26.04.2025 - The Polar Bear Incident and the Norwegian Polar Institute

In this episode, I recount the full event of the harassment and sedation of the Polar Bear by the Norwegian Polar Institute on my recent April Svalbard expedition (Full Trip Report Coming Soon). This is a true and accurate recounting of the events as they unfolded in front of my eyes and the eyes of twelve other photographers (plus the ships captain and first mate) from the bridge of the expedition ship M.S Freya.Sign the Petition HEREWritten Polar Bear ReportWritten Polar Bear Report UpdateSvalbard Posten CoverageNRK Norwegian Media CoveragePetaPixel CoverageSupport the showWild Nature Photo TravelPhotography Workshops and Expeditions around the Worldwww.wildnaturephototravel.comSupport the Show and fellow Nature Photographer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JoshuaHolko/membershipFind us on Social MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Joshuaholko/Twitter: https://twitter.com/HolkoJoshuaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuaholko/Need to Contact us? [email protected]

In this episode, I discuss the latest article by Peta Pixel on my Polar photography, and wrap up the snowmobile expedition I just finished up here in Svalbard for Arctic Fox and Reindeer. The conversation also includes the destruction of the 200-800mm lens, also featured on Canon rumours and Peta-Pixel in the last few days.PetaPixel Article and Spotlight InterviewSupport the showWild Nature Photo TravelPhotography Workshops and Expeditions around the Worldwww.wildnaturephototravel.comSupport the Show and fellow Nature Photographer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JoshuaHolko/membershipFind us on Social MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Joshuaholko/Twitter: https://twitter.com/HolkoJoshuaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuaholko/Need to Contact us? [email protected]

In this episode, I review photographer Alex Pansier's new book, Nature as Art and discuss the release of my new short film, Arctic Survivors.Nature as Art by Alex PansierEdit: Slight correction: this book's purchase price is 89 Euro, not 60 Euro as referred to in the podcast. I also omitted a discussion surrounding the print quality (jetlag at my end). Rest assured, the print quality is outstanding for a matt paper with deep inky blacks and clean crisp highlights.Arctic Survivors - A new short film on Photographing Arctic Fox in the far north west of Iceland in WinterSupport the showWild Nature Photo TravelPhotography Workshops and Expeditions around the Worldwww.wildnaturephototravel.comSupport the Show and fellow Nature Photographer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JoshuaHolko/membershipFind us on Social MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Joshuaholko/Twitter: https://twitter.com/HolkoJoshuaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuaholko/Need to Contact us? [email protected]

In this episode, I discuss my recent competition results in the Asia / Pacific Photography awards as well as my upcoming expeditions to Svalbard on snow mobile and ship. I am going to try and squeeze in one more podcast from Sweden - a book review.Support the showWild Nature Photo TravelPhotography Workshops and Expeditions around the Worldwww.wildnaturephototravel.comSupport the Show and fellow Nature Photographer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JoshuaHolko/membershipFind us on Social MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Joshuaholko/Twitter: https://twitter.com/HolkoJoshuaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuaholko/Need to Contact us? [email protected]

In this requested episode, I discuss my history of photography, how I got started in the industry and how I transitioned from the corporate world as a sales and marketing director to working as a full time professional Nature Photographer.Support the showWild Nature Photo TravelPhotography Workshops and Expeditions around the Worldwww.wildnaturephototravel.comSupport the Show and fellow Nature Photographer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JoshuaHolko/membershipFind us on Social MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Joshuaholko/Twitter: https://twitter.com/HolkoJoshuaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuaholko/Need to Contact us? [email protected]

In this episode, I discuss and expose the active trophy hunting of Polar Bears that is still going on in Eastern Greenland under the guise of traditional subsistence hunting and how the Danish government is facilitating and even actively encouraging this ongoing killing.WWF ExposedWildlife Photographic Magazine Cover Shot and Feature ArticleSupport the showWild Nature Photo TravelPhotography Workshops and Expeditions around the Worldwww.wildnaturephototravel.comSupport the Show and fellow Nature Photographer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JoshuaHolko/membershipFind us on Social MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Joshuaholko/Twitter: https://twitter.com/HolkoJoshuaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuaholko/Need to Contact us? [email protected]

In this episode, we welcome our first podcast guest and talk with photographer Kevin Hall about his recent experiences photographing Arctic Foxes in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve during our back-to-back workshops in Northern Iceland. Kevin shares his insights on his experience and his thoughts on the new Canon EOS R1 in an all-things-photography discussion.www.kevinhallphotography.co.ukBird Photographer of the Year Finalist 2025Support the showWild Nature Photo TravelPhotography Workshops and Expeditions around the Worldwww.wildnaturephototravel.comSupport the Show and fellow Nature Photographer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JoshuaHolko/membershipFind us on Social MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Joshuaholko/Twitter: https://twitter.com/HolkoJoshuaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuaholko/Need to Contact us? [email protected]

In this episode, I touch on some recent Travel Photographer of the Year competition news and dive into a really interesting email I received last week from a regular reader and follower of my work, the crux of which is included below:'Hey Josh, You know I love your photography as this isn't my first email :-). You have a unique minimalist style that really sets your work apart; its truly wonderful that you not only find and create such amazing photographic art in this insane world but that you help others also achieve their photo dreams. But something has been bothering me and its these other workshop leaders who seem to be copying everything you do. I have followed you for years and watched you lead unique first of their kind trips for Arctic Fox, Greenland winter, Pallas Cat in Mongolia and more. I have also watched others copy exactly what you do. I am sure you are aware of it, but I get quite annoyed on your behalf when I see these others market themselves as 'the first', or 'class leading' or whatever term they choose to use. I have no idea if it bothers you, but I hope you continue to look forward and not back. Keep up the incredible work. I know there are many others out there who feel the same as me about your work and how you are being copied. I just wanted you to know you had some support out there and that we have your back."Firstly, thank you so much to the author for the wonderful words about my own work. Hugely appreciated. After I received this email, I had to think long and hard about how I felt about this topic. I had a subsequent follow-up email discussion with the author, and we both decided that this topic was worthy of a podcast. It's bound to be somewhat divisive, and perhaps that's what is required at this juncture? I am unsure, and I certainly don't want to come across as arrogant, but what I do know is that I have no rear-vision mirror of consequence for those who choose to follow in this field. I have always looked forward, and I believe it's firmly up to the person choosing and booking a workshop, whether they want to go with someone who chooses to lead in their field - or someone who follows the crumbs. Every person can and should decide who they travel with and why.  Just one of the many reasons it's so important to do your homework when booking any trip. As they say, onward, forward and ever upward....Support the showWild Nature Photo TravelPhotography Workshops and Expeditions around the Worldwww.wildnaturephototravel.comSupport the Show and fellow Nature Photographer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JoshuaHolko/membershipFind us on Social MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Joshuaholko/Twitter: https://twitter.com/HolkoJoshuaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuaholko/Need to Contact us? [email protected]

In this episode, I wrap up both the Pallas Cat and Snow Leopard workshops to the Eastern and Western regions of Mongolia. I also announce an all now scouting trip for Snow Leopard in Mongolia for just three people in mid January, 2026. Full details:  https://jholko.com/workshops/ultimate-snow-leopard-of-mongoliaSupport the showWild Nature Photo TravelPhotography Workshops and Expeditions around the Worldwww.wildnaturephototravel.comSupport the Show and fellow Nature Photographer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JoshuaHolko/membershipFind us on Social MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Joshuaholko/Twitter: https://twitter.com/HolkoJoshuaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuaholko/Need to Contact us? [email protected]

I have just published episode 112 of my Wild Nature Photography Podcast. In this episode, we welcome the new 2025 year and season five of the podcast. I also give my thoughts and impressions on shooting Pallas cats with the Canon EOS R1 here in the far eastern Steppe region of Mongolia for the last week in the frigid winter and discuss a workaround for assigning pre-capture to a custom shooting mode.https://jholko.com/workshopsCanon EOS R1 and EOS R5 MK2 PresetsSupport the showWild Nature Photo TravelPhotography Workshops and Expeditions around the Worldwww.wildnaturephototravel.comSupport the Show and fellow Nature Photographer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JoshuaHolko/membershipFind us on Social MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Joshuaholko/Twitter: https://twitter.com/HolkoJoshuaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuaholko/Need to Contact us? [email protected]