Raw Podcast - EP58 - A conversation with John Boaz

Raw Podcast - EP58 - A conversation with John Boaz 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. 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. This episode is about portraiture as a human exchange rather than a technical exercise, and about protecting artistic integrity while navigating commercial realities. Guest Bio 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). 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. Key Topics John’s early inspiration at Bradgate Park University and learning visual storytelling Balancing paid work and personal projects Human connection in portraiture Feeling over technical perfection Inspiration from nature, music and everyday life Maintaining artistic integrity across mediums Slowing down in a fast social media world The impact of awards on creative confidence Notable Quotes “Imperfect images tell a story.” “Connection and context come first.” “Imperfections add authenticity.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction and background 02:50 Early photography experiences 06:00 University and visual storytelling 08:56 Transitioning into professional work 11:45 Personal projects and why they matter 14:37 Balancing paid work and passion 17:30 Current projects and future direction 20:32 Family and photography 23:51 Artistic reflection and intention 25:21 Digital versus film 27:29 Human connection in portrait photography 31:15 Planning versus spontaneity 34:17 Managing pressure and anxiety 38:34 Comfort and trust in portraits 41:35 Environment, light and atmosphere 45:15 Subconscious decision-making 47:42 Connection and context revisited 50:39 Emotion versus technical control 54:16 Storytelling through portraiture 57:57 Navigating wedding photography 01:01:16 Humility and growth 01:04:12 Finding inspiration beyond photography 01:07:07 Creative pressure 01:09:52 Social media and evolving perspectives 01:11:16 Fulfilment beyond Instagram 01:12:54 Balancing work and personal life 01:15:34 The impact of awards 01:17:43 Inspiration from fellow photographers Mentions Alex Soth Alys Tomlinson Portrait of Britain Where to find John johnboaz_ Johns Website Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@therawpodcast⁠ ⁠@davidmcclellandphotography⁠ ⁠@moathillphotography