In this Trail Marker episode of the Shutter Trails podcast, Drake explores the power of leading lines in photography.

He discusses how natural and man-made lines—such as trails, rivers, roads, branches, and architectural elements—can guide a viewer’s eye through an image, create depth, and strengthen composition.

Drake also shares practical tips for finding and using leading lines in the field, along with common pitfalls to avoid.

Whether you’re photographing landscapes, forests, or urban scenes, learning to recognize and use leading lines can add structure, flow, and impact to your photos.

In this episode of Shutter Trails, I sit down with Colorado-based landscape photographer, adventurer, educator, and podcast host Matt Payne.

Matt is the creator of the long-running photography podcast F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, co-founder of the Natural Landscape Photography Awards, and an accomplished mountaineer who has climbed the 100 highest peaks in Colorado. His passion for adventure and photography has taken him across the world teaching workshops and exploring wild landscapes.

We discuss Matt’s journey from working in clinical psychology to becoming a full-time photographer and educator, how climbing Colorado’s highest mountains shaped his photographic vision, and what he’s learned after interviewing hundreds of the world’s best photographers.

We also dive into:

• The biggest lessons Matt has learned from 460+ photography interviews

• Why authentic landscape photography matters

• The ethics of editing, composites, and AI in photography

• How the Natural Landscape Photography Awards promote honesty in nature photography

• Teaching workshops and finding unique compositions at iconic locations

• Matt’s new book “The Colorado Way”, inspired by hiking the 500-mile Colorado Trail

Matt also shares advice for photographers looking to develop their own creative voice and improve their work.

If you care about landscape photography, creativity, ethics, and the experience of photographing nature, this conversation is packed with insights.

🎧 Topics covered

• Landscape photography inspiration

• Photography ethics and editing

• The Natural Landscape Photography Awards

• Teaching photography workshops

• Climbing Colorado’s highest mountains

• Hiking the Colorado Trail

• Building a photography podcast

  Finding your creative voice

In this short episode, I tell you how to prepare for photography on a rainy day and why it's a great time to shoot. You get some tips to keep your gear dry as well as things that can take your wet weather photography to a higher level.

In this episode of Shutter Trails, I sit down with nature photographers Dave & Kelly Hutchison to talk about their journey from creative partnership to publishing a bestselling Vancouver Island photography book.We explore:• How Dave transitioned from hobbyist to professional landscape photographer;• Kelly’s path into forest therapy and how it influences her creative writing• The process of self-publishing a high-quality photo book;• Working with editors, designers, and printers in Canada;• Building a photography business through bookstores, Amazon, art cards, and calendars;• The realities of stock photography (including Getty Images)• Hosting private photography workshops and whale tours; and• Their honest thoughts on AI in photography and creative authenticity.If you’re interested in landscape photography, nature photography, self-publishing, creative entrepreneurship, or building a photography career in Canada, this conversation offers some great insight from two working artists who are actively doing it.We also talked about:• Shooting with drones in natural environments;• Ethical wildlife photography;• Forest therapy;• Slowing down to see more creatively; and• The challenges of consistent art sales.Dave & Kelly share practical lessons from creating their Vancouver Island photography book — from researching market demand to printing with a Canadian publisher and distributing through bookstores across British Columbia.To learn more about Dave and his photography, please check out his website:davehutchisonphotography.comKelly has a forest therapy website:salishseaforesttherapy.caand she has a more personal one as well:kellylovesnature.com If you enjoy this thoughtful conversations about outdoor photography and the creative life, please consider subscribing for future interviews and solo episodes.

In this short episode, I talk about some common reasons your photos may have a flat feel, even though when you were there, the scene was beautiful. I'll also give some tips to help improve your shots, so that you can add depth to them and make them feel more immersive.

In this episode, I discuss various aspects of planning a photography trip, from a short day trip to a long excursion. I take you through the way I planned for a recent trip to the north end of Vancouver Island, and then show you how my plans worked out.

This Trail Marker episode is a little longer, but it is worth it as I discuss a large topic: Rainforest Photography. I'll let you know some techniques and tips that work well in challenging conditions, so you can enjoy being on the forest trail with your camera.

Welcome to the premier episode of the Shutter Trails podcast. Sit back and relax, or bring this episode along with you as you wander the trails with your camera. In this episode, you'll learn more about your host, Drake, and how he came to create this podcast. It's aimed at anyone who has a love for the outdoors and photography. The episode presents the philosophy that will be followed as we discuss various aspects of photography both in solo episodes and in interviews with some very interesting and experienced photographers. I hope you enjoy what you hear (and see) and look forward to some feedback.

This is the first short 'Trail Marker' episode of Shutter Trails, the podcast all about outdoor photography. It's a brief intro into what the podcast is all about and where we're headed. The first full episode will be posted on 7 January 2026. I hope you enjoy following the Shutter Trails podcast to some great interviews and photography talk!