<p>Raw Podcast - EP58 - A conversation with John Boaz</p><p><br></p><p>In this conversation, we sit down with portrait photographer John Boaz to talk about where his work really comes from. From an early moment of seeing deer move through golden light at Bradgate Park to having his portraits on the cover of Portrait of Britain, John shares a thoughtful and honest look at his creative journey.</p><p><br></p><p>We talk about the influence of university on his understanding of visual storytelling, the importance of personal projects alongside paid work, and why connection always matters more than technical perfection. John reflects on slowing down in a fast-paced, social-media-driven industry, how nature, music and everyday life feed into his work, and why imperfections often carry the most truth.</p><p><br></p><p>This episode is about portraiture as a human exchange rather than a technical exercise, and about protecting artistic integrity while navigating commercial realities.</p><p><br></p><p>Guest Bio</p><p>John Boaz is a multi-award-winning portrait photographer based in Northamptonshire, UK. He graduated from Birmingham City University in 2019 with a degree in Visual Communication (Photography).</p><p><br></p><p>John is a multiple winner of the British Journal of Photography’s Portrait of Britain awards, including having a portrait selected as the front cover of Volume 7. His work has been exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery as part of the Royal Photographic Society’s IPE 166 exhibition and features in major publications such as The Guardian, Financial Times Magazine, Le Monde and Der Spiegel. His ongoing series Rivers Of Living Water explores Christianity in Britain through portraiture and observational images.</p><p><br></p><p>Key Topics</p><p>John’s early inspiration at Bradgate Park</p><p>University and learning visual storytelling</p><p>Balancing paid work and personal projects</p><p>Human connection in portraiture</p><p>Feeling over technical perfection</p><p>Inspiration from nature, music and everyday life</p><p>Maintaining artistic integrity across mediums</p><p>Slowing down in a fast social media world</p><p>The impact of awards on creative confidence</p><p><br></p><p>Notable Quotes</p><p>“Imperfect images tell a story.”</p><p>“Connection and context come first.”</p><p>“Imperfections add authenticity.”</p><p><br></p><p>Chapters</p><p>00:00 Introduction and background</p><p>02:50 Early photography experiences</p><p>06:00 University and visual storytelling</p><p>08:56 Transitioning into professional work</p><p>11:45 Personal projects and why they matter</p><p>14:37 Balancing paid work and passion</p><p>17:30 Current projects and future direction</p><p>20:32 Family and photography</p><p>23:51 Artistic reflection and intention</p><p>25:21 Digital versus film</p><p>27:29 Human connection in portrait photography</p><p>31:15 Planning versus spontaneity</p><p>34:17 Managing pressure and anxiety</p><p>38:34 Comfort and trust in portraits</p><p>41:35 Environment, light and atmosphere</p><p>45:15 Subconscious decision-making</p><p>47:42 Connection and context revisited</p><p>50:39 Emotion versus technical control</p><p>54:16 Storytelling through portraiture</p><p>57:57 Navigating wedding photography</p><p>01:01:16 Humility and growth</p><p>01:04:12 Finding inspiration beyond photography</p><p>01:07:07 Creative pressure</p><p>01:09:52 Social media and evolving perspectives</p><p>01:11:16 Fulfilment beyond Instagram</p><p>01:12:54 Balancing work and personal life</p><p>01:15:34 The impact of awards</p><p>01:17:43 Inspiration from fellow photographers</p><p><strong>Mentions</strong></p><p><a href="https://alecsoth.com/photography/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Alex Soth</a></p><p><a href="https://alystomlinson.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Alys Tomlinson</a></p><p><a href="https://www.1854.photography/awards/portrait-of-britain/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Portrait of Britain </a></p><p><strong>Where to find John</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/johnboaz_/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">johnboaz_</a></p><p><a href="https://www.johnboaz.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Johns Website</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Follow us on Instagram:</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/therawpodcast" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠@therawpodcast⁠</a></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/davidmcclellandphotography" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠@davidmcclellandphotography⁠</a></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/moathillphotography/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠@moathillphotography</a></p>