Street Life

Mark Davidson and John St

Street Life is a street photography podcast hosted by John St and Mark Davidson. Each fortnight, John and Mark speak to talented, world-class street photographers - from traditional and established doyens of the industry to innovative and emerging trailblazers - about their work and love for street photography.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Josh Ethan Johnson

    Send a text In this episode of Street Life, Mark and John St dive deep into the world of street photography with our guest, Josh Ethan Johnson, a talented photographer and filmmaker based in New York.  Josh joins us to discuss his multifaceted career, which spans photography, filmmaking and even music. He shares his journey into street photography, revealing how his childhood fascination with family photos and his experiences in art school shaped his artistic vision. We explore the parallels between street photography and fly fishing, emphasising the importance of patience and the acceptance of failure in both pursuits. Throughout the conversation, Josh reflects on the challenges of approaching strangers on the street and the significance of building genuine connections with his subjects. He also discusses his acclaimed video series, The Wrong Side of the Lens, which highlights the stories of street photographers and their unique perspectives. We touch on the complexities of storytelling through photography, the impact of personal relationships with images, and the importance of context in visual narratives. Josh shares memorable experiences from his work, including a particularly striking photo taken at a pornography convention, illustrating the unexpected moments that can arise in the field. As we wrap up, we discuss the current events in Minneapolis and the role of photographers in documenting social issues, emphasising the balance between artistic expression and ethical responsibility. This episode is a rich exploration of the art of street photography, the connections we forge with others and the stories that unfold in our everyday lives. Follow us on Instagram and leave us a review!

    1h 21m
  2. 26 FEB

    Jeremy Paige, aka Eaten By Flowers

    Send a text In this episode of Street Life, co-hosts Mark Davidson and John St engage in a lively conversation with Los Angeles-based street photographer Jeremy Paige, also known as Eaten by Flowers.  Jeremy shares his unconventional journey into photography, revealing that he initially aspired to be a writer but found his voice through visual storytelling. He discusses the importance of feedback from mentors and how it shaped his path, leading him to embrace photography as a medium for expression. Throughout the conversation, Jeremy emphasises his reluctance to label himself as a photographer, citing the pressure that comes with such titles and the desire to avoid ego. We explore Jeremy's unique approach to street photography, where he captures the gritty and surreal aspects of Hollywood life. He explains how he immerses himself in his environment, often shooting in a familiar 15-block radius, and how he thrives on the challenges of finding compelling images in everyday situations. Jeremy also touches on the ethical considerations of street photography, particularly regarding the portrayal of vulnerable subjects like children and the homeless. One of the highlights of the episode is Jeremy's recounting of a memorable encounter with a man who reacted aggressively to being photographed. This story serves as a springboard for discussing the fine line between capturing candid moments and the potential for exploitation in street photography. Overall, this episode is a thought-provoking exploration of the motivations behind street photography, the challenges of artistic expression, and the importance of storytelling in our everyday lives. Join us as we delve into the mind of a photographer who is constantly pushing boundaries and seeking to capture the raw essence of the world around him. INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE Follow us on Instagram and leave us a review!

    1h 19m
  3. 12 FEB

    Lorenzo Catena

    Send a text In this episode of Street Life, Mark Davidson and John St reconnect after a brief hiatus, diving into their recent photography projects and the evolving landscape of street photography. Mark shares his experiences with a new photography project in Footscray, while John discusses his ongoing work in Adelaide. Mark and John then introduce their guest, Lorenzo Catena, an Italian photographer and architect. Lorenzo shares his journey into photography, highlighting how his architectural background influences his approach to composition and storytelling. He discusses his notable project, Comitiva, which challenges the notion of candid street photography by incorporating posed portraits, and reflects on the importance of expanding one's photographic repertoire beyond strict definitions. Lorenzo also talks about his ongoing project in Rome, focusing on the city's unique materials and textures, and the challenges posed by the influx of tourists. He emphasises the value of collaboration in photography, recounting his experiences working with fellow photographer Valeria Tofanelli on a project documenting Ostia, a coastal area of Rome. Their work captures the beauty and complexity of the region, showcasing the lives of its residents during the pandemic. Throughout the episode, the hosts and Lorenzo engage in a lively discussion about the nuances of street photography, the importance of patience and observation, and the evolving nature of their artistic practices. This episode is a rich exploration of creativity, collaboration, and the stories that unfold in everyday life through the lens of street photography. INSTAGRAM Follow us on Instagram and leave us a review!

    1h 11m
  4. 11/12/2025

    Mike Szpot, aka Illkoncept

    Send a text In this episode of Street Life, John and Mark dive into the world of street photography with special guest, Mike Spot, who also goes by the name Illkoncept. Mike, a Milwaukee-born, New York-based street photographer and filmmaker, shares his journey from skateboarding to photography, highlighting how his early experiences with video shaped his current work. We discuss Mike's transition from skate videos to street photography, the challenges he faced while shooting in Vietnam during Tet, and how unexpected circumstances can lead to unique creative opportunities. Mike reflects on the importance of capturing moments in photography versus video, and we explore the parallels between skateboarding and street photography. Throughout the conversation, we touch on the significance of inspiration, the impact of weather on shooting, and the struggles of self-doubt that many photographers face. He shares insights on how to overcome creative ruts and the value of exploring new environments, whether through travel or simply changing your usual routes in familiar places. We also delve into Mike's filmmaking style, drawing inspiration from iconic filmmakers and discussing how he combines photography and video to tell compelling stories. His recent works, including a captivating video about his experiences in Japan, showcase his unique approach to visual storytelling. Join us for an engaging discussion filled with insights, inspiration, and a few laughs as we explore the art of street photography and the creative process behind it. Follow us on Instagram and leave us a review!

    1h 13m
  5. 27/11/2025

    Lost in Tokyo - Street Life Japan

    Send a text In this episode of Street Life, we reflect on our recent trip to Japan, where we immersed ourselves in the vibrant culture and bustling streets of Tokyo. It was John's first visit to Japan, and I was overwhelmed by the efficiency of the city, the incredible food, and the sheer number of people. We discuss our experiences navigating the transport system, with John sharing his initial struggles and eventual mastery of it. We dive into our photography experiences, with John expressing the challenges he faced in capturing the essence of Tokyo, feeling that he didn't quite do it justice. Mark shares his own journey of shooting two rolls of film and discovering some unexpected keepers among the shots. We also touch on the unique aspects of Japanese culture, such as the politeness of the people, the absence of public eating, and the fascinating technology. Throughout the episode, we recount our encounters with fellow photographers and podcast listeners, including Tatsuo Suzuki, Laurence Bouchard, and Joel Pulliam, highlighting the warmth and kindness of the photography community in Japan. We also reminisce about our culinary adventures, including a memorable ramen experience and the challenges of using chopsticks. As we wrap up, we express our desire to return to Japan, explore more of its rural areas, and continue our photography journey. We appreciate the feedback from our listeners and look forward to future episodes with exciting guests. Thank you for joining us on this adventure! Follow us on Instagram and leave us a review!

    45 min
  6. 13/11/2025

    Joakim Möller

    Send a text In this episode of Street Life, we had the pleasure of speaking with Joakim Möller, a talented fine art street photographer based in Stockholm. Joakim is known for his haunting black and white imagery that beautifully blends reality with imagination. We delved into his journey into photography, which began in his teenage years, sparked by a high school course on street photography that opened his eyes to capturing candid moments in a way he had never considered before. Joakim shared his unique approach to street photography, emphasising the importance of mystery in his work. He discussed how he initially faced challenges while shooting in a small town in Sweden, where he often felt like an outsider with his camera. However, through perseverance and a shift in perspective, he learned to appreciate the beauty in his surroundings, leading to a series of photographs that captured the essence of his hometown. We explored Joakim's creative process, including his experimentation with diptychs during the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed him to find new ways to express his artistic vision. He also touched on the significance of using accessible tools, like his Ricoh GRIII and even his iPhone, to create compelling images without being bogged down by gear. Throughout our conversation, Joakim reflected on the subjective nature of photography and the importance of personal interpretation. He candidly shared his thoughts on the challenges of entering competitions, the evolution of his relationship with Instagram, and the value of patience in creating meaningful work. As we wrapped up, Joakim expressed his aspirations for future projects, including a book that he hopes will encapsulate his artistic journey. It was an inspiring discussion that highlighted the transformative power of photography and the unique voice that each photographer brings to the art form. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did! WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM Follow us on Instagram and leave us a review!

    1h 6m
  7. 23/10/2025

    Billy Dinh

    Send a text In this episode of Street Life, we had the pleasure of speaking with Brooklyn-based street photographer Billy Dinh, whose striking use of light and shadow has earned him international recognition - including a first-place award from The Independent Photographer in 2023. Billy shares his unconventional path into photography. Trained in illustration and painting, he discovered street photography almost by accident - after a break-in at his apartment and a chance encounter with another photographer. What began as a replacement camera soon became the start of a new artistic chapter. We discuss Billy’s evolution from landscapes to candid street scenes, the influence of his art background on his visual storytelling, and how he built a unique style by avoiding early imitation of others. The conversation also explores what “street photography” really means - and whether the label itself can be too limiting. Billy opens up about his creative process while traveling, the patience it takes to connect with new places, and how his most compelling work often emerges at the end of a trip. He also shares thoughts on emotional impact, composition, and how experimenting with focal lengths helps him tell layered stories. This episode offers a deep look into Billy’s artistic mindset - a thoughtful exploration of vision, emotion, and the beauty of everyday life captured through the lens. WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM Follow us on Instagram and leave us a review!

    1h 13m

About

Street Life is a street photography podcast hosted by John St and Mark Davidson. Each fortnight, John and Mark speak to talented, world-class street photographers - from traditional and established doyens of the industry to innovative and emerging trailblazers - about their work and love for street photography.

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