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.

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📸 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

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🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration: https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

What happens to a community long after a nuclear test is over?

Documentary photographer and National Geographic Explorer Chinky Shukla takes us into the villages of India where the story didn’t end when the nuclear bombs were detonated. Through her long-term projects in Jadugoda and Pokhran, she documents the lives of people living close to uranium mines and nuclear test sites — places where the consequences of history continue to shape everyday life.

We also talk about her journey into photography, her background growing up in Delhi, nominations for the Leica Oskar Barnack Award, Joop Swart Masterclass and the hopeful side of her work: photography workshops with children in Pokhran who are learning to tell their own stories through the camera. We talk about train travel across India, cooking, and the small everyday moments that remind us that even in the most serious stories, life — and sometimes laughter — continues.

Grab a coffee, settle in, and join us for this wonderful conversation with Chinky Shukla.

*****

📸 See more of Chinky's work:

https://www.chinkyshukla.in/

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🎧 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!

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📸 See more of Arati's work:

https://www.aratikumarrao.com/

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🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:

https://www.thecameracafeshow.com