From Music to Portraits with David Shoukry

In this episode of Photography Adjacent, Tom Trevatt sits down with David Shoukry, a portrait photographer known for his clean, carefully composed style. David shares how he moved from a 20-year career in music into photography, and how that transition slowly shaped the way he works today.What begins as a story about changing careers becomes a wider conversation about finding your place in a creative field. David reflects on trial and error, building a style over time, and the reality of making a living through photography. There is a lot here for anyone trying to navigate their own path in a creative industry.This conversation offers a grounded look at what it actually takes to build something sustainable. It highlights the role of consistency, relationships, and patience, and shows that most careers are built quietly over time rather than all at once.TAKEAWAYS-Career changes rarely happen in a straight line and often involve uncertainty-Trying different types of work is part of finding what suits you-Style develops over time through repetition, not instant clarity-Many unsuccessful ideas and experiments sit behind polished portfolios-Knowing your preferences helps shape a consistent body of work-Client experience matters just as much as the final images-Preparation, especially around wardrobe and set design, is key to strong results-Relationships and trust often matter more than technical skill in getting work-There is no single path into editorial photography-Teaching and sharing knowledge can become a meaningful part of a creative career-Work often comes through a mix of word of mouth, social media, and existing networks-Consistency and reliability help build long-term opportunitiesCHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to David Shoukry01:30 From music to photography05:20 Living and working in Southeast Asia08:40 Learning photography through practice12:10 Starting over and early challenges16:00 Finding a style through trial and error20:30 Developing a consistent visual approach25:10 Balancing client needs and personal work30:00 Who David’s clients are today34:20 Portfolio vs service-based websites38:30 How work actually comes in42:00 Education, workshops, and teaching47:30 Branding and moving away from English Photo Works52:00 One-to-one training and workshops57:00 Studio space and working environment01:02:00 Set design, backdrops, and process01:08:00 Gear, medium format, and workflow01:14:00 Advice for getting started01:18:00 Where to find DavidVISIT OUR WEBSITEhttps://www.photographyadjacent.comFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram Tom Trevatt: https://www.instagram.com/tomtrevatt/CREDITSGuest: David ShoukryIG: https://www.instagram.com/epwphoto/Portfolio: https://www.davidshoukry.comEducation: https://www.createwithdavid.comPRODUCTIONKeenliiInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/keenliico/SUBSCRIBE AND SUPPORTIf you found value in our conversation, please subscribe to our channel for more insightful episodes. Comment and let us know what topics you'd like us to explore next.Support Our Podcast:To support our podcast and help us bring you more content, please consider leaving a review on YouTube or sharing this episode with your photography-loving friends.ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY ADJACENTWelcome to Photography Adjacent, a podcast about photography and everything else. Each week on our show, we speak to artists, activists, writers, and the occasional photographer to learn about life through their lens. Discover the Stories Behind the Lens: Join us as we explore more than just the art of photography. This podcast celebrates the voices shaping our understanding of the world—from the creative minds that capture life's moments to the change-makers who challenge our perceptions. Through these conversations, we hope to uncover experiences that inspire artistic and personal growth.