This week I wanted to talk about something that’s been on my mind a lot recently: following the crowd, waiting for permission and putting things off because you think there’ll be a better time later.

I talk about how easy it is in photography to copy what everyone else is doing because it feels safe. The same trends, the same ideas, the same way of running a business. But if everyone is doing the same thing, it gets very hard to stand out.

There’s also a bit about making changes sooner. Raising your prices, trying film, changing your editing, improving your website, learning something new. A lot of the time we already know what we want to do, we just keep delaying it.

I also get into the idea of doing things your future self will thank you for, why the work you put into your photography business now can pay off months later, and whether you’re actually building a business and a life you genuinely want to live.

A relaxed episode about photography, business, confidence, motivation and doing things your own way.

I think a lot of us say we want to improve as photographers, but how often do we actually stop and ask ourselves what are we doing to make that happen?

In this episode, I'm talking about the difference between being busy and actually getting better, why copying everyone else can keep you stuck, and how easy it is to focus on the wrong things in your business. We get caught up in cameras, lenses, Instagram trends, websites, branding and all the other stuff that feels productive, while sometimes completely ignoring the thing that's actually holding us back.

I'll also talk about figuring out what you're genuinely bad at, when buying new gear can actually be useful, why experimenting and doing things your own way matters, and the small improvements that can make a much bigger difference than you might think.

So, if you look at your photography business a year from now, what do you actually want to be different?

And more importantly, what are you doing about it?

That's the question for this one.

This is a bonus episode where I’m just chatting about motivation, discipline and how I actually keep myself on track running a photography business.

I think there can be a weird pressure that photographers put on themselves to constantly be working. Answering emails at midnight, working every weekend, never taking a day off and making everyone believe you’re grinding 24/7.

I’m not really interested in that. Like... at all.

I like having a life. I like going places, traveling, going to the gym, eating nice food and doing completely random things. I’ll happily show that stuff on Instagram too (shoutout personal brand). But at the same time, if I’ve told a couple their gallery is going to be ready on Friday, it’s going to be ready on Friday. That’s where discipline comes in.

We’re talking about motivation, money, future goals, getting yourself to do things when you really can’t be bothered, and why sometimes you just need to stop waiting until you feel motivated and crack on.

I also talk about the difference between actually being productive and just convincing yourself you’ve had a busy day, the idea of asking whether future you will be glad you did something, and why having high standards for yourself can make running a business a lot easier.

Basically, just a little walk and chat about getting stuff done, enjoying your life and building a photography business without making yourself miserable in the process.

What do you do when a wedding is running an hour behind? What happens when a couple doesn't like their photos? How do you deal with a guest who keeps getting in your way? What if you realise you've missed an important photograph? What happens when a client asks for the RAW files? And what do you do when something goes seriously wrong?

I'm going through some of the most common problems and awkward situations that can come up as a wedding photographer, and talking through exactly how I'd handle them.

Because wedding photography isn't just about taking good photographs. It's about dealing with people, managing expectations, setting boundaries, solving problems and keeping your head when things inevitably don't go to plan.

Some of these situations I've experienced myself, some I've seen other photographers deal with, and some are situations where there isn't necessarily a perfect answer.

So, what would you do?

What are you actually bad at?

I know, it's probably not the nicest question to ask yourself, but I think it's one that's worth asking every now and then. We spend so much time talking about our strengths, our best photos, our bookings and everything we're doing well, but how often do we actually sit down and admit where we're struggling?

In this episode of Photo Chat with Matt, I'm talking about weaknesses, growth mindset and being a bit more honest with yourself about your photography business.

I'm not talking about sitting there and beating yourself up or convincing yourself you're a terrible photographer. Everybody has weaknesses. Even the best photographers, business owners and elite athletes in the world have things they could improve. I actually think being confident enough to admit that you're not very good at something is a really healthy part of building a successful photography business.

I talk about a Venn diagram exercise a business coach gave me when I first started my business, where you look at your strengths, identify your weaknesses and then work out how those gaps can be covered. Sometimes you need to learn the skill yourself. Sometimes you need better systems. And sometimes the smartest thing you can do is find somebody else who is better at it and outsource it.

I also talk about my own experience with flash photography. A few years ago, I really struggled with flash and avoided using it at weddings, particularly once the light started disappearing in the evening. Eventually I had to bite the bullet, learn how to use it and turn something I was avoiding into a skill I could actually rely on.

We also get into the things photographers avoid, why you shouldn't turn your weaknesses into part of your identity, the danger of comparing your weaknesses to somebody else's strengths on Instagram, and why you don't actually need to become brilliant at everything.

Because knowing what you're bad at doesn't make you a bad photographer.

It gives you something to work on.

So, what do you actually suck at?

And more importantly, what are you going to do about it?

Over the last few years, I've realised that the biggest changes in my photography business haven't come from buying a new camera or finding some magic marketing trick. They've come from changing the way I think.

In this episode, I'm chatting through some of the mindsets that have genuinely changed my life, from the way I make decisions about money to how I deal with setbacks, success and everything in between. These are little philosophies I've picked up from sport, photography, books, documentaries and people I've met along the way, and they've shaped the way I run my business today.

I talk about what I call my "millionaire mindset", why I believe money should be a tool rather than something that controls every decision you make, and why spending wisely can sometimes be far more valuable than simply spending less.

We also chat about having a championship mentality, looking after your body and mind, playing the long game in business, staying level headed through both wins and losses, and why your biggest competition is the photographer you were yesterday, not somebody else's Instagram feed.

• Why I believe mindset shapes your business more than gear ever will

• What I mean by having a millionaire mindset and why it has nothing to do with showing off

• How to spend money intentionally without wasting it

• Why playing the long game creates a stronger business and happier clients

• The lessons photography can learn from elite sport

• How discipline beats motivation over the long run

• Why successful people often have far more humility than you'd expect

• The importance of protecting your environment and surrounding yourself with positive people

• How small daily decisions quietly shape the future of your business

If you've ever found yourself comparing your journey to everyone else, worrying about every pound you spend, or wondering what actually separates photographers who keep growing from those who stay stuck, I think you'll really enjoy this conversation.

Sometimes the biggest thing holding us back isn't our camera, our website or our marketing. It's simply the way we think.

Tune in for a relaxed chat about business, photography, money, sport and the mindsets that have genuinely helped me build a career I love.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

I thought I'd just sit down, press record, and have a proper catch up. Let's chat about a couple of brilliant weddings I've photographed recently, a journey home that seemed determined to go wrong, and one of the most inspiring people I've ever met at a wedding.

The first wedding took me down to London for an elopement, wandering around places like Tower Bridge and the South Bank with a lovely couple who were just happy to soak it all in. Then a couple of days later I photographed what I can honestly say is one of the most incredible weddings I've ever been to. An amazing family home, a church that's over a thousand years old, and a day I'll remember for a very long time.

The biggest takeaway from the whole week wasn't actually the weddings though. It was meeting the groom's dad, a portrait artist whose work hangs in Buckingham Palace and who has painted people like Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III and Nelson Mandela. After everything he'd achieved, he was still one of the most down to earth, genuinely interested people I've ever spoken to. It reminded me that the people who have achieved the most are often the ones with the least ego.

We also chat about cancelled trains, why I ended up booking myself into a Hilton halfway home, why I don't think spending money on your own wellbeing is something to feel guilty about, and why getting out into new places always seems to give me fresh ideas for my photography.

In this episode we chat about:

• Photographing a London elopement around some of the city's most iconic locations.

• One of the most memorable weddings I've ever photographed.

• Meeting a royal portrait artist whose work has been seen all over the world.

• Why humility leaves a much bigger impression than status.

• My disastrous journey home and why I finally admitted defeat and booked a hotel.

• Finding inspiration through travel, history and the people you meet along the way.

• Looking after yourself during a busy wedding season.

It's a slightly different episode this week. More of a catch up than anything else. If you've ever had one of those weeks where everything feels a bit chaotic, but you somehow come away feeling inspired by it all, I think you'll enjoy this one.

Thanks for listening, and as always, thanks for coming along for the chat.

For a long time, I thought I knew what success looked like.

Being recognized. Growing an audience. Making more money. Having people know who you are and feeling like you've finally reached a point where you can say, "I've made it."

But the older I get, the more my idea of success has changed.

In this episode, I reflect on a time when I experienced what I thought was success after releasing my documentary, being featured in the media, and having people recognise me. Looking back, I realised how quickly those moments pass, and how much more I value the quieter things now.

We talk about building a life around the things that genuinely matter, the pressure photographers feel from comparing themselves online, how our goals and motivations change over time, and why success looks completely different for everyone.

For some people, success might be growing a business. For others, it might be having more free time, travelling, spending time with family, or simply enjoying the work they do.

Because the finish line keeps moving as we grow.

And maybe the biggest lesson is learning to appreciate how far you've already come.

After a few really busy weeks shooting weddings, I've realised something... I'm genuinely excited about photography again.

In this episode, I wanted to chat about where that inspiration has come from because it definitely wasn't one big thing. It was lots of small things that all came together.

Watching Toy Story 5 reminded me how powerful storytelling can be. I started adapting my vintage 1970s film lenses onto my mirrorless cameras and completely fell in love with the look they produce. I've been experimenting with Pro Mist filters, playing around with my Insta360, showing more of my personality on social media, and even filming myself reviewing a Marks & Spencer sandwich just for fun.

None of these things have magically made me a better photographer. They've simply made photography feel exciting again.

I also talk about why consuming creative work outside of photography is so important, why doing things purely for yourself can make a huge difference, and why sometimes the best ideas come when you stop trying so hard to find them.

If you've been feeling a little burnt out or stuck in a creative rut, I hope this episode reminds you that inspiration is usually found away from Instagram and away from photography Facebook groups. Sometimes all it takes is trying something new, watching a great film, visiting somewhere different, or simply giving yourself permission to create for the fun of it.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Why watching films can make you a better photographer and storyteller

• Using vintage Canon FD and Olympus OM lenses on modern mirrorless cameras

• How Pro Mist filters have changed the way I look for light

• Why buying new gear can sometimes reignite your creativity

• My first impressions of the Insta360 Go 3S

• Showing more of your personality on social media and why clients love it

• My recent wedding, engagement shoot and trip to Vindolanda

• Why creativity comes from living, not just photographing

If you've been waiting to feel inspired again, this one's for you. Grab a coffee, come for a chat, and hopefully you'll finish this episode wanting to pick your camera up and create something just because it sounds fun.

This week's episode is exactly what the podcast was named for. Just a good old photo chat.

I'm catching you up on a few things I've been trying recently, including the new Insta360 GO 3S, my latest AirPods, and why I've completely fallen in love with using Pro Mist filters at weddings. We chat about buying gear with intention, avoiding unnecessary upgrades, and focusing on equipment that genuinely improves your photography rather than simply collecting the latest gadgets.

With the Fourth of July just around the corner, we also take a little detour into some brilliantly weird facts about the US, from the shortest commercial flights in Alaska to a town with just one resident. If you're anything like me and love traveling around the greatest country on Earth, you'll probably enjoy this part.

To finish the episode, I thought we'd do something a little different with a fun photography draft. Think of it like building your ultimate photography setup and dream wedding day by picking your favorites from different categories. Feel free to play along and see if your choices match mine.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Why I decided to buy the Insta360 GO 3S and how I plan to use it at weddings
• My thoughts on Pro Mist filters and the subtle difference they've made to my images
• Buying camera gear with purpose instead of chasing every new release
• A few weird and wonderful facts about America ahead of Independence Day
• A fun photography draft where I choose my favourite cameras, lenses, locations, lighting and more
• A relaxed catch up filled with photography chat, travel, gear and a few random tangents along the way

Whether you're editing galleries, driving to a wedding, or just looking for a laid back photography podcast to keep you company, I hope you enjoy this week's episode.

If you enjoyed it, I'd really appreciate it if you could follow the podcast and leave a rating on Spotify. It genuinely helps more photographers discover the show. As always, thanks so much for listening, and I'll see you in the next episode.