The Photo Ethics Podcast

In this episode, we talk with Tamara Abdul Hadi about what we have seen. She discusses how she develops relationships with marginalised people, and the importance of having the right intentions as a photographer. Tamara recounts some of her personal experiences with photography ethics, and how they have altered her perspective. She highlights the need to have a critical eye when it comes to the hi...

In this episode, we talk with Aaron Turner about the place of identity in abstract photography and art. He discusses the inspiration behind his photographic projects, and why he chose to pursue abstraction as a medium of expression. Aaron shares the reasoning behind his decision to document his family and local community, while noting the issues that need to be considered when doing so. Aaron also...

In this episode, we talk with Mallika Vora about the necessity of complicating narratives in photography, and providing a more nuanced understanding of events. She also addresses the issue of objectivity within the photojournalism industry, and the need to be transparent with the viewers about why you’re making the pictures you’re making. Mallika emphasizes prioritising the person you are photogra...

In this episode, we talk with Polly Irungu on working intentionally. Polly reflects on her experiences growing up and going to university which led her to found the community Black Women Photographers. She describes how intentionality is central to everything she does - from her work as a photographer, to her work with radio news, and then to her work with Black Women Photographers. What you’ll fi...

In this episode, we talk with Kirsty Mackay, Kelly O’Brien, and Joanne Coates who are working class photographers, visual artists, storytellers, and founders of The Other. They talk about why and how they founded The Other, and the importance of fostering a supportive community. They discuss how they see the role of a photographer, the role of the photographed communities, and the power dynamic be...

In this episode, we talk with Waleed Shah on how he uses photography to break stereotypes and challenge societal norms, in both his personal and commercial work. In creating work with and about people of other cultures, he acknowledges the importance of cultural sensitivity, and the importance of learning from people who truly understand the culture. Waleed discusses how, in commercial photography...

In this episode, we talk with Sarah Waiswa about the importance of listening to the people you are photographing. Sarah describes her experiences working with journalists and working with NGOs, and the difference between them. She highlights the potential for NGO photography to be extractive as a result of the power imbalance between the photographer and the photographed. To counteract this, Sarah...

In this episode, we talk with Pete Brook about images of incarceration, and his thoughts on photo ethics more broadly. He shares how he first came to learn about mass incarceration, and why he felt so passionately about the issue. He discusses his belief in the importance of formal education on visual culture, and his experience teaching both university students and men incarcerated at San Quentin...

In this episode, we talk with Chrystal about how she prepares for each project, and why she places such an emphasis on the value of research. Yet even with research, Chrystal acknowledges that you may not always be the right person to do the work. She notes that accepting being wrong sometimes, and responding quickly to your mistakes in order to minimise harm is key to being an ethical photographe...

In this episode, we talk with Melissa about the importance of empathy and compassion in creating ethical wildlife photography. She emphasises the need to understand the animal you are photographing, and to adjust your behaviour accordingly. Melissa highlights the unethical practice of using photo game farms to capture the perfect shot, which then presents viewers with a misleading impression of th...

In this episode, we talk with Tasneem about the ethical issues that she considers when planning for publication. She describes her experience around consent, the possible consequences of an image, and how the message of a story can be shifted through a publication’s editing. Beyond this, Tasneem shares how she thinks about the people she photographs, and the impact that can have on how they are re...

In this episode, we talk with David Degner about his experiences navigating different ethical choices as a photojournalist working at home and abroad. He draws on specific situations he has encountered during his career to explain how his education in photography has shaped the way that he approaches his work, and how he embeds ethics in his practice as a photographer. What you’ll find inside: “Re...

In this episode, we talk with Taha Ahmad about how he navigates ethics in his longterm projects. He stresses the importance of extensive research in his workflow, of building relationships with the people he photographs, and of approaching traumatic histories with care and sensitivity. Finally, he describes the personal experiences that have tested his ethics. What you’ll find inside: “I would not...

In this episode, we talk with Alison Baskerville about the importance of understanding one’s own identity before addressing issues of ethics and safety as a photojournalist. She describes how her experience in the military has shaped the way she approaches her work, and what she has learned from her career as a photojournalist. Finally, she talks about the safety movement she founded which is desi...

In this episode, we talk with Justin Carey about how he navigates relationships of collaboration with the people in his pictures. He discusses the importance of recognising your own position in relation to what you are photographing, and he explains how planning ahead can help to avoid ethical dilemmas, especially when working with family. Finally, Justin addresses the lack of diversity in photogr...

In this episode, we talk with Smita Sharma about how she approaches difficult and sensitive stories by first connecting to people with empathy. She stresses the importance of considering safety, both for herself and for the people she photographs, and she shares some creative strategies that she has used to protect people’s identities. Smita describes how she makes decisions about what information...

In this episode, we talk with Jess Crombie about the importance of collaboration and partnership when telling other people’s stories. Jess describes some of her experiences from working in the humanitarian sector which made her question the way that content is normally collected, and which led her to a more considered practice that accounts for the power dynamics in these storytelling partnerships...

In this episode, we talk with Tara Pixley about the vital importance of taking a critical approach to media production. She unpacks our subconscious biases and the myth of objectivity to explain the importance of having different perspectives in the newsroom. She explains that both rights and responsibilities are central to her work in photojournalism. Finally, Tara reflects on personal experience...

In this episode, we talk with Jason Houston about collaborative ways of working in photography, and responsibilities he feels as an image-maker. He describes the steps he takes to educate himself about the communities he photographs and the relevant environmental and social issues at stake, and he explains how he has incorporated participatory methods into his process. What you’ll find inside: “So...

In this episode, we talk with Polly Braden about how she negotiates continual consent with people in vulnerable situations. She describes the importance of pursuing depth and nuance in storytelling, and she explains what it means to be a socially conscious photographer. Finally, Polly discusses fair wages in the creative industry and the process of applying for grants. What you’ll find inside: “If...

In this episode, we talk with Danielle Villasana about the importance of telling the whole story. She describes how the media industry has been complicit in promoting a stereotypical view of marginalised communities, and she describes the negative impact that this has on trust in the media. Danielle spends time unpacking our individual responsibilities as image-makers, both toward the people in ou...

In this episode, we talk with Martha Tadesse about representation, ethics, and how to tell visual stories with empathy. Martha explains how she balances her ethics when working with clients in the humanitarian and development sector. She asks photographers to question themselves about what, why, and how they are photographing, and she calls for photo editors to take a more active role in critiquin...

In this episode, we talk with photojournalist and filmmaker Amanda Mustard about navigating the photojournalism industry, finding her own voice in photography, and realising that you don’t need to leave home to tell interesting visual stories. She explains how her transition from Egypt to Thailand has coincided with a transition in the type of work she is pursuing, and how she is doing more storyt...

Welcome to The Photo Ethics Podcast! I’m your host, Savannah Dodd, and I’m the founder of the Photography Ethics Centre. Each week we will hear from an accomplished photographer about the ethics of their practice. We will delve into conversations that explore how these photographers have handled some very sticky situations, we will hear about how their different experiences have shaped they way th...