The Paris Chong Show

Brian Bowen Smith, also known as BBS, joins Paris Chong for Episode 31. In this captivating episode, Brian discusses his illustrious career as a photographer, touching upon his "Angel show", held during COVID with Stephan Sco and Brandon Boyd. He opens up about the crucial role his wife, Shea, plays in managing his life and career, a partnership that has thrived for over 35 years. Brian attributes their relationship's success to staying busy and continually striving to impress each other, emphasizing that stagnation can make life difficult.Brian shares insights into his upbringing in Syracuse, New York, and how he transitioned into photography after an unexpected encounter with director Evan Stone in the nineties under the Brooklyn Bridge. He recounts his past acting experiences, including a role as Jennifer Aniston's boyfriend on *Friends* and a photographer on *The Morning Show*. He also reveals that in over 30 years, he's only had one truly bad experience with a celebrity, noting that most are appreciative and professional.The conversation then shifts to Brian's book, *Drivebys*, created during COVID using a monochrome camera. He describes how the project began in his Agoura Hills neighborhood, starting with a photo of a neighbor's daughter in a vintage Ford F-100 truck. The unplanned rainy weather led to a "ghostly" and "eerie" shot through the truck's windows, inspiring the entire series. Brian also hints at an upcoming mixed-media collaboration with a talented young neighbor, expressing his excitement for their artistic partnership. The episode concludes with a humorous discussion about their shared hyperactive personalities and a mention of Brian's gorgeous home in Agoura Hills, complete with old trucks and various animals.Show Notes:www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/brian-bowen-smith-from-friends-to-fine-art-drive-vision-and-the-unexpected-shotChapters:(00:00:00) Intro(00:00:34) Brian Bowen Smith(00:05:15) Moved to LA(00:09:54) ADHD(00:13:15) Big Fan of Painting(00:16:08) Brian's House(00:20:12) Drivebys(00:27:00) Moving to LA(00:31:34) Neighbors and Parties(00:35:37) Karma(00:40:36) Money Doesn't Equal Happiness(00:42:14) Being Brian Bowen Smith(00:46:53) Working on Now(00:53:37) See More of Brian(00:57:08) Outro🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

Paris Chong welcomes photographer and fellow podcaster, Mitch Stringer! The episode kicks off with a fun story about how the two met in New York City at the Leica 100-year anniversary event—a chaotic yet memorable block party where Mitch briefly served as the opening act for a swarming crowd, immediately followed by Jason Momoa. They quickly dive into their shared experience as podcast hosts, discussing the journey of building an audience, with Mitch having reached over 55 episodes and Paris's show now transitioning to a monthly format.Mitch Stringer, a Leica enthusiast and professional photographer based in Baltimore, details his life behind the lens, highlighting his diverse gear choices: Sony for the fast-paced action of Major League Baseball and his Leicas (Q3, SL3, M11) for his artistic passion projects in portraiture, street, and travel photography. The conversation shifts to the ultimate artistic goal of having a published work. Mitch, who has already published a book on Cuba, shares insights from his experience and talks about his next project: a book dedicated to African wildlife.The chat expands to cover Mitch’s extensive travel, including an upcoming two-week trip across Morocco focused on capturing the people, history, and architecture—a stark contrast to his wife's preference for less adventurous sightseeing in places like Italy and rural England. They also touch on the lighter side of life with candid talk about Mitch's three children and multiple pets, the addictive nature of Instagram, and humorous, relatable moments of aging, like receiving a startling promotion from a crematory. The episode concludes with a nod to acclaimed photographers like Greg Gorman and Art Wolf, whose work continues to inspire Mitch's photographic vision.Show Notes:www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/mitch-stringer-photographer-and-fellow-podcaster-talks-mlb-travel-and-art-booksChapters:00:00 Intro00:16 Meet Mitch Stringer01:08 Leica Party Origin Story02:45 Podcast Guests and Instagram07:18 Podcast Metrics and Media Roots12:15 Baseball Photography and Gear15:42 Travel Tales and Photo Books23:22 Dogs and Loss24:30 Cremation Mail Shock25:59 AAA and Keeping It Together26:37 Next Book African Wildlife29:21 Mentors and Great Portraits32:17 Zoom Face Critique and Tattoos37:30 Advice for Young Photographers🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

Paris Chong and Ray Barbee bond over the bittersweet reality of post-pandemic travel, despite their busy schedules. Paris shares her upcoming plans to travel to Athens, Greece, and then to Wetzler for an international gallerist meeting, admitting that she actually prefers staying home with her dog and kid. Ray Barbee echoes this sentiment, agreeing that the pandemic "spoiled" them both, making them realize how much they enjoy being home, even while acknowledging the exciting opportunities that travel provides.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Ray Barbeehttps://youtu.be/RNds97LPlq8https://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#podcast #photography #travel

Legendary skateboarder Ray Barbee describes the two distinct periods of "confusion" in his early career: the "comfortably confused" phase of success, sponsorships, and traveling the world, and the "uncomfortably confused" phase that followed, where the unwanted adoration and celebrity status left him feeling deeply unfulfilled and conflicted. He shares how this emotional struggle, combined with realizing the world's injustices, led him to a personal journey of seeking truth, ultimately finding a spiritual understanding that there is something bigger than himself.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Ray Barbeehttps://youtu.be/RNds97LPlq8https://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#skateboarding #podcast #raybarbee

Ray Barbee tells the engaging story of how he got his first skateboard, which was a hand-me-down from his friend Danny's dad, who grew up in the 70s park era of skateboarding. He describes the board—a vast improvement over the "banana boards" he'd seen—as the key that unlocked a new culture for him. This new board gave Ray and Danny the confidence to approach the "cool kids," who were skaters and surfers, at school. Accepted into this "brotherhood," Ray's journey as a skater took off, eventually leading to his professional career.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Ray Barbeehttps://youtu.be/RNds97LPlq8https://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#skateboarding #guitar #podcast

Paris Chong recounts her dramatic personal transformation, revealing how she went from a self-described phase of "fat eating Ho Hos and Dolls in my bedroom watching MTV" one minute, to suddenly "living in London" and feeling "in love, and having fun" the next. She and her guest, Ray Barbee, share a moment of laughter and reflection on the sudden, significant shifts that can happen in life, setting the stage for a broader conversation about music, passion, and personal history.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Ray Barbeehttps://youtu.be/RNds97LPlq8https://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#london #mtv #celebrity

Paris Chong sits down with her good friend, the multi-talented Ray Barbee, to discuss his new book, “The Joy is Capturing the Journey.” Ray, renowned for his legendary career as a professional skateboarder and a gifted photographer, explains how the book's title reflects his passion for documenting his blessed life and the sheer fun he finds in the process, from shooting to printing in the darkroom. The conversation also touches on his enduring career in skateboarding, including his long-standing sponsorships with brands like Vans and Crooked Skateboards, and a look back at his most significant skateboarding injury—a broken scaphoid bone that kept his wrist in a cast for nine months.Ray shares details about his family and musical roots, noting that his two sons are both skateboarders, with Max recently earning a full-ride football scholarship. He recalls growing up with jazz and soul music in the house, thanks to his parents, but notes that MTV introduced him to rock and roll, sparking his desire to play guitar. He shares a charming story of performing an air-broom guitar solo to AC/DC’s "For Those About to Rock" at a fifth-grade talent show. This early passion for music, combined with a fortuitous gift of an old-school skateboard, laid the foundation for his professional life.The discussion highlights the beautiful connection between Ray's skateboarding and photography styles, describing both as an improvisational act of "documenting moments" and "being surprised by something and hitting it... in the moment." An accomplished musician as well, Ray discusses how technology allows him to be a "one-man band" using a pedal to turn his guitar into a bass. Wrapping up, he mentions his newly released EP, “Little Postcard,” and his upcoming plans to support both the book and the album with a photo exhibition and performance at the Moments Festival in Spain. Ray attributes his famously cheerful demeanor to his faith, quoting the proverb, "A happy heart makes the face cheerful," and expressing deep gratitude for his journey.Show Notes:www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/ray-barbee-on-skateboarding-photography-and-a-life-of-gratitudeChapters:00:00 Intro00:34 Meet Ray Barbie: Skateboarder and Photographer00:46 Ray Barbie's New Book02:33 The Joy of Skateboarding05:16 Family and Parenting08:08 Growing Up with Music18:48 Discovering Skateboarding24:43 From Skateboarding to Street Photography25:50 The Parallels Between Music and Photography26:17 Skateboarding and Rhythm26:59 Desiree and Photography27:36 Transitioning to Podcasts30:37 Faith and Spirituality38:29 Seeking Truth and Finding Peace48:44 Upcoming Projects and Travels51:19 Conclusion and Farewell🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

Photographer Dennys Ilic reveals the intense physical demands of his work, sharing that he logged 17,000 steps during a single concert shoot—the equivalent of walking from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica—while burning 1500 calories. He also discusses his preferred gear for concert photography, explaining why he uses the Leica SL series cameras for their superior low-light performance and smaller file sizes, which is necessary when shooting 5,000 photos a day. The conversation lightens as Paris Chong praises Dennys' unique and highly sought-after homemade "den bread," leading to a humorous discussion about the serious investment offers he has received to scale his baking operation into a commercial venture.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Dennys Ilichttps://youtu.be/c_IR4DRVq6ohttps://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#photography #leica #10000steps

Photographer Dennys Ilic and Paris Chong dive into the challenging art of capturing truly breathtaking landscapes, reminiscing about the beautiful, yet elusive, scenery of Joshua Tree. The conversation quickly shifts to the technical side as Dennys discusses his preference for the Leica SL3-S for its superior low-light performance during concert shoots, leading to an incredible recap of his time on the road with Alanis Morissette, including the "jaw-dropping" experience of photographing her performance in front of 150,000 people at Glastonbury and the grand finale at the O2 Arena.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Dennys Ilichttps://youtu.be/c_IR4DRVq6ohttps://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#photography #glastonbury #landscapephotography

Photographer Dennys Ilic discusses his passion for candid photography and his dream of working as a unit stills photographer on major sci-fi and fantasy projects like *War Hammer 40K* or *Highlander*, fueled by his love for gaming culture. He shares his experience as a boutique publisher, noting the continued success of his first book, *Men of Science Fiction*, and the logistics of managing his book stock in Australia, which he may visit at Easter instead of Christmas due to show preparations. The discussion also touches on the universal comfort of coming home after long work periods, with Dennys reflecting on a recent period of relaxation after a shooting series, and Paris Chong mentioning her upcoming 15-hour trip to Greece for portfolio reviews.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Dennys Ilichttps://youtu.be/c_IR4DRVq6ohttps://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#photography #setstills #vision

Photographer Dennys Ilic proves why he's one of the most generous people in the industry, surprising Paris with not one, but two beautiful fine-art prints! He presents an iconic, recent shot of Alanis Morissette currently plastered all over Las Vegas for her residency, as well as a stunning older portrait of Liv Tyler, both printed on exquisite William Turner paper. They also share a funny moment over Dennys' signature "den bread" gift. This clip captures a wonderful, heartfelt exchange between great friends, showcasing Dennys' incredible talent and kind spirit.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Dennys Ilichttps://youtu.be/c_IR4DRVq6ohttps://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#photography #dennysilic #alanismorissette

The incredibly talented and generous photographer ****Dennys Ilic joins host Paris Chong. Dennys shares insights into his world, from his passion for charity work—including an upcoming event for Heal the Bay with the Property Brothers' Drew and Linda Scott—to his history with the famous TV personality, whom he first met doing headshots before the show even existed. He also opens up about his personal 'exotic location only' rule for shooting weddings, a policy that has taken him to Italy and the Amalfi Coast for past clients, including Drew Scott.Dennys dives into his recent six-month experience working as a stills photographer on a top-secret Marvel project, the *Vision* limited series, at the legendary Pinewood Studios in London. He reveals the striking contrast between the bustling film industry in the UK, where work is abundant, and the fiercely competitive market back in LA. This eye-opening difference has him seriously contemplating a permanent move to London, despite the challenges of immigration and the unexpected hot, humid weather—and the notable lack of air conditioning. Hear his take on the future of film production and why the grass might be greener across the pond.The conversation wraps up with exciting news about Dennys's upcoming joint gallery show with actor Billy Zane, a reunion event that promises to be just as massive as their last, fire-hazard-inducing exhibition. Dennys discusses his creative pivot for the new show, moving away from commercial portraiture to a mix of striking landscape and architectural work. And, as always, he brings gifts, presenting Paris with beautiful prints of Alanis Morissette and Liv Tyler. Plus, don't miss the details on his unexpected side hustle: the unique and highly-demanded sourdough "Den Bread" that has friends and even Australian entrepreneurs urging him to turn it into a commercial business!Show Notes:www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/dennys-ilic-from-hollywood-headshots-to-marvel-stills-and-london-dreamsChapters:(00:00:00) Intro(00:00:33) Dennys Ilic(00:01:28) Property Brother(00:06:20) London's Calling(00:10:49) Double Show 2 @ Leica Gallery(00:15:55) Brought you a Present(00:18:55) Moving is Hard(00:23:12) Photo Subjects of Choice(00:28:32) Dennys' Dream Job(00:32:59) Revisiting(00:36:00) Photos of Alanis(00:40:28) Where to see more Dennys(00:43:53) Outro🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

Jeff Dunas and Paris Chong contrast the deliberate, psychologically significant process of film photography, with its 36-shot limit, against the expansive, sometimes less focused, nature of digital. Dunas recounts his role in connecting fellow photographer Ralph Gibson with Leica, a company Dunas has worked with since the early eighties, and he is encouraged to submit his own work for recognition. The conversation pivots to the Palm Springs Photo Festival, which Paris Chong notes was the start of her portfolio review career. Dunas emphasizes that the festival's unique structure positioned the portfolio reviews as an effective "job fair," successfully connecting photographers with editors and publishers to advance their careers and secure work.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Jeff Dunashttps://youtu.be/DRTByJF3HtUhttps://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#photography #filmphotography #digitalphotography

Jeff Dunas's career in nude photography, which he says he is "famous for" if you’re older. He recounts his work for Playboy in his late teens. Dunas showcases his book of nudes, a 30-year collection spanning from 1970 to 2016, noting that the photos were all shot with Leica M-series cameras (M3s and M6s), mostly in Europe. He also discusses his other books made during COVID, revealing he self-designed and printed them using the service Blurb to create high-quality "dummies" for potential publishers.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Jeff Dunashttps://youtu.be/DRTByJF3HtUhttps://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#photography #hughhefner #playboy

Jeff Dunas and Paris Chong discuss how, especially within the Leica community, photographers now embrace networking and shared passion, contrasting with an earlier time when professionals guarded their secrets. Dunas emphasizes that the Palm Springs Photo Festival's portfolio reviews were designed as a "job fair" to facilitate career-changing connections, and they muse over the unique culture of Leica users who treat their cameras as both a professional statement and a valued object, often bringing them to social events and showcasing their investment in the craft. This culture is further juxtaposed with the changing technical landscape, contrasting the thoughtful, limited-shot process of film photography with the endless shooting and extensive editing of the digital era.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Jeff Dunashttps://youtu.be/DRTByJF3HtUhttps://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#photography #photographers #leica

Jeff Dunas and Paris Chong discuss their travel experiences and connections to the photography world. Dunas describes his trip to Dubai, noting the massive construction with a "forest of cranes" and the surreal nature of the man-made environment. The conversation then shifts to Paris Chong's upcoming trip to the House of Leica in Greece, which is happening right before her international gallerist meeting in Wetzlar, Germany. They then discuss Hossein Ani, the founder of the Loosies and Paris's former boss, who co-founded the Palm Springs Photo Festival with Dunas. Dunas notes that Ani has not returned to America, and is now running his galleries in various international locations, including Budapest and Thailand, having found his element in the global art scene.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Jeff Dunashttps://youtu.be/DRTByJF3HtUhttps://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#dubai #photography #podcast

Paris Chong welcomes back renowned photographer Jeff Dunas, who dives into the photographic books he produced during the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily from his archive. These projects include a small, limited-edition book with publisher Nazraeli called *Highway 61 to Honeyboy*, a Renaissance garden book, and a collection of his American pictures. He discusses the changing landscape of photo book publishing, particularly the unique crowd-sourced model used by Michelle from Minor Matters, who also designed his earlier book, *State of the Blues*. Dunas also reflects on his early career, including his widely known nude photography for Playboy while in his late teens.  Dunas shares his deep connection to Leica cameras, which he has used since the early eighties, noting he still owns an M3 and M7. He highlights his attachment to the M9 Monochrome, calling it "perfect" for black and white work—like shooting an M6 with Tri-X film. He contrasts the slow, deliberate process of shooting with film (the psychological importance of a 36-picture limit) and the mastery of the darkroom with the current, faster pace of digital photography. He likens his new hobby of making sourdough bread to the focused, scientific process of working in a darkroom.The conversation also covers the Palm Springs Photo Festival, which Dunas co-founded and ran for 17 years. He proudly defines its portfolio reviews not as critique sessions, but as a crucial "job fair," connecting emerging photographers with industry people who could hire, publish, or exhibit their work. While the festival itself is currently on hold due to the high costs of maintaining its high-quality faculty, the reviews continue online. Finally, Jeff discusses his successful "Palm Springs Photo Festival podcast," which he started in 2020 to maintain a sense of community during the pandemic. You can find Jeff Dunas's work on his website, dunes.com.Show Notes:www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/jeff-dunas-passion-projects-publishing-art-books-palm-springs-photo-festival-leicaChapters:(00:00:00) Intro(00:00:51) Jeff Dunas(00:01:19) A Few New Books(00:05:07) Paris's First Art Book(00:08:28) Famous For Nudes(00:11:25) Super Rare Books(00:15:26) Palm Springs Photo Festival(00:18:48) Marker 12(00:22:45) Leica Store(00:25:24) Other Hobbies(00:32:25) Didn't Know You Had A Daughter(00:36:26) Landscape - Palisades Fire Talk(00:39:04) What's Next?(00:46:33) Outro🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

Costume designer Mona May's new book celebrates the 30th anniversary of the movie *Clueless*. Mona May confirms that she wrote the book with the help of a ghostwriter, a fashion writer who lives in Los Angeles and understood the book's themes of friendship, girls, and fashion. The conversation details how Mona May designed the book, which is a "coffee table book" with pictures, process discussions, and interviews with actors and the director, taking about a year to put together. The discussion also touches upon the general decline in writing skills and the importance of handwriting and journaling for creativity.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Mona Mayhttps://youtu.be/ggFe8n7f5Eohttps://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#clueless #costumedesign #monamay

Costume designer Mona May dives into the iconic fashion of *Clueless*, revealing how she transformed Jane Austen's *Emma* into a high-fashion, colorful aesthetic for 1990s Beverly Hills high schoolers, moving past the era's grunge trend with plaids, Mary Janes, and berets. She discusses her continued work with cast members like Alicia Silverstone and shares her concerns about the struggles facing the film industry in Los Angeles as productions increasingly move to places like Bulgaria and Ireland for financial incentives. Finally, Mona May explains how her Polish-German background and her birthplace in India, where she first experienced a world of bright color, profoundly shaped her signature design style and love for using color in her films.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Mona Mayhttps://youtu.be/ggFe8n7f5Eohttps://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#clueless #janeausten #film

Costume designer Mona May (Clueless, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion) and Paris Chong lament over the missed opportunity for Mona May to have been the costume designer for the *****Barbie* movie. They dive into the complexities of forming relationships in the industry, the grueling life of production (including Paris's one awful experience on the set of *Starship Troopers*!), and why dating in LA is so tough. Mona May is also crowned the "Queen of the Nineties" as she lists her classic film credits and reveals her unique process for sourcing materials and creating the iconic looks for movies like *Enchanted*.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Mona Mayhttps://youtu.be/ggFe8n7f5Eohttps://www.theparischongshow.com🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com#Clueless #MonaMay #CostumeDesign #bookpublishing