How I See - The Leica Podcast

Photographer and creator Jakob Lilja-Ruiz, better known as Portra Papi, joins the Leica Podcast for an honest conversation about creativity, film photography and building a career behind the camera.

From his early fascination with YouTube and filmmaking to becoming one of the most influential voices in analogue photography, Jakob reflects on the experiences that shaped his work. Along the way, he shares his thoughts on Leica cameras, travelling, storytelling and why passion—not equipment—is what ultimately makes better photographs.

Jakob's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portra_papi
Jakob's Website: https://www.jakoblr.com/

For more than five decades, Steve McCurry has documented people, places and cultures around the world, creating some of the most recognisable photographs in history.

In this episode of How I See: The Leica Podcast, Steve reflects on the experiences that shaped his career, from travelling through India with rolls of Kodachrome to embracing digital photography today. He shares why curiosity and observation remain at the heart of great photography, the importance of practising every day, and why making prints is still one of the most meaningful ways to preserve your work.

Together with host...

Photographer and visual storyteller Eva Woolridge joins the Leica Podcast to discuss her creative journey, the power of self-portraiture, and how photography became her life's purpose.

In this episode, Eva reflects on the image that first inspired her artistic path, the importance of storytelling, and her commitment to creating work that centres identity, community, resilience, and social impact. She shares how photography can transform personal experiences into meaningful conversations and why creativity remains her guiding force.

Topics include:

Fashion photographer Alex “Très Cool” Dobé joins How I See to discuss his journey from shooting street style during Fashion Week to becoming one of the most recognisable voices in contemporary fashion photography.

In this episode, Alex shares how passion, experimentation, and a commitment to developing a unique visual language helped him stand out in a highly competitive industry. He reflects on the lessons learned from years of street photography, the origins of his signature motion-blur imagery, and why creative freedom is essential for growth.

A conversation about trusting your instincts, embracing experimentation, and findin...

In this episode of How I See, photographer Sara Messinger reflects on the experiences that shaped her approach to photography, from organising her family's photo archive as a child to creating long-term documentary projects around the world. 

She discusses why photography remains a powerful tool for preserving memory, how shooting film encourages a more intentional and intuitive way of working, and why building genuine relationships with her subjects is essential to her process. Sara also shares stories from her travels in India, the influence of her upbringing, and how personal curiosity continues to guide the work she c...

In this episode of How I See: The Leica Podcast, documentary and portrait photographer Myah Asha Jeffers reflects on the deeply personal experiences that shaped her creative voice.

Recorded at Leica HQ in Wetzlar, the conversation explores how a childhood instant camera sparked her love for storytelling, why she photographs communities she belongs to, and how themes like grief, identity, vulnerability, and intimacy influence her work. Myah also discusses balancing photography with writing and directing, navigating creative pressure in the age of social media, and why authenticity matters more than perfection.

A thoughtful conversation about...

Portrait photographer Mark Mann joins How I See, the Leica podcast, to share the story behind his creative journey and the philosophy that drives his work. From discovering photography through the magic of the darkroom to photographing globally recognised artists and public figures, Mark reflects on the importance of trust, curiosity, and human connection in portraiture.

The conversation explores storytelling, creativity, collaboration, Leica cameras, and what it truly means to capture authentic emotion through photography.

Mark's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markmannphoto/
Mark's Website: https://www.markmannphoto.com/

Alexander Boyce (Shoutout): https...

Sports photographer and filmmaker Philipp Reinhard joins the Leica Podcast to discuss the connection between sport, creativity, and storytelling. From his early roots in skateboarding culture to photographing elite athletes and the Olympics, Philipp reflects on the importance of instinct, passion, discipline, and evolving creatively over time.

The conversation also explores documentary filmmaking, street photography, favourite Leica setups, and why developing your own visual signature matters more than following trends.

Philipp's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philippreinhard/
Philipp's Website: https://www.philippreinhard.com/

In this episode of How I See, Jack Devanna speaks with photographer Jas Leon about her journey into photography.

From early experimentation with a digital camera to discovering film in the darkroom, Jas describes how photography became a way to capture and preserve life’s moments. She shares why she ultimately committed to shooting exclusively on film and how that decision continues to shape her work today.

A conversation about memory, process, and the meaning behind making images.

Jas' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasleon/
Jas' Website: https://jasleon.com/

Ja...

Phil Penman joins How I See: The Leica Podcast for a candid conversation about New York, photography, and the path that led him to street work.

He looks back on his early ambition to live in New York, the years he spent in celebrity photography, and the moment he knew he had to change direction. Phil also discusses black-and-white photography, darkroom roots, book-making, and how he built a career around the work he truly wanted to make.

A thoughtful episode about persistence, instinct, and finding creative freedom.

Phil's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com...

Davide de Martis joins How I See, the Leica Podcast to talk about photography, creativity, and finding your own visual voice. He reflects on his early fascination with cameras, his unique way of photographing cars as if they were people, and the influence of Sardinia on the way he sees the world. The conversation explores challenge, instinct, personal style, and the importance of perseverance for young creatives.

Davide's latest campaign with the Leica M EV1: https://leica-camera.com/en-int/blog/photography/davide-de-martis-m-ev1-a-harvest-of-memories

Davide's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defuntis/
Davide's Website: https://www...

In this episode of the Leica Podcast, Gajan Balan joins us for a conversation about photography, storytelling, travel, and building a creative life with purpose. He reflects on the experiences that shaped his journey, the importance of discipline and consistency, and why meaningful connection is at the centre of his work. From documentary projects and global travel to his collaboration with Leica, Gajan shares what drives him as a visual storyteller and why authenticity matters more than chasing recognition.

Gajan's Instagram: @gajanbalan

In this episode, Stefan Daniel reflects on more than four decades at Leica and shares a personal view of the company’s evolution from traditional craftsmanship to modern innovation. From his early days as an apprentice in Wetzlar to helping shape Leica through major technological change, Stefan offers insight into the people, values and decisions behind the brand.

The conversation explores Leica’s heritage, its approach to product development, the transition into the digital era, and the partnerships that helped define key moments along the way. It is a look at how Leica has balanced continuity and rein...

Welcome to the second episode of How I See, the official Leica podcast, dedicated to the art, passion, and philosophy of photography.

In this episode, photographer and dancer Kylie Shea reflects on her personal and creative journey. She speaks about how her two passions, dance and photography, have evolved over time and explains why she sees them as closely connected forms of expression. Drawing on her experience in both fields, she highlights the parallels she finds between movement, rhythm, body awareness, and visual storytelling. Kylie also shares how her self-portrait project came to life and explains the...

Welcome to the very first episode of How I See, the official Leica podcast, dedicated to the art, passion, and philosophy of photography.

In this opening episode, street photographer Matt Stuart reflects on his photographic journey and the path that led him to where he is today. He speaks about the influence of skateboarding on his life and work, and how consistency, positivity, and repetition have shaped his distinctive approach to street photography. Alongside personal insights, Matt also shares practical tips and thoughtful advice for anyone interested in photographing life on the streets.