Beyond the Wild

Join us for an engaging panel discussion as the entire team explores pro tips submitted by our audience. This episode is filled with practical tips, personal stories, and expert insights on wildlife photography, gear hacks, and field techniques. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Lighthearted Banter 04:59 Listener Questions and Pro Tips 09:59 Photography Adventures and Community Building 15:12 Pro Ti...

Scott Keys provides a fun, highly energetic discussion, detailing his journey into wildlife photography and his gradual full immersion in the wild. He excels at his craft and shares his passion for a pure approach to wildlife photography. And now he shares his equipment expertise on his YouTube channel, Wildlife Inspired, and provides guided workshops for new and emerging wildlife photography enth...

In this episode of Beyond the Wild, hosts Mark Raycroft and Jason Loftus continue their conversation with wildlife photographer Nick White, diving deep into the ethics of wildlife photography, cultural differences in practices, and the importance of community and discussion in the field. They explore Nick's new wildlife photography club initiative, balancing work and passion, and his exciting van...

In this two-part episode of Beyond the Wild, hosts Mark Raycroft and Jason Loftus are joined by guest Nick White. They explore Nick’s unique experiences living and working in Scotland, including his stint as a lobster fisherman in the North Sea. The conversation delves into the dangers at sea, the beauty of wildlife encounters, and the state of ecosystems in the UK, all while highlighting Nick’s j...

In this episode, Jason Loftus recounts his experiences at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, highlighting the bird migration phenomenon and stunning photography opportunities available there. Mark and Ron reflect on their experiences with waterfowl migration, the impact of weather patterns on waterfowl migration, and the beauty of bird gathering locations. Jason discusses the photography...

In this episode of Beyond the Wild Podcast, the hosts introduce guest Jay Grunig, a law enforcement officer and wildlife photographer, who shares the therapeutic benefits of photography for mental health. The conversation explores the importance of family in outdoor activities and the sense of community within the wildlife photography world. Jay offers valuable tips for capturing wildlife images,...

It’s that time of year for the BTW Crew’s favourite annual session: reflecting on memorable wildlife encounters from the past year. Two thousand twenty-five was a big year of photography accomplishments and phenomenal luck. Ron, Jason and Mark discuss their favourite moments and share personal stories about wildlife encounters and photography techniques. Special thanks go out to our supporters for...

In this episode of Beyond the Wild, hosts Ron Hayes and Mark Raycroft welcome guests Tristen Vega Moffett and Neil Simmons, the owners of Roam Wild Photo Tours.  Tristen and Neil are professional photographers and run tours in Yellowstone and the Grand Teton National Park. They tell of an epic snow coach trip where they witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime wolf-pack attack on a bull bison. Although...

In this episode of Beyond the Wild, hosts Ron Hayes and Jason Loftus welcome host and guest, Mark Raycroft and his wife, Pili, to discuss their recent adventures in Nunavik, leading a tour to photograph musk ox in the stunning northern landscape. This epic trip to photograph these unique creatures during the rut is filled with amazing stories and adventures. They also discuss the unique accommodat...

In this episode of Beyond the Wild Podcast, hosts Mark Raycroft and Jason Loftus engage in a lively debate moderated by Drew Hamilton of Discover Churchill Tours, discussing the differences between whitetail and mule deer. They explore various aspects such as habitat, behavior, fieldcraft for photography, antler characteristics, marketability of images, and the intelligence of both species. The co...

In this episode of Beyond the Wild, host Ron Hayes and Jason Loftus welcome wildlife photographer Julia Cook. Julia has accomplished more in five years than many wildlife photography enthusiasts, and she shares her journey into wildlife photography, her experiences in Yellowstone, and the differences in bear behavior between Yellowstone and Katmai. Jason and Julia discuss their recent trip to Chur...

In this week’s episode, we are off to the coast of Alaska to photograph the Coastal Brown Bears during the epic seasonal salmon run. For Ron, this is his first trip to witness this spectacular natural event. For Jason, this is his second trip, but with new equipment and a new shot list. Listen in as Ron and Jason share some heart-pounding experiences from the trip, provide some tips from their les...

We are excited to have Colin Bigelow from Pictureline on the show this week. We’ve been wanting Colin to join us on the show since the launch of Beyond the Wild, and well, it finally happened. Colin is not only the key contact at Pictureline for anything related to wildlife photography, but also one of the most passionate photographers out there.  His backstory is inspiring, and this episode...

In this episode of Beyond the Wild Podcast, the hosts reconnect after a long time apart. They share highlights from their recent field adventures, personal updates, and tease some future episodes. Chapters 00:00 Reconnecting After Time Apart 02:51 Field Adventures and Experiences 05:59 Photography and Creative Projects 08:58 Celebrating Personal Milestones 11:56 Wildlife Encounters and Family Mome...

Beyond the Wild, hosts Ron Hayes and Jason Loftus reconnect with guests Kate and Adam Rice to discuss the transition to their full-time photography business. Kate and Adam discuss their move to Alaska, their new Gallery and how life has changed since leaving the corporate world behind. The conversation covers various topics, including recent bear camp trips, the Patagonia trip for puma, and the im...

This conversation has gone to the birds! We are stoked to share our explorations in the world of bird photography, discuss tips and techniques for capturing stunning bird images, explore the fascinating migration patterns of various species, and discuss the importance of conservation. Ron, Mark and Jason share personal experiences and insights, emphasizing the joy and challenges of photographing b...

In this remarkable episode, hosts Ron and Jason are joined by special guests Jason and Karla Cox for a thrilling comparison of their photo expeditions in the Pantanal region of Brazil. What makes this conversation truly captivating is that their journeys occurred a year apart, offering unique perspectives on this breathtaking wilderness. They dive into fascinating differences in wildlife, animal b...

Welcome to our first “Fresh From the Field” segment. Jason Loftus and guests from his recent trip to the Pantanal, Brazil, sit down to discuss the shoot at the end of the week, reviewing the shots they captured and the ones that got away. Join us for this brief episode that captures the excitement of interacting with nature’s wildlife. Thanks for tuning in to the Beyond the Wild Podcast. Don't for...

It’s a twofer, and this episode is part one of two simultaneously released episodes produced in collaboration with The Nature Photo Guys podcast. Hosts Ron Hayes, Jason Loftus and Mark Raycroft engage in a lively discussion with guests Joe Desjardins and Chris Gibbs of The Nature Photo Guys podcast. Joe and Chris are on the hot seat for this part as the BTW crew peppers TNPG with a multitude of qu...

In this episode, the crew is at it again, discussing listener questions, but this time the questions are a little more technical. The crew discuss the challenges of humidity on camera gear, managing focal points and time in the field, as well as how to turn your passion into a business and a lot more. And of course, there are many bunny trails the crew can’t avoid going down as they get lost in th...

This episode is dedicated to the tallest land mammal in North America: the moose. Mark, Jason, and Ron delve into the fascinating world of moose, including their vocalizations and behaviours, along with some of the odd features of this species that make it stand out amongst the crowd. There’s light-hearted banter and insightful discussions about moose subspecies. They discuss the size differences...

In this episode of Beyond the Wild Podcast, Ben Masters discusses the making of his wildlife documentary The American Southwest , and the intricate techniques used in wildlife cinematography. He shares insights into the recovery of the California condor and the importance of conservation efforts, while also highlighting the challenges faced by communities and ecosystems in the wake of environmenta...

In this episode of Beyond the Wild Podcast, the hosts engage in a lively discussion with wildlife photographer Mitch Decock. Mitch shares his unique journey into wildlife photography, recounting memorable encounters with bears and other wildlife, and the importance of mentorship in the field. The conversation highlights the thrill of wildlife photography as Mitch recounts his adventures with his m...

In this episode, Mark Raycroft, Ron Hayes and Jason Loftus take on another round of exceptional listener questions head-on. The crew shares wisdom on "THE wildlife lens" for both Canon and Nikon shooters, as well as tripod head preferences. Questions also explore image printing and the guys share their preferred labs in both Canada and the U.S. And our team shares their experiences and recos for t...

This week, Ron, Jason and Mark go BEAR-ZERK, delving into key pro tips for bear photography. The crew shares their experiences and preparations for bear photography, with a particular focus on the upcoming trip to Alaska. The conversation also explores the challenges of photographing bears, including the need for patience and the significance of preparing ahead of time to capture the right moments...