Excited to release the special Doc Day 2025 episode of the Podcast! I love how this has become a tradition, taking my travel mic to the unique documentary wedding photography conference that is Doc Day in Dublin. Every year is amazing, and 2025 was the best yet – tune in to hear me talk to speakers and attendees from all over the world, and hopefully you’ll get a great sense of the unique atmosphere; of togetherness, friendship, openness, learning and partying all in one. Doc Day truly is a special thing.

Tickets are on sale right now for Doc Day 2026 – where it will be presented going forwards by Loxley Colour – and is being held on February 9th & 10th 2026 in Dublin, Ireland. It will feature talks from some of the best documentary wedding photographers in the world, including Tyler Wirken, Janina Brocklesby, Susana Barbera, Matt Badenoch, Annie & Kevin Kheffache, and John Dolan. Grab your ticket at https://docday.international/

This is Reportage members receive an exclusive 10% discount on Doc Day tickets – just visit the members area or check the latest newsletter to find out how. Not yet a member? See all the benefits of membership and join us at https://thisisreportage.com/register/

Cover image by the brilliant Patrick Duddy, who did an absolutely fantastic job photographing Doc Day – so good! https://www.patrickduddy.com/

Head to https://thisisreportage.com/podcast-episode-143-this-is-doc-day-2025/ for a link through to the Doc Day website and to see the Reportage Award that Andrew Sharman speaks about on the episode, too.

If you're not yet a member of This is Reportage or This is Reportage: Family, check out all the benefits of joining us, including an unlimited number of images on your profile, 60 individual Award & 18 Story Award entries per year, invites to our physical meetups and parties, exclusive discounts, hours of educational videos featuring tips and advice from some of the world's best photographers and much more.

Entries are open for our next round of Awards; The deadline is the same for both sites: Submit by 23:59 GMT on 24th March 2025.

See all the benefits of membership and join our wedding site at https://thisisreportage.com/register/, or join our family site at https://thisisreportagefamily.com/register/

The brilliant Cambridgeshire-based photographer Tom Beynon is my guest on the Podcast this week! Tom was 5th in the world overall on TiR for 2024, and was also 5th Storyteller - this man knows his documentary.

You can also watch the video verson of this episode over on YouTube, where our channel is @thisisreportage, or watch directly on https://thisisreportage.com/podcast-episode-142-this-is-tom-beynon/

On this week's episode:

• Tom photographed close to 40 weddings last year, including second shooting.

• Editing for another photographer was a challenging learning experience.

• Tom's love for cats resonates with some of his clients.

• He has a unique avatar featuring his cats that he was initially nervous to share

• Tom is excited to speak at the F-Stop Conference about documentary photography.

• Tom's approach to second shooting has helped him build connections in the industry.

• The lull between wedding events is a treasure trove for candid moments.

• Documentary photography allows for creative freedom during weddings.

• Capturing genuine emotions is key to storytelling in photography.

• Learning from others can enhance your photography skills.

• It's important to curate images for Story Awards effectively.

• Every wedding has unique moments waiting to be captured.

• Building a portfolio often requires starting with lower-priced gigs.

• Creative approaches can lead to unique and award-winning shots.

• It's important to remain open to unexpected moments during a wedding.

• Compartmentalizing the day can limit the photographer's perspective.

• The best photos often come from taking calculated risks.

• Storytelling is at the heart of documentary photography.

If you're not yet a member of This is Reportage or This is Reportage: Family, check out all the benefits of joining us, including an unlimited number of images on your profile, 60 individual Award & 18 Story Award entries per year, invites to our physical meetups and parties, exclusive discounts, hours of educational videos featuring tips and advice from some of the world's best photographers and much more.

Entries are open for our next round of Awards; The deadline is the same for both sites: Submit by 23:59 GMT on 24th March 2025.

See all the benefits of membership and join our wedding site at https://thisisreportage.com/register/, or join our family site at https://thisisreportagefamily.com/register/

New year, new Podcast episode! And not only is the brilliant Amy Sampson our first guest of 2025, she’s also our very first guest for the video edition of the Podcast – yes, that’s right, we’re going to start filming each episode as well this year, for those who like adding some visuals to their auditory pleasure 🙂

You can watch over on YouTube, where our channel is @thisisreportage, or watch directly on https://thisisreportage.com/podcast-episode-141-this-is-amy-sampson/

On this week’s episode:

• Amy shares possibly the BEST STORY EVER about a wedding…!

• Public speaking is a new challenge for Amy, who is preparing to give a talk at Nine Dots.

• She aims to represent quieter, more introverted photographers in her talk.

• Amy’s journey into photography began with music photography for a local band.

• She emphasizes the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone.

• The conversation highlights the realities and challenges of being a wedding photographer.

• Amy’s dedication to capturing moments is evident in her storytelling.

• The episode showcases the supportive community within the photography industry.

• Her first wedding was in a cave, with no flash allowed.

• She learned to shoot weddings how she wanted to shoot them.

• Burnout was a real challenge while working full-time and shooting.

• Recognition from Rangefinder gave her confidence in her work.

• She focuses on capturing genuine moments at weddings.

• Shooting close helps create more intimate images.

• Overcoming shyness was a significant part of her journey.

• Technology like silent shutter has changed how she shoots. Capturing the perfect moment requires anticipation and patience.

• Documentary photography goes beyond just snapping pictures; it involves thoughtful composition.

• Building a successful photography business involves being approachable and friendly at events.

• Referrals often come from the connections made during weddings.

• Social media is important, but staying true to your style is crucial.

• Being memorable at weddings can lead to future bookings.

• The energy and emotions of post-ceremony hugs are some of the best moments to capture.

• Quick interactions can lead to significant future opportunities in photography.

• It’s essential to align your marketing efforts with your target audience.

• Enjoying the process and being yourself can enhance your photography experience.

If you're not yet a member of This is Reportage or This is Reportage: Family, check out all the benefits of joining us, including an unlimited number of images on your profile, 60 individual Award & 18 Story Award entries per year, invites to our physical meetups and parties, exclusive discounts, hours of educational videos featuring tips and advice from some of the world's best photographers and much more.

Entries are open for our next round of Awards; The deadline is the same for both sites: Submit by 23:59 GMT on 24th January 2025.

See all the benefits of membership and join our wedding site at https://thisisreportage.com/register/, or join our family site at https://thisisreportagefamily.com/register/

After a bit of a break I'm happy to be back with the Podcast, and talking to the fab Bobbi Barbarich. Bobbi is based in Canada, and as well as being a great documentary wedding and family photographer (we talk about both on the episode today), she is also an educator.

Not only that, but she also manages to find some time to produce her own podcast, the fab Tilt and Shift Photography Business Podcast. I was honoured to be a guest on her Podcast recently, actually (episode #31 if you aren't sick of the sound of my voice already!), and it's lovely to be able to return the favour and chat to Bobbi for the TiR Podcast today. We cover so much, including:

*why it's important to look back at how far you've come,

*intimacy: shooting close, and just how she does that,

*a great story about meeting Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins,

*why connection/engagement sessions may not always be for you,

*the stories behind a couple of her wedding and family images,

*hosting her own Podcast, the Tilt and Shift Photography Business Podcast,

*why she doesn't suffer from procrastination and tips for dealing with it yourself,

*peanut butter recipes,

*and so much more...

Head to https://thisisreportage.com/podcast-episode-140-this-is-bobbi-barbarich/ for links through to her websites, to see the two individual awards she spoke about, and a link to her fab Tilt and Shift Photography Business Podcast too.

If you're not yet a member of This is Reportage or This is Reportage: Family, check out all the benefits of joining us, including an unlimited number of images on your profile, 60 individual Award & 18 Story Award entries per year, invites to our physical meetups and parties, exclusive discounts, hours of educational videos featuring tips and advice from some of the world's best photographers and much more.

Entries are open for our next round of Awards; The deadline is the same for both sites: Submit by 23:59 BST on 24th July.

See all the benefits of membership and join our wedding site at https://thisisreportage.com/register/, or join our family site at https://thisisreportagefamily.com/register/

Excited to release the special Doc Day 2024 episode of the Podcast! I once again took a little travel mic to the amazing Doc Day - the one-of-a-kind documentary wedding photography conference created by Annie & Kevin Kheffache - and I had a *brilliant* time, mini-interviewing almost 40 photographers from all over Europe. I spoke to the founders, speakers and attendees alike; thanks so much if I subjected you to my questions and, later in the episode, some slightly tipsy after-party ramblings...! These are the fab people you can hear from on this special episode (in order of appearance):

Alex Benyon, Martin Ellard, Paul Williams, Eve Dunlop, Gavin Jacob Power, Phil Salisbury, Linda Bouritius, Tadhg Nathan, Ryan Devereux, Ronan Palliser, Andy Sharman, Kevin Kheffache, Janina Brocklesby, Marco Teixeira, Ben Lee, Aga Maru, Nathan Walker, Nadine Lotze, Andrew Billington, Dominique Shaw, Liam Shaw, Leonard Walpot, Jay Doherty, Isabelle Hattink, Yves Schepers, Melissa Beckker, Janneke Walpot, Marisa Martins, Ana Backhaus, Annie Kheffache, Tom Beynon, Soven Amatya, Dave McClelland, Oonagh Casey, Pamela Brady & Paul McGinty.

Plus some brilliant singing by John Gillooley!

Tickets are on sale right now for Doc Day 2025 - and at the time of this episode's release are on early-bird offer; grab one before they sell out at https://docday.international/

This is Reportage members receive an exclusive 10% discount on Doc Day tickets - just visit the members area or check the latest newsletter to find out how. Not yet a member? See all the benefits of membership and join us at https://thisisreportage.com/register/

Cover image by the brilliant Ronan Palliser, who once again captured Doc Day immensely - and who is also a speaker at next year's event (one of the best speakers I've personally ever seen, in fact, so you won't want to miss him!): https://www.ronanpalliser.ie/

Head to https://thisisreportage.com/podcast-episode-139-this-is-doc-day-2024/ for a link through to the Doc Day website and to see the Reportage Award that Ben Lee speaks about on the episode, too.

If you're not yet a member of This is Reportage or This is Reportage: Family, check out all the benefits of joining us, including an unlimited number of images on your profile, 60 individual Award & 18 Story Award entries per year, invites to our physical meetups and parties, exclusive discounts, hours of educational videos featuring tips and advice from some of the world's best photographers and much more.

Entries are open for our next round of Awards; The deadline is the same for both sites: Submit by 23:59 GMT on 24th March 2024.

See all the benefits of membership and join our wedding site at https://thisisreportage.com/register/, or join our family site at https://thisisreportagefamily.com/register/

This episode of the This is Reportage Podcast is sponsored by Pic-Time - https://www.pic-time.com/ - New users can get 1 bonus month when upgrading to any paid plan with the code THISISREPORTAGE. Try Pic-Time Free for 30-Days!

Honoured to be joined by our This is Reportage Overall Photographer of the Year for 2023 today: The one and only Hollie Mateer! Not only was Hollie our POTY on our wedding site, but she was also the no.1 UK family photographer on our sister-site, This is Reportage: Family, and we talk about both documentary wedding and family work on today's episode, including:

*the moment she found out she had won Overall Photographer of The Year on TiR,

*the story behind her unique 'Chess' Reportage Award,

*how she captured her 'Emergency' Family Award,

*why it's important to not only show the good times when it comes to family photography,

*photographing fellow TiR-member Chelsea Cannar's wedding (and winning a Story Award with it, too!),

*how she came to work alongside her husband, the fab Patrick Mateer,

*why she loves the food at weddings (both from a hunger and photography perspective),

*our Netflix synopsis game,

*and so much more...

Head to https://thisisreportage.com/podcast-episode-138-this-is-hollie-mateer/ for a link through to her website, to see the two individual awards she spoke about, and the Story Award she won for Chelsea's wedding, too.

If you're not yet a member of This is Reportage or This is Reportage: Family, check out all the benefits of joining us, including an unlimited number of images on your profile, 60 individual Award & 18 Story Award entries per year, invites to our physical meetups and parties, exclusive discounts, hours of educational videos featuring tips and advice from some of the world's best photographers and much more.

Entries are open for our next round of Awards; The deadline is the same for both sites: Submit by 23:59 GMT on 24th March 2024.

See all the benefits of membership and join our wedding site at https://thisisreportage.com/register/, or join our family site at https://thisisreportagefamily.com/register/

This episode of the This is Reportage Podcast is sponsored by Pic-Time - https://www.pic-time.com/ - New users can get 1 bonus month when upgrading to any paid plan with the code THISISREPORTAGE. Try Pic-Time Free for 30-Days!

Awesome to be kicking off 2024 with the one and only Jay Doherty! If you’ve never met or heard from Jay before, you’re in for a treat, as not only is he a fantastic photographer, but he’s also one of the world’s loveliest humans – I don’t think it’s possible to listen to Jay without a huge smile on your face. Jay shares *so* much on the episode today, including:

*how skateboarding influenced his wedding photography career,

*a certain song he listens to before every wedding,

*his personal project called 'Wedding Grannies',

*the time he got stuck in the toilet at a bride's house,

*creating 'Learning to Fly' the wedding photography retreat,

*the story behind his motorbike Reportage Award,

*why he backs up his images as soon as he can,

*becoming a Yoga teacher and the many benefits it can bring,

*why he was late to his own wedding,

*the importance of work-life balance,

*and so much more...

Head to https://thisisreportage.com/podcast-episode-137-this-is-jay-doherty/ for a link through to his website, to see the fab Reportage Award he spoke about, a link through to Learning To Fly (https://www.learningtofly.ie/) - where you can grab a ticket for 2024 - and to hear the song he always listens to before weddings as well.

As mentioned on the intro, Jay is now also speaking at Doc Day on February 20th 2024 - head to https://docday.international/ to grab a ticket and see him in the flesh - always an experience! TiR members get an exclusive discount as well; check the members area for the discount code.

If you're not yet a member of This is Reportage or This is Reportage: Family, check out all the benefits of joining us, including an unlimited number of images on your profile, 60 individual Award & 18 Story Award entries per year, invites to our physical meetups and parties, exclusive discounts, hours of educational videos featuring tips and advice from some of the world's best photographers and much more.

It's a whole new awards year on both This is Reportage and This is Reportage: Family; you have the best chance to make our Top 100 Photographers in the World and Top Storytellers Lists if you enter the first Collection - the deadline is 23:59 GMT on 24th January 2024. All the best if you're submitting.

See all the benefits of membership and join our wedding site at https://thisisreportage.com/register/, or join our family site at https://thisisreportagefamily.com/register/

This episode of the This is Reportage Podcast is sponsored by Pic-Time - https://www.pic-time.com/ - New users can get 1 bonus month when upgrading to any paid plan with the code THISISREPORTAGE. Try Pic-Time Free for 30-Days!

So great to chat to the fab Matt Badenoch this week! As well as being one of the UK's best documentary wedding photographers, Matt is also a brilliant street photographer, and earlier this year launched Street With Matt, teaching his own street photography workshops all over the world. We talk about that on the episode today, along with lots of other things, including:

*how street photography can improve your wedding work in so many ways,

*why slowing down can make such a difference,

*being married to a fellow wedding photographer (and how they chose their own wedding tog),

*how to improve your Dobble skills,

*the story behind one of his specific Reportage Awards,

*tips on capturing proposals,

*why a feature on his 'About me' page can lead to conversation,

*why he doesn't 'hide' on the street, and the importance of smiling,

*and so much more...

Head to https://thisisreportage.com/podcast-episode-136-this-is-matt-badenoch/ for a link through to his website and StreetWithMatt.com, and to see the fab Reportage Award he spoke about, too.

If you're not yet a member of This is Reportage or This is Reportage: Family, check out all the benefits of joining us, including an unlimited number of images on your profile, 60 individual Award & 18 Story Award entries per year, invites to our physical meetups and parties, exclusive discounts, hours of educational videos featuring tips and advice from some of the world's best photographers and much more.

There's just a couple of days left to submit to our final Awards of 2023; the deadline is the same for both sites: Submit by 23:59 GMT on 23rd November 2023.

See all the benefits of membership and join our wedding site at https://thisisreportage.com/register/, or join our family site at https://thisisreportagefamily.com/register/

This episode of the This is Reportage Podcast is sponsored by Pic-Time - https://www.pic-time.com/ - New users can get 1 bonus month when upgrading to any paid plan with the code THISISREPORTAGE. Try Pic-Time Free for 30-Days!

Excited to chat to the fab Brittany Diliberto on the Podcast this week! One of the best documentary wedding photographers in the USA, Brittany was our US Storyteller of the Year for 2021, and has won 14 Awards from us in total - an incredible feat. She shares so much on the episode today, including:

*how her background in lighting design led on to wedding photography (with so many transferrable skills)

*tips for working with wedding planners and videographers,

*the story behind her specific 'Elephant' Reportage Award,

*choosing weddings and images for Story Award submissions,

*what makes for a good wedding photographer,

*advice on how to make wedding expos work for you,

*our Netflix synopsis game,

*and so much more...

Head to https://thisisreportage.com/podcast-episode-135-this-is-brittany-diliberto/ for a link through to her website, and to see the fab Reportage Award she spoke about, too.

If you're not yet a member of This is Reportage or This is Reportage: Family, check out all the benefits of joining us, including an unlimited number of images on your profile, 60 individual Award & 18 Story Award entries per year, invites to our physical meetups and parties, exclusive discounts, hours of educational videos featuring tips and advice from some of the world's best photographers and much more.

Entries are open for our next Awards round; the deadline is the same for both sites: Submit by 23:59 GMT on 23rd November 2023.

See all the benefits of membership and join our wedding site at https://thisisreportage.com/register/, or join our family site at https://thisisreportagefamily.com/register/

This episode of the This is Reportage Podcast is sponsored by Pic-Time - https://www.pic-time.com/ - New users can get 1 bonus month when upgrading to any paid plan with the code THISISREPORTAGE. Try Pic-Time Free for 30-Days!

The all-round brilliant documentary photographer, Gaby Ermstrang, is my guest on the Podcast this week. Based in the Netherlands, Gaby has won 9 Reportage Family Awards and 3 Family Story Awards from us, and has been in our Top 100 Family Photographers Worldwide for the past two years in a row. We cover lots of topics on the episode today, including:

*her thoughts and tips on entering our Family Awards, as a past judge herself,

*how an image from her first wedding went viral around the world,

*the story behind her 'pink flamingo' Family Award,

*how she got into teaching and mentoring, and why she loves doing it,

*funeral photography; why it's so important to capture, and how she approaches it,

*tips for if you're at the beginning of your documentary family photography journey,

*our Netflix synopsis game,

*and so much more...

Head to https://thisisreportage.com/podcast-episode-134-this-is-gaby-ermstrang/ for a link through to her website, and to see the fab Reportage Family Award she spoke about, too.

If you're not yet a member of This is Reportage or This is Reportage: Family, check out all the benefits of joining us, including an unlimited number of images on your profile, 60 individual Award & 18 Story Award entries per year, invites to our physical meetups and parties, exclusive discounts, hours of educational videos featuring tips and advice from some of the world's best photographers and much more.

Entries are open for our next Awards round; the deadline is the same for both sites: Submit by 23:59 GMT on 23rd November 2023.

See all the benefits of membership and join our wedding site at https://thisisreportage.com/register/, or join our family site at https://thisisreportagefamily.com/register/

This episode of the This is Reportage Podcast is sponsored by Pic-Time - https://www.pic-time.com/ - New users can get 1 bonus month when upgrading to any paid plan with the code THISISREPORTAGE. Try Pic-Time Free for 30-Days!