The first time I went to Africa many years ago to photograph wild animals, well… that was a real eye opener. Because you learn very quickly that you are not going to get the amazing, powerful shots that you’re after simply by going on your typical daily game drives and shooting from the confines of a Jeep. Yes, sometimes you get lucky, but after about Day 2 it became abundantly clear to me (after reviewing my photos) that I was going to need to get closer to these animals.

Much, much closer.

I was fresh out of film school— where I was used to controlling every aspect of a shoot— and suddenly, out here on the savanna, I was in control of almost nothing. The animals were going to do what they wanted to do, when they wanted to do it, and the light was going to do likewise!

However, I quickly learned to focus on the things I COULD control, and I will now share those with you:

1. Know your camera backwards and forwards.

2. Go out at dusk and dawn. Not only is the light best, but the animals are more active at these times as well. In the afternoon (the hottest time of the day), the animals go off and do their own private animal things. 😜

3. Find a way to get away from all other humans. This is likely going to mean chartering a private vehicle or boat, and a guide that is willing to get a little crazy with you!

4. Be prepared to get a little crazy! (Within reason, lol, and without putting yourself or others in unnecessary danger).

5. Keep your fears in check and be relentless about shooting from unique vantage points and getting as close to the animals as humanly possible (while still being smart and safe!).

For this shot, I was hunkered down in a kind of ditch, lol, on the bank of the Okavango delta. For most great shots (unless you are willing to go the digital/AI route and just fabricate the whole thing), if it looks like a photographer was extremely close to the animal, it is usually because we were. 😉