I was honored to have photographer David duChemin kick off 2025 in Episode 8 of Wildlife Conversations!

Recorded January 8, 2025

David is a photographer, writer, and adventurer based out of Vancouver Island, Canada. I first knew David by his humanitarian and travel photography, which led me to his books and podcast. 

More recently, he has turned his focus to the wilderness and wildlife photography. From Africa to British Columbia and everywhere in between, David’s images evoke emotion and wonder. He is the author of important books like Within the Frame, The Soul of the Camera, and The Heart of the Photograph, among others. 

In this episode David and I discussed his new book Light, Space, & Time: Essays on Camera Craft and Creativity. We chatted about how to give ourselves permission to create images that are truly our own.

We explored learning how the camera sees versus how the human eye sees. We also discussed how important it is to take risks and be curious in our photography in order to grow. 

David and I discussed the importance of finding your own voice and worth in this world of social media and how studying great photographers, exploring nature, finding things we are curious about, etc. is an alternative to scrolling and enriches our images. 

We also discussed the importance of the rough draft, of sketching our images, and how that creates images with impact and emotion. Plus so much more!

David also took time to answer participant’s questions live. It was such a rich discussion; I hope you enjoy it! 

WHERE TO FIND DAVID

Website: https://davidduchemin.com/

Sign up for his Craft & Vision Contact Sheet: https://www.mycontactsheet.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidduchemin/

RESOURCES

Light, Space, and Time: Essays on Camera Craft and Creativity by David duChemin  https://amzn.to/4abY68n

An Immense World by Ed Yong  https://amzn.to/4j68QZT

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott https://amzn.to/4jnjZWv

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Find the Wildlife Conversations Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

| Wildlife Conversations Podcast Season1, Episode 7 |

Traci Sepkovic with co-host Michelle Osterhus

For the 7th episode of Wildlife Conversations, I welcomed Pennsylvania wildlife photographer Traci Sepkovic! Michelle Osterhus also agreed to come back once more as my cohost.

Living in Pennsylvania, Traci has learned the value of honing one's photography skills and wildlife knowledge in local areas. Whether at home or far away in places like Alaska, her work showcases the beauty of her subjects and the benefits of observation and patience. 

We discussed photographing in fog (have you seen her beautiful fog images?!), beginner tips, the importance of shooting local, Alaska adventures and tips, and also the importance of reverence and humility in wild spaces. 

As always, we also answered your great questions in the live Q&A, plus Traci answered our 6 speed round questions. 

>>> Wildlife Conversations Podcast exists to share more voices in the genre and to build community outside of social media. Its goal is to be a space where creatives who are passionate about wildlife photography can share their stories, wisdom, adventures, and tips in a fun, welcoming place. <<<

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WHERE TO FIND TRACI & MICHELLE

Traci’s Website: https://www.tlsepkovicphotography.com/

Traci’s Instagram: @tlsepkovic 

Michelle’s Website

Michelle’s Instagram: @michelleosterhusphotos 

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RESOURCES

Canon EOS R5 https://amzn.to/4fVzgej

Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L is USM Lens https://amzn.to/3ARVsaA

If you'd like to help support Wildlife Conversations, I put together a list of my favorite things: https://jenlritchie.com/a-few-of-my-favorite-things/

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you’re ordering from Amazon anyway, please consider supporting Wildlife Conversations. Thank you!

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www.jenlritchie.com⁠

Instagram:⁠ @jenlritchie and @wildlifeconversationspodcast

Join my email list and check out my free guide --- 10 Tips for Beginner Wildlife Photographers to Up Your Creativity & Confidence: ⁠ https://jenlritchie.com/freeguide/⁠

You can see my gear list here: https://jenlritchie.com/photographer/

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THANK YOU for supporting the Wildlife Conversations Podcast!

| Wildlife Conversations Podcast Season1, Episode 6 |

My guests this episode are Scott and Jackie Stone and their Alaska Bear Viewing Camps team, Cassie Noel and Josh Gesmundo!

If you’re a wildlife photographer on Instagram, you’ve probably seen Scott and Jackie and their team leading people in immersive bear camps in Alaska, specifically Katmai National Park and Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. Almost twenty years in the making, their bear knowledge puts conservation and safety as top priority. Their commitment to client experience is top-notch, and it’s evident that sharing these wild spaces with clients brings them tremendous joy.

We discuss camp logistics, their backgrounds in photography and nature, conservation and community responsibility, bear safety, and best practices on tour. We also talked about building a community and deep relationships with clients, empowering women wildlife photographers, and soulful experiences out in nature.

If you love bears, wildlife, experiences in nature and you want to hear from leaders in the field, this is the episode for you!

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WHERE TO FIND THEM

Website

Email: [email protected]

Instagram

Scott: @sstone_images

Jackie: @akreelgirl

Josh: @wildwatchtower

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RESOURCES

Canon EOS R5 Mark II

Canon EOS R5 https://amzn.to/4fVzgej

Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L is USM Lens https://amzn.to/3ARVsaA

Shine Turbine https://shineturbine.com/

If you'd like to help support Wildlife Conversations, I put together a list of my favorite things from stocking stuffers to gear: https://jenlritchie.com/a-few-of-my-favorite-things/

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for supporting the podcast.

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www.jenlritchie.com⁠

Instagram:⁠ @jenlritchie

@wildlifeconversationspodcast

Join my email list for upcoming podcast notifications and grab my free guide --- 10 Tips for Beginner Wildlife Photographers to Up Your Creativity & Confidence

You can see my gear list here: https://jenlritchie.com/photographer/

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#alaska #bears #podcast #wildlifephotographypodcast ⁠#wildlifephotography #wildlife #photography #youtuber

On Episode 5 of Wildlife Conversations, I welcome wildlife photographer and YouTuber Steve Mattheis!

Steve is a native of Jackson, Wyoming, specializing in the diversity of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem and winner of multiple awards including a Highly Honored image in the Wildlife category this year for the Nature’s Best Photography Awards and Grand Prize in the⁠ 2018 Audubon Photography Awards⁠. 

With over 4.2 million views on his YouTube channel, most wildlife photographers have had some sort of influence from Steve and love following his adventures. He is the perfect blend of technical and artistry, and I am so grateful to have had his help and coaching over these past 4 years. 

Steve joins us to talk about foundational checklists to have before going out in the field, editing, inspiration, mindset and gratitude, and artistic style. He also took live questions from the listeners and did my speed round. 

Lots of great photography tips and great to catch up - I hope you enjoy our discussion!

Where to Find Steve

⁠www.stevemattheis.com⁠ 

⁠YouTube⁠

⁠@stevemattheis⁠

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Where to Find Me

www.jenlritchie.com⁠

Instagram:⁠  @jenlritchie  ⁠

Join my email list and grab my free guide --- 10 Tips for Beginner Wildlife Photographers to Up Your Creativity & Confidence: ⁠ https://jenlritchie.com/freeguide/⁠

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RESOURCES

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron https://amzn.to/4fOcdCb

The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin https://amzn.to/3UThgZX

The Art of Suffering by K. Ramon  https://amzn.to/3VhpYSj

Light, Space, and Time by David duChemin https://amzn.to/3UOZGqg

Vincent Munier https://amzn.to/3UOZGqg

Personal Exposures by Elliott Erwitt https://amzn.to/3CxKF5N

Datacolor Spyder Monitor Calibration Tool  https://amzn.to/3Cuazr7
OpTech USA | Rainsleeve Series https://amzn.to/40QGThU

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for supporting the podcast.

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#youtuber #owl #photographytips #stevemattheis

On Episode 4 of Wildlife Conversations, I'm joined by Utah photographer Lydia Ripplinger (lydebug)!

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WHERE TO FIND LYDIA (@lydebug)

TikTok

WHERE TO FIND JEN

On this episode, recorded on October 8 with a live virtual audience, Jen welcomes Idaho photographer Jennie Cannon and Utah photographer Maureen Matsen to Wildlife Conversations. Both spend a lot of time photographing in the Grand Teton National Park ecosystem and found themselves on the same Alaskan Bear workshop this past summer.

We recapped our Alaska workshops, the differences between the types of Alaska workshops, tips for packing for Alaska, and our dreams of going back again. We also shared pro tips on what to take on trips and how to approach a weekend excursion plus Jennie and Maureen's favorite images. If you know Jennie and Maureen on Instagram, you know they are supportive and generous. We discussed ethical, kind practices and how to treat other photographers and our animal subjects.

This was a really rich discussion about the magical nature of wildlife photography, the special friendships it brings, how we touch others' lives with it, and the hopes of adventures to come.

Follow Jen Ritchie on⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ for Wildlife Conversations news and on⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ for a video version of the podcast.

Keep up with Jennie Cannon on ⁠Instagram⁠, and you can find ⁠Maureen Matsen⁠ there, as well. 

RESOURCES

Peak Design Slide camera strap: https://amzn.to/3UU2uCn

Op Tech USA Hood Hat/Lens covers: https://amzn.to/48Q0P6y

Peak Design Travel Tripod: https://amzn.to/4ewirWg

Wildlife Conversations exists to share more voices in the genre and to build community outside of social media. Its goal is to be a space where creatives who are passionate about wildlife photography can share their stories, wisdom, adventures, and tips in a fun, welcoming place. I can't wait for you to join us!

In our 2nd episode of Wildlife Conversations, Jen welcomes Utah photographer Shauna Hart. Shauna shares how photography was healing for her and gave her a purpose to make lasting change for the wildlife and wild spaces around her. She discusses Utah wildlife initiatives and some of the ways she is using her photography with conservation groups to make a difference. Shauna talks about mentoring young photographers and passing on the love of the craft, plus she tells us about her trip to Washington DC with the Utah Wildlife Federation. We have fun with the speed round and share her future endeavor in 2025 of winter guiding in Yellowstone National Park.

Follow Jen Ritchie on ⁠Instagram⁠ for Wildlife Conversations news and on ⁠YouTube⁠ for a video version of the podcast.

You can keep up with Shauna on Instagram, as well.

On the launch episode of Wildlife Conversations, Jen welcomes Minnesota wildlife and landscape photographer, Michelle Osterhus. In a recorded live chat, they discuss Michelle's incredible owl photography, Alaska adventures, her soul-filling obsession with whales, and her recent trip to the Badlands. Jen and Michelle also answer audience questions about how to find wildlife to photograph and how to get feedback on your images. We also do the speed round, and Michelle tells us the gear she can and can't live without, her favorite snack while editing, a moment in wildlife photography that has made her laugh and cry, and a moment that has touched her soul. Michelle shares a lot of joy and wisdom in the first episode!

Follow Jen Ritchie on ⁠Instagram⁠ for Wildlife Conversations news and on ⁠YouTube⁠ for a video version of the podcast.

Keep with Michelle on ⁠Instagram⁠ or her⁠ website⁠.

Wildlife Conversations exists to share more voices in the genre and to build community outside of social media. Its goal is to be a space where creatives who are passionate about wildlife photography can share their stories, wisdom, adventures, and tips in a fun, welcoming place. I can't wait for you to join us!