The Mastering Portrait Photography Podcast

This podcast was triggered by us selling our trusty Land Rover Defender (though we are replacing it with a newer one) and pondering on why we chose such an esoteric car at the heart of our business. Well, of course, it's all part of the brand we decided to build. And so I thought I'd chat a bit about just that: brand. It's so easy to think the brand is your logo, or website, or brochure design or,...

This episode was recorded in the hotel lobby at The Societies Convention 2019, so forgive the background noise (and the unexpected accompaniment of a random pianist!) I am interviewing the incredible wedding photographer and all-round nice guy, David Bostock . We talk about all things photography, saxophone playing, the importance of pursuing the image and the strategy of always selling albums. Da...

It's just me this episode, wittering away about the week that's been and something that was raised during a recent presentation to a camera club: that photography judges can be pretty rude.  And I don't think it's right or proper that this is the case: judges should be polite, constructive, inspiring, entertaining and, most of all, supportive. During this episode, I also mention the announcement o...

So it's been a week or three since recording a podcast primarily due to being out on location in Italy co-hosting The 2 Fellows workshop with David Stanbury (shameless plug: if you'd like details of the 2020 workshop then head over to the2fellows.co.uk where we'll be releasing details for next year.) In this podcast, I get to chat (in a VERY loud restaurant) to the inimitable wedding photographer,...

In this interview, I get to chat with Keith Roberts who had the masterstroke idea of matching top portrait photographers with the world's top cruise line. He talks about his life prior to setting up Paragon Pixels with many funny stories along the way (listen out for how he managed to screw up a critical roll of film while working in medical photography, leaving him barricaded inside the hospital...

It's just me for this episode: me, a microphone and my musings on creating portraits when on board a ship.   When I first encountered the luxury cruise ship that was to be our home and business for the next month, I thought that creating images on board would be a simple extension of what we do here at the studio.  Of course, there are similarities but there are also innumerable unexpected factors...

The great thing about having my own podcast is that I get to talk to lots of interesting people - not, necessarily, from within the photographic industry. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE my industry, but I think there is much to be learned from outside the industry too and, besides, the world is full of really cool people full stories, experiences and insight that just might (and I stress just migh...

Just me in this one. Me, a microphone, a failed hard drive, a hacked website and some notes no lists and plans.  It's been an interesting couple of days! If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to  Mastering Portrait Photography  where there are articles and videos about this wonderful industry.  You can subscribe to this podcast on  iTunes ,  PodBean  and  Spotify . PLEASE also head over to ...

In this episode, it is my great pleasure to interview renowned photographer David Calvert FMPA FBIPP who is not only a wonderful photographer, but a true gentleman in the industry as well! The conversation talks about his passion for portraits, how he first became a photographer, his aversion to debt (he learned that the hard way) and how he came to photograph a family's pet dog that had already c...

In this interview it is my pleasure to be interviewing a great friend of mine and supreme wedding photographer, David Stanbury FMPA FSWPP FBIPP, where we talk about how he became a photographer, how being forced into a position where it had to make money might not have been such a bad thing (though it didn't feel like it at the time) and why he prefers red cabbage to Brussel sprouts. Who knew? You...

Happy New Year!  Here's to a fantastic 2019! Had a few weeks off and feeling pretty excited about what this year will bring.  And am back recording new podcasts having enjoyed the break.  This podcast is just me musing on why it's important to be careful of what and who you pay attention to. Why? Well, if you're anything like me, you swing between creative confidence and complete self-doubt - and...

Photography competitions can be a bit of a mystery: what are judges looking for; how do I prep the images; what subjects do better than others; how much post-production is encouraged? The list goes one. As Head Of Judging for the Societies, Terrie Jones is in charge of one of the biggest photographic competitions in the UK and so I thought it would be fun to have a chat about her views and to talk...

One of the most useful things any photographer can do, is attend seminars, workshops and trades shows, and one of the biggest of those in the UK is the SWPP Convention. I have always loved this convention for its mix of networking and learning - plus it’s just after Christmas which gives me something in the calendar to look forward to as the memory of sherry, mince pies, pine needles stuck in your...

One of the great joys of creating this podcast is that I get to talk to lots of people who I genuinely like and find interesting.  This week it’s Martin Baynes, Sales And Marketing Director For Graphistudio UK And Ireland. Sarah and I have been friends with Martin for a very long time now and so I thought it would be fun to put that relationship to the test and stick him in front of a microphone!...

This podcast is an interview with Katy Walsh, photographer, owner of Red Fox Studios in Henley and the founder of a new venture: We Are Curious Photography Workshops . Katy is lovely and we talk about her background, how she founded the studio and what she's hoping will come from the new workshops. If you enjoy this podcast, head over to  Mastering Portrait Photography  where there are articles an...

In this podcast, I have returned from a family trip to Las Vegas where I saw the most amazing things, ate incredible food and had a wonderful holiday.  Along the way, I learned a few lessons about how it feels to BE a customer and how some people can make you feel valued (and others struggle with the concept!) In the end, a great customer experience can lead to great sales! If you enjoy this podca...

In this episode it's back to just me on my own - feels a bit weird not having someone to interview (and yet I STILL managed to create a one-hour podcast! Someone stop me!) Anyway, this one is all about the client experience and how it feels from their (not your) point of view. Enjoy! If you enjoy this podcast, head over to  Mastering Portrait Photography  where there are articles and videos about...

This episode is an interview with the industry giant that is Kenny Martin. Kenny started out as a photographer, ultimately running one of the most succesful Venture Studios in the UK up in Edinburgh. These days he spends most of his time travelling the length and bredth of the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia helping photography studios to be, well, profitable - not something that comes naturally to ev...

This episode is a live Q&A taken from the Master Photographers Association "Meet The Masters" day.  Myself and James Musselwhite FMPA were fielding questions from the floor (no prepping!) so what you hear is raw and heart-felt.  The topics discussed range from "what is your signature image" to "how do I spend less time editing" and "how do you market yourself". If you enjoy this podcast, head over...

In this slightly noisy podcast - yup, I recorded it while driving my Land Rover Defender which, it must be said, is not know for it's quiet, studio-like ambience - I talk about life and the need to be positive, even when you know there are weaknesses in your own images. If you enjoy this podcast, head over to  Mastering Portrait Photography  where there are articles and videos about this wonderful...

This week's episode focuses on the need to be creative during portrait shoots. It's scary sometimes, being out there without knowing quite what you're going to create,  but it's always worth pushing - both for you personally and because it helps drive sales. If you enjoy this podcast, head over to  Mastering Portrait Photography  where there are articles and videos about this wonderful industry. ...

In this episode I talk about packing the bag ready for a fashion-portrait session out on location; the kit, the thought process and why I take what I do. Keep an eye on the website for the finished images. If you enjoy this podcast, head over to  Mastering Portrait Photography  where there are articles and videos about this wonderful industry.  You can subscribe to this podcast on  iTunes ,  PodBe...

  So it's Sunday evening after a long day of beautiful portrait photography and I'm sitting down to muse on the past week.  Weddings, portraits, Hearing Dogs and meetings seem to have been the order of the day (or, more accurately, 7 days.)  In this podcast we talk mostly about what happens when you make mistakes - and we use a very real (and very expensive) example right here in our own studio. L...

Well, I finally managed to persuade my beautiful wife Sarah to don a microphone and give me her view on what it's like co-running our business and being married to me all at the same time. We talk about bits and pieces but mostly things that we've learnt about putting a successful portrait photography business and how to cope with some of the stresses and strains. The interview starts on a hill an...

Ah, in this episode I have a chance to sit down with an old friend of ours, Jeremy Price, the Managing Director of Graphistudio UK. Graphistudio is the biggest album supplier in the world and the inventor of the original 'lay-flat' wedding book - something we have built our business around here.  We mostly talk about the industry, what is happening and how photographers can get more out of Graphis...