Today is a new Q&A and photo challenge episode and I invited Andy McSweeney AKA Andy McPhoto to co-host with me.
Read MoreHit the Streets 78: The Wool Sock Project
Take a listen here, on iTunes, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, etc.
A few weeks ago, my good friend Joshua Coombes, founder of #DoSomethingForNothing, went to Anchorage Alaska to meet up with Mikey Huff, a young photographer who started a project called The Wool Sock Project. You all know how much I love those initiatives and I wanted to know a little more and reached out to Mikey who happened to be a podcast listener!
Bio
Mikey Huff is a photographer and founder of ‘The Wool Sock Project’ based in Anchorage, Alaska. Mikey began distributing care packages to those living on the streets across Alaska, which included a pair of wool socks to help combat the freezing temperatures. Mikey exchanged these for a conversation, documenting these moments through portrait images. Mikey's career path is carved by his curiosity for humans, he believes the best way to improve the world around you is to use your strengths to lift up the community around you.
Project
Serving the Anchorage homeless community, our intent is to help each individual we interact with in some small way, whether it be with our care packages (wool socks, gloves, food, hand warmers, etc…) or simply by shaking hands and sharing stories.
Links
woolsock.org - mikeyhuff.com - instagram.com/woolsockproject or /mikeyhuff
Hit The Streets 77: Case Study 2: Finding Balance
Take a listen here, on iTunes, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, etc.
This is a new case study episode. This week it’s another case that will benefit the community at large in one way or another. I received this email a few weeks ago from a podcast listener:
First, I have been wanting to set up my own website. I don’t expect to make money from my photography, but I would at least like to be able to sell prints or at least have my own online platform for displaying my photos. A website seems like a good idea, but I have several questions as follows:
It seems like a good idea, but is it really? Or should I focus my time on other things - like getting out with my camera more often?
What website vendor should I use? What are the differences and pros and cons between the major ones like Smug Mug, Wix, WordPress, etc? Maybe there others that may be more well suited for me.
How many photos do I need to launch a website? I worry that I don’t have enough good content to make a website viable. ( I also worry in general that my work isn’t good enough to justify a website. That's a whole psychology angle that a lot of photographers probably struggle with.)
Should I set up a website so that it can take online orders?
I also wonder what to name my website and/or Instagram page. How do I brand myself? As you know I have two Instagrams: a private one for family snapshots and a more “serious” one where I post some of my better photos and avoid the family pics. I don’t need you to give me a name, but I wonder how to separate my photo “brand” from my day job where I work as a financial planner. When people Google my name, I don’t want them to be confused between two Mike Branch websites - one for financial planning and one for photography. I worry that my financial planning clients may wonder if I am serious about my real job or that it could create conflict with my professional brand. Long-story short I want to keep my photography and professional life separate.
Should my website focus on one genre or specialty or have more variety. I enjoy street photography but I don’t limit myself to any one type of photography.
- Mike Branch
Because we are talking about balancing a full-time career with an emerging photography career, I invited special co-host and friend of the show, Steve Brokaw, to help me with this case.
Bio:
Mike Branch is an aspiring Minneapolis-based photographer with a busy day job and an active family life. His photographic interests include an eclectic mix of street photography, cityscapes, animals and other subjects that catch his eye. He dreams of one day traveling the world with his camera. Currently, you can find his work on Instagram @Leo.Logee
Links:
Mike Branch @Leo.Logee on Instagram
Steve Brokaw's website, Instagram
Send us your case study for an upcoming episode!
By contacting Valerie here
Hit The Streets 76: Dancers in the City with Omar Z Robles
This week I invited Omar Z Robles on the show. I had the chance to meet him a couple of times and co-host a photo walk with him in NYC in 2016. You’ve all seen his work with dancers. Today I invite you to get to know the man behind the lens and learn about the passion that fuels his creativity.
Read MoreHit The Streets 75: 28 Minutes with Valerie
Take a listen here or on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, etc.
This is a monologue episode as I have quite a few announcements this week... I also answer a listener question about anxiety on the streets.
Call For Entry
I am excited to be the juror for a new Call For Entry with the Minneapolis Photo Center. To enter, please visit the Mpls Photo Center website
Theme:
The Eyes of A Stranger - Street Portraits
Making a good portrait of a complete stranger is a challenge that all serious photographers must eventually face. It is an acquired skill.
It's one thing to take a picture of a pedestrian or stranger on the sly, and quite another to actually make a portrait of them.
We can choose to engage them or not, but each encounter should result in a positive experience for the subject and the photographer.
The desired end result is a strong photograph that does reveal the brief connection that we shared.
The eyes don't lie. Nor does the camera.
Timeline:
February 22: Call for Entry OPENS
April 22: Call for Entry CLOSES
May 1: Judging completed and 60 exhibitors announcements are made
June 1: All exhibit photographs are framed and ready to hang in the gallery at MPC
June 8: Opening night at Mpls Photo Center for The Eyes of a Stranger and #DoSomethingForNothing NYC-Paris
Webinars
Coming soon! Sign up here to get notified when registration opens
Hit The Streets Worldwide Photowalks
Find all the details on the Hit The Streets Worldwide Photowalks FB Group
Workshops
1 spot open in NYC March 1-2
1 spot open in Normandy, France Oct. 24-30
Hit The Streets 74: The 24HourProject with Renzo Grande
This week on Hit The Streets I talk with the founder of the 24 Hour Project, Renzo Grande. Find out all there is to know about this fun project and how you can get involved this year!
Read MoreHit The Streets 73: Q&A and Photo Challenge
This week, my guest co-host is German photographer Kai Behrmann. Together we answer questions about consistency in producing photo series and useful steps you can take to improve your photography today. The questions were submitted by Elizabeth Gray and Chantal Mougel.
Read MoreHit The Streets 72: He's Baaack! Gordon Laing Answers Your Gear Questions
It's a yearly tradition! I invited gear guru and all around awesome guy, Gordon Laing, back on the show to answer your gear and technical questions.
Read MoreHit The Streets 71: The Veterans Portrait Project with Stacy Pearsall
My guest today became an air force photographer at the age of 17 and became one of the few women combat photographers. After being wounded, she retired from the military and is now devoting her time and energy on a very special project called the Veterans Portrait Project. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Stacy Pearsall.
Read MoreHit The Streets 70: Case Study 1: I'm Dead, Now What?
In this new regular 'Case Studies' segment of Hit The Streets, I invite listeners on the show to discuss a specific topic that they are concerned about and can benefit the photography community at large. Today my guest is Dennis Linden, who recently survived a massive heart attack. The event prompted him to start organizing his photographs in order to leave a legacy for his children and generations to come. Alhough not the most joyful topic, this is an important one and we discuss different ways to prevent our precious photographs to be forever lost or ignored.
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