On this episode of The PHYS Podcast, I sit down with Wayne Simpson, an Ojibwe photographer from Aamjiwnaang First Nation, based in Elora, Ontario.

Wayne is known for his dramatic portrait photography and atmospheric landscape work. His portraits have a cinematic, almost mythic quality—images that immediately make you wonder about the person in front of the camera and the story behind their face.

But those photographs don't begin with lighting or camera settings.

They begin with connection.

Wayne actively seeks out many of the people he photographs, takes the time to build relationships with them, and uses photography to explore character, emotion and the stories we carry.

We talk about Wayne's journey from working as a graphic designer in Calgary to becoming a full-time professional photographer, how he developed his distinctive visual style, and what he's learned about creating photographs that actually make people feel something.

We also explore his Ojibwe identity, creativity, portraiture, landscape photography, visual storytelling, working with people, and the importance of finding your own voice as a photographer.

As an educator, Wayne leads portrait and landscape photography workshops across Canada, from Banff National Park to Prince Edward Island, and contributes to the OFFBEAT photography community.

His award-winning photography has appeared in Canadian Geographic, Outdoor Photography Canada, Outdoor Photography Magazine, Canadian Rockies Annual, Legion Magazine, Nature Photographers Network, Dark Beauty, and numerous books around the world.

In This Episode:

• ​Wayne's journey from graphic design to professional photography
• Developing a recognizable photographic style• Dramatic and cinematic portrait photography
• Finding and approaching interesting portrait subjects
• Building trust before taking someone's photograph
• Creating portraits with emotion, mystery and story
• Wayne's Ojibwe identity and creative journey
• Landscape photography and photographing wild places
• Light, mood and atmosphere in photography
• The difference between making a photograph and simply taking one
• Teaching portrait and landscape photography across Canada
• Creativity, human connection and finding your photographic voice

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At its core, this conversation gets into something I believe deeply:

The camera is only the tool. The photograph comes from the connection.

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Resilient

Short Documentary On Wayne

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What happens when photography becomes more than making beautiful images and becomes a way to better understand yourself, your creativity, and how you see the world?

On this episode of The PHYS Podcast, host Tyson Martin sits down with Brie Stockwell, a nature and landscape photographer, creative coach, and podcast host whose work explores the quiet beauty of wild places.

Brie is drawn to deserts, dunes, soft light, subtle colour, infrared black-and-white photography, and the small details we often overlook. Her approach to landscape photography is rooted in slowing down, paying attention, and developing a deeper relationship with the natural world.

In 2019, Brie made the decision to take her photography seriously as a creative practice. That commitment eventually led to a self-organized solo exhibition in 2021, a turning point that changed not only her photography, but also her confidence, creative identity, and vision for what was possible.

Her work has since earned significant recognition. Brie was named Grand Prize winner of the 21st Annual New Mexico Magazine Photo Contest, with additional work published in Lens Journal and featured in multiple volumes of the Natural Landscape Photography Awards books.

But this conversation goes far beyond photography.

Alongside her work behind the camera, Brie is a life coach for creative professionals, working with photographers, artists, and designers to help them navigate creative confidence, intuition, personal growth, and the challenges of building a sustainable and meaningful creative life.

She is also the host of Wild Women in Photography, a podcast exploring the lived experiences of women photographers, creative identity, and finding your voice behind the camera, as well as The Complete Creative, where she explores creativity, intuition, and what it means to create a life around the work that matters to you.

In this episode, we talk about landscape and nature photography, infrared photography, finding your photographic voice, creative confidence, overcoming self-doubt, coaching creatives, connecting with nature, building a sustainable creative practice, and learning to trust your own way of seeing.

Because sometimes becoming a better photographer isn't really about the camera.

It's about becoming more comfortable with who you are, what you see, and what you have to say.

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What does it take to create photographs that make people feel like they're standing in the middle of the adventure?

In this episode of The PHYS Podcast, Tyson Martin sits down with award-winning adventure and action sports photographer Ben Girardi to explore a career built on documenting movement, wild landscapes, and authentic human connection.

Originally from upstate New York and now based in Pemberton, British Columbia, Ben shares how snowboarding first sparked his passion for photography, why moving west changed the direction of his life, and how becoming immersed in the sports he photographs allows him to tell more honest and compelling stories.

Recognized as one of Lürzer's Archive 200 Best Photographers Worldwide (2025/26), a Red Bull Illume Semi-Finalist, and an award recipient from the International Color Awards and Flow Photo Contest, Ben has established himself as one of Canada's leading outdoor and adventure photographers.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Growing up in upstate New York and discovering photography through snowboarding
• Moving to British Columbia to pursue a creative career
• Photographing mountain biking, snowboarding, skiing, and outdoor adventure
• Why understanding athletes makes stronger photographs
• The relationship between landscape, sport, and visual storytelling
• Capturing authentic moments in unpredictable environments
• Working with athletes, brands, and editorial clients
• Building a career in commercial and adventure photography
• Creativity, perseverance, and finding purpose outdoors

Whether you're a photographer, filmmaker, outdoor enthusiast, mountain biker, snowboarder, skier, or someone inspired by stories of creativity and exploration, this conversation offers an inside look at the mindset behind meaningful visual storytelling.

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