The Raw Photography Podcast With Dave and Paul

Raw Photography Podcast - EP63 - A conversation with John Gillooley

After a little summer break, RAW is back for Episode 63 and we’re joined by the brilliant John Gillooley.
John will already be a familiar name to many wedding photographers, both through his work and his presence on Instagram. In this episode we get into his journey into photography, how his style has developed over the years and his approach to photographing weddings with authenticity, humour and, when the opportunity presents itself, a little bit of mischief.
We talk about finding your own voice as a photographer, the importance of consistency, creativity and storytelling, and why sometimes the chaos and unpredictability of a wedding day can produce the very best photographs. John also talks about social media, awards, client relationships, editing, favourite venues and the experience and intuition that comes from doing this job for a long time.
There’s plenty of photography chat too. We get into cameras and lenses, John’s experiences with different systems including Nikon and Sony, flashes and accessories, pre-wedding calls, dealing with difficult weather and venues, and why being able to adapt when things don’t go to plan is such an important part of being a wedding photographer.
There’s also a much more personal and moving side to this conversation.
John speaks openly about the loss of his son Max and the profound impact that had on his life. He talks about grief, resilience and how photography became intertwined with that journey.
We also hear about John’s incredible work with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, an organisation providing remembrance photography to families experiencing the loss of a baby. John talks about photographing families in hospital, the challenges and responsibility that come with that work and the enormous value those photographs can have for a family.
For anyone interested in volunteering or learning more about Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, we’ve included details below.
Despite some of the heavier subjects, this is very much a conversation with John Gillooley, so naturally there are plenty of laughs and stories along the way.
A conversation about weddings, creativity, gear, grief, resilience, community and ultimately the extraordinary power a photograph can have.

John’s Links
John’s Website
https://www.johngillooley.com/
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
https://www.nilmdts.ie/photographers

Photographers Mentioned.
Billy Dee
https://www.instagram.com/billydeee/
Strange Victory
https://www.instagram.com/strange.victory/
Rodney Smith
https://rodneysmith.com/
Ramond depadon
https://www.magnumphotos.com/arts-culture/society-arts-culture/william-boyd-raymond-depardon-1980s-glasgow/

Show Hosts
Dave McClelland Photography
https://www.davidmcclelland-photography.com
Moat Hill Photography
https://mhphoto.ie
Podcast Partner
Bermingham Cameras
https://berminghamcameras.ie

Raw Photography Podcast - EP62 - A conversation with David Olsthoorn

In this episode, we sit down with David Olsthoorn, one half of the husband-and-wife team behind Awake & Dreaming Photography. Together with his wife Laurie, Dave has built a thriving wedding photography business with a high-volume workflow, while maintaining a strong focus on creativity, client experience and storytelling.
We chat about everything from managing a busy wedding calendar and working together as a couple, to destination weddings, film photography and the impact of AI on the industry. Dave shares his thoughts on image rights, gear choices, editing workflows and why film photography has reignited his passion for shooting. We also dive into the realities of running a successful photography business, balancing family life with a demanding workload, and the systems that help keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
Whether you’re a wedding photographer, a portrait photographer or simply someone who enjoys hearing honest conversations about creativity and business, there’s plenty to take away from this one. It’s a wide-ranging conversation packed with practical advice, personal stories, and plenty of insight from someone who has spent decades refining both his craft and his approach to running a photography business.
David’s Links
Awake and Dreaminghttps://awakeanddreamingweddings.com/
West South Westhttps://westsouthwest.net/

Photographers Mentioned.
Oskar Bakke
https://www.instagram.com/oskarbakke
Riley Harper
https://www.instagram.com/lifeof_riley
Chris Burkard
https://www.chrisburkard.com
Show Hosts
Dave McClelland Photography
https://www.davidmcclelland-photography.com
Moat Hill Photography
https://mhphoto.ie
Podcast Partner
Bermingham Cameras
https://berminghamcameras.ie
Follow us on Instagram:
@therawpodcast
@davidmcclellandphotography
@moathillphotography

Raw Podcast - EP61 - A conversation with Katie Kavanagh

Episode 61! The one and only Katie Kavanagh. A great friend and an inspiration to many of us in the wedding photography scene.

Katie made the move from graphic design into full-time wedding photography, and it shows in how she approaches her work. With a strong online presence, she has a real understanding of branding, marketing, and how to present yourself in a way that actually connects with your audience and future clients.

There’s no better guest to get into social media with. What’s working, what’s not, and how to approach it without it taking over your life. There’s some really practical thinking around content, consistency, and why it’s less about chasing trends and more about knowing what you’re trying to say.

We also talk about pricing, workflow, and building a business that’s actually sustainable. Not just in terms of money, but in terms of time, energy, and avoiding burnout.

There’s a lot in here around staying true to your own style, even when there’s pressure to follow what everyone else is doing. Along with that, some honest chat about the realities of the job and trying to balance work with the rest of life.

There really is loads to take away, whether you’re starting out or a few years in.
Enjoy!
Dave and Paul.

A few links for you all.
Katie Kavanagh Website - https://katiekav.com
Katie's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/katiekavphoto/
Refocus Workshop - https://www.refocusworkshop.eu/
Learn to Fly Conference - https://www.learningtofly.ie/Irish-wedding-photography-retreat-2026-Clare
Katie's Recommendations for Photographers to Follow
JP Bevelard's Photography - https://www.instagram.com/jpbevillard_colour/
Lorcan Finnegan - https://www.instagram.com/lorcanfinnegan/

Later App for Scheduling - https://later.com/

Hosts
Dave - https://www.davidmcclelland-photography.com/
Paul - https://mhphoto.ie/

Raw Podcast - EP60 - A conversation with Drew Forsyth

This week we’re chatting with Drew Forsyth, a portrait photographer and director working at the commercial end of the industry across the UK and internationally.Drew’s work is centred around people and the stories behind them, and that’s something we connected with straight away, even though his world looks very different to ours on the surface.We get into what that world actually looks like day to day. From shoots that take all day to get a single frame, to moments where everything has to come together in under 90 seconds. There’s a lot of pressure there, and Drew shares how he handles it.We also talk about how he found his way into commercial work, the importance of putting yourself out there, and why personal projects are often the thing that leads to the jobs you actually want.There are some brilliant stories in this one, along with a really honest look at the ups and downs. Big wins, mistakes, things that worked and things that didn’t. It’s a very open conversation.We also touch on networking, staying visible, and how things are shifting with AI and the wider industry.A really good chat with someone working in a completely different lane, but with a lot of crossover in how he thinks about people and photography.Drew’s Website - https://www.drewforsyth.com/Drew’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_drewforsyth/

Photographers / Artists to Check Out
https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.penfold/
https://www.georgieglass.com/what-we-do

https://www.artstreiber.com/work
Follow us on Instagram
⁠@therawpodcast⁠
⁠@davidmcclellandphotography⁠
⁠@moathillphotography⁠

Episode 59 Chris Copeland. The Art of Storytelling Through the Lens: A Conversation with Chris Copeland
This episode takes us into the world of Chris Copeland, a Belfast-based photographer whose approach to wedding photography is both timeless and unmistakably his own. Chris’s work is instantly recognisable. Cinematic, emotional, and rooted in an artful documentary sensibility that celebrates real life as it unfolds.
We talk about where his love for photography began, the slow rhythm of shooting film, and how the medium shapes the way he sees the world. Along the way, Chris shares honest reflections on client relationships, destination weddings, and the importance of staying true to your creative voice in a saturated digital scene.
In This Episode:
How Chris developed his signature documentary style

Why film still matters in a digital world

The balance between spontaneity and preparation

Building trust and telling authentic stories

Lessons from destination weddings and challenging shoots

Staying creative when photography becomes your career

Social media, community, and the ever-evolving industry

 Chris Copeland — chriscopelandphotography.co.uk Instagram: @chriscopelandphotography
Chris’s recommendations of Artists to Check Out
Billy Dinhhttps://www.instagram.com/billydeee
Vineet Vohrahttps://www.instagram.com/vineet_vohra
Alex Greyhttps://www.alexgrey.com
Show LinksChris Copeland — chriscopelandphotography.co.ukInstagram: @chriscopelandphotography
Follow us on Instagram
@therawpodcast
@davidmcclellandphotography
@moathillphotography