Photographers and creators Nesrin Danan (@blackprints) and Ralph (@ralphcreates) join Creators on Creators for a brutally honest conversation about the highs, lows, and hidden realities of building a creative career.

From touring with musicians to brand trips with Tommy Hilfiger, Puma, and Cartier, Nesrin shares the pivot that changed everything — and how charging what she’s worth gave her creative freedom back.

Ralph breaks down his journey from sneaker photography to directing brand campaigns, the loneliness of being independent, and the mindset shift that changed how he works with clients.

In this episode:

• Why creative freedom comes with a price — and how to protect it
• The truth about working with big brands and delayed payments
• How to pitch yourself and land dream partnerships
• Why “working for exposure” will keep you broke
• Navigating pay transparency, project-based pricing & negotiating with confidence
• The burnout of constant creation — and how to stay inspired
• What it means to find your community instead of chasing virality
• Being a Black woman in photography & carving out space in a saturated industry
• How authenticity outperforms “perfect” content every time
• 
  

This episode is a masterclass for anyone balancing art and business — packed with real talk, practical advice, and reminders that creative freedom is earned, not given.

Nesrin: @blackprints

Ralph: @ralphcreates

Creators on Creators: @creatorsoncreators

An Ambos Studios Production

Executive Producers:

Rebekah Mithinji

Tati Kapaya

Editor:

Tati Kapaya

Camera:

Rebekah Mithinji

Tati Kapaya

Sound:

Rebekah Mithinji

Tati Kapaya

Location:

Los Angeles, California

Copyright © 2025 Ambos Studios LTD. All Rights Reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when two creators stop chasing views and start building careers?

In this episode, filmmaker and creative director Jay Ford and content creator Tulio Sasaya sit down for an unfiltered conversation about the realities of being a full-time digital creator, from the early thirst-trap days to leading six-figure brand collaborations with global companies like Abobe!

They get brutally honest about the highs, lows, and everything in between:

In this episode:

- The creative hustle of living and working in LA

- How “thirst traps” turned into storytelling & brand partnerships

- Canon USA & Adobe collabs — how they happened and what they paid

- The $55K brand deal that changed Jay Ford's career

- The pressure of social media validation & burnout

- Finding your community and the loneliness that comes with it

- Learning to delegate, manage teams & protect your mental health

This one’s packed with raw insights, unreal stories, and advice every creator, marketer, and freelancer NEEDS to hear.

🎧 Watch or Listen On:

YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music

🔗 Follow the Creators

Jay Ford: @JayFordProductions

Tulio: @TulioSasaya

Creators on Creators: @creatorsoncreators

Ambos Studios Production

Executive Producers:

Rebekah Mithinji

Tati Kapaya

Editor:

Tati Kapaya

Camera:

Rebekah Mithinji

Tati Kapaya

Sound:

Rebekah Mithinji

Tati Kapaya

Location:

Los Angeles, California

Copyright © 2025 Ambos Studios LTD. All Rights Reserved.

SEO Keywords

creator economy, brand deals, content creators, Jay Ford, Tulio, influencer marketing, creator burnout, long-form storytelling, creative process, Canon USA, Adobe collaboration, how to get brand deals, indie creators, social media growth, creator podcast, creative career

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

​ @JackCook (@_hjcook) the 1200 day daily , founder of Hydrant and @NicolasChae (@nicolaschae) filmmaker and Youtuber join Creators on Creators for a raw, relatable and refreshing conversation about what it really takes to grow an audience that actually cares.

From replying to comments and hosting IRL events, to going off-platform with newsletters and long-term partnerships. This episode is a deep dive into the indie creator grind and how to build a loyal community in a world that rewards short attention spans.

In this episode find out:

- Why replying to comments is still the most underrated growth strategy

- How to build real connections with your followers — beyond likes and views

- The difference between followers vs. fans and how to turn one into the other

- Why creators should go off-platform: from newsletters to in-person events

- The reality of staying independent without management

- How to find your people and build your creator network

- The truth about balancing creativity and business as a modern creator

Whether you’re a content creator, influencer, marketer, or just someone curious about the creator economy; this conversation will completely change how you think about audience, connection, and longevity online.

Follow the Creators

Jack Cook :@_hjcook

Nicolas Chae :@nicolaschae

Creators on Creators :@creatorsoncreators

Credits

An Ambos Studios Production

Executive Producers:

Rebekah Mithinji

Tati Kapaya

Editor:

Tati Kapaya

Camera:

Rebekah Mithinji

Tati Kapaya

Sound:

Tati Kapaya

Location:

Los Angeles, California

Copyright © 2025 Ambos Studios LTD. All Rights Reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.