Sometimes, a story doesn’t just stay a story — sometimes, something actually changes.

Wildlife photographer Ian Wood returns to our Show with powerful updates following our first conversation. After winning the People’s Choice Award at Wildlife Photographer of the Year with his now well-known badger image, Ian has continued to push the story forward — recently winning the documentary category at the British Wildlife Photography Awards with a six-image series focused on the badger cull in England.

But this conversation goes beyond photography. We talk about what has happened in the months since — the major positive shift around the badger cull in the UK, the still ongoing discussions around fox hunting, and what it feels like to see something you’ve invested time, energy, and emotion into finally begin to move in a different direction.

We also talk about the process behind building a documentary series, the importance of thinking in ideas rather than just images, and how photography can sometimes become a way to keep important conversations alive. Along the way, there are also the small moments — swallows returning in spring, building hides, lentil loaves and the simple joy of being out in nature.

Grab a coffee, settle in, and join us for this wonderful conversation with Ian Wood.

📸 See more of Ian’s work:

🎙️ Listen to our previous conversation with Ian Wood:

https://thecameracafeshow.com/ianwood

🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:

Not all wildlife photos are majestic — some are delightfully ridiculous! 

Wildlife photographer and Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards co-founder Paul Joynson-Hicks takes us into the story behind one of the most unique photography competitions in the world — one that celebrates the funny, unexpected, and very human side of animals in the wild. From its beginnings in 2015 to becoming a global phenomenon with thousands of entries each year, we explore how humor can open the door to conservation in a way that feels light, engaging, and accessible to everyone.

We also talk about Paul’s life in Tanzania, where he has spent more than three decades working as a wildlife photographer and guide, sharing his passion for Africa with people from all over the world. From goat racing, raising money for conservation, being awarded an MBE and making people smile through photography, this conversation moves between storytelling, laughter, and the simple joy of seeing the world a little differently.

Grab a coffee, settle in, and join us for this delightfully ridiculous conversation with Paul Joynson-Hicks.

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📸 See more of Paul’s work:

😂 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards:

🎤 Watch the TED Talk:

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What happens to a community long after a nuclear test is over?

Documentary photographer and National Geographic Explorer Chinky Shukla takes us into the villages of India where the story didn’t end when the nuclear bombs were detonated. Through her long-term projects in Jadugoda and Pokhran, she documents the lives of people living close to uranium mines and nuclear test sites — places where the consequences of history continue to shape everyday life.

We also talk about her journey into photography, her background growing up in Delhi, nominations for the Leica Oskar Barnack Award, Joop Swart Masterclass and the hopeful side of her work: photography workshops with children in Pokhran who are learning to tell their own stories through the camera.  We talk about train travel across India, cooking, and the small everyday moments that remind us that even in the most serious stories, life — and sometimes laughter — continues.

Grab a coffee, settle in, and join us for this wonderful conversation with Chinky Shukla.

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📸 See more of Chinky's work:

https://www.chinkyshukla.in/

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🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:

https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

Slow down. The story is already there.

Photographer, writer, and National Geographic Explorer Arati Kumar-Rao joins us for a conversation about listening, slow storytelling, and documenting a world in transition. Named one of the BBC’s 100 Most Influential and Inspiring Women in 2023, her work has been published internationally, exploring the fragile relationship between people and the environments they inhabit.

We discuss her long-term project Marginlands and the stories she has documented across India — from the Thar Desert all the way to the Sundarbans — where disappearing groundwater, habitat loss, and environmental change reshape both landscapes and the lives of people and wildlife alike. Along the way, we talk about her journey from corporate life into photography, why patience matters more than speed, and how meaningful storytelling often begins long before the camera is raised.

This conversation marks the first of three upcoming talks with remarkable Indian female storytellers, each bringing a different perspective on photography and storytelling. So, grab a coffee, slow things down for a moment, and join us — the kettle’s on, and the story’s waiting!

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📸 See more of Arati's work:

https://www.aratikumarrao.com/

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🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:

https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

Some photos take a lifetime to get. Others almost melt your shoes!

In Part 2 of this conversation with former National Geographic staff photographer Robert “Bob” Madden, we dive straight into the stories behind the photographs.

From documenting an erupting volcano in Hawaii to capturing what may be one of the last images of the Kauai ʻōʻō bird, and photographing in the Amazon with the Yanomami, this episode spans decades of travel and storytelling in the field. We also hear about Bob’s time working inside National Geographic as Director of Layout and Design and helping guide the magazine into the early digital era.

This is an adventurous conclusion to a two-part conversation filled with great stories, close calls, and reflections on a lifetime behind the camera. Grab a coffee, settle in and the talk!

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Some assignments take you around the world on small roads. Others land you on a highway with your plane.

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, former National Geographic Staff photographer Robert “Bob” Madden takes us back to his beginnings, the golden era of the magazine and into the stories behind two remarkable images — including his famous Guatemala earthquake bush-plane crash photograph, later selected as one of National Geographic’s 50 most iconic pictures, and the return of the Apollo 11 astronauts.

We talk about how Bob got his start in the late 1960s, what it was like working during that era of travel and exploration, and why the real story of a photograph often begins long before the shutter clicks. That’s just the first stop on this Planes, Trains & National Geographic road trip. Next week we’re back with more stories and some amazing images from the field — and trust us, you’ll want to be on board for Part 2! Enjoy it.

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What does it mean to Hold Love through a Camera? In this moving episode, documentary photographer Nancy Borowick shares the story behind The Family Imprint and how photography helped her stay close during loss.

We talk about photography as presence, as armor, and as a way to stay close during life’s most fragile moments. Nancy reflects on trust, ethics, grief, and how storytelling can transform personal loss into something that resonates far beyond one family.

This is an emotional yet uplifting conversation about love, memory, and finding joy again — including how island life and photographing dogs became part of her healing journey, and of course we had some laughs too! Grab a coffee and enjoy our talk with the amazing Nancy Borowick.

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Wondering if your pictures are trying to tell you a secret? You’re in the right place! In the conclusion of our special two-part series, we follow Sarah Leen into her "new chapter." After making history at National Geographic, Sarah returned to her first love: the direct, creative process of working with photographers.

We explore the fascinating world of photo book editing and how she helps photographers decode the "hieroglyphics" of their own work. Sarah opens up about her passion for mentorship, her work with the Visual Thinking Collective, and the energy she finds in teaching at the Eddie Adams Workshop, the Missouri Photo Workshops , and many more. We talk about the importance of being a "maker",  and why she believes the best stories are the ones that take the longest to tell.

Don't miss this inspiring look at life after the magazine and the art of lifting the next generation of visual storytellers!

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From Sneaky Rebel to National Geographic Trailblazer! This is the start of a special two-part series with the amazing Sarah Leen, a woman whose name is synonymous with the iconic yellow border of National Geographic.

In this first part, we trace Sarah’s historic journey: from being a "rebellious" student to becoming the first female College Photographer of the Year and, eventually, the first female Director of Photography in the magazine's 125-year history. 

We dive into the reality of the freelance life, shooting 16 stories across the globe from Siberia to Mali, and the "tough lessons" learned on her first assignments. Sarah shares her philosophy on being a "problem solver" rather than a "problem maker," her love for the physical page, and why she eventually decided to step down from the top office to return to the creative "jigsaw puzzle" of editing. 

Coming next week: Stay tuned for Part 2, where we follow Sarah into her life after the magazine, focusing on the art of photo books editing, her mission with being a mentor at amazing workshops and some good laughs of course too!

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This is Part 2 of our special series with Pete Souza, the former Official White House Photographer for Presidents Reagan and Obama. In case you missed it, listen to Part 1 first! 

In this second part, we talk about the personal and physical side of the job, how Pete spend those eight years living alongside his blackberry 24/7 and being a fly on the wall in the White house. We talk about amazing fun, but brutal at times travel schedules, flights on board of Air Force One playing cards with President Obama, stories behind some of his most iconic photographs, and the profound moments for a photographers eye that reveal the President's true character. Stick around until the end as we follow Pete as he leaves the White House bubble, becoming a best-selling author and public voice using his images on social media now to compare two very different administrations.

Grab that coffee, settle in, and let's go behind the scenes of history one last time!

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