Jared Moody on Seeing Sneakers Through a Different Lens

Mike sits down with Jared Moody, photo manager at Sneaker Politics and one of the most compelling sneaker photographers in the game right now, for a Coffee Time Kicks conversation that goes well beyond gear and technique. They get into how Moody came up through Nike Basketball fandom and high school sneaker culture, what made the KD 4 a turning point, and how photography became its own obsession alongside sneakers. Moody breaks down his research process before a shoot, why emotional connection is the thing he's always chasing, how he builds comfort with models before he ever picks up a camera, and what he does differently when he's shooting for Sneaker Politics versus Sneaker News. The back half of the conversation is some of the realest advice you'll hear about building a creative career. Don't chase the numbers. Do the work. Let the art carry you. Timestamps 00:00 Intro and Rockin' & Coppin' 02:57 How Moody got into sneakers 05:59 When photography became a passion 09:01 Building the craft through self-education 11:57 Emotional connection and creative inspiration 15:01 Preparation and research before a shoot 18:24 Storytelling as the core of the work 21:15 Building trust with models 24:45 Event photography and community 27:35 Shooting for brands and keeping creative freedom 32:46 Advice for up and coming photographers Find Jared: @JaredAMoody on all platforms Sneaker Politics: sneakerpolitics.com | Dallas store New episodes of the Sneaker History Podcast drop regularly