The Camera Cafe Show

Former Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic Chris Johns joins the show to share how storytelling, photography, and life experience come together to shape how millions of people see the world. In this first part of our conversation, Chris takes us back to where it all began — from growing up on a small farm in Oregon to discovering photography almost by accident, and how those early experiences set the foundation for a lifetime in visual storytelling. We also talk about his early years working in newspapers, what it taught him to photograph every single day, and how those fast-paced environments helped shape his eye before stepping into the world of National Geographic. Along the way, there are stories of long-term assignments, time spent in the field, and the kind of moments — both serious and light — that come with building a life around photography. We also touch on a love for fast cars, a bit of a wild streak in his younger years, his time as president of the Future Farmers of America, and his work as a staff photographer across Africa, where encounters with figures like Nelson Mandela left a lasting impression on how he sees the world today— not just as a photographer, but as a person. Grab a coffee, settle in, and join us for part 1 of this wonderful conversation with Chris Johns. ***** 📸 See more of Chris’ work:https://thephotosociety.org/member/chris-johns/ ***** 🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

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. ***** 📸 See more of Paul’s work:https://www.joynsonhicks.com/ 😂 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards:https://www.comedywildlifephoto.com/ 🎤 Watch the TED Talk:https://www.ted.com/talks/tom_sullam_the_award_for_best_comedy_wildlife_photo_goes_to ***** 🎧 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! ***** 📸 See more of Arati's work: https://www.aratikumarrao.com/ ***** 🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration: https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

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. *****📸 See more of Bob's work:https://bobmadden.com/ *****🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

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!*****📸 See more of Sarah's work:https://www.sarahleen.com/ *****🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

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!*****📸 See more of Pete Souza:https://www.petesouza.com/ *****🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

Behind the Curtains of World Press Photo and its 70 Anniversary! This week we go behind the scenes with Joumana El Zein Khoury, Executive Director of the World Press Photo Foundation, to discuss the past, present, and future of photojournalism and the foundation. This year marks WPP's monumental 70th Anniversary, and Joumana reveals the major changes she implemented with her team, including a regional judging model that now sees 80% of winners being local photographers. We pull back the curtain on how WPP actually works: how to apply and get your image seen, how the judging rounds are done, how the Joop Swart Masterclass was revamped to give mentees a sustainable survival toolkit, the immense challenge of maintaining trust in an age of generative AI and the major celebrations for the 70th Anniversary. This is an inspiring, and fun at times of course, talk about the immense responsibility of curating the world’s most powerful visual stories. Grab that coffee, settle in, and let's go behind the scenes of the World Press Photo Foundation with the wonderful Joumana El Zein Khoury.*****📸 See more of World Press Photo:https://www.worldpressphoto.org/ *****🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

What is the secret to 15 years of trust and slow, ethical work inside the Hutterite communities? Canadian photographer Tim Smith shows us exactly how he built the deep, long-term relationships that define his career. Tim spent years immersed in these communal, traditional societies across the Canadian Prairies, perfecting a slow-work philosophy that allows him to portray their lives with the depth and nuance they deserve. His images have appeared in major magazines, including National Geographic, and his work has been exhibited in many countries to date. In this warm and honest talk, we dive into the challenges of that commitment. Tim opens up about why he now questions the pressure of the "all-in" photojournalism lifestyle and the essential need to prioritize family life. Hear about his wonderful crazy new project “Chaff”, the secret joy of eating supper in a combine during harvest, listen to some wonderful stories about the amazing Hutterite communities, where we talk about emotional moments or have a good laugh too of course. Hit play for a masterclass in wonderful patient and empathetic documentary work. Enjoy it!*****📸 See more of Tim’s work:https://www.timsmithphotography.ca/ *****🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

Can a single photographer help feed 9 billion people? In the second and final part of our chat with National Geographic legend Jim Richardson, we follow his lens into the biggest stories of his career. We talk about the massive challenge of food and farming, the urgent crisis of water scarcity, and why he keeps finding community and wildness on the remote islands of Scotland. Jim shares his best, no-nonsense advice on how a photographer can still pursue a long-form, meaningful story today, proving that a great photo is always worth the time it takes to capture it. Tune in for another fun and inspiring masterclass in purpose-driven photography. Enjoy it!*****📸 See more of Jim’s work:https://www.jimrichardsonphotography.com/ *****🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

What happens when you bring together not one, but the two Winners of the Amateur Photographer of the Year magazine 2024 awards!? You get a conversation filled with laughs, inspiration, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it really feels like to have your work recognized in one of the most competitive photography contests out there! In this episode we chat with Lynn Fraser, the overall APOY 2024 winner, and Lucy Monckton, crowned Young APOY 2024. From their very different journeys into photography to the moment they found out they’d won, they share the stories, surprises, the nerves, and of course, some great hints & tips behind their success! It’s a mix of honesty, fun, and practical wisdom that proves great photography doesn’t come from gear alone. Grab a coffee, tune in, and meet two amazing photographers who prove that passion really does get noticed!*****📸 See more of Lynns’s work:https://www.lynnfraserphotography.com/ 📸 See more of Lucy’s work:https://lucymonckton.com/ *****🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

Legendary National Geographic photographer Bob Krist is back for Part 2! — and if you thought the first half was good, this one goes even deeper. We talk about what it was really like to live life constantly on the road for magazines — the adventure, the exhaustion, and the family sacrifices that rarely make it into the photos. Bob also opens up about finding his creative footing again after personal loss, and how storytelling helped him reconnect with the world. He shares why he traded some years ago, stills for moving images, what he discovered through video, and the joy of reinventing yourself after decades behind the camera. Of course, there are more of those unforgettable National Geographic tales — the kind only someone with 37 years of assignments can tell. This episode is about resilience, humor, and the soul of travel photography in a world drowning in Instagram likes. Expect wisdom, honesty, and plenty of laughs (trust us — this one had us cracking up more than any other). ***** 📸 See more of Bob’s work: https://bobkrist.com/ ***** 🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration: https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

We’re back with the second part of our conversation with award-winning Indigenous photojournalist Pat Kane — Algonquin Anishinaabe, a proud member of the Timiskaming First Nation and a tireless visual storyteller based in Yellowknife, Canada’s Northwest Territories, focusing on preserving cultures, communities, and our connection to place. In this second half, we dive into Pat’s National Geographic story “The Last Trappers,” exploring the history and uncertain future of this northern tradition. We also talk about his latest Caribou Conservation project, supported by the Vital Impacts' Environmental Grant in honor of Jane Goodall, and why Indigenous-led storytelling is essential for the North’s future. Pat shares what it’s like co-founding the Far North Photo Festival, building platforms for other voices and mentoring Indigenous youth to inspire the next generation of photographers. Of course, yes — there are tales of braving –40°C with five battery packs tucked into your jacket, a camera in hand, and a quiet prayer to the shutter gods that it keeps on clicking. This is a conversation about purpose, resilience, and community — with plenty of warmth behind the lens. ***** 📸 See more of Pat’s work: https://www.patkanephoto.com/ ***** 🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration: https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

Pete Scott didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a photographer — he never even went to art school. But over the last decade, he’s quietly built a stunning wildlife and landscape portfolio, capturing everything from owls to kingfishers to badgers to foxes to coastal starry night shots or even swallows in flight. In our talk, Pete shares how it all started — how a misty morning with a fox changed his life behind the lens. We talk about the slow approach to wildlife, how patience beats gear, and what it really takes to photograph wild animals without disturbing them. He also walks us through his gear choices, how he films his peaceful YouTube wildlife vlogs, opposing the UK’s controversial badger culls and fox hunting practices — and using his voice and images to speak up for the nature he spends so much time with, in Dorset’s forests, fields, or coastline which offer endless inspiration. But Pete also opens up about something more personal: his volunteer initiative AIM, which renovates homes for families with terminally ill children — at no cost but making a huge impact outside the spotlight... It’s a photography podcast, yes, but we also need to talk about about purpose, compassion, and showing up for the world in quiet, powerful ways. Whether you’re just starting out or deep in your photography journey, Pete’s story is a reminder that beautiful images — and meaningful lives — don’t require a rule book. ***** 📸 See more of Pete’s work on Instagram: @naturehawk 📸 Follow Pete on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@naturehawk1 ***** 🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration: https://thecameracafeshow.com