Raw Podcast With Dave and Paul

Raw Podcast With Dave and Paul

Join us on The Raw Podcast, where Irish documentary wedding photographers Dave and Paul dive into the world of photography. Expect candid conversations with incredible photographers, insights on gear and techniques, and plenty of laughs along the way. Whether you're a pro or just love great images, we’ve got stories, tips, and craic to share.

  1. Raw Podcast - EP59 - A conversation with Chris Copeland

    12H AGO

    Raw Podcast - EP59 - A conversation with Chris Copeland

    Episode 59 Chris Copeland. The Art of Storytelling Through the Lens: A Conversation with Chris Copeland This episode takes us into the world of Chris Copeland, a Belfast-based photographer whose approach to wedding photography is both timeless and unmistakably his own. Chris’s work is instantly recognisable. Cinematic, emotional, and rooted in an artful documentary sensibility that celebrates real life as it unfolds. We talk about where his love for photography began, the slow rhythm of shooting film, and how the medium shapes the way he sees the world. Along the way, Chris shares honest reflections on client relationships, destination weddings, and the importance of staying true to your creative voice in a saturated digital scene. In This Episode: How Chris developed his signature documentary style Why film still matters in a digital world The balance between spontaneity and preparation Building trust and telling authentic stories Lessons from destination weddings and challenging shoots Staying creative when photography becomes your career Social media, community, and the ever-evolving industry  Chris Copeland — chriscopelandphotography.co.uk Instagram: @chriscopelandphotography Chris’s recommendations of Artists to Check Out Billy Dinhhttps://www.instagram.com/billydeee Vineet Vohrahttps://www.instagram.com/vineet_vohra Alex Greyhttps://www.alexgrey.com Show LinksChris Copeland — chriscopelandphotography.co.ukInstagram: @chriscopelandphotography Follow us on Instagram @therawpodcast @davidmcclellandphotography @moathillphotography

    2h 38m
  2. Raw Podcast - EP58 - A conversation with John Boaz

    MAR 2

    Raw Podcast - EP58 - A conversation with John Boaz

    Raw Podcast - EP58 - A conversation with John Boaz In this conversation, we sit down with portrait photographer John Boaz to talk about where his work really comes from. From an early moment of seeing deer move through golden light at Bradgate Park to having his portraits on the cover of Portrait of Britain, John shares a thoughtful and honest look at his creative journey. We talk about the influence of university on his understanding of visual storytelling, the importance of personal projects alongside paid work, and why connection always matters more than technical perfection. John reflects on slowing down in a fast-paced, social-media-driven industry, how nature, music and everyday life feed into his work, and why imperfections often carry the most truth. This episode is about portraiture as a human exchange rather than a technical exercise, and about protecting artistic integrity while navigating commercial realities. Guest Bio John Boaz is a multi-award-winning portrait photographer based in Northamptonshire, UK. He graduated from Birmingham City University in 2019 with a degree in Visual Communication (Photography). John is a multiple winner of the British Journal of Photography’s Portrait of Britain awards, including having a portrait selected as the front cover of Volume 7. His work has been exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery as part of the Royal Photographic Society’s IPE 166 exhibition and features in major publications such as The Guardian, Financial Times Magazine, Le Monde and Der Spiegel. His ongoing series Rivers Of Living Water explores Christianity in Britain through portraiture and observational images. Key Topics John’s early inspiration at Bradgate Park University and learning visual storytelling Balancing paid work and personal projects Human connection in portraiture Feeling over technical perfection Inspiration from nature, music and everyday life Maintaining artistic integrity across mediums Slowing down in a fast social media world The impact of awards on creative confidence Notable Quotes “Imperfect images tell a story.” “Connection and context come first.” “Imperfections add authenticity.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction and background 02:50 Early photography experiences 06:00 University and visual storytelling 08:56 Transitioning into professional work 11:45 Personal projects and why they matter 14:37 Balancing paid work and passion 17:30 Current projects and future direction 20:32 Family and photography 23:51 Artistic reflection and intention 25:21 Digital versus film 27:29 Human connection in portrait photography 31:15 Planning versus spontaneity 34:17 Managing pressure and anxiety 38:34 Comfort and trust in portraits 41:35 Environment, light and atmosphere 45:15 Subconscious decision-making 47:42 Connection and context revisited 50:39 Emotion versus technical control 54:16 Storytelling through portraiture 57:57 Navigating wedding photography 01:01:16 Humility and growth 01:04:12 Finding inspiration beyond photography 01:07:07 Creative pressure 01:09:52 Social media and evolving perspectives 01:11:16 Fulfilment beyond Instagram 01:12:54 Balancing work and personal life 01:15:34 The impact of awards 01:17:43 Inspiration from fellow photographers Mentions Alex Soth Alys Tomlinson Portrait of Britain Where to find John johnboaz_ Johns Website Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@therawpodcast⁠ ⁠@davidmcclellandphotography⁠ ⁠@moathillphotography

    1h 34m
  3. Raw Podcast - EP54 - A conversation with Martin Ellard

    08/06/2025

    Raw Podcast - EP54 - A conversation with Martin Ellard

    Episode 54 – A conversation with Martin Ellard This week’s guest is Martin Ellard – a documentary wedding photographer based in South Wales with one of the most varied and fascinating paths into the industry we’ve heard yet. Martin’s background takes us from the offices of Magnum Photos, where he somehow managed to land a one-on-one with the legendary Elliott Erwitt, through years spent on the front lines as a press photographer, and on to commercial gigs before finding his home in wedding photography. We chat about what each of those roles taught him, how they’ve shaped the way he sees and shoots, and why the documentary approach speaks to him most. There’s plenty about the realities of press work, the pace and politics of editorial assignments, and the shift in mindset that comes with photographing a wedding day instead of a protest or breaking news. We also touch on his personal projects, zine-making, and whether he’s planning more. And of course, there’s gear talk, stories from the field, and plenty of odd tangents too. A thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation with someone who’s been around the block and still sees photography with a beginner’s curiosity. We could’ve gone on for hours, we probably will next time. Show Links. Martin’s Wedding Work https://www.martinellardweddingphotography.co.uk/ Martin’s Commercial Work https://www.martinellardphotography.co.uk/Chris Killip https://www.chriskillip.com/ Sebastião Salgado https://www.icp.org/browse/archive/constituents/sebasti%C3%A3o-salgado Joey’s Shots YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@JOEYSSHOTS Bristol Books on Photography https://bopbristol.org/ Follow us on Instagram: @therawpodcast @davidmcclellandphotography @moathillphotography

    2h 41m
  4. Raw Podcast - EP52 - A conversation with Janina Brocklesby

    07/10/2025

    Raw Podcast - EP52 - A conversation with Janina Brocklesby

    Episode 52 – A conversation with Janina Brocklesby (Reportage Studios) This week we’re joined by Janina Brocklesby – one half of Reportage Studios and someone whose work manages to hit that sweet spot between honest, emotional and, quite often, properly funny. Her images have a real heart to them – shaped by culture, personality and the chaos of a wedding day in full swing. We talk about how she got started in photography and the early days of setting up Reportage Studios. There’s plenty of chat about the realities of working as a duo, travelling for weddings across the UK and beyond, and how different cultural backgrounds have shaped the way she approaches the job. She’s going to be speaking at Doc Day next year – so we dig into how that’s feeling, and the nerves and excitement that come with stepping onto a stage rather than behind a lens. There’s also a really personal and powerful part of the conversation where Janina opens up about the recent passing of her brother. She talks with such grace about wanting the day of his funeral photographed, and how important that felt. The photographer she asked, by the way, was none other than past guest Ronan Palliser – not sure if we mentioned that during the chat, so worth saying here. We also dive into gear choices, the tension between documentary and editorial styles, the pressure of trends, and whether awards are worth the bother. Social media comes up too – whether it’s a useful tool or just something that gets in the way. A wide-ranging, honest chat with a photographer who truly cares about people, stories, and the moments that matter. Show Links. Reportage Studios - https://reportage-studios.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @therawpodcast@davidmcclellandphotography@moathillphotography

    1h 40m

About

Join us on The Raw Podcast, where Irish documentary wedding photographers Dave and Paul dive into the world of photography. Expect candid conversations with incredible photographers, insights on gear and techniques, and plenty of laughs along the way. Whether you're a pro or just love great images, we’ve got stories, tips, and craic to share.

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