The Paris Chong Show

Paris Chong sits down with acclaimed portrait photographer, photojournalist, and educator Sean Black to discuss his remarkable creative journey and his recent Emmy nomination as a producer for the Hulu streaming film *Living Proof*. Ranging from his roots in photography and his dad's Leica cameras to his enduring impact as an AIDS activist, Black shares candid reflections on community, resilience, and the power of visual storytelling.The conversation explores Black's striking street photography—including his celebrated Miami Pride portraits and work shown alongside Anthony Friedkin’s *Gay Essays* at Leica—as well as his pivotal experiences interviewing and documenting cultural icons. Reflecting on the profound losses and triumphs of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Black and Chong celebrate the medical advancements and community bonds that allow individuals to live full, healthy lives today.Finally, Black shares behind-the-scenes stories from touring on the road with his favorite band, Erasure, capturing legendary artists like Debbie Harry, and balancing his creative endeavors with teaching at Antelope Valley. It is an inspiring, heartfelt, and humorous discussion about art, music, friendship, and staying true to one's creative vision through life's many hustles.Show Notes:www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/sean-blacks-life-in-photography-art-aids-activism-and-storytellingChapters:00:00 Theme Song Banter01:28 Meet Sean Black03:43 Pride Photo Story05:07 LA Miami Life08:32 AIDS Activism Talk15:32 Drag Memories20:58 Tour Bus Family22:16 B-52s Walk of Fame23:45 Debbie Harry Surprise26:00 Back on Tour Plans28:18 Emmys Outfit Talk29:55 Where to Find the Work🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

Photographer Stephen Vanasco and Paris Chong sit down to discuss the realities of building a lasting creative career. Vanasco shares why emerging creators should avoid putting themselves in a box and instead explore a wide range of photographic techniques. He also emphasizes that being your own worst critic and maintaining a daily shooting routine are essential for finding your true artistic voice.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Stephen Vanascohttps://youtu.be/MmSbrgCcinchttps://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#style #photography #podcast

Paris Chong and photographer Stephen Vanasco dive into the art of curating gallery exhibitions by pairing distinct artistic styles. They explore the dynamic between high-altitude aerial views and ground-level street photography, highlighting the work of acclaimed photographers like Matt Stuart and Adelaide Shell. This engaging conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how unique visual perspectives are brought together for future gallery shows.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Stephen Vanascohttps://youtu.be/MmSbrgCcinchttps://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#photography #fineart #podcast

Photographer Stephen Vanasco, widely known as Van Styles, shares his remarkable journey from the DIY ethos of '90s skate culture to capturing a decade of the changing Los Angeles skyline from a helicopter. Alongside host Paris Chong, he discusses his dedication to shooting exclusively on film and the importance of building an independent creative career. Tune in for an inspiring look at artistic evolution, Leica gear, and the stories behind some of LA's most striking visual projects.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Stephen Vanascohttps://youtu.be/MmSbrgCcinchttps://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#streetphotography #leica #LA

Photographer Stephen Vanasco (Van Styles) sits down with gallerist Paris Chong to discuss his journey from '90s skate culture to mastering aerial photography in Los Angeles. Tune in as they explore his decade-long aerial book project leading up to the 2028 Olympics, his dedication to shooting exclusively on film, and valuable insights on building an independent creative career.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Stephen Vanascohttps://youtu.be/MmSbrgCcinchttps://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#photography #aerialphotography #podcast

Paris Chong sits down with photographer Stephen Vanasco, also known as Van Styles, to discuss his creative journey from '90s skate culture to fine art photography. Vanasco reflects on how his background in skateboarding instilled a strong "do-it-yourself" ethos, enabling him to build a successful career on his own terms without relying on traditional agencies or managers. He also breaks down his daily shooting approach, explaining why 99.9% of his current work is shot on film using his Leica MP cameras.The conversation delves into Vanasco's standout commercial and personal endeavors, including his permanent 25-print exhibit at the Kith store on Sunset Boulevard and his aerial workshops with Leica Academy USA. Stephen shares details about his main long-term project—a photo book cataloging over ten years of aerial flights above Los Angeles since 2014. Through these aerial views, he captures the changing face of LA’s architecture, landmarks, and urban development in the lead-up to the 2028 Olympic Games.Looking to the future, Chong and Vanasco explore ideas for upcoming exhibitions at Leica Gallery LA, brainstorming pairings between high-altitude aerial shots and ground-level street photography. Vanasco finishes with practical advice for emerging creators, encouraging young photographers to experiment with different mediums, avoid rigid routines, and utilize new digital tools to chart their own path.Show Notes:www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/stephen-vanasco-from-90s-skate-culture-to-la-aerials-the-story-of-van-stylesChapters:00:00 Show Intro01:09 Meet Stephen Vanasco02:30 Film Leica Daily Carry04:48 Aerial Work And LA Book16:05 Leica Connections Worldwide17:47 Pop Ups And Olympic Plans18:34 Portraits Versus Landscapes20:43 Zines DIY And The Book25:35 Finding Your Voice And Wrap Up🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

Curator Rotem Rozental emphasizes the importance of art spaces in fostering public discourse and showcasing diverse viewpoints. Her "Timeline" program supports photographers in various cities by providing mentorship from professionals like Ibarionex Perello and Ed Kashi to document contemporary events and build a lasting historical archive. Additionally, both Rozental and host Paris Chong are developing programming centered on the upcoming Olympics, featuring exhibitions of vintage and contemporary work that capture the human experience of the games. These efforts reflect a broader commitment to supporting artists and photographers as they process current realities and contribute to cultural records.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Rotem Rozentalhttps://youtu.be/oJU-AxFL5WAhttps://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#documentary #photography #podcast

Curator and photo historian Rotem Rozental argues that rather than resisting artificial intelligence, photographers should embrace and understand the technology to remain relevant. Drawing parallels to historical industry resistance toward Photoshop, she suggests that while legal frameworks like copyright currently lag behind, they will eventually adapt to protect visual creators. Beyond these legal hurdles, AI offers significant creative opportunities, ranging from conceptual projects to artists training their own models. Ultimately, Rozental asserts that photographers must actively participate in larger policy discussions about AI to shape its development and protect the role of human-made art in a machine-generated world.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Rotem Rozentalhttps://youtu.be/oJU-AxFL5WAhttps://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#aitalk #photography #curate

Curator Rotem Rozental and Paris Chong discuss the LACP exhibition *Expand and Contract*, which examines the evolution of American documentary photography throughout the 21st century. The discussion covers a diverse range of projects, from responses to 9/11 and the rise of digital technology to grassroots documentation of wildfire recovery efforts in Altadena and the complex realities of the US-Mexico border. Throughout, Rozental and Chong highlight the power of photography to foster community, support resilience, and capture shifting societal narratives.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Rotem Rozentalhttps://youtu.be/oJU-AxFL5WAhttps://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#photography #documentary #lacp

Curator and photo historian Rotem Rozental explores the intersection of art, mental health, and historical archives. She discusses a collaborative project focusing on loneliness and resilience, which uses creative expression to foster community and well-being, and reflects on her book, *Pre-State Photographic Archives and the Zionist Movement*, which examines how photographic systems shaped identity and national narratives in early 20th-century Israel.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Rotem Rozentalhttps://youtu.be/oJU-AxFL5WAhttps://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#arthistory #archive #podcast