ASMP Experts & Masters American Society of Media Photographers

This is part 2 of Tom’s interview with  J. Sybylla Smith, an educator, curator, and incredible photography consultant, providing collaborations on editing, sequencing, marketing, and writing artistic statements so artists can apply for grants or exhibition proposals. She also consults with educational institutions in order to develop programming and more dynamic partnerships. Sybylla writes and lectures on visual culture, gender equity and photography, and the creative practice, with a focus on equality. With such a diverse background, there’s plenty to hear in this one! 
In this episode, Tom Kennedy, ASMP’s Executive Director, and Photography Consultant J. Sybylla Smith talk about…
Enabling photographers to be creative in new ways while living in the current situationBeing able to power past the limitations that fear might imposeWe can only go one day at a time!How the present moment will affect the institutions and where the artist fits inIt’s always collaborative, there is no individual successAmplifying the reality that there are no borders separating us right nowStart talking outside to other professions to collaborateHere’s how to reach Sybylla and work with her right nowLinks to resources:
Billy Collins
Hail The Dark Lioness
Check out Sybylla’s work on Instagram or on her website: https://www.jsybyllasmith.com/
Send us your comments and suggestions: communications@ASMP.org
To donate to the ASMP archives go to:  https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/


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Today, Tom has the pleasure of interviewing J. Sybylla Smith, an educator, curator, and incredible photography consultant, providing collaborations on editing, sequencing, marketing, and writing artistic statements so artists can apply for grants or exhibition proposals. She also consults with educational institutions in order to develop programming and more dynamic partnerships. Sybylla writes and lectures on visual culture, gender equity and photography, and the creative practice, with a focus on equality. With such a diverse background, there’s plenty to hear in this one! 
In this episode, Tom Kennedy, ASMP’s Executive Director, and Photography Consultant J. Sybylla Smith talk about…
What propelled Sybylla to use photography as an outlet of expressionHow Sybylla’s creativity in her social work career led her to photographyIdentifying the things that are of value that Sybylla wants to work onSmartphones and technology have made photography more accessibleCross over between personal history and world history as a curatorMultimedia trends reverberate into academics and visual arts over timeThe real key to making impactful work and how to see the possibilitiesSybylla’s techniques to holding up a mirror to photographersThe biggest barriers to self-awareness in the world right nowOpportunities that are coming forth in these unprecedented timesIn our current situation, we need the reality and the hopeLinks to resources:
New York Times
Digital Silver Imaging
Check out Sybylla’s work at her website: https://www.jsybyllasmith.com/
Send us your comments and suggestions: communications@ASMP.org
To donate to the ASMP archives go to:  https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/


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Tom’s guest today, Erika Larsen, is a photographer known for extended essays that document various cultures from a variety of perspectives. Erika is well-known around the world for her work with National Geographic, Time Magazine, and other globally-recognized companies. She has specialized in immersive photography in order to tap into the world’s oldest profession, storytelling. Erika believes that good photographers have the ability to freeze time, and she has let that fuel her throughout her long and impressive career. 
In this episode, Tom Kennedy, ASMP National Board Member, and photographer rep Erika Larsen talk about…
How Erika got started in the field of photographyCutting out a lot of the noise that comes with having a plethora of toolsStorytelling is the oldest profession that the world knowsDeveloping a relationship with the earth and what it means to be humanStaying present and focused while photographing when the world is so loudErika has spent a lifetime finetuning her photography skills through experienceOvercoming the initial challenge of gaining acceptance into different culturesEveryone in this world holds a certain knowledge that is unique to themGetting people to open up and convey the essence of their own storyKeeping track of where you are in the evolution of each storyWhat catches Erika’s attention when she is in the moment of taking a photographAchieving a stillness and what that does for different peopleHaving a great support system when life takes you all over the worldMaking an impact on the world and how to do itWhat the person next to you says can or can’t happen doesn’t existLinks to resources:
National Geographic
Time Magazine
Send us your comments and suggestions: communications@ASMP.org
To donate to the ASMP archives go to:  https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/



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Today’s special guest is Heather Elder, a photography rep that has worked with some of the most well-known photographers in recent memory. Heather has spent years sharing thoughts and secrets of the photography industry through her blog, Notes From a Rep’s Journal, and her podcast, Dear Art Producer. After 25 years, she still figures out ways to innovate and adapt to the industry as it changes with the times. Heather brings years of wisdom and experience to the table, so pay attention!
In this episode, Gabriella Marks, ASMP National Board Member, and photography rep Heather Elder talk about…
What doesn’t an artist representative do?Creating a sense of community in an industry that lacks oneThe importance of clear communication throughout the entire processWalking the line between following up and not being a stalkerStart with the creative call and work from thereAdvice for beginners on how to approach creative treatmentBreaking down estimates and approaching the jobWhat can be said about you that cannot be said about anyone else?How photographers are integrating motion into what they doUsing ASMP’s heritage to look forward into the futurePersistence is key if you want to work with HeatherLinks to resources:
Keep up with Heather’s work on her website: https://www.heatherelder.com/
Send us your comments and suggestions: communications@ASMP.org
To donate to the ASMP archives go to:  https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/




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Eric Meola is an incredibly talented commercial photographer out of New York City. He has spent his career attempting to make his work distinctive, photographing things like the incredible weather of The Great Plains and Bruce Springsteen on the rise. Eric began his commercial photography career after he graduated from Syracuse University, going from his first job as a photography assistant to Time Magazine. Throughout his career, Eric has been able to balance doing commercial work, which brings in money, and his personal work, which is much more important in the long run. 
In this episode, Tom Kennedy, ASMP’s Executive Director, and photographer Eric Meola talk about…
How Eric began his commercial career from Syracuse UniversityKeeping a balance between commercial and editorialForces that drive photographers to make their work distinctiveThings learned from outside assignments and making mistakesDifferent sources of inspiration that have helped open Eric’s eyesApproaching the challenge of filming the weather of The Great PlainsAchieving clarity and precision in the moment during all the chaos of the stormsPreparation for chasing storms across such a massive land areaPhysical and mental challenges when chasing storms for long periods of timeStaying careful and aware of the environment when photographing a stormHow the process of editing and publishing changes between booksImportance of being on press during the publishing process for the photographerThe positives and negatives that can be taken from The Great PlainsMaking a statement about yourself with your portfolioWays that the photography market has changed since Eric started his careerGetting outside of your comfort zone to realize what you might be good at
Links to resources:
Eric Meola’s Website:  http://www.ericmeola.photography/
Books by Eric Meola:
Fierce Beauty
The Last Place on Earth: India
Streets of Fire: Bruce Springsteen in Photographs and Lyrics 1977-1979
Born to Run The Unseen Photos
Last Places on Earth


Send us your comments and suggestions: communications@ASMP.org
To donate to the ASMP archives go to:  https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/
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Robert Seale is a commercial photographer and long-time ASMP member based out of Houston. Throughout his career, he has been able to stay versatile and prolific, while providing his services to advertising agencies, corporate reports, and a host of editorial publications. Robert has made a name for himself with his exceptional technical ability, graphic eye, lighting skills, and his execution speed as a visual problem solver. From his start as a college newspaper photographer, Robert has spent years establishing himself as one of the premier names in the commercial photography industry.
In this episode, Tom Kennedy, ASMP’s Executive Director, and Robert Seale talk about…
Getting into photography and influences that Robert hadTransitioning from newspaper to sports magazinesPreparation for photographing an athlete without the athleteDeciding to go out on his own as a commercial photographerLooking into the creative process that goes into getting a great shotEducating clients about the photography that they are looking forHow Robert finds people that he really likes to work withAdvising young photographers on which skills to hone in onThe evolution from film to digital and how it has changed photographyImportance of Instagram for displaying your portfolio to the new worldChanges going on now that are creating more avenues for photography servicesThe two factors that go into charging appropriatelyThings to know if entering the photography industry right nowStaying critical and re-evaluating your process as time goes onLinks to resources:
Robert Seale's website: https://www.robertseale.com/
Robert Seale's Instagram: @robertsealephoto
Send us your comments and suggestions: communications@ASMP.org
To donate to the ASMP archives go to:  https://www.asmp.org/asmp-foundation/


Support the show