The Nature Photo Guys

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 a deep focus on photographing wildlife in high-altitude and high-latitude environments, documenting animal behavior, conservation stories, and the wild places that shape them.Now a full-time photographer and writer, her work has appeared in more than 600 published pieces, including Outdoor Photographer, Colorado Outdoors, and National Geographic Digital. Her dedication to wildlife storytelling extends beyond photography through published books, guided workshops, and spending 15 months on the road in an RV photographing wildlife across North America.Dawn has also served two terms as President of NANPA, worked as a Master Naturalist, and continues to advocate for wildlife conservation through education and storytelling.📸 Please welcome to the show, Dawn Wilson.

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 to photograph in the High Arctic.Joe shares what worked, what didn’t, the gear that earned its keep, and the lessons he’s bringing forward into future workshops. Chris jumps in with the questions every photographer wants answered, keeping things honest, practical, and entertaining along the way.If you love wildlife photography, adventure travel, expedition life, or the challenge of photographing in remote Arctic environments, this episode is for you.In this episode:• Polar bear photography in extreme conditions• Walrus encounters and pack-ice wildlife• What it’s like living and shooting from an expedition ship• Gear that survived (and gear that didn’t)• Lessons for future Svalbard workshops• How to prepare for Arctic wildlife photography📸 Svalbard 2025 a place where light, ice, and wildlife come together like nowhere else.Enjoyed the episode? Like, share, and subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss future adventures with The Nature Photo Guys. Thanks for watching!

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 landscapes, night skies, storms, and wildlife have been featured by:• NASA• Canadian Geographic• Natural Landscape Photography Awards• PhotoLife Magazine• Numerous national media outletsShane continues to explore western Canada, creating images that reflect both the beauty of the land and his deep personal connection to it. His work ranges from intimate, subtle scenes to dramatic storm filled vistas, always carrying a sense of honesty and presence that sets him apart.He is also the creator of the Lightchasers Nature Photography Conference, which has grown from its first event in 2022 into one of Canada’s premier nature photography gatherings. The 2026 conference marks its fifth year.Join us as we talk about creativity, personal growth, perseverance, and the story behind Shane’s rise to becoming one of Canada’s most respected nature photographers.Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe, and hit the bell to see more content from 'The Nature Photo Guys!'Thanks for watching!

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. His landscapes are equally powerful, capturing mood, mystery, and the beauty of wild places.Wayne’s award-winning work has appeared in Canadian Geographic, Outdoor Photography Canada, Dark Beauty Magazine, and many others — and today he joins The Nature Photo Guys Podcast to talk art, emotion, and the craft of photography.📸 Please welcome to the show, Wayne Simpson.

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 for what’s to come! In upcoming episodes, we’ll break down each of these adventures in detail: the gear, the challenges, the laughs, and the lessons learned.🎙️ Subscribe so you don’t miss those deep dives!📸 Follow along on Instagram: @thenaturephotoguyspodcast | @footprintsinnature | @joedesjardins.ca 🎧 Available on YouTube and all podcast platforms! Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe, and hit the bell to see more content from 'The Nature Photo Guys!'Thanks for watching!