The Hidden Cost of Chasing Success in Photography: What They Don’t Tell You - Erik Almas, E89

“I Don’t Think Photography Will Survive — But I Will.”
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Erik Almas is a legendary photographer known for his cinematic composites and emotionally rich commercial work. With a career spanning 25 years, he’s shot global campaigns for brands like Audi and Pfizer — but beneath the surface lies a deeper story about artistic identity, mentorship, burnout, and the search for meaning.

In this intimate and revealing conversation, Erik unpacks how the industry has changed, why he stepped beyond photography, and what legacy really means when everything fades.

Things we discussed:

The one photo that changed Erik’s entire careerHow mentorship shaped him — and why it’s missing todayWhat “finding your voice” actually means as a photographerWhy commercial photography is shrinking — and what to do about itHow AI is changing everything (and why being real matters more than ever)What Erik would create if no one was watching

Find Erik's work on his platforms:

Website: https://www.erikalmas.com/
Instagram: @erikalmas

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Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work.

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In The MOOD Podcast, Matt Jacob, renowned cultural portrait photographer, dives deep into the world of photography and the visual arts, with guests from all around the creative industry, across all parts of the globe, sharing inspiring stories and experiences that will leave you wanting more. With years of experience and a passion for storytelling, Matt has become a master of capturing lesser-told human stories through his photography, and teams up with other special artists from around the world to showcase insights, experiences and opinions within the diverse and sometimes controversial photography world. 

You can watch these podcasts on his Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay.

You can also follow Matt's work on his Instagram @mattyj_ay and his website: https://mattjacobphotography.com.

• No. of episodes: 104
• Latest episode: 2025-05-06
• Arts Visual Arts Education Self-Improvement

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