Lenses & Lyrics - A Photography and Music Podcast

What if anyone with a computer could create lifelike photos or write music - no camera or guitar required? AI is rewriting the creative playbook for both photographers and musicians, and change isn’t coming, it's here.

This episode of Lenses & Lyrics explores how AI is transforming both photography and music - from making it possible for anyone to generate lifelike images with a prompt, to composing full-fledged songs at the click of a button.

The tour

Who says creativity belongs in a single box? This episode reveals how celebrities from music, sports, and acting swap the spotlight for the shutter, uncovering a world where the person behind the camera wields just as much artistry as the person in front.

Some of the world's most recognizable faces are picking up cameras and expressing their vision as credentialed photographers. Musicians like Benson Boone, Method Man, Seal, and Moby, athletes and actors including Randy Johnson, Drew Carey, Leonard Nimoy, Jeff Bridges, Gary Oldman, Henry Winkler, Drew Barrymore, and Ben Folds. From sideline sports photos and haunting...

What happens when your love for music literally shapes the way you frame the world? On this episode of Lenses & Lyrics, meet someone who’s spun tracks, engineered albums, and tells musical stories through every photo.

This week, Scott Wyden Kivowitz sits down with Ash, a DJ, music engineer, producer, and concert photographer whose journey maps the rhythm between sound and vision.

From DJing and producing in the studio to photographing live music events, Ash shares the twists and turns of building a creative career out of passion, and the necessity of staying nimble. You'll he...

Picture this: you’re capturing a beautiful portraits, and out of nowhere, a full marching band fills the scene with unexpected energy. When photography and music collide, magic happens — and sometimes, it’s totally unplanned.

In this short but memorable episode, Scott Wyden Kivowitz shares an incredible story from a recent proposal session at Princeton University. What began as a romantic engagement session in a sentimental campus spot quickly transformed when the Princeton University marching band made a surprise appearance. The spontaneous soundtrack turned a special day into a completely one-of-a-kind experience — blending music, love, and photography in perfe...

Ever wondered what the inside of a grand piano or violin looks like? This episode is your backstage pass to a breathtaking world where music meets architectural wonder, hidden inside the very instruments that create the sounds we love.

The spotlight is on Charles Brooks, a professional cellist turned visionary photographer. I unpack Brooks's remarkable series "Architecture in Music," which uses advanced macro photography to unveil the awe-inspiring structures inside musical instruments. What looks like concert halls or ancient cathedrals are, in fact, the intricate inner workings of instruments like cellos, pianos, and guitars. Discover how...

What happens when wedding photography collides with death metal, skate tapes, and heartfelt father-daughter dance songs? In this episode, I sit down with Garret Torres, a New Jersey-based wedding photographer and musician whose creative life is powered by passion and a drive for authentic expression.

Garret blends storytelling and artistry to create photos that remind people why they love the people they love. When he’s not photographing weddings, he’s making music and exploring creative ways to express emotion through sound and imagery.

From recording songs as a kid to building a wedding photography busi...

What happens when a passion for music meets a love of photography? This episode uncovers how melodies and moments intertwine, sparking unexpected creativity behind the lens.

I sit down with Benny Chiu, photographer, former violinist and drummer, and night owl, for a candid conversation about how musical roots shape visual storytelling.

Benny shares his journey from playing violin and drums to capturing emotions through the camera. He reveals how growing up musically informed his collaborative approach to wedding photography, how song and rhythm influence his edits and client slideshows, and why improvisation isn’t just fo...

Can a childhood crush on a violinist lead to photographing a wedding? What if your passion for music and gear isn’t just a hobby, but the secret ingredient to your creative success?

I sit down with photographer and  musician Sam Hurd, whose journey from orchestra kid to wedding photographer is surprising to some and inspiring to many.

Sam Hurd is a photographer who believes that true artistry comes from trust. Based in Washington DC (with availability worldwide), Sam’s work isn’t about awards, it’s about capturing moments with creativity and authenticity. His portraits...

Ever wondered how a snowy night, a missed concert, and an unexpected street performance could transform a musician’s life? In this heartfelt episode, hear a story where passion for music overcomes locked doors and cold weather.

This episode has a story with a pub in Cambridge, Massachusetts,  John Ondrasik from Five for Fighting, and a guitar.

If you’ve ev...

Ever felt the itch to perform, only to be held back by self-doubt or expectations? What if you didn’t have to prove anything to anyone and could simply enjoy your craft, just for you?

Fresh off a beach vacation, I reflect on being invited on stage by a musician friend, and why I chose to stay in the crowd. Revisiting my days at Berklee College of Music, I explore how even top musicians like John Mayer don’t always follow the expected path, and how stepping back from pressure can help you rediscover pure enjoyment in y...

Find out what happens when punk rock and hardcore meets the world of cinematic wedding filmmaking. Take a journey from sleeping on hoarder house beds while on tour, to crafting emotionally resonant wedding films. Where music, nostalgia, and artistry collide.

Jason McCutchen is a wedding filmmaker based out of Boston Massachusetts, who currently owns three making brands, Merriment films, Stopgolove, and Huxley Film as well as an educator and podcaster at the YouTube channel Wedding Film School. Jason grew up in the New England hard-core metal scene, and in a previous life played in several bands in...

Ever wonder how the rhythm of music can shape a photographer’s vision? On this episode, a renowned photographer and lifelong musician shares how his creative paths have always been intertwined, revealing lessons and stories that just might change how you see (and hear) the world.

Rick Sammon, a photographer, musician, author of 43 books, and educator, joins me to explore the profound connections between music and photography.

From dreaming of jamming with Santana to studying composition at Berklee College of Music, Rick Sammon’s creative journey started with music before photography took center stage. He talk...

What happens when the worlds of photography and hardcore music collide? On this episode, you'll get an inside look at how a love for live music turned into a thriving photography career—and the unconventional journey that led Zac Wolf from basement shows to wedding aisles.

Meet Zac Wolf,  a photographer who found his creative roots capturing the energy of the Boston hardcore scene before making a name for himself in the world of weddings.

This is a preview of Scott's conversation with  Zac Wolf, originally recorded for The Workflows Photography Podcast. In this...

In this episode of Lenses and Lyrics, our host speaks with David Scott Bowles, a seasoned photographer and musician, about his journey in the music industry and how it has shaped his career in photography. David shares stories from his time in various bands, his son’s budding musical career, memorable performances, and the creative transition to photography. He also discusses the influence of music on his current work, the connection between stage performance and camera presence, and the unique experiences that continue to inspire his art. This episode is filled with personal anecdotes, industry insights, and advice for as...

In this episode of Lenses & Lyrics, Scott shares a personal story of improvisation when a string popped during a show, highlighting the importance of preparedness. From the pitfalls of early music performance to the critical lessons learned in photography, Scott dives deep into the art of backing up your life—both musically and photographically. Feel the tension between analog and digital transitions and learn why redundancy is your silent hero.

Embark on a nostalgic journey through the intertwined world of music and photography with host Scott Wyden Kivowitz, in the debut episode of Lenses & Lyrics. Discover how a clarinet's melody paved the way to capturing powerful photographic images, as Scott reminisces about his vibrant past as a musician and band photographer.

In This Episode:

Welcome to Lenses & Lyrics, where music and photography collide, and every frame tells a story. I'm Scott Wyden Kivowitz, your host, a father, a husband, a photographer, and podcaster and musician. This podcast dives into the crossover world of photographers who are or were musicians. Those whose passion for sound influenced the way they see through the lens.

We'll hear from photographers who started out in bands before photographing bands. And those who continue to blend both crafts. We'll also hear from musicians whose careers were shaped by the photographers who documented their journey. From backstage moments...