Our Creative Commune — Listen to the Podcast

Our Creative Commune

A Visual Arts , Arts and Society & Culture podcast

#68 in Visual Arts · 🇬🇧 #73 in Visual Arts · 🇳🇿

About the show

Professional wedding photographers/videographers and bffs, Pete & Laura Lawson and Liam & Bee Crawley invite you to join them for a morning coffee. They'll be chatting all things work and life. Liam and Bee have recently moved and we all now live in the same little village; not quite the commune we always used to talk about but we do get to hang out every day. This podcast is an offshoot of our daily conversations, sometimes creatively inspiring, sometimes just having a good moan, but always fun. liamandbee.com lawsonfilms.co.uk lawsonphotography.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newest episodes

Is Undercutting Just Business?

Nov 9, 2026 59 min

Is undercutting another supplier just business, or something shadier? And are standard wedding venues struggling because fewer people are getting married, or because couples want something else? This week Pete, Laura, Liam and Bee start with a Facebook post Bee spotted, in which a venue offered couples money (around £500 off, as Bee remembers it) to cancel their booking elsewhere and move to them. The post has since vanished, but it got us talking about how bad things must be. Undercutting is annoying but not illegal, and we suspect plenty of suppliers do it quietly in DMs and enquiry chats. Doing it publicly looks desperate, and it would worry us if we were booked there. Are there too many venues chasing too few weddings because of the COVID engagement gap, smaller weddings, the cost of living? Then there's social media pushing art studios and orchard tables, potentially pushing out former restaurants/hotels that became exclusive-use venues. We also welcome Betty, who joined Liam for a wedding in the Lake District in floaty rain and a storm. What does she enjoy most, why does she prefer a 50mm to a 24mm, and does she really plan to take over the business? Also this week: Liam's Halloween bride and death metal wedding in London (with beers on the tube), a £90 attic in Edmonton, a guest escorted into a taxi, a French wedding edit with subtitles checked by Joss, editing before Christmas, video calls from bed, and VHS making a comeback. Bee beta tests JPEG Mini 5 with its new watermarking and save sizes. Plus highs and lows, including booking a Swiss wedding, a hot tub party, the worst firework display of all time and a new bathroom radiator. Our Creative Commune is four wedding photographers and filmmakers chatting about photography, videography and the wedding industry, just like we do over coffee most mornings. Have you ever been undercut on a booking, and did you say anything? Let us know, and if you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe and leave us a review...

Does One Missed Shot Really Matter?

Oct 26, 2026 1 hr 10 min

Does one missed shot really matter? What are couples saying about us when we are not in the room? And are we putting pressure on ourselves that nobody else is? This week Bee, Laura, Liam and Pete start with a photographer who went public about a vicar stepping in front of the couple on the walk back down the aisle. We have all worked with vicars who are hard work, and we have all had that sinking moment of knowing a shot has gone. Should you tell couples on the day when you have missed something, or hope they never ask? Our view is that it is frustrating but no shot is the whole wedding, and the best thing you can do is be lovely, work hard and let go of what is out of your control. Bee isn't so sure it is that easy, because it is the conversations we never hear that give her nightmares. We also tackle the so-called wedding wind down. Is there any quiet at all when the travel, the tiredness and the editing pile keep building? And would giving couples a set delivery date, instead of an 8 to 12 week guideline, take some of the pressure off? Also this week: Bee's Saltburn holiday amongst Netflix film crews, Liam being chased out of The Ned and finding two stand-in witnesses at Hackney Town Hall, Pete on a rooftop at the Balmoral in Edinburgh, a school production of Sister Act, a cat cafe, and Coda talks on psychology and micing up the couple all day. Pete and Laura talk about letting Claude loose on a new photography site, while Bee builds one for Liam's driving lessons. Plus highs and lows, including a Saltburn sunrise, a new four-poster bed (and the mattress that nearly ruined it), a very quiet house and a long ceremony to edit entirely in French. Our Creative Commune is four wedding photographers and filmmakers chatting about photography, videography and the wedding industry, just like we do over coffee most mornings. Have you ever missed a shot you were sure the couple would ask about, and did you tell them on the day? Let us know, and if you enjoyed the episode, p...

Why Isn’t Real Life Enough Anymore?

Oct 12, 2026 54 min

Are your couples actually enjoying their wedding? When did the real wedding day stop being enough? Can we help couples see that their actual life is worth capturing over a day-long wedding shot-list? This week Pete, Laura and Bee dig into a wedding in the Scottish Borders where the couple wanted no posing, no portraits and no social media, and why it made Pete work harder (and enjoy the day more) than ever. It leads into a bigger debate: are flat lays and long shot lists something couples really want, or something they’ve seen online? How much should we educate couples about what posed photos cost them in time on the day, and when does guidance become patronising? And why does so much “documentary” wedding content look exactly the same? Our fear is that couples are seeing so many aspirational images that they can become focused on re-creating these perfect images at the expense of living their own unique moments (and taking a risk these are missed). We also tackle editing. With couples asking for suits to be refitted, bags removed and bows fixed in every frame, how much retouching is now expected, and where do you draw the line? Also this week: Liam is off learning to be a motorbike instructor, the never-ending editing list, and the return of midweek weddings. We turn down enquiries for Silverstone weekend, shoot a wholesome christening, and hear about Liam’s first roll of film (and the frames he wasted finishing it) and flash floods in Spain. Pete explains how Claude rebuilt our LUTs and presets, while Bee sticks with ChatGPT and its slightly underwhelming Monday briefings. Plus highs and lows, including autumn TV, table tennis ups and downs, and the best flask ever made. Our Creative Commune is four wedding photographers and filmmakers chatting about photography, videography and the wedding industry, just like we do over coffee most mornings. Do you guide your couples on timings and posed shots, or let them lead? Let us know, and if you enjoyed the episode, plea...

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All episodes

Is Undercutting Just Business?

Nov 9, 2026 59 min

Does One Missed Shot Really Matter?

Oct 26, 2026 1 hr 10 min

Why Isn’t Real Life Enough Anymore?

Oct 12, 2026 54 min

Do You Have to Pay to Be in a Top 50 List?

Sep 28, 2026 58 min

Are those "best wedding photographers of the year" lists really the best, or just a list of who paid to advertise? This week Pete, Laura, Liam and Bee dig into the backlash against a big industry list: accusations that it's pay to play, complaints that everyone on it shoots the same on-trend editorial style, and why the wedding industry seems to be splitting into bubbles that each crown their own favourites. Would we do any better if we made our own Top 50? (no, we'd never agree.) That leads into a bigger conversation about being open-minded after 20 years in the industry. Why do suppliers keep telling couples what they won't want, especially when it comes to content creators? Is there such a thing as good light, or is it all taste? And are we allowed to call a photo unprofessional, or are we just turning into the grumpy old guard who once refused to do spot colour? Also this week: Liam's trusty Canon 35mm dies mid-wedding and he upgrades to the RF 35mm VCM, we ask for your recommendations on where to get lenses repaired in the UK, Pete shoots two new Scottish castles, Bee and her mum stumble into a Blackpool bingo brunch, Laura's mum used to walk elephants on Blackpool beach, we discuss whether folding phones might finally bring landscape back, and the quiet winter looms as the wedding season winds down. Plus a robot cat litter tray, a last-minute booking bonded over fruit flies, and our highs and lows of the week. Our Creative Commune is a relaxed catch-up between four wedding photographers and filmmakers, chatting all things photography, videography and the wedding industry, like friends over a coffee (or tonight, a glass of wine). Where do you get your lenses fixed? Let us know! Timestamps: 00:00 Intro and Blackpool with Bee's mum 07:43 Photographer meetups and filming in Blackpool 10:31 Pete's two Scottish castle weddings 15:02 Liam's Herefordshire wedding 16:12 Liam's Canon 35mm dies and lens repair woes 21:43 The robot cat litter tray 23:53 Are "best wedding...

Is Your Wedding Photographer Too Old For You?

Sep 14, 2026 40 min

A pair of LA photographers went viral for all the wrong reasons with a post telling couples their wedding photographer is too old for them, and explaining why Gen Z couples need Gen Z photographers and videographers. It got deleted, it got apologised for, and it got us talking. Is there anything in it, or is it just generational nonsense dressed up as marketing? We are, as usual, about the last people in the industry to get round to discussing it. We look into the claim that younger suppliers speak the same visual language as their couples, with the massive contradiction buried inside - the current wedding aesthetic is nostalgia for a time Gen Z never lived. We suspect they've mixed up age with cultural fluency. You can absolutely be twenty-five or fifty-five and be making exactly the same work. Has age ever changed how we shoot or how we connect with a couple? Since starting at age 21, we've always just ended up bonding with the parents first. Maybe we're just old souls. There's also now this really annoying problem; we're proud of having shot weddings for over 20 years, but that also makes us sound sixty on our websites. Before that we catch up after an accidental two month disappearance, compare backlogs (48 items on one to-do list, ten weddings deep), and run through a summer of travel including a wedding near Paris with a two hour ceremony, eight plus speeches, surprise fireworks and a boat trip that meant abandoning a full camera setup mid day. Laura shoots her first roll of Super 8 with a broken light meter and guesses the exposure all day long, we weigh up whether film only bookings are worth the risk, and we get into the TikTok row about couples writing wedding speeches with AI. Plus tennis elbow, a dead boiler, no sleep, and Bee's spiky cucumbers. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome back after an accidental two month break 02:53 The run up to Christmas is the worst part of the year 03:23 48 items on the to-do list and ten weddings still to edit 06:01 Where everyone...

Is the summer booking lull actually real?

Jul 20, 2026 1 hr 2 min

Is the summer booking lull real, or is it all in your head? This week the Commune is back in the garden (briefly) to unpick why enquiries seem to vanish in peak season, why couples always book the second you go on holiday, and why raising your prices might be the easiest win you're avoiding. Along the way: whether the European heat is quietly killing summer destination weddings, a genuine ding-dong about how much AI belongs in a premium wedding business, the death of the hashtag and where Instagram reach actually comes from now, and Pete's theory that a COVID relationship gap is behind the quiet patch (and why the floodgates are about to open again). Plus the anxiety that never quite leaves this job, a missing bride with no phone signal, a Japanese wedding pint race, and the hotel Liam booked without realising everyone else would be naked. Honest, unfiltered chat about wedding photography, videography and running a creative business, from four people who actually do it for a living. Grab a coffee and settle in. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and a rare sunny garden 01:43 Air con obsessives vs the camping tent 03:48 A 40 degree wedding in Spain 04:38 Is the heat killing summer destination weddings? 07:56 The hotel Liam didn't realise was a naturist resort 12:36 The missing bride at Iscoyd Park 16:08 Why every wedding still makes you anxious 20:14 A Japanese wedding, a pint race and language shame 22:39 A weekend off and a run of last minute bookings 25:42 Is the summer booking lull real or all in our heads? 28:29 We raised our prices and nobody blinked 29:00 Instagram burnout and the death of the hashtag 33:32 Why we gave up on TikTok 34:30 Using AI in your workflow without cheapening your brand 37:46 Pete's grading mistake and staying vigilant 42:26 The COVID relationship gap theory 44:40 An uncertain but magical industry 47:05 Scotland this weekend and a secret celebrity wedding 48:19 Highs and lows 59:40 Sausages, St Swithin and paying witches for sunshine Say hi o...

Charging Couples for Privacy?

Jul 6, 2026 57 min

Happy birthday to us! Our Creative Commune turns four this episode, and Bee's marked the occasion with a homemade cake and a look back at four years and well over a hundred episodes of the podcast. But birthday chat aside, this one's got plenty in it. The team compares notes on surviving back-to-back weddings in a proper heatwave (electrolytes, hotel rooms with zero aircon and one particularly ill-advised propped-open door), talks through why a hired zoom lens didn't live up to a trusty 35mm prime, and shares stories from a stretch of weddings that took in a sweltering Jewish ceremony in a listed barn, a sunny Tuscan estate, and a very loud town hall ceremony that got soundtracked by the bar next door. The main event this week is a proper debate sparked by a TikTok claiming the wedding industry is "cooked" because photographers charge extra to keep couples' images out of marketing. The team breaks down what UK GDPR actually says about using wedding photos commercially, why consent matters more than most people realise, and whether charging for privacy is ever fair, alongside genuine reasons couples ask for it and why you some photographers never post photos of children. There's also a chat about guests becoming noticeably more camera aware, a surprising discovery about eyesight and viewfinders, and the usual round of highs and lows, including a recurring ankle injury that's becoming a running joke. Timestamps: 00:00 Birthday celebrations and four years of the podcast 04:41 Coping with a heatwave on wedding days 10:23 Why a hired zoom lens didn't make the cut 13:53 A run of weddings: Harrow, Spain and an old friend's big day 17:04 Bee's new (old) film camera 18:08 The town hall ceremony that got gate crashed by the bar next door 20:26 Convertible Mini chaos in Spain 21:22 A hot wedding in Tuscany 23:56 Getting wedding disco lighting right 26:06 Long daylight and a long drive to a Scottish wedding 27:16 Life with an electric car on wedding trips 28:13 Should couples...

Finally putting our prices up!

Jun 22, 2026 53 min

Drone audits, drizzle disasters, and the eternal question of whether putting your prices up is ever a good idea. This week Pete, Laura, Liam and Bee dive into Pete's upcoming CAA drone audit and the surprisingly strict "flying currency" rules that come with it, before getting into a deep discussion on shooting weddings in bad weather, including the bride who left a bad review because it was too sunny, and the violinist who nearly walked out over a bit of drizzle. The conversation moves into the business side of things, with Bee and Liam unpacking a recent price increase that coincided with enquiries dropping off a cliff, and whether that's down to pricing, a fiddled Google Ads budget, or just a quiet patch. There's also a chat about website portfolios, ad spend, and Pete and Laura's attempt to make their photography site sound less negative without losing what makes it them. On the gear side, Liam debates renting an expensive lens for a castle wedding in Spain, Pete and Laura talk through their new 85mm lens and a Lightroom preset fix using Claude AI, and the group ends up arguing about which AI chatbot has the best personality. Plus reunion highs, root canal lows, and a real-time cat-versus-bird incident that derails the recording entirely. As always, it's highs, lows, and everything in between for wedding photographers and videographers trying to navigate the job, the business, and each other. Timestamps: 00:00 Cold open: memory card chaos and a lost SD card 02:01 Pete's CAA drone audit and the flying currency requirement 05:51 Eyeing up a new drone after seeing one at a wedding 06:46 Liam's Scotland wedding at Dunglass Estate 07:55 The sock-on-the-smoke-alarm pub incident 09:49 Pete's rainy Watermouth Cove wedding in Devon 11:06 Handling bad weather and difficult outdoor ceremonies 12:42 The violinist who nearly walked out 13:54 The one-star review from a bride who wanted rain 16:00 Pete's wedding at Goodnestone Park, Kent 19:42 Working alongside an editorial pho...

Do Your Couples Actually Feel Cared For?

Jun 8, 2026 49 min

What does it actually mean to care about your couples? Not in a vague, wholesome sense - but practically, between the booking email and the wedding day? This week the four of us are back together after a busy stretch of weddings (and one very long drive to Skye), and this question pops up in most of what we're talking about today. Liam kicks things off with tales from the road - a 22-hour round trip to the Isle of Skye for a four-hour elopement, accommodation that shared a building with a funeral director, and a mid-ceremony nature emergency that he handled with more resourcefulness than dignity. There's also the heartwarming news that Bee's daughter Betty shot her very first wedding and, by all accounts, absolutely smashed it. Pete and Laura relive their Paris trip - a 1920s indoor fairground, a ringmaster officiant, Britney-soundtracked backup dancers, and the "Inception bridge" - before the whole group spirals into debating whether they should all move to Scotland (Pete: no; midges: also no). From there, things get deep: a recent opinion arguing that photographers and videographers should position themselves as "creative leads" on wedding days. The group picks that apart honestly - where the idea has merit, why it mostly doesn't work (for us), and what actually happens when the makeup artist is still doing BTS portraits while you're trying to shoot. Pete raises something that's been coming up in consults lately: couples are booking "editorial" photographers thinking the word signals a natural, unposed approach - because "documentary" now sounds old-fashioned to them - when editorial often means the opposite. The terminology has become almost meaningless. It's the same problem that existed when everyone called themselves documentary photographers but still whisked couples away for two hours of portraits. And then: a TikTok from a wedding-industry bride saying no vendor made her feel cared about. Do we? Should we be doing more between booking and the big day - aut...

Less Website, More Bookings

May 25, 2026 48 min

There's a photographer out there who has received 430 enquiries since January. We don't fully know how she's doing it - and that's kind of the point. Is this level of success replicable, or largely accidental? This week Pete, Laura, and Bee dig into what's really going on in the wedding photography and videography market right now: why some people seem to break through while everyone else is fighting for scraps, whether your website might actually be working against you, and the uncomfortable truth about pricing: most of us haven't raised our rates in nearly a decade, even as everything around us has got more expensive. We also get into a debate that's been doing the rounds on photographer socials: where does your responsibility end for how your couples look in photos? Should you be straightening ties, smoothing dresses, and fixing every wrinkle - or is that just not the job? With AI making clients think any edit is a simple fix, is that expectation about to get a whole lot worse? Plus: Bee's extraordinary doctor's appointment, Pete and Laura reflect on what it feels like to shoot a wedding together again, Bee & Liam's daughter Betty is about to second shoot her first wedding, and Liam is, once again, somewhere on a motorway. Honest, unfiltered chat for wedding photographers who are trying to figure it all out alongside everyone else. Timestamps 00:00 - Intro: post-yoga chaos and sweaty coats 03:00 - Saturday's wedding at Middleton Lodge - why it felt like the good old days 06:40 - The joy of switching between photo and video 09:00 - Upcoming schedule: Paris, half term weddings, and Scotland 09:59 - Liam's Isle of Skye elopement: 11.5 hours of driving, and the great mattress debate 11:19 - Betty's first wedding as second shooter 13:12 - Industry chat: the photographer getting 430 enquiries since January 17:00 - What's actually driving all those enquiries? Referrals, likability, and being flavour of the month 18:45 - Pricing: why haven't we all raised our rates since...

Please, stop making it so hard to book you

May 11, 2026 54 min

Half the episode was recorded before anyone noticed the mic wasn't on. That's the vibe this week. Pete, Laura, and Bee (Liam is off conquering Scotland and London simultaneously) are talking about the real pressures hitting the wedding industry right now - and what, if anything, we can do about it. Bookings are shifting. Budgets are tighter. Midweek and shorter-coverage weddings are on the rise. And one person out there reckons full-time wedding photography might not even be viable anymore. Then there's the ghosting. Bee's Instagram post on the subject got 30,000 views and 122 comments, almost entirely from suppliers saying same. So why is it happening - and is it actually couples being rude, or are we just making the booking process too hard? The Coda Podcast gets a mention, contact forms get a roasting, and Zoom calls are on trial. They also untangle the word "editorial" - which apparently now means "natural and relaxed" to couples, despite meaning the opposite to everyone who actually shoots it. And when a content creator couple rocked up in a Lake Como wedding group claiming to be the only people capturing candid, in-between moments, the documentary photographers and videographers in the room had some thoughts. Plus: Bee's Super 8 film comes back from the lab. Pete's British Gas bill arrives and it is not good news. Table tennis glory. And the completely startling realisation that this podcast is nearly four years old. Oh, and then we end with Pete being packed off to live on a narrowboat survivng on only Huel, and no cushions. Timestamps 00:00 - Didn't record the first half, Pilates is evil, and Liam is everywhere at once 01:50 - Work lethargy: the post-holiday slump is real 04:07 - The Mandela Effect: both Pete and Bee have vivid memories of uploading galleries that never happened 08:05 - The state of the wedding industry: midweek bookings, shorter coverage, tighter budgets 13:25 - Is full-time wedding photography still viable? 14:06 - Bee's viral ghostin...

Should We Stop Doing Client Zooms?

Apr 27, 2026 57 min

The busy season has officially arrived, and we are already feeling the heat (literally and figuratively). This week on Our Creative Commune, Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee sit down in the sun to catch up on a wild few weeks of local weddings, destination showcases, and the ever-changing landscape of booking clients. Are we all suffering from Zoom fatigue? We debate whether it’s time to stop video consultations altogether and build a brand enigma instead. We also share some wild on-the-job stories, including a dream local shoot at Rivington Barn, the chaos of tracking fire-breathers in Spain, and Liam’s incredibly awkward encounter with a "secret" second photographer hired by the mother of the bride. Plus, we dive into some massive business milestones - including the joy of finally paying off that dreaded COVID bounce-back loan! Grab a coffee (or a matcha) and join us as we chat through our highs, our lows, Pete's foray into the EV world, the heartbreak of airport security ruining analog film, and a surprisingly mind-blowing fact about apples. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on your favourite podcast app - it really helps us grow the commune! Chapter Timestamps00:00 - Catching rays and the start of the busy season 03:20 - Zoom fatigue and changing client booking psychology 05:13 - A dream local photo & video shoot at Rivington Barn 11:10 - Bosh! Smashing out a one-week video edit turnaround 13:26 - Wedding horror story: Dealing with a secret second photographer 17:18 - A rapid road trip to France and scanning questionable family negatives 19:30 - Destination wedding showcase at Castell d'Empordà in Spain 23:22 - Photographing fire-breathers and a rogue drone incident 26:24 - Business strategy: Should we stop doing client Zooms entirely? 30:43 - Are jet fuel prices and logistics threatening destination weddings? 32:57 - Pete's new car: Buying an EV for wedding travel 37:22 - Pete's Highs: Disputing energy bills and paying off the bounce-...

Why "Human-Made" is the New Luxury

Apr 13, 2026 53 min

This week on Our Creative Commune, Liam is missing in action, but for a good reason: he is currently surviving a chaotic schedule of destination weddings, 16-hour days, and driving lessons. Pete, Laura, and Bee sit down with a coffee to discuss the very real dangers of the "hustle mindset" and why saying yes to every inquiry might actually be hurting your business. We also chat about the rising trend of analog wedding filmmaking - from Super 8 to 90s camcorders - and why "human-made" art is becoming the ultimate luxury in a world increasingly flooded with lazy, AI-generated content. Plus, we recap our recent destination wedding in Spain, talk through the painful realities of buying expensive new camera gear (hello, Canon R5 Mark II), and ask a question every creative eventually faces: at what age do we actually retire? Where is the line between a successful wedding season and total burnout? Finally, we wrap up with our weekly Highs and Lows, featuring wild podcast listener encounters, the isolation of solo parenting during wedding season, and why sleeping alone in a hotel room is the ultimate parent fantasy. Oh, and If you see us in the wild, come say hello! Getting recognised on the street made Bee's day! Timestamps 00:00 - Intro: Where is Liam? (The reality of creative burnout and extreme schedules) 04:30 - The danger of saying "yes" to everything and managing the VAT threshold 06:00 - Pivot to corporate: Why we still prefer the emotional connection of weddings 10:30 - Laura’s trip to the Wedding Videographer Podcast Summit in Glasgow 11:45 - The Super 8 revival and passing a 90s camcorder to a bridesmaid in Spain 16:45 - AI vs. Authenticity: Why "human-made" is the new luxury in the wedding industry 21:30 - Recapping our beautiful destination wedding in Spain 24:30 - Gear Talk: Pete’s broken drop-in filters and buying cheap grey market replacements 26:10 - Do we need the Canon R5 Mark II? (And the struggles of financing gear) 28:40 - Will we be shooti...

Ghosted after a perfect Zoom call

Mar 23, 2026 51 min

Grab a cup of tea and join Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee for another catch-up inside the Creative Commune. This week, we're diving deep into the frustrating reality of the modern wedding industry. Ever had a consultation where you absolutely nailed it, gave the couple amazing advice, shared a few laughs, and then... absolute silence? We’re breaking down the psychology of "ghosting," debating whether giving too much free advice on a Zoom call is actually hurting your booking rate, and discussing the exact timeline of when you should be sending your follow-up emails. We also take a hard, uncomfortable look at inflation. If you haven't significantly raised your prices in the last five years, you might actually be taking a massive pay cut without realizing it. We crunch the numbers on what a £2,000 wedding from 2010 should cost today. Plus, we talk about the pains of getting shooed away by wardens while shooting in London, why Pete absolutely refuses to set up those cliché "groom by the window" prep photos, and Bee shares the surprising results of letting ChatGPT dictate our Instagram strategy for a month. Finally, we share our weekly highs and lows—including the tragic loss of a local village legend and the anxiety of developing a six-year-old roll of film. Timestamps00:00 - Intro, morning coffee, and Pete’s table tennis heartbreak 01:17 - The secret joy of cancelled Reformer Pilates classes 05:40 - Upcoming destination weddings: Scotland, Spain, Italy, and Vietnam 09:33 - Getting kicked off private land in London and National Trust rules 13:30 - We let ChatGPT run our Instagram (and it's actually working) 17:33 - Marketing vs. Art: Should you post what works or what excites you? 18:50 - The ghosting epidemic: Why do couples vanish after a great Zoom call? 22:50 - Zoom strategies: Pitching and advising vs. just chilling out 26:15 - How and when should you send the follow-up email? 32:00 - The inflation calculator: Are you secretly taking a pay cut every year? 36:40 - Ho...

Couples Don't Care About Your Instagram

Mar 9, 2026 1 hr 5 min

Spring has finally sprung, and the wedding season is officially waking up! In this week's episode, we’re back on the sofa to tackle some of the biggest shifting trends in the wedding photography and videography industry. Liam kicks things off by sharing his experience working alongside a dedicated content creator at a recent London wedding. Have content creators just become a normal part of the day, or is the hype starting to fade? We also dive deep into the latest Bridebook survey to find out what couples are actually looking for right now. Spoiler alert: they don't care about your social media following, and the "editorial" trend might not be as dominant as Instagram makes it seem. We also tackle the frustrating reality of getting "ghosted" by couples after seemingly perfect Zoom meetings. Are we making it too hard for clients to book us? We discuss the power of WhatsApp, ditching 20-page PDF brochures, and streamlining your workflow to capture leads while they're hot. Plus, Bee shares the wild ChatGPT strategy she’s using to completely retrain their confused Instagram algorithm, Pete questions if it's finally time to stop hoarding terabytes of old raw footage due to skyrocketing hard drive prices, and we wrap up with our weekly Highs and Lows—featuring magazine awards, film festival backlash, Reformer Pilates, and Pete's quest for table tennis glory. Grab a coffee and join the commune! Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro, spring vibes, and Laura’s high-maintenance gardening 03:34 - Liam’s first London wedding back and working with a content creator 09:08 - Bee’s darkroom update & Pete/Laura’s Spice Kitchen commercial shoot 13:30 - Pete’s table tennis championship (Rocky montage pending) 15:25 - Bridebook 2024 Survey: What styles and traits do couples actually care about? 22:00 - The ghosting epidemic: Why are couples disappearing after great Zoom meetings? 28:00 - Streamlining your booking process and the power of WhatsApp 34:30 - How to retrain a broken Instagram...

Arriving late for a wedding! Plus a debrief on the first British Wedding Film Festival.

Feb 23, 2026 54 min

Grab a coffee and join us at the holiday cottage! We're recording straight from our annual Shropshire retreat to catch up on everything happening in our creative lives right now. With the cost of living crisis changing how couples plan their big days, we dive deep into the rising trend of reduced-coverage weddings. Are these shorter, "smash and grab" days a refreshing change of pace, or do they rob us of the chance to truly connect with our couples? We also debate the modern relevance of bridal prep and detail shots - do brides really want a photo of their shoes on a tree, or are we just shooting out of fear of missing something? We’re also pulling back the curtain on the very first British Wedding Film Festival! We debrief on the incredible highs of the glamorous night at the Manchester Art Gallery, the financial realities of hosting a major industry event from scratch, and the controversy of international filmmakers dominating the final shortlists. Plus, we talk through our plans and category changes for next year. Finally, we share our weekly highs and lows, featuring the magic of Victorian tintype photography, the sheer terror of M6 traffic, the sting of buying four new car tires, and a painfully relatable vent about couples treating our Zoom consultations like interviews only to ghost us afterward. Timestamps00:00 - Morning Coffee & Shropshire Holiday Vibes 02:40 - Are Reduced Coverage Weddings the New Normal? 07:30 - The "Smash and Grab" Reality of Short Weddings 08:30 - Do Couples Actually Want Detail Shots Anymore? 14:50 - The Danger of Missing Crucial Props (The Pen Story) 16:35 - Shooting a Bar Mitzvah & Traffic Nightmares 20:10 - Our Worst "Late to a Wedding" Stories & Box Breathing 23:25 - Identity Crisis: Are We Still Calling Ourselves Photographers? 25:55 - The British Wedding Film Festival Debrief 33:00 - The Financial Reality of Hosting an Industry Event 35:00 - The Controversy of International & Destination Winners 42:20 - Highs & Lows: Victorian...

Quitting Social Media

Jan 26, 2026 56 min

Is it time to delete the app? In this episode, we tackle the growing sentiment that the golden age of social media is behind us. Inspired by industry leaders stepping away from Instagram, we debate whether the constant hustle for likes, reels, and algorithm appeasement is actually worth the mental toll. Can a creative business survive today without a social presence, or is that a luxury reserved for the famous? We also dive into the nitty-gritty of award season. Having just finished a marathon judging session for the Wedding Film Festival and following the results of TWIA, we discuss what separates a good film from a great one, the subjectivity of art, and the fleeting high of winning a trophy. Plus, we share our struggles with the "wintering" season, the art of dealing with online trolls, and why school sports still have a long way to go regarding gender equality. Grab a coffee and join us at the kitchen table. 00:00 – Intro: Coffee, sleep schedules, and morning chats. 01:00 – Behind the Scenes: Judging the Wedding Film Festival. 04:20 – The "Run and Gun" Trend: Cinematic vs. Messy. 05:43 – TWIA Awards: Winners, the Liverpool venue, and the post-win feeling. 12:15 – The Winter Slump: Struggling with creativity and slow editing. 14:05 – Unusual Jobs: Branding photography for dentists. 18:15 – The Big Debate: Is it time to quit Instagram? 21:00 – The Ethics of Content: Sharing private moments for public entertainment. 25:30 – The "Cringe" Factor: Why self-promotion feels inauthentic. 35:35 – Dealing with Trolls: Negative comments and blocking the haters. 40:00 – Highs & Lows: Developing film at home & iron deficiencies. 43:10 – Laura’s Obsession: Alex Honnold and climbing documentaries. 47:12 – Pete’s Rant: Coaching table tennis and sexism in school PE. 52:30 – Liam’s Low: A near-death experience in the driving instructor car. Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy The British Wedding Film Fe...

Is AI eroding the soul of wedding photography/videography?

Jan 12, 2026 1 hr 2 min

Happy 2026! We are back by the fire for our first chat of the year, and we have a lot to catch up on. In this episode, we dive deep into the current state of the wedding industry. After judging hundreds of films for the British Wedding Film Festival, we’ve noticed some polarizing trends - from AI-generated voiceovers to the resurgence of "home movie" Super 8 vibes. We also discuss the controversial return of the "Dutch tilt" in photography (thanks, Gen Z) and ask the question: are Content Creators actually taking over, or was it just a phase? On the business side, we open up about a recent painful client cancellation and discuss the ethics of contracts and refunds when things go wrong. We also debate a recent award-winning image controversy - where do we draw the line between photography, digital art, and cheating? Plus, we share some life updates, including Liam’s new career path, Bee’s Harry Potter-style darkroom, and why Laura is painting in her underwear. Topics: •2026 Trends: The rise of AI music and voiceovers in wedding films. •Gear Nostalgia: Why everyone is buying old DSLRs and 35mm film cameras. •Business Realities: Handling last-minute cancellations and protecting your income. •Ethics: The controversy of using stock imagery and composites in photo awards. •Life Updates: Darkrooms, driving instructors, and car breakdowns. Whether you are a photographer, videographer, or just a creative trying to navigate the changing landscape, grab a coffee (or a wine) and join the commune. Timestamps:  00:00 - Intro: Happy New Year 2026  01:05 - Judging film awards & the rise of AI Voiceovers  05:23 - Photography trends: The return of the "Wonky Horizon"  07:00 - The DSLR nostalgia trap 09:30 - Bee’s new cupboard darkroom & developing film  14:55 - Laura’s new painting hobby  21:50 - Liam’s now a Qualified Driving Instructor  29:40 - Have Content Creators actually taken over?  33:00 - Dealing with a major wedding cancellation  36:40 - The Awards Controversy: Stock images...

Back off and let me do my job!

Dec 8, 2025 1 hr 5 min

It’s just the boys in the studio this week! With Laura and Bee away (all that end of year editing!), Liam and Pete sit down to debrief on a recent luxury wedding they shot together in Whitehall, London. While the venue was five-star, the day wasn't without its hurdles. We discuss the reality of shooting in high-end establishments - from the stress of strict dress codes to dealing with "smothering" service that eats into your shooting time. We also have an honest conversation about a struggle many creatives face: how do you politely tell a venue coordinator to back off and let you do your job? Also in this episode, we chat about the physical toll of wedding photography (what is "Photographer's Toe"?), the panic of surprise speeches for videographers, and a terrifying gear malfunction that saw a camera hit the floor in front of the guests. Plus, we catch up on life outside of weddings, including broken cars, table tennis coaching, and life as a driving instructor. Grab a coffee and join the commune! Key Topics & Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: Where are the girls? 02:18 - The 9-hour travel nightmare and the £36 wine incident 05:25 - The Dress Code Debate: Suits vs. Trainers 07:59 - The reality of "Photographer's Toe" and physical comfort 12:14 - Videography stress: Dealing with surprise speeches 19:00 - The "Missing Groom Prep" panic 25:43 - Technical struggles: Banding issues in venue lighting 28:42 - When luxury service ruins your portrait time 31:00 - Learning to say "No" to pushy venue coordinators 44:05 - Pete’s car suspension disaster 47:50 - Gear Nightmare: Liam drops his camera (twice) 51:25 - Highs and Lows: Life as a driving instructor 57:00 - Pete becomes a qualified table tennis coach Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy liamandbee.com lawsonfilms.co.uk lawsonphotography.co.uk #weddingphotography #wedding...

Everything you need to know about the British Wedding Film Festival

Nov 17, 2025 1 hr 7 min

In this special episode of Our Creative Commune, we're swapping things around! Pete and Laura are hijacking the podcast with their co-founders of the British Wedding Film Festival, Joce Boissin and Jeff Wood, to dive deep into everything you need to know about this brand-new event for the wedding film industry. We start off sharing some stories from the end of the wedding season, including Jeff's travel nightmare of losing all his kit right before a huge destination wedding and how he was forced to adapt. Then, we get into the heart of the festival. We share the vision behind creating an awards ceremony dedicated solely to celebrating the incredible craft within our industry. We discuss why we felt it was so important to have categories that recognise specific skills like sound design, storytelling, and cinematography, and how we hope it will inspire a new wave of creativity. Thinking of entering? We cover all the crucial details: the surprisingly hefty trophies you could win, the incredible panel of judges (including a James Bond sound designer and a Netflix producer!), the submission process, and what makes a film stand out. Plus, we give you all the info on the awards night itself—a chance for us all to get glammed up, connect, and feel inspired at the Manchester Art Gallery. This is more than just an awards show; it's a celebration of our community and the art we create. Whether you're considering submitting a film or just want to join the party, this episode has all the inspiration and information you need. Timestamps 00:00 - Intro & Welcome to the BWFF Team 00:55 - Catching Up: How Was the End of the Season? 01:03 - Jeff's Destination Wedding Nightmare: The Airline Lost All My Gear! 04:50 - The Creative Benefit of Being Forced to Adapt 08:31 - Joce's Adventure with an Anamorphic Lens in Morocco 11:23 - Introducing the British Wedding Film Festival 11:51 - The Reason We Started These Awards 13:10 - Celebrating Individual Skills 14:30 - Using the Awards...

What Happens When You Ignore Instagram?

Nov 10, 2025 53 min

How many photos are too many? In this week's episode, we dive headfirst into a hot topic rattling the photography community: are we overwhelming our clients by over-delivering images? We debate whether a curated gallery of a few hundred photos is more valuable than a folder of over a thousand, and question what we'd want from our own wedding photographer. We also get real about the struggles of social media after taking a week off Instagram punished our reach, sparking a conversation about whether the perfect grid still matters or if it's time to get more personal. Alongside the business chat, we catch you up on our latest adventures, from shooting a wedding at the iconic Traitors castle (and revealing its secrets!) to road-tripping to Scotland and enjoying a half-term break on the beautiful Yorkshire coast. Join us for a candid chat about work, life, and the creative challenges we all face. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro & a chaotic start 01:03 - The joy of singing alone in the car 02:40 - Liam's wedding at Guardswell Farm in Scotland 05:45 - The secrets of shooting at the Traitors Castle 09:28 - Working with fellow photographer Ash Springle 10:55 - Remembering industry legends Ed Peers & Ross Harvey 13:04 - Half-term adventures, portrait shoots, and comparing forests 14:58 - An update on the team's upcoming film festival 18:20 - Making work trips into mini-holidays 20:18 - The pressures of a busy schedule and life admin 22:36 - A relaxing week on the North Yorkshire Coast and discovering Haworth 25:08 - The Instagram struggle: The punishment for taking a week off 26:49 - Does your feed need to show your face? 29:15 - Dealing with internet trolls and negative comments 32:57 - Hot Topic: Are photographers delivering too many images? 45:38 - Highs and Lows of the Week Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy liamandbee.com lawsonfi...

Feeling Like a Fraud

Oct 27, 2025 57 min

Ever come back from a conference feeling like a total fraud? This week, Pete & Laura are recovering from the social hangover of the CODA conference and so we’re diving deep into the anxieties of networking as an introvert. We discuss the pressure to be "on" all the time, navigating imposter syndrome, and that cringe-worthy moment when you're introduced to one of the cool kids as the "King and Queen" of the UK market. But it wasn't all anxiety at CODA. We were also massively inspired by many incredible stories. Plus the powerful 'smoke and mirrors' marketing strategy - the art of curating your portfolio to get the weddings you most want to shoot. We debate a hot topic online: is flash photography becoming a nuisance at weddings? And we share a few thoughts on photographers getting a little too close for comfort during the ceremony. Join us for these, and many other topics, as we chat about the last couple of weeks over a coffee. Timestamps: 02:34 The social hangover from Coda Conference 04:21 Navigating events as an introvert: Are we 'cliquey'? 08:33 The pressure of being 'known' and imposter syndrome 10:28 Our key takeaway: The power of ambient audio 14:50 From Prison to a Creative Empire: The Fire & Ice Story 18:39 'Smoke and mirrors' marketing & defining our ideal client 22:27 Catching up: A pagan hand-fasting & a wedding at The Traitors castle 25:16 Is flash photography annoying for wedding guests? 34:15 When photographers get too close during the ceremony 41:37 Highs & Lows: Coda, family meals, and feeling overwhelmed 51:23 Rediscovering creativity by organising 15 years of photos Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy liamandbee.com lawsonfilms.co.uk lawsonphotography.co.uk #weddingphotography #weddingvideography #filmphotography #creativepodcast #weddingindustry #ourcreativecommune Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...

The Battle for the Soul of Wedding Photography

Oct 13, 2025 1 hr 0 min

In this episode of Our Creative Commune, we're fresh from a beautifully emotional wedding in the heart of Storm Amy and a fun-filled autumnal family shoot. We also take a moment to celebrate the incredible work of fellow creative, Damian Brandon (https://damianbrandon.com/) This leads us into a passionate discussion about the current state of the wedding photography industry. Are we seeing a decline in the traditional craft of photography? We delve into the rise of the "snapshotty" and "editorial" styles, the importance of understanding good light, and whether the focus has shifted from capturing genuine moments to creating content for Instagram. Plus, Liam gives us an update on his new life as a driving instructor, Pete shares his insights from the world of Reddit on what couples are really looking for, and we chat about the highs and lows of our week, from technical triumphs to creepy crawly encounters. Join us for a candid conversation about creativity, business, and the ever-evolving world of wedding photography. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro & Catching Up 02:13 Recapping Adam & Jade’s Stormy Welsh Wedding 07:36 Working With the Incredibly Talented Damian Brandon 12:38 Main Topic: Is the Art of Wedding Photography Being Lost? 14:51 The Death of Good Light: Why Are Photographers Ignoring the Basics? 20:12 Does Technical Quality Even Matter Anymore? 27:43 What Do Couples Actually Want? (Insights from Reddit) 30:43 The Changing Internet: SEO, Google, and Finding Clients Now 33:56 Liam's New Venture as a Driving Instructor 38:56 Building a New Website & The Logo Debate 42:12 Blogging vs. Full Galleries: What Should You Send to Clients? 45:32 The "Be Everywhere" Strategy for Modern Marketing 46:45 Highs & Lows of the Week (Including Hard Drive Sleeping Bags & Spiders!) 57:39 What's Coming Up Next? Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/...

Your Wedding is Not Content

Sep 29, 2025 57 min

In this episode, we discusses the most talked-about trend in the wedding industry right now: the rise of the content creator. Are they replacing videographers, and how should creative professionals adapt to a TikTok-driven market? We share our honest thoughts on the challenges and potential solutions, from offering next-day clips to staying true to your unique style in a sea of trends. Is it possible to fight the tide, or is it time to evolve? We also dive into what we've been up to on the road, including Liam shooting a stunning wedding in Ostuni, Italy, and Pete's "life-changing" experience hiring a second shooter for the first time at a wedding in Anglesey. Plus, hear how Laura and Pete got inspired by music videos and started experimenting with flash-style, direct lighting for video and a 4:3 aspect ratio to create a raw, editorial feel. Join us for an open conversation about navigating the ever-changing creative landscape, a surprisingly detailed chat about the limitations of expanding foam, and our usual highs and lows of the week—including one of us starting a brand new career! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Welcome & Morning People vs. Night Owls 03:49 What We've Been Up To 03:53 Liam’s Shoots: London, Tunbridge Wells & A Wedding in Italy 05:29 Pete's "Life-Changing" Anglesey Wedding with a Second Shooter 08:21 Laura & Pete's Dorset Wedding & Manchester Shoots 08:57 Creative Development: Experimenting with Direct Lighting & 4:3 Ratio 17:24 DIY Chat: The Surprising Limits of Expanding Foam 18:21 Main Topic: The Great Content Creator Debate 19:32 Are Suppliers a Bigger Problem Than Couples? 22:29 The "Your Wedding is Not Content" Movement 30:25 How Videographers Can Adapt to the Trend 39:06 Final Thoughts on the Future 46:08 Highs and Lows of the Week 50:32 Liam's Big News: A Career Change Get 30% off Lawson Film School (until October 2025) with code: BACKTOSCHOOL Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school Say hi on Instagram @ourcre...

Shooting a wedding 400 feet underground

Sep 15, 2025 1 hr 7 min

This week, join Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee for a catch-up packed with wild wedding stories and industry insights. Liam shares a tale from the depths of Scotland, where he photographed the first and only elopement inside a massive, disused WWII underground oil tank - complete with world-record-breaking echoes and drone flights in the dark. He then takes us to Iceland for a vow renewal, revealing the stressful reality of shooting in iconic, tourist-filled locations and the rules you sometimes have to bend to get the perfect shot. The team also dives into the great dishwasher debate (are your precious mugs and knives safe?), discusses the pros and cons of the new Canon C50 video camera, and shares their thoughts on recent industry shake-ups. Plus, they explore the unspoken rules of working with other suppliers and share personal highs and lows, featuring everything from a hit-and-run and a ghost named Jim to the joys of booking a wedding in Montenegro. Timestamps00:36 - Wedding season fatigue & back-to-school chaos. 02:23 - Liam's story: Photographing an elopement in a disused underground oil tank in Scotland. 10:28 - Pete & Laura's "painless" wedding shoot in Scotland. 13:31 - Shooting a wedding for a fellow photographer. 14:42 - The great debate: Should you put precious mugs and knives in the dishwasher? 18:00 - Liam's story: A vow renewal in Iceland and the challenges of shooting in tourist hotspots. 23:39 - Discussion on managing expectations at popular photo locations. 26:47 - Industry News: The new Canon C50 video camera. 30:44 - Industry News: The Easy-Flix gallery migration controversy. 34:36 - The pros and cons of culling software like Narrative and Photo Mechanic. 40:13 - How to handle working with difficult or rude suppliers on a wedding day. 46:52 - Liam's travel drama: Getting locked in a car park and a hit-and-run. 51:31 - Highs and Lows of the Week. Get 30% off Lawson Film School (until October 2025) with code: BACKTOSCHOOL Lawson Film School: https://w...

Beating Burnout: Finding Joy When You're Sick of Weddings

Sep 3, 2025 1 hr 6 min

After a much-needed holiday break, the gang is back behind the mics and feeling refreshed... mostly. Join Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee as they catch up on a wild few weeks of work, life, and misadventure. Liam kicks things off with tales from a three-day wedding in Spain, complete with tuxedos in the ocean, an aggressive jellyfish, a competitive bucking bronco incident, and an unexpected visit from the local police. Meanwhile, Pete shares his less-than-glamorous story of surviving "Vomitus Maximus" after a beautiful wedding in the Scottish Highlands. This leads to a candid discussion on the biggest challenges facing wedding creatives today: Is the rise of "editorial" photography making it harder to capture authentic moments? And why are clients increasingly choosing phone-based content creators over traditional videographers? Finally, we get real about the big one: burnout. Deep in the thick of wedding season, we share our personal struggles and tangible advice on how to manage the pressure, rediscover your creative spark, and find the joy in your work again when you feel like you have nothing left to give. If you're feeling the strain, this is the chat you need to hear. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro & Catching Up 01:09 - Why We've Stopped Filming the Podcast 02:28 - Liam's Wild 3-Day Wedding in Spain (Tuxedos in the Sea, Jellyfish & a Bucking Bronco) 07:50 - Liam's Drone Incident & a Visit from the Police 09:37 - Pete & Laura's Scottish Wedding Adventure 11:19 - Pete's Unfortunate Bout of "Vomitus Maximus" (Food Poisoning) 14:37 - Getting Soaked by a Champagne Spray 15:44 - The Big Discussion: Is the "Editorial" Photography Trend Killing the Vibe? 24:13 - The Rise of Content Creators vs. Traditional Videographers 27:20 - Main Topic: How to Beat Creative Burnout This Wedding Season 28:02 - Laura's Secret to Avoiding Burnout: Getting Ahead 34:05 - Letting Go of Perfectionism & The 80/20 Rule 39:24 - The Real Reason We Get Anxious Before a Wedding 46:18 - Our Top Tips for B...

How I Got Scammed

Aug 18, 2025 49 min

Join Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee for a special "postcard" episode, recorded live from next to their tents during their wholesome (and feral) camping holiday! Swapping the studio for a field, the team gets real about the highs and lows of the creative life in the middle of a busy August. In this episode, we chat about our recent travels, from a stunning but stormy cruise through the Norwegian fjords to an epic 14-hour drive to the Isle of Skye for a single elopement. We then dive into some all-too-relatable industry frustrations, including the awkward dance of dealing with difficult wedding bands and a deep dive into the dos, don'ts, and disasters of hiring second shooters. The conversation then takes a serious and personal turn as Liam shares the full, cautionary story of being scammed out of £4,500 by a fake marketing "expert." It’s an open and honest account of how easily it can happen and the emotional toll it takes, serving as a must-listen for any freelancer or small business owner. We wrap it all up by sharing the simple joys that have made our trip unforgettable, from barbecues to a magical night watching shooting stars. Timestamps00:00 - Intro 00:31 - A Postcard from a Field: The Feral Camping Holiday Begins 03:32 - The Pre-Holiday Work Grind 05:02 - Cruising and Seasickness in Norway 07:52 - A 14-Hour Drive for a 3-Hour Elopement 11:03 - The Importance of Taking a Break in Peak Season 12:55 - Industry Rant: When Wedding Bands Are "Cheeky F*cks" 18:23 - Industry Deep Dive: The Woes of a Bad Second Shooter 28:26 - The Full Story of a £4,500 Scam 43:50 - Highs & Lows of the Week 49:26 - Outro: Time for a Barbecue Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune liamandbee.com lawsonfilms.co.uk lawsonphotography.co.uk #weddingphotography #weddingvideography #filmphotography #creativepodcast #weddingindustry #ourcreativecommune...

Debating "Deranged" Film Trends & A £4,500 Cautionary Tale

Aug 4, 2025 49 min

Driving through the night fuelled by nothing but caffeine and desperation? Or wondering if a popular wedding trend is all it's cracked up to be? This week - that's us! Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune Join Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee for a debrief on the delightful chaos of being a wedding creative. We recount our most stressful travel nightmares—from car breakdowns in rural France to nearly missing ceremonies by minutes. We also share stories from our latest weddings, including one on a boat and another where we experimented with a "video-first, photos-second" approach. What's going on in the wedding industry this week? Wer deep dive into the recent drama surrounding a planner's critique of film photography. Is it an overpriced, "deranged" trend, or a beautiful art form? We break down the controversy, discuss the power of creative freedom, and explore why you should always "shoot what you want." Plus, we share our highs and lows, featuring wholesome jam-making, a last-minute elopement to Skye, and a serious warning about an online scam that cost one of us thousands. Tune in for a packed episode full of laughs, rants, and a few hard-won lessons. Timestamps: 00:35 The reality of post-wedding burnout. 03:45 Our most bonkers wedding travel stories (breakdowns in France, marathon drives across Europe). 08:50 The stress of nearly missing a wedding. 13:26 What we've been shooting: A pub, a boat, and a "no-photos" wedding. 24:04 THE BIG DEBATE: Is film photography an overpriced, "deranged" trend? 31:32 Our take: Why you should shoot what you want and embrace creative freedom. 38:51 Highs & Lows: Wholesome moments, elopements, and getting scammed out of £4,500. Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune liamandbee.com lawsonfilms.co.uk lawsonphotography.co.uk #weddingphotography #weddingvideography #filmphot...

Crying on the Inside Like a Winner

Jul 21, 2025 46 min

Ever felt like you're just one wedding away from snapping? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the intense mental and physical toll of being a wedding creative. We dive deep into the chaos of a 500-guest, multi-day wedding and the logistical nightmare of shooting solo in a massive venue. It's a candid chat about the pre-wedding anxiety, the pressure we put on ourselves to constantly do more, and the art of "crying on the inside like a winner" while keeping a smile on for our clients. We also explore: The delicate dance between photographers and videographers on a wedding day.Why the wedding market in Scotland seems to be thriving while others are struggling.The search for the perfect side hustle (and the reality of drone work).Our personal highs and lows, from emotional school leavers' assemblies to a stress-induced twitchy eye that just won't quit. If you’ve ever felt the burnout creeping in, this one’s for you. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune Timestamps: (00:44) - The Chaos of a 500-Guest Wedding (04:55) - The Nightmare Logistics of a Huge Wedding Venue (07:10) - "Crying on the Inside": The Real Mental Load of a Wedding Creative (12:02) - Is Our Pre-Wedding Anxiety Getting Worse Over Time? (13:51) - Photographer vs. Videographer: Who's In Charge on the Day? (18.00) - Are We Asking too much of Ourselves? (22:12) - A Rainy 8-Hour Elopement Shoot in Edinburgh (26:45) - The "North-South Divide": Why is the Scottish Wedding Market Booming? (31:12) - Weird Scottish Laws, Side Hustles & a Drone Business Reality Check (38:39) - Our Highs & Lows of the Week From navigating 100+ group shots to flying drones through fireworks at 11 pm, we share the stories that don't make it to the wedding album. If you're a creative feeling the strain, let us know your experiences in the comments below! Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school Say h...

Why Hasn't Wedding Photography Pricing Changed in 20 Years?

Jul 7, 2025 1 hr 21 min

Liam is from his epic month away! In this episode, he recounts his insane month of travel, from shooting weddings in Spain and the Austrian Alps to starting a brand new career as a driving instructor. We share stories of driving down stairs in a hire car, cameras overheating at altitude, and the joy of a ceremonial beer keg tapping. Then, we get into a huge industry debate: hybrid shooting. With so many photographers now offering video, we discuss the pros and cons, and the dilemma it creates for dedicated videographers who rely on photographer referrals. Is the industry in a price war, and who will pull the trigger first? We also touch on the rise of wedding content creators, the truth about film photography, and a global survey that reveals just how much (or how little) photographers are charging in 2025. Join Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee for an episode packed with travel stories, industry insights, and our usual weekly highs and lows! Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune liamandbee.com lawsonfilms.co.uk lawsonphotography.co.uk TIMESTAMPS:  00:00 - Intro & Why Is Everyone So Tired?  03:58 - Where Has Liam Been? A Whirlwind Month Begins  05:19 - Wedding Story: Driving Down a Flight of Stairs in Spain  07:46 - The Travel Nightmare: From Spain to Austria via the Autobahn  09:12 - Wedding Story: Lederhosen & Beer Kegs in the Austrian Alps  10:50 - Technical Woes: When Your Cameras Overheat  13:23 - The New Side Hustle: Training to be a Driving Instructor  24:49 - Industry Talk: The Rise of Wedding Content Creators  29:10 - The Future of Filmmaking? (Stormzy Film & The "28 Days Later" Sequel)  33:35 - Is Hybrid Shooting the Future? The Big Debate  39:11 - The Photographer vs. Videographer Dilemma  42:40 - Is Film Photography Just a Gimmick?  45:15 - Why Are Wedding...

Hybrid Shooting?! Lewis Fackrell reveals all

Jun 23, 2025 1 hr 22 min

Is it possible to be a photographer AND a videographer at the same time, on your own, at a wedding? In this episode, we chat one of the photographers doing just that. The lovely Lewis Fackrell walks us through his complete hybrid shooting workflow. Are we won over? From his one-camera setup and "PVP" method, to his post-production process and business strategy, Lewis shares the secrets that have allowed him to offer photo and video packages to his couples. If you want to hear how to add an extra video service to your photography business, this is absolutely for you - or if you’re just curious about how it's possible like we were. We also catch up on what we’ve been up to these past couple of weeks. Bee casually shares a story about a near-death experience involving a bathroom cabinet! New fear unlocked. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune liamandbee.com lawsonfilms.co.uk lawsonphotography.co.uk Lewis Fackrell's Website & Course: https://www.lewisfackrell.co.uk Lewis's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lewis_fackrell_photography/ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 - Welcome & The Most Hectic Travel Schedule Ever 06:05 - Pete's Impromptu Hybrid Shooting Experience in Italy 13:05 - Introducing Our Guest: Lewis Fackrell 14:24 - How Lewis Balances a Full Calendar with a Young Family 23:10 - The "Why": What Made Lewis Start Hybrid Shooting? 26:30 - Lewis's Minimalist Gear Setup for Hybrid Work 29:49 - THE BIG QUESTION: How Do You Actually Shoot Hybrid? 31:05 - Handling "Pinch Points": The Reveal, Aisle Walk & Ceremony 41:30 - The First Kiss & The Confetti Shot: Photo or Video? 44:35 - Does the Quality of Photos or Video Get Compromised? 48:45 - The Ideal Number of Photos to Take at a Wedding 54:13 - The Post-Production Workflow for Photo & Video 1:01:42 - The Business of Hyb...

The Great Booking Decline

Jun 9, 2025 1 hr 19 min

This week, the we're all feeling the burn after a packed schedule of weddings and a big birthday celebration. We pull back the curtain on the reality of being a wedding creative in 2024, discussing the booking decline that everyone is feeling but nobody wants to talk about. This leads to a huge announcement from Liam about a major career change after more than two decades in the industry. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune We also dive into: Incredible destination wedding stories from Lake Como and Cyprus.The shocking tale of a planner who tricked suppliers into working her wedding for free.Using ChatGPT to analyse and improve your creative business.Are full-length portraits and straight horizons a thing of the past?The eternal struggle of photographers and videographers staying out of each other's shots. If you're a wedding creative feeling the pressure, or just love a good, honest chat about the ups and downs of running a small business, this one's for you. Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune liamandbee.com lawsonfilms.co.uk lawsonphotography.co.uk TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Hungover Birthday Banter 04:14 - Our Recent Weddings: Oli Foxley's Tumble 07:31 - Destination Wedding Debrief: Pete in Lake Como 12:08 - Destination Wedding Debrief: Liam in Cyprus 20:37 - The Big Topic: Why Are Wedding Bookings Down? 25:14 - Liam's New Career 30:12 - Can AI Save Our Business? 36:37 - The Photographer Who Charged £300 For One Photo 49:50 - The Styled Shoot That Was a Real Wedding?! 57:46 - The Curse of Tripods: Photographers vs. Videographers 01:09:10 - Our Highs & Lows Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pervy Callers, Annoying Content Creators, and Tax Nightmares

May 26, 2025 1 hr 4 min

This week on Our Creative Commune, Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee dive into a whirlwind of topics! We brace ourselves as Google Gemini's AI delivers some hilariously harsh feedback on our podcasting style (are we really that insular?). Then, it's war stories from the wedding front lines: Liam shares his ordeal of shooting a wedding post-dodgy-fish-and-chips, and Pete recounts battling a painful eye infection mid-shoot. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune We tackle the big debate: how are content creators impacting the wedding industry, and are they really taking work from pros? Plus, a crucial heads-up on the UK's "Making Tax Digital" changes that all freelancers need to know. As always, we share our highs and lows, and issue an important alert about a "pervy caller" targeting photographers. Tune in for candid chat, essential industry insights, and a good few laughs! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro & Makeshift Studio 02:01 Remembering Past Podcast Adventures Abroad 03:40 AI Feedback on Our Podcast (Spoiler: We're Keeping it Real) 05:20 What We've Been Up To: Wedding Recaps & Mishaps 05:26 Liam's "Tracy Island" Wedding & Food Poisoning Woes 09:02 Working While Sick: Styes, Vomit & The Show Must Go On! 15:01 Laura & Pete Shoot a Wedding Together (Photo & Video Dynamic) 17:52 TOPIC 1: Content Creators at Weddings - Impact & How to Cope 21:57 Strategy: Educating Clients or Communicating with Creators? 26:52 The "Educate Your Clients" Debate - Is It Our Place? 32:18 TOPIC 2: New UK/EU Travel Deal - Hope for Destination Weddings? 36:53 TOPIC 3: Making Tax Digital - Essential Info for Creatives 41:17 Our Dream (Unprofitable) Cafe Business Idea! 42:17 TOPIC 4: Gallery Delivery Times & Modern Client Expectations 46:03 The Power of the "Next Day" Social Media Preview 51:12 GEAR CHAT: New Fuji X-Half & DJI Mavic 4 Pro 53:33 COMMUNITY ALERT: "Pervy Caller" Targeting Photographers 55:30 Our Highs & Lows of the Week! 01:03:20 Outro & Upcoming Adventures Keywords: W...

The Scottish "Fyre Festival" Retreat & Supplier Recommendations Gone Wrong

May 12, 2025 1 hr 10 min

Pop the kettle on! Welcome back to Our Creative Commune, Episode 108. Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee are here with the usual coffee-fuelled chaos, chatting all things wedding photography and videography. This week, the pollen count is trying to take us OUT, Liam’s back from a surprisingly chilly Spanish wedding (his 21st there! Buckfast may have been mentioned), and snapping portraits of the lovely Martin Cheung. We swear everyone else has been doing some work too! Things have gone a bit crazy – suddenly everyone wants to book us, pay us, and meet us! We’re navigating the 'OMG money!' vs ‘****, tax bill!' tightrope, and, of course, drooling over rumoured new cameras. Liam’s also attempting to bring back the 90s with film photography (spoiler: he forgot the film). Then we get stuck into the proper meaty stuff: Is it cool for photographers to shoot a bit of video (or videographers to grab stills) when you're both on a job? What do you do when a supplier you recommended bails for a stag do THE NIGHT BEFORE?! And you absolutely HAVE to hear the story of the 'Scottish Retreat' – think Fyre Festival, but for photographers. Seriously, it’s a car crash. As always, we’ve got our highs (awards night planning is looking lush!) and lows (Pete’s hay fever, Bee’s iron levels, Liam’s twitchy eye – it’s a medical marvel over here). Plus, we day-dream up our own hopefully-not-a-disaster creative retreat. So grab that coffee (or a Buckfast, no judgement) and join the commune! Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Hello & What's In Our Mugs? 00:32 - Hay Fever vs. Wedding Pros: The Struggle is Real 03:00 - Liam's Spanish Wedding No.21 (Minus the Sun, Plus the Buckfast) 06:25 - Liam Shoots Martin Cheung 07:02 - Are Shorter Weddings The New Thing? 09:00 - It's All Kicking Off! (Bookings, Cashflow & Mild Panic) 11:21 - New Gear Lust & Why Our Old Photos Are So "On Trend" 13:28 - Liam's Great Film Camera Experiment (Fail No.1) 15:35 - BTS Content: P...

Authenticity vs Automation: Weddings, 35mm & DIY Distractions

Apr 28, 2025 1 hr 14 min

Wedding season is kicking off! Join Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee as they shake off the winter slumber (and recover from some intense DIY projects) and dive back into the world of weddings. This week, we tackle the hot topic: is 35mm film making a comeback? We discuss a client request, the pros and cons of shooting film today, the costs, the nostalgia factor, and whether digital can truly replicate the look. Plus, is Liam finally gearing up to actually try it! We contrast the analogue love with the rise of AI editing and culling tools – are they helpful or hindering authenticity? We also get real about the business side: handling unexpected cancellations, the ethics of contracts and refunds (including a tricky divorce scenario), and the changing landscape of referrals in industry groups. Hear about recent weddings in Scotland and the Lakes, dealing with tricky lighting, and our usual highs and lows. Grab a coffee and enjoy! Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune Timestamps: (0:00) Intro & DIY Madness: Liam's plumbing adventures, Pete & Laura's new carpet/desk saga. (5:52) Wedding Season Begins!: Liam shoots a photographer's wedding in Scotland (The Byre at Inchyra), Pete films a local Lake District wedding. We chat portraits, marquees & avoiding downtime. (17:23) Is 35mm Film Back?!: Exploring the trend, the appeal (nostalgia vs digital), the costs, the logistics, and whether we should offer it. Liam volunteers as tribute to try it in Spain! (27:38) Camera Nerd Corner: Reminiscing about old film cameras (Contax 645, Mamiya) & finding undeveloped rolls! (29:42) Film vs. AI: The contrast! Discussing AI culling fails and new AI retouching tools – helpful or harmful to authenticity? (34:43) Business Real Talk: Handling a last-minute cancellation, contract ethics, deposit debates, and a tough scenario involving divorce & album refunds. (46:09) Shooting Challenges: How would you handle a church ceremony lit entirely pink?! (51:20) Referral Rant: Why ar...

Navigating Rejection & Industry Shifts in Wedding Photography & Videography

Apr 14, 2025 1 hr 10 min

Join Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee for our regular chat all about the world of wedding photography and videography. This week, we’re re-introducing ourselves for new listeners before tackling the big issues: the frustrating rise of client ghosting and rejection, navigating the popular "editorial" photo trend (is it all it's cracked up to be?), and debating radical portfolio strategies to stand out. We’re also sharing stories of demanding client inquiries, the tricky landscape of destination weddings post-Brexit, and indulge in some serious gear lust (hello, autofocus anamorphic lenses!). Plus, hear a little more about the British Wedding Film Festival awards launch, and catch up on our personal highs and lows, featuring fantasy book addictions, DIY disasters, and Hadrian's Wall adventures. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune Keywords: Wedding Photography, Wedding Videography, Creative Business, Client Ghosting, Editorial Photography, Portfolio Strategy, Wedding Industry Trends, Destination Weddings, Canon R6, Anamorphic Lens, Fuji, Videography Awards, Small Business Challenges. Timestamps: * (01:46) Re-Introductions: Who are Pete, Laura, Liam & Bee? * (08:34) Editing Styles: Shifting back to a lighter, airier look? * (10:33) Portfolio Panic: Should we delete half our website to stand out? * (11:52) The Ghosting Epidemic: Why are clients disappearing & how do we cope with rejection? * (18:11) Editorial Wedding Trend: Debating the style and educating clients (Martha May article mention). * (23:33) Finding Your Ideal Client: They still exist! * (30:34) Gear Talk!: Anamorphic lens lust, RF primes, Canon R6 vs R6 MkII, Fuji dreams & Bee's unique photo project... * (39:57) Nightmare Inquiries: Dealing with demanding clients and unreasonable requests. * (47:24) Destination Wedding Dilemmas: Navigating the risks post-Brexit (especially Greece). * (55:39) Industry News: Videography Summit buzz & Our NEW Videography Awards launch! * (59:55) Highs & Lows...

Awards Launch! Plus: AI Assistants, TikTok Trauma & Property Photography Pain

Mar 31, 2025 1 hr 0 min

Pete, Laura, Liam, and Bee are back for another catch-up. This week, we're excited to officially announce the launch of the British Wedding Film Festival – hear all about the idea behind it, why we think the industry needs it, and what makes it different. Liam shares the highs and lows (aching legs and Lightroom battles!) of his new property photography side hustle. We also dive into takeaways from a recent videographer retreat: Using AI like ChatGPT as a 'personal assistant' (inspired by Arran Kenny's method) – useful hack or too much?The TikTok debate – do we really need to be there, even if the clients are? Plus, we discuss that scary Italy visa story, get some clarity on using music legally on Instagram business accounts, and of course, share our personal highs and lows – featuring Bee's surprising AI astrocartography results, a wet legging incident, and Pete getting schooled by a kid at table tennis. It's the usual mix of wedding industry chat, creative business insights, and friendly banter. Pull up a chair and join the commune! Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune Keywords: Wedding Photography, Wedding Videography, Creative Business, AI, ChatGPT, TikTok, Social Media Marketing, Side Hustle, Property Photography, British Wedding Film Festival, Wedding Awards, UK Wedding Industry, Working Abroad, Instagram Music Rules. Timestamps: Liam's new property photography side hustle & the joys of re-learning Lightroom (03-15 - 08:32) Takeaways from Roo Stain’s videographer retreat (08:34 - 11:25) Using AI like ChatGPT for productivity (Arran Kenny's method) & Bee's astrocartography adventures (11:25 - 19:02) The TikTok debate for wedding pros - is it essential? (19:03 - 26:55) BIG NEWS: Launching the British Wedding Film Festival! (27:45 - 39:57) Concerns and discussion around working abroad (Italy/US visa stories) (39:57 - 44:31) Clarification on using music on Instagram Business accounts (Meta Sound Collection) (45:22 - 47:13) Highs & Lows of...

Should Photographers Shoot Video Too?

Mar 17, 2025 1 hr 8 min

Should photographers add video and become hybrid shooters? Liam won't, because his photography would suffer. Bee loves video but resents how much keeps getting added to a photographer's job (advertising, accounts, content creation: where does it stop?), and Pete and Laura tried shooting both at bridal prep once and did a worse job of each. We note more enquiries asking for video at a lower price, and agree nobody should be criticised for choosing hybrid. We also talk about the toll of long haul destination weddings (once a year is enough), buying back National Insurance years before April, and trending music on Instagram, after stories of businesses being chased by record labels. We can't verify them, but it was never really allowed, so we talk about licensed music subscriptions (which also forced Pete to change this podcast's music). Plus Liam's Thai wedding at an English style country manor in the jungle at nearly 40 degrees, jet lag that kills your appetite, plane armrest etiquette, why salmon is so expensive now, and Pete's new Italian espresso machine, which needs a name. Our Creative Commune is four wedding photographers and filmmakers chatting about photography, videography and the wedding industry, just like we do over coffee most mornings. Timestamps: 00:00 Liam's back from Thailand 02:04 A country manor in the jungle 04:05 One long haul wedding a year is enough 05:08 Jet lag 08:40 Back to back weddings in different countries 11:43 Shooting when you're exhausted 12:45 Plane etiquette 20:23 Table tennis at the club 23:26 National Insurance and pensions 29:28 Should photographers shoot video too? 35:03 Salmon prices 40:34 Trending music and copyright 49:47 Licensed music 54:54 The podcast's music licence 57:32 Highs and lows of the week Check out the episode on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune Get a free 14 day trial of Musicbed: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/935Cy Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school Say h...

Shooting a Wedding in Rio de Janeiro

Mar 3, 2025 58 min

What's it like shooting a wedding in Rio de Janeiro? Liam's back from a Brazilian destination wedding, and it was very different. Videographers and photographers work inches from the couple even during the ceremony, the venue steers couples to its own recommended team, the first look turned into a crowd of cameras and iPhones, and portraits got five minutes. Liam explains why he can't shoot like that (we're too polite). We also talk about judging a Latvian wedding competition where about 90 percent of the photos were vertical, whether Instagram has killed landscape photos (and why we miss blogs that showed a whole wedding), side hustles and exit plans after a Manchester photographers' meet-up, and twenty years since Pete and Laura's first wedding. Plus a 4.30am sunrise shoot on the day Liam landed, 211 photos when Bee asked for 50, a sun on the equator that rises too fast for the orb of joy, Lawson Film School going online at thirteen and a half hours, and Pete's sixteen year old espresso machine tripping the fuses. Our Creative Commune is four wedding photographers and filmmakers chatting about photography, videography and the wedding industry, just like we do over coffee most mornings. Timestamps: 00:00 Back from Rio 03:05 A sunrise shoot and a white party 05:45 211 photos when Bee asked for 50 07:46 The Brazilian way: inches from the couple 09:54 The first look crowd 11:26 Handing over group shots, and a Thai tea ceremony 14:38 Five minutes for portraits 17:50 Lawson Film School is online 21:27 Side hustles and exit plans 25:34 Twenty years since our first wedding 34:16 What does editorial mean this year? 36:49 Has Instagram killed landscape? 39:56 Judging a Latvian competition 43:33 Highs and lows of the week Be sure to check out our Youtube channel if you'd like to see our faces: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune liamandbee.com lawsonfilms.co.u...

Hanging out with Kelly Clarke

Feb 17, 2025 1 hr 0 min

Can wedding photography on its own still pay the bills? This week we hang out with Kelly Clarke, a Manchester wedding and newborn photographer. When lockdown wiped out her weddings, she walked round an empty Manchester with her camera, turned the pictures into prints, then mugs and merchandise, and built a second business working from six in the morning until midnight. Now both run side by side, and her weddings have grown from five to ten to twenty six. That leads into a frank chat about whether wedding photography alone can sustain a living, why diversifying matters (Liam is doing some property photography and plans to teach motorcycling), paid Instagram and Facebook ads, newborn shoots, why Kelly won't take on staff, and her tax return holiday. Plus Kelly deadlifts 140kg, her destination wedding plans in Cyprus, watching our own first wedding film from ten years ago, and judging a Latvian wedding film competition in our living room. Our Creative Commune is four wedding photographers and filmmakers chatting about photography, videography and the wedding industry, just like we do over coffee most mornings. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome Kelly 01:01 Kelly's deadlift 05:05 A destination wedding in Cyprus 12:19 Kelly's lockdown business 17:25 Meta ads 18:55 Why Kelly won't hire staff 20:29 From five weddings to twenty six 23:02 Can wedding photography alone pay the bills? 24:35 Newborn photography 31:13 Diversifying 35:20 Kelly's SEO and Instagram 43:03 The tax return holiday 46:36 Watching our first film 52:43 Judging a Latvian film competition 56:47 Highs and lows Be sure to check out our Youtube channel if you'd like to see our faces: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune Check out Kelly's work: https://kellyclarke.co.uk/ Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune liamandbee.com lawsonfilms.co.uk lawsonphotography.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could You Run a Wedding Business Without Social Media?

Feb 3, 2025 44 min

Could you run a wedding business without social media? Pete, Laura and Bee wonder whether anyone would notice if they stopped posting. (Pete and Laura post very little and still book through Instagram.) We also talk about Instagram changing the grid to 4:3, why a Dutch tilt always leans left, clients who want every image of them taken down (and the worry that AI could clone faces), and couples who never download their gallery and then ask for the files a decade later. Back it up, then look at it. Bee explains her six month galleries with a reminder a week before they close, and Pete gives a quick summary of DeepSeek and the stock market wobble. Plus Pete can't sleep after a good night at table tennis and needs a dictaphone for his 2am Lawson Film School ideas, the course is now four or five times longer than the original live version, and Bee designs albums from another photographer's photos. Our Creative Commune is four wedding photographers and filmmakers chatting about photography, videography and the wedding industry, just like we do over coffee most mornings. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:35 A dictaphone for 2am ideas 04:40 Work catch-up 06:11 Filming Lawson Film School 11:17 New bookings 12:48 Instagram changes the grid 15:21 Do you need to be on social media? 18:30 Behind the scenes videos 21:32 Why is a Dutch tilt always to the left? 24:36 Clients who want their images taken down 27:40 Marketing without showing faces 28:41 Galleries aren't permanent 31:11 DeepSeek and the stock market 33:47 Highs and lows of the week Be sure to check out our Youtube channel if you'd like to see our faces: https://www.youtube.com/@OurCreativeCommune Lawson Film School: https://www.lawsonfilms.co.uk/lawson-film-school Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune liamandbee.com lawsonfilms.co.uk lawsonphotography.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our 100th Episode!

Jan 20, 2025 58 min

It's our 100th episode! And what happens if album companies start selling direct to couples? We celebrate a hundred episodes with fizz, cake and, for the first time, cameras for YouTube. In the middle there's real news: an album company announcing it will sell albums directly to couples. The first reaction online was "they're taking our clients", but once we'd worked out how a referral option could work for busy photographers, we were broadly positive. We also talk about how to do a venue open day or wedding fair when you're not a natural salesperson (Liam's tip: talk about their first dance, not your packages), the January lull, Pete and Laura moving Lawson Film School online, and what a TikTok ban in America says about relying on one marketing channel. Plus memories of our very awkward first episode, past couples wandering into an open day at exactly the right moment, Liam's teenage job driving a digger on a landfill site, the service station game, and Liam climbing Scafell Pike in deep snow with crampons. Our Creative Commune is four wedding photographers and filmmakers chatting about photography, videography and the wedding industry, just like we do over coffee most mornings. Timestamps: 00:00 Happy hundred! 01:03 Our first episode, fizz and cake 07:09 What time would you get up if you retired? 10:44 Work catch-up 12:44 Tax return week 17:22 Lawson Film School goes online 20:30 Bookings after Christmas 22:02 A venue open day in Devon 26:12 Wedding fairs when you're not a salesperson 28:20 A wedding show next to a steel band 31:53 An album company selling direct to couples 35:29 Why couples shouldn't design their own albums 40:04 A TikTok ban and relying on one channel 44:08 Liam's teenage jobs 47:12 Highs and lows of the week This week we decided to film the episode, so be sure to check that out over on Youtube if you'd like to see our faces: https://youtu.be/v7R2g0HEaj8 Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune liamandbee.com lawsonfilms.co.uk lawsonphotography.c...

How Do You Shoot a Winter Wedding?

Jan 6, 2025 49 min

How do you shoot a winter wedding when it's dark by four and everyone wants portraits outside? In our first episode of 2025, we talk winter weddings: short days, draughty rooms, poor lighting, and hands too cold to work the camera. The answer is setting expectations early (a few quick smash and grab portraits, not a photo shoot section), and Liam says video lights save winter weddings, especially at a pitch black cave venue. Bee introduces wintering (no resolutions until the spring solstice), which somehow turns into a business plan for a cheese B&B, then an Adlington deli, café, studio and table tennis club. Plus 2025 as a year of nine, Liam versus his car tyres, a dog trainer's water bomb technique (it didn't work), a scam offer of 24,000 in cryptocurrency per underwater photo, Pete finishing Tomb Raider eleven years after starting it, and Bee's day out in Edinburgh. Our Creative Commune is four wedding photographers and filmmakers chatting about photography, videography and the wedding industry, just like we do over coffee most mornings. Timestamps: 00:00 2025, the year of nine 02:32 Liam versus his car 06:04 A dog, turkey and a water bomb 08:36 A quiet Christmas 09:36 Panto and a party 15:10 Winter weddings are hard work 17:15 Cold hands and a snowy hill 18:16 Setting expectations for winter portraits 20:20 Video lights and a pitch black cave 21:23 Wintering until the spring solstice 24:26 A cheese B&B and an Adlington deli 29:33 Highs and lows of the week 38:38 A summer heavy calendar and Lawson Film School online 41:45 Bee's day in Edinburgh Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune liamandbee.com lawsonfilms.co.uk lawsonphotography.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Was 2024 for You?

Dec 23, 2024 1 hr 11 min

SEO used to bring in hundreds of enquiries a year. Where do wedding bookings come from now? In our last episode of 2024, we look back at the year: a relentless first half, lots of travel, fewer weddings but no less effort, and a long quiet stretch before things picked up. Google is basically dead for Liam and Bee, Instagram (with a little paid help) is working for now, and Pete and Laura rely on referrals from planners, venues and past couples. We talk about not putting all your eggs in one basket, not wanting to be an anxious business owner every winter, and our hopes for 2025: slower living, more time outdoors, Lawson Film School online, and Camp Commune. Plus nearly a hundred hours of podcast, remembering couples by their faces, a bride's dad handing Liam two beers as he came out of Lake Como with an underwater camera, a Rio wedding with a strict all white dress code, Bee's plan for a bread cupboard with an honesty box, and a brass band carol concert. Our Creative Commune is four wedding photographers and filmmakers chatting about photography, videography and the wedding industry, just like we do over coffee most mornings. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:01 Nearly 100 episodes 04:33 Bee's 43 weddings are done 08:08 Last weddings of the year 10:41 Remembering couples by their faces 12:16 Still fumbling through after a thousand weddings 13:53 Looking back on 2024 19:02 Next year's diary 20:35 Pete and Laura's year 24:13 Destination work, Como and Garda 29:56 Nine weddings in fifteen days, and Rio 32:36 SEO is dead: where bookings come from now 43:16 Resolutions for 2025 53:04 Highs and lows of the week Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune liamandbee.com lawsonfilms.co.uk lawsonphotography.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Getting Through a Quiet Patch

Dec 3, 2024 46 min

After months of almost no enquiries, can a little paid Instagram promotion turn things around? For Liam and Bee it did. After a long quiet spell that had them doubting their style, a modest paid boost on Instagram and a price rise brought daily enquiries back, with a big lean towards destination weddings next year. (Bee wonders whether the algorithm had been showing their work to other photographers instead of couples.) Liam also apologises for last week's rant about the moody editorial style: plenty of photographers we respect do it brilliantly, and we should never knock anyone's style. Then Liam's invitation to speak at a small workshop in Poland, with talks in an old wooden church near the Belarusian border, and the idea of a Camp Commune of our own. Plus fake Christmas, now about sixteen years running, a farm wedding where Liam was served a sharing platter for one, filming a bride's mum who kept stepping out of shot, an elopement booked in an underground WWII oil tank, and Bee's forearm stand after eight years of yoga. Our Creative Commune is four wedding photographers and filmmakers chatting about photography, videography and the wedding industry, just like we do over coffee most mornings. Timestamps: 00:00 New Year's Eve plans 02:00 Fake Christmas 05:07 No presents this year 08:41 A farm wedding and a sharing platter for one 11:18 A Scottish castle wedding 13:19 Telling people they don't need to move 16:57 Half of next year's weddings are overseas 21:31 An elopement in a WWII oil tank 23:02 Liam's apology 25:05 How paid Instagram turned things around 30:10 A videographer summit in Glasgow 32:43 Speaking at a workshop in Poland 36:20 Camp Commune? 38:53 Highs and lows of the week Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune liamandbee.com lawsonfilms.co.uk lawsonphotography.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is It About the Story or the Vibe?

Nov 18, 2024 54 min

Are weddings still about telling a story, or is it all about capturing the vibe now? A reel doing the rounds argues that storytelling is out and vibe is in. Pete expected to hate it, then decided it's just a new way of describing what we already do. Laura and Bee doubt Gen Z is as uniform as the reel claims, and Liam says stick in your own lane and shoot what you love. That sets being in it for the art against running a business: can you complain about bookings if you won't change how you talk about your work? Then direct flash. Pete used to hate it and now sees a place for it, Liam thinks it looks flat and amateur, and Bee is with Pete. Earlier, we talk about a win your wedding photography giveaway that brought two bookings from 125 entrants, and what high end weddings are like to shoot. Plus portraits paid for in cake, a band video shoot at Victoria Baths in Manchester, and Nine Dots turning ten. Our Creative Commune is four wedding photographers and filmmakers chatting about photography, videography and the wedding industry, just like we do over coffee most mornings. Timestamps: 00:00 A tired welcome 01:04 Dropping the lows 01:35 Paid in cake 06:11 A band video at Victoria Baths 14:23 A win your wedding giveaway 17:29 Mid-price weddings and the high end world 20:01 What high end weddings are like 21:33 Feeling like you're going backwards 26:42 Nine Dots turns ten 29:15 Story or vibe? 33:57 Stick to your lane, or change how you market it? 37:05 In it for the art or running a business? 40:09 Direct flash 44:43 Highs and lows of the week Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune liamandbee.com lawsonfilms.co.uk lawsonphotography.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Couples Start Editing Their Own Photos?

Nov 4, 2024 1 hr 8 min

With generative fill in everyone's pocket, will couples start removing people from their own photos? We start with Coda, a one day videography conference in a Birmingham cinema, where Pete and Laura gave the opening talk and a film breakdown on the big screen. Next year's tickets sold out in 43 minutes, which tells you how much people want community. Then a practical block. Bee has switched AI editing tools and says the new one reproduces her style (but she still doesn't trust AI culling, which might mark a deliberately off centre crop as a mistake). We also cover Lightroom's generative fill limits and what couples might start to expect, Instagram's new fee for boosting posts from your phone, a reel with 126,000 views that brought no enquiries, dropping the paid verification tick, and Bee rebuilding their website in six days. Plus Pete trying to get home from a wedding in Ireland during a storm (a ten pound lounge upgrade saved him), Liam's second shoot with three ten foot trains and fake sparklers that set the flowers alight, and a stranded night with a damaged wheel on a Scottish road. Our Creative Commune is four wedding photographers and filmmakers chatting about photography, videography and the wedding industry, just like we do over coffee most mornings. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:30 A wedding in Ireland and a storm 03:02 A rocky ferry home 09:12 Coda, in a cinema 12:46 Sold out in 43 minutes 15:21 Ten foot trains and a fire on the balcony 19:53 A Scottish castle wedding and a damaged wheel 24:04 Switching AI editing tools 26:04 Why AI culling still isn't there 34:00 Will couples edit out people themselves? 38:06 The fix it later habit 39:07 Instagram ads, carousels and reels 45:17 Dropping the paid tick 47:23 Rebuilding the website in six days 54:06 Highs and lows of the week Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune liamandbee.com lawsonfilms.co.uk lawsonphotography.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wedding Industry Fashion Evolution

Oct 7, 2024 56 min

What should you wear to shoot a wedding? A private members' club with a no sportswear rule and a black tie wedding in Scotland get us talking about what we wear ourselves: the switch from smart shoes to cloud-like trainers after COVID, photographer's toe, spare shirts and socks, Liam's untucked shirts and stretchy jeans (he promises to tuck in once), Laura's normal-looking stretch trousers, and Pete's chinos and tweed. Then two industry questions: venues that download your photos without a word of thanks (in an age where even a thumbs up feels passive aggressive), and how much say couples should have over what you post, from a reel removed after a break-up to couples asking for different music. Keeping the client happy comes first, but a no sharing request needs to come before the wedding. Plus a Lego Christmas display in a grand London hotel, Liam second shooting for a friend for only the third time, a drone that spent days stuck in a tree, and a spider on Bee's face. Our Creative Commune is four wedding photographers and filmmakers chatting about photography, videography and the wedding industry, just like we do over coffee most mornings. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 04:34 A members' club wedding with a dress code 07:04 Are trainers smart enough? 08:37 Black tie in Scotland 09:39 Photographer's toe and the trainer revolution 11:10 Smelly trainers and spare socks 13:45 What we each wear 17:49 Layers, hand warmers and second shooting 22:28 A multi-day Scottish wedding and a drone in a tree 28:07 Venues that never say thank you 31:14 Ghosting culture and the thumbs up 35:19 How much say should couples have over your posts? 39:57 What if couples banned all sharing? 47:41 Highs and lows of the week Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune liamandbee.com lawsonfilms.co.uk lawsonphotography.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Edits Are Overdue!

Sep 23, 2024 1 hr 2 min

What do you do when your editing queue is overdue? Bee is changing her advertised turnaround from eight to ten weeks to up to twelve, messaging couples so they know where they are, and using an AI base edit that saves four or five hours a wedding. She's also letting go of chasing perfection, because everyone views their photos on a different screen anyway. Then: is a video team handing a couple photos from a compact camera the next day stepping on the photographer's toes? And a long chat about comparison: the pressure to go viral on Instagram and TikTok, why scrolling other photographers drains your creativity, missing the old wedding blogs, and why couples' happiness matters more than likes. Plus a north Devon cove wedding with the kindest staff ever, a French chateau whose owner claims some very famous guests, live streaming a wedding for a grandmother (three views, all Pete), trimming the website down to pages people visit, and a bin man and some chocolate fingers. Our Creative Commune is four wedding photographers and filmmakers chatting about photography, videography and the wedding industry, just like we do over coffee most mornings. Timestamps: 00:00 Sitting outside with non-alcoholic beer 04:11 The kindest wedding staff ever 06:43 A French chateau and its famous guests 08:14 Generous American couples 11:18 Live streaming for a grandmother 14:52 Overdue edits and a longer turnaround 16:58 AI base edits and letting go of perfection 20:04 Showing couples where they are in the queue 21:36 Cutting the website back 26:47 Next day photos from the video team? 32:55 What works on TikTok and Instagram 36:00 Comparison and chasing trends 42:26 Do we still look at other photographers' work? 47:03 Posting for likes or making couples happy 51:46 Highs and lows of the week Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune liamandbee.com lawsonfilms.co.uk lawsonphotography.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Editorial Photography on Its Way Out?

Sep 9, 2024 50 min

Is editorial wedding photography on its way out? Back after the summer, Laura's view is simple: kill editorial. Pete is more careful and thinks documentary will come back as couples tire of being posed, while Liam and Bee say trends never fully disappear and you should stay in your lane (and maybe stop everyone shooting the same half eaten cake with direct flash). Then how photographers and videographers work together on the day: talk before the ceremony, tell each other where it's fine to walk, and admit that both sides get in the way sometimes. We also talk about swapping flash for small panel lights on lively dance floors, and why a summer of camping beat an all inclusive holiday for a proper rest. Plus Liam's summer of destination weddings, a live stream for a grandmother who couldn't travel, Liam swapping his big zoom for old primes, and a reminder that none of us are budget people. Our Creative Commune is four wedding photographers and filmmakers chatting about photography, videography and the wedding industry, just like we do over coffee most mornings. Timestamps: 00:00 Back after the summer 03:10 Camping beat the all inclusive holiday 05:12 Liam's summer of destination weddings 07:46 The rising cost of destination work 11:21 Celebrating every booking 14:25 Holiday reading and TV 16:27 Far flung weddings and long drives 18:00 A live stream for a grandmother 19:33 Back to old prime lenses 21:06 Panel lights instead of flash 23:09 Documentary versus editorial 28:51 Everyone shooting the same trending shots 32:26 Photographers and videographers as a team 38:41 Highs and lows of the week Say hi on Instagram @ourcreativecommune liamandbee.com lawsonfilms.co.uk lawsonphotography.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See all 141 episodes

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Podcast details

Created by: Our Creative Commune
Status: Active
Latest episode: Nov 9, 2026
Episodes: 141
Release period: Every two weeks
Avg. episode length: 57 min
Explicit: No
Language: English

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