PHLEARN Magazine

We chat with surreal portrait photographer Ben Zank about how Instagram has changed the meaning of the self-portrait, how the natural world influences his unnatural compositions, and how his color blindness impacts the way he uses color in his photography work.

Ben Sasso is definitely making a name for himself in the photography world, with more than 110k Instagram followers, he’s been named “Educator to Watch” and “Rising Star of Wedding Photography.” We talk to Ben about what motivates him and what success means to him.

We talk to conceptual fine art photographer Joel Robison about the inspiration behind his super imaginative images, finding beauty in chaos, and the importance of creating fictional worlds for yourself through art.

Advertising creative and Instagram sensation Jason Peterson uses a bold, minimalist approach to create evocative and thought-provoking photos. We talk to Jason about the importance of defining a personal style and what it means to be successful on Instagram.

Photographer and filmmaker Taylor Rees has made quite a name for herself in the climbing and photojournalism worlds. Her aptly cinematic works tell stories about the effects of climate change, endangered animals, and mining in the global south.

Daring adventurer and talented photographer Renan Ozturk is using his camera to tell stories with real impact. We talk to Renan about the changing environment and how he tells stories about our planet, rather than about any particular mountain.

Asher Moss first started shooting on a Pentax K1000 STU and he still shoots film to this day. We go old-school with Asher and talk about his cinematic style, how he captures intimacy, what he thinks makes for a strong portrait, and how vintage equipment enhances modern photography.

L.A.-based photographer George Byrnes’ abstract images of urban landscapes showcase vivid colors and clean lines. We talk to George about what makes a good abstract composition, how he deals with creative slumps, and the difference between shooting natural and urban landscapes.

We talk to Instagram guru Dave Krugman, who has attracted attention for his unique style of street photography. Dave’s take on New York showcases the vibrant colors and moody atmosphere of the city at times when most people are running for shelter.

With nearly 300k Instagram followers and some pretty amazing brand affiliations, Elise Swopes’ surrealism has a unique twist that definitely stands out. We talk to Elise about mobile photography editing, her background, and influences.