Watch on YouTube Mark Seymour has been taking photographs for almost as long as he can remember. In fact, one of his earliest photographic memories involves a Box Brownie camera, his younger brother, and a rather important missing ingredient: film. As a small child, Mark apparently carried that camera everywhere, happily clicking away and winding it on, despite the fact that there was nothing inside to record his pictures. Fortunately, his mother photographed him in the act. More than 60 years later, that grainy family snapshot is a wonderful reminder that Mark’s fascination with photography began long before he had any idea where it might take him. And it has taken him quite far. In this episode of the Street Photography Magazine Podcast, Mark returns for another conversation with Bob Patterson, sharing stories from his travels, his evolving photography workshops, and some remarkable opportunities that have come from building relationships with the people he photographs. One particularly interesting story involves his ongoing work documenting an Easter procession in Trapani, Sicily. Over the years, Mark has developed a relationship with the organizers, regularly giving them photographs of the event. In return, he’s been granted extraordinary access to photograph moments that most visitors never get to see. As the doors of the Church of the Anime Sante open, the Crucifixion sacred group emerges into the afternoon sunlight to begin the twenty-four-hour Misteri di Trapani procession. This photograph was selected by the Unione Maestranze as one of the official posters for the 2026 procession. His photographs have even been used to promote the procession, and the organizers arranged an outdoor exhibition of his work. Mark’s advice for photographers hoping to gain similar access is simple: Give back, give back, give back His advice underscores the fact that most of the best documentary photography out there doesn’t happen by chance. It’s about more than just showing up with a camera. Trust takes time, and the relationships we build can be every bit as important as our technical abilities. A Project Close to Home Perhaps the most moving part of the conversation comes when Bob asks Mark about the photographic project he made during his father’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Mark’s dad outside the bungalow that was the only home he and Mum ever owned. Mark began documenting his father before his official diagnosis, having recognized that something was changing. He asked his father’s permission to photograph the remainder of his life, and his father agreed. What followed became the most important photographic project Mark has ever undertaken, one that he feels he hasn’t come close to matching since. Mark’s dad played the harmonica throughout his life. He would often pick it up and play, and it became one of those sounds his family simply associated with him. In this outtake from the official series, Mark’s mother and father share an embrace at the care home. Some of the images are difficult, capturing the painful realities of his father’s decline. Others are tender moments between his parents, including the visits Mark and his mother made to the care home. Even now, more than a decade later, Mark finds some of the photographs difficult to look at but he’s glad he made them. The last photograph Mark ever took of his Dad, just a week before he died. The project eventually reached a much wider audience than he ever anticipated, appearing in media coverage and exhibitions, including a show at a prestigious London gallery. It also prompted strangers who had experienced similar losses to reach out and share their own stories. None of that was Mark’s motivation, though. “I did it for love,” he tells Bob. Twenty photographs from Ronnie’s Story were exhibited for a month at the Andipa Gallery in Knightsbridge, London, during World Alzheimer’s Month. Mark says, “I remember arriving at the gallery and seeing works by Picasso, Chagall, Banksy and Damien Hirst being taken down, knowing that for the next month those walls would be filled with photographs of my mum and dad. That was incredibly humbling.” Listen to the full conversation to hear more about Mark’s photography, his approach to documentary work, his upcoming projects, and the remarkable stories behind some of his most meaningful images. Links from the show Mark’s Website Mark on Instagram Bob’s Substack Neale James’ mini documentary about ‘Ronnie’s story’ More of Mark on the SPM Podcast Mark Seymour – Show Me the Nose Mark Seymour is an amazing wedding photographer who had an interesting journey into street photography. (No spoiler alerts here. You’ll have to listen in to hear the story. 😜) Now,… Read more The 3 F’s of Street Photography with Mark Seymour When I shoot on the street I often fall into the FOMO (fear of missing out) trap by continually wandering in search of the next photo. Firiends often tell me… Read more The Art of Getting Lost with Mark Seymour I’m pleased to have Mark Seymour back on the podcast. It’s been too long since we last connected, because Mark’s been busier than ever. He’s based in the UK, and… Read more For Subscribers Mark was also a featured photographer in the November 2022 issue of Street Photography Magazine. Interview with Mark Seymour Get to know and learn from a seasoned street photographer and photography mentor. Read more Not a subscriber yet? Join Street Photography Magazine for inspiring photography, thoughtful stories, and fresh perspectives from photographers around the world. We’re independent, ad-free, and supported entirely by readers like you. 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