The Photography Pod

Steve Vaughan and Nick Church

Nick Church and Steve Vaughan host The Photography Pod, a show for both working professional photographers and enthusiast snappers. Nick and Steve are professional photographers and educators based in the UK, and welcome you to the world of photography. The show features guest interviews with photographers from all genres of photography as well as technical and gear discussions. Nick and Steve both use Sony Alpha mirrorless cameras and lenses. Don't forget to check out the show as well on YouTube, @thephotographypod

  1. 21 HR AGO

    Stop Chasing The Perfect Histogram

    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 to read a histogram” and still felt unsure, this will make it click. Then we’re joined by Matt Hodgkin, a half-Brazilian, half-English photographer who spent years shooting stills on film sets and in theatres before stepping into UX product design and eventually committing fully back to photography. Matt shares what pulls him toward wedding photography, how he thinks about the balance of creativity and business, and what mentorship and accountability change when you’re building a wedding photography brand from scratch. Matt also tells the story of shooting a three-day wedding in Brazil as both family and an additional photographer alongside the hired team. We dig into kit choices for travel, how to stay respectful without shrinking yourself, and why client experience matters as much as the photos.  We even detour into Singapore’s Leica gallery and Betty Goh’s powerful work, plus a ChatGPT experiment that proves a big point: presets aren’t a substitute for light, timing, and intention. If this helped, subscribe, share the episode with a photographer friend, and leave us a review on Apple or Spotify. Matt Hodgkin on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hodgkin_studio/ Betty Goh on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/betty_goh_photography/ Support the show Nick Church and Steve Vaughan are professional wedding photographers based in the UK. They both use Sony Alpha cameras and lenses. Video version of the Podcast including slide shows of images https://www.youtube.com/@thephotographypod Nick's website : https://www.nickchurchphotography.co.uk/ Nick's Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/nickchurchphotography/ Nick Church Creative Academy https://www.nickchurchphotography.co.uk/news/introducing-nick-church-creative-academy Steve's website : https://www.samandstevephotography.com/ Steve's Wedding Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/ Steve's personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevevaughanphotography Music from Artlist.io Any technical information given by the presenters is based on their understanding and opinion at the time of recording

    53 min

  2. 7 MAR

    10 KILLER Photography questions!

    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.com/ Support the show Nick Church and Steve Vaughan are professional wedding photographers based in the UK. They both use Sony Alpha cameras and lenses. Video version of the Podcast including slide shows of images https://www.youtube.com/@thephotographypod Nick's website : https://www.nickchurchphotography.co.uk/ Nick's Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/nickchurchphotography/ Nick Church Creative Academy https://www.nickchurchphotography.co.uk/news/introducing-nick-church-creative-academy Steve's website : https://www.samandstevephotography.com/ Steve's Wedding Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/ Steve's personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevevaughanphotography Music from Artlist.io Any technical information given by the presenters is based on their understanding and opinion at the time of recording

    56 min

  3. 20 FEB

    Will Content Creators replace Photographers?

    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 Fujifilm X-Pro4 (Upcoming) - https://fujifilm.com/products/cameras/x-pro4 Studio Ninja - https://studioninja.co/ Support the show Nick Church and Steve Vaughan are professional wedding photographers based in the UK. They both use Sony Alpha cameras and lenses. Video version of the Podcast including slide shows of images https://www.youtube.com/@thephotographypod Nick's website : https://www.nickchurchphotography.co.uk/ Nick's Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/nickchurchphotography/ Nick Church Creative Academy https://www.nickchurchphotography.co.uk/news/introducing-nick-church-creative-academy Steve's website : https://www.samandstevephotography.com/ Steve's Wedding Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/ Steve's personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevevaughanphotography Music from Artlist.io Any technical information given by the presenters is based on their understanding and opinion at the time of recording

    55 min

  4. 29 JAN

    What would be our DREAM photography gig?

    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? Support the show Nick Church and Steve Vaughan are professional wedding photographers based in the UK. They both use Sony Alpha cameras and lenses. Video version of the Podcast including slide shows of images https://www.youtube.com/@thephotographypod Nick's website : https://www.nickchurchphotography.co.uk/ Nick's Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/nickchurchphotography/ Nick Church Creative Academy https://www.nickchurchphotography.co.uk/news/introducing-nick-church-creative-academy Steve's website : https://www.samandstevephotography.com/ Steve's Wedding Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/ Steve's personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevevaughanphotography Music from Artlist.io Any technical information given by the presenters is based on their understanding and opinion at the time of recording

    52 min

  5. 19 JAN

    Julian Elliott - Award winning freelance travel and landscape photographer

    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 Website : https://www.julianelliottphotography.com/ Support the show Nick Church and Steve Vaughan are professional wedding photographers based in the UK. They both use Sony Alpha cameras and lenses. Video version of the Podcast including slide shows of images https://www.youtube.com/@thephotographypod Nick's website : https://www.nickchurchphotography.co.uk/ Nick's Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/nickchurchphotography/ Nick Church Creative Academy https://www.nickchurchphotography.co.uk/news/introducing-nick-church-creative-academy Steve's website : https://www.samandstevephotography.com/ Steve's Wedding Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/ Steve's personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevevaughanphotography Music from Artlist.io Any technical information given by the presenters is based on their understanding and opinion at the time of recording

    42 min

  6. 21/12/2025

    Looking back on 2025 and plans for the New Year

    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_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== Support the show Nick Church and Steve Vaughan are professional wedding photographers based in the UK. They both use Sony Alpha cameras and lenses. Video version of the Podcast including slide shows of images https://www.youtube.com/@thephotographypod Nick's website : https://www.nickchurchphotography.co.uk/ Nick's Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/nickchurchphotography/ Nick Church Creative Academy https://www.nickchurchphotography.co.uk/news/introducing-nick-church-creative-academy Steve's website : https://www.samandstevephotography.com/ Steve's Wedding Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/ Steve's personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevevaughanphotography Music from Artlist.io Any technical information given by the presenters is based on their understanding and opinion at the time of recording

    41 min

  7. 06/12/2025

    Sony or Lumix for Gig Photography? Or Both!

    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 Support the show Nick Church and Steve Vaughan are professional wedding photographers based in the UK. They both use Sony Alpha cameras and lenses. Video version of the Podcast including slide shows of images https://www.youtube.com/@thephotographypod Nick's website : https://www.nickchurchphotography.co.uk/ Nick's Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/nickchurchphotography/ Nick Church Creative Academy https://www.nickchurchphotography.co.uk/news/introducing-nick-church-creative-academy Steve's website : https://www.samandstevephotography.com/ Steve's Wedding Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/ Steve's personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevevaughanphotography Music from Artlist.io Any technical information given by the presenters is based on their understanding and opinion at the time of recording

    52 min

  8. 21/11/2025

    Why Sony MUST make the A75 a winner!

    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/ Support the show Nick Church and Steve Vaughan are professional wedding photographers based in the UK. They both use Sony Alpha cameras and lenses. Video version of the Podcast including slide shows of images https://www.youtube.com/@thephotographypod Nick's website : https://www.nickchurchphotography.co.uk/ Nick's Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/nickchurchphotography/ Nick Church Creative Academy https://www.nickchurchphotography.co.uk/news/introducing-nick-church-creative-academy Steve's website : https://www.samandstevephotography.com/ Steve's Wedding Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/ Steve's personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevevaughanphotography Music from Artlist.io Any technical information given by the presenters is based on their understanding and opinion at the time of recording

    32 min
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About

Nick Church and Steve Vaughan host The Photography Pod, a show for both working professional photographers and enthusiast snappers. Nick and Steve are professional photographers and educators based in the UK, and welcome you to the world of photography. The show features guest interviews with photographers from all genres of photography as well as technical and gear discussions. Nick and Steve both use Sony Alpha mirrorless cameras and lenses. Don't forget to check out the show as well on YouTube, @thephotographypod

Information

  • Creator
    Steve Vaughan and Nick Church
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Photography Pod
  • Show Website
    The Photography Pod

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