The Raw Photography Podcast With Dave and Paul

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
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⁠@davidmcclellandphotography⁠
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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

Raw Podcast - EP58 - A conversation with John Boaz

In this conversation, we sit down with portrait photographer John Boaz to talk about where his work really comes from. From an early moment of seeing deer move through golden light at Bradgate Park to having his portraits on the cover of Portrait of Britain, John shares a thoughtful and honest look at his creative journey.

We talk about the influence of university on his understanding of visual storytelling, the importance of personal projects alongside paid work, and why connection always matters more than technical perfection. John reflects on slowing down in a fast-paced, social-media-driven industry, how nature, music and everyday life feed into his work, and why imperfections often carry the most truth.

This episode is about portraiture as a human exchange rather than a technical exercise, and about protecting artistic integrity while navigating commercial realities.

Guest Bio
John Boaz is a multi-award-winning portrait photographer based in Northamptonshire, UK. He graduated from Birmingham City University in 2019 with a degree in Visual Communication (Photography).

John is a multiple winner of the British Journal of Photography’s Portrait of Britain awards, including having a portrait selected as the front cover of Volume 7. His work has been exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery as part of the Royal Photographic Society’s IPE 166 exhibition and features in major publications such as The Guardian, Financial Times Magazine, Le Monde and Der Spiegel. His ongoing series Rivers Of Living Water explores Christianity in Britain through portraiture and observational images.

Key Topics
John’s early inspiration at Bradgate Park
University and learning visual storytelling
Balancing paid work and personal projects
Human connection in portraiture
Feeling over technical perfection
Inspiration from nature, music and everyday life
Maintaining artistic integrity across mediums
Slowing down in a fast social media world
The impact of awards on creative confidence

Notable Quotes
“Imperfect images tell a story.”
“Connection and context come first.”
“Imperfections add authenticity.”

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and background
02:50 Early photography experiences
06:00 University and visual storytelling
08:56 Transitioning into professional work
11:45 Personal projects and why they matter
14:37 Balancing paid work and passion
17:30 Current projects and future direction
20:32 Family and photography
23:51 Artistic reflection and intention
25:21 Digital versus film
27:29 Human connection in portrait photography
31:15 Planning versus spontaneity
34:17 Managing pressure and anxiety
38:34 Comfort and trust in portraits
41:35 Environment, light and atmosphere
45:15 Subconscious decision-making
47:42 Connection and context revisited
50:39 Emotion versus technical control
54:16 Storytelling through portraiture
57:57 Navigating wedding photography
01:01:16 Humility and growth
01:04:12 Finding inspiration beyond photography
01:07:07 Creative pressure
01:09:52 Social media and evolving perspectives
01:11:16 Fulfilment beyond Instagram
01:12:54 Balancing work and personal life
01:15:34 The impact of awards
01:17:43 Inspiration from fellow photographers
Mentions
Alex Soth
Alys Tomlinson
Portrait of Britain
Where to find John
johnboaz_
Johns Website

Follow us on Instagram:
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⁠@davidmcclellandphotography⁠
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