RedCircle VERIFY_TOKEN_f30584c6-dd78-4558-a3ce-61815e689d0c -- Rendered At Fri, 23 Oct 2026 16:48:28 +0000 Lensbaby Presents - A Photography Podcast https://redcircle.com/shows/lensbaby-presents-a-photography-podcast en-US All rights reserved. Lensbaby Inc *Lensbaby Presents* is a podcast about photography, creativity, and the people behind the images. Hosted by *Elizabeth Willson* , each episode features honest, engaging conversations with photographers about their journeys, creative process, artistic evolution, successes, failures, experiments, influences, and the experiences that shaped the way they see the world. From finding your unique style to pushing creative boundaries, Lensbaby Presents explores what happens when photographers stop trying to make their work look like everyone else’s and start seeing differently. Along the way, we’ll talk about the tools, techniques, ideas, and Lensbaby experiences that help photographers experiment, create, and bring their vision to life. *One photographer. One story. One conversation at a time.* Learn more about Lensbaby and our creative effects lenses and optics as well as explore our award-winning collection at https://www.Lensbaby.com Use the code "Podcast" for 10% off your first order Learn more about our host Elizabeth Willson: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethwillsonphotography/ f30584c6-dd78-4558-a3ce-61815e689d0c Lensbaby Presents is a podcast about photography, creativity, and the people behind the images.

Hosted by Elizabeth Willson, each episode features honest, engaging conversations with photographers about their journeys, creative process, artistic evolution, successes, failures, experiments, influences, and the experiences that shaped the way they see the world.

From finding your unique style to pushing creative boundaries, Lensbaby Presents explores what happens when photographers stop trying to make their work look like everyone else’s and start seeing differently.

Along the way, we’ll talk about the tools, techniques, ideas, and Lensbaby experiences that help photographers experiment, create, and bring their vision to life.

One photographer. One story. One conversation at a time.


Learn more about Lensbaby and our creative effects lenses and optics as well as explore our award-winning collection at https://www.Lensbaby.com Use the code "Podcast" for 10% off your first order


Learn more about our host Elizabeth Willson: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethwillsonphotography/

]]> episodic no Lensbaby Inc Podcast@Lensbaby.com false full EP 08: Conversation Behind The Scenes with Rosie Lalonde EP 08: Conversation Behind The Scenes with Rosie Lalonde Lensbaby Inc In this episode of Lensbaby Presents, host Liz Wilson talks with Rosie Lalonde about creating dreamy, expressive flower photography. Rosie shares her creative journey, her love for the Lensbaby Velvet 56, and how she uses selective focus and textured backgrounds to bring her vision to life.

Through thoughtful observation and experimentation, Rosie explains how slowing down and connecting with a subject can transform a simple bloom into meaningful art. This conversation explores bringing more feeling and intention into your photography, from the garden to the editing process.


In This Episode, You’ll Learn

  • How Rosie discovered her passion for expressive flower photography
  • What she means by letting a flower choose her
  • Why she explores a subject from multiple angles before moving on
  • How photographing the same flower with different lenses opens up creative possibilities
  • Why the Lensbaby Velvet 56 became central to her photographic style
  • How she approaches selective focus and soft falloff in flower images
  • How an articulating camera screen and focus peaking support her shooting process
  • Why she creates background textures from photographs taken in the garden
  • How she uses Photoshop brushes and textures to develop her finished images
  • What teaching other photographers has brought to her own creative journey
  • How familiar flowers can offer something new when you remain patient and observant
  • What shooting extraordinary means in her personal practice.

 

Rosie also discusses The Joy of Flower Photography, the Facebook community she created to help photographers learn and grow. She shares the satisfaction she finds in helping others recognize their artistic potential, along with her ideal photography outing: photographing dahlias with a Lensbaby Velvet 56 in California or Oregon.


Connect With Rosie Lalonde

  • Website: rosielalonde.com
  • Instagram and Facebook: Rosie Lalonde
  • Facebook group: The Joy of Flower Photography
  • Textures: artistictextures.com.


 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Rosie Lalonde's Photography Journey

01:00 The Impact of Photography on Rosie’s Life

04:41 Transitioning from Family to Wedding Photography

08:31 Rediscovering Passion for Flower Photography

12:06 The Revelation of the Velvet 56 Lens

16:07 The Emotional Connection with Flowers

20:37 Choosing the Right Lens for the Moment

23:19 Post-Processing Techniques in Flower Photography

25:59 Mentoring and Teaching in Photography

27:32 The Teaching Mindset in Art

29:48 Fostering Growth in Others

31:44 The Joy of Photography and Community

36:13 Creative Exploration and Daily Inspiration

40:28 The Speed Round: Insights on Photography

47:11 Shooting Extraordinary: Capturing the Unique



Connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Willson: 

Website: elizabethwillsonphotography.com

Instagram: @Elizabethwillsonphotography

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethwillsonphotography



Subscribe to Lensbaby Presents for conversations about artistic growth, creative exploration, and discovering your own way to shoot extraordinary.


#Lensbaby #FlowerPhotography #CreativePhotography #RosieLalonde #Velvet56 #NaturePhotography #FineArtPhotography #PhotographyInspiration #PhotographyTips #SelectiveFocus #PhotoshopTextures #PhotographyPodcast #CreativeProcess

]]> <p>In this episode of Lensbaby Presents, host Liz Wilson talks with Rosie Lalonde about creating dreamy, expressive flower photography. Rosie shares her creative journey, her love for the Lensbaby Velvet 56, and how she uses selective focus and textured backgrounds to bring her vision to life.</p><p>Through thoughtful observation and experimentation, Rosie explains how slowing down and connecting with a subject can transform a simple bloom into meaningful art. This conversation explores bringing more feeling and intention into your photography, from the garden to the editing process.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>In This Episode, You’ll Learn</strong></p><ul><li>How Rosie discovered her passion for expressive flower photography</li><li>What she means by letting a flower choose her</li><li>Why she explores a subject from multiple angles before moving on</li><li>How photographing the same flower with different lenses opens up creative possibilities</li><li>Why the Lensbaby Velvet 56 became central to her photographic style</li><li>How she approaches selective focus and soft falloff in flower images</li><li>How an articulating camera screen and focus peaking support her shooting process</li><li>Why she creates background textures from photographs taken in the garden</li><li>How she uses Photoshop brushes and textures to develop her finished images</li><li>What teaching other photographers has brought to her own creative journey</li><li>How familiar flowers can offer something new when you remain patient and observant</li><li>What shooting extraordinary means in her personal practice.</li></ul><p> </p><p>Rosie also discusses The Joy of Flower Photography, the Facebook community she created to help photographers learn and grow. She shares the satisfaction she finds in helping others recognize their artistic potential, along with her ideal photography outing: photographing dahlias with a Lensbaby Velvet 56 in California or Oregon. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect With Rosie Lalonde</strong></p><ul><li>Website: rosielalonde.com</li><li>Instagram and Facebook: Rosie Lalonde</li><li>Facebook group: The Joy of Flower Photography</li><li>Textures: artistictextures.com.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00 Introduction to Rosie Lalonde&#39;s Photography Journey</p><p>01:00 The Impact of Photography on Rosie’s Life</p><p>04:41 Transitioning from Family to Wedding Photography</p><p>08:31 Rediscovering Passion for Flower Photography</p><p>12:06 The Revelation of the Velvet 56 Lens</p><p>16:07 The Emotional Connection with Flowers</p><p>20:37 Choosing the Right Lens for the Moment</p><p>23:19 Post-Processing Techniques in Flower Photography</p><p>25:59 Mentoring and Teaching in Photography</p><p>27:32 The Teaching Mindset in Art</p><p>29:48 Fostering Growth in Others</p><p>31:44 The Joy of Photography and Community</p><p>36:13 Creative Exploration and Daily Inspiration</p><p>40:28 The Speed Round: Insights on Photography</p><p>47:11 Shooting Extraordinary: Capturing the Unique</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Willson: </p><p>Website: <a href="http://elizabethwillsonphotography.com/" rel="nofollow">elizabethwillsonphotography.com</a></p><p>Instagram: @Elizabethwillsonphotography</p><p>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethwillsonphotography" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethwillsonphotography</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Subscribe to Lensbaby Presents for conversations about artistic growth, creative exploration, and discovering your own way to shoot extraordinary.</p><p><br></p><p>#Lensbaby #FlowerPhotography #CreativePhotography #RosieLalonde #Velvet56 #NaturePhotography #FineArtPhotography #PhotographyInspiration #PhotographyTips #SelectiveFocus #PhotoshopTextures #PhotographyPodcast #CreativeProcess</p> 3fe3296d-e33a-4acb-8869-4745edc8defe https://redcircle.com/shows/f30584c6-dd78-4558-a3ce-61815e689d0c/episodes/db23ed73-00a1-4564-b021-91765d529a7c Tue, 20 Oct 2026 11:00:28 +0000 3054 false full EP 07: Conversation Behind The Scenes with Lisa Edney EP 07: Conversation Behind The Scenes with Lisa Edney Lensbaby Inc In this episode of Lensbaby Presents, host Liz Willson talks with Lisa about using photography as a “rut buster,” embracing creative constraints, and finding new ways to see familiar places. From creative self-portraits and nature photography to mindful camera walks, Lensbaby lenses, and expressive light, Lisa shares how curiosity and experimentation can help photographers create work that feels more personal and alive.

Lisa also opens up about using photography as a form of expression and presence during her cancer treatment journey. Through self-portraits, formal gowns, light, movement, and creative lenses, she found ways to document both joy and difficult emotions while staying connected to the moment in front of her.

If you have ever felt stuck creatively, bored with your usual camera setup, or unsure how to create something new from the same familiar surroundings, this conversation will inspire you to change one variable, embrace the unexpected, and shoot what feels true to you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

● How to use Lensbaby as a creative “rut buster”

● Why switching lenses, aperture settings, Omni filters, or locations can spark fresh ideas

● How creative constraints can make photography more focused and imaginative

● Lisa’s approach to self-portrait photography and daily creative practice

● How to use the Lensbaby Sweet 80 and Velvet 85 for dreamy, expressive portraits

● Why practicing lighting on flowers, objects, or simple stand-ins can improve self-portraits

● How Lisa used camera walks during COVID to rediscover familiar locations

● How different lenses, light, seasons, and camera tools can transform the same subject

● The mindfulness benefits of nature photography and intentional observation

● How photography can help process emotion, uncertainty, gratitude, and personal change

● Why letting go of expectations can lead to more authentic images

● How yoga, presence, and photography support one another as creative practices

Lisa also shares her love for the Double Glass II and Soft Focus II creative aperture discs, including the bird, heart, star, spiral, and wavy-line effects. Plus, she reveals her dream creative shoot: making self-portraits at the beach in Hawaii with the Double Glass II and its creative bokeh discs.

Connect with Lisa Edney:

Instagram: @ledneyphotography

Website: edneyimages.com

Explore Lensbaby and get 10% off with code PODCAST.


Chapters

00:00 Lensbaby as a Creative Rut Buster

04:03 Meet Photographer and Lensbaby Ambassador Lisa Edney

08:58 Self-Portrait Photography, Constraints, and Daily Practice

21:03 Camera Walks, COVID, and Seeing Familiar Places Differently

29:16 Photography, Healing, and Lisa’s Cancer Journey

40:01 Exploring a New Creative Environment in Downtown Tempe

43:42 Lisa’s Dream Shoot: Hawaii, the Beach, and Double Glass II

48:36 Favorite Lensbaby Gear, Light, and Letting Go of Expectations

55:04 Yoga, Mindfulness, and Shooting Extraordinary

57:15 Connect With Lisa Edney

Connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Willson: 

Website: elizabethwillsonphotography.com

Instagram: @Elizabethwillsonphotography

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethwillsonphotography

 

Subscribe to Lensbaby Presents for more conversations with photographers, visual artists, and storytellers who are exploring creative photography and learning to shoot extraordinary.

#Lensbaby #CreativePhotography #SelfPortraitPhotography #PhotographyInspiration #PhotographyTips #MindfulPhotography #NaturePhotography #FineArtPhotography #PortraitPhotography #CreativeLens #DoubleGlassII #Sweet80 #Velvet85 #OmniCreativeFilterSystem #PhotographyPodcast #CreativeProcess

]]> <p>In this episode of <strong>Lensbaby Presents</strong>, host Liz Willson talks with Lisa about using photography as a “rut buster,” embracing creative constraints, and finding new ways to see familiar places. From creative self-portraits and nature photography to mindful camera walks, Lensbaby lenses, and expressive light, Lisa shares how curiosity and experimentation can help photographers create work that feels more personal and alive.</p><p>Lisa also opens up about using photography as a form of expression and presence during her cancer treatment journey. Through self-portraits, formal gowns, light, movement, and creative lenses, she found ways to document both joy and difficult emotions while staying connected to the moment in front of her.</p><p>If you have ever felt stuck creatively, bored with your usual camera setup, or unsure how to create something new from the same familiar surroundings, this conversation will inspire you to change one variable, embrace the unexpected, and shoot what feels true to you.</p><p>In this episode, you’ll learn:</p><p>● How to use Lensbaby as a creative “rut buster”</p><p>● Why switching lenses, aperture settings, Omni filters, or locations can spark fresh ideas</p><p>● How creative constraints can make photography more focused and imaginative</p><p>● Lisa’s approach to self-portrait photography and daily creative practice</p><p>● How to use the Lensbaby Sweet 80 and Velvet 85 for dreamy, expressive portraits</p><p>● Why practicing lighting on flowers, objects, or simple stand-ins can improve self-portraits</p><p>● How Lisa used camera walks during COVID to rediscover familiar locations</p><p>● How different lenses, light, seasons, and camera tools can transform the same subject</p><p>● The mindfulness benefits of nature photography and intentional observation</p><p>● How photography can help process emotion, uncertainty, gratitude, and personal change</p><p>● Why letting go of expectations can lead to more authentic images</p><p>● How yoga, presence, and photography support one another as creative practices</p><p>Lisa also shares her love for the Double Glass II and Soft Focus II creative aperture discs, including the bird, heart, star, spiral, and wavy-line effects. Plus, she reveals her dream creative shoot: making self-portraits at the beach in Hawaii with the Double Glass II and its creative bokeh discs.</p><p>Connect with Lisa Edney:</p><p>Instagram: @ledneyphotography</p><p>Website: edneyimages.com</p><p>Explore Lensbaby and get 10% off with code <strong>PODCAST</strong>.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00 Lensbaby as a Creative Rut Buster</p><p>04:03 Meet Photographer and Lensbaby Ambassador Lisa Edney</p><p>08:58 Self-Portrait Photography, Constraints, and Daily Practice</p><p>21:03 Camera Walks, COVID, and Seeing Familiar Places Differently</p><p>29:16 Photography, Healing, and Lisa’s Cancer Journey</p><p>40:01 Exploring a New Creative Environment in Downtown Tempe</p><p>43:42 Lisa’s Dream Shoot: Hawaii, the Beach, and Double Glass II</p><p>48:36 Favorite Lensbaby Gear, Light, and Letting Go of Expectations</p><p>55:04 Yoga, Mindfulness, and Shooting Extraordinary</p><p>57:15 Connect With Lisa Edney</p><p>Connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Willson: </p><p>Website: <a href="http://elizabethwillsonphotography.com/" rel="nofollow">elizabethwillsonphotography.com</a></p><p>Instagram: @Elizabethwillsonphotography</p><p>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethwillsonphotography" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethwillsonphotography</a></p><p> </p><p>Subscribe to Lensbaby Presents for more conversations with photographers, visual artists, and storytellers who are exploring creative photography and learning to shoot extraordinary.</p><p>#Lensbaby #CreativePhotography #SelfPortraitPhotography #PhotographyInspiration #PhotographyTips #MindfulPhotography #NaturePhotography #FineArtPhotography #PortraitPhotography #CreativeLens #DoubleGlassII #Sweet80 #Velvet85 #OmniCreativeFilterSystem #PhotographyPodcast #CreativeProcess</p> 1e7a6214-275e-4e36-b4b8-b350aa060fb6 https://redcircle.com/shows/f30584c6-dd78-4558-a3ce-61815e689d0c/episodes/ab103817-faf5-44a0-84d6-728b2d972999 Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:00:33 +0000 3504 false full EP 06: Conversation Behind The Scenes with Greg Yakubov EP 06: Conversation Behind The Scenes with Greg Yakubov Lensbaby Inc In this episode of Lensbaby Presents, host Liz Willson talks with Greg about how he uses photography, videography, the Lensbaby Composer Pro, Edge 80, Sweet 35, Sweet 50, Sweet 22, and the Omni Creative Filter System to turn everyday scenes into expressive, unexpected visual experiences.

Greg shares how his creative path began with comic books, animation, Photoshop, vintage Soviet lenses, and filmmaking. He explains why he approaches each shoot with a “what can I find out?” mindset instead of trying to control every outcome. From moving tilt-shift videos on the New York City ferry to experimenting with the Eiffel Tower’s night sparkle and Omni crystals in Paris, Greg reveals how curiosity, movement, light, and imperfection can lead to more memorable imagery.

If you are a photographer, videographer, filmmaker, or visual storyteller who wants to create images that feel more alive, this conversation will inspire you to experiment, trust your instincts, and make work that feels honest to your creative voice.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

● How Greg Yakubov uses Lensbaby lenses for cinematic photography and video

● Why the Lensbaby Composer Pro and Edge 80 are central to his creative process

● How to create expressive tilt-shift video using movement, distance, and architecture

● Why movement can make cityscapes, buildings, light, and street scenes feel more dynamic

● How vintage manual lenses shaped Greg’s understanding of focal length, aperture, focus, and lens character

● How to use creative tools without overplanning the final result

● Why wide-open apertures, blur, bokeh, and lens imperfections can become part of the story

● The difference between capturing a single photographic moment and building motion into a video

● How Greg thinks about editing, pacing, visual change, and storytelling in short-form video

● Why honest, personal creative work often resonates more deeply than work made to follow trends

Greg also shares his dream concept for filming a lightsaber duel at night in the rain, his process for finding dynamic scenes in New York City, and why he believes extraordinary photography and videography begin with creating something you have not seen before.

Connect with Greg Yakubov:

Instagram: @gregyakubov

Website: gregyakub.com

Explore Lensbaby and get 10% off with code PODCAST.

Chapters

00:00 Approach Creativity With a “Finding Out” Mindset

05:03 Meet Filmmaker and Lensbaby Ambassador Greg Yakubov

13:48 Discovering Lensbaby, Tilt-Shift Effects, and the Composer Pro

20:17 Creating Dynamic Tilt-Shift Videos in New York City

29:29 Experimenting With Omni Crystals and the Eiffel Tower at Night

35:24 What Video Can Do That Photography Cannot

41:27 Editing, Motion, Light, and Visual Storytelling

48:04 Greg’s Dream Shoot: A Lightsaber Duel in the Rain

54:30 Favorite Gear, Creative Rules, and Shooting Extraordinary

01:05:48 Where to Find Greg Yakubov

 

Connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Willson: 

Website: elizabethwillsonphotography.com

Instagram: @Elizabethwillsonphotography

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethwillsonphotography

 

Subscribe to Lensbaby Presents for more conversations with photographers, filmmakers, artists, and storytellers who are pushing creative boundaries and learning to shoot extraordinary.

#Lensbaby #Videography #CinematicVideo #TiltShift #TiltShiftVideo #CreativePhotography #Filmmaking #VisualStorytelling #NewYorkCityPhotography #NYCFilmmaker #ComposerPro #Edge80 #OmniCreativeFilterSystem #PhotographyInspiration #Cinematography #Bokeh #CreativeLenses

]]> <p>In this episode of Lensbaby Presents, host Liz Willson talks with Greg about how he uses photography, videography, the Lensbaby Composer Pro, Edge 80, Sweet 35, Sweet 50, Sweet 22, and the Omni Creative Filter System to turn everyday scenes into expressive, unexpected visual experiences.</p><p>Greg shares how his creative path began with comic books, animation, Photoshop, vintage Soviet lenses, and filmmaking. He explains why he approaches each shoot with a “what can I find out?” mindset instead of trying to control every outcome. From moving tilt-shift videos on the New York City ferry to experimenting with the Eiffel Tower’s night sparkle and Omni crystals in Paris, Greg reveals how curiosity, movement, light, and imperfection can lead to more memorable imagery.</p><p>If you are a photographer, videographer, filmmaker, or visual storyteller who wants to create images that feel more alive, this conversation will inspire you to experiment, trust your instincts, and make work that feels honest to your creative voice.</p><p>In this episode, you’ll discover:</p><p>● How Greg Yakubov uses Lensbaby lenses for cinematic photography and video</p><p>● Why the Lensbaby Composer Pro and Edge 80 are central to his creative process</p><p>● How to create expressive tilt-shift video using movement, distance, and architecture</p><p>● Why movement can make cityscapes, buildings, light, and street scenes feel more dynamic</p><p>● How vintage manual lenses shaped Greg’s understanding of focal length, aperture, focus, and lens character</p><p>● How to use creative tools without overplanning the final result</p><p>● Why wide-open apertures, blur, bokeh, and lens imperfections can become part of the story</p><p>● The difference between capturing a single photographic moment and building motion into a video</p><p>● How Greg thinks about editing, pacing, visual change, and storytelling in short-form video</p><p>● Why honest, personal creative work often resonates more deeply than work made to follow trends</p><p>Greg also shares his dream concept for filming a lightsaber duel at night in the rain, his process for finding dynamic scenes in New York City, and why he believes extraordinary photography and videography begin with creating something you have not seen before.</p><p>Connect with Greg Yakubov:</p><p>Instagram: @gregyakubov</p><p>Website: gregyakub.com</p><p>Explore Lensbaby and get 10% off with code PODCAST.</p><p>Chapters</p><p>00:00 Approach Creativity With a “Finding Out” Mindset</p><p>05:03 Meet Filmmaker and Lensbaby Ambassador Greg Yakubov</p><p>13:48 Discovering Lensbaby, Tilt-Shift Effects, and the Composer Pro</p><p>20:17 Creating Dynamic Tilt-Shift Videos in New York City</p><p>29:29 Experimenting With Omni Crystals and the Eiffel Tower at Night</p><p>35:24 What Video Can Do That Photography Cannot</p><p>41:27 Editing, Motion, Light, and Visual Storytelling</p><p>48:04 Greg’s Dream Shoot: A Lightsaber Duel in the Rain</p><p>54:30 Favorite Gear, Creative Rules, and Shooting Extraordinary</p><p>01:05:48 Where to Find Greg Yakubov</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Willson: </p><p>Website: <a href="http://elizabethwillsonphotography.com/" rel="nofollow">elizabethwillsonphotography.com</a></p><p>Instagram: @Elizabethwillsonphotography</p><p>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethwillsonphotography" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethwillsonphotography</a></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Subscribe to Lensbaby Presents for more conversations with photographers, filmmakers, artists, and storytellers who are pushing creative boundaries and learning to shoot extraordinary.</p><p>#Lensbaby #Videography #CinematicVideo #TiltShift #TiltShiftVideo #CreativePhotography #Filmmaking #VisualStorytelling #NewYorkCityPhotography #NYCFilmmaker #ComposerPro #Edge80 #OmniCreativeFilterSystem #PhotographyInspiration #Cinematography #Bokeh #CreativeLenses</p> 1ddb2b27-26b9-473f-98b0-3c56758383f8 https://redcircle.com/shows/f30584c6-dd78-4558-a3ce-61815e689d0c/episodes/5f23ca7b-b77f-4787-a7c3-96d51673352b Tue, 06 Oct 2026 11:00:54 +0000 4048 false full EP 05: Conversation Behind The Scenes with Kate Stock EP 05: Conversation Behind The Scenes with Kate Stock Lensbaby Inc How do you create photographs that feel less like postcards and more like personal works of art?

In this episode of Lensbaby Presents, host Liz Willson sits down with Australian Lensbaby Ambassador Kate Stock to explore creative photography, visual storytelling, chasing light, and learning to trust your artistic instincts.

Kate shares her journey from photographing her children and sunsets to creating impressionistic beach landscapes that invite viewers to pause, wonder, and form their own stories. She explains why she chooses blur over technical perfection, how she uses Lensbaby lenses such as the Soul 45, Edge 35, Edge 80, Sweet 35, Trio 28, and Double Glass II, and why she thinks of a Lensbaby lens as a creative friend rather than simply a tool.

This conversation is for photographers who want to break free from predictable images, embrace their environment, use light with intention, and create work that feels true to their own voice.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • How Kate Stock developed her creative photography style
  • Why creative blur and selective focus can deepen visual storytelling
  • How Lensbaby lenses help create expressive, impressionistic images
  • Why light matters more than perfection in photography
  • How to build confidence when your work does not fit conventional photography rules
  • What Kate looks for when building a cohesive photography portfolio
  • Why local camera clubs, competitions, printing, and community can help photographers grow
  • How to use a wider aperture to create stronger Lensbaby effects
  • Why photography is often better when you break the rules

Kate also shares her perspective on photographing the beach, creating images that leave room for the viewer’s imagination, and pursuing work that feels extraordinary rather than ordinary.

Subscribe for more conversations with photographers, artists, and visual storytellers who are finding new ways to shoot extraordinary.

Connect with Kate Stock:

Instagram: @soulimages

Instagram: @scapesbykate


Explore Lensbaby and save 10% with code PODCAST.


Chapters

00:00 Seeing Your Camera and Lens as a Creative Friend

05:24 Meet Kate Stock: Photographer and Lensbaby Ambassador

09:28 Discovering Lensbaby and Finding a Creative Voice

14:23 Camera Clubs, Competitions, and Artistic Confidence

24:02 Creating Photography Portfolios That Tell a Story

36:43 Kate’s Favorite Lensbaby Lenses and Creative Tools

43:19 Using Lens Choice, Aperture, and Light for Storytelling

52:00 Gallery Dreams, Breaking Rules, and Shooting Extraordinary

Connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Willson: 

Website: elizabethwillsonphotography.com

Instagram: @Elizabethwillsonphotography

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethwillsonphotography



#Lensbaby #CreativePhotography #PhotographyPodcast #VisualStorytelling #ImpressionisticPhotography #FineArtPhotography #LandscapePhotography #PhotographyInspiration #PhotographyTips #AustralianPhotographer #BeachPhotography #LensbabySoul45 #LensbabyEdge35 #PhotographyCommunity


]]> <p>How do you create photographs that feel less like postcards and more like personal works of art?</p><p>In this episode of <strong>Lensbaby Presents</strong>, host Liz Willson sits down with Australian Lensbaby Ambassador <strong>Kate Stock</strong> to explore creative photography, visual storytelling, chasing light, and learning to trust your artistic instincts.</p><p>Kate shares her journey from photographing her children and sunsets to creating impressionistic beach landscapes that invite viewers to pause, wonder, and form their own stories. She explains why she chooses blur over technical perfection, how she uses Lensbaby lenses such as the <strong>Soul 45</strong>, <strong>Edge 35</strong>, <strong>Edge 80</strong>, <strong>Sweet 35</strong>, <strong>Trio 28</strong>, and <strong>Double Glass II</strong>, and why she thinks of a Lensbaby lens as a creative friend rather than simply a tool.</p><p>This conversation is for photographers who want to break free from predictable images, embrace their environment, use light with intention, and create work that feels true to their own voice.</p><p>In this episode, you’ll learn:</p><ul><li>How Kate Stock developed her creative photography style</li><li>Why creative blur and selective focus can deepen visual storytelling</li><li>How Lensbaby lenses help create expressive, impressionistic images</li><li>Why light matters more than perfection in photography</li><li>How to build confidence when your work does not fit conventional photography rules</li><li>What Kate looks for when building a cohesive photography portfolio</li><li>Why local camera clubs, competitions, printing, and community can help photographers grow</li><li>How to use a wider aperture to create stronger Lensbaby effects</li><li>Why photography is often better when you break the rules</li></ul><p>Kate also shares her perspective on photographing the beach, creating images that leave room for the viewer’s imagination, and pursuing work that feels extraordinary rather than ordinary.</p><p>Subscribe for more conversations with photographers, artists, and visual storytellers who are finding new ways to shoot extraordinary.</p><p>Connect with Kate Stock:</p><p>Instagram: @soulimages</p><p>Instagram: @scapesbykate</p><p><br></p><p>Explore Lensbaby and save 10% with code <strong>PODCAST</strong>.</p><p><br></p><h2>Chapters</h2><p>00:00 Seeing Your Camera and Lens as a Creative Friend</p><p>05:24 Meet Kate Stock: Photographer and Lensbaby Ambassador</p><p>09:28 Discovering Lensbaby and Finding a Creative Voice</p><p>14:23 Camera Clubs, Competitions, and Artistic Confidence</p><p>24:02 Creating Photography Portfolios That Tell a Story</p><p>36:43 Kate’s Favorite Lensbaby Lenses and Creative Tools</p><p>43:19 Using Lens Choice, Aperture, and Light for Storytelling</p><p>52:00 Gallery Dreams, Breaking Rules, and Shooting Extraordinary</p><p>Connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Willson: </p><p>Website: <a href="http://elizabethwillsonphotography.com/" rel="nofollow">elizabethwillsonphotography.com</a></p><p>Instagram: @Elizabethwillsonphotography</p><p>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethwillsonphotography" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethwillsonphotography</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>#Lensbaby #CreativePhotography #PhotographyPodcast #VisualStorytelling #ImpressionisticPhotography #FineArtPhotography #LandscapePhotography #PhotographyInspiration #PhotographyTips #AustralianPhotographer #BeachPhotography #LensbabySoul45 #LensbabyEdge35 #PhotographyCommunity</p><p><br></p> 29b1cf3f-21a0-4cb5-8a04-982f3b2d21a4 https://redcircle.com/shows/f30584c6-dd78-4558-a3ce-61815e689d0c/episodes/cef28ba6-1251-46d4-99f2-0ac4542f27e7 Tue, 29 Sep 2026 11:00:24 +0000 3644 false full EP 04: Conversation Behind The Scenes with Mara Magyarosi Laytner EP 04: Conversation Behind The Scenes with Mara Magyarosi Laytner Lensbaby Inc What if your photography did not end with the click of the shutter?

In this episode of Lensbaby Presents, host Liz Willson welcomes fine-art photographer, educator, curator, and Lensbaby Ambassador Mara Magyarosi-Laytner for a thoughtful conversation about experimental photography, physical printmaking, visual poetry, creative courage, and building a meaningful artistic practice.

Mara shares her journey from high-school darkroom photography to earning degrees in photography, art education, arts administration, and an MFA in photography. She discusses how teaching and making art work together, why experimentation matters, and how her project-based approach allows her work to evolve over time.

A central theme of this conversation is simple but powerful: make your art real. Photography is not only a digital file or an image on a screen. Mara encourages artists to print their work, experiment with materials, create photo books, pursue exhibitions, apply to open calls, and place their art where it can connect with people.

You will also hear about Mara’s evolving body of work, The Subtle Body of Living Things, which explores memory, time, identity, health, anxiety, absence, and altered perception. Through video, photographic fragments, Polaroid lifts, hand-coated prints, projections, Lensbaby OMNI effects, Edge optics, and experimental processes, she creates work that reflects the disorientation and fragmented experience of lost time.

Whether you are a photographer, artist, creative entrepreneur, photography student, or someone who has been waiting for permission to share your work, this conversation will challenge you to try the hard thing, embrace the learning process, and keep moving forward even when self-doubt shows up.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

● Why your photography should not end with the shutter click

● How to turn digital images into tangible, physical artwork

● Ways to start exhibiting photography in galleries, libraries, hospitals, coffee shops, and local art spaces

● Why applying for creative opportunities matters, even when you expect rejection

● How artists can use experimentation, symbolism, and visual poetry to develop deeper work

● Why ongoing photography projects can evolve over months or years

● How to create a photography book or artist monograph

● How Mara uses the Lensbaby OMNI system, colored crystals, Edge optics, and Velvet lenses

● Why in-camera experimentation can reduce dependence on heavy editing

● How photography, video, alternative processes, and mixed media can work together

● How to work through imposter syndrome, rejection, and creative failure

● What it means to “shoot extraordinary”

Mara also shares the story behind Nova 24 Photo and Film Festival, an experimental photography and film festival she co-founded to create more opportunities for innovative artists and filmmakers. The festival features exhibitions, artist talks, projection galleries, film screenings, and work from artists across the United States and internationally.EP-04-Conversation-Behind-The-Scenes-with-Mara-Magyarosi-Laytner.txt

Creative reminder: Do not be the first person to tell yourself no. Apply for the exhibition. Submit to the open call. Print the work. Share the project. You never know who needs to encounter your art.

Connect with Mara Magyarosi-Laytner

Instagram: @maramagyarosi

Website: MaraMagyarosiLaytner.com

Mara shares her artwork, creative process, exhibitions, and artist opportunities through her website and Instagram.EP-04-Conversation-Behind-The-Scenes-with-Mara-Magyarosi-Laytner.txt

Explore Lensbaby creative lenses, OMNI filters, and photography tools, and use code PODCAST for 10% off as referenced in this episode.EP-04-Conversation-Behind-The-Scenes-with-Mara-Magyarosi-Laytner.txt

Question for you: What piece of art have you been holding back from printing, submitting, sharing, or putting out into the world?

Subscribe to Lensbaby Presents for more conversations with photographers, artists, Lensbaby Ambassadors, visual storytellers, and creatives who are learning to shoot extraordinary.

Chapters

00:00 Why Photography Should Become Physical Art

00:26 Make Your Art Tangible, Printed, and Real

01:20 Where to Share Your Photography Beyond Galleries

02:13 How Art Can Bring Hope and Healing to Others

03:11 Why You Need to Share Your Work

04:16 Welcome to Lensbaby Presents

04:45 How Mara Magyarosi-Laytner Started Photography

05:27 Discovering Photography in High School

05:56 Learning Through the Darkroom

06:24 From Photography Degrees to Fine Art

07:16 Teaching, Arts Administration, and an MFA

08:17 Building a Career as a Fine-Art Photographer

09:06 Why Artists Must Keep Making Their Own Work

09:57 Creating More Opportunities for Experimental Photography

10:32 The Story Behind Nova 24 Photo and Film Festival

11:26 Supporting Experimental Photo and Film Artists

13:30 Project-Based Photography, Symbolism, and Visual Poetry

14:06 Why Experimentation Creates Unexpected Results

15:07 Photography Does Not End With the Image

15:36 Alternative Printing and Experimental Photo Processes

16:09 Combining Photography, Video, and Mixed Media

17:14 How Mara Begins a Photography Project

18:28 Exploring Creative Methods Before Knowing the Outcome

19:30 Building Inspiration Boards for Art Projects

20:38 The Beginning of The Subtle Body of Living Things

20:51 Anxiety, Vasovagal Syncope, and Altered Perception

22:48 Searching for Peace Through Photography

23:44 Using Video, Crystals, and the OMNI System

24:33 When Video Began Reflecting a Personal Experience

25:32 Photography as a Medium for Exploring Time

26:01 Creating Images From Missing Pieces of Time

26:37 Polaroid Lifts, Film Fragments, and Experimental Books

27:27 The Aftermath: Art as a Conversation With Yourself

28:07 Music, Rhythm, and the Disruption of Time

28:40 Why an Art Project Can Remain in Progress

30:13 Knowing When a Photography Project Is Complete

30:40 The Untended Garden Photography Project

31:37 Turning a Long-Term Project Into a Photography Book

33:28 Experience Creative Freedom With Lensbaby

34:26 Why Mara Makes Physical Prints

35:20 Hand-Coated Paper and Visible Brushstrokes

36:13 What Comes After Creating the Digital File?

37:03 Art, Time, and the Value of Long-Term Creativity

38:50 Imposter Syndrome, Failure, and Trying Big Things

39:20 Why You Should Not Be the One to Tell Yourself No

39:48 When a Printing Experiment Does Not Work

41:04 The Reality of Rejection in the Art World

41:47 Applying for a Guggenheim Fellowship

42:56 Why Rejection Does Not Mean You Do Not Belong

44:00 Keep Trying, Learning, and Moving Forward

45:24 Living for the Hope of It All

45:44 How Creative Risk Builds Confidence

47:24 What Mara Is Creating Now

48:17 The Intersection of Photography and Film

48:46 Creating Effects In Camera Instead of Editing

49:06 How Mara Uses Lensbaby Tools

49:48 Why the OMNI System Changed Her Work

50:41 Using Colored OMNI Crystals for Artistic Expression

50:59 Creating Self-Portraits With the Velvet 56

51:17 Why Mara Loves the Edge Lens and Tilt-Shift Effects

52:23 Lensbaby as the Beginning of the Creative Process

53:32 Speed Round: Photography Inspiration and Creative Rules

53:56 The Photography Gear Mara Loves Most

54:02 The Most Overrated Photography Rule

54:24 What Makes a Photograph Instantly Interesting

54:42 A Subject Mara Always Photographs

55:00 Photography Is Better When You Are With Friends

55:06 What It Means to Shoot Extraordinary

56:43 Curiosity, Growth, and Pushing Photography Forward

58:04 Where to Find Mara Magyarosi-Laytner

59:19 Artist Open Calls and Creative Opportunities

01:00:07 Final Challenge: Make Your Art Real


What does extraordinary creative freedom mean to you as a photographer? Our mission is to give photographers the tools to move through their fear of shame, judgement, guilt, and being a part of the status quo. Photography isn't about fitting in. Photography is about discovery, risk, getting out of the box, saying no to what everyone else is doing and being EXTRAORDINARY as defined by you.

We believe that creativity isn't about what THEY do. Photography is about what YOU want to do!

What does being a photographer mean to you?

How do you #ShootExtraordinary

Learn more about Lensbaby Https://www.Lensbaby.com

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/Lensbabyusa

Elizabeth (Liz) Willson

Website: elizabethwillsonphotography.com

Instagram: @Elizabethwillsonphotography

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethwillsonphotography


#Lensbaby #LensbabyPresents #ExperimentalPhotography #FineArtPhotography #PhotographyPodcast #PhotographyEducation #CreativePhotography #AlternativeProcessPhotography #MixedMediaArt #PhotographyInspiration #ArtistInterview #OMNISystem #LensbabyOMNI #PhotographyExhibition #PhotographyPrints #VisualStorytelling #CreativeProcess #ShootExtraordinary

 

]]> <p>What if your photography did not end with the click of the shutter?</p><p>In this episode of <em>Lensbaby Presents</em>, host <strong>Liz Willson</strong> welcomes fine-art photographer, educator, curator, and Lensbaby Ambassador <strong>Mara Magyarosi-Laytner</strong> for a thoughtful conversation about experimental photography, physical printmaking, visual poetry, creative courage, and building a meaningful artistic practice.</p><p>Mara shares her journey from high-school darkroom photography to earning degrees in photography, art education, arts administration, and an MFA in photography. She discusses how teaching and making art work together, why experimentation matters, and how her project-based approach allows her work to evolve over time.</p><p>A central theme of this conversation is simple but powerful: <strong>make your art real.</strong> Photography is not only a digital file or an image on a screen. Mara encourages artists to print their work, experiment with materials, create photo books, pursue exhibitions, apply to open calls, and place their art where it can connect with people.</p><p>You will also hear about Mara’s evolving body of work, <em>The Subtle Body of Living Things</em>, which explores memory, time, identity, health, anxiety, absence, and altered perception. Through video, photographic fragments, Polaroid lifts, hand-coated prints, projections, Lensbaby OMNI effects, Edge optics, and experimental processes, she creates work that reflects the disorientation and fragmented experience of lost time.</p><p>Whether you are a photographer, artist, creative entrepreneur, photography student, or someone who has been waiting for permission to share your work, this conversation will challenge you to try the hard thing, embrace the learning process, and keep moving forward even when self-doubt shows up.</p><p><strong>In this episode, you’ll learn:</strong></p><p>● Why your photography should not end with the shutter click</p><p>● How to turn digital images into tangible, physical artwork</p><p>● Ways to start exhibiting photography in galleries, libraries, hospitals, coffee shops, and local art spaces</p><p>● Why applying for creative opportunities matters, even when you expect rejection</p><p>● How artists can use experimentation, symbolism, and visual poetry to develop deeper work</p><p>● Why ongoing photography projects can evolve over months or years</p><p>● How to create a photography book or artist monograph</p><p>● How Mara uses the Lensbaby OMNI system, colored crystals, Edge optics, and Velvet lenses</p><p>● Why in-camera experimentation can reduce dependence on heavy editing</p><p>● How photography, video, alternative processes, and mixed media can work together</p><p>● How to work through imposter syndrome, rejection, and creative failure</p><p>● What it means to “shoot extraordinary”</p><p>Mara also shares the story behind <strong>Nova 24 Photo and Film Festival</strong>, an experimental photography and film festival she co-founded to create more opportunities for innovative artists and filmmakers. The festival features exhibitions, artist talks, projection galleries, film screenings, and work from artists across the United States and internationally.<a href="https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/attachments/295579911/7acf5934-426c-45b5-a6c3-5e1d72e59817/EP-04-Conversation-Behind-The-Scenes-with-Mara-Magyarosi-Laytner.txt?AWSAccessKeyId=ASIA2F3EMEYERYUUIVR4&Expires=1788980814&Signature=mDkl0NZM1V7FPNvztR5V7JMPyHg%3D&x-amz-security-token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEKv%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEaCXVzLWVhc3QtMSJHMEUCIBEkSNaM80kq4yGDBfpuXDQlv0lNYsKdPPC2ZNj0dOU0AiEA0IiZ1UEzS0Jq5vryuavrwcgREjmdYsNTYO%2FIrVXlZiwq8wQIchABGgw2OTk3NTMzMDk3MDUiDKZ4anBY4Wd904zaISrQBPmOiAsP15%2FLiwF5urOCZBlkop41HviU90hzI7Ic7BSMHJZjx8Xyg5alGIlDidXezzuEBENbp%2FcUrvhqV88mWPwIL2vLi6NBhUMiDO%2FI%2BxiMsdJiquHem%2FCzkfpmsg89hNQNVyFcD67K%2FeFVspZUwC5E%2F1jy5eM5ssEu0x7XY4CU8dKOqN8%2FPE3eoNJtWZysHFHPBylgYlyGShMXkGmmv9jnC6glVPjY%2BimnNG42CeAqOp5LfJYj54JSh%2BPIUiQhmah4UWxYHtBX3S5OV%2FAHKC%2BFx6AN5p3TqWicr5S2jAtsBVF1Gk8g0y04e5o5cPPLihopuumVXVrcXZim0x4HY94FO1xEZRAwT5mqRUifC7yu03DG5a7XRa8pum7lbhrRLGdIpZO8UX%2Fr0lOOkNGEaS8PFBcm3iaUcf1gVz4upRKTP8k1TpmXX3kppmRfomZfb%2FnwX79gpTLcSw7Ch5%2B0kO2MyHbr6Nkw6dlbwpFfkScm8V94uMbnKBNUs0sR4P5g9kwT3gabqZoWlP6DyPXZsQlIW8Z%2BoygoT6nmiO1Gv%2BZMl1bXLggZ36NjpINsZ5sT%2Bt5cOHKOsfRXwjhssf8TFgUDwaNOswNOANbufiZDVtamyn4VuqQxKPVd2OVAlwyJ1nLHDug7XcvpzYJimieGRLK3I9JKeA8VwaKWmA3Z4H3AsrZXiTurfg4OzM08sQ94mS%2F95i6o%2FKC7WkIlUjA9437d6q4Aj46Tf31JccZcAoNjB8toR3JixKpWEY1UgjvVZ6IYNhNS9sweKWVhbASy3RIw%2B8CG1QY6mAEYaJ2nQVwk7sGgnAvAqgQ3Z7Oibb4wpx89bcOLzf603I%2FBMYXRzYcLv6qWjFm26L%2FnoHxSuMw43Z334YE%2FywJsIG%2F0AvYJJKHyXklPqRbTh51eqnEAPAYkjs1U2Xoo7RYRatPVes6U8sKtpMeLXtl7H6fnhbyMlf8WB6Wn6hzMOWHYKw4FwycwxjHgn2VyyXmvm3m%2ByFxkkw%3D%3D" rel="nofollow">EP-04-Conversation-Behind-The-Scenes-with-Mara-Magyarosi-Laytner.txt</a></p><p><strong>Creative reminder:</strong> Do not be the first person to tell yourself no. Apply for the exhibition. Submit to the open call. Print the work. Share the project. You never know who needs to encounter your art.</p><p><strong>Connect with Mara Magyarosi-Laytner</strong></p><p>Instagram: <strong>@maramagyarosi</strong></p><p>Website: <strong>MaraMagyarosiLaytner.com</strong></p><p>Mara shares her artwork, creative process, exhibitions, and artist opportunities through her website and Instagram.<a href="https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/attachments/295579911/7acf5934-426c-45b5-a6c3-5e1d72e59817/EP-04-Conversation-Behind-The-Scenes-with-Mara-Magyarosi-Laytner.txt?AWSAccessKeyId=ASIA2F3EMEYERYUUIVR4&Expires=1788980814&Signature=mDkl0NZM1V7FPNvztR5V7JMPyHg%3D&x-amz-security-token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEKv%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEaCXVzLWVhc3QtMSJHMEUCIBEkSNaM80kq4yGDBfpuXDQlv0lNYsKdPPC2ZNj0dOU0AiEA0IiZ1UEzS0Jq5vryuavrwcgREjmdYsNTYO%2FIrVXlZiwq8wQIchABGgw2OTk3NTMzMDk3MDUiDKZ4anBY4Wd904zaISrQBPmOiAsP15%2FLiwF5urOCZBlkop41HviU90hzI7Ic7BSMHJZjx8Xyg5alGIlDidXezzuEBENbp%2FcUrvhqV88mWPwIL2vLi6NBhUMiDO%2FI%2BxiMsdJiquHem%2FCzkfpmsg89hNQNVyFcD67K%2FeFVspZUwC5E%2F1jy5eM5ssEu0x7XY4CU8dKOqN8%2FPE3eoNJtWZysHFHPBylgYlyGShMXkGmmv9jnC6glVPjY%2BimnNG42CeAqOp5LfJYj54JSh%2BPIUiQhmah4UWxYHtBX3S5OV%2FAHKC%2BFx6AN5p3TqWicr5S2jAtsBVF1Gk8g0y04e5o5cPPLihopuumVXVrcXZim0x4HY94FO1xEZRAwT5mqRUifC7yu03DG5a7XRa8pum7lbhrRLGdIpZO8UX%2Fr0lOOkNGEaS8PFBcm3iaUcf1gVz4upRKTP8k1TpmXX3kppmRfomZfb%2FnwX79gpTLcSw7Ch5%2B0kO2MyHbr6Nkw6dlbwpFfkScm8V94uMbnKBNUs0sR4P5g9kwT3gabqZoWlP6DyPXZsQlIW8Z%2BoygoT6nmiO1Gv%2BZMl1bXLggZ36NjpINsZ5sT%2Bt5cOHKOsfRXwjhssf8TFgUDwaNOswNOANbufiZDVtamyn4VuqQxKPVd2OVAlwyJ1nLHDug7XcvpzYJimieGRLK3I9JKeA8VwaKWmA3Z4H3AsrZXiTurfg4OzM08sQ94mS%2F95i6o%2FKC7WkIlUjA9437d6q4Aj46Tf31JccZcAoNjB8toR3JixKpWEY1UgjvVZ6IYNhNS9sweKWVhbASy3RIw%2B8CG1QY6mAEYaJ2nQVwk7sGgnAvAqgQ3Z7Oibb4wpx89bcOLzf603I%2FBMYXRzYcLv6qWjFm26L%2FnoHxSuMw43Z334YE%2FywJsIG%2F0AvYJJKHyXklPqRbTh51eqnEAPAYkjs1U2Xoo7RYRatPVes6U8sKtpMeLXtl7H6fnhbyMlf8WB6Wn6hzMOWHYKw4FwycwxjHgn2VyyXmvm3m%2ByFxkkw%3D%3D" rel="nofollow">EP-04-Conversation-Behind-The-Scenes-with-Mara-Magyarosi-Laytner.txt</a></p><p>Explore Lensbaby creative lenses, OMNI filters, and photography tools, and use code <strong>PODCAST</strong> for 10% off as referenced in this episode.<a href="https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/attachments/295579911/7acf5934-426c-45b5-a6c3-5e1d72e59817/EP-04-Conversation-Behind-The-Scenes-with-Mara-Magyarosi-Laytner.txt?AWSAccessKeyId=ASIA2F3EMEYERYUUIVR4&Expires=1788980814&Signature=mDkl0NZM1V7FPNvztR5V7JMPyHg%3D&x-amz-security-token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEKv%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEaCXVzLWVhc3QtMSJHMEUCIBEkSNaM80kq4yGDBfpuXDQlv0lNYsKdPPC2ZNj0dOU0AiEA0IiZ1UEzS0Jq5vryuavrwcgREjmdYsNTYO%2FIrVXlZiwq8wQIchABGgw2OTk3NTMzMDk3MDUiDKZ4anBY4Wd904zaISrQBPmOiAsP15%2FLiwF5urOCZBlkop41HviU90hzI7Ic7BSMHJZjx8Xyg5alGIlDidXezzuEBENbp%2FcUrvhqV88mWPwIL2vLi6NBhUMiDO%2FI%2BxiMsdJiquHem%2FCzkfpmsg89hNQNVyFcD67K%2FeFVspZUwC5E%2F1jy5eM5ssEu0x7XY4CU8dKOqN8%2FPE3eoNJtWZysHFHPBylgYlyGShMXkGmmv9jnC6glVPjY%2BimnNG42CeAqOp5LfJYj54JSh%2BPIUiQhmah4UWxYHtBX3S5OV%2FAHKC%2BFx6AN5p3TqWicr5S2jAtsBVF1Gk8g0y04e5o5cPPLihopuumVXVrcXZim0x4HY94FO1xEZRAwT5mqRUifC7yu03DG5a7XRa8pum7lbhrRLGdIpZO8UX%2Fr0lOOkNGEaS8PFBcm3iaUcf1gVz4upRKTP8k1TpmXX3kppmRfomZfb%2FnwX79gpTLcSw7Ch5%2B0kO2MyHbr6Nkw6dlbwpFfkScm8V94uMbnKBNUs0sR4P5g9kwT3gabqZoWlP6DyPXZsQlIW8Z%2BoygoT6nmiO1Gv%2BZMl1bXLggZ36NjpINsZ5sT%2Bt5cOHKOsfRXwjhssf8TFgUDwaNOswNOANbufiZDVtamyn4VuqQxKPVd2OVAlwyJ1nLHDug7XcvpzYJimieGRLK3I9JKeA8VwaKWmA3Z4H3AsrZXiTurfg4OzM08sQ94mS%2F95i6o%2FKC7WkIlUjA9437d6q4Aj46Tf31JccZcAoNjB8toR3JixKpWEY1UgjvVZ6IYNhNS9sweKWVhbASy3RIw%2B8CG1QY6mAEYaJ2nQVwk7sGgnAvAqgQ3Z7Oibb4wpx89bcOLzf603I%2FBMYXRzYcLv6qWjFm26L%2FnoHxSuMw43Z334YE%2FywJsIG%2F0AvYJJKHyXklPqRbTh51eqnEAPAYkjs1U2Xoo7RYRatPVes6U8sKtpMeLXtl7H6fnhbyMlf8WB6Wn6hzMOWHYKw4FwycwxjHgn2VyyXmvm3m%2ByFxkkw%3D%3D" rel="nofollow">EP-04-Conversation-Behind-The-Scenes-with-Mara-Magyarosi-Laytner.txt</a></p><p><strong>Question for you:</strong> What piece of art have you been holding back from printing, submitting, sharing, or putting out into the world?</p><p>Subscribe to <em>Lensbaby Presents</em> for more conversations with photographers, artists, Lensbaby Ambassadors, visual storytellers, and creatives who are learning to shoot extraordinary.</p><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00 Why Photography Should Become Physical Art</p><p>00:26 Make Your Art Tangible, Printed, and Real</p><p>01:20 Where to Share Your Photography Beyond Galleries</p><p>02:13 How Art Can Bring Hope and Healing to Others</p><p>03:11 Why You Need to Share Your Work</p><p>04:16 Welcome to Lensbaby Presents</p><p>04:45 How Mara Magyarosi-Laytner Started Photography</p><p>05:27 Discovering Photography in High School</p><p>05:56 Learning Through the Darkroom</p><p>06:24 From Photography Degrees to Fine Art</p><p>07:16 Teaching, Arts Administration, and an MFA</p><p>08:17 Building a Career as a Fine-Art Photographer</p><p>09:06 Why Artists Must Keep Making Their Own Work</p><p>09:57 Creating More Opportunities for Experimental Photography</p><p>10:32 The Story Behind Nova 24 Photo and Film Festival</p><p>11:26 Supporting Experimental Photo and Film Artists</p><p>13:30 Project-Based Photography, Symbolism, and Visual Poetry</p><p>14:06 Why Experimentation Creates Unexpected Results</p><p>15:07 Photography Does Not End With the Image</p><p>15:36 Alternative Printing and Experimental Photo Processes</p><p>16:09 Combining Photography, Video, and Mixed Media</p><p>17:14 How Mara Begins a Photography Project</p><p>18:28 Exploring Creative Methods Before Knowing the Outcome</p><p>19:30 Building Inspiration Boards for Art Projects</p><p>20:38 The Beginning of <em>The Subtle Body of Living Things</em></p><p>20:51 Anxiety, Vasovagal Syncope, and Altered Perception</p><p>22:48 Searching for Peace Through Photography</p><p>23:44 Using Video, Crystals, and the OMNI System</p><p>24:33 When Video Began Reflecting a Personal Experience</p><p>25:32 Photography as a Medium for Exploring Time</p><p>26:01 Creating Images From Missing Pieces of Time</p><p>26:37 Polaroid Lifts, Film Fragments, and Experimental Books</p><p>27:27 <em>The Aftermath</em>: Art as a Conversation With Yourself</p><p>28:07 Music, Rhythm, and the Disruption of Time</p><p>28:40 Why an Art Project Can Remain in Progress</p><p>30:13 Knowing When a Photography Project Is Complete</p><p>30:40 The Untended Garden Photography Project</p><p>31:37 Turning a Long-Term Project Into a Photography Book</p><p>33:28 Experience Creative Freedom With Lensbaby</p><p>34:26 Why Mara Makes Physical Prints</p><p>35:20 Hand-Coated Paper and Visible Brushstrokes</p><p>36:13 What Comes After Creating the Digital File?</p><p>37:03 Art, Time, and the Value of Long-Term Creativity</p><p>38:50 Imposter Syndrome, Failure, and Trying Big Things</p><p>39:20 Why You Should Not Be the One to Tell Yourself No</p><p>39:48 When a Printing Experiment Does Not Work</p><p>41:04 The Reality of Rejection in the Art World</p><p>41:47 Applying for a Guggenheim Fellowship</p><p>42:56 Why Rejection Does Not Mean You Do Not Belong</p><p>44:00 Keep Trying, Learning, and Moving Forward</p><p>45:24 Living for the Hope of It All</p><p>45:44 How Creative Risk Builds Confidence</p><p>47:24 What Mara Is Creating Now</p><p>48:17 The Intersection of Photography and Film</p><p>48:46 Creating Effects In Camera Instead of Editing</p><p>49:06 How Mara Uses Lensbaby Tools</p><p>49:48 Why the OMNI System Changed Her Work</p><p>50:41 Using Colored OMNI Crystals for Artistic Expression</p><p>50:59 Creating Self-Portraits With the Velvet 56</p><p>51:17 Why Mara Loves the Edge Lens and Tilt-Shift Effects</p><p>52:23 Lensbaby as the Beginning of the Creative Process</p><p>53:32 Speed Round: Photography Inspiration and Creative Rules</p><p>53:56 The Photography Gear Mara Loves Most</p><p>54:02 The Most Overrated Photography Rule</p><p>54:24 What Makes a Photograph Instantly Interesting</p><p>54:42 A Subject Mara Always Photographs</p><p>55:00 Photography Is Better When You Are With Friends</p><p>55:06 What It Means to Shoot Extraordinary</p><p>56:43 Curiosity, Growth, and Pushing Photography Forward</p><p>58:04 Where to Find Mara Magyarosi-Laytner</p><p>59:19 Artist Open Calls and Creative Opportunities</p><p>01:00:07 Final Challenge: Make Your Art Real</p><p><br></p><p>What does extraordinary creative freedom mean to you as a photographer? Our mission is to give photographers the tools to move through their fear of shame, judgement, guilt, and being a part of the status quo. Photography isn&#39;t about fitting in. Photography is about discovery, risk, getting out of the box, saying no to what everyone else is doing and being EXTRAORDINARY as defined by you.</p><p>We believe that creativity isn&#39;t about what THEY do. Photography is about what YOU want to do!</p><p>What does being a photographer mean to you?</p><p>How do you #ShootExtraordinary</p><p>Learn more about Lensbaby Https://www.Lensbaby.com</p><p>Follow us on Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/Lensbabyusa</p><p><span>Elizabeth (Liz) Willson</span></p><p><span>Website: elizabethwillsonphotography.com</span></p><p><span>Instagram: @Elizabethwillsonphotography</span></p><p><span>YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethwillsonphotography</span></p><p><br></p><p>#Lensbaby #LensbabyPresents #ExperimentalPhotography #FineArtPhotography #PhotographyPodcast #PhotographyEducation #CreativePhotography #AlternativeProcessPhotography #MixedMediaArt #PhotographyInspiration #ArtistInterview #OMNISystem #LensbabyOMNI #PhotographyExhibition #PhotographyPrints #VisualStorytelling #CreativeProcess #ShootExtraordinary</p><p> </p> de50e239-58b7-4a40-948e-7c2f413da5ac https://redcircle.com/shows/f30584c6-dd78-4558-a3ce-61815e689d0c/episodes/6cdaf248-afe3-4772-9281-5fbecc8e064f Tue, 22 Sep 2026 11:00:42 +0000 3639 false full EP 03: Conversation Behind The Scenes with Tony Hogrefe EP 03: Conversation Behind The Scenes with Tony Hogrefe Lensbaby Inc What happens when you stop chasing the perfect image and allow the creative process to evolve?

In this episode of Lensbaby Presents, host Liz Willson welcomes photographer, veteran, and Lensbaby Ambassador Tony Hogrefe for a powerful behind-the-scenes conversation about photography, creativity, storytelling, and healing through art.

Tony shares how a black-and-white film photography class after returning from Iraq changed the direction of his life. What began as an elective became a lifelong creative practice, a way to communicate what could not always be spoken, and a path toward making meaningful portraiture.

Together, Liz and Tony explore why photographers often get stuck trying to force an image to match the vision in their head, and why letting go can create more freedom, better work, and more meaningful results.

Tony also discusses his ongoing Vestiges of Service project, a portrait series focused on the lives combat veterans lead after war. Through intentional conversations and handcrafted editorial portraits, he explores memory, grief, brotherhood, reconciliation, post-traumatic stress, and the human stories that continue long after military service ends.

You will also hear how Tony uses Lensbaby lenses, including the Velvet 85, Sweet 35, Sweet 50, Sweet 80, Double Glass, Edge 80, and Twist 60, to create soft, emotional, memory-like images that help viewers focus on what matters most in the frame.

Whether you are a portrait photographer, creative professional, veteran, storyteller, or someone seeking more creative freedom behind the camera, this conversation is an invitation to get out of your own way, trust the process, and make work that feels true to you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

● How to let go of rigid expectations in photography

● Why the creative process matters as much as the final image

● How intentional camera movement can expand creative expression

● How photography can become a tool for personal expression and reflection

● How to create portraits that reveal a person, not just a physical appearance

● Why client connection is essential for meaningful senior portraits

● How Lensbaby lenses can add softness, selective focus, emotion, and visual storytelling

● The story and mission behind Tony Hogrefe’s Vestiges of Service portrait project

● Why creative risk and failure are necessary parts of growth

● What it means to “shoot extraordinary”

Connect with Tony Hogrefe

Follow Tony on Instagram: @tony.hogrefe.photography

Search for Brass and Glass Studio to find more of his work and connect with him online.EP-03Conversation-Behind-The-Scenes-with-Tony-Hograve.txt

Explore creative lenses, optics, and OMNI effects at Lensbaby, and use code PODCAST for 10% off as mentioned in the episode.EP-03Conversation-Behind-The-Scenes-with-Tony-Hograve.txt

If this conversation inspired you, leave a comment below: What helps you get out of your own way creatively?

Subscribe for more conversations with photographers, Lensbaby Ambassadors, visual storytellers, and artists who are redefining what it means to shoot extraordinary.

Chapters

00:00 Letting Go in the Creative Process

01:40 Intentional Camera Movement and Creative Frustration

03:13 Finding Freedom Beyond the Final Result

03:48 Why Lensbaby Encourages Creative Experimentation

05:33 Welcome to Lensbaby Presents

05:59 How Tony Hogrefe Started Photography

06:51 Falling in Love With Black-and-White Film Photography

07:36 From the Marine Corps to Photography

09:03 Teaching Photography and Sharing Knowledge

10:47 “I Want to Make Something Pretty”

11:13 How Photography Helped After Iraq

12:21 Landscape Photography, Quiet, and Meditation

12:58 Using Portraiture to Say What Words Cannot

14:04 Photography as a Creative Outlet

15:24 Process Creates the Product

16:58 Letting a Photograph Evolve

18:06 Leaving the Photography Studio Behind

18:59 Photograph the Adjective, Not the Noun

21:11 Choosing Work That Protects Your Creative Joy

21:46 Creating Personal Senior Portrait Sessions

22:20 A Book Lover’s Custom Senior Portrait Session

25:35 Experience Creative Freedom With Lensbaby

26:32 How Tony Uses Lensbaby for Portrait Storytelling

27:12 The Velvet 85 for Soft, Feminine Portraits

27:49 Tony’s Favorite Lensbaby Sweet Spot Lenses

28:29 Creating Emotional, Memory-Like Images

30:37 The Vestiges of Service Project

31:17 The Origins of Tony’s Veteran Portrait Project

33:24 Life After War and Post-Traumatic Stress

35:22 Memory, Grief, Brotherhood, and Reconciliation

35:43 The Portrait Process With Combat Veterans

37:25 Goal: A Veterans Day 2027 Exhibit

38:32 Creating a Traveling Photography Exhibition

40:43 Finding Veterans for the Project

41:47 The Story Behind a Veteran Portrait

43:22 New Creative Projects and Senior Portrait Ideas

43:44 Creating a Forensics-Inspired Senior Portrait Session

45:37 Experimenting With Light Painting

46:23 Why Creative Clients Make Better Work

47:06 Saying No to Work That Drains Your Passion

48:44 Learning Through Failure

50:15 One Lens, One Subject, and 24 Hours

51:18 Using Self-Imposed Creative Limitations

53:04 Speed Round: Photography Gear and Rules

53:17 The Gear Tony Loves Most

53:23 The Most Overrated Photography Rule

53:29 What Makes a Photo Instantly Interesting

53:59 A Subject Tony Always Photographs

54:07 Photography Is Better When You Let It Happen

55:09 What It Means to Shoot Extraordinary

56:38 Where to Find Tony Hogrefe

57:39 Final Thoughts: Get Out of Your Own Way



What does extraordinary creative freedom mean to you as a photographer? Our mission is to give photographers the tools to move through their fear of shame, judgement, guilt, and being a part of the status quo. Photography isn't about fitting in. Photography is about discovery, risk, getting out of the box, saying no to what everyone else is doing and being EXTRAORDINARY as defined by you.

We believe that creativity isn't about what THEY do. Photography is about what YOU want to do!

What does being a photographer mean to you?

How do you #ShootExtraordinary

Learn more about Lensbaby Https://www.Lensbaby.com

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/Lensbabyusa

Elizabeth (Liz) Willson

Website: elizabethwillsonphotography.com

Instagram: @Elizabethwillsonphotography

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethwillsonphotography




#Lensbaby #LensbabyPresents #PhotographyPodcast #PortraitPhotography #CreativePhotography #PhotographyTips #PhotographerInterview #PhotographyInspiration #VeteranPhotographer #VisualStorytelling #SeniorPortraits #FineArtPhotography #PhotographyCreativity #IntentionalCameraMovement #ShootExtraordinary

 

]]> <p>What happens when you stop chasing the perfect image and allow the creative process to evolve?</p><p>In this episode of <em>Lensbaby Presents</em>, host <strong>Liz Willson</strong> welcomes photographer, veteran, and Lensbaby Ambassador <strong>Tony Hogrefe</strong> for a powerful behind-the-scenes conversation about photography, creativity, storytelling, and healing through art.</p><p>Tony shares how a black-and-white film photography class after returning from Iraq changed the direction of his life. What began as an elective became a lifelong creative practice, a way to communicate what could not always be spoken, and a path toward making meaningful portraiture.</p><p>Together, Liz and Tony explore why photographers often get stuck trying to force an image to match the vision in their head, and why letting go can create more freedom, better work, and more meaningful results.</p><p>Tony also discusses his ongoing <strong>Vestiges of Service</strong> project, a portrait series focused on the lives combat veterans lead after war. Through intentional conversations and handcrafted editorial portraits, he explores memory, grief, brotherhood, reconciliation, post-traumatic stress, and the human stories that continue long after military service ends.</p><p>You will also hear how Tony uses Lensbaby lenses, including the Velvet 85, Sweet 35, Sweet 50, Sweet 80, Double Glass, Edge 80, and Twist 60, to create soft, emotional, memory-like images that help viewers focus on what matters most in the frame.</p><p>Whether you are a portrait photographer, creative professional, veteran, storyteller, or someone seeking more creative freedom behind the camera, this conversation is an invitation to get out of your own way, trust the process, and make work that feels true to you.</p><p><strong>In this episode, you’ll learn:</strong></p><p>● How to let go of rigid expectations in photography</p><p>● Why the creative process matters as much as the final image</p><p>● How intentional camera movement can expand creative expression</p><p>● How photography can become a tool for personal expression and reflection</p><p>● How to create portraits that reveal a person, not just a physical appearance</p><p>● Why client connection is essential for meaningful senior portraits</p><p>● How Lensbaby lenses can add softness, selective focus, emotion, and visual storytelling</p><p>● The story and mission behind Tony Hogrefe’s <em>Vestiges of Service</em> portrait project</p><p>● Why creative risk and failure are necessary parts of growth</p><p>● What it means to “shoot extraordinary”</p><p><strong>Connect with Tony Hogrefe</strong></p><p>Follow Tony on Instagram: <strong>@tony.hogrefe.photography</strong></p><p>Search for <strong>Brass and Glass Studio</strong> to find more of his work and connect with him online.<a href="https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/attachments/295579911/d8641c8b-6f1f-473e-a245-2e063c6c60a4/EP-03Conversation-Behind-The-Scenes-with-Tony-Hograve.txt?AWSAccessKeyId=ASIA2F3EMEYE2SWJWLGB&Expires=1788977751&Signature=rcn7hNb8AwJqobJPKTtZGmjUpdY%3D&x-amz-security-token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEKr%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEaCXVzLWVhc3QtMSJHMEUCIE4mDf%2FjSo5GUw268ULhh%2BGW2yLU4NoqwX0EmjZuFu0aAiEAyKUIQWKvrWrkcvwFzyTCcVkO1Rb15AXL9hBkSuXURIUq8wQIchABGgw2OTk3NTMzMDk3MDUiDEKk7g8xtOZi0jGcYirQBCPnho5rYsVWKZ7jlHG4j31ciXQm4EmSmqmvi4okHER1a2J52%2B7cozGtksK6MTe1rYly84q0QsadmOGYiMAJClLxjd7KpQMIn8u%2FgaQgptM89lS8Qc193VTI%2FgWm1Q1Hb2Vgcdvd6eDCRChk2KKbKbCLrE9OJ%2FwI55UWkubNDK8szH3qNbbflr9c3LpJEq0MMKdompE1%2Fj5iFELreTKjAe67iKbV5OQKuyo1sdbueRM2F6iN3Or7a7M8e4twO4YuBfEjRzTSVYLGav%2FaOx%2FlDaQYBlEtRNAd7QJdRsNdelzSX2PHMzDcjKkirxOhiQHns89udkKrTV8nExcGUrdkXGnIYS8%2BFN1JYeOUpRLafExUdijqIArRPHea0Qy7hKbkSNTKEn3CTZyQYSmqonZYtFF7pKlb7WsYHjAL9GzLd5riM1XqLPwkMboL%2Bln1uPF59RNZu0xgPqX2gtcHV3MkyhZHEM2xhZW4Z8%2BjOS8XnqI4poszpwLcWi%2FCK2cuyQ3whWLFRrL4J1ih%2F2IB%2FBntvpD%2BfySaJxUHZm5aGAh%2FQofMxl8ErkxAPLxrXyUZ20Mfh3PWM5uyHnQEoHWtUosAYrJ6LJqgZaqqA2ez9sWWSYoB0K63XTYkxcaK%2FkzIxifngOtEhszLmTaV8HlfxXhV2lviUwnDT4NcqMC1hfaiyR6URaQLR0jCwXzwunA2EhiZw7Fnlc18FQG3tjUfFwAnoBIImS7LN8WTyy3iKuBgIQoTouVqqU4Wo6WE%2FL1yqhY0Y0fULIy%2BiIJbwSNmQ8he8Z8whKmG1QY6mAHtGAUZAIE9bFZcDNvRI0FtuS2B3NF0MGTfCKuV3Glm9%2BP9Ap0AYujqwzJ8QdEcusBa480b2UOpNtWyg8RO2yb7UR6WK1FX%2BK8mkbf4GqbW0%2BM18bUXi%2BLGxg09xon5YXVi1PFJg8e4YBN1rZonlJGNsM7nUv%2BuImaK2t4A%2BkqWw%2FBHkAlXnwZALT8iGJTXr4ciOvNYWMyWqw%3D%3D" rel="nofollow">EP-03Conversation-Behind-The-Scenes-with-Tony-Hograve.txt</a></p><p>Explore creative lenses, optics, and OMNI effects at Lensbaby, and use code <strong>PODCAST</strong> for 10% off as mentioned in the episode.<a href="https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/attachments/295579911/d8641c8b-6f1f-473e-a245-2e063c6c60a4/EP-03Conversation-Behind-The-Scenes-with-Tony-Hograve.txt?AWSAccessKeyId=ASIA2F3EMEYE2SWJWLGB&Expires=1788977751&Signature=rcn7hNb8AwJqobJPKTtZGmjUpdY%3D&x-amz-security-token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEKr%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEaCXVzLWVhc3QtMSJHMEUCIE4mDf%2FjSo5GUw268ULhh%2BGW2yLU4NoqwX0EmjZuFu0aAiEAyKUIQWKvrWrkcvwFzyTCcVkO1Rb15AXL9hBkSuXURIUq8wQIchABGgw2OTk3NTMzMDk3MDUiDEKk7g8xtOZi0jGcYirQBCPnho5rYsVWKZ7jlHG4j31ciXQm4EmSmqmvi4okHER1a2J52%2B7cozGtksK6MTe1rYly84q0QsadmOGYiMAJClLxjd7KpQMIn8u%2FgaQgptM89lS8Qc193VTI%2FgWm1Q1Hb2Vgcdvd6eDCRChk2KKbKbCLrE9OJ%2FwI55UWkubNDK8szH3qNbbflr9c3LpJEq0MMKdompE1%2Fj5iFELreTKjAe67iKbV5OQKuyo1sdbueRM2F6iN3Or7a7M8e4twO4YuBfEjRzTSVYLGav%2FaOx%2FlDaQYBlEtRNAd7QJdRsNdelzSX2PHMzDcjKkirxOhiQHns89udkKrTV8nExcGUrdkXGnIYS8%2BFN1JYeOUpRLafExUdijqIArRPHea0Qy7hKbkSNTKEn3CTZyQYSmqonZYtFF7pKlb7WsYHjAL9GzLd5riM1XqLPwkMboL%2Bln1uPF59RNZu0xgPqX2gtcHV3MkyhZHEM2xhZW4Z8%2BjOS8XnqI4poszpwLcWi%2FCK2cuyQ3whWLFRrL4J1ih%2F2IB%2FBntvpD%2BfySaJxUHZm5aGAh%2FQofMxl8ErkxAPLxrXyUZ20Mfh3PWM5uyHnQEoHWtUosAYrJ6LJqgZaqqA2ez9sWWSYoB0K63XTYkxcaK%2FkzIxifngOtEhszLmTaV8HlfxXhV2lviUwnDT4NcqMC1hfaiyR6URaQLR0jCwXzwunA2EhiZw7Fnlc18FQG3tjUfFwAnoBIImS7LN8WTyy3iKuBgIQoTouVqqU4Wo6WE%2FL1yqhY0Y0fULIy%2BiIJbwSNmQ8he8Z8whKmG1QY6mAHtGAUZAIE9bFZcDNvRI0FtuS2B3NF0MGTfCKuV3Glm9%2BP9Ap0AYujqwzJ8QdEcusBa480b2UOpNtWyg8RO2yb7UR6WK1FX%2BK8mkbf4GqbW0%2BM18bUXi%2BLGxg09xon5YXVi1PFJg8e4YBN1rZonlJGNsM7nUv%2BuImaK2t4A%2BkqWw%2FBHkAlXnwZALT8iGJTXr4ciOvNYWMyWqw%3D%3D" rel="nofollow">EP-03Conversation-Behind-The-Scenes-with-Tony-Hograve.txt</a></p><p>If this conversation inspired you, leave a comment below: <strong>What helps you get out of your own way creatively?</strong></p><p>Subscribe for more conversations with photographers, Lensbaby Ambassadors, visual storytellers, and artists who are redefining what it means to shoot extraordinary.</p><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00 Letting Go in the Creative Process</p><p>01:40 Intentional Camera Movement and Creative Frustration</p><p>03:13 Finding Freedom Beyond the Final Result</p><p>03:48 Why Lensbaby Encourages Creative Experimentation</p><p>05:33 Welcome to Lensbaby Presents</p><p>05:59 How Tony Hogrefe Started Photography</p><p>06:51 Falling in Love With Black-and-White Film Photography</p><p>07:36 From the Marine Corps to Photography</p><p>09:03 Teaching Photography and Sharing Knowledge</p><p>10:47 “I Want to Make Something Pretty”</p><p>11:13 How Photography Helped After Iraq</p><p>12:21 Landscape Photography, Quiet, and Meditation</p><p>12:58 Using Portraiture to Say What Words Cannot</p><p>14:04 Photography as a Creative Outlet</p><p>15:24 Process Creates the Product</p><p>16:58 Letting a Photograph Evolve</p><p>18:06 Leaving the Photography Studio Behind</p><p>18:59 Photograph the Adjective, Not the Noun</p><p>21:11 Choosing Work That Protects Your Creative Joy</p><p>21:46 Creating Personal Senior Portrait Sessions</p><p>22:20 A Book Lover’s Custom Senior Portrait Session</p><p>25:35 Experience Creative Freedom With Lensbaby</p><p>26:32 How Tony Uses Lensbaby for Portrait Storytelling</p><p>27:12 The Velvet 85 for Soft, Feminine Portraits</p><p>27:49 Tony’s Favorite Lensbaby Sweet Spot Lenses</p><p>28:29 Creating Emotional, Memory-Like Images</p><p>30:37 The Vestiges of Service Project</p><p>31:17 The Origins of Tony’s Veteran Portrait Project</p><p>33:24 Life After War and Post-Traumatic Stress</p><p>35:22 Memory, Grief, Brotherhood, and Reconciliation</p><p>35:43 The Portrait Process With Combat Veterans</p><p>37:25 Goal: A Veterans Day 2027 Exhibit</p><p>38:32 Creating a Traveling Photography Exhibition</p><p>40:43 Finding Veterans for the Project</p><p>41:47 The Story Behind a Veteran Portrait</p><p>43:22 New Creative Projects and Senior Portrait Ideas</p><p>43:44 Creating a Forensics-Inspired Senior Portrait Session</p><p>45:37 Experimenting With Light Painting</p><p>46:23 Why Creative Clients Make Better Work</p><p>47:06 Saying No to Work That Drains Your Passion</p><p>48:44 Learning Through Failure</p><p>50:15 One Lens, One Subject, and 24 Hours</p><p>51:18 Using Self-Imposed Creative Limitations</p><p>53:04 Speed Round: Photography Gear and Rules</p><p>53:17 The Gear Tony Loves Most</p><p>53:23 The Most Overrated Photography Rule</p><p>53:29 What Makes a Photo Instantly Interesting</p><p>53:59 A Subject Tony Always Photographs</p><p>54:07 Photography Is Better When You Let It Happen</p><p>55:09 What It Means to Shoot Extraordinary</p><p>56:38 Where to Find Tony Hogrefe</p><p>57:39 Final Thoughts: Get Out of Your Own Way</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>What does extraordinary creative freedom mean to you as a photographer? Our mission is to give photographers the tools to move through their fear of shame, judgement, guilt, and being a part of the status quo. Photography isn&#39;t about fitting in. Photography is about discovery, risk, getting out of the box, saying no to what everyone else is doing and being EXTRAORDINARY as defined by you.</p><p>We believe that creativity isn&#39;t about what THEY do. Photography is about what YOU want to do!</p><p>What does being a photographer mean to you?</p><p>How do you #ShootExtraordinary</p><p>Learn more about Lensbaby Https://www.Lensbaby.com</p><p>Follow us on Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/Lensbabyusa</p><p><span>Elizabeth (Liz) Willson</span></p><p><span>Website: elizabethwillsonphotography.com</span></p><p><span>Instagram: @Elizabethwillsonphotography</span></p><p><span>YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethwillsonphotography</span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>#Lensbaby #LensbabyPresents #PhotographyPodcast #PortraitPhotography #CreativePhotography #PhotographyTips #PhotographerInterview #PhotographyInspiration #VeteranPhotographer #VisualStorytelling #SeniorPortraits #FineArtPhotography #PhotographyCreativity #IntentionalCameraMovement #ShootExtraordinary</p><p> </p> e1ccc399-a8a3-4117-a093-c10afd8735c6 https://redcircle.com/shows/f30584c6-dd78-4558-a3ce-61815e689d0c/episodes/34b1ce52-16c8-4b0b-ae48-c10559a62a96 Tue, 15 Sep 2026 11:00:28 +0000 3501 false full EP 02: Conversation Behind The Scenes with Carol Vipperman EP 02: Conversation Behind The Scenes with Carol Vipperman Lensbaby Inc In this episode of Lensbaby Presents, host Liz Wilson sits down with Lensbaby Ambassador Carol Vipperman for an inspiring conversation about photography, creativity, photo walks, experimentation, and finding beauty in the everyday.

Carol shares how a simple point-and-shoot camera and a trip to Europe unexpectedly sparked her photography journey. What began as taking a camera along on daily walks soon became a completely new way of seeing—transforming ordinary neighborhood scenes into opportunities for creativity, curiosity, and joy.

Carol also shares her philosophy of Camera Walking—taking a daily walk with your camera for better health, fitness, and creativity.

Rather than rushing through familiar surroundings, she encourages photographers to slow down and look for the details we normally miss: flowers, reflections, light, lines, textures, objects left behind, and unexpected stories hiding in ordinary places.

Sometimes changing your photography doesn’t require traveling somewhere new.

Sometimes you simply need to look differently.

Carol also discusses her journey with Lensbaby lenses, including the Velvet 56, Velvet 85, Sweet 22, Double Glass II, Soul 45, and other creative optics, and explains how using a different lens can completely change the experience of photographing the exact same location.

The conversation also explores toy photography and miniature photography, where Carol discovered a playful new way to communicate emotion and tell meaningful stories through small subjects.

One of the biggest lessons from this episode?

Photography is better when you experiment.

Whether you’re a beginner photographer, creative photographer, Lensbaby user, flower photographer, toy photographer, or simply looking for photography inspiration, this conversation will encourage you to grab your camera—or even your phone—step outside, slow down, observe, and create.

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 – Step outside and start observing

01:10 – Finding beauty right outside your front door

02:09 – Changing your perspective

03:08 – Photography, walking, and movement

04:28 – Meet Lensbaby Ambassador Carol Vipperman

05:27 – How Carol started photography

06:41 – Moving beyond the point-and-shoot camera

08:45 – How camera walks changed everything

09:54 – Camera Walking: health, fitness & creativity

11:08 – Finding beauty in familiar places

12:46 – Discovering creative photography with Lensbaby

13:50 – How the Velvet 56 started Carol’s Lensbaby journey

14:46 – Using different lenses on the same photo walk

18:03 – Carol’s favorite Lensbaby lenses

19:28 – Why Carol usually carries one lens

20:29 – Using creative constraints to improve photography

20:42 – Overcoming photography challenges

21:20 – Learning indoor photography and lighting

22:29 – Why continuous learning matters

24:31 – Discovering toy photography

26:02 – Creativity, play, and storytelling with toys

29:48 – Using photography to communicate emotion

31:03 – What Carol is excited about creatively

34:04 – Photography speed round

34:49 – The most overrated photography rule

36:12 – What makes a photograph interesting?

36:44 – Photography is better when you experiment

37:05 – Finding subjects beyond flowers

40:16 – Learning photography online vs. in person

42:54 – The freedom of photographing without a plan

45:53 – One lens, one subject, 24 hours

48:00 – What does it mean to shoot extraordinary?

Try this photography challenge yourself:

Grab one camera and one lens—or just your phone—and step outside.

Before taking a picture, spend a few minutes simply observing.

Look for light.

Look for texture.

Look for movement.

Look for reflections.

Change your perspective.

Get low. Look up. Slow down.

Then photograph whatever catches your attention.

You may be surprised by what was there all along.

If this conversation inspires you, subscribe to Lensbaby Presents for more conversations about creative photography, Lensbaby lenses, visual storytelling, artistic experimentation, photography education, and finding new ways to see the world.

What does extraordinary creative freedom mean to you as a photographer? Our mission is to give photographers the tools to move through their fear of shame, judgement, guilt, and being a part of the status quo. Photography isn't about fitting in. Photography is about discovery, risk, getting out of the box, saying no to what everyone else is doing and being EXTRAORDINARY as defined by you.

We believe that creativity isn't about what THEY do. Photography is about what YOU want to do!

What does being a photographer mean to you?

How do you #ShootExtraordinary

Learn more about Lensbaby Https://www.Lensbaby.com

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/Lensbabyusa

Elizabeth (Liz) Willson

Website: elizabethwillsonphotography.com

Instagram: @Elizabethwillsonphotography

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethwillsonphotography



]]> <p>In this episode of Lensbaby Presents, host Liz Wilson sits down with Lensbaby Ambassador Carol Vipperman for an inspiring conversation about photography, creativity, photo walks, experimentation, and finding beauty in the everyday.</p><p>Carol shares how a simple point-and-shoot camera and a trip to Europe unexpectedly sparked her photography journey. What began as taking a camera along on daily walks soon became a completely new way of seeing—transforming ordinary neighborhood scenes into opportunities for creativity, curiosity, and joy.</p><p>Carol also shares her philosophy of Camera Walking—taking a daily walk with your camera for better health, fitness, and creativity.</p><p>Rather than rushing through familiar surroundings, she encourages photographers to slow down and look for the details we normally miss: flowers, reflections, light, lines, textures, objects left behind, and unexpected stories hiding in ordinary places.</p><p>Sometimes changing your photography doesn’t require traveling somewhere new.</p><p>Sometimes you simply need to look differently.</p><p>Carol also discusses her journey with Lensbaby lenses, including the Velvet 56, Velvet 85, Sweet 22, Double Glass II, Soul 45, and other creative optics, and explains how using a different lens can completely change the experience of photographing the exact same location.</p><p>The conversation also explores toy photography and miniature photography, where Carol discovered a playful new way to communicate emotion and tell meaningful stories through small subjects.</p><p>One of the biggest lessons from this episode?</p><p>Photography is better when you experiment.</p><p>Whether you’re a beginner photographer, creative photographer, Lensbaby user, flower photographer, toy photographer, or simply looking for photography inspiration, this conversation will encourage you to grab your camera—or even your phone—step outside, slow down, observe, and create.</p><p>⏱️ CHAPTERS</p><p>00:00 – Step outside and start observing</p><p>01:10 – Finding beauty right outside your front door</p><p>02:09 – Changing your perspective</p><p>03:08 – Photography, walking, and movement</p><p>04:28 – Meet Lensbaby Ambassador Carol Vipperman</p><p>05:27 – How Carol started photography</p><p>06:41 – Moving beyond the point-and-shoot camera</p><p>08:45 – How camera walks changed everything</p><p>09:54 – Camera Walking: health, fitness &amp; creativity</p><p>11:08 – Finding beauty in familiar places</p><p>12:46 – Discovering creative photography with Lensbaby</p><p>13:50 – How the Velvet 56 started Carol’s Lensbaby journey</p><p>14:46 – Using different lenses on the same photo walk</p><p>18:03 – Carol’s favorite Lensbaby lenses</p><p>19:28 – Why Carol usually carries one lens</p><p>20:29 – Using creative constraints to improve photography</p><p>20:42 – Overcoming photography challenges</p><p>21:20 – Learning indoor photography and lighting</p><p>22:29 – Why continuous learning matters</p><p>24:31 – Discovering toy photography</p><p>26:02 – Creativity, play, and storytelling with toys</p><p>29:48 – Using photography to communicate emotion</p><p>31:03 – What Carol is excited about creatively</p><p>34:04 – Photography speed round</p><p>34:49 – The most overrated photography rule</p><p>36:12 – What makes a photograph interesting?</p><p>36:44 – Photography is better when you experiment</p><p>37:05 – Finding subjects beyond flowers</p><p>40:16 – Learning photography online vs. in person</p><p>42:54 – The freedom of photographing without a plan</p><p>45:53 – One lens, one subject, 24 hours</p><p>48:00 – What does it mean to shoot extraordinary?</p><p>Try this photography challenge yourself:</p><p>Grab one camera and one lens—or just your phone—and step outside.</p><p>Before taking a picture, spend a few minutes simply observing.</p><p>Look for light.</p><p>Look for texture.</p><p>Look for movement.</p><p>Look for reflections.</p><p>Change your perspective.</p><p>Get low. Look up. Slow down.</p><p>Then photograph whatever catches your attention.</p><p>You may be surprised by what was there all along.</p><p>If this conversation inspires you, subscribe to Lensbaby Presents for more conversations about creative photography, Lensbaby lenses, visual storytelling, artistic experimentation, photography education, and finding new ways to see the world.</p><p>What does extraordinary creative freedom mean to you as a photographer? Our mission is to give photographers the tools to move through their fear of shame, judgement, guilt, and being a part of the status quo. Photography isn&#39;t about fitting in. Photography is about discovery, risk, getting out of the box, saying no to what everyone else is doing and being EXTRAORDINARY as defined by you.</p><p>We believe that creativity isn&#39;t about what THEY do. Photography is about what YOU want to do!</p><p>What does being a photographer mean to you?</p><p>How do you #ShootExtraordinary</p><p>Learn more about Lensbaby Https://www.Lensbaby.com</p><p>Follow us on Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/Lensbabyusa</p><p><span>Elizabeth (Liz) Willson</span></p><p><span>Website: elizabethwillsonphotography.com</span></p><p><span>Instagram: @Elizabethwillsonphotography</span></p><p><span>YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethwillsonphotography</span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p> 1dc0584e-ab92-49e0-a803-436edd7b5f61 https://redcircle.com/shows/f30584c6-dd78-4558-a3ce-61815e689d0c/episodes/dbd98432-ceb4-4eb2-b1c2-81e5074a40c3 Tue, 08 Sep 2026 11:00:38 +0000 2977 false full EP 01: Conversation Behind The Scenes with Michael Anthony EP 01: Conversation Behind The Scenes with Michael Anthony Lensbaby Inc Behind the Scenes with Michael Anthony | Lensbaby Presents

Welcome to the very first episode of Lensbaby Presents! In this episode, host Liz Willson sits down for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes conversation with Michael Anthony, Vice President and business partner at Lensbaby. Discover the inspiring journey of a creator who turned a childhood gift into a lifelong passion, ultimately leading one of the most unique brands in the photography industry.

In this episode, we dive into:

● The Origin Story: How a Canon AE-1, gifted by his grandmother when he was just ten years old, forever cemented Michael's core identity as a photographer.

● The Business of Art: Why Michael believes marketing is the single most important element of running a successful business, drawing inspiration from Dan Kennedy's Magnetic Marketing.

● Breaking the Rules: Why Michael embraces his contrarian nature, famously declaring that "all of them" are the most overrated photography rules.

● The Power of Connection: An inside look at the Lensbaby Unplugged community and how it fosters a supportive environment for visual storytellers to share their art without judgment.

● Embracing Discomfort: Michael’s personal philosophy on why self-imposed challenges—like tackling the grueling 29029 mountain climbing event—are essential for personal and creative growth.

● Shooting Extraordinary: The history behind Lensbaby's defining mantra and what it truly means to step outside the normal to create art that tells your authentic truth.

Connect with the Lensbaby Community:

● Check out the gear: lensbaby.com

● Join the conversation: Search for "Lensbaby Unplugged" on Facebook

● Follow on social media: Find them at @LensbabyUSA

If you found this conversation inspiring, make sure to hit the Like button and Subscribe to Lensbaby Presents for more interviews with incredible creators!


Elizabeth (Liz) Willson

Website: elizabethwillsonphotography.com

Instagram: @Elizabethwillsonphotography

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethwillsonphotography


Question of the Day: What does it mean for you to shoot extraordinary? Let us know in the comments below!

 

]]> <p><strong>Behind the Scenes with Michael Anthony | Lensbaby Presents</strong></p><p>Welcome to the very first episode of Lensbaby Presents! In this episode, host Liz Willson sits down for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes conversation with Michael Anthony, Vice President and business partner at Lensbaby. Discover the inspiring journey of a creator who turned a childhood gift into a lifelong passion, ultimately leading one of the most unique brands in the photography industry.</p><p><strong>In this episode, we dive into:</strong></p><p>● <strong>The Origin Story:</strong> How a Canon AE-1, gifted by his grandmother when he was just ten years old, forever cemented Michael&#39;s core identity as a photographer.</p><p>● <strong>The Business of Art:</strong> Why Michael believes marketing is the single most important element of running a successful business, drawing inspiration from Dan Kennedy&#39;s <em>Magnetic Marketing</em>.</p><p>● <strong>Breaking the Rules:</strong> Why Michael embraces his contrarian nature, famously declaring that &#34;all of them&#34; are the most overrated photography rules.</p><p>● <strong>The Power of Connection:</strong> An inside look at the Lensbaby Unplugged community and how it fosters a supportive environment for visual storytellers to share their art without judgment.</p><p>● <strong>Embracing Discomfort:</strong> Michael’s personal philosophy on why self-imposed challenges—like tackling the grueling 29029 mountain climbing event—are essential for personal and creative growth.</p><p>● <strong>Shooting Extraordinary:</strong> The history behind Lensbaby&#39;s defining mantra and what it truly means to step outside the normal to create art that tells your authentic truth.</p><p><strong>Connect with the Lensbaby Community:</strong></p><p>● Check out the gear: lensbaby.com</p><p>● Join the conversation: Search for &#34;Lensbaby Unplugged&#34; on Facebook</p><p>● Follow on social media: Find them at @LensbabyUSA</p><p>If you found this conversation inspiring, make sure to hit the Like button and Subscribe to <em>Lensbaby Presents</em> for more interviews with incredible creators!</p><p><br></p><p><span>Elizabeth (Liz) Willson</span></p><p><span>Website: elizabethwillsonphotography.com</span></p><p><span>Instagram: @Elizabethwillsonphotography</span></p><p><span>YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethwillsonphotography</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Question of the Day:</strong> What does it mean for <em>you</em> to shoot extraordinary? Let us know in the comments below!</p><p> </p> 52d1cf7c-2403-4f2d-b2b4-cb9396b73cb0 https://redcircle.com/shows/f30584c6-dd78-4558-a3ce-61815e689d0c/episodes/b615c921-d3aa-47dd-adaf-c3579ff257e9 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 11:00:04 +0000 3506 false