How I See - The Leica Podcast

From filming skateboard tricks as a kid to becoming one of YouTube's most recognizable street photography voices, Mike Chudley has built a career by keeping photography approachable, authentic, and fun.
In this episode of How I See: The Leica Podcast, host Louise Goldstone sits down with Mike at the Leica Headquarters in Wetzlar to discuss his journey into photography, why street photography is simply "a visual demonstration of people watching," overcoming the fear of photographing strangers, building a photography community, creating YouTube content, and why not taking photography too seriously might actually make you a better photographer.
"Everyone enjoys people watching. Street photography is just a visual demonstration of people watching."Mike also shares how skateboarding shaped his photographic eye, why books remain one of his biggest creative inspirations, and how staying authentic online has helped him connect with photographers around the world.
In this episode:
 Mike's journey from skateboarding to photography 
 Finding confidence in street photography 
 Building a photography career on YouTube 
 Why authenticity resonates more than perfection 
 The importance of photography books and community 
 Making photography fun again

Mike's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikechudley/
Mike's Website: https://www.mikechudley.com/
Shoutout to James Parsons: https://www.instagram.com/jamesparsons__/

Photographer and creator Jakob Lilja-Ruiz, better known as Portra Papi, joins the Leica Podcast for an honest conversation about creativity, film photography and building a career behind the camera.
From his early fascination with YouTube and filmmaking to becoming one of the most influential voices in analogue photography, Jakob reflects on the experiences that shaped his work. Along the way, he shares his thoughts on Leica cameras, travelling, storytelling and why passion—not equipment—is what ultimately makes better photographs.
Jakob's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portra_papi
Jakob's Website: https://www.jakoblr.com/

For more than five decades, Steve McCurry has documented people, places and cultures around the world, creating some of the most recognisable photographs in history.
In this episode of How I See: The Leica Podcast, Steve reflects on the experiences that shaped his career, from travelling through India with rolls of Kodachrome to embracing digital photography today. He shares why curiosity and observation remain at the heart of great photography, the importance of practising every day, and why making prints is still one of the most meaningful ways to preserve your work.
Together with host Louise Goldstone, Steve also discusses visual storytelling, revisiting the same places over time, and the universal language of photography.
A thoughtful conversation with one of the world's most influential photographers about craft, creativity and a lifetime spent behind the camera.
Steve's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevemccurryofficial/
Steve's Website: https://www.stevemccurry.com/
Shoutout: https://www.instagram.com/eoloperfido/
Learn more about Leica: https://leica-camera.com

Photographer and visual storyteller Eva Woolridge joins the Leica Podcast to discuss her creative journey, the power of self-portraiture, and how photography became her life's purpose.
In this episode, Eva reflects on the image that first inspired her artistic path, the importance of storytelling, and her commitment to creating work that centres identity, community, resilience, and social impact. She shares how photography can transform personal experiences into meaningful conversations and why creativity remains her guiding force.
Topics include:
 Visual storytelling as a lifelong calling 
 The role of self-portraiture in artistic development 
 Identity, representation and community 
 Creativity, resilience and purpose 
 Using photography to create positive change
Eva's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ewphotos1/
Eva's Website: https://www.ew.photos/
Shoutout: https://www.instagram.com/adameast/

Fashion photographer Alex “Très Cool” Dobé joins How I See to discuss his journey from shooting street style during Fashion Week to becoming one of the most recognisable voices in contemporary fashion photography.
In this episode, Alex shares how passion, experimentation, and a commitment to developing a unique visual language helped him stand out in a highly competitive industry. He reflects on the lessons learned from years of street photography, the origins of his signature motion-blur imagery, and why creative freedom is essential for growth.
A conversation about trusting your instincts, embracing experimentation, and finding your own way of seeing.
Alex's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alextrescool/
Alex's Website: https://www.alextrescool.com/
Shoutout: https://www.instagram.com/goldiewilliamsvericain/