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The Photowalk

Neale Jameswww.photowalk.show
The Photowalk is a mailbag-driven podcast where we walk and make pictures together, and meet with special guests along the trail. For anyone who likes to take pictures. Available wherever you get your podcasts.
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Episodes

#490 Walking the perimeter of the UK!

Quintin Lake is my guest today, sharing stories from the literal edges. From 2015 to 2021, he walked the entire coastline of mainland Britain, covering all 11,000 km of it, creating The Perimeter, a six-year photographic journey that explores light, isolation, design, and the quiet drama of the country's outermost margins. A fine art and architectural photographer, Quintin’s eye has always been drawn to form and structure. We also talk about his personal work, including Absent Pyramid, a study o...

Jul 04, 20251 hr 37 minEp. 490

#489 Become wild with wonder

This week, I’m walking with Thomas Nicolon, a National Geographic Explorer whose camera has led him through the dense rainforests of Central Africa and the tangled frontlines of wildlife trafficking in the Amazon. He’s a photographer, filmmaker, and conservation storyteller who studies some of the world’s most vulnerable ecosystems. Thomas spent five years in the Democratic Republic of Congo, working as a journalist before shifting his focus entirely to the natural world. Since then, he has coll...

Jun 27, 20251 hr 51 minEp. 489

#488 The lens cap that almost cost me my life!

In this episode, I’m joined by a former frontline military photographer whose camera has been trained on the complexities of human nature through the lens of conflict and resilience over the course of three decades. But it was one small slip, a dropped lens cap, that nearly cost Gary Ramage his life. We discuss the moments behind the images, the weight of documenting conflict, and how one decision in a war zone can alter everything. We also talk about what it means to return from the intensity o...

Jun 20, 20251 hr 44 minEp. 488

#487 This wondrous world of light

In this episode, philosophical YouTuber Sean Tucker is back to talk with me about the parts of creative life we don’t often say out loud, anxiety, self-doubt, the “Is it good enough?” spiral, and what to do when you feel like giving up. It’s an honest, uplifting conversation about the why behind the work, and how we find our way back when the spark dims. From the mailbag, Paul Friday swears by checklists as an antidote to anxiety (with proper ticks, not the woodland kind), Lars Hegaard introduce...

Jun 13, 20251 hr 32 minEp. 487

#486 To SEE and be SEEN

Today, I’m joined by world-renowned portrait photographer Platon. Known for capturing some of the most iconic faces in modern history, from world leaders to cultural figures, Platon shares an insight into the emotional depth of portraiture, human connection, and the responsibility that comes with photographing power. We explore how photography can give voice to the unheard, why vulnerability matters more than perfection, and what it really means to see someone. From the mailbag, Mark Christensen...

Jun 06, 20251 hr 47 minEp. 486

#485 Travel isn't a picture, it's a pulse

David duChemin is a photographer, author, and adventurer whose work and words have helped countless creatives reconnect with the why behind their work, which plays perfectly into the story of this podcast. Known for his deep reflections on vision, presence, and the stories we tell with a camera, David brings a grounded honesty to conversations about creativity. He talks today about taking personal risk, his love of the wilds, his deep trust of animals and why travel is such a precious part of hi...

May 30, 20251 hr 56 minEp. 485

#484 Time to talk?

I have a trio of guests on the show this week. Photographer, author and adventurer David duChemin joins me ahead of his full appearance next week for a shorter but powerful conversation that weaves through some of the themes we’ve explored on the show over the past year: presence, obsession, talent, adversity, courage, comparison, and yes, that old imposter syndrome chestnut, all with David’s signature warmth and insight. My good friend, documentary photographer Giles Penfound, joins me for a wa...

May 23, 20251 hr 40 minEp. 484

#483 Just say YES!

My guest on the Photowalk show today, Liza Gershman, is a travel and food photographer who’s just as interested in the people and places behind the meal as the food itself. Her work has taken her to over 50 countries, always with a focus on storytelling and travel, whether through the steam rising off a street vendor’s stall or the quiet moments shared at a family table. Liza’s path into food photography wasn’t necessarily planned, however. It started with a yes, and grew from there. In this epi...

May 16, 20251 hr 34 minEp. 483

#482 The 1,100km Photowalk!

Today, an episode where I walk with my guest along the paths of Greenham Common in Berkshire, England. We explore how photography, adventure, and purpose can align to become one path. Photographer Tom Warburton retired early and, rather than settle into a slower pace, decided to walk the length of the River Ganges, over 1,100 kilometres from the glacier source in the Himalayas to its confluence with the Yamuna near Prayagraj. It was a journey fuelled by curiosity, a love of walking, a desire to ...

May 09, 20251 hr 53 minEp. 482

#481 An ever changing canvas

The mailbag returns today alongside my guest Mark Fearnley, a London-based street photographer known for his minimalist, fine art approach to urban storytelling, where lines, light, and shadow play leading roles. With a background rooted in the arts, his shift to photography felt like a natural extension of how he sees the world. In this episode, Mark shares the story of how he found his visual voice, why the city of London in particular remains his ever-changing canvas, and how his work challen...

May 02, 20251 hr 43 minEp. 481

#480 A GRAND INDIA ADVENTURE SPECIAL

This week, The Photowalk steps into another world. I’ve swapped the familiar footpaths of my English home for the rich tapestry of India, a country that stirs something profound in you from the moment you arrive. The air feels heavier with story, the colours seem to hum, and every turn in the road holds a scene you’ve not experienced before. India doesn’t just invite you in, it wraps itself around you. In this special episode, I travel with nine curious photographers through Delhi and Jodhpur, c...

Apr 25, 20251 hr 50 minEp. 480

#479 The passage of time: A love letter to photography

In this special extended episode, I spend the day with my good friend, documentary photographer Giles Penfound, once the head of photography for the British Army, now a passionate ambassador for the slower, more intentional world of film photography. We’re in the darkroom together, where Giles takes the film I shot recently in India and brings it to life. If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on in that red-lit sanctuary, or what it means to wait, to watch, and to witness an image slowly emer...

Apr 18, 20252 hr 18 minEp. 479

#478 What is your TRUE measure of success?

In this holiday archive special, I’m joined by two remarkable photographers whose work has shaped how we see the world: Joel Meyerowitz and Ed Kashi. Both share how they found their craft, revealing personal stories and the ethos that guides their creative lives. I think, this will stand as one of the most inspirational editions I have edited for the Photowalk show. Joel reflects further upon his time documenting Ground Zero in the Aftermath project of 9/11. As the only photographer granted unre...

Apr 11, 20251 hr 55 minEp. 478

#477 Finding Mountain Therapy

Canadian landscape photographer Lee Nordbye hikes climbs, and skates with a camera in hand, embracing what he calls mountain therapy to navigate life and mental health. In this episode, Lee shares how time in the Rockies helped him following an unexpected career change and a battle with depression. He's now giving back by teaching, guiding, and using his lens to inspire a connection with nature. This is a wonderful conversational meander where we talk about healing, creativity, and the quiet pow...

Apr 04, 20251 hr 35 minEp. 477

#476 The weight of seeing

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 uncomfortabl...

Mar 28, 20251 hr 35 minEp. 476

#475 Where the smoke used to rise

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...

Mar 21, 20251 hr 39 minEp. 475

#474 An art of seeing beyond the surface

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...

Mar 14, 20251 hr 56 minEp. 474

#473 Today, we are climbing Mount Everest!

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 ...

Mar 07, 20251 hr 41 minEp. 473

#472 Unearthed negatives, unforgettable narratives

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. E...

Feb 28, 20251 hr 47 minEp. 472

#471 How to photograph A GHOST

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...

Feb 21, 20251 hr 48 minEp. 471

#470 A polar bear ate my meatballs!

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 ...

Feb 14, 20251 hr 54 minEp. 470

#469 The ART of disappearing and getting published!

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,’ an...

Feb 07, 20251 hr 43 minEp. 469

#468 Wandering the Earth with eyes wide open

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 a...

Jan 31, 20251 hr 45 minEp. 468

#467 Documenting the LA fires

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 ...

Jan 24, 20251 hr 34 minEp. 467

#466 Human connection: How photography changed my life

Today’s conversation with photojournalist Claire Thomas takes a remarkable turn within just 20 minutes, shifting from casual beginnings to the profound realities of her work now. From those early travel ‘snaps’ to capturing global crises, Claire’s photography isn’t just about documenting what she witnesses; it’s about her genuine desire to share stories of resilience and hope. Working with clients like The New York Times, National Geographic, Amnesty International and UN agencies, her work is re...

Jan 17, 20251 hr 31 minEp. 466

#465 I was terrified, but I'm a SURVIVOR!

Jack Lowe’s Lifeboat Station Project is a profound photographic tribute to the courageous British lifeboat crews who risk everything to save lives at sea. Using a Victorian camera and wet plate collodion methods, Jack makes powerful portraits that honour the resilience and humanity of these everyday heroes and today, he is on the show to talk about his incredible undertaking and risk-taking. Jack’s project has taken a toll, though, both emotionally and financially, and he discusses and reveals h...

Jan 10, 20251 hr 55 minEp. 465

#464 Unlocking the language of photography

Ted Forbes is a photographer, educator, and creator of The Art of Photography YouTube channel. His new book, Visually Speaking, explores photography as a universal language, offering 21 chapters filled with insights and examples for photographers of all levels to create images that truly communicate. From the mailbag, Gavin Perry shows the World is at your shutter fingertips without boarding a plane, Craig Wilson is yomping through Welsh landscapes, Simon Blakesley has a seven-decade-old persona...

Jan 03, 20251 hr 47 minEp. 464

#463 The WHY before Christmas

In photography, knowing your WHY can guide each choice you make, from composition and lighting to the themes you explore, ensuring your work feels authentic and meaningful. But it’s not just about the art of photography, but expressing what and how you feel and believe. Today, on this last celebratory show before Christmas, 23 of this year's guests once more reveal their own WHY in a compilation of inspiration to close out on the year. From the mailbag, Mark Christensen sets out on his first str...

Dec 20, 20241 hr 21 minEp. 463

#462 Photography is my ANCHOR

PHOTOGRAPHY IS MY ANCHOR is something that’s said by one of my three guests today. A friend of the show, Andrew Gifford, through his Glass profile, describes in pictures the most potent personal photo project, which conveys how it feels to have M.E. in a story of resilience. Then Dana Stirling’s book ‘Why am I sad?’ is a testament to just how important creative expression is during times of adversity, and a former guest of the show Jack Lowe, who’ll be appearing in a longer interview early in th...

Dec 13, 20241 hr 53 minEp. 462

#461 Everything is a photograph: ONE LOVE

Today on the show, we recognise love as "Universal, regardless of identity and sexuality." Valérie Jardin's ONE LOVE is a new black-and-white photography project in America celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, aiming to inspire greater understanding and acceptance, sharing stories of love in its most authentic form. Lydia Robinson's 'Queer Love' started as a passion project based around queer relationships and documenting couples in the UK. Through this series, Lydia aimed to show a more intimate a...

Dec 06, 20241 hr 30 minEp. 461
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