I knew this would be an entertaining podcast and so it proved to be: Julia Fensom, author of With Sleep I Can Do Anything: The First Year - A Manual is always funny, energetic and full of ideas.  So this interview was always going to be interesting - and long!  When the two of us get together it is always a very funny hour or two, laughing about life, having families and running a small business.   While, admittedly, we do talk a bit about babies (and photographing them), mostly the interview is about life, business and what it takes to work well with clients (some of whom are only a few weeks old!)   As usual, I asked Julia to nominate a book - or maybe two - that could be added to the ever-expanding library of interesting reads:   Cribsheet By Emily Oster A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1788164490/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_QMAF854F9DEE3JCQ8QVY Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0141983760/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_1TYQTNRNTM1PX0JYZ81X   Both these links will take you to the Amazon book store but I am sure they are available elsewhere!   Also, it would be remiss if I didn't include Julia's own book: With sleep, I can do anything: The first year - A manual https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1983378925/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_C8XC47XMX02A5NRK4VKA   So with 90 minutes of listening time, this might not fit within your regular commute but, hopefully, it'll be interesting enough to pick back up on the way home!   Enjoy!   Cheers P. If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, where there are articles and videos about this beautiful industry.  PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think! If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.  If you'd like to use one of the other players out there, why not try Vurbl?  

Mastering Portrait Photography Podcast

EP112 Interview With Julia Fensom, Sleep Consultant And Author

I am so sorry it's been a couple of months since I last published an episode - a very busy few months here at the studio!   In this episode, numerous conversations at The UK Photography Show 2021 started me thinking about whether technique is more important than imagination (or vice versa).     What do you think?  Let me know in the comments or drop me an email (paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk) - I'm genuinely curious!   Enjoy!   Cheers P. If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, where there are articles and videos about this beautiful industry.  PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think! If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.  If you'd like to use one of the other players out there, why not try Vurbl?  

EP111 On Technique vs Imagination

  Every day new clients, new stories, new laughter. That is the joy of a portrait photographer.   At the end of a recent headshot session, it seemed a shame to stop the laughter. So we didn't. Instead of packing up and going home, we plugged in some microphones and recorded a podcast. The portrait session had been sunny and full of stories and the interview is much the same!   I love when that happens: you meet someone new and the session flies past, with as much chat as creativity. Serendipity, karma, the luck of the righteous; whoever is looking after me, it is true that I get to meet and talk to some amazing people!   And Eni Obi, best-selling author, speaker and coach is one of those people.   The podcast touches on her life, her career, her book, her energy and her positivity.   If you're curious, her bestselling book, Your Life Is Calling: How To DO YOU And Live Without Regrets is available on Amazon.   Enjoy!   Cheers P. If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, where there are articles and videos about this beautiful industry.  PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think! If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.  If you'd like to use one of the other players out there, why not try Vurbl?  

EP110 Interview With Best Selling Author Eni Obi

Dad was always right. Of course, it took me a decade or two to acknowledge that fact, but dad was always right.   Of many pearls (of the wisdom variety) he threw in my direction, is this: if you want something doing, give it to someone who's already busy.   I don't know if I believed it at the time. That's the thing about fathers: you don't like to tell them they're right. But he always was.   And on this one, he was spot on.   If you want something doing, get someone who's already busy to do it.   Dad's wisdom extends to your business. The busier you are, the more you will get done. And, more importantly, the more people will book you.   Life is funny like that.   Cheers P. If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, where there are articles and videos about this beautiful industry.  PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think! If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.  If you'd like to use one of the other players out there, why not try Vurbl?  

EP109 On Why Being Busy Creates Energy All Of Its Own

Have you ever stood back and thought about how you feel when your suppliers forget that, while you may be one of the thousands of customers to them, they are the ONLY supplier to you?  It has always irritated me that companies forget themselves and send out blanket messages that remind me that I am just one of their masses, yet another annoying customer - possibly the worst message you can possibly receive.    The asymmetry of that relationship between a client and a company is really at the heart of customer service: making sure that your clients feel truly unique is one of the keys to a successful business. Enjoy! Cheers P. If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, where there are articles and videos about this beautiful industry.  PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think! If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.  If you'd like to use one of the other players out there, why not try Vurbl?  

EP108 On Treating Each Client Like They're You're ONLY Client

As a kid, I hated polishing my shoes.  Every week, on a Sunday evening before school, I would be sent out, brushes in hand, to put some shine on my trusty (and boring) Clarke's shoes. These days, I do it religiously before each and every wedding.  And I do it willingly. In this episode, I muse about that and why such inconsequential details matter so much. Enjoy! Cheers P.   If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, where there are articles and videos about this beautiful industry.  PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think! If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.  If you'd like to use one of the other players out there, why not try Vurbl?  

EP107 On The Importance Of Polished Shoes

In this episode, sponsored by Panasonic eneloop Pro Rechargeable Batteries, I am pondering on the difference between being 'proud' and 'taking pride' in everything you do.  A subtle but important distinction - particularly if you're British and have been brought up that pride always comes before a fall! Some ideas about how to get around that familiar feeling of not wanting to brag about your images - tell the client how amazing they look instead!  Much more comfortable for us Brits and has the added bonus of making the client feel great too! Enjoy! Cheers P.   If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, where there are articles and videos about this beautiful industry.  PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think! If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.  If you'd like to use one of the other players out there, why not try Vurbl?  

EP106 On Taking Pride In Everything You Do

In this episode I'm back in the Land Rover Defender heading out to buy our evening's supper: fish'n'chips!  We were due to go and sit on a hill side and eat them with a pint of beer but, sadly, the brassic weather has other ideas.  Instead, I am pootling through Midsommer Murders territory on a wet and wild Friday evening. In this episode, sponsored by Panasonic Eneloop Pro Batteries, I have an idea about how you might use your own portfolio - the images that you've taken that you love - to inspire you and keep you energised ready for whatever walks through the door. Enjoy! Cheers P.   If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, where there are articles and videos about this beautiful industry.  PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think! If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.  If you'd like to use one of the other players out there, why not try Vurbl?  

EP105 On Using Your Own Portfolio To Inspire YOU!

Well, this episode is recorded from my nearly-finished workshop which, while it is ultimately built for making things, also seems to have great acoustics!  That wasn't a design choice but it makes for a coincidentally glorious recording studio! It's great at the studio right now, as everything is opening back up and the business is returning to its familiar buzz.   This episode, sponsored by Panasonic Eneloop Pro Batteries, discusses entering and learning from image competitions: you cannot win if you don't enter - and there may be other rewards beyond the obvious prizes! Besides, if you're careful about which ones you enter, they're completely anonymous unless you win something!  How scary can it be?  And yet, they are just that: scary.  But if you can find a way past the fear, the rewards make the nerves worthwhile.   Enjoy! Cheers P.   If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, where there are articles and videos about this beautiful industry.  PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think! If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.  If you'd like to use one of the other players out there, why not try Vurbl?  

EP104 On The Courage For Competitions

Have you ever wondered how just a few words can make your day or break your heart?  In this episode I ponder on how words are the backbone of portrait photography: during the shoot, they're the only thing you have! From the minute your client arrives, to the moment you're saying your goodbyes and waving them from your doorstep (you do actually make the effort to see them to their card don't you?!), it's your words and what you say with your body language that is going to make or break the shoot.  Yes, the images will ultimately be the thing you sell, but the experience and the way your client feels during the shoot are so much important than any pixels can be. Words.  It's all in the witchery of the words. I mention a piece of software called FoCal in the episode - this is a fantastic app for calibrating your lenses if you happen to own a Nikon or Canon camera (sorry Fuji, Sony, and Olympus users!)  It was recommended by one of our Mastering Portrait Photography members - Bob Foyers (https://foyers.photography/) and may be one of the most useful apps I will see all year!  FoCal can be found here: https://www.reikanfocal.com/ You're welcome.  Oh, and thanks to Bob for mentioning it! Cheers P.   If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, where there are articles and videos about this beautiful industry.  PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think! If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.  If you'd like to use one of the other players out there, why not try Vurbl?  

EP103 On The Witchery Of Words (And The Power Of The Positive)

It's been an amazing week and you can really feel the change in energy as the Covid lockdown is gradually eased.  Emails coming in, the phones are ringing, shoots are happening (rather than perpetually postponed) and in-person sales sessions are back and in full force! Yay! On the other hand, everything feels rusty, unfamiliar and slightly unnerving.  Weird. Getting back up to speed is going to be an exciting process for us here at the studio!  Every day is a school day huh? As long as we're laughing all the way, things will be just fine! Cheers P.   If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, where there are articles and videos about this beautiful industry.  PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think! If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.  If you'd like to use one of the other players out there, why not try Vurbl?  

EP102 On Leaving The Lockdown And Loving To Laugh!

After the last episode's interview with Sarah (my one-and-only!), this week, I am talking to another husband and wife team - Terrie and Colin Jones from The Societies Of Photographers. I have been a very happy member of The Societies (when I joined it was still just The Society Of Wedding And Portrait Photographers - The SWPP) and so it so good to sit and chat - remotely I might add - with two of the nicest, hardest working people in the industry. The Societies provides a range of benefits for photographers from mentoring, training, networking, promotions, negotiating discounts for members, magazine subscription, qualifications, competitions and so much more. If you're interested in the benefits mentioned by Colin, head to this page and you can see the various links there. As always, I ask my interviewees for a book nomination for our ever-growing library of things to fascinate photographers.  Terrie and Colin nominated Mastering Lighting & Flash Photography by our good friend, and incredible photographer, Richard Bradbury. I loved this interview: two genuinely nice people, 60 minutes of chit chat and a lot of laughing.   Enjoy! Cheers P.   If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, where there are articles and videos about this beautiful industry.  PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think! If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.  If you'd like to use one of the other players out there, why not try Vurbl?  

EP101 Interview With Terrie And Colin Jones Of The Societies Of Photographers

Well, it's been 99 episodes to date, and now this, the 100th!  Whoever thought we'd get to that milestone?  Well, it's entirely down to you amazing people, our subscribers and the feedback we get: that and the cathartic effect of chatting about life as a professional portrait photographer. Over the past 99 episodes, some of my favourites have been the various interviews with many more to come, and there isn't anyone I'd rather be chatting with than my amazing wife and co-director Sarah.  So I thought this episode would be a nice moment to grab a glass of wine and look forward to the lockdown restrictions being lifted.  Oh, and to reminisce about some of the things that have gone wrong over the years! All while trying to silently consume olives, peanuts, ciabatta and wine! Ah, you gotta love a romantic Friday evening; just the two of us and microphones. Enjoy! Cheers P.   If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, where there are articles and videos about this beautiful industry.  PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think! If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.  If you'd like to use one of the other players out there, why not try Vurbl?  

EP100 When It Went Wrong: Sarah And I Reminisce

One from the Land Rover this week - I recorded it while heading over to photograph puppies at the Hearing Dogs UK Charity.  Tough gig huh? A bit of a rambly update, I admit, but the excitement of being out in the sunshine had taken hold. I was later to find that the sunshine belied just how cold it was!  That'll teach me not to forget my coat!  Anyway, that was later.  In this podcast, there is a short update on life, broken websites, flat batteries and scrubbing the studio spotless like a surgical theatre ready to be open for commercial clients. The actual subject of this mobile recording, is "Who Buys All The Ugly Cars" (or, with a more business-style paraphrase, "There is a market for everything.") Please do subscribe to the podcast and leave a review - it's a nice thing to do and we really appreciate it! Enjoy! Cheers P.   If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, where there are articles and videos about this beautiful industry.  PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think! If there are any topics you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.  If you'd like to use one of the other players out there, why not try Vurbl?  

EP99 Who Buys All The Ugly Cars?

I admit this is a shorter episode than some - I am multitasking and getting prepped and rehearsed for the Graphistudio Live Lounge over the weekend - details can be found at https://www.graphistudio.com/en/accademia/ I'm on stage (as much as there is a stage of course) at 15:40 UK time (16:40 European time, 10:40 US Eastern) talking about shooting for album sales.  Would love to see you all there!  We could all go out for a drink at the bar afterwards... ....oh.... ...wait... nope, sadly not. This podcast is about something I've always believed: keeping it simple!  Complexity rarely helps you, your photography or your business.  Keeping things nice and simple helps the shoot to flow and for your clients to enjoy their experience as much as possible.  At least that's true for portrait photography - it may not be so true if you're someone who shoots detailed products where a focus-stacking, light-stacking and hours of retouching are the norm! For me?  Well I'm at my happiest when it's just me, my client, my camera and a little light.  Just perfect. Enjoy! Cheers P.   If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, where there are articles and videos about this beautiful industry.  PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think! If there are any topics you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.  If you'd like to use one of the other players out there, why not try Vurbl?  

EP98 Keep It Simple!

Tales, techniques, tricks and tantrums from one of the UK's top portrait photographers.

hubhopper

Mastering Portrait Photography Podcast

hubhopper