In this episode, Rob and Josh are joined by wildlife photographer Ray Hennessy, who traded the conventional life for the open road. From his custom camper van, Ray travels across North America photographing birds and teaching others how to capture the wild beauty around them. Tune in for a conversation about freedom, creativity, and what it really takes to live — and photograph — life on your own terms.

Ray Hennessy is a full-time wildlife photographer specializing in bird photography, and a passionate educator in the art and craft of capturing nature. For the last few years Ray has lived full time in a van, roaming across North America in search of remarkable wildlife scenes and opportunities to connect with wild places. His photography emphasizes creative lighting, compelling composition, and integrating wildlife within the context of its habitat. Beyond making images, Ray is committed to helping others grow — offering workshops, mentorship, and online courses in photography.

https://www.rayhennessy.com/

https://www.instagram.com/rayhennessy_wildlife/

About the Hosts:

Rob Read has spent many years as a photography competition organiser; firstly as a founding director of, and primary organiser of Bird Photographer of the Year for the first five years of the competition, and more recently as founder, owner, and organiser of WildArt Photographer of the Year. Josh Galicki has been entering competitions for many years and has had significant success in many, including Bird Photographer of the Year. He is now part of the judging team for WildArt Photographer of the Year.

Connect with the Podcast Instagram Account and Facebook Page using the following links:

https://www.instagram.com/wildphotopodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570623586727

Get in touch with us directly by sending an email to [email protected]

Find out more about your host’s and view their work on their Instagram profiles:

Rob - https://www.instagram.com/robreadphotos/

Josh - https://www.instagram.com/galicki_photography/

The WildArt Photographer of the Year competition website can be found here - https://www.wildartpoty.com/

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our listeners for their support and feedback. If you have enjoyed the content and would like to say thank you, then please use the following link to ‘buy us a coffee’. We record the podcasts because we enjoy it and love the freedom it gives us to express our views, and to talk about subjects that are of interest to us, and hopefully to you too. The content will always be free, and there is no pressure at all to donate, unless you really want to say thanks. We will use any money to help cover the production and hosting costs.

https://buymeacoffee.com/wildlifephotopodca

With the internet awash with amazing wildlife photography, in this episode Rob and Josh discuss the importance of a backstory to an image. Join the two as they chat candidly about the relevance of adding additional written context to photographic work.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our listeners for their support and feedback. If you have enjoyed the content and would like to say thank you, then please use the following link to ‘buy us a coffee’. We record the podcasts because we enjoy it and love the freedom it gives us to express our views, and to talk about subjects that are of interest to us, and hopefully to you too. The content will always be free, and there is no pressure at all to donate, unless you really want to say thanks. We will use any money to help cover the production and hosting costs.

https://buymeacoffee.com/wildlifephotopodcast

About the Hosts:

Rob Read has spent many years as a photography competition organiser; firstly as a founding director of, and primary organiser of Bird Photographer of the Year for the first five years of the competition, and more recently as founder, owner, and organiser of WildArt Photographer of the Year. Josh Galicki has been entering competitions for many years and has had significant success in many, including Bird Photographer of the Year. He is now part of the judging team for WildArt Photographer of the Year.

Connect with the Podcast Instagram Account and Facebook Page using the following links:

https://www.instagram.com/wildphotopodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570623586727

Get in touch with us directly by sending an email to [email protected]

Find out more about your host’s and view their work on their Instagram profiles:

Rob - https://www.instagram.com/robreadphotos/

Josh - https://www.instagram.com/galicki_photography/

The WildArt Photographer of the Year competition website can be found here - https://www.wildartpoty.com/

In this episode, Rob and Josh discuss the becoming creatively becalmed, the pressure of constantly producing new work, and the need to take a break from photography from time to time. They talk about the various ways they look at photography when things become stale, the ways in which they find renewed enthusiasm and inspiration, and becoming comfortable with taking a break from it all. The conversation takes some interesting philosophical detours, so join the two as they chat candidly about their recent creative droughts.

About the Hosts:

Rob Read has spent many years as a photography competition organiser; firstly as a founding director of, and primary organiser of Bird Photographer of the Year for the first five years of the competition, and more recently as founder, owner, and organiser of WildArt Photographer of the Year. Josh Galicki has been entering competitions for many years and has had significant success in many, including Bird Photographer of the Year. He is now part of the judging team for WildArt Photographer of the Year.

Connect with the Podcast Instagram Account and Facebook Page using the following links:

https://www.instagram.com/wildphotopodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570623586727

Get in touch with us directly by sending an email to [email protected]

Find out more about your host’s and view their work on their Instagram profiles:

Rob - https://www.instagram.com/robreadphotos/

Josh - https://www.instagram.com/galicki_photography/

The WildArt Photographer of the Year competition website can be found here - https://www.wildartpoty.com/

In this episode, Rob and Josh are joined by guest Caleb Hoover, a young professional wildlife photographer from the United States. With a passion for adventure and the great outdoors, his early interest in art was quickly replaced by photography as he sought to document the landscapes he explored, and the birds and other wildlife he found along the way. 

With a natural disposition and talent for capturing the wider scene, his work seeks to capture the pure essence of the places he visits and the birds he encounters through a wider perspective. During the conversation, Caleb shares his unique perspective on wildlife photography and his approach to life and adventure.  

Caleb’s work can be found by visiting his website and Instagram account, links for which are provided below: 

https://www.calebghoover.com/

https://www.instagram.com/calebg.hoover/

About the Hosts:

Rob Read has spent many years as a photography competition organiser; firstly as a founding director of, and primary organiser of Bird Photographer of the Year for the first five years of the competition, and more recently as founder, owner, and organiser of WildArt Photographer of the Year. Josh Galicki has been entering competitions for many years and has had significant success in many, including Bird Photographer of the Year. He is now part of the judging team for WildArt Photographer of the Year.

Connect with the Podcast Instagram Account and Facebook Page using the following links:

https://www.instagram.com/wildphotopodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570623586727

Get in touch with us directly by sending an email to [email protected]

Find out more about your host’s and view their work on their Instagram profiles:

Rob - https://www.instagram.com/robreadphotos/

Josh - https://www.instagram.com/galicki_photography/

The WildArt Photographer of the Year competition website can be found here - https://www.wildartpoty.com/

In this episode, Rob and Josh chat about one of their favourite seasons, Spring. The discussion starts with the change of the guard from wintering birds to spring migrants and summer visitors, but the two quickly go off on the usual tangents and discuss what they have been up to, where they have been, and what they have been photographing. Join two friends as they discuss photography and wildlife, and share some hints, tips and insights.

About the Hosts:

Rob Read has spent many years as a photography competition organiser; firstly as a founding director of, and primary organiser of Bird Photographer of the Year for the first five years of the competition, and more recently as founder, owner, and organiser of WildArt Photographer of the Year. Josh Galicki has been entering competitions for many years and has had significant success in many, including Bird Photographer of the Year. He is now part of the judging team for WildArt Photographer of the Year.

Connect with the Podcast Instagram Account and Facebook Page using the following links:

https://www.instagram.com/wildphotopodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570623586727

Get in touch with us directly by sending an email to [email protected]

Find out more about your host’s and view their work on their Instagram profiles:

Rob - https://www.instagram.com/robreadphotos/

Josh - https://www.instagram.com/galicki_photography/

The WildArt Photographer of the Year competition website can be found here - https://www.wildartpoty.com/

The Shetland Islands, is an archipelago in Scotland and the most northerly point of the United Kingdom lying between Orkney, the Faroe Islands, and Norway. It is also one of the most incredible and important locations for breeding seabirds in the world. In the summer of 2023 both Rob and Josh visited these amazing islands and were captivated by their rugged beauty and the birds that breed there. The pair are joined by wildlife photographer Rebecca Nason who lives on the Islands and runs Shetland Seabird Tours and the Noss Boat with her partner Phil Harris. Rebecca shares her knowledge of the islands and their birds, and Rob and Joss recall their trips and experiences. This is a must listen episode as the three share some valuable insights on the location and its birds. Their love and enthusiasm for the islands makes for a very compelling listen that hopefully will inspire your own adventures.

About Rebecca:

Rebecca hails from a family of keen naturalists & globe trotters & can’t remember a time when she didn’t have a passion for wildlife & photography. She has an MSc in Conservation Management  & a 2:1 Hons degree in Geography & Environmental Studies. A varied career as a freelance ecologist & completely self-taught wildlife photographer, Rebecca also regularly guided wildlife tours in Shetland & overseas in locations including Sweden, Lesvos & Spitsbergen. Rebecca was Assistant Warden & Seabird Officer on Fair Isle for 2 years & has a passion for seabirds & cetaceans.

Rebecca has excellent ornithological & communication skills & has worked in the tourism & conservation sectors throughout the last 20 years. She has been an award winning wildlife photographer for the last 12 years & an acclaimed wildlife photographic judge, for the prestigious Bird Photographer of the Year for 3 years before being a WildArt Photographer of the Year judge. She is keen to share her photographic passion with our passengers on our bespoke tours, so they too can enjoy the numerous photographic opportunities whilst aboard the Noss Boat.

Rebecca has worked for several ecological consultancies carrying out bird survey work on both land & sea. She is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management  & a full committee member, treasurer & membership secretary of the Shetland Bird Club. Rebecca is the first woman to be invited to join the Shetland Rarities Committee in Summer 2024.

https://www.shetlandseabirdtours.com/

https://www.instagram.com/puffinpassion/

https://www.instagram.com/shetlandseabirdtours/

About the Hosts:

Rob Read has spent many years as a photography competition organiser; firstly as a founding director of, and primary organiser of Bird Photographer of the Year for the first five years of the competition, and more recently as founder, owner, and organiser of WildArt Photographer of the Year. Josh Galicki has been entering competitions for many years and has had significant success in many, including Bird Photographer of the Year. He is now part of the judging team for WildArt Photographer of the Year.

Connect with the Podcast Instagram Account and Facebook Page using the following links:

https://www.instagram.com/wildphotopodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570623586727

Get in touch with us directly by sending an email to [email protected]

Find out more about your host’s and view their work on their Instagram profiles:

Rob - https://www.instagram.com/robreadphotos/

Josh - https://www.instagram.com/galicki_photography/

The WildArt Photographer of the Year competition website can be found here - https://www.wildartpoty.com/

In this episode, Rob and Josh discuss printing. In a digital world, so many of us no longer physically print our photographs, which is such a shame. The friends discuss the advantages and deep satisfaction of creating a physical print from your photography skills. They dive into the options available, the pitfalls, and share their own experiences of creating prints.

About the Hosts: Rob Read has spent many years as a photography competition organiser; firstly as a founding director of, and primary organiser of Bird Photographer of the Year for the first five years of the competition, and more recently as founder, owner, and organiser of WildArt Photographer of the Year. Josh Galicki has been entering competitions for many years and has had significant success in many, including Bird Photographer of the Year. He is now part of the judging team for WildArt Photographer of the Year.

Connect with the Podcast Instagram Account and Facebook Page using the following links:

https://www.instagram.com/wildphotopodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570623586727

Get in touch with us directly by sending an email to [email protected]

Find out more about your host’s and view their work on their Instagram profiles:

Rob - https://www.instagram.com/robreadphotos/

Josh - https://www.instagram.com/galicki_photography/

The WildArt Photographer of the Year competition website can be found here - https://www.wildartpoty.com/

Wildlife photography can involve harsh environments, extreme conditions, and lots of stuff that isn’t exactly friendly towards sensitive optical and electronic equipment. In this episode, Rob and Josh talk about how far they push camera gear, some of the equipment they have damaged over the years, and how they see their tools of the trade. Join the two friends as they chat about the subject in their usual candid style.

About the Hosts: Rob Read has spent many years as a photography competition organiser; firstly as a founding director of, and primary organiser of Bird Photographer of the Year for the first five years of the competition, and more recently as founder, owner, and organiser of WildArt Photographer of the Year. Josh Galicki has been entering competitions for many years and has had significant success in many, including Bird Photographer of the Year. He is now part of the judging team for WildArt Photographer of the Year.

Connect with the Podcast Instagram Account and Facebook Page using the following links:

https://www.instagram.com/wildphotopodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570623586727

Get in touch with us directly by sending an email to [email protected]

Find out more about your host’s and view their work on their Instagram profiles:

Rob - https://www.instagram.com/robreadphotos/

Josh - https://www.instagram.com/galicki_photography/

The WildArt Photographer of the Year competition website can be found here - https://www.wildartpoty.com/

About the Hosts

Rob Read has spent many years as a photography competition organiser; firstly as a founding director of, and primary organiser of Bird Photographer of the Year for the first five years of the competition, and more recently as founder, owner, and organiser of WildArt Photographer of the Year. Josh Galicki has been entering competitions for many years and has had significant success in many, including Bird Photographer of the Year. He is now part of the judging team for WildArt Photographer of the Year.

Connect with the Podcast Instagram Account and Facebook Page using the following links:

https://www.instagram.com/wildphotopodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570623586727

Get in touch with us directly by sending an email to [email protected]

Find out more about your host’s and view their work on their Instagram profiles:

Rob - https://www.instagram.com/robreadphotos/

Josh - https://www.instagram.com/galicki_photography/

The WildArt Photographer of the Year competition website can be found here - https://www.wildartpoty.com/

Wildlife photography can often be a rather solitary business and most of us tend to shoot alone most of the time, but sometimes nothing quite beats teaming up with good friends for a few sessions. In this episode, Rob and Josh talk about the differences between shooting alone or with friends and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both. Join two friends as they chat candidly about their own experiences, share stories, opinions and advice.

About the Hosts

Rob Read has spent many years as a photography competition organiser; firstly as a founding director of, and primary organiser of Bird Photographer of the Year for the first five years of the competition, and more recently as founder, owner, and organiser of WildArt Photographer of the Year. Josh Galicki has been entering competitions for many years and has had significant success in many, including Bird Photographer of the Year. He is now part of the judging team for WildArt Photographer of the Year.

Find out more about your host’s and view their work on their Instagram profiles:

Rob - https://www.instagram.com/robreadphotos/

Josh - https://www.instagram.com/galicki_photography/

The WildArt Photographer of the Year competition website can be found here - https://www.wildartpoty.com/