FEATURING DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER IAN BEESLEY

In this episode, I’m joined by Ian Beesley, the acclaimed social documentary photographer whose work has captured the changing face of the North of England for over four decades. From documenting the decline of heavy industry to the resilience of working-class communities, Ian’s photographs are raw, honest, and deeply human. We talk about memory, place, humour, and the role of photography in giving voice to people and stories often overlooked. It’s a conversation about seeing, really seeing, the world around us and using a camera not just to document but to care.

Also on the show, Valérie Jardin returns for the monthly Teach Me Street feature, and there's a reminder of the latest one-word assignment set by the photojournalist Claire Thomas. The mailbag returns next week.

Email your stories, thoughts, and pictures to the show. If you can optimize/resize photos to 2,500 pixels wide, that’s always much appreciated. If you’d like to support this show and have access to further content and the midweek Extra Mile show, we’d welcome you as an EXTRA MILER. There’s also our thriving Facebook group, a safe place to meet and talk with photographers of all interests, the Photowalk YouTube channel, plus the show is featured on Instagram, VERO and X.

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LEARN:

MORE ABOUT names, words, THE MUSIC and places FROM TODAY’S SHOW

Ian Beesley’s WIKI entry, with further links and information.

Wul magazine’s feature on Ian Beesley’s Life exhibition.

Not Just Hockney: Ian Beesley Profile. A focused piece on his role as a Yorkshire documentary photographer.

Northern soul is a music and dance movement that emerged in Northern England and the Midlands in the early 1970s.

Valérie Jardin’s books are available as e-books and physical copies (depending upon region).

In March and April 2025, Photowalk listeners have a special offer for a pair of fantastic LOWA boots, so if you need NEW boots to walk that trail, then you’ll be pleased to know that using code PHOTOWALK on www.lowa.co.uk – you can receive 25% off a price of boots or shoes up to the end of April 2025. We’re also GIVING AWAY a pair of LOWAs to UK listeners who send in a great picture story from the walks you take along the trail. Due to shipping, we can only accept entries from the UK this time around - send your letters and pictures to stories@photowalk.show

Kelvin Brown’s flickr Photowalk inspired group - join by invite by clicking on to THIS LINK.

The ENCOUNTERS workshop in April.

MUSIC LINKS: Aves sang and wrote today's playout song Rollin’. Music on the show is sourced primarily from Artlist and also features in Michael Brennan’s Spotify playlist GoFoto.