PhotoTypes: Where the world's top photographers reveal their amazing stories and inspirations

Gregory Crewdson is an acclaimed American photographer who makes images on an epic scale. With all the production values of a movie the images are crafted with meticulous precision to produce art to fire the viewers imagination. Ahead of the opening of his latest show, 'Cathedral of the Pines,' Gregory took the time to talk to PhotoTypes about his process and what inspires him and his images. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jose Villa is often referred to as one of the 'rockstars' of wedding photography. It's not a title that sits comfortably with him though. He sees himself as a fairly normal guy who wants to create beautiful images. But there is no getting away from the fact that his images are adored by so many people around the world, and his style has become one of the most replicated. So how does he feel about all this attention and the pressure that comes with it? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It’s been said that a picture paints a thousand words. For James Melia that is most certainly the case. For him, the images he produces are more than words, they’re his voice. Why waste your time trying to come up with erudite speeches when your photos say all they need to say. James Melia’s images say more than enough which means that he doesn’t have to. He was pretty nervous about this interview for PhotoTypes which is why I’m so grateful for him making the effort to do it, along with his wife, and shooting partner Jo. www.meliamelia.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From Marketing, to wedding videos, to wedding photography, Jonny Draper’s story is an interesting one. I’m not sure it’s ready for the West End just yet Jonny, but when it is, there’s only one person going to play the lead role. Listen to Jonny and I talk about our wives tidying up after us, who's the best character in Les Mis, workshop hashtags and some bits about photography. You can find out more about Jonny at www.jonnydraper.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this weeks episode of PhotoTypes you’re going to hear about an unlikely partnership. Cole Roberts is one half of Nordica Photography; a business that began with a friendship formed in Sweden, travelled to Canada and then returned back to Sweden. To make sense of all that we speak to Cole in Sweden. www.nordicaphotography.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Paris Gore started photographing his friends riding their mountain bikes when he was around 14 years old and he’s still doing it, only now he travels around the world getting paid to do it. His story is a simple one but still fascinating for those who have a passion for something and want to know how to turn that into their job. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

USA based Jacob Loafman describes himself as a master tinkerer when it comes to photography using lights and household objects to capture moments in works of art. In this episode he talks about his photography journey and how a personal attack led to a massive outpouring of love and support from the photography community. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Luca Locatelli had a successful web design company in Italy, but he wasn't fulfilled, he needed something else. So he set off on a trip to the Amazon with a camera and fell in love with a mistress called Photography. He calls himself a photographic storyteller and has shared his stories with National Geographic and The New York Times Magazine. Now he's sharing his personal story with PhotoTypes. Luca is such a lovely guy, it was a pleasure to have him on PhotoTypes. Find out more at www.lucalocatelli.com Grazie Luca See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

To have someone believe in you so much that they invest in you and give you the equipment to pursue your dream must be an empowering feeling. That's what happened to Chloe Browne when the guy she was dating bought her a digital camera because he believed she could do it as a career. It was the helping hand she needed to quit her day job and do what she wanted. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ann-Kathrin Koch was an Editor of moving pictures for TV commercials and music videos. She loved telling the stories and how things looked but she started to want to tell her own stories. When she got asked to photograph a friends wedding in her native Germany she wasn't keen, but her insistent friends changed the course of her career. Now she shoots weddings on film because she loves the look and feel of it, and the way that the memories last. We also talk, real ale, swearing in German and lots more besides. Check out her work at www.annkathrinkoch.com Thanks for being a guest Ann. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

German photographer Lukas Piatek always dreamt of being a professional photographer but he wasn't sure it would happen or how to make it happen, so he got a job as a Graphic Designer. Whilst on a year long trip to Australia something happened that convinced him to do everything he could to follow his dream. You can read more about Lukas on his website http://www.lukaspiatek.com/ and also find Looks Like Film at http://www.lookslikefilm.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Life is about the people you meet and the relationships you form with them. Some of those relationships are fleeting and some are lasting and more meaningful. When Laura Babb met a guy called Pete, not only did they fall in love with each other, he taught her to fall in love with photography. The result is a successful wedding photography business and a photography festival now in its second year. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sheffield based India Hobson is a commercial and portrait photographer and her favourite shade is grey. Now that might seem strange for a photographer to like grey when there is a whole spectrum of colours to choose from, but when you leverage that shade, and light, like India does then you can come up with some pretty stunning results. In this episode of PhotoTypes we talk about her early days as a photographer, which she took up after deciding being a window dresser involved too much DIY. We also talk about her love of paintings and artists and we discuss her incredible Instagram feed which you really have to see to believe. Instagram @indiahobson See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Derek Bremner found that he could use his camera as an escape tool, as an escape from issues that were holding him back in the past. Now he gets lost in what he sees through his viewfinder and he loves what he sees and we loves what he produces. In this episode of PhotoTypes we talk about cameras, Tony Bennett, festivals, mental health, iconic music eras and staying in hotels at festivals. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Steve Gerrard, not a footballer, had a massively successful wedding business in the UK. However, he and his wife decided to return to her place of birth, Montreal and start all over again. So how do you start all over again in a different country with a brand new audience who doesn't know you? In this episode of PhotoTypes Steve tells us about his worries over the move, how he's planning on finding the clients that fit for him and his hopes for the future. Steve was also a successful DJ before he took up photography so he tells us about that career and how it took him all over the world and why he eventually hung up his headphones. Find out more about Steve at www.stevegerrardphotography.com If you want to say hello to us here at PhotoTypes and send us a picture from where you are listening then you'll find us on social media @phototypespod See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Andy Gaines was a musician for ten years but when he met a girl who became his wife he settled down and started a family. His life as a rockstar was winding down but not you could say he's a rockstar photographer. He'd hate to be called that but having gone from complete novice to award winner in three years he's clearly got something about him. His views on weddings and wedding photography are very simple, but they are extremely effective and pertinent and if you're a wedding photographer now or you want to be one then you seriously need to listen to what Andy has to say If you want to find out more about Andy after you have listened to him then visit andygaines.com If you want to find out more about the host of PhotoTypes, Matt Bowen then you can visit theretreat.co See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Last year Conor McDonnell got a call asking him to shoot Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's wedding. One of the photos from that day became the most liked photo on Instagram with 2.4m likes. It was a big moment in Conor's life but he's not let it go to his head and he's not got carried away by it because in the years before that he had knocked on doors and built a successful career as a music photographer working with James Morrisson, Ellie Goulding, Rita Ora and Calvin Harris amongst others. In this weeks episode of PhotoTypes he tells us what he is allowed to about the wedding and how it came about and he also tells us about his work travelling the world photographing some of the biggest names in music. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ocean adventure and lifestyle photographer Christian McLeod talks to PhotoTypes from his home town in Ireland. Having studied engineering at University he realised that his calling lay elsewhere and set off travelling with his camera. Being entirely self-taught his is another amazing journey into photography. He talks about how Instagram has affected photography, his love of the ocean and how it inspires him and how it nearly claimed his life. You can find out more about him at http://www.cmcleod.com/ Please rate and review PhotoTypes and say hello on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @phototypespod See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Photographer Nick Tucker talks to PhotoTypes about his wife Sara who became his muse and completely changed the course of his career. He also talks about why he doesn't consider himself a wedding photographer, more a photographer who takes photos at weddings. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When Anna Hardy realised she didn't want to miss a moment of her son growing up she embarked on a project to shoot a photo of him every single day. It kick started her professional photography career. She left her job as a teacher and took an admin job so that she could have the time to do more and more photography, a year later she was a full time photographer. Starting out with weddings she soon realised she had a talent for photographing children and was naturally drawn to them so Anna is now shooting more and more family and child portraits. You can see her work online at www.annahardy.co.uk See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Graphic designer turned International jet setting photographer Nick Onken. Nick Onken is a dreamer of big things and more often than not those dreams become a reality. Starting out a graphic designers he now photographers names like Justin Bieber and Usher. In this podcast he talks about what drives him creatively and where he finds his inspiration. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Wedding, lifestyle and portrait photographer Joanna Brown opens up in a compelling and emotional episode of PhotoTypes. Jo talks about how she has ridden the highs and lows of life to build a successful photography business that as well as taking amazing images includes a print shop and mentoring of other photographers. Jo's episode of PhotoTypes is an inspiration for anyone who has had to deal with setbacks on the road to reaching their goal. Creatives will love her journey while anyone with a heart will be cheering her on to make a success of her business. Find out more about Jo at joannabrownphotography.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Wedding Photographer Maria Bentley is the latest in the PhotoTypes chair. Find out what turned her from a reluctant wedding photographer into someone who travels all over the world documenting amazing love stories. Hear her share her thoughts on Pinterest killing creativity and some great advice for any aspiring photographer who wants to make it big. She also talks about her life as a fashion photographer working with David LaChapelle and Russell James and how their influence affects her day to day work. If you're looking for someone to fire you up, to make you get out of bed and pick up your camera, then you need to listen to this podcast. Contains some strong language See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Australian Mark Clinton is first in the PhotoTypes chair. We ask him the same questions that we will ask every interviewee on the PhotoTypes podcast to try and get into the mind of one of the most exciting lifetsyle photographers in the world. With a massive Instagram and Facebook following Mark Clinton has leveraged the power of social media to propel himself to dizzying heights and travel all over the world. Living on the beach in Sydney it's no surprising that surf photography is a great passion of his and you can hear him describe what it takes to get those awesome shots. Also find out why he'd love to be a shark and about his passion for the Woolly Mammoth. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Phototypes is a podcast about photographers inspired by some of the world's top photographers such as David LaChapelle, Jonas Peterson and Jose Villa. In this introduction episode host Matt Bowen guides you through what you can expect each Monday from the PhotoTypes Podcast. Each episode is based around the same set of questions: Where are you now, physically? How did you get to the moment you are in? Who or what inspires your work? Who’s your biggest influence? What excites you? What scares you? What’s your favourite swear word? If you could be anything else for a day what would you be? Who, living or dead, would you love to photograph? Your one sentence of advice to... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.