My Path into the Wild
The ever colourful flamingos
Nature has always been my muse—its vast landscapes, the delicate balance of wildlife, and the complex web that weaves everything together have captivated me since childhood. I fondly recall my childhood walks along Lake Elementaita, enchanted by the countless flocks of flamingos, and treks up the nearby hills, where I gazed down at the glistening waters that shrank as I ascended. Watching eagles soar at eye level, I felt a profound connection to nature—an experience that ultimately shaped my journey as a photographer.
Not just that, growing up, my father was a professional tour guide in the Maasai Mara and used to bring me National Geographic magazines, photos he had taken with his old film camera, along with countless stories of his wildlife encounters each time he returned from work. My imagination always roamed afar, wondering how to reach such incredible places and capture their alluring beauty.
That initial fascination is what inspired me to pick up a camera for the first time—not just to record what I witnessed but to safeguard the feelings, the narratives, and the wild essence of nature. My journey has taken me beyond those hills—from the Maasai Mara’s vast grasslands to the dusty plains of Amboseli and distant shorelines, where the ocean's melody echoes how varied and breathtaking nature truly is.
In my journeys through Kenya and beyond, each place presents its own set of obstacles and magic. One of my most unforgettable moments was in the Mara Triangle. It was early morning as I drove down, looking for signs of cat activity, but nature had a different twist. A massive African bull elephant was gently walking down the weathered road toward me. As soon as I noticed I was the only one at the sighting, I positioned myself for the shot and switched off the engine. As I waited for the elephant to get into a favourable range for my lens, I savoured every moment of that magical scene. Just in front of the big bull, an African wattled lapwing led the way—a classic display of nature’s intricate synchronicity. I then crouched for what felt like hours to capture the perfect shot. It is moments like this that often remind me photography isn’t just about the image but about being fully present in the moment—every time I look at this photograph, I relive this very special moment in nature.
To me, photography is the perfect balance between striking aesthetics and powerful storytelling. It means revealing the beauty and fragility of our world through the lens. Travel and nature photography have done tremendous work in this respect, bringing alive stories faintly slipping from view, whether it's the quiet, lithe movement of a cheetah stalking her prey or sweeping landscapes as vast as the eye can see. In my photography, every moment is a chance to freeze time, capturing elements of the landscape that we often overlook.
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of patience. In wildlife photography, waiting for that perfect moment is key—the right light, the perfect angle, and the subject’s natural behavior all have to align. For instance, capturing a predator in action requires both technical preparation and an understanding of animal behavior. These moments don’t happen on cue—they come when you are prepared, but most importantly, when you wait.
This blog is where I aim to show you more than just pictures. I’ll take you behind the scenes of my greatest adventures, offering an opportunity for readers to peek into life on the other side of the lens. Creating those perfect shots involves sharing what goes into them—from technical aspects to personal experiences that make each photograph unique. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast or just love a good story, I invite you to join me on this journey.
Feel free to share your thoughts, ask questions, or even suggest places you’d like to see captured through my lens. Together, we’ll explore not just nature, but the stories that lie behind every image.
