Welcome to the Flash Masters Podcast! Flash Masters recognises and celebrates the best flash photography in the world through education, awards and community. Hosted by Helen Williams and Neil Redfern, we talk all things wedding photography - from the equipment we use to the funniest things which have happened to us whilst photographing weddings - and we have a lot of those stories! To join the community, please visit Flashmasters.co
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Send us a text Did you miss us? We're finally back in the podcast studio (Neil's office) and in today's episode we we do our very best to catch you up on all things Flash Masters related - along with our own adventures which have taken us to London, Madeira, France and sunny Lancashire! Find out why Neil is fuming at a £15 chicken and chips and the…
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New MagMod Ambassadors ...and should Digital Art be a photography awards category?
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33:45Send us a text In today's episode we congratulate all the newly announced MagMod Ambassadors, in particular those Ambassadors who are part of the Flash Masters community - Jeff Tisman, Sondra Miltenberger, Jessie & Dallin, Chris Benavides and our very own Helen Williams! It's an amazing achievement and we are so happy for you all. We also discuss w…
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Arguing on TikTok... and Helen's new offering
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41:26Send us a text We're back and this time we haven't waited 3 months to return! In this episode we talk about the Flash Masters live stream with the crazy talented Natalie Martin, and discuss why Natalie doesn't include digital files... plus we introduce our upcoming streams. Helen then shares news about her new wedding photography mentoring programm…
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Happy New Year 2025! Flash Masters Photographers of the Year and our recent weddings
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43:49Send us a text Happy New Year everyone! In this episode we talk about what we have been up to over Christmas and New Year, what our resolutions are for 2025 and our recent weddings. Plus we congratulate the Flash Masters Photographers of the Year! Huge congratulations to Nelson Santos for winning Overall and Wedding Photographer of the Year, Jessie…
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The relaunch of Flash Masters! Plus we reveal our new Ambassadors and Sponsors
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46:42Send us a text We're back! It's been a few weeks since our last podcast, but fear not, we haven't been lazy, in fact we have been busier than ever as behind the scenes we have been working on the complete relaunch of Flash Masters - and we could not be more excited to share all the news with you! Flash Masters is now a fully fledged education platf…
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Neil has been using the new Sony A9III and we discuss the sepia bride drama!
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44:16Send us a text In this episode of the Flash Masters podcast, Neil shares his experiences of using off camera flash with the new Sony A9III and we discuss a trending topic... the sepia bride drama! Which side are you in - team bride or team photographer?! Here is the link to the full behind the scenes video of Neil's shoot with the Sony A9III: https…
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Welcoming our newest Ambassador ...Henry of Big H Studios!
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46:15Send us a text We're shaking off the dust from our hiatus with exciting tales and heartfelt apologies - consider it our quirky way of saying we've missed you deeply! (Can you tell that these descriptions are written by AI?!) Our latest episode might just tickle your funny bone as we recount how ChatGPT sent us on a wild goose chase with "The Flash,…
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We welcome back the wedding photography innovator! Dru Dodd Part 2
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45:07Send us a text Prepare to have your approach to wedding photography transformed as, following on from last week's podcast, we are again joined by the renowned Dru Dodd for part 2 of our chat with Dru . Dru's signature group composites have revolutionised the traditional wedding group shot. Dru's stories carry us from his first serendipitous composi…
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We are joined by the King of the Composites - Dru Dodd Part 1
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1:06:19Send us a text In this episode of the Flash Masters podcast, we are joined by the King of the Composites and one of the industry's true innovative photographers, Dru Dodd. Amongst many different topics, Dru reveals the magic behind his innovative 'wedding wall' and how it helped grow his wedding photography business. Plus, ever wondered what happen…
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Christian Cardona is coming to the UK! The first Flash Masters in-person event
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38:50Send us a text Embark on a journey through the highs and lows of photography as we re-emerge, energized and ready to rock! We update you on all the latest news from the Flash Masters community - as well as what we have been up to personally. Plus, we announce our very first in-person 'Flash Masters presents' workshop as the incredible Christian Car…
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Send us a text We have seen a lot of new members join Flash Masters this past month (thank you all - ...and a very warm welcome!) many of which are US based wedding photographers. So, to welcome our new members, we thought we would entertain you by talking you through some of the most bizarre UK wedding traditions, that you probably haven't heard o…
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Send us a text As the UK shivers under a frosty blanket, Helen Williams and Neil Redfern, warm up the mic with a chat that's sure to thaw your curiosity (can you tell this is written by AI?!). We're buzzing to unfold the latest from Flash Masters, including our brand-new leaderboards that are calling all flash photography aficionados to showcase th…
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We chat to Tim Kamppinen - Flash Masters Photographer of the Year 2023!
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53:02Send us a text In this episode we speak to the Flash Masters Photographer of the Year 2023 - Tim Kamppinen! Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Tim is an incredible wedding photographer and in this podcast we chat to him about his approach to weddings, off camera flash, his biggest piece advice to new photographer who are new to lighting and what he b…
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We announce the Flash Masters Photographer of the Year 2023 ...and talk about our NYE weddings
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45:00Send us a text In this episode, we announce the Flash Masters Photographer of the Year 2023, as well as congratulating all the photographers who made up the top 20 positions on our worldwide leaderboard. We're rolling out the red carpet and setting the stage for the new year with three brand-new leaderboards, designed to honor specialized photograp…
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We look back on 2023 - our highlights, our favourite images and what we hope Santa brings us!
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46:33Send us a text As another 2023 draws to a close and we prepare to announce the Flash Masters Photographer of the Year for 2023, we look back on the past 12 months and talk about our personal highlights, our favourite photographs, our favourite purchases and what we hope Santa brings us on Christmas morning! Tidings of comfort, joy, and a good flash…
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Posing Secrets and Integrating Videography with Award-winning Photographer Paul Flannigan
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55:28Send us a text Ever wondered how a professional photographer poses their subjects or integrates videography into their work? In this episode, we've got a treat for you! Join us as we sit down with the talented Paul Flannigan, an award-winning photographer with a knack for off-camera flash and posing. We kick things off with some lighthearted banter…
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Helen spoke at NineDots and we were models for Jesse and Moira La Plante & Jason Vinson!
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48:52Send us a text In this episode Helen talks about her experience of talking in front of 100 photographers at the NineDots Gathering in Leeds, where she presented how she uses off camera flash at her weddings to shoot group shots. Plus! We were models for amazing photographers Jesse and Moira La Plante and Jason Vinson during their wedding photograph…
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Sony announce the A9III and we look back at the SHINE wedding photography workshops
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44:37Send us a text Have you ever wondered how the latest camera technology could transform your wedding photography? That's what we're unpacking in our latest Flash Masters Podcast episode. We dig into the innovative features of Sony's newest release, the A9III camera - from its remarkable 120 frames per second capability to its ground-breaking global …
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Natural light v Flash photography! Live in front of a studio audience...
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31:36Send us a text In this episode we play Argumental, where we debate natural light wedding photography v Flash wedding photography and who is the most important wedding supplier out of Content Creators and Toastmasters? It's a heated debate! We also find out about the role of chimney sweeps at weddings - who knew that was a thing?! This episode was r…
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Helen breaks a record at her recent wedding...
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39:55Send us a text In this episode we catch up on our recent weddings and share insights from the Flash Masters community, including the fabulous work of Dru Dodd and Esteban Gill's in-depth explanations on creating stunning group portraits. Not to mention, we chat about Neil's upcoming Shine Workshop in Wales. A unique experience, where we plan to rec…
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We are now sponsored by Canon + Aftershoot!
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36:09Send us a text In this episode of the Flash Masters podcast we discuss about our recent 1st Birthday live stream and talk about the huge announcements which we made on that stream - including how we are now sponsored by two of the most widely recognised and respected brands in the photography industry - Canon and Aftershoot! We are so proud and hon…
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Celebrating Flash Masters' First Birthday and our big announcement....!
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44:14Send us a text In this big catch up episode we celebrate Flash Masters' first Birthday and talk about everything we have been up to in both our wedding and personal lives over the past few weeks - and there is a lot to catch up on! What's it like to photograph the moment a best man receives a life-changing phone call at a wedding? We grapple with t…
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Wedding photographer Ben Connolly announces the biggest project he's ever worked on!
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48:03Send us a text We are back with part 2 of our chat with the incredibly talented Australia based wedding photographer, Ben Connolly! In this episode, we find out all about Ben's grand and very exciting project which has been three years in the making! Switching things up, we move from the professional to the personal. Ben quizzes us about our favour…
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50th Episode Special with Ben Connolly! What happens at WPPI stays at WPPI...
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1:05:51Send us a text Welcome to the 50th episode of the Flash Masters podcast! Get ready for a captivating conversation with our extraordinary guest, Ben Connolly. This award-winning Australian wedding photographer shares his intriguing journey that comprises over 1000 weddings, numerous accolades, and his experiences of running successful photography wo…
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New MagMod XL Modifiers and Helen launches her new (very risky!) website
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38:48Send us a text In this episode we discuss the new MagMod XL modifiers as well as talking about how booking went for the launch of Neil's new 3 day photography workshops. We then talk about the launch of Helen's new website - thanks to Martin Chung’s expertise - a website which is a little bit cheeky.... There's so much to learn about the delicate b…
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Should you flash during a wedding ceremony?
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41:14Send us a text Should you use flash during a wedding ceremony? It's always been a controversial question in wedding photography groups, with photographers often having a firm opinion one way or the other. In this episode we talk about this in more detail, drawing on our experiences from recent weddings where the unpredictable British weather forced…
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Jesse and Moira La Plante: International workshops and the advantages of working together as a team
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1:17:43Send us a text In the latest episode of the Flash Masters Podcast we are joined by the incredible Jesse and Moira La Plante, two of the very best wedding photographers in the world, Ambassadors for MagMod and Flash Masters and the current This is Reportage Photographers of the Year. But this episode isn't all about photography. Join us as we peek b…
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Get to know Neil Redfern: From his biggest wedding photography mistakes to YouTube success...
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57:17Send us a text Join us as Neil and Helen catch up on their recent weddings, and find out why the British weather played a huge part on them.... Then, following on from last week's 'get to know Helen Williams' podcast, this time the roles are reversed and Helen quizzes Neil on all sorts of questions, from his favourite films and quotes all the way t…
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Get to know Helen Williams: From Sign Language Skills & Naked Grooms to Award Winning Wedding Photographs
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39:33Send us a text How well do you reckon you know yourself? Buckle up and get ready for an engaging session as we unravel more about Helen Williams in a one-of-a-kind 'get to know you' session. Based on the fun format of Jaackmaate's Happy Hour podcast, we tease out Helen's insights on a potpourri of topics, all while throwing some unexpected question…
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Threads v Twitter v Voices: What is the best social media?
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1:04:10Send us a text Meta launches Threads to take down Twitter - but is it any good? What if there was a perfect social media platform? One that perfectly balances user engagement, content delivery, and genuine connections? Well, we might not have found it yet, but we sure did take a crack at it in this latest episode of the Flash Masters podcast. Join …
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Is it cheating to use fake skies?! We discuss the impact of AI on Photography Awards
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52:08Send us a text In this episode we celebrate our recent guests, Janina Brocklesby, Neil Ridley and duo Demi and James, as well as updating you on all the recent Flash Masters developments in the Flash Masters community - and there has been a lot! We've had our minds blown with the feedback from you, the Flash Masters community, and we can't wait to …
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Modeling Adventures and the Art of Posing with Demi and James
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56:20Send us a text In this episode we are joined by the stars of Neil's off camera flash workshops and many of his YouTube videos - models Demi Hughes and James Taylor! Join us as we celebrate James' birthday and learn more about the incredible Demi and James, who share everything from their unique modeling talents to their thoughts on ghosts! Discover…
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From Military Veteran to Award-Winning Wedding Photographer: The Fascinating Journey of Neil Ridley
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46:20Send us a text Have you ever wondered how a military veteran turned security manager could end up becoming a multiple Flash Masters award-winning wedding photographer? Join us as we sit down with the incredibly talented Lancashire-based Neil Ridley, who shares his fascinating journey, from starting out second shooting all the way through to owning …
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Documentary wedding photography with Rangefinder Rising Star, Janina Brocklesby
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1:04:01Send us a text We recently had the absolute pleasure of chatting with the award-winning Janina Brocklesby of Reportage Studios, who shared her incredible journey and wisdom in the world of documentary wedding photography. With numerous awards and accolades under her belt from Masters of Wedding Photography, This is Reportage, Fearless and Rangefind…
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Elevate Your Wedding Photography Business: Mastering Styled Shoots, TFP, and Instagram Verification
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53:10Send us a text Are you ready to elevate your wedding photography business to the next level? Discover the secrets of organising a successful styled shoot in our latest episode, where we share our experiences and insights from a recent YouTube video project. Get ready to master the art of collaboration, as we discuss the importance of building relat…
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Has Adobe killed photography? | Photoshop Beta + Generative Fill
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1:08:20Send us a text In this episode we ask whether Adobe has killed photography with the launch of it's game changing Photoshop Beta and in particular the new Generative Fill tool, which revolutionises how we can edit our images. We now have tools which can do things we never thought possible - but is that a good thing? Join us in the Flash Masters comm…
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What is the best way to deliver images to couples?
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50:16Send us a text In this episode we hear all about Helen's sky dive from 15,000 feet, plus we find out how her move from PC to Mac is going..... We then talk about the best way to deliver images and sneak peeks to our couples - is it on the day or is it best to wait longer for a better client experience? We also find out how Neil almost caused an arg…
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Send us a text In this episode we talk about the latest wedding we shot together and how Helen ended up hiding under a table, Helen's move from PC to Mac and the latest Flash Masters news - including talking about Neil's Introduction to off camera flash live stream, which is hosted in the Flash Masters member zone. We then discuss the rise of the w…
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Pizza in the shower and how to go mega viral on TikTok with Adam Lowndes
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1:17:37Send us a text In this episode we are joined by incredibly talented UK-based wedding photographer Adam Lowndes to discuss how Adam started out in wedding photography, how he uses TikTok and his 360 camera to grow his business (gaining millions and millions of views and going viral in the process) and how he ended up keeping a cold pizza in his show…
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A very honest conversation about imposter syndrome
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54:54
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54:54Send us a text It's a packed episode! We talk about the latest Flash Masters news, including the release of Flash Masters Collection Six, the plans for our very first Flash Masters sponsored workshop with our incredible Australia based wedding photographer Ambassador Ben Connolly, we also pass on our congratulations to our friend Martin Cheung for …
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How to book weddings using LEGO with Chris Wallace
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55:35Send us a text In this episode we welcome Cheshire wedding photographer Chris Wallace from Carpe Diem photography on to the podcast - and wow, we covered a lot of subjects from Chris' experience of going viral all the way through to how he and Helen fell out for months over karaoke... Not only is Chris an amazing photographer who has won a number o…
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Building a wedding photography business from scratch with Keri Lovell
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58:40Send us a text In this episode we talk to incredibly talented wedding photographer, Keri-John Lovell. Less than 3 years after starting his wedding photography business, Keri has grown his business to a point where he is shooting 70+ weddings a year all over the UK - an incredible achievement! In this podcast Keri shares the secrets of his success a…
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Send us a text In this episode, we catch up by talking about Neil's latest wedding (and his embarrassing mistake) and find out how Helen is getting on designing her website (or not as the case maybe...) as well as looking forward to two exciting live streams in the Flash Masters community. We then give our advice on how you can best prepare your ph…
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Working alongside your partner with Daiga & Martin Cheung
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58:31Send us a text In this episode we look back on our amazing live stream with Flash Masters Ambassador Ben Connolly (available to rewatch now in the Flash Masters video zone) before introducing our lovely and extremely talented guests for this week's episode - our good friends, Daiga and Martin Cheung. Martin is a wedding photographer (and Flash Mast…
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Send us a text In this episode we catch up talking about Helen's new website, why she has had a very stressful week changing passwords and also hear about Neil's off camera flash workshops and his day at Tank Space. We then talk about the moral dilemmas we have each faced as wedding photographers, including answering hyperthetical dilemmas, includi…
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Let's talk about wedding photography workshops...
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52:37Send us a text In this episode we talk about why Neil had no air in his lungs on holiday and introduce the latest Flash Masters news, including our all new member video zone on the Flash Masters website - the new home of all our Ambassador video interviews, live streams and Zoom meetings. Plus we countdown to the deadline for Collection 6. We then …
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Send us a text In this episode we talk about the latest Flash Masters news, including the announcement of Collection 5 and our recent live stream with the amazing US based wedding photographer, Jeff Tisman. We then ask whether AI is killing photography? The advent of AI culling and editing services, text generators and software such as Midjourney i…
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Send us a text In this episode we talk about the importance of International Women's Day, which takes place on the 8th March 2023. We discuss the challenges faced by women in the photography industry and Helen speaks honestly and candidly of the issues she has faced as a female wedding photographer, both online and whilst working at weddings. We ta…
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Shark selfies and shooting Rankin with Martin Hobby
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56:22Send us a text In this episode we talk to the incredibly talented UK based wedding and portrait photographer, Martin Hobby. Martin has over 30 years photography experience, covering weddings, music, pets headshots and corporate work. Martin's photography journey is fascinating, from starting out shooting weddings at 16 with his dad in the 90's on f…
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Send us a text In this episode we talk about how we are almost fully up to date with our wedding photography editing (Neil is now up to date and Helen is almost there) and then discuss how we would like our businesses to look over the next 12 months and the plans we are going to put in to place to try and make those things happen. We should warn yo…
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