The Camera Life

Photographer Craig Wetjen shares an incredible journey from studying scientific photography and interning at NASA to building a photography career in Australia. In this episode of The Camera Life podcast, Craig talks about photographing bullets in flight, the transition from film to digital, teaching photography, and creating his powerful Men in Their Sheds project. He also opens up about mental health, surviving cancer, and how photography walks and creative practice can help people reconnect with themselves and the world around them.

Craig Wetjen, originally from the USA, moved to Australia 25 years ago and fully immersed himself in the photography industry after an early career in sports photography with local Connecticut newspapers. One of his proudest achievements was working with NASA while earning his photography degree.

After relocating to Australia in 1996, Craig introduced one of the country’s first university digital photography subjects at RMIT, at a time when digital imaging was still in its infancy. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has received numerous international awards and remains committed to the belief that photographers learn from every image they create.

Craig is also an accomplished author, best known for his bestselling 2016 book Men and Their Sheds, featured on programs including The Project and Manspace TV. Through his work, he highlights the importance of creativity, wellbeing, and men’s mental health.

Alongside his photography practice, Craig has taught at leading institutions including RMIT, Swinburne University, Melbourne Polytechnic, and Photography Studies College. He now runs workshops for photographers of all skill levels, sharing his passion for creativity, quality, and authentic storytelling.

Website: https://www.craigwetjen.com/
Website: https://jtppics.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigwetjenphotographer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craigwetjenphotography/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CraigWetjen/videos

All the camera news, rumours and more from CP+ 2026.

In this episode of The Random Photography Show, we break down the biggest announcements from CP+ 2025, including Canon’s wild retro concept camera and the growing nostalgia trend in modern gear design. We dive into compact camera demand, Ricoh GR4 hype, industry direction, and whether brands are missing the mark. Plus, viewer-submitted images, lunar eclipse plans, travel photography chat, and practical camera storage tips. If you love photography news, camera debates, and real-world insights from working photographers, this episode delivers.

In this episode of The Camera Life, Australian landscape photographer Jeff Freestone shares how he left corporate finance to build a creative life in Victoria’s High Country. We dive into intimate landscape photography, developing a unique visual style, photographing snow and alpine conditions, camera gear choices, running workshops, and navigating Instagram’s changing algorithms. Jeff also discusses his award-winning bushfire image and why slowing down in nature transformed his photography. If you’re dreaming of a creative reset or want to elevate your landscape work, this episode is packed with insight.

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Jeff Freestone is an Australian landscape photographer, educator, and the founder of Creative Light, a photography education platform based in Victoria’s High Country. At Creative Light he leads immersive landscape photography workshops designed to help photographers unlock their creative potential, master their cameras, and develop a meaningful personal vision in their work.

Jeff’s teaching philosophy springs from his own journey — after consuming countless hours of tutorials that left him confused and overwhelmed, he decided to distil what truly matters in landscape photography into a clear, practical learning framework. Through his workshops, he guides participants through the core fundamentals of photography (including composition, light, weather, and post-processing), emphasising how to see beyond the obvious and capture images that evoke connection and lasting impact.

Based in the Victorian High Country of Australia, Jeff is known for his patient, thoughtful teaching style and his passion for showing photographers how to slow down, observe nature’s subtle beauty, and avoid common pitfalls early in their photographic journey.

Website: https://creativelight.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeff_freestone/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativelight.jeff
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jeff_freestone/videos

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THE CAMERA LIFE - LIVE PHOTOGRAPHY PODCAST
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➡Blog: https://luckystraps.com/the-camera-life
➡YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_camera_life
➡IG: https://www.instagram.com/the_camera_life_podcast
➡Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1dC4kPNrLORz2ASrukyOS5?si=18c6fd2534cf4d97
➡Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-camera-life/id1760304677

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LUCKY STRAPS - THE BEST CAMERA STRAPS ON THE PLANET
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✅ Quick Release System
✅ Anti-Theft, Cut-Resistant and Safety Lock
✅ Super Comfortable Genuine Leather
✅ Australian Made and Lifetime Guarantee a
✅ Personalise with Your Name or Logo
✅ Owned, Designed and Used by Working Photographers

SHOP NOW https://luckystraps.com/
(Use code for 15% off - Codes are JUSTIN JIM or GREG - Which host do you like the most?)

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CONNECT WITH US
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Greg Cromie - Writer and Photographer
➡IG: https://www.instagram.com/gcromie/
➡Greg's Blog: https://gregcromie.blog/

Justin Castles - Photographer and Founder of Lucky Straps
➡IG: https://www.instagram.com/justincastles

Jim Aldersey - Wedding and Boudoir Photographer
➡IG: https://www.instagram.com/jimaldersey/
➡Wedding IG: https://www.instagram.com/weddingsbyjim_/
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The only live Photography Podcast where you can call in and be part of the show!

Camera News, Special Guest Photographers, Technique Deep Dives, Unboxing Gear and Reviewing Your Images.

Levin Barrett returns to The Camera Life for a wide-ranging photography conversation covering airline cockpit timelapses, landscape and astrophotography tours, CP+ gear rumors, compact vlogging cameras, film shooting discipline, and street photography at f/1.4. The team also reviews listener images and discusses the mindset needed to keep improving your craft. Whether you're into travel photography, camera gear, or creative growth, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration.

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THE CAMERA LIFE - LIVE PHOTOGRAPHY PODCAST
===========================================
➡Blog: https://luckystraps.com/the-camera-life
➡YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_camera_life
➡IG: https://www.instagram.com/the_camera_life_podcast
➡Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1dC4kPNrLORz2ASrukyOS5?si=18c6fd2534cf4d97
➡Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-camera-life/id1760304677

===================================================
LUCKY STRAPS - THE BEST CAMERA STRAPS ON THE PLANET
===================================================
✅ Quick Release System
✅ Anti-Theft, Cut-Resistant and Safety Lock
✅ Super Comfortable Genuine Leather
✅ Australian Made and Lifetime Guarantee a
✅ Personalise with Your Name or Logo
✅ Owned, Designed and Used by Working Photographers

SHOP NOW https://luckystraps.com/
(Use code for 15% off - Codes are JUSTIN JIM or GREG - Which host do you like the most?)

================
CONNECT WITH US
================
Greg Cromie - Writer and Photographer
➡IG: https://www.instagram.com/gcromie/
➡Greg's Blog: https://gregcromie.blog/

Justin Castles - Photographer and Founder of Lucky Straps
➡IG: https://www.instagram.com/justincastles

Jim Aldersey - Wedding and Boudoir Photographer
➡IG: https://www.instagram.com/jimaldersey/
➡Wedding IG: https://www.instagram.com/weddingsbyjim_/
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In this episode, Richard Grenfell breaks down how he built a highly profitable boudoir and headshot studio from scratch. He shares his pricing model, in-person sales strategy, lighting techniques, posing workflow, client retention systems, and why photography may be one of the best business opportunities available today. From shadow-side lighting to projector-based reveal sessions and ad agency marketing, this is a masterclass in turning creative photography into serious revenue.

Thrive Photography is an award-winning, family-run studio based in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, led by Richard and Tracey Grenfell. With more than 20 years in business and thousands of people photographed, they specialise in professional portrait photography, business headshots, corporate headshots, and custom boudoir experiences, working from their purpose-built studio or on location.

Featured on TV and in print, the team combines Richard’s expertise as primary photographer with Tracey’s extensive business leadership, supported by talented hair, makeup artists, and specialist photographers. In 2022, they relocated to a stunning new studio in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, creating an elevated photography experience for clients travelling from Brisbane and beyond.

Links:
Website: https://www.thrivephotography.com.au/
Website: https://www.thriveboudoir.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richard.grenfell.315/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Richard.Grenfell.Thrive
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveboudoir/