Photography Unfiltered w/ Jason Lanier

Latest Episodes:

One Iceland Road Trip, the Police and Three Laniers... What Could Possibly Go Wrong? Jul 15, 2026

Show notes

Jason Lanier Unfiltered takes a fun and unexpected turn as Jason is joined for the very first time by two very special guests, his mom, Marilyn, and his brother, Sean, to relive their unforgettable family adventure across the breathtaking landscapes of Iceland.
From towering waterfalls, black sand beaches, glaciers, and volcanic landscapes to hilarious family moments that could only happen on a road trip, the three share their favorite memories, biggest surprises, and the moments they'd probably rather forget.
What was it really like traveling with Jason? According to Marilyn and Sean... it involved a little more excitement than expected. Hear the stories behind Jason's spontaneous off-road adventure in their rental SUV, the unexpected encounter with the Icelandic police after a traffic violation, and the family dynamics that made this trip one they'll be talking about for years.
Filled with laughter, honest stories, travel tips, and plenty of family roasting, this is a rare behind-the-scenes look at Jason away from the camera and behind the wheel. If you've ever wondered what it's like to travel with a photographer who's always chasing the next shot, this episode is for you. Real Talk. Raw Stories. No B.S.

Barns, Bars, Brake Jobs & Tennessee Nights: The Mini Masterclass Road Trip Continues Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

Jason and Krystal take you behind the scenes of the Charlotte and Knoxville workshops! From lighting models through the slats of a mule barn with continuous LEDs to transforming a shuttered country bar into a cinematic playground using flash, fans, and modifiers,
This episode is packed with practical photography lessons and unforgettable road stories. Hear how the MagMod gear helped shape the shoots, how workshop attendees learned to adapt when the "perfect" gear wasn't available, and why turning a monolight into a constant light source can save the day.
Along the way, there was an impromptu brake replacement in an AutoZone parking lot, a mosquito-infested posing session in Knoxville, a two-light flash setup that lit up an entire forest, and a nighttime LED shoot in front of the iconic Tennessee Theatre while fending off curious scooter riders determined to get Krystal's attention.
The road trip wraps up with great sushi, great memories, and a look ahead to San Francisco, an upcoming Iceland scouting trip, and the next round of Mini Masterclasses coming soon to the Pacific Northwest and beyond.Real Talk. Raw Stories. No B.S.

The Silent Language of Portraits: Reading Body Language and Creating Authentic Connection Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

What if the biggest thing holding your photography back isn't your camera, lens, or lighting—but your ability to read people?In this episode of Jason Lanier Unfiltered, Jason and Krystal recap the first stop of the Mini Masterclass Tour in Pensacola, Florida and dive deep into one of the most overlooked skills in portrait photography: understanding human body language.
Too many photographers become obsessed with settings, gear, and technical perfection while completely missing the signals their subjects are sending. Is your subject comfortable? Nervous? Unsure? Losing confidence? The answers are often written all over their face and body long before they ever say a word.Jason and Krystal discuss how learning to read posture, eye contact, facial expressions, movement, and energy can transform an average portrait session into an unforgettable experience.
They share real-world examples from the Pensacola workshop, including how to get a shoot started with shy subjects, how to keep momentum flowing, why storytelling creates authentic emotion, and the critical difference between directing a subject and simply asking for permission.The conversation also covers:

Why photographers often struggle during the first five minutes of a shoot.
How men and women frequently approach portrait sessions differently.
Reading confidence versus discomfort in real time.
Building trust quickly with subjects.
Using communication to create genuine expressions.
Why great portrait photographers are often great people readers.
Lessons learned while shooting in Pensacola's historic Seville Quarter District.
Lighting techniques using the Godox AD300 Pro, LEDs, vintage vehicles, and environmental lighting.

If you've ever wondered why some photographers consistently create authentic, emotional portraits while others struggle to get natural expressions, this episode may completely change the way you approach your next shoot.Because the best portrait photographers don't just understand light.They understand people.
#JasonLanierUnfiltered #PortraitPhotography #BodyLanguage #PhotographyPodcast #PhotographyEducation #PortraitPhotographer #PhotographerLife #PhotographyWorkshop #MiniMasterclass #PensacolaPhotography #HumanConnection #StorytellingPhotography #PosingTips #PhotographyBusiness #GodoxAD300Pro #PortraitTips #CreativePhotography #PhotographerMindset #PhotographyTraining #FedoraNation

Building a Photography Career in the Music Industry | Ramon Piquero of R54 Photos May 29, 2026

Show notes

What does it REALLY take to make it as a photographer in the music and entertainment industry?In this episode of Jason Lanier Unfiltered, Jason sits down with renowned hip hop and rap photographer Ramon Piquero of R54 Photos to discuss the realities of building a career photographing some of the biggest names in music.
From networking and getting your work in front of the right people, to surviving the feast-or-famine nature of creative industries, this episode is packed with real-world advice for photographers, filmmakers, creatives, and entrepreneurs trying to carve out a lasting career.Jason and Ramon also dive into:• How to break into the music industry as a photographer
• Why networking and relationships matter more than ever
• Building a business without relying on social media
• The importance of mixing corporate and artistic clients for stable income
• Why humility and professionalism open more doors than ego ever will
• How persistence and consistency can change your entire career
• What separates photographers who survive from those who burn out
This is an honest conversation about creativity, business, survival, and staying grounded while chasing success in entertainment and the arts.Follow Ramon Piquero / R54 Photos and be sure to subscribe to Jason Lanier Unfiltered for more conversations with photographers, creatives, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals from around the world.

Exploring Egypt: A Journey Through the Photographer’s Ultimate Dream Trip May 12, 2026

Show notes

In November of 2025, I took one of the most unforgettable journeys of my life. Finally visiting Egypt. From standing in the shadow of the Great Pyramids to photographing ancient temples under the stars, this adventure was so much more than a photography trip. It was a reminder of how small we are in the timeline of humanity, and how powerful it is to experience places that have stood for thousands of years.In this podcast episode,
The adventure started with being the Keynote Speaker at the Creo Expo in Alexandria and then moved to the Capital city of Cairo.
I’m sharing the highs, the chaos, the moments behind the camera, the lessons learned, and the stories most people never get to hear. Traveling and photographing Egypt challenged me creatively, physically, emotionally, and spiritually in ways I never expected.
If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling the world with your camera, stepping outside your comfort zone, or experiencing history in a way books can’t teach you… this episode is for you.Sometimes the greatest photographs come after the greatest adventures.
#Egypt #PhotographyPodcast #TravelPhotography #JasonLanier #AdventurePhotography #PyramidsOfGiza #PhotographerLife #BehindTheLens #CreativeJourney #TravelAdventure #StreetPhotography #AncientEgypt #PhotographyEducation #WorldTraveler #PodcastEpisode #PhotographyLife #ExploreTheWorld #VisualStorytelling #TravelStories #Photographers

How to REBUILD When You LOSE IT ALL | From HBO & The White House to Starting Over – Scott Proposki May 05, 2026

Show notes

What happens when you reach the top… and then lose everything? In this episode of Jason Lanier Unfiltered, I sit down with Scott Proposki to talk about something most photographers never hear about—the fall.
Scott has worked with giants like HBO, National Geographic, and even the The White House. The kind of résumé most people spend a lifetime chasing. And then… it all went away. This isn’t a highlight reel conversation.
This is about reality. About losing momentum, losing opportunities, and facing the brutal question: now what? We dive into what it actually takes to rebuild—not just your business, but your mindset. How do you start over when your identity was tied to your success?
How do you push forward when the industry moves on without you? And what separates the people who come back stronger from the ones who disappear? If you’ve ever struggled, doubted yourself, or felt like you’re starting from scratch again… this episode is for you. Because success isn’t about never falling. It’s about what you do when everything you built is gone.

STOP STEALING PHOTOS! The Beef Between Photo Stealers and Lynzie Hazan BonPhotage Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

What if the photographer you hired never actually took the photos you booked them for? In this episode, we break down the controversy surrounding Bonphotage—a story that has ignited serious conversations across the photography industry.
What began as a single Reddit post quickly turned into a deep investigation by Photo Stealers, uncovering allegations of photo theft, AI-generated wedding imagery, and portfolios that may not reflect real work. We’re diving into:

Claims of copyrighted images being used without permission
AI-generated or heavily altered wedding photos
The risks of trusting portfolios at face value
How this impacts photographers, clients, and the future of the industry

This isn’t just about one company—it’s about a rapidly changing landscape where technology is blurring the line between real and fake. If you’re a photographer, this affects your credibility.
If you’re a client, this affects who you trust. And if you care about creative integrity… this conversation matters.

Adapt or Become Extinct: Reinventing When Your Industry Fades Away- Interview w/ Paul Gero Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

What do you do when the industry you built your career in starts to disappear? In this episode, I sit down with Paul Gero to break down what it really takes to pivot, adapt, and survive as a professional photographer in a rapidly changing world.
Paul’s journey began in the high-pressure world of photojournalism at the Chicago Tribune and continued through agencies like Sygma and publications including Arizona Republic, Time, People, and Sports Illustrated, industries that once defined success for photographers, but have since dramatically shifted or declined.
Instead of fading with them, Paul reinvented himself. We dive into how he transitioned into wedding photography, built a new business model, authored books like Digital Wedding Photography and Mastering Digital Wedding Photography, and expanded into education and purpose-driven work like The Kids of Orange County, supporting Children's Hospital of Orange County.
This episode isn’t just a career retrospective, it’s a blueprint. We talk about recognizing industry decline, leveraging transferable skills, building new revenue streams, and staying relevant when everything around you changes. Whether you’re a photographer facing uncertainty or a creative looking to evolve, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what’s possible.

From the Wild to a Postage Stamp: Interview with the Wildlife Photography Legend Tom Murphy Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

What does it take to dedicate your life to photographing the wild, and do it with purpose, integrity, and impact? In this episode, I sit down with legendary wildlife photographer Tom Murphy, a Montana-based Yellowstone photographer whose work has not only captured the soul of the natural world, but has now earned the incredible honor of being featured on a United States postage stamp.
Tom shares his wild storeis of documenting Girzzly Bears, Bison, Gorillas, and more in his career that has spanned more than 40 years as a professional wildlife photographer. He was also the first photographer ever to be licensed to teach photography workshops in the National Park system.
We dive deep into Tom’s journey—from how he first picked up a camera to building a lifelong career photographing wildlife across the globe. Along the way, we explore the ethics of wildlife photography, what it truly means to respect the animals and environments we photograph, and how to go beyond simply documenting animals to actually revealing who they are through behavior and storytelling.
Tom also shares the real truth about making money as a wildlife photographer, how to create lasting value in your work, and what it takes to sustain a career in one of the most challenging genres of photography. We also get personal—talking about lessons learned over decades, what he might do differently if he started over, and the advice he would give photographers chasing a similar path today. This is an inspiring, honest, and deeply insightful conversation about art, responsibility, and the wild places that shape us.

From Weekend Warriors to Wedding Pros: Mentoring Rebecca & Holly to Go Full-Time Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

What does it really take to go from shooting weddings on the weekends… to building a full-time photography career?
In this episode, Jason Lanier and his assistant Krystal sit down with emerging photography duo Rebecca and Holly for a real, unfiltered mentorship session. Rebecca and Holly have spent years learning, assisting, and growing—but now they’re ready to take their small wedding business to the next level.
This episode dives deep into the exact challenges photographers face when trying to transition from a side hustle into a sustainable, full-time career. Together, they break down:

How to network effectively in the wedding industry and build relationships that lead to bookings
What to consider when adding video services to your photography business (and the challenges that come with it)
How to market yourself properly through your website, email outreach, and personal branding
The mindset shift required to stop being a “weekend warrior” and start thinking like a full-time professional

They also reflect on shared experiences from past shoots—including their unforgettable time at Six Flags New Orleans in 2024.
These moments highlight how powerful real-world experience, community, and mentorship can be in shaping your journey as a photographer. If you’re ready to stop playing small and start building a photography business that can support your life—this episode is for you.

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