PhotowalksTV Goes National on Scripps News
PhotowalksTV host and Easy Reader contributor Jefferson Graham under the Manhattan Beach Pier.
Jefferson Graham travels up and down the California coast and all over the world producing episodes of his PhotowalksTV travel show. The Manhattan Beach resident offers travel and photo tips. The series has been a popular YouTube mainstay since 2018, attracting nearly 2 million views.
Now, the series has made the move to broadcast TV, airing Saturdays at 5 p.m. PT and Sundays at 3 p.m. ET on Scripps News.
In keeping with his combined interest in journalism and technology, Graham agreed to answer questions posed to him by ChatGPT.
What is PhotowalksTV, and how would you describe it to someone who’s never seen it?
I bring viewers along with me to the most photographable places on the planet, take them on a virtual photowalk, and as Scripps noted in one of its promos for the show, it’s a “travel show with a twist.” I shoot the show on a mobile phone, using the same technology viewers are using, and offer tips on how to get great vacation photos with their phones. No fancy gear is needed.
What is the core message of the show that you hope resonates with viewers?
Get out of the car and take a look around. When we zip by, there is so much beauty that we just don’t see. We need to take a few breaths and look around, whether that’s in our own neighborhoods, or visiting great places like Paris, Barcelona and Sicily, which PhotowalksTV has covered. The best places to see aren’t the standard tourist fare, but the hidden gems on the sidestreets.
Jefferson Graham with a Huckleberry Ice Cream sandwich, made in Montana by Wilcoxson’s Ice Cream
With the show airing weekly on Scripps News, how will the format differ from your YouTube series?
It’s now a full, half-hour TV show, in three segments, 11 minutes, 7 minutes and 4 minutes, with commercial breaks in-between. The first two segments are the virtual photowalks, with the last segment purely devoted to smartphone photo tips. I love the new look.
How do you decide which locations to feature in your episodes?
A lot of it has been places I wanted to go, as I document the world’s greatest hits. I also shoot the show, myself, on a phone and other mobile devices, so a lot of it has to do with what I can do as a “solo” creator, and where I can drive to. I’ve covered every city in the South Bay, and almost every coastal town in Southern and Northern California, from Imperial Beach, San Diego and Oceanside to the Orange County cities, all of the Central Coast, San Francisco and Mendocino, as well as key spots in every western state, Ohio, Florida, Georgia and Hawaii.
What are some of the most memorable or challenging places you’ve filmed for PhotowalksTV?
Speaking of San Francisco, you can’t top what happened there. I was filming, addressing the camera, and I watched a kid run up to me with a big grin on his face, grab my camera, microphone and tripod, throw it in his getaway car and drive away. At the time, I was shooting on a big Sony camera worth over $5,000. After that experience, I switched to the iPhone. Less conspicuous, and the quality is great.
Which locations will we see on the first season of shows on Scripps?
Los Angeles, Sicily, Japan’s Kansai region, Big Sur and the Oregon Coast.
What’s one of the most useful photography tips or tricks that you regularly share with your audience during the show?
I start with common sense. Many people have terrible looking phone pictures, and they don’t have to be, due to one simple reason. Their lenses are dirty. The phones rustle in their pocket or purses are get filthy. They need to clean them off with a cloth. They also need to show up to a shoot with the battery at full power and check their storage to make sure they have room to get great photos.
What advice would you give to aspiring travel photographers or YouTubers who want to follow in your footsteps?
Do it. You don’t need a gatekeeper giving you permission to make your video. With any smartphone, you can make great quality video. You can edit with free programs for the computer like Apple’s iMovie or CapCut, or you could edit on your phone with CapCut and other programs. Don’t wait for people to give you the go-ahead. I’ve produced over 100 episodes of my show, by myself, mostly on the phone. If I can do it, anyone can.
Do you plan to maintain a presence on YouTube alongside the TV series?
Yes, episodes still air on YouTube, but future ones will be longer, half-hours, as I really like the format. You can also see the show on Amazon Prime Video, The Roku Channel and Tubi.
Are there any dream locations you’d like to feature in future episodes?
Cuba, Mexico City and Mexico’s San Miguel de Allende. I really hope to get there in 2025. Plus more of Italy, including Venice and Cinque Terre, even though they’re overrun with tourists. I just know I could do a good job of getting up really early and showing the beauty of the places. I’d also love to return to some of my favorite places for a second look, including Cannon Beach in Oregon, Tijuana (yes, Tijuana) and Taos, New Mexico.