How I See - The Leica Podcast

On this episode of How I See, photographer Jason Siegel shares the unexpected path that took him from running a college music blog to photographing artists including GRiZ and Illenium—and eventually to documenting remote cultures and landscapes around the world.

Jason discusses developing his visual style with Leica, balancing music, adventure, and hospitality photography, and building a creative career around curiosity and variety. He also recounts his journey through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in search of eagle hunters, the hospitality he encountered along the way, and the unforgettable images that came from the trip.

Later, Jason talks about documenting the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for the South Dakota Tourism Board, photographing 500,000 motorcycles, and turning a dream project into a personal visual story.

Jason's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jsiegelphotography/?hl=de

How does a photographer earn trust in places shaped by conflict, faith and history?

In this episode of How I See: The Leica Podcast, Louise Goldstone speaks with photographer Emily Garthwaite about curiosity, walking and the human connections behind her work.

Emily recounts how she first began photographing people as a teenager, her journey to Iraq during the Arbaeen pilgrimage, and the thousands of kilometres she walked through the Zagros Mountains. She discusses working with Yazidi communities, documenting faith and memory, and travelling with Sister Macrina through the landscapes of Sinjar.

The conversation also explores ethical photography, informed consent, women’s access to private spaces, and why some of the most important photographs are the ones you choose not to take. Emily shares her Leica approach—one camera, one lens—and explains why restriction, patience and returning to the same communities are central to her practice.

She also reflects on rejection, teamwork, photojournalism and her move into long-form documentary filmmaking.

Emily's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilygarthwaite
Emily'S Website: https://www.emilygarthwaite.com/

In this episode of How I See, Louise Goldstone speaks with photographer Pat Domingo at Leica headquarters in Wetzlar, Germany.

Pat shares how his father introduced him to photography, how photojournalism shaped his approach to fashion, and why he has carried a camera with him almost every day since he was 15. He discusses trust, emotion, teamwork, Leica cameras, fashion weeks, and the decisive moment behind his photograph of Kendrick Lamar and Justin Timberlake.

Pat also tells the story of his 15-year dream to photograph a chandelier in the desert, his work with Leica Academy, his plans for a book, and why he believes every photographer should find their own voice.

Shoutout to Erol Hasic: https://www.instagram.com/sumofmemories/

In this episode of How I See, Louise Goldstone speaks with French photographer Nina Davidson at Leica headquarters in Wetzlar. Nina shares how motherhood transformed her photography, why she embraces candid moments, and how moving from France to rural Scotland shaped her creative practice.

She also discusses her Leica Q3, inherited Leica M6, analog photography, memory, printing, and the beauty of ordinary family life. In the Unframed segment, Nina explores three family photographs, including her Albert Watson Prize winning image and a photograph selected for exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh.

Nina's Website: https://ninadavidson.com/
Nina's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninadavidson_/

Shoutout to: https://www.instagram.com/jas.leonard/

In this episode of How I See: The Leica Podcast, host Louise Goldstone sits down with London-based photographer and director Holly-Marie Cato to explore photography as a tool for connection, curiosity and community.

Holly reflects on growing up in a large Jamaican-British family in London, her unexpected journey from architecture into photography, and the pivotal experience of documenting the 2011 Tottenham riots that helped change the course of her career.

From Mexico City and Vietnam to India, Jamaica and London's Notting Hill Carnival, Holly discusses how travel, conversation and human connection shape the way she photographs the world. She also takes us behind Heavy is the Mantle, her deeply personal project documenting a Black Caribbean church community, and reflects on trust, representation and the responsibility of giving something back to the people we photograph.

The conversation also explores why creating opportunities for emerging Black photographers matters, how her architectural background influences the way she sees space, and why some of the most meaningful stories might be much closer to home than we think.

For Holly, photography may begin with the camera, but the conversation will always matter more than the photograph.

Holly-Marie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/h_cato/
Holly-Marie's Website: https://hollycato.com/

Shoutout to Hannah Reyes Morales (https://www.instagram.com/hannahreyesmorales/) and Eddie Otchere (https://www.instagram.com/eddie_otchere/)

Few photographers have shaped the visual language of hip-hop quite like Jonathan Mannion.

In this episode of How I See: The Leica Podcast, host Jack Devanna sits down with the legendary portrait photographer to trace a career built on curiosity, persistence, human connection, and an instinct for the moment.

Mannion reflects on discovering photography at Kenyon College, learning from master photographer Richard Avedon, and immersing himself in New York City’s emerging hip-hop scene, carrying cameras and portfolios into clubs, introducing himself to artists, and asking for the opportunities he wanted.

From photographing icons including The Notorious B.I.G., DMX and Aaliyah to creating hundreds of album covers and images that became part of hip-hop history, Mannion shares the stories and philosophy behind his work. He discusses why trust matters more than equipment, what it means to truly be present with a subject, and how a photographer develops the instinct to recognize a moment before it happens.

More than a conversation about photography, this is a conversation about purpose, persistence and staying connected to the joy of the work.

Jonathan's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jo nathanmannion/
Jonathan's Website: https://www.jonathanmannion.com/

Can photography really change the world?

Mexican photographer, visual artist, journalist and educator Greta Rico joins host Lucy Goldstone for a powerful conversation about photography as a tool for activism, education and social change.

Greta reflects on her journey from receiving her first camera at eight years old to developing long-term documentary projects exploring gender violence, reproductive rights, care work, climate change and the representation of women in Mexico.

She discusses her acclaimed projects Urban Midwives and Substitute Mother, the realities of femicide and the families left behind, and why she believes photographers must go beyond simply documenting injustice. For Greta, an image alone isn't enough — what matters is what we choose to do with it.

The conversation also explores the male and Western gaze, the invisible burden of care work, ethical documentary practice, the influence of visual culture on how we see ourselves, and the importance of women photographers creating new representations of their own lives.

Greta also shares her relationship with Leica, the cameras she uses for work and play, and her efforts to help build a feminist photography archive in Mexico.

Greta's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gretarico/
Greta's Website: https://www.gretarico.com/

Shout out to Carol Espíndola: https://www.instagram.com/espindolacarol/

and Rosa Chillante: https://www.instagram.com/rosa.chillante/

Join us for an inspiring conversation with wildlife and underwater photographer Melissa Field, whose journey began with a film camera as a teenager and grew into a career capturing some of the world's most breathtaking moments.

Melissa shares how photography helped her find presence, why she left certainty behind to follow her passion, and what it takes to create powerful images in some of nature's most challenging environments. From photographing whales and wildlife to discussing conservation, creativity, and the emotional connection behind every frame, this episode is a reminder that following what you love can change your life.

Whether you're a photographer, filmmaker, creative, or simply someone looking for inspiration, Melissa's story is filled with honest reflections on taking risks, embracing uncertainty, and finding purpose through art.

In this episode:

•  Melissa's journey into photography 
•  Wildlife and underwater storytelling 
•  The importance of conservation 
•  Film photography and Leica cameras 
•  Creativity, fear, and taking the leap 
•  Advice to aspiring photographers and creatives

Melissa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissafindley/
Melissa's Website: https://melissa-findley.com/

Shoutout to Elif Koyutürk Hazen: https://www.instagram.com/eliffkoyuturk/

From filming skateboard tricks as a kid to becoming one of YouTube's most recognizable street photography voices, Mike Chudley has built a career by keeping photography approachable, authentic, and fun.

In this episode of How I See: The Leica Podcast, host Louise Goldstone sits down with Mike at the Leica Headquarters in Wetzlar to discuss his journey into photography, why street photography is simply "a visual demonstration of people watching," overcoming the fear of photographing strangers, building a photography community, creating YouTube content, and why not taking photography too seriously might actually make you a better photographer.

Mike also shares how skateboarding shaped his photographic eye, why books remain one of his biggest creative inspirations, and how staying authentic online has helped him connect with photographers around the world.

In this episode:

•  Mike's journey from skateboarding to photography 
•  Finding confidence in street photography 
•  Building a photography career on YouTube 
•  Why authenticity resonates more than perfection 
•  The importance of photography books and community 
•  Making photography fun again

Mike's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikechudley/
Mike's Website: https://www.mikechudley.com/

Shoutout to James Parsons: https://www.instagram.com/jamesparsons__/

Photographer and creator Jakob Lilja-Ruiz, better known as Portra Papi, joins the Leica Podcast for an honest conversation about creativity, film photography and building a career behind the camera.

From his early fascination with YouTube and filmmaking to becoming one of the most influential voices in analogue photography, Jakob reflects on the experiences that shaped his work. Along the way, he shares his thoughts on Leica cameras, travelling, storytelling and why passion—not equipment—is what ultimately makes better photographs.

Jakob's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portra_papi
Jakob's Website: https://www.jakoblr.com/