Episode 24
In this episode, Ron and Jason shift focus away from wildlife photography and welcome Chris Dickinson, a Western lifestyle photographer, to discuss the heart behind photography and the stories that drive his work. Ron and Jason first met Chris at a pictureline.com PhotoX event and were inspired by his talk. Chris’ photography is nearly cinematic, and his ability to capture the emotion of ranch life is breathtaking. In this episode, he breaks down elements of his process when entering a chaotic environment, remaining calm and capturing incredible images that tell the story in almost more detail than what is apparent to the naked eye. Chris and the BTW crew explore the importance of building relationships within the ranching community, the significance of giving back through photography, and share personal outdoor experiences that have shaped their perspectives. Chris emphasizes the emotional connection to ranch life and the value of capturing moments that tell a story while highlighting photographers’ need to do good with their craft.
Episode 10
Summary
In this episode of the Beyond the Wild podcast, Ron and Jason interview Madi Clark, known as Embark.with.Ember on Instagram. Madi shares her journey of using social media to make a living with her Australian Shepherd, Ember; her adventure buddy. She started a social media account for her dog in 2018, quickly gaining traction and attracting brand partnerships. Madi discusses the challenges of transitioning from posting photos to creating reels and the importance of engagement with followers. She emphasizes the value of building a personal brand, being vulnerable and telling stories to captivate an audience. Madi also shares insights on pricing her work and the significance of engagement metrics for brands. She emphasizes the importance of having a new hobby or passion alongside photography to prevent burnout and also discusses her role as a consultant, helping content creators level up their skills and work with brands. She mentions her involvement in online business management and assisting influencers with their clients. She expresses her loyalty to Nikon and her positive experiences, while Ron and Jason reflect on their experiences with the brand and what made them switch to Canon. Madi shares her favorite outdoor experience, which was seeing a bear in Teton National Park, and reflects on the childhood memories with her dad that sparked her love for nature and photography.