The Camera Cafe Show

Robert Madden: Planes, Trains & National Geographic (Part 1)

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
 

Nancy Borowick: Holding Love Through a Camera

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

Sarah Leen: Decoding the Secret Language of Images (Part 2)

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
 

Sarah Leen: Decoding the Secret Language of Images (Part 1)

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

Pete Souza: The White House Quiet Observer (Part 2)

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
 

Pete Souza: The White House Quiet Observer (Part 1)

We begin a special two-part series with Pete Souza, the former Official White House Photographer who holds one of the most unique resumes in history. In Part 1, we trace his journey right back to the beginning, starting with his early days working for Kansas newspapers, how he broke into photojournalism, and the unexpected opportunity that led to his first stint in the White House, documenting President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s.
Pete shares great stories from the Reagan years (yes, even about Michael Jackson) and we follow his career up to the assignment that put him in the path of a young, then still unknown Senator named Barack Obama.
Next week in Part 2, we dive into the emotional reality of documenting the world's most powerful man every day, we get some full stories behind iconic pictures, and follow Pete as he transitions from White House observer to a best-selling author and outspoken advocate.*****📸 See more of Pete Souza:https://www.petesouza.com/
*****🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:https://www.thecameracafeshow.com
 

Joumana El Zein Khoury: World Press Photo 70th Anniversary

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
 

Lee-Ann Olwage: An Ode to Celebration and African Identity

Multiple award winner Lee-Ann Olwage from South Africa joins us today to discuss her incredible journey from film set decorator to winning in the Sony World Photography Awards and World Press Photo. Her powerful approach is rooted in collaborative storytelling, giving marginalized voices agency and celebrating their identity on the African continent.
We dive into her project "#BlackDragMagic", where she collaborated with amazing drag artists to champion the queer, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans community and confront the daily threat of violence in South African townships. We also discuss her uplifting series, "The Right to Play," which visualizes the dreams of young girls in Kenya avoiding FGM and child marriage by proudly setting their sights on becoming lawyers and pilots, and her newest documentation of the "State Ballet of Georgia". 
Don't miss this profound conversation on ethics, purpose, and the language of the image—and stick around to hear the wonderful moment her assistant got a marriage proposal while surrounded by amazing drag queens! Enjoy it.*****📸 See more of Lee-Ann’s work:https://www.leeannolwage.com/
*****🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:https://www.thecameracafeshow.com