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Tales, techniques, tricks and tantrums from one of the UK’s top portrait photographers. Never just about photography but always about things that excite - or annoy - me as a full-time professional photographer, from histograms to history, from apertures to apathy, or motivation to megapixels. Essentially, anything and everything about the art, creativity and business of portrait photography. With some off-the-wall interviews thrown in for good measure!
Episodes
Sunday Aug 20, 2023
Sunday Aug 20, 2023
In this interview with an old friend of ours, Simon Shirley, Toastmaster extraordinaire, we end up chatting about some of the simple things that make for a successful client-facing business for responding quickly, to getting a crowd onside (even when the odds are stacked against you!)
I mention a few workshops we'll be running, so here are the links:
Sunday 10th September 2023
The Guild Of Photographers Photohub Event
Oxford
Mastering Off-Camera Flash
https://photohubs.photoguild.co.uk/the-oxford-belfry-photohub/
Thursday 28th September 2023
The Guild Of Photographers Photohub Event
Peebles, Scotland
Mastering Available Light
https://photohubs.photoguild.co.uk/peebles-hydro-photohub-2/
Monday September 11, 2023
Full-Day Workshop At Our Studio near Oxford
Mastering Dog Photography From Shutter To Print
https://www.paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk/store/workshops/mastering-dog-photography-from-shutter-to-print-11th-september-2023/
Monday October 9, 2023
Full-Day Workshop At Our Studio near Oxford
Mastering Personal Branding Photography
https://www.paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk/store/workshops/mastering-personal-branding-photography-9th-october-2023/
Monday October 23, 2023
Full-Day Workshop At Our Studio near Oxford
Mastering Available Light
https://www.paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk/store/workshops/mastering-available-light-23rd-october-2023/
Enjoy!
Cheers
P.
If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, for more articles and videos about this beautiful industry. You can also read a full transcript of this episode.
PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think!
If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.
Wednesday May 31, 2023
EP136 Interview With Margaret And Peter Aldington OBE | On Creativity And Relationships
Wednesday May 31, 2023
Wednesday May 31, 2023
Peter Aldington OBE, world-renowned architect and garden designer, with his wife Margaret - whose energy and partnership have been as fundamental to his success as any other creative's, though she professes to not being a designer of any kind.
I have wanted to record this interview for a long time. Peter is a world-renowned architect, having achieved no less than 9 (yes, you're reading that correctly, 9) listed buildings in his lifetime. Each of the nine houses he designed while working as an architect, along with the garden that he created in the eighties, is listed (aka protected) by English Heritage.
Some record.
He's also a charming guy. We have based our photography business in the original studio where he began his architectural practice, Aldington, Craig and Collinge, a building we have completely fallen in love with in the past 11 years.
As you can imagine, I wanted to record an interview with him; in particular, I wanted to ask him about creativity and how he turned his influences into something tangible.
Sometimes, however, the more exciting topics creep in as you talk, which was the case during this interview. Sitting with Peter and his wife Margaret, it quickly became apparent that the more important questions were about relationships: relationships with colleagues, clients and, of course (and you'll hear this throughout the interview), the relationship between Peter and Margaret and their family.
It's funny how you can plan all you like, but ultimately, life (and creativity) have a way of taking you on unexpected journeys.
But for me, well, I think it is a lovely interview with an architect who has made an immeasurable contribution to architecture and garden design.
Usually, I would ask Peter and Margaret for their book choice, but I have chosen two that feature Peter's work for this episode.
The first is A Garden and Three Houses: The Story of Architect Peter Aldington's Garden and Three Village Houses by Jane Brown.
The second is Houses: Created by Peter Aldington, a beautiful book choc full of stunning line drawings (and if you know anything about me, you'll know just how much I adore exceptional illustrations!)
Enjoy!
Cheers
P.
If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, for more articles and videos about this beautiful industry. You can also read a full transcript of this episode.
PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think!
If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.
Wednesday Dec 21, 2022
EP132 Interview With Michele Jennings, Former CEO Hearing Dogs UK
Wednesday Dec 21, 2022
Wednesday Dec 21, 2022
We are a lucky business. OK, I know you make your own luck to a greater or lesser degree, but we really are a lucky business. Every day I work with people I love - from our team in the studio to our clients across the UK and further afield.
As we run into the festive holidays, our studio has been full of laughter (and the smell of gingerbread, thanks to our Christmas candles!) as clients come to pick up their last-minute gifts as well as albums and frames they ordered during the year. The shelves have creaked under the weight of the boxes; each bowed with our distinctive ribbons and tags. Today, with just a few days to Christmas, the shelves look empty, with just a few items left to be picked up. Every client through the door has brought joy and festive cheer and taken away photographs it has been a joy to create.
Like I said, we are a lucky business.
And so it is that I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked with my guest for this interview for the past decade. Michele Jennings was, up until a couple of months ago, the CEO of Hearing Dogs For Deaf People - an incredible charity that provides assistance dogs for deaf adults and children. I have worked with the organisation for the past 11 years and so it has been my pleasure to spend time with Michele and her team, creating images for the brand.
This is a lovely interview and we cover all sorts of things from positivity to passion, from vision to values.
As ever, I asked Michele to nominate a book and she recommended Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman and it's available on Amazon here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Four-Thousand-Weeks-Time-How/dp/1847924018
Definitely worth a read!
If you're curious, Hearing Dogs For Deaf People can be found here: https://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the interview!
Cheers
P.
If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, for more articles and videos about this beautiful industry. You can also read a full transcript of this episode.
PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think!
If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.
Tuesday May 10, 2022
EP123 Interview With Street Photographer Ross Grieve
Tuesday May 10, 2022
Tuesday May 10, 2022
This episode was recorded in a bar - possibly my favourite but, in contrast to our studio garden - not the quietest place to record audio. But it makes me happy. It was at this year’s incredible Societies of Photographers Convention in London where I spent the week judging and, well, generally feeling liberated from the previous two years of lockdown!
The interview is with one of the nicest guys in the industry - Ross Grieve - who is a street and portrait photographer as well as a videographer and Panasonic Ambassador. He is also the host of the Talking Shot podcast - details of which he gives in the interview.
As always, I asked my interviewee to nominate a book that would make us smile and what a choice it is! The. Far Side, by Gary Larson is one of those books you just can't put down and can't help but feel better for reading. Well, it is choc-full of funny cartoons after all!
Of course, being in a bar, we had bought ourselves a pint or two and we commence with the obligatory cheers…
During this episode, I also mention the workshops we've introduced here at our studio. Details of these can be found here on our website.
Enjoy!
Cheers
P.
If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, for more articles and videos about this beautiful industry.
PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think!
If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.
Thursday Jan 27, 2022
EP119 Everyone Included: Interview With Author Helen May
Thursday Jan 27, 2022
Thursday Jan 27, 2022
If there is one skill I have, it's recognising an opportunity when it bops me on the nose. Today was one of those moments. Helen May actually came to the studio to update her headshots but the minute we sat and talked about her work on diversity and inclusion, I knew she would be perfect to have on the podcast.
Luckily both of our diaries had some time after her session and so we sat, chatted and laughed about her life, her work, her new book and how photographers (like me) can learn and improve our approach both as company owners and as people who interact with people on a daily (or hourly!) basis.
Helen's new book Everyone Included is available on Amazon:
Diversity and inclusion (D&I) isn’t just an HR exercise – it can make a real difference to your team performance too.
By making everyone in your team feel like they belong, you’ll be able to boost motivation and productivity. Everyone Included helps you make inclusion, belonging and wellbeing central to your team. By helping everyone feel that they belong, your team will foster genuine inclusion and be ready to adapt and evolve in the future.
With a step-by-step plan to design and implement a diversity and inclusion plan that brings results:
- Where are you now? – Understand your team profile now by conducting a belonging Audit to identify how inclusive your team is.
- What do I do next? – Design a D&I plan, including a business case to win support, and identify key metrics to measure its effectiveness
- How do I keep going? – Ensure your programme continually improves and remains relevant by creating measurements and feedback loops Everyone Included is your comprehensive, step-by-step guide to creating a diversity and inclusion strategy that delivers results for your team.
As always, I asked my interviewee for a book recommendation for our little library and she recommended The Art Of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli - and can be found here on Amazon.
It was a very funny, very informative hour or so and well worth a listen. Of course, I would say that but have a listen and see what you think!
And if you're thinking that Helen and I hit it off immediately? Well, you'd be absolutely right!
Enjoy!
Cheers
P.
If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, for more articles and videos about this beautiful industry.
PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think!
If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.
Wednesday Dec 22, 2021
EP117 Interview With Grays Of Westminster
Wednesday Dec 22, 2021
Wednesday Dec 22, 2021
Well, this is the last episode of 2021. Unless I find a moment to drag myself away from the turkey, pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, cheese, Quality Street, sherry, wine, stuffing, more turkey, more cheese and maybe just a tad more sherry. Oh go on then, if I must, best make it a small one.
In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Grays Of Westminster - a legendary shop of all things Nikon. I am speaking with Becky and Kon from the shop who not only run rings around me with their knowledge of Nikon gear but are two of the nicest people you can imagine! It is a lovely interview, irrespective of the camera brand you use. Mostly we chat kit, customer service and the imminent Z9!
In the interview, I ask them both for the book recommendations.
Kon recommended Wonderland, by Annie Leibovitz:
‘Looking back at my work, I see that fashion has always been there,’ Annie Leibovitz observes in the preface to Wonderland. ‘Fashion plays a part in the scheme of everything, but photography always comes first for me. The photograph is the most important part. And photography is so big that it can encompass journalism, portraiture, reportage, family photographs, fashion ... My work for Vogue fueled the fire for a kind of photography that I might not otherwise have explored.’
Becky recommended The Real Deal, by Jo McNally
'Joe writes about everything from the crucial ability to know how to use (and make!) window light to the importance of creating long-term relationships built on trust; from lessons learned after a day in the field to the need to follow your imagination wherever it takes you; from the random and lucky moments that propel one s career to the wonders and pitfalls of today s camera technology. For every mention of f-stops and shutter speeds, there is equal discussion about the importance of access, the occasional moment of hubris, and the idea of becoming iconic. Before Joe was a celebrated and award-winning photographer, before he was a well-respected educator and author of multiple bestselling books, he was just Joe, hustling every day, from one assignment to the next, piecing together a portfolio, a skill set, a reputation, a career. He imagined a life and then took pictures of it. Here are a few frames.'
I'll be adding them to the library!
If you'd like to see some of their videos, they can be found on YouTube (or just search for 'Grays Of Westminster')
Have a wonderful Christmas, one and all and here's to a happy New Year!
Enjoy!
Cheers
P.
If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, where there are articles and videos about this beautiful industry.
PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think!
If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.
If you'd like to use one of the other players out there, why not try Vurbl?
Wednesday Oct 06, 2021
EP112 Interview With Julia Fensom, Sleep Consultant And Author
Wednesday Oct 06, 2021
Wednesday Oct 06, 2021
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1788164490/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_QMAF854F9DEE3JCQ8QVY
Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0141983760/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_1TYQTNRNTM1PX0JYZ81X
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1983378925/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_C8XC47XMX02A5NRK4VKA
Cheers
P.
If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, where there are articles and videos about this beautiful industry.
PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think!
If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.
If you'd like to use one of the other players out there, why not try Vurbl?
Wednesday Jul 28, 2021
EP110 Interview With Best Selling Author Eni Obi
Wednesday Jul 28, 2021
Wednesday Jul 28, 2021
Cheers
P.
If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, where there are articles and videos about this beautiful industry.
PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think!
If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.
If you'd like to use one of the other players out there, why not try Vurbl?
Friday Apr 02, 2021
Friday Apr 02, 2021
After the last episode's interview with Sarah (my one-and-only!), this week, I am talking to another husband and wife team - Terrie and Colin Jones from The Societies Of Photographers.
I have been a very happy member of The Societies (when I joined it was still just The Society Of Wedding And Portrait Photographers - The SWPP) and so it so good to sit and chat - remotely I might add - with two of the nicest, hardest working people in the industry.
The Societies provides a range of benefits for photographers from mentoring, training, networking, promotions, negotiating discounts for members, magazine subscription, qualifications, competitions and so much more.
If you're interested in the benefits mentioned by Colin, head to this page and you can see the various links there.
As always, I ask my interviewees for a book nomination for our ever-growing library of things to fascinate photographers. Terrie and Colin nominated Mastering Lighting & Flash Photography by our good friend, and incredible photographer, Richard Bradbury.
I loved this interview: two genuinely nice people, 60 minutes of chit chat and a lot of laughing.
Enjoy!
Cheers
P.
If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, where there are articles and videos about this beautiful industry.
PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think!
If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.
If you'd like to use one of the other players out there, why not try Vurbl?
Saturday Mar 20, 2021
EP100 An Evening In With My Missus: My Favourite Place To Be!
Saturday Mar 20, 2021
Saturday Mar 20, 2021
Well, it's been 99 episodes to date, and now this, the 100th! Whoever thought we'd get to that milestone? Well, it's entirely down to you amazing people, our subscribers and the feedback we get: that and the cathartic effect of chatting about life as a professional portrait photographer.
Over the past 99 episodes, some of my favourites have been the various interviews with many more to come, and there isn't anyone I'd rather be chatting with than my amazing wife and co-director Sarah. So I thought this episode would be a nice moment to grab a glass of wine and look forward to the lockdown restrictions being lifted. Oh, and to reminisce about some of the things that have gone wrong over the years!
All while trying to silently consume olives, peanuts, ciabatta and wine! Ah, you gotta love a romantic Friday evening; just the two of us and microphones.
Enjoy!
Cheers
P.
If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, where there are articles and videos about this beautiful industry.
PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think!
If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.
If you'd like to use one of the other players out there, why not try Vurbl?