Photography in Mongolia

Photography in Mongolia

Author: Steve Brazill January 27, 2023 Duration: 1:00:26

One of the best parts of doing this podcast is getting to see the amazing photography community at work. I mentioned this a few weeks ago when I had Kersten Luts (Creative Portraits and Headshots) on the show. He had been suggested as a guest by my friend, and past guest, Dave Williams ( The Aurora & The Night Sky, The Traveling Photographer). Kersten then referred me to Nina Welch-Kling (Duolougues). Well, we are here today because of another connection.

A few months ago I received an email from someone named Aurora, who works with photographer Chris McLennan. They had received a few inquiries after Jeff Cable’s most recent appearance (Real-World Use of the Canon EOS R3, Capture the Action) aired, because Jeff had made Chris his Photographer pick. They were reaching out about possibly getting Chris McLennan on the show. Once again, it’s the 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon… if Kevin were a photographer.

Getting Chris on the show is pretty exciting for me. He’s a Nikon New Zealand Ambassador, a Lowepro Bags Loweprofessional, a Rab Equipment Ambassador and a Lexar Elite Photographer, and he is widely recognized as one of the best travel pros out there, which makes sense looking at his career. After all, he has been photographing professionally since 1988!

Having grown up around adventure sports, Chris spent the early part of his photography career working mainly in the ski industry. That evolved into tourism promotional photography for tourism authorities and operators around the globe.

Today, after working in over 60 countries throughout more than 30 years, Chris is also an educator. He organizes and hosts photography expeditions in many exciting locations, such as Alaska in Winter for the Northern Lights, dog sledding and Arctic landscapes, Alaska during Summer for grizzly bears, Botswana wildlife safaris, Mongolia for its vast array of wildlife and nomadic eagle hunters, the many cultures of Papua New Guinea and chartering a private ice breaker in Svalbard to photograph polar bears. Any of these would be such a wonderful adventure.

Join Nikon New Zealand Ambassador Chris McLennan and me as we talk about how he made his image of a Mongolian Eagle Hunter, and to talk about travel photography, workshops, and expeditions, on this Behind the Shot.

Connect with Chris

Website: chrismclennanphotography.com
Instagram: @chris_mclennan1
Facebook: @Chris.McLennan.Photography
YouTube: @ChrisMcLennan

Chris’ Workshops and Expeditions

New Zealand Workshops: chrismclennanphotography.com
International Photo Expeditions: chrismclennanphotography.com

Chris’ Photographer Pick

Eric Esterle: ericesterle.com | @ericesterlephoto


Steve Brazill hosts Behind the Shot-Video, a series that goes far beyond gear lists and camera settings. Each conversation is a deep exploration of the creative and technical journey behind compelling images. You’ll hear working photographers unpack the entire process-from the initial spark of an idea and the challenges of the location to the critical decisions made in post-production. This podcast sits at the unique intersection of art and practical technology, offering tangible lessons for anyone looking to improve their visual storytelling. Rather than abstract theory, these discussions provide a real-world look at problem-solving under pressure and the artistic choices that define a signature style. Tune in for honest, detailed breakdowns that reveal how memorable shots are truly built, layer by layer. It’s an essential resource for visual artists seeking both inspiration and actionable knowledge, all grounded in the lived experience of accomplished creators.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 200

Behind the Shot - Video
Podcast Episodes
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I will never forget growing up hearing my dad talk about his days flying P-51 and P-40 planes. His walls were covered in model planes of classic war birds, as though he was trying to relive his youth. When he passed away…
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Duration: 55:49
The photographers I am exposed to by doing this show never cease to amaze me. Recently, my buddy Ian Spanier told a friend of his that he should be on the show, and gave him my contact info. At that point, Jason Gardner…
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Duration: 51:16
I never used to go to photography conferences. It’s not that they didn’t interest me, it’s just that none of them cover my genre of music photography. WPPI is all about weddings and portraits, and while Imaging USA seems…
Artistic Macros [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:22
One of my favorite parts of doing this podcast is that I get to discover and meet some amazing photographers, and L.A. based Nikon Ambassador Joey Terrill is a perfect example. We’ve all joked about a photographer we kno…
Architecture Photography Tips & Tricks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:44
I find guests for Behind the Shot in a number of ways. Sometimes it’s a referral from a friend, sometimes it’s a cold email I send after seeing an image I just need to know more about, and now and then it’s through a pho…
Portrait Composites [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:53
One look at the client list at the bottom of Paul Mobley’s About page and it’s quickly apparent that he’s one of the best commercial, advertising, and editorial portrait photographers working today. It’s a list of A leve…
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Duration: 1:01:51
Zoe Rain is one of those photographers in the rare group of artists that was born to do what she does. Some people can learn to become amazing artists, while others, people like Zoe, seem to have a natural gift for seein…