#507 What we hear, what we see, what we keep

This week's Photowalk features Bil Repenning, a musician who's shifting his creative energy into photography. Music has shaped the way he sees the world, and you can hear that within our conversation. Following an accident five years ago, he began building a photographic practice rooted in documentary portrait work, taking the craft seriously as he moves into this next chapter. We talk about the music that shaped him, the radio that shaped us both, and what it's like to change course mid-career without the fanfare or drama, just a genuine desire to make good work. It's a conversation about starting later, learning on the move, and finding a new place to stand creatively. From the mailbag, John Anderton shares a deeply personal story about his mum, Winnie, and the way he chose to document her life as dementia changed their days. What he's written is a reminder of how powerful it can be to hold on to family stories in more than one way. There's also a note from Dominique Martel, who's wrestling with a familiar modern problem: subscription overload! We have this month's One Word assignment from Liza Gershman, and you're invited to join the show in Scotland for a new look Scottish Retreat in June 2026. Links to all guests and features will be on the show page, my sincere thanks to our Extra Milers, without whom we wouldn't be walking each week and Arthelper.ai, giving photographers smart tools to plan, promote, and manage your creative projects more easily. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.