Michael Blann of www.michaelblann.com was a selfish choice for an interview for me. I first learned about Michael after seeing an ad for Phase One Cameras showing him working in the high mountains of France… photographing the greatest race on earth, the Tour de France. My passion.
The Phase one ad was based around Michael's new book – “Mountains – Epic Cycling Climbs” which was three years in the making. It's a book that brings together a photography project that focuses on bringing the physical landscape to the stories and reputations of cycling's biggest climbs.
After having a closer look at Michaels work, I realised there was so much more to him as a photographer than cycling and landscape photography.
I don't use Photoshop too heavily. I like for people to believe that what they're looking at is what was there on the day. I don't like skies that've been burnt in and looked really dramatic. – Michael Blann
Michael spent six years working for Getty Images as their London Creative Photographer, where he got to roam the world photographing everything for their creative needs.
Now, he's working for some of the best agencies and brands in the world shooting advertising campaigns and helping companies see their ideas come to life… companies like Adidas, Nike, Sky, BBC and Puma.
After all that, I saw a quote from Michael that read “It's my personal photography which is shaping up to be the most exciting.”
To say I'm rapt to have Michael Blann for this episode of the podcast is an understatement. I hope you enjoy the conversation and questions as much as I did in asking them.

Here’s some of what we cover:

What is your big takeaway?
Following this interview, I’d love to read your feedback and comments. Was there something from this interview that struck a chord, inspired or motivated you?
Will you take any kind of action after hearing what Michael had to share?
I've always described myself as the passive observer. By that, I mean there's some photographers that like to be riding amongst the action and be part of the crowd that you're shooting. For me, I've always liked to take a step back and view a scene, which is kind of this classical approach. – Michael Blann
Let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below.
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Michael or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them below too.


As a photographer, it's really useful to print stuff, to actually look at work. – Michael Blann



Photography is not all about money. It's about exposure, it's about personal gratification that you want to get involved in a project because it sounds interesting; it just varies. – Michael Blann



You've got to remember that you really only have one opportunity when the race comes past to get one shot. – Michael Blann


This style of photography where you're sort of detached from what you're looking at but you're looking in at it is what I'm about. – Michael Blann

I thought the photography would be the hard bit and the time-consuming bit but it was putting the thing together that took an awful lot of effort and time that I never really envisaged at the start. – Michael Blann

Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Michael Blann Website
Michael Blann on Instagram
Michael Blann on Twitter