The MOOD Podcast
Matt Jacob
<p><b><em>The MOOD Podcast </em></b>is a long-form conversation series exploring photography, creativity, identity, and the inner life of artists. Hosted by <b><em>Matt Jacob,</em></b> the show moves beyond technique and trends to examine why people make work, how creative voices are formed, and what it takes to sustain a meaningful artistic life.</p><p><br></p><p>Through thoughtful, unhurried conversations with photographers, filmmakers, and creative thinkers from around the world, the podcast explores themes of process, mental health, ethics, purpose, legacy, and the tension between art and industry. Episodes are grounded, reflective, and often philosophical, offering listeners provocation of thought rather than formulaic answers to copy.</p><p><br></p><p>The MOOD Podcast is less about instruction and more about understanding, aimed at emerging and established creatives who care not just about what they make, but why they make it. </p><p><br></p><p>At its core, The MOOD Podcast is <em>the art of conversation, one frame at a time.</em></p><p><br></p><p><b><em>Watch on YouTube: </em></b>https://www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay</p><p><b><em>Instagram: </em></b>@the_moodpodcast /@mattyj_ay</p><p><b><em>Website:</em></b> https://themoodpodcast.com.</p>
Recent Episodes
20 episodesThe One Question That Helped Rich-Joseph Facun Find His Photographic Voice, E116
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 conversation we discuss his three monographs: Black Diamonds, Little Cities, and 1804, the ethics of street and portrait photography, photographing strangers in Trump-era Appalachia, walking away from photojournalism, finding your photographic voice, and why the global photo book industry urgently needs more marginalised and Indigenous voices.Other things we discussed:Street portraiture, approaching strangers, and consent in documentary photographyGrowing up in a Southern Baptist military family and door-to-door evangelism as training for portrait workPhotographing Trump-supporting Appalachia as a person of colour with a trans childThe viral portrait of a stranger with a damaged forehead tattoo crying on the streetQuitting photojournalism after 15 years and the identity crisis that followedWhy he stopped using Rembrandt lighting and the decisive moment in his portrait workHow to find your photographic voice after mastering the craftSelf-publishing a photo book vs pitching to independent publishersThe making of Black Diamonds, Little Cities, and 1804Launching Liars Corner as an Indigenous-owned photo book imprint in AppalachiaElitism, gatekeeping, and barriers to entry inside the global photo book publishing industryMentoring emerging documentary photographers and funding their first monographsWhy awards, accolades, and staff photographer positions stopped matteringRich-Joseph FacunInstagram: https://instagram.com/facunWebsite: https://facun.comImprint: https://liarscorner.press____________________________________Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!Support the showThank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. The MOOD Insiders Communityhttps://www.mattjacob.co/insidersLearn with mehttps://mattjacob.co/learnMy Newsletterhttps://www.mattjacob.co/archiveWebsite:https://themoodpodcast.comSocials:IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay
Pricing, Prestige & The Business Of Photography - Miriam Schulman, E115
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 9/11 to build a six-figure art business and now teaches photographers, painters, and visual artists how to price their work, sell art online, attract collectors, and build a sustainable photography business without relying on social media. In this conversation we cover photography pricing strategies, how to sell prints at higher prices, the psychology behind luxury art buyers, why charm pricing kills photography sales, how photographers can find art collectors, the truth about Instagram engagement rates for artists, AI's impact on professional photography, and how to transition from hobbyist photographer to full-time professional. So if you are learning how to make money as a photographer, how to price photography prints, or how to build a photography business in 2026, this episode delivers the frameworks Miriam uses with her six-figure photography and art coaching clients.Other things we discussed:How to price photography prints using prestige pricing instead of charm pricingThe belief triad every photographer needs to sell high-ticket printsSignal excavation: how photographers find their unique artistic voiceHow to build an email list as a photographer (and why it beats Instagram)The $40 champagne pricing study and what it means for photography salesAI and photography: why photographers face more risk than paintersLinkedIn for photographers: the most underused platform for selling artHow to use local press and PR to sell photography printsThe five biggest mistakes photographers make when pricing their workHow to identify a production problem vs a pricing problem in your photography businessWhy marketing matters most when you believe your photography mattersThe wishy-washy pricing mistake that loses photographers paid bookingsFind Miriam and everything she offers on her website:https://www.schulmanart.com/_______________________________________Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!Support the showThank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. The MOOD Insiders Communityhttps://www.mattjacob.co/insidersLearn with mehttps://mattjacob.co/learnMy Newsletterhttps://www.mattjacob.co/archiveWebsite:https://themoodpodcast.comSocials:IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay
The Psychological Trap Quietly Destroying Your Photography - Moments of Mood 3.4
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 examine one of the quietest but most destructive reflexes in modern photography: the need for proof. What happens to your photography, and to you as a photographer, when the images you make never leave the hard drive? When the algorithm stops rewarding your work? When self-doubt creeps in because no one has seen the photograph yet? Matt draws on a recent conversation with fellow photographer Pie Aerts, a decade-long meditation practice, and the uncomfortable weeks spent away from the camera, to ask whether photography is a destination we're trying to arrive at, or a pilgrimage we're already walking without realising it. _____________________Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!Support the showThank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. The MOOD Insiders Communityhttps://www.mattjacob.co/insidersLearn with mehttps://mattjacob.co/learnMy Newsletterhttps://www.mattjacob.co/archiveWebsite:https://themoodpodcast.comSocials:IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay
Mark Power - 14 Years Photographing America, The Democracy of Photography & Why Stillness Matters More Than The Decisive Moment, E114
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 as a foreigner. Mark discusses the origins of his landmark five-volume series 'Good Morning, America', why he's drawn to photographing the ordinary and overlooked rather than the spectacular, and how a woman quietly crying at a Don McCullin exhibition changed the trajectory of his entire career. From nearly quitting photography to becoming one of the most respected members of Magnum Photos, Mark shares honest reflections on self-doubt, creative longevity, and the discipline of looking slowly in a fast world.Other things we discussed:Why photography is more democratic than painting and what that means for artists todayThe moment Mark's father finally validated his career, just before his deathHow the Postcards from America project at Magnum evolved into a decade-long obsessionWhy Mark believes the most exciting subjects make the worst photographsHis thoughts on the word "storytelling" and why he thinks it's lost all meaningThe stillness and silence he deliberately pursues in every imageWalking into a room of his heroes at Chico Review and expecting nobody to know his nameWhy he spends far more time looking at photographs than making themEditing and sequencing five books as a work in progress without knowing the endingWhat's next: photographing Brighton by bus pass and an ambitious new project in ChinaMessage me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!Support the showThank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. The MOOD Insiders Communityhttps://www.mattjacob.co/insidersLearn with mehttps://mattjacob.co/learnMy Newsletterhttps://www.mattjacob.co/archiveWebsite:https://themoodpodcast.comSocials:IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay
Chico Review, part 2 - What a Portfolio Review Taught Me About My Photography (That 10 Years Didn't)
Listen to part one hereWatch 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 events. Featuring conversations with Odette England, Daniel Arnold, Tim Carpenter, Matthew Genitempo, Jesse Lenz, and Lindokuhle Sobekwa — plus fellow attendees pushing the edges of documentary, photobook, and fine art photography.Notable topics:What Jesse Lenz actually looks for as a publisher — and why finished work is a turn-offDaniel Arnold on 13 years protecting his creative spark and why he dreads making booksTim Carpenter's review philosophy: never say good picture or bad pictureOdette England on slow processing and what makes her eyes change during a reviewMatt Genitempo's approach to giving reviews and spotting talentThe broken economic models of editorial, photobooks, and commercial photography"Commercial documentary" as a survival strategy for photojournalistsHow feedback on "poetry vs narrative" shifted one attendee's entire practiceA photographer who enrolled in photojournalism school at 48 after surviving cancerGrief, bookmaking as chemistry lab, and dismantling perfectionismClosing reflection on ego death, creative identity, and thinking about a project like musicWhy the shutter is only 10% of the work — and what happens afterPractical advice for future Chico attendees: go deep, not wideListen to part one hereListen to part one hereWatch part one here________________________Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!Support the showThank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. The MOOD Insiders Communityhttps://www.mattjacob.co/insidersLearn with mehttps://mattjacob.co/learnMy Newsletterhttps://www.mattjacob.co/archiveWebsite:https://themoodpodcast.comSocials:IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay
Chico Review 2026 - part 1: Why Feedback Beats 10,000 Followers
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 reviews, 25 reviewers and speakers, publishers, curators, photographers and more — I was scrapping half of it by the end of day one. This is the first installment of 2, about my honest experience on what happened, what I learned, and why I'd do it all again without hesitation.In this video:What the Chico Review actually is (and who it's for)My 10 portfolio reviews: the breakthroughs, the brutal moments, and the one that made me cryWhy cohesion matters more than individual imagesHow the week changed my approach to sequencing, editing, and book-makingWhat my project looks like now vs. what I brought to the table on day 1.About the Chico Review:The Chico Review is an annual photography portfolio review held in Chico Hot Springs, Montana. 80 photographers. Reviewers from Magnum, L'Artier, TIS Books, Deadbeat Club, Tresspasser, SFMOMA, The New Yorker, and many more. 6 days of formal reviews, informal conversations, and everything in between. It's one of the most respected portfolio review events in the world — and one of the most humbling.If you're a photographer questioning your work, your direction, or whether feedback is worth seeking — this one's for you.PART 2 DROPS NEXT WEEK — subscribe so you don't miss it. And for more deep, reflective photography conversations in the meantime, subscribe to The MOOD Podcast 🎙️---📸 https://mattjacob.co🎙️ https://themoodpodcast.com📷 @mattyj_ay📷 @the_moodpodcastMessage me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!Support the showThank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. The MOOD Insiders Communityhttps://www.mattjacob.co/insidersLearn with mehttps://mattjacob.co/learnMy Newsletterhttps://www.mattjacob.co/archiveWebsite:https://themoodpodcast.comSocials:IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay
Every Photo Is a Crime Scene - Brad Zellar on How He Reads Photography and Inspects an Image, E111
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 lifeThe photo books that first opened up the world for himWhy boredom, curiosity, and challenge shaped his creative mindHis collaborations with Alec Soth and how words and images can work togetherWhat he looks for in photography portfolio reviews and artist statementsWhy some photo projects feel alive and others feel forcedThe difference between a strong print and a strong book editWhy poetry rarely works inside photo booksThe collapse of journalism and why Brad is more hopeful about photography than writingThe danger of fake online community and what in-person culture still gives usWhy print, books, and real-world encounters still matter more than everFind Brad on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bradzellar______________________________________________Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!Support the showThank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. The MOOD Insiders Communityhttps://www.mattjacob.co/insidersLearn with mehttps://mattjacob.co/learnMy Newsletterhttps://www.mattjacob.co/archiveWebsite:https://themoodpodcast.comSocials:IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay
Before You Improve Your Photography, Read Yourself First - Moments of Mood, 3.3
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!Support the showThank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. The MOOD Insiders Communityhttps://www.mattjacob.co/insidersLearn with mehttps://mattjacob.co/learnMy Newsletterhttps://www.mattjacob.co/archiveWebsite:https://themoodpodcast.comSocials:IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay
“25 Years With National Geographic” Joe McNally on What Photography Lost (And What It Gained) - E110
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 foreveThe camera as a “visa” and the privilege, access, and responsibility of photographing peopleThe collapse of durable editorial outlets and why modern campaigns disappear fastHow smartphone photography and in-house content have impacted rates and rightsBuilding a personal photography voice instead of copying lighting setupsTenacity, failure tolerance, and why awards are “temporary”What makes an image “good” and how to stop viewers mid-scroll with emotionResearch, rapport, and making subjects feel safe in portrait photographyMentorship, gatekeeping, and why photography skills should be passed onFood for the table vs food for the soul, and how photographers stay alive creativelyThe isolation of the modern photography workflow and the loss of communal learning spacesFind Joe on the following platforms:Website: https://joemcnally.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/joemcnallyphotoOnline Teaching Platform: https://betterpictureswithjoe.com________________________________Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!Support the showThank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. The MOOD Insiders Communityhttps://www.mattjacob.co/insidersLearn with mehttps://mattjacob.co/learnMy Newsletterhttps://www.mattjacob.co/archiveWebsite:https://themoodpodcast.comSocials:IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay
The Mindset of a Hasselblad Master Photographer - Tina Signesdottir, E109
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 lightFinding your photographic voice versus chasing styleCompetitions, judging, and what makes an image stop a panelRejection, resilience, and the “it factor” in a saturated industryMedium format cameras and why gear is never the starting pointSocial media, authenticity, and the danger of creating for likesCommercial photography, client comfort, and building trust fastPhotography as escape, healing, and creative obsessionTina's upcoming project: Colliding Walls (Iceland collaboration + book) Find Tina on her website and Instagram: https://www.tinasignesdottir.comhttps://www.instagram.com/tinasignesdottir/______________________________________________________Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!Support the showThank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. The MOOD Insiders Communityhttps://www.mattjacob.co/insidersLearn with mehttps://mattjacob.co/learnMy Newsletterhttps://www.mattjacob.co/archiveWebsite:https://themoodpodcast.comSocials:IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay
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 photographyHis six-year long-term project with the Puesteros of ChileEthical responsibility, power, and care in long-form photographySelf-doubt, anxiety, and uncertainty as part of creative lifeWhy deep, meaningful photography rarely pays on its ownBuilding expeditions and community as a funding engineAuthenticity, 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 hereInstagram: @because.people.matterWebsite: pieaerts.com______________________Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!Support the showThank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. The MOOD Insiders Communityhttps://www.mattjacob.co/insidersLearn with mehttps://mattjacob.co/learnMy Newsletterhttps://www.mattjacob.co/archiveWebsite:https://themoodpodcast.comSocials:IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay
Finding Contentment, Craft, And Community In Photography - Answering Your Questions! Moments of Mood, 3.2
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 compass can change both your art and your days. From an early morning espresso and two loyal dogs to the decision to ignore empty metrics, I trace a path from presence to better pictures, and hopefully a calmer life behind the lens.I talk about instinct, happiness, success, and the quieter realities of building a life around photography. We also move through what it actually takes to get better without burning out, why alignment matters more than attention, and the long game of creating work and communities that genuinely care.I hope it helps, and thanks for all of you who sent in questions.Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!Support the showThank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. The MOOD Insiders Communityhttps://www.mattjacob.co/insidersLearn with mehttps://mattjacob.co/learnMy Newsletterhttps://www.mattjacob.co/archiveWebsite:https://themoodpodcast.comSocials:IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay
Why Most Photographers Never Begin - Wesley Verhoeve, E107
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 waiting for permission. We talk about why so many photographers struggle with self-doubt, why overthinking stalls creative progress, and how showing your work and sharing your process can demystify photography and make growth feel possible again. Wesley reflects on his approach to learning photography through participation, not perfection, and explains how confidence is built by doing, not by being 'ready'. We also explore the philosophy and process behind Wesley’s photo books 'NOTICE' and 'NOTICE Journal Vol. 1', including how routine, attention, and slowing down shaped both bodies of work.In this conversation, we cover:Why process matters more than talent in photographyWhy photographers often hate their own workHow overthinking blocks creative momentumWhere to start when photography feels overwhelmingShowing your work as a way to build confidenceThe role of community, feedback, and shared growth in photographyMaking photo books and long-term personal projectsFollow Wesley and his work:Website: wesley.coInstagram: @wesleyHis Books: wesley.co/shop__________________________________Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!Support the showThank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. The MOOD Insiders Communityhttps://www.mattjacob.co/insidersLearn with mehttps://mattjacob.co/learnMy Newsletterhttps://www.mattjacob.co/archiveWebsite:https://themoodpodcast.comSocials:IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay
The Best Bits of 2025 - Moments of Mood, 3.1
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 creatives, how pricing for profit transforms freelancers into owners, and where empathy turns a portrait from performance into truth.Art stays at the centre. We explore ambiguity as a strength, and you’ll hear how long-form projects and photo books benefit from time and distance, how technique and tone evolve across a decade, and why music, language, and psychological safety can unlock authentic portraits. We examine the record-making power of photojournalism and face its mental health tolls with tools that actually help: self-care rituals, supportive networks, and realistic recovery in hostile environments.Threaded through everything is a humbling sense of place—grief and hope living side by side, and nature reminding us the story isn’t finished. If you’ve felt the pull to slow down, to price honestly, to build community, and to let your work breathe, please take stock and listen.Subscribe, share with a friend who needs depth over dopamine, and leave a review telling us where you’ll choose craft over shortcuts in the new year._____________________________________Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!Support the showThank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. The MOOD Insiders Communityhttps://www.mattjacob.co/insidersLearn with mehttps://mattjacob.co/learnMy Newsletterhttps://www.mattjacob.co/archiveWebsite:https://themoodpodcast.comSocials:IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay
Why The Only Reason You Should Be a Photographer is Obsession - Jesse Lenz: E106
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 with such a nice gift-wrapped present. What begins as a discussion about photography and photobooks quickly becomes a deeper exploration of obsession, taste, community, and what it actually means to build a life of artistry that lasts. Jesse speaks candidly about art not as a career path, but as something closer to devotion; something you shape your life around rather than extract from.Here's what we talk about:Why art is an addictionDiscovering photobooksWhy most projects failEditing and sequencing of artMaking work for yourself before others Charcoal Press and publishing workChico ReviewLongevity over visibilityFollow Jesse and his incredible work:Website: www.jesselenz.comInstagram: @jesselenzCharcoal Book Club: www.charcoalbookclub.comCharcoal Press: www.charcoalpress.comChico Review: www.chicoreview.com_____________________________________________Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!Support the showThank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. The MOOD Insiders Communityhttps://www.mattjacob.co/insidersLearn with mehttps://mattjacob.co/learnMy Newsletterhttps://www.mattjacob.co/archiveWebsite:https://themoodpodcast.comSocials:IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay
Why Nobody Cares About Your Photography
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 explore why indifference is the default in modern photography, what it actually means for someone to care about your work, why chasing attention is often the fastest way to lose meaning, and the deeper responsibility artists have in a world drowning in content.Listen if you're interested in:Being tired of chasing validation and wonder why no-none sees or takes notice of your workWhy nobody is waiting to care about your photography, but how you can create from a deeper place that invites care.What “caring” really means in art and visual storytellingWhy meaning matters more than visibilityHow photobooks create depth in a disposable image cultureThe 5 conditions that make people genuinely care about photographyWhy slow, intentional work outlasts viral success____________________________Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!Support the showThank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. The MOOD Insiders Communityhttps://www.mattjacob.co/insidersLearn with mehttps://mattjacob.co/learnMy Newsletterhttps://www.mattjacob.co/archiveWebsite:https://themoodpodcast.comSocials:IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay
The Photographer Who Puts Humanity on Trial: Nick Brandt on Sentience, Power, and Responsibility, E105
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 decline. Across projects such as Inherit the Dust, This Empty World, The Day May Break, and his latest chapter The Echo of Our Voices, Brandt builds constructed realities that merge portraiture, environmental narrative, and human resilience. This conversation moves through philosophy, ethics, creative fear, the collapse of attention, and the emotional cost of a lifetime spent documenting loss.We discuss:Nick's core philosophy.Why the project 'The Day May Break' exists.How historical worldviews shaped modern cruelty.Climate change as human injustice.The tension between beauty and devastation.The conceptual and emotional logic behind 'The Echo of Our Voices'.The collapsing photobook and print ecosystem.AI as an existential threat.Why Nick refuses to create purely for audiences.The impact of social media on photography as a whole.Medium format film vs digital.Advice for emerging photographers.Follow Nick and his incredible work:Website: www.nickbrandt.comInstagram: @nickbrandtphotographyThis episode is sponsored by Strata Editions - use discount code 'MOOD' for 10% discount on their store - visit strata-editions.com to shop and see their collections._____________________________________Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!Support the showThank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. The MOOD Insiders Communityhttps://www.mattjacob.co/insidersLearn with mehttps://mattjacob.co/learnMy Newsletterhttps://www.mattjacob.co/archiveWebsite:https://themoodpodcast.comSocials:IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay
The Collapse of the American Dream - Photography as Witness: Bryan Schutmaat, E104
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 between land and people, myth and memory, endurance and hope. He is also co-founder of Trespasser Books, a small but powerful imprint shaping the future of modern photobooks.In This Conversation We ExploreWhy photography feels so lonely and how community changes everythingBuilding meaningful creative connections in a solitary craftThe making of Sons of the Living and the stories behind the imagesNavigating narrative, ambiguity, and emotional truth in photographyWhy photobooks still matter and how sequencing shapes meaningThe philosophy behind Trespasser and independent publishingCuriosity, discipline, and the struggle to stay creatively aliveThe American dream, the American West, and the reality between themHow to make work that does something rather than pretending it doesThe inner journey of becoming an artist with a distinct point of viewFollow Bryan and his incredible work:Website: www.bryanschutmaat.coInstagram: @bryanschutmaatThis episode is sponsored by Strata Editions - use discount code 'MOOD' for 10% discount on their store - visit strata-editions.com to shop and see their collections._______________________________________Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!Support the showThank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. The MOOD Insiders Communityhttps://www.mattjacob.co/insidersLearn with mehttps://mattjacob.co/learnMy Newsletterhttps://www.mattjacob.co/archiveWebsite:https://themoodpodcast.comSocials:IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay
What Can We Trust About The Past And Why It Still Shapes Our Work: Kent Andreasen, EP103
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 complicated relationship with memory. Our chat together moves from South Africa’s creative landscape to therapy, trauma, and to this book that feels like a fever dream stitched into sequence.We discussed:The real story behind the attack that inspired Memory BankHow trauma transforms into artThe tension between truth and memory in photographySouth Africa’s complex creative landscapeFinding authenticity in commercial workHow AI is challenging what it means to “see”Why photography is still a tool for healingOrder Memory Bank at the Witty Books website here: https://witty-books.com/Memory-Bank-Kent-AndreasenFollow Kent and his work:Website: www.kentandreasen.comInstagram: @kentandreasenThis episode is sponsored by Strata Editions - use discount code MOOD for 10% discount on their store - visit strata-editions.com to shop and see their collections.______________________________Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!Support the showThank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. The MOOD Insiders Communityhttps://www.mattjacob.co/insidersLearn with mehttps://mattjacob.co/learnMy Newsletterhttps://www.mattjacob.co/archiveWebsite:https://themoodpodcast.comSocials:IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay
How Photography Helped Him Survive Not Belonging Anywhere: Marshall To, EO102
”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 Canada, the son of Chinese immigrants and a Taoist family who ran a small restaurant. His family believed the physical and spiritual worlds overlapped - that we live among spirits of our ancestors, those waiting for rebirth, and those still wandering, restless and vengeful.In Taoist tradition, during the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, the Gates of Hell open - releasing the 'Hungry Ghosts' back into our world to seek food and remembrance. Families burn paper offerings, pray for protection, and leave food for the dead. It’s both a celebration and a warning: walk gently, because the ghosts are hungry.In his debut monograph, Blank Notes, published by Charcoal Press, Marshall explores the space where the natural and supernatural meet - where photography becomes ritual, and images serve as offerings to both the living and the dead. His work blurs culture, memory, and the unseen, inviting us to question how the spiritual and the physical intertwine in our everyday lives.What we discussed:The origin story behind Blank NotesGrief, Taoist ritual, and ancestral storytellingMaking art from illness, memory, and dual identityThe power of “noticing” in photography and cookingCreative process behind sequencing a photobookHow to honour invisible subjects through visual storytellingWhy Marshall believes creativity is compulsion, not choiceThe intersection of food, art, and healingPre-orders and signings with Charcoal Press at Paris dates: I arrive in Paris November 10th and I'm there until the 17thFollow Marhsall and his work:Website: www.marshalljamesto.comInstagram: @marshalljamesto___________________________________________This episode is sponsored by Strata Editions - use discount code MOOD for 10% discount on their store - visit strata-editions.com to shop and see their collections.______________________Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!Support the showThank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. The MOOD Insiders Communityhttps://www.mattjacob.co/insidersLearn with mehttps://mattjacob.co/learnMy Newsletterhttps://www.mattjacob.co/archiveWebsite:https://themoodpodcast.comSocials:IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay