Reshape Your Skills Throughout Your Photo Career, with Aaron Anderson & Chris Orwig

05/08/2025Link0

At first glance, photographers Chris Orwig and Aaron Anderson seem an unlikely pairing—with the natural light and high key palette of Chris’s portraits forming a sharp contrast to the cinematic lighting and film noir aura featured in Aaron’s work. Yet, their heartfelt discussion about creative reinvention in today’s podcast celebrates the notion that opposites attract. Adding to our core topic of reshaping skills at every stage of your career, we’ll also delve into keeping abreast of creative trends and remaining relevant as a creator in an increasingly competitive commercial marketplace. 

Above Photograph © Aaron Anderson

Sunrise with @jeffjohnson_beyondandback, shot with the Sony A7r IV and 85 mm GM lens at f/7.1, 1/8000
Sunrise with @jeffjohnson_beyondandback, shot with the Sony A7r IV and…
Portrait of man in hat, shot with the Sony A7r V and 85 mm GM lens at f/1.4, 1/320
Portrait of man in hat, shot with the Sony A7r V and 85 mm GM lens at f…
Parking lot portrait with natural light. Sometimes simple is best. Shot with a Sony a7C and 50 mm lens at f/2.5, 1/2000
Parking lot portrait with natural light. Sometimes simple is best. Shot…
Chris Orwig portrait, captured by his 10-year-old daughter Elsie
Chris Orwig portrait, captured by his 10-year-old daughter Elsie
Portrait of painter @tararosetoner, shot with the Sony A7r IV and 70 mm f/4.5 lens at 1/320
Portrait of painter @tararosetoner, shot with the Sony A7r IV and 70 mm…
Portrait of yet another stranger, a writer without a home, shot with a Sony A9 and 115 mm f/3.2 lens at 1/4000
Portrait of yet another stranger, a writer without a home, shot with a…
Artist, painter, creative genius and friend, shot with a Sony A7r IV and 30 mm f/4 lens at 1/125
Artist, painter, creative genius and friend, shot with a Sony A7r IV…
Portrait of @ben-moon, shot with a Sony A7r III and 85 mm f/1.4 GM lens at 1/800
Portrait of @ben-moon, shot with a Sony A7r III and 85 mm f/1.4 GM lens…
Chris’s favorite thing about portraiture is having the opportunity to see and be seen
Chris’s favorite thing about portraiture is having the opportunity to…
Chris’s best portrait of 2019 with @ben-moon and @noribythesea
Chris’s best portrait of 2019 with @ben-moon and @noribythesea
“Don’t you know that it is your light that lights the world” – Rumi
“Don’t you know that it is your light that lights the world” – Rumi
@insightphil in NYC, shot with the Sony A7r III and 85 mm GM lens at f/1.4, 1/320
@insightphil in NYC, shot with the Sony A7r III and 85 mm GM lens at f…
Portraiture is always a collaboration, and always an opportunity to slow down, take a breath and connect in a meaningful way
Portraiture is always a collaboration, and always an opportunity to…
Backyard studio portrait, shot with a Sony A7r III and 85 mm GM lens at f/16, 1/125, with Profoto lighting and an umbrella with diffuser
Backyard studio portrait, shot with a Sony A7r III and 85 mm GM lens at…
Portrait of @rob_machado
Portrait of @rob_machado
Portrait of Chris’s late mentor and friend, Rodney Smith
Portrait of Chris’s late mentor and friend, Rodney Smith
Chris Orwig, unless otherwise specified

Beginning with the premise that it’s the teacher who learns the most in the room, Chris and Aaron describe their respective career paths, highlighting the importance of trusting the process that leads to creative growth. As Aaron points out, “that's when I think a lot of the magic happens, because you're learning to trust the part of you that is creating. And it's a really fun thing to see that come to life, because the more you can trust that part of yourself, the more consistently you can create images that feel like you, and that look like the voice that you want to have out in the world.”

Cowboy/Actor Macé photographed where he started his career in Texas, shot with a Fujifilm GFX100S and 80 mm lens at f2, 1/250 seconds
Cowboy/Actor Macé photographed where he started his career in Texas,…
Cowboy/Actor Macé photographed where he started his career in Texas, shot with a Fujifilm GFX100S and 64 mm lens at f/4, 1/250 seconds
Cowboy/Actor Macé photographed where he started his career in Texas,…
Portrait of singer/songwriter Lion, from the Lion Heart Band, shot with a Fujifilm GFX100 II and 33.8 mm lens at f/4, 1/125 seconds
Portrait of singer/songwriter Lion, from the Lion Heart Band, shot with…
Legendary freestyle motocross rider and Red Bull Athlete Robbie Maddison at home, Temecula, CA, shot with a Fujifilm GFX100 and 80 mm lens at f/3.6, 1/1000 seconds
Legendary freestyle motocross rider and Red Bull Athlete Robbie…
Promo portrait of Olympic athlete Sakura Kokumai, shot on location in Los Angeles, shot with a Fujifilm GFX100 II and 32 mm lens at f/5.6, 1/1600 seconds
Promo portrait of Olympic athlete Sakura Kokumai, shot on location in…
Portrait from a personal project called Luchador Mornings, shot with a Fujifilm GFX100S and 80 mm lens at f3/2, 1/400 seconds
Portrait from a personal project called Luchador Mornings, shot with a…
Collaboration with professional cyclist Noah Collins at the Eddy Sound Stage, Colorado Springs. Created in-camera using lasers, shot with a Fujifilm GFX100 and 23 mm lens at f/4, 1/80 seconds
Collaboration with professional cyclist Noah Collins at the Eddy Sound…
Artist and Musician Peelander Yellow, photographed on location at his studio, Austin, TX, shot with a Fujifilm GFX100S and 80 mm lens at f/1.7, 1/160 seconds
Artist and Musician Peelander Yellow, photographed on location at his…
Portrait of Cowgirl and therapist Natasha McCann at a ranch in Texas, shot with a Fujifilm GFX100S and 80 mm lens at f/8, 1/200 seconds
Portrait of Cowgirl and therapist Natasha McCann at a ranch in Texas,…
Commercial portrait of Mik Serfontaine, owner of Brave Star Selvage, an American-made denim brand based in Los Angeles, shot with a Fujifilm GFX100 II and 80 mm lens at f/2.2, 1/160 seconds
Commercial portrait of Mik Serfontaine, owner of Brave Star Selvage, an…
Bull rider Jorden Halvorsen from the Netflix series “How to become a Cowboy,” shot on location in Texas shot with a Fujifilm GFX100S and 33.2 mm lens at f/4, 1/1600 seconds
Bull rider Jorden Halvorsen from the Netflix series “How to become a…
Behind the scenes for the Elinchrom ELB 500 launch
Behind the scenes for the Elinchrom ELB 500 launch
Aaron Anderson self portrait, shot with a Fujifilm GFX100 II and 80 mm lens at f/6.4, 1/200 second
Aaron Anderson self portrait, shot with a Fujifilm GFX100 II and 80 mm…
Aaron on location in the Colorado mountains shooting for Giro. Photo credit Constance Egli
Aaron on location in the Colorado mountains shooting for Giro. Photo…
Portrait of renowned photographer Art Streiber in his office, shot with a Fujifilm GFX100 II and 80 mm lens at f/2, 1/400 seconds
Portrait of renowned photographer Art Streiber in his office, shot with…
Aaron Anderson, unless otherwise specified

Guests: Chris Orwig & Aaron Anderson

Sponsored by

Episode Timeline:

  • 3:20: Chris Orwig discusses what his role as an educator has taught him and how it has shaped his photo career.

  • 6:06: Aaron Anderson’s introduction to Chris’s Lynda.com workshops, plus how his early job as a digital retoucher influenced his growth as a photographer.

  • 15:24: An example from Chris’s recent celebrity portrait shoot illustrates the idea of trusting the process and following your inner creative.

  • 19:44: The importance of starting with a purpose, then layering the technical skills you develop with your inner voice.

  • 23:25: Chris’s realization of photographing people who had qualities he was longing to cultivate in himself.

  • 26:52: How Chris and Aaron developed their personal styles: Chris is inspired by silence, while Aaron loves music, sound, and energy on set.

  • 33:44: The role of previsualization within image creation.

  • 40:38: Episode Break

  • 42:11: Chris describes what he’s learned from past mistakes and gaining the awareness to be fully present rather than creating from a place of detachment.

  • 45:05: Creative reinvention amid the changing photography landscape and the importance of human connection to this process.

  • 53:48: Returning to a new era of hobby-like passion and purity, where photography and money are not always so closely attached.

  • 55:14: How to assess the process of self-reinvention and when to evolve your vision and skills.

  • 58:24: Digging into Chris’s process in reconnecting with his portraits and his inward journey to shift the posture of his work.

  • 1:06:58: Aaron and Chris discuss room for improvement and new directions for their pictures and professional careers.

Guest Bios:

Aaron Anderson started out with a camera and a speedlight back in 2009, and a goal to create images that people wanted to stare at, even if they weren't sure why. After countless hours in the studio, on location, and behind a computer screen at San Francisco’s Academy of Art University, he honed his skills as a retoucher at Sugar Digital, emerging with a distinct style. Aaron, a Fujifilm Creator since 2020, specializes in portrait, sports / action, and composite imagery for an impressive roster of commercial and editorial clients. Over the past four years, he’s roamed the country in an RV with his wife and kids, while simultaneously creating bold, iconic, story-driven imagery that engages audiences and wows clients. Based in California and Colorado at different times throughout the year, Aaron works with incredible production teams in each location.

Chris Orwig is a true renaissance man—celebrated photographer; best-selling author; talented creative director & designer; passionate coach, mentor, consultant & speaker; and a Sony Artisan of Imagery. Based in Santa Barbara, California, Chris has photographed artists, athletes, musicians & celebrities alike, and worked with a wide range of clients, from esteemed publications to top brands. In addition to commercial photography, Chris captures the magic and warmth of everyday life through family portraiture and wedding work. Known for his down-to-earth style, inspirational teaching, and contagious passion, Chris strives to inspire others to become more creative and lead more meaningful lives.

Stay Connected:

Aaron Anderson Visuals Website: https://andersonvisuals.com/

Aaron Anderson Visuals on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronandersonvisuals/

Aaron Anderson Visuals on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AaronAndersonVisuals/

Aaron Anderson Visuals on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AaronAndersonVisuals

Aaron Anderson Visuals on X: https://x.com/a2foto/

Aaron Anderson Fujifilm Creators page: https://www.fujifilm-x.com/en-us/creators/aaron-anderson/

Start with Why book: https://simonsinek.com/books/start-with-why/

Chris Orwig Website: https://chrisorwig.com/

Chris Orwig on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisorwig/

Chris Orwig on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrisorwigphotography/

Chris Orwig on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chris-orwig

Chris Orwig on X: https://x.com/chrisorwig

Chris Orwig on Linktree: https://linktr.ee/chrisorwig

Chris Orwig Sony Ambassador page: https://alphauniverse.com/artisans-2019/orwig/

Host: Derek Fahsbender

Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman

Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein

Executive Producer: Richard Stevens