PODCAST · society
Footprints In Nature: Reflections
by Chris Gibbs
Footprints in Nature: Reflections is a calm space for the thoughts that linger. While hosted by wildlife & nature photographer & filmmaker Chris Gibbs, this isn't a podcast about photography. It’s an audio journal exploring the intersection of nature, mental health, and the invisible grind of running a creative business. Whether you are navigating freelance burnout, trying to escape the hustle, or just need a quiet break from the digital noise, this is designed to be company, not just content. Think of it as a short walk. No destination. Just space to think. footprintsinnature.ca
Episodes
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20 - The Authentic Voice: Public Speaking and the Power of Vulnerability
In this episode of Reflections, Chris recounts a moment at the Lightchasers Nature Photography Conference that changed everything. Scheduled to close the event with a prepared, hour-long presentation, Chris instead faced an immediate technical failure that silenced his visuals and left him…
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19 - I was just a passenger on the road of life: Stepping Into the Drivers Seat
In this episode of Reflections, Chris explores the philosophy that defined his journey for years: "I am just a passenger on the road of life." While this mindset once felt like a shield against stress and a way to avoid the pressures of control, a sudden reality check from his oldest daughter,...
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18 - Leading by Helping: The Lifelong Drive to Lift Others Up
In this episode of Reflections, Chris explores a fundamental trait that defined him long before he ever picked up a camera professionally: the drive to help, lead, and motivate people. While it’s easy to get caught up in the idea of "competition" in the creative industry, Chris explains why he...
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17 - The Black Hat: The Power of the Constant
In this episode of Reflections, Chris shifts the focus to his literal daily uniform. We often talk about the "many hats" required to run a creative business, but in real life, Chris really only wears one: a basic, black ball cap. From childhood habits and 25 years of competitive darts to wearing…
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16 - Trusting the Steps, Earning the Journey: The Steps In Between A-Z
In this episode of Reflections, we confront our modern obsession with the finish line. We live in a world that constantly pushes us to want the final product or result immediately, tempting us to find the shortcut and skip straight from A to Z. Drawing from his early days threading one-inch tape...
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15 - Documenting a Changing World: The Visual Historian
We often focus on the artistic or therapeutic value of our photography and filmmaking. But what happens when we view our cameras as tools to document history? In this reflection, we explore the profound responsibility of being a "visual historian." From the frozen tundra to the quiet corners of…
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14 - The Intentional Frame: Finding Mindfulness in Nature Photography
In this episode of Reflections, we explore the therapeutic side of nature photography and what my friend Brett calls the "self-regulating component" of the craft. We discuss how the simple act of hunting for a composition forces you to look up, step out of your own head, and truly immerse…
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13 - The Show Must Go On: Surviving the Man Cold
The beauty of being a freelancer is being the director of your own life. The reality? The director still has to show up on set, even when they have a severe case of the man cold. In this episode, we talk about the quiet grit and professionalism required when you are the entire business and there...
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12 - The Power of the Intentional No: Breaking the 7-Day Trap
When you leave a structured career to build your own business, you trade the corporate safety net for total freedom. But without boundaries, the fear of failure can trap you in a seven-day hustle, turning you into a machine that never unplugs. In this reflection, we tackle the perfectionism and...
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11 - Storage Wars: Protecting the Story in a World of Infinite Data
We all love dreaming about the latest cameras, the perfect light, and cinematic shots. But none of that matters if your backend infrastructure fails. This episode shines a light on the unglamorous "Storage Wars" of the digital age. From the days of paying a dollar per megabyte to the modern…
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10 - The 2,000 Push-Up Pivot: A System Reboot for the Creative Mind
It is dangerously easy for creative entrepreneurs to become ghosts at their own desks, prioritizing client work and deadlines over everything else. In this episode, we explore the mental health toll of working in dark rooms tied to an editing screen. Sparked by completing a 2,000 push-up…
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9 - Many Hats: The Invisible Grind of a Creative Business
If you look at the social feeds of a creative professional, you usually see a highly curated highlight reel. But what does it actually take to keep that creative signal alive? In this reflection, we pull back the curtain on the invisible grind of running a photography and filmmaking business.…
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8 - The Visual Bridge: Bringing the Unreachable Beauty of Nature Home
Nature photography is often viewed as a solitary pursuit—a quiet wait in the cold wilderness. But the true work happens the moment you share the capture. In this episode, we discuss the concept of "The Visual Bridge." We explore the profound responsibility of serving as a witness, bringing the...
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7 - Seven Bucks: Building a Legacy Through Grit, Persistence, and Hard Work
Inspiration isn't always found in the grand, sweeping moments on a mountain peak; sometimes, the most powerful inspiration fits right in your pocket. In this reflection, we dive into the story of carrying exactly seven dollars as a physical reminder of resilience and hard work, inspired by the...
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6 - The Weight of Readiness: Mastering Your Tools to Overcome Technical Noise
With over 35 years of experience behind the lens, there is one difficult truth to shooting in the wild: the biggest barrier to an honest moment is technical noise. We explore "the weight of readiness"—the mental and physical checklist you carry before ever seeing an animal. Discover why obsessing...
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5 - Just Start: Overcoming Fear and Embracing the Long Game in Creative Business
It is incredibly easy to get caught up in past regrets, wondering where you might be today if you had only started that project five years ago. But dwelling on lost time doesn't change the future. In this episode, we issue a simple challenge: Just start. We discuss why creative businesses and…
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4 - The Lynx: The Commitment to Capturing the Ghost of the Northern Forest
Every wildlife photographer has that one animal that sits at the very top of their bucket list. For this reflection, we dive into the pursuit of the Canadian Lynx—the ghost of the northern forest. We explore what it means to spend hours driving, waiting, and scanning the treeline for a shape that...
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3 - Master Control: Transitioning from Broadcast Television to the Stillness of Nature
Drawing from decades of experience in the intense, high-pressure world of television broadcasting, this episode explores the mindset of being the "last line of defence." When you are used to managing satellite signals down to the exact second, you carry that hyper-vigilance into your own business...
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2 - But Some Days… I See Nothing: Overcoming Productivity Pressure in Wildlife Photography
In this episode, we take a drive down the backcountry roads of Alberta and confront the days when the wildlife just doesn't show up. We are so used to measuring our days by output and results that it is easy to view an empty memory card as a failure. We discuss how to let go of the expectation of...
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1 - Why Reflections: Mindful Nature Photography and Creative Purpose
In the inaugural episode of Reflections, we introduce a quiet, calm, and inviting space designed for the thoughts that linger. While most media today moves fast and is designed to grab your attention before moving on, this space is different. We explore why it is so important to step away from...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Footprints in Nature: Reflections is a calm space for the thoughts that linger. While hosted by wildlife & nature photographer & filmmaker Chris Gibbs, this isn't a podcast about photography. It’s an audio journal exploring the intersection of nature, mental health, and the invisible grind of running a creative business. Whether you are navigating freelance burnout, trying to escape the hustle, or just need a quiet break from the digital noise, this is designed to be company, not just content. Think of it as a short walk. No destination. Just space to think. footprintsinnature.ca
HOSTED BY
Chris Gibbs
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