What do orangutans in the treetops of Sumatra, a graffiti-walking badger in the UK, and a quiet barn full of swallows in the countryside all have in common? They’ve all been photographed — beautifully and with purpose — by nature and conservation photographer Ian Wood.
In this episode of The Camera Café Show, host Tom Jacob (with Richard Clark and Tetiana Malovana behind the scenes) sits down with Ian Wood, the award-winning conservation photographer whose work is as heartfelt as it is powerful. Ian is the winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPOTY) People’s Choice Award, a proud ambassador for the Badger Trust, and a long-time collaborator with the Orangutan Foundation UK.
Our conversation takes us from his early, slightly disastrous first photos of orangutans in Sumatra, to his unforgettable meeting with Jane Goodall in Gombe Stream, where he discovered how one encounter can shape a lifetime of conservation work. We dive into the ways Ian uses photography to spark change, whether in Indonesian rainforests or the heated debates around badger conservation in the UK. And of course, we talk about how winning the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award turned his inbox — and his life — upside down.
This episode moves easily between humor and heartbreak, from jungles to English villages, all tied together by Ian’s central belief: that photography can inspire people to care. Whether you’re passionate about wildlife photography, curious about conservation, or simply love hearing stories of adventure and purpose, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or right here on our website.
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📸 See more of Ian’s work:
📸 Check out the “Orangutan’s World” book:
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Thanks for listening and look out for our next episode! 🚀
