In this episode of Beyond the Wild, hosts Ron, Jason, and Mark welcome Cam Scott, a nature photographer and guide from South Africa. The crew explore Cam's journey into nature photography, the life changes he made to pursue his passion, and the profound impact of nature on personal growth. Cam shares his experiences with a wide range of animals, including mountain gorillas, jaguars, leopards, lions, elephants and shoe-billed storks. Cam shares his views on the art of guiding and the challenges he faced in launching his own business during the pandemic. The discussion emphasizes the importance of a positive attitude and the joy of wildlife encounters.

Cam and the crew delve into the intricate relationships between humans and wildlife, particularly focusing on gorillas and the impact of tourism on conservation efforts. They share personal anecdotes of memorable wildlife encounters, discuss the importance of understanding animal behavior, and highlight the unique experiences offered by locations like Mana Pools National Park in northern Zimbabwe.

Sound Bites

"I was up at 3 a.m. I thought I would look like a car wreck."
"I never looked back."
"You have to go through it."
"I want to photograph early morning lights."
"You can see it the moment you lock eyes."
"It's a phenomenal experience."
"I just want to go back to Rwanda."
"Tourism has saved these gorillas."
"It's not just seeing a gorilla."
"The lighting is absolutely phenomenal."
"Anything's possible in Africa."
"It's a beautiful day to be alive."

Chapters

03:04 Cam's Journey into Nature Photography
06:12 Life Changes and Career Shifts
08:48 The Impact of Nature on Personal Growth
12:11 Experiences with Mountain Gorillas
15:00 The Art of Guiding and Manifesting Experiences
18:02 Challenges and Triumphs in Business
20:48 The Power of Positive Attitude
24:05 Wildlife Encounters and Photography
26:59 The Fascinating Shoe-Billed Stork
38:00 Confrontation and Respect in the Animal Kingdom
39:01 Understanding Gorilla Behavior and Communication
39:49 The Connection Between Humans and Nature
41:13 The Importance of Gorilla Tourism for Conservation
42:06 The Role of Tourism in Supporting Local Communities
42:48 Experiencing Wildlife: The Thrill of Close Encounters
46:09 The Sounds of Nature: A Sensory Experience
51:00 Memorable Outdoor Encounters
57:51 Exploring Monopools: A Photographer's Paradise
01:05:02 Accommodations and Immersive Experiences in Africa
01:12:55 Planning Your African Adventure

LINKS

Cam Scott
@CamScott_Wild

The Best Of Authentic Zimbabwe
Tour Opportunity: September 22-30th 2025
https://itineraries.safariportal.app/The-Best-of-Authentic-Zimbabwe/1338943500867078002

Thanks for listening to the Beyond the Wild Podcast. Remember to subscribe to be notified of upcoming episodes for your listening and viewing enjoyment! Beyond the Wild Podcast is sponsored by Pictureline.com and Canon USA.

In this engaging conversation, the hosts Ron Hayes, Jason Loftus, and Mark Raycroft reconnect with fellow pro photographer Joe Subolefsky and delve into their experiences with wildlife photography, travel adventures, and the personal connections formed through their journeys. They discuss the challenges and joys of photographing wildlife in various locations, including the Pantanal, and share stories about naming animals and the emotional ties that come with it. The transition to full-time photography is explored, highlighting the richness of relationships built through shared experiences in nature. Joe shares numerous practical tips for traveling, including navigating language barriers and the responsibilities that come with guiding clients in foreign countries. In this engaging conversation, the speakers share humorous anecdotes from their wildlife photography experiences, discuss the importance of understanding animal behavior, and provide insights into managing group dynamics during photography trips. They also explore the challenges of wildlife photography, the evolution of camera technology, the significance of educating others about wildlife ethics, and they reflect on their favorite wildlife encounters.

Sound Bites

"You can do it with any smart TV."
"I'm richer than I've ever been."
"It's a magical place down there."
"I named it after my father."
"It can be stressful at times."
"A sweaty guy naked at the door?"
"Life's about choices sometimes."
"It's not just identifying the tracks."
"We need to put the animals first."
"It's a balancing act if you have a mix."
"It's life's full of diversity."
"It's a small world in photography."
"It's a lot tougher than people think."
"Doing it right is not cheap."
"The focus system is unbelievable."

Chapters

02:59 Photography and Travel Experiences
06:05 Wildlife Encounters and Unique Locations
09:05 The Pantanal and Its Challenges
11:59 Naming Wildlife: A Personal Connection
14:51 The Transition to Full-Time Photography
17:51 Building Relationships Through Travel
20:56 Navigating Language Barriers in Travel
27:00 Funny Stories from the Field
29:59 Camera Gear Mishaps and Hacks
33:59 The Importance of Animal Behavior
40:06 Educating Others in Wildlife Photography
46:10 Balancing Expectations in Group Photography
50:48 Favorite Wildlife Photography Experiences
01:02:33 Navigating the Challenges of Photography Tours
01:06:10 The Evolution of Camera Technology
01:12:12 New Developments in National Park Photography Regulations
01:15:02 Looking Ahead: Future Adventures and Collaborations

Links

JOE SUBOLEFSKY
@joe_subolefsky

Special thanks to @FroKnowsPhoto - Hiding AirTags in your camera bodies
https://youtu.be/7v5rC2S4000?si=vUvyC6Y8Y1Ja2Lwy&t=419

FILM ACT IS NOW LAW
https://nanpa.org/2025/01/16/the-film-act-is-now-law-a-win-for-all-nanpa-members/

Thanks for listening to the Beyond the Wild Podcast. Remember to subscribe to be notified of upcoming episodes for your listening and viewing enjoyment! Beyond the Wild Podcast is sponsored by Pictureline.com and Canon USA.

It's not every day that you get to meet such a diverse and knowledgable wildlife photographer like Eli Martinez. We are blessed in this episode to have Eli share his thrilling and unique experience of capturing a large mating group of sperm whales near Dominica Island. This rare occurrence was captured just weeks ago on Jan. 29, 2025, and Eli describes how lucky he was on this recent trip. But that's not all. Eli discusses many of his approaches to photographing the broad range of dangerous predators in water and on land, and you'll be surprised to hear and see what he and his tour company are able to achieve and the level of interaction he has with these potentially dangerous animals. Eli discusses the challenges of photographing shy creatures like anacondas and the importance of debunking many of the myths surrounding predatory animals. Eli also reflects on his upcoming adventures and the significance of sharing these experiences with the world. In this engaging conversation, Eli Martinez shares his thrilling experiences in wildlife photography, transitioning from underwater adventures to capturing land predators. He discusses the challenges of high-altitude photography, the importance of respecting wildlife, and the invaluable role of guides in spotting elusive animals. The conversation also touches on the excitement of marine life encounters and the significance of time spent observing wildlife. Eli emphasizes the joy of unique experiences and the connections formed through his adventures while also providing practical advice for aspiring underwater photographers.

Sound Bites

"It's a privilege to work with these animals."

"Witnessing a mating group of whales is magic."

"Mating behavior is extremely rare to see."

"Anacondas are very shy and prefer to hide."

"The water clarity is a challenge for good images."

"Capturing a photo of a tapir underwater is my dream."

"I want to share the other side of these animals."

"I hope someone deserving wins the bear camp giveaway."

"It was a phenomenal experience to see those animals."

"We saw the cats four out of nine days."

"The guides are priceless in finding those cats."

"The recovery in Tonga is going really well."

"You don't really get to know them in a week."

"People get tattoos of our logo, it's so special."

"A GoPro is perfect for underwater photography."

Chapters

00:00 Reflections on the Pandemic and Travel Adventures

02:56 Eli's Unique Experiences with Sperm Whales

06:01 The Significance of Mating Behavior in Sperm Whales

09:08 Exploring the Mystique of Anacondas

11:55 The Challenge of Photographing Shy Creatures

15:09 Debunking Myths About Predatory Animals

18:01 Capturing the Beauty of Nature's Giants

20:54 Upcoming Adventures and New Experiences

40:36 Exploring New Adventures Together

42:05 The Shift from Water to Land Predators

44:57 Photography Techniques: Underwater vs. Land

47:43 Challenges of High-Altitude Wildlife Photography

50:51 Success in Capturing Snow Leopards

54:40 The Importance of Social Media in Wildlife Photography

56:44 Recovery in Tonga: A Personal Touch

01:00:21 The Thrill of Marine Life Encounters

01:01:38 The Value of Time in Wildlife Observation

01:03:23 Cherishing Unique Experiences and Connections

01:05:12 Essential Gear for Underwater Photography

Links

Instagram: @SDMDiving
Web: www.sdmdiving.com
Facebook: facebook.com/sdmdiving

Bear Camp Giveaway
https://www.instagram.com/p/DFWXG04y8TY/

Thanks for listening to the Beyond the Wild Podcast. Remember to subscribe to be notified of upcoming episodes for your listening and viewing enjoyment! Beyond the Wild Podcast is sponsored by Pictureline.com and Canon USA.