Listening Versus Hearing and Looking Versus Seeing with Rick Sammon

Ever wonder how the rhythm of music can shape a photographer’s vision? On this episode, a renowned photographer and lifelong musician shares how his creative paths have always been intertwined, revealing lessons and stories that just might change how you see (and hear) the world.

Rick Sammon, a photographer, musician, author of 43 books, and educator, joins me to explore the profound connections between music and photography.

From dreaming of jamming with Santana to studying composition at Berklee College of Music, Rick Sammon’s creative journey started with music before photography took center stage. He talks about growing up with a TV-director father, discovering photography through chance publication, and his enduring passion for both guitar and camera. Rick dives into lessons learned at Woodstock, how music reorganized his approach to seeing, and why his bestselling book has no pictures at all. We also explore healthy living, inspiration, and why sometimes "imitating is one of the best ways to create."

“There's a big difference between listening and hearing... In photography there's a big difference between looking and seeing.” – Rick Sammon

Rock with Rick

• ricksammon.com
• instagram.com/ricksammonphotography
• Rick's music room
• Rick's books
• Harey Benson
• Chordify
• Steal Like an Artist

The tour

• (00:00) - Rick Sammon
• (01:25) - Learning Guitar and Early Experiences
• (02:57) - Berklee College of Music
• (04:58) - Combining Music and Visual Arts
• (08:03) - Defining Moments in Music
• (10:29) - Transition to Photography
• (18:00) - Woodstock Memories and Reflections
• (19:37) - Dream Bands to Jam With
• (23:03) - The Art of Listening and Seeing
• (29:09) - Health and Inspiration in Photography
• (31:38) - Musical Playlists for Creativity

Note: In this episode I mention seeing a show from Stevie Ray Vaughan at Berklee. I was incorrect. It was actually Steve Vai.

This episode of Lenses & Lyrics is brought to you by Imagen and Flodesk. Work smarter not harder with the best photo selection, photo editing and email marketing tools available for your photography businesses.