Tom’s guest today, Erika Larsen, is a photographer known for extended essays that document various cultures from a variety of perspectives. Erika is well-known around the world for her work with National Geographic, Time Magazine, and other globally-recognized companies. She has specialized in immersive photography in order to tap into the world’s oldest profession, storytelling. Erika believes that good photographers have the ability to freeze time, and she has let that fuel her throughout her long and impressive career.

In this episode, Tom Kennedy, ASMP National Board Member, and photographer rep Erika Larsen talk about…

How Erika got started in the field of photography
Cutting out a lot of the noise that comes with having a plethora of tools
Storytelling is the oldest profession that the world knows
Developing a relationship with the earth and what it means to be human
Staying present and focused while photographing when the world is so loud
Erika has spent a lifetime finetuning her photography skills through experience
Overcoming the initial challenge of gaining acceptance into different cultures
Everyone in this world holds a certain knowledge that is unique to them
Getting people to open up and convey the essence of their own story
Keeping track of where you are in the evolution of each story
What catches Erika’s attention when she is in the moment of taking a photograph
Achieving a stillness and what that does for different people
Having a great support system when life takes you all over the world
Making an impact on the world and how to do it
What the person next to you says can or can’t happen doesn’t exist

Links to resources:

National Geographic

Time Magazine

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Ep 29 - Photographer Erika Larsen