Mia Moore is joined by the brilliant Zoe DeBoer—fashion model, mother, and creative inspiration. Zoe shares her story from starting out at 17 to a thriving modelling career in her fifties, offering wisdom on reinvention, self-belief, and the importance of embracing change at every age.

🎤 In This Episode, We Discuss:

The evolving journey of a model – From London agencies to art colleges and back to modelling in later life.

Creativity and resilience – How motherhood, caring responsibilities, and personal challenges have shaped Zoe’s work.

The power of change – Embracing new looks, concepts, and opportunities at every stage of life.

Creative collaboration – The importance of being open, adaptable, and a team player on set.

Fitness and self-care – How physical wellbeing fuels Zoe’s creativity and confidence.

Integrity in the industry – Why setting boundaries and knowing yourself matters in modelling and beyond.

Staying original – The importance of finding inspiration but holding onto your unique perspective.

💡 Key Takeaways:

Age is no barrier—creativity evolves with life experience and only gets richer.

Confidence, kindness, and honesty are more valuable than any trend.

Teamwork and adaptability are essential in creative work—be open and collaborative.

Prioritise your own wellbeing—your creativity will thank you.

🎙️ About Our Guest:
Zoe DeBoer is a professional model with decades of experience across fashion, editorial, and conceptual shoots. She’s also an advocate for self-care, diversity in fashion, and creative living.
Find Zoe online:

Instagram: @zdeboer

PurplePort: Zoe DeBoer

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Share your creative story or ask a question—DM us at @creative_conversations_pod or email podcast@granary.digital.

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🎧 Creative Conversations is recorded at Granary Studios and produced by Granary Digital.

In this episode, Sophia Gray sits down with Al Stuart, an art director-turned-photographer whose career spans the worlds of advertising, music, and street photography. Al shares candid stories from his early days in creative agencies, working on big campaigns and collaborating with legendary musicians, to his more personal photographic projects and the inspirations behind them.

🎤 In This Episode, We Discuss:

✅ The Art of Art Direction – Al explains the often-misunderstood role of an art director, how he stumbled into advertising, and why coming up with ideas (and letting others do the heavy lifting) is an underrated skill!
✅ Advertising in the Pre-Digital Age – Behind-the-scenes of working for top agencies, creating memorable campaigns for NatWest, and why a piece of tracing paper could make or break a photoshoot.
✅ Transition to Photography – How industry shifts and the rise of stock photography pushed Al to find his creative freedom as a photographer.
✅ Shooting Musicians and Album Covers – Al’s adventures photographing legendary musicians, from impromptu portraits of seventies icons to collaborations with rising stars and classic rockers.
✅ The “Angel Wings” Project – Inspiration and stories from his striking Angel Wings photo series, and why it’s always the same model.
✅ Creative Influences – The lasting impact of art school, Annie Leibovitz, and why street photography and hand-painted dresses are close to Al’s heart.
✅ The Realities of Gig Photography – Tales from the pit at Shepherd’s Bush and Hammersmith, camera bags worth a fortune, and finding the perfect shot under pressure.
✅ On Inspiration and Style – Al discusses how his background in art direction shapes his approach to composition and creativity, and why a good pair of Levi’s never goes out of style.

💡 Key Takeaways:

🎨 Creativity is about reinvention – Whether in advertising or photography, adapting to industry change keeps your creative spark alive.
📸 Don’t be afraid of your niche – Embracing your strengths, whether that’s composition, portraiture, or a signature project, sets you apart.
🌆 Be prolific and stay inspired – Al’s advice? If you’re not shooting, be thinking about your next shot, and surround yourself with creative influences (and books).
👟 Express your personality – From quirky style choices to your photographic approach, let your individuality show.
🦸‍♂️ Persistence pays off – Keep creating, keep experimenting, and don’t let rejection (or camera club judges!) knock your confidence.

🎙️ About Our Guest:

Al Stuart is a former art director and now full-time photographer, known for his evocative portraits of musicians, creative street photography, and the visually arresting Angel Wings series. He’s worked with classic rock legends, new talent, and music magazines alike, always bringing his keen eye for composition and a dash of creative flair.
Instagram: @redcapphoto

🚀 Join the Creative Movement!
We want to hear from YOU! 🎙️ Are you a photographer, artist, or creative with a story to share? Let’s collaborate! DM us on Instagram at @Creative_conversations_pod or email podcast@granary.digital to be featured on Creative Conversations.

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🎧 Creative Conversations is recorded at Granary Studios and produced by Granary Digital.

Sophia Gray meets Johnny Montero—a model, dancer, translator, and creative chameleon who’s travelled through 17 countries on a journey of self-discovery and artistic exploration. From his roots in the Canary Islands and Venezuela to life in London, Johnny shares what it means to build your identity through movement, language, and bold creative risks.

🎤 In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Reinvention through travel – How Johnny’s global experiences shaped his creative expression.
• The creative power of movement – Dancing, rollerskating, and the physical side of inspiration.
• From outsider to influencer – Navigating new cultures and finding belonging through the arts.
• Creating your own story – Johnny’s journey to authorship, music production, and DJing.
• The importance of boldness – Advice on risk-taking and pushing past self-doubt in creative work.
• Identity and language – How translation, acting, and modelling helped Johnny blend cultures and voices.
• The joy of the unexpected – Why the “in-between” moments can be the most creative.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Creativity thrives on change and movement—embrace life’s disruptions.
• Take bold risks, especially if you don’t have responsibilities beyond yourself.
• Your personal history, language, and quirks are your greatest creative assets.
• The arts are about finding your community as much as expressing yourself.

🎙️ About Our Guest:
Johnny Montero is a model, dancer, actor, translator, and all-round creative. His Instagram captures his unique style and global adventures.
Find Johnny online:

• Instagram: @thesunskater

🚀 Join the Creative Movement!
Got a story to share? DM us on Instagram at @creative_conversations_pod or email podcast@granary.digital.

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Love the show? Rate & review us!

🎧 Creative Conversations is recorded at Granary Studios and produced by Granary Digital.