All Episodes

What happens when a passion for music meets a love of photography? This episode uncovers how melodies and moments intertwine, sparking unexpected creativity behind the lens.I sit down with Benny Chiu, photographer, former violinist and drummer, and night owl, for a candid conversation about how musical roots shape visual storytelling.Benny shares his journey from playing violin and drums to capturing emotions through the camera. He reveals how growing up musically informed his collaborative approach to wedding photography, how song and rhythm influence his edits and client slideshows, and why improvisation isn’t just for the stage. Discover why Benny relates his photography style to crossover artists like Vanessa Mae, and get actionable insights into merging your own artistic passions."...one of my favorite things to capture wedding days are actually the open dancing."Rock with Bennybycphotography.cominstagram.com/bycphotographyAnimotoFundy Designer's Social Design AppSocial Templates Co.Artists: Vanessa Mae, Lindsey Stirling, Cursive, Sigur RósThe tour

Can a childhood crush on a violinist lead to photographing a wedding? What if your passion for music and gear isn’t just a hobby, but the secret ingredient to your creative success?I sit down with photographer and  musician Sam Hurd, whose journey from orchestra kid to wedding photographer is surprising to some and inspiring to many.Sam Hurd is a photographer who believes that true artistry comes from trust. Based in Washington DC (with availability worldwide), Sam’s work isn’t about awards, it’s about capturing moments with creativity and authenticity. His portraits and wedding galleries stand out for their emotional clarity and visual poetry.Sam Hurd reveals how his musical background shaped his photographic style, from recording metal bands in college to applying audio production skills to wedding day videos. Hear the origins of Sam’s fascination with prisms, why he swaps out wedding dance floor hits for heavy metal in his earbuds, and what he’s learned documenting press events for celebrities like Billy Joel and Dolly Parton. Whether you're into gear talk, performance anxiety, or creative inspiration, this episode offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at balancing multiple passions and turning them into art."I like the contrast of just ridiculously hard metal in my ears while people are like visibly dancing to Shout because it just makes it fun for me.”Rock with Samsamhurdphotography.cominstagram.com/iamthesamyoutube.com/samhurdphotoPrisms on SpotifyPrisms on Apple MusicPic-TimeColorwareDJI Mic 2Insta360 X5OSMO Pocket 3 Cool Edit Pro (now Adobe Audition)The tour

Ever wondered how a snowy night, a missed concert, and an unexpected street performance could transform a musician’s life? In this heartfelt episode, hear a story where passion for music overcomes locked doors and cold weather.This episode has a story with a pub in Cambridge, Massachusetts,  John Ondrasik from Five for Fighting, and a guitar.“While I’m not a singer and I typically would not sing in front of other people, I did on the street in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with John from Five for Fighting and it changed my life.”If you’ve ever found yourself on the outside looking in, or if music and photography speak to your soul, don’t miss this episode. Subscribe to Lenses & Lyrics and share your own stories where music or art has changed your life.

Ever felt the itch to perform, only to be held back by self-doubt or expectations? What if you didn’t have to prove anything to anyone and could simply enjoy your craft, just for you?Fresh off a beach vacation, I reflect on being invited on stage by a musician friend, and why I chose to stay in the crowd. Revisiting my days at Berklee College of Music, I explore how even top musicians like John Mayer don’t always follow the expected path, and how stepping back from pressure can help you rediscover pure enjoyment in your passion projects, whether it’s music, photography, or any creative pursuit.“I enjoy the lack of pressure. I enjoy doing it for me. So if you’re a photographer, if you’re a videographer and you play music and you’ve got that urge to play more, just remember, there’s no pressure. If you want to do it for you, do it for you.”Additional Resources Mentioned:Ultimate GuitarSmartless with John MayerBerklee College of MusicIf this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow creative who might need a reminder: you don’t have to perform for anyone but yourself. Subscribe to Lenses & Lyrics for more conversations about balancing passion and pressure.

Find out what happens when punk rock and hardcore meets the world of cinematic wedding filmmaking. Take a journey from sleeping on hoarder house beds while on tour, to crafting emotionally resonant wedding films. Where music, nostalgia, and artistry collide.Jason McCutchen is a wedding filmmaker based out of Boston Massachusetts, who currently owns three making brands, Merriment films, Stopgolove, and Huxley Film as well as an educator and podcaster at the YouTube channel Wedding Film School. Jason grew up in the New England hard-core metal scene, and in a previous life played in several bands in addition to working in recording studios.Scott and Jason connect over their shared roots in hardcore bands and the scrappy reality of DIY touring, broken vans, sleeping in bathtubs, and houses filled with hoarded stuff. Jason reveals how his early love for writing and performing music led to a career in film, blending his artistic drive with wedding filmmaking. The episode dives deep into the creative crossovers between music and visual storytelling, how nostalgia shapes Jason’s approach to films, and the unique ways his team weaves personal and family music into their projects. From fanboying over Converge and Deftones to candidly addressing the business side of art, Jason shares both the highs and the hard choices along his creative journey."If I do something that’s for my soul, I don’t want anyone to be able to take it away from me.”Rock with Jasonhuxley.filminstagram.com/jaymccutchenweddingfilm.schoolHolding HannahStopgoloveLuma SitesThe tour

Ever wonder how the rhythm of music can shape a photographer’s vision? On this episode, a renowned photographer and lifelong musician shares how his creative paths have always been intertwined, revealing lessons and stories that just might change how you see (and hear) the world.Rick Sammon, a photographer, musician, author of 43 books, and educator, joins me to explore the profound connections between music and photography.From dreaming of jamming with Santana to studying composition at Berklee College of Music, Rick Sammon’s creative journey started with music before photography took center stage. He talks about growing up with a TV-director father, discovering photography through chance publication, and his enduring passion for both guitar and camera. Rick dives into lessons learned at Woodstock, how music reorganized his approach to seeing, and why his bestselling book has no pictures at all. We also explore healthy living, inspiration, and why sometimes "imitating is one of the best ways to create."“There's a big difference between listening and hearing... In photography there's a big difference between looking and seeing.” – Rick SammonRock with Rickricksammon.cominstagram.com/ricksammonphotographyRick's music roomRick's booksHarey BensonChordifySteal Like an ArtistThe tourNote: In this episode I mention seeing a show from Stevie Ray Vaughan at Berklee. I was incorrect. It was actually Steve Vai.

What happens when the worlds of photography and hardcore music collide? On this episode, you'll get an inside look at how a love for live music turned into a thriving photography career—and the unconventional journey that led Zac Wolf from basement shows to wedding aisles.Meet Zac Wolf,  a photographer who found his creative roots capturing the energy of the Boston hardcore scene before making a name for himself in the world of weddings.This is a preview of Scott's conversation with  Zac Wolf, originally recorded for The Workflows Photography Podcast. In this short clip from the Workflows episode, explore Zac’s origins in punk and hardcore band photography in South Florida and Boston, how technical limitations sparked creativity, and why Zac ultimately made the leap to photographing weddings"I was just like, okay, what can I do? No one was really shooting shows at that point... I started bringing my dad's Canon PowerShot to shows... Then I figured out how to do shutter drag on the PowerShot..."Rock with Zaczacxwolf.cominstagram.com/zacxwolfThe Workflows Photography PodcastDid this episode strike a chord with your own creative journey? Be sure to subscribe to Lenses & Lyrics so you never miss a story at the intersection of music and photography.

In this episode of Lenses and Lyrics, our host speaks with David Scott Bowles, a seasoned photographer and musician, about his journey in the music industry and how it has shaped his career in photography. David shares stories from his time in various bands, his son’s budding musical career, memorable performances, and the creative transition to photography. He also discusses the influence of music on his current work, the connection between stage performance and camera presence, and the unique experiences that continue to inspire his art. This episode is filled with personal anecdotes, industry insights, and advice for aspiring artists balancing multiple creative passions.Rock with Daviddavidscottbowles.coinstagram.com/dsbweddingsParty At Her PlaceABeautifulElegyShipshape and Bristol FashionDavis FreemanJohnny Cash AutobiographyThe tour

In this episode of Lenses & Lyrics, Scott shares a personal story of improvisation when a string popped during a show, highlighting the importance of preparedness. From the pitfalls of early music performance to the critical lessons learned in photography, Scott dives deep into the art of backing up your life—both musically and photographically. Feel the tension between analog and digital transitions and learn why redundancy is your silent hero.“Redundancy is important. Backups are important. This just goes to show that the lessons you learn in music also correlate to the lessons you can learn in photography.”Scott's photography backup workflowDon’t miss out on future tales of creativity and cautionary advice from professionals at the crossroads of music and photography. Hit subscribe or follow Lenses & Lyrics to stay in tune with what's coming next!

Embark on a nostalgic journey through the intertwined world of music and photography with host Scott Wyden Kivowitz, in the debut episode of Lenses & Lyrics. Discover how a clarinet's melody paved the way to capturing powerful photographic images, as Scott reminisces about his vibrant past as a musician and band photographer."I love music. I love photography... it is one thing that has kept me connected to my roots."In This Episode:Scott's unexpected start with the clarinet and his ambitions at Berklee College of MusicTransition from aspiring musician to passionate photographerThe evolution of bands: 20 Minutes to Nowhere, Sever the Stars, and FairmontThe intersection of music theory and photography skillsThe inspiration for the Lenses & Lyrics podcast and its fascinating future guestsExplore more about Scott's musical past at scottwyden.com/musicJoin us on this auditory journey by tuning into episode one of Lenses & Lyrics. Let this be your gateway into a series of compelling conversations bridging photography and music. Subscribe now and never miss an episode!

Welcome to Lenses & Lyrics, where music and photography collide, and every frame tells a story. I'm Scott Wyden Kivowitz, your host, a father, a husband, a photographer, and podcaster and musician. This podcast dives into the crossover world of photographers who are or were musicians. Those whose passion for sound influenced the way they see through the lens.We'll hear from photographers who started out in bands before photographing bands. And those who continue to blend both crafts. We'll also hear from musicians whose careers were shaped by the photographers who documented their journey. From backstage moments to front row pits, from record store memories to album cover photo sessions, Lenses & Lyrics is about the stories behind the images and the music that inspired them. Subscribe now to Lenses & Lyricss wherever you get podcasts, and join me as we continue to explore the intersection of sound and vision, one story at a time.