Tom Jacob

Tom Jacob

Creative Director & Host


Tom is Nikon photographer for over 3 decades and podcast host known for capturing the beauty of the world through his lens and sharing insightful stories through his voice. With a passion for photography, Tom has a keen eye for detail, often focusing on the nuances of nature and human interaction. His work reflects a blend of technical skill and artistic vision, making every image a narrative in itself.

Parallel to his photography, Tom hosts a weekly photography podcast where he dives into the stories behind the photos, the art of visual storytelling, and conversations with amazing photographers and creatives. His podcast is a space where enthusiasts gather to learn, share, and celebrate the craft, providing listeners with both inspiration and practical advice. Tom's approach to podcasting is as personal as his photography; it's about connecting, educating, and inspiring a community of like-minded individuals. Whether through his camera or microphone, Tom continues to explore and share the multifaceted world of photography.


Related Episodes
"Ian Wood: A New Hope for Badgers"
April 19, 202600:35:35

"Ian Wood: A New Hope for Badgers"

Sometimes, a story doesn’t just stay a story — sometimes, something actually changes. Wildlife photographer Ian Wood returns to our Show with powerful updates following our first conversation. After winning the People’s Choice Award at Wildlife Photographer of the Year with his now well-known badger...

"Paul Joynson-Hicks: The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards"
April 05, 202600:55:41

"Paul Joynson-Hicks: The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards"

Not all wildlife photos are majestic — some are delightfully ridiculous! Wildlife photographer and Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards co-founder Paul Joynson-Hicks takes us into the story behind one of the most unique photography competitions in the world — one that celebrates the funny, unexpected,...

"Chinky Shukla: When Buddha Stopped Smiling"
March 15, 202600:42:36

"Chinky Shukla: When Buddha Stopped Smiling"

What happens to a community long after a nuclear test is over? Documentary photographer and National Geographic Explorer Chinky Shukla takes us into the villages of India where the story didn’t end when the nuclear bombs were detonated. Through her long-term projects in Jadugoda and Pokhran, she doc...

"Arati Kumar-Rao: Listening in the Marginlands"
March 08, 202601:04:27

"Arati Kumar-Rao: Listening in the Marginlands"

Slow down. The story is already there. Photographer, writer, and National Geographic Explorer Arati Kumar-Rao joins us for a conversation about listening, slow storytelling, and documenting a world in transition. Named one of the BBC’s 100 Most Influential and Inspiring Women in 2023, her work has b...

"Robert Madden: Planes, Trains & National Geographic (Part 2)"
February 22, 202600:39:51

"Robert Madden: Planes, Trains & National Geographic (Part 2)"

Some photos take a lifetime to get. Others almost melt your shoes! In Part 2 of this conversation with former National Geographic staff photographer Robert “Bob” Madden, we dive straight into the stories behind the photographs. From documenting an erupting volcano in Hawaii to capturing what may be ...

"Robert Madden: Planes, Trains & National Geographic (Part 1)"
February 15, 202600:48:47

"Robert Madden: Planes, Trains & National Geographic (Part 1)"

Some assignments take you around the world on small roads. Others land you on a highway with your plane. In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, former National Geographic Staff photographer Robert “Bob” Madden takes us back to his beginnings, the golden era of the magazine and into the stories beh...

"Nancy Borowick: Holding Love Through a Camera"
February 08, 202601:12:08

"Nancy Borowick: Holding Love Through a Camera"

What does it mean to Hold Love through a Camera? In this moving episode, documentary photographer Nancy Borowick shares the story behind The Family Imprint and how photography helped her stay close during loss. We talk about photography as presence, as armor, and as a way to stay close during life’s...

"Sarah Leen: Decoding the Secret Language of Images (Part 2)"
January 04, 202600:40:20

"Sarah Leen: Decoding the Secret Language of Images (Part 2)"

Wondering if your pictures are trying to tell you a secret? You’re in the right place! In the conclusion of our special two-part series, we follow Sarah Leen into her "new chapter." After making history at National Geographic, Sarah returned to her first love: the direct, creative process of working...

"Sarah Leen: Decoding the Secret Language of Images (Part 1)"
December 28, 202500:44:23

"Sarah Leen: Decoding the Secret Language of Images (Part 1)"

From Sneaky Rebel to National Geographic Trailblazer! This is the start of a special two-part series with the amazing Sarah Leen, a woman whose name is synonymous with the iconic yellow border of National Geographic. In this first part, we trace Sarah’s historic journey: from being a "rebellious" st...

"Pete Souza: The White House Quiet Observer (Part 2)"
December 14, 202500:38:49

"Pete Souza: The White House Quiet Observer (Part 2)"

This is Part 2 of our special series with Pete Souza, the former Official White House Photographer for Presidents Reagan and Obama. In case you missed it, listen to Part 1 first! In this second part, we talk about the personal and physical side of the job, how Pete spend those eight years living alo...

Related Videos
Ibarionex Perello: Losing Everything in a Single Night
April 15, 202600:08:04

Ibarionex Perello: Losing Everything in a Single Night

What happens when you lose everything in a single night? Photographer Ibarionex Perello lived through it. This video is a highlight from my full conversation with Ibarionex Perello — photographer, educator, and host of The Candid Frame podcast. In this clip, he shares the story of the night he and h...

Bob Krist: What Instagram Did to Travel Photography...
April 12, 202601:28:55

Bob Krist: What Instagram Did to Travel Photography...

Instagram made photography accessible to everyone—but it may have changed what we shoot, and why 📷 For over three decades, he photographed the world on assignment for National Geographic and other major publications—at a time when travel photography was driven by curiosity, not attention. And that’...

Harvey Stein: Street Photography Without Fear
April 05, 202600:06:32

Harvey Stein: Street Photography Without Fear

Most people think street photography is about capturing moments from a distance. But in reality, it often means stepping closer — and facing your own fear in the process. This video is a highlight from my full conversation with street photographer Harvey Stein, who has been photographing people on t...

Daniel Murray: 16-Year-Old SONY Youth Photographer of the Year
April 02, 202600:22:12

Daniel Murray: 16-Year-Old SONY Youth Photographer of the Year

What does it take to win the Sony World Photography Youth Award at just 16 years old? ☕ That’s exactly where my conversation with photographer Daniel Murray begins. Back in 2024, Daniel was named Youth Photographer of the Year at the Sony World Photography Awards—a huge achievement that started in a...

Pete Souza: The President’s Shadow
March 29, 202600:11:10

Pete Souza: The President’s Shadow

Most people see the White House through headlines and history books. But behind those moments are quiet decisions, pressure, and a photographer witnessing it all from just a few feet away. This video is a highlight from my full conversation with former Chief White House Photographer Pete Souza, who ...

Deborah Sandidge: Most Photographers Miss This… Do You?
March 25, 202600:49:56

Deborah Sandidge: Most Photographers Miss This… Do You?

Some photographers never stop exploring—not because they have to, but because they see the world differently. ☕ And that’s exactly where my conversation with photographer and Nikon Ambassador Deborah Sandidge begins. Deborah has spent years photographing everything from sweeping landscapes to long e...

What Makes a Great Boudoir Photo?
March 22, 202600:08:11

What Makes a Great Boudoir Photo?

Most people think great boudoir photography is about confidence. But behind those images is often vulnerability, discomfort, and deeply personal transformation. This video is a highlight from my full conversation with boudoir photographer and Nikon Ambassador Jen Rozenbaum, where she shares her appr...

Sarah Leen: What Makes a Great Picture?
March 18, 202601:20:27

Sarah Leen: What Makes a Great Picture?

Most people think they’ve taken a great photograph. But what would the person who decided which images make it into National Geographic say about it? And that’s exactly where my conversation with photographer and former Director of Photography at National Geographic, Sarah Leen, begins. Sarah spent ...

Art Wolfe’s Wildest Photography Adventures
March 15, 202600:06:09

Art Wolfe’s Wildest Photography Adventures

Most people see wildlife photography as a moment of luck. But behind those images are years of patience, travel, and learning how to truly see the natural world. This video is a highlight from my full conversation with legendary wildlife photographer Art Wolfe, where he shares some of the incredible...

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"Claire Thomas: Witnessing War, Resilience, and Peace"

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"I mean, most of the time, there just wasn't anything I could do. You know, it's not, it wasn't in my power. I don't know how to put in a, y...

"Ken Marsh: Discover Alaska’s Wild Side (Mini Guide Pt. 2)"

"Ken Marsh: Discover Alaska’s Wild Side (Mini Guide Pt. 2)"

"I come around a corner and I hear something down below me and I look, and I see ears coming just above the brush. First there's two ears, t...

"Ken Marsh: Discover Alaska’s Wild Side (Mini Guide Pt. 1)"

"Ken Marsh: Discover Alaska’s Wild Side (Mini Guide Pt. 1)"

"Even if you're taking all the precautions, even if you know what you're doing, you can still get into a jackpot with 'em. You know, you mig...

"Sofía López Mañán: Are We Listening to Nature?"

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"And then he would turn, or it would turn around and it would look at everybody. It's been like that every time they liberated! And when it ...

"Joanna Steidle: Beauty from Above (Drone Special)"

"Joanna Steidle: Beauty from Above (Drone Special)"

"I think that my greatest personal asset is my eyes. I see things. What often I do is when I was first starting out, especially, I went to a...

"Ana María Arévalo Gosen: Pictures With A Heartbeat"

"Ana María Arévalo Gosen: Pictures With A Heartbeat"

"I took pictures also of women given birth. The last woman I photographed giving birth, I was pregnant and I was looking at her giving birth...

"Jen Rozenbaum: Boudoir. A(nd) Real Life"

"Jen Rozenbaum: Boudoir. A(nd) Real Life"

"Usually what I have them do first is I'll have them lay out their outfits that they brought that's multipurpose. It allows me to see what t...

"Harvey Stein: 50 Years of Street Photography (Part 2)"

"Harvey Stein: 50 Years of Street Photography (Part 2)"

"I'm not interested in money particularly; I need enough to eat and live in a nice place. But believe me, I've made so much less money. You ...

"Harvey Stein: 50 Years of Street Photography (Part 1)"

"Harvey Stein: 50 Years of Street Photography (Part 1)"

“It's like a hunt. How do you find identical twins on the street? On the subway, I saw a set of older twins. They were in their seventies. R...

"Ibarionex Perello: The Eaton Fire. Rebuilding a Creative Life"

"Ibarionex Perello: The Eaton Fire. Rebuilding a Creative Life"

"Yeah, everything else, you know, when I think about the books, that was like the big loss, but it's like, how could I have gotten started a...

"Jatenipat Ketpradit: Can a Portrait Preserve a Culture"

"Jatenipat Ketpradit: Can a Portrait Preserve a Culture"

“I got messages from the new generation who live in the north and in the border between Thailand and Burma, who live in the city, and they s...

"Martin Bailey: Creating the Best Job in the World"

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"And literally six months after the surgery, I was in Antarctica. And then a few months after that, I was in Africa. And then I was in Icela...

"Matt Payne: Chasing Peaks and Podcast Deadlines"

"Matt Payne: Chasing Peaks and Podcast Deadlines"

"That's great, because that's absolutely something that is a big part of my value system is doing whatever we can to protect the places that...

"Art Wolfe: A Life Behind The Lens (Part2)"

"Art Wolfe: A Life Behind The Lens (Part2)"

"The first thing I tell them is this is not a choice of a business or a job. If you think of it as a job, you are unlikely to succeed. You h...

"Art Wolfe: A Life Behind The Lens (Part1)"

"Art Wolfe: A Life Behind The Lens (Part1)"

"In terms of fear, I'm not wired to be fearful. And in fact, it can be a bad thing because a certain amount of fear can keep you sharp and a...

"Jim Scott: Aurora Photography Made Easy"

"Jim Scott: Aurora Photography Made Easy"

"Ah, yeah, that one was from the 10th of May. So, it was a really, really strong storm, solar storm, really, really strong colors, big ...

"Jan Erik Waider: Abstract Landscape Photography Inspirations"

"Jan Erik Waider: Abstract Landscape Photography Inspirations"

"And I see a lot of big groups photo tours which also always wonder if it's how you recreate the same photo like everybody else. So for me, ...

"Joanne Coates: Stories of Life on the Land”

"Joanne Coates: Stories of Life on the Land”

But I think that is my entire being, that telling those stories. And I think especially around class and social change, that is the purpose ...

"Daniel Murray: Sony World Photography Youth Winner 2024"

"Daniel Murray: Sony World Photography Youth Winner 2024"

" Daniel : So it was great, I thanked Sony, but I unfortunately forgot to thank my parents, in the span of the moment. I was a bit disappoin...

"Viktoria Haack: Crafting Images and Taming Wilderness"

"Viktoria Haack: Crafting Images and Taming Wilderness"

"Yeah, there's a lot of benefits. However, I do feel like having older equipment, learning with older equipment, the same as being conf...

"From Poetry to Pictures: A Journey of Discovery" with Andrew Fusek Peters (UK)

"From Poetry to Pictures: A Journey of Discovery" with Andrew Fusek Peters (UK)

"I don't have a choice where my photos get published. What I do know is if I'm adding a positive story and there is some potential to raise ...

"Photography as a Voice: Rohingya Stories of Resilience" with Salim Khan (Bangladesh)

"Photography as a Voice: Rohingya Stories of Resilience" with Salim Khan (Bangladesh)

"You know, I got afraid sometimes, as a father being, when you know they will also live the same lives. She will maybe also face the same pr...

"Creative Crossroads: A Nikon Ambassador's Tale" with Deborah Sandidge (USA)

"Creative Crossroads: A Nikon Ambassador's Tale" with Deborah Sandidge (USA)

"I have an arrangement...with the birds. So I have those Rode wireless small microphones, one is connected to my camera in the oth...

“You’ve Got a Frame in Me: Toy Photography” with Shelly Corbett (USA)

“You’ve Got a Frame in Me: Toy Photography” with Shelly Corbett (USA)

"For me, it's who am I? And what toy am I connecting with? And what adventure do we want to go on together? Because ultimately that toy is g...

"Protecting Biodiversity: Documenting Wildlife Amid Climate Change" with Brian Matthews (UK)

"Protecting Biodiversity: Documenting Wildlife Amid Climate Change" with Brian Matthews (UK)

"We spent a week on St Kilda which is known as the islands at the edge of the earth, which are the most westerly point in the UK. So you hav...

"Portraits of Change: The Art of Storytelling" with Carolyn Mendelsohn (UK)

"Portraits of Change: The Art of Storytelling" with Carolyn Mendelsohn (UK)

"I remember somebody saying, a friend of mine saying, "My other friend such and such, is saying, is she still doing that bloody project?” An...

”Capturing the Invisible: IR and UV Worlds" with Rain Hayes (USA)

”Capturing the Invisible: IR and UV Worlds" with Rain Hayes (USA)

"So if I can offer people just a little bit of a distraction from that, and show them something that is beautiful, or that makes them say “O...

"Climbing Light: A Photographer's Alpine Love Affair" with Fi Bunn (UK)

"Climbing Light: A Photographer's Alpine Love Affair" with Fi Bunn (UK)

" So I went to one area I went for years, I mean literally 10 years I visited one lake and I never got to see the Matterhorn over this parti...

"Bird Photography: In Your Backyard" | Shortcast with Melody Mellinger (USA)

"Bird Photography: In Your Backyard" | Shortcast with Melody Mellinger (USA)

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"Capturing Tiny Voyagers: Exploring Insect Migrations" with Dr. Will Hawkes (UK)

"Capturing Tiny Voyagers: Exploring Insect Migrations" with Dr. Will Hawkes (UK)

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"Shuttered Sun: Solar Eclipse Photography" | ShortCast with Peter Lewis (UK)

"Remember, the Moon is not a complete smooth  ball. It's circular effectively, but with lots of rocks and craters on it, so you see lot...

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"Anyway, we were like, okay half past four in the morning, we got to this part of Iceland, which is an hour away from the airport and the sk...

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"Wild Encounters: Moose Peterson's Visual Storytelling" with Moose Peterson (USA)

"Well, ended up coming over and sleeping next to us like a dog, literally. Because he thought, I don't know if it's he or she, that between ...

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"Striking the Right Note: The Art of Music Photography" with Richard Clark (UK)

"There's a couple really definitely, Meat Puppets was just absolutely incredible. I've got a shot of just rocking out and him just leaning b...

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"The Legacy of a Master Wildlife Photographer: In Memoriam" with Aditya Dicky Singh (India)

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"A Photographer’s Journey Beyond Disability" with Jen Read (UK)

"They are way more important than my camera gear. I would happily go out of them any day of the week without any devices. And I don't know h...

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"The Intrepid Travel Photographer" with Dalida Innes (Australia)

“ I see it this way, you know, like the mountain gorillas, 400 left in the world, only 400 left and we cannot put them in a zoo because they...

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"The Nikon Wonder Girl" with 'Eagle eyed Girl' Jamie Smart (UK)

" Hey, Jamie. Jamie: Yeah? Dave: I created something special for you for the opening for our show. You ready? You gotta promise not to laugh...

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"Secrets to Better Landscape Photography" with Gary Holpin (UK)

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"Talkin’ Birds and Photography" with Will Wilson (Rwanda)

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"A Photographer’s War Story" with Iva Sidash (Ukraine)

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