Your Story Isn’t Needed - Pie Aerts Finds Meaning Within The Pressure Machine Of Photography, E108
· 1 h 38 min
Episode Your Story Isn’t Needed - Pie Aerts Finds Meaning Within The Pressure Machine Of Photography, E108
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 sits at the intersection of human presence, conservation, and long-form storytelling. He is also the founder of Prints for Wildlife, a platform that has raised over $2.5 million for conservation initiatives worldwide.
Our conversation focuses on how Pie thinks about photography beyond aesthetics. We talk about self-doubt, ethics, money, responsibility, and what it actually takes to stay committed to a story over many years. A central thread is his 6-year project in southern Chile (titled COIRÓN), documenting the lives of the Puesteros, and how that work has evolved from an idea into a deeply personal body of work.
My discussion with Pie was reflective for photographers who are thinking long-term, questioning their motives, and trying to balance meaning with sustainability.
Other stuff we talk about:
• Pie Aerts’ background in documentary and wildlife photography • His six-year long-term project with the Puesteros of Chile • Ethical responsibility, power, and care in long-form photography • Self-doubt, anxiety, and uncertainty as part of creative life • Why deep, meaningful photography rarely pays on its own • Building expeditions and community as a funding engine • Authenticity, AI, and the future of photography.
During the part where we discuss his project 'COIRÓN', Pie shares details about his current Kickstarter campaign to fund the publication of his upcoming photobook COIRÓN on the Puesteros, produced with GOST Books. The book is scheduled for release in 2026, alongside a feature-length film developed from the same long-term project. Find kickstarter link below for you to support the project. Links for Pie and his work: Kickstarter Page here Instagram: @because.people.matter Website: pieaerts.com __________________________
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Links in the notes 9
- https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pie-aerts/coiron-a-photo-book?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn33sHpsVYdlyrborQgv8gZWBlBikxFvby4HVtt4nVWwn0Hhm8fzqThmyrZwA_aem_uwBPq3ND7wG_Kf2Ng22PYw&ref=dkic2a&utm_content=link_in_bio&utm_medium=social&utm_source=ig
- https://www.instagram.com/because.people.matter/
- https://www.pieaerts.com/
- https://www.buzzsprout.com/2148781/fan_mail/new
- https://www.buzzsprout.com/2148781/support
- https://www.mattjacob.co/insiders
- https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965
- https://themoodpodcast.com
- https://www.instagram.com/mattyj_ay/
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