Three Cities, Three Perspectives, One Creative Collaboration

Creating a photo book taught us far more than we ever expected. Creating a course about it taught us even more. In this episode, Bob Patterson interviews Street Photography Magazine publisher Ashley Riffo about the making of our new self-publishing photo book course. We talk about why the course exists, some of the challenges of book making & course making, the lessons we learned from publishing "Where the Streets Lead", and what we'd do differently next time. Along the way, Bob shares what he's been up to since retiring as SPM's publisher, offering up stories from his recent trip to Japan, a glimpse into his new Substack, "Beyond Street Photography", and reflections on creating a personal travel zine. We also share thoughtful feedback and advice from a few photographers who have self-published books includeing Craig Litten, Debby Cole, and Wayne Campbell. They all agree: Self-publishing a book is a lot of hard work, but totally worth it. If making a photo book has been sitting on your "someday" list, this conversation is for you. Learn more about our self-publishing photo book course: https://streetphotographymagazine.com/learn/ Read Bob's Substack: https://beyondstreetphotography.substack.com/ Guests: Craig Litten - https://www.craiglitten.com/ Deborah Cole - https://www.deborahcolephotography.com/ Wayne Campbell - https://www.acelebrationofdemonstration.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with photographers from around the world. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: 4VJ8G2ENZ3NXC9BB, BY6JGQD8ZFZEZECP #streetphotography #streetphotomag #photographypodcast #photographyeducation

In this episode of the Street Photography Magazine Podcast, Bob Patterson and Ashley Riffo sit down with the photographers behind Three Cities Photography: Christer Björkman (Sweden), Jane Dee (Scotland), and Kitty de Jong (Netherlands). They told us how what started as a conversation during a Peter Turnley workshop in Paris grew into a years-long creative collaboration spanning books, zines, newspapers, countries, and countless photography discussions.

In this special episode, Ashley Riffo explores that question by speaking with photographers who attended four very different events: Dublin Street Photography Festival, Raw Photo Fest, Eyes on Main Street, and Photo London. Along the way, conversations about exhibitions and portfolio reviews quickly turn into something deeper: community, inspiration, and the joy of meeting the people behind the photographs. Whether you've attended dozens of festivals or never been to one, this episode offers a glimpse into why photographers keep coming back year after year.

Documentary photographer and filmmaker Nagamitsu Endo joins us to talk about storytelling, street photography, and the patience required to document real life honestly. Raised between Japan, New York, India, and Pakistan, Naga shares how growing up across cultures shaped his perspective as both an observer and storyteller. We discuss his years working in documentary television alongside Brent and Craig Renaud, the emotional process of editing documentary work, and why trust and empathy matter when photographing people. Naga also reflects on being mentored by renowned photographer Philip Perkis, shooting with a single lens, and the importance of persistence in both street photography and life. This episode explores documentary storytelling, human connection, and what it means to keep showing up with a camera, even when you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for yet.

In this episode of the Street Photography Magazine podcast, Bob Patterson talks with documentary photographer, educator, and National Geographic contributor Michael O. Snyder. Michael shares how street photography became the foundation for his larger documentary practice, why place matters just as much as people in storytelling, and how photographers can pitch their work more effectively to editors and publications. They discuss the relationship between street photography and documentary photography, building long-term projects, photographing cultural heritage sites affected by climate change, and Michael’s new book Alleghenia: A Central Appalachian Folklore Anthology, a fourteen-year project preserving stories and traditions from Central Appalachia. From ancient flood systems in Petra to forgotten presidential statues in Virginia to oral histories from the mountains of Appalachia, this conversation is a reminder that meaningful stories are everywhere, you just have to start where you are. Topics covered: • Street photography as a gateway to documentary work • How to pitch photo stories to editors • Why place matters in visual storytelling • Working with National Geographic • Climate change and cultural heritage • Michael’s new book on Appalachian identity and folklore • Why the best stories often begin at home

Listening to Bethany Jacobson talk about NYC in the 80s in our last episode was absolutely fascinating, but it was an unfamiliar world for me. This week, we relived a little 90s nostalgia with Kai Diaz, and I have to say, it took me back to my own teenage years, albeit an East Coast version. Kai grew up on MTV, skate videos, and surf magazines and it was that kind of visual culture that shaped the way he sees, even now. As a kid, he became the unofficial documentarian of his friend group, filming skate sessions and documenting life on film. To this day, friends call him looking for old memories, and he’s usually got the photos stowed away, ready to scan and send. So, you can add archivist to the list of Kai’s abilities too.  He said, “I just wanted to remember everything…that’s kind of how I got into photography.” And while he started shooting so he wouldn’t forget (Peter Pan syndrome, he calls it), over time, he’s honed his craft into something much deeper. These days, observation, storytelling and curiosity are at the heart of what he creates. “It’s just in me to document stuff,” he says. Influenced by Film and Films With just a few exceptions, Kai has stayed true to film photography over the years, both for the benefits that come from a slower process, and for the quality of work film produces. Film pushes him to get it right in-camera instead of fixing things later. Plus, he argues that there’s something about film that’s hard to explain but immediately noticeable, a quality that digital (even with filters) doesn’t quite replicate. And when you look at his work, you can see it. His photos feel cinematic, which is a product of his approach, but also his early visual training, one that came from all those classic 90s films. Kai was (and still is, sounds like) obsessed by films from directors like Christopher Nolan, Steven Spielberg, and Stanley Kubrick. “They don’t have to explain anything… they just show it to you and you feel it,” he says. That same philosophy carries into his own photography: no over-explanation, no forced narrative, just images that make you feel something, and scenes that make you curious. We dove into the creation of Kai’s upcoming book too, “Echoes of the Unseen,” which promises to be an incredible collection of work, and Kai talked candidly about the challenges that come with book-making.  At the end of the day, Kai isn’t just making photographs, he’s leaving behind a record. Whether it’s a box of old prints, a future photo book, or an image hanging in someone’s home, it all serves the same purpose: to make sure something lasts. And there’s something pretty powerful about that. Watch this episode on YouTube A Selection of Kai’s Photos Where to Find Kai Website Instagram Kai Diaz: Living Forever (SPM Feature)

In this episode of the Street Photography Magazine podcast, Bob Patterson and Ashley Riffo sit down with photographer, filmmaker, and educator Bethany Eden Jacobson for a conversation that was part time capsule and part behind-the-scenes look at a creative life. Bethany takes us back to the gritty, electric energy of 1980s downtown New York, which was an era where art, music, and rebellion collided. From photographing icons like Iggy Pop to documenting the underground scene shaped by figures like Jean-Michel Basquiat, her work captures a moment that was raw and unfiltered, and though she didn’t realize it at the time, transformative for the art world in general. But it wasn’t just the nostalgia that made this conversation interesting. We also talk about what it means to revisit your archive decades later, how filmmaking influences photographic storytelling, and why editing—whether for film or a photo book—is where the real work begins. Bethany also shares her thoughts on creative identity, resisting the pressure to “niche down,” and embracing a multidisciplinary approach in a world that often demands labels. It’s a great conversation for anyone out there in the wild navigating their own creative path right now. Links from the show Bethany’s Website Kickstarter for “Another Time, Another Place” – LAUNCHING APRIL 14TH Bethany’s Photo Book “Another Time, Another Place”

Several months ago, after an editorial meeting with Bob, which was packed with beautiful and meaningful projects, I admitted that I often feel like I don’t know what I want to say with my camera. I did not share this with Jorge Delgado-Ureña, photographer, writer, educator, and co-founder of The Raw Society, but it goes without saying that our conversation hit home for me personally. In this episode, Jorge and I talked, among other things, about intention in photography. Why it’s so hard to nail down, and why it matters more than we might like to admit. Jorge shares his perspective on storytelling, responsibility, and the difference between simply taking photos and actually saying something with them. Plus, you’ll hear about how The Raw Society came to be, what a fantastic community it’s turned into, and what’s in store for the upcoming inaugural Raw Photo Fest. I loved hearing about a festival that will showcase photography in a way that is accessible to anyone and everyone, including kids, locals, and non-photographers. “Raw Photo Fest is more than a festival. It is an invitation to slow down and connect — with photography, with stories, and with Menorca itself.” – Christelle Enquist, Co-founder of The Raw Society and Festival Director This episode has plenty of food for thought, and it might just challenge the way you’ve been shooting. I know it gave me a little something to wrestle with. Links from the show The Raw Society The Photographer’s Journal (Jorge’s Substack) Raw Photo Fest Watch this episode on YouTube

In this episode of the Street Photography Magazine podcast, Bob and I had the chance to sit down with photographer Doug Bruns. And the conversation we had was the kind that sticks with you long after it’s over. We talked about how growing up around cameras and photographers shaped his path, and how a formative trip abroad set him on a lifelong journey of travel and image-making. But this episode goes way beyond origin stories. We talked about what it means to photograph for yourself instead of for validation, how stepping away from social media impacted Doug’s creativity, and why committing fully to black and white photography gave him a surprising sense of freedom. We also got into the realities of creative dry spells, discipline, and the long, often nonlinear relationship we have with our work. Doug shared a few stories that really stayed with me too, especially one about discovering a sculpture deep in the Maine wilderness that reshaped how he thinks about creativity and purpose. This isn’t just a conversation about photography. It’s about identity, intention, and figuring out how to stay connected to your creative voice over time. If you’ve ever questioned why you make photos, or if you’ve ever felt stuck, distracted, or disconnected from your work, I think you’ll find something meaningful in this one. Links from the show Doug’s Website Doug on PixelFed Doug on Glass The photography of Alison Wright A Selection of Doug’s Photos P.S. You can also watch our conversation on YouTube.

Street photography often begins with curiosity. For Carmina Ripolles, it also began with a moment in life when creativity became a necessity. In this episode of the Street Photography Magazine podcast, Bob Patterson and Ashley Riffo talk with Carmina, a street photographer and English teacher whose work celebrates what she calls the “beautifully ordinary.” Her journey into photography began during the lockdown, a time when the world slowed down and many people found themselves searching for new ways to express and understand their experiences. What started as a creative outlet soon became something deeper. Inspired by photographers like Vivian Maier and Richard Billingham, Carmina began documenting everyday life with a keen eye for small gestures, fleeting expressions, and quiet moments that often go unnoticed. Her photographs remind us that meaningful stories don’t only exist in dramatic scenes, they are happening all around us. Throughout the conversation, Carmina talks about how photography helped her know herself better as a true people person. She also shares how listening, observing, and engaging with others can transform a simple moment into a photograph that resonates. Her goal isn’t to dramatize the street or focus only on hardship. Instead, she looks for humanity, humor, and joy in daily life. As she puts it, she wants her images to be “beautifully ordinary.” Carmina in the February Issue Beautifully Ordinary: The Street Photography of Carmina Ripolles In a genre that sometimes gets defined by bravado or confrontation, Carmina’s photographs remind us of another path. Read more Links from the Show “The Fugitives” by Carmina Ripolles (The Bee) “When We’re Smiling” by Carmina Ripolles (The Bee) Carmina on Instagram