How did your interest in wildlife arise?
I moved back to Kenya from Australia in 2013 after completing Bachelor’s in Accounting and Finance. Whilst working in the corporate world, my interest in wildlife and photography was only just a hobby. Later in 2016, I started making regular safari trips with a basic Nikon DSLR camera and that’s where my passion for photography grew stronger. After slowly investing in better equipment, I finally decided to leave the corporate world and become a full-time wildlife photographer and safari planner.
How do you describe your journey as a photographer and a person?
My journey as a photographer has been incredible. Not only have I learnt so much about photography and animals, but this has also helped me understand a lot about myself. Photography has taught me to be patient, calm, ready and made me do so many things which in the past I would have never imagined doing. When you’re out in the wild, you can neither predict anything nor can you control anything. As much as I love taking photos of animals, I have also realized that sometimes it is also ok to look at nature without viewing it from the viewfinder.
What is your view on Wildlife Conservation? How can we, as wildlife photographers, help to protect our Mother Nature?
Wildlife conservation is very important. According to World Wildlife Funds (WWF) wildlife population has declined by approximately 68% in the last 50 years. These statistics are heartbreaking. We as photographers must try and educate the younger generation on the importance of wildlife for our planet. Wildlife photographers are at an advantage where they can go to places and take photos of species which most people would have never known. With the internet and social media now, you can easily reach out to millions of people sharing knowledge and images of all these incredible species. As Nelson Mandela said, education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
Can you give our readers the best wildlife photography tips?
Before you even pick up a camera to take photos, learn about animal behavior. This is very important because as soon as you start understanding your subjects, photography will become easier and fun.
Another thing is to learn to be patient. If you want to capture the perfect moments, you need to wait. Do not try to be everywhere at all the time. It never works.
What plans do you have for the future related to Wildlife Photography?
One day I want to become a wildlife conservationist. I want to try and help save and protect wildlife in Africa and around the world. I want to use photography as a way to educate people.
Tell us something about the gears you use and how it helped in your photographic journey?
The current gear I own for wildlife photography:
• Nikon D850
• Nikon D750
• Nikon 200-500mm f5.6
• Nikon 70-200mm f2.8
• Nikon 24-120mm f4
• Nikon 55mm f1.8
• Nikon 35mm f1.8
• Go Pro hero 8
• Olympus 8*40 DPS I
• iPhone 11 pro max
