The Camera Cafe Show

Bob Krist: Why Real Travel Beats Instagram (Part 2)

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).
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📸 See more of Bob’s work:
https://bobkrist.com/
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🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:
https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

Bob Krist: Why Real Travel Beats Instagram (Part 1)

What does Authentic Travel Photography mean in the age of Instagram and filters? For Bob Krist, it was nearly 40 years of globetrotting with National Geographic and National Geographic Traveler — capturing authentic moments on film in more than 150 countries.
In Part 1 of our conversation, Bob takes us back to the Golden days of Travel Photography: assignments that dropped him into big cities and rural back roads with nothing but some rolls of film and a good sense of humor. He shares how he stumbled into former editor Bob Gilka's office with some photographs under his arm, what it was really like to shoot for NatGeo in those days, the challenges of working with film on tight deadlines being surrounded by the world greatest photographers, and why travel photography has always been more about patience, trust, and storytelling than about staging the perfect shot.
It’s a conversation full of wanderlust, authenticity, and behind-the-scenes tales from someone who’s lugged gear across every corner of the globe.
And make sure to come back for Part 2 next week — where we dive a bit into Bob’s personal life and how it intertwined with his career, his switch from stills to video, publishing his books, and more unforgettable NatGeo stories.
Pour yourself a cup, settle in, and let’s journey together (plus — it’s the episode we had the most laughs recording!). Be ready for it!
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📸 See more of Bob’s work:
https://bobkrist.com/
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🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:
https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

Pat Kane: In The Frost Where Stories Speak (Part 2)

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.
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📸 See more of Pat’s work:
https://www.patkanephoto.com/
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🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:
https://www.thecameracafeshow.com
 

Pat Kane: In the Frost Where Stories Speak (Part 1)

Today’s guest is a photographer whose work isn’t just beautiful — it’s vital, especially in a world where conservation isn’t just about nature, but also about us — our cultures, communities, and connection to place.
Pat Kane is an Indigenous Algonquin Anishinaabe photojournalist based in Yellowknife, in Canada’s Northwest Territories, and a proud member of the Timiskaming First Nation. His powerful work documents the lives and stories of Indigenous people across the North — from traditional knowledge keepers to modern youth shaping their own narratives.
In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, we explore Pat’s journey into photojournalism, the importance of community collaboration, and how he builds long-term trust in the places he photographs. He talks about his project made for the Joop Swart Masterclass -the World Press Photo’s best-known educational program for emerging photographers-, navigating identity, responsibility, and representation — all while working in some of the most extreme environments on Earth.
Coming next week in the second part, will dive into his National Geographic assignment, working in the deep cold with photography gear, his latest caribou conservation project supported by the Vital Impacts' Environmental Grant in honor of Jane Goodall, and about co-founding the amazing Far North Photo Festival in Yellowknife.
This is a conversation about identity, environment, purpose — and photography in -40 degrees Celsius — told through the lens of a powerful, grounded voice in contemporary documentary work, with of course some good laughs at times too.
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📸 See more of Pat’s work:
https://www.patkanephoto.com/
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🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:
https://www.thecameracafeshow.com
 

Pete Scott: Looking After What Matters

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.
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📸 See more of Pete’s work on Instagram: @naturehawk
📸 Follow Pete on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@naturehawk1
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🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:
https://thecameracafeshow.com

Graham Watson: A Life On Two Wheels

Graham Watson didn’t just photograph bike races — he lived them, from the back of a motorbike, chasing the world’s Greatest Cyclists through cobbled streets, Alpine climbs, and chaotic sprints for over 40 years.
In this episode, Graham joins us from his porch in New Zealand to reflect on a career that started in a London portrait studio and somehow led to shooting legends like Eddy Merckx, Miguel Indurain, Lance Armstrong, Tom Boonen, Greg LeMond, Marco Pantani, Bernard Hinault and many more — often at 50 km/h, with a camera in hand and no second chances.
We talk about how photography evolved over four decades on the road — from film to digital, darkroom prints to wireless image delivery, Nikon FM2s to the D5. Graham shares how he handled pressure, what made a good race a photographer’s dream, great personal stories and why chasing light and landscapes was just as important as chasing the riders.
We also talk about a photographer's retirement, life in New Zealand, Belgian beer, and the making of his beautiful book 40 Years of Cycling Photography — a visual time capsule of a life spent chasing moments most of us only ever see from the sidelines.
Whether you're a photographer who loves cycling, or a cyclist who loves photography — this one’s for you.
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📸 See more of Graham’s work:
https://www.grahamwatson.com/
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🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:
https://thecameracafeshow.com

Claire Thomas: Witnessing War, Resilience, and Peace

What happens when a small town Welsh girl travels the world and takes a photo that gets published in National Geographic? For Claire Thomas, it launched a career in global conflict and humanitarian photojournalism.
In this episode, Claire takes us behind the images — into her life photographing trauma centers during the battle for Mosul, documenting the lives of the wives and mothers of ISIS fighters, and spending years embedded in the Middle East, covering war, migration, and survival with deep empathy.
We also talk about her love of horses, how she finds balance in such intense photojournalistic work, what it's like to shoot from horseback across the Mongolian steppe, or the moment she realized a single photo could help save a child’s life.
This episode is raw, inspiring, honest — and yes, between the heavy topics, we also shared a few good laughs.
🎧 Tune in for a conversation that will challenge, move, and remind you what photography can truly do.
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📸 See more of Claire’s work:
https://www.clairethomasphotography.com/
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🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:
https://thecameracafeshow.com/

Ken Marsh: Discover Alaska’s Wild Side (Mini Guide Pt. 2)

Ready to further plan your Alaskan Photo Adventure?📸 In Part 2 of our Mini Guide to Wildlife Photography in Alaska, Ken Marsh takes us season by season through the Best Spots, Animals, and Tips to help you Capture the Wild — from salmon-hunting Bears to rutting Moose 🦌
We talk about Timing, Travel, Safety (when something comes running at you), Clothing, essential Bug Spray, Roads, Weather, what to Eat when the day is done and which Photography Gear to bring of course! It’s practical, personal, fun and packed with insight from a lifelong Alaskan 🚀🐻
🎧 Hit play — and if you missed Part 1, start there first!
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📸 See more of Ken’s work:
www.wildcountryreflections.com
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🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:
https://thecameracafeshow.com/