Send us a text Did you miss us? We're finally back in the podcast studio (Neil's office) and in today's episode we we do our very best to catch you up on all things Flash Masters related - along with our own adventures which have taken us to London, Madeira, France and sunny Lancashire! Find out why Neil is fuming at a £15 chicken and chips and the reason why this is the first (and hopefully not the last time) Helen will be editing the podcast! A special mention to Flash Masters Member, Dru Dodd...
Apr 13, 2025•44 min•Ep. 73
Send us a text In today's episode we congratulate all the newly announced MagMod Ambassadors, in particular those Ambassadors who are part of the Flash Masters community - Jeff Tisman, Sondra Miltenberger, Jessie & Dallin, Chris Benavides and our very own Helen Williams! It's an amazing achievement and we are so happy for you all. We also discuss whether we should add 'Digital Art' as a category for the 2025 Flash Masters Awards... it's a controversial one! Finally, Neil talks about his bran...
Jan 27, 2025•34 min•Ep. 72
Send us a text We're back and this time we haven't waited 3 months to return! In this episode we talk about the Flash Masters live stream with the crazy talented Natalie Martin, and discuss why Natalie doesn't include digital files... plus we introduce our upcoming streams. Helen then shares news about her new wedding photography mentoring programme for 2025 - although be quick if you would like to book on as there are only two places left at the time of uploading. Plus Neil has been posting to ...
Jan 08, 2025•41 min•Ep. 71
Send us a text Happy New Year everyone! In this episode we talk about what we have been up to over Christmas and New Year, what our resolutions are for 2025 and our recent weddings. Plus we congratulate the Flash Masters Photographers of the Year! Huge congratulations to Nelson Santos for winning Overall and Wedding Photographer of the Year, Jessie & Dallin for winning Environmental Photographer of the Year and Martin Hobby for winning Studio Photographer of the Year. We are so proud of you ...
Jan 01, 2025•44 min•Ep. 70
Send us a text We're back! It's been a few weeks since our last podcast, but fear not, we haven't been lazy, in fact we have been busier than ever as behind the scenes we have been working on the complete relaunch of Flash Masters - and we could not be more excited to share all the news with you! Flash Masters is now a fully fledged education platform, with education for photographers of all experience levels. Our education is headline by our brand new 'Flash Masters Tutorials', which are dedica...
Oct 12, 2024•47 min•Ep. 69
Send us a text In this episode of the Flash Masters podcast, Neil shares his experiences of using off camera flash with the new Sony A9III and we discuss a trending topic... the sepia bride drama! Which side are you in - team bride or team photographer?! Here is the link to the full behind the scenes video of Neil's shoot with the Sony A9III: https://youtu.be/KfRDihMHbro Join us in the Flash Masters community: Website: https://flashmasters.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flashmasters/ Y...
Jul 02, 2024•44 min•Ep. 68
Send us a text We're shaking off the dust from our hiatus with exciting tales and heartfelt apologies - consider it our quirky way of saying we've missed you deeply! (Can you tell that these descriptions are written by AI?!) Our latest episode might just tickle your funny bone as we recount how ChatGPT sent us on a wild goose chase with "The Flash," and no, not the kind we capture with our cameras. But it's not all fun and games, as we also introduce a new shining star in our community, our newe...
May 14, 2024•46 min•Ep. 67
Send us a text Prepare to have your approach to wedding photography transformed as, following on from last week's podcast, we are again joined by the renowned Dru Dodd for part 2 of our chat with Dru . Dru's signature group composites have revolutionised the traditional wedding group shot. Dru's stories carry us from his first serendipitous composite to drawing inspiration from Annie Leibovitz's lighting prowess. What begins as a mission to offer clients something remarkable ends up setting a ne...
Apr 10, 2024•45 min•Ep. 66
Send us a text In this episode of the Flash Masters podcast, we are joined by the King of the Composites and one of the industry's true innovative photographers, Dru Dodd. Amongst many different topics, Dru reveals the magic behind his innovative 'wedding wall' and how it helped grow his wedding photography business. Plus, ever wondered what happens when the meticulous precision of science collides with the boundless creativity of photography? His tales from behind the camera serve not only to i...
Apr 03, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 65
Send us a text Embark on a journey through the highs and lows of photography as we re-emerge, energized and ready to rock! We update you on all the latest news from the Flash Masters community - as well as what we have been up to personally. Plus, we announce our very first in-person 'Flash Masters presents' workshop as the incredible Christian Cardona will be coming to Manchester UK all the way from Colombia to hold his two day wedding photography off camera flash workshop and it will all be ho...
Mar 27, 2024•39 min•Ep. 64
Send us a text We have seen a lot of new members join Flash Masters this past month (thank you all - ...and a very warm welcome!) many of which are US based wedding photographers. So, to welcome our new members, we thought we would entertain you by talking you through some of the most bizarre UK wedding traditions, that you probably haven't heard of before. But it's not all about the nuptials. This episode takes a candid turn as Helen shares her personal battle with procrastination and self-doub...
Feb 07, 2024•37 min•Ep. 63
Send us a text As the UK shivers under a frosty blanket, Helen Williams and Neil Redfern, warm up the mic with a chat that's sure to thaw your curiosity (can you tell this is written by AI?!). We're buzzing to unfold the latest from Flash Masters, including our brand-new leaderboards that are calling all flash photography aficionados to showcase their skills. Whether you're a wedding, environmental or studio photographer, we're rolling out the red carpet for your work (again, this is AI!) Find o...
Jan 18, 2024•34 min•Ep. 62
Send us a text In this episode we speak to the Flash Masters Photographer of the Year 2023 - Tim Kamppinen! Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Tim is an incredible wedding photographer and in this podcast we chat to him about his approach to weddings, off camera flash, his biggest piece advice to new photographer who are new to lighting and what he bought off Facebook which he drove 10 hours to collect... This conversation deftly slides from the echoes of his favourite sounds to the heart-pounding...
Jan 10, 2024•53 min•Ep. 61
Send us a text In this episode, we announce the Flash Masters Photographer of the Year 2023, as well as congratulating all the photographers who made up the top 20 positions on our worldwide leaderboard. We're rolling out the red carpet and setting the stage for the new year with three brand-new leaderboards, designed to honor specialized photography talents. And someone cue a drumroll for Nelson Santos, whose record-breaking nine awards in a single round have left us all in awe. It's not just a...
Jan 04, 2024•45 min•Ep. 60
Send us a text As another 2023 draws to a close and we prepare to announce the Flash Masters Photographer of the Year for 2023, we look back on the past 12 months and talk about our personal highlights, our favourite photographs, our favourite purchases and what we hope Santa brings us on Christmas morning! Tidings of comfort, joy, and a good flash! As the festive lights twinkle, we're sending out a colossal thank you wrapped in seasonal cheer to our Flash Masters community. Whether you've tuned...
Dec 22, 2023•47 min•Ep. 59
Send us a text Ever wondered how a professional photographer poses their subjects or integrates videography into their work? In this episode, we've got a treat for you! Join us as we sit down with the talented Paul Flannigan, an award-winning photographer with a knack for off-camera flash and posing. We kick things off with some lighthearted banter about everything from pizza and magic tricks to bathroom habits. Yes, you read that right! But don't worry, we get to the meat of the matter soon eno...
Dec 06, 2023•55 min•Ep. 58
Send us a text In this episode Helen talks about her experience of talking in front of 100 photographers at the NineDots Gathering in Leeds, where she presented how she uses off camera flash at her weddings to shoot group shots. Plus! We were models for amazing photographers Jesse and Moira La Plante and Jason Vinson during their wedding photography workshop in the UK. Being on the other side of the camera was an eye-opening experience and in this podcast we talk about the things we learned. It ...
Nov 29, 2023•49 min•Ep. 57
Send us a text Have you ever wondered how the latest camera technology could transform your wedding photography? That's what we're unpacking in our latest Flash Masters Podcast episode. We dig into the innovative features of Sony's newest release, the A9III camera - from its remarkable 120 frames per second capability to its ground-breaking global shutter that eliminates banding. We also delve into the intricacies of its focus system, and how it flawlessly works with sunglasses, masks, and even ...
Nov 08, 2023•45 min•Ep. 56
Send us a text In this episode we play Argumental, where we debate natural light wedding photography v Flash wedding photography and who is the most important wedding supplier out of Content Creators and Toastmasters? It's a heated debate! We also find out about the role of chimney sweeps at weddings - who knew that was a thing?! This episode was recorded live at Neil Redfern's SHINE wedding photography workshop and features two of Neil's attendees; Dru Dodd and Caroline Rushton. A huge thank yo...
Oct 25, 2023•32 min•Ep. 55
Send us a text In this episode we catch up on our recent weddings and share insights from the Flash Masters community, including the fabulous work of Dru Dodd and Esteban Gill's in-depth explanations on creating stunning group portraits. Not to mention, we chat about Neil's upcoming Shine Workshop in Wales. A unique experience, where we plan to record a Flash Masters podcast in front of a live audience! Ever wondered about the vibrant coluors and the rich cultural traditions that make Indian and...
Oct 18, 2023•40 min•Ep. 54
Send us a text In this episode of the Flash Masters podcast we discuss about our recent 1st Birthday live stream and talk about the huge announcements which we made on that stream - including how we are now sponsored by two of the most widely recognised and respected brands in the photography industry - Canon and Aftershoot! We are so proud and honoured to have the support of these two incredible companies. Plus, we talk about the new Flash Masters Business School - a 12-month business school pr...
Oct 04, 2023•36 min•Ep. 53
Send us a text In this big catch up episode we celebrate Flash Masters' first Birthday and talk about everything we have been up to in both our wedding and personal lives over the past few weeks - and there is a lot to catch up on! What's it like to photograph the moment a best man receives a life-changing phone call at a wedding? We grapple with the ethical considerations and emotions in such situations. Plus, we take you inside the high energy and meticulously planned world of Jewish weddings,...
Sep 13, 2023•44 min•Ep. 52
Send us a text We are back with part 2 of our chat with the incredibly talented Australia based wedding photographer, Ben Connolly! In this episode, we find out all about Ben's grand and very exciting project which has been three years in the making! Switching things up, we move from the professional to the personal. Ben quizzes us about our favourite drinks, biggest fears, and some unusual dislikes that might have you chuckling. Then, we steer the conversation towards some more profound topics ...
Sep 06, 2023•48 min•Ep. 51
Send us a text Welcome to the 50th episode of the Flash Masters podcast! Get ready for a captivating conversation with our extraordinary guest, Ben Connolly. This award-winning Australian wedding photographer shares his intriguing journey that comprises over 1000 weddings, numerous accolades, and his experiences of running successful photography workshops. Join us as we venture into the heart of Australian culture with Ben, who enlightens us with some Aussie slang and amusing cultural comparison...
Aug 25, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 50
Send us a text In this episode we discuss the new MagMod XL modifiers as well as talking about how booking went for the launch of Neil's new 3 day photography workshops. We then talk about the launch of Helen's new website - thanks to Martin Chung’s expertise - a website which is a little bit cheeky.... There's so much to learn about the delicate balance between authenticity, aesthetic appeal, and of course, the impact on one's brand image and how we can use personality in our websites to attrac...
Aug 16, 2023•39 min•Ep. 49
Send us a text Should you use flash during a wedding ceremony? It's always been a controversial question in wedding photography groups, with photographers often having a firm opinion one way or the other. In this episode we talk about this in more detail, drawing on our experiences from recent weddings where the unpredictable British weather forced Helen to make this decision! We also discuss the game-changing role of effective communication in wedding photography. This part is inspired by a rec...
Aug 09, 2023•41 min•Ep. 48
Send us a text In the latest episode of the Flash Masters Podcast we are joined by the incredible Jesse and Moira La Plante, two of the very best wedding photographers in the world, Ambassadors for MagMod and Flash Masters and the current This is Reportage Photographers of the Year. But this episode isn't all about photography. Join us as we peek behind the lens and dive into the personal lives of Jesse and Moira. We talk about their recent move to their brand-new home nestled in 50 acres of lan...
Aug 02, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 47
Send us a text Join us as Neil and Helen catch up on their recent weddings, and find out why the British weather played a huge part on them.... Then, following on from last week's 'get to know Helen Williams' podcast, this time the roles are reversed and Helen quizzes Neil on all sorts of questions, from his favourite films and quotes all the way through to what job Neil would do on a wedding day if he couldn't be a photographer... But that's not all. We also delve into the challenges of running...
Jul 26, 2023•57 min•Ep. 46
Send us a text How well do you reckon you know yourself? Buckle up and get ready for an engaging session as we unravel more about Helen Williams in a one-of-a-kind 'get to know you' session. Based on the fun format of Jaackmaate's Happy Hour podcast, we tease out Helen's insights on a potpourri of topics, all while throwing some unexpected questions her way. This laugh-out-loud episode is brimming with surprises, as we also tip our hats to our wonderful Flash Masters ambassador, Ellie Burgueno C...
Jul 19, 2023•40 min•Ep. 45
Send us a text Meta launches Threads to take down Twitter - but is it any good? What if there was a perfect social media platform? One that perfectly balances user engagement, content delivery, and genuine connections? Well, we might not have found it yet, but we sure did take a crack at it in this latest episode of the Flash Masters podcast. Join Helen and Neil as we dissect Meta's latest venture, Threads, and its potential implications on the photogaphy industry. We also reminisce about our ex...
Jul 12, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 44