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Open Shutter Live

Paul Yeghouchian

Open Shutter is a podcast connecting creators to creators. Diving into WHY we do what we do, WHERE we came from, and where we're GOING. Hosted by Toronto Creator, Paul Yeghouchian, catch the show every week for a different guest!

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30 episodes
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Avg 1 hr
English

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Thursday · 58 min
Rediscovering My Creativity Through Photography | Igor Purwin
Originally from Poland, Toronto-based photographer Igor Purwin joins the program to talk about rediscovering his creative side through photography.After moving to Toronto permanently in 2014, Igor built a life with his family. In 2025, inspired by his children and a desire to document family life, he picked up a camera and began learning through YouTube. What started as a way to capture memories soon became something more: a way to reconnect with the creative spark he once found in music.Now exploring both digital and analog photography, Igor is pushing himself beyond his comfort zone, approaching strangers on the street and discovering new ways to see the city he calls home. He also shares a simple trick to make your photos stand out.In this conversation, we explore creativity, street photography, rediscovering Toronto, and why sometimes the best way to enjoy a passion is to keep it a hobby, free from the pressure of turning it into a business.Follow Igor https://www.instagram.com/igorpurwin/Like and Subscribe for more episodes.
Wednesday · 55 min
A Photographer's Quest to Explore Ontario | Lyndsey Brauch
Lifelong photographer Lyndsey Brauch joins Open Shutter Live to talk about keeping creativity alive in an increasingly noisy world. From borrowing her parents’ camera as a child to studying photography and film, Lyndsey has continued to pursue her craft while building a career in marketing and social media.We discuss the impact of AI on creativity, the pressure of social media validation, and the discipline it takes to keep creating for yourself, whether shooting in Toronto or exploring somewhere new, like her recent trip to Japan. Lyndsey also shares her goal of visiting all 130 Ontario Parks, combining her love of photography with a passion for exploring the outdoors.Follow Lyndsey here https://www.instagram.com/lyndseybrauchphotography/Like and Subscribe for more episodes:)
October 8 · 1 hr 8 min
Music Is His Religion. Photography Is His Practice | Mark Kendall Andrews
Mark Kendall Andrews joins the program. He’s a photographer, music lover, concert goer, and an all-around creative who sees the world through a cinematic eye.Mark’s creative journey has taken a few unexpected turns. He started in film and television, moved into background acting, then location scouting, before eventually stepping into the telecommunications industry. Now, he’s working toward making photography his full-time career.His approach to photography is anything but conventional. Mark doesn’t believe in following the rules. He shoots subjects head-on, builds his work around themes, and dives deep into the places he photographs, trying to bring an entire location to life for the viewer.And perhaps the most surprising part? Mark shoots and edits everything on his Samsung Galaxy S26.A discussion around photography, supporting local artists, and why community is more important than A.I. Follow Markhttps://www.instagram.com/kendallandrews5/
September 30 · 26 min
You Don't Need to Quit Your Job to Be an Artist | Erika Flores
What happens when your passion becomes a business, but you still have a full-time job?Toronto-based illustrator, artist, and creator Erika Flores joins the program to talk about finding that balance.Erika is a self-taught artist who started creating in high school. What began with a friend asking her to create calligraphy for a wedding seating chart eventually became Inkscrpt, her creative business.But building a creative career doesn't mean having unlimited time for creativity. Working full-time in government, Erika has had to learn how to protect her time, recognize when she's taking on too much, and understand why stepping away can sometimes be just as important as creating.We talk about the importance of passion projects, especially when client work becomes the focus, and why making something simply because you want to can help keep the creative spark alive.Erika also opens up about being an introvert while trying to network, build relationships, find new clients, and put herself out there.A conversation about art, identity, business, balance, and finding the time to create something that is truly yours.You can follow Erika herehttps://www.instagram.com/inkscrpt/
September 19 · 59 min
AI Will Never Replace Community. Here's Why. | Alshane Wallace
Alshane Wallace originally from the Bahamas, he has found a new home in Toronto and is building a creative community of his own.A creator at heart, Alshane founded the Browser Collective, a platform focused on bringing creators together and building community in Toronto.He started out as a writer, primarily working in fiction, but as life got busier, he found himself with less time to write. That passion for storytelling, however, has continued to shape the way he approaches everything he creates.Alshane talks about his perfectionist mindset, his constant drive to improve, and the thought he puts into both his work and the events he organizes.We also discuss what makes a great story, the filmmakers he draws inpsiration from, and why he believes AI can never replace the power of real human community.Join the Browser Collective Today!https://www.instagram.com/alshanewallace/https://www.instagram.com/thebrowsercollective/
S5 · E198
September 9 · 1 hr 5 min
Why Your Work Should Be Uncomfortable | Dzesika Devic
Toronto Photographer, Dzesika Devic joins Open Shutter to talk about finding meaning in photography, embracing discomfort, and learning to see the everyday with fresh eyes.Driven by missed photographs, childhood memories, and her own emotions, Dzesika gravitates toward photographing people’s expressions and quiet moments that reflect feelings and thoughts that can be difficult to articulate.She brings her camera with her everywhere, turning her everyday life into a kind of visual journal. She talks about her fascination with photographing people lost in thought, how photography allows her to connect with others, and why the best images often come from simply paying closer attention to the world around you.We also discuss why “I hate your photos” might actually be some of the best feedback an artist can receive, her feature in Leica’s 70th anniversary magazine celebrating the Leica M, and her upcoming first-ever gallery show this year.An honest conversation about photography, vulnerability, criticism, and why sometimes the work that makes you uncomfortable is the work worth making. https://www.instagram.com/dzesikadevic/
S5 · E197
September 7 · 1 hr
Stay Authentic in an AI World | Julian Talluto
What does it mean to stay authentic in a world increasingly influenced by AI?Julian Talluto, joins the program to talk about finding your creative identity, staying true to yourself, and pursuing photography with purpose.Julian shares how he found a place where he feels good mentally, why surrounding yourself with the right people and other creatives matters, and how learning to stop worrying about what others think has helped him become more comfortable doing what he actually wants to do.Photography has been part of Julian’s life for years. His father was a wedding cinematographer, and watching his father’s work sparked Julian’s interest in photography. After taking photography in high school, he continued developing his own creative style.For Julian, photography is about raw emotion and authenticity. He discusses why capturing genuine moments is more important to him than simply creating a technically perfect image.We talk about photography, creativity, AI, mental well-being, finding your people, and becoming the best version of yourself.https://www.instagram.com/juliantalluto/Like and Subscribe for More Episodes!
S5 · E196
August 27 · 56 min
I Was Laid Off. Then I Built My Own Business | Creative Freelancer Corynne Bisson
Full-time freelancer and business owner Corrynne Bisson joins the program to share her journey from Alberta to Toronto and how she has built a career in the content creation and videography space.Corrynne has been shooting for eight years and freelancing for the past three. After being laid off from her restaurant job, she took the leap into freelancing full-time and has since built a business working with a variety of clients.Now, she’s branching out into documentary filmmaking and is currently in production on a documentary project. Corrynne talks about what she loves most about running her own business, the areas she’s continuing to improve, the importance of believing in yourself, and her perspective on AI and its impact on creatives.A conversation about taking the leap, building your own path, and continuing to evolve as a creator.https://www.instagram.com/corynnecaptures/like and subscribe for more episodes:)
S5 · E195
August 18 · 42 min
See the Game Differently | Sports Photographer, Reese Bolibruck
Reese Bolibruck joins the program to talk about her journey as an athlete and sports photographer. Currently balancing two internships focused on sports photography, Reese shares how her experience as an athlete has directly influenced the way she approaches photography, from knowing where to position herself to understanding players, plays, and the flow of the game.Reese also offers advice for aspiring sports photographers, including why you shouldn't compare your gear to other photographers and how to focus on developing your own skills. She discusses her work with Women in Sport Media, a club she runs at her school that gives students an opportunity to network, share experiences, and learn what others are doing in the sports media industry.A conversation about sports, photography, networking, and finding your own path in the creative world.https://www.instagram.com/reesebolly_photography/Like and subscribe for more episodes:)
S5 · E194
August 13 · 1 hr 6 min
Don’t Follow the Crowd. Be the Artist. | Sports Photographer Vince Neil
Vince Neil joins the program to share his journey from hockey player to sports photographer and the lessons he’s carried from the rink into his career behind the camera.Originally from the USA, Vince played hockey before he had to to step away from the game. Rather than leave sports behind, he picked up a camera and found a new way to stay close to the action. That path eventually expanded beyond sports photography into headshots, event photography, and product photography.Vince explains how his playing experience has shaped the way he photographs hockey, from understanding angles and positioning to anticipating plays before they happen. He also opens up about leaving a corporate career as a trainer to pursue his passion for sports media full-time.The conversation explores the highs and challenges of building a photography business in the United States, moving to Canada, and having to rebuild his business and network from the ground up in a new country.Vince also shares his dream client, what makes his work stand out in an increasingly competitive industry, and what it takes to build a sustainable career around sports photography.You can follow Vince herehttps://www.instagram.com/vinceneilmedia/thanks for watching - subscribe for more episodes!
S5 · E193
August 5 · 59 min
What Every Sports Photographer Needs to Know | Neil Patel
Neil Patel, an avid sports photographer and urban planner who has built a name for himself covering basketball, football, and hockey across Toronto.Neil shares why creating genuine relationships with the athletes is just as important as capturing the action on the court or field. We talk about balancing creativity with the business side of photography, the importance of networking despite being an introvert, and how we works within a team of photographers.We also dive into the lessons he draws from baseball, how those ideas have shaped his approach to sports photography, and understands video storytelling is the future of sports content. It's a conversation about persistence, connection, and constantly evolving as a creator.Whether you're a sports photographer, content creator, or someone looking to grow your creative career, this episode is packed with valuable insights.https://www.instagram.com/_neilfilms/
S5 · E192
July 17 · 58 min
The Blueprint for Creator Success | Founder, FNM Creative Studios
Photographer, videographer, and content creator Amir Vassell joins the Open Shutter Podcast. As the founder of FNM Studios (Faith in Motion), Amir recently took the leap to pursue his creative business full time, helping artists, creators, businesses, and brands elevate their presence while creating meaningful impact.What started with nothing more than a tripod and a phone has grown into a thriving full-time career. In this episode, Amir shares the mindset, discipline, and practical steps that helped turn a dream into reality.A firm believer in breaking big goals into small, actionable steps, Amir explains why no goal is too big when you're willing to stay consistent, adapt, and keep moving forward.Whether you're an aspiring photographer, videographer, or entrepreneur looking to build a career in the creator economy, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration.Amir's Socialshttps://www.instagram.com/amir.fnmstudios/ https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/
S5 · E191
May 12 · 1 hr 19 min
Barber by Trade, Creator by Nature | Toronto's "416Sniper"
Toronto based barber and creative, 416Sniper joins the pod to share his journey through barbering, photography, and finding purpose through creativity. What started as a profession quickly became the foundation that helped bring structure, discipline, and direction into his life. His love for basketball naturally blended into barber culture, inspiring him to pick up a camera and start documenting the everyday moments and energy surrounding the craft.He opens up about his personal struggles with burnout, anxiety, and panic attacks, and how photography and videography became more than just creative outlets. They became ways to process life, stay grounded, and express himself without needing to say much at all.416Sniper also talks about the pressure of chasing trends and viral moments, explaining why he’s more focused on being intentional with his craft instead of constantly seeking attention online. As someone balancing multiple passions and creative paths, he shares the ongoing challenge of making everything work while staying true to himself.Naturally introverted, he doesn’t claim to have some final destination or master plan. For him, it’s about the process, the people, the stories, and continuing to create one frame, one cut, and one moment at a time. 🎥✂️🏀416 Sniperhttps://www.instagram.com/416sniper/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)
S5 · E180
May 5 · 1 hr
Beyond Talent: Real Wedding Photography Success | Daria Summers
Toronto-based wedding photographer Daria Summers joins the podcast to share her journey as a business owner and creative. She talks about what she loves about capturing weddings, why client connection matters more than just making a sale, and the challenge of learning how to market herself in the North American industry after moving from Ukraine.Daria also opens up about balancing trends with authenticity, how photography transformed her self-esteem, managing burnout, and what continues to inspire her to create meaningful, stunning images.Dariahttps://www.instagram.com/daria__summers/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)
S5 · E189
April 29 · 1 hr 3 min
The #1 Thing Holding Creators Back (And How to Fix It) | Sid Sawant
Creator, entrepreneur, and business owner Sid Sawant joins the program to discuss his journey into content creation, what storytelling truly means to him, and why long-form narrative content still matters in a world obsessed with short attention spans.Sid shares how he began as an actor before pivoting into photography through headshots, later building a career in wedding and event photography. We dive into his experience consulting on content strategy, the importance of authenticity in building a brand, and how AI is reshaping his business.Sid also reveals the one thing he believes stops most creators from succeeding, and how he plans to solve that problem to help creators grow, thrive, and build sustainable creative careers.Sid's Socialshttps://www.instagram.com/sidsawantartist/
S5 · E188
April 28 · 1 hr 9 min
Betting on Your Dreams with Entertainer, Deiondre Hall
Dancer, model, actor, musician, and poet Deiondre Hall joins the program for a conversation about artistry, discipline, and chasing your dreams without apology.Recently performing as a dancer for the Raptors 905, the G League affiliate of the Toronto Raptors, Deiondre shares how surrounding himself with the right people and support system has helped elevate his craft.Originally from Jamaica and moving to Canada to pursue his ambitions, Deiondre reflects on building a life his younger self would be proud of.We talk about inspiring young boys to pursue creative careers, why comparison can stunt growth, and how in every industry he enters, his goal remains the same: connect with others, share his art, and stay authentically himself.Deiondre's socials:https://www.instagram.com/iamdeiondre/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)
S5 · E187
April 14 · 1 hr 3 min
"Decoding" The Creative Process | Photographer, Brittany Martin
Brittany Martin is a Toronto street and architecture photographer at heart, capturing the fleeting moments in the city. Brittany is drawn to contrasts that feel almost like visual riddles: crowded spaces that somehow feel empty, still moments inside motion, and fleeting human stories tucked between steel and glass.Lately, Brittany has been expanding the lens into portrait work while developing a photo series centred on people in motion, chasing that blink-and-it’s-gone moment that turns ordinary scenes into something cinematic. We dive into his fascination with the city’s metro system, where repetition, symmetry, and pattern create an unexpected kind of beauty beneath the surface.The conversation also explores how AI reshaped Brittany's path, leading to step away from a career in software development and lean deeper into creative risk. Brittany shares a recent subway moment that perfectly captures his philosophy: always have your camera ready, because magic doesn’t wait.Outside of photography, Brittany builds drones, a hands-on hobby that fuels creativity and keeps burnout at bay. It’s a conversation about curiosity, timing, and learning to see the world not just as it is, but as it could be framed.Brittany Martinhttps://www.instagram.com/brittanybeephoto/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)
S5 · E186
April 9 · 1 hr 3 min
"A Minute to Learn, A Lifetime to Master" | Cinematographer, Bianca Cline
Cinematographer Bianca Cline joins the program, live from Salt Lake City, Utah. With over 25 years in the film industry, Bianca’s journey spans films, commercials, and documentaries, evolving from her early days in Los Angeles to a career shaped by intention and resilience.She opens up about a pivotal shift in her career, recognizing she was saying yes to projects that didn’t light her up. That realization led her toward commercial work, offering not only better balance while raising her children, but also a clearer sense of creative control and sustainability.Bianca dives into the changing landscape of filmmaking, from the attention economy shaped by social media to the rise of streaming platforms and how they’ve disrupted the industry. She reflects on the loss of shared cultural rituals, describing the movie theater experience as something almost sacred, now fading in the era of convenience.The conversation explores what it really takes to break into filmmaking, with Bianca emphasizing that there is no single path, only persistence, curiosity, and community. She also shares her perspective on the growing presence of AI and what it means for the future of storytelling.On a deeply personal level, Bianca speaks about some of the most challenging moments in her life and career, including coming out as a trans woman and continuing her work on the film *Rust* following the tragic loss of her friend and colleague.Her message to women cinematographers is clear and unwavering: there is still ground to claim, and it’s worth fighting for.Biancahttps://www.instagram.com/biancaclinedp/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)
March 28 · 54 min
The Psychology Behind Modelling | Becca Romero
Model and fine artist Becca Romero steps into the conversation, bringing a perspective shaped by both creative expression and human understanding.Starting her modeling journey at just 16, Becca shares how years in front of the camera built not only her portfolio, but her confidence, presence, and sense of self. What began as posing evolved into something deeper—a study of emotion, storytelling, and vulnerability through the lens.Alongside her work in the arts, Becca is pursuing social work with the goal of becoming a psychotherapist, driven by a desire to support people through crisis and transformation. She reflects on how her dual worlds—art and science—don’t compete, but instead sharpen each other, giving her a unique way of seeing people.With a background in policing, Becca brings a grounded understanding of human complexity, adding another layer to both her creative and professional path.She opens up about building a trusted network of photographers, what makes a collaboration feel safe and empowering—especially in boudoir and nude photography—and the red flags models should never ignore.We also go behind the scenes of a model’s day on set, exploring the unseen work, the mental focus, and the energy it takes to truly show up.At its core, this conversation is about presence—learning to put the phone down, reconnect with nature, and fully inhabit the moment you’re in.Beccahttps://www.instagram.com/becs_models_/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)
S5 · E184
March 26 · 1 hr 14 min
The Work Behind the Work | Creative Director, Meg Dunning
Meg brings a unique perspective shaped by an unexpected path, from social services to leading creative direction and mentoring entrepreneurs. She has oversaw 600 businesses in downtown Guelph, gaining a deep understanding of people, systems, and what makes something truly connect.At the core of Meg’s work is one belief: relationships matter. She leans into the messy middle, the raw, unpolished process of growth, both in business and in life. Whether she’s collaborating with female entrepreneurs or stepping into multiple roles for her clients, she focuses on building trust, clarity, and momentum.In this conversation, Meg shares her transition out of an 11-year career, her commitment to structure and systems, and why your voice matters more than ever in a world increasingly shaped by AI.Her philosophy is simple but powerful: practice makes progress. Create before you consume. Show up, challenge yourself, and play the long game.This is a conversation about connection, courage, and finding your voice, again and again.Meg https://www.instagram.com/megdunningcreative/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)

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