BY MAGNET MEDIA
BY MAGNET MEDIA
5 Questions with... Frederick Van Johnson of The TWiP Network on Podcasting and Creative Community
5 Questions with... Frederick Van Johnson of The TWiP Network on Podcasting and Creative Community
5 Questions with... Frederick Van Johnson of The TWiP Network on Podcasting and Creative Community
"I also wish brand leaders would explore outside of their comfort zones, dive into strange and different niches, take a look at how you can change your vernacular to suit different segments."
"I also wish brand leaders would explore outside of their comfort zones, dive into strange and different niches, take a look at how you can change your vernacular to suit different segments."
"I also wish brand leaders would explore outside of their comfort zones, dive into strange and different niches, take a look at how you can change your vernacular to suit different segments."
My story begins at an early age. As a pre-teen, then teen I was witness to a father who was not afraid of, or intimidated by technology. He was the Chief Engineer at ABC7 in Chicago and as a result I was exposed to the wonders of media creation from an early age. Early on I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur of some sort, dealing in media creation and monetization of said media. I remember being endlessly fascinated by the "get rich quick" schemes found in the back of magazines and in newspapers.
As I got older, I directed my attention towards computers and programming. I thought game creation was my path. But unfortunately, I discovered I liked playing games FAR more than world building. However, a side effect of writing code was that I became a very good touch typist. A skill that pays dividends every day. My "aha" moment came after I enlisted in the US Air Force. Based on my aptitude scoring, they placed me in the Photographer career field. Once I began training as a photographer, I "KNEW" that was where I should have been placing my efforts. I loved it.
To me, photography is the perfect nexus of technology, art, and psychology. None of those things can ever be boring.
My story begins at an early age. As a pre-teen, then teen I was witness to a father who was not afraid of, or intimidated by technology. He was the Chief Engineer at ABC7 in Chicago and as a result I was exposed to the wonders of media creation from an early age. Early on I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur of some sort, dealing in media creation and monetization of said media. I remember being endlessly fascinated by the "get rich quick" schemes found in the back of magazines and in newspapers.
As I got older, I directed my attention towards computers and programming. I thought game creation was my path. But unfortunately, I discovered I liked playing games FAR more than world building. However, a side effect of writing code was that I became a very good touch typist. A skill that pays dividends every day. My "aha" moment came after I enlisted in the US Air Force. Based on my aptitude scoring, they placed me in the Photographer career field. Once I began training as a photographer, I "KNEW" that was where I should have been placing my efforts. I loved it.
To me, photography is the perfect nexus of technology, art, and psychology. None of those things can ever be boring.
My story begins at an early age. As a pre-teen, then teen I was witness to a father who was not afraid of, or intimidated by technology. He was the Chief Engineer at ABC7 in Chicago and as a result I was exposed to the wonders of media creation from an early age. Early on I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur of some sort, dealing in media creation and monetization of said media. I remember being endlessly fascinated by the "get rich quick" schemes found in the back of magazines and in newspapers.
As I got older, I directed my attention towards computers and programming. I thought game creation was my path. But unfortunately, I discovered I liked playing games FAR more than world building. However, a side effect of writing code was that I became a very good touch typist. A skill that pays dividends every day. My "aha" moment came after I enlisted in the US Air Force. Based on my aptitude scoring, they placed me in the Photographer career field. Once I began training as a photographer, I "KNEW" that was where I should have been placing my efforts. I loved it.
To me, photography is the perfect nexus of technology, art, and psychology. None of those things can ever be boring.
"To me, photography is the perfect nexus of technology, art, and psychology. None of those things can ever be boring."
"To me, photography is the perfect nexus of technology, art, and psychology. None of those things can ever be boring."
The This Week in Photo (TWiP) podcast is a continual work-in-progress. It's my muse, my excuse, my laboratory, and my therapist. The idea for TWiP started over a decade ago, when almost no one even knew what a podcast was. And has grown, ebbed and flowed, over the years into the media property it is today. The evolutionary path was driven by various technologies appearing and evolving, as well as the popularity of the show and the necessity to "grow up" with regard to sponsorship and monetization.
As far as the community goes, that too was driven by current events and market forces. The current iteration of TWiP PRO is actually my second attempt. The first attempt ended in failure due to my lack of moderation delegation, my lack of time to properly attend to the community, and an influx of pornography.
Learned from and applied those lessons to the current iteration of the community. The metaphor I like to use is... if Facebook and communities like it are akin to a busy international airport, then TWiP PRO is like the Virgin Atlantic airport lounge. Less distraction, different clientele, slightly more expensive, but so very worth it. The community was intended to be an extension of the podcast conversation in part, but also as a troll-free place for photographers to listen to, and learn from each other.
The site is now evolving to begin hosting summits and events. This will be an extension of our community and will allow me to extend the reach of the more popular topics on the podcast and paid community.
The This Week in Photo (TWiP) podcast is a continual work-in-progress. It's my muse, my excuse, my laboratory, and my therapist. The idea for TWiP started over a decade ago, when almost no one even knew what a podcast was. And has grown, ebbed and flowed, over the years into the media property it is today. The evolutionary path was driven by various technologies appearing and evolving, as well as the popularity of the show and the necessity to "grow up" with regard to sponsorship and monetization.
As far as the community goes, that too was driven by current events and market forces. The current iteration of TWiP PRO is actually my second attempt. The first attempt ended in failure due to my lack of moderation delegation, my lack of time to properly attend to the community, and an influx of pornography.
Learned from and applied those lessons to the current iteration of the community. The metaphor I like to use is... if Facebook and communities like it are akin to a busy international airport, then TWiP PRO is like the Virgin Atlantic airport lounge. Less distraction, different clientele, slightly more expensive, but so very worth it. The community was intended to be an extension of the podcast conversation in part, but also as a troll-free place for photographers to listen to, and learn from each other.
The site is now evolving to begin hosting summits and events. This will be an extension of our community and will allow me to extend the reach of the more popular topics on the podcast and paid community.
The This Week in Photo (TWiP) podcast is a continual work-in-progress. It's my muse, my excuse, my laboratory, and my therapist. The idea for TWiP started over a decade ago, when almost no one even knew what a podcast was. And has grown, ebbed and flowed, over the years into the media property it is today. The evolutionary path was driven by various technologies appearing and evolving, as well as the popularity of the show and the necessity to "grow up" with regard to sponsorship and monetization.
As far as the community goes, that too was driven by current events and market forces. The current iteration of TWiP PRO is actually my second attempt. The first attempt ended in failure due to my lack of moderation delegation, my lack of time to properly attend to the community, and an influx of pornography.
Learned from and applied those lessons to the current iteration of the community. The metaphor I like to use is... if Facebook and communities like it are akin to a busy international airport, then TWiP PRO is like the Virgin Atlantic airport lounge. Less distraction, different clientele, slightly more expensive, but so very worth it. The community was intended to be an extension of the podcast conversation in part, but also as a troll-free place for photographers to listen to, and learn from each other.
The site is now evolving to begin hosting summits and events. This will be an extension of our community and will allow me to extend the reach of the more popular topics on the podcast and paid community.
"The evolutionary path was driven by various technologies appearing and evolving, as well as the popularity of the show and the necessity to "grow up" with regard to sponsorship and monetization."
"The evolutionary path was driven by various technologies appearing and evolving, as well as the popularity of the show and the necessity to "grow up" with regard to sponsorship and monetization."
"The evolutionary path was driven by various technologies appearing and evolving, as well as the popularity of the show and the necessity to "grow up" with regard to sponsorship and monetization."
The next evolution for the TWiP brand is to go BIG. The global pandemic has renewed my enthusiasm for the importance of distance learning, in the form of Summits, Courses, Webinars, etc. We will be tripling down on these.
And with that focus, the platform we've built will allow for the creation and deploying of events targeted at several disenfranchised population segments: African Americans, Latino, LGBTQQIP2SAA, etc.
Operating on a "virtual first" strategy, we will then extend our reach (as COVID allows) into real-world events. With the infrastructure solidly in place to run world-class virtual events, adding physical events will be the next step.
The next evolution for the TWiP brand is to go BIG. The global pandemic has renewed my enthusiasm for the importance of distance learning, in the form of Summits, Courses, Webinars, etc. We will be tripling down on these.
And with that focus, the platform we've built will allow for the creation and deploying of events targeted at several disenfranchised population segments: African Americans, Latino, LGBTQQIP2SAA, etc.
Operating on a "virtual first" strategy, we will then extend our reach (as COVID allows) into real-world events. With the infrastructure solidly in place to run world-class virtual events, adding physical events will be the next step.
Stepping up and speaking out. I’ve always been open as a Black Woman in business, I have always tried to have my work be first and not my skin color. In this climate, we have pivoted to offer more culture services in our business. We have our Culture Boards product, our unconscious bias training, and our Recruiting network service. We have always been at the intersection of culture and business and we are super charging this because the moment calls for it.
The next evolution for the TWiP brand is to go BIG. The global pandemic has renewed my enthusiasm for the importance of distance learning, in the form of Summits, Courses, Webinars, etc. We will be tripling down on these.
And with that focus, the platform we've built will allow for the creation and deploying of events targeted at several disenfranchised population segments: African Americans, Latino, LGBTQQIP2SAA, etc.
Operating on a "virtual first" strategy, we will then extend our reach (as COVID allows) into real-world events. With the infrastructure solidly in place to run world-class virtual events, adding physical events will be the next step.
"The global pandemic has renewed my enthusiasm for the importance of distance learning."
"The global pandemic has renewed my enthusiasm for the importance of distance learning, in the form of Summits, Courses, Webinars, etc."
"The global pandemic has renewed my enthusiasm for the importance of distance learning, in the form of Summits, Courses, Webinars, etc."
Be a voracious learner. Never be satisfied that systems are "working fine". Always look for ways (large and small) to improve, streamline and update processes. Also, be quick at cutting dead weight; that is things in your business that do not directly support your mission statement.
Be a voracious learner. Never be satisfied that systems are "working fine". Always look for ways (large and small) to improve, streamline and update processes. Also, be quick at cutting dead weight; that is things in your business that do not directly support your mission statement.
Be a voracious learner. Never be satisfied that systems are "working fine". Always look for ways (large and small) to improve, streamline and update processes. Also, be quick at cutting dead weight; that is things in your business that do not directly support your mission statement.
"Never be satisfied that systems are 'working fine'."
"Never be satisfied that systems are 'working fine'."
"Never be satisfied that systems are 'working fine'."
I think one of the most important things I've learned over the years is how to stay enthusiastic and excited about the business. My enthusiasm comes from the constant and unapologetic "molting" of the business and my own personal brand.
I can only speak generally about my niche. In the photography niche, it's easy to develop the misconception that the industry is large, when in fact it is very small. And budgets are accordingly small. I personally think brands should pivot to think about people who NEED to create professional photography for other reasons... but are not necessarily photographers themselves. This is a departure from targeting the hobbyist photographer. I also wish brand leaders would explore outside of their comfort zones, dive into strange and different niches, take a look at how you can change your vernacular to suit different segments.
I think one of the most important things I've learned over the years is how to stay enthusiastic and excited about the business. My enthusiasm comes from the constant and unapologetic "molting" of the business and my own personal brand.
I can only speak generally about my niche. In the photography niche, it's easy to develop the misconception that the industry is large, when in fact it is very small. And budgets are accordingly small. I personally think brands should pivot to think about people who NEED to create professional photography for other reasons... but are not necessarily photographers themselves. This is a departure from targeting the hobbyist photographer. I also wish brand leaders would explore outside of their comfort zones, dive into strange and different niches, take a look at how you can change your vernacular to suit different segments.
I think one of the most important things I've learned over the years is how to stay enthusiastic and excited about the business. My enthusiasm comes from the constant and unapologetic "molting" of the business and my own personal brand.
I can only speak generally about my niche. In the photography niche, it's easy to develop the misconception that the industry is large, when in fact it is very small. And budgets are accordingly small. I personally think brands should pivot to think about people who NEED to create professional photography for other reasons... but are not necessarily photographers themselves. This is a departure from targeting the hobbyist photographer. I also wish brand leaders would explore outside of their comfort zones, dive into strange and different niches, take a look at how you can change your vernacular to suit different segments.
"I also wish brand leaders would explore outside of their comfort zones, dive into strange and different niches, take a look at how you can change your vernacular to suit different segments."
"I also wish brand leaders would explore outside of their comfort zones, dive into strange and different niches."
"I also wish brand leaders would explore outside of their comfort zones, dive into strange and different niches, take a look at how you can change your vernacular to suit different segments."
13ms
13ms
It takes only 13 milliseconds for the human brain to process an image.
Source: Rocketium Academy
It takes only 13 milliseconds for the human brain to process an image.
Source: Rocketium Academy
10%
10%
Podcasts embody 10% off all content that millennials listen to.
Source: smallbizgenius.net
Podcasts embody 10% off all content that millennials listen to.
Source: smallbizgenius.net
Frederick has been a professional photographer for several decades. He is also a passionate entrepreneur, marketer, and host of the world’s most popular photography podcast — “This Week in Photo”. He also produces the official podcast for the Skylum Software corporation; Behind the Seen.
Frederick is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The TWiP Network — and served as last Chairman of the Board at the now-retired Brooks Institute (Brooks.edu) as well as strategy and marketing advisor for Eyefi.com.
Frederick began his career as a Combat Photojournalist in the United States Air Force, where he served for 8 years and was decorated many times for his exemplary work in the field. Frederick’s unit at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California was among the first in the armed forces to receive and put into daily use, digital imaging processes, and DSLR camera equipment. As a result, Frederick was awarded the prestigious U.S. Air Force Commendation medal for his key role in facilitating the USAF’s transition from film-based photography to digital imaging.
After being honorably discharged from the military, Frederick went on to study visual communication and marketing at the University of California at Santa Barbara and Brooks Institute.
As a prior employee at Apple and Adobe Systems, Frederick was a key player in the development of iPhoto and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, respectively. While at Adobe, he was also the director of professional photographer outreach and sponsorship.
Today Frederick lives in California and continues to podcast and practice photography whenever possible.
Frederick has been a professional photographer for several decades. He is also a passionate entrepreneur, marketer, and host of the world’s most popular photography podcast — “This Week in Photo”. He also produces the official podcast for the Skylum Software corporation; Behind the Seen.
Frederick is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The TWiP Network — and served as last Chairman of the Board at the now-retired Brooks Institute (Brooks.edu) as well as strategy and marketing advisor for Eyefi.com.
Frederick began his career as a Combat Photojournalist in the United States Air Force, where he served for 8 years and was decorated many times for his exemplary work in the field. Frederick’s unit at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California was among the first in the armed forces to receive and put into daily use, digital imaging processes, and DSLR camera equipment. As a result, Frederick was awarded the prestigious U.S. Air Force Commendation medal for his key role in facilitating the USAF’s transition from film-based photography to digital imaging.
After being honorably discharged from the military, Frederick went on to study visual communication and marketing at the University of California at Santa Barbara and Brooks Institute.
As a prior employee at Apple and Adobe Systems, Frederick was a key player in the development of iPhoto and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, respectively. While at Adobe, he was also the director of professional photographer outreach and sponsorship.
Today Frederick lives in California and continues to podcast and practice photography whenever possible.