Don’t be in love with the idea of being a photographer. You’ve got to be in love with what that actually means.
Ben Smith
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Long before the podcast, before the archive of conversations and the quiet authority of his voice, Ben Smith was just a kid turning bathrooms into darkrooms and wandering around with a camera, not entirely sure what he was supposed to photograph, but certain that something about it mattered.
It wasn’t a straight path. There were detours-journalism ambitions, missed opportunities, freelance hustling, and years spent navigating the unpredictable world of editorial photography in London. At one point, it looked like things were falling into place. At another, it felt like they were slipping away. And somewhere in between, Ben did something unexpected: instead of chasing the perfect photography career, he started asking other photographers how they built theirs.
That decision became A Small Voice: Conversations with Photographers and Filmmakers, a podcast that, over the last decade, has quietly grown into one of the most thoughtful spaces in photography. Not because it focuses on gear or technique, but because it leans into something deeper: who photographers are, what drives them, and how they make sense of a life spent chasing images.
In this conversation, Ben reflects on that journey with a kind of honesty that’s hard to fake. He talks about the uneasy relationship between creativity and making a living, the slow realization that success doesn’t always look the way you expect, and why obsession, not passion, is often the thing that carries people through.
We also get into the bigger shifts happening right now. From AI to burnout to the strange pull back toward analog processes, Ben shares why he thinks people are craving something more tangible again-something real. And yes, we also talk about social media, the attention economy, and why boredom might actually be one of the most important things we’ve lost.
Here’s some of what we get into:
- Why the photographers who last are usually the ones who are obsessed (not just passionate)
- The uncomfortable truth about money, success, and why talent doesn’t guarantee either
- How podcasting became Ben’s “second act” after stepping away from full-time photography
- The growing tension between AI, digital overload, and the return to analog processes
- Why boredom, stillness, and even failure are essential to creative growth
- What it really means to “be a person” while navigating a creative life
Ben brings a rare mix of humility, curiosity, and hard-earned perspective to this conversation. He’s someone who has seen the industry from the inside, stepped away from it, and found a new way back in-on his own terms.
If you’ve ever questioned your path, your pace, or what success is supposed to look like, this one might stay with you for a while.
Q: How did photography first enter your life, and how did it become the mechanism for what you do today?
Ben: I got into it as a young kid, my dad was interested in photography as an amateur, and that probably sparked something in me. I remember getting my first camera as a gift and just being fascinated by making images, even though I didn’t really know what to photograph. At the same time, I was more interested in journalism and storytelling, so photography stayed a hobby for a long time. Eventually, through a roundabout path working in newspapers and freelancing as a writer, I came back to photography and fell in love with it again. That led me to study photojournalism and eventually work for years as an editorial photographer.
Q: When you started the podcast and it was just taking shape, what kinds of conversations were you personally craving?
Ben: I think I just wanted to connect with people, because I was feeling a bit lost and isolated at the time. I’d been working as a freelance photographer for years but hadn’t really built a strong sense of community with my peers. So I wanted to talk to people whose work I knew and hear their stories, how they got to where they were. In a strange way, it was almost masochistic, because I felt like I’d messed up my own career and wanted to understand what others had done differently. But really, it became about curiosity, connection, and having honest conversations with interesting people.
Q: Are there any patterns that you’ve noticed among photographers who are able to sustain long careers versus those who fizzle out?
Ben: The biggest thing is obsession – you’ve got to be obsessed with it. The people who sustain long careers aren’t doing it casually; they feel compelled to do it, even through the highs and lows. There’s a lot of uncertainty and self-doubt in photography, and you have to push through that repeatedly. It’s not about loving the idea of being a photographer, but actually loving the process, including the failures. That obsessive drive is what carries people through the difficult periods and keeps them going long enough to grow.
🔗 Connect with Ben Smith
🧭 What We Talked About
🎼 Early Journey / Origins
- Ben’s introduction to photography began in childhood, influenced by his father’s interest and a camera gifted by his mother.
- He developed early skills alongside friends, experimenting with film and homemade darkrooms.
- His primary passion was always journalism and storytelling, not photography alone.
- After setbacks in school, he rebuilt his path through media production studies and local newspaper work.
- Photography re-entered his life when editors asked for images to accompany his writing, forcing him to learn by doing.
- The World Press Photo exhibition became a defining inspiration, leading him toward photojournalism.
- He eventually built a long career as an editorial photographer, working with magazines and newspapers.
📖 Philosophy / Vision / Storytelling
- Ben views photography and podcasting as tools for human connection, not just output or aesthetics.
- His podcast name reflects the idea that photography is a “small voice” that can still shape awareness.
- He prioritizes authenticity and vulnerability, encouraging guests to share struggles, not just success.
- His work centers on relatability, showing that even top photographers deal with doubt and failure.
- He believes storytelling transcends medium, whether through writing, images, or conversation.
- A core idea: the goal is to understand who the person is behind the work.
📷 Tools, Gear, and Behind the Scenes
- Ben’s foundation in film photography shaped his appreciation for craft and process.
- His editorial career focused heavily on portrait photography, often under tight deadlines.
- He developed the ability to quickly connect with subjects, especially public figures.
- Over time, his creative tools shifted from camera-based to conversation-based storytelling.
- His current “gear” is less physical and more conceptual, listening, curiosity, and narrative framing.
- He reflects on his photography career with a deeper appreciation for what it meant to be paid to create images.
🔁 Practice, Teaching, Platforms
- Ben launched A Small Voice in 2015 as a way to explore long-form, meaningful conversations.
- The podcast began as a way to connect with peers he hadn’t met during his photography career.
- It evolved into a decade-long archive of creative voices, documenting diverse journeys.
- Consistency and persistence have been key, showing up regularly over time.
- He recently expanded the podcast to include filmmakers, reflecting modern storytelling trends.
- His work today combines podcasting with web development as a parallel income stream.
💬 Advice, Creative Strategy, or Challenges
- Long-term success requires obsession, not just interest in photography.
- Essential traits include patience, resilience, and humility.
- Don’t rely on “passion” alone, follow curiosity and develop obsession over time.
- Ignore excessive external opinions, learn by doing and making mistakes.
- Creative careers are unpredictable, there are many different paths to success.
- A key reality: talent doesn’t guarantee income, and business skills matter.
- Financial sustainability is crucial, don’t ignore money long-term.
🌍 Influences, People, and Places
- W. Eugene Smith – philosophical influence behind the podcast’s name
- World Press Photo – major inspiration for his photojournalism path
- Editorial environments like The Sunday Times shaped his career
- His peers and contemporaries influenced his understanding of different creative paths
- Broader influences include journalism, documentary storytelling, and podcasting culture
- He reflects on the tension between authenticity and digital saturation, especially in modern platforms.
🔮 What’s Next for Ben
- A major focus is building sustainable income through the podcast
- Expanding his web design work as a stable revenue stream
- Returning to photography for personal creative exploration
- Completing a long-delayed photo book from a 15-year project
- Continuing to evolve the podcast while maintaining its core identity
- At a deeper level, he aims to keep learning how to navigate life, relationships, and creativity over time
