Next Frame: From Boxing Rings to Media Stages with Josh Nass

The photo world is filled with remarkable young and up-and-coming talents. They often don’t get the visibility they deserve, so we created Next Frame—a new monthly series aiming to shine a light their way. These bite-sized episodes are equally inspired by the guests we speak with and the invaluable contributions of local creative arts programs that have played a key role in their development.

Above Photograph © Josh Nass

We’re launching this series with photographer, filmmaker, and boxing & music aficionado Josh Nass, an alumnus of Baltimore’s Wide Angle Youth Media programs. From nailing his Photoshop skills while still in middle school to trading in his boxing gloves for a camera during college and beyond, Josh regales us with practical tips about both the successes and challenges all young creatives must face as they transition from trading pictures for access to molding media skills into a profitable career.

Looking back on his early days chasing both music and fashion scenes, Josh notes, “Your main role as a photographer—especially with talent and famous people—you know, I thought I was just making them look cool, but I'm making them money. I'm marketing them for their next tour, for their current tour. Looking back, I've learned a thing or two about how to get users’ attention online.”

Guest: Josh Nass

Episode Timeline:

• 2:04: Baltimore/DC-based photographer Josh Nass talks about first picking up a camera to fill his time after hanging up his boxing gloves.

• 3:40: Leveraging social media to get on stage and photograph his favorite Caribbean singer, then trading free pictures for ongoing access.

• 7:25: Navigating one’s comfort level as an up-and-coming photographer, plus making a distinction between comfort with gear and social ease with subjects and clients.

• 9:08: Making pictures of cool moments, creative editing decisions to draw out the cool factor, and being first to deliver the files are all key to Josh’s success.

• 14:02: Street hustling at New York Fashion Week to gain access to photograph top artists and celebrities, and the tough lessons Josh learned in the process.

• 19:06: Josh’s connection to Baltimore’s Wide Angle Youth Media and the formative role their programs have played in his early photography success.

• 22:50: Being referred by Wide Angle for a Comcast commercial, and the backstory to what transpired behind-the-scenes.

• 29:49: Josh weighs future career options and whether he’ll choose to pursue photography full time.

• 35:40: Essential advice for emerging photographers: Prioritize building your skills and don’t overvalue your work early on. Plus, a look at Josh’s first big paid gig for a Keke Palmer concert and marketing campaign.

Guest Bio:

Josh Nass is a Baltimore/DC-based freelance photographer and a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he’s pursuing a bachelor’s degree in information science. As a high school graduate of The Baltimore School for the Arts and a participant Baltimore’s Wide Angle Youth Media non-profit, he’s honed his subject-based style to give each of his shoots, whether its celebrities, musicians, athletes, or models, a unique “wow” factor.

Host: Derek Fahsbender

Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman

Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein

Executive Producer: Richard Stevens