Feeling Like a Fraud Doesn’t Make You One, Says Photographer Emiliano Zúñiga Hernández
Feeling Like a Fraud Doesn’t Make You One, Says Photographer Emiliano Zúñiga Hernández  
Podcast: The MOOD Podcast
Published On: Thu Oct 29 2026
Description: In this episode I’m joined by Emiliano Zúñiga Hernández, a Costa Rican photographer whose photobook Paraíso, published by Trespasser in 2023, grew out of one of the hardest chapters of his life. We talk about the healing community he helped to build in the hills of Costa Rica, how it fell apart, and how photography gave him his purpose back when depression had taken it away. Emiliano opens up about feeling like a fraud, the question at the Chico Review that changed how he saw his own work, and why he believes the most meaningful photography comes from knowing yourself rather than from pain.If your photographs feel like they’re circling something you can’t yet name, this conversation might show you why honest work comes from knowing yourself, not from suffering.Other things we discussed:The question that started it all: what would your life look like with no obstacles?Who am I, what am I doing, where am I: the 3 questions he still asks every dayGiving a ride to a barefoot stranger who became his mentorTurning down Trespasser, and how it still led to the bookEditing Paraíso in Paradise Valley with Bryan Schutmaat, Matthew Genitempo and Harrison MillerShooting intuitively, before you know what the story isA daily practice of 3 questions and 3 gratitudesHis new project photographing strangers while they sleepEmiliano’s links:https://www.instagram.com/emilianozunigah/https://trespasser.co/shop/paraisoMessage me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!Support the show_________________________________Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. Join The Community - extended episodes & bonus featureshttps://www.mattjacob.co/insidersThe App That Transformed My Art & Mindhttps://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965Website:https://themoodpodcast.comSocials:IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay