How do you go from getting laid off from a brand strategy job in New York City to photographing 50,000 dogs, hitting the New York Times bestseller list, and doing a “panthoot” with Jane Goodall in Central Park?
Welcome to the Forbes Top Creator Show! This week, host Steven Bertoni sits down with Elias, the street photographer and creator better known as The Dogist.
In this episode, Elias breaks down his 13-year journey of putting on knee pads, carrying squeaky toys, and capturing the joy of dogs in a way no one else had. He shares how his project evolved from a “Sartorialist for dogs” concept into a massive, 7-million-follower media brand that brings joy and profound connection to the internet.
Beyond the photos, Elias talks about the power of writing his New York Times best-selling books, what it’s like taking dogs into prisons with the Puppies Behind Bars program, and facilitating a heartwarming meeting between a terminally ill dog named Kygo and the actual DJ Kygo. Finally, Elias shares details on his new “Dogs on YouTube” show featuring celebrities like Bill Murray and Zooey Deschanel, and why fostering in-person community meetups is the future of his brand.
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00:00 Introducing The Dogist
01:08 Photographing 50,000 Dogs in 13 Years
02:41 The Canine Pyramid of Engagement (Puppies & Unique Mutts)
05:39 Knee Pads, Squeaky Toys, and Hustle
11:06 The Business Model: Books and Brand Deals
14:29 The Value of Print in a Digital World
15:58 The Most Moving Dog Stories (Meeting DJ Kygo)
18:30 Puppies Behind Bars & Prison Rehabilitation
19:18 Doing a “Panthoot” with Jane Goodall
24:01 The Dogist’s New Show
25:33 In-Person Meetups & Building Community
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