Podcast appearances and mentions of stephen shames

Stephen Shames – A Legendary Documentary Photographer (Part 2)

Stephen Shames: A Lifetime in Photography – Lessons on Social Documentary, the Black Panthers, and Child Poverty (Part 1) Introduction In the latest episode of “10 Frames per Second,” host Molly & Joe interview legendary American photojournalist Stephen Shames. Over a 50‑year career, Shames has documented everything from the Black Panther Party to child poverty in America, testifying before the U.S. Senate and publishing twelve monographs. If you're a photographer, journalist, activist, or anyone who cares about visual storytelling, this interview is a goldmine. Below we break down the most actionable takeaways, organize them into easy‑to‑read sections, and show you how to apply Shames's methods to your own work. Who Is Stephen Shames? Fact Detail Profession Photojournalist & documentary photographer Career span 50+ years (1960s‑present) Focus Social issues – child poverty, racism, civil rights Notable achievements Testified before the U.S. Senate (1986), 42 museum collections, 12 monographs (e.g., Power to the People, Outside the Dream), new book Stephen Shames – A Lifetime in Photography – Purchase Directly with Autograph and Print from Stephen via eBay HERE Key collaborations Black Panther leader Bobby Seale, New York Times reporter Earl Caldwell, various grassroots organizations How Stephen Shames Discovered Photography College activism – While studying at UC Berkeley during the 1960s, he witnessed the civil‑rights movement and anti‑Vietnam protests. First camera purchase – After hitch‑hiking to New York's East Village, he bought a camera at a pawn shop. Choosing the “artist of the movement” – Frustrated by student‑government politics, he decided to capture the larger picture rather than be a “politician.” “I just wanted to look at the big picture and try and move people with photography.” Working with the Black Panther Party Why the Panthers Accepted a White Photographer Shared goals – Economic and social justice, not just race. Pragmatism – Panthers needed allies outside the Black community to build coalitions (Peace & Freedom Party, Young Lords, Young Patriots). Personal connection – Bobby Seale liked Shames's images and invited him to use them in the Panther newspaper. Key Facts About the Panthers (From the Interview) Founded: October 1966 (initially ~20 members). National expansion: Post‑1968, 10,000+ members, 50‑60 chapters. Community programs: “Breakfast for School Children,” feeding 10,000+ kids daily. Self‑defense model: Legal gun ownership (California) + law books; later, they shifted to “cameras are better weapons.” Lesson for Photographers Build trust by aligning with a group's mission, not merely your identity. Stephen Shames Research‑First Approach “Journalism is two‑dimensional; you need to experience the culture you want to document.” Steps to Deep‑Dive Research Read nonfiction – History, journalism, policy reports. Read fiction – Novels written by members of the community. Listen to music – Understand emotional tone and cultural references. Watch movies / documentaries – Visual language and storytelling cues. Live the bubble – Immerse yourself in daily life, food, rituals. Why It Matters Breaks the “bubble” of your own biases. Helps anticipate reactions and capture authentic moments. Stephen Shames on Building Trust & Relationships Core Principles Honesty: Be transparent about your intent. Respect: Never mock or look down on subjects (e.g., drug addicts, police). Reciprocity: Offer subjects control—let them tell you when to stop. Presence: Stay physically in the community (sleep on sofas, eat meals together). Practical Tactics Find a community “gatekeeper.” Example: a nun from Catholic Social Services who introduced Shames to Chicago projects. Sit down for a conversation before shooting – explain the project, listen to concerns. Share your work later (photos, stories) to reinforce the relationship. “If you're honest, people will accept you, even if you're a ‘liberal New York Jew.'” Bullet‑Point Checklist Identify and contact a respected local figure or organization. Explain your project in plain language. Offer a clear “opt‑out” for subjects. Spend time off‑camera – meals, conversations, errands. Follow up after the shoot with thank‑you notes or shared images. Cameras vs. Guns: The Evolution of “Weapons” 1960s‑70s: Panthers used firearms legally to patrol police. Today: Shames notes that cameras and smartphones are the most powerful weapons for exposing injustice. Why the shift? Legal restrictions on open carry. Instant global distribution of visual evidence. “The camera is a much better weapon because it puts the story directly in front of the world.” Lessons for Modern Photographers Insight How to Apply Research beyond headlines Read novels, watch local films, listen to playlists from the community. Immerse, don't observe from a distance Stay in the neighborhood for days or weeks, not just a single shoot. Earn trust through honesty Share your intent, give subjects a “stop” word, and be transparent about usage. Leverage community allies Partner with NGOs, churches, or trusted locals to gain entry. Think of yourself as a “doctor,” not a “tourist” Your presence should be accepted as part of the environment, not an intrusion. Use the camera as an activist tool Publish work on platforms that reach decision‑makers, not just art galleries. Document, don't dictate Let subjects tell their own story; avoid imposing your narrative. Why Shames's Story Matters Today Media fragmentation & AI‑generated images: Shames emphasizes that authentic, verified photography is more vital than ever. Social justice resurgence: The same patterns of protest, police scrutiny, and grassroots organizing repeat across generations. Educational relevance: Teachers can use Shames's methods to teach research, empathy, and ethical storytelling. Conclusion Stephen Shames's career shows that powerful photography comes from empathy, rigorous research, and deep community ties. Whether you're documenting the modern Black Lives Matter movement, child poverty, or any social issue, the principles he shares—exit your bubble, build trust, and let the camera speak—remain timeless. Ready to start your own documentary project? Apply the checklist above, stay authentic, and remember: your camera can change policy just as much as any courtroom testimony. Call to Action Start a research journal today for the community you wish to photograph. Subscribe to our blog for more interviews with visionary photojournalists. Share this post with classmates, activists, or anyone interested in visual storytelling. Steve is represented by: Amar Gallery, London, UK (vintage & contemporary art prints Steven Kasher Gallery, New York (vintage & contemporary art prints Polaris Images, New York (editorial & stock) _____ child poverty, Black Panther Party, civil rights movement, Vietnam War, documentary photography, social justice, racism, university protests, student government, activism, police brutality, COINTELPRO, gun control, media ownership, AI-generated deepfakes, fake news, community immersion, research methodology, cultural immersion, trust building, ethics in photography, hunger crisis, farm crisis, poverty in America, Senate testimony, camera as weapon, Rainbow Coalition, Young Lords, political coalitions, storytelling through imagesThe post Episode 175: Stephen Shames (Documentary Photography) Part 1 first appeared on 10FPS A Photojournalism Podcast for Everyone.

Over 50 years ago, three siblings had their picture taken by official Black Panther Party photographer Stephen Shames. Now, that photo is on a wall at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. The quest to ID the photo started after it was put on display.

Through June of this year, Boston's Museum of Fine Arts is displaying 27 previously unseen images taken by Stephen Shames of the women at the heart of the Black Panther Party. WBUR Reporter Arielle Gray set out to review the exhibit, titled Comrade Sisters: Women of the Black Panther Party, and was struck by one photo in particular -- it shows a group of four unnamed teenage Black Panther volunteers, three girls and one boy, taken right here in Boston. Today on The Common, Arielle tells us about how she managed find the young people in the photo and what she learned about their experiences with the Boston chapter of the Black Panther Party. Greater Boston's daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Alicia Garza welcomes back legendary human rights activist, Black Panther leader and former political prisoner, Ericka Huggins. Garza asks Huggins about the inspiration behind the book, Comrade Sisters: Women of the Black Panther Party, which she created with photographer Stephen Shames. Garza's latest roundup focuses on fleeing white nationalists, the Tennessee Three, 45's indictments, and Arkansas trying to ban AP African American studies.Lady Garza returns with a brand new #LadysLoveNote on making the most of your solo time.Lady Don't Take No on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube & TikTokAlicia Garza on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube & TikTok * Do you have a question for Lady's Love Notes? Seeking advice on love/romance/relationships? CLICK HERE to send Lady Garza your question, and she may read it on the show! This pod is supported by the Black Futures LabProduction by Phil SurkisTheme music: "Lady Don't Tek No" by LatyrxAlicia Garza founded the Black Futures Lab to make Black communities powerful in politics. She is the co-creator of #BlackLivesMatter and the Black Lives Matter Global Network, an international organizing project to end state violence and oppression against Black people. Garza serves as the Strategy & Partnerships Director for the National Domestic Workers Alliance. She is the co-founder of Supermajority, a new home for women's activism. Alicia was recently named to TIME's Annual TIME100 List of the 100 Most Influential People in the World, alongside her BLM co-founders Opal Tometi and Patrisse Cullors. She is the author of the critically acclaimed book, The Purpose of Power: How We Come Together When We Fall Apart (Penguin Random House),  and she warns you -- hashtags don't start movements. People do. 

In celebration of the new book Comrade Sisters: Women of the Black Panther Party, three women — Judy Juanita, Madalynn Rucker and Ericka Huggins — discuss their time with the Black Panther Party at a UC Berkeley event in October 2022. "I knew that my big purpose was to learn how to love because I was raised in a community that was not loved," says Ericka Huggins, who co-authored Comrade Sisters with photographer Stephen Shames and was director of Oakland Community School led by the Black Panther Party. "I could see the impact on the future generation's understanding that I came from a generation that didn't have what we were offering. And it worked."Read a transcript and listen to the episode on Berkeley News.Music by Blue Dot Sessions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

City Lights joins Ericka Huggins and Stephen Shames with Katherine Campbell and Judy Juanita Hart in celebrating the launch for the publication of "Comrade Sisters: Women of the Black Panther Party" with photographs by Stephen Shames
, text by Ericka Huggins, and published by ACC Art Books. This live event took place in Kerouac Alley, between City Lights and Vesuvio Cafe, and was hosted by Peter Maravelis. You can purchase copies of "Comrade Sisters: Women of the Black Panther Party" directly from City Lights here: https://citylights.com/art-hardcover/sister-comrade/ Ericka Huggins is an educator, Black Panther Party member, former political prisoner, human rights advocate, and poet. For 50 years, Ericka has used her life experiences in service to community. From 1973-1981, she was director of the Black Panther Party's Oakland Community School. From 1990-2004 Ericka managed HIV/AIDS Volunteer and Education programs. She also supported innovative mindfulness programs for women and youth in schools, jails and prisons. Ericka was professor of Sociology and African American Studies from 2008 through 2015 in the Peralta Community College District. From 2003 to 2011 she was professor of Women and Gender Studies at California State Universities- East Bay and San Francisco. Ericka is a Racial Equity Learning Lab facilitator for WORLD TRUST Educational Services. She curates conversations focused on the individual and collective work of becoming equitable in all areas of our daily lives. Additionally, she facilitates workshops on the benefit of self care in sustaining social change. Stephen Shames has authored over 10 monographs, and his images are in the permanent collections of 40 museums and foundations. His work is dedicated to promoting social change, and sharing the stories of those who are frequently overlooked by society. His previous monographs include "Power to the People: The World of the Black Panthers" coauthored with Bobby Seale (Abrams, 2016) and "The Black Panthers" (Aperture, 2006). With the complete trust of the Black Panther Party, Shames took intimate, behind-the-scenes photographs that fully portrayed Party members' lives. This marks his third photo book about the Black Panthers and includes many never before published images. Katherine Campbell was born in Sacramento, California, and grew up with a strong foundation of Christianity and a belief in serving the people. She joined the Black Panther Party because it had the same commitment to serve the people. She started by working in the Free Breakfast Program and, later, with the BPP newspaper and other programs. Campbell served as a nutritionist at the Oakland Community School and she still serves the people through community leadership building as a community specialist and through creating breakfast for schoolchildren programs in the San Francisco Bay Area. Judy Juanita is a novelist, poet, and essayist. Her poetry collection, "Manhattan my ass, you're in Oakland," won the American Book Award in 2021. Her semi-autobiographical novel, "Virgin Soul," was published by Viking (2013;) its protagonist joins the Black Panther Party in the sixties in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her collection of short stories, "The High Price of Freeways," won the 2021 Tartt Fiction Award is published in 2022. Her poem “Bling” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2012. Her essay, “The Gun as Performance Poem,” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2014. She teaches writing at University of California, Berkeley. This event was made possible by support from the City Lights Foundation: citylights.com/foundation

Thursday, October 13th on Urban Forum Northwest: Hall of Fame Player, Coach, and Human Being Lenny Wilkens comments on the honor of having spaces in the Othello Station Odessa Brown Children's Clinic named for him. Linda Thompson-Black, Northwest Area Development Director, United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Clarence Williams, President, Northwest Retired Firefighters Dr. Marcia Tate-Arunga, Academic Dean, Evergreen State College, Tacoma Campus invites you to her campus for Erica Huggins and Stephen Shames book presentation “Comrade Sisters: Women of the Black Panther Party”

Thursday, October 13th on Urban Forum Northwest: Hall of Fame Player, Coach, and Human Being Lenny Wilkens comments on the honor of having spaces in the Othello Station Odessa Brown Children's Clinic named for him. Linda Thompson-Black, Northwest Area Development Director, United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Clarence Williams, President, Northwest Retired Firefighters Dr. Marcia Tate-Arunga, Academic Dean, Evergreen State College, Tacoma Campus invites you to her campus for Erica Huggins and Stephen Shames book presentation “Comrade Sisters: Women of the Black Panther Party”

As two films focus on the 1960s political group, Matt Chorley speaks to the Black Panthers' photographer Stephen Shames about how the organisation was born, and how many racial injustices still exist today.PLUS: Finkelvitch - Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch on the politics of sport. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Deuxième partie de notre épisode sur le Black Panther Party. Comme vous l'entendrez, les idées et actions de ce parti révolutionnaire lui ont valu la guerre totale des Etats-Unis. Et jusqu'à aujourd'hui puisque Mumia Abu-Jamal risque actuellement de mourir en prison tandis qu'une récompense de 2 millions de dollars est offerte pour la capture d'Assata Shakur. Références :Musique: Revolutionary warfare, Nas; Can you see the pride in the panther, Tupac feat Mos DefPodcasts: "Assata: une autobiographie" par Apres La Première page; "Emory Douglas, l'artiste combattant du Black Panther Party" par Cases Rebelles; "The murder of George Jackson" par The freedom archives, "The Attica rebellion" par The freedom archives; Parler d'Assata Shakur avec Cases Rebelles par La revanche des ZherissonsLivres:Black Panthers (photos), Stephen Shames, éditions La Martiniere, 2006We want freedom, une vie dans le parti des Black Panthers, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Le temps des cerises, 2006All power to the people, textes et discours des Black Panthers, Philip S. Foner, éditions Syllepse, 2016 (première édition anglaise 1970)Assata: une autobiographie, Assata Shakur, éditions Premiers Matins de Novembre, 2018 (première publication en anglais en 1988)Films:Judas and the black messiah, Shaka King, 2021Black Panthers: vanguard of the revolution, Stanley Nelson, 2015. VF disponible sur Arte en streaming gratuit jusqu'en octobre 2021The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975, Göran Olsson, 2011. VO en streaming gratuit disponible (anglais) et VOST en français ici.Black Panthers, Agnes Varda, 1968Travail du collectif Cases Rebelles (que nous remercions): Entretien avec Emory Douglas (2014), Lowndes County Freedom Party: a l'origine de la panthère (2016), Une conversation entre Ericka Huggins et Yuri Kochiyama (traduction 2017, interview 2009), San Francisco 504: a l'intersection des luttes handies et noires (2014), George Jackson et Les Frères de Soledad (2014), Une brève histoire des Polynesian Panthers (2015), Mon enfance dans le Black Panther Party (2016) Voir Acast.com/privacy pour les informations sur la vie privée et l'opt-out.

#22 Black Panthers: une révolution noire pour la justiceNouvel épisode de notre rubrique révolution. Nous renversons ici les clichés qui montrent que les Black Panthers comme des hommes noirs glamour mais violents, idéalistes et qui ont mal fini, pendant une époque révolutionnaire romantique mais bien révolue. Composé en majorité de femmes, ce parti a réussi à révolter la majorité noire pauvre des ghettos Etats-Uniens et la jeunesse blanche contre le pouvoir du pays le plus puissant du monde. Et comme vous l'entendrez, c'est pour cela qu'il reste une menace aujourd'hui. Bonne écoute!Références :Musique: (For God's sake) Give more power to the people!, The Chi-Lites, The ghetto, Donny Hathaway, Panther power, Paris Livres: Black Panthers (photos), Stephen Shames, éditions La Martiniere, 2006We want freedom, une vie dans le parti des Black Panthers, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Le temps des cerises, 2006All power to the people, textes et discours des Black Panthers, Philip S. Foner, éditions Syllepse, 2016 (première édition anglaise 1970)Films:Judas and the black messiah, Shaka King, 2021Black Panthers: vanguard of the revolution, Stanley Nelson, 2015. VF disponible sur Arte en streaming gratuit jusqu'en octobre 2021The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975, Göran Olsson, 2011. VO en streaming gratuit disponible (anglais) et VOST en français ici.Black Panthers, Agnes Varda, 1968Travail du collectif Cases Rebelles (que nous remercions): Entretien avec Emory Douglas (2014), Lowndes County Freedom Party: a l'origine de la panthère (2016), Une conversation entre Ericka Huggins et Yuri Kochiyama (traduction 2017, interview 2009), San Francisco 504: a l'intersection des luttes handies et noires (2014), George Jackson et Les Frères de Soledad (2014), Une brève histoire des Polynesian Panthers (2015), Mon enfance dans le Black Panther Party (2016) Voir Acast.com/privacy pour les informations sur la vie privée et l'opt-out.

Zeiss Full Exposure is a podcast that brings you the people who impact the worlds of photography, videography and cinematography. Interviews, tips, and gear reviews. Our guest today is Stephen Shames, a 50-year veteran who creates award-winning photo essays on social issues for foundations, advocacy organizations, the media, and museums. • Author of ten monographs. • Steve’s images are in the permanent collections of 30 museums and foundations. • Outside the Dream won numerous awards including the Kodak Crystal Eagle Award for Impact in Photojournalism. • 2008 bus shelter and subway ads for the NYC DADS campaign of the City of New York received a Pollie award from American Association of Political Consultants. Learn more at https://stephenshames.com/ Follow our show on Instagram @zeiss_fullexposure Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the full video version at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfYuM0IWSVTCQQ9nUsD6Yfg To learn more about Zeiss lenses, visit https://www.zeiss.com/camera-lenses/us/home.html

Zeiss Full Exposure brings you the people that impact the world of photography and videography. Hosted by veteran photographer and filmmaker, Jim Kamp. This week, Part Two of our interview with Stephen Shames.

The year 1968 was a momentous and turbulent year throughout the world: from the Prague Spring and the riots at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, to the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Robert F Kennedy, to the Tet offensive and the surprise victory of Richard Nixon (possibly the most normal thing that […]

Rencontre entre Olivier Sergent, directeur des Maisons Folie de Lille et Pascal Therme autour de l'exposition "Power the People The Black Panthers" de Stephen Shames.

Be aware: This podcast contains language some may find offensive. Bobby Seale stopped by the J-school right before the fiftieth anniversary of the day he and co-founder Huey P. Newton started the Black Panther Party for Self Defense. Mr. Seale shared stories of his experiences as a social justice leader during that tumultuous time, and some of the events that led up to drafting the Black Panthers' Ten-Point Program. He recently co-authored the book Power to the People: The World of the Black Panthers with photographer Stephen Shames.

Stephen Shames talks about his photoessay about a group of Bronx Boys in the 1970's.