Ana Flores, Sam Nicklin and Arielle Bobb-Willis reveal the techniques behind their photographs in our new webinar series

A great photograph can make you stop in your tracks. But what you don’t see is everything that went into making it: the hours of preparation, the lighting adjustments, the carefully chosen equipment or the happy accidents that made the final image possible. Sometimes, it’s the smallest decisions that make the biggest difference.

That’s exactly what we’re getting into with Trade Secrets, a new three-part webinar series from It’s Nice That and MPB, the online platform for buying, selling and trading used photography and video equipment. We’ll be joined by photographers Ana Flores, Sam Nicklin and Arielle Bobb-Willis, who’ll take us behind the scenes of their work and share the creative thinking, practical techniques and lessons they’ve picked up along the way.

Each 45-minute webinar will unpack the process behind the photographer’s work, from the first spark of an idea to the finished image. Expect insights into everything from working with subjects and experimenting with colour to lighting, composition and the equipment they use – and why they choose it – with plenty of practical advice to try out yourself. The photographers will also share three top tips from their practice, and there’ll be a Q&A giving you the chance to put your questions to them directly.

The webinars will take place on 18 November, 24 November and 2 December at 4:30pm GMT. When registering for each session, you’ll also have the option to sign-up to MPB’s newsletter for the chance to win a second-hand Fujifilm X100V. Full T&Cs can be found here.

Read on to meet the photographers joining us and find out what you can expect from each session.

For London-based photographer Sam Nicklin, even the most ordinary objects can make extraordinary images. Drawing inspiration from vintage advertising, collecting and a love of colour, his playful still lifes bring together unlikely objects, bold palettes, considered compositions and inventive photographic techniques. His ongoing Colours series sees everyday discoveries photographed individually and brought together in colour-coordinated compositions, while his Chrome & Colour project for Alessi uses reflections and coloured paper to transform the brand’s metal objects into graphic still lifes. In his session, Sam will dive into the practical side of still-life photography, from arranging objects and experimenting with lighting to choosing the equipment that helps him achieve the results he’s after.

Sam Nicklin – 18 November

With her bold colours, sculptural poses and wonderfully surreal compositions, Arielle Bobb-Willis has developed a photographic style that’s instantly recognisable. Based between Los Angeles and New York, her work transforms everyday locations into vivid, playful scenes, bringing together fashion, movement and an experimental approach to portraiture. Alongside her personal projects, she’s photographed the likes of Billie Eilish and Lady Gaga, and released her debut monograph, Keep the Kid Alive with Aperture in 2024. For Trade Secrets, Arielle will offer a closer look at her creative process, from developing an idea and choosing a location to working with colour, movement and the people she photographs.

Arielle Bobb-Willis – 24 November

Born in Peru and raised in Switzerland, London-based photographer Ana Flores uses her practice to explore cultural heritage and belonging. Moving between fashion and documentary photography, her work often centres on the people, traditions and personal histories of her homeland. In her series Donde Florecen Estas Flores (Where These Flowers Bloom), she photographs Indigenous Andean women in Cusco, celebrating their identities through intimate portraits that highlight the significance of traditional dress. For Trade Secrets, Ana will share insights into the art of personal storytelling through photography, from finding an idea and researching a subject to the practical decisions behind creating a portrait.

Ana Flores – 2 December