The MOOD Podcast

Episodes page 1 of 4

1. What If a Photographer’s Fear of Failure Isn’t Fear at All? Psychologist Zahra Ciardi Explains

   22 Oct 2026 · 1 h 08 min

   I'm joined again by Zahra Ciardi, a registered psychologist and the founder of Ascendant Bali, for a second conversation about the psychology behind photography and creativity. We talk about what happens when a…

2. Q&A: Why Your Photos Might Feel Stagnant (And How to Fix It) - Moments of Mood, 4.2

   15 Oct 2026 · 51 min

   This is a Q&A with questions sent in by photographers from my community. I answer whether your audience needs to understand your photography, if a project shot in a few days can have real depth, how to deal with…

3. Why Photobooks Will Outlast the Internet - Matthew Genitempo (Part 2)

   8 Oct 2026 · 1 h 11 min

   THIS IS PART 2 OF A 2 PART CONVERSATION WITH MATTHEW GENITEMPO. In Part 2 of my conversation with photographer and publisher Matthew Genitempo, we go deep into his photobooks Mother of Dogs and Dogbreath, and into…

4. If You Still Question Your Photography, You Are Not Alone, So Does Matthew Genitempo (Part 1)

   1 Oct 2026 · 1 h 05 min

   THIS IS PART 1 OF A 2 PART CONVERSATION WITH MATTHEW GENITEMPO. I sat down with photographer Matthew Genitempo, the graphic designer turned photographer and publisher behind the photobooks Jasper, Mother of Dogs and…

5. Andrea Modica's answer to the question every photographer asks eventually: what's the point? E134

   24 Sep 2026 · 1 h 01 min

   I sat down with Andrea Modica, the ‘Italian Story’ photographer (as well many other books) who has made every photograph since 1980 with an 8x10 view camera and prints all her work herself. Andrea studied with Richard…

6. Your Worst Thoughts Arrive Dressed as Your Best Ideas - Moments of Mood, 4.1

   17 Sep 2026 · 19 min

   In this week’s Moments of Mood episode, you’ll learn why I believe meditation is the most direct route to a photographic voice that is unmistakably yours, and exactly what it does to your attention, your creativity and…

7. Richard Sharum On 600 Deaths And His New Book 'American Homicide', E132

   10 Sep 2026 · 1 h 51 min

   In this week’s podcast episode you'll learn why the photographs you're most proud of are probably the ones hiding you, and what a documentary photographer who has stood at 600 deaths says it actually costs to make work…

8. Work Does Not Speak For Itself - Moments of Mood, 4.0

   3 Sep 2026 · 13 min

   In this week’s Moments of Mood episode, you'll learn the 4 questions curators, juries, and publishers silently ask about every photography project, and how to answer them in 100 words so your work actually gets seen.…

9. Why Should Anyone Care About Your Photography? Shana Lopes, E130

   27 Aug 2026 · 58 min

   Learn exactly what an SFMOMA photography curator looks for, what she passes over, and how to get your work seen without an MFA, a gallery, or a 6-paragraph artist statement. I sat down with Shana Lopes, Assistant…

10. Stop Explaining Your Photographs - Moments of Mood, 3.9

    20 Aug 2026 · 15 min

    In this Moments of Mood episode, I get into the question of whether we as photographers should explain our images or let them try and ‘speak for themselves’, why the readings you want to correct are actually a map to…

11. Why Your Photos Are Boring - Photographer David Chancellor Explains..., E128

    13 Aug 2026 · 1 h 18 min

    On this episode, I sat down with David Chancellor, the award-winning documentary photographer behind ‘Hunters’, ‘Handle Like Eggs’, and the Taylor Wessing Prize-winning portrait ‘Huntress with Buck’, for a conversation…

12. One Photograph Is All You Get Now, and Why That's Good News for Photographers - Moments of Mood, 3.8

    6 Aug 2026 · 11 min

    Attention has collapsed, and every photographer feels it. In this Moments of Mood episode, I make the case that this might be the best thing to happen to serious photography in a generation. You'll learn why the…

13. Odette England Answers Every Photographer's Worst Fear, E126

    30 Jul 2026 · 1 h 39 min

    Odette England makes her photographs and then damages them, and this conversation is about why that is the most honest thing she has ever done with her voice. Odette is an Australian artist, writer and photography…

14. How To Find Your Voice Without Building a Signature Style - Moments of Mood, 3.7

    23 Jul 2026 · 17 min

    In this Moments of Mood episode I sit with a single photograph from my own archive, one I made by accident in under ten seconds, and use it to unpack an idea Cristina Mittermeier gave me: that the photographer is not a…

15. Trent Davis Bailey: Every Photographer Hits The Wrong Notes Before Finding Their Voice, E124

    16 Jul 2026 · 1 h 48 min

    Trent Davis Bailey spent 7 years photographing a remote farming valley in Colorado, convinced he was making documentary work. He wasn't. The pictures knew before he did: he was searching for the family he'd lost to a…

16. The One Skill That Actually Makes Photography Beautiful (It's Not Composition) - Moments of Mood, 3.6

    9 Jul 2026 · 23 min

    In this episode you'll discover why beauty in photography is made by your attention, not found in your subjects, and how reading your own form reveals the photographic voice you've been searching for elsewhere. In this…

17. The Inner Voice That Stops You Taking the Photo And Lies to Every Photographer, with Rory King - E122

    2 Jul 2026 · 1 h 21 min

    If you have ever felt technically capable but creatively lost, this conversation shows you how one photographer turned a decade of pictures, and the hardest years of his life, into a body of work that is unmistakably…

18. What Koudelka's Photos Show Photographers About Finding Their Voice in the Age of AI - Moments of Mood, 3.5

    25 Jun 2026 · 16 min

    In this solo episode of Moments of Mood, you'll learn why the flood of AI images is about to make real, human photography more valuable, not less, and how to find the voice that's unmistakably yours. I break down what…

19. Why Photographer Ridwan Didot Asks Every Artist "What's Wrong With You?", E120

    18 Jun 2026 · 1 h 20 min

    In this episode you'll learn how to tell whether your photography is actually art, why chasing technical perfection is holding your work back, and how to develop a photographic voice that's unmistakably your own. This…

20. Your Body Decides the Photograph Before You Do - Photographer Tim Carpenter, E119

    11 Jun 2026 · 1 h 41 min

    Matt sits down with photographer, writer, and educator Tim Carpenter, author of 'To Photograph Is to Learn How to Die' and photobooks such as 'Local Objects', 'Little' and 'Christmas Day, Bucks Pond Road', for a deep…

21. Zahra Ciardi - The True Self, Limiting Beliefs & Why Photographers Crave Validation, E118

    4 Jun 2026 · 1 h 26 min

    Matt talks with psychologist Zahra Ciardi, founder of Ascendant Bali, to explore the inner life of the creative person: why so many photographers feel their work isn't truly theirs, the limiting beliefs that keep…

22. Cristina Mittermeier Explains Why Being A Good Photographer Isn't Enough Anymore, E117

    28 May 2026 · 1 h 44 min

    Cristina Mittermeier is a National Geographic photographer, co-founder of SeaLegacy, and author of "Hope." Her work has been featured in National Geographic's series "Photographer" and in publications around the world.…

23. The One Question That Helped Rich-Joseph Facun Find His Photographic Voice, E116

    14 May 2026 · 1 h 26 min

    In this episode, Matt sits down with Rich-Joseph Facun, a celebrated American documentary photographer, former photojournalist of 15 years, and founder of the independent publishing imprint Liars Corner. In this…

24. Pricing, Prestige & The Business Of Photography - Miriam Schulman, E115

    29 Apr 2026 · 57 min

    In this episode, Matt sits down with Miriam Schulman, professional artist, art business coach, host of the Inspiration Place podcast, and bestselling author of Artpreneur (HarperCollins). Miriam left Wall Street after…

25. The Psychological Trap Quietly Destroying Your Photography - Moments of Mood 3.4

    22 Apr 2026 · 15 min

    In this Moments of Mood episode of The MOOD Podcast, Matt returns after a road accident left him physically immobilised for several weeks, unable to photograph, travel, or work, and uses that enforced stillness to…

26. Mark Power - 14 Years Photographing America, The Democracy of Photography & Why Stillness Matters More Than The Decisive Moment, E114

    15 Apr 2026 · 1 h 32 min

    In this episode, Matt sits down with Magnum photographer Mark Power for a wide-ranging conversation about long-term documentary photography, creative process, and what it means to spend 14 years photographing America…

27. Chico Review, part 2 - What a Portfolio Review Taught Me About My Photography (That 10 Years Didn't)

    10 Apr 2026 · 2 h 50 min

    Listen to part one here Watch part one here ________________________ In Part 2 of this special Chico Review 2026 episode, Matt continues documenting his week inside one of photography's most respected portfolio review…

28. Chico Review 2026 - part 1: Why Feedback Beats 10,000 Followers

    2 Apr 2026 · 1 h 47 min

    The Chico Review destroyed my confidence. Then built it back... THIS IS PART 1 OF A 2 PART FEATURE ON CHICO REVIEW 2026 - SEE PART 2 NEXT WEEK. I arrived at the Chico Review 2026 thinking my work was ready. 10 formal…

29. Every Photo Is a Crime Scene - Brad Zellar on How He Reads Photography and Inspects an Image, E111

    19 Mar 2026 · 1 h 47 min

    In this episode of The MOOD Podcast, I sit down with writer Brad Zellar, whose deep relationship to photography, photo books, storytelling, and visual culture makes this one of the most thought-provoking conversations…

30. Before You Improve Your Photography, Read Yourself First - Moments of Mood, 3.3

    11 Mar 2026 · 16 min

    In this episode of Moments of Mood, I explore why self-awareness is the missing foundation behind meaningful photography. After spending a few days at a silent retreat in Bali, I began reflecting on something I’ve seen…

31. “25 Years With National Geographic” Joe McNally on What Photography Lost (And What It Gained) - E110

    4 Mar 2026 · 1 h 10 min

    Joe McNally, legendary professional photographer best known for his work with National Geographic, Life, and major commercial clients, and for his mastery of lighting and flash, joins me on the show to discuss an array…

32. The Mindset of a Hasselblad Master Photographer - Tina Signesdottir, E109

    19 Feb 2026 · 1 h 20 min

    Tina Signesdottir is a Norwegian fine art portrait photographer and Hasselblad Master, known for natural light portraits with rare emotional intimacy. In her first ever podcast appearance, Tina speaks candidly about…

33. Your Story Isn’t Needed - Pie Aerts Finds Meaning Within The Pressure Machine Of Photography, E108

    4 Feb 2026 · 1 h 38 min

    In this episode, I sit down with photographer Pie Aerts to unpack the philosophies, struggles, and decisions that have shaped his work over the last decade. Pie is a documentary and wildlife photographer whose practice…

34. Finding Contentment, Craft, And Community In Photography - Answering Your Questions! Moments of Mood, 3.2

    21 Jan 2026 · 1 h 07 min

    What if your best work starts with a quiet cup and a clear mind? We kick off the year with an honest, unscripted 'Ask Me Anything' episode that explores how small rituals, sharper definitions, and a steadier inner…

35. Why Most Photographers Never Begin - Wesley Verhoeve, E107

    7 Jan 2026 · 1 h 06 min

    In this episode of The MOOD Podcast, I sit down with photographer, writer, and mentor Wesley Verhoeve for a grounded conversation about photography process, confidence, and learning how to make meaningful work without…

36. The Best Bits of 2025 - Moments of Mood, 3.1

    31 Dec 2025 · 1 h 22 min

    The year didn’t teach us to shoot faster. It taught us to go deeper. We close out 2025 by stitching together the most resonant moments from a season of hard questions and honest answers: why “quick fix” education fails…

37. Why The Only Reason You Should Be a Photographer is Obsession - Jesse Lenz: E106

    24 Dec 2025 · 1 h 51 min

    In this episode - the last guest episode of 2025 - I sit down with photographer, publisher, and curator Jesse Lenz for one of the most expansive and honest conversations I’ve had on the show - fitting to end the year…

38. Why Nobody Cares About Your Photography

    17 Dec 2025 · 23 min

    Nobody cares about your photography. We don’t need more of 'any old' photographers. Yet survival as culture and society with soul is completely dependent on work that matters. In this episode of Moments of Mood, I…

39. The Photographer Who Puts Humanity on Trial: Nick Brandt on Sentience, Power, and Responsibility, E105

    10 Dec 2025 · 1 h 23 min

    British photographer and environmental storyteller Nick Brandt joins the show for a raw, expansive conversation on art, climate collapse, sentience, and the role of photography in an age defined by distraction and…

40. The Collapse of the American Dream - Photography as Witness: Bryan Schutmaat, E104

    26 Nov 2025 · 1 h 35 min

    Bryan Schutmaat is a photographer, publisher, and quiet poet of the American West. Known for books such as Grays the Mountain Sends, Good Goddamn, and Sons of the Living, Bryan’s work explores the uneasy tension…

41. What Can We Trust About The Past And Why It Still Shapes Our Work: Kent Andreasen, EP103

    12 Nov 2025 · 1 h 12 min

    Kent Andreasen, a Cape Town-based photographer and filmmaker, joins me to talk about his new photobook Memory Bank (published by Witty Books), which tells the story over a decade shaped by doubt, discipline, and a…

42. How Photography Helped Him Survive Not Belonging Anywhere: Marshall To, EO102

    5 Nov 2025 · 1 h 04 min

    ”What if the stories that shape us are the ones we can't remember?" Marshall To, a photographer whose photobook 'Blank Notes' explores ancestry, memory, and identity through a deeply personal lens, grew up in rural…

43. Why Photography Works Better When You Stop Faking It - Phil Sharp, E101

    29 Oct 2025 · 1 h 20 min

    Phil Sharp, an award winning British portrait photographer, talks about the human core of portrait photography and why music, language, and time can turn performance into truth. We challenge received wisdom about…

44. Do you need a massive following to build a sustainable creative career? Moments of Mood 3.0

    15 Oct 2025 · 28 min

    Welcome to another episode of Moments of Mood, this time about how to monetise - even just a little bit - the wonderful parts of us that are creative. Turning your creative passion into a sustainable career possible,…

45. Is Creativity Enough? Chris Do's advice for creatives, content, and The Futur - E100

    8 Oct 2025 · 1 h 10 min

    “If you don’t value yourself, why should anyone else?” Chris Do is an Emmy-award-winning designer, founder of The Futur, and one of the most sought-after creative educators on the planet. With his huge audience and…

46. How to Stay Relevant as a Photographer in the Age of AI , Moments of Mood 2.9

    24 Sep 2025 · 33 min · Episode 100

    What happens when the world is flooded with AI images, tools, and “perfect” feeds? In this episode of Moments of MOOD, I sit down to talk about what it really means to stay human in your work — and why your voice, your…

47. Ami Vitale's Vision to Use Photography for Real-World Impact, E099

    10 Sep 2025 · 1 h 09 min · Episode 99

    Step into the world of Ami Vitale, National Geographic photographer, filmmaker, and founder of Vital Impacts, as she shares her journey from covering conflict zones to telling the most urgent conservation stories of…

48. The Secret Behind Joel Grimes’ Iconic Photography Style, E098

    3 Sep 2025 · 1 h 12 min · Episode 98

    Joel Grimes doesn’t just take photographs, he creates illusions that make the impossible feel real. In this episode, we dive deep into the mind of a true master, exploring how he uses light, shadow, and imagination to…

49. The Reality of Finding Your Voice as a Photographer - Ed Sykes, E097

    19 Aug 2025 · 1 h 27 min · Episode 97

    Ed Sykes has lived many chapters through photography — from the chaos of war zones and the rush of front-page news to the polished world of fashion editorials. Yet, recognition and success didn’t bring the fulfillment…

50. Ask Me Anything: Everything You Wanted to Know About Life & Photography - Moments of Mood, 2.8

    12 Aug 2025 · 45 min

    I’m answering your questions about photography, creativity, and what keeps me motivated in this AMA. We dive into the real stuff. What inspires me, the struggles I’ve faced, and how I’ve grown as both a photographer…