The Sam and Steve Podcast

The wedding season is in full swing for Sam and Steve, and their special guest interview this episode is with Richard Parsons, the Gloucestershire Magician. Richard is a full time professional magician whom Sam and Steve met at the recent Guides for Brides customer service awards, where we were all working on the night. Richard tells Steve:How he became a full time magicianHow he was accepted into the magic circleWhy couples should consider booking a magician for their weddingHis favourite magic trickSam and Steve discuss their recent weddings, what to do if it rains on your wedding day and why you need to make a list for your photographer of any formal group shots you want on your wedding day. Sam and Steve Photography https://www.samandstevephotography.com/Sam and Steve on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/Richard Parsons Gloucestershire Magician https://www.gloucestershiremagician.co.uk/Gloucestershire Magician on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/glosmagician/Guides for Brides Customer Service Awards 2023 https://guidesforbrides.co.uk/wedding-ideas/customer-service-awards-winners-2023Music by Artlist.io 

In this episode Sam and Steve look at the world of wedding fairs.  Many of their wedding photography bookings come about as a result of having met couples at wedding shows. Sam and Steve discuss wedding fairs from both the perspective of couples looking for wedding suppliers, and also why wedding suppliers should aim to exhibit at fairs if possible.  Sam talks though 10 reasons why couples should attend a number of wedding fairs when planning their wedding. Steve has 10 "do's and don't" for suppliers looking to make the best of the investment of exhibiting at a wedding fair.  Sam and Steve Photography https://www.samandstevephotography.com/ Sam and Steve on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/Music from Artlist.io 

For their last show before Christmas 2022, Sam and Steve look back on 2022, their  busiest ever year for wedding photography. Just for fun they choose their favourites of 2022 including:Favourite wedding venue Favourite new (to them) wedding venue in 2022Favourite wedding mealFavourite (other) wedding supplier we worked withFavourite item of equipmentFavourite unusual wedding entertainmentFavourite band/DJFavourite suppler to them as wedding photographersA wish for 2023 from SteveA wish for 2023 from SamAll of course from our perspective as wedding photographers! Happy Christmas and have a wonderful 2023 - especially if you are getting married! 

Sam and Steve are back after a super busy wedding season with a new episode. Their guest interview is with Rachel Vine, of Veiled Productions. Rachel guarantees wedding videography with built in goosebumps! She tells Steve:Why couples should prioritise having a wedding videographerWhat couples need to consider when choosing a videographerHow she got started and plans for the futureSam and Steve also reflect on some of the weddings they have photographed this year, future plans for this podcast and also their new corporate photography/videography brand they are launching this winter, Bicester Studios.Sam and Steve Photography https://www.samandstevephotography.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/Veiled Productions https://www.veiledproductions.co.uk/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/veiledproductions/Music for the show from Artist.io 

For this episode Sam and Steve take the podcasting kit  half a mile down the road to the cake kitchen of wedding and event cake specialist Cakes by Em.  In a fun and laughter filled episode, Em tells Sam and Steve :How she started making wedding and event cakesWhat makes her different to most other cake makers in the areaHow she convinced her parents to covert the garage at home into a dedicated cake kitchen and collection areaHer most unusual cake requestHer favourite cake designSam and Steve also announce big plans for a new business brand, providing event and corporate photography, videography and podcast production. And, as usual, Sam says "yes dear" a LOT.Sam and Steve Photography https://www.samandstevephotography.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/Cakes by Em  https://cakesbyem.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CakesAndBakesByEm/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cakesbyem_insta/Music for the show by Artlist.io 

Sam and Steve take time out of their busy wedding schedule to meet Paul Ormond, the owner of a new festival style wedding venue on the border of Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire. A family business of Paul and his two children,  The Wed Shed at Glamping Thorpe is a unique wedding venue, ideal for couples who love the outdoor festival life, and want to have their wedding in this style. The Wed Shed at Glamping Thorpe can host your hen party as well!In the 2nd part of this episode, Sam and Steve take time out during the dinner at a recent wedding to reflect on their busy and hectic 2022 wedding season. Sam and Steve Photography https://www.samandstevephotography.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/Glamping Thorpe/Wed Shed https://www.glampingoxfordshire.co.uk/properties/wedshedInstagram https://www.instagram.com/glampingthorpe/Music by Artlist.io 

Sam and Steve are on much needed short vacation near Sorrento, Italy, and take the opportunity to look back on what has been a very busy 2022 so far for weddings.  Recorded whilst on their holiday balcony Sam and Steve discuss:Wedding suppliers they have worked with so far this year, including some creative musical actsThe pro's and con's of having your wedding ceremony outside Why can't registrars can't seem to make their mind up on whether you still need to have the legal part of your wedding ceremony under a structureWeddings coming up over the next few months.No Allotment Avenue this episode as Sam hasn't been there much since the last episode! She does give some Italian cooking tips though. Sam and Steve Photography https://www.samandstevephotography.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/

Sam and Steve's guest on this episode is Lauren Cohen, a Brackley based make up artist and hair stylist.  She tells Steve:What a bride needs to consider when choosing her make up artistThe study and education a professional MUA has to go throughHow she manages allergy issuesThe importance of having a trial Sam and Steve discuss their recent wedding photography work, including weddings at Caswell House, Christ Church Oxford and the fantastic Buckinghamshire Railway Centre.  They also chat about their recent equipment purchases - A Sony 35mm GM lens and a Sigma 85mm DG DN, and why they have pre-ordered the new Sony 24-70 Mk 2 lens. And, as always, Sam gives an update on her horticultural exploits in Allotment Avenue. Sam and Steve Photography https://www.samandstevephotography.com/Sam and Steve Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/Lauren Cohen Make Up Artist https://www.instagram.com/laurencohenmua/Lauren's photo for the  episode cover art by https://www.ktsphotography.co.uk/Music for the show by Artlist.io

Fresh from a week away in the Florida sun,  Sam and Steve are back with another episode of their weddings and photography podcast. Their interview special guest is Mark Rodgers of Cheese on Towcest - a specialist cheese provider in Northamptonshire that provides a wide range of cheeses, especially for events like weddings!Mark tells Steve :About the over 800 cheeses made in the UK aloneWhy a cake made of cheese might be your best option for your wedding dayThe different options to have with your cheeseHis favourite cheeses and recommendationsSam and Steve look back on their most recent wedding, with a mishap from Steve! They also discuss a busy wedding season ahead, and plans for future guests on the podcast. And, of course, Sam is back with all things green fingered with Allotment Avenue.Sam and Steve Photography https://www.samandstevephotography.com/Sam and Steve on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/Cheese on Towcest https://www.cheeseontowcest.co.uk/Cheese on Towcest on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cheese_on_towcest/Steve's radio show https://incapablestaircase.com/steve-vaughan/Music and sound effects from Artlist.io 

Today's guest interview is with Noa Davies, a talented, experienced and highly professional Wedding, Event and Session Harpist, who has recently moved into the Oxfordshire area. She tells Steve:How many years of study are required to get to her levelWhat a harp costs to buy (a lot!)What kind of events she plays atWhy a couple should consider a harpist for their wedding. Sam and Steve discuss their busy year ahead for weddings, and their pride at making the finals of the Guides for Brides Customer service awards for the 5th year running (having won it the last two years!) And, as usual, we have an update from Sam on all things horticultural on "Allotment Avenue". Sam and Steve Photography  https://www.samandstevephotography.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/Noaharpist http://noaharpist.co.uk/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/noaharpist/

Sam and Steve get in the festive mood for this show, their Christmas Special.   Steve tests Sam with a Christmas quiz, which you the listener can also have a go at. Allotment Avenue is back with news as to which vegetables Sam will be cooking on Christmas Day from her allotment.... if any.  Steve has more news about his rock music show on Incapable Staircase.  On a more serious note, Sam and Steve discuss another church wedding where the vicar was absolutely against any photography of the wedding service, and why couples need to discuss with their presiding member of the clergy in plenty of time before their wedding day, what they will allow the photographers to do. Sam and Steve Photography  https://www.samandstevephotography.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/Steve's rock music radio show https://incapablestaircase.com/steve-vaughan/

In this episode, our guest interviewee is Sophie McCavery, who is a Kinesiology Practitioner.  Systematic Kinesiology  is a unique holistic approach to natural health care that uses simple muscle testing procedures to read the energetic bio feedback system from our bodies. Sophie is also Sam's sister! Sophie tells Steve how Kinesiology can help with non disease common health problems such as skin issues, stress and anxiety. Steve also tells Sam about his new internet radio show on Incapable Staircase, the Steve Vaughan Rock and Prog Show.  We give a brief review of our new Sony A74 camera, and as always Sam is back with the latest green fingers update on Allotment Avenue. Links from the show: Sam and Steve Photography https://www.samandstevephotography.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/Sophie McCavery LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-mccavery/Steve's Radio Show https://incapablestaircase.com/steve-vaughan/Music from Artlist.io 

Sam and Steve celebrate their 20th wedding wedding anniversary with a life recording of the show on a beach in Devon.  Discussed in the show are the new Sony A74, playing football with 7 players called Steve, Michelin starred dining and why photographers and brides to be should go to wedding fairs. Allotment Avenue is back with more handy gardening tips from Sam. Steve's guest interviewee is Ray Sawyer, a multi award winning documentary and creative flash photographer based near Newcastle in the north England. In his 2nd appearance on the show, Ray tells Steve: How his focus on customer care got him through 2020 to shoot over 70 weddings in 2021How he visualises and creates his epic creative flash workHow he continually pushes himself out of his comfort zone to try new thingsWhy to him the Sony A9 is THE perfect wedding camera. Links to topics mentioned in the show: Sam and Steve Photography https://www.samandstevephotography.com/Sam and Steve's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/Ray Sawyer https://www.raysawyer.co.uk/Ray's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sawyerandsawyerphotography/Restaurant in Kingsbridge https://27devon.co.uk/Sam and Steve's interview on Photobiz X https://photobizx.com/How+to+Comfortably+Sell+in+Your+Photography+BusinessMusic by Artlist.io 

After a busy summer of wedding photography, Sam and Steve are back with series 2 of their wedding and photography podcast.  Their guest interview is with Agnese Petraglia of Medusa London who designs and makes beautiful wedding dresses out of sustainable materials. For the photographers, Sam and Steve discuss their experiences of using Sony Alpha Mirrorless cameras, 1 year and 40 plus weddings since switching from Fujifilm kit. Sam also talks about her new love - a kitchen gadget! A new feature for the show, Allotment Avenue, gives Sam the opportunity to update the listener on her latest horticultural adventures in her allotment garden.  Links to topics and brands mentioned in the show: Sam and Steve Photography https://www.samandstevephotography.com/Sam and Steve Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/Medusa London https://www.medusalondon.com/Medusa London Instagram https://www.instagram.com/medusa.london/Gaetano di Giacomo Videography and Photography https://www.gaetanodigiacomo.co.uk/Gaetano di Giacomo Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gdgmp_weddings/Music for the show by http://www.artlist.io

A brief update from Steve as to the lack of recent episodes, and advanced notice of our plans for a series 2 of the Sam and Steve Podcast coming in the Autumn. 

In this weeks episode Steve's interview guest is Amy Bremner, of Amersham based Bubbles and Bakes cakes. Steve and Sam discuss the latest steps towards lifting Covid restrictions here in the UK, and the impact on weddings for the summer. Steve also describes a recent wedding he photographed and videoed where only 6 people were allowed in the ceremony room - and he wasn't one of them!Sam and Steve also discuss the Sony A7C, a compact full frame interchangeable lens camera they recently rented, and whether it would be a good choice for them.  Steve also describes being a podcast guest himself, on the Fujicast, and Photography Daily. No allotment news from Sam this week, but she did exercise her agricultural interests in another way......Sam and Steve Photography https://www.samandstevephotography.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/Amy Bremner Bubbles and Bakes http://bubblesandbakes.co.uk/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bubblesandbakes/Steve's recent podcast interviews : Photography Daily https://www.photographydaily.show/episodes/a-morse-walk-oxfordFujicast https://www.fujicast.co.uk/episode/182-swapping-from-nikon-and-what-is-fine-art-photography/Music from Artlist.io 

In this week's episode, Steve interviews Marie Lloyd. Marie is an Cheshire/North Wales based wedding photographer with over 300 wedding photographed so far. She tells Steve:About her approach and way of working on a wedding dayThings she has learned since starting her business in 2009Why video isn't something she will be offering anytime soon!How Instagram is becoming more important for her for wedding enquiries Why she is considering switching from Canon DSLR's to their mirrorless R5 or R6 modelsSteve tells Sam about a recent live stream of a wedding with guests watching his YouTube feed in the churchyard, and how he coped with no phone or internet signal!  We also discuss the Sony A7C and why we are renting one for a week, the latest news as the UK moves a step further out of lockdown and of course we get an update from Sam's allotment. As of this episode, the show will be moving to a twice a month cadence for the summer, as we have hectic schedule of weddings and editing!#weddingphotography #samandstevepodcast #sonyweddingphotography #photographypodcastSam and Steve Photography  www.samandstevephotography.com/Instagram www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/Marie Lloyd Photography marielloydphotography.co.uk/Instagram  www.instagram.com/marielloydphoto/Music from Artlist.io

This episode has Sam and Steve on vacation in North Wales, and recording the show whilst on Llandudno Pier and avoiding the seagulls!Our guest interview feature Amber Leach, owner and founder of Liberty Pearl Photo and Video Collective.  Amber is an award-winning, critically acclaimed wedding photographer, marketing and PR consultant, entrepreneur, and business coach who has been featured widely in the media including being published in over 40 magazines and blogs globally. She was also nominated for The Guardian’s Best New Start-Up Award, spoken on BBC Radio and at many events and festivals across the country. She is one of the leading female photographers within the UK and won the award ‘Top 50 UK Wedding Photographers’ in both 2019 and 2020 and has captured over 200 weddings across five continents of the world.She tells Steve during the interview:The importance of having clear, achievable and realistic goals for your photography businessHow her previous career in marketing taught her to measure and monitor the progress of her business from starting on her own, to now running a collective of 6 photographers and videographers, whilst also managing her work/life balanceHow she was able to launch her business with a clear financial goal whilst bring up her young family as a single mumThe importance of setting yourself "big rocks" for your personal life, such as holidays and family time, and never letting work take priority over theseAmber lives with her husband Jesse and children Ruah, Libby, and Thomas in their townhouse on the Hoe, Plymouth. Sam and Steve also announce that they have won the Guides for Brides Photography Award for 2020, for the 2nd time in two years. Sam tries unsuccessfully to cure Steve of his sugar addiction, whilst Steve explains why he decided to get up at 5pm to photograph a tree. Sam and Steve Photography www.samandstevephotography.comInstagram www.instagram.com/samandstevephotographyAmber Leach, Liberty Pearl Photo and Film Collective https://libertypearlphotography.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/libertypearlphotofilm/Music from Artlist.io

In this episode, Sam and Steve's guest is Janina Brocklesby.  Janina is a reportage, documentary style wedding photographer based in Lancashire, but covering the whole UK.  She tells Steve about her approach,  how she works with her business partner as they work together at weddings, and why combining photography and videography is becoming increasingly popular for her clients. Sam and Steve have their usual discussions, including why Steve is buying Sam a new diary,  more thoughts on the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN for Sony cameras. Steve describes using Sony A73 and A7R4  camera for  a recent engagement shoot, and his thoughts on using an Apple MacMini with the M1 Apple Silicon for photography editing. Sam had no allotment news. For once. Sam and Steve Photography https://www.samandstevephotography.com/Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/Janina Brocklesby Photography https://janinabrocklesby.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/janinabrocklesbyphotography/

For this Easter episode, Sam and Steve's interview guest is Steven Hanna.  Steven is a wedding and fine art landscape photographer based in Northern Ireland, with a fast growing YouTube channel.   In the interview, Steven tells us:How he got started and his approach to wedding photographyWhy he has a separate brand and website for his fine art landscape photographyWhy planning is so important for successful landscape photographyWhy he uses a Fujifilm GFX for his landscape work and why he is switching back to Fujifilm X series (from Sony) for his wedding workHis approach to editingWhy he started a YouTube channel and avoids "feeding the beast"His favourite locations for landscape photographySam and Steve talk about their hopes for easing of lockdown in England from April 12th, and if they will still be able to have a short vacation in Wales at the end of the month. Steve gives a review of the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN lens he is trialling for the Sony A7R4 camera.  And as usual, Sam gives an allotment gardening update!Sam and Steve Photography https://www.samandstevephotography.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samandstevephotography/Steven Hanna Wedding Photography http://www.stevenhanna.co.uk/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stevenhannaweddings/Steven Hanna Fine Art Landscape Website https://nebofineart.co.uk/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nebofineart/Steven Hanna YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/StevenHannaPhotographySteve Vaughan personal photography and walking https://www.stevevaughan.net/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stevevaughanphotography/Music for the show from artlist.io and Epidemic Sound