Breathe Pictures Podcast | Photography And Film Making

Today’s Photowalk show guest is Ibarionex Perello, a photographer, writer, educator, and the long-standing host of The Candid Frame podcast, one of the most respected and enduring shows in photography. With over 25 years in the photographic industry and more than 600 episodes under his belt, he’s interviewed legends like Jay Maisel, Mary Ellen Mark, and Joel Meyerowitz. In this conversation, we talk about his thoughtful approach to podcasting, what he listens for in a guest, and why the best conversations don’t follow scripts. We also discuss life after loss, as he reflects on the devastating LA fires that destroyed his family's home and studio. And, of course, we talk photography, the way he sees, the way he teaches, and the very personal reasons he still makes pictures. Also on the show and from the mailbag, Matthies Wesche is about to dangle precariously from his seat, photographing people who believe it’s more fun to jump out of aeroplanes than sit back and enjoy the complimentary wine and molten-hot Ther

In this episode, recorded in London, I meet up with friend and photojournalist Marissa Roth, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer whose career spans decades of visual storytelling. We talk about what might be a photographer’s greatest superpower: vulnerability. From her early days at the LA Times to her long-form global project One Person Crying: Women and War, Marissa shares how empathy, courage, and an open heart have shaped her work in conflict zones and beyond. Now building a new life in Europe, she reflects on what it means to start again, to carry stories across borders, and to stay true to the deeper reasons we pick up a camera in the first place. Also, today, Gary Ramage invites you to take part in the One Word Assignment for July. Links to all guests and features will be on the show page, my sincere thanks to Arthelper, who sponsor this show, plus our Extra Milers, without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.

In this special edition of The Photowalk, we’re in Paris, exploring the city through the eyes of celebrated street photographer and regular contributor to the show Valérie Jardin. With her as our guide, we visit places that hold a special photographic charm, not just some of the landmarks, but the quieter, less-travelled streets and corners. It’s a street photography walking workshop, and we learn not just how to make better pictures, but how to truly see opportunities and moments. Along the way, we’ll meet others on the same path, fellow photographers from around the world, brought together by a shared curiosity and the joy of photographing life as it happens. Valérie shares her deep knowledge of the city, its history and visual language, offering practical guidance and insight, plus there are some surprises as we walk. Whether you’re carrying a camera or simply walking with your ears, this episode invites you to pause, notice, and feel part of something creative in one of the World’s most vibrant photograph

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 of Chernobyl 21 years later, and Cold War Spaces of Fear. Quintin’s work is marked by precision, stillness, and a deep attentiveness to place. In this conversation, we explore endurance and creativity, the solitude of long walks, and what it means to photograph with intention.  Also on the show today from the mailbag: Jade Lee has an idea for our 500th episode that allows you to participate, wherever you are in this world. Christopher Parsons shares how sneaking into the right place led to the shot, Bill Frische gifts u

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 collaborated with conservation organisations such as WWF and WCS, and published his work in Le Monde, Reuters, GEO, and Mongabay. Thomas has an insatiable love for photography, and that comes across today as he invites you to embrace your childhood wonder and see through the eyes of a nine-year-old. From the mailbag, Allin Sorenson reflects on his creative legacy, Patrick Gerke’s lost in a jungle of grass, and Michael Brennan delivers a heartfelt letter and boldly bins off social media’s pesky algorithms. I announce a spec

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 of conflict zones and adjust to the quiet normality of everyday life—how you make sense of war when the world around you carries on as if nothing happened. Also on the show and from the mailbag, John Kenny introduces the curious sport of shin-kicking (don’t try this at home), Tony Lorenzo tackles imposter syndrome with style, and 35mm film. Andrew Gardner tells a story with a radioactive twist, (perhaps), Graham Harries talks about urbex, and Paul Hutson sets June’s One Word Assignment. Links to all guests and features

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 introduces a book that might just change your shelf forever, and Jason Ingram prompts me to consider the real nature of importance. Plus, Valérie Jardin returns for Teach Me Street, and we’ve got June’s One Word Assignment from Paul Hutson. Links to all guests and features will be on the show page, my sincere thanks to Arthelper, who sponsor this show, plus our Extra Milers, without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.

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 shares the story of how his flash may have saved his life, Phil Ferris is looking behind the sofa for his mojo, Jade Lee’s filming snakes at her feet, and Allin Sorenson brings a poem to the path that ties beautifully to my chat with Platon. Plus we have a new assignment from portrait photographer and writer, Paul Hutson. Links to all guests and features will be on the show page, my sincere thanks to Arthelper, who sponsor this show, plus our Extra Milers, without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchb

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 his life. To quote, “I don’t want to go through life having only experienced the World through the pages of National Geographic, I want to see it, and touch it and smell it.” This week, I’m proud to announce something new. The Journey Beyond is a new travel venture for photographers, writers, and creatives heading to places like Mongolia, India, and beyond, not just to see, but to feel, listen, and make work that matters in an experiential way. More news on the show. Also, from your letters, Anders Ekmark shares how he s

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 walk and shares a disarming way to connect with people you might never normally speak to. If you've ever felt that knot-in-the-stomach hesitation when approaching a stranger and asking, “Can I make your portrait?”, Giles might just have the key to making those conversations feel not only possible but natural, and Valérie Jardin returns for this month’s Teach Me Street, ahead of our summer recording in Paris. From the mailbag and also on the show, Robin Chun reckons he’s made his picture of the year, William Leonard’s bee

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 episode, we talk about the role food plays in identity, how travel shapes the creative eye, and the way photography can slow us down long enough to really notice what’s in front of us.  From the mailbag today, you might want to brace yourself before the first letter lands, Charles Mason is to blame, with a tale involving something he calls photographer’s knee. Craig Wilson’s up a mountain with his camera, Paul Friday’s wrapping himself in cotton wool (the reason will become clear), and Bob Shonkoff has a 4am story that m

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 see life away from the main roads, and to photograph people and culture with care and respect. Tom had long held an interest in photography, but like many, life’s other responsibilities often came first. So with time finally on his side, he went in search of something deeper, not just images, but understanding. The result? A slow, human journey through rural villages, pilgrimage sites, nature reserves, and towns where he was often the only outsider for miles. In today’s episode, we walk and talk about what it means to

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 challenges the traditional idea of what street photography should look like. Alongside creating striking, often cinematic imagery, he also spends time guiding others, not just in technique, but in learning to observe with intent.  Also, in the monthly feature Teach Me Street, Valérie Jardin answers what ‘makes an image,’ and unpicks how photographers can recognise that they have captured something really quite special. Plus, Extra Miler Dennis Linden sets a new assignment for the month. From the mailbag two Chris’s, Articulat

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, cameras at the ready, to witness many scenes, including the festival of colour, Holi, where colourful powders of the Spring celebration hang in the air, and the streets come alive.  Alongside co-leader Jason Florio and our Indian guides Shivam and Arvind, I talk photography, travel, and the way India overwhelms every sense: the smell of spice and diesel, the sounds of laughter and rickshaws, the heat, the rhythm, the way that everyday life plays out with a sense of theatre, spontaneous, heartfelt, and unforgettable. Par

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 emerge from nothing, this one’s for you. Even if you’ve never stepped into a darkroom, there’s something in this about patience, process, and friendship that I hope might just land with you. It’s part workshop, part fireside chat, and at times it gets deeply personal. Over a cooked breakfast in a feature I call In the Fryer, I ask Giles some tougher questions, the kind you only ask a friend you trust, and the kind that lead to answers you don’t always expect. This is a story about time and about why film photography, with

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 unrestricted access, he created a comprehensive archive that stands as a testament to resilience and remembrance to this day. He shares how this experience reshaped his perspective on photography and its role in chronicling history. ​ Ed talks with me about ’The Sandwich Generation,’ a deeply personal project where he and his wife, filmmaker Julie Winokur, documented their journey of moving cross-country to care for Julie's ageing father, Herb, who suffered from dementia. Through this intimate lens, Ed discusses the emotio

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 power of the wild. Also, on the show from the mailbag, Paul Friday’s trying to coax us into photographing underwater, but after hearing what’s coming up, I’m not sure I’ll even risk a paddle in the bath. Chris Smith’s found his own kind of mountain therapy in the Lake District, Chris Hale is getting wistful about a hiking trip with his wife, and Myles Barfield is discovering a quiet comfort wrapped in the morning mist. Links to all guests and features will be on the showpage, my sincere thanks to MPB, Arthelper and LOWA w

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 uncomfortable fact that everyday convenience often comes at someone else’s expense. The mailbag is back and in today’s: Spike Boydell sends in a film link that had me properly thinking about connection. Jerilyn Owen shares how making a self-portrait is helping her learn acceptance. Samantha Ramsay finds something spiritual in photographing hands, while Greg Picone stumbles across a spooky landscape right behind his own backyard. Randy Bullerwell’s been capturing carnival season in Aruba in a way that’s anything but ordinary and Co

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 world around us and using a camera not just to document but to care. Also on the show, Valérie Jardin returns for the monthly Teach Me Street feature, and there's a reminder of the latest one-word assignment set by the photojournalist Claire Thomas. The mailbag returns next week. Links to all guests and features will be on the showpage, my sincere thanks to MPB, Arthelper and LOWA who sponsor this show, plus our Extra Milers without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.

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 Story, a deeply personal and important body of work that not only changed Mark as a photographer but also brought vital awareness to dementia. Links to all guests and features will be on the showpage, my sincere thanks to MPB who sponsor this show and the Extra Milers without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.