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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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  • 27 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 1 hr
  • English

Episodes 27

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  • S5 · E180
    March 13 · 1 hr

    Playing for the Crowd | Canadian Country Singer, Kip James 🎤

    Canadian country singer Kip James joins the program to share the story behind his journey into music. Growing up in a household filled with classic rock, Kip didn’t discover country music until later in life. Once he did, something clicked. At 16, he began writing songs, putting thoughts and experiences onto paper and slowly shaping the sound that would become his own.Now 28, Kip reflects on the long road it’s taken to build momentum. His success didn’t arrive overnight. It has been built through persistence, countless performances, and a commitment to improving his craft.Kip also talks about the formation of his band, Fighting Chance, which began five years ago and became an important outlet for collaboration and creativity. He shares his songwriting process, where ideas tend to come from, and the discipline required to keep creating even when inspiration doesn’t strike easily.The conversation dives into the realities of building a music career in Toronto, from the challenges of busking on the streets to the very different energy of performing inside bars. Kip explains how each environment shapes a performer and what it takes to truly command a stage with presence.At its core, Kip’s story is one of dedication, patience, and passion. It’s a reminder that believing in your path and putting in the work can slowly turn a dream into something real.You can follow Kip here https://www.instagram.com/kipjames_/ Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements! https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)

  • S5 · E179
    March 11 · 43 min

    Light, Simplicity, and Colour | Kevin "Uncaged" Photography

    Kevin from Uncaged Photography joins the program to talk about the creative path that led him behind the camera. While his main profession is working as a personal trainer, photography has grown from a curiosity into a deep passion since he first picked up a camera back in 2010.The name behind his Instagram handle has an unexpected origin story. Kevin has long been interested in cosplay, and one of those characters eventually inspired the name that now represents his photography online.In this conversation, Kevin explains why he doesn’t feel the need to choose between fitness and photography. To him, both crafts share something essential: human connection. Whether he’s training a client or photographing a subject, the goal is the same—building trust and working together to achieve a result.Although he considers himself introverted, Kevin prides himself on his ability to put people at ease. That quality shows up in his photography, where he enjoys collaborating on creative projects with a minimalist style that emphasizes lighting, rich colours, contrast, and simplicity.This year, Kevin is focused on refining his work even further by experimenting with light, stripping compositions down to their essentials, and exploring colour in new ways. He also shares thoughtful advice for beginners: have fun, meet people, ask questions, and keep experimenting.Kevin also reflects on the process of unlearning techniques and habits picked up from other photographers that don’t align with his vision. For him, growth means narrowing in on what truly matters and shaping a craft that feels authentic.You can follow Kevin herehttps://www.instagram.com/kevinuncaged/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)

  • S5 · E178
    March 1 · 1 hr 4 min

    Delivering an Experience, Not Just The Work | Giovanni McLeish 📸

    Giovanni McLeish started shooting cars alongside his boss, two enthusiasts chasing chrome reflections and clean body lines, quickly evolved into something deeper. Giovanni carved his path through car event photography and portrait work, embracing a jack-of-all-trades mindset while steadily refining his craft. Now, he’s intentionally narrowing his focus into the event and portrait space, where storytelling and human connection take center stage.In this episode, Giovanni breaks down what makes great car photography tick. It’s all about angles, perspective, and understanding how light bends around metal like it’s sculpting it in real time. But beyond technique, he emphasizes initiative. Create the work. Don’t wait for permission. Deliver an experience, not just images.We also dive into why printing his own work elevated his eye, how seeing photos off-screen sharpens attention to detail, and why capturing moments that last forever requires being fully present in the now.Energy is everything. Giovanni believes the vibe you bring to a shoot echoes back through the people you’re photographing. Connection with your model or client is not optional, it’s essential. Get out of your head. Get into the moment. Build the relationship. That human element is where the magic lives.He’s a firm believer in collaboration too. Working as a team opens the door to unexpected angles, fresh ideas, and shots you simply can’t create alone.This conversation is about craft, courage, connection, and showing up with intention every single time you press the shutter. 📸You can follow Giovanni here https://www.instagram.com/gvmultimedia.ca/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)

  • S5 · E177
    February 24 · 1 hr 10 min

    The Art of Imperfection | Ti-An DeMartines on Protecting Creativity 🧘‍♀️📸🖼️

    Ti-An DeMartines is a painter, photographer, yoga teacher, and manager at a vocational college. A graduate of York University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Ti-An’s artistic spark was lit early by her father, a hobbyist photographer whose images quietly shaped her eye. Today, she considers herself a travel photographer at heart, chasing landscapes, cityscapes, and wildlife with a sense of curiosity that feels both grounded and adventurous.The Canadian Rockies call to her again and again. The challenge, the scale, the unpredictability. Mountains that refuse to be captured easily. And that is exactly why she returns.What makes Ti-An’s process especially compelling is her embrace of imperfection. Blurry frames. Almost-missed shots. Even dash cam footage. Where others might delete, she lingers. She transforms these imperfect photographs into paintings, finding poetry in the flaws and texture in the unexpected. For her, art is deeply personal and emotional, which is why she has consciously chosen not to pursue it full time. Protecting creativity, she believes, sometimes means keeping it sacred.You can often find her sharing her work at local markets, connecting directly with people who are drawn to her pieces. In this conversation, she offers practical advice for artists looking to get their work seen and sold, while also speaking honestly about balance, sustainability, and staying true to your own rhythm.Yoga plays a central role in that rhythm. It is her reset button. A way to step away from the pressure to produce while simultaneously creating space for ideas to surface. In fact, she is intentionally trying to be bored more often, carving out quiet pockets where inspiration can wander in unannounced.This is a thoughtful conversation about boundaries, creativity, imperfection, and the courage to define success on your own terms.You can follow Ti-An herehttps://www.instagram.com/tiandemartines/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)

  • S5 · E176
    February 23 · 56 min

    Freelance Photography Advice You Need to Hear | Morgan Kitchen 📸

    Creativity sometimes arrives disguised as catastrophe.Toronto-based photographer and creative director, Morgan Kitchen, joins the podcast with a story that bends in an unexpected direction. Originally from Savannah, Georgia, Morgan moved to Toronto in 2020, chasing new chapters and colder winters.He began in front of the lens as a model. Then life swerved. After being hit by a car and sidelined with injuries, he found himself grounded, still, and staring at time. Instead of waiting for momentum to return, he picked up a camera. The original plan was tactical. Learn the mechanics. Understand the angles. Become better in front of the lens by mastering what happens behind it.But the camera had other ideas.What started as rehab curiosity turned into creative ignition. Once Morgan stepped into photography, there was no reverse gear. His personal projects pulse with intention. He shoots the kind of work he wants to see in the world, not just what the algorithm wants. That self-trust shows. His confidence is not loud, but it is steady. He commits to ideas, stretches his skill set, and executes with clarity.In this episode, we explore:• The power of networking and putting yourself in rooms that stretch you• Believing in your ability to the fullest and executing on ideas• Building a freelance career without burning yourself out• Creating balance so ambition does not outpace familyIf you are a freelance photographer, videographer, or someone hovering at the edge of creative risk, this conversation is for you. You can follow Morgan herehttps://www.instagram.com/morgan.xyz/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)

  • S5 · E175
    January 21 · 1 hr 7 min

    The Pivot That Changed Everything | Sports Media Creator So Kim 🏒🏑

    So Kim considers herself new to the industry, having picked up a camera in 2024, but she’s already making waves. She credits her outgoing nature and genuine love for connecting with people as the key to getting her foot in the door, building relationships that led to opportunities across photo and video events.Originally a Psychology major, So pivoted into content creation after realizing she’s a creative at heart. Since then, she’s worked across the hockey world, collaborating with leagues and organizations on everything from content creation to community initiatives and sponsorships. This wide exposure has allowed her to explore multiple roles and understand how the pieces come together behind the scenes.So thrives in creative environments, loves learning the craft, and is constantly pushing herself beyond her comfort zone. Her journey is a reminder that it’s never too late to start, and that curiosity, connection, and courage can open doors faster than you think. 🏒📸You can check out So's socials belowhttps://www.instagram.com/sojungkim.jpg/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)

  • S5 · E174
    January 18 · 1 hr 2 min

    Behind the Glass | The Realities of a Hockey Photographer | Jordan MacDonald

    Jordan MacDonald is a photographer and videographer from Ottawa whose work has put him rink-side with professional hockey organizations, including the Ottawa Senators.But his story does not begin under arena lights. It starts in an 11th grade videography class, where a short film earned his group a perfect score and quietly flipped a switch. That moment led him to pick up a Sony camera, dive into photography, and begin a journey built on curiosity, repetition, and progress over perfection.In this episode, Jordan opens up about losing his creative spark when videography became a business, and how volunteering as a photographer helped him rediscover why he started in the first place. Growing up in a hockey family and living the sport his entire life shaped both his work ethic and his eye, and that passion shows in every frame he captures.Jordan shares his goals of shooting NHL, OHL, and PWHL games, along with aspirations to photograph Team Canada Soccer and live concerts. He also talks honestly about the skills he is still working to improve, and offers grounded advice that applies far beyond photography.If you want a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of working in professional and amateur sports, and a reminder that progress beats perfection every time, this episode is for you.You can check out Jordan's work herehttps://www.instagram.com/takenbyjmac/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)

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