The Story Lens

Michael Leckie talks with artist Heath Kane about art, identity, and creativity in today’s world of AI. Heath discusses the inspiration for his bold, thought-provoking work, touching on topics like branding, wealth, politics, and authenticity, and explains why imagination is still so important.Heath Kanehttps://www.heathkane.co.uk/Michael Leckiehttps://www.michaelleckie.co.uk/The Story Lenshttps://thestorylens.co.uk/

Matt Gentleman is still finding joy in his greatest hits and rightly so - he discusses this, his passion for film and the need to protect human creativity.Matt Gentlemanhttps://www.mattgentleman.com/workMichael Leckiehttps://www.michaelleckie.co.uk/The Story Lenshttps://thestorylens.co.uk/

From Apprentice to SorcererBen Taylor joins The Story Lens Podcast to talk editing and film production, as well as his apprenticeship at Weber Shandwick, to Head of Production at BCW, and now creating his own production company.Ben Taylorhttps://www.tailoredstudios.media/Michael Leckiehttps://www.michaelleckie.co.uk/The Story Lenshttps://thestorylens.co.uk/

“I need art to be human beings trying to express something to other human beings. If there's not a human behind this, it leaves me cold.”We welcome Klaus Silbernauer, digital guru and user journey expert, to the podcast to chat althings AI, the future of tech and what's next for creativity.Klaus Silbernauer - Aetheonhttps://aetheon.consulting/Michael Leckiehttps://www.michaelleckie.co.uk/The Story Lenshttps://thestorylens.co.uk/

What matters most to Matthew Joseph are people and their stories. He has travelled the world working for the world's biggest brands, but his obsession with light started when he was 12, chasing Norfolk sunsets on his bike, his first film camera on his back."Maybe I was just trying to escape life with five sisters, but the camera (and the bike) stuck. So did the curiosity about people, places and the stories you find if you dare to turn up, and hang around long enough."Hear what else inspires him as he talks to Haydon on The Story Lens Podcast...Haydon Perriorhttps://www.haydonperrior.com/Matthew Jospephhttps://www.matthewjoseph.co.uk/The Story Lenshttps://thestorylens.co.uk/

Verity FitzGerald experienced visual storytelling from an early age, as there was always a camera in the house.Working in both Africa and Europe, Verity now brings people and product together through authentic, real photography, with a particular passion for compelling portraiture.Welcome to The Story Lens Talks!Verity FitzGeraldhttps://verityfitzgerald.com/Michael Leckiehttps://www.michaelleckie.co.uk/The Story Lenshttps://thestorylens.co.uk/

Our next podcast is with the lovely Gordon Mills, who really does know the business of photography. Currently about to complete 7 years at FujiFilm, he has also worked at the Barbican, The Tate, as well as holding the important role of Head of Photography at Pride in London. In fact, he has even run his own photography business.This guy lives, works and dreams of photography!Michael Leckie gets his story for The Story Lens.Michael Leckiehttps://www.michaelleckie.co.uk/www.fujifilm-houseofphotography.comwww.fujifilm-houseofphotography.com/products/EVT00-00554-trekstock-are-you-better-yetwww.trekstock.comhttps://thestorylens.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/the_real_story_lens/

It is our greatest pleasure to have Isabelle Doran join us on the TSL Podcast.Isabelle has worked in the creative sector for over 20 years and is currently the CEO of The Association of Photographers. She is passionate about photography, the creative industries, and the importance of IP & copyright, and focuses on policy & public affairs on behalf of the image industry. She is a brilliant voice in the world of real storytelling and a friend of The Story Lens.The Association of Photographershttps://www.the-aop.org/https://www.the-aop.org/uploads/brave-new-world-justice-for-creators-report-29-01-2026.pdfhttps://www.the-aop.org/uploads/aop-member-survey-copyright-ai-january-2026.pdfHaydon Perriorwww.haydonperrior.cominstagram.com/haydonperriorwww.thestorylens.co.ukinstagram.com/the_real_story_lens

"From war zones to politics to portraits of those who hate being in front of the camera... Photography has taken me around the world, introduced me to extraordinary people and given me a life full of stories worth telling."Tom Barnes talks to the TSL Podcast about his early life photographing rock and rollers, how freelancing made him an inch shorter and the art of not saying no!Tom Barneswww.tombarnes.cominstagram.com/tombarnesdotcomHaydon Perriorwww.haydonperrior.cominstagram.com/haydonperriorwww.thestorylens.co.ukinstagram.com/the_real_story_lens

Haydon Perrior sits down with Guan Hin Tay, award-winning creative leader, Singaporean visionary, and author of Collide, a fierce advocate for imperfect, human-driven creativity, here to unpack why tension is the true engine of originality.Guan Hin Taywww.tayguanhin.cominstagram.com/guan_and_onlyHaydon Perriorwww.haydonperrior.cominstagram.com/haydonperriorwww.thestorylens.co.ukinstagram.com/the_real_story_lens

Jodie Mann: a visual alchemist turning Highland myths, fashion dreams, and raw emotion into strikingly human images.

What happens when you grow up in a bubble, fall into photography by accident, and end up shooting around the world?We get into it with Toby Mitchell, whose creative path is anything but typical, but entirely human.Toby Mitchellwww.tobymitchellcreative.cominstagram.com/_tobymitchellHaydon Perriorwww.haydonperrior.cominstagram.com/haydonperriorwww.thestorylens.co.ukinstagram.com/the_real_story_lens

From the Calais refugee camp to commercial success: meet Haydon Perrior, the 27-year-old photographer + director who dodged office jobs and captured the world instead.Haydon Perriorwww.haydonperrior.cominstagram.com/haydonperriorMichael Leckiewww.michaelleckie.co.ukinstagram.com/michaelleckiewww.thestorylens.co.ukinstagram.com/the_real_story_lens

The podcast episode features discussions on real brand storytelling, authenticity, and trust. It introduces new voices, Haydon Perrior and Michael Leckie, explores the importance of trust in storytelling, and delves into the challenges and rewards of balancing safety and risk in creative work.

Teresa Freitas is a Portuguese photographer and colourist mixing the genres of street, documentary and fine art.An active seeker and student of colour, she shares this knowledge through online courses and workshops that engage on how colour can be used in street photography.She works together with brands such as Porsche, Netflix, Issey Miyake and Pantone.

Svenja is a fashion and beauty photographer based in Berlin. Her visual language is a blend of conceptual minimalism and cinematic storytelling. Svenja is fascinated by linear architecture, juxtaposing organic imagery and this apposition is a foundational element of her unique photography.

Originally from Belfast, Michael has been working as a commercial portrait and lifestyle photographer in the UK for over decade now. Covering celebrity and lifestyle for various brands and publications, his relaxed demeanour has seen Michael become a fixture within the industry. Always up for a challenge Michael believes in a collaborative process while on shoots. https://www.michaelleckie.co.uk/

Today we chat to Jacqueline Haeberle - founder and owner of a creative design agency that has a focus on apparel design, innovation, strategy, Grfxwww.multiple-identities.com

The Story Lens.Real Stories. Real Products. Real Life. Restoring trust in the Age of Synthetic Storytelling. Time to meet The Founders. Lucia Domenici Pete Way Lars Silberbauer https://thestorylens.co.uk/

Organising Chaos: Giacomo Mantovani on Film, AI & the Art of What’s Real.Giacomo is an award-winning filmmaker, director, and photographer known for bold, innovative work across commercial and independent projects.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnyZDJY4A2I

Sam Robinson grew up between two worlds: Catalan fire on one side, English reserve on the other. Somewhere in the middle, he picked up a camera. Not to show off, not to perform, but because, as a shy kid, it was his way of drawing. His way of being in the moment without having to lead it. That instinct never left. Today, his photography isn’t about style or trends: it’s about people.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k366a0xuHjc&t=3s