The MOOD Podcast

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 I’ve had on the show. We talk about the future of photography, why obsession matters more than concept, the role of text in photo books, what makes an image unforgettable, how portfolio reviewers really think, and why the internet may be training a generation not to care about art in the same way.
Other things we discussed:
Brad’s childhood in a small working-class town and the library that changed his life
The photo books that first opened up the world for him
Why boredom, curiosity, and challenge shaped his creative mind
His collaborations with Alec Soth and how words and images can work together
What he looks for in photography portfolio reviews and artist statements
Why some photo projects feel alive and others feel forced
The difference between a strong print and a strong book edit
Why poetry rarely works inside photo books
The collapse of journalism and why Brad is more hopeful about photography than writing
The danger of fake online community and what in-person culture still gives us
Why print, books, and real-world encounters still matter more than ever
Find Brad on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/bradzellar
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Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!
Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work.

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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 repeatedly in my own work, in conversations on the MOOD Podcast, and in our book club discussions. Many photographers spend years learning techniques, buying gear, and consuming endless education, yet still feel creatively stuck. The issue is rarely technical knowledge. More often, it’s a lack of self-awareness. 
In this episode I explain how meditation and mindfulness changed the way I understand my own creative process. I talk about the difference between traction and distraction, why many forms of self-development can quietly pull us off course, and how photography often becomes a mirror of the person behind the camera. 
Better photography doesn’t begin with better gear or more information. It begins with understanding what governs your attention. When you learn to observe your own patterns, impulses, and motivations more clearly, your work becomes more coherent, more intentional, and more authentic. Without that awareness, even the best technical knowledge rarely translates into meaningful work. 
Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!
Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work.

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www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay

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https://mattjacob.co/learn

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Website:
https://themoodpodcast.com

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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 of topics. 
We go deep on the future of photography, how the industry has changed from magazines to the digital era, what AI is really doing to trust in images, why craft is the foundation of art, and what separates a hobbyist from a working photographer through reproducible results, storytelling, and ethical responsibility.

Other things we discussed:
Why a truly great photograph can change you foreve
The camera as a “visa” and the privilege, access, and responsibility of photographing people
The collapse of durable editorial outlets and why modern campaigns disappear fast
How smartphone photography and in-house content have impacted rates and rights
Building a personal photography voice instead of copying lighting setups
Tenacity, failure tolerance, and why awards are “temporary”
What makes an image “good” and how to stop viewers mid-scroll with emotion
Research, rapport, and making subjects feel safe in portrait photography
Mentorship, gatekeeping, and why photography skills should be passed on
Food for the table vs food for the soul, and how photographers stay alive creatively
The isolation of the modern photography workflow and the loss of communal learning spaces
Find Joe on the following platforms:
Website: https://joemcnally.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joemcnallyphoto
Online Teaching Platform: https://betterpictureswithjoe.com
________________________________
Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!
Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work.

YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay

Learn with me
https://mattjacob.co/learn

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https://www.mattjacob.co/archive

Website:
https://themoodpodcast.com

Socials:
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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 the origins of her work, the role photography played in survival and self-expression, and what it actually takes to build images that feel real in a world flooded with content. 
We go deep on photographing with honesty, why relationship and trust are the invisible foundations of portraiture, and how Tina thinks about awards, rejection, and the pressure that follows recognition. Tina also shares how she directs people into stillness, why she avoids performance in front of the camera, and what she believes photographers must protect if they want a lasting voice. 
Other topics we discussed:
Hasselblad Masters 2018 and what winning changed (and did not change)
Natural light portrait photography and “tracing” window light
Finding your photographic voice versus chasing style
Competitions, judging, and what makes an image stop a panel
Rejection, resilience, and the “it factor” in a saturated industry
Medium format cameras and why gear is never the starting point
Social media, authenticity, and the danger of creating for likes
Commercial photography, client comfort, and building trust fast
Photography as escape, healing, and creative obsession
Tina's upcoming project: Colliding Walls (Iceland collaboration + book) 

Find Tina on her website and Instagram:
https://www.tinasignesdottir.com
https://www.instagram.com/tinasignesdottir/
______________________________________________________
Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!
Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work.

YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay

Learn with me
https://mattjacob.co/learn

My Newsletter
https://www.mattjacob.co/archive

Website:
https://themoodpodcast.com

Socials:
IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay

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
__________________________
Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!
Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work.

YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay

Learn with me
https://mattjacob.co/learn

My Newsletter
https://www.mattjacob.co/archive

Website:
https://themoodpodcast.com

Socials:
IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay