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“Everybody smile, because we're doing this for Mum!” Sound familiar? 😄 If you're thinking about becoming a family photographer, this conversation might be just what you need. Mind you, you might need nerves of steel sometimes! Our guest today is Melina Coogan, an award-winning documentary family photographer from the US who found her way into photography almost by accident (it includes a stint on an Alaskan cruise ship!). We talk about getting your first clients, building a business from scratch, learning from mistakes, the gear but why understanding people and being present can matter far more than knowing every camera setting by heart when you start out. But there's more to Melina's story than family photography. We talk about her own busy family life, her documentary work with the Irish Travelling Community, which was selected by Photo Vogue, and some of the stories behind her camera over the years. It's a wonderful ‘Sublime Absurdity’ glimpse into another side of her photography, and a reminder that a camera can take you into worlds you never expected to discover. Magic Irish fairies included! Grab a coffee, settle in, and join us for this wonderful conversation with Melina Coogan. *** 📸 See more of Melina’s work: https://www.melinacooganphoto.com/ *** 🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Follow, maybe leave us a review, or share it! You know the drill 😉🎧 *** 🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration: https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

Somewhere between the stories that break your heart and the ones that make you smile, there is a whole world of unexpected stories waiting to be told. Photographer and writer Tommy Trenchard has spent more than fifteen years finding them on the African continent and beyond 📸 In my conversation today, we travel with Tommy to the beginning of his journey, arriving from the UK to Sierra Leone with a one-way ticket and the intention of building a freelance career as an independent photographer. Along the way, photography became a way of getting closer to people and places, telling stories about conflict and crisis, conservation, communities, environmental change and the people trying to make a difference. And because you want to hear stories, we talk with Tommy about some projects that have shaped his career, including his time covering the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the human-wildlife conflict surrounding elephants in Zambia, the College of Magic in Cape Town, or child shepherds in Lesotho whose story became a 16-page feature in GEO France magazine. Over the years, his work has earned recognition from prestigious organizations such as World Press Photo, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Visa pour l'Image and Amnesty International. But there is plenty more to Tommy's story than the difficult assignments. We talk about the decision to broaden the kind of stories he covers, the importance of showing the positive as well as the painful, writing alongside photography, becoming a father, MI6, karaoke and of course some other wonderfully unexpected moments. Grab yourself a coffee and join me for my conversation with the amazing Tommy Trenchard ☕📸 *** 📸 See more of Tommy Trenchard’s work: https://www.tommytrenchard.com/ *** 🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Follow, maybe leave us a review, or share it! You know the drill 😉🎧 *** 🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration: https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

There are photo assignments where the story is difficult. There are assignments where the conditions are difficult. And then there are the ones that remind you that there can still be hope and joy in the middle of everything else. In Part Two of my conversation with photojournalist Carolyn van Houten, we continue her journey into some of the stories that have taken her around the world — from a missile attack in Ukraine, to women under the Taliban in Afghanistan, to speeding bullets in Somalia, or working with UFC fighters for the Freedom 250 event at the White House. We talk about starting her new freelance chapter after The Washington Post, and how perhaps a bit of stubbornness, persistence, luck and a bit of humor comes in handy at times. Grab a coffee and join me for Part Two of my conversation with the amazing Carolyn van Houten. *** 📸 See more of Carolyn's work: https://www.carolynvanhouten.com/ *** 🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Follow, maybe leave us a review, or share it! You know the drill. 😉🎧 *** 🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration: https://www.thecameracafeshow.com/

A photograph can win an award. It can tell a story. And sometimes, it can change what happens to the person in the frame. Photojournalist Carolyn van Houten has seen all three. Carolyn spent almost nine years as a staff photographer at The Washington Post, until the entire photography staff was laid off earlier this year. It seemed like a good moment to finally sit down and hear the story behind the photographer. And what a story it is. Once Carolyn decided that photojournalism was what she wanted to do with her life, things moved pretty quickly — internships at newspapers, the White House and National Geographic, until eventually she got a call from The Washington Post, where she and her team would win the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting. The world suddenly became a much larger place to find and document stories. In Part One, we first go back to the early years, from growing up on a farm in North Carolina, a love for horses, discovering photojournalism and finding her way into some remarkable assignments. There’s an adventure in Antarctica, her early work documenting autism, "The Road to Asylum" following migrant caravans, which earned her the Robert Capa Gold Medal, and her story "Abused by the Badge" about children who were abused by people who were supposed to protect them. And this is only Part One. Next week, we continue the journey with Carolyn as she takes us to Afghanistan, Ukraine, Somalia, the White House, working freelance and plenty more stories from a life spent finding them — with a little persistence and being stubborn. So grab a coffee, pull up a chair, and enjoy Part One of this conversation with Carolyn van Houten. *** 📸 See more of Carolyn's work: https://www.carolynvanhouten.com/ *** 🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Follow, maybe leave us a review, or share it! You know the drill 😉🎧 *** 🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration: https://www.thecameracafeshow.com/

Where were you on 9/11?🕊️ Twenty-five years ago, our next guest lived it alongside President George W. Bush. It was supposed to be a fairly ordinary morning. Eric Draper, the Chief White House Photographer to President George W. Bush, was travelling with the President to a school in Sarasota, Florida. Then, somewhere in the motorcade, came the words: “Oh my God, a plane hit the World Trade Center.” From that moment, Eric's day — and his job — changed completely. But before we get to what led to one of the darkest days of recent American history, we meet the man behind the camera. Eric's journey to becoming a White House photographer wasn't exactly mapped out, but through some luck (and a nudge from his wife!) he eventually found himself photographing the President of the United States for eight years. And what a job that turned out to be. Eric travelled the world on board Air Force One with George W. Bush, photographed presidents and world leaders, and found himself in places most photographers can only dream about. Then comes September 11, 2001. Twenty-five years later, we look back with him at the photographs, the memories and the experience of documenting 9/11 from such a unique position — not simply as a photojournalist, but as the President's photographer. There are stories about the White House, George W. Bush, and how they both lived through the September 11 attacks. But there are, of course, also stories about the man behind all those photographs — which, as you know, is where things tend to get interesting on our podcast ☕📸 A special episode of The Camera Café Show, dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and to the firefighters, police officers, first responders, rescue workers and others who put themselves in harm’s way to help others 🕊️ *** 📸 See more of Eric Draper's work: https://www.ericdraperphotography.com/ *** 🎙️ If you remember September 11, 2001, where were you that day? What do you remember about those first few hours? Share your story in the comments — I'd genuinely love to hear it. *** 🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration: www.thecameracafeshow.com

A bear covered in ice. A salmon flying into your face. And a camera trap that decides to take a trip down a mountain. Just another day in the Yukon 😄🐻📸  If you thought we had some wild stories in Part One, wait until you hear what happens next! In Part Two of my conversation with wildlife photographer Peter Mather, we head even deeper into the Yukon, from ice-covered bears and salmon to camera traps, filmmaking, conservation and the stories behind his latest project, “Ghosts of the North“ And, as you'll discover, getting the picture is sometimes only the beginning of the adventure 😄 Along the way, Peter's story takes a few unexpected turns, from his dog Luke Skywalker becoming part of the adventure to his daughter casually capturing two lynx on her phone. There's also the rather accidental way he ended up making a documentary film, plenty of photographic disasters, and, of course, a few moments when the wildlife seems to have the upper hand 😂🐾  Grab a coffee, settle in, and join us for this wonderful conversation with Peter Mather.  *** 📸 See more of Peter Mather's work: https://petermather.com/ 🎬 Peter's documentary film “Kings of the North”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e9GYGfUGNw&list=LL *** 🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration: https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

Wolverines. The Yukon. Lots of snow. And a wildlife photographer who once happened to be a math teacher. Welcome to the wild world of Peter Mather! 🐺❄️📸 In Part One of my conversation with Peter, we head north to the Yukon and follow the story of how he turned a love of the wilderness into a life photographing some of Canada's most elusive wildlife. Peter has spent years chasing stories rather than simply chasing pictures, and his work has taken him deep into the Yukon, earned him a World Press Photo award or publications in National Geographic, and involved considerably more cold weather than most photography jobs would recommend. Along the way, we'll talk about conservation, early adventures with his dad, a wedding, wolverines, and his trusty sidekick Luke Skywalker 🐺📸😂 And this is only Part One. Part Two will bring us ice-covered bears, elusive lynx, ghosts, camera traps, icy rivers, photography gear and plenty more adventures from the wild North 🐻❄️📸 So grab yourself a coffee, put on your warmest coat, and join me for Part One of this wonderful conversation with Peter Mather. *** 📸 See more of Peter Mather's work: https://petermather.com/ Peter’s documentary film “Kings of the North” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e9GYGfUGNw&list=LL *** 🎙️ Enjoyed this episode?  Follow, maybe leave us a review, or share it! You know the drill 😉 *** 🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration:  www.thecameracafeshow.com

Welcome to the Adventure Emporium. Antarctica? Penguins? Michael Palin? Shackleton's Hut? We seem to have the lot. Sadly, we're completely sold out of comfy couches 😄  If Part One was the story of how photographer Sue Flood found her way into the BBC, Part Two is where things get seriously wild! We follow the next chapter of her extraordinary life, building a career around photography, conservation and some of the most remote places on Earth.  Along the way, Sue's story brings together some pretty remarkable people, unexpected encounters and a few moments that sound more like a Monty Python script than a photography podcast. And with Ian Dawson, Midnight Sun Voyages and their new book and exhibition, Midnight Sun, there's plenty more to discover about where this adventure is heading next.  So grab yourself a coffee, pull up a comfy couch... oh, wait. We're sold out. 😂 And join me for Part Two of this wonderful conversation with Sue Flood. *** 📸 See more of Sue Flood's work: https://www.sueflood.com/ 🌍 Explore Midnight Sun Voyages: https://www.midnightsunvoyages.com/ *** 🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Follow, maybe leave us a review, or share it! You know the drill 😉 *** 🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration: https://thecameracafeshow.com/

Sir David Attenborough. Sir Michael Palin. And a beluga whale. No, this isn't a Monty Python sketch... it's the amazing life adventure of our next guest 🐋😂 In Part One of my conversation with nature photographer Sue Flood, we go back to the very beginning of a career that eventually took her from a small village in North Wales to the BBC Natural History Unit and some of the world's most extraordinary wildlife productions over the next 11 years, including “The Blue Planet” and “Planet Earth” working alongside Sir David Attenborough. But getting there was anything but straightforward. Sue talks us through all the ups and downs, including leaving a job she hated, before finally getting her foot in the BBC door through persistence and a tiny bit of luck. And, of course, this wouldn't be The Camera Café Show without a few adventure stories along the way: from getting stranded on a slice of Arctic Sea ice to getting up close with singing humpback whales, you'll discover that the wildest stories often happen when you least expect them 😄🧊🐋 And this is only Part One. Part Two will take us even further south, with penguins, Sir Michael Palin, more penguins, and Sue's next chapter as a photographer, conservationist and author🐧📸 Grab yourself a coffee, put on your scuba mask and join me for Part One of this wonderful conversation with Sue Flood. *** 📸 See more of Sue Flood's work: https://www.sueflood.com/ 🌍 Explore Midnight Sun Voyages: https://www.midnightsunvoyages.com/ *** 🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Follow, maybe leave us a review, or share it! You know the drill 😉 *** 🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration: https://thecameracafeshow.com/

George H.W. Bush became President of the United States. He didn't become any less competitive 😄🎣 In Part Two of my conversation with David Valdez, we follow David as he becomes Chief Official White House Photographer, documenting four extraordinary years inside the White House and witnessing history from just a few feet away. But as always on The Camera Café Show, it's the stories between the photographs that make this journey so special. From unforgettable moments with world leaders to his life after the White House working for the Disney Corporation and later founding the Texas Photography Festival, David reflects on a remarkable career that proves a camera can take you almost anywhere. Oh... and there will also be fast Corvettes 🏎️ and Texas barbecues 🍖—just for good measure, because this is, as you know, not purely a photography podcast 😉 So grab a coffee, buckle up, and join us for the final chapter of this wonderful conversation with David Valdez. *** 📸 See more of David Valdez's work: https://www.davidvaldezphotography.com/ 📸 The Texas Photography Festival: https://www.thetexasphotographyfestival.com/ *** 🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Follow, maybe leave us a review, or share it! You know the drill 😉 *** 🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration: https://thecameracafeshow.com/

When President George H.W. Bush told him to “jump”, he of course did... which seems like a perfectly good way to start another episode of The Camera Café Show 😄📸 In Part One of my conversation with former Chief Official White House Photographer David Valdez, we travel back to where his remarkable journey began—from discovering photography almost by accident in the U.S. Air Force to eventually finding himself behind the camera for George H.W. Bush. David takes us into those early years photographing Bush as Vice President, and into a relationship that quickly went far beyond official events and handshakes. With trust came access to the quieter, more personal moments with George and Barbara Bush and their family—the kind of moments that would become an important part of David's photographic record of those years. And because this is The Camera Café Show, history comes with a few detours. There’s an unexpected adventure at Buckingham Palace, The Kremlin, a freezing Atlantic Ocean, eating homemade tamales with George W. and Jeb Bush... and plenty more stories from eight extraordinary years with the Bush family. Grab a coffee and join me for Part One of my wonderful chat with David Valdez☕📸 ***** 📸 See more of David’s work: http://www.davidvaldezphotography.com/ ***** 🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Follow, maybe leave us a review, or share it! You know the drill 😉🎧 ***** 🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration: https://thecameracafeshow.com/

What happens when you strap a camera to the tail of a jumbo jet?😅📸 In Part Two of my conversation with former National Geographic photographer Bruce Dale, we continue our conversation by uncovering the stories behind some of his most iconic National Geographic photographs. It turns out getting the shot was only half the story. Long before the shutter clicked, Bruce was designing, building, testing, and refining entirely new ways to make seemingly impossible images possible. We talk about the incredible journey of one of Bruce's photographs, now quietly travelling through space aboard the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft, more than 15 billion miles from Earth; strapping a camera to the tail of a jumbo jet in flight; shooting laser beams through glass globes; and, above all, the creativity and freedom that made National Geographic such a remarkable place to work during those years. But this is The Camera Café Show, so we also wander into a rather unusual bear massage, an obscure and long-forgotten Kodak film printing process, and how old film projectors found a surprising new purpose in the digital age. That's Bruce Dale: part photographer, part inventor, part storyteller—and never quite predictable. Grab a coffee, fasten your seatbelt, and join us for this wonderful Part 2 conversation with Bruce Dale. ***** 📸 See more of Bruce's work: https://brucedale.com/ ***** 🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Follow, maybe leave us a review, or share it! You know the drill 😉🎧 ***** 🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration: https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

Did you read National Geographic magazine as a kid in your bedroom, dreaming about all those faraway places? The only difference is that some end up spending thirty years travelling the world and photographing those very places—all because they never stopped exploring 🌍📸 In this first part of my conversation with former National Geographic staff photographer Bruce Dale, we travel back to his childhood in Ohio and follow the unexpected road that took him from riding freight trains and newspaper photography into the platinum years of National Geographic—a time when photographers had the freedom, resources, and support to turn even the wildest ideas into remarkable pictures…and if the equipment needed to take a photograph didn’t exist... they simply built it. Of course, you’ll also hear already some amazing stories behind Bruce’s most memorable photographs in this first part—from bathing in the Ozarks to a heart transplant or freezing a bullet in mid-air. And we are only getting started. Next week, Bruce returns with more behind-the-scenes stories, wild encounters, unusual inventions, and a photograph that has travelled more than 15 billion miles from Earth... and counting. 🚀 More than anything, this is a conversation about curiosity, good ideas, and how a childhood dream can take you much further than you ever planned. ☕ Grab a coffee, open your world map, and enjoy Part One of my conversation with the amazing Bruce Dale. ***** 📸 See more of Bruce’s work: https://brucedale.com/ ***** 🎙️  Enjoyed this episode? Follow, maybe leave us a review, or share it! You know the drill 😉🎧 ***** 🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration: https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

As a teenager, Ian Berry left England to see the world. A few years later, he had joined Magnum Photos and would go on to spend more than six decades documenting people, places, and some of history's defining moments with his Leica. Together we travel across continents and through more than sixty years of photography, talking about his encounters with Henri Cartier-Bresson, joining Magnum, Ian's books, the people he met along the way, and the lessons he learned from a lifetime behind the camera. Along the way, you'll also discover why a decent hotel matters more than you might think, how one of his photographs found its way onto a Bob Dylan album, and why luck and curiosity remain a photographer's greatest companions. More than anything, this is a conversation about saying yes to adventure, and how one simple decision can lead you to a lifetime of extraordinary stories. ☕ Grab a coffee and enjoy my conversation with the amazing Ian Berry. ***** 📸 See more of Ian Berry's work: https://www.ianberrymagnum.com ***** 🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration: https://www.thecameracafeshow.com

Retirement usually means less work, fewer surprises, and a cleaner attic. Unless, of course, you're a photographer with a lifetime of negatives waiting upstairs. And that's exactly where we continue our conversation today 😊 In Part 2 of my conversation with photographer Meryl Meisler, we move beyond the disco dance floors and into the remarkable second chapter of her life. After spending more than thirty years as an art teacher, Meryl found herself rediscovering decades of photographs that would eventually become books, exhibitions, and an international audience she never expected. We talk about life in Bushwick, the first exhibitions, old friendships, teaching, street photography or the often unpredictable journey of a photographic life. Enjoy New York hotdogs, terrible singing voices, and the simple joy of letting a good conversation wander wherever it wants to go. More than anything, this episode is a reminder that photography is not always about immediate success. Sometimes the pictures we make need a little time. And sometimes, the greatest adventure begins only after opening a few dusty boxes in the attic. ☕ Grab a coffee and enjoy Part 2 of my wonderful conversation with Meryl Meisler. ***** 📸 See more of Meryl's work: https://www.merylmeisler.com/ ***** 🎧 Your Weekly dose of Photography Inspiration: https://www.thecameracafeshow.com