There’s something humbling about waking up in the dark with nothing but the sounds of the wild around you. No traffic. No emails. Just the distant roar of a lion or the quiet shuffle of an elephant moving through the bush. This is where my work begins.
As a fine art wildlife photographer, I’ve spent years travelling across Africa in search of those rare, authentic moments that can only be found through patience, respect and a deep connection with nature. From the dry plains of Amboseli to the endless grasslands of the Serengeti, every shoot brings something new and unpredictable. That’s part of the magic.
Before the First Light
My days usually start before dawn. In the darkness, I pack my gear: camera bodies, long lenses, spare batteries, and memory cards. I often use medium to wide-angle lenses to create a sense of closeness and presence in my wildlife photography. This is a quiet ritual I’ve come to appreciate. I double-check everything and mentally prepare, knowing full well that nature has its own plans.
By 6 a.m., I’m already on the move. The early morning light is soft and golden. It paints the landscape in a way that no editing tool ever could. Animals are more active in this light. I might spot a pride of lions returning from a night hunt, or elephants calmly crossing an open plain. In these early hours, every second matters. The light changes quickly and so does the energy of the wild.
Patience, Not Chase
A big part of African wildlife photography is learning how to wait. I’m not out here chasing drama. I’m here to observe and connect. Many of my most successful fine art wildlife prints have come after long hours of stillness. ‘At The Foot of The Mountain’ or ‘Soul to Soul’ weren’t captured in a rush. They were the result of time, calm and presence.
Often, I follow the same animals for many days. The more time you give, the more they start to show you. Expressions, habits, relationships. These are the things that make a photograph more than just a picture. I aim to create portraits that show character and emotion. That’s why so many of my prints focus on eye contact or posture. It’s in these details that the story lives.
Light, Composition and Feeling
Of course, there’s the technical side of things. Settings, exposure, focus points. But in the field, instinct takes over. What I’m really working toward is creating an image that feels timeless and true. I’m drawn to simple, uncluttered compositions that rely on natural light and shadow. That’s one of the reasons I work so much in black and white.
Black and white animal photos allows me to highlight texture, shape and emotion. Without the distraction of colour, the viewer is invited to look closer. The wrinkles of an old elephant, the glint in a lion’s eye, the curve of a zebra’s back. These details are often what carry the emotional weight of an image.
Respect and Restraint
One of the most important things in this line of work is respect. Respect for the animal, the environment and the people who live there. I always work with experienced local guides who understand the rhythms of the land. We keep a safe distance and never pressure the animals. This is their home. I am a guest.
I’ve waited hours for a lion to shift position or for a giraffe to step into the light. And many times, the shot doesn’t come. That’s part of it. Nature owes us nothing. But when things do align and that one frame falls into place, it’s an incredible feeling.
Back at Camp
Evenings are for reflection and backup. I review the day’s work, sort through images, and begin the first round of selections. Some photographs will eventually become part of my fine art print collection. Others will stay in the archive until the right time. I never rush this process. Each image has to feel strong enough to stand on its own and speak honestly about the subject.
More Than Just a Photograph
At the heart of it, my work is about connection. I want people to feel something when they look at my images. Whether it’s a black and white portrait of a silverback gorilla or a wide shot of a herd of elephants, I aim to capture more than just what was in front of the lens. I want to share the feeling of being there. The silence. The scale. The emotion.
This life is one of early mornings, long waits, changing light and endless respect for the wild. It isn’t always easy. But it is always worth it.
