Pooneh Ghana

Photo by Daniel Cavazos

I won’t even attempt to hide it from you, this is the episode where I let my fanboy hat fly. Some of you might not know this, but outside of podcasting, I’m a photographer that largely photographs musicians, both on stage and off. One of the most exhilarating aspects of my career in photography has been getting to know my heroes and reconciling with the fact that we’re also peers. Today’s guest is such a photographer, my friend Pooneh Ghana.

Originally hailing from Austin, Texas, Pooneh is easily one of the most important music photographers on earth. I could go on all day about how her work stands out due to her colors, approach to capturing intimate moments, and conveying raw energy; but honestly, the best thing about Pooneh is how gloriously humble she is. Her kindness is unique in a profession where egos reign supreme and a lot of our talk is centered around how crucial it is to hold on to your humanity in the photo world. We also chat about how her career began, the work she’s done with acts like Black Pumas and Damon Albarn, and why nothing beats approaching things from a fan perspective.

After you hear the episode, be sure to check out Pooneh’s work on her website and also give her a follow via Instagram.