A Journey That Began with Sir David Attenborough
There is a mutual interest in photography that unites many of us. I regularly get asked how I got into photography. I grew up watching David Attenborough documentaries and reading Wilbur Smith novels. It was all about being transported to places you could only dream of going too, where there were endless skies, vast landscapes and of course the big 5 of Africa.
The Golden Hours: Learning from Nature’s Best Teachers
Over the last 25 years I’ve been lucky enough to visit the African continent many times and have spent about 6 months doing something I find absolutely fascinating, which is going on safari every sunrise and sunset and observing animals – specifically their behaviour. What I learnt during these golden hours of light, was that it was all about the eyes and subtle movements of the head and the body that conveyed very specific messages to other members of the herd or pride.
A Life-Changing Encounter: The Elephant That Taught Me About Communication
There is a mutual interest in photography that unites many of us. I regularly get asked how I got into photography. I grew up watching David Attenborough documentaries and reading Wilbur Smith novels. It was all about being transported to places you could only dream of going too, where there were endless skies, vast landscapes and of course the big 5 of Africa.
Over the last 25 years I’ve been lucky enough to visit the African continent many times and have spent about 6 months doing something I find absolutely fascinating, which is going on safari every sunrise and sunset and observing animals – specifically their behaviour. What I learnt during these golden hours of light, was that it was all about the eyes and subtle movements of the head and the body that conveyed very specific messages to other members of the herd or pride.
I have no better example of this in action, after signing up for a horseback safari. One of the waiver questions was ‘Can you outrun a lion?’ Growing up in Sydney, I confidently ticked yes. However it wasn’t a lion that I needed to be concerned about. I’m sure we’ve all experienced those moments in life where we are filled with both a paralysing sense of fear and aliveness. Being mock charged by a 3 tonne elephant, on a horse, was my moment. After running at me with ears flapping, she slowly stepped back and stopped. I hadn’t seen the baby elephant in the scrub and I was between him and his mother. She was doing what is called ‘setting the distance’ – telling me not to come any closer and to move back. It’s a warning and you are never granted a second chance. I could feel my horse quivering as we slowly shifted to the side. There was then a lot of staring between her and me and her and the baby. With additional movements of her body and head she visually told us exactly what we all needed to do. With a knee press into the flank we moved backwards and the baby elephant slowly walked across our path and underneath her mother. She then turned slowly, ears flapping slowly, and walked off into the scrub. The horse and I needed a few more minutes to calm down.
After this encounter, and another incident with a vervet monkey, I was hooked on animal behaviour and photographing it. This fascination then extended to humans and it’s also much safer and friendlier. Now of course we’re not going to be staring at each other during our shoot, because that would be awkward, but I am always observing and directing the micro movements and the light, so I can capture your ‘essence’ and the messages you would like to convey with your headshot. And just as I get that buzz in Africa, when I nail a shot, I feel exactly the same when I show a client a photo of themselves and watch them light up.
And for anyone who is thinking about going to that truly magical and magnificent continent and has any questions, please feel free to drop me a note.
From Wildlife to Human Nature: The Art of Capturing Essence
After this encounter, and another incident with a vervet monkey, I was hooked on animal behaviour and photographing it. This fascination then extended to humans and it’s also much safer and friendlier. Now of course we’re not going to be staring at each other during our shoot, because that would be awkward, but I am always observing and directing the micro movements and the light, so I can capture your ‘essence’ and the messages you would like to convey with your headshot. And just as I get that buzz in Africa, when I nail a shot, I feel exactly the same when I show a client a photo of themselves and watch them light up.
Want to Know More?
And for anyone who is thinking about going to that truly magical and magnificent continent and has any questions, please feel free to drop me a note.