In this engaging conversation, Matt Addington interviews renowned wildlife photographer Jason Loftus (@untamedimagesbyjl), exploring his journey into photography, the importance of storytelling, and the evolution of his artistic style. They discuss the challenges and joys of capturing wildlife, the significance of intentionality in photography, and the techniques that can elevate a photograph from ordinary to extraordinary. Loftus shares insights on how to anticipate animal behavior, the role of light in photography, and the creative process behind his stunning images. In this conversation, Matt Addington and Jason Loftus delve into the intricacies of wildlife photography, discussing the importance of quick adjustments, developing a unique style, and the impact of social media on photographers. They emphasize the value of community and relationships within the photography world, share insights on capturing the perfect shot, and reflect on the evolution of their podcast, Beyond the Wild. The discussion highlights the balance between artistic passion and the business side of photography, encouraging photographers to focus on their craft and the stories they want to tell.

In this solo episode, Matt Addington shares his experiences and challenges in wildlife photography, particularly focusing on turkey season. He discusses the importance of stepping out of comfort zones, exploring different lighting conditions, and the artistic aspects of composition. Through his journey, he emphasizes the beauty of nature and the intricate details of turkeys, encouraging listeners to embrace creative challenges in their own photography endeavors.

In this episode, I had a great (two part, lightning interrupted) visit with one of the most talented photographers and storytellers in the world, Adam Bannister.

Adam runs the photography studio at Angama Mara (www.angama.com), one of the most incredible safari lodges in the world sitting on the rim of the Great Rift Valley overlooking the Maasai Mara in Kenya. I had the chance to work alongside Adam and his team in 2019 with GRITMEDIA, experiencing all the Mara has to offer under the guiding of Adam and his staff. In this episode we talk about literally having the key to the Maasai Mara during the COVID lockdown, watching the ecosystem evolve, understanding animal behavior and photo tips on how to best capture them while on safari. We also discuss The Greatest Maasai Mara Photographer of the Year Contest (https://thegreatestmaasaimara.com) which Adam has been instrumental in organizing the past four years. This episode is a real treat and shows off some mind-blowing photos that Adam has been able to capture throughout his experience on the Mara.

Check out Adam's work on Instagram: @Adam_Bannister_Wildlife

In this episode, I visit with Harrison Barden, Live Content Creator for Major League Baseball and sports shooter for USA Today. We talk about all things sports photography related as well as Harrison's unique and artistic photography style which somewhat separates him from traditional sports imagery.

In this episode I explain my faux pas with last week's episode, talk Canon EOS R5 and R6, Rode Wireless Go audio and being charged by a rhino on assignment in Africa. We'll check out some rhinoceros photos from before the charge in Namibia. I also tease upcoming shows with Harrison Barden and Adam Bannister in coming weeks.

This week I had a great visit with one of the legends in photography, Mitch Kezar. Mitch has been making powerful images for more than 50 years and has seen the industry change immensely over that time. And he has stayed at the forefront as the photography business has evolved, always on the cusp of technology advances. In this episode, he shows off one of his first large format Polaroid cameras and we discuss one of the more powerful, heavy images you'll ever see. He captured it one night was chasing news in Montgomery, AL in the early 1970's which was a very racially charged, contentious time. Unfortunately very similar to today's society. We also visit about an image that any waterfowler can relate with. And this spurred discussion about how his move in the 1980's to freelancing allowed the perfect confluence of his life's passions...storytelling and the outdoors.

This week it's a great visit with my good friend, Lake Pickle of Primos Hunting. Lake is living his life's dream on the staff of Primos where he films and helps produce all the media content for the legendary Primos Hunting team.

Lake grew up in the outdoors, but his career direction was cemented by a friend from church named Keith Polk that got him on his first turkey...and the rest is history. Twelve years to the day, Lake filmed Kevin's son taking his first turkey. 

We also talk about the hunting industry and what it's been like to shoot for Will Primos and the legendary content they've produced for years. 

In part 2 with Yasmin Tajik we again cover wide ranging topics, but at their core, it is who she is. She is compassionate for humanity and driven to inspire people through her photography. We chat about the wild mustangs outside of Phoenix and how this evolved into a partnership with the American Wild Horse Campaign. And several years ago, Yasmin bought a drone (although it stayed in the box for quite a while). Now she's involved on the leadership team with Women Who Drone encouraging women and young girls to get into the wonderful world of drones. Only 6% of FAA Part 107 licensed drone operators are female and Women Who Drone is building those numbers with great advocacy.

"It is my goal to inspire compassion and a connection between the viewer of the image and the subject. By finding our commonalities, played out in different countries, climates and clothes, it brings us closer together, creating an understanding that we all want the same things in life, food on our table, a roof over our heads, good health, to love and be loved."

Yasmin partners with S.A.F.E. Kenya, American Wild Horse Campaign, and The Great Plains Foundation through prints sales from her Fine Art Print site. Check out all of Yasmin's work Website: www.yasmintajik.com Fine Art Prints: www.yasmintajikprints.com Instagram: @ytajik Fine Art Instagram: @yasmintajikfineart Shalimar Studios Website: www.shalimarstudios.com

Check out the images on my BLOG.

It was such a great opportunity to reconnect with Yasmin Tajik on this episode. Yasmin has had a life filled with amazing adventures traveling the world since she was a young girl. Her photography journey started to take professional shape as she worked in Las Vegas in the lobster...yes, I said LOBSTER industry. She's had a passion for animals of all kinds which has infused it's way into her work. But most importantly, after a conversation with her mom a number of years back, she felt the calling to pursue a more humanitarian approach to her work. That conversation has spurred an impactful jump in her career to share the stories of disadvantaged people around the world partnering with organizations fighting sex-trafficking, girls and women’s rights and education, and animal poaching.

"It is my goal to inspire compassion and a connection between the viewer of the image and the subject. By finding our commonalities, played out in different countries, climates and clothes, it brings us closer together, creating an understanding that we all want the same things in life, food on our table, a roof over our heads, good health, to love and be loved."

She now partners with S.A.F.E. Kenya, American Wild Horse Campaign, and The Great Plains Foundation specifically through prints sales from her Fine Art Print site.

This is the first of two episodes with Yasmin as we just had too much good stuff to chat about to jam into one long episode.

Check out all of Yasmin's work

Website: www.yasmintajik.com

Fine Art Prints: www.yasmintajikprints.com

Instagram: @ytajik

Fine Art Instagram: @yasmintajikfineart

Shalimar Studios Website: www.shalimarstudios.com

Matt is joined by Jamie Hiner of Jamie Hiner Creations. One of Matt's former students and basketball players, Jamie has traveled the world and established himself as a producer of some serious media content. His Instagram following has quickly grown to over 24,000 followers which is evidence of his captivating imagery.

Matt and Jamie talk Minnesota State Fair, speeding on the Maasai Mara and airplane fireworks...all with a slow shutter speed.

Matt Addington is joined by guest, Joel Nelson to talk farming, creeks vs cricks, 1lb bluegills and pretty sunsets. Joel's photo stories feature a classic of his grandpa and a beautiful panfish close to home. Matt talks about a harrowing fly-in trip in Canada and how the northern lights threw him for a loop.

Joel is an established outdoorsman who has spent his life afield chasing game and fishing about everything with a tail and a dorsal fin. He now represents many brands in the outdoors space, writes for wide-ranging publications and speaks at events around the country.

https://www.mattaddington.com/blog/2020/12/22/hands-like-2x10s-joel-nelson-outdoors/

This is the first of what I hope will be many awesome stories told here with some of the best photographers out there. I’ve got a lineup committed to getting together to tell the story of some of their best work. So stay tuned and thanks for checking out, Thousand Words. 

In this episode of the Thousand Words Show, host Matt Addington speaks with Scott Stone, a renowned bear guide and photographer. They discuss Scott's journey into photography, his deep connection with bears, and the importance of conservation. Scott shares insights into the bear viewing experience, emphasizing the significance of patience and being present in nature. The conversation highlights the beauty of storytelling through photography and the joy of sharing these experiences with others. In this conversation, Scott Stone and Matt Addington discuss the joy of sharing wildlife experiences, the importance of conservation, and the intimate moments observed in bear country. They delve into the unique encounters with spirit bears and the epic moments in nature that define their adventures. Scott introduces Focus Photo Tours, a new venture aimed at providing meaningful and affordable wildlife photography experiences, emphasizing the importance of great service and client satisfaction.

In this episode of the Thousand Words Show, host Matt Addington welcomes Blake Tollefson, an accomplished angler and photographer. They discuss Blake's journey into photography, the balance between fishing and capturing moments, and tips for taking stunning fish photos. The conversation also touches on memorable fishing stories, the beauty of fishing gear, and the importance of having the right equipment. Blake shares insights on his favorite photography gear and bucket list fishing destinations, making this episode a must-listen for outdoor enthusiasts and photography lovers alike.

In this latest episode of the Thousand Words Show, host Matt Addington welcomes his friend, fellow photographer, Amy Harris. Well known on Instagram as AdventureAmy. In this engaging conversation, Matt and Amy explore the world of wildlife photography, discussing Amy's journey from portrait photography to capturing stunning images of wildlife. They delve into the art of storytelling through photography, the challenges of organizing and editing images, and the profound connection between faith and nature. The conversation also touches on memorable experiences in the field, the joy of traveling to unique locations, and the importance of relationships within the photography community.

In this episode of the Thousand Words Show, host Matt Addington welcomes his good friend Ben Brettingen of OnX Hunt, a seasoned professional in the outdoors industry and a talented photographer. They discuss Ben’s diverse experiences in the field, his passion for storytelling through photography, and even his skills with a 28-gauge shotgun. The conversation highlights their shared enthusiasm for capturing outdoor adventures and what this might look like in the future.

In this episode of the Thousand Words Show, host Matt Addington interviews Ben Brettingen, a talented photographer and outdoor industry professional. They discuss Ben's journey from a passionate hunter to a successful photographer and videographer, sharing stories from his early days in college, his work with In-Depth Outdoors, and his experiences in outdoor television production. The conversation delves into the challenges of capturing the essence of upland hunting, the importance of storytelling in outdoor media, and Ben's current role at OnX, where he balances multiple responsibilities while pursuing his love for hunting and photography. In this conversation, Ben Brettingen discusses the balance between photography and hunting, sharing insights on how he captures moments while engaging in outdoor activities. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling in photography, the need for authenticity in visual media, and the significance of anticipating the perfect shot. The discussion also touches on the differences between commercial and aesthetic photography, essential gear for outdoor photography, and the beauty found in less glamorous locations. Throughout, Ben reflects on his experiences and the lessons learned from his journey as a photographer and hunter.

Matt records a solo episode from the Yetti ice shelter in Minnesota, reflecting on the joy of combining work, photography, and fellowship in the outdoors. He discusses his passion for wildlife photography, shaped by a lifelong love of nature and hunting, and shares two memorable deer photography experiences. The first story is about a wide nine-point buck he has photographed for years. This fall, he captured a striking image of the buck during the tail end of the rut, aligning the shot so that the doe in the foreground was in focus while the buck's antlers framed her perfectly. The second story involves a mule deer buck in the Rocky Mountains. Initially elusive, the deer eventually allowed Matt and his friends to follow it, leading to a stunning sunset shot overlooking a lake with mountains in the background. Matt reflects on the intimate connection built over several days of observation.

The host of The Thousand Words Podcast, Matt Addington, returns after a long hiatus, reflecting on how the show initially thrived during the COVID shutdown but later faded as life got busier. Expressing a deep love for storytelling and discussing images and experiences with guests, which motivates his return. 

Matt shares that they’ve been spending time in a Yetti Outdoors fish house, using it as both a workspace and a gathering place for storytelling, fishing, and sharing experiences with friends. He also mentions collaboration with MarCum Electronics, utilizing underwater cameras to capture unique perspectives of ice fishing in Minnesota.

Looking ahead, there will be new episodes, guest interviews, and engaging stories, inviting listeners to stay tuned for upcoming content on The Thousand Words Podcast.

I had a great visit with filmmaker, conservationist and friend, Tom Opre about his upcoming film, Killing the Shepherd. Tom is the founder of The Shepherds of Wildlife Society, which according to it's website, is a collective of world-renowned wildlife filmmakers, photographers, sportsmen and women, and conservationists who possess the talent, knowledge and experience to uniquely communicate the impact humanity has on animals and wildlife habitats. They are storytellers on a mission to educate others about the pressing need for modern wildlife conservation measures. Western society's disconnect with nature has resulted in a limited understanding of how human encroachment is destroying wild places and the creatures who live in them.

The film is a great story of wildlife and it's relationship to the restoration of humanity in Zambia. Here's the synopsis from the web release:

A remote community in Africa, led by a woman chief, attempts to break the stranglehold of absolute poverty by waging a war on wildlife poaching. For decades illegal wildlife poaching by both subsistence and bush meat gangs has led to the government declaring this community’s homeland “depleted” of wildlife.

The chief finds help in the form of a safari operator and they work together to bring stability to the community. But all was not well. Disease, food stability, and rampant alcoholism hamper basic needs like health care and education. Even young girls, just after reaching puberty, are sold by their parents as child brides in order to feed their family for one year. Dark forces including South African land speculators, criminal poaching gangs, and her own people conspire against the chief. Even elements from the modern world work against the chief’s wishes.

     Will the chief and her community see success?

Here's the trailer: https://vimeo.com/473140879

Be sure to follow the work of Shepherds of Wildlife Society:

https://www.shepherdsofwildlife.org

https://www.facebook.com/shepherdsofwildlifesociety/

https://twitter.com/wildshepherds

https://www.instagram.com/shepherdsofwildlife/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oozI2LsGaWs

As well as Tom's work:

https://www.instagram.com/tomopreofficial

This week I had a great visit with another former student who is doing amazing things. Hayes Scriven has followed his career path through the historical society genre, but four years ago took his dream job in the dream location, Splitrock Lighthouse on Minnesota's north shore of Lake Superior.

In the past year, Hayes has rediscovered his love for photography and being in a special place, he's had quite the canvas to work from. 

We talk about the lighthouse and an amazing northern lights display from a few weeks back.