Newsletter #28

November 2022

For all of my new subscribers, welcome! Each month I send out a newsletter that includes all the latest blogs, photos, safaris, tutorials, and promotions. I look forward to including you on the mailing list, and I cannot wait to share all that inspires me! Feel free to get in touch if you would like more information on prints, questions about photography, ideas for the future, or simply just to say hi! Thank you for joining my mailing list, and I hope you enjoy newsletter #28!

THE RAINY SEASON IS HERE

The wet season is in full swing here in Northern Botswana, and the rainy days have given me some extra time to work on a backlog of photographs. This months newsletter is full of new, and unpublished images from Chobe to the Masai Mara. As a result I will cut the intro short and let you enjoy some of my favourite moments from the last few months!

- William

NOVEMBER IN CHOBE

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MONTH

November is almost at an end, and for Botswana that means a striking change for the wildlife. The rainy season is upon us! Chobe has turned a shade of green seemingly overnight, now lush and full of new life. I love this time of the year as we finally get to say goodbye to the depressingly dry landscape and welcome back the summer migrants. From the sounds of the first woodland kingfishers, to the rebirth of the waterlilies in the quiet channels, it really is an overload for the senses. Although we do see a decline in the number of elephants and other mammals coming down to drink, it is made up for by the dramatic skies and abundance of birdlife. Here are a selection of my favourite images photographed with my guests during this month of change, I hope you enjoy them!

SKIES AND SILHOUETTES

FROM THE MARA

Hosting guests in the Masai Mara this year was truly amazing. A destination that is on most peoples safari bucket list because of the great migration, but there is so much more on offer! From lion kills to superb starlings, there were so many photographic highlights.

While nature is unpredictable, I went to Kenya with a vision in my head of a style of images I wanted to try and create. Renowned for its huge dramatic skies and simplistic landscapes, the Mara provides endless opportunity for photographers to master dramatic environmental photographs. I find that a goal is often important when on safari, not only does it give you focus, it also helps you visualise images within a setting. With this in mind, and a head full of ideas, my guests and I chased after storms and subjects to silhouette against them.

While I still have so many images to edit from the September trip, I hope you enjoy some of these "skies and silhouette" highlights from Kenyas most famous destination!

A FUNNY MOMENT ON THE RIVER

CATEGORY WINNER!

NATURES BEST MKAPA AWARDS

WINNER - Natures Best / Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Awards

I am thrilled to announce my image “lockdown” has won the African Wildlife in Backyards category in this years Natures Best Mkapa Wildlife Awards! It is such an honour to be awarded in this prestigious competition. Congratulations to all the amazing photographers awarded this year, it is a proud moment to be acknowledged alongside photographers I have always looked up to.

This is the second time lockdown has won an award after receiving second place in the 2021 Bird Photographer of the Year. It is great to get a result with an image that means so much to me. For those who do not know the backstory of the image you can read about it here;

“For many people, a large part of the past two years was spent at home. Due to COVID-19, South Africa went into one of the world’s most strict lockdowns. As a wildlife and travel photographer, I felt trapped. The only solution was to turn my camera to the animals near my home. Observing wildlife in your own backyard makes you realize how many stories there are to tell.

Every morning, this prinia would search for insects in the security gate at my front door. The insects drawn by the outside light proved an easy meal for the warbler. Adaption is the key to survival for humans and wildlife alike.”

SAPOTY CLOSING SOON!

BECOME THE NEXT SOUTH AFRICAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

The South African Photographer of the Year (SAPOTY) is designed to represent all those interested in photography. With separate professional, amateur, and junior categories, open to anyone in the world. The only limitation is all images must be taken in South Africa! With over R250 000 worth of prizes up for grabs, some of the world's best photographers on the judging panel, and an incredible conservation partner.

NOT SIGNED UP YET? JOIN THE MAILING LIST!

TO RECEIVE THE NEXT NEWSLETTER

If you are yet to subscribe and would like to join the mailing list, you can sign up below! Each month I send out a newsletter that includes all my latest photos, blogs, tutorials, promotions, guest features, and much much more! I look forward to including you on the mailing list, and I cannot wait to share all that inspires me. 

PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS

IN CASE YOU MISSED THEM!