4th February 2026
Maja Daniels on her book projects Elf Dalia and Gertrud, and Joachim Ladefoged returns to tackle the bonus questions.
THIS WEEK ON A SMALL VOICE PODCAST MEMBER-ONLY EPISODE...
A check-in with my guest from a very early episode of the podcast way back at the end of 2015, Maja Daniels. We talk about the work she has been doing since, and the two photobooks she has made from it: Elf Dalia (Mack) and Gertrud (Void).
And last week’s guest Joachim Ladefoged returns to tackle the bonus questions.
Sample question from this week’s member-only episode:
What’s the one most essential lesson you would pass on to someone considering a photography ‘career’ today? (or just considering ‘being a photographer’?)
“Being a great photographer is 95% hard work and energy, and 5% talent. And remember it’s not a 100 metre sprint, it’s a marathon. And don’t be afraid of making any mistakes. Because it’s the mistakes that you learn the most from. And if you are afraid of making mistakes, if you don’t take any chances, you won’t be doing the best of the best work. You’re always doing average because that’s the safe spot. If I take the portraits this way all the time, nobody will tell me that you failed or it’s bad. But if you’re not taking any risks you won’t push your own limits. Maybe that’s what I would’ve told my 20 year old self.”
Joachim’s picks for...
Significant Photobook(s):
Byan Bag Regnen, Krass Clement
Telex Iran, Gilles Peress
Wintereisse, Luc Delahaye
Favourite photographer(s):
Recent Discoveries:
Episode sponsor: Is me!
If you think you might know someone in need of a new website please pass on this link: Boat Drinks Studio. I will pay you a 10% commission for any web design work I get as a result.
The 95% hard work, 5% talent breakdown is spot on. The marathon analogy is something I needed to hear early in my career. Taking risks and being okay with mistakes is how anyonr actually develops their unique perspective. Playing it safe keeps everything mediocre. The idea that fear of failure stops people from pushing their own boundries is probably the biggest hurdle most creatives face, not lack of tallent.
Winterreise" (Winter Journey) [note one "s", not two] is a reference to Franz Schubert's song cycle, reflecting the melancholy and epic nature of the work. This very famous song cycle is a poignant and moving musical journey of a man who is rejected by his love, and walks through the cold winter until he goes mad. I highly recommend the recording by the baritone Dietrich Fischer Dieskau. Tenors also have recorded it, but I prefer the darker sound of a baritone or a bass. I wasn't aware of the photobook. Thank you for sharing it!