In this episode of Jason Lanier Unfiltered, I sit down with my good friend Scott Porter to recap our unforgettable trip to Haines, Alaska. We went there to photograph grizzly bears hunting for salmon along the Chilkoot River, and the experience delivered more than we ever imagined.

From discussing the gear that got us the shots, to safety tips for navigating bear country, to the dynamics of working alongside the public and other photographers in high-stakes situations, this conversation is packed with real-world lessons for photographers and adventurers alike. The trip culminated in a heart-pounding moment when I came face to face with a Mama Grizzly searching for her cubs after a long day of fishing. It was raw, real, and unforgettable. If you’ve ever dreamed of photographing wildlife or want to know what it’s really like to be just a few feet away from one of nature’s most powerful animals, you won’t want to miss this one. 🎧 Show Notes:

• Why Haines, Alaska is a premier spot for grizzly bear photography
• The gear we relied on (and what we wished we had brought)
• Staying safe and respectful in bear country
• How to navigate the challenges of photographing alongside crowds and other photographers
• Storytelling through wildlife photography: capturing the environment and the emotion
• The unforgettable moment Jason came face to face with a Mama Grizzly
• Lessons we’ll carry forward for future wildlife encounters

In this episode, I sit down with my buddy and fellow photographer Scott, and we hit record on a no-holds-barred talk that feels like you're right there with us on the road in Skagway, Alaska.

We share stories as to what it's like to work in this crazy and remote place… to navigating the unpredictable world of photography, dealing with celebrity clients including one unforgettable encounter with Bill Cosby. 

This episode dives into the highs, lows, and hilarious in-betweens of life behind the lens. We kick things off with a story you’ll never forget… let’s just say it involves a one-night stand, a jar of marmalade, and a very angry woman. Yep, it's that kind of show. 

So sit back, relax, and get ready for some unfiltered fun—and maybe even pick up a few gems that’ll help you become a better photographer along the way. Let’s go.

Chapter Markers and Show Notes:

• 2:00: What it's like to live in Skagway
• 7:00- Sex with the Angry Marmalade Woman
• 17:00- Skagway is a place where people come to escape
• 29:00- Bill Cosby
• 35:00 Going to Cuba together on a workshop
• 37:30- Street Photography in Cuba
• 39:00- what it's like to visit and eat in Cuba
• 40::00- Photographing the tobacco farm workers in Cuba
• 41:00- Horses getting washed in ponds 
• 42:15- You'll never regret spending money on memories
• 43:30- Selling prints in the stores of Skagway
• 46:35- How to Get Yourself Out There
• 48:45- How to Create Repeat Business
• 50:30- Going to the Police Station in Cuba
• 56:00- Trying to Get it Right in the Camera
• 57:00- Pairing Great Talent with the Right Gear
• 58:30- How Cellphones are Threatening Traditional Cameras
• 60:30- Using the horizon in your outdoor portraiture
• 64:00-: How Your Mouth is your Greatest Weapon
• 69:00- Handling Rejection as a Creative and Business Owner
• 70:00-Thinking of Photography as a Luxury Item
• 72:00- How A.I. is impacting the photography world
• 76:00- How Your Vision is Something A.I. Can't Replicate
• 77:00- Finding the Clients that Love Your Work
• 78:00- How Distribution is Key to Success
• 79:00- Growing as a Photographer
• 82:00- Starting at the Bottom to Grow Your Brand
• 82:30- The Importance of Self Awareness and Getting Corrected
• 84:30- Understanding Why You're Getting No's
• 85:00- Customizing What Your Client Wants
• 86:00- The Importance of Asking Questions
• 87:00- Identifying the Can't Miss Shots
• 89:45- Why You Need to Invest in Your Photography Education
• 91:00- The Consequences of Not Asking Questions
• 92:00- You Get What you Pay For
• 94:30- How To Grow Your Business by What You've Learned
• 95:00- Turnaround Times as a Photographer
• 96:00- Being Selective with the Work you Book
• 97:15- Paying Models Etiquette
• 98:30- Time Management as a Photographer
• 99:30- Pre Shoot Etiquette with a Model
• 99:50- Having a Purpose to Your Shoots
• Summary- Changing the Pace in Alaska

In this episode, Jason discusses the ever-evolving landscape of photography gear, particularly focusing on Sony's latest camera release, the RX1R Mark III. He expresses his concern that this new model, priced at over $5,000, is out of touch with the average photographer's needs and represents a waste of money for most, highlighting a trend of camera companies releasing niche products or minor updates rather than innovations with broad appeal.

Jason argues that the rise of smartphones has significantly impacted the camera market, leading companies to resort to what he perceives as gimmicks. He champions the idea that skill and artistic vision are far more important than owning the latest, most expensive equipment, advocating for photographers to invest in education and portfolio building over unnecessary gear upgrades to ensure financial success.

In this special AMA (Ask Me Anything) episode of the Jason Lanier Photography Unfiltered Podcast, I answer a flood of questions straight from you—my audience. We go deep into:

• 📸 How AI is changing the photography game
• 🚁 My current favorite DJI drones
• 🎒 Must-have gear and camera setups
• 🧠 Mental discipline and my personal weight loss journey
• 🎤 Plus some real talk on career, creativity, and staying relevant in today’s world

If you love gear talk, honest advice, and hearing the behind-the-scenes truth of this industry, this one’s for you. Watch the video version on YouTube, or listen wherever you get your podcasts. No filters, no fluff—just real answers.

The "Jason Lanier Unfiltered" podcast is where real talk meets raw creativity, offering unfiltered conversations about photography, life, and the wild journey in between. Host Jason Lanier invites people he works with to share their experiences, making for enlightening and fun discussions. In this particular episode, Jason speaks with model Krystal Kadaver, who has been modeling since she was 18 and has been a frequent collaborator on Jason's project at Six Flags New Orleans.

The conversation delves into Krystal's experiences modeling at the abandoned Six Flags park, from seeing its transformation from a Jurassic Park like abanbdoned location to it's current half demolished state. 

They talk about navigating the challenging environment, including "MRSA water," mosquitoes, and alligators.  They discuss the importance of communication between photographers and models, the significance of a photographer having a clear vision, and the role of models as muses who should bring their own creativity and adaptability to a shoot.  Krystal shares advice for new models, emphasizing research, bringing a friend (a "Jen" who can help, and being prepared to get dirty.

They also touch on the challenges and rewards of being a creative and balancing it with personal life, highlighting the need for a supportive partner who understands the passion for creation.... The podcast emphasizes the unique and adventurous nature of shoots with Jason Lanier, where "it's an experience, not just a photo shoot.

Chapter Markers
00: Intro
35: Introduce Guest Star Krystal
5:30: What did you think about shooting at Six Flags prior to doing the shoot?
6:35: What was it like shooting with me from an expectation vs. reality standpoint?
7:45: The Importance of Communicating as a model and a photographer BEFORE the shoot
12:07: Struggling to find creative outfits and looks as a photographer
14:15: What makes it a no go for Jason with models and communication
15:36: The Synergy of Creation
16:05: What it means to be a Muse
18:18- How to Not Cheat Yourself out of Great Shots
20:29: Working with Jason compared to working with other photographers
21:30- The Importance of Giving Directions to a Model
22:45- How Male Photographers Should Appropriately Compliment a Female Model
26:40: How Female Photographers Communicate Differently Than Male Photographers
27:25: Learning a Model's Boundaries as a Photographer
29:39: Favorite Shoots we did at Six Flags New Orleans
32:36: What Advice would you give to models that haven't shot with Jason before?
34:35: Setting Off Chinese Dynamite
35:57: What Advice would you give to newer models?
36:13: Bringing a friend or escort to a shoot
41:00: Shooting with Multiple Models on one set
45:21: Having a personal life as a creative
47:39: Feeling the most alive as a creative
51:35: The Importance of Being Who you are as a creative when you're in a relationship
53:58: What a Great Photo Shoot should feel like
55:40: The Importance of Staying Positive on a Shoot
59:00: Wrap up and Future Projects

Episode 33- Learn how to find, set up shoots, and work with models in this episode that features an interview that Jason does with Sophia Baser, a New Orleans based model that he has worked with for many years.

Jason and Sophia discuss some of the pitfalls to avoid as well as some great tips to add to your arsenal when you are looking to start working more with models for your photography work.

They share stories on experiences they've encountered while working with each other and other creatives in the industry. Lots of great information in here for those who might struggle with this or don't even know where to get started.

You can follow Sophia on Insagram @baser.sophia and follow Jason @jasonlanierphotography

To see all of the Jason Lanier Unfiltered episodes please visit www.jasonlanier.com/podcast

Don't forget to share, download and subscribe to the podcast!

In Episode 32, Jason brings on his 3 adult sons who are at the very beginning stages of their photography careers to discuss some of the key steps of starting your career as a photographer. They discuss some of the anxiety, fears, hopes, goals and dreams of what it will take to become a successul creative and content creator.

It's a hard business to make a full time living and Jason is sharing his secrets to success not only with his sons, but also with all of YOU!

This podcast was recorded during the middle of a roadtrip that Jason has taken with his sons to help train them not only in the technical and creative aspects of photography, but also to show them what the REAL photographer's life is like apart from the glitz and glamour that we see on social media and TV.

Don't forget to share the episode with others out there and thanks in advance for any reviews you can provide for the podcast!

Episode 31- Ask ME ANYTHING! This podcast features Jason speaking with a group of photographers online at the conclusion of one of his livestream sessions where he opens the forum for them to ask him anything related to the world of photography. The answers are raw, true and there's a lot of fun thrown in there as well.

Topics include:

*How To NOT burn out
*When to shoot for yourself vs. for a client
*How to Handle Picky Clients
*How to Control and Direct a Shoot
*How to Choose the Right Gear for the Right Job
*Global Shutters vs. High Speed Sync
*LED's vs. Strobes

And MORE!

Thanks for listening and don't forget to subscribe and SHARE!

In Episode 30, join Jason to learn his tips and tricks for shooting with LED Lighting Outdoors During Daytime Hours for Optimal Results. This is a presentation that he livestreamed on Zoom and Youtube where he takes questions at the end of the presentation from the listening audience. Topics addressed in this episode include:

• Changes and Innonvations in LED Technology
• Differences in using traditional strobe and LED for portraits
• WHEN to use LED Lighting Outdoors
• WHERE to use LED Lighting Outdoors
• HOW TO Maximize Results
• Live Q&A Session

Please make sure to share and leave a review and thanks for subscribing!

It's been a YEAR since I've released a podcast and that's because my life is SO CRAZY!! So this podcast is a reflection of me finding more balance in my life so I can get back to things like the podcast as well as doing all of the other work that I have to do PLUS manage my personal life.

Everything we do in this life comes at a cost both financially, personally and professionally. So, this is what I'm working on to make it all work.

The 5 Steps Include:

*Setting Priorities
*Setting Boundaries
*Setting Timelines
*Managing Workflow
*Setting RECOVERY Time

I hope it helps!!

Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life...is a LIE. I have my dream job, and there are still many things I hate about being a photographer. So I've outlined the top 10 things here and most importantly what I do to cope with them to achieve success.

Wanna hear what it's like to hold a piranha in your hand? Ever wonder what it's like to swim in piranha infested waters? Listen to Part 2 of Jason's podcast from his adventure down into the Ecuadorian Amazon!

In this episode Jason talks about visiting the beautiful area of Cuyabeno that has stunning waters, sunsets, wildlife and more. He visits old abandoned camps and does photo shoots in trees surrounded by water. We hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening!

Wanna know what it's like to be an adventure travel photographer? To embark on an adventure to the middle of nowhere and stay with the tribes? Join Jason Lanier for Part 1 of a 2 part series where he recounts his epic journey to the heart of the Amazon jungle in Ecuador where he stayed in the protected area of Yasuni with the Waorani tribe, the last uncivilized indigenous tribe in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

This podcast contains tips for how to make it in these situations, and how to prepare yourself for a similar journey. We thank you for listening and ask you to share it with someone who you know would enjoy it!

Listen to Jason's latest episode where he teams up again for some shoots with his long time Assistant and Muse Emily Rinaldo. In Episode 25 Jason updates you on the recent shoots he's been able to do with Emily as they've gone through the California desert and beach creating some more beautiful work.

Locations include San Onofre Beach, Jacumba Hot Springs, Salton Sea, Niland, Salton Beach and El Centro. Jason shares his adventures in speaking with the locals in these crazy locations and how you can create art in some crazy locations.

Ever wonder what it would be like to have a conversation with a confessed double murderer? Speaking to him out in the open to hear his story where he says he'd do it all over again? Join Jason Lanier as he recounts his eerie story of speaking with this man at the property where the murders occurred.

Jason also discusses his shoots that he did at the historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary that is a companion piece to the videos that he has released from Brushy Mountain. If you like this podcast, please make sure to share it with someone you know, and give us a review and a rating!

Wanna know what it's like to sleep in a car in sub zero conditions in Deadhorse, Alaska? Hear about caribou, ice roads, flying a drone in freezing conditions and more in Part 2 of Jason's travel to the edge of the Alaska Frontier on the Dalton Highway.

Using just a Chevy Malibu on the "most dangerous highway in the world" Jason embarked on an epic journey to Deadhorse, Alaska and back and brings the adventure to you in this podcast. If you haven't had a chance to listen to Part 1 of this experience make sure to check out podcast Episode 22 before listening to this one so you can hear about this crazy experience in it's totality.

We thank you for listening and ask you to please leave a rating and review on whatever source you listen to this podcast. Thank you!

Join Jason Lanier for one of his most epic adventures yet where he travels alone to the edge of the Alaskan frontier on the Dalton Highway, known as the "most dangerous highway in the world."

The stretch of road the ties Fairbanks to Deadhorse, the northernmost point of Alaska accessible via car has been made famous by the reality show, "Ice Road Truckers." Jason decided to embark on this journey on his own to film a documentary on the trek using only a Chevy Malibu and his crazy self as he drives on this 500 stretch of road that is truly made of ice.

Passing through the world famous Atigun Pass that literally goes up the side of a mountain with nothing but ice is truly a memory that he will never forget and he shares his adventures here with you in Part 1 of 2 of his travels on this highway.

We thank you for listening and invite you to give us feedback on this podcast by visiting: www.jasonlanier.com/podcast

In early March 2021 the United States saw a significant increase in the amount of immigrants coming over its borders illegally many of them seeking asylum. Jason Lanier decided to film a documentary to cover this situation to find the truth and reality of the situation vs. what we're being told by media and politicians.

In Episode 21, Jason discusses his journey to document this situation that took him over 2000 miles as he covered the border states of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Jason's exploits took him to travel over to Mexico as well and experience the situation from the other side of the border wall.

Jason went into the heaviest hit areas and spent nearly a week down at the Rio Grande documenting the harrowing journey that immigrants made from the Mexican side of the river over to US soil by way of human traffickers known as Coyotes.

This isn't a political podcast. It's a simple retelling of what Jason experienced from both a photojournalism and a human perspective. Jason talks about the gear that he used to document this journey as well as his experiences with the people involved. This is about all the people involved and is a precursor to the documentary that Jason will release. We hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

Join Jason Lanier for episode 20 where he describes his recent interest in shooting with the Fuji mirrorless system. As a long time Sony and Nikon shooter, Jason jumping into the Fuji system has his followers asking why. And this episode delves into that question as he talks about Fuji's crop sensor AND medium format cameras.

Jason also shares stories from his recent shoot at the abandoned distillery in Lexington, Kentucky that he did where he shot both Sony and Fuji cameras.

He ends the episode by talking about his upcoming photojournalism projects and how he plans on using these cameras to create his work. We thank you for listening and ask you to share this episode if you like it!

Wanna get more out of your work? Feel like you need to slow down in order to get more done? Join Jason Lanier for Episode 19 where he details the 3 steps he's taken in order to slow to down to do more.

Jason updates his audience on what he's been up to for the last 3 weeks including shoots in Florida and Tennessee in the Everglades and Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary. He talks about his first time shooting the Sony A1 and what he thinks about this brand new camera.

We hope you enjoy this podcast and and invite you to let us know what you think by completing the contact form at www.jasonlanier.com/podcast