Photographers Keeping it Real

Episode 35 - Marketing, Industry Compromise & F**k SEO with Martin CheungBack for 2026, host Scott, owner of Photographers Keeping It Real welcomes Nottingham-based wedding photographer Martin Cheung to discuss the evolving landscape of wedding photography and the importance of collaboration within the industry. They delve into Martin's journey from a corporate IT job to becoming a full-time wedding photographer, emphasising the balance between personal life and work commitments. Martin shares insights on how to effectively engages with clients and other wedding suppliers, highlighting the significance of being helpful and approachable to secure recommendations and build lasting relationships. The conversation also touches on the impact of social media and the shift in marketing strategies, particularly the diminishing role of traditional SEO in favor of more direct client engagement through platforms like Instagram and TikTok.Scott & Martin discuss;"Take good photos and be helpful but If you can only do one of the two, be helpful.""Don't worry about SEO; focus on what your clients want to hear.""Modern brides don't really use Google.""You can make the business whatever you want.""The conversion rate is important to understand.""You have to compromise at every level in wedding photography.""Be nice to a magician, and you might get bookings worth eight grand."Find out more about Photographers Keeping it Real here - https://www.photographerskeepingitreal.com/Show Links:Martin Cheung - https://www.martincphotography.co.uk/Wedding Photography Unveiled Podcast - https://www.martincphotography.co.uk/wedding-photography-unveiled/Martins Website Design Business - https://www.martincphotography.co.uk/wedding-photography-unveiled/Host - Scott Carney Photography - https://scottcarneyphotography.com/

Episode 33 - House Plants, Starting in Weddings and Larger Wedding Previews with Ben LeeIn this episode I welcome the very talented wedding photographer, Ben Lee to the podcast. Ben has actually only been photographing weddings for a couple of years but has grown to become a huge talent and it was a pleasure to chat to him. We discuss;House plantsBens awardsBens fashion career and day jobFinding your style early onTips for getting second shooter workBens appearance on Tenable the gameshowDelivering larger wedding previews Much much more...Show Links:Bens Website - https://benlee.photography/Sam Docker - https://samdocker.co/This Is Reportage - https://thisisreportage.com/NineDots - https://nine-dots.co/Andy Gaines - https://andygaines.com/Tyler Wirken - https://www.wirkenphoto.com/Chelsea Cannar - https://www.chelseacannarphotography.com/Patrick Mateer (The Mateers) - https://www.mandgweddingphotography.co.uk/Andrew Keher - https://andrewkeher.co.uk/Tom Beynon - https://www.tombeynonphotography.com/Join PKIR here: https://www.photographerskeepingitreal.com/register/Host: Scott Carney - https://www.scottcarneyphotography.com/Join PKIR to listen to exclusive members only extended versions of the podcast, submit to the awards and watch exclusive members content to help improve your documentary wedding photography - https://www.photographerskeepingitreal.com/register/

Episode 31 - Balancing Full Time work with Weddings Featuring Damion MowerIn this episode I welcome the wonderful Damion Mower to the podcast. Damion is a wedding photographer, previous owner of The Trained Eye and works full time in marketing. We discuss;Balancing full time work with a wedding photography businessMarquee weddings on private landSEO and moving websites to KadenceThe Trained Eye, photography communities and sharing knowledgeAwards - entering them for reassurance and marketingDamions approach to the day, mixing portraits with documentary and candid Advice for photographers Much much more... Show Links:Damions Website - https://damionmowerphotography.co.uk/Join PKIR here: https://www.photographerskeepingitreal.com/register/Host: Scott Carney - https://www.scottcarneyphotography.com/Join PKIR to listen to exclusive members only extended versions of the podcast, submit to the awards and watch exclusive members content to help improve your documentary wedding photography - https://www.photographerskeepingitreal.com/register/Don't forget to check out Damion's work here:Web // Insta

Episode 29 - Homepage Secret Weapon with Ed GoddenIn this episode I welcome Ed Godden, Nottinghamshire based wedding photographer. I have been a huge fan of Ed's work for a while and it was wonderful to sit down and chat with him. In this episode we discuss;Fashion, shackets and what to wear to weddingsJudging photography awardsHaving a photojournalistic background and how that helps with weddingsKeeping things simple with your website and presetEds homepage secret weaponPricing on your websiteGear and keeping things simpleFilm photographyTraining and mentoringShow Links:Show Links;Website - https://www.edgodden.co.uk/Instagram - http://instagram.com/edgoddenPerspective Podcast Episode - https://perspectivebycinemate.com/episodes/103Eds for Photographers Section - https://www.edgodden.co.uk/for-photographersFujicast Podcast - https://www.fujicast.co.uk/Join PKIR to listen to exclusive members only extended versions of the podcast, submit to the awards and watch exclusive members content to help improve your documentary wedding photography - https://www.photographerskeepingitreal.com/register/

Episode 27 - Take to the Streets featuring Matt BadenochIn this episode I welcome the wonderful Matt Badenoch. One of the nicest guys I had ever spoken to and a big inspiration of mine since I started out in weddings. Matt has just launched his Street with Matt - street photography workshops. I was lucky to go to a workshop with Matt at the end of last year and it was so much fun and I learned a lot so I would highly recommend them. Head over to streetwithmatt.com to see his upcoming workshops and trips. In this episode we discuss: SEO how Matt is still ranking despite hardly working on his website in yearsHow Matt went from 4 months of savings to a full time wedding photographerStreet photography, how it has helped Matt with his wedding photography, mental health and life.Matts recent ADHD diagnosis and his coping mechanisms without medicationMatts tips for anyone thinking of starting their own workshops Much much more…Show Links:Matts WebsiteMatts Instagram Street with Matt WebsiteStreet with Matt InstagramDocDayAnna PumerThis is ReportageIs This Something - York Place Studios bookAngela Ward BrownWhere Children Sleep BookJay DohertyNineDotsSNAP! Join Photographers Keeping it Real here: https://www.photographerskeepingitreal.com/register/

Episode 25 - Alex Benyon - From Guitar Hero to Photography Hero In this episode I welcome Alex Benyon, a multi award winning wedding photographer based near the Cotswolds. Alex worked in the video game industry on huge games like Guitar Hero before transitioning into wedding photography. In this episode we discuss: Alex's own podcast - To Have & DownloadAlex's history in the video game industry and transitioning into photographyMental Health / Clinical depressionPhotographing other genres alongside weddingsStreet photographyThe Wedding Industry Awards (TWIA)Much much more...Show Links Alex's WebsiteTo Have & Download PodcastKevin MullinsDocDayJoin Photographers Keeping it Real here

Episode 23 - Fully Booked for 2024 How?! Featuring Daniel Ackerley In this episode I welcome Daniel Ackerley to the podcast. In this episode we discuss:  Being yourself and finding your ideal clients Daniels marketing & leads and always working for referrals Daniels journey from music photographer to weddingsPricing and the stigma within the industryDans personal Facebook page, daily funny memes and funky shirts   Much much more…  Show Links: Daniels WebsiteDaniels InstagramMembers only:We go deeper into Daniel's ways of attracting ideal clients and setting expectations from the start. Join PKIR to listen to the exclusive members only extended versions of the podcast, submit to the awards and watch exclusive members content to help improve your documentary wedding photography - https://www.photographerskeepingitreal.com/register/

Episode 21 - Alan LawFor episode 21 I welcome one of the nicest people in the wedding photography world, the wonderful Alan Law. Alan is a wedding photographer, founder of This is Reportage and This is Reportage Family and runs his own wedding photography workshops called Law School. We discuss the highs and lows of running awards and photography communities, I get podcast tips from Alan who has released over 132 episodes of his own podcast and we talk about speaking at workshops, initial calls with potential couples and much much more. Alan's last Law School workshop for 2023 is on October 11th in Cornwall and as many past guests on this podcast have said, it’s one of the very best things you can do for your documentary wedding photography. Follow the links in the show notes for all the information and to book your place now. This is reportage has announced their Christmas party for 2023 on Monday 11th December in central London, find out all the information in the show notes and hopefully I will see you there. For the extended exclusive members only version I chat to Alan about his lead sources and marketing, including one new lead source that is working for Alan, especially for his local Cornwall weddings and the importance of networking and being part of communities. Alan shares some great insights into entering awards and we discuss how 2024 is looking for his business. Show Links;Law School Workshop Alans WebsiteAlans Dotcast EpisodeAlans To Have & Download EpisodeThis is ReportageThis is Reportage FamilyDocDay NineDotsThis Is Reportage Podcast Episode 132

Episode 19 - Tyler Wirken & Foundation Workshop UK Special In this episode, Scott welcomes world renowned documentary wedding photographer, Tyler Wirken. Tyler now runs Foundation Workshop, often talked about as one of the greatest wedding photography workshops in the world, and it's finally coming to the UK. Full details can be found here. Tyler talks about why Foundation has the format it does. How it changes a photographers mindset and improves your overall photography going forward. In this episode Tyler & Scott also discuss mentoring, mindset and what does 'documentary' actually mean to them. This episode is a must if you have even a tiny interest in Foundation Workshop and want a better understanding of what it is and how it will change your life! Show Links:Tyler Wirken WebsiteFoundation Workshop UKTyler Workshops & MentoringErin Chrisman Erwin DarmaliSusana Barbera

Episode 17 - Hamish Irvine In this episode we welcome Leeds based photographer Hamish Irvine. A huge personality and talent with a colourful, personality filled style. It was a huge honour to chat to Hamish, he hasn't spoken on many podcasts before and to hear his passion for photography / art and business was inspiring. We Discuss;Playing the saxophone, jazz music and music in generalWork life balance, travel, burn out and do we create our best work at the start of the season?Should we be less involved in the wedding photography community?Working with couples and the importance of pre wedding shoots for HamishOther genres of photography, squash (the sport, not the fruit)Websites, is it worth spending the money to have your website built professionally?Members Only Content;VAT registration, why Hamish went VAT registered and his thoughts Marketing / leads - how's 2024 looking for Hamish and where do most of his leads come from?Rant about art / social media and printing photos (it's a good rant! and very interesting)Show Links;Hamish's WebsiteWebsite Designer - Sophie Amelia DesignsOther Photographers Mentioned;Adam LowndesKristian LevenJoin PKIRTo find out more about PKIR and to join - https://www.photographerskeepingitreal.com/

Show Notes: In this episode I welcome Dom & Liam from York Place Studios. The documentary wedding photography siblings are known for their unique style and are a huge influence for so many documentary wedding photographers. And now they have written a book!! Titled ‘Is This Something’, it’s way more than a photo book, delving into mindset, packed full of advice and tips to help you when photographing weddings (or anything really) including contact sheets showing you inside the minds of this iconic photography duo. They have broken down each section of a wedding day and of course you get a big section on what to photograph when ‘nothing’ is happening… pre order here now. As well as a big chat about the book (obviously), we discuss shooting the dance floor without flash, street photography, showing what you want to shoot and attracting ideal clients. We also discuss speaking at events, composition, layering and much more…Want a signed copy of their book? Listen to the podcast to find out how. You can also hear what Dom & Liam plan to speak about at the next NineDots Gathering in November (or some of it anyway). Check out all the links below and as always thanks for listening and supporting PKIR. A massive thanks to Dom & Liam for their time and the best of luck with the new book. Show Links: More information and to pre order the book - https://seeminglyinsignificant.com/ York Place Studios Website - https://www.yorkplacestudios.co.uk/York Place Studios Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yorkplacestudios/NineDots Gathering - https://nine-dots.co/gathering/NineDots Gathering Slideshow by York Place Studios - https://vimeo.com/146921573This is Reportage Podcast - https://thisisreportage.com/podcast-episode-129-york-place-studios-on-is-this-something/Alex Webb - http://www.webbnorriswebb.coMartin Parr - https://www.martinparr.comJoin PKIRTo find out more about PKIR and to join - https://www.photographerskeepingitreal.com/

In this episode I welcome the wonderful Chelsea Cannar to the podcast...We answer the age old question... is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind actually good? After Chelseas amazing year with awards we chat through tips for curating images for awards, the importance of transition shots and variety. Chelsea talks about her background in graphic design and how that helps with her photography. Chelsea talks about her recent talk at the NineDots Gathering and how it felt. Plus much more...Show Links - Chelseas Website: https://www.chelseacannarphotography.com/Chelseas Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseacannarphotography/Chelseas TIR Story Awards: https://thisisreportage.com/p/chelseacannar/awards/David Stubbs SEO Course: https://www.davidstubbsphotography.co.uk/training/seo-wedding-photographers-workshop/ Join Photographers Keeping it Real here: https://www.photographerskeepingitreal.com/register/