Using An iPhone As Your Vacation Camera

Using An iPhone As Your Vacation Camera

Author: Steve Brazill December 15, 2022 Duration: 55:58

Jefferson Graham is a Manhattan Beach, California based writer-photographer, educator, and the host/producer of the travel photography series “Photowalks with Jefferson Graham”, which streams on YouTube, Tubi and the Roku Network.

I first met Jefferson the same day I met Frederick Van Johnson. I drove out to watch him record his Talking Tech podcast, a show he did for USA TODAY when he was one of their tech columnists.  His guests that day were Frederick and tech journalist Mark Gurman. Right away it was obvious that there was much more to Jefferson than just being a tech journalist and podcaster. His photography knowledge was front and center. Fast forward a good number of years and Jefferson is busier than ever.

His popular PhotowalksTV newsletter marries tech/photo and travel in weekly installments. As an educator, he is an instructor and frequent speaker for the KelbyOne website (I have a discount code for a KelbyOne subscription on the Discount Codes Page).

Jefferson has authored of nine books, including the recent Video Nation, a DIY Guide to Planning, Shooting and Sharing great Video, as well as tomes on infomercial king Ron Popeil, the late TV legend Aaron Spelling and a history of Sin City, Vegas: Live and In Person. He has written and/or photographed for a host of publications, including Rolling Stone, People, Us Weekly, the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register, Easy Reader, Esquire and TV Guide.

A working photographer, a writer, a podcast host, a video creator, and a darn good guitarist – and that is just the start of knowing my friend Jefferson Graham. On PhotowalksTV he takes viewers to wonderful places, from Southern California to great locations like Dana Point Morro Bay, Cannon Beach, Oregon, Port Townsend, Washington, Madrid, Lisbon, Paris and even all the way to Tokyo. I even had the pleasure of hosting Jefferson for one of his Photowalks series in my home town in Southern CA a few years ago, and it was a blast. I was born and raised here, and yet I learned so much by doing the walk with him.

Recently I saw a post Jefferson did, where he talked about using nothing but an iPhone, a few of them actually, for his photowalk in Paris. That connected with me, because years ago I decided that I didn’t want to be “that dad” on family vacations that made everyone stop while I took photos. Starting way back with the iPhone 6, all I have taken on trips is my phone. Have there been times I wished I had a “Real Cameras”? Sure, but overall the experience has been great. I decided to invite Jefferson on to talk about the pros and cons of mobile photography, often called iPhoneography, even though you could use any phone.

Join all around creative Jefferson Graham and me as we chat about using nothing but a phone as your camera while traveling, on this episode of Behind the Shot.

Connect with Jefferson

Website: jeffersongraham.net
Newsletter: jeffersongraham.substack.com
YouTube: @photowalkstv
Twitter: @jeffersongraham
Instagram: @jeffersongraham
Facebook: @jefferson.graham

Jefferson’s Podcast

iPhone Photo Show: Spotify

PhotowalksTV Paris Episode

Photowalks in Paris: YouTube

PhotowalksTV Episode with Steve

Riverside California things to do (2020): YouTube

Jefferson’s Photographer Picks

Russell Preston Brown: @dr_brown
Christopher Michel: christophermichel.com | @chris_michel

Jefferson’s Fireworks Video Shown in the Show


Steve Brazill hosts Behind the Shot-Video, a series that goes far beyond gear lists and camera settings. Each conversation is a deep exploration of the creative and technical journey behind compelling images. You’ll hear working photographers unpack the entire process-from the initial spark of an idea and the challenges of the location to the critical decisions made in post-production. This podcast sits at the unique intersection of art and practical technology, offering tangible lessons for anyone looking to improve their visual storytelling. Rather than abstract theory, these discussions provide a real-world look at problem-solving under pressure and the artistic choices that define a signature style. Tune in for honest, detailed breakdowns that reveal how memorable shots are truly built, layer by layer. It’s an essential resource for visual artists seeking both inspiration and actionable knowledge, all grounded in the lived experience of accomplished creators.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 200

Behind the Shot - Video
Podcast Episodes
Better Travel Photography [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:04
To say that I am excited to have Deborah Sandidge on Behind the Shot is an understatement. Deborah is a photographic artist in every sense of the phrase. Specializing in world travel and artistic imagery she creates imag…
Capturing the Slowing of Time [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:48
Today’s guest on Behind the Shot is big deal to me. Ken Lee, along with being an accomplished photographer, is also a regular watcher, or listener, of Behind the Shot. My first recollection of Ken was when he won one of…
39-45: The World War II Portraits Project [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:39
Glyn Dewis. It honestly feels like that’s all I need to say, and you’ll immediately know who I mean. Glyn does so many different things, and they all seem to relate to photography. He’s on YouTube, where he shares his ph…
Photowalks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:55
I first met USA Today’s tech journalist Jefferson Graham the same day I met Frederick Van Johnson. I drove out to watch him record his Talking Tech podcast, which is described on the site as “Your daily consumer tech new…
Tastier Photos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:35
Everybody loves a good meal, and now-a-days it seems like everybody is posting photos of their food, but when food photography is done right you can seemingly taste it. That’s where Freddy Clark comes in. Freddy is a New…
The Aurora and the Night Sky [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:50
If you saw my review on this year’s Photoshop World, the Las Vegas edition, you may remember today’s guest. During that show I mentioned that my favorite part of any conference is the social aspect, the ability to meet s…
Unique Couples Portraits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:04
I often get suggestions for guests from viewers / listeners. When that happens I usually check out the photographer they suggested, and if I think they are a good fit for the show I reach out. Sometimes I hear back, and…
MASK – Documenting Traditional Cultures [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:31
This episode is a huge deal for me. Today on Behind the Shot I get to talk with Chris Rainier, and Chris is the first working National Geographic photographer I have had on the show. As I am writing this, a few days befo…
Sports Photography [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:53
Listen to these numbers, or I guess read them makes more sense… over 35 years as a staff and contract photographer for Sports Illustrated, with over 100 Sports Illustrated covers. That is the resume of Peter Read Miller.…
Wedding Photojournalism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:38
I have been sitting here trying to write this post about my guest and can’t figure out where to start. Do I start with the fact he’s America’s Most Celebrated Wedding Photographer? Or maybe I start with the many TV appea…