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Behind the Lens: Chaz Niell's Photographic Journey

In this episode of 'Meet the Streets,' host Keith sits down with Chaz Niell, a street and documentary photographer from Washington, D.C. Chaz shares his progression in photography, from starting out with a Minolta 201 to studying at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, becoming a freelance photographer, and his passion for street photography with Leica gear. They discuss his work covering various events—from sports to politics—and the intricacies of freelancing. Chaz recounts meaningful stories behind his photos taken during protests, in Cuba, and within the Afro-Mexican community, highlighting the power of capturing authentic moments and voices. The conversation also touches on the privileges of earning trust in intimate settings and the importance of maintaining integrity in media projects, concluding with thoughts on future collaborations.

00:00 Welcome to Meet the Streets: Featuring Chaz Niell
01:19 Chaz Niell: A Journey Through Photography
02:34 Diving Deep into Street and Sports Photography
05:18 The Freelance Life: Challenges and Joys
10:34 Exploring the Impact of Location on Photography
28:44 The Power of Protest Photography
30:30 Personal Connections Through the Lens
39:46 Capturing the Essence of Public Demonstrations
45:59 A Photographer's Ethos: Respect and Engagement
48:31 Discovering the Power of Photography
48:55 The Art of Capturing Soulful Images
50:02 Curating Images with Music: A Cinematic Approach
55:43 Exploring the African Diaspora in Mexico
01:06:24 The Emotional Journey of Documentary Photography
01:21:35 The Importance of Trust in Photography
01:23:44 Navigating the Challenges of Street Photography
01:29:28 Reflecting on a Photographer's Journey

Thank you for listening! If you want to see the video, go to my youtube channel street photography mentor.
To see my street photography you can go to my instagram @keithmpitts or go to my website keithpitts.com. There you can also get info and sign up for my street photography workshops in Paris.