Shutter Trails Podcast

Australian landscape photographer, educator and Landscape Photography World Podcast host Grant Swinbourne joins Drake for a wide-ranging conversation about photography, creativity and life behind the camera. Grant shares how photography grew from a childhood fascination with film into a lifelong creative pursuit, why Australia's coastlines and wild landscapes continue to inspire him, and how h...

Landscape photographer? Wildlife photographer? Portrait photographer? Wedding photographer? Viktoria Haack would probably rather not choose. In this episode of the Shutter Trails Podcast, I sit down with the British Columbia photographer, educator and Nikon Ambassador to talk about a career built on curiosity, observation and a refusal to be confined to a single photographic genre. Viktoria shares...

Steve Brazill has spent over 40 years in radio and is one of today's most respected concert photographers, but the lessons he shares go far beyond photographing musicians on stage. In this episode of  Shutter Trails , Steve explains why the best photographers learn from every genre. Through a series of remarkable images—including concert photography, landscapes, aerial photography, astrophotog...

Australian nightscape photographer, Richard Tatti, joins Drake on Shutter Trails to share his remarkable journey from the first time he photographed the stars to becoming one of the world's leading educators in Milky Way photography. Richard discusses the evolution of nightscape photography, his YouTube channel with more than 300 instructional videos, creative lighting techniques, image blendi...

In this quick Trail Marker episode, Drake talks about what a photography project is, or could be and some reasons why you should try one.

In this episode of Shutter Trails, Drake sits down with landscape and outdoor photographer Fiona McLean, who splits her time between Scotland and Canada. Fiona shares her incredible journey—from discovering photography in Sedona over 25 years ago to leaving a career in sustainable transport due to burnout and rediscovering purpose through the camera. They dive into:🌄 How travel and nature photogr...

In this Trail Marker episode of Shutter Trails, Drake talks about something every photographer faces sooner or later — falling into a creative rut. When photography starts to feel repetitive, uninspiring, or more like a chore than an adventure, how do you rediscover that spark? Drake shares personal experiences with landscape, street, and nature photography, along with practical ways to break out...

In this episode of the Shutter Trails Podcast, Drake sits down with Vancouver Island photographer Pascale from Photo Rando to explore her unique journey through photography—from childhood inspiration to professional teaching and award-winning creative work. Pascale shares how her father’s photography sparked her passion at a young age, and how personal challenges—including his illness—shaped her a...

In this Trail Marker episode of the Shutter Trails podcast, Drake explores the power of leading lines in photography. He discusses how natural and man-made lines—such as trails, rivers, roads, branches, and architectural elements—can guide a viewer’s eye through an image, create depth, and strengthen composition. Drake also shares practical tips for finding and using leading lines in the field, al...

In this episode of  Shutter Trails , I sit down with Colorado-based landscape photographer, adventurer, educator, and podcast host  Matt Payne . Matt is the creator of the long-running photography podcast  F-Stop Collaborate and Listen , co-founder of the  Natural Landscape Photography Awards , and an accomplished mountaineer who has climbed the  100 highest peaks in Colorado . His passion for adv...

In this short episode, I tell you how to prepare for photography on a rainy day and why it's a great time to shoot. You get some tips to keep your gear dry as well as things that can take your wet weather photography to a higher level.

In this episode of Shutter Trails, I sit down with nature photographers Dave & Kelly Hutchison to talk about their journey from creative partnership to publishing a bestselling Vancouver Island photography book. We explore:• How Dave transitioned from hobbyist to professional landscape photographer;• Kelly’s path into forest therapy and how it influences her creative writing• The process of se...

In this short episode, I talk about some common reasons your photos may have a flat feel, even though when you were there, the scene was beautiful. I'll also give some tips to help improve your shots, so that you can add depth to them and make them feel more immersive.

In this episode, I discuss various aspects of planning a photography trip, from a short day trip to a long excursion. I take you through the way I planned for a recent trip to the north end of Vancouver Island, and then show you how my plans worked out.

This Trail Marker episode is a little longer, but it is worth it as I discuss a large topic: Rainforest Photography. I'll let you know some techniques and tips that work well in challenging conditions, so you can enjoy being on the forest trail with your camera.

Welcome to the premier episode of the Shutter Trails podcast. Sit back and relax, or bring this episode along with you as you wander the trails with your camera. In this episode, you'll learn more about your host, Drake, and how he came to create this podcast. It's aimed at anyone who has a love for the outdoors and photography. The episode presents the philosophy that will be followed as...

This is the first short 'Trail Marker' episode of Shutter Trails, the podcast all about outdoor photography. It's a brief intro into what the podcast is all about and where we're headed. The first full episode will be posted on 7 January 2026. I hope you enjoy following the Shutter Trails podcast to some great interviews and photography talk!