Marcus Bleasdale has spent his life in places most of us would struggle to imagine, photographically documenting conflict zones and communities caught in the crossfire of politics and profit.

In this conversation within The Photowalk show, Marcus talks about the responsibility of witnessing brutal truths, from child labour in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the mining of conflict minerals used in our phones and tech, and how his book The Unravelling, forces us to reckon with the uncomfortable fact that everyday convenience often comes at someone else’s expense.

The mailbag is back and in today’s: Spike Boydell sends in a film link that had me properly thinking about connection. Jerilyn Owen shares how making a self-portrait is helping her learn acceptance. Samantha Ramsay finds something spiritual in photographing hands, while Greg Picone stumbles across a spooky landscape right behind his own backyard. Randy Bullerwell’s been capturing carnival season in Aruba in a way that’s anything but ordinary and Complaints Corner is open again… this time, it’s a case of the wrong pants. Plus, a quick reminder: it’s the final week for this month’s One Word Assignment, set by Claire Thomas.

Links to all guests and features will be on the showpage, my sincere thanks to MPB, Arthelper and LOWA who sponsor this show, plus our Extra Milers without whom we wouldn't be walking each week.

WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.

In this episode, I’m joined by Ian Beesley, the acclaimed social documentary photographer whose work has captured the changing face of the North of England for over four decades. From documenting the decline of heavy industry to the resilience of working-class communities, Ian’s photographs are raw, honest, and deeply human.

We talk about memory, place, humour, and the role of photography in giving voice to people and stories often overlooked. It’s a conversation about seeing, really seeing, the world around us and using a camera not just to document but to care.

Also on the show, Valérie Jardin returns for the monthly Teach Me Street feature, and there's a reminder of the latest one-word assignment set by the photojournalist Claire Thomas.

The mailbag returns next week.

Links to all guests and features will be on the showpage, my sincere thanks to MPB, Arthelper and LOWA who sponsor this show, plus our Extra Milers without whom we wouldn't be walking each week.

WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.

Today I visit and walk with British photographer Mark Seymour, who made his name as an award-winning wedding photographer. However, his passion for photography as a medium led him beyond the wedding aisle and onto the streets of the world, where he now documents culture, tradition, and the human experience through travel, documentary photography and workshops. In this episode of The Photowalk, we talk about his transition from weddings to reportage, the power of visual storytelling, and Ronnie’s Story, a deeply personal and important body of work that not only changed Mark as a photographer but also brought vital awareness to dementia.

Links to all guests and features will be on the showpage, my sincere thanks to MPB who sponsor this show and the Extra Milers without whom we wouldn't be walking each week.

WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.

What kind of person looks at the world’s tallest mountain, a frozen, oxygen-starved, avalanche-prone giant and thinks, “Yeah, I’ll have a go at that?”

Tim Kington, a photographer and adventure seeker with a dream to stand atop the world, took on Everest, facing brutal conditions where the air is too thin to breathe, the temperatures can freeze flesh, and every step is a fight against nature itself. In this episode, I talk to Tim about what it takes to climb Everest, the reality of the so-called Death Zone, and why, despite the dangers, thousands still attempt to reach the summit—some making history, others becoming part of the mountain forever.

Links to all guests and features will be on the showpage, my sincere thanks to MPB who sponsor this show and the Extra Milers without whom we wouldn't be walking each week.

WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.

A magazine feel to the show today as I talk with three guests. The discovery of Ernest Stone's archive reveals a once-hidden visual chronicle of New York from the 1960s to the 1980s, capturing its transformation, counterculture, and politics, cementing his legacy as a multifaceted artist, a legacy that may not have been uncovered without the dedication of his niece Melissa Berman, who is working to Ernie’s last wishes to share his archive, preserving a vital piece of New York's visual history. Extra Miler Lynn Fraser talks about winning the UK’s coveted Amateur Photographer of the Year award, and Rick Davy shares his visually documented look at creative individuals who live and work by the Cornish coast.

Also on the show, following last week’s episode featuring the Séance photographer Shannon Taggart, Per Birkhaug shares a strange ghostly encounter from a hotel room, and Bob Demers, AKA Bob of the Desert, has his own inexplicable stories. Plus, a look ahead to three special episodes and an assignment reminder; you’ve got just one more week to take part in our February photo challenge.

Links to all guests and features will be on the showpage, my sincere thanks to MPB who sponsor this show and the Extra Milers without whom we wouldn't be walking each week.

WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.

My guest today is Shannon Taggart, a photographer and author renowned for her exploration of modern Spiritualism, a belief system centred on communicating with the deceased. Her fascination began as a teenager when a medium revealed details about her cousin’s grandfather's death, sparking a two-decade journey documenting Spiritualist communities worldwide. Her acclaimed monograph, SÉANCE, delves into these practices and was named one of TIME Magazine's 'Best Photobooks of 2019'.

From the mailbag and also on the show, Bob of the Desert uncovers some curious coincidences at 5,000 feet, Craig Wilson captures the beauty of the Lake District, Niels de Kemp reflects on how ageing shapes mastery of photography, and Gavin Perry talks about colour blindness as a photographer. Plus David Wright reminds us of this month's photo assignment.

Links to all guests and features will be on the showpage, my sincere thanks to MPB who sponsor this show and the Extra Milers without whom we wouldn't be walking each week.

WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.

What do you do if a black bear wants a word with you, and all you’ve got for protection is a jacket? No handbook for that. The same goes for being miles from anti-venom after a snake bite or realizing a polar bear thinks you’re lunch. For National Geographic photographer and filmmaker David Wright, this isn’t fiction, it’s just another day at work. He’s got the dream job if you don’t mind bears, snakes, and the occasional impalement. We talk about David’s incredible career, laced with adventure and the occasional serving of chance!

Also, on the show, Reid Naaykens shares how creating stock images has brought his work to life in ways Instagram hasn’t lately. Kyle Attwood is back with more tales of photographing rafts, the ones made from milk cartons. Meanwhile, Hegaard the Dane faces an unexpected challenge from swan song and Valerie Jardin joins us for the very first TEACH ME STREET segment. Looking ahead to next week, we meet a photographer who turned The Séance into a best-selling photobook, plus, a reminder of this month’s ONE WORD ASSIGNMENT, set by today’s guest, David Wright.

Links to all guests and features will be on the showpage, my sincere thanks to MPB who sponsor this show and the Extra Milers without whom we wouldn't be walking each week.

WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.

National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson has shot over fifty stories for National Geographic and Traveler and today shares the art of becoming invisible behind the lens, plus how he pitches photo stories to the world’s biggest publications.

Though his work has spanned the globe, his long-term storytelling in rural Kansas is just as profound, as he reveals. In this episode, Jim, once named the Photographer’s Photographer by his peers, reflects on why blending in, embracing the ‘boring,’ and quiet observation can lead to the most powerful photographic stories. Plus, we revisit his iconic High School USA essay, a classic of documentary photography.

From the mailbag, Mark Christensen feels inspired to start his own photography podcast, Sam Hopwood crashed his mountain bike last year, which in a twist of creative fate, never mind the twisted metal, has brought him back to photography, Kyle Attwood has been exploring the streets of Perth with film, making zines to celebrate the art of the print, and Dennis Linden has been revisiting the dangers we talked about when photographing wild-fires. Plus, there’s this month’s NEW one-word assignment, and I’ll announce the winner of last month’s challenge featuring the colour red.

Links to all guests and features will be on the showpage, my sincere thanks to MPB who sponsor this show and the Extra Milers without whom we wouldn't be walking each week.

WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.

After enduring four years of dialysis and declining health, my guest, photographer Tracey Halladay had come to terms with the possibility of not experiencing all that life had to offer. However, a life-saving kidney transplant granted her a second chance. During her recovery, Tracey noticed a shift in her perception of the world. She felt compelled to share her newfound understanding and appreciation as she explored the mountains, forests, and meadows of Canada. Through her photography, Tracey aims to encourage mindfulness, curiosity, and compassion towards ourselves, others, the Earth, and all its creatures.

From the mailbag today, Ewan McNeill shares why Glass is his creative social platform of choice over Instagram, Kelvin Brown invites Flickr users to join a new group celebrating the Photowalk’s assignments, Tracey Ainsley has checked into a lighthouse keeper’s cottage, Chris Smith asks you to think about what your THIS IS ME image might be, Xavier Shaver has a poem from the path, and Mark Christensen is taking the Famous not so Famous flask on tour in California.

Links to all guests and features will be on the showpage, my sincere thanks to MPB who sponsor this show and the Extra Milers without whom we wouldn't be walking each week.

WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.

I’m joined on the show by the photojournalist Ted Soqui, regarded by his peers as a visual historian of modern American life. His career spans four decades, capturing pivotal moments like the 1992 LA riots and the city’s relentless wildfires. His striking images have been featured in national and global media, telling raw, powerful stories. Ted will share the unique challenges and dangers of covering the 2025 LA fires, offering insight into life on the frontlines with a camera.

From the mailbag and contributions to the show, Vicky Robb brings us a thought-provoking quote from a famous Mexican photographer, photojournalist Marissa Roth shares a powerful essay on the LA fires, and I consider how our senses shape the way we see and create. Tom Warburton whisks us away to India with a vibrant audio postcard, and Wesley Harney uncovers the beauty and storytelling potential in photos captured right on your doorstep. Plus, a reminder of Ted Forbes’ one-word assignment, which is sparking some amazingly creative entries.

Links to all guests and features will be on the showpage, my sincere thanks to MPB who sponsor this show and the Extra Milers without whom we wouldn't be walking each week.

WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.