Our Creative Commune

Are your couples actually enjoying their wedding? When did the real wedding day stop being enough? Can we help couples see that their actual life is worth capturing over a day-long wedding shot-list?This week Pete, Laura and Bee dig into a wedding in the Scottish Borders where the couple wanted no posing, no portraits and no social media, and why it made Pete work harder (and enjoy the day more) than ever. It leads into a bigger debate: are flat lays and long shot lists something couples really want, or something they’ve seen online? How much should we educate couples about what posed photos cost them in time on the day, and when does guidance become patronising? And why does so much “documentary” wedding content look exactly the same? Our fear is that couples are seeing so many aspirational images that they can become focused on re-creating these perfect images at the expense of living their own unique moments (and taking a risk these are missed).We also tackle editing. With couples asking for suits to be refitted, bags removed and bows fixed in every frame, how much retouching is now expected, and where do you draw the line?Also this week: Liam is off learning to be a motorbike instructor, the never-ending editing list, and the return of midweek weddings. We turn down enquiries for Silverstone weekend, shoot a wholesome christening, and hear about Liam’s first roll of film (and the frames he wasted finishing it) and flash floods in Spain. Pete explains how Claude rebuilt our LUTs and presets, while Bee sticks with ChatGPT and its slightly underwhelming Monday briefings. Plus highs and lows, including autumn TV, table tennis ups and downs, and the best flask ever made.Our Creative Commune is four wedding photographers and filmmakers chatting about photography, videography and the wedding industry, just like we do over coffee most mornings.Do you guide your couples on timings and posed shots, or let them lead? Let us know, and if you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe and leave us a review.Timestamps 00:00 Coffee, Matcha and Where Is Liam? 02:28 The Never-Ending Editing List 05:56 The Rise of Midweek Weddings 07:12 Silverstone vs Wedding Enquiries 10:49 A Christening and a Portrait Shoot 12:51 A No-Fuss Wedding in the Scottish Borders 19:58 Flat Lays, Posing and the Flow of the Day 21:13 Should We Educate Couples on Timings? 22:21 Why Does Everything Look the Same? 25:30 Shot Lists and Moments That Don’t Happen 30:31 How Much Retouching Is Too Much? 32:13 Liam Shoots Film, Plus Spanish Flash Floods 37:15 Using Claude for LUTs and Presets 40:58 AI Briefings and Best Of Lists 44:21 Highs and LowsSay hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommuneGet a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935CyThe British Wedding Film Festivalhttps://www.britishweddingfilmfestival.com/Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-schoolliamandbee.comlawsonfilms.co.uklawsonphotography.co.uk#weddingphotography #weddingvideography #filmphotography #creativepodcast #weddingindustry #ourcreativecommune Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A pair of LA photographers went viral for all the wrong reasons with a post telling couples their wedding photographer is too old for them, and explaining why Gen Z couples need Gen Z photographers and videographers. It got deleted, it got apologised for, and it got us talking. Is there anything in it, or is it just generational nonsense dressed up as marketing? We are, as usual, about the last people in the industry to get round to discussing it.We look into the claim that younger suppliers speak the same visual language as their couples, with the massive contradiction buried inside - the current wedding aesthetic is nostalgia for a time Gen Z never lived. We suspect they've mixed up age with cultural fluency. You can absolutely be twenty-five or fifty-five and be making exactly the same work.Has age ever changed how we shoot or how we connect with a couple? Since starting at age 21, we've always just ended up bonding with the parents first. Maybe we're just old souls. There's also now this really annoying problem; we're proud of having shot weddings for over 20 years, but that also makes us sound sixty on our websites.Before that we catch up after an accidental two month disappearance, compare backlogs (48 items on one to-do list, ten weddings deep), and run through a summer of travel including a wedding near Paris with a two hour ceremony, eight plus speeches, surprise fireworks and a boat trip that meant abandoning a full camera setup mid day. Laura shoots her first roll of Super 8 with a broken light meter and guesses the exposure all day long, we weigh up whether film only bookings are worth the risk, and we get into the TikTok row about couples writing wedding speeches with AI.Plus tennis elbow, a dead boiler, no sleep, and Bee's spiky cucumbers.Timestamps:00:00 Welcome back after an accidental two month break02:53 The run up to Christmas is the worst part of the year03:23 48 items on the to-do list and ten weddings still to edit06:01 Where everyone has been shooting this summer07:12 The Paris wedding: two hour ceremony, a boat and surprise fireworks11:03 Laura's first roll of Super 8 and a broken light meter14:50 Are couples writing wedding speeches with AI?16:24 Topic of the week: the "your photographer is too old for you" post19:03 The nostalgia contradiction22:00 Does saying you've shot weddings for 20 years make you sound old?23:55 What experience actually gives you when things go wrong27:00 Why generations are a lazy generalisation28:58 Enquiries, bookings and how the diary is looking31:47 Highs and lowsSay hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommuneGet a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935CyThe British Wedding Film Festivalhttps://www.britishweddingfilmfestival.com/Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-schoolliamandbee.comlawsonfilms.co.uklawsonphotography.co.uk#weddingphotography #weddingvideography #filmphotography #creativepodcast #weddingindustry #ourcreativecommune Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it time to delete the app? In this episode, we tackle the growing sentiment that the golden age of social media is behind us. Inspired by industry leaders stepping away from Instagram, we debate whether the constant hustle for likes, reels, and algorithm appeasement is actually worth the mental toll. Can a creative business survive today without a social presence, or is that a luxury reserved for the famous?We also dive into the nitty-gritty of award season. Having just finished a marathon judging session for the Wedding Film Festival and following the results of TWIA, we discuss what separates a good film from a great one, the subjectivity of art, and the fleeting high of winning a trophy.Plus, we share our struggles with the "wintering" season, the art of dealing with online trolls, and why school sports still have a long way to go regarding gender equality. Grab a coffee and join us at the kitchen table.00:00 – Intro: Coffee, sleep schedules, and morning chats.01:00 – Behind the Scenes: Judging the Wedding Film Festival.04:20 – The "Run and Gun" Trend: Cinematic vs. Messy.05:43 – TWIA Awards: Winners, the Liverpool venue, and the post-win feeling.12:15 – The Winter Slump: Struggling with creativity and slow editing.14:05 – Unusual Jobs: Branding photography for dentists.18:15 – The Big Debate: Is it time to quit Instagram?21:00 – The Ethics of Content: Sharing private moments for public entertainment.25:30 – The "Cringe" Factor: Why self-promotion feels inauthentic.35:35 – Dealing with Trolls: Negative comments and blocking the haters.40:00 – Highs & Lows: Developing film at home & iron deficiencies.43:10 – Laura’s Obsession: Alex Honnold and climbing documentaries.47:12 – Pete’s Rant: Coaching table tennis and sexism in school PE.52:30 – Liam’s Low: A near-death experience in the driving instructor car.Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommuneGet a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935CyThe British Wedding Film Festivalhttps://www.britishweddingfilmfestival.com/Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-schoolliamandbee.comlawsonfilms.co.uklawsonphotography.co.uk#weddingphotography #weddingvideography #filmphotography #creativepodcast #weddingindustry #ourcreativecommune Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s just the boys in the studio this week! With Laura and Bee away (all that end of year editing!), Liam and Pete sit down to debrief on a recent luxury wedding they shot together in Whitehall, London.While the venue was five-star, the day wasn't without its hurdles. We discuss the reality of shooting in high-end establishments - from the stress of strict dress codes to dealing with "smothering" service that eats into your shooting time. We also have an honest conversation about a struggle many creatives face: how do you politely tell a venue coordinator to back off and let you do your job?Also in this episode, we chat about the physical toll of wedding photography (what is "Photographer's Toe"?), the panic of surprise speeches for videographers, and a terrifying gear malfunction that saw a camera hit the floor in front of the guests. Plus, we catch up on life outside of weddings, including broken cars, table tennis coaching, and life as a driving instructor.Grab a coffee and join the commune!Key Topics & Timestamps:00:00 - Intro: Where are the girls? 02:18 - The 9-hour travel nightmare and the £36 wine incident 05:25 - The Dress Code Debate: Suits vs. Trainers 07:59 - The reality of "Photographer's Toe" and physical comfort 12:14 - Videography stress: Dealing with surprise speeches 19:00 - The "Missing Groom Prep" panic 25:43 - Technical struggles: Banding issues in venue lighting 28:42 - When luxury service ruins your portrait time 31:00 - Learning to say "No" to pushy venue coordinators 44:05 - Pete’s car suspension disaster 47:50 - Gear Nightmare: Liam drops his camera (twice) 51:25 - Highs and Lows: Life as a driving instructor 57:00 - Pete becomes a qualified table tennis coachLawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-schoolSay hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommuneGet a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cyliamandbee.comlawsonfilms.co.uklawsonphotography.co.uk#weddingphotography #weddingvideography #filmphotography #creativepodcast #weddingindustry #ourcreativecommune Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How many photos are too many? In this week's episode, we dive headfirst into a hot topic rattling the photography community: are we overwhelming our clients by over-delivering images? We debate whether a curated gallery of a few hundred photos is more valuable than a folder of over a thousand, and question what we'd want from our own wedding photographer.We also get real about the struggles of social media after taking a week off Instagram punished our reach, sparking a conversation about whether the perfect grid still matters or if it's time to get more personal.Alongside the business chat, we catch you up on our latest adventures, from shooting a wedding at the iconic Traitors castle (and revealing its secrets!) to road-tripping to Scotland and enjoying a half-term break on the beautiful Yorkshire coast. Join us for a candid chat about work, life, and the creative challenges we all face.Timestamps:00:00 - Intro & a chaotic start01:03 - The joy of singing alone in the car02:40 - Liam's wedding at Guardswell Farm in Scotland05:45 - The secrets of shooting at the Traitors Castle09:28 - Working with fellow photographer Ash Springle10:55 - Remembering industry legends Ed Peers & Ross Harvey13:04 - Half-term adventures, portrait shoots, and comparing forests14:58 - An update on the team's upcoming film festival18:20 - Making work trips into mini-holidays20:18 - The pressures of a busy schedule and life admin22:36 - A relaxing week on the North Yorkshire Coast and discovering Haworth25:08 - The Instagram struggle: The punishment for taking a week off26:49 - Does your feed need to show your face?29:15 - Dealing with internet trolls and negative comments32:57 - Hot Topic: Are photographers delivering too many images?45:38 - Highs and Lows of the WeekLawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-schoolSay hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommuneGet a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cyliamandbee.comlawsonfilms.co.uklawsonphotography.co.uk#weddingphotography #weddingvideography #filmphotography #creativepodcast #weddingindustry #ourcreativecommune Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Our Creative Commune, we're fresh from a beautifully emotional wedding in the heart of Storm Amy and a fun-filled autumnal family shoot. We also take a moment to celebrate the incredible work of fellow creative, Damian Brandon (https://damianbrandon.com/)This leads us into a passionate discussion about the current state of the wedding photography industry. Are we seeing a decline in the traditional craft of photography? We delve into the rise of the "snapshotty" and "editorial" styles, the importance of understanding good light, and whether the focus has shifted from capturing genuine moments to creating content for Instagram.Plus, Liam gives us an update on his new life as a driving instructor, Pete shares his insights from the world of Reddit on what couples are really looking for, and we chat about the highs and lows of our week, from technical triumphs to creepy crawly encounters. Join us for a candid conversation about creativity, business, and the ever-evolving world of wedding photography.Timestamps:00:00 Intro & Catching Up02:13 Recapping Adam & Jade’s Stormy Welsh Wedding07:36 Working With the Incredibly Talented Damian Brandon12:38 Main Topic: Is the Art of Wedding Photography Being Lost?14:51 The Death of Good Light: Why Are Photographers Ignoring the Basics?20:12 Does Technical Quality Even Matter Anymore?27:43 What Do Couples Actually Want? (Insights from Reddit)30:43 The Changing Internet: SEO, Google, and Finding Clients Now33:56 Liam's New Venture as a Driving Instructor38:56 Building a New Website & The Logo Debate42:12 Blogging vs. Full Galleries: What Should You Send to Clients?45:32 The "Be Everywhere" Strategy for Modern Marketing46:45 Highs & Lows of the Week (Including Hard Drive Sleeping Bags & Spiders!)57:39 What's Coming Up Next?Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-schoolSay hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommuneGet a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cyliamandbee.comlawsonfilms.co.uklawsonphotography.co.uk#weddingphotography #weddingvideography #filmphotography #creativepodcast #weddingindustry #ourcreativecommune Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, join Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee for a catch-up packed with wild wedding stories and industry insights. Liam shares a tale from the depths of Scotland, where he photographed the first and only elopement inside a massive, disused WWII underground oil tank - complete with world-record-breaking echoes and drone flights in the dark. He then takes us to Iceland for a vow renewal, revealing the stressful reality of shooting in iconic, tourist-filled locations and the rules you sometimes have to bend to get the perfect shot.The team also dives into the great dishwasher debate (are your precious mugs and knives safe?), discusses the pros and cons of the new Canon C50 video camera, and shares their thoughts on recent industry shake-ups. Plus, they explore the unspoken rules of working with other suppliers and share personal highs and lows, featuring everything from a hit-and-run and a ghost named Jim to the joys of booking a wedding in Montenegro.Timestamps00:36 - Wedding season fatigue & back-to-school chaos.02:23 - Liam's story: Photographing an elopement in a disused underground oil tank in Scotland.10:28 - Pete & Laura's "painless" wedding shoot in Scotland.13:31 - Shooting a wedding for a fellow photographer.14:42 - The great debate: Should you put precious mugs and knives in the dishwasher?18:00 - Liam's story: A vow renewal in Iceland and the challenges of shooting in tourist hotspots.23:39 - Discussion on managing expectations at popular photo locations.26:47 - Industry News: The new Canon C50 video camera.30:44 - Industry News: The Easy-Flix gallery migration controversy.34:36 - The pros and cons of culling software like Narrative and Photo Mechanic.40:13 - How to handle working with difficult or rude suppliers on a wedding day.46:52 - Liam's travel drama: Getting locked in a car park and a hit-and-run.51:31 - Highs and Lows of the Week.Get 30% off Lawson Film School (until October 2025) with code: BACKTOSCHOOLLawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-schoolSay hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommuneGet a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cyliamandbee.comlawsonfilms.co.uklawsonphotography.co.uk#weddingphotography #weddingvideography #filmphotography #creativepodcast #weddingindustry #ourcreativecommune Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee for a special "postcard" episode, recorded live from next to their tents during their wholesome (and feral) camping holiday! Swapping the studio for a field, the team gets real about the highs and lows of the creative life in the middle of a busy August.In this episode, we chat about our recent travels, from a stunning but stormy cruise through the Norwegian fjords to an epic 14-hour drive to the Isle of Skye for a single elopement. We then dive into some all-too-relatable industry frustrations, including the awkward dance of dealing with difficult wedding bands and a deep dive into the dos, don'ts, and disasters of hiring second shooters.The conversation then takes a serious and personal turn as Liam shares the full, cautionary story of being scammed out of £4,500 by a fake marketing "expert." It’s an open and honest account of how easily it can happen and the emotional toll it takes, serving as a must-listen for any freelancer or small business owner. We wrap it all up by sharing the simple joys that have made our trip unforgettable, from barbecues to a magical night watching shooting stars.Timestamps00:00 - Intro00:31 - A Postcard from a Field: The Feral Camping Holiday Begins03:32 - The Pre-Holiday Work Grind05:02 - Cruising and Seasickness in Norway07:52 - A 14-Hour Drive for a 3-Hour Elopement11:03 - The Importance of Taking a Break in Peak Season12:55 - Industry Rant: When Wedding Bands Are "Cheeky F*cks"18:23 - Industry Deep Dive: The Woes of a Bad Second Shooter28:26 - The Full Story of a £4,500 Scam43:50 - Highs & Lows of the Week49:26 - Outro: Time for a BarbecueGet a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935CyLawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-schoolSay hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommuneliamandbee.comlawsonfilms.co.uklawsonphotography.co.uk#weddingphotography #weddingvideography #filmphotography #creativepodcast #weddingindustry #ourcreativecommune Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.