Dr. Dean Holland joins The Camera Life to unpack a rare photography career built without social media. From teaching over 10,000 photographers to shooting corporate, humanitarian, and people-focused work, Dean shares deep insights on authenticity, creativity, AI, and the future of photography. This wide-ranging conversation explores cameras vs phones, confidence over settings, ethical AI use, and why human connection still matters more than ever behind the lens.
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Dr Dean Holland is an award-winning photographer and educator with a PhD in adult education, and the founder of Take Better Photos, established in 2007. Based in Brisbane, he has taught photography to more than 10,000 people in person through courses for individuals, families, schools, companies, and community groups. His teaching is widely known for being practical, jargon-free, hands-on, and fun, making photography accessible regardless of camera or experience level.
With a background in overseas development, Dean uses photography as a force for positive change. His charity and community work spans youth, migrant, Indigenous, rural, and remote communities in Australia and overseas, guided by the belief that the best photographs are built on trust and connection. Alongside this, his commercial, family, and wedding photography focuses on capturing genuine emotion, joy, and the spontaneous moments that become lifelong memories.
Becoming a father reignited Dean’s love of photography as something playful and deeply meaningful to share with family. This philosophy sits at the heart of Take Better Photos: helping people capture truly priceless moments without needing expensive gear. The business has grown rapidly, earning major awards, widespread media coverage, and collaborations with leading photographers, while continuing Dean’s mission to help people live more fully by knowing how to capture what matters most.
https://www.deanholland.com.au/
https://www.takebetterphotos.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/take.better.photos.photography.courses
https://www.youtube.com/@TakeBetterPhotos1
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THE CAMERA LIFE - LIVE PHOTOGRAPHY PODCAST
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CONNECT WITH US
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Greg Cromie - Writer and Photographer
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Justin Castles - Photographer and Founder of Lucky Straps
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2 hrs and 13 mins