In this episode of The MOOD Podcast, I sit down with writer Brad Zellar, whose deep relationship to photography, photo books, storytelling, and visual culture makes this one of the most thought-provoking conversations I’ve had on the show. We talk about the future of photography, why obsession matters more than concept, the role of text in photo books, what makes an image unforgettable, how portfolio reviewers really think, and why the internet may be training a generation not to care about art in the same way.

Other things we discussed:

• Brad’s childhood in a small working-class town and the library that changed his life
• The photo books that first opened up the world for him
• Why boredom, curiosity, and challenge shaped his creative mind
• His collaborations with Alec Soth and how words and images can work together
• What he looks for in photography portfolio reviews and artist statements
• Why some photo projects feel alive and others feel forced
• The difference between a strong print and a strong book edit
• Why poetry rarely works inside photo books
• The collapse of journalism and why Brad is more hopeful about photography than writing
• The danger of fake online community and what in-person culture still gives us
• Why print, books, and real-world encounters still matter more than ever

Find Brad on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/bradzellar

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