, both of whom he photographed for many years. He also shares that he, Matthew Ralston, and Herb Ritts are planning an upcoming project and book with Fahey Klein Gallery, stemming from their time in the "School of LA". Gorman, who is represented by Fahey Klein, details his busy schedule, which includes teaching at SVA in New York and running portraiture workshops in Maine and Aspen, Colorado. Gorman offers a candid critique of the photography industry, explaining that he made a conscious choice to step back from commercial work around 2006/2007, feeling he had "been there, done that". He attributes this change to the rise of digital and AI, which allowed producers to hire "Greg Gorman lookalikes" for a fraction of the price and use editing to mimic his style. His focus throughout his career has been on creating a "connected portrait"—getting inside the person's head to capture "a sense of the soul of who that individual was". He is the only person John Waters trusts to photograph his corpse, famously joking that Gorman would know he'd "need proper time for hair and makeup". Beyond his iconic black and white photography—known for its harsh lighting, strong highlights, hard shadows, and sculptured look—Gorman recounts the legendary status of his eclectic Hollywood dinner parties. He describes mixing guests like Bette Midler, David Bowie, and John Waters with "a hustler from Santa Monica Boulevard" and the popular, but unexpected, presence of Heidi Fleiss. Gorman also shares his history with Studio 54 and his connection to the late photographer Francesco Scavullo. Show Notes: www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/greg-gorman-talks-new-book-projects-and-why-only-john-waters-trusts-him-to-photograph-his-corpse Chapters: 00:00 Show Intro and Guest 00:43 New Books Bowie and Grace 01:57 John Waters Quote Talk 03:13 Leica Versus Sony Gear 05:38 Travel Wine and Workshops 07:46 Portrait Philosophy and Industry 19:22 Factory Days Memories 19:56 Studio 54 First Night 20:10 Francesco Scavullo Fan Talk 22:06 Favorite Photographers Ethics 23:58 Legacy Foundation Iconic Warhol 28:56 Travel Festivals Workshops Farewell 🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/ 📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

Apr 1

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36 min
1D AGO · BONUS

The #1 Thing That Makes Someone Interesting to Photograph | Show Clip

Legendary photographer Greg Gorman shares his philosophy on capturing genuine portraits, prioritizing spontaneity and subjects who don't take themselves too seriously. He discusses his shift away from commercial work after 2006, explaining that digital photography allowed clients to cheaply replicate his "look" and diminished the focus on capturing a person's "soul". Gorman also recounts firing an agent who told him to "reinvent" his signature style, arguing that a distinct style, like those of Avedon or Penn, is the foundation of a great photographer's brand. Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Greg Gorman https://youtu.be/5fEyOXb3Of0 https://www.theparischongshow.com 🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/ 📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com #photography #portraiture #commercialphotography

1d ago · Bonus

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3 min
MAR 27 · BONUS

One Thing That Makes a Photographer Stand Out | Show Clip

Mitch Stringer and gallery owner Paris Chong discuss the key to a successful career in photography: having a unique vision and style that makes your work stand out, not just technical skill. Paris shares details about her upcoming "Leica Emerging" show, which will feature eight young artists under 30. The two also exchange stories about Los Angeles, including Mitch's time living near LACMA and Paris's past show "Walking in LA," before sharing Mitch's social media and website information. Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Mitch Stringer https://youtu.be/uAlK3neOJ2k https://www.theparischongshow.com 🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/ 📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com #photoadvice #leica #podcast

Mar 27 · Bonus

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4 min
08/14/2025

AI, Music, and the Future of Creativity | Future Forward with Andrew Raiher

Andrew Raiher, a seasoned live musician and film composer, offers a grounded yet optimistic view of AI’s role in creativity. Drawing parallels to historical artistic mentorship, he explains why live performance will remain unmatched and why AI should be seen as a collective extension of human knowledge. Raiher also examines blockchain’s potential beyond cryptocurrency, stressing the need for influence, ethics, and adaptability in the face of rapid change. Key Topics AI as the “second industrial revolution”Human creativity vs. AI-generated contentThe irreplaceable role of live musicBlockchain and cryptocurrency’s real-world applicationsInfluence as a driver for opportunityThe intersection of tech, ethics, and artistic intent Quotes “What AI can never do, ever, is give a performance.”“AI is just an expression of life — the collective brain.”“There’s no inherent value to anything, just our opinion of it.”“Once you’re on the ride, you better try to enjoy it.”

08/14/2025

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56 min
10/15/2025

Alan Schaller, From a Crush to Photography's Golden Boy & the Birth of Irys

Paris Chong Show features acclaimed photographer Alan Schaller, who discusses his journey into photography, starting from a crush on a girl to becoming a "golden boy" in the industry. He shares insights into his practice, including his initial investment in a Leica camera and his dedication to street photography, which he attributes to an "obsessive maniac" approach and a flexible freelance musician lifestyle. Schaller also introduces his new company, Iriys, an "ecosystem" designed to support the photography industry. Irys aims to offer book publishing, an agency, galleries, a magazine, and a social media application for photographers. He highlights the company's mission to address challenges faced by photographers in the age of AI and video prevalence, and to create a supportive community where artists receive fair compensation for their work, such as a 50% royalty on book sales. The conversation touches on personal anecdotes, including humorous stories about dropping cameras and a "midlife crisis" purchase of a vintage Aston Martin during lockdown. Paris Chong expresses excitement about Iris and her involvement as a curator, emphasizing the need for such a platform and Schaller's generous approach to sharing knowledge within the photographic community. Show Notes: www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/alan-schaller-from-a-crush-to-photographys-golden-boy-the-birth-of-irys Chapters: (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:11) Alan Schaller (00:06:06) A Funny Meeting (00:07:16) Irys Photo App (00:11:32) Lockdown Experience (00:14:30) Irys, but for real this time (00:19:33) Book Publishing & PopUp Galleries (00:25:09) When is the launch of Irys? (00:27:24) Traveling Life (00:29:16) Featured Print & Sponsors (00:33:18) People are obssessed with Alan (00:37:25) Explaining the Photo (00:39:30) How we met again, but different. (00:46:56) Irys Launch Party (00:48:03) Playing with Chaka Khan (00:50:02) Outro 🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/ 📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

10/15/2025

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52 min
08/29/2025

From Touring Musician to Film Composer | Pivots with Andrew Raiher

In this candid reflection, Andrew Raiher explains how a life on tour pushed him to pivot into film and television scoring. What started as a desperate shift to protect his health became a career-defining move. Today, with more than 40 films to his name, Raiher’s story is a reminder that the scariest pivots often lead to the most meaningful growth. Key Topics Why Andrew Raiher had to leave touring behindThe role of health in driving career decisionsTaking the leap into film and TV scoringHow friends and opportunity shape pivotal momentsGrowth through risk and reinvention Quotes “I realized that if I didn’t pivot within a year, I’d have no liver.”“It was the most terrifying pivot of my life.”“And now, about 40 movies later, I pivoted.”

08/29/2025

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1 min
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

Mar 4

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43 min
06/06/2025

Mona Kuhn, 10 Books and Counting Inspired by the Human Form

Paris Chong sits with renowned photographer Mona Kuhn to discuss her career journey, including the publication of her numerous books (technically ten, despite initial counting errors), and her collaborative work with various publishers. She shares an anecdote about her early career when Gerhard, a publisher, decided to create a book of her photographs, as a pivotal moment for her. Kuhn also elaborates on how each of her books resonates differently in various markets, such as Europe and the U.S., and her experience working with multiple publishers like Thames & Hudson and Stanley/Barker. The conversation delves into Kuhn’s artistic process, her perspective on nude photography, and the inspiration she draws from various experiences. She explains that her approach to photography, particularly nudes, is influenced by her childhood experiences, especially her grandparents' natural attitude towards nudity. Kuhn also reveals that her photography class friends did not continue art professionally except her, which puts a sense of responsibility on her for her work. She talks about her book featuring a male nude named Charles, and how it was an exploration of the body and a deviation from typical nude photography. She also discusses her multimedia presentations and collaborations, like incorporating sound into her exhibitions with her composer husband. Finally, Mona Kuhn reflects on her journey as an artist, from her early days with a Kodak camera to her current exhibitions and projects. She discusses her recent exhibition at the Getty featuring books by historical female photographers, which she was also included in with other Southern California female photographers. She mentions her "Kings Road" series with its immersive projections and sound, as well as her upcoming series of still photographs inspired by summers in France. Kuhn shares her multilingual background and how moving to the U.S. influenced her English language acquisition, adding personal depth to her discussion of art and life experiences. Show Notes: www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/mona-kuhn-10-books-and-counting-of-exploring-the-human-form Chapters: (00:00:00) Intro (00:00:39) Mona Kuhn (00:01:38) 7 Books (00:06:27) Male Models (00:08:57) How Did You Start Shooting Nudes (00:12:28) Happy For Success (00:14:03) New Exhibitions (00:16:00) Art Heroes (00:16:36) Next Art Projects (00:21:52) Actual Next Projects (00:24:31) Natural Relationship to Nudity (00:28:10) Artistic Perspective (00:30:38) Germany and Brazil (00:34:27) More of Mona (00:35:54) Outro 🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/ 📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

06/06/2025

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37 min
MAR 24 · BONUS

The Secret to Photographing Someone at Their Best | Show Clip

Paris Chong and Mitch Stringer talk about the 'secret' to good photography, naming master photographers like Greg Gorman and Manfred Bauman who make everyone look their best. Paris opens up about her personal shyness and her unique experience with nude photography by Sylvie Blum. The conversation takes a relatable turn, discussing how endless Zoom calls have made everyone their own worst critic. Finally, they share stories about their tattoos, with Mitch showing off his peacock and dog 'Rookie' tattoos, and Paris planning to get a tribute to her dog, Disco. Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Mitch Stringer https://youtu.be/uAlK3neOJ2k https://www.theparischongshow.com 🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/ 📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com #phototips #photographers #podcast

Mar 24 · Bonus

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4 min
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

Feb 4

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52 min

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