The MOOD Podcast

Latest Episodes:

“25 Years With National Geographic” Joe McNally on What Photography Lost (And What It Gained) - E110 Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

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!

Support the show

_________________________________
Thank 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.

Join The Community - extended episodes & bonus features
https://www.mattjacob.co/insiders

The App That Transformed My Art & Mind
https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

Website:
https://themoodpodcast.com

The Mindset of a Hasselblad Master Photographer - Tina Signesdottir, E109 Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

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!

Support the show

The App That Transformed My Art & Mind
https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

Website:
https://themoodpodcast.com

Your Story Isn’t Needed - Pie Aerts Finds Meaning Within The Pressure Machine Of Photography, E108 Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

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!

Support the show

The App That Transformed My Art & Mind
https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

Website:
https://themoodpodcast.com

Finding Contentment, Craft, And Community In Photography - Answering Your Questions! Moments of Mood, 3.2 Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

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 show

The App That Transformed My Art & Mind
https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

Website:
https://themoodpodcast.com

Why Most Photographers Never Begin - Wesley Verhoeve, E107 Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

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 photography
Why photographers often hate their own work
How overthinking blocks creative momentum
Where to start when photography feels overwhelming
Showing your work as a way to build confidence
The role of community, feedback, and shared growth in photography
Making photo books and long-term personal projects

Follow Wesley and his work:
Website: wesley.co
Instagram: @wesley
His Books: wesley.co/shop

__________________________________

Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!

Support the show

The App That Transformed My Art & Mind
https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

Website:
https://themoodpodcast.com

The Best Bits of 2025 - Moments of Mood, 3.1 Dec 31, 2025

Show notes

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 show

The App That Transformed My Art & Mind
https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

Website:
https://themoodpodcast.com

Why The Only Reason You Should Be a Photographer is Obsession - Jesse Lenz: E106 Dec 24, 2025

Show notes

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 addiction
Discovering photobooks
Why most projects fail
Editing and sequencing of art
Making work for yourself before others
Charcoal Press and publishing work
Chico Review
Longevity over visibility

Follow Jesse and his incredible work:
Website: www.jesselenz.com
Instagram: @jesselenz
Charcoal Book Club: www.charcoalbookclub.com
Charcoal Press: www.charcoalpress.com
Chico Review: www.chicoreview.com

_____________________________________________

Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!

Support the show

The App That Transformed My Art & Mind
https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

Website:
https://themoodpodcast.com

Why Nobody Cares About Your Photography Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

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 work
Why 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 storytelling
Why meaning matters more than visibility
How photobooks create depth in a disposable image culture
The 5 conditions that make people genuinely care about photography
Why slow, intentional work outlasts viral success

____________________________

Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!

Support the show

The App That Transformed My Art & Mind
https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

Website:
https://themoodpodcast.com

The Photographer Who Puts Humanity on Trial: Nick Brandt on Sentience, Power, and Responsibility, E105 Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

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.com
Instagram: @nickbrandtphotography

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 show

The App That Transformed My Art & Mind
https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

Website:
https://themoodpodcast.com

The Collapse of the American Dream - Photography as Witness: Bryan Schutmaat, E104 Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

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 Explore

Why photography feels so lonely and how community changes everything
Building meaningful creative connections in a solitary craft
The making of Sons of the Living and the stories behind the images
Navigating narrative, ambiguity, and emotional truth in photography
Why photobooks still matter and how sequencing shapes meaning
The philosophy behind Trespasser and independent publishing
Curiosity, discipline, and the struggle to stay creatively alive
The American dream, the American West, and the reality between them
How to make work that does something rather than pretending it does
The inner journey of becoming an artist with a distinct point of view

Follow Bryan and his incredible work:
Website: www.bryanschutmaat.co
Instagram: @bryanschutmaat

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 show

The App That Transformed My Art & Mind
https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

Website:
https://themoodpodcast.com

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected