The Nature Photo Guys

Jesse and Susan of Follow Me North join us to share the story behind one of Canada's most respected wildlife photography brands. What started with a shared love of nature has grown into a business built around ethical wildlife photography, conservation, and helping photographers gain confidence in the field. Based near Algonquin Park, Jesse and Susan have created an ego-free approach to teachi...

In this episode, we’re putting the Leofoto WN-03 door mount to the test, and honestly, we think it’s a game-changer for wildlife photographers and filmmakers working from a vehicle. Paired with a fluid head, the setup is incredibly smooth, stable, and surprisingly solid in the field. Whether you’re tracking moving wildlife, filming with long lenses out the truck window, or trying to stay mobile wi...

In this episode, we’re handing the mic over to you! We’ve gathered the most frequent, interesting, and challenging questions from our community and sat down to answer them all. So, grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and join us for this deep dive into the world of The Nature Photo Guys! Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe, and hit the bell to see more content from 'The Nature Photo Gu...

How do you go from your first DSLR to leading workshops with National Geographic in just five years? In this episode, Joe and Chris sit down with Colby Brown, renowned photographer and Sony Artisan of Imagery, to break down his journey into landscape, wildlife and humanitarian photography. We cover his global work, his nonprofit The Giving Lens, and how he collaborates with major brands like Samsu...

In this episode of The Nature Photo Guys Podcast, Joe and Chris break down a recent, heart-pounding encounter with a lynx. Beyond the feline highlight, we’re catching you up on everything else in our world: • The Lynx Breakdown: A firsthand look at the gear used during this incredible sighting. • What’s New in the Bag: We’re discussing the latest photography gear we’ve been testing and how it’s ho...

Imagine trading the industrial world for eleven years tracking wildlife through the remote corners of Vancouver Island. This unwavering patience has now culminated in our guest being named the 2025 Canadian Geographic Photographer of the Year. In this episode of The Nature Photo Guys, Joe Desjardins and Chris Gibbs sit down with acclaimed award winning Canadian wildlife photographer Anthony Bucci....

How do you go from shooting the Olympics to tracking polar bears in the sub-Arctic? In this episode, legendary Canadian photojournalist Johnny Hayward shares his journey from the high-pressure world of professional sports and news photography to the frozen tundra of Churchill, Manitoba. After 28 years as a premier national photographer, Johnny now runs Bear Witness Photo, where he captures the qui...

What if the most powerful part of photography happens before you ever press the shutter? In this episode, world-renowned nature photographer Ian Plant shares why he believes the true magic of photography isn’t created on a computer, it’s experienced in the field. We talk about presence, patience, light, timing, and why chasing real moments will always matter more than chasing perfection. This is a...

Fall in the Canadian Rockies means one thing, The elk rut. In this episode, Chris and Joe head into the mountains to experience one of nature’s most intense and dramatic wildlife events, the elk rut. From echoing bugles in the dark to quiet moments waiting for light, this is what it’s really like to be out there during peak season. It’s not about trophies or checklists. It’s about patience, presen...

What does it take to photograph wildlife in extreme environments, from the Rocky Mountains to the remote wilds of Alaska? Photographer, writer, and conservation advocate Dawn Wilson joins The Nature Photo Guys to share how a lifelong connection to animals and a move from New Jersey to Colorado reshaped her career behind the lens. Surrounded by the dramatic landscapes of the Rockies, Dawn developed...

Join Chris and Joe as they dive into Joe’s 2025 photography expedition to Svalbard, one of the wildest, most unpredictable, and awe-inspiring places on the planet. From life on the ship and long days on the pack ice to polar bears, walrus encounters, dramatic Arctic light, and those surreal moments that only happen miles from anywhere, this episode pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like t...

In this episode, we sit down with Shane Turgeon, Canadian Geographic’s 2024 Photographer of the Year, to talk about his incredible journey in nature photography. What began in 2015 as simple iPhone snapshots during difficult times, quiet walks with his dogs that helped him reconnect with nature, has grown into a body of work celebrated across Canada and beyond. Since then, Shane’s images of landsc...

Join us as we sit down with photographer, artist, author, and educator Wayne Simpson, whose dramatic portraiture and breathtaking landscapes have inspired photographers across Canada and around the world. Wayne is known for creating images that blend emotion, story, and artistry. His portraits carry a mythic quality that invites viewers to wonder about the lives behind the faces he photographs. Hi...

Join Joe Desjardins and Chris Gibbs from The Nature Photo Guys Podcast as they look back on an incredible year of wildlife photography adventures! From the frozen landscapes of Svalbard in July to the thundering elk rut in September and the wild caribou migrations in October, 2025 was packed with unforgettable moments behind the lens. This is your sneak peek into our year in the wild and a setup f...

On this episode of The Nature Photo Guys Podcast, we celebrate one year with our sponsor, The Camera Store in Calgary, Canada’s leading photography store and home of The Camera Store TV YouTube channel. Hosts Joe Desjardins and Chris Gibbs sit down with Dave Paul and Evelyn Drake to talk about:• The Camera Store’s incredible 30-year history 📸• Behind the scenes of their popular YouTube channel •...

It’s a twofer, and this episode is part two of two simultaneously released episodes produced in collaboration with the Beyond The Wild podcast. This time, hosts Joe Desjardins and Chris Gibbs of The Nature Photo Guys turn the tables on Ron Hayes, Jason Loftus, and Mark Raycroft of Beyond The Wild. With the BTW crew now in the hot seat, Joe and Chris dig into their experiences, challenges, and pass...

Today, we’re beyond excited to bring you a conversation with one of the most inspiring storytellers of our time, Ami Vitale. Ami is not just a world-renowned photographer and filmmaker, she’s a National Geographic Explorer, Nikon Ambassador, and a six-time recipient of World Press Photo awards. Her career has taken her from documenting war zones to dedicating her lens to conservation and wildlife....

Witness the extraordinary work of Maxime Légaré-Vézina, the 2025 Canadian Geographic Wildlife Photographer of the Year. In this exclusive feature, we dive into his award-winning images, creative process, and the powerful stories behind his breathtaking wildlife photography. From the frozen landscapes of Canada’s North, to intimate moments with elusive animals, Maxime’s photography showcases both a...

(This Episode best viewed on YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/@TheNaturePhotoGuys In this episode of The Nature Photo Guys Podcast, Joe & Chris go hands-on with the iFootage Cobra 3 Strike Monopod and share their first impressions from a nature & wildlife photographer’s perspective. We take a deep dive into what makes this monopod unique — from its fast-deploy trigger grip and detachable b...

Meet Tracy Halladay, a nature and wildlife photographer based in British Columbia, whose breathtaking images are rooted in resilience, recovery, and a deep love for the natural world. After surviving four years on dialysis and receiving a life-saving kidney transplant, Tracey returned to the outdoors with a fresh vision, capturing everything from sweeping mountain landscapes to intimate details of...

In this episode of The Nature Photo Guys Podcast, we sit down with Curtis Jones—Arctic photographer, visual storyteller, and wilderness explorer. From the remote shores of Newfoundland to the frozen landscapes of Nunavut, Curtis shares insights from over a decade photographing the Canadian Arctic, Greenland, Antarctica, and beyond. We dive into Arctic photography, life in extreme environments, sto...

Welcome to The 99.999% Show, where nature photography meets the hilariously unexpected. We’re The Nature Photo Guys – Joe and Chris – two seasoned photographers who spend 0.001% of our time getting "the shot"… and the other 99.999% dealing with flat tires, questionable fashion choices and yes — that one time a workshop peep accidentally caught a face full of bear spray (don’t worry, they’re fine…...

In this episode of The Nature Photo Guys Podcast, we’re joined by Alberta-based creator Dusty Cressey, an adventure-seeking storyteller who went from competitive slopestyle skiing to capturing stunning travel, wildlife, and landscape content around the globe. From working with tourism boards to documenting breathtaking wilderness moments, Dusty brings the same passion, energy, and grit to his crea...

In this episode, we're sharing some of our favourite nature photography tips, the kind that make the difference between a good shot and a great one. From light and composition to backgrounds and patience in the field, we cover it all in our usual laid-back style. Grab your coffee and join us! 📸  Got a question or tip of your own? Drop it in the comments below! Don't forget to like, share,...

He’s a Scottish artist, writer, musician, and educator whose work blends visual art with deep emotional resonance. Together with his wife, he runs a company dedicated to helping others find their own voice through expressive photography—a practice deeply connected to personal growth and mental well-being. His powerful book, Out of Darkness, explores the relationship between the external landscape...