What Makes a Portrait Truly Powerful?- with JEFF ROJAS

He Shot Film That Expired in 1946 | Nick LoPresti What happens when you try to make photographs on film that expired in 1946? In episode 332 of the Camera Shake Podcast, Nick LoPresti joins Kersten Luts for a conversation about curiosity, useful failure and making film photography fun again. Nick explains why he experiments with old film, what he learns from testing and developing it, and how a familiar scene can become a new puzzle. We discuss shooting directly on photographic paper, developing at home and finding a scanning setup that suits the way you work. The conversation also tackles the cost of every exposure, thrift-store cameras, mistakes worth making and the temptation to collect more gear. Nick shares the realities of making photography videos, balancing ambitious edits with a sustainable workload, and keeping humour and community at the heart of analog photography. Subscribe to Camera Shake for more conversations about photography, filmmaking and creative life. Explore our other photographer interviews for your next dose of inspiration. What would you try with your camera if you weren’t worried about getting it wrong? #FilmPhotography #NickLoPresti #AnalogPhotography #CameraShakePodcast

How do individual street photographs become a project? In episode 331 of the Camera Shake Podcast, street photographer and educator Valérie Jardin joins Kersten Luts to explore the choices that turn a folder of images into a meaningful body of work.

Great photographs can open doors, but what keeps clients coming back? In episode 330 of the Camera Shake Podcast, commercial photographer and educator Joel Grimes joins Kersten Luts to explore photography business, reinvention, and building a career that lasts. Drawing on decades of advertising and portrait photography, Joel explains why marketing matters, how personal projects can attract better clients, and why a successful style may need a different approach. We discuss finding your niche, developing a signature look, understanding art directors, and creating financial breathing room to experiment without desperation. Joel also shares his thoughts on lighting, Photoshop, camera gear, moving from Canon to Fujifilm, and using creative constraints to keep growing. We explore AI in photography, the value of photographing real people, and why the creative process still matters. Whether you're starting a photography business, developing your portfolio, or working in photography and videography, this conversation offers photography advice and much to reflect on.

Peter Coulson returns to Camera Shake for a candid conversation about what makes portrait photography feel alive. He explains why directing a person goes beyond arranging a pose, and how movement, attention and the right words can help you capture genuine expression. In episode 329, we explore reading facial cues, working with experienced models and everyday clients, and recognising the moment worth photographing. Peter shares why he avoids telling people to hold, how he uses video to encourage natural movement, and when showing someone a strong image can build their confidence.

What can you learn by stepping in front of your own camera? In Camera Shake episode 328, Kersten Luts talks with Mark Rodriguez about self-portrait photography, creative confidence and building images that tell a story. Mark shares how he develops conceptual photography ideas through word prompts and mind mapping, then brings them to life with lighting, costumes, handmade props and Photoshop compositing. We explore why matching perspective, shadows and light direction matters, how he combines different frames, and when starting again is the best creative decision. There’s practical photography advice on remote triggers, interval shooting, tethered capture and working between Lightroom and Photoshop. We also discuss the value of photographing yourself, understanding the experience of your subjects, and finding a visual style that feels personal. Along the way, Mark reflects on grief, humour, criticism and the satisfaction of making something yourself. Whether you’re an amateur, a working professional, exploring videography or starting a photography business, this conversation offers ideas for developing your craft and approaching portrait sessions with greater intention.