The Photography Pod

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AI is changing the way people search — and that could completely change how new clients find your photography business.

In this episode of The Photography Pod, Steve and Nick are joined by photographer, author, mentor and BIPP President Jeff Brown for a fascinating conversation about what photographers need to know about the rapidly changing world of online search.

For years we’ve been told that SEO, keywords and getting onto page one of Google are essential. But increasingly, potential customers aren’t simply typing “wedding...

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What makes a great photograph? Is it composition, technical perfection, or simply being in the right place at the right moment?

This week, Steve and Nick are joined by acclaimed photographer, filmmaker and author Neil Selkirk, whose extraordinary career began in New York in 1968, working alongside legendary photographers including Richard Avedon and Diane Arbus.

Neil shares fascinating stories from the golden age of photography, including his remarkable experience recreating Diane Arbus's darkroom prints, before discussing his new book, Why Photographs? — a book about photography with no ph...

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Steve and Nick are joined by Scottish wedding photographers Murray McMillan and Lawrence Scott for a very funny and refreshingly candid conversation about photography, friendship and working together at weddings.

Murray and Lawrence have very different photographic styles, but years of shooting together have turned them into a highly effective team. They talk about the benefits of having two photographers at a wedding, learning to anticipate what the other person is doing and why couples now sometimes specifically ask for both of them.

There’s plenty of gear ta...

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Steve and Nick revisit the grey import debate after asking photographers where they buy their gear. The savings can be substantial, but what about warranties, VAT and the UK camera shops we value?

Wedding photographer Greg Thurtle joins them to talk about using the Osmo Pocket 4 Pro for hybrid wedding coverage. They discuss where a small camera helps, how the second lens changes the way Greg shoots, and the compromises he has found so far.

Later, Steve shares a simpler approach to his personal photography: shooting for pleasure...

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What would you put in your camera bag if you had £10,000 to spend?

In this episode, Steve and Nick take on the £10K camera bag challenge, choosing the bodies, lenses, lighting and video kit they’d want for weddings, commercial work and personal photography.

Along the way they discuss the new Sigma 85mm f/1.2, compact street lenses, fisheyes, Sony A1 and A7R bodies, prime lenses versus zooms, grey imports, DJI Osmo Pocket frustrations and the gear they actually rely on when things get busy.

There’s also...

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The Photography Pod is back! After a busy summer break, Steve and Nick catch up on weddings, house moves, broken gear and the challenges of keeping photography fresh after years behind the camera.

They chat about avoiding wedding-photography autopilot, travelling light, Sony and Godox gear frustrations, using the Osmo Pocket for hybrid coverage, mentoring new photographers and stepping outside your comfort zone with different types of photography.

Plus, there’s a look ahead to the new series of The Photography Pod, with more guests, listener involvement, competitions and pl...

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In this mid summer check-in, Steve and Nick reunite after a hectic few weeks of weddings, travel, house moves and an ill-advised afternoon involving several IPAs and very little food. The conversation covers recent wedding adventures, working together as photographers for the first time, thoughts on new camera gear, and a completely unscientific "Photography World Cup" to crown the best camera of 2026. 

In This Episode

The London Meet-Up That Went Slightly Wrong

Steve and Nick finally meet up in person . What starts as a sensible plan f...

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Steve and Nick are joined for this episode by photographer and YouTuber Hannah Young. Hannah talks about her journey into photography, from landscapes to travel and street photography. She describes her equipment choices, how she makes her YouTube videos, and what would her dream photography trip.  Steve and Nick speculate on the rumours of a 67MB Sony A7R6 and the soon to be released DJI Osmo Pocket 4. 

Hannah Young :

Website : https://www.hannahyoung.co.uk/

YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@HannahYoungPhotography

Instagram: https://ww...

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One 30-second Instagram Reel sparks a full-blown photography debate, and it starts with a phrase designed to annoy the internet: “Da Vinci Got It Wrong.” We break down why the “perfect bell-shaped histogram” advice is so sticky, why it’s often wrong, and what the histogram is actually good for when you’re trying to nail exposure. We talk dynamic range, highlight clipping you can’t recover, why crushed blacks are sometimes fine, and how bracketing and blending in Lightroom can solve scenes your camera simply can’t hold. If you’ve ever searched “how...

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We asked ChatGPT for 10 controversial photography questions - we got some suprising results! Nick and Steve debate some interesting and thought provoking topics around street photography, weddings, analogue photography and sharpness in lenses. 

Resources:

Nick Church Creative Academy - https://nickchurchcreativeacademy.com/
Fujifilm Instax Camera - https://instax.com/mini_evo_cinema/en/
Joel Merowitz Exhibition - https://www.joelmeyerowitz.com/new-events
Peter Dench Photography - https://peterdench.com/
The Photography Show - https://thephotographyshow.com/
Digital Camera Magazine - https://digitalcameramagazine.c...

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Content creators are becoming more common at weddings, but will they replace photographers and videographers? And has camera technology plateaued - can they get any better? And, if you are thinking of turning pro, have you considered all the fixed costs you will have - can you afford to do it? Nick is moving house, but can he take his studio with him? And where is Steve off to next in his world training tour!

Resources:

Sony Alpha Cameras - https://www.sony.com/electronics/interchangeable-lens-cameras
...

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If Nick and Steve could have any photography trip or job, paid or unpaid, what would we each choose? Nick is spying on people coming to buy his house, whilst Steve is packing his bags for lots of business travel over the next few weeks, starting in Dallas. Nick live streams a town hall for thousands of financial advisers, and what kit should Steve take for his trips for when he has a little spare time to walk around. And should Nick buy a Fujifilm GFX100RF?

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In this first show of 2026, Steve Vaughan and Nick Church discuss various aspects of photography and travel with guest Julian Elliott, a professional travel and landscape photographer. They explore personal updates, photography journeys, equipment choices, travel experiences, safety considerations, cultural insights, and the intricacies of planning photography tours. Julian shares his passion for connecting with local cultures and the rewarding experiences that come from his work. The discussion highlights the challenges and joys of being a photographer in diverse environments, emphasizing the importance of safety and cultural respect.

Julian Elliott...

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For this last show of 2025, Steve and Nick look back on 2025 and their respective year of professional photography. They also pay tribute to Martin Parr, who passed away recently, with Steve sharing personal reflections including a much treasured photo Martin took of Steve's now late brother at the Black Country Living Museum.  The guys also discuss their plans for 2026, before the obligatory Christmas Quiz. 

The Black Country Living Museum https://bclm.com/

Martin Parr's photograph of Steve's Brother https://www.instagram.com/p/DRPq8LhEauk/?utm_source=ig_web...

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With the Sony A75 now officially launched, Nick and Steve have a special guest in Luke Vaughan (no relation to Steve!), a professional rock and metal photographer who shoots Sony. The panel discuss the pros and cons of the new Sony camera, particularly versus the Lumix S1 II, which Luke now uses to deliver both widescreen and social media format video to his clients. 

Luke Vaughan Photography http://instagram.com/lukevaughanphotography

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The Photography Pod is twice monthly photography podcast for both working professionals an...

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In this episode of The Photography Pod, wedding photographers Steve Vaughan and Nick Church discuss the upcoming new Sony Alpha 7M5, scheduled for launch in early December. They discuss the pro's and con's of the rumoured specification, particularly for hybrid photo/video shooters. The guys also discuss their approach for shooting hybrid at weddings, including using the DJI Osmo Pocket 3.

Luke Vaughan Photography https://www.lukevaughanphotography.com/

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The Photography Pod is twice monthly photography podcast for both working professionals and enthusiast photographers. The...

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In this episode of the Photography Pod, hosts Steve Vaughan and Nick Church discuss various aspects of running a photography business, including pricing strategies, understanding costs, and the impact of VAT. They share insights on efficient culling techniques, camera settings, and the challenges of high ISO photography. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community, continuous learning, and the value of photography beyond just monetary gain.

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The Photography Pod is twice monthly photography podcast for both working professionals and enthusiast photographers. The host Nick Church and...

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Steve and Nick are joined by Karl Taylor, a renowned advertising, fashion and beauty photographer with over 25 years experience of working with some of the leading global brands. From his studios in Guernsey, he specialises in precise and exquisite control of lighting. He is also the founder of Visual Education, an award winning on line education platform with over 1m followers and nearly 300,000 creatives who have participated on the courses. 

Karl also made his film directing debut in 2024 with the release of The Hunt for Lady Olive & The German Submarine, a...

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Steve and Nick's guest for this week's show is  Michał Korta, an award winning Polish portrait and documentary photographer, who shares his artistic approach, creative process, and unique projects. He is from a new generation of photographers who seek projects from both historical and every day life. He has published two photobooks, including Balkan Playground, a study of the complicated identity and atmosphere of the Balkan region. 

Steve has experienced the highs and lows of two very different weddings, and Nick has some important health advice for photographers who spend a l...

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Nick is back from his vacation in Croatia, and used his phone for his holiday photos! Is a smart phone all you need when on holiday? Steve is contemplating (another) new camera, but which Sony should he buy? And what are Sony up to with the camera line up? Plus the legalities of taking street photos in Paris. 

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The Photography Pod is twice monthly photography podcast for both working professionals and enthusiast photographers. The host Nick Church and Steve Vaughan are professional wedding photographers based i...

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Steve and Nick's guest this episode is Marcus Ahmad. Marcus has had a long and varied career in photography, including fashion, advertising and now brand photography. He is also a qualified  senior lecturer in fashion and advertising photography. Marcus somehow also finds time to play bass guitar for a variety of bands and venues.  Steve is nursing a hangover from sampling real ales in Birmingham, whilst Nick is packing his bags for a well earned vacation. 

Marcus Ahmad Website https://www.marcusahmad.com/  

Shoot to the Top Podcast http...

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Steve and Nick are running on empty through a busy wedding season! In this show they look at their respective collection of Sony fit lenses. Do we really need that F1.4 aperture? And what else do they look for when choosing and using Sony lenses. The guys also look at their back up strategies for wedding raw files, do we have a blind spot in our workflow? And, at what stage do we break out the flash gear at a wedding, if at all?

Evoto One launch event in NYC...

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Nick and Steve put wedding photography awards under the microscope with Luke Simon, the curator and founder of the International Wedding Photographer of the Year awards. The International Wedding Photographer of the Year showcases the work of Wedding Photographers worldwide and has become the new benchmark for Wedding Photography competitions. Nick, Steve and Luke discuss judging criteria, the impact of technology on photography, and the future of awards in a rapidly changing landscape. The guys also reflect on the importance of recognition and connection in the photography profession. Steve has been buying...

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Steve and Nick delve back into their bulging camera bags and discuss the favourite - and least favourite- Sony photography and video gear.  Steve has been meeting podcast royalty at an unlikely location, whilst Nick has been getting lost in North Oxfordshire. Plus, is LinkedIn a place for photographers to get bookings?

Sony microphone that Steve couldn't remember the model number of (!) 

ECM-B1M https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/interchangeable-lens-cameras-microphones/ecm-b1m

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The Photography Pod is twice mo...

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Steve and Nick are both now fully into wedding season, but Nick manages to fit in a trip to Ireland before the season gets crazy! The guys discuss the pros and cons of shooting JPG's professionally, and should you convert your propriety raw files into DNG.  Steve has been using film simulation JPG's on his Ricoh GR3x and Samantha's X100VI, and discusses the merits of Sony film simulations. They discuss the new Sony RX1R III, and who is it for, and some of the wierdest requests they have had a...

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For this episode Steve and Nick are joined by Jan Willem Van Konijnenburg, one half of Creative Depiction Studio, a Gloucestershire based wedding photographer and videographer, whom Nick often works with a weddings. The three of us discuss those all important non-camera gear stuff we always take to weddings, and we couldn't be without!

Nick has been working hard on the Nick Church Creative Academy, whilst Steve has had his walking books on walking, and videoing, the Oxfordshire Way. 

Mentioned in the show:

https://www.creativedepictionstudio.c...

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Nick and Steve's guest for this week's show is Jay Farrell, a Nashville, TN based photographer who specialises in photographing abandoned building throughout USA. He is also a successful author, with 15 published books of abandoned buildings and his travels. He recently self published is own book, Route 66 Roadscapes. He tells Steve and Nick:

Nick has been working hard on the Nick Church Creative A...

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For this week's show Steve becomes the guest and Nick the interviewer, as Steve, with his wife Samantha (Sam) tell Nick how they photograph weddings, and what gear they use on the day. With over 450 weddings behind them, Sam and Steve have been photographing weddings from their home in North Oxfordshire for 15 years. They describe how they work together on the wedding day as joint photographers, how they are bring video into their work, and why Sam is the main reason for their reputation and customer service awards. 

Nick updates o...

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Nick is flying solo on this latest episode of The Photography pod, as Steve is away. Nick's guest is Courtney Victoria,   a British Landscape and Outdoor Photographer currently based in South West England. They explore Courtney's journey into photography, the impact of COVID-19 on her career, her preferred camera equipment, and her approach to both landscape and macro photography. The conversation also touches on the importance of stability in macro photography, the challenges of gear acquisition syndrome, and the joy of discovering nature through photography.  Courtney also discusses her...

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Nick becomes Steve's interview guest in this episode of The Photography Pod, as we delve into the deep and murky depth's of Nick's camera bag.  The show features an in depth discussion on how Nick photographs weddings including his choice of cameras and lenses, his approach to the different phases of the wedding day, his post processing and the CRM he uses to book the wedding. In other news Steve has a hot experience in Birmingham and Nick gets suntan in front of a fridge. 

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Steve and Nick's guest this week is Francesco Gola, a fine art landscape photographer, who shares his journey into photography, his love for long exposure seascapes, and the emotional connection he feels with the sea. Francesco  shares his insights on landscape photography, emphasizing the importance of planning, adapting to nature, and capturing emotions through weather. He discusses the tools and techniques he uses for location scouting, the significance of color consistency in post-processing, and how the experience of being in nature can enhance the photographic journey. 

Nick has been crashing dr...

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Nick and Steve's guest photographer for this episode is Victoria (Vic) Hillman, a macro and wildlife photographer. Vic shares how her Zoology and Biology academic background helps her in her work, and her understanding of the subjects she photographers. She also discusses her project " Forgotten Little Creatures", the plants, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles which are often feared, ignored, overlooked and even forgotten about despite the important role they play in their habitats.

Steve and Nick discuss destination weddings, and the risks of UK photographers photographing weddings in Trump's USA.  The a...

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Nick is back with Steve for this show, which features a guest interview with Andy Gotts, MBE. 

Andy is a renowned celebrity photographer based in London, England, and New York, USA. He is most noted for his black and white portraits of Hollywood actors and singers. His work has been published internationally and has appeared in many magazines, including: VOGUE, GQ, Vanity Fair, Empire, Total Film, Entertainment Weekly, FHM, Hello!, and Glamour, and many more. 

Andy tells Nick and Steve many fascinating stories of being behind the lens, ph...

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Nick is away for this episode, where Steve's guest is Martin Hajdukiewicz, a Warwickshire based woodland and landscape photographer. Self taught via YouTube channels, Martin has become an accomplished YouTube presenter himself. Martin is also administrates Thumbs Up Photography, a friendly and collaborative Facebook group of photographers with over 1500 members. 

Links to channels mentioned in the show:

Martin Hajdukiewicz Website : https://www.mhlandscape.co.uk/

Martin Hajdukiewicz Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/mhlandscapephotos/

Martin Hajdukiewicz YouTube channel : https://www.youtube.com/@MHLandscape

Supp...

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Nick and Steve's guest for this episode is Emily Endean. Emily is a freelancer photographer specialising in seascapes, ocean photography and lifestyle/brand photography. Emily is also a photography educator and specialises in female only photography trips and workshops. Emily is based in the South of the UK and travels from location to location with her wife and pets aboard her classic Hymer van, which is also their home. 

Emily uses Fujifilm X series cameras and lenses, and has a very close relationship with Fujifilm UK, and has previously been a...

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Steve and Nick's special guest for this episode is Sujata Setia. 

Sujata is a multi award winning photographer and artist. As well as her family and materity photography, Sujata also has her personal projects that combine both photography and art. 

Her personal work includes "Changing the Conversation", a startling body of work of images of people with challenges including burns survivors and rare conditions. Her latest project, "A Thousand Cuts", is an extraordinary project where Sujata, using a combination of photography and art, has produced powerful images of do...

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The Photography and Video Show is the UK's largest imaging exhibition and show. In this, the first of several episodes of The Photography Pod as part of the build up to the show, Steve and Nick's guests are Ruth Folkard, Event Director and Hazel Soper, Group Marketing Manager, of Future, the company behind the Photography and Video Show. 

Ruth and Hazel discuss with Nick and Steve:

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In this episode of the Photography Pod, hosts Nick Church and Steve Vaughan chat with garden photographer Jason Ingram about his journey into photography, the challenges of capturing gardens, and the importance of light and weather in his work. Jason shares insights into the business side of garden photography, including working with garden designers and the role of stock photography. He also discusses his upcoming book, 'How to Photograph Gardens', and offers advice for aspiring photographers looking to enter this niche.

Key Takeaways:

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For the first show of 2025, Steve and Nick are back with another guest from the world of food photography. 
 Kris Kirkham is a London based food photographer, who has worked with many of the leading brands including Sainsbury, Waitrose, M&S, Subway and Nandos. Having trained and worked as a chef for over 15 years, Kris then combined his love of photography with his passion for food, and developed a distinctive style of food and drink photography that is colourful, beautifully lit and contrasty. With over 10 years of experience and an extensive po...

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Steve and Nick get in the Christmas spirit for this last show of 2024. 
Steve gets his own back on Nick for the teasing on the last show with a surprise Christmas quiz. Nick has been photographing property in Anglesey again, whilst Steve gets a telling off whilst doing street photography in London. The boys describe their dream photography Christmas present, and their resolutions for 2025.

The book for the week is Wales - A Photographer's Journey by David Wilson. 

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The Photography Pod is tw...