For me, photographing animals is more than just a hobby. It’s a passion that I’ve had for a long time, and it connects me to the natural world around me in many different ways.
It’s an art form that can be quite challenging, but it rewards me with magical moments that deepen my appreciation for Mother Nature. Here are just a few of the main reasons why I’m so drawn to the captivating field of wildlife photography.
Learning About Animal Behavior
Something that goes hand-in-hand with taking consistently good photos of animals is to better understand their behaviour. The more in tune you are with the animal you’re photographing, the easier it is to predict what its next move might be and how it will interact with its immediate surroundings.
Knowing what the animal will do next helps to eliminate all the guesswork regarding your positioning, composition, camera settings etc.
It’s important to truly observe your subject and try to understand its behaviour and habits. Knowing when a bird is about to take flight or when a leopard is about to leap makes all the difference in capturing the perfect shot.
I’ve noticed that the more I understand about the animal I’m photographing, the luckier I get with the pictures that I take. It certainly goes without saying that this has definitely enriched my connection with the subjects I photograph. Especially the big predators, which we are fortunate to see so many of here at Londolozi.
Raises Awareness for Conservation
Taking photos of wildlife has the potential to raise awareness for conservation. Most people live in areas where they will never be exposed to the true beauty of the natural world.
It is not easy to care about something that you have never seen or know nothing about. This is part of the reason why I think that it’s a wonderful gesture to Mother Nature to share her beauty with those who might never get to experience it.

Patience rewarded us after spotting this leopard cub’s mother lying on these boulders. After some time the cub came out to get a better look at us. Such a sighting, in such a magical scene, is very easily the most rare and special.
Although it might not be much, I feel like photography is my small contribution to the global conversation about conservation, and helps others to see the natural world’s value. I’m sure the compound effect of this across any given number of wildlife photographers could only do good for the world.
A Connection with Nature
As a Londolozi ranger, I am grateful to be able to spend every day in the wild, experiencing nature in its purest and rawest form.
There’s just something so special about being immersed in the bush – whether it be enjoying a quiet and intimate moment with a mother leopard bonding with her little cub, or enjoying the high-speed, exhilarating experience of seeing wild dogs on the hunt.
Wildlife photography has helped me to create a bond with the bush and all the many species within it. Every time I take my camera out with me is another opportunity to step into a peaceful world. Free from the noise of daily life and to simply be present in the natural world.
Sharing of Stories
Photography allows me to share the special stories of Londolozi’s wildlife with the world. Whether it’s the complex lion dynamics that always keep us on the edge of our seats, or the many trials and tribulations a leopard faces as a mother raising cubs.
There’s usually a wonderful story behind each image, whether it be in the build-up to get the shot, or simply the shot speaking for itself. I feel like the story behind an image is what ties it all together and is what ultimately inspires others to care for these animals and the wild spaces they call home.
Capturing Fleeting Moments
As we leave the camp for each game drive, we may drive into similar parts of the reserve, on the same dirt track, and possibly even see the same lions or leopards, but no two photos will ever be the same.
Many of the moments we bear witness to out here are truly once-in-a-lifetime. Some are only fleeting and will be gone within an instant. Sometimes you’ll never know when the next opportunity will be.
For me, there’s a subtle satisfaction in preserving some moments forever, and that’s part of the joy for me. Especially when the shot turned out how I envisioned it.
The Endless Creative Possibilities
The lighting, composition, and even the subject matter change with each picture. There’s always room to experiment and explore your options, whether it’s with different angles, lenses, or techniques. It’s the constant variation that challenges me and keeps me engaged. I’m always learning, making each game drive an opportunity for creative growth.
Wildlife photography brings together my love of nature, and my creative instincts, and can be so rewarding.
It has certainly taught me to see the world with greater wonder and respect, and that’s something I’ll always cherish.
Thank you for these incredible photos.
We are due back in South Africa from Australia to Londolozi in May this year for a month and these photos make it so worthwhile coming back each time. We are counting the number of days until our return…93 and counting.
Each day the first thing my husband and I do is go to your Blog for all the news and updates – you are all doing an amazing job and we thankyou all 🙂
outstanding work. These photos are truly unforgettable I can’t wait to come back!
Matt, your photos are terrific. Thanks for sharing them.
And thanks for helping me edit my photos in the editing studio.
We loved our time at Londolozi.
What beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing.
Matt, so beautiful. How lucky you are to live in that extraordinary world and how lucky we are that you share it with us.
When I am home and I look at my images, I have many of the same thoughts you expressed so perfectly here. Friends wonder why Chuck and I return to Londolozi every year …….and we think…..How can we not ?
Your photos are wonderful, Matt.
I’m also a dedicated photographer of wildlife. Nothing is so rewarding than being able to relive the experiences you had in the bush again and again at home. It takes you back to the most amazing times of your life.
And it is a pleasure to show the photos and videos to friends who enjoy them. I only do it when I know that they will be really pleased to see them. If this is the case it also transfers a bit of the experience and pleasure I had in the bush myrself to other people and the understanding of nature as well.
So all the time I am spending behind my camera on a game drive or walk is extremely well-spent time.
A wonderful collection of photos Matt.
Lana, a whole month!
You are very fortunate.
I am at Tree Camp this June for 10 days, and I consider that I am lucky.
Wonderful photos, Matt, and your thoughts about the allure of wildlife photography echo mine – one of the many ‘magnets’ that draw me back to Londolozi time after time.
Excellent list. I agree!
Hi Matt, while I don’t feel any excitement when looking at a predation or hunt but the anxiety and terror the prey must feel, I sympathise with you for, in order to write down ethograms, I have to spend hours filming and taking many oh-so- many pictures. By this way I write down any movement or action the animals do. Preferred one single animal out of a species, maximum two. Otherwise you lose – but you always will!- several behaviours. It may be in the cold icy wind or hot sun, but being a spectator of their lives and the environment is absolutely fantastic. One of the latest video of my year I do like is a stern flying above a deep.blue sea and watching closely at me, still, in the wind… a magical thing. Of course, emotions and personal impressions are not to be part of the ethogram, it stays in my heart and mind….
Hi Matt, your photo’s are awesome and each one tells it’s own story. Did you Rangers have a photography course, because each one you take beautiful photos. I am still experimenting photography and I live in a reserve where there are a few wild animals. How do you determine the F stop for your foto’s. Loved the leopard photo’s and the tiny cub leopard is gorgeous.
Matt, each of the photographs tells a different and new story. They are spectacular! Thank you for sharing, I really liked the eagles in flight knowing how hard it is to capture them on film.
Terrific photos Matt! I understand completely how you feel each time you head out on a drive or walk, carrying your camera with you and hoping that there will be a moment to remember to capture on your sensor. I live in a region where Sandhill Cranes stop by on their migratory route south of the US border and a few of us photographers drive to the delta hoping to find and capture a few photo. Nearby there is a bird refuge area that attracts egrets, stilts and a few varieties of ducks and spending time out there is relaxing reinforces my love of nature whilst allowing me to be creative with my shots – color/black&white?! So looking forward to more African experiences soon!!
Hot dog! Some of these pictures are amazing. I love doing macro photography, specially of insects and bugs. Unfortunately for me, the high contrast photos hurt my eyes and I can’t see them very well. Do you still keep the original photos in colour?
Lovely photos Matt
These stunning photos are very encouraging to us amateur photographic enthusiasts Africa is magic, I wish I lived back there.