Episode 11 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss photographing road trips, including Zach’s photos on the road and in the Florida Keys, plus Joel Sternfeld’s project from the 1970s and 80s, American Prospects.

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson

Index

0:00 - Intro - Missing a great moment because he ran out of film

0:45 - We loved road trips growing up

3:18 - Road trips were more fun/dangerous in the 80s & 90s

4:43 - Zach’s photos from rest stops and gas stations on the way to Florida 📷

9:22 - A road trip through the Florida Keys 📷

17:16 - Joel Sternfeld’s American Prospects feels like a road trip across the United States.

17:38 - McLean, Virginia, December 1978. 📷

18:01 - Joel Sternfeld’s idea behind American Prospects

20:17 - After a Flash Flood. Rancho Mirage, California. 1979. 📷

20:42 - The Space Shuttle Columbia Lands at Kelly Air Force Base. San Antonio, Texas. March 1979.📷

21:21 - Exhausted Renegade Elephant. Woodland, Washington. June 1979.📷

23:33 - Glen Canyon Dam. Page, Arizona. 1983.📷

24:19 - Wet ’n’ Wild Aquatic Theme Park. Orlando, Florida. 1980.📷

25:05 - Buckingham, Pennsylvania. August 1978.📷

25:43 - Bikini Contest. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. March 1983.📷

27:22 - Near Akron, Ohio. May 1983.📷

28:26 - Portage Glacier, Alaska. August 1984.📷

29:15 - Lake Oswego, Oregon. June 1979.📷

30:38 - Canyon Country, California. June 1983.📷

31:52 - Courtney says this series is a great introduction to the vastness of the United States.

33:32 - This project helped Zach to realize that there’s wild stuff happening everywhere all the time if you’re looking for it.

35:01 - West Aztec Avenue. Gallup, New Mexico. September 1982.📷

35:25 - Great Salt Lake, Utah. August 1979.📷

For links to all the sources for this episode, check out our resources page here...https://blog.zachdobson.com/2025/09/photography-is-nothing-ep11/

Find Zach

Website: https://zachdobson.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Find Courtney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast

Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Fair Use Statement

This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Episode 10 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss their visit to the Indiana State Fair plus Zach’s project documenting fairs & festivals around the state of Indiana over the last 15 years. They also look at some photography of fairs by some of the all time greats like Danny Lyon, Inge Morath, Garry Winogrand, and others!

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson

Index0:00 - Zach got scammed.

2:33 - Zach and Courtney visit the Indiana State Fair.

5:33 - How to find the best fair food.

9:55 - How much it cost us at the state fair this year.

12:04 - How to find the best lemon shakeups

13:14 - Zach’s Indiana Fair Project started in 2010. 📷

22:12 - Danny Lyon’s portraits of carnival workers. 📷

23:20 - Bruce Davidson’s photos of Jimmy Armstrong. 📷

23:37 - Diane Arbus photographed outsiders in their personal spaces. 📷

23:54 - Danny Lyon’s photos were the basis of The Bikeriders, a 2023 film starring Austin Butler.

24:30 - René Burri - Fair ride. Zurich, Switzerland. 1980. 📷

26:10 - Inge Morath - Puck Fair, Killorglin, County Kerry, Ireland. 1954. 📷

26:48 - Martin Parr - Manorhamilton Sheep Fair, County Leitrim, Ireland. 1981. 📷

27:02 - Gueorgui Pinkhassov - Blackpool, England. 2018. 📷

27:32 - Garry Winogrand - Texas State Fair. 1964. 📷

28:35 - Wolfgang Suschitzky - Hampstead Heath Fair. 1938. 📷

29:06 - Garry Winogrand - World’s Fair. New York City. 1964. 📷

29:34 - Zach will continue to photograph fairs and festivals. 📷

Find Zach

Website: https://zachdobson.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphotoThreads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Find Courtney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast

Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact.

Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Fair Use Statement

This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Episode 09 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss starting a photography business and a family at the same time and how they work to fully integrate their lives together.

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson

Notes

Where it says, “Photo stories with the family,” on the screen from 35:31 until the end, what that means is for every one of those images, we were all together as a family, or Zach was out with the kids.

Clearly some of the photos have the kids in them, but many are documentary images of the places we’re visiting. We wanted to show the breadth of work it’s possible for us to do when we’re together.

Courtney mentions a Helena Bonham Carter quote. Here it is…

“I think everything in life is art. What you do. How you dress. The way you love someone, and how you talk. Your smile and your personality. What you believe in, and all your dreams. The way you drink your tea. How you decorate your home. Or party. Your grocery list. The food you make. How your writing looks. And the way you feel. Life is art.”

Index

0:00 - The parameters are there to help us grow.

1:33 - Who are Zach & Courtney?

2:11 - Meeting at Indiana University and sharing an interest in travel & storytelling.

3:17 - Zach started his photography career in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

5:01 - Courtney moves to Chicago and Zach follows.

6:12 - Zach & Courtney start their photography business in Indianapolis in 2006

15:17 - Working as a documentary commercial photographer

17:52 - Booking our own weddings as a photographer

18:58 - A special visitor to the set

20:12 - Multiple streams of photography income.

21:44 - Courtney solo parenting while Zach works nights.

25:26 - Why we decided to homeschool our kids.

30:00 - Being in charge of our own time.

33:14 - The Personal Legend Project

35:40 - Creating stability at work and home

40:00 - Society wants perfection. The interesting is in the mess.

Find Zach

Website: https://zachdobson.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Find Courtney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast

Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Fair Use Statement

This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Episode 08 - This week Zach & Courtney follow up with comments from last week’s album choices and discuss everything from lawsuits to successful collaborations between photographers and musicians.

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson

INDEX0:00 - Intro - Be more interesting!

2:30 - Following up on comments about The Beatles Abbey Road conspiracies.

6:57 - We each have one Mandela Effect we believe.

10:06 - Our thoughts on the Nirvana Nevermind alum cover.

13:43 - Album covers that had lawsuits filed: Dido’s Safe Trip Home and Vampire Weekend’s Contra

19:09 - The Beatles secured permissions for all the notable people portrayed on the Sgt. Pepper album cover.

21:13 - Musician Blood Orange (Dev Hynes) was inspired by Deena Lawson’s photo “Binky & Tony Forever.”

29:39 - John Coltrane’s Blue Train album cover was photographed by Francis Wolff.

30:46 - A brief intro to Blue Note Records designer Reid Miles.

32:26 - Francis Wolff co-founded Blue Note Records and photographed many of their album covers.

40:26 - Great collaborations between artists lead to the most meaningful work.

Find ZachWebsite: https://zachdobson.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphotoThreads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphotoFind

CourtneyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessonsThreads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast

Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Fair Use Statement

This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.

If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Episode 07 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss 8 iconic album covers and the stories behind them. They define what makes an “iconic” album cover, analyze the photos, tell how they were made, who the photographers were, and some of the myths that formed around the images.

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson

Index

0:00 - Intro - Zach’s brush with Free Jazz

0:31 - We will call photographers out on their poor behavior. Including W. Eugene Smith.

1:47 - Today’s topic: Eight Iconic Album Covers.

2:15 - How do we define an iconic album cover?

4:13 - The Polaroid. Taylor Swift. 1989. Photo by Lowfield.

8:51 - The use of Polaroid reminds Courtney of No Code by Pearl Jam.

11:20 - Greatest rock & roll photo? The Clash. London Calling. Photo by Pennie Smith

15:57 - Giant Steps by John Coltrane. Photographed by Lee Friedlander

20:50 - Famous behind. Bruce Springsteen. Born in the U.S.A. Photo by Annie Leibovitz

24:43 - Uplifting friends. Kendrick Lamar. To Pimp A Butterfly. Photo by Denis Rouvre.

27:56 - Courtney’s pick. Madonna. True Blue. Photographed by Herb Ritts.

33:08 - A new classic. Doechii. Alligator Bites Never Heal. Photographed by John Jay.

37:22 - The most iconic album cover photo of all time according to Zach.

Find Zach

Website: https://zachdobson.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Find Courtney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast

Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Fair Use Statement

This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Episode 06 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss photography projects that became obsessive, including Japanese photographer Masahisa Fukase’s Ravens, Catherine Leroy’s coverage of the Vietnam War, W. Eugene Smith documenting Pittsburg for two years, and Zach’s own project of photographing lost golf balls in the woods and the creek.

**NOTES**

- W. Eugene Smith’s Country Doctor story was photographed in Kremmling, Colorado.

- It’s true the W. Eugene Smith would copy his correspondence for posterity.

- The first woman photographer to win a Guggenheim grant was Dorothea Lange in 1941, but she turned it down to work for the government documenting Japanese Internment Camps.

- Helen Levitt won two consecutive Guggenheim grants in 1959 & 1968 for her color photography.

- Stephan Lorant’s book Pittsburgh: the Story of an American City was published in 1964 (Pittsburgh’s bicentennial was 1958).

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson

Index0:00 - Intro - A photographer with a lot of problems

0:39 - Today’s topic: Photo stories that went too far.

1:38 - Comments. We made people cry.

3:20 - New episodes of Photography is Nothing are released early Wednesday morning

6:17 - Zach’s obsessive photo story: As It Lies 📷

8:55 - What’s inside a golf ball? We were surprised to see!

11:23 - Masahisa Fukase’s Ravens; a photo book 10 years in the making 📷

12:56 - Backstory: Masahisa Fukase’s photographed his wife for the series From Window 📷

13:59 - When is a photographer putting themself on a subject?16:21 - Ravens by Masahisa Fukase is regarded as one of the best photo books of the last 40 years. 📷

20:26 - Catherine Leroy’s tenacity eventually got her captured by the enemy. She turned it into an exclusive story. 📷

27:12 - W. Eugene Smith’s Pittsburgh series was aggressively massive. 📷

28:38 - W. Eugene Smith is credited for inventing the modern photo story with his Country Doctor series. 📷

30:45 - The story behind W. Eugene Smith’s Pittsburgh photo series. 📷

32:03 - Some quotes from W. Eugene Smith. 📷

43:00 - Was W. Eugene Smith one of the all-time great photographers? What is his legacy. 📷

45:20 - His children that he called “anchors” were the subjects for one of his most famous photos. 📷

Find ZachWebsite: https://zachdobson.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphotoThreads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphotoFind

CourtneyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessonsThreads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast

Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Episode 05 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss everyday photography, Zach’s 180 on fireworks photos, an important quote that influenced Courtney, and the work of photographers Sally Mann and Larry Fink.

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson

Index

0:00 - Showing after every trip to the grocery store.

0:19 - This is a podcast about photography and everything else.

0:57 - We’re getting great feedback on the podcast!

2:43 - Irish accents make Courtney feel cozy.

3:43 - Question: What photo books does Zach recommend for newer photogs?

7:06 - Comment: Disney ads don’t portray the reality.

8:30 - Prejudice against photographers who shoot using the LCD screen

10:42 - Zach does a 180 on a take from last episode.

14:28 - Courtney says there’s something that parents often overlook.

17:46 - Tom has an old tractor. Recreating moments in photographs.

19:35 - Documentary Photography is for Everyone - Zach’s talk at the Carmel Clay Public Library.

20:55 - The story about unhoused youth was not Zach’s to tell.

21:59 - Covid affected Zach’s trajectory as a photographer.

24:37 - Zach’s everyday photography during Covid. 📷

27:58 - Sally Mann’s photos of her family. 📷

35:01 - All the young people are using early 2000s digital cameras.

36:38 - Larry Fink photographed his neighbors, the Sabatines, in the 1970s and 80s. 📷

41:21 - Courtney loves this quote from Larry Fink that she wrote down a decade ago.

43:04 - Our late neighbor Rose said in every person a whole universe is born.

43:50 - Larry Fink’s photo of a universe in his own eye. 📷

44:51 - In photography, it can be easy to rely on grandiose things to make a photo interesting.

45:59 - Larry Fink’s full quote on the revolution within and its impact on Courtney.

48:01 - We were planning to go meet Larry Fink.

49:55 - Zach sees the revolution within manifest in Courtney.

51:03 - Courtney doesn’t care if kids sit and listen while she reads.

Find Zach

Website: https://zachdobson.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Find Courtney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast

Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Episode 04 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss monetizing hobbies, the importance of consent, taking photos when we travel as a family, drawing people in public, and more!

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson

Index

0:00 - This is a VIDEO podcast.

0:47 - We lost some video last week.

2:21 - Shoutouts to Erik and LeAnn

3:35 - You should monetize your hobbies.

4:41 - Do you have to monetize something to make it worth doing?

7:56 - We started our photography business before we had kids.

8:30 - A lot of people “creating full time” are single adults.

9:24 - We’ve set up our lives so Zach can do photography while we’re together as a family.

9:42 - Zach’s photos that he’s taken while Courtney and/or kids were present. 📷

11:20 - Courtney says you don’t need to retire if you’re doing something you like.

12:23 - Zach says your photos can appreciate in value over time.

12:37 - William Eggleston photos are worth a lot more now than they were in the 1970s & 80s. Zach thinks history & nostalgia play a part in that.

14:42 - Always keep your copyright!

17:20 - Every person has a path.

18:57 - We’re finally done with swim team. Zach shares a swimming photo he just took that’s super cool. 📷

27:02 - We get consent to post photos online.

33:34 - Getting consent can be a matter of personal safety, especially for women, children, and minorities.

35:53 - A personal story of someone who escaped a dangerous situation.

38:58 - Stop drawing people! 😬

40:44 - What can you do if you feel dumb taking photos? Public celebrations are a good place to practice! 📷

46:03 - How does Harrison Ford overcome his self consciousness? 🎥

48:18 - Grownups playing sports enjoy having their photos taken (📷 Stonewall Sports)

49:45 - “What can I do as a mom to make some extra money?”

51:36 - It was NOT better in the 80s and 90s! 📷

58:59 - How does Zach REALLY feel about fireworks photos?

1:00:49 - Zach’s fireworks photos. 📷

1:00:55 - 📷 Joakim Eskildsen. From the Series Nordic Signs. Fireworks. 1991.

1:02:35 - 📷 Zach Dobson. Backyard Fireworks. July 4, 2018.

1:02:56 - 📷 David Drebin. Fireworks. 2018.

1:03:59 - 📷 Bruce Davidson. Fourth of July fireworks, Coney Island, New York. 1962.

1:05:21 - 📷 Henri Cartier-Bresson. Fireworks seen from the Forbidden City. Beijing, China. 1958.

1:06:13 - 📷 Brassaï. Fireworks on the Night of Longchamp. 1936.

1:07:03 - Tips for taking photos of fireworks, if you’re determined to do it. 📷

1:10:34 - Happy Independence Day. Sheeeeesh. The End.

Find Zach

Website: https://zachdobson.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Find Courtney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast

Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.