Advertise on podcast: The Authentic Voice

Recorded live at the 2026 Global Birdfair, I’m joined by Lara Jackson—an award-winning wildlife photographer, conservation biologist, presenter and founder of Lara Wildlife. Lara’s scientific work has taken her around the world, from researching dolphins in Zanzibar and collecting wildlife data in South Africa to spending ten months at Kenya’s Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, where she worked closely with endangered black rhinos. Today, she combines that scientific background with photography and storytelling, working with conservation organisations, broadcasters and leading wildlife brands to inspire people to care about the natural world. We discuss the story behind Lara’s striking photograph Raw Moment, which was Highly Commended in the Animal Portraits category of Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2021 and exhibited at London’s Natural History Museum. Lara also talks about building Lara Wildlife, her work as a Nikon Creator and Global Ambassador for Save the Rhino International, and how photography can turn complex conservation issues into stories that connect with audiences. We also explore her journey from scientific research into science communication, the realities of photographing wildlife in the field, and her mission to use her voice—and her camera—to champion threatened species and the people working to protect them. Follow Lara Jackson on Instagram: @lara_wildlife

**David Tipling and Nick Wilcox‑Brown** are two of the UK’s most respected wildlife photographers and educators, and the co‑founders of the **Bird Photography Academy** in partnership with Swarovski Optik.  **David Tipling** is one of the world’s most widely published wildlife photographers, renowned for his artistic images of birds.  His accolades include the European Nature Photographer of the Year Award for his work on Emperor Penguins and Nature’s Best Indigenous Peoples Award in North America for his photographs of Mongolian eagle hunters.  David is the author or commissioned photographer for numerous books, including the *RSPB Guide to Digital Wildlife Photography*, writes regularly for magazines such as *Amateur Photographer*, and has appeared on programmes including *Springwatch* and *The One Show*.  He is an ambassador for OM System cameras.  **Nick Wilcox‑Brown**, known as “The Wild Photographer”, built his career working with explorer John Blashford‑Snell on elephant projects in the early 1990s before photographing for major brands such as Land Rover, Morgan, and Aston Martin, and magazines including *Country Life*, *Country Living*, and *Hello!*.  In parallel, he contributed to Canon’s Professional Network website, worked on the development of Canon DSLRs and Sony movie cameras, and helped shape product strategy and training for Capture One and Adobe Lightroom.  Nick continues to run wildlife photography holidays and training, and is an ambassador for OM System cameras and Calibrite colour.  Together, David and Nick bring **decades of combined experience** photographing birds worldwide, delivering hands‑on workshops that blend fieldcraft, camera technique, and post‑production training at sites across the UK.

**David Tipling and Nick Wilcox‑Brown** are two of the UK’s most respected wildlife photographers and educators, and the co‑founders of the **Bird Photography Academy** in partnership with Swarovski Optik.  **David Tipling** is one of the world’s most widely published wildlife photographers, renowned for his artistic images of birds.  His accolades include the European Nature Photographer of the Year Award for his work on Emperor Penguins and Nature’s Best Indigenous Peoples Award in North America for his photographs of Mongolian eagle hunters.  David is the author or commissioned photographer for numerous books, including the *RSPB Guide to Digital Wildlife Photography*, writes regularly for magazines such as *Amateur Photographer*, and has appeared on programmes including *Springwatch* and *The One Show*.  He is an ambassador for OM System cameras.  **Nick Wilcox‑Brown**, known as “The Wild Photographer”, built his career working with explorer John Blashford‑Snell on elephant projects in the early 1990s before photographing for major brands such as Land Rover, Morgan, and Aston Martin, and magazines including *Country Life*, *Country Living*, and *Hello!*.  In parallel, he contributed to Canon’s Professional Network website, worked on the development of Canon DSLRs and Sony movie cameras, and helped shape product strategy and training for Capture One and Adobe Lightroom.  Nick continues to run wildlife photography holidays and training, and is an ambassador for OM System cameras and Calibrite colour.  Together, David and Nick bring **decades of combined experience** photographing birds worldwide, delivering hands‑on workshops that blend fieldcraft, camera technique, and post‑production training at sites across the UK. [birdphotographyacademy](https://birdphotographyacademy.com/) Thanks to Swarovski for supporting the podcast at the Global Bird Fair

Title: Protecting Birds and Biodiversity with Martin Harper, CEO of BirdLife International | Global BirdFair 2026 Episode Description: Recorded live at the Whinchat Podcasting Station during the 2026 Global BirdFair in Rutland, this episode features an in-depth conversation with Martin Harper, Chief Executive Officer of BirdLife International—the world's largest partnership of civil society nature conservation organisations, supporting 125 partner organisations across 120 countries and territories. Martin shares insights from his nearly 30 years of conservation leadership, including his decade as Global Conservation Director at the RSPB before joining BirdLife International in 2021 and becoming CEO in November 2023.  We discuss BirdLife's ambitious strategy agreed at their centenary celebrations, the critical role of nature-based solutions in tackling the climate and biodiversity emergency, and how the Partnership's 120+ national organisations work together to protect endemic birds and prevent extinctions worldwide.birdlife Martin also reflects on BirdLife International's support for the 2026 Global BirdFair's conservation work in São Tomé, the importance of projecting hope and optimism in conservation, and why this decade is crucial for ensuring our species can live in harmony with the rest of nature.birdlife. A biologist by training, Martin has nearly 30 years of experience in senior conservation leadership roles across the NGO sector.  He spent 17 years with the RSPB (BirdLife's UK Partner), including a decade as Global Conservation Director, before joining the BirdLife International Secretariat in 2021 as Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia.  He served as Vice President for Regions and Partnership before becoming Interim CEO in June 2023 and was appointed permanent CEO in November 2023.birdlife Martin has been part of the BirdLife community for over 20 years and has served on numerous NGO boards.  He is currently a trustee of Green Alliance (joined September 2024) and a council member of the Cambridge Conservation Initiative.  He was educated at the University of Oxford (Biological Sciences, 1990–1993) and University College London (MSc Conservation, 1994–1995), and undertook research in the Comoros and Mongolia.green-alliance In his own words: "I am honoured to lead BirdLife International in this crucial decade. Having been part of the BirdLife family for the past 19 years, I have seen the power of our Partnership acting both nationally and together globally to tackle the nature and climate emergency. I will do everything that I can to ensure that the BirdLife Secretariat mobilises its exceptional science to inspire action while bolstering the collective capacity and capability of our 120 Partners operating in 116 countries so that together we project hope, optimism and confidence that our own species can live in harmony with the rest of nature."birdlife"

Scott Keys is an American wildlife photographer based in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, known for expressive bird imagery and his educational work through S.Keys Images and Wildlife Inspired. A dedicated birder and photo tour leader, he creates intimate portraits of songbirds, raptors, and other species in natural habitat, with a strong emphasis on photographing birds among native plants and wildlife‑friendly gardens. He shares his work and teaching through his Wildlife Inspired YouTube channel ( https://www.youtube.com/wildlifeinspired ) and a subscription-based Patreon community focused on in-depth fieldcraft and editing, accessible via his website (https://www.skeysimages.com).  Scott is also highly active on Instagram, including @skeysimages for his main bird photography (https://www.instagram.com/skeysimages/) and @skeysnatives for his native plant and habitat gardening work (https://www.instagram.com/skeysnatives/)

Josh Galicki is your go-to wildlife photographer if you believe muddy boots, a kayak, and a float blind are essential kit—not just marketing props. He's known for environmental portraits that show birds as part of the real world, not generic close-ups cropped to erase all signs of humanity. Josh prefers his Chesapeake Bay sunsets seasoned with herons, gannets, and the occasional power line he refuses to edit out. As co-host of the Wildlife Photography Podcast, Josh brings straight-talking advice, tackling everything from gear debates to the actual stories behind photos. Behind the scenes, he judges for OneEyeland awards WildArt POTY, BirdLife Australia Awards, and PhotoCrowd—and he's candid about how seeing thousands of submissions sharpens your own eye faster than any workshop ever could. He travels hard from the Falklands to Shetland, , has a knack for conservation images that spark actual conversations—not just likes—and keeps things grounded. If you ever catch him by a saltmarsh, expect strong coffee and honest advice about patience, context, and leaving the "messy bits" in. Because that's real wildlife photography. Find him at https://www.instagram.com/galicki_photography and  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/wildlife-photography/