I've always been fascinated by the different ways in which we see the world.

I first indulged this passion as a young photographer, freelancing around London, working with other photographers, studying for my degree and having a great time. As I studied (and, sometimes worked with) the great 'names' I began to realise how imagery could change the world.

After a few years of photography I decided to chance my luck in a different career and, as a military fighter pilot, again I started to become intrigued by our sense of image. Military pilots obsess over the 'picture'; the image we carry that reflects our awareness of what is happening around us in fast moving, complex dog-fights. We knew then that a keen, accurate sense of 'picture' was fundamental to our decision making and could increase our effectiveness exponentially.

The capabilities required for me to work in the air work with rapidly shifting objectives, critical time constraints and high stakes are increasingly applicable in generating high performance in organizations across the modern world.  It is also clear to me that the multi-faceted, complex demands of contemporary business frequently place us beyond the application of simplistic change models and tick-box consultancy tools. And so, after flying for almost 18 years, I became an internal consultant to the military and then developed my own consulting and coaching practice.

Here, at Photo-Dialogue, I blend my practice as a photographer, my experience as a decision maker and my work as a consultant together to bring you interesting images that spark different, maybe changing, conversations.

We tend to believe that leaders must enable their colleagues and staff to develop a clear image of the world around them so that they can engage creatively and effectively in typically fast-moving business environments. Yet our imagery is always open to interpretation and different meanings. A picture is worth a thousand words but it never actually says them. We do.

We are led to believe that change is about crystal clear images of organisational 'vision' - I think it is about the quality of conversation and dialogue that flows from those images. As we shift our attention from economic models of organisation to more collaborative, sustainable ways of thinking and leading so the imperative to find new ways to effectively share our thinking grows. As a consequence, I believe that visual methodologies, reflective thinking and dialogue can generate new, creative perspectives which help turn our vision into impact and collective action.

I have a first degree in photography, film and television, an MBA and a Masters Degree in Organization Consulting. I hold certified consultant status with the Institute of Business Consulting and I am currently a participant in the inaugural Ashridge Doctorate of Organization Consulting programme researching how imagery and aesthetics can transform relationships, institutions and businesses.

Steve Marshall