#512 The time it takes to be truly seen

2025-12-19

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Today's guest is Phil Sharp, a portrait photographer whose work has been on my radar for a while, and who was brought back into focus for me through a couple of prompts and a short film made by Sean Tucker. Phil's approach is considered, patient and personal. He creates a setting where people are given time, often during longer sessions in his London studio, to settle rather than perform. Music often plays a part in that process, helping to establish a mood that is very evident throughout his...

Phil's approach is considered, patient and personal. He creates a setting where people are given time, often during longer sessions in his London studio, to settle rather than perform. Music often plays a part in that process, helping to establish a mood that is very evident throughout his portfolio.

This conversation isn't about cameras or lighting setups. It's about how you create the conditions for someone to feel comfortable enough to show whatever emotion arrives, whether that's openness, uncertainty, or anything in between. It's about trust, presence, and what can happen when a photographer is willing to slow things down, away from the watchful eyes of publicists in the corner of the room. If you're interested in portrait photography, there's plenty here. But if you're interested in how time, attention, and thoughtfulness affect the way people appear in photographs, a human approach, I think you'll find a lot to sit with in this one.

From the mailbag, Phil Ferris clears up a curious fascination with bottoms, and no, it's not quite what it sounds like. There's a long service award for Morris Haggerty, a sunnier than usual update from Jack Antal in San Diego with a nudge towards making books, and Per Birkhaug checks in from the Norwegian mountains with a few thoughts about age and perspective. There are some thoughts about the end of the year as we look ahead to the show in 2026, and an invitation to come to Scotland in 2026 as we meditate a little in the middle of today's edition.

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.

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