Photo Chat with Matt

After a few really busy weeks shooting weddings, I've realised something... I'm genuinely excited about photography again. In this episode, I wanted to chat about where that inspiration has come from because it definitely wasn't one big thing. It was lots of small things that all came together. Watching Toy Story 5 reminded me how powerful storytelling can be. I started adapting my vin...

This week's episode is exactly what the podcast was named for. Just a good old photo chat. I'm catching you up on a few things I've been trying recently, including the new Insta360 GO 3S, my latest AirPods, and why I've completely fallen in love with using Pro Mist filters at weddings. We chat about buying gear with intention, avoiding unnecessary upgrades, and focusing on equipmen...

Whether you realise it or not, the way you talk about yourself and your business has a huge impact on how other people see you. In this episode of Photo Chat with Matt, I'm talking about confidence, personal branding, and why photographers need to stop making themselves smaller than they really are. From calling it your "little business" to apologising for your prices, I think far to...

In this episode, I'm talking about something I think photographers spend far too much time worrying about: things that clients simply do not care about. From camera gear and social media metrics to editing labels, photography awards, website tweaks and pixel peeping, there are so many things photographers obsess over that make little or no difference to the actual client experience. Meanwhile,...

Being a wedding photographer comes with a huge amount of responsibility, and in this episode of Photo Chat with Matt, I’m talking about the standards I think our industry should be holding itself to. Lately, I’ve seen more and more stories about photographers missing weddings, forgetting bookings, turning up late, gear failing with no backups, and blaming things like calendar apps or poor organiza...

Nearly missing a wedding ceremony because of a parking mistake was not how I planned to start my photography career. In this week’s episode, I’m sharing some of the biggest mistakes, funniest moments, hardest lessons, and most chaotic experiences I’ve had as a wedding photographer over the years. This episode is much more of a relaxed conversation than a structured teaching episode. Just real stor...

In today’s episode of Photo Chat with Matt, I’m chatting about a recent trip to the dentist that randomly turned into a much bigger thought about photography businesses, client experience, and the way we treat people. I went in for what turned out to be a tiny issue that took less than a minute to check. I paid the consultation fee, completely understood why there was a charge, but I still left th...

I'm chatting through my top tips for photographing a wedding, straight off the back of this season and honestly just years of figuring it out the hard way. This one is basically me pulling apart everything that actually makes a wedding day feel calm, controlled, and creative without you spiraling or trying to micromanage every second of it. Prep before the day, reading the room when you get th...

I’ve been scrolling Instagram a lot recently and I swear I keep seeing the same reel over and over again… just from different photographers. Same edits, same poses, same transitions, same kind of vibe. And at the same time I’m seeing people say they’re not getting bookings or not getting noticed, and I honestly think the two are probably linked more than people realize. This isn’t me having a go a...

People don’t remember every photo… but they always remember how you made them feel. This episode was inspired by a message I received from a recent bride, saying how relaxed she felt during the couples photos and how all of her bridesmaids mentioned how comfortable I made them feel throughout the day. In this episode, I’m breaking down the full client experience, from the first inquiry all the way...

AI is everywhere right now in the photography world, and instead of panic or fear, this episode is a calm, honest and positive conversation about what it actually means for photographers in 2026. In this episode, I talk about how AI is already quietly built into so many parts of our workflow, from editing tools and culling software to organization and business systems. Most photographers are alrea...

What actually makes a good wedding photographer? Because if you look online, you’d think it’s all about the latest gear, perfect edits, loads of followers, or winning awards… but when it comes to a real wedding day, none of that is what truly matters. In this episode, I’m breaking down the real skills and qualities that make a great wedding photographer. From communication and reading the room, to...

If I could start my photography business again today, knowing everything I know now, what would I do differently? In this episode, I’m reflecting on the lessons I’ve learned from running my videography business back in 2017 and then launching my photography business years later. From defining your style and branding early, to understanding who your ideal clients really are, I talk about the things...

Styled shoots, content days, workshops… whatever you want to call them, they’ve become a huge part of the wedding photography industry. You see the images everywhere online, beautiful couples, incredible florals, perfect venues and dreamy lighting. But are they actually as valuable as people think? In this episode, I’m diving into the real pros and cons of styled shoots and photography workshops....

In this episode of Photo Chat, I’m diving headfirst into the world of wedding photography awards and why, honestly, they don’t matter as much as you think. I’ve won awards before, but I’ve never posted about them, because at the end of the day, the only opinions that actually count are your clients'. Forget the judges, forget the other photographers, forget the hype. Your couple is the only audien...

This week, we’re mixing things up a bit. I asked ChatGPT to throw 20 “Would You Rather” questions at me about photography, weddings, Instagram, clients… you name it. And I'm answering them live on the podcast. No thinking too hard, just gut reactions and honest opinions. We talk rainy weddings vs sunny ones, Instagram vs client referrals, perfect lighting vs perfect couples, long dream wedding...

SD card prices sending the photography world into a frenzy. In this episode, I cut through the hysteria and share why you don’t need to stockpile SD cards or raise your prices. Drawing on years of experience, I explain how strong backup processes, smart reuse of cards, and a mix of SSDs and archival HDDs are far more effective than panic buying/price raising. You’ll learn: Why owning a small numbe...

Are you running your photography business the same way you were two or three years ago? In this episode, I talk about growth, mindset, and why confidence doesn’t mean staying the same. It means being secure enough to evolve. After my first wedding of the year, delivering same day previews, getting back into routine, and booking a new client using a slightly different inquiry approach, I realized s...

Are you ready for some honest, unfiltered opinions about wedding photography? In this episode, I share eight hot takes drawn from nearly a decade of experience in the industry. These are my thoughts on everything from wedding day boundaries and nutrition to trends, social media, and what really matters when building your business. I always share my advice with kindness, but I’m not sugarcoating an...

Want to stay calm, confident, and consistently improve in your wedding photography and life? In this episode, I break down Nick Saban’s famous" process over panic" mindset and show how it applies to weddings, client bookings, marketing, and beyond. Learn how focusing on deliberate steps instead of the scoreboard can turn chaotic days into smooth, memorable experiences. I share practical...

I’m sharing my full guide to shooting weddings, from the very first preparation to delivering the final gallery. I dive into everything I do to make wedding days run smoothly, including organizing logistics, creating cheat sheets, and staying in close communication with clients. I also cover how I capture candid moments, manage group shots efficiently, and keep the day flowing calmly while still g...

Let's chat about how I approach wedding calls with couples and why I believe they don’t need to feel awkward, forced, or sales-y. I share my personal approach, and why being yourself on these calls is one of the most important things you can do. For me, it’s always been about connection, trust, and making couples feel comfortable rather than trying to impress or pressure them. I also touch on...

With a new wedding season on the horizon, it’s easy to feel like new gear is the answer. But before you buy another lens, it’s worth stopping to reflect. In this episode, I talk about choosing camera lenses with intention, not impulse. We look back on the last wedding season, identify real moments where your kit may have limited you, and use that reflection to decide whether a new lens actually ma...

I’m talking to the workaholics, the over editors, the photographers who feel like their entire identity is wrapped up in their camera. Because you aren’t just a photographer. I talk about why looking after yourself actually matters just as much as showing up for your clients. This episode is a reminder that your work will only ever be as good as the life you’re living behind the scenes. If you wan...

In this episode of Photo Chat, I discuss the importance of preparation for the upcoming booking & wedding season in 2026. I share insights on how to reflect on the past year, optimize your website for inquiries, set clear pricing strategies, manage inquiries effectively, and establish boundaries for availability. The episode emphasizes the significance of being prepared to reduce stress and en...