Not all wildlife photos are majestic — some are delightfully ridiculous.
In this episode of The Camera Café Show, we sit down with wildlife photographer and Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards co-founder Paul Joynson-Hicks — or PJ — to talk about one of the most unique and widely loved photography competitions in the world.
Founded in 2015, the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards began as a simple idea: what if humor could help people connect with wildlife and conservation in a different way? Instead of focusing only on dramatic or iconic images, the competition celebrates the perfectly timed, slightly chaotic, and often hilarious moments that happen in the wild — the kind of images that make you stop, smile, and maybe even laugh out loud.
During our conversation, Paul takes us behind the scenes of the competition — from how it all started to what really happens when thousands of images are narrowed down to a final selection. We talk about what makes an image truly “funny,” why it has to work without a caption, and how something as subjective as humor can spark endless debates between judges.
But this conversation isn’t only about the awards. Paul shares stories from his life in Tanzania, where he has lived for more than three decades, working as a wildlife photographer and guiding people through places like the Serengeti. Along the way, he reflects on what Africa has taught him about life, people, and perspective — and how those experiences have shaped both his photography and his outlook on the world.
We also touch on his broader work, from charitable projects that earned him an MBE to the many different ways he’s found to combine photography, community, and conservation over the years.
And while there’s plenty of insight along the way, there are also a lot of laughs — from judging absurd animal moments to stories about daily life that swing between the wild and the wonderfully ordinary.
So grab a coffee and join us for this delightfully ridiculous conversation with Paul Joynson-Hicks.
© Jason Moore / Nikon Comedy Wildlife
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📸 See more of Paul’s work:
https://www.joynsonhicks.com/
😂 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards:
https://www.comedywildlifephoto.com/
© Sarah Skinner / Nikon Comedy Wildlife
🎤 Watch the TED Talk:
https://www.ted.com/talks/tom_sullam_the_award_for_best_comedy_wildlife_photo_goes_to
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Thanks for listening and look out for our next episode! 🚀