Mike Dick photography blog
Tips and stories to inspire your next shoot
Practical advice, behind-the-scenes stories and case studies to help you see how great photography can boost your business and brand.
Why first impressions matter: professional headshots that work for you
Your headshot is more than just a photo, it’s the first impression you make online. Here’s why professional corporate headshots matter, and how the right image can open doors for your business and personal brand.
11 exposures: discovering the hidden gems of St Albans
Join me on a sunny St Albans photowalk as I explore some of the city’s lesser-known corners. This is my first-ever photofilm, blending still images, video, commentary and music to create a more immersive storytelling experience through photography.
Why first impressions matter: professional headshots that work for you
Your headshot is more than just a photo, it is the first impression you make online. Here is why professional corporate headshots matter, and how the right image can open doors for your business and personal brand.
A camera, a curry, and a room full of ideas in St Albans
Join me behind the lens at The Small Business Hub curry club lunch in St Albans, a vibrant networking event full of energy, conversation and connection. As a Hertfordshire event photographer, I love capturing authentic moments that tell the real story of local business life and community spirit.
Goodwood Revival – cars, fashion, atmosphere and a whole lot of mud!
Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and style of the Goodwood Revival. From roaring vintage engines and rain-soaked racing to elegant 1950s fashion, this legendary motorsport festival offered endless photographic moments and a timeless atmosphere.
A day at the Redbourn Classics Motor Show
The Redbourn Classics Motor Show is one of my favourite events to photograph, and this year marked my fourth visit. From polished Ferraris and Porsches to everyday classics like Minis and Fiat Pandas, it’s always a joy to capture the cars, the atmosphere, and the people who make the day so special.
Another 8 fascinating photo spots in St Albans – part two of the unusual photowalk
Discover eight more unusual photo spots in St Albans, from secret safes and medieval timber to wartime relics and architectural surprises. This quirky photowalk reveals hidden stories and characterful corners – perfect for curious minds and camera lovers.
Top 5 most unusual things to see and photograph in St Albans – a quirky photowalk
Looking to discover the quirky, hidden side of St Albans through your lens?
After 23 years of living here, I’ve uncovered some truly unexpected photo spots that go beyond the usual cathedral and park shots. From an arrow on a 17th-century almshouse to medieval graffiti etched into the stone of the Abbey, this historic city is bursting with curious corners and untold stories.
Bagpipes and biceps, flying Haggis, and ever tried tossing a 68kg log?
Join me behind the lens at the 29th Harpenden Lions Highland Gathering, a vibrant Scottish-themed day out full of caber tossing, pipe bands, and pure community spirit. From heavy events to haggis hurling, discover why this local favourite is a photographer’s dream and a must-visit family event.
Longing for storms
We set off on a 1,500-mile Scottish road trip in search of storms, mist, and moody skies, instead, we found endless blue and blazing sun. From distillery drams in Stirling to almost Caribbean sands at Morar, our journey was full of surprises (and sunburns!). Join us as we share the unexpected magic of Scotland in bright, postcard-perfect weather, a trip that proved sometimes the best stories come from plans that don’t go quite as planned.
11 cameras that dramatically change the way you take pictures*
I swapped my usual kit for 10 very different cameras, from a big mirrorless to a quirky Polaroid, to see how each would change my approach. The results? Playful, surprising and a big reminder that it’s not about the gear – it’s about the joy of creating.
Happy Farters* Day! This is fatherhood in real moments
Real life isn’t posed and your photos shouldn’t be either. Celebrate Fathers Day, the small, honest moments of fatherhood with documentary family photography.
Capturing bold colours and graphic shapes on a crossing to Mull
A bright April ferry crossing from Oban to Mull became a visual playground of bold colour, shadow and shape. Inspired by design and driven by instinct, I captured abstract moments from the journey, blending photography with a graphic designer’s eye.
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room...
A creative photography shoot with Ian Henderson, founder of The Pink Elephant, showcasing his new Charcuterie boxes and personal branding for his latest venture in partnership with OVO.
Charging the Wall
What started as a simple obstacle race photo turned into a creative challenge – how do you capture the feeling of chaos in one frame? With no tripod, just a compact camera and some patience, I created a composite image that tells a bigger, more dramatic story. Here’s how I did it.
You’re not failing, you’re refining
Creativity isn't about getting it perfect the first time, it's about experimenting, learning, and refining along the way. Inspired by a quote from Atomic Habits by James Clear, this post explores how treating failure like a scientist can transform your mindset as a photographer or creative. Every mistake is a clue, every attempt a step forward, you're not failing, you're refining.
Why it’s not always about the perfect camera
While on holiday in the Scottish Highlands, I captured a dramatic mountain rescue as a helicopter hovered above an old stone bridge—just moments after the pilot waved me off it to avoid the intense downdraught. With only a point-and-shoot camera and no time to think, I got the shot… just before falling over a boulder mid-frame. A reminder that photography is all about presence, not perfection.
Show me a sign!
While out running through the countryside, I stumbled on a surreal little scene – a pile of road signs pointing in all directions, abandoned in the long grass. It made me stop and reflect on how inspiration often comes from the most unexpected places. This post is a reminder that creative detours are sometimes the most rewarding part of the journey.