B&H Photography Podcast

Daniel Root lives by the saying, the early bird catches the worm, explaining, "I always have woken up early, to the point that my mother warned my wife that 'Danny always gets up with the birdies'."

In this week's podcast, we take a deep dive into Root's pre-dawn photo excursions and his multifaceted creative career in New York's East Village. He joins Derek for an in-depth chat that takes us back to the experimental vibe of the early 80s, which gave him permission to create.

Daniel's "Say Yes to Anything" attitude kicked off an intrepid journey—from capturing BTS photos of Madonna on set to lucrative freelance jobs capturing production stills and portraits to his recent photo series' documenting vacant bars and empty city streets.

He shares openly about his motivation to make pictures that "give him a bump" and the process that leads to these results, explaining, "with the bar book, and whenever I do an interior, it's always from the outside. And you can put the lens right on the glass and that stabilizes the camera itself. And, also, that allows you a longer shutter speed, so the camera can collect the light. And you can do things with a camera that you can't do with your eye. So, if you can get a handheld at two seconds, you can really pull a lot out."

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please follow us @bhpodcastnetwork and be on the lookout for more inspiring conversations in our new format.

Guest: Daniel Root

Episode Timeline:

0:00: Wake Up City: Photos at Dawn, with Daniel Root
2:34: Daniel's stumble into the New York City artist era in the early 1980s.
5:24: Being ready to say yes to anything, especially Madonna filming Desperately Seeking Susan.
10:28: Living in the East Village in early 80s gave Daniel permission to create.
14:16: Becoming intentional with wanting to do a project: New York Bars at Dawn.
17:13: Daniel's East Village Then & Now book and a publisher who wanted him to do a "subvention."
20:24: The process and gear behind Daniel's Bars at Dawn project, and his newest series in the streets.
24:38: Capturing the mood of Daniel's New York Bars at Dawn book—he thinks of the bars as people.
26:46: A history lesson about downtown Manhattan streets and neighborhoods.
30:52: Daniel's quirky new photo project called One-to-One.
33:13: The most enjoyable part of the self-promotion for Daniel's two books.
36:55: Derek goes down a rabbit hole of 1980s NYC nostalgia.
39:45: The unexpected challenges behind Daniel's East Village Then & Now project.
46:20: The art of being fueled by adrenaline and always looking for a new way to see.
50:29: Daniel's current project experimenting with landscapes and different layers of OHP material.
54:28: Trying not to work for social media likes and the importance of pleasing yourself first.
57:25: Daniel's long history as a B&H customer and his memories of shopping on 17th Street.
59:49: The process to edit down 150,000 pictures from more than 900 pre-dawn NYC walks.
1:04:00: Stories about failing hard drives and losing 25 years of B&W negatives from a basement during hurricane Sandy.
1:08:02: Derek walks himself into a challenge to do a side quest wandering the streets of New York before dawn.

Guest Bio: Daniel Root is a fine art photographer and a principal in the visual arts firm The Root Group. A resident of New York's East Village since the early 1980s, Daniel's photography career began in 1984, doing production stills for theater, video shoots, television and portraiture for entertainment and corporate clients. This work continues today and has appeared in most major magazines throughout the world. His popular predawn photographs of Manhattan water holes are collected in the book New York Bars at Dawn, published by Abbeville Press. You can find his daily photos, a practice he's now maintained for a decade, on Instagram.

Stay Connected:
Daniel Root website: https://rootrootroot.com/
Daniel Root business website: https://rootgroupnyc.com/
Daniel Root Linktree: linktr.ee/danielroot
Daniel Root Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielrootphotography/
Daniel Root East Village Then & Now book: https://rootrootroot.com/the-east-village-then-and-now/
Daniel Root New York Bars at Dawn: https://rootrootroot.com/new-york-bars-at-dawn/

Host: Derek Fahsbender
Creative Producer: Jill Waterman
Technical Producer: Peter Maziarz
Editor: Dave Moncion
Social Media: Grace Massara
Music: Gabriel Richards
Executive Producer: Dana Glidden

There are no second takes at the New York City Marathon. Twenty-six miles, five boroughs, and one shot at making the race count. In this week's podcast, Paul Seibert and Alex Geiger of Back Left Media take us up in the air—hot off their 2026 coverage—to describe what it takes to plan for the story while staying ready for whatever the day throws at you.

Along the way, they explain why a helicopter is often a better choice than a drone, especially in New York. We also get into how they met, the factors fueling Alex's decision to go freelance, and the many challenges involved in planning complex assignments—from initial creative discussions to converting clients to landing the deal.

Paul & Alex also share details about their multi-year partnership with New York Road Runners, and the high level of buy-in and trust that allows them to build out a multi-dimensional image library over time.

As Alex notes, "They're really great at letting us be the experts in that area and letting us go after what we think would be good." By way of illustration, he adds, "How many times do we head out with a shot in mind, and then maybe the weather or the light isn't playing right, or we're a couple of minutes off here and there? And we just add it to the next year. So, it's an always flowing and moving shot list."
 
If you've enjoyed this podcast, please follow us @bhpodcastnetwork and be on the lookout for more inspiring conversations in our new format.

 
Guests: Paul Seibert & Alex Geiger
 
0:00: Experiencing the NYC Marathon with Paul Seibert & Alex Geiger 
2:21: Derek's first 5K with his dad and the importance of pacing
4:22: Where did Paul first develop his passion for photography?
5:45: Alex's switch from engineering to marketing in college and producing videos for college sports
8:06: Paul credits Instagram and the New York photo community with helping his learning curve
11:29: How Paul met Alex during his summer internship in New York
13:37: Alex's decision to leave full-time employment for a large freelance assignments with Paul
16:00: Bringing a concept from your mind to life for a client
17:52: Dealing with no's and the process of converting clients and closing a deal
19:57: Fighting a lack of understanding between creative foresight and the empirical evidence of numbers
20:58: Aerials from a helicopter vs a drone
24:32: Covering the entire NYC Marathon from a helicopter
28:31: The partnership between Back Left Media and New York Roadrunners
32:48: Experiencing the marathon inside the helicopter with Paul & Alex
40:26: Figuring out the stories to tell about the marathon while also adapting to the moment
45:53: Paul describes his aerial photography: simultaneously hands-off and intimate
48:38: Alex on the division of labor between him and Paul in the business
53:44: The insights Alex brings to the table as a marathon runner himself
1:00:38: Paul's story on missing the shot
1:07:36: A wild Rocky Mountains helicopter ride
1:14:40: Paul and Alex consider themselves weather men first when it comes to planning
1:15:50: Describing extra footage to set the tone for this year's coverage
 
Guest Bios: 
Paul Seibert, Back Left Media's lead photographer, possesses a rare talent for capturing the essence of our world from above. As author of the book New York From The Air, and through his wider portfolio spanning breathtaking landscapes to iconic landmarks, Paul's work showcases a keen eye for detail and composition that sets him apart in the field of aerial photography. Having lived in the New York metropolitan area for most of his life, Paul's inspiration comes from the energy, pace, and unexpected elements that such a large, diverse environment provides. His goal is to pass that inspiration along through his images, offering the viewer a window into the awe and appreciation for beauty he finds in each moment. 
Alex Geiger, Back Left Media's chief cinematographer, brings stories to life through video, photography, and motion graphics. He thrives when capturing live content in fast-paced environments where there are no second takes, as demonstrated through more than seven years in the sports industry. Current clients include brands such as the NFL, ATP, LIV Golf, NBA Summer League, Canon USA Imaging, Syracuse University Football, and multiple University basketball teams. His mission is to help such businesses succeed by capturing visual stories that will engage audiences and communicate in ways that can't be explained in just words alone.
Stay Connected:
Paul Seibert Website: https://www.paulseibertphotography.com/
Paul Seibert Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beholdingeye
Paul Seibert Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaulSeibertPhotography/
Paul Seibert YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@paulseibertphoto2432
Paul Seibert X: https://www.twitter.com/PSeibertPhoto
Paul Seibert LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-seibert-b0552484/
Alex Geiger Website: https://alex-geiger.com/
Alex Geiger Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex_geiger_
 
Back Left Media Website: https://www.backleftmedia.com
Back Left Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backleftmedia
Back Left Media X: https://x.com/BackLeftMedia
Back Left Media YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@backleftmedia
B&H Podcast Network Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhpodcastnetwork/
B&H Podcast Network Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BHPodcastNetwork
 
Host: Derek Fahsbender
Creative Producer: Jill Waterman
Technical Producer: Peter Maziarz
Editor: Dave Moncion
Social Media: Grace Massara
Music: Gabriel Richards
Executive Producer: Dana Glidden

Everyone knows that a cat has nine lives. But this famous proverb has a second part: "…For three he plays, for three he strays, and for the last three he stays." It's a fitting story arc for this week's podcast with Dan Rimada and Gulce Kilkis of Bodega Cats of New York, whose local passion project has grown into something that stays: an archive, a photo book, and a push for legislation.
Dan and Gulce's chat with Derek tracks the Bodega Cats initiative from its start on Instagram through its growth into a definitive archive of cat photos and bodega stories—and even a publishing deal. Along the way, Dan also reveals the initial fallout he received from animal rescuers, which led him to start a funding petition for bodega cats. Even more notable is his heartfelt efforts to legalize bodega cats on both city and state levels. Once passed, this groundbreaking legislation will offer New York's "working cats" access to funding for veterinary care and other resources.
And the episode wouldn't be complete without a discussion of the creative process, including Gulce's photo tips for being a cat whisperer. As Dan notes, "When we first started shooting, she said something along the lines of like, "Be furniture." In other words, just blend into the environment. Don't distract the cat. Don't pose it. Definitely don't pick it up and put it on something. She was always very strict about… 'we want to observe the cat in its natural environment, so that means don't stage anything.' We don't need to, right?  These cats will pose when they want to."
If you've enjoyed this podcast, please follow us @bhpodcastnetwork and be on the lookout for more inspiring conversations in our new format.
Guests: Dan Rimada & Gulce Kilkis
Episode Timeline:
0:00: Dan Rimada & Gulce Kilkis
2:16: Gulce's photography path before the cats.
5:00: The backstory to Dan starting an Instagram project about bodega cats in New York. 
8:13: The Bodega Cats initiative as Dan's creative outlet during Covid.
11:03: Gulce's photo project about street animals in Turkey, and tips for photographing cats by following their lead. 
15:14: Tips Dan learned from Gulce about photographing cats: Be Furniture!
18:02: The process behind an actual shoot, dealing with bodega owners, language barriers and the like.
 22:06: Style and lighting considerations when photographing bodega cats.
25:51: Dan on when the Bodega Cat project got legs and evolved from iPhone photos to an archive of cat photos, bodega stories—and a publishing deal.
32:40: How to know when a bodega is going to have a cat.
35:30: Backstory to the petition and legislation to protect New York City bodega cats.
42:22: How you can support the bodega cat petition.
43:59: The gut-wrenching story behind the shutdown of the first Bodega Cat Instagram account.  
46:16: Bodega Cat's sister company Cats About Town Tours.
49:15: Launching an official archive of New York City's bodega cats, including photos from the public.
50:29: Gulce's ongoing work for Turkish Street Cats during visits to her family in Turkey.
51:31: When and where to buy the Bodega Cats of New York book?
Guest Bios:
Dan Rimada founded New York City's first citywide bodega cat archive. He's also the author of Bodega Cats of New York, the first full-length nonfiction book about the city's bodega cats, published by Epic Ink, an imprint of Quarto. Dan writes and edits the stories, runs the archive, and organizes the advocacy work. Additionally, in 2025, Dan co-founded Cats About Town Tours, which leads walking tours about the history of cats in New York City
Gulce Kilkis is the primary photographer for Bodega Cats of New York. Born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, Gulce ventured to the United States to pursue her passion for image-making. After obtaining an MFA in Film and Television, she began photographing on film sets, where she's worked for more than 10 years. With extensive experience on different types of sets, Gulce honed her ability to blend seamlessly into the background while capturing candid moments, intricate technical processes, and the emotions that bring stories to life. When not on set, she continually explores new ways to tell stories through images, whether it be street photography, travel photography, or capturing the captivating character of our feline friends—both Turkey's famous street cats and the bodega cats of New York City.
Stay Connected:
Bodega Cats of New York (BCNY) Website: https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com
BCNY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newyorkbodegacats/
BCNY Substack: https://substack.com/@bodegacatsofnewyork
BCNY Advocacy: https://bodegacatsofnewyork.com/advocacy/
Gulce Kilkis Website: https://www.gulcekilkis.photography/
Gulce Kilkis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gulce_nyc/
Cats About Town Tours Website: https://catsabouttowntours.com/
Cats About Town Tours Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catsabouttowntoursnyc/
 
B&H Podcast Network Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhpodcastnetwork/
B&H Podcast Network Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BHPodcastNetwork
 
Host: Derek Fahsbender
Creative Producer: Jill Waterman
Technical Producer: Peter Maziarz
Editor: Dave Moncion
Social Media: Grace Massara
Music: Gabriel Richards
Executive Producer: Dana Glidden

Dave Krugman grew up on the edge of the Internet. Emerging from college into the first wave of Instagram, he became an OG of that platform before going on to found ALLSHIPS, a culture company with a mission to prove that a creative life is possible.
In this week's podcast, Dave joins Derek for a wide-ranging chat that includes
insights into how Instagram shattered the magazine paradigm, giving photographers greater sovereignty as artists. He also draws parallels between the public's current fear of AI and early skepticism toward platforms like Instagram. 
Looking beyond the debate of whether AI generated imagery will eat into the market for creative photography, Dave points to the many ways in which AI helps him to seamlessly communicate with his network and impress clients.
However, this episode is ultimately about the creative process, and the connections Dave makes related to projects such as his viral "Windows" collection really packs a punch.  
"More people cared about this than anything else I've done so far," he notes. "…But there's nothing unique about me, I'm just another person trying things, and everyone out there, you are too … And as technology evolves, it recombines with every other technology, and new things become possible that have not been tried before. And so, I just encourage people, like, Go for it, just go for it."
If you've enjoyed this podcast, please follow us @bhpodcastnetwork and be on the lookout for more inspiring conversations in our new format.
Guest: Dave Krugman
Episode Timeline:
0:00: Dave Krugman at the forefront of technology.
1:44: Emerging from college into the first wave of Instagram.
3:17: From growing up on the edge of the Internet to becoming a retoucher for Annie Leibovitz.
6:15: Dave discovers sponsored Instagram posts & the possibility of building your own distribution network.
7:07: How Instagram shattered the magazine paradigm. 
8:54: Repeating the Instagram pathway in the current AI scenario. 
13:50: Where is Instagram at in its current life cycle? Every tool is also a weapon.
17:26: The future is now, and it accelerates in front of us.
18:26: How technology allows you to build your own platform on sovereign ground.
20:07: Dave on using AI to stay organized and create a custom branded calendar for client meetings.
24:38: Will generated imagery eat into the market for creative photography?
30:10: The evolution of the Internet, controlling the algorithms, and targeting your lizard brain.
33:18: Community building and establishing the culture company ALLSHIPS.
37:38: The underlying thesis of evolutionary psychology: We are a product of our environment of evolution.
39:58: Applying evolutionary psychology to network theory within computing networks.
41:59: How do you increase the size and influence of your node within your network?
51:18: Dave on the photos he makes, working with typologies and pattern recognition.
55:06: Dave's Drive project and the creative behavior behind it.
59:12: Using technology to create systems that haven't existed before … there is an infinite fertile ground in front of everyone, so just do it! 
Guest Bio: Dave Krugman is a New York based photographer, and the founder of ALLSHIPS, a creative community based on the idea that a rising tide raises all ships. His photography is a study of humanity's intersection with cities and how people are influenced by their immediate environment. Through his environmental portraiture and candid street photography he works to reveal the beauty at confluences of circumstance. For daily updates, follow his Instagram account, and for longer editorial coverage, his photo essays.
 
Stay Connected:
Dave Krugman website: https://www.davekrugman.com/
ALLSHIPS website: https://www.allships.co/
Dave Krugman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dave.krugman/
Dave Krugman Photo Essays: https://stories.davekrugman.com/
Dave Krugman Threads: https://www.threads.com/@dave.krugman/
Dave Krugman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davejkrugman/
B&H Podcast Network Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhpodcastnetwork/
B&H Podcast Network Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BHPodcastNetwork
Host: Derek Fahsbender
Creative Producer: Jill Waterman

Technical Producer: Peter Maziarz 
Editor: Dave Moncion
Social Media: Grace Massara
Music: Gabriel Richards

Executive Producer: Dana Glidden

For Gabriela, photography is about more than capturing a polished final image. It's about becoming part of a place, building trust with the people around her, and recognizing the everyday moments that quietly connect our lives. In this week's podcast, she discusses moving from commercial photography into street portraiture, learning to approach people with confidence and respect, and allowing time and genuine connection to shape her work.
Highlights from Gabriela's candid conversation include her approach to blending into a scene, the portrait she created after days of connecting with a woman in Nepal, and her love for photographing ordinary routines that might otherwise pass undocumented.
The conversation also takes an honest look at the realities behind a creative life. Gabriela explains how she moved from hiding behind the camera to sharing more of herself online, why creators need to develop their own voices across different platforms, and how organization, business knowledge, financial awareness, and firm boundaries have helped her build a lasting freelance career.
Ultimately, Gabriella's story is a reminder that finding your voice requires knowing who you are, creating for yourself first, and surrounding yourself with people who genuinely want to see you succeed.
If you've enjoyed this podcast, please follow us @bhpodcastnetwork and be on the lookout for more inspiring conversations in our new format.
 
Guest: Gabriela Gabrielaa
 
Episode Timeline
0:00: Introducing Gabriela: Finding yourself as an artist and creative.
2:21: The growing importance of behind-the-scenes storytelling.
3:31: Moving from commercial photography to street portraiture.
4:44: Building confidence and helping people feel comfortable in front of the camera.
8:46: Slowing down, observing, and finding photographs within a single place.
11:10: Building trust to create a memorable portrait in Nepal.
12:25: Why meaningful photography takes time.
15:19: Translating the sounds and sensations of the street into photographs.
16:05: Collaborating with musicians and putting visuals to sound.
21:14: Concert photography, spontaneity, and the possibilities of creative control.
22:18: How collaboration and community helped Gabriela's career flourish.
24:06: Knowing who you are and allowing the right community to find you.
25:13: Creative boundaries and knowing when to walk away.
26:04: Turning manifestation into action through planning and persistence.
28:09: How social media affects the creative process.
30:09: Moving from behind the camera to becoming more visible.
35:55: Inspiration, influence, and why every artist brings a different perspective.
37:20: Art school, online education, and the value of real-world experience.
40:31: Bringing tactile collage and physical inspiration back into the process.
43:18: Why photographers need to understand marketing and business.
49:55: Removing the stigma around day jobs and creative side careers.
51:11: Working across photography, directing, set design, acting, and modeling.
53:31: Ongoing personal projects, including "Bag Lady."
54:44: Photographing bicycles around the world.
59:02: Self-publishing, creative networks, and friends who help you grow.
1:00:31: Returning to Latin America, reconnecting with her roots, and making intentional work.
1:02:20: Rest, boundaries, and bringing a sense of peace back into the creative process.
1:03:22: Final thoughts on community, personal responsibility, and continued growth.
 
Guest Bio
Gabriela Gabrielaa is a prominent Colombian-American photographer known for her work in portraiture, street photography, and lifestyle photography. Based in New York City, her photography captures the dynamism of urban life, showcasing both the complexities and the beauty of the world around her. Since picking up a camera at the age of 11, Gabriela has committed herself to creating powerful visual narratives that explore themes of identity, culture, and the spaces we inhabit. Over the past 10 years, she has developed a distinctive artistic style that resonates with a global audience, establishing her as a compelling voice in the world of photography. Gabriela collaborates with brands such as Sony, Red Bull, and Governors Ball. Additionally, she is a producer, curator, and community builder, bridging traditional and digital art practices.
 
Stay Connected:
Gabriela Gabrielaa Website: https://www.gabrielagabrielaa.com

Gabriela Gabrielaa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabrielagabrielaa/
B&H Podcast Network Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhpodcastnetwork/
B&H Podcast Network Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BHPodcastNetwork 
Host: Derek Fahsbender
Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman
Technical Producer/Video Editor: Peter Maziarz
Executive Producer: Dana Glidden