The Photographer's Problem: A Narrative Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Based near Cape Town in the Western Cape of South Africa, Skillie Jacques Botha has been shooting weddings since 2011. He recently joined us on the podcast and talked about creative integrity, what it means to be a storyteller, and how his work-life balance has evolved.

About Skillie:

My name is Skillie. I am a creator at heart. I am a husband and a dad and it brings me immense joy to spend time with my family! Capturing moments at weddings of a couple and their loved ones is a massive privilege for me. I genuinely believe that we as humans discover a whole new level of beauty when we see the magic in the small things around us – every moment matters – big or small – and I absolutely love capturing those raw and real memories for people. When I’m shooting a wedding, it’s one of the most fulfilling spaces in which I find myself.

Links:

www.kikitography.com

www.instagram.com/kikitography

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In this episode, Narrative's CEO/Founder James Broadbent hosts The Photographer's Problem with guest and CEO of VSCO Eric Wittman to discuss the changing landscape of the photography industry. Explore VSCO's transition to cater to serious creators and professional photographers, and gain valuable insights into the role of technology and community in shaping the future of photography, learn about the latest innovations and trends impacting photographers worldwide.

Dive into the world of Si Moore, distinguished film photographer and one-half of NZ-based Bayly & Moore. Si has over a decade’s experience capturing love stories around the globe, as well as various other intriguing creative endeavors. Dive into The Photographer’s Problem to learn from Si’s vast experience about social media’s impact, finding your true fans, and what the digital future holds for photographers.

Links:

https://www.sasmoore.com/

https://www.baylymoore.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sasmoore/

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With a philosophy that ‘wedding photography should be a rad time not a bad time,’ Jonathan Suckling uses his infectious energy and humor to make every wedding an unforgettable experience. With banter, dive-rolling antics, and epic dance moves, Jonathan captures genuine, candid moments in his own unique way - and accidentally became Tik-Tok famous for it. He joins us from Auckland, NZ to chat about adulting, his viral video success, and passion for human connections and comedy.

About Jonathan:

Hey, I'm Jonny! I enjoy making people laugh, disappearing down Youtube rabbithole's and you've probably seen me dive-rolling through your tiktok feed - I'm that guy 😂. I also once got sucker punched by a 5 year old at a wedding.

Links:

www.tiktok.com/@jonathansuckling
www.instagram.com/jonathansuckling

www.jonathansuckling.com

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Erin Hernandez-Reisner is an American Photographic Artist, Amazon bestselling author, and global speaker whose voice has been translated into 15 languages. She applies her perspective as an autistic artist who is hearing impaired with tetrachromacy to create art that continually explores different aspects of human connection. In this deeply personal and unconventional interview, she shares about healing from trauma, dealing with anxiety and social media, and why it’s so important to be honest with ourselves.

Links:

www.instagram.com/erinhernandezreisner

www.facebook.com/hernandezreisner

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We caught up with wedding photographer Ryan Browne this week. He and his wife Heidi are the creators of New York-based studios Forged in the North and After It All. He tells us about growing into two distinct studios, supporting his shooters, and balancing all that with family life while expanding into aerial photography.

About Ryan:

Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, Ryan had an affinity for creating with his hands from an early age. Grandson of a woodworker and son of an architect, its in Ryan's blood to build things from scratch. He attended college near his hometown in Illinois, studying Architecture and Sustainable Design. After working as an architect in New York City, he left to pursue photography and filmmaking full time in 2012. Ryan's work embodies his continual pursuit to design within a constrained set of parameters, most often, the landscapes he flies over with his camera. He would call himself an urbanist with an affinity for nature, but his friends would make fun of him for sounding pretentious. Currently residing in Brooklyn NY, Ryan satisfies his desire for exploration by traveling the world with his wife Heidi, who is a wonderfully talented fashion and beauty commercial photographer.

Links

www.forgedinthenorth.com

www.instagram.com/forgedinthenorth

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Wedding and elopement photographer Benj Haisch is the trailblazer of adventure elopements. An accidental trendsetter, he doesn’t believe in chasing trends for long-term success. Instead, he commits to his style of capturing candid images that resonate with couples for a lifetime while indulging his love of the Pacific Northwest landscape. He talks about how adventure elopements became a thing, how he has created a consistent, sustainable business of 17 years, prioritizing mental health, and balancing it all with a family.

About Benj:

I’m a big fan of morning walks for coffee with my family, the great outdoors, hiking, good music, sunny days, last minute trips, and apple products. I love Jesus, my wife, my son Oslo, film cameras, teaching, playing music, traveling, experiencing new cultures, my family, and helping others.

As a husband, I firmly believe in marriage and want to do my best to capture all that it means to get married and to celebrate that with you through photography.

Also, I throw more references to The Office, Seinfeld, and Star Wars into casual conversation than you thought humanly possible.

Links:

www.benjhaisch.com/

www.instagram.com/benjhaisch

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LA based photographer Summer Grace joins us this week. She discusses the challenges of mailing film for development, recounting stories of lost and miraculously recovered rolls, the financial considerations of film photography, weighing the cost of each shot and the desire for accessible, pocketable cameras. Getting into the weeds on the balance between professional commitments and personal creative fulfillment & emphasizing the importance of inhaling fresh creative air.

About Summer:

Summer Grace is a photographer based out of LA & the PNW who travels all over, and specializes in storytelling and editorial styles on both digital and film. She loves all things thrifting, art, her fiancé Jake, and her pup Indigo. As well as the art of photography, she has and has always had a big love for entrepreneurship and helping others grow their business. 

Links:

www.instagram.com/summergrace.photo/

www.summergracephoto.com/

www.tiktok.com/@summergrace.photo

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Whether shooting intimate weddings or taking people on landscape photo tours in the Faroe Islands and Nordic countries, professional photographer Chris Zielecki does it all with a sense of adventure. Based in Hamburg, Germany, he's ojn this weeks episode talking about his unique perspective and the many avenues of his photography business.

About Chris:

Chris, the photographer behind Sturmsucht, is not only a wedding photographer from Hamburg, but also an adventurer who has dedicated his heart to the far north. His images are characterised by the untouched beauty of Nordic landscapes, inspired by high mountains, forested valleys, rugged coastlines, endless summer evenings and the darkness of gathering storms. His work is aimed at individualists and adventurers who appreciate profound and authentic photography - and who like to do things differently from the masses. With his past in the IT world, Chris brings a keen eye for efficient processes and optimised workflows, and in his private life he is intensely concerned with the influence of a healthy mindset and a holistic approach on his life and work.

Links:

www.instagram.com/sturmsucht

ww.sturmsucht.de

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Creating a niche in photography isn’t simple, but elopement photographer Cat Ekkelboom-White has the process dialed in, while building a life she loves and how she helps others do the same. She shoots adventure elopements in the Austrian Alps, on her terms. In this episode she discusses the impacts of over-tourism on popular photography sites and the value of hiring local photographers, advocating for sustainable practices and responsible tourism in her home area, as well as ethical business principles in the industry.

About Cat:

Cat Ekkelboom-White is an elopement photographer, and hiking guide, living in the Alps. She has created a superniche that exclusively works with adventure-loving couples in her adopted home in the Austrian Alps & Dolomites. She's also a certified coach, supporting other creatives on their journey to build sustainable businesses around their desired lifestyles.

Links:

Education www.adventureweddingacademy.comhttps://www.instagram.com/adventureweddingacademy Photography www.wildconnectionsphotography.comhttps://www.instagram.com/wildconnectionsphoto Podcast www.open.spotify.com/show/32wkUZGIr06efrzoLNaj2d?si=f4a41ee182944abc

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