In the past few decades, technology has taken over the way we live our lives. From the books that we read to news we receive, the way we consume media has been changed forever. But recently, there’s been a movement to return to the analogue. Whether it’s vinyl records, DVDs, or even newspapers – the demand for physical media is growing.

Creators and storytellers across the nation are meeting that growing need by making new and interesting physical content of their own. Christopher Payne is doing just that with his publication Fine Print.

Christopher Payne is a graphic artist turned publisher, turning out Fine Print, a literary and arts newspaper based in Baton Rouge with contributors across the country and around the world

Christopher grew up in a small town in California named Cherry Valley near the Mojave Desert. While living there, he honed his skills as an artist, producing art that focuses on what he describes as, “nature viewed through a distorted lens”.

After finding artistic success in exhibits, on magazine covers, and having artworks placed in movies and TV shows – and after living in LA and Austin – a new job search led Christopher to Baton Rouge four years ago. Now he leads his Fine Print team across the nation from here in the capital city.

It goes without saying that the news has had one foot out the door of the physical medium for years now. This has caused magazines, newspapers and newsletters to have to make moves to stay alive. One of the main things you’ll see them doing is establishing a strong internet presence to make sure their readers can get their news anywhere and everywhere. Ivory Payne is no stranger to this evolution. Ivory is a graphic artist and the publisher of theBaton Rouge Weekly Press, a paper that started life 47 years ago and today has a significant internet presence – though Ivory still prints physical issues for those traditionalists who want it.

Ivory Payne is a graphic artist turned publisher, turning out books and the Baton Rouge Weekly Press, a newspaper with a 45 year history founded by his father, Bishop Ivory Payne

Ivory says the paper has a circulation of around 60,000, which, per capita, makes it one of the most well-read local papers in the country.

Ivory was born and raised here in Baton Rouge but spent much of his working career in Ohio. He came back home in 2016. Back here he wears many hats, including President of the Louisiana Black Publishers and Media Association, assistant pastor at the Greater New Birth Full Gospel Fellowship, and publisher of a bi-annual coffee table book about African American leaders who make a positive impact in their communities, called Leaders Publications.

Ivory Payne, Oscar Tickle, Christopher Payne, Out to Lunch at Mansurs On The Boulevard

It’s clear to see that these two Paynes don’t just share the same name, they’re two sides of the same coin. On the heads side of the Payne coin, Ivory is keeping the public informed through one publication and highlighting innovators with another. On the tails side, Christopher is using his skills and talent to lift up others’ work as well.

Ivory and Christopher are both very passionate about what they do and that’s important: If it weren’t for organizations like theirs, physical mediums would surely phase out of existence.

Oscar Tickle sits in for Stephanie Riegel as the host of this of this edition of Out to Lunch at Mansurs on the Boulevard in Baton Rouge

Oscar Tickle sits in for Stephanie Riegel on this episode of Out to Lunch, recorded live over lunch at Mansurs on the Boulevard. Photos by Ian Ledo and Miranda Albarez.

Mansurs famous Cedar Plank Redfish is a favorite of guests on Out to Lunch, including Mr. Payne and Mr. Payne who both ordered it