Photo Chat with Matt

Hey, it’s Matt (@mattdoddphoto). I’m talking wedding photography, the stuff they don’t teach you in school, and all the behind the scenes realities of being a photographer. From fun tips on lighting, posing, editing, business, social media and more, I share what I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) and chat with other creatives too. Sit back, relax, and let’s chat photography!

Photo Chat with Matt is a education podcast hosted by Matt Dodd, with 97 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Matt Dodd hosts Photo Chat with Matt, a education show with 97 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Photo Chat with Matt

  Common Photography Problems & How to Deal With Them

  Aug 14, 20261h 4m

  In this episode of Photo Chat with Matt, we're talking about the stuff that doesn't always make it into the Instagram highlight reel. What do you do when a wedding is running an hour behind? What happens when a couple doesn't like their photos? How do you deal with a guest who keeps getting in your way? What if you realise you've missed an important photograph? What happens when a client asks for the RAW files? And what do you do when something goes seriously wrong? I'm going through some of the most common problems and awkward situations that can come up as a wedding photographer, and talking through exactly how I'd handle them. Because wedding photography isn't just about taking good photographs. It's about dealing with people, managing expectations, setting boundaries, solving problems and keeping your head when things inevitably don't go to plan. Some of these situations I've experienced myself, some I've seen other photographers deal with, and some are situations where there isn't necessarily a perfect answer. So, what would you do?

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  Photo Chat with Matt

  What Do You Suck At?

  Aug 10, 202649 min

  What are you actually bad at? I know, it's probably not the nicest question to ask yourself, but I think it's one that's worth asking every now and then. We spend so much time talking about our strengths, our best photos, our bookings and everything we're doing well, but how often do we actually sit down and admit where we're struggling? In this episode of Photo Chat with Matt, I'm talking about weaknesses, growth mindset and being a bit more honest with yourself about your photography business. I'm not talking about sitting there and beating yourself up or convincing yourself you're a terrible photographer. Everybody has weaknesses. Even the best photographers, business owners and elite athletes in the world have things they could improve. I actually think being confident enough to admit that you're not very good at something is a really healthy part of building a successful photography business. I talk about a Venn diagram exercise a business coach gave me when I first started my business, where you look at your strengths, identify your weaknesses and then work out how those gaps can be covered. Sometimes you need to learn the skill yourself. Sometimes you need better systems. And sometimes the smartest thing you can do is find somebody else who is better at it and outsource it. I also talk about my own experience with flash photography. A few years ago, I really struggled with flash and avoided using it at weddings, particularly once the light started disappearing in the evening. Eventually I had to bite the bullet, learn how to use it and turn something I was avoiding into a skill I could actually rely on. We also get into the things photographers avoid, why you shouldn't turn your weaknesses into part of your identity, the danger of comparing your weaknesses to somebody else's strengths on Instagram, and why you don't actually need to become brilliant at everything. Because knowing what you're bad at doesn't make you a bad photographer. It gives you something to work on. So, what do you actually suck at? And more importantly, what are you going to do about it?

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  Photo Chat with Matt

  The Millionaire Mindset (Without Being A Millionaire)

  Aug 1, 202657 min

  Over the last few years, I've realised that the biggest changes in my photography business haven't come from buying a new camera or finding some magic marketing trick. They've come from changing the way I think. In this episode, I'm chatting through some of the mindsets that have genuinely changed my life, from the way I make decisions about money to how I deal with setbacks, success and everything in between. These are little philosophies I've picked up from sport, photography, books, documentaries and people I've met along the way, and they've shaped the way I run my business today. I talk about what I call my "millionaire mindset", why I believe money should be a tool rather than something that controls every decision you make, and why spending wisely can sometimes be far more valuable than simply spending less. We also chat about having a championship mentality, looking after your body and mind, playing the long game in business, staying level headed through both wins and losses, and why your biggest competition is the photographer you were yesterday, not somebody else's Instagram feed. • Why I believe mindset shapes your business more than gear ever will • What I mean by having a millionaire mindset and why it has nothing to do with showing off • How to spend money intentionally without wasting it • Why playing the long game creates a stronger business and happier clients • The lessons photography can learn from elite sport • How discipline beats motivation over the long run • Why successful people often have far more humility than you'd expect • The importance of protecting your environment and surrounding yourself with positive people • How small daily decisions quietly shape the future of your business If you've ever found yourself comparing your journey to everyone else, worrying about every pound you spend, or wondering what actually separates photographers who keep growing from those who stay stuck, I think you'll really enjoy this conversation. Sometimes the biggest thing holding us back isn't our camera, our website or our marketing. It's simply the way we think. Tune in for a relaxed chat about business, photography, money, sport and the mindsets that have genuinely helped me build a career I love. What You'll Learn in This Episode:

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  Photo Chat with Matt

  The Most Inspiring Person I've Ever Met at a Wedding

  Jul 28, 202630 min

  I thought I'd just sit down, press record, and have a proper catch up. Let's chat about a couple of brilliant weddings I've photographed recently, a journey home that seemed determined to go wrong, and one of the most inspiring people I've ever met at a wedding. The first wedding took me down to London for an elopement, wandering around places like Tower Bridge and the South Bank with a lovely couple who were just happy to soak it all in. Then a couple of days later I photographed what I can honestly say is one of the most incredible weddings I've ever been to. An amazing family home, a church that's over a thousand years old, and a day I'll remember for a very long time. The biggest takeaway from the whole week wasn't actually the weddings though. It was meeting the groom's dad, a portrait artist whose work hangs in Buckingham Palace and who has painted people like Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III and Nelson Mandela. After everything he'd achieved, he was still one of the most down to earth, genuinely interested people I've ever spoken to. It reminded me that the people who have achieved the most are often the ones with the least ego. We also chat about cancelled trains, why I ended up booking myself into a Hilton halfway home, why I don't think spending money on your own wellbeing is something to feel guilty about, and why getting out into new places always seems to give me fresh ideas for my photography. In this episode we chat about: • Photographing a London elopement around some of the city's most iconic locations. • One of the most memorable weddings I've ever photographed. • Meeting a royal portrait artist whose work has been seen all over the world. • Why humility leaves a much bigger impression than status. • My disastrous journey home and why I finally admitted defeat and booked a hotel. • Finding inspiration through travel, history and the people you meet along the way. • Looking after yourself during a busy wedding season. It's a slightly different episode this week. More of a catch up than anything else. If you've ever had one of those weeks where everything feels a bit chaotic, but you somehow come away feeling inspired by it all, I think you'll enjoy this one. Thanks for listening, and as always, thanks for coming along for the chat.

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  Photo Chat with Matt

  Finding Your Creative Spark Again

  Jul 10, 202637 min

  After a few really busy weeks shooting weddings, I've realised something... I'm genuinely excited about photography again. In this episode, I wanted to chat about where that inspiration has come from because it definitely wasn't one big thing. It was lots of small things that all came together. Watching Toy Story 5 reminded me how powerful storytelling can be. I started adapting my vintage 1970s film lenses onto my mirrorless cameras and completely fell in love with the look they produce. I've been experimenting with Pro Mist filters, playing around with my Insta360, showing more of my personality on social media, and even filming myself reviewing a Marks & Spencer sandwich just for fun. None of these things have magically made me a better photographer. They've simply made photography feel exciting again. I also talk about why consuming creative work outside of photography is so important, why doing things purely for yourself can make a huge difference, and why sometimes the best ideas come when you stop trying so hard to find them. If you've been feeling a little burnt out or stuck in a creative rut, I hope this episode reminds you that inspiration is usually found away from Instagram and away from photography Facebook groups. Sometimes all it takes is trying something new, watching a great film, visiting somewhere different, or simply giving yourself permission to create for the fun of it. In this episode, we chat about: • Why watching films can make you a better photographer and storyteller • Using vintage Canon FD and Olympus OM lenses on modern mirrorless cameras • How Pro Mist filters have changed the way I look for light • Why buying new gear can sometimes reignite your creativity • My first impressions of the Insta360 Go 3S • Showing more of your personality on social media and why clients love it • My recent wedding, engagement shoot and trip to Vindolanda • Why creativity comes from living, not just photographing If you've been waiting to feel inspired again, this one's for you. Grab a coffee, come for a chat, and hopefully you'll finish this episode wanting to pick your camera up and create something just because it sounds fun.

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